Thursday Note Home

Dear Visitation Families,

It is suddenly mid-November and the holiday season is rapidly approaching. It seems that each year the noise of commercialism gets louder and louder, threatening to drown out the true message of thankfulness to our God for all the amazing gifts He has given to us. At Visitation Catholic School we work very hard to emphasize the spiritual side of the holiday season and to help our students celebrate the true meaning of the holidays through the music we sing, the prayers we teach, and the community service we give. I know that you re-enforce this message at home as well.

One powerful way for you to model thankfulness to your children is to participate in the Stewardship Campaign at your parish. This weekend you are to return the pledge cards that were in the pews or you received in the mail this week.

Hopefully, you have had some time to prayerfully reflect on what you and your family can do to help support your parish and its mission. I understand that one of our parent’s, Mike Mello, shared a powerful story of how God has worked in the lives of his family members.

Also, remember that receiving the in-parish tuition rate is contingent on having an established pattern of support to the parish. One way to show that support is to have a current Sacrificial Giving card on file with your parish, whether it is Visitation, St. Ann, Sacred Heart, St. John of the Woods, or any other Catholic parish in the area. Please return those cards this weekend.

REMINDER: Because next Thursday is Thanksgiving and Wednesday is a half day, there will beno family envelope sent home.

THANK YOU: Purple Heart veteran and long-time parishioner John Klein and his wife Genevieve donated new US and Papal flags along with new stands, poles and headpieces to Visitation Church.

These flags were placed in the sanctuary on Veterans Day as a tribute to all Active Duty military, veterans of all wars and the non-veterans who stayed home to do the work needed to support the veterans and their families. The old US flag is faded and will be disposed of in a dignified manner as proscribed by law.

BASKETBALL REGISTRATION: Registration forms are going home today for all boys and girls in 4th through 8th grades who want to play basketball. CYO is also still in need of coaching help on a few of the teams. Please contact Mrs. Marcy if you would like to coach.

ONE OF THOSE THINGS... Every November the school conducts a check for head lice as during the colder months of the year children tend to both wear and share hats, so we try to be proactive.

I am happy to report that all are OK! Thank you to Susan Frey for doing the tough job of checking all heads.

NEWS ON THE AFTER SCHOOL ART PROGRAM: Because there are 35 children signed up to stay after school on Fridays for the Art Program, we have outgrown the space we had! The Art Program will be moving to the Lower Hall and Collier Center for the November 17th classes. Please see the enclosed flyer for more details. Thanks to Mrs. Harburg-Petrich and Mrs. Woodard for sharing their wonderful talents.

Peace and Blessings,

Sheila Harrison