“Pray, pray to the Lord with me, because the whole world needs prayer. And every day, when your heart especially feels the loneliness of life, pray. Pray to the Lord, because even God needs our prayers.”
–St. Pio of Pietrelcina
Dear Parents,
This week the church celebrated the Feast Day of St. Pio of Pietreclina, often referred to as Padre Pio. As I took some time to learn more about St. Pio, I came across the above quote, and it struck me. So often people think of reciting prayers as praying, but reciting prayers is only one way of praying. I feel closest to God when I pray what is in my heart and engage in a conversation with Him. When we take the time to open our hearts and to pour forth our innermost thoughts, hopes and fears, that is when we build a relationship with God. Being in any relationship also means listening. Sometimes listening is the hardest part of being in a relationship, but taking the time to listen as we pray, to discern what God is telling us, can be a crucial part of growing closer to Him. Our hope at Saint Mary School is that our students develop a strong relationship with God and that not only do they recite their prayers, but they engage in prayer with God and that prayer is a part of their daily lives in school and out of school. St. Pio of Pietreclina, pray for us!
God Bless,
Rachel
We Need Your Help
Parents, we really need your help! Please pay close attention to deadlines. We are spending an enormous amount of time chasing important items that are not turned in, and re-doing work for things that are turned in late. Lunch orders, field trips, handbook sign offs, AUPs, afterschool enrichment registration, dismissal changes - we have a lot to keep track of, and deadlines help us ensure we take the best care of your children. We appreciate your support.
MS Dance is Friday
Saint Mary School will host a Middle School Dance for students in Grades 6-8 on Friday, September 27th from 7-9 pm. Our theme is, “Under the Sea.” This is not a formal dance, students should dress casually in appropriate ocean-themed attire. For example, Hawaiian shirts, flowered dresses, etc.
Yearbook Club
Any students in Grades 7 or 8 who are interested in joining the Yearbook Club should attend a meeting with Mrs. Dight on Tuesday, October 1 at 11:15 am (during recess) in the Grade 8 classroom. Please email Mrs. Dight at dightl@smsridgefield.org if you plan to attend.
Uniforms for MS Field Trip to West Point
Our Middle School students are visiting West Point on Wednesday, October 3 and should wear their Full Dress/Winter Uniforms. This includes long pants, button down shirts and ties for boys, and either slacks or poplin skort (not knit) and button down shirts for girls. Boys and girls should wear dress shoes, not sneakers. We appreciate parent support in ensuring our students look their best when representing Saint Mary School on this field trip.
First Friday Mass and HSA Meeting Plus Coffee and Conversations
We hope families can join the Kindergarten-Grade 8 students at First Friday Mass on October 4 at 9:00 am in the Church. Any students who have PE should wear their Fall Uniform and shoes, and bring sneakers in their backpacks.
Immediately following Mass our HSA will meet with an update on events in the works and other school news. This will be followed by a Coffee and Conversation Meeting - this month SMS Parent Mark Zeck on Financial and Estate Planning.
Socktober
Starting Tuesday, October 1 Student Government is collecting new socks for the Dorothy Day Center in Danbury. Socks are one of the most needed donations and one of the least received. In exchange for the new pair of socks, students are permitted to wear a pair of fun socks for each pair donated during the month of October. Socks can be brought to the science lab and put into the blue bin. We will keep track of how many socks are donated per student. We will be collecting them for the month of October. Any questions contact Mrs. Kennedy.
Volunteers (with shovels) Needed
Mrs. Kennedy is getting a donation of compost for the school garden on Thursday, October 3 at 2:45 pm, and needs some strong volunteers to help! Please email her at kennedym@smsridgefield.org if you are available. And please bring a shovel.
Volunteer and Virtus Training
Please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form for 2024-2025 school year events if you haven't done so already - thank you to all of the volunteer sign ups so far!
Parent Community – St. Marys Ridgefield (smsridgefield.org)
In order to volunteer at the school in any capacity, you must complete Virtus training. This is an online course aimed to protect our children. Please contact Monica Harron - harronm@smsridgefield.org - if you have any Virtus related questions.
Parents' Night Out
Please remember to RSVP by 10/4 for the Back to School Parent Social at Hayfields.
Link to sign up here: Saint Mary School: SMS Back to School Parent Social (signupgenius.com)
Trunk or Treat Committee meeting Monday 9/30 at 12:30pm in the Hall.
Anyone who wants to help with this event is welcome to join the meeting! Please contact Kristy Pylypshyn - hsapresident@smsridgefield.org - if you have any questions or if you cannot attend, but still want to be involved.
St. Mary Children's Choir
Calling all St. Mary Parish Religious Education and St. Mary School children ages 7 - 13 with a desire to grow in their faith using God's gift of music & singing!
To begin, St. Mary Parish Children’s Choir will sing monthly during the 10:30am Sunday Mass. As the Choir grows, special events at Christmas or other times may be added.
Children will meet Tuesdays in St. Mary School from 5:30pm to 6:00pm to rehearse, following the Tuesday Religious Education classes. Children will also be required to arrive to St. Mary School Hall by 10:15am on Sundays, prior to the 10:30am Mass. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, October 8.
Family Movie Night Suggestions
To help families spend time together and share common experiences, the Leadership Institute of the Diocese of Bridgeport provides recommendations for Family Movie Night. Each week, a new recommendation and explanation are available. Click here for recent suggestions, including this week's suggestions, "The Great Mouse Detective."
Registration is OPEN for St Marys Winter 2024-2025 Travel Basketball.
St. Marys will hold tryouts as listed below. All tryouts will be at St. Marys Gym. For more info visit https://www.stmaryshoops.com
- 8th Grade Girls: Wednesday 10/2 5:30-7:30pm and Friday 10/4 4:30-6pm
- 8th Grade Boys: TBD
- 7th Grade Girls: Thursday 10/10 4:30-6pm and Friday 10/18 6-7:30pm
- 6th Grade Boys: Monday 10/7 5-6:30pm and Make Up Date: Thursday 10/17 6-7pm
- 5th Grade Boys: Wednesday 10/9 6-7:30pm and Wednesday 10/16 6-7:30pm
Celebrate and Support Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels is celebrating their 50th anniversary! They started in the basement at St. Mary’s School…serving 24 meals a week. Last year, they delivered over 53,000 meals to over 220 clients…more than 1,000 meals a week at no cost to those they serve.
Go to www.MO50TH@eventbrite.com to purchase tickets and support the program!
High School Open House Dates
It is Open House season! Here is a list of Open House dates at local Catholic Schools. Click school name for more information and to register:
- Immaculate HS (Danbury, CT) - Sunday, October 20 at 2 pm
- Fairfield Prep (Fairfield, CT) - Sunday, October 6 and Saturday, November 16
- Kennedy Catholic (Somers, NY) - Saturday, October 26 at 11:15 am or 1:15 pm or Tuesday, October 29 at 7:30 pm
- Convent of the Sacred Heart (Greenwich, CT)- Thursday, October 24 at 5:30 pm
- Cardinal Kung (Stamford, CT) - Tuesday, September 24 from 6-8 pm
- Canterbury School (New Milford, CT)- Monday, October 14 from 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
- Lauralton Hall (Milford, CT) - many options, please visit website
- St. Joseph HS - (Trumbull, CT) Sunday, October 20 from 1-3 pm
- Notre Dame Prep of Sacred Heart University (Fairfield, CT) - no open house but click for admissions information
Check Out Immaculate at our Open House October 20!
Join us on Sunday, October 20 at 2pm for our annual Fall Open House! This is your exclusive opportunity to discover firsthand what makes our school community so special and the key differentiators that assists our students in empowering their future. Open House will feature full campus tours, a club and activities fair, presentation from our Admissions Office and countless opportunities to feel the authenticity of our Mustang Family! Register at immaculatehs.org/openhouse
About Us
Email: dowdinga@smsridgefield.org
Website: www.smsridgefield.org
Location: 183 High Ridge Avenue, Ridgefield, CT, USA
Phone: 203 438 7288
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StMaryRidgefield/