The Weekly Update #4

The Church invites us once again to enter into the sacred season of Lent, a time of renewal, sacrifice, and preparation. Fittingly, our Marian virtue focus this season is mercy and compassion—two virtues that Christ Himself exemplified throughout His life and ultimately on the cross.

Lent is a time of deep prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, drawing us into closer communion with the true source of life—Jesus Christ. It is an opportunity to reflect on the great gift of grace poured out in love, mercy, forgiveness, and compassion. Through His sacrifice, Christ not only redeemed us but also calls us to follow Him more intentionally in our daily lives.

This Lent, we are invited to journey with purpose—to embrace our sacrifices, prayers, and acts of charity with deep intentionality. Too often, we enter Lent out of routine, automatically choosing to "give something up" without truly considering the deeper spiritual significance. Many give up chocolate, coffee, or social media—a meaningful sacrifice for some—but what is the greater purpose behind it? How does it bring us closer to the Holy One?

Others may choose to add a spiritual practice, such as attending daily Mass, spending time in Eucharistic Adoration, committing to a daily Rosary, or engaging in acts of service. These are beautiful ways to grow in faith, but the key question remains: What is our intention? How do these practices transform our hearts and redirect our focus toward God?

Lent is not merely about what we give up or take on, but why we do it. The Church teaches that our Lenten practices should lead us to conversion—a turning of our hearts toward God. We are reminded to keep the end in mind: deeper faith, greater love, and a more profound understanding of Christ’s sacrifice.

As we walk through these forty days, may we embrace each moment with purpose and passion, trusting that our small acts of faith will bear great fruit. Let us encourage one another in this year of hope, keeping our eyes fixed on the cross—the ultimate sign of Christ’s love, mercy, and redemption.

May our entire community draw closer to Jesus, and may this Lent be a time of true spiritual renewal.

Always In Christ,

Mrs. Ana E. Gomez, M.Ed.

The month of March begins with the celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday and National Read Across America, a time dedicated to fostering a love of reading in students of all ages. Last month, the enitre school community, highlighed its importance with Reading Week in conjunction with our Scholastic Book Fair.

At St. Mary’s Catholic School, we remain committed to inspiring a lifelong passion for reading, creating a community of both readers and learners.Reading is a partnership between home and school. The love of books, language, and literacy begins at home, where children first experience the joy of storytelling. This love is then nurtured and developed in the classroom, where students engage with literature in meaningful ways. The image below , sourced from Read Aloud, highlights valuable strategies for encouraging reading at home. It promotes the habit of giving 15 minutes a day to reading aloud. I believe we can all find 15 minutes in our day to make a difference.

Throughout the school day, students have numerous opportunities to read for both learning and enjoyment. Our library program provides access to a diverse selection of books and genres, ensuring that students can explore new ideas, cultures, and perspectives through literature. Teachers and students engage in many forms of reading together. Reading Buddies is a fun way to connect our learners in a meaningful way!

We are excited for this special time of reading, connection, and learning as we celebrate the joy of books together!

As we continue through flu season and remain vigilant against other viral illnesses, we are also aware of the measles breakout in our state that is now found in others. We are taking all necessary precautions to safeguard the health and well-being of our students and staff.

We continue to remain in close communication with our diocese, local school officials, and county health authorities to ensure we are remaining informed and up to date. We continue to dissenfect classrooms and areas within the school as our normal procedures and protocols , and teacher's are provided with needed materials to do the same in the classrooms such as wipes, Lysol and sanitizer by the school.

To help protect our school community, we kindly remind parents of the following important health tips and procedures:

✔ Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are unavailable, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
✔ Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
✔ Stay home if you or your child is ill. Please notify the school of any diagnosis and absences. This is critical in helping us monitor our community.
✔ Cover coughs and sneezes with the inside of your elbow or a tissue. Practice good hygeine at all times.
✔ Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Keep areas always clean.

Our teachers and staff continue reinforcing these simple yet effective habits in the classroom by encouraging frequent handwashing, proper cough/sneeze etiquette, and routine cleaning of desks and surfaces. These precautions are vital in preventing the spread of illnesses that can lead to student absences and disruptions in learning.

We appreciate your partnership and support in keeping our school community healthy and safe. Thank you for working with us to ensure the well-being of all our students!

Last week, our school community gathered for a morning assembly to announce the winner of our Penny War! The event was filled with great energy and excitement as students eagerly awaited the results.

During the assembly, members of our Student Council shared the purpose and history of our Mission Bag initiative, a tradition that has been part of St. Mary’s School for over fifty years. This initiative was originally founded by our first principal and has since become a vital source of charitable giving. Students listened attentively, feeling a strong sense of accomplishment as they learned about the many organizations and causes in our community that have benefited from their contributions.

Students also saw pictures of past donations, including those delivered to children in Jalisco and Matamoros. One particularly moving example was the purchase of socks for families—a small yet significant item that makes a huge difference for those in need.

Over the years, donations from the Mission Bag initiative have supported numerous organizations, including:
✔ St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
✔ American Heart Association
✔ Missionary Work & Works of Mercy
✔ Good Neighbor Settlement House
✔ Evangelization Efforts

This year, our 3rd and 4th graders emerged victorious, winning the Penny War after final deductions for quarters, dimes, and nickels were made. It was a tight competition between them and our 5th and 6th graders, but in the end, the real victory belonged to everyone. Together, as one team, our students raised over $6,000—an incredible testament to their generosity and spirit of service.

Our Student Council continues to lead and organize this meaningful initiative, ensuring that the funds collected make a difference in our community and beyond. We look forward to seeing the impact of their efforts as they carry on the mission of giving and compassion.

Thank you to all our students, families, and staff for your dedication and support!

This past weekend, our school choir had the incredible opportunity to participate in a music festival under the direction of the American Federation Pueri Cantores. This event, dedicated to uniting young voices in the beauty of sacred music, was a truly enriching and inspiring experience for our students.

Students in 4th through 6th grade attended a choral clinic led by Dr. Daniel Girardot from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. They joined singers from across the region, coming together as one combined choir to lift their voices in praise. The festival provided an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the rich historical repertoire of the Church, learning and performing sacred music that has been cherished for centuries. 🎶🎵

The festival culminated in a special Festival Mass celebrated by Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. This extraordinary experience allowed our students to sing as part of a unified choir, filling the sacred space with harmonious voices in worship and reverence. ❤️

We extend our deepest gratitude to our students, their parents, and our dedicated choir director, Mrs. Wood, for their unwavering commitment to music, faith, and excellence. Their love for singing and dedication to praising God through music is a true gift to our school and parish community.

May our students continue to grow in faith and song, sharing their voices to glorify God now and always! 🎶🙏🏻