October 2, 2023

Dear St. Raphael School Families,

As we step into the month of October, time seems to be racing by. In the Catholic Church, October holds special significance as it is dedicated to the Holy Rosary, with the liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Rosary observed on October 7th. This feast honors the Blessed Virgin Mary and acknowledges the protection she provides to the Church in response to the prayers of the faithful. To mark this occasion, our students will be saying a decade of the rosary each morning, and we encourage you to join in with your family during this special month of devotion.

Today, on October 2nd, we celebrate the Feast Day of the Guardian Angels. Guardian angels are heavenly spirits assigned by God to watch over each one of us throughout our lives. This doctrine is deeply rooted in the Church's Tradition, supported by Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church Fathers. The word "angel" itself means "messenger" in Greek, and angels play various roles in Scripture, including being messengers, defenders, companions, guides, and guardians. Father Rolly reminds us that God has given each of us our own guardian angel to pray for us, protect us, and shower us with love. This day also brings to mind the cherished childhood prayer: "Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom His love entrusts me here, ever this day be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen."

On Tuesday, October 4th, we come together to celebrate the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, a revered figure in Roman Catholic history. St. Francis is renowned for his profound spirituality and his dedication to living a life of simplicity, service, and compassion. St. Francis holds a special place in our hearts as the patron saint of ecology and animals, symbolizing our responsibility to care for and protect the natural world and all its creatures.

To commemorate the spirit of Saint Francis and his deep connection to the animal kingdom, we invite you to join us on the school quad this Wednesday at 7:30 am for a brief prayer service led by Father Rolly. During this service, Father Rolly will offer blessings for our beloved pets.

We warmly welcome your furry, feathered, or scaled family members to join us for this heartwarming occasion. To ensure the safety and comfort of all, please remember to keep your pets on a leash, in a crate, or a suitable container. Let us come together as a community to celebrate the bond we share with our animal companions and to honor the teachings of St. Francis.

We're excited to report that we're making great strides toward our Annual Fund goal of $50,000 and are nearly halfway there! It's never too late to contribute or share our Annual Fund information with your family and friends. As we approach closer to achieving 100% participation, please understand that our family participation level is crucial when applying for grants that benefit all our students. You can make a donation by clicking here. Let's challenge ourselves to not only reach our goal but also achieve 100% participation together!

Just a friendly reminder that there will be no school on Monday, October 9th, due to a teacher in-service day. Enjoy the well-deserved long weekend!

Important Dates to Remember:
October 4: Blessing of Animals at 7:30 am
October 9: No School. Teacher In-Service Day
October 16: Jeans for Jesus
October 17: Progress Reports Go Home
October 19: School Mass at 10:45 am
October 23: Picture Re-Take Day

In Mary's Love,

Ms. Michelle Limb
Principal, St. Raphael School
During the next five weeks, please pray the rosary as a family. Each newsletter will contain one of the joyful mysteries.
First Joyful Mystery – The Annunciation Spiritual Fruit: Humility
The Angel Gabriel declares Mary as the handmaid of the Lord. She will conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear a Son who will be called the Son of the Most High. Mary accepts this honor, while also accepting, without fully understanding, the pain and sorrow that would accompany its fulfillment. This mystery teaches us that even the purest joy we experience in this life necessarily entails suffering. It is with full reliance and trust in God that we can accept our suffering to fulfill our mission and forward God’s plan of salvation with humility and love.