Principal Post

Dear Parents,

We are busy with activities as always and are gearing up for Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. Please check the school online calendar for events and concert times. I have listed most of them below in my Principal Post.

IMPORTANT - Senior Thanksgiving Diner Volunteers Needed

Please see the announcement below about the Senior Thanksgiving Dinner. We need volunteers and donations (pies, whip cream) for this event. You can sign up here - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C054CABA92FABFF2-52982533-senior

Safe+Sound Program

·      St. Paul the Apostle School is participating in the Safe+Sound program with the state of Iowa. Safe+Sound Iowa is a free anonymous school threat reporting tool for all public and accredited non-public schools across the state provided by the Governor’s School Safety Bureau and the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

·      Students, school staff, parents and community members can submit school safety concerns anonymously using the Safe+Sound Iowa mobile app, website, or our toll-free tip line.

·      Promoting proactive measures and community involvement, our school safety program helps schools create environments where students can learn, grow, and thrive without fear.

·      Launched in March 2023, Safe+Sound Iowa continues to gain momentum, teaching school communities how to spot warning signs of violence and when and how to get help. 

·      For more information and to download the App go to: https://safeandsoundiowa.gov/

·      Fliers are being sent home today with the youngest or only in grades 5-8. We were only given enough flyers to get us that far. All information in the flyers is also on the website mentioned above.

Advent

The First Sunday of Advent comes right on the heels of Thanksgiving. Our theme this year is “Rooted in Prayer.” A flyer is going home today in the Wednesday folders that provides more information, including our Advent collections. I hope that our school families can support those in need during this season as a time to prepare our hearts for Christ’s coming in history, mystery, and majesty.

November/December Dates

November

Tuesday, November 19

·      No All School Mass

Thursday, November 21

·      All School Mass, 1:45 PM

Friday, November 22 

·      Senior Thanksgiving Dinner, 11:00 – 1:00

Monday, November 25

·      Fr. Simon - K-4 12:45 – 1:25 PM, 5-8 1:25 – 2:05 PM

Wednesday, November 27 – Sunday, December 1

·      Thanksgiving Break

December

Thursday, December 5

·      Band/Choir Concert 6:30 PM

Friday, December 6 

·      1st Friday Adoration

·      St. Nick’s Day

·      1st and 2nd grade to AHS Children’s Show 9:30 – 11:00 AM

Monday, December 9

·      All School Mass, Feast of the Immaculate Conception 

Tuesday, December 10 - no all school Mass

·      6:00 K-2 Christmas Program

Thursday, December

·      1:30 Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe

·      6:00 PM Gr. 3-5 Christmas Program

Friday, December 13

·      10:00 AM & 1:45 PM 4 YO Christmas Program

·      6th Grade Bake Sale/Bazaar

Wednesday, December 18

·      3YO MW Christmas Program 9:00 M

Thursday, December 19

·      3YO TTH Christmas Program 9:00 AM

·      Nativity Practice 6-8th, 12:45 PM

Friday, December 20

·      Nativity 11:45 AM

·      2 Hour Early Dismissal

·      Merry Christmas Break begins at 1:00 PM!!!

From the Parish Office

Meet a Monk!

Please help us welcome Fr. Simon Herrmann the weekend of November 23 & 24. 

·      Fr. Simon Herrmann, OSB, is from St. Meinrad Seminary, Indiana. He first visited St. Meinrad in 2005 as a high school student. He returned in his college years as an intern and then later returned as director of alumni relations in the Development Office. After three years in that job, he responded to a call that he first heard in college and joined the monastery. No matter where his assignment takes him, he will be serving the needs of the Church. 

·      While he was in college, he read a quote from theologian Frederick Buechner in a class on Christian vocation that read, ‘Your vocation in life is where your greatest joy meets the world’s greatest need.’ Fr. Simon says about the monastery, “the joy I saw in this monastic community drew me to this monastery. My days here are joyful, and I enjoy the slower, reflective way of life.”  https://www.saintmeinrad.edu website

·      Please help us welcome Fr. Simon Herrmann the weekend of November 23 & 24. 

·      We will have an evening on Sunday, November 24 & Monday, November 25 of Eucharistic Adoration & confessions, listen to Fr. Simon talk on how to become more “rooted in prayer and led by the Spirit,” and a reception in Denning Hall beginning at 5:30 pm both nights. 

·      We will be live streaming both nights on our Facebook page. 

Join us for Thanksgiving Day Mass on Thursday, November 28. Bring your bread for a blessing.

NO Mass on Tuesday, November 19, due to Fr. Bruce being gone for a clergy overnighter.