Disciple Dispatch 10-23-26

October 23, 2026

We had a blast today at our pep rally assembly. Volleyball, relays, games and popcorn, oh my! The 8th girls came away with the win against the 8th grade boys. We love to gather as a school to celebrate all the wonderful things happening at IHM. More photos will be on our social pages!

From the Principal's Desk

Hello IHM Families!

What a gift to be able to spend time at professional development last week! The teachers were able to enjoy keynote speakers and hundreds of sessions with other Catholic and Christian teachers on Thursday and Friday. And having that time to collaborate with each other was a true gift as well. Teachers shared takeaways with me from their different sessions and it sounds like it was a great experience for everyone!

We are so excited to be able to work with the DeVos Family Foundation and many other Christian schools on the Tin Can initiative. Please see further into the Dispatch for more information, but we are following the research and the trends for technology and screen time to be reduced for kids and to delay SMART phones for children. This means children need a way to communicate, so the Tin Can phone is a wonderful resource! Many of our families already own them and our IHM families can get a significant discount thanks to the DeVos Family Foundation. Our third grade families already received a free Tin Can phone! It even has the twirly cord many of us remember from our home phones. I hope many families can take advantage of this opportunity!

What a fun Pep Rally to celebrate the end of the first quarter next week! Our 8th graders planned a great event for our school. I hope you all have a great weekend!

Blessings,

Mrs. Holly Lake

Principal

Fall Conferences

Fall Parent-Teacher conferences are coming up on October 28-29. These conferences are mandatory for Prek 4 - 8th grade. Please click the link below to sign up for a time slot.

PreK - 5th Grade Conferences

Middle School Conferences

Speaking of Conferences...

The Home & School Association will be helping to provide a catered meal for our hardworking teachers and staff during conferences. We are in need of drinks and desserts as well as monetary donations towards the meal on October 28th. All donations should be sent to the office clearly marked for Fall conference meals. The sign up can be found below!

Conferece Meal Sign Up

The IHM School Board is currently updating our school Strategic Plan to ensure we are fully prepared for the years ahead. Because our community thrives when we work together, we want to hear directly from you—our parents! Please take 5 minutes to share your thoughts by completing this short survey.

Click to Take Survey

Ring, Ring! IHM Joins the Tin Can Initiative!

We are so excited to announce that IHM is partnering with DeVos Family Foundation and several Christian schools across West Michigan on the Tin Can Initiative, a community-wide effort to help families delay smartphone use while still giving children opportunities to build independence and stay connected.

Beginning with our third-grade families, students received a free Tin Can phone—a landline-style, Wi-Fi connected phone with no apps, internet access or screen. Kids can call parent-approved friends and family, make plans and practice independence without the pressures and distractions of a smartphone.

IHM is proud to be the FIRST Catholic school in Grand Rapids to join this growing initiative! By working together with other Christian school communities, we hope to help make waiting for a smartphone feel normal—and give our kids more time to connect, play and experience childhood beyond a screen. Click HERE for ordering information and to join the IHM Tin Can Contact List!

Thanks for Making our Pep Rally POP!

A big thank-you to Celebration Cinema for their generous support of our 8th grade class by donating popcorn for today’s pep rally! We are so grateful for their continued generosity and for being such a wonderful community partner.

The Book Fair is Next Week

IHM's Book Fair will be here Wednesday, October 28-Friday, October 30. Below is a link to create an account to shop online or set your child(ren) up with an eWallet to make purchases at the book fair during library times. Students may also bring in cash if parents prefer that. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Reidt at lreidt@ihmschoolgr.org.

Create an Account

Show your IHM Pride!

We are SO excited to send every IHM family home with a “Proud IHM Family” yard sign! If you have not already picked yours up, they will be available in the office next week after school and during conferences. Put yours on display, show your IHM pride, and join in our Halloween Yard Sign Contest on October 31! Instructions will be included on the back of your sign.

One yard sign will be provided FREE to every IHM family. Want another? Additional signs will be available in the school office for $15 each—perfect for grandparents, multiple homes, or anyone who wants a little extra IHM pride in their yard!

We can’t wait to see IHM pride popping up all over town!

World's Finest Chocolate Bar Sales

Calling all chocolate lovers! The 8th grade class is once again selling World's Finest Chocolate bars. Order forms went home earlier this week and are due with payment on Monday, 10/26. Candy bars will be delivered the week of November 2nd. Thank you for your support!

Now Enrolling Young 3s!

We are SO excited to announce that we are starting a brand new preschool program specifically for young three year olds! If you have a child that has or will be turning three before December 31 but missed the September 1 deadline for Prek 3 - this program is perfect for you! Mrs. Angela Bayes will be teaching our littlest learners on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Bonus - as an enrolled student, Young 3s are also eligable for preschool enrichment and Disciple Den! If you are interested or know someone that might be, please have them contact Mrs. Dunlap at ldunlap@ihmschoolgr.org

Letter from Fr. Troy Re: Altar Serving

Serving at the Altar: Growing in Faith and Commitment

The celebration of the Catholic Mass is a beautiful and sacred expression of our faith, rich in prayer, Scripture, symbolism, and tradition. From our Sunday Eucharist to the solemn celebrations of Holy Week and the Easter Triduum, every prayer, gesture, and liturgical action has meaning. The Corpus Christi procession, when we carry the Blessed Sacrament beyond the church, is another powerful witness to our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. These celebrations remind us that our liturgy requires preparation, reverence, coordination, and the dedicated service of many people.

Our liturgical ministers help make these celebrations prayerful and meaningful. Among them, altar servers have a special role. Their ministry involves more than carrying the cross, holding candles, or assisting the priest. They must learn the order of the Mass, understand the meaning of liturgical actions, handle sacred objects reverently, and remain attentive throughout the celebration. During major liturgies, these responsibilities require additional practice, teamwork, and commitment.

One challenge we face is encouraging our young altar servers to continue serving as they transition from middle school into high school. With increased academic demands, sports, extracurricular activities, and changing schedules, it can be tempting to step away from parish ministry. Yet, these years are an especially important time for young people to deepen their faith, develop a stronger sense of responsibility, and become role models for younger servers. We encourage our youth to see high school not as the end of their altar-serving journey, but as an opportunity to grow in faith and service and mentor the next generation of servers.

Parents are essential partners in this effort. Your encouragement, help with

transportation and scheduling, and support for rehearsals can make a tremendous

difference. By helping your children honor their commitments and remain involved in parish life, you remind them that serving the Lord is a privilege and an important part of their faith journey. We understand that family schedules can be demanding, but your support can help our young people remain connected to the Church during these formative years.

As a parish, we must continue to welcome, train, and appreciate our altar servers and all liturgical ministers. We want our young people to know that they are valued, needed, and capable of making a meaningful contribution to our worship and community.

Peace,

Fr. Troy

All Souls' Memorial Display

Memorialize your loved one(s) by sending in a picture of them for our Memorial Display. Students and staff will be encouraged to offer a quiet prayer for their souls each time they pass the display. If you would like your original picture returned, please indicate who to return it to on the back. Copies of photographs are a safe option! Send in your photos Attn: Mrs. Iwan at the school office or email to siwan@ihmschoolgr.org.

Fall Gathering is Next Thursday!

Join us next Thursday, October 29th, at 6:00 pm at Cascade Country Club for our Annual Fall Gathering. Tickets are $75 per person and includes a pasta dinner. Dress is Sunday Best. CASH BAR only. All proceeds go to support our maintenance fund that aids the ongoing restoration and repair of our campus. If you have not purchased your ticket yet, CLICK HERE to buy tickets.

A big shoutout to our Co-Chairs Reed and Meghan Lawrie and Drew and Mackenzie Anderson for making this event possible!

Trunk Or Treat

IHM Parents we need you for Trunk-or-Treating on Friday, October 30th at 10:00am! Grades K-5 will be participating (preschool will have their own). Please see the Sign up Genius for Trunk-or-Treat! If you cannot make it to the Trunk or Treat please consider signing up to donate a bulk bag of Halloween candy that will be used to put together candy bags for our 6th-8th graders! This event is so fun to be a part of for the kids and parents! The event will take place in the school parking lot by the Parish Fields. In the event of inclement weather, Trunk or Treating will be moved to the gymnasium. We hope to see you there for the festivities!

Trunk or Treat Sign Up

We deserve nothing. Every good gift has come from the Father.

Have we shown our appreciation?

Take a listen to Fr. Troy's All School Mass Homily!

Hi IHM Families!

The countdown is on! Join us on Saturday, November 7, 2026, for Immaculate Heart of Mary’s annual fundraising auction! We’re bringing the cozy charm of an alpine lodge to IHM for a fun-filled evening of great company, exciting auction items, and an incredible opportunity to support our school.

Whether you’re ready to hit the bidding slopes, enjoy a night out with friends, or simply soak up the Après Ski atmosphere, you won’t want to miss it!

Grab your tickets today and join us in the lodge! Every ticket helps support IHM and the amazing things happening in our school community. The Early Bird pricing ends October 29th, 2026. Purchase your tickets HERE

We’re still looking for volunteers to help keep the evening running smoothly and make sure our guests have an amazing night. Sign up below!

2026 Auction Volunteers: 2026 Auction Volunteers

Bundle up, bring your friends, and get ready for a night worth celebrating!

We’ll see you in the lodge!

IHM Auction Committee

Our Immaculate Heart of Mary Youth Ministry Program recently underwent personnel changes. Youth Minister Stacie Byers resigned her post as leader of the Middle School EDGE Night Ministry. We wish her our best as she moves her school-aged children and ministry closer to their home in Marne. Continuing the EDGE program, we welcome interim Team Leader Eliza (Brown) Sergeant. A graduate of IHM School, Catholic Central High School and Aquinas College, Eliza was a very active member of our Youth Ministry program prior to her recent marriage and birth of their daughter. Interested in joining the Youth Ministry Team? Contact Colleen Lowe in the parish office at 616-241-4477 or pa@ihmparishgr.org.

Purchase tickets HERE

Altar Server Training

5th Grade & Up — Ready to Serve? Join us for Altar Server Training on November 2, 2026, from 1:50–3:05 PM. Come learn the basics, get comfortable serving, and discover how you can serve in an important role in the celebration of Mass. Interested in serving at Funerals? Funeral Server Training will take place at the same time on November 2nd. Permission slips can be picked up from the school office. Please have them signed and returned to the office before the training.

Refresher Training

Want to feel more confident, overcome those pre-Mass nerves, or sharpen your skills? Come to our Refresher Course on October 25 from 9:30–10:15 AM in the church, between Masses.

Please sign up on SignUpGenius!

SAVE THE DATE - A mandatory meeting for ALL parents of student altar servers is scheduled for Sunday, November 15 from 9:30 - 10:15 am.

Questions? Contact Dr. or Mrs. Brown at christinabrown77@gmail.com

On December 3, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 pm your family is invited to celebrate the IHM Parish Family Evening of Reconciliation. Approximately 7 priests will be stationed throughout the church to hear confessions, either privately or face to face. A host of volunteers will be on hand to direct you to either the priest of your choice or the next available. Wait times should be minimal. Grace will be overflowing! BONUS: Our 2nd graders will be making their First Confession that night as well. All the more reason to bring your entire family to celebrate Christ's merciful love.

*Note to Parents of IHM School children: In an effort to ensure the care of your children's soul(s) remains primarily in your hands, this offering is being made in place of the All School Reconciliation normally held in December during the school day.

Blackbaud Financial Aid + Bishop’s Scholarship

Applications for Blackbaud Financial Aid and Bishop's Scholarship opened on September 30th. Below are links to the 2027-2028 Calendar, Tiers and FAQ's.

A hard copy of information regarding Financial Aid, Bishop's Scholarship and Parish Support Form will be coming home in the next couple of weeks, so keep an eye out for it!

Why does it matter if I register with a Church or not?

While Catholics are free to attend Mass and otherwise be involved in the life of whatever parish they choose, a Catholic’s official parish is determined by where they live. Much like voting precincts, or state lines, Diocesean churches have physical boundaries or territories, under the assigned care and administration of the parish priest. For the sake of the sacraments, the parish priest is responsible for those souls within his territory whether registered or not. Transient, non-committed individuals/families, attending Mass wherever/whenever, often disappear in the shuffle until a spiritual want or need arises. It is laudable when a family registers at a parish, even one outside of those boundaries, as many of our registered IHM families do. Church membership is not just about checking a box to receive discounted tuition, nor to address tithing envelopes, although both are benefits. (Others include weddings, baptisms, funerals and of course, the Sacraments.) Membership means committing to a parish family in worship, support and parish family life. Membership has its privileges AND responsibilities.*

*All adults 18+ should be registered with a Catholic Church and likewise be afforded the spiritual care and support due them. (Share with your grown children who still think they are under your membership.)