John 4
Lord, you are truly the Savior of the world;
give me living water, that I may never thirst again.
March 20, 2019
Dear Saint Mary’s School Families,
I am happy to announce that Mr. Brandon J. Hess has been appointed to serve as the permanent Principal of Saint Mary’s School, effective March 20, 2019.
Brandon Hess is a career educator. He taught English and coached soccer at local public schools, and served in school administration at middle schools and high schools in Henrico County and Fredericksburg. He founded LaunchEd, a company which provides instructional support, technology and professional learning opportunities for educators on the national level.
Brandon received degrees in education and educational leadership from James Madison University and Virginia Commonwealth University. His wife, Meghan, teaches at St. Bridget Catholic School, where Brandon has also served as chair of the School Advisory Board. You can see Brandon and his family at weekend Mass here at Saint Mary’s parish.
Brandon has served as interim principal at Saint Mary’s School since September. During that time, he has received very positive accolades from parents, faculty and students.
In December, we started a search process which was thorough, professional and prayerful. It was our privilege to interview a number of highly qualified candidates. In the end, with the assistance of our own search committee and the diocesan staff, it becomes my pleasure to welcome Mr. Hess as our permanent principal.
Our faculty was informed of this decision on Wednesday morning, and the school children received this news at the 9:00 a.m. School Mass.
Please join me in praying for Brandon Hess and his family as we celebrate his appointment as our permanent principal.
In Christ,
Fr. Michael A. Renninger
Pastor
March 22, 2019
Please visit the school calendar for all your up to date information!
UPDATE! Friday May 3 Early Dismissal 12:20pm students do not eat lunch in school.
IMPORTANT DATES THIS WEEK:
Wednesday, March 27 – School Mass
Thursday, March 28 – 4th Grade Field Trip
Friday, March 29 – Report Cards Distributed
Friday, March 29 – Fish Fry!!!
NEWS/EVENTS/NEED TO KNOW:
God Bless Principal Hess: All of our students, faculty, staff, and church staff wrote a message of congratulations and dropped it off in his office. Welcome, Principal Hess!!
New – Mass and School Blessing: Saint Mary’s Catholic School invites you to join us for Mass Celebrated by our Bishop, the Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout. Followed by a blessing and dedication of our renovated spaces. Thursday, April 4, 2019 9 a.m. Mass at St. Mary Catholic Church. Blessings and dedication to follow*. Reception afterwards in the Upper Commons. RSVP by March 29 to jjanus@saintmary.org
*If you are unable to attend, you can watch it LIVE on Facebook or Instagram at saintmarysrva.
New – March for Life opportunity for 7th and 8th grade: The first Virginia March for Life April 3, 2019. An opportunity for our 7th and 8th grade students to participate, click HERE for more information.
Annual Fund Drive For SMCS: Any gift you make to Saint Mary’s Catholic School is more than a donation of money – it’s a sign of your desire to make the world a better place for our children. Saint Mary’s Catholic School exists to provide an opportunity to grow in faith, wisdom and knowledge in a challenging academic environment formed by Catholic tradition. You are key to our mission, through your prayer and your faithful support. Our school’s Annual Fund for 2019 has a goal of $65,000. This amount is built into the operating budget for the 2019-2020 school year. While the majority of our school’s operating expenses are covered by tuition and subsidies from the parish, the Annual Fund is the sustaining portion of our budget that allows us to do more and be more for the children who attend Saint Mary’s. The Annual Fund ensures that our students and teachers have the tools and the learning environment they need. Please make a gift to Saint Mary’s Annual Fund at www.saintmary.org/give, or send a check to the office with Annual Fund in the memo line. Should you have any questions, please contact Development Coordinator Jennifer Janus at jjanus@saintmary.org or (804) 740.1048 ext. 42. Your participation makes a real difference to our students, and is an investment in today that will help create a better tomorrow.
Boonli Lunch Menu and Item Changes: We have added (1) new menu item: All Beef Hot Dog with Tater Tots. We have added additional days for (3) current very popular menu items: Chicken Tenders, French Toast, and Pancakes. We have removed (3) menu items that were less popular: Scrambled Eggs, Egg & Cheese on Bagel, Baked Potato Bar. Added for May lunch orders. Each day will have two combo options, on having one main item and chips/pretzels etc… the second option will have two main items and chips/pretzels etc…
NEW – Chess Class Spring Session: Starting March 25 through May 20th, Registration is now open for the spring session. Mondays after school from 3 – 4 pm. Click HERE for more information
NEW – The Budo Center Second Session: If your child missed martial arts last session and wants to learn self-defense while building self-confidence, respect, and discipline, please take note that a spring session will be offered beginning April 4th. If your child is currently signed up and would like to build on their skills for belt advancement as well as help lead beginning students, you may also sign up for a second session.
The cost is $120 and a check should be made payable to The Budo Center.
Waiver forms will be available at the ASC desk or in the main office, as well as ATTACHED. Thursdays 3-3:30pm for grades JK-1 (April 4 – May 23) or Fridays 3-4pm for grades 2-5 (April 5 – May 31)
Fish Fry Fridays: at Saint Mary’s Catholic School on March 29th!
Come and enjoy a wonderful Lenten meal with your church and school community in the Parish Hall. Delicious food will be provided by Morrissey’s Catering and it will be served by a team of our teachers! Activities will be provided for children and you can stay for Stations of the Cross after our April 12th Fish Fry, starting at 7 pm in the church. We can’t wait to see you there! All proceeds will benefit Professional Development for our faculty. March 29th MENU
Please click HERE to volunteer for the Fish Fry, we need your help.
NEW – Middle School Brown Bag Lunch: Monday April 8th, 2018 SMCS graduates will talk about transitioning to high School. All middle school students may order lunch, Order Form.
Change For Haiti:
During 2019 Lenten season, in solidarity with our twin Parish school in Angouman, Haiti, students of our 1st to 5th grade classes will be asked to take part in “Change for Haiti.” Next week, each student will be coming home with a donation box to collect change to be donated for purchase of much needed school supplies for the Haitian students. The donation boxes will be collected in April after Lent. Thank you for your support. Questions? Please contact David Park, Chair of St. Mary Haiti Ministry dypark@gmail.com.
8th Grade Ice Cream Sales: Bring money for ice cream! Don’t forget next Friday is the last ice cream sundae sales. Our 8th grade will be selling ice cream sundaes during Middle School Lunch! Sundaes can be purchased by middle school students for $2.00. This is a fundraiser for our 8th grade graduating class, we appreciate your support!
Field Day Help Needed:
Field day is May 24 this year, please sign up HERE to help with this wonderful event.
NEW – Middle School Final Exam Schedule:
8th Grade – May 31, June 3, and 4th with the 5th being for makeup exams.
6th and 7th Grade – June 3, 4th, and 5th with the 6th being for makeup exams.
NEW – Alumna Maggie Scott: Our own Maggie Scott, SMCS class of 2016, made it to the Voice of RVA top three! She will perform with the other two finalists this weekend, Sunday, March 24 at 2 p.m. on the Southern Women’s Show Entertainment Stage at the Richmond Raceway Complex. The winner is chosen by audience response, so the more supporters she has there, the better! Please go support Maggie if you can!
NEW – Saint Gertrude High School Meet Me at the Matinee: “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940”, Saturday, April 6 12pm – 3pm. Open to students grades 6 – 8. Get a behind the scenes look at our spring play. Join us for a pre-show where you’ll meet the talented cast and crew, and even pick up a few theater tips and tricks. Then stay for the afternoon performance. “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” is a play about a creative team responsible for a recent Broadway flop. Register for this event HERE
Cardinal Newman Academy Spring Middle School Math Circle: Are you intrigued by math puzzles and brainteasers? Click HERE for all of the information needed for CNA Middle School Math Circle.
Church Events:
“A Retreat for Men” Saturday, March 30 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Living the Masculine in the Fire of the Spirit. Click HERE for information.
“Virginia March for Life” will take place on Wed., April 3. Fr. Mike will be leading a group from St. Mary’s by bus. The schedule for the day is: 8 am – depart from the Columbian Center at 2324 Pump Road; 9 am – Mass with Bishop Knestout at the Greater Richmond Convention Center; 11 am – Rally at the Capitol; 12 pm – March for Life; 2 pm – bus departs from the Convention Center; 2:30 pm (approx.) – bus arrives at the Columbian Center. There is no fee to ride the bus or to park at the Columbian Center but a free will offering will be taken on the bus to help defray costs. If you would like to join us, contact the parish office at 740-4044 to reserve your place on the bus.
Richmond 101 Seminar A grassroots seminar, Richmond 101, is offered for attendees at the March for Life to get in-depth training on how to be an effective pro-life advocate at the state and local level. This will take place on April 3 from 2 – 3 pm at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, Lecture Hall B10. The cost is $15/person and online registration is available at http://bit.ly/VAMFL. Anyone interested in this seminar will have to arrange separate transportation to/from the March rather than taking our bus, since the bus will be leaving Richmond at 2 pm.
“His Excellency The Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout” SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, April 4, 2019 9:00 a.m His Excellency The Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout, Bishop of Richmond will be here at St. Mary’s to celebrate Mass and bless our newly renovated school.
“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 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 next registration will take place on March 17, 2019.
Helpful Links:
Volunteer for Carpool Duty
Volunteer in the Lunch Room
Painless Fundraising
Flynn O’Hara Uniform inform