Dear School Family,
We began this year as “Companions on the Journey.” We had no idea what this journey would look like. It is unbelievable what we have all been able to accomplish. Now is the time of year when we start to look back at where we started and how far we have come. The past two years have been unpredictable and have brought forth so many challenges, but we celebrate the blessings as well. Mr. Shields and I want to thank you for sticking with us on this journey. We realize what a sacrifice Catholic education is, as we both made that same financial sacrifice ourselves to send our own children through this fantastic school. Those sacrifices have led to blessings as our children were formed in faith and are out in the world doing great things. One battled cancer with fierceness and a complete and total faith in God that he would beat the odds against him. One is serving as a registered nurse who has helped heal and bring peace to those in their final moments of life through hospice care, and the third is serving our very own school community, giving back to the very teachers she loved and admired; those that helped to form her faith. All of our graduates (not just our own children) are and continue to be a great source of pride for us. I assure you that this community will hold you up in prayer when you need it and support you as well. You simply have to ask.
This theme of companionship has been my favorite. I watch students enter and exit the building every day, siblings, cousins, friends, holding hands again because they feel free to do that. We have been given a break from COVID. I pray it stays that way.
We are entering the final two months of our Diocesan theme and our last reflection will focus on the Spiritual Work of Mercy to “Pray for the living and the dead.” This was Jesus’s prayer for all of us. Praying for each other and our world is something we do very well here, and your children are a huge part of that success. We begin all things in prayer here, and they will tell you that we pray for “everyone and everything” here at our school. Our teachers will be sharing the Prayer of Jesus (John 17:24).
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, so that they may always see my glory which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”
Jesus was praying for all of us; His future believers. We were not His yet, but we would come to believe in him. Jesus’ desire was that His followers would be “with Him” in eternity. This is the believer’s ultimate destiny.
Scholarship Shout Out!
Congratulations to the Class of 2022 on their various accomplishments. Jackie Kurylo earned an academic scholarship from St. Elizabeth High School. Patrick McLaughlin and Michael Vadden earned academic scholarships to Salesianum. Academic scholarships are those based solely on the High School Placement Test. Braden Carroll earned a scholarship for Art from St. Mark’s High School, Kendall Reilly earned a grant for her Essay. Frankie Manista earned a McDonough scholarship from the B+ Foundation. Several of our 8th Grade students were also offered grants to our Diocesan high schools. We are proud of this well-rounded and talented group of individuals. We can’t wait to see what you do in your bright futures.
The Bishop’s Pilgrimage is this Saturday!
Thank you to those who registered to be part of this amazing experience. I hope the weather cooperates for hundreds of our youth throughout this Diocese who will be in attendance.
Monday is Spring Picture Day!
Don’t forget to order online! Students may dress up if they are getting spring photos. We will photograph any child that comes to school that day out of uniform. The expectation will be that you are ordering photos.
No Sports at St. Anthony’s during Triduum
We will have no practices or games from April 12-23rd.
Easter Break!
School is closed from April 14th through April 24th. Can you believe that is next week? Wow! Time is flying. When we return on Monday, April 25th, there will only be 31 days of school left for students!
Save the Date! Festival Volunteer Meeting
A reminder that all school families are required to give 15 hours at the Italian Festival. This year’s Festival will be June12 to June 19. On Tuesday, April 28, at 6:30 pm, we will have a meeting in the Ballad Room (cafeteria) to discuss the Festival areas in which volunteers are needed.
Month of May: We honor our Blessed Mother
Rosaries – We were recently gifted rosaries from Rosaries for All, out of Vermont. Our rosaries were handmade with love and were sent with a beautiful image of Jesus surrounded by children of various ethic backgrounds, and even a small rabbit. I just ordered this print because I think it reflects our school population, our love of nature, and care for all of God’s creatures. We will be praying the Rosary with intention during the month of May.
May Procession – Our time-honored May Procession will be back after two years. This is a beautiful prayer service in our church, so please mark your calendars to join us in church on Tuesday, May 10th at 2pm. Please be prompt, as students process from school just before 2pm to arrive in church at 2. Typically parents stand outside of the church (in the grass surrounding the fountain or along the pathway leading from school to the church). Students will walk up and around the school fountain before entering the church for this blessing.
We have sent you so many dates to save over the next two months. I hope you are finding the Paw Prints helpful. Please continue to use the website calendar, as that is updated regularly. Follow us on Facebook for daily pictures 🙂 We don‘t want you to miss anything upcoming, as the next several weeks are extremely busy. We are happy to be getting everyone back into the building and celebrating with you.
My prayer for all of you is twofold. First, it is one of thanksgiving for sharing your children with us. They bring me overwhelming joy. Second, I pray that this Easter season will be one of peace, good health, happiness, and a renewed energy for the last part of our school year.
Lenten Blessings,
Mrs. White
“We ask the risen Jesus, who turns death into life, to change hatred into love, vengeance into forgiveness, war into peace.”
Pope Francis