March 31, 2025

Dear St. Raphael School Families,

Greetings and blessings to you all! This past Sunday, we celebrated the Fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday—a moment of joyful anticipation as we draw closer to the resurrection of Christ. The word "Laetare" comes from the Latin for "rejoice," reminding us that even in the midst of our Lenten sacrifices, we look ahead with hope to the victory of Easter. You may have noticed the shift in vestment color during Mass, as priests wear rose-colored vestments, a sign of the joy that awaits us beyond the Lenten season of repentance. May this joy fill our hearts as we continue our journey toward Easter!

Another joyous occasion last week was the First Reconciliation of our second graders. This beautiful Sacrament allowed our students to experience the grace and peace that come with God’s forgiveness. Through prayer, reflection, and confession, they encountered Christ’s merciful love in a profound way. As Jesus tells us in the Parable of the Lost Sheep, "There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance" (Luke 15:7). Please continue to keep these young hearts in your prayers as they grow in their faith.

We’re excited to invite you to our first-ever Monthly Morning Mingle on Friday, April 4, from 7:30 - 8:30 am in the quad! Whether you’d like to enjoy a cup of coffee with your kiddos before school or catch up with fellow parents after drop-off, this is a wonderful opportunity to build connections within our St. Raphael family.

 ☕ Want to treat our amazing teachers? Feel free to add to the gift card on file with the coffee van, so any SRS staff member can enjoy a cup of gratitude on us! We can’t wait to see you there!

On a lighter (and tastier) note, Fridays during Lent bring a special treat to campus! For $5, enjoy our delicious grilled cheese sandwiches, with tortilla chips and homemade salsa available for $2, homemade cookies for $1, and juice for $1. Lunch is served from 12:00 - 12:35 pm. Parents, you are always welcome to join us for a meal and enjoy time with our school community!

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the growth and spiritual development of our St. Raphael School family. May God continue to bless you this Lenten season and may we all find moments of stillness to hear His voice.

Important Dates:

April 4: Monthly Morning Mingle from 7:30 – 8:30 am. Stations of the Cross at 1:15 pm

April 11: Stations of the Cross at 1:15 pm

April 14: Jeans for Jesus

April 17: Holy Thursday Prayer Service. Noon Dismissal

April 18 – 27: Easter Vacation

In Mary’s Love,

Ms. Michelle Limb, Principal 

Prayer for Laetare Sunday

Loving God, as we celebrate Laetare Sunday, the midpoint of our Lenten journey, we rejoice in the hope of Easter and the promise of new life. Help us to deepen our faith and strengthen our resolve to follow your Son, Jesus, more closely. Grant us the grace to persevere in our penance, not with sadness, but with joyful anticipation of the coming resurrection. May our hearts be filled with your love and your peace, as we draw ever closer to the joy of Easter. Amen.