November 29, 2023

This Sunday, December 3 will mark the beginning of Advent. Encompassing the four Sundays and the weekdays leading up to Christmas, Advent is the season of the liturgical calendar we observe as a time to prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. In the Atrium with Sr. Theresa Josephine, our Lower School students are preparing for this special time of year in a variety of ways.

Click here to read more.

Book Fair Christmas Concert this Friday at 6:00 PM

The Book Fair Christmas Concert will take place on Friday, December 1 at 6:00 PM in the school gym. This annual tradition is a great way to start Advent and celebrate the Christmas season!

All of our Lower and Upper Elementary students will lead us in Christmas carols, and the SCM Chamber Orchestra and Upper Elementary Choir will also perform.

Come enjoy the beautiful sounds of the season performed by St. Catherine’s students and take the opportunity to support the Sister Edna Ann Hebert Library by purchasing a book from the Literati Book Fair.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

When: Friday, December 1 at 6:00 PM

Where: SCM Gym

Dress: Holiday Festive. Everyone should feel free to wear their favorite Santa hats, elf ears, or crazy Christmas sweaters – all are encouraged!

Performer Arrival Times: Elementary singers should arrive by 5:45 PM and meet their guides in the gym.

Note for Parents: At the conclusion of the concert, Mrs. Snow will announce when the Elementary students are released to return to their parent(s). Please plan to reunite with your Elementary student at that time.

Meal Train for Garza Family

The Garza family needs SCM's support with a meal train. Abigail is a 10th year in the high school, and her dad, Pedro, is undergoing treatment for cancer. If your family is able to provide a meal for them, please use this link to sign up for a date that works best for you. Additional dates for January have been added.

Pedro and Abigail are grateful for your support during this time, and ask for your continued prayers as his treatment continues.

Spirit Week at Tomfoolery Toys & Books Now through Sunday

Tomfoolery Toys & Books in Meyerland is hosting a spirit week now through Sunday, December 3. Various schools within the area, including St. Catherine’s, will receive support from Tomfoolery when patrons mention the school name at checkout. Tomfoolery is a longtime supporter of St. Catherine’s, having donated items to our gala auctions over the years. Their staff is friendly and great at making gift recommendations. Remember to mention St. Catherine’s Montessori at the register if you visit there this week. 

PARENT SERVICE ORGANIZATION (PSO)

Casa De Esperanza PJs, Socks and Underwear Drive is Underway!

The holiday tradition of donating pajamas, socks and underwear to the kids at Casa de Esperanza has been part of the SCM community for many years. This community has been so generous throughout the years with this drive, and we are hoping to collect PJs, socks and underwear for 120 children this year. 

A Christmas tree is set up in the Welcome Center adorned with 120 ornament tags. Each tag represents a child in Casa de Esperanza's care who is in need of pajamas, socks, and underwear this Christmas season. To participate in the drive, please follow these four simple steps:

1. Stop by the Welcome Center and select 1, 2, or more ornament tags.
2. Register your tag(s) with Emily at the front desk.
3. Go shopping for PJs, socks and underwear for each child you selected.
4. Bring your unwrapped donation and ornament tag back to SCM no later than Thursday, December 7 – this is a hard deadline. The ornament you take from the tree will serve as the gift tag, so please remember to return it with your donation.

Please be sure to stop by and select your tags before they run out! Also, don’t forget that Casa de Esperanza is in great need of basic items; please see their list here.

If you have any questions, please contact Mary Tysor at [email protected], or 713-449-3683.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and thoughtfulness.

Volunteers Needed

The Works of Mercy Committee is looking for volunteers! Please consider signing up here to assist with wrapping PJs at SCM. Feel free to drop in and help as your schedule allows; there's no obligation to stay for the entire duration during the designated times.

Literati Book Fair is Here!

The in-person Literati Book Fair is here! The fair will run Monday, November 27 through Friday, December 1 in the Welcome Center:

• Monday: 1:45 – 4:45 PM
• Tuesday: 7:45 – 9:30 AM and 1:45 – 4:45 PM
• Wednesday: 7:45 – 9:30 AM and 1:45 – 4:45 PM 
• Thursday: 7:45 – 9:30 AM and 1:45 – 4:45 PM
• Friday: 7:45 – 9:30 AM; 1:45 – 5:15 PM; 7:00 – 8:00 PM Expanded Christmas Concert hours! 



The online fair is open now through Monday, December 4. 

Shoppers visiting the fair around arrival and dismissal times must follow the usual drop-off and pick-up procedures, then park in the school parking lot.

St. Catherine's will receive a percentage of all books sold, which we will use to purchase books and supplies for our Sister Edna Ann Hebert Library.

This is a wonderful opportunity to support SCM and do some Christmas shopping! The in-person fair will feature books tailored for readers aged 3-12 years old. The online fair includes an expanded inventory of books for all reading levels, including adults.

Calling All Volunteers! 

The Book Fair Committee is looking for additional volunteers for the in-person book fair, particularly during the high-traffic hours before and after the Christmas Concert on Dec. 1. The fair will be closed during the concert. 



Please sign up here for short, flexible shifts. If you have any questions, please contact Library Manager Melissa Lopez at [email protected] or our book fair chair, Karine Schepers-Cheng at [email protected]. 

Spirit Day at Tapester's Grill!

Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 5 for Spirit Day at Tapester's Grill (4520 Beechnut Street, Houston, TX 77096), and start making plans to enjoy breakfast, lunch and/or dinner out with family and friends. Tapester's will donate 20% of all purchases (dine-in or to-go) made for St. Catherine's Spirit Day to our school to support our athletic program. Just mention St. Catherine's Spirit Day when you pay. Tapester's Tuesday hours are 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Kristin Zipple-Shedd and Jennifer Wu

Friends of Athletics Chairs

Dominican Study Group

The PSO Friends of the Atrium invites you to the next session of the Dominican Study Group, Friday, December 8 after morning drop-off (about 8:00 AM). 

Our focus will be "Preaching," and our guest presenter is Dominican Family member, Anne Doyle. Parents of all beliefs are welcome! Please contact us at [email protected] with any questions.

SPORTS

Basketball Season Has Begun!

The boys and girls varsity teams are hitting the court next week for the first time this season. Click here to check out the basketball schedule and make plans to cheer on our SCM Owls!

Go owls! 

Thursday, November 30

• Casa de Esperanza Pajamas, Socks and Underwear Drive
• Literati In-person Book Fair, 7:45–9:30 AM and 1:45–4:45 PM (Welcome Center) 

Friday, December 1

• Casa de Esperanza Pajamas, Socks and Underwear Drive
• Literati In-person Book Fair, 7:45–9:30 AM; 1:45–5:15 PM; and 7:00–8:00 PM Expanded Christmas Concert hours! (Welcome Center) 
• Garden Work Day, 8:00 AM 
• Book Fair Christmas Concert, 6:00–8:00 PM (SCM Gym) 

Saturday, December 2

• Sociables: Ugly Holiday Sweater, 7:00–10:00 PM (Harris Residence) See host communications

Sunday, December 3

• First Sunday of Advent

Monday, December 4

• Casa de Esperanza Pajamas, Socks and Underwear Drive
• Last Day for Literati Online Book Fair
• Girls Varsity Basketball Game vs. St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, 4:30 PM (SCM Gym) 
• Boys Varsity Basketball Game vs. St. Francis de Sales Catholic School, 5:30 PM (SCM Gym) 

Tuesday, December 5

• Casa de Esperanza Pajamas, Socks and Underwear Drive
• Spirit Day at Tapester's Grill, 8:00 AM-7:00 PM (4520 Beechnut Street, Houston, TX 77096) 
• Friends of the Library Workday, 8:00–9:00 AM 

Wednesday, December 6

• Casa de Esperanza Pajamas, Socks and Underwear Drive
• Parent Meditation Group, 8:05 AM (Check front desk for location)
• Boys Varsity Basketball Game @ Holy Ghost Catholic School, 4:30 PM (Holy Ghost; 6920 Chimney Rock Rd) 

Thursday, December 7

• DEADLINE: Casa de Esperanza Pajamas, Socks and Underwear Drive
• Girls Varsity Basketball Game vs. Corpus Christi Catholic School, 4:30 PM (SCM Gym) 

Friday, December 8

• Dominican Study Group, 8:00 AM
• Library Maintenance Day, 8:15–9:30 AM and 1:00–2:00 PM 
• Mass: The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, 1:15 PM (SCM Gym) 

Monday, December 11

• Girls Varsity Basketball Game vs. Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School, 4:30 PM (SCM Gym) 

Tuesday, December 12

• Friends of the Library Workday, 8:00–9:00 AM 

Wednesday, December 13

• High School Conferences - No school for High School students.
• Parent Meditation Group, 8:05 AM (Check front desk for location)
• AC Portfolio Night, 6:00 PM (AC Classroom) For AC families only

For more calendar events please check our website.