St. Mary's Families,
Saint Hugh of Grenoble, pray for us.
- More about St. Hugh:
www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-hugh-of-grenoble/
St. Hugh had many challenges in life to negotiate, and I thought that made him appropriate for today.
- But since we are sheltering in place, I thought I'd include a BONUS SAINT, St. Mary of Egypt, who was, wait for it, a HERMIT (how many of you feel like hermits right now?):
aleteia.org/daily-prayer/saturday-april-1/
- Daily Mass readings:
www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040120.cfm
***Pay attention to today's Gospel. Jesus says, "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Isn't this notion of truthful freedom, this Christian liberty, one of the central tenets of an authentic Catholic education? Our Faith does not enslave us, it makes us FREE! Free to become the person Jesus calls us to be.
April 1st?
- This is a legit e-mail, no April Fooling here.
- I say that so you will know this two and a half minute president video is also legit. Walk through the school with me:
www.smpirates.org/article/224447?org=smhs
Updates...
- STUDENTS. WELCOME to the daily president e-mail (as if you didn't have enough to read... I promise to keep these relatively short...).
- Video Contest! We've narrowed the submissions down to seven finalists who met all the criteria and whose videos were humorous and appropriate (thank you!). Winners will be announced on Friday. The seven finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
- Katherine Chartier
- Lisanne Cheatham
- Julia Creech
- Catherine Cummings
- Roni Hennessey
- Josephine and Sam Howery
- Cora Ricke
COVID-19 coronavirus.
- Governor Polis announced today that he is extending the requested school closure through April 30. This will impact a number of important events for us, we anticipated this, we will adjust plans accordingly, and we will communicate those adjustments to the community shortly.
- In the meantime, continue to keep an eye on the CDC website for truth data on the status of the virus here in the U.S.
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
What's Next?
- Even though there is much uncertainty with shelter in place and social distance and everything else associated with COVID-19; one thing that has NOT changed is we are COMMITTED to continuing to deliver the high-quality, faithful, knowledgeable, community experience we have here at St. Mary's. Students and parents, you made a wise and prudent decision to invite St. Mary's High School to walk with you in this education experience. That decision is even wiser and more prudent given the current challenging circumstances.
How you can help.
- Raffle Tickets. Push the product! You have TWO WEEKS left to sell your tickets.
- #1 Raffle Ticket question: "I've sold all my raffle tickets, now what?" First, ASK FOR MORE! Second, drop off the stubs and the funds for the raffle tickets you sold in the mail slot to the right (west) of the main entrance doors. The slot is cleverly titled "mail," and drops right into the business office mail box. If you cannot make your way to the school before the Gala to drop off the Raffle Tickets, you may mail them to the school.
- Gala. Register for the Gala! It's quick, it's easy, it's FREE! Encourage your friends and family to do so as well. Here is the link:
https://e.givesmart.com/events/dVy/
How are your students doing?
- Student-Athletes. St. Mary's is joining many schools across the country in the "BE THE LIGHT" movement and turning on the lights at your Grace Center; both to honor our AWESOME student-athletes, and to make sure you know we're still thinking about you. The lights will be on Tuesday through Saturday, 8 pm-8:30 pm.
Reminders.
- Broken record time: Stay focused, stay hopeful, stay connected. This is a TREMENDOUS opportunity (yes, OPPORTUNITY) to reinvest in our faith, our family and our friendships (with appropropriate social distance of course...). MAKE THE MOST of this opportunity. Carve out some specific FAMILY time. Pray together, play together, go for a walk together, cook together, whatever. It doesn't have to exotic. Don't realize months down the road that you had this amazing opportunity to be together and you didn't take advantage of it.
Prayer. Please continue to pray with us and pray with our community:
THE MEMORARE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy, hear and answer me.
Amen.
Respectfully,
Rob Rysavy
President
St. Mary's High School