Dear Saint Philip Neri Families,
In keeping with the liturgical year, St. Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians with its popular definition of love was the second reading on Sunday. This reading is chosen for many occasions– weddings, anniversaries, graduations, funerals – because of its profound and inspiring message. We can read this scripture passage many times during our lives and find something pertinent and relevant each time.
As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week with Catholic schools around the country, we are reminded of Jesus’ Gospel message and the values that guide us in all we do here at SPN. We are called to nurture faith, to cultivate hope, and above all else, to love as God has loved us. Yesterday, students in grades 1 through 8 enjoyed a special concert in honor of Catholic Schools Week and our theme of Belonging. Local musician, singer and songwriter (and uncle to Phoenix and Orion Escobar, grades 2 and Kindergarten), Jesse Manibusan, provided an entertaining and spiritual concert entitled “All Are Welcome.” Both audiences, grades 1-4 and grades 5-8, participated fully, enjoying songs of praise and faith, reminding us that WE ARE CHURCH, CHURCH IS EVERYWHERE, and ALL ARE WELCOME & BELONG. With light-hearted humor, Jesse inspired students to be grateful for God’s creation and to appreciate differences in others as well as accept parts of ourselves that we might not appreciate. As our 8th grade teacher described it, “It was so joyful!” and a wonderful way to begin Catholic Schools Week.
Today we celebrated Student Appreciation with student free dress and a hands-on learning experience from the Lawrence Hall of Science, compliments of PTG. Wednesday is SPN Family Culture Day. Each class will do a project that helps students learn more about their own family’s culture and then share it with the class. Thursday is the Oratorical Fest that will be recorded and sent to all families to enjoy, and Friday is Teacher Appreciation Day. We hope that each day reminds us all of why we have chosen to be part of Saint Philip Neri Catholic School.
Warmly,
Julie Thomas
Interim Principal
