Principal's Newsletter March 18, 2022
Dear SCS School Families,
We have experienced one of the most holy, joyous, and wondrous weeks at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School! Our students were blessed to a once in a lifetime experience to be able to touch, pray, and venerate over 165 sacred relics of our Saints. Father Martins spoke to all our students, imparting invaluable lessons about the relics and how we too, can become saints! Father said, “We should remember we have 2 birthdays; the day we were born into this life and the day we go home to be with the Lord!!”
This past Tuesday I had the pleasure of visiting “The Giving Tree” to receive a check in the amount of $3,600, money donated back to schools in support of education. Schools accumulate points each time a person donates or buys from “The Giving Tree” which is then applied in credits towards St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School. Please continue to support this excellent non-profit thrift and gift shop. This year’s earnings will be earmarked for our school-wide celebration of our patron saint, St Catherine of Siena Saints Feast Day, as well offsetting some of the cost of the schoolwide on-campus field trip, “Camp Flintlock”.
Lastly, but equally as exciting, was celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday, and “The Feast of St. Joseph” today with the school students, families, and parishioners. Thank you to our PTO and school families for the overwhelming and delicious pastries and baked goods for our St. Joseph’s Altar.
Please keep all our fathers and grandfathers in your prayers. As the foster father of Jesus, husband of Mary, St. Joseph is the patron saint of fathers, families, and the universal church, please pray the prayer below.
This past Tuesday I had the pleasure of visiting “The Giving Tree” to receive a check in the amount of $3,600, money donated back to schools in support of education. Schools accumulate points each time a person donates or buys from “The Giving Tree” which is then applied in credits towards St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School. Please continue to support this excellent non-profit thrift and gift shop. This year’s earnings will be earmarked for our school-wide celebration of our patron saint, St Catherine of Siena Saints Feast Day, as well offsetting some of the cost of the schoolwide on-campus field trip, “Camp Flintlock”.
Lastly, but equally as exciting, was celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday, and “The Feast of St. Joseph” today with the school students, families, and parishioners. Thank you to our PTO and school families for the overwhelming and delicious pastries and baked goods for our St. Joseph’s Altar.
Please keep all our fathers and grandfathers in your prayers. As the foster father of Jesus, husband of Mary, St. Joseph is the patron saint of fathers, families, and the universal church, please pray the prayer below.
Prayer to St. Joseph
Guardian of virgins and fathers, holy Joseph, to whose faithful care Christ Jesus, innocence itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, were committed: I pray and beseech thee, by these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary, that free from all uncleanness, and with spotless mind, pure heart and chaste body, you make me ever more chastely familiar with Jesus and Mary all the days of life. Amen.
May this weekend be full of blessings and much joy!
Guardian of virgins and fathers, holy Joseph, to whose faithful care Christ Jesus, innocence itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, were committed: I pray and beseech thee, by these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary, that free from all uncleanness, and with spotless mind, pure heart and chaste body, you make me ever more chastely familiar with Jesus and Mary all the days of life. Amen.
May this weekend be full of blessings and much joy!
Sincerely In Christ,
Mrs. Cathy Schwarz
Principal
Mrs. Cathy Schwarz
Principal
Uniform Reminders:
Parents, please remember that ALL students need to follow the uniform requirements (these can be found on SchoolSpeak and in the handbook).
*Please note that leggings, athletic pants, and sweat pants are NOT acceptable under the girls jumpers or skirts.
* No make up, nail polish, or artificial nails are allowed.
Girls
Kindergarten – 5th Grade
Jumper – Uniform Plaid
• length – jumpers are to hit at the knee when child is standing up straight
• black or navy shorts may be worn under jumper (should not be visible)
Shirt – White shirt short or long sleeve with Peter Pan collar
Jumper – Uniform Plaid
• length – jumpers are to hit at the knee when child is standing up straight
• black or navy shorts may be worn under jumper (should not be visible)
Shirt – White shirt short or long sleeve with Peter Pan collar
Middle School 6th – 8th Grade
Skirt – Uniform plaid skirt
• length – skirts are to hit at the knee when child is standing up straight / not be rolled at the waistline
• black or navy shorts may be worn under skirt (should not be visible)
Shirt
• White oxford shirt, short or long sleeves, with Saint’s logo (required for Mass days)
• Burgundy polo, with Saint’s logo (may not be worn on Mass days)
Undergarments – must not be visible
Kindergarten – 8th Grade
Socks – Plain white socks (must be visible above the shoe/sneaker) or white knee highs
Tights – White or black
Shoes – Solid black shoes or sneakers (must be all black)
• non-marking soles
• raised heels, platform styles, clogs, open toe, ankle boots or open back are not permitted
• Fleece Jacket – with Saint’s logo, may be worn in the classroom and to Mass
• Spirit Wear Sweatshirt – may be worn over uniform shirt/jumper in the classroom, may not be worn for Mass.
Socks – Plain white socks (must be visible above the shoe/sneaker) or white knee highs
Tights – White or black
Shoes – Solid black shoes or sneakers (must be all black)
• non-marking soles
• raised heels, platform styles, clogs, open toe, ankle boots or open back are not permitted
• Fleece Jacket – with Saint’s logo, may be worn in the classroom and to Mass
• Spirit Wear Sweatshirt – may be worn over uniform shirt/jumper in the classroom, may not be worn for Mass.
*Please note that boys must wear a belt (when belt loops are present).
Boys
Kindergarten – 8th Grade
Shorts OR Pants – Khaki shorts or pants worn at the waist
• Shorts must be no longer than one inch below the knee and no shorter than one inch above the knee
• Pants must be worn at the waist and no shorter than one inch above the shoe
• Boys are required to wear pants on Mass days all year.
Shirt
• White oxford shirt, short or long sleeves, with Saints logo (required on Mass days)
• no necktie required on non-Mass days (start of school through January 1st)
• plaid tie required on Mass days
• Boys are required to wear a white oxford shirt with a plaid tie on Mass days all year
• Burgundy polo, with Saint’s logo (may not be worn on Mass days)
Socks – Plain black socks (must be visible above the shoe/sneaker)
Shoes – Solid black shoes or sneakers (must be all black)
• Non-marking soles
Belt – Black, required with shorts and pants that have belt loops
Tie
• K-5 Tie (required on Mass days) – Uniform tie: plaid necktie
• 6-8 Tie (required on Mass days) – Uniform tie: plaid neck or bow tie
• Boys are required to wear a tie with a white oxford shirt on Mass days all year
Fleece Jacket – with Saint’s logo, may be worn in the classroom and to Mass
• Spirit Wear Sweatshirt – may be worn over uniform shirt/tie in the classroom, may not be worn for Mass
Shorts OR Pants – Khaki shorts or pants worn at the waist
• Shorts must be no longer than one inch below the knee and no shorter than one inch above the knee
• Pants must be worn at the waist and no shorter than one inch above the shoe
• Boys are required to wear pants on Mass days all year.
Shirt
• White oxford shirt, short or long sleeves, with Saints logo (required on Mass days)
• no necktie required on non-Mass days (start of school through January 1st)
• plaid tie required on Mass days
• Boys are required to wear a white oxford shirt with a plaid tie on Mass days all year
• Burgundy polo, with Saint’s logo (may not be worn on Mass days)
Socks – Plain black socks (must be visible above the shoe/sneaker)
Shoes – Solid black shoes or sneakers (must be all black)
• Non-marking soles
Belt – Black, required with shorts and pants that have belt loops
Tie
• K-5 Tie (required on Mass days) – Uniform tie: plaid necktie
• 6-8 Tie (required on Mass days) – Uniform tie: plaid neck or bow tie
• Boys are required to wear a tie with a white oxford shirt on Mass days all year
Fleece Jacket – with Saint’s logo, may be worn in the classroom and to Mass
• Spirit Wear Sweatshirt – may be worn over uniform shirt/tie in the classroom, may not be worn for Mass
Fr. Martins explains this is one of the largest remaining fragments from the True Cross.
Relics
Wow! Being able to the relic exposition was a beautiful experience for our school and parish. Fr. Carlos Martins gave a short presentation to the students and allowed them, and the staff, to spend some time venerating the relics and learning about the saints. It was extremely edifying to witness the students experience the sacred. There was a very tangible sense of excitement and reverence around the school today. A huge thank you to Fr. Carlos Martins for sharing this beautiful ministry with us and to Fr. Bill John for organizing this opportunity!
St. Joseph's Day
March 19th is always a special day for the Catholic Church. Celebrating St. Joseph's Feast Day makes for a happy day. This year, his feast day falls on a Saturday so we decided to celebrate a little early! Thank you to all the volunteers who helped set up and organize our St. Joseph Altar and treats!
St. Patrick's Day
It's been a busy week! We can't forget St. Patrick's Feast day! We saw lots of green and shamrocks around campus on Thursday. Celebrating saint's feast days and holy days is important in a Catholic school. Many of the classes discussed St. Patrick and his ministry in Ireland. We all need that reminder of the history and holiness that surround us.
St. Patrick, Pray for us!
The Giving Tree
A big THANKS to all parents, teachers, and students who have shopped and donated at The Giving Tree this year! We were recently awarded a check for $3,600, through their Donations for Education Program!
Let's keep up the good work this year so that we can continue to increase our participation and earn more money for our school.
You can learn more about their Donations for Education program at www.givingtreefoundation.org. Please also "LIKE" The Giving Tree Wake Forest on Facebook and follow them on Instagram.
Pray for Ukraine
We continue to pray for peace and for all those affected by violence, uncertainty, and fear. In a special way, we join the Holy Father, Bishops, priests, and all the faithful in praying for peace in Ukraine. Let's unite ourselves with the whole world and join in the novena for peace and the consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The novena began yesterday, March 17, and will conclude on Friday, March 25.
Prayer for Peace by Pope Francis
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced?
how much blood has been shed?
how many lives have been shattered?
how many hopes have been buried?
But our efforts have been in vain.
Now, Lord, come to our aid!
Grant us peace, teach us peace;
guide our steps in the way of peace.
Open our eyes and our hearts,
and give us the courage to say: "Never again war!"; "With war everything is lost."
Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace.
Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love,
you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters.
Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace;
enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister.
Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to
turn our weapons of war into implements of peace,
our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness.
Keep alive within us the flame of hope,
so that with patience and perseverance
we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation.
In this way may peace triumph at last,
and may the words "division," "hatred," and "war"
be banished from the heart of every man and woman.
Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands.
Renew our hearts and minds,
so that the word which always brings us together will be "brother" or “sister”
and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam!
Amen.
How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced?
how much blood has been shed?
how many lives have been shattered?
how many hopes have been buried?
But our efforts have been in vain.
Now, Lord, come to our aid!
Grant us peace, teach us peace;
guide our steps in the way of peace.
Open our eyes and our hearts,
and give us the courage to say: "Never again war!"; "With war everything is lost."
Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace.
Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love,
you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters.
Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace;
enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister.
Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to
turn our weapons of war into implements of peace,
our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness.
Keep alive within us the flame of hope,
so that with patience and perseverance
we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation.
In this way may peace triumph at last,
and may the words "division," "hatred," and "war"
be banished from the heart of every man and woman.
Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands.
Renew our hearts and minds,
so that the word which always brings us together will be "brother" or “sister”
and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam!
Amen.
Around Campus this Week
A huge thank you to Mrs. Pentoney for the beautifully decorated cookies. Mrs. James and her first-grade class thoroughly enjoyed them!
Hard at work!
Amen
Happy St. Joseph's Day!
Preschool puzzles!
A heart for Mrs. Schwarz!
Special thanks to Mrs. Aguirre for the beautiful cake for the St. Joseph's Altar!
Learning to draw can be fun!
Happy St. Joseph's Day!
The treats at the St. Joseph's Altar look mighty tasty!
Mrs. Jones' class made Holy Spirit Stained Glass for their windows.
Welcome!!
We are excited to welcome a new St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School family! Please welcome C.J. (kindergarten). Welcome to the Saint Catherine of Siena Family!
St. Catherine of Siena Staff
March Birthdays
Mrs. Amanda Saunders
Media (Library/Technology)
March 1
Mrs. Angela DiPaolo
Music
March 7
Mrs. Leslie Wehner
7th Grade Home Room, 6th-8th Grade Science
March 16
Mr. Rogelio Raya
Spanish and Latin
March 5
Mrs. Yvette Leahey
Kindergarten Assistant
March 14
Mrs. Stephanie Jones
1st Grade
March 18
UPCOMING DATES
- March 1 - 31
- Annual Reading Challenge
- Friday, March 18
- All School Mass 8:30 AM
- St. Joseph's Altar
- Confessions grades 4 and 7
- Stations of the Cross 2:30 PM
- Saturday, March 19
- St. Joseph's Feast Day
- Tuesday, March 22
- 3rd Grade Super Market
- Wednesday, March 23
- Delayed Arrival 9 AM
- Thursday, March 24
- PreK 3 & 4 Dads and Donuts
- Friday, March 25
- All School Mass 8:30 AM
- Confessions grades 5 and 6
- Stations of the Cross 2:30 PM
- Knights of Columbus Sponsored Fish Fry (see flyer above)
- Monday, March 28
- No School - Teacher Work Day
- Wednesday, March 30
- Delayed Arrival 9 AM
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Parish and School
520 West Holding Avenue • Wake Forest • North Carolina 27587 • 919-556-7613