Mustang Memo

School remains closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday until Tuesday, December 3.

• Spiritual Reflection
• Notes from the Admissions Office
• Home & School Association Notes
• Student Life Notes
  
• Mark Your Calendars!

Our Spiritual Theme: We Walk by Faith

November & December Focus: We Walk by Faith... in Counsel

Matthew 14: 22-33

Spiritual Reflection by Dr. De Angelo - Pilgrims of Hope

2025 will mark a Jubilee Year for the Roman Catholic Church worldwide. A Jubilee Year is a

Holy Year of the forgiveness of sin, the call to conversion, and a time of joyful celebration.

In Old Testament times, a jubilee year was proclaimed every 50 years. God told Moses that every fiftieth year was to be set aside for the return of absent members to their households, the restoration of land to its owners, the release of Hebrew slaves, and the forgiveness of debts. Like the sabbath, which took place on the seventh day of each week, the jubilee was a time for the Israelites to re-establish a proper relationship with God and with one another.

Pope Boniface VIII proclaimed the first Christian jubilee in A.D. 1300, granting the full remission of sin for those who confessed their sins and made a pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The Church first celebrated jubilee years every 100 years. This was eventually shortened to every 50

years and then every 25 years.

Jubilee 2025 was proclaimed by Pope Francis in the Papal Bull Spes Non Confundit (“Hope does not

disappoint”). The jubilee will begin in Rome on the vigil of the Lord’s Nativity on December 24, 2024

with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, and in local dioceses on Holy Family

Sunday on December 29, 2024.

Happy Advent!

The Advent wreath is a beautiful and symbolic tradition during this season. Each candle represents a week of Advent, and their colors have specific meanings: purple symbolizes penance and preparation, while pink represents joy.

The lighting of the Advent candle each week fosters a sense of anticipation and spiritual reflection. It's a visual and contemplative way of marking the passage of time during Advent. In this first week of Advent, we light the Hope Candle, also known as the Prophet's Candle. As we light the candles, we draw closer to the birth of Christ, with each candle representing a different facet of our preparation: hope, peace, joy, and love.

REMINDER: Vision for the Future financial assistance applications and St. Ann School financial assistance applications for the 2025-2026 school year must be submitted by January 31, 2025. Please scroll to the bottom of our tuition and fees page for application details.

Join us for a delicious way to support St. Ann School!
When: December 8th & 9th
Where: Cafe Riviera (located in the Concord mall)

Dine in, take out, or enjoy delivery—every bite benefits the HSA at St. Ann School!

Bring your family and friends to enjoy great food while helping our school community.

🎄✨ Save the Date! ✨🎄

Christmas Shop for Students

🎁 When: December 12th & 13th

🎅 What: A special shopping event where students can pick out perfect gifts for their families!

🗓️ Mark your calendars – it’s going to be magical!

Volunteers Needed!

We are looking for volunteers to help bring some festive spirit to our Christmas Shop! There are two key opportunities to get involved:

1. Set-up Volunteers
   Date: December 11th 2:45-4:00
   Help us transform the space into a magical holiday wonderland!

2. Shop Helpers
   Dates: December 12th & 13th 7:45-3 pm (Am and Pm Shifts available)
   Assist with running the shop, helping students find the perfect holiday gifts, and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Whether you're available for set-up, to assist during the event, or both, we'd love to have you join us in spreading some Christmas cheer!

If you're interested in volunteering, please sign up here!

Thank you for helping us make this holiday season extra special! ✨

All are welcome to enjoy a celebration of Christmas at St. Ann Church on December 8 at 2 pm. The Parish choir, St. Ann School Choir, and St. Ann School Band will perform in the church and a small reception will follow in the school's Social Hall.

Student performers are reminded:

• A full Band rehearsal is scheduled during the school day on Friday, December 6 from 1:45-2:30 pm. Please be sure to bring your instruments to school!
• Choir members are asked to report to the Church at 1:00 pm and Band members are asked to report at 1:15 pm on Sunday 12/8.
• Holiday wear appropriate for church is the required performance attire. More details are available in an email from your director!

Register to Attend a Middle School Dance

St. Edmond's Academy is hosting a dance for 6th-8th graders. Students from SEA, UA, IHM, SMM & St. Ann are invited to attend on Friday, Dec. 6, 7-9:30pm. Here's the Link to register!

Winter Soccer Shots Registration is Open

St. Ann Students in PK 3 - 2nd grade are eligible to participate in the winter session of Soccer Shots, January 14 - March 4, 2025.

Click below to register!

• December 1: First Sunday in Advent

• November 27-December 2: Thanksgiving Holiday, School Closed

• December 3: First Reconciliation, 6:30 pm (Doors open at 5:30 pm)

• December 4: School Mass with Bishop Koenig

• December 7: Breakfast with Santa, 9-11 am

• December 8: School & Parish Christmas Concert, 2 pm

• Week of December 9: T1 Report Cards & STAR Reports sent home

• December 9: School Mass for the Immaculate Conception & Reconciliation for Grades 6-8

• December 12-13: HSA Christmas Shop

• December 13: $1 Casual Day to Support the Missions & MS Movie Night, 7-9 pm

• December 14: HSA Christmas Caroling, 5-7 pm

• December 16: Reconciliation for Grades 3-5

• December 20: Half-Day for Students & "Hark! The Mustangs Sing" Performance

• December 23- January 3: Christmas Vacation, No School

School Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am -3:30 pm

rcasey@thesaintannschool.org

302-652-6567