Greetings SMA Community!
My message this week is dedicated to Catholic Schools Week (CSW), which begins this Sunday, January 26th, and runs through next Friday, January 31st. As a Catholic school community, we kick-off our celebration with a school Family Mass: 9:00 am on Sunday, January 26th, followed by an Open House at SMA (10 am – 12 noon).
I encourage all families to attend our Mass with our students in their school uniform (students will receive a special treat during CSW in lieu of free dress on Monday because Monday has been designated as a $5 Donation Free Dress Day–details in this newsletter). Many students will be participating directly in our Mass. Please come as we join our parish community to celebrate Catholic education in America.
“The theme for this week-long celebration is ‘Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.’ Catholic schools have an irreplaceable role in the Church’s evangelizing mission. Building on the central goal of Catholic schools to form saints, Catholic schools teach and embrace the whole person, body, mind and spirit. The fact that all members of a Catholic school community share the Christian vision of faith that Christ is the foundation of Catholic education is what unites the school as a faith-filled community.
“While faith is the binding element in Catholic schools, the Church reiterates that parents are the first teachers of their children. Holding this tenet, Catholic school communities expand beyond the walls of school buildings to envelop the family as an integral part of the school community. Together teachers, administrators, staff, students and parents fuel the light of faith by integrating culture with faith and faith with living.
“The CSW logo [see above this message] symbolizes the united community of Catholic schools – not a building or an institution, but people of faith serving God and others. No Catholic school can fulfill its educational role alone. As a community, Catholic schools are nourished and stimulated by the centrality of the word of Christ expressed through knowledge, service, scripture and sacramental tradition.
“‘Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community’ is a theme on which to build a spirit of the gospel to benefit the human family” [Source: NCEA/CSW].
We have daily activities and events planned for our students beginning on Monday. Please see this newsletter for details.
Thank you sincerely for your continued support and partnership.
Jamie Brandt
Principal