Saint Agnes Food Pantry Update

At the end of May 2022, the food warehouse that provided the groceries for our Parent Pantry notified us that they were discontinuing food distribution to all the organizations that they served. The end of this program was the direct result of a major corporate grocer re-directing their surplus food to another, larger food shelf organization. Both our food warehouse partner and the Saint Agnes Parent Pantry volunteers are working on finding new avenues to re-open as soon as possible, but for right now, the Parent Pantry is closed.  

Until we are able to re-open on campus, the following are two resources that your family can use to supplement your groceries:

1. Use the Today's Harvest free grocery stores located in Oakdale (2 locations) and the Open Cupboard weekly drive thru food distribution (at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Oakdale - behind one of the Today's Harvest free grocery store locations). Using these free resources is easy and neither one has an income requirement. Please see their schedule and find more information at: https://todaysharvestmn.org/
2. View the Second Harvest - Hartland website options for your area. There are many options available. https://www.2harvest.org/who--how-we-help/how-to-get-help/#.YvakZ3bMLIU

If you have further questions on the Pantry, please contact Michael Adkins: madkins@saintagnesschool.org

Saint Agnes School Mass Altar Server Training Information

Boys 7^th Grade and older interested in serving for the Upper School Masses: Altar Server Training is being offered on Sunday, September 18^th from 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM at the Church of Saint Agnes. Any new servers, or servers wanting to learn a new position are encouraged to attend.

Inviting All Women! Mornings with Mary & Martha

All women are invited to Mornings with Mary and Martha! These mornings take place on the third Saturday of every month in Schuler Hall at 6:30 AM. Join us this month on this coming Saturday, September 17th.

The gathering will consist of fellowship and the reading of a short meditation with discussion and the option to attend 8:00 AM Mass. No preparation is needed to attend any or all of these gatherings. The goal of this group is to help each other grow in our call to daily contemplative living.

Light refreshments will be provided, but please bring your own favorite morning beverage. For any questions, please contact the parish office.

New Podcast: This Whole Life

Current Aggie parents Pat and Kenna Millea have launched their new podcast This Whole Life that aims to integrate our Catholic faith with our mental health.

Listen to the first three episodes now wherever you get your podcasts, or visit their website here to learn more!

Lower School Virtue Assembly Schedule & Theme 2022-23

The theme last year was the Theological and Cardinal Virtues, and this year it is “The Virtues Opposing Vices." We will kick off this coming Friday, September 16th as Mr. Adkins will introduce the theme. As always, parents are invited and welcome to attend; you could also bring a friend or prospective family to check out Saint Agnes!

“The Virtues Opposing the Vices” – always held on Fridays at 9:30 AM in the Helene Houle Auditorium:

 Date:                                     Lead by:

• September 16^th                Mr. Adkins, Director of Lower School
• October 14^th                      Grade 3
• November 11^th                 Grade 6 (also Veterans’ Day)
• December 9^th                    Grade 2 (Feast of St. Juan Diego)
• January 20^th                       Grade 1 (Vigil of St. Agnes)
• February 17^th                    Kindergarten
• March 8^th                            Grade 4 (N.B. Wednesday during Lent)
• April 14^th                             Grade 5 (Easter Week!)

Lower School Homecoming Week Dress Up Themes

*Homecoming is the week of September 26th-30th*

"Lettuce" Celebrate Homecoming

Monday (9/26) - Thousand Island: Beach Day

• Ideas for students/parents: Colors of an island, tropical wear, Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, etc. Shorts are fine, but please, no swimsuits (swimsuit shorts fine).

Tuesday (9/27) - Italian: Tourist Day

• Ideas: Dress classy for your home away from home, or desired destination. Wear paraphernalia from a trip or vacation, or the for a location you would like to visit; fanny pack, a bucket hat and tennis shoes, binoculars, wear paraphernalia from a trip or vacation you took or you would like to go; wear colors of a flag to represent a country; represent an international sports team

Wednesday (9/28) - Ranch: Western Day

• Ideas: Dress up like a cowboy/cowgirl or in southwest attire with a poncho and sombrero: other ideas - Flannel shirt, bandana, jeans, hat, boots, big belts and buckles, hunting or cow-wrangling attire, etc.!

Thursday (9/29) - Holy Mass (in uniform)

Friday (9/30) - House: Spirit Day

• Wear your Aggie red/white Saint Agnes Aggies apparel!

Lower School Grandparents' and Senior Friends Day Information

Our K-6 Grandparents' and Senior Friends' Day is quickly approaching, and we again look forward to opening our doors to them on Tuesday, October 18. This is one of our favorite days of the year here at Saint Agnes!

We will be sending a special invitation out to Grandparents and Senior Friends inviting them to this special day.

We need your help! Please submit names and addresses of those Grandparents and Senior Friends, you would like us to invite by Thursday, September 22 through the link above. More details about this special day will be forthcoming. 

Field day – September 14

This Wednesday students in grades 7-12 will have a full day of fun, games, and team building. Lunch will be provided (or students can bring their own) and students are to wear athletic clothes. More information will be communicated directly to the students.

Padre Pio Work Program

Padre Pio duties began today, Monday, Sept. 12th. Parents were sent a letter through Permission Click on Thursday, 9/8. Please complete the form. Students have received their assignments and should report for duty today (9/12).

Upper School Guest Speaker: Paul J. Kim (Grades 7-12)

We are excited to welcome Paul J. Kim to speak to our students in grades 7-12 next Tuesday, September 20th. Paul is one of the most sought-after Catholic youth & young adult speakers in America. Paul utilizes his many talents (i.e. music, comedy, inspirational talks) to communicate the Gospel message of Christ to people in a way that is engaging, entertaining, and altogether life-changing. He’s the author of the best-selling A Catholic Guide To Adulting Online Course, he’s the founder of the Triumph Men’s Conference, he’s released two music albums, and he presents to an average of 40,000 people a year at events throughout the world. His background includes a BA in Philosophy (Franciscan University of Steubenville), an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy (Hope International University), religious formation with the Community of the Franciscans Friars of the Renewal (NYC), and life experiences working as a therapist, missionary, and youth minister. He currently resides in Austin, TX with his wife and four children. Feel free to visit his website at www.pjkmusic.com and/or find him on social media. He will have a table with merchandise available after the event. Payments may be made using cash/check or card. Please join us in praying the God will work in a powerful way in the lives of our Upper School students this day!

UMary Bus Trip - October 9-10

Thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Mary Jo Feltl, the University of Mary is happy to announce our annual fall bus trip to UMary's campus in Bismarck, ND! The trip is free and includes transportation, meals, lodging, campus tour, and celebration of Mass. We will depart from the Twin Cities on Sunday, October 9 at 7:30 AM and expect to depart Bismarck around 2:00 PM on Monday, October 10. Given high interest in the trip, this opportunity is available to all Juniors and for Seniors that did not attend previously. 

New this year: Parents are highly recommended to attend, or to ensure another parent has responsibility for your student. Two Saint Agnes employees (faculty/staff) will attend. Depending on the total number of students, additional parents may be required to attend to assist with supervision.

Click here to sign up. Please contact Mr. Tom Schulzetenberg, 763-453-7961 for more information.

Upper School Yearbooks on Sale

Upper School Yearbooks are now on Sale:

https://www.balfour.com/student-info?smi=38345

NEW this year – Jr. High will be included in the Upper School Yearbook – 7^th and 8^th grade students, please order an Upper School Yearbook. 

Yearbooks will INCREASE in price in January – so ORDER NOW! 

Questions, please email Mrs. Richtsmeier.

The Aggie Athletics Podcast is BACK!

Host Mike Streitz recaps the Spring and Summer '22 seasons for Aggie Athletics and looks ahead to the Fall 2022 season in the latest episode!

Aggie Athletics Calendar

View this week's Aggie Athletics calendar here.

The Following Volunteer Help is Needed:

Please note if VIRTUS/E3 required. New volunteers will need to complete the onlineVIRTUS training as well as initial paperwork. This process can take up to two weeks to complete. Contact Annette Beaudry at 651.925-8826 or ABeaudry@saintagnesschool.org with any questions.

School Day Assistant: (E3 required) Contact: Michael Adkins & School Office

• Daily help needed for Lunchroom Monitoring, Recess Help, Copying/Laminating, Office Support (mailings, etc.)
• Dates/Times:
• Every School Day: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
• Sign-Up Genius Link for August & September: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4AA4AC23A2FE3-sda2022augsept2022

CASA: Caring for After School Aggies: (E3 required) Contact: Tracy Schmidt

• Volunteers needed after school to monitor and help Lower School children stay in designated spaces, follow rules, and stay safe. Pre-training with Tracy Schmidt required.
• Dates/Times:
• Lower School in-session Days
• Full Shift : 2:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Part Shift: 2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 
• Sign-Up Genius Link for August & September: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d4aa4ac23a2fe3-casaaugustseptembe

Teacher Appreciation Committee: (E3 typically NOT required) Contacts: Karl Hendrickson/Becca DeMarais 

• Help to coordinate occasional events honoring and thanking the faculty on behalf of the parent community.
• Dates/Times: TBD
• Sign-Up Genius Link to become Committee Member: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d4aa4ac23a2fe3-teacherappreciatio 

Important September Dates

September 14 – JH and HS Field Days

September 20 – Upper School Guest Speaker: Paul J Kim

September 21 – K-12 Mass

September 23 – 7-12 Clubs and Activities Fair during Flex

September 25 – Hall of Fame induction

September 25-26 – Senior Overnight

September 26-30 – Homecoming Week

September 29 – Alumni Memorial Mass

September 30 – Homecoming Tailgate and Game

First Day of School Photos

Thanks to parent volunteer Mr. Rich Graner for snagging some photos on the first day of school! You can view and download them here.

Lessons for Saint Agnes Elementary Strings

The Saint Agnes Elementary Strings program has lesson openings this fall! Please reach out to John Rose for more information and to enroll!