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CATHOLIC SCHOOL CONNECTION

FEBRUARY 5, 2008

Office of the Principal

Dear St. Anne Catholic Grade School Parents,

Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 6th, is Ash Wednesday and thus the first day of Lent. Ash Wednesday was named from the custom of signing the foreheads of the faithful with blessed ashes. The date of Ash Wednesday depends on the date of Easter. According to Fr. John A Hardon, S.J., public penitents were liturgically admitted to begin their penance on this day. And when this fell into disuse, from the eighth to the tenth centuries, the general penance of the whole community took place. Thus, this was symbolized by the imposition of ashes on the heads of clergy and laity alike.

Lent is the season of prayer and penance. Its purpose is to prepare us for the feast of the Resurrection and gain us a more fruitful reception of the graces that Jesus gained through His passion and death.

In the Latin Rite, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues for forty days, besides Sunday, until Easter Sunday. According to the law of Pope Paul VI, the days of the penitence are to be observed on all Fridays and Ash Wednesday. Besides fasting and abstinence, the whole Lenten season is to be penitential, with focus on prayer, receiving the sacraments, almsgiving, and the practice of charity.

School children always enjoy Lent. Children are very excited about what they will “give up” and what they will “do more of.” Here at St. Anne’s, our children speak of Lent with real devotion and joy. This is because our parents allow Lent to make its way into their homes, conversation, and practices. For example, a young lady in the elementary grades mentioned that her mother and father have placed a Lenten symbol in “the middle of our house.” This young lady asked her parents “why” it is there and what it means. In her curiosity, she wanted to know the change and why. Her parents explained what the symbol is and why they placed it in their home. Many St. Anne families have family prayer, tell stories about Lent, have a bowl of water in a central place in their homes, etc. In this spirit, our St. Anne families make Lent so very special for their children – and it shows very positively here at school.

Furthermore, our school children are marking this Lent by following Jesus and the way of life He teaches us to live – more lovingly. Children are naturally loving. Lent is a wonderful time to renew children, parents, teachers, etc.

May you be renewed this Lenten season by marking Lent in a positive and loving way.

May God continue to bless and be with you and your family.

Respectfully,

Anthony G. Sahadi
Catholic School Principal

2008-2009 Catholic School Year Tuition Assistance
Applications for tuition assistance through the Archdiocese of Detroit are now available in the main school office. It is only necessary for families to complete one application. Please have your application turned in by the application date of April 7, 2008. This is the deadline date set forth by the Archdiocese. If you have any questions, please contact our school office (586-264-2911).

Updated School Calendar
Please update your St. Anne School Calendars: Friday, February 29th and Friday, April 25th will be a full day of school for both teachers and students.

Thumbs Up!
Joshua Agby, Allan Brazier, Catherine Jaboro, and Aneta Szerenos represented our school at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral for the Catholic Schools Week Mass on Wednesday, January 30th. Catherine Jaboro was given a gift from Sr. Mary Gehringer, O.S.M., Superintendent of Catholic Schools, and Archdiocese of Detroit, to be presented to our school.

St. Anne Varsity Cheerleaders took first place in this past weekend’s MHSAA Varsity Cheerleading Competition. Members include Haley Boyd, Kaylyn Hadacz, Lindsay Hadacz, Katie Dwyer, Samantha Niespolo, Samantha Manzo, Janilene Hernandez, Jennifer Patterson, Mackenzie Lang, Haley Hennigar, and Paige Trombley.

St. Anne Events

Wednesday, February 6
Ash Wednesday
All School Mass, 9:30 a.m.

Thursday, February 7
Science Olympiad Meeting
5:00 p.m., Library

Friday, February 8
Stations of the Cross and Benediction
3:10 p.m., Church

Science Olympiad
4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Rooms 102, 103, 104, and 207

Saturday, February 9
Fifth and Sixth Grade Forensics
8:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Grosse Pointe Woods Our Lady Star of the Sea

Sunday, February 10
Pancake Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – Noon, Cafeteria

School Open House
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Monday, February 11
DARE Graduation
7:00 p.m., Gymnasium

St. Anne News

Operation Rice Bowls
St. Anne continues the Catholic School tradition
of rice bowls. Each student will have a rice bowl. A child then collects as much money as he or she can for the purpose of that money going to people in need. Thank you for your support.

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