February 17, 2010

JUST CHECKING IN ~ FEBRUARY 17, 2010

“May we walk a Lenten journey with the strength that each of us has within us.”

WE’RE BACK! Undaunted, everyone moves on. We left off on a moved up C Day and returned to a moved up D Day so today is E Day and Ash Wednesday. If you re-mark your February calendars, the month should end on a B Day now. Notice we said “should end”. Our Book Fair will resume with the adjusted letter days and we will hold our evening fair tomorrow, the 18th, from 6:30 to 8:30 in the library. Even though it was a long time since we had school and you had no written notice, our H&S Mardi Gras Sweets Day went well yesterday.

A PART OF PHILADELPHIA HISTORY How does it feel being a part of weather history? Your children will be telling theirs about the Blizzard of 2010 and the records made that winter. Have they been finalized yet, do you think or is there more to come?

OUR LENTEN JOURNEY begins today and our students in Grades 4-8 have been to mass and received ashes there, students in Grades 1-3 went to an afternoon prayer service and received their ashes, and our Pre-K and K students received ashes in their classrooms.
Just as your family makes Lenten commitments at home, so do we in our classrooms. This is a most special part of our liturgical year as we move to the crux of our faith—Christ’s Resurrection after his dying for our sins. The promise of our own resurrection is the support we all need when we are confronted by dying and death in our families. What an eternal blessing that promise holds and what a comfort it is!

THE BISHOP’S VISIT Along with Bishop McFadden’s official visit to the parish and to you at each of this weekend’s masses, he will also be visiting our school. On Tuesday morning, he will be here to see some of the school and meet with administration. We know that, as ever, our company manners will shine.

TUITION RATES FOR 2010-2011 Can you believe that we’re looking at calendar years like those? We are though, and, as ever, our parish finance committee worked carefully with our finance manager to keep the necessary increases as low as possible. The budget and projections are looked at from every angle for you. After reviewing both sides, please keep this information sheet tucked away with your other paperwork for future reference.

STEWARDSHIP VS GENERAL TUITION RATE – We are reaching the time of year when we review our school families’ records to determine which tuition rate they can expect to receive for the next school year. The special stewardship rate is the lesser rate. Our criteria for determination of the Stewardship rate are regularity of participation at Mass as well as fulfillment of the minimum expected financial contribution. Please review your records and make sure you have made us aware of all your church attendance whether at St. Christopher Church or elsewhere. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Maryann Junod at the parish office.

BLOCS AND TAPS APPLICATIONS will be posted on the Archdiocesan website for families to download to review the steps for tuition assistance for grade school and/or high school. Our Bridge lottery will also be opening soon.

PEOPLE AND EVENTS Calista Wagner (4-14) was not just playing in the snow while we were off. Calista donated 10 inches of her hair to Locks of Love to help children who lose hair during illnesses.
Stay tune for news of some SCS alums and their achievements.

CRITICAL THINKING 101 This week’s $10 Gift Card of Choice Certificate goes to Paul Sullivan (2-5) for knowing that seven months separate Alaska and Hawaii’s entries into the Union. For this week, as great Olympian fans, tell us specifically by name what each of the Olympic rings represent.