Hello families,
If “thank you” is the only prayer you ever say, it will be enough. I find more and more evidence in scripture and personal experience that prayers of gratitude are so incredibly powerful. Not just for Thanksgiving, but truly at all times, including when something doesn’t go the way we hoped or wanted, praising God and thanking Him for his blessings is a grounding prayer, an affirming prayer. These prayers shift our focus from what we don’t have to what we do have, from disappointment to understanding, from anxiousness to calmness. While we continue to pray for an eradication of the COVID 19 pandemic, we must be grateful for the blessings we receive. We are grateful for scientists, doctors and researchers who have provided vaccines for everyone 5 years or older. We are grateful to first responders, nurses and those who care for patients. We are grateful that positive COVID cases in our community remain minimal, and we are grateful for the full recovery of those individuals affected. We are grateful for our school community who continues to diligently conduct Daily Health Screenings (DHS) so that no one with COVID symptoms attends school without a negative COVID test result. We are grateful for our good health and safety.
Students in grades 3-8 had the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation last Friday. It was such a pleasure to witness students using quiet time to reflect and pray. Fr. Joseph complimented our students on their reverent behavior. On Monday, the Feast of St. Nicholas, students left one shoe outside their classrooms hoping St. Nicholas would show us the generosity of the season, which he did with a candy cane. Our charitable efforts with Adopt-a-Family will conclude this Friday, so please be sure to make your donations this week. In small and big ways, we continue to prepare ourselves and our hearts for Christmas.
Christmas Eve Family Mass, December 24 at 5:15 p.m.
If your child is interested in participating in the Christmas Eve Family Mass, either to act in the Nativity (grades K-4) or to read (grade 5-8), please contact Hailey Castelaz (hcastelaz@gmail.com). There is a mandatory rehearsal on December 23rd at 5:00 p.m. in the church: attending rehearsal guarantees you a part in the Mass. All are Welcome.
Warmly,
Julie Thomas
Interim Principal
