Tiger Talk!
February 22, 2019
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Today at Mass, Father Rinaldi celebrated with us the Feast of The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle. He explained in simple terms that we were not celebrating a chair but the symbolism of St. Peter’s chair. He spent some time talking to us about the importance of symbols in our lives. He referred to a family dining room table and the fact that the head of the table is generally considered a place of honor and we usually assign that seat to a special person.
Father Rinaldi went on to say that God gives authority to people in His church to help run the Church and establish order. Certain people have positions of authority in the church just as certain people (parents, grandparents, principals, and teachers) have authority in our homes and schools. People in the church, specifically the Pope, bishops, and priests, are in charge. The Lord works through those people so we can have order and a good life. Father reminded us that it is important to respect authority and those in charge, or life would be “a mess.” People in authority serve the community and serve us so things run smoothly. That is how our Lord is present to us and not “just a God in Heaven very far away.” God speaks to those of us who are close to him.
Father ended his homily by referring back to important symbols. His examples were the American flag, birthdays, and even items at a funeral. He said symbols “stand for” other things. Birthdays are just days, but we celebrate them as special days because we love the person born on that day. Even funerals have symbols, such as incense and a casket which are symbols of the love and respect we have for the special person who has died.
The students were very engaged in Father Rinaldi’s homily. There was no music at Mass today, and the children did a wonderful job, as always, reading and bringing up the gifts. It was once again a very nice way to start our weekend.
I hope that you will enjoy the Home and School’s Mom’s Day Out event on Sunday, painting pallets. I look forward to seeing you all next week at their Italian Night. If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, please do so. It will be a fun evening to gather with other school parents.
Lent: Lent is approaching, and our students have submitted suggestions for our schoolwide Lenten theme. The theme chosen was, “Renew our Hearts.” Seventh Grade came up with the theme and illustrated it beautifully. Look for this theme displayed in our halls and classrooms and on our Facebook page. Join us on Wednesday night, March 6th, at 7:30 P.M. in church for our annual Via Crucis. For those of you who are new to us, this is a beautiful play, walking through Jesus’s last days of life. It is the Stations of the Cross brought to life and performed with elementary, high school, and a few college students. Check our school calendar for upcoming presentations. Also during Lent, feel free to join us at 2:00 P.M. on Fridays in our church as our students read the Stations of the Cross. Our Lenten Fridays are special, as we walk with Jesus on His journey to our salvation.
Planning for Summer/Next School Year – In order to help with planning for your summer vacations, please know that we plan to return to school earlier in August than the previous year. We are planning for our first day back with the students to be Tuesday, August 27th. Our full calendar has not been approved by our Superintendent, but this is an option for us to preserve Christmas and Easter break next year and to still close school in time for the Italian Festival. More details will follow.
Thank you to everyone who came out to donate blood last week! A total of 29 pints of blood was collected. Each pint of blood can help up to 3 people. So those who donated have helped 87 people! Thank you!
Re-registration Reminder – Please send in re-registration forms as soon as possible. By having these forms, we are better able to budget and plan for next year. Thank you to those who have sent them in already!
Financial Aid for the 2019-2020 School Year – Financial aid packets are now available in the main office. All parents applying for financial aid to our school MUST apply to the Diocese first. Please be aware that without a completed application to the Diocese, a family will not be considered for financial aid through our parish education fund. Please contact Mr. Shields or Mrs. Serio with any questions.
*Reminder – Financial aid packets have to be completed and submitted by March 4th.
CALENDAR REMINDER – On Wednesday, March 27th, all Diocesan Schools will be closed for teacher professional development. Students will have the day off. Please plan accordingly.
Sacrament Save the Dates:
- March 11th – Confirmation Registration for 2019 – Ballad Room – 6:15 P.M.
- Parents and candidates must attend.
- April 7th – 2nd Grade First Communion Practice –Church – 12:00 – 2:00 P.M.
- April 28th – 2nd Grade First Communion Practice –Church – 12:00 – 2:00 P.M.
- May 3rd – Practice Day for First Communion – School – 7:45 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. – MANDATORY
- May 4th – First Communion Celebration – Church – 10:00 A.M.
- Students must report to school at 9:15 A.M.
From Home and School:
- Save the date for Italian Night! Come join us on Saturday, March 3rd when St. Anthony’s Home and School Association will be hosting Italian Night. Come indulge in delicious Italian food and drink while listening to stories and music of Frank Sinatra. Tickets cost $35 and include appetizers, salad, Italian entrees, dessert, beer, wine, and soda. To purchase tickets, contact Elizabeth Alfieri at (302) 593-8773 or escorsone@hotmail.com. You can also purchase tickets online by visiting https://www.squareup.com/
store/sapgs . - Home and School has asked for parents to donate items to be raffled off. If you would prefer, you may send in a cash donation.
From the Parish:
- March Parish Monthly Socials – The March parish socials will be held on Sunday, March 3rd, in the Ballad Room of the Grade School, following the 9:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. Masses. Stop by for food, fun, and socializing with fellow parishioners and friends. The social will feature a variety of great donuts and tomato pie from Serpe’s Bakery, delicious breakfast pizzas from Degnars’ Greenhill Deli, and more! Hope you can join us!
Please be sure to follow us on Facebook! This is especially helpful for Snow Days. Our Facebook page will be updated as soon as I receive information on school closings or delays. You may see that update before School Messenger calls you. If you haven’t followed us yet, look for St. Anthony of Padua Grade School Families, Alumni & Friends.
Winter Blessings,
Mrs. White
“Man’s salvation and perfection consists of doing the will of God which he must have in view in all things, and at every moment of his life.” ~ St. Peter