WEEKLY NEWS
October 10, 2017
CLASSICAL EDUCATION CORNER
Saint Benedict School Year Theme :
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is  true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Phillipians 4:8
New Staff Member
Please join me in welcoming our newest staff member, Pat Maehr. Pat will serve as the new Director of Development. As you may know, Gretchen Ridgely recently stepped down from the position. Gretchen has done an amazing job of invigorating our Comet Campaign and we all appreciate her energy and enthusiasm these past years.  

Pat comes to us with over 20 years experience in nonprofit development working with large national organizations, as well as small local organizations. She is looking forward to meeting our Saint Benedict family and working with each of you. We ask your patience as we make this transition. Should you have any questions, you may contact Pat at development@saintbenedictschool.org or by calling our main number (804) 254-8850.
Check out SBS Sports:  
Our cross-country team and some soccer super stars! 
PTO News
Fall Fest is set this year for  Saturday, October 21st, 5-8pm. This is a favorite family event at our school and we’d like you to get involved! We are looking for volunteers to coordinate activities for 2nd and 8th graders.  If you are able to help out please take a moment to look over the sign up genius here:   http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e45ada623a0f94-fall4

There are many ways to support our school without purchasing anything you wouldn't be buying already. For those who shop at Kroger, the Community Rewards program gives a percentage of your purchases to the non-profit of your choice. They require that you re-enroll annually. Enroll by going to www.kroger.com/communityrewards and entering our school code: 82176. Thanks to those of you who participated last year, the school just received a check from Kroger for over $200.

For those who shop at Martin's the program is similar, but there is no need to re-enroll annually. If you would like to enroll for the first time, visit www.martinsfood.com and select "Savings & Rewards." You'll need your 11 digit BonusCard number and the school code: 23030.  
School Lunch Ordering
The ordering window for November and December lunches will open on Monday, October 16. Orders are placed through ParentWeb.
Family Rosary Mission
October is the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary. This tradition is based on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7). Pope St. Pius V established this feast to commemorate the victory won by Christian forces over the Ottoman Empire at Lepanto (1571), which was obtained by beseeching the Virgin Mary’s help through the Rosary. To celebrate the month of the Rosary and to pray for the SBCS community, both living and dead, we will hold a Rosary Mission from October 1 through All Souls' Day on November 2. Pope Pius IX said, "if you desire peace in your hearts, in your homes, and in your country, assemble each evening to recite the Rosary." We want to encourage our entire community--children, parents, and the whole family--to pray together for peace, for our loved ones, and for the greater glory of God.
Please Remember:   
You are responsible for keeping your VIRTUS account up to date. Please be responsive to the monthly email updates and newsletters that VIRTUS sends you.  It is necessary that you READ the newsletter and indicate such EACH and EVERY month. Your account will be suspended if this is not completed promptly each month. 
We value your volunteer services and don't want to lose you!!
October
Friday, October 14
Class Choir - 8th grade
Readers: Audrey Lewis, Landon Brown
Servers: Scout Kennon, Fanty Erazo-Polanco, Fatima Erazo-Polanco
Friday, October 20
Class Choir - 8th grade
Readers: Aaron Smith, Joe Covington
Servers: Mia Moore, Brennan Shea, William Proctor
Friday, October 27, Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Class Choir - 5th grade
Readers: Victor Aguilar, Eric Caylor,
Servers: Madeleine Lang, Jacob Lang, Griffin Lang
Parish News
Voter Education Materials
On Tuesday, November 7, Virginians will elect their governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. To help voters prepare for these elections the Virginia Catholic Conference has released its 2017 voter education materials. The Conference has compiled three separate side-by-side comparisons of the positions of candidates for state offices. Conference staff compiled Know the Positions of the Candidates for Governor, Know the Positions of the Candidates for Lieutenant Governor, and Know the Positions of the Candidates for Attorney General from policies, public statements, official campaign websites, party platforms and other sources. The Conference, which represents Virginia’s bishops on public policy matters, neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office. As they consider these races and also local House of Delegates races, voters are encouraged to turn to the wisdom of the Catholic Church as they form their consciences by consulting the Four Principles of Catholic Social Teaching. These materials can be found www.vacatholic.org. Spanish translations are also available.
Parish Children's Choir
Children in grades 2–8 are encouraged to sing in the Parish Children’s Choir. Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays from 3–4pm in the school library. The Children’s Choir allows young people to deepen their appreciation and love for liturgical music, and provides basic instruction in singing and musicianship.The Children’s Choir will sing monthly at various weekend Masses, as well as select holidays during the school year.

Please encourage your students to join us for our first rehearsal on Tuesday, October 10th! For more information, please contact Joel S. Kumro, Choirmaster and Organist, at jkumro@saintbenedictparish.org or 804.254.8810 x112.
Altar Serving
A training for new altar servers will take place on Sunday, October 14, at 9:30 AM. To be an altar server a child must be baptized, have received First Holy Communion, regularly attend mass, and be enrolled in religious education (either in the home, the parish, or in Saint Benedict School). 
Church Walk
Parishioners of all ages are invited to participate in a church walk on Saturday, October 21 from 8:45am to 2:00pm. Departing from Saint Benedict’s, our first stop will be the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. There we will visit the crypt, where the bishops emeritus of the diocese are entombed. We will then make our way to Saint Peter’s, which served as the first cathedral of the diocese. Our final stop will be historic Saint Patrick’s on Church Hill. We will then eat lunch at The Hill Café. The parish’s activity bus will provide transportation back to Saint Benedict’s.

The walk will provide parishioners with the opportunity to get to know one another better; the stops at the church will furnish us with historical information and moments of prayer. Parishioners must be able to walk four miles. If you would like to participate, please RSVP to Ida O’Leary ( ioleary@saintbenedictparish.org ) by October 16.
Benedictine Middies WRESTLING Q & A
There will be a mandatory middies wrestling interest meeting Wednesday October 11th at 7:00 p.m. in the Benedictine Auditorium at 12829 River Rd. Richmond, VA 23238. Park on the side of the school as you go past the main front before you get to the back football field behind the school it is on your left.

Whether your son has prior experience or is potentially interested in wrestling for the first time, we want him to join the Benedictine Middies Wrestling Team. This meeting will be able to answer all of your questions. Therefore if your son has any interest in wrestling this winter please make plans to attend.

If you cannot attend or have any questions, feel free to contact Coach Hall at rhall@benedictinecollegeprep.org
St. Gertrude Open House
Saint Gertrude High School will be hosting their annual Open House on Sunday, October 15 from 1:00-3:00 PM. We welcome you to meet our Head of School Renata Rafferty, take a private tour of our campus, learn about our stellar academics, athletics, and arts programs, and enjoy refreshments with key faculty members.

Saint Gertrude High School is a Catholic, all-girls, independent, college preparatory high school located in the Museum District of Richmond. Come discover the unique opportunities awaiting your daughter at Saint Gertrude as she takes the next step to her future. Come learn about our signature four year Discover Leadership program, our over 90 years of academic excellence, our learning beyond the classroom throughout Richmond and the world. and our outreach program promoting Jesus' Gospel of caring for others.

Please register to attend at  www.saintgertrude.org/openhouse. For more information, check out our website  www.saintgertrude.org  or contact Meredith McNamara, Director of Admission at  admissions@saintgertrude.org.
Upcoming Dates:
Oct. 13 School Mass at 8:30am in the church (middle school wear dress uniform)
Oct. 19  PTO Meeting 6-7 PM
Oct. 21  Fall Fest 5-8 PM
Oct. 24  Picture Make Up Day