St. Mary's Families,
LOTS today. Please read carefully...
Saint Leonidas of Alexandria, pray for us.
- More about St. Leonidas:
www.newadvent.org/cathen/09179a.htm
(There are lots of saints to choose from for April 22. We chose St. Leonidas because he is a patron saint for large families. Those of you that have large families and have been in close proximity to them during the governor's stay at home order might need the intercession of St. Leonidas right now!)
- Daily Mass readings:
www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042220.cfm
Read the Gospel! Arguably one of the most cited passages in the Bible, "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son..."
Updates.
- MEET CODE for TOMORROW (Thursday) Prayer, Pledge, Announcements:
http://meet.google.com/rxp-cgfd-qge
- ***SCHEDULE UPDATE***. As you probably know, the governor mandated no in-person instruction for the remainder of the academic year. Here is how that impacts our basic schedule. Impacts to other things like graduation and summer school will be addressed in the next few days.
-- Distance learning through Friday, May 15.
-- Final exams for all students Monday-Thursday, May 18-21.
-- Historically, seniors take finals before the underclassmen. Due to conflicts with Advanced Placement exams, we will not be able to do that this year.
- MASS TODAY IN OUR CHAPEL. Here is a link to a recording of Mass celebrated today by Fr. Joe in our very own St. Leo the Great Chapel here at St. Mary's. www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8OgO8U6b8k&t=4s
Take 25 minutes to observe Mass and hear Fr. Joe's homily on the light. Be sure to watch all the way to the end.
COVID-19 coronavirus.
- DATA FATIGUE. Are you starting to get frustrated by "Coronavirus Data Fatigue"? I am. Is the curve flattening? Who is most at risk? What's happening in each state? What are doctors saying? What are politicians saying? And on and on. Here's what we know with absolute certainty: We're living in interesting times... So stay safe, stay healthy, and know we'll weather this storm.
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
covid19.colorado.gov/
What's Next?
- HOME STRETCH. Three and half weeks of school left, make it count and finish strong.
How you can help.
- LET PEOPLE KNOW, we will be OPEN in the fall. There were some unfortunate headlines about the governor saying schools were "not reopening." What the governor actually said was schools should "PREPARE for the POSSIBILITY" of not returning to IN-PERSON instruction (emphasis is mine). The fact that we need to have a PLAN to POSSIBLY continue distance learning does not translate into being closed. As you probably can tell based on our ongoing distance learning, we are already prepared to continue with distance learning. So... LET PEOPLE KNOW, St. Mary's is FAITHfully moving forward and will continue to deliver a superb KNOWLEDGE experience to our COMMUNITY regardless of the circumstances.
- PARENT SURVEY. Parents, please take a few minutes and complete this brief (10 question) survey. We want to hear from you. Rants are always welcome, but constructive feedback is helpful...
www.surveymonkey.com/r/J9QW322
Parents, Students, how are you doing?
- WORTH READING. St. Mary's parent Patrick Barrett sent me this back on Monday. He gave me permission to share with all of you:
"Saint Conrad reminds me of Saint Andre Bessette. As a porter at the College of Notre Dame in Montreal, it was his job to open the door. He had no education and could not read or write. He was not distracted but laser-focused on his devotion to St. Joseph and to serving the people of Montreal. The door is so symbolic. It is a reminder that despite our everyday duties we must stop what we are doing when someone knocks and give them our full attention. We are usually so distracted on a day-to-day basis that answering the door can be difficult and burdensome. God knocked on our door in March of 2020. We have stopped our day-to-day crazy lives and we now have the opportunity to give Him our attention. We have adopted a more simple life with a more simple focus. By serving Him, our community, and serving our families we can be that porter. That person, answering the door, guarded, but welcoming."
(Thank you, Patrick! This has lifted my spirits each time I've read it, I hope it will lift the spirits of others in our community as well.)
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