Dear Parents/Guardians:

 

As we prepare to express our gratitude this Thanksgiving, I give thanks for the blessings God has bestowed upon us for our school and the educational ministry He provides for us. Continue to pray that our school may thrive with the graces of God. Following is a prayer of intercession to St. Thomas Aquinas, patron saint of Catholic schools:

O Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas, prince of theologians and guide of philosophers, shining ornament of the Christian world and light of the Church, heavenly patron of all Catholic Schools, who has wisdom without deceit and does impart it without envy, implore for us the Son of God, Who is wisdom itself, that, receiving within us the Spirit of wisdom, we may understand what you have taught and imitate what you have done, and that being made partakers of the wisdom and virtue in which you, while on earth, did ever shine, as the sun, we may at last enjoy with you eternally in heaven their sweetest fruits, praising the divine wisdom through endless ages. Amen.

In case you haven’t heard, we have started anew our Odyssey of the Mind program. Mrs. Stahley and Mrs. Laura Reed are the sponsoring coaches. If your children would like to participate, or if you would like to be a coach, please call Mrs. Reed at 522-5193—she will also be coaching a fourth-grade team. You are also welcome to call Mrs. Stahley.

St. Anthony’s is privileged to be part of Notre Dame University’s pilot program for Catholic school sports, “Play Like a Champion Today.” As part of the program, Mrs. Etl will be training our coaches with the Office of Catholic Schools’ Athletic Director, Kelli Simington, here in Sterling. We would also like to invite all of you, especially 4th through 8th-grade parents, to be part of this tremendous opportunity:

“The workshop includes an examination of parent expectations in youth sports programs and how these expectations relate to the stated purpose of Catholic youth sports. Parents receive education and materials that help them reinforce the goals of youth development stressed by the PLC program. Parents also receive practical guidance on how they can help their children to form habits of spiritual reflection, perseverance, sound decision-making, team work, good nutrition, and regular exercise.”

–www.playlikeachampion.org

We will be holding a training session Saturday, January 3, 2009 for anyone interested. (It’s the only day left when you look at our Saturday schedules.) This is an excellent opportunity for us. We hope you will join us.

Mrs. Cress would like to announce our all-school musical, "The Great Late Potentate" held December 11th. The preschool will begin the evening at 7:00 PM. Students should wear their "Christmas Outfits" or clothes appropriate for church for the evening performance. Please let the office or Mrs. Cress (522-5499) know if your child(ren) will not be able to participate that night.

This is a reminder the boys basketball team will be holding a food drive for the Logan County Cooperating Ministry. They will have boxes at the admission table during their December 1st home game against Merino at 6:00—the day we return from Thanksgiving break. Help the food bank and support our Bobcats.

Also remember December 4th, following the Parade of Lights downtown, the PTSO will host a Pizza Party in the cafeteria. Bring $5.00 for your family and join us at 6:30 p.m. Following supper at 7:00, meet in the gym with Fr. Robert and me for the State of the School Address. Remember, the class with the highest percentage of parent-attendance will win a root beer-float party sponsored by Mr. Randy Stahley.

Potpourri: Clara Wilterdink sent labels into Our Family, so we will be receiving a check for $45.00. She also sent in Campbell Soup labels that gave us 1450 points from bonus certificates. She would like to remind you that she needs the whole label from grocery products as some companies require USP codes and some require other parts of the label. The school received $5.70 for aluminum cans.

Lastly, remember the PTSO is creating a yearbook. Your digital photos are welcomed—more details coming.

We also give thanks for the benevolence of the following: Kathy and Duane Krier for their time,  talent, and treasure in creating our school directory; the sixth grade class and Sallie Wilson for the Halloween Carnival; Cindy Biren for the school supplies; and Sarah Reed for the books she donated to the school library.

With that, may God bless you and your families, may His light shine upon you, may He shelter you, and may He forever hold you in the palm of His hand. Thank you all for your beautiful gifts, your commitment to our educational ministry, and your love of your children. Have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

 

Pax et lux,

 

 

 

Joseph Skerjanec

 

P.S. Thanksgiving Day Mass is at 8:30 am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Thanksgiving Day Prayer

 

Dear Lord:

 

Today we give thanks

For our many blessings

As we pray for those in need.

 

We give thanks

For our family and friends

As we pray for those who are lonely.

 

We give thanks for our freedoms

As we pray for those who are oppressed.

 

We give thanks for our good health

As we pray for those who are ill.

 

We give thanks for our comfort and prosperity

As we share our blessings with others.

 

On this day of Thanksgiving,

May the love of God enfold us,

The peace of God dwell within us

And the joy of God uplift us.

 

Amen.