A "thank you" from the Tomkinson family

For the past seven years, the Tomkinson family has made Sacred Heart their home. In August they returned to Australia. We're grateful for the time they shared with us and look forward to seeing them again!

Today we share a special message from a special family:

To the Sacred Heart family,

Our family landed in Grand Forks on the 23rd of August 2015, we came from Australia to support our son Jordan in pursuing his dreams. Kobe and Bella both were excited about travelling to a new country. We sold everything, packed our suitcases and said goodbye to our loved ones. We never imagined that this adventure would lead to each of us having our own individual adventures.



Our time at Sacred Heart has been a blessing for each one of us. We have all had the opportunity to use our gifts to be of service in our school, parish and work. I was able to work at SHS, volunteer, serve at SH mass and help the Men in Black. Grant my husband, a Professor at UND, he encouraged and supported his students to strive for more in their studies and to explore more opportunities for their futures. Pushing them to be the best versions of themselves personally and professionally, to continue to learn beyond university.

Jordan had always been a good student and dedicated to his basketball. Training 7 days a week and studying in the car, anywhere in between team/individual practice, games and State selection team. He felt at home at SHS in a Catholic community, continuing to be a good student in the classroom and driven in his Basketball. He chose to come to Sacred Heart in the hope he could use his gifts on the basketball court, to change the narrative and help build a program. Jordan developed great professional relationships with WDAZ staff and the Grand Forks Herald, and he wanted to put Sacred Heart on the map.

Kobe wanted to make his brother proud and continue what he had started. He spent significant time focused on his class work and spending any free time on a basketball court. When Jordan graduated from SHS, Kobe proudly put on #35 and pushed forward with their dreams on what they wanted for Sacred Heart basketball. So many conversations over the seven years were had asking "how do we get to the State Tournament?" Two very different yet very similar young men. Best friends, driven to put in the work everyday. With the help of this awesome community they did it! Sacred Heart Boys Basketball got to State and with the whole community behind them.

Bella started at SHS as a preschool student loving her friends and family life. Her life was basketball stadiums everyday, eating dinner out of lunch boxes six nights a week... and she never complained. She watched and supported her brothers through the years, seeing the rough times and great times. Bella began her own journey, loving learning, playing basketball and volleyball, pursuing her art and developing a passion for singing and acting. She became an altar server, and during Covid was serving weekly. Sharing this time with her, with both of us serving at Masses regularly was a blessing.

We landed in Sydney, Australia on the 23rd of August 2022 (USA time). Seven years exactly after having left. Seven is symbolic in the bible. It is a sense of fullness and completeness. We completed so much, whilst preparing ourselves for the next chapter in each of our lives. We each grew and are so very thankful for all those who made it possible for our children to be at Sacred Heart. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and know we will miss our Sacred Heart Family. You will be in our prayers, hearts and thoughts always.

This isn’t "goodbye," it is "see you later" or "see you soon." We will return. We were born to travel and embrace this gift of life.

Love to you all,

Grant, Natasha, Jordan, Kobe and Bella Tomkinson