Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive. --Matthew 21:22
Principal's Corner
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Happy Fall and Happy Anniversary. October is not only going to be a very busy one, but one of significance and celebration. Pope Benedict XVI has designated this year (October 2012 to November 2013) as the "Year of Faith". For us at OLPH, this is so appropriate as we begin celebrating our 75th anniversary of being a parish and school. Faith is the foundation of who we are and what we do.
The school has been very busy researching and finding out what the past 75 years have been for the former students at OLPH. Each grade has taken a decade to investigate beginning in the 1930's and going through 2012. Please check out the timeline in Holy Family Hall. Every classroom has its door decorated to reflect our anniversary, and each class is working on something special for our designated "Retro Day" on October 31.
On Thursday, October 4th, we are having the blessing of the animals in honor of St. Francis Assisi. We are also having a $1 out of uniform that day. All money collected will go to Father to pay for a new crucifix for the children's mass as a 75th anniversary gift from the children. We are purchasing what is commonly known as the "St. Francis Crucifix", but is officially the "San Damiano Crucifix". The money will be presented to Father at the blessing; so, even if you do not have an animal to bring, you may want to attend.
On Friday, October 5th, all former students and staff members are invited to visit us for "Alumni Day". We tried to send out invitations to as many as we could. However, if you know of someone we missed, please apologize for us and extend the invitation. Alumni Day will begin with 8:15 mass (it is first Friday). We then ask you to join us for a brunch in our cafeteria, and follow that with touring the school and visiting classes. Some classes will have something special going on, and others will be in their regular routines. No matter what they are doing, they welcome your visit, and would love to hear some of your memories and/or experiences at OLPH.
Saturday is our big parish celebration. Mass will be a little earlier than usual (4:00), and it will be celebrated by Bishop Stika. Afterwards, there will be food and all kinds of activities. Please plan to join--it is not a celebration without celebrants.
The following week (beginning October 8th) is our Fall Break. I hope you have a wonderful and safe break. This year, school will not start back until the 16th because of a Deanery in-service on the 15th.
Unfortunately, our Ram Run and Oktoberfest is the weekend of the 13th & 14th. We did not plan it this way; it is just how it fell on the calendar. So we ask all of you who will not be out of town to help us with making this a success. This is the biggest fundraiser we have for our school. It is a lot of fun, but we need a lot of help. Please contact Cissy West (cwest@catholicweb.com) for more information. October 17th was already designated for a $1 out of uniform day; therefore, the students will have three out of uniform days this month: two of them $1 days and the third will be "Retro Day".
October is also the "Month of the Rosary", and we will have the "Living Rosary" on the 19th. Please join us for that in the gym at 2:40. Also, October 19th marks the end of the first quarter. Can you believe how fast this time has gone?
Report cards will be given at the Parent-Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, October 24th. As we have done in the past several years, these conferences will be scheduled from 3:00-7:00 P.M. so that we can accommodate all parents. The Deanery calendar designates Friday afternoon (October 26th) for these conferences. We have found from past experiences that people do not show up on Fridays, and secondly, that there is not enough time to have the conferences in a short afternoon. Hence, we have ours on Wednesday afternoon and evening. But we do adhere to the ½ day designated for October 26th. So, Friday, October 26th is a half day and will be "Awards Day" for the 5th through 7th grades in the gym at 9:15 directly after mass. School will dismiss at 11:30, and no lunch will be served.
On October 25th the eighth grade students will be going on a two day retreat at Camp Lookout. We ask you for your prayers that they have a wonderful and faith filled retreat.
On Saturday, October 27th, the Home and School is sponsoring their second "Trunk or Treat". This was a huge success last year, and we expect it to be even better this year. Look for more information to come out soon.
The Creative Arts Guild will have a meeting on October 29th. This wonderful organization continues to help support our wonderful arts program as well as help our students to attend artistic productions such as plays and museums. They would love for you to join them and become involved in this organization. They meet at Longhorn Steakhouse at 6:00; you do not have to eat, although you are invited to do so if you wish.
Picture retakes from September will be done on October 30th; more information will be going home.
October 31st, is "Retro Day". We are still working out some of the plans and ideas. Your children will be coming home with information, plus there will be emails on this and other ideas, plans, and activities for our 75th year.
Soccer begins on October 22nd. Look for the schedules in the Fanfares.
Have a wonderful October, and as always I appreciate your support.
God bless,
Jeri McInturff