| | | | Dear Parents:
Regular Mass attendance is a meaningful experience that helps children and parents understand, prepare for and celebrate many of the Sacraments, including First Reconciliation, First Communion and/or Confirmation. Our intent in this exercise is to have you and your child accustomed to participating in the weekly mass at your Church if you are not already doing so.
As you know the Sacraments help us build a life around Christ and in order to do that the Church teaches that it is necessary for the faithful to regularly attend Sunday Mass. In fact the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The first precept of 'You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor' requires the faithful to sanctify the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord as well as the principal liturgical feasts honoring the mysteries of the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints; in the first place, by participating in the Eucharistic celebration, in which the Christian community is gathered, and by resting from those works and activities which could impede such a sanctification of these days." It is our fervent hope is that in attending mass, you and your family will be able to discover the great blessing that comes from praying together.
Beginning this year, all students who are preparing for First Reconciliation, First Communion and/or Confirmation at St. Thomas More School shall use a Mass Attendance card during their preparation. Students in 2nd and 7th grade are receiving these cards today.
Thank you to all who joined us for our Family Mass this past Sunday. The 5th graders, along with their teacher, Miss Kane, prepared a meaningful service. Thank you also to our wonderful choir and their director, Shelley White, for gracing us with their beautiful voices. Congratulations to our altar servers who were commissioned during the mass. Our next Family Mass will be on November 9th when we celebrate our 60th Anniversary. We look forward to having all of our students and families participate in this exciting event. | | PERSONAL ITEMS COLLECTION: Please remember that tomorrow marks the last day of collecting items for the SF VA Medical Center. Thank you to those who have already brought in donations; please keep them coming.
SCHOOL PHOTOS: Those of you who ordered school pictures are receiving them in your envelope today. If you wish for your child to re-take his/her picture on our re-take day, scheduled for October 16th, please return the entire photo package to the classroom teacher by Wednesday, October 15th. | | | | FUNDRAISING CATALOG: Thank you to everyone who purchased items from our annual fundraising catalog. Congratulations to the 86 students who sold 15 or more items. They will receive a free dress pass to be used on this coming Friday, October 10th. These students will also be entered into a drawing for a special prize on Friday. If you believe that your child should have received a free dress pass because of additional items sold online by family member or friends, please notify the office immediately so that we can prepare a pass for your child. Let us know the name of the person that made the online purchases in your child's name. We expect delivery of these items on Thursday, October 23rd. We will notify you in advance in order that you can pick up frozen items the day they are delivered. | | INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL: Sign-ups for the International Food/Fall Festival are now online. Please click here to select an assignment. As you know, this year, the event will be held over two days, Saturday, October 25th and 26th with an additional day for clean-up on October 27th. Please return the flyer you have previously received regarding admission to the festival and jumper bracelets if you are planning to attend.
NIGHT AT THE RACES: As part of the International Food Festival, the "horse races" are coming to STM on Saturday, October 25th! This has always been an exciting evening with lots of fun activities, "adult" refreshments and lively entertainment. Free entrance with festival admission! Check out the double-sided flyer in your envelope again today for more details. | | | BIRTHDAYS: Just a reminder that if you wish to provide class refreshments on the occasion of your child's birthday, please contact complete the online birthday request 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 allowed. To avoid allergy concerns, do not pack two or more items together. Also, please try to be aware of allergies students have when providing snacks. Refreshments should be dropped off to the office before school or at the time specified by the teacher.
FREE STUDENT DESKS: We have 20 student desks to give away. They were originally used in the 4th-8th grades, but the lids no longer stay up on their own. Please drop by the school to check them out if you are interested. | |  | | THIS NEWS JUST IN FROM OUR DAD'S CLUB: The next Dads' Club social will be held on Friday, October 17th, 6:30pm at 21st Amendment Brewery located in the South of Market neighborhood (563 2nd street), just two blocks from the ballpark. Our last Dads' Club event at Social Kitchen and Brewery was a huge success and we plan to build on that momentum! Please join us for what the San Francisco press voted as the "Best Brewpub," along with the best beer and burger in the city. In addition to the accolades, 21st Amendment has eight rotating taps of multiple award-winning hand-crafted beers. Need we say more? Please RSVP to STMdadsclub@gmail.com. Thank you for your continued support! | | Please continue your prayers for Msgr. Labib as he continues on his road to improved health. Archbishop Cordileone has granted Fr. Labib a period of medical leave in order to facilitate his recovery. In the interim Fr. Bernard has been appointed as Administrator of the Parish. Our good wishes and prayers are with him also in his new assignment.
Sincerely,
Marie Fitzpatrick
Principal | | | | | | | |
