Dear Parents-

Last Saturday we confirmed our 8th grade students, sealing them with the gifts of the

Holy Spirit. It was a beautiful Mass, concelebrated by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio,

Father Tom and Father David. Archbishop Broglio spoke with the students about the

gifts they were to receive that afternoon, with particular attention to the gift of fortitude

and courage as essential tools in helping students give witness to Christ by their words,

actions in the fight against messages in our culture that tell us we don’t need Christ in

our lives. The Bishop warned the students that they need to draw on fortitude to stand

up for what is right, even when afraid, or outnumbered. Fortitude helps each of us to be

a witness to what is really true, enabling us to live in the additional gifts from the Holy

Spirit.

Yesterday and today, our 8th grade students participated in the Diocesan-wide

vocations event. Students completed a faith-based escape room activity on Monday and

then today they joined with all 8th graders from Diocesan schools to attend Mass for

Vocations celebrated by Bishop Burbidge. This special Mass was celebrated at All

Saints Catholic Church in Manassas and all Diocesan 8th graders were able to enjoy

faith and camaraderie with fellow students…and chick-fil-a for lunch!

In light of the recent testimony by TikTok CEO, Shou Zi Chew, where concerns for

children’s online safety were raised, parents are reminded of the dangers of social

media, particularly for young children. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act only

protects children from unfair marketing practices. I can not emphasize enough the

importance of monitoring children’s use of social media..no media company is going to

protect our kids.

Big Saint shout-outs to Clementine M. who will compete in the upcoming Worlds Irish

Dance Competition in a team event - ceili dancing, and to Kennedy M. who participated

in a national level swim meet in Orlando, FL this past weekend. Kennedy earned five

1st Place (NCSA National Champion) finishes in 50y Free/Back/Fly and 100y Free/Fly,

setting the meet Record in 50y Free!

Now deep into the Lenten Season, please consider joining our beloved friars at the

Lenten Fish Fry and Stations of the Cross on Friday, March 31. The Stations of the

Cross will be led by the Franciscan Friars in Formation from Washington, D.C. Great

fish and great fellowship! And remember that parents are welcome to join us in the

church for Stations of the Cross each Wednesday.



As always, if you have any questions, or if I can be of any assistance, please let me know.

Refreshed, revived and renewed by "faith, love and hope." (1Thess. 1:2-3)

Denise Rutledge

Principal

 Building Wisdom and Faith Through Service to God

“When kids are anxious, it’s natural to want to help them feel better. But by trying to

protect kids from the things that upset them, you can accidentally make anxiety worse.

The best way to help kids overcome anxiety is to teach them to deal with anxiety as it

comes up. With practice, they will be less anxious.” Click HERE to read more.

• Over 75 gift/experience/item donations from local businesses
• 19 class baskets
• 18 class crafts
• Over a dozen unique Teacher Experiences like afterschool movie party and special lunches
• Exciting school experiences like Principal for a half-day and reserved seats for school programs 
• 5 hours of architecture design service provided by ROKK Architecture
• 1 amazing TRIP to ITALY! Andiamo!

• Christie Adams Salon
• Autobahn racing certificates
• Sterner's Tae Kwon Do
• Kravitz Orthodontics
• Touchstone Crystal

• High School Spiritwear
• Flynn & O'Hara and Yay Lunch!
• 2 beautiful vacation home visits
• Friars lunch with one lucky class

Tickets on Sale through April 7!!

(**10 days left to purchase tickets...don't miss out!)

Visit the Shaken Not Stirred auction fundraising website for forms and information!

THANK YOU TO OUR GOLDFINGER SPONSORS!

Auction Volunteers Needed!

We need AGENTS to help execute our largest fundraising MISSION! Please sign-up for a shift or two.

Click HERE to volunteer! 

Yearbook Photos Needed

Do you have pictures from school events, sports, or activities? Please use the yearbook portal to submit pictures for the yearbook.

The portal will be open from March 24 - April 1. Use this link to upload photos: https://images.jostens.com/04PxqREH2FGJo8t3ngchMJA

User Id if you need it: 04PxqREH2FGJo8t3ngchMJA

If you don’t want to put names on the photos, please put the grade level. All pictures will be considered but submission is not guaranteed.

Yearbook Sales are Coming!

Yearbooks will be on sale from April 17 - May 1, 2023. Cost will be $20. Sales will be online only and extra copies will not be ordered. Stay tuned!

Click HERE for more information on the Child Protection Program. Contact Beth Covert at 703.880.4357 for any questions!

Saints & Spirits is scheduled for 

Monday, April 10th (Easter Monday) at 8:15pm. All are welcome and encouraged to attend and bring a friend.

Saints & Spirits is an opportunity to learn about and discuss the lives and teachings of the Saints while also enjoying fellowship and spirits. The general format is two presentations on saints followed by discussion on each with breaks to enjoy and learn about different spirits (usually whiskey).

This is a free event, but donations are accepted to help cover costs (but not required to attend). You can also volunteer to bring a whiskey or present about a saint (I welcome and appreciate the help!).

Please RSVP by April 5th if you plan to attend. For more information, location, and to RSVP, contact Charlie Mitchell at charles.mitchell11@gmail.com

Click HERE to read more.

St. Joseph Catholic School

750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, VA 20170

Tel: 703-880-4350 Fax: 703-880-4320