Dear Parents of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School,

One of my favorite Catholic authors is Bishop Fulton Sheen. I am always in awe of the beauty of his words and often find myself re-reading his reflections and gaining more from them with each read. In this three-year Eucharistic Revival, we find ourselves, as the Catholic Church, focusing on the incredible miracle of the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. A quote I came across provided a look at the significance of the choosing of bread and wine for this miracle that I had never before encountered. It was powerful for me and I hope it is also impactful for you:

Why did Our Blessed Lord use bread and wine as the elements of this Memorial? First of all, because no two substances in nature better symbolize unity than bread and wine. As bread is made from a multiplicity of grains of wheat, and wine is made from a multiplicity of grapes, so the many who believe are one in Christ. Second, no two substances in nature have to suffer more to become what they are than bread and wine. Wheat has to pass through the rigors of winter, be ground beneath the Calvary or a mill, and then subjected to purging fire before it can become bread. Grapes in their turn must be subjected to the Gethsemane of a wine press and have their life crushed from them to become wine. Thus, do they symbolize the Passion and Sufferings of Christ, and the condition of Salvation, for Our Lord said unless we die to ourselves we cannot live in Him. – Bishop Fulton Sheen

May we always be in awe of the magnificence of our Incarnate Christ present to us in the Eucharist. 

Only by His Grace,

Veronica Tucker

Principal

COLD WEATHER APPAREL

As the weather turns cooler, please remember that ONLY St. Anthony of Padua outerwear (from Risse or Squadlocker) may be worn in the classrooms. Hoodies are not allowed in classrooms. Any jackets / coats may be worn outside or to and from school, but must remain stored in lockers or cubbies during the school day.

Monday, Oct. 23: Peace Out to Drugs

• Students may wear peace or tie-dye t-shirts with uniform bottoms.

Tuesday, Oct. 24: Heroes Don’t Do Drugs

• Students may wear super hero shirts with uniform bottoms

Wednesday, Oct. 25: Be a Smartie, Say No to Drugs

• Students should wear official Mass uniforms. Everyone gets a Smartie candy!

Thursday, Oct. 26: Team Up Against Drugs

• Students may wear sports shirts or jerseys with uniform bottoms.

Friday, Oct. 27: Use Your Head, Don’t Do Drugs

• Crazy hair day! It’s also a Spirit Shirt & Jeans day! 

OCTOBER FAMILY ROSARY

The month of October is dedicated to the Rosary, and after the Mass, the Rosary is the most powerful prayer at our disposal. Please sign up for a day that your family will pray the Rosary together. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F45A8AF29A6FC1-44641712-october

WHAT'S BREWING WITH MRS. TUCKER

Informal grade-level meetings with Mrs. Tucker. Meetings start at 8:15 AM in the Paduan Center/AMR (unless otherwise noted). Bring your own coffee!

Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 3rd Grade

Wednesday, Nov. 1 | 5th Grade

Wednesday, Nov. 8 | 4th Grade

Wednesday, Nov. 15 | 1st Grade

CLASS GROUP PICTURES & PICTURE RE-TAKES

Class group pictures and retakes will take place Wednesday, November 15th.

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

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

2023-2024 BASKETBALL COMMITMENT - 6th, 7th, & 8th Grades

St. Anthony needs to know how many student-athletes are interested in participating in Boys & Girls Basketball - 6th, 7th & 8th grades.

• Practices will start the week of October 23 for players not involved with fall athletics.
• The games will start mid-November and the season will run thru January.
• Due to the anticipated number of teams – teams may be scheduled to practice in the evenings and possibly some Saturday mornings.

St. Anthony would like to have a Varsity, JV & C-Team team for both Boys & Girls Basketball. Parents, it is important for you and your student-athlete to review the commitment details, the SAOPCS Athletic Handbook, and decide if it is something that you can choose to commit to by Friday, Oct. 13. At that time, we can see where we are numbers-wise and determine how teams St. Anthony will have.

All players MUST have a current Physical Exam on file BEFORE they will be able to participate. An athletics fee of $150.00 will be charged to your FACTS account.

NURSE NOTES

For 10/16/23-10/20/23:

• PK4 – One reported case of Croup
• 2nd grade – 7 cases of Influenza reported throughout the week (mixture of Influenza A and B)
• 2nd grade – 4 cases of Strep Throat
• 7th grade – assumed case of Influenza B
• 8th grade – reported case of Influenza B

DOLPHIN ATHLETICS UPDATE

10/16/23: Vollyball at Epiphany. C-Team - Won 2-0, B - Won 2-1, Won 2-0

10/17/23: Varsity Soccer at St. Theresa - Dolphins-3, Vikings-0

10/18/23: Football vs Assumption at SAOPCS - Dolphins – 56, Eagles – 32

GHCAA Cross Country Meet at Challenger Park in Webster, TX. Alan Aertker medaled with an 11th place finish.

10/19/23: Soccer vs Epiphany JV-Lost 0-2, Varsity tied 1-1.



UPCOMING DOLPHIN SPORTS:

10/23/23: GHCAA Volleyball Varsity Playoffs at St. Laurence at 5:00 PM

10/24/23: Soccer Christ the Redeemer at SAOPCS Varsity 4:30 PM

10/25/23: GHCAA Football Playoffs vs. St. Rose of Lima at Frassati at 7:00 PM

10/26/23: Soccer at Regis. JV at 4:30 PM, Varsity 5:30 PM

STEPS FOR STUDENTS - EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION

Registration is now open for this year's annual Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk supporting Catholic education!

• Saturday, February 10, 2024 | Downtown Houston

Price increases after Oct. 31st! Students who join our team by Oct. 30th may wear a Halloween shirt with jeans or uniform bottoms on Oct. 31st! Join our team at:  https://runsignup.com/apschooltx

DNN - 10/20/23

November 1 - ALL SAINTS STREAM DAY – All Saints STREAM Day will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 1st from 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM, and volunteers will be needed to assist students at each station. Supplies and details for every activity will be provided. Volunteers will need to stay at each station until the end of their sign-up time to assist with all classes passing through. ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST BE SAFE-ENVIRONMENT COMPLIANT.

MORE VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED! Especially for Middle School slots!

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School relies on annual, tax-deductible gifts, in addition to tuition, to balance the budget each year and continue to provide greater opportunities and facilities for our children. This year, we need your help to continue providing faculty development, offer current technology and resources, and add additional security (a full-time dedicated deputy)! Please consider increasing your gift in 2023-2024 to support this critical need. Thank you for your prayers and support of this effort!

WHAT IS THE LEADERSHIP SOCIETY?

The Leadership Society is a group of lead benefactors to the Fund for St. Anthony, who through their generosity demonstrate a commitment to the ideals and mission of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School. All individuals, companies and foundations are invited to join as members by making a gift of $2,000 or more by June 30, 2023 to the Fund for St. Anthony. Members are invited to a recognition reception with our Pastor, Principal and the School Advisory Committee for their investment in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School and are recognized in the school’s annual gratitude report. Additionally, gifts for $3,500 or more will be honored with a table for 10 at the 2024 Auction Gala. We are blessed and grateful for the devotion of the many members of The Leadership Society.



• $15,000 and above Partners in Mission
• $10,000 to $14,999 Pastor’s Circle
• $5,000 to $9,999 Principal’s Guild
• $3,000 to $4,999 Beacon of Light
• $1,500 to $2,999 Circle of Saints

FUN FOR ALL!

• The first two (2) classes or homerooms to reach 100% Family Participation in the Fund for St. Anthony will earn a special Free Dress Day & Pizza Party!  
• When we reach 90% family participation in the Fund for St. Anthony, the entire school will earn Friday, March 8 (the Friday before spring break) as a DAY OFF! As of today we are at 15% family participation!
• Gifts of $3,500 or more will be honored with a table for 10 at the Glitz, Glam & Gatsby Gala on April 6, 2024.

MONDAYS - Chess Club, 3:45-4:30 PM, Library. 

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. 

10/23/2023 - Red Ribbon Week - October 23-27

10/23/2023 - Red Ribbon Week: Peace Out to Drugs – Students may wear peace or tie-dye t-shirts with uniform bottoms.

10/24/2023 - Red Ribbon Week: Heroes Don’t Do Drugs – Students may wear super hero shirts with uniform bottoms.

10/25/2023 - Mass (7-1), 9:00 AM, Church

10/25/2023 - Red Ribbon Week: Be a Smartie, Say No to Drugs – Students should wear official Mass uniforms. Everyone gets a Smartie candy!

10/25/2023 - What's Brewing with Mrs. Tucker-3rd Grade, 8:15 AM, Paduan Center

10/26/2023 - Red Ribbon Week: Team Up Against Drugs – Students may wear sports shirts or jerseys with uniform bottoms.

10/27/2023 - Spirit Shirt & Jeans Day

10/27/2023 - Red Ribbon Week: Use Your Head, Don’t Do Drugs – Crazy hair day! It’s also a Spirit Shirt & Jeans day!

10/27/2023 - Middle School Social, 6:30-8:30 PM, Gym

11/01/2023 - What's Brewing with Mrs. Tucker- 5th Grade, 8:15 AM, Paduan Center

11/01/2023 - All Saints Day: Mass (4B), 9:00 AM, Church

11/01/2023 - All Saints STREAM Day

11/02/2023 - Living Room Show

11/02/2023 - Saints Bee, 8:15 AM, Gym

11/02/2023 - 3rd Grade Saints Gallery | 2:30-3:15 PM

11/03/2023 - Prospective Family Fall Preview, 8:30 AM

**Athletics events are featured on the full calendar in FACTS or in the app!**

Full Calendar available in ParentsWeb!

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

GEN VERDE IN CONCERT

Join us for an evening with music from the International Performing Arts Group “Gen Verde” on Saturday, October 21! Doors open at 6:30 PM, Concert starts at 7 PM in the Gym. More info at: https://ap.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1906625

ST. ANTHONY ALL SAINTS DAY FESTIVAL

Please see the attached flyer for information about attending, and also information about volunteering! Volunteering includes signing up for a very easy (and very clever) saint-themed activity, or various other ways to donate your time/efforts/gifts to our parish community. Please click the link below to check out what options are still open! https://ap.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1898576

Thank you very much in advance, and may your patron saints continue to pray for you always!

FRASSATI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE - Nov. 8

The Frassati Catholic Open House is the perfect event for 6th-8th grade students and families interested in becoming Frassati Falcons. On Wednesday, November 8, 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.