May 5, 2025

Dear St. Raphael School Families,

As we welcome the month of May, we enter a beautiful season in the Catholic Church dedicated to Our Blessed Mother. May is a time of renewal, blooming with the spirit of spring and filled with opportunities to grow in faith. Mary, through her courageous "yes" to God, brought our Savior into the world, and she remains a beacon of hope and grace for all of us. Devotion to Mary is a cherished part of our Catholic identity, and during his papacy, Pope Francis often reminded us of her loving presence, encouraging all to turn to her as a mother, comforter, and intercessor. He often entrusted his prayers—and the Church—to her care, especially during moments of suffering and uncertainty. In that same spirit, our entire student body will honor Mary throughout the month by praying a decade of the rosary together each morning during announcements.

This Saturday, we also celebrate a profoundly sacred moment for many of our students as they receive their First Holy Communion at 10:00 a.m. in the church. Please join us in praying for these children as they encounter the Real Presence of Jesus for the first time. May their hearts be filled with joy, peace, and a lifelong love of the Eucharist.

Looking ahead, we are just days away from our final fundraiser of the year—our annual Jog-a-Thon on Friday, May 9! It’s time to lace up those sneakers and rally your sponsors. Once again, we’ll be using 99 Pledges to spread the word through emails, texts, and social media. Your support directly impacts the affordability and sustainability of Catholic education for all our families, and we are so grateful for your partnership.

Here is the Jog-a-Thon schedule for the day:

• Preschoolers: 9:00 a.m.
• Transitional Kindergarten & Kindergarten: 9:30 – 9:50 a.m.
• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grades: 9:55 – 10:25 a.m.
• 4th and 5th Grades: 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
• 6th – 8th Grades: 11:05 – 11:35 a.m.

Please ensure your child arrives well-rested and fueled with a healthy breakfast to make the most of this energetic and fun-filled day.

Thank you, as always, for your unwavering support, enthusiasm, and generosity. Let’s make this Jog-a-Thon a joyful celebration of community spirit and a powerful way to keep our school strong and thriving.

Important Dates:

May 5-9: Teacher Appreciation Week

May 9:  Jog-a-Thon

May 10: First Holy Communion Mass at 10:00 am

May 12: Jeans for Jesus

May 14: May Crowning Mass at 10:45 am

May 16: Chalk Festival

May 23: Field Day

May 26: Memorial Day. No School.

In Mary’s Love,

Ms. Michelle Limb, Principal 

Prayer for First Communion

O Jesus, who hast loved us with such exceeding great love as to give us the ineffable gift of the Holy Eucharist, inflame us with a burning zeal to promote Thy glory by preparing worthily the little children
 who are to approach Thy holy table for the first time.  Protect, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, these young souls from the assaults of evil, strengthen their faith, increase their love, and endow them with all the virtues that will make them worthy to receive Thee.  Amen.