Dear Parents,
The mission of St. Joseph Catholic School is summed up in these words,
“building wisdom and faith through service to God.”
You see these words on the banners hanging in the parking lot by the main office building. You see it on all documents, electronic communication, marketing materials, and on our social media accounts. As part of preparing for the DFE, we look closely at what our mission is, and our commitment to that mission. We are firmly committed to educating our students in the rich traditions of our faith, and in the academic skills needed for success at the next level, along with an understanding of our responsibility to serve our world family.
In conjunction with our responsibility to teach the students about service, a few weeks ago, I mentioned the
One Strong F.A.M.I.L.Y
initiative, established by Mike Manhardt. F.A.M.I.L.Y is the acronym for
F
orget
A
bout
M
e,
I
L
ove
Y
ou, and focuses on social campaigns that inspire everyday acts of love and kindness. This week, students will bring home their F.A.M.I.L.Y t-shirt, and we will celebrate the initiative on Friday, with a school-wide assembly and day of service. Students should wear their t-shirts OVER the regular uniform. After the assembly, all students will participate in the Dranesville backpack initiative. This service project provides food, along with a small Christmas gift for over 100 food insecure children in our community. This worthwhile project reminds our students that so many boys and girls, children just like them, need support.
We began the
second week of Advent
with Mass on December 8, followed by the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, this year celebrated on Monday. And while the Feast is not a holy day of obligation this year, it is a good time to reflect on the role of the Blessed Mother in the salvation of the world. So fitting that we honor her during Advent! I read somewhere that in addition to lighting the second purple candle on the wreath, we should get up each morning and light a second “inner purple candle” to remind us to put our trust in God and that we have faith that Christ will come.
The
Christmas Concert is Wednesday, December 11
in the school gym, at 7:00. Please join us for an evening of faith-filled and time honored Christmas songs. Miss Bambino and the children have been hard at practice, and this is sure to be a great event. Students should wear their
Sunday best
. The PTO is sponsoring the
SJS Winter Warmth Drive
. Unwrapped hats, gloves and scarves can be dropped off as you enter the Christmas concert. All items will be donated to needy families and will be greatly appreciated during this chilly time of year!
On Thursday, December 12, we celebrate the
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
, with school Mass at 9:30. If you are available, please consider joining us for this celebration. Complete with a Mariachi band, our students experience the cultural diversity embodied in this feast...a great reminder that God created everyone and loves everyone...a true message of inclusion!
Don’t forget
PTO Movie Nigh
t on Friday, Dec. 13. This is a great opportunity to gather as one big SJS family to enjoy The Star, The Story of the First Christmas. Please remember that students must be accompanied by a parent. This is a
family event,
and students should
not be dropped off
with friends for the evening.
For the reminder app on your phone, please add:
Wednesday, Dec. 11...Christmas Concert
Thursday, Dec. 12...School Mass 9:30. Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Friday, Dec. 13...11:30 dismissal, DFE half-day
Friday, Dec. 13...PTO sponsored Movie Night
As always, if you have any questions, or if I can be of any assistance, please let me know.
Welcome one another....as Christ welcomed you!
(Rom 15:7)
Denise Rutledge
Principal
Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God
