October 30, 2023

Dear St. Raphael School Families,

As we step into a new week, we embark on a special journey filled with spiritual significance in our school and church. This week, we celebrate All Hallows' Eve, followed by All Saints Day on Wednesday and All Souls Day on Thursday. It's a time to reflect on the importance of these days and their significance in our faith.

Halloween, or All-Hallows'-Eve, is the evening before All Saints Day, a time when the Church commemorates the saints who have attained heaven. In the eighth century, the Church set aside a special date for the feast of All Saints, to be followed by a day dedicated to those on their journey to sainthood, the feast of All Souls.

All Saints Day, celebrated on November 1st, is a solemn holy day in the Catholic Church. It pays tribute to the saints of the Church, those who have achieved heaven. It is distinct from All Souls Day, observed on November 2nd, which is dedicated to those who have passed away and are on their way to heaven. While countless individuals may already be saints, All Saints Day focuses on the known saints, those officially recognized by the Catholic Church. It reminds us of our Baptismal call to lead lives that emulate these saints' devotion and faith.

Join us on Tuesday for the Halloween Parade scheduled at 1:15 pm on the quad. We kindly request that you do not send your child in scary costumes or with any weapon-like accessories. Students will change into their costumes after lunch for our lively parade. We look forward to seeing you there! Following the parade, join us for a delightful Fall Carnival on the school field.

This Wednesday is All Saints Day and is observed as a Holy Day of Obligation. Our 8th graders will be dressed as saints and will participate in Mass with our TK students. The lives of saints are inspiring as they faced challenges and trials much like you and me, yet they dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to Jesus. We encourage you to take some time this month to learn about some of the saints and their profound love for Our Lord. Join us for Mass at 10:45 am in the church to celebrate this meaningful day.

Parent/Teacher conferences are just around the corner, commencing on November 15th and concluding on November 17th. This presents a wonderful opportunity for parents to meet with their child's teacher, discuss progress, and establish goals to further enhance our enduring partnership in each child's education. Please note that during conference days, students will be dismissed at noon. If your child is not picked up by 12:15 pm, they will be supervised in our After School Care program.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. We look forward to sharing these special moments with you in the coming weeks.

Important Dates:
October 31: Halloween Parade at 1:15 pm
November 1: All Saints Day Mass at 10:45 am
November 9: End of 1^st Trimester
November 10: No School for Veterans Day
November 15-17: Noon Dismissal for Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 20-24: Thanksgiving Vacation
In Mary's Love,

Ms. Michelle Limb
Principal, St. Raphael School
Pray the Litany of Saints as a Family.
Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy on us. Christ hear us, Christ graciously hear us. God the Father, have mercy on us. God the Son, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Holy Mary, pray for us. St. Michael, pray for us. St. Gabriel, pray for us. St. Raphael, pray for us. All you holy angels and archangels, pray for us. St. John the Baptist, pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us. All you holy Patriarchs and prophets, pray for us. St. Peter, pray for us. St. Paul, pray for us. St. Andrew, pray for us. St. James, pray for us. St. John, pray for us. St. Mary Magdalen, pray for us. All you holy apostles and evangelists, pray for us. All you holy martyrs, pray for us. All you men and women, Saints of God, make intercession for us. Be merciful, spare us, O Lord! Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord! From all evil, O Lord, deliver us. From all sin, O Lord, deliver us. From anger and hatred, O Lord, deliver us. Through your death and resurrection, O Lord, deliver us. In the day of judgement, O Lord, hear us. That you would forgive us and all those we love, O Lord, hear us. That you would grant peace and unity to all, O Lord, hear us. That you would give rest to those who have died, O Lord, hear us. That you would lift up our minds to heavenly desires, O Lord, hear us. Son of God, O Lord, hear us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.