FJVD Weekly Info

We Live the Word!

December 20, 2024

From the Principal's Desk

Dear Father Doyle Families,

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I pray that this Christmas season is filled with joy and many blessings for you and your families.

Each year, our 8th grade students read Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol in the weeks leading up to the break. Many are likely familiar with Fred's impassioned reflection that "while Christmas has never put a scrap of gold or silver in his pocket," nonetheless it "has done him good, and will do him good!" Or perhaps others identify more so with Scrooge's infamous retort: "Bah! Humbug!"

During our study of the text a few years back, another less recognized passage caught my eye. While Scrooge is visiting Fred's house with the Ghost of Christmas Present, Dickens remarks that "after awhile, they played; for it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself!"

Indeed, it is good to be children sometimes. As we approach Christmas morning, may we do so with the unfettered joy and innocence of our children. In doing so, may it be said of us, as it was said of Scrooge in the end, that "he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge."

Lastly, over the break, I encourage you to join our school community in praying the Novena to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Patroness of Catholic Schools, for continued blessings upon Father Doyle. You can find the Novena details included below. It begins on December 27th and concludes January 4th.

May God bless you and your family, and may God continue to bless Father Doyle School. See you on January 2nd!

Please see below for additional information on all of the upcoming events!

Nativity Blessing and More This Sunday!

This Sunday, December 22, after the 11:30am Mass, our parish will have its annual blessing of the outdoor Nativity Scene in front of the Church, followed by coffee, hot chocolate and refreshments with a Christmas Carol sing along led by Fr. Woolley on the Guitar in the Parish Hall.

Caroling Books will be provided; all are welcome to attend!

Mastery Martial Arts is Returning to FJVD!

Mastery Martial Arts will be offering another after school program open to all students in grades PreK through 1st Grade. The cost of the program is $25 total for four weeks, and the program will meet on February 7th, 14th, 28th, and March 7th from 2:30 - 3:30. Mark your calendars, and stay tuned for registration after the Christmas break.

7th and 8th Grade Pick-up Basketball Games

We are excited to welcome 7th & 8th Grade boys on Mondays from 3:30pm-4:30pm for pick up Basketball Games at FJVD School.

These pick up games are designed to be a fun, relaxing environment with friends. No previous basketball experience is needed to join. The program will also include some drills and teaching of skills. Cost: $25

Please note that Coach Gene Dyer and Assistant Coach Marissa Dyer will be running this program. Starting Monday 1/06/25 and running through February.

Please register here.

Grades 6-8 CAL Volleyball Interest Survey

Volleyball returned to the J. Robert McDermott Gymnasium for the first time in many years last season, and we're looking forward to another great season under the leadership of Mr. and Mrs. Coelho.

If your child is interested in joining the team for this upcoming Spring season, please complete the interest survey here. Please note, this survey is meant to gauge interest and is not a formal registration for the team.

No previous experience necessary! All are welcome to join the team!

Pray with our School Community!

The school prays a Novena to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton each year. See below for details and join us in prayer!

Novena to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Patron Saint of Catholic Schools

for blessings on Father John V. Doyle School

Please pray Novena Prayer below each day, starting December 27

and ending January 4, the feast day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton,

you founded the first parochial school in our country,

and under your patronage,

the Catholic School System has flourished,

with over one million children

in over five thousand primary schools

across America today.

Bless the students, faculty, parents, and benefactors

of Father John V. Doyle School,

and bless our efforts to strengthen our school

and increase enrollment.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!

As always, be assured of my prayers for you and your families.

God bless and Go Saints!

Sincerely,

Mr. Peloquin

The Mission of Father John V. Doyle School is to provide students with a solid, well-rounded education based on Roman Catholic Tradition.

We live the Word of God in a caring, safe, and nurturing environment.

Christmas Mass Schedule at Saints John and Paul

Please note, the Midnight Mass will be by "stable light," with only the Christmas lights and altar candles lit throughout the Mass. Attendees may want to bring a small flashlight.