Thursday Note Home

Dear Visitation Families,

The four-parish Mass on Saturday, October 28th, was a roaring success! It was a wonderful coming together of all our parish families and all of the cultural groups that help make up our new cluster. The Archbishop remarked that he was most pleased to see all of the groups represented, including the school.

Both Fr. Tuan and I received many compliments about our children. The mass and ceremony were very meaningful. The students and families who attended have mentioned how beautiful the ceremony was and many Visitation parishioners commented that they felt a definite coming together of all of our parishes.

If you didn't stay for the celebration after the mass, you missed great food and music. You also missed out on an opportunity to see Fr. Tuan and Fr. Poao dance with the Samoan dancers!

All in all, it was a memorable evening! Thank you to the children and parents who worked as ushers, greeters, candle lighters, and gift-bearers as well as to all of you who attended.

NEW STAFF: I am very pleased to announce that Joel Hellenkamp, a well-known counselor in the Tacoma area, will be working at our school every Thursday from 11:00AM to 1:00PM. He will work with classes on a number of issues as well as serving as a resource for staff and parents. Joel has worked with Visitation School before. He also works with St. Charles Borremeo, St. Patrick, and Holy Rosary.

INVITATION: The Student Council would like to extend a special invitation to any Visitation family with a family member currently serving in the military to come for our Veterans Day Assembly. We would very much like to honor you. The assembly will be on Thursday, November 9, from 12:40 to 1:30 in the Upper Hall.

A BIG THANK YOU! A very big thank you to the Visitation Women's Club who donated brand new dictionaries to each of our third graders. Every student in the third grade now has his or her very own dictionary to use and keep. A special thanks to Linda Johnson who spearheaded this wonderful gift.

IN THE NEWS: One of our parishioners has been honored in People Magazine's "Heroes Among Us" series. Wayne Mangan has been honored for his work with local families of children with leukemia. Read about it in the November 6th edition of People.

TURKEY FEATHERS: The Student Council is gearing up for the return of the very popular Turkey Feathers Contest. This is a fun way to raise food and funds for our Food Bank. Details in today's note home. The contest begins Friday.

LAST CHANCE ON COOKIE DOUGH: Get those orders in by tomorrow! That's the last day to order cookie dough for your holiday baking.

THANK YOU! Thanks to Yasmin Rodrigues who helped our Kitchen Manager, Cecelia Tun, pick up commodities for our lunch program. Also thanks to Ken Leary and Binh Dang who helped unload the order! Thank you also to the 7th and 8th graders who helped clear out the room at St. Ann so construction can begin!

LOW COST DENTAL FOR CHILDREN: If you know someone with children who is on Medicaid or has limited resources, Lindquist Dental Clinic for Children is offering walk-in exams for all new patients who are children ages 0 to 18. No appointment is necessary. Call 253-539-7445 for more information.

HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: O'Dea High School is hosting an Open House for any interested parents and students. O'Dea is an all - boys high school located on First Hill in Seattle (by all the hospitals). The open house is Thursday, November 9th from 6:00PM to 9:00PM. For more information call their admissions office at 206.622.1308. You can also ask me about the program, as my son graduated from O'Dea.

Peace,

Sheila Harrison