website  watertownhistory.org

    ebook  History of Watertown, Wisconsin

     Set of weekly School Newsletters

 

 

 

 

 

St. Henry School Newsletter

 

September 19, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

   “O God, come to their assistance.

O Lord, make haste to help them.”

     Psalm 70:2

 

What a lovely week, weather-wise, eh?  Nice work, Lord.  Thank you.

 

I would really like to encourage you to sell the Athletic Association raffle tickets.  Having a big fall fund-raiser for the Association has been a “tradition” here at St. Henry for many decades.  It was interrupted for a few years with the experiment to have the joint Home and School Association and Athletic Association car raffle with proceeds going to support both organizations and large projects that would benefit the school and parish. (Our carpeting upstairs was paid for out of those funds.) But with no car raffle last year or on the immediate horizon, the annual fall Athletic Association fund-raiser was again a necessity.  Rather than saddle people with buying candy, wrapping paper, and the like, the Athletic Association felt that most families would enjoy the prize of a weekend at a Dells waterpark and wouldn’t find it so difficult to approach extended family, friends, and neighbors with the tickets for that.  For years, all school families have been asked to help with this endeavor since – if they are not presently involved in the athletic program now – chances are high they will eventually participate.  And, no matter – the Association provides a valuable and good opportunity for many school and parish children.  ALL the adults (board members, coaches, assistants) who bear the work burden for the Association do so completely voluntarily, but there are expenses that the very low participation fees do not cover.  So rather than raise those fees much higher, please consider selling and certainly buying some tickets. 

 

ALL tickets and money need to be handed in on or before Thursday, October 2nd.  If you were quite sure you couldn’t sell all your assigned tickets, those unsold tickets should have been returned yesterday, the 18th so they can be given to those with more possible contacts at work or elsewhere.  Please let us know if you could take on more tickets by calling or leaving a message on the office phone (261-2586).  We will get those to you – gratefully.  And thanks to all for understanding and doing what you are able.

 

Pictures THIS WEDNESDAY, the 24th.  Please be sure each of your children comes with separate envelopes and checks that morning.  It is certainly your decision as to whether to purchase any at all.  All students’ pictures will be taken, no matter, for inclusion in the composite picture and will also be used later in the yearbook – an item which is for sale in the spring.

 

Some of us at school attended the talk on Islam last night at St. Bernard.  We are having a difficult time staying on task this morning rather than talking about it.  Fascinating and very informative.  We all recommend you come to the second (and last presentation) which we understand will be offered in two weeks on Thursday, October 2nd.  I’ll add it to the calendar when we receive definitive word and more specifics.  You too will find it difficult concentrating on work the next day, we almost guarantee it.

 

I was reading a February 2008 letter from the Bishop of Kansas City on “Catholic Identity and Catholic Excellence in Our Schools.”  I thought you might want to reflect on some thoughts he shared about “KEY CONNECTIONS” which characterize the Catholic school.

 

Schools have to be connected to the families of their students.  There has to be an

intentional continuity between school and parents.  Strong family rootedness is part of

being Catholic:  Parents read to their children.  Parents pray with their children and take

them to Mass every Sunday.  Parents know their children’s teachers and teachers know

their students’ families.  Parents oversee uniforms and modesty before the child leaves

the house, and outside of school as well.  They see that their children get food and rest

and love, and are not consumed by the internet, video games, television, and other poor

substitutes for meaningful human communion.  They learn a love and respect for the

body, the sanctity of human life, and the joy of purity.

 

No wonder you feel a need for prayer often! What an important vocation you have, Moms and Dads!

 

Will you have any more important work any other time in your life?  The Lord be with you!

 

Have a lovely weekend.  At the Masses we will be celebrating Catechetical Sunday so please include all the teachers here in your prayers.  Thank you.

 

Dates to Mark on Your Calendar

 

SEPTEMBER   

Saturday    20    “Protecting God’s Children” workshop for adults (volunteers) in parish offices at 9:00 am                             enter through back door on Cole Street, down the stairs please.

Sunday      21    Knights of Columbus breakfast at St. Bernard Sunday morning.

Wednesday   24    All school 8:15 Mass; Grade 4 filling liturgical roles.

School Pictures taken.  Order form and money due.

                  Block Party for 4K families at St. Bernard’s, 5-7 pm

Friday      26    Grade Five field trip to Milton House

Home and School Family Sock Hop, PC, 6:15–8:15 pm, must be accompanied by parent.

OCTOBER

Wednesday   01    All school (grades 1-8) joint field trip with St. Bernard School to Holy Hill

                  St. Henry/St. Bernard Play Group meet in PC, 9:30 – 11:00 am

                  Athletic Association meeting, computer lab, 6:30 pm

Thursday    02    All Athletic Assn. raffle tickets, stubs, and money due into school.

Friday      03    Fourth graders make rosaries with the “Rosary Ladies”

First set of Accelerated Reader points due for grades 4-8

                  Blessing of Pets in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, weather permitting, at 2:40 pm

Saturday    04    Joshua O’Brien Bike Rodeo Event

                  Athletic Assn. Raffle Drawing at Volleyball Tournament

                  Older parish youth (grades 6-8)  invited to participate in Scarecrow Activity at Fall Festival

Tuesday     07    Grade One field trip to Glacier Rock and Honey Acres

Friday      10    Mid-quarter reports go home.

                  Market Day

Monday      13    11:30 am early dismissal for all public and Catholic schools in the city.

                  Home and School Association meeting, rectory hall, 6:30 pm

Tuesday     14    Education Commission meeting, rectory hall, 6:30 pm

 

Memory verse for September 22 – 26

          “Glory to God in the highest

and peace to his people on earth.”

                  (from the “Gloria” of the Mass)