WEEKLY NEWS
February 13, 2018
Perhaps this article  , entitled "10 Ways to Grow in Prayer," is particularly pertinent as we enter the season of Lent.  It's a great time to model the virtue of being a lifetime learner! 
Things to Note:
  • The Comet Shop is baaack!! It will re-open on Friday, February 16. Thank you to Mrs. D'Agostino for stepping into that role! We are so appreciative!

  • Just a reminder . . . Students should NOT be requesting to use the microwave to heat up their food. It is necessary that teachers give their full attention to supervision. Thank you for your cooperation.

  • Are you going to be volunteering this Spring?  Have you taken VIRTUS?  There will be a VIRTUS session in English this Saturday, February 17 at Saint Benedict Church from 9am until Noon. 
Knights of Columbus Squires
The Squires is an international fraternity of Catholic young men, ages 10 to 18, sponsored by local Knights of Columbus councils.  The Squires involves young men in programs to benefit the Church, the community, as well as in recreational and social activities and your sons are invited to join. Membership and meeting information can be found  HERE.
Catholic Men's Conference
Registration is now open for the 2018 Catholic Men's Conference.  The conference will be held on March 17, at Saint Bede Catholic Church in Williamsburg, VA.  This year’s theme, “Truly Present,” will explore Jesus’ presence to us and our call to be present in all our relationships in the world as husband, father, brother, and friend. A dual-track will be offered with keynote speakers in English and Spanish, breakout opportunities, Reconciliation, Adoration, and Mass. Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers will be the keynote speaker for the English-speaking track.
Comet Campaign - Saint Benedict NEEDS You!
Check out the graph to see how close your class is to an Ice Cream Social! Thermometers are outside every classroom and we need your help to move those needles!  If you have already made your gift - THANK YOU! If you still need to make a donation (no gift is too large or too small) you may contribute online at:    http://www.saintbenedictschool.org/giving/donate-now.cfm
Spring Season SPORTS
The Spring season is just around the corner and St. Benedict hopes to offer three sports this year. Details are still coming in from the leagues but we would like to gauge interest now and be ready to go! Our spring sports offerings are: 
1st/2nd and 3rd/4th Grade Flag Football. Co-ed. No experience required. Brief practices before Saturday games, a minimum of 2 coaches and 8 players per team needed. This was a huge hit last year and we expect to have another successful season. If your child is interested, please sign up  HERE.
Middle School Girls Soccer: This is a new offering and we would love to see our girls make an impact on the soccer field. A minimum of 2 coaches and 15 girls needed. If your daughter is interested, please sign up  HERE.
Elementary running Club and Middle School Track: Co-ed. Running club is for grades 1-4 and track is for grades 5-8.  Competitive runners only. Running club meets on Tuesdays; track meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Running Club is capped at 50 students. If your child is interested, please sign up  HERE.

Start dates, fees, and other details will be sent along as they are confirmed.

Please note that all of our teams rely on volunteer coaches. If you are VIRTUS-trained and interested in helping our kids, please sign up  HERE. 
Music Lessons Available
Private Music Lessons are available through  Greater Richmond School of Music (GRSM). 

Ms. Alicia Thompson (SBS music teacher) is now available on Thursdays 3-5pm and Fridays at 5pm for private piano and voice lessons.  Mr. Nathan Aldhizer is available at 3pm on Mondays and Wednesdays for private guitar, ukulele, banjo, cello and piano lessons. And Mr. Steve Lazar has a 5pm lesson opening on Fridays for private guitar, bass, piano, saxophone, ukulele, violin, mandolin, cello, banjo, percussion (not drum set), trumpet or clarinet lessons.  Please contact GRSM at 804-442-6158 or email at info@grsm.net for details.
PTO News
SAVE THE DATE for our Masquerade Ball Gala, Saturday, April 14, 2018 - The Hofheimer Building, Richmond, Virginia. 

You are invited to attend our monthly meeting this Thursday, February 15 from 6-7pm in the Cafeteria. Please join us and bring your ideas and support. Your input matters! Getting involved is really fun and enlivens our school community. We are looking forward to seeing you!
Mass Schedule
Feb 14 - Ash Wednesday, 1:30pm
Choir: 7th Grade
Readers: Audrey Lewis, Nic Honsharuk
Servers: Owen Sibal, Chloe DiGirolamo, Jack Bellaver
Parish News
Tuesday, February 13 – 5:30pm
Wednesday, February 14 – ASH WEDNESDAY – 1:30pm, 7:00pm (Ordinary of Mass in Latin)
Thursday, February 15 –5:30pm ( 6:15pm, Confession )
Friday, February 16 – 8:30am
Saturday, February 17 – 5:30pm ( 4:30pm, Confession )
Sunday, February 18 – 8:30am and 11:00am

In order to make the Sacrament of Penance more available, during Lent confessions will be heard on Thursdays from 6:15-7pm and Fridays from 6-7pm. This will still give parishioners an opportunity to participate in the Lenten Suppers in Saint Anselm Hall from 5:30-6:30pm, as well as Stations of the Cross which will be prayed Fridays of Lent at 7pm in the church.     

The Oktoberfest Scholarship Program assists qualified high-school age parishioners (rising 9th through 12th graders) with the cost of tuition at a Catholic school recognized by the Diocese of Richmond. If you have an eligible child who is interested in applying, please read the qualifications letter and complete the  application.  The deadline is February 16!

In observance of President's Day, the church office will be closed on Monday, February 19. This is a Diocesan-wide holiday. 

The Knights of Columbus will be sponsoring a parish Breakfast and Blood Drive Sunday, February 25 from 9:00am – 1:00pm in Saint Anselm Hall at the Saint Benedict Parish School. Donors eat free! Adults $7.00, Children $4.00  and kids under 4 eat for free. IMPORTANT: They are in dire need of platelets and type O Negative blood and will be bringing the platelet machines to the upcoming blood drive.  There is a sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board of the side porch of the church.  
Upcoming Dates
Feb.14 - School Mass, 1:30pm - Middle School Dress Uniform
Feb.15 - PTO, 6pm, CAFE
Feb.16 - 3rd Quarter Interim Grades
Feb. 19 - No School - President's Day
Feb. 23 - School Mass, 8:30am - Middle School Dress Uniform