Dear Parishioners:
Well, what a wind storm we had last Sunday night! The winds were so strong they knocked down the beautiful statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that stands out in front of our Church. The wind broke off the statue's head, and other parts were damaged. We hope it might be repaired and restored, but it may have to be replaced.
The winds also wreaked havoc with those traveling! Flights were grounded and canceled across the country. Sister Lourdes had two flights canceled from Chicago and was later diverted to Newark. She was able to get a flight to Providence and is safely home! We thank God for guiding her home safe and sound! Welcome back, Sister Lourdes!!
Fr. Mahoney flew out on Monday to spend some time with his parents, who have retired to Phoenix, Arizona. He's taking some well-deserved time off and celebrating Christmas with his folks. However, he did bring his golf clubs and all his Green Bay Packer gear! His Mother is a native of Wisconsin, so all of his family are Packer fans! All that is but his Father, who hails from San Francisco and is a fan of the Forty-Niners! The Green Bay vs. San Francisco Game today should be a lot of fun for Father and his folks!!
Fr. Mahoney is returning later this week just in time for the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week. Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week has been the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It starts the last Sunday in January and runs all week, which in 2022 is January 30 – February 5. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2022 is "Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service." Next weekend, it kicks off with OLM School students speaking at all Masses and an Open House at OLM School on Sunday and ends with a First Friday Mass on February 4. With these events, we highlight the value that Catholic education provides and the contributions to our Church, our communities, and our nation that Catholic Education makes.
During the COVID Pandemic, millions of students could not set foot in a classroom as many schools shut down. This is an unimaginable disruption that has deeply affected the lives of our youngest generation. It has profoundly affected their learning and emotional and phycological well-being. In some places in the nation, public school systems continue to educate remotely. Yet Catholic schools, such as our outstanding parish school, continued to maintain in-person instruction and learning during the Pandemic. It continues to be done with great sacrifice and little spread of COVID.
Catholic schools serve families and students with just a fraction of public schools' finances and resources. For generations, our Catholic schools shaped countless lives with little financial resources. Their legacy of academic excellence, committed service, sacrifice, and lively faith continues on today.
Vast sums of money have been given to public school districts including some whose doors were shut until recently. In some areas, low-income parents have few options for their child’s education. Real and robust school choice programs that help parents afford to choose the right school for their kids are truly needed.
Keeping OLM school open for in-person classes throughout the Pandemic has required great determination and tremendous sacrifice by our outstanding Principal, Mr. McNabb, our dedicated faculty and staff, our supportive parents, and of course, our terrific students. I thank and commend them for their commitment, service, sacrifice, and faith. Amidst the social and economic upheaval that the COVID Pandemic unleashed for these two years, OLM School stood strong!
Learn more about the terrific things at OLM School, when our bright and talented students speak about the school at all Masses next week. An Open House on Sunday begins at 10:00 AM. All prospective students and their families and all parishioners are invited to tour the school. Come experience the OLM Advantage!
Finally, please support our parish school with generous financial donations to the Saints and Scholars Collection next week. It directly supports OLM School with tuition assistance and in defraying expenses, especially the rising costs due to the Pandemic.
Be well. Do good. God Bless.