Catholic School Mission Day (No School - Catholic Teacher In-Service) Thursday, September 1
Diocesan Curriculum Day (No School - Teacher Professional Development) Friday, September 2
Labor Day (No School) Monday, September 5
Fall Break (No School) Friday, October 14
Dear Parents and Students - I hope you are well! What beautiful days of weather! Overall, your children are doing a nice job getting settled into the year. So thank you for your support and for your positive influence in their lives. In this same vein of ‘thanks’ I wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to all of the adults in our Parish who have helped build St. Charles into the strong community from our beginnings in the late 50’s through today’s Parishioners who continue to build our Catholic culture today.
Sr. Genevieve and I recently stopped before Mass at the funeral showing for Tom Steele to pay our respects to Mrs. Steele and the family, and as I visited, I saw parents, former students, former classmates and other friends and acquaintances. One of my classmates commented that the last time we had seen each other was for his father’s funeral in this same Gathering space. It struck me, one, that I am rapidly aging, two, and more importantly, people who are passing, like Mr. Steele, represent strong Catholic connections among our Parishioners that stretch generations. As the names of upcoming funerals are shared with the school office, I recognize many.
Mostly the names belong to long-time parishioners - who have been part of the fabric of our St. Charles community. For example, in the past two months we have lost Ann Tippmann, Thomas Tippmann, Eugene Tippmann, Joseph McGraw, and Thomas Steele, all matriarchs or patriarchs of extended parish families. Obviously, there have been more, but the point I am trying to make, the people I am trying to thank are all of those parishioners who lived and died as active members of our Parish. Who sacrificed to send their children, & often grandchildren, to our Parish School. Weddings, First Communions, funerals, tithing, Capital campaigns, volunteering, prayers, tears, friendships, and more. Just so appreciative of all who have given so much and continue to do so today. Thank you!
And what did all of these good people sacrifice for? Well, on the first day of school I try to visit all the classrooms. This year I again stopped in, introduced myself, welcomed students, asked returning students to take care of the new students, and discussed some goals for the new school year. I explained that over the past 28 months we adults had been dealing with and fighting over Covid stress, illness, and death, a hotly divided election, debates on masks and debates on vaccines, and that we adults had become less civil, less patient, less kind. I opined that this turmoil had affected them, our students, who we also noticed had lost some of their consideration and respect towards one another. I iterated, however, that the irascible behavior was behind us, and that we needed to move forward in a caring manner. I then talked about focusing on The Greatest Commandment.* [Matthew’s Gospel 22:34-40].
34 When the Pharisees heard that he (Jesus) had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together,
35 and one of them [a scholar of the law]* tested him by asking, 36 “Teacher,* which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
37 He said to him,* “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
38 This is the greatest and the first commandment. 39 The second is like it:* You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
40 The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
Loving God and loving neighbor, along with celebration of the Eucharist, is the foundation upon which our school is built - the fabric of our Catholic school. Because of the sacrifice, dedication, and love of our Parishioners, past and present, we continue to have a place for our children where we can openly talk and teach about Christ and the Eucharist and promote love of God and neighbor. So for the second time - Thank You! With Appreciation -Rob S.
2022-2023 Volunteer Online Sign-Up: We have moved to an online sign-up format for volunteering for events throughout the school year. These volunteer opportunities are open to parents and parishioners over the course of the school year. We seek and appreciate any volunteering you may be able to do. Please take a look! Go to the volunteer sign-up link at St. Charles Volunteer Packet 2022-23. Contact the school office if you need a paper copy.
Childcare is looking for part-time workers before and/or after school. Adults/college & high school teens are welcome to apply. Great part-time work with great kids. If interested, contact Director Ms. Diana at (260) 494-7310 or at SCBS Before/AfterCare.
Application for free/reduced lunch and textbook assistance: You will find the form on the school website at Summer Mailing Items and look for Free/Reduced Lunch. You will need to print and fill out this form, sign in two places - lunch and textbook, and then once completed, the form can be scanned and emailed to schooloffice@stcharlesschoolfw.org, dropped off at school, or sent with your child. Contact the school office if you need a paper copy of this form. Lunch prices are $3.10 for a meal (includes milk), $1.50 for extra, and $0.50 for milk.
Click here for the entire Aug. 26 & Sept. 2 SCBS Newsletter
