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Pope Benedict has declared this year be the “Year of Faith” beginning tomorrow, October 11th. The Year of Faith is going to help us get back in touch with the basics of our Catholic identity and the devotions, the community celebrations, the shared love of the Eucharist that is at the core of our beings. The Year of Faith begins on the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. The true task of the Year of Faith is so simple we might miss it: it is a call to be in a relationship with Jesus—not to just know of him, but to know him. In honor of this year of Faith, the school has purchased a subscription to ‘Partners in Faith’. We will send these informational flyers home several times each month. The mission of Partners in Faith is to help parents raise faithful, Catholic children. We hope that this information will help you as you work to raise your children in the Catholic faith.
FAMILY MASS-ALTAR SERVER RECOGNITION: Please join us for a special Altar Server installation Mass this Sunday, October 14th, at 10:00am. We will celebrate our Altar Servers who have attended training sessions in recent weeks and are now ready to be officially installed. Being an Altar Server is a very special way for a child to be of service to the church. Altar servers serve not only the priest, but also their family and the whole Church community. This is a wonderful occasion for our community to offer their prayers in thanksgiving and appreciation for the dedicated and faithful service our children provide. Please use the blue envelope you are receiving today for the second collection that will be in aid of the school.
SANDWICHES-FOR-THE-NEEDY: This Friday, October 12th, is our next collection of sandwiches-for-the-needy. All are encouraged to participate and the sixth and third graders are charged with taking the lead that day. Some of our upper grade students will work with Alma Via residents this week to make sandwiches. Don’t have time to make a sandwich for our collection…we are accepting donations to help Martin de Porres House of Hospitality defray expenses for sandwiches they make on other days. We thank you in advance for what we hope will be another huge collection for those in need.
Next Monday, October 15th, Olive the Storyteller, will be here to tell tales to the kindergarten through third grades. Come and enjoy them, too, at 8:30 and 9:40. Also on Monday, the seventh and eighth graders will be visited from representatives from Mercy High School, San Francisco and Archbishop Riordan High School.
BUILDING INTO THE FUTURE ONE BRICK AT A TIME: Last week we rolled out our ‘Buy a Brick’ fundraiser. We are hoping to raise at least $80,000 through this program. An order form for the first 100 bricks available for sale is enclosed in your envelope today. Get your order in early - this is your chance to leave a lasting remembrance of your family’s time at STM. Two of the $1,000 fountain plaques have already been purchased….only six left!!!
CONFERENCES: Parent conferences are set for the week of November 5th-9th. In order to plan conferences at a convenient time for you, we are making both afternoon and evening appointments available. Please follow ALL of the listed directions on the conference request form you are receiving in your envelope today. If this form is not filled in as directed, it will be returned to you! Please remember that your accounts, both tuition and extended care, must be in good standing in order for you to receive a conference and your child’s report card.
BIRTHDAYS: Just a reminder that if you wish to provide class refreshments on the occasion of your child’s birthday, you must contact the classroom teacher at least a week in advance to make a mutually convenient plan. Refreshments must be limited to: an individual serving of prepared treats (such as a muffin, a bagel or a piece of fruit) and a self-serve beverage (milk or juice). Please avoid snacks high in sugar and fats. Need suggestions? Ask your child’s teacher. No goody bags or other treats are allowed. Refreshments should be dropped off to the office before school or at the time specified by the teacher.
ARE YOU CREATIVE?: We are looking for talented members of our school community to design a new logo/crest for STM. The bronco logo, as seen on sweatshirts and on our gym floor is used mainly for the athletic program. The new logo, which will be featured on our letterheads, envelopes, business cards and promotional materials should reflect that we are a Catholic school and will portray our Catholic Identity into the future. Please contact Melody for further guidelines and information. Hopefully we will have many great designs from which to choose.
Thank you for all you to do for us!
Sincerely,
Marie Fitzpatrick
Principal
