Dear Families of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School,

Happy Feast of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary!

One of the many things I LOVE about working and being a parent in Catholic schools are Holy Days. I am so glad that our school is in session on this day. How wonderful that we are able to attend Mass as a school family, joined by so many of our parents and parishioners to honor Mary. It is often surprising how many Catholics misunderstand this Feast Day. Many Catholics here “Immaculate Conception” and think this is a day that honors the conception of Christ in Mary’s womb. I really enjoy studying the origins of our church’s Holy Days. Did you know that the Feast of the Immaculate Conception goes back to the Eastern church of the 7th century? We celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8th so it only makes mathematical sense that we celebrate her Immaculate Conception nine months earlier on December 8th. 😊 On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX officially declared the Immaculate Conception a dogma of the Church. What an honor it is for us to celebrate our Blessed Mother together today!

Only by His Grace,

Veronica Tucker

Principal

CLASS GROUP PICTURES & PICTURE RE-TAKES

Class group pictures and retakes are on Wednesday, December 13th! Please be sure your students wear official school uniforms!

LIFETOUCH COUPON

Don't Forget to Order This Year's School Pictures! ENJOY 10% OFF your order with this coupon code! CODE: F202310OFF | EXPIRES: May 1, 2024

2ND QUARTER STEWARDSHIP PROJECT

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Share Your Blessings drive for Catholic Charities!

CHESS CLUB - 2ND SEMESTER

St. Anthony of Padua Chess Club - Facilitated by USA Chess!

All skill levels welcome! Learn tactics & strategies. Play with other kids. Rank up and earn prizes!

Mondays, 3:45 - 4:30 PM | February 5-April 29

Grades 1-8 | $130 per semester

WHY PARENTS LOVE CHESS:

• Develops cognitive skills
• Builds confidence
• Helps ADHD
• Improves memory
• Increases attention span

Questions, contact info@usachess.com

NURSE NOTES

For 12/4/23-12/8/23:

7th Grade: One reported case of COVID

There were a couple of tummy issues this week in different grade levels.  

Please report any specific diagnosis to Mrs. Pavlock or Attendance.  

GIVING BY LIVING - Minted.com

Use Code: FUNDRAISESAPCS for a 20% discount and they will donate 15% back to our school! https://www.minted.com/

2023-2024 YEARBOOKS

Order your '23-'24 Yearbooks now! Yearbooks are $45 and will be delivered at the start of next school year.

You may also create your own page! Commemorate your student's school year!

• Full page ad - $150
• 1/2 page ad - $75
• 1/4 page ad - $50

All orders will be placed online using this link:

https://www.balfour.com/texas/the-woodlands/st-anthony-of-padua-catholic-school

DNN - 12/8/23 - There were a few technical difficulties today! Sorry!

ATHLETICS UPDATE

Dolphin Basketball This Week:

12/4/23: BOYS BASKETBALL vs. St Theresa Vikings. C-Team won 17-16., JV lost 22-36. Varsity lost 47-57.

12/5/23: GIRLS BASKETBALL vs St Theresa Ladies Vikings at 5:30 PM

12/5/23: BOYS BASKETBALL C-team Boys vs. Trinity Klein lost 20-35.

Dolphins Basketball Next Week:

TODAY (Friday) the Dolphins are in actionat home vs. the Cardinals of St. Rose of Lima. The JV Boys play at 4:30PM, Varsity Boys at 5:30PM and the Varsity Girls tip off at 6:30PM. So Come Out and Cheer On your Dolphins!

On Monday the Boys C-Team will travel to Conroe to take on the Sacred Heart Eagles! Good Luck Dolphins!

SPONSORSHIPS & TICKETS

We have a variety of sponsorship levels that include after-party tickets for some or all guests!

GALA TICKET PRE-SALE

Paduan Patrons - $650 (Available for $600 until Dec. 16th ONLY!)

• Two seats at the Gala
• Two tickets to after-party
• Recognition on the sponsor page of program
• Recognition in the Annual Report

Individual Ticket - $200 (Available for $175 until Dec. 16th ONLY!)

Individual After-Party Ticket - $125

NEW PARENTS NIGHT OUT & KING + COUNTRY TICKET AUCTION!

All proceeds benefit the gala & our school!

HOLLY JOLLY

PARENTS NIGHT OUT

Friday, Dec. 15th

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

For Pre-K3-5th Grade Students

Must register by Wed., Dec. 13th.

KING + COUNTRY CONCERT

TICKET AUCTION

Bidding open until Wednesday, Dec. 13th at 7:00 PM or Buy It Now!

See gala website for more details!

SIGN-UP PARTIES

Gala Sign-up Parties are hosted by faculty or families and can be adult, family or child-centered—and most importantly, FUN! All proceeds from Gala Sign-Up Parties benefit our school and students. January & February parties will be announced in the December 15th Messenger!

WINNER'S CHOICE RAFFLE

For our 6th year, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School is holding a Winner’s Choice Raffle in conjunction with our Glitz, Glam & Gatsby Gala! Raffle packets went home in Green Folders with Youngest/Only students. Please be sure to read the letter thoroughly to answer your questions.

Glitz, Glam & Gatsby Gala | WINNER’S CHOICE RAFFLE • PRICE: $20.00 each

One (1) Grand Prize Winner will win a choice of one (1) of three trips:

• SNOWY SLOPES OF JACKSON HOLE-Lift tickets with 3-night stay for 2 with Airfare
• DRIVE & DREAM PALM SPRINGS-BMW Performance Drive, Mid-Century Tour, 3-night stay for 2 with Airfare
• DISNEY WORLD FAMILY ADVENTURE-Disney Gift Card ($550) Redeemable for Admission and 4-Night Stay Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress with Airfare for 2

NOTES: **Winspire Booking & Concierge can assist winner with extra hotel nights, airfare upgrades, and additional guests at winner’s expense. Trip must be booked within one year of drawing. Travel date must occur within two years.

Raffle tickets may also be purchased on our gala website at: RAFFLE TICKETS

Thank you to Tachus Fiber Internet for sponsoring this year's Raffle!

We already have 157 members of our Steps for Students Team! Join our St. Anthony team to be a part of Steps for Students on February 10, 2024.

**HAPPY NEW YEAR! All St. Anthony Students who have joined our team by January 5th will receive a Free Shoe Pass (except Mass Days) for the month of January!** 

FELLOWSHIP SUNDAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Our school is serving coffee & donuts at Fellowship Sunday on Sunday, Jan. 14th. We need families to help serve for our parish community after 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Masses. This is a great way to earn Paduan Points and partner with our parish! Students may volunteer but must have a parent or responsible adult in attendance to supervise. Parents earn Paduan Points!

MONDAYS - Chess Club, 3:45-4:30 PM, Library. (Back in February. Sign-up.) 

MONDAYS - Strings Club, 3:45-4:30 PM, Band Hall.

MONDAYS - ZUMBA® Kids Jr. Club, 3:45-4:30 PM, Spanish classroom.

TUESDAYS - Student Rosary Group, 7:15 AM in Paduan Center.

TUESDAYS - Parent Rosary Group (English) 8:15 AM, PLB Room 204. 

WEDNESDAYS - Mass Choir, 6:45 AM, Sheltz Hall. 

WEDNESDAYS - Sacred Soles Run Club, 3:30 PM, Sports Fields.

WEDNESDAYS - Art Club, 3:45-5:00 PM, Art Room.

THURSDAYS - Parent Rosary Group (Spanish) 8:15 AM, PLB Room 204.

Please check the calendar and/or communications from club advisors regarding cancellations or changes. 

12/09/2023 - Lessons and Carols at Frassati, 2:00 PM

12/11/2023 - Morning Assembly, 8:00 AM, GYM

12/12/2023 - Spirit Day: Chick-Fil-A Alden Bridge, All Day

12/13/2023 - Class Pictures and Individual Re-takes

12/13/2023 - Mass (6-1), 9:00 AM, Church

12/14/2023 – 1st and 2nd Grade Program, 6:30 PM, Gym

12/15/2023 – Spirit Shirt & Jeans Day

12/20/2023 - Middle School College Alumni Panel, 8:15 AM

12/20/2023 – Mass, 9:00 AM, Church

12/20/2023 - Noon Dismissal | No afternoon Beyond the Bell

12/21/2023 – 01/05/2023: Christmas Break

Full Calendar available in ParentsWeb!

Frassati Catholic High School - December 15, Priority Application Deadline

Frassati Catholic applications are open for the 2024-25 academic year and the Priority Application Deadline is next Friday, December 15! For current 8th grade students or those interested in transferring, this is the first step to becoming a Frassati Falcon - and families can get started today. Simply log in to the SchoolAdmin admissions portal, click "begin admissions process" and you'll be on your way! Following the completed online application, applicants will have access to the applicant checklist, providing the ability to upload documents, see their application progress, and even schedule a shadow visit on campus early next semester. The Priority Application Deadline comes with the benefit of a lower application fee - after the deadline Frassati Catholic will continue to accept applications for the 2024-2025 academic year, although applying early is the best way to ensure an admissions decision by the Friday, March 8 decision release.

Frassati Catholic January Open House - January 17

The Frassati Catholic Open House is the perfect event for 6th-8th grade students and families interested in becoming Frassati Falcons. On Wednesday, January 17, from 6-8pm you're invited to the Frassati Catholic Open House for an info session and tours of campus. Learn more about Frassati Catholic, meet current students and faculty, and take the opportunity to see what life is like at a Frassati Falcon. RSVP at https://www.frassaticatholic.org/openhouse.

For questions about Frassati Catholic enrollment, please contact Director of Enrollment, Mr. Tim Lienhard at admissions@frassaticatholic.org

ADVENT MISSION - SARAH KROGER & DOM QUAGLIA

December 10 | 7:30 PM | Church

Catholic recording artist Sarah Kroger will be joining us for our 2023 Advent Mission on Sunday, December 10th at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Sarah and her husband, noted speaker and author Dom Quaglia, are embarking on a "Light Has Come" Christmas Tour and we're extremely excited to welcome them to The Woodlands! More info.

PRIEST MEALS

A Meal Train has been created to help feed our priests at the rectory weekly. If you would like to sign-up to provide a meal, please click the link, review the instructions and pick a date to sign-up! https://mealtrain.com/e17zoe

BINDING LOVE - MARRIAGE CONFERENCE – JANUARY 13

Begin 2024 by revitalizing your marriage and learning the importance of standing together as a united front, with God at the center, to face life's challenges. Join us as we explore and dive into Ecclesiastes 4:12 and what that means for your marriage. 

Married couples of ALL ages and stages are invited to join us for a one-day conference hosted by Bobby and Jackie Angel! The conference will be from 9 AM - 3 PM with lunch included. $30 per person/ $60 per couple. Childcare is available with advanced registration.

Bobby and Jackie Angel : We are Catholic Speakers, Authors, Evangelists, Bloggers, and goofballs for Christ. We love having fun, keeping it natural and relatable around here. With ten years of marriage under our belt and the experience of parenting five crazy kids, we’ve got plenty of stories to share. Want to know more about Bobby and Jackie? Check out their website and podcast here. For details about upcoming events, please visit ap.church/events.