The Defender
February 9, 2024
A Message From Mrs. Tate
Dear SMA Families,
Thank you for the wonderful turnout for our spring conferences! We enjoy sharing student progress, success, and growth opportunities with our parents. The importance of the partnership between home and school cannot be overstated, and we want you to know how much we appreciate your participation and interest in your children’s academic education and Catholic formation.
We are looking forward to an awesome Defenders’ Ball tomorrow night! Thank you to Kenneth and Kelly Byrd for the hours and hours of time they have devoted to making this important parish event a success. With the funds raised at this year’s Defender’s Ball for the Blessed Carlo Acutis Fund, we plan to improve the quality of technology in our school as well as access for students and teachers. From teaching stations to chromebooks, we want our staff and students to have the access they need to utilize technology in meaningful, intentional, safe ways.
This year during Lent, we plan to provide opportunities for adoration for our school classes and our families. Last year, we had an excellent response from our students, and they have been asking if we’ll have adoration once a week again this year. We are in the process of scheduling priests, deacons, and religious sisters to assist us with this important devotion. The most common comment from students last year about adoration, “I love the quiet and stillness of the church during adoration.”
In our busy, hectic world, it is important to give our kids many opportunities to be still with the Lord. We aim to provide many prayerful opportunities for our kids, teachers, and families during Lent. Please watch the newsletter for opportunities to join us in prayer! You are always welcome! This week’s opportunities:
- Ash Wednesday All-School Mass – 8:15, Feb. 14
- All-School Mass – 8:15 a.m., Feb. 16
- Stations of the Cross – 2:30 p.m., Feb. 16
Thank you for your support of SMA! May the Lord bless you and your family always!
Go Chiefs!
Sincerely,
Diana Tate, Principal
Parent Formation – February 27
In our next parent formation session, we will dive into the beauty and true meaning of the human body and sexuality. They are both a beautiful gift from God! When we use our sexuality correctly - we show God’s love by loving as He loves. Let us learn together how to better protect, guard, and cherish the gift of human love! Please join us!
If you are interested in preparing before the session, we’ve included some Theology of the Body resources below:
YOU - Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body
Theology of the Body for Teens (Middle School) - Parent Edition
Theology of the Body for Teens - Parent Edition 2
The Truth and Meaning of Human Sexuality. Pontifical Council for the Family, 1995.
Living Out Theology of the Body | Dr. Edward Sri (video)
All for the Heart of Jesus, through the Heart of Mary!
Sr. Lucia Maria Sol, SCTJM
Campus Minister
VSL Updates
♥️ Don't forget about St. Valentine's Day parties this week - Tues, Feb 13th. Class specific sign ups should be coming from your room parents.
☘️ The March Fun First Friday is available here.
Dennis Uniform
SMA School Activities
Parish News
Knights of Columbus Fish Fry - Desserts Needed
Fish Fry season kicks off February 16! This year we want to feature homemade desserts to help us stand out among the fish fry options in the area. Making a homemade treat is a great way to get your kids involved and help support the parish. All parishioners are invited to help. Cakes and cupcakes are always popular treats! Even something as simple as crispy rice treats are loved and scooped up quickly. Check out all the suggested items here.
Defender's Ball
New Raffle! Win Hot Lunch for a Year! One lucky winner will take home 1 hot lunch/day for the 2024-2025 school year. Click here to get raffle tickets!