September 30, 2024

Dear St. Raphael Families,

As we step into the month of October tomorrow, time seems to be flying by! In the Catholic Church, October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary, with the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary observed on October 7th. This special day honors the Blessed Virgin Mary and celebrates the protection she offers the Church in response to our prayers. To mark this beautiful tradition, our students will be praying a decade of the rosary each morning. We encourage you to join your children in this meaningful devotion as a family throughout the month.

On October 2nd, we celebrate the Feast of the Guardian Angels. Guardian angels are heavenly spirits assigned by God to watch over each of us throughout our lives, a doctrine deeply rooted in Church Tradition, Sacred Scripture, and the teachings of the Church Fathers. The word angel means “messenger,” and angels serve various roles in Scripture, such as messengers, defenders, companions, guides, and protectors. Father Rolly reminds us that each of us has a guardian angel, given by God, to pray for us, protect us, and surround us with love. This feast also reminds us of 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 honor St. Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved figures in the Catholic faith. St. Francis is known for his deep spirituality and commitment to living a life of simplicity, service, and compassion. As the patron saint of ecology and animals, he serves as a powerful reminder of our duty to care for creation and protect all living creatures.

We’re excited to share that we’re making fantastic progress toward our Annual Fund goal of $50,000—we’re nearly halfway there! It’s never too late to contribute, and we encourage you to share our Annual Fund information with your friends and family. Achieving 100% family participation is critical, as it strengthens our ability to apply for grants that benefit all of our students. You can make a donation by clicking here. Let’s work together to not only meet but exceed our goal and achieve 100% participation!

Lastly, a quick reminder: there will be no school on Monday, October 14th, due to a teacher in-service day. Enjoy the long weekend!

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school community. May this month be filled with blessings for your family!

Important Dates:

August 29 – September 27: STAR Testing Window

September 25: School Mass at 10:45 am

October 2: Pizza Begins

October 7: Picture Day

October 14: No School. Teacher In-Service

In Mary’s Love,

Ms. Michelle Limb, Principal 

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.