Advent Blessings

We have now begun a new liturgical year as we celebrated the First Sunday of Advent yesterday, and, as always, I invite you to celebrate Advent this Advent. This season is an opportunity for us to refocus ourselves on our faith when our culture wishes only to push us straight into Christmas--and an entirely commercialized, secularized Christmas, at that. We must maintain our focus on the coming of the Christ-child and be His witnesses to our world of the joy that only He provides.

As best you can, resist the temptation to keep the radio dial tuned to the Christmas station. Hold off on setting up the Christmas tree. Keep the lights in their boxes. Be patient, knowing He who is to come. Because our Lord Jesus Christ is the Light of the World--the real Present we wait for.

Synod Process at Saint Agnes Church and School

The Archdiocesan Synod has concluded, and the Archbishop’s office has published a document regarding findings and strategies in addressing the needs of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. In his Post-synodal Pastoral Letter to our Archdiocese, the Archbishop hearkens back to the time of Christ and then articulates the synodal process, the what of the synod’s results, and the how of the synod’s implementation. The remainder of this year, we will be preparing for year 1 (July 2023-June 2024)—namely, the implementation of “small group ministry” in every parish to “foster personal relationships, build community, and provide formation” so as to help all grow as joyful missionary disciples of Christ. 

He establishes three main goals:

1. Establish one or more small groups to reach out to the “marginalized and the poor;”
2. Establish one or more small groups as a “vehicle for teaching” about the Mass;
3. Create one or more groups to offer prayer ministry and one or more small groups in service of evangelization. 

Fr. Moriarty and I have begun to discuss the small groups for our parish and school, and we will be in touch with you again in this new Church year regarding the “what” and the “how” of synod implementation at Saint Agnes Church and School. Please say a prayer that we do this small group work well as a fully community!

Important December Dates

Dec. 2 – 7-12 First Friday Confessions

               1^st Grade Egypt Day

Dec. 3 – NHS Game Night

Dec. 7 – Raffle Turn in Day

Dec. 8 – K-12 Mass, Immaculate Conception

Dec. 9 – 2^nd Grade Virtue Assembly

Dec. 12 – K-3 Concert

Dec. 13 – 3^rd Grade Field Trip

               4-6 Concert

Dec. 15 – 5-12 Band Concert

Dec. 18 – Lessons and Carols 

Dec. 19 – 7-12 Final Exams 1 & 2

Dec. 20 – 7-12 Final Exams 3, 4, & 5

Dec. 21 – 7-12 Final Exams 6 & 7

               PreK Christmas Program

               PreK-12 Early Dismissal, 11:00am

Dec. 23-26 – Offices Closed

Dec. 30-Jan.2 – Offices Closed

December Concert Dates & Livestream Links

December 12th – K-3 Concert, 6:30 PM | Livestream

December 13th – 4-6 Concert, 7:00 PM | Livestream

December 15th – 5-12 Band Concert, 7:00 PM | Livestream



December 18th – 7-12 Lessons and Carols Choir Concert, 5:00 PM

(In the Upper Church--NOT livestreamed)

Raffle Turn-In Day 1: This Wednesday, 11/30

$100 Sold Earns:

K: Free T-Shirt

Grades 1-6: Aggie Bucket Hat

Grades 7-12: Out of Uniform Day

Saint Agnes Upper School Showcase THIS WEDNESDAY (11/30)

Know any families interested in getting more information on the Upper School (7^th-12^th grade) here at Saint Agnes? To shed light on the great things happening in our Upper School, we will be hosting an Upper School Showcase (formerly known as open house) for prospective families on Wednesday, November 30th at 6:00PM.

Interested families are welcome to come in for an individual visit through the Admissions Office and/or attend the showcase. Please help us spread the word to good friends and family!

Round 2: Dual-Enrollment for College Credit

Attention families of high school students (grades 9-12): the second round of dual-enrollment registration has begun! See the list below for Semester 2 and full-year courses. Registration and payment are due by Tuesday, Dec. 6th.

All of the registration materials and new submission information have been emailed directly to parents and students. Questions? Please email Mr. Adkins.

Mixed grade courses:                                                  UMary course numbers (each listed course will earn 3.00 college credits):

Latin I, Latin II, Latin III, Latin IV, Latin V                LAT 101, LAT 102, LAT 201, LAT 202, LAT 301               

Honors Calculus II                                                        MAT 210

Greek                                                                             GRK 201

Grade 9              Introduction to Old Testament    THE 110

Grade 10            U.S. History                                       HIS 271

Sacraments                                      THE 221

Grade 11            Catholic Moral Theology              THE 270 

Grade 12           The Great Conversation                PHI 210

World Literature                             ENG 130

Catholic Social Doctrine               THE 208

Honor Band Students

Earlier this month, several of our students attended college honor band festivals. These intensive two-day festivals included high school students from all over the five state area. They rehearsed with guest conductors and performed concerts at the conclusions of the festivals.

The students who participated were:

University of MN Duluth Honor Band Festival

Charlie Wallisch

Sarah Clyde

Shayla Le

Ave Wolf

Gabe Osterbauer

Gustavus Honor Band Festival

Rosemary Blackstone

Julia Ferdinandt

Illiana Romero

Elinor True

Aliana Perez

Myles Kobbermann

Ave Wolf

St. Olaf Honor Band Festival

Noel Varco

Shayla Le

'Not pictured: Sarah Clyde

World Youth Day 2023 – Lisbon, Portugal

High school students from Saint Agnes School are invited to join Fr. Marcus Milless and Mr. John Sondag from St. Helena Parish in Minneapolis for a pilgrimage to Lourdes, Santiago de Compostela and World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon. The pilgrimage is July 26th–August 8th and costs approximately $4500. Follow the links below to review the Itinerary and Registration Information. 

Fr. Milless and Mr. Sondag will be at Saint Agnes to share information about the pilgrimage during Flex time (9:40-10:05am) on Friday, December 2nd. Parents are welcome to attend this information session. Registration and $500 deposit are due December 15th. Contact Mr. John Sondag with questions: 612-275-0431.

6th Grade Virtue Assembly Tomorrow, Tuesday 11/29

The 6^th grade Virtue Assembly will be tomorrow, Tuesday, November 29^th, at 9:30 AM.

Aggie Athletics Calendar

View Aggie Athletics calendar here.

CASA: Caring for After School Aggies Help Needed

Sign-Up Genius Link for November & December: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4AA4AC23A2FE3-casanovdec2022

Lower School Yearbooks on SALE!

Lower School Yearbooks are on sale until January for $20! Prices will increase after the new year to $25. Order your 2022-23 Lower School yearbook using the button below and use School ID: 711670

Upper School Yearbooks on SALE!

Upper School Yearbooks are on sale until January! Prices will increase after the new year. Order your 2022-23 Upper School yearbook below: