November 15, 2005

Dear Nativity Parents and Guardians,

I have fabulous news...and the word FABULOUS doesn't even begin to describe what I have to tell you!!!

Several weeks ago I received a phone call that two gentlemen would like to meet with me regarding a possible donation to our school. The gentlemen, representing the Imperial Palace Mississippi Charity, met with Father Tony and me and surveyed the damage to our school as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

Following this meeting, I was contacted by representatives to further discuss some of our damaged areas. Several other meetings followed. Finally, we were asked to submit detailed specifications and estimates for the work that needed to be done.

Last Thursday afternoon I received a telephone call from Mr. Owen Nitz who was representing the group. He simply said that the trustees had agreed to take care of things for us.  When I asked which portion of the damage they would be sponsoring, he simply said "All of it."  My friends, The Imperial Palace Mississippi Charity has agreed to take care of the entire restoration of our school. This donation will include: replacement roofs for the gym, school and new addition; stage curtains; flooring for the gym; flooring for the stage; all broken windows in the school; all broken blinds in the school; replace of the floor tile in the first floor hallway; a new sound system for the gym; fencing repairs to the school perimeter and to the back playground and soccer goals for the playground. The total amount is somewhere around $500,000.

As I tried to express my thanks to the trustees, Mr. Nitz and Mr. Cooper, I told them how we always pray for those who are so good to us and so good to our school. I told them that they can count on these prayers for as long as we live. I also told them that this donation is a gift not only to our school but to the Diocese of Biloxi since our insurance claims are now greatly diminished.

This incredibly generous donation was made possible through the kindness of Mrs. Betty Englestad and her deceased husband through the Imperial Palace Mississippi Charity. This donation is certainly a MIRACLE in my estimation. As a billboard on I-110 simply states..."Wishes do come true!"

I would like to invite each of you to write your now note/card/letter of appreciation. I would like to gather these together and send them to our donors in appreciation of this most amazing gift. Please send them to the school and we will forward them during the first week of December.

Finally, I would like to remind you of the upcoming SPECIAL EVENT for grown-ups only which will be held on Friday, December 2nd (6-8pm) and Saturday, December 3rd (9-Noon). We will be setting up after school on Thursday and during the day of Friday if you would like to help.

May God continue to bless you and be with you during these days!

/s Sister Mary Jo