Dear SMA Community,
Happy Advent! In this second week of the Advent season, the theme is peace. During Mass, we hear the celebrant (priest) echo the words of Jesus, “Peace be with you.” “Simple, but transformative words during a time of stress and anxiety. We are invited during the week to welcome peace in our lives. It is when we accept a spirit of peace that we are transformed and able to embrace Jesus, the Prince of Peace” (University of San Diego Advent Reflections).
We did it! Stella Maris Academy’s float for last weekend’s La Jolla Christmas Parade achieved the “Best Overall” award for the FOURTH year in a row! THANK YOU to the extremely dedicated and talented core of parents who made this achievement possible: Jeanne and Ben Liem, Karla Onstott, Francie and Vic Moss, and many other parents! A special THANK YOU to Stephen Pierce for the trailer! (See a couple of photos below and many more in this newsletter.)
For those of you (like many of us who are counting), there are FIVE more days of school before we break for Christmas vacation! Very exciting, yet there is A LOT happening between now and then.
Today in the life of the Church, we honor our Blessed Virgin Mother Mary under her title as Our Lady of Guadalupe. There was a large celebration today in the parish, and tomorrow the school will celebrate both Mary and Joseph with our annual “La Posadas”. Though our festivity will be scaled back somewhat with Sra. Pina on leave, nonetheless we hope you come join in the fun on the junior yard and in the Parish Hall from 1:00 to 3:00 pm on Friday, December 13th.
We have our monthly School Family Mass this Sunday, December 15th, at 9 am. Please plan to join us for the Third Sunday of Advent. (Additionally, the parish is hosting an Advent Penance Service at 4 pm on Sunday.)
On Wednesday, December 18th, SMA students will entertain our school families in our annual Christmas Pageant (6:00 pm in the church). You will enjoy the wonderful sights and sounds of the Advent and Christmas season from the faces and voices of our awesome students!
Finally, a reminder that Thursday, December 19th, is a minimum day (12:30 pm dismissal), and there will be NO CUB CARE after school. The school office will close at 1:00 pm so that all faculty and staff may attend a special Christmas luncheon (hosted by Fr. Pat) and begin their Christmas break. School is closed on Friday, December 20th, and will resume on Monday, January 6, 2025.
Thank you for entrusting Stella Maris Academy with your children’s education.
With blessings and gratitude,
Jamie Brandt
Principal