The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
Isaiah 61:1
IMPORTANT DATES NEXT WEEK:
- Sunday December 15 – Advent Brunch & Christmas Shop
- Monday December 16 – Middle School Exams
- Monday December 16 – SMCS Annual Christmas Luncheon
- Tuesday December 17 – Middle School Exams
- Tuesday December 17 – Junior Kindergarten Christmas Play
- Wednesday December 18 – School Mass
- Wednesday December 18 – Second grade Christmas Play
- Thursday December 19 – SMCS Christmas Program
- Friday December 20 – Early Dismissal 1:30pm, Lunch in School, No ASC
- Friday December 20 – SMCS Alumni Dinner
- Monday December 23 through Friday January 3, 2020 School Closed For Christmas/New Year Holiday!
- Monday January 6 – School reopens
NEWS/EVENTS/NEED TO KNOW:
THIS SUNDAY OUR ANNUAL SAINT MARY’S ADVENT BRUNCH:
Our Advent Brunch takes place this Sunday, December 15, 2019, Saint Mary’s Parish Hall. There will be two seating’s: 10 a.m. and noon. Don’t miss this great annual event, tickets will be sold at the door!
8th Grade Casserole and Baked Goods Sales At Advent Brunch
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SHOP
We will be open during the Advent Brunch 12/15 for shopping. All gifts range from $.25 to $10. We look forward to helping your child find the perfect gift for loved ones!
PAINLESS FUNDRAISING EVEN EASIER TO SIGN UP!
SMCS ALUMNI CHRISTMAS POTLUCK DINNER
SUPPORT SAINT MARY’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL’S ANNUAL FUND!
Start your holiday season by making a gift to support Saint Mary’s Catholic School’s Annual Fund! The SMCS Annual Fund goal for the 2019-20 school year is $65,000. This amount is built into the school’s operating budget, and ensures that our students and teachers have the tools and learning environment they need. The Annual Fund link is available at the top of our school homepage, “Donate”, “Annual Fund.”
For the third year in a row, an anonymous donor has issued an Annual Fund matching challenge around Giving Tuesday. From now through the end of the year, this donor will match any gift to the SMCS Annual Fund up to a total of $7,500. Please give generously to help us reach our goal of $65,000, and please give soon to double your dollars through this matching gift!
Speaking of which — please check with your employer to see if matching gifts through your workplace might be available too. Many Richmond companies support nonprofits this way, including Altria, Anthem, Bank of America, Brinks, Dominion Energy and Genworth. Another option for seniors: Saint Mary’s supports who are over 70.5 and have an Individual Retirement Account may want to consider giving their Required Minimum Distribution to the Saint Mary’s Annual Fund, so that the RMD does not have to be claimed as taxable income and is instead a gift to Saint Mary’s Catholic School.
For any questions about the Annual Fund, please contact Development Coordinator Jennifer Janus at jjanus@saintmary.org or 804.740.1048. Thank you for your support of the students and teachers of Saint Mary’s Catholic School!
LUNCHROOM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 2nd & 3rd Grade Parents/Family. This is your opportunity, WE NEED YOUR HELP AT LUNCH!
Parents – are you looking to get involved or see your child and help out in a much needed way? One way to volunteer is during lunch. Each grade level is assigned a month. Please consider helping!
January 2020 – 2nd & 3rd grades
February 2020 – Kindergarten & First grades
Click on the month to sign up!
BUDO CENTER MARTIAL ARTS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
The Budo Martial Arts Center is going to be offering its program to Saint Mary’s students again starting on Thursday, January 23rd.
Be part of a fast-paced modern martial arts curriculum led by masters from The Budo Center. Learn basic punches, kicks, blocks and combinations that help build coordination, strength and flexibility. Practice self-control and gain confidence while displaying a positive attitude about yourself and others. All while having FUN!
The Budo Center Thursdays 3:15-4:00 (grades K-5) January 23rd-March 13th (4 week sessions) Cost: $150; Checks made payable to the Budo Center. Please complete the attached waiver and drop it off along with your check at the front office. Sign up for this program will end on January 16th. Any questions can be directed to Michelle O’Donnell After School Care Director at modonnell@saintmary.org
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BASKETBALL FREE THROW CONTEST
Basketball Free throw contest
A free throw contest for individuals age 9 to 14 based on their age as of 1 January 2020 is being sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. The event is open to all families.
The event will be held on Sunday January 19, 2020 in the gym/Parish Hall at Saint Mary’s Catholic School. Registration will begin at 2:30 in the gym. Please bring a government issued ID, a birth certificate or passport for age verification.
The contestants will be divided into categories based on age and gender. 9, 10 and 11 year olds will be permitted to shoot from a 10 foot line. 12, 13 and 14 year olds will shoot from the standard 12 foot free throw line. Each participant will be allowed 3 warm up shots. The contest is free and will consist of 15 free throws.
Winners will advance to the District contest in February. District winners will compete in March.
ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH EVENT:
“Middle School Youth Group Nights” For Grades 6-8…Food, Friends, and Fun! Gatherings will focus on fellowship and building relationships. Open to ALL Saint Mary’s community middle schoolers and their friends. Participants must be registered for parish faith formation (select Attends Catholic School in the online registration at the parish website) to ensure parental permission. Nights are planned for Nov. 24, Dec. 15, and Jan. 5.
“Are You Interested in Becoming A Catholic?” If you have never been baptized, if you were baptized in another Christian denomination and would like to become Catholic, or if you were baptized Catholic, but never received the Sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation, you are welcome to join our RCIA Inquiry Process. For more information, call Sr. Pat at 740-4044, ext. 13, or go to our parish web page, and click on “Interest in Becoming Catholic”.
“St. Mary’s Catholic Church Registration” Parish registration takes place monthly on Sunday afternoon at 12:30 pm or some weekdays at 7 pm in the Bishop Sullivan Room. During this one-hour program, you will meet other parishioners, our Pastor and staff, receive an introduction to St. Mary’s Parish and complete the registration documents. Childcare and refreshments are provided.
Our registration will take place on January 19, 2020.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Volunteer for Carpool Duty
Painless Fundraising
Flynn O’Hara Uniform information