“Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves,
you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things happening,
know that he is near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away
until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away,
but my words will not pass away. Mark 13
November 16, 2018
Please visit the school calendar regularly for the most up-to-date information as times and dates may change.
IMPORTANT DATES THIS WEEK:
Monday November 19th – Sixth Grade Field Trip
Tuesday November 20th – Early Release Day 1:30pm Dismissal, Students Will Eat Lunch At School
Tuesday November 20th – Second Quarter Interims
Tuesday November 20th – NO ASC
Tuesday November 20th – Annual Thanksgiving Buffet Family Luncheon
Tuesday November 20th – Third Grade Thanksgiving Celebration In Classroom. Third Grade Parents Can Attend
Tuesday November 20th – Kindergarten Thanksgiving Celebration In The Lower Commons. Kindergarten Parents Can Attend
Wednesday November 21st – School Closed For The Thanksgiving Holiday
Thursday November 22nd – School Closed For The Thanksgiving Holiday
Friday November 23rd – School Closed For The Thanksgiving Holiday
NEWS/EVENTS/NEED TO KNOW:
New – Thanksgiving Buffet Lunch Schedule: We are so excited for our annual Thanksgiving Buffet and look forward to all of the family members joining their student for lunch. Please note, the special lunch schedule below.
Thanksgiving Buffet Lunch Schedule:
10:50-11:15am 3rd & 4th Grades
11:15- 11:40am 1st & 2nd Grades
11:40-12:05pm K & 5th Grades
12:05-12:30pm Middle School classes
NEW – Advent Pancake Brunch and Open House: 
To purchase tickets click HERE
We are in need of many volunteers to make this wonderful, family friendly event happen!!! We have volunteer opportunities for middle school students, high school students and parents. We also are asking for small food item donations. Any help you can offer is greatly appreciated. Please click HERE to volunteer!
Christmas Shop Volunteers: It’s almost that time of year. Come participate in the magic of our annual school Christmas Shop, happening December 2 – 5! We need volunteers to set up/clean up, gift wrap, run the cash register, and help students shop for the special people in their lives. Click HERE to volunteer. Thank you for helping with this fun event!
NEW – Children Helping Children Christmas Project: The Saint Mary’s Student Council and the St. Mary’s Faith Formation Program is sponsoring the annual partnership with Sherbourne Methodist Church again this year. We have enjoyed this relationship for many years and hope your child will participate. We help low income children along Jefferson Davis Highway have a wonderful Christmas by sharing our gifts with them. Your participation will brighten the hearts of these children this holiday season. The program provides toys for children aged newborn to 12 years of age. The gift should be a toy or clothing item that your child would like to have under your tree on Christmas morning. Give the gift with gladness and, if possible, have your child earn the money to buy the gift. To assure that we have gifts that span all ages, please buy a toy that would be appropriate for your child’s age. We will be collecting the gifts the week of December 10th. Please have your child bring the gift(s) to their classroom by Friday, December 14th. The gifts will be delivered on Monday December 17th. Please do not purchase gifts that require batteries and please do not wrap the gift(s).
Thank you for sharing the Saint Mary’s School holiday spirit with others.
Sincerely,
Saint Mary’s School Student Council
Saint Gertrude High School Fall Admission Events:
Shadow Days; Multiple dates in November, January, and February, School day begins at 8 a.m. Register at saintgertrude.org/shadowdays.
NEW – Faith-Based Financial Conversation: Knights of Columbus representative Nick Abbate invites all Catholics of the Richmond Diocese to a faith-based financial conversation. Food and beverages will be provided. Learn how your investments can line up with your faith. To be discussed: college planning, debt reduction, retirement, long-term care planning, wills & trusts, disability planning and more, plus special programs for military, police, firefighters and EMS. RSVP to save your seat by calling 757.495.1492. Sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council #14129. Open house at 7 p.m., Thursday, November 29 in the Lower Commons at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
WORTH REPEATING …
Exchange Closet: Saint Mary’s Catholic School offers a Uniform Exchange Closet for all of our families. This is a wonderful resource to utilize as your child outgrows their uniform and best of all – it’s FREE! When your child outgrows their uniform, simply add your items to the closet. When you need some uniform items, come in and pick up what you need. We have committed parent volunteers who keep the closet clean and easily accessible. We ask that you continue the cleanliness when dropping items off or shopping. To access this closet, please check in with the office and pick up the Uniform Closet key during the school day. Our After School Care will also have the Uniform Closet key for you to access the closet.
Church Events:
“The Monsignor Charles Kelly Faith Formation Forum” A ministry of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Cardinal Blase Cupich, Saturday November 17th, 10am. Click HERE for information.
“The King’s Singers – GOLD” A Christmas Concert Friday, December 7, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. St. Mary’s Catholic Church Tickets: $40 per person Acclaimed for their life-affirming virtuosity and irresistible charm, two time Grammy and Emmy award winning The King’s Singers are in global demand. Come celebrate 50 years of amazing musical heritage with their special anniversary performance: GOLD.
For concert info and tickets, visit stmarysrichmond.org or call the Parish Office at 804-740-4044. We expect a sellout, so get your tickets now!
“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 January 13th, 2019.
Helpful Links:
Volunteer for Carpool Duty
Volunteer in the Lunch Room
Painless Fundraising
Flynn O’Hara Uniform inform