Dear Parishioners:
We've been living through some hot and humid weather these last weeks—the "Dog Days of Summer," as they are known. The phrase "Dog Days of Summer" might conjure up images of canines panting in the heat, but the origin of the phrase has to do with the stars.
Historians say the phrase dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who would keep track of the seasons by looking up at the sky. The star Sirius was known as the "dog star" because it made up the nose of a constellation shaped like a dog. Near the end of July, when Sirius would appear in the sky just before the sun, it marked the beginning of the very hottest days of the year. The Romans referred to this period as "dies caniculares" or "days of the dog star," which was eventually translated as just "dog days."
Now that we've survived the "Dog Days of Summer," it is time to prepare for the upcoming school year! Yes, school is just fifteen days away!! OLM School and East Greenwich Public Schools begin the new school year on Wednesday, August 31. Where did the summer go?
Our enrollment at OLM School has increased this year to over 240 students from last year's 220! It is always a great sign that many families are interested in our school. Most of our elementary grades (Pre-K thru 5) are full with a waitlist for admission. There is still room in our Middle School for more students, so spread the word!
While we said farewell to some of our outstanding faculty members who retired this past June, we have hired excellent new faculty for Middle School Guidance, Math, History, and Theology. In addition, we have outstanding new Pre-K, Technology, and Music teachers. The tradition of excellence continues at OLM School under the leadership of our School Principal, Patrick McNabb.
In the coming weeks, you will be able to support the great work of forming the future saints and scholars of our church and world. Next weekend we kick off the Annual See You In September Raffle. The tickets are $100 a piece, and we will be giving away $10,000 in prizes! All of the proceeds of the raffle go directly to the Saints and Scholars Fund for OLM School.
Golfers enjoy the 2021 Saints and Scholars Open
Also, mark your calendar for the Annual Saints and Scholars Open at Quidnessett Country Club on Monday, September 26. This tournament is always a great event, with nearly 150 golfers gathering for a great day of golf in support of our budding saints and scholars.
Our resident golfer in the Rectory, Fr. Mahoney, is very determined to win it all and has been practicing all summer. We'll need some competitive golfers to see if they can beat him and his team! Rumors are that he has a ringer coming!! Rory McIlroy, perhaps??!!
This year we have changed the schedule with the restoration of Sunday morning class for the elementary students (Grades 1-4) and Sunday evening class for middle school (Grades 5-8). The classes are returning to the OLM School as they were before the Pandemic. I urge all families with chidden in non-Catholic schools to register today.
Sisters of Mercy at OLM First Avenue Convent circa 1950s.
Our parish school and Religious Education Program are vital to our mission of Catholic Education and the well-begin of our parish family. The goal of this mission is simple: to form saints for life in this world and next! We build upon the great witness and tradition first begun in our parish when Fr. Patrick Lenihan arrived in East Greenwich in 1853. He purchased a small house that served as a rectory, a church, and a school! And while our parish has grown in size and space over these last 170 years, the mission remains the same.
Catholic Education of our children is not about being "socially useful" and instilling "good values" but about making saints and growing the seeds of virtue and truth. Anything less cheats our students of their dignity. So pray for the families and students of our parish school and religious education program.
Be well. Stay safe. Do good. God Bless. Go Sox!!!