December 9, 2004

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Can you believe how quickly the time is going? The days have been a blur of wonderful times of prayer, music, laughter and learning. The children (and adults!) are doing well in trying to keep their focus on the many, many things that need to be done as well as the things to be enjoyed.

I hope that you have had the opportunity to enjoy one or more of our special events that have taken place already this month. The children and teachers have done a wonderful job in their preparations for the prayer services and liturgy and for the choir and band concerts.

A major school event is yet to come and we hope that you will be able to join us! Our annual school Christmas program will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, December 15th and 16th. Because each and every child participates in this program, it is truly a gift from every child and adult to you and the members of your family. The program, written by sixth grade teacher Colleen Kavanagh, features our sixth graders as the actors/narrators while students in all other grades (Pre School through Grade 5) provide the musical selections.

We have found through the years that the response is tremendous and our crowds are large. For that reason, we will again have three performances of the Christmas program:

Dress Rehearsal         Tuesday, Dec. 14th         1:15 p.m.
Evening Performance Tuesday, Dec. 15th         6:30 p.m.
Daytime Performance Wednesday, Dec. 16th   9:00 a.m.

Our evening performance is always the most crowded, so you may want to encourage friends and relatives to attend the daytime performance on Thursday. Your child’s classroom teacher has already sent information home about what your child should wear for the program. If you did not receive it, please check with your child and then contact the teacher.

Please remember that school closes at Noon on Friday, December 17th. Child care is not provided on that day. Classes will resume on Monday, January 3rd.

During this Christmas season, let us hold one another in prayer. We know that some of our families are facing serious illness, the recent death of a loved one, or the deployment (or upcoming deployment) of a family member. For these families, we offer special prayers of encouragement and support. Please know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers during these Christmas days and into the new year. May God keep you safely in His hands and may you continue to feel His love, care and abundant goodness.

/s Sister Mary Jo