The Messenger

Dear Fabulous Families -

We can't believe that tomorrow is May 1! This year has flown by!

We look forward to celebrating First Communion with our Second Graders this weekend. Please keep them in your prayers as they take this next step in their faith journey!

Field Day - Field Day is a week from this Friday. Take note of the important information below from Mrs. Morris.

Uniform Fitting - Need a new uniform for next year? We are having a uniform fitting at St. Gabriel on Tuesday, May 13, for your convenience. Order now so they are delivered by August! There are only a few factories that make our plaid, so it is important to order early. See information below.

Tardies - Thank you for helping your child get to school on time. We are sending letters to some families to make them aware of students who have multiple tardies. Included in the letter will be the number of instructional minutes the child has missed this year. It may seem negligible when it is a few minutes here and there, but they quickly add up to hours. When students are late to their classroom, it disrupts the teacher and the other students in the classroom. Let's finish the year strong and increase the number of instructional minutes for each child. (Please note that grace is given on rainy and snowy/icy days due to the increase in traffic and to help with safety.)

Coming home in the Wednesday yellow envelope:

Teacher Appreciation Week Flyer

Field Day Information for grades K-5

Reminder: Submissions for the newsletter should be sent to Mrs. McEnery and Ms. Schmitt by noon on Monday. Graphics should be a jpg or png. In the subject line, please put "Newsletter".

Tonya McEnery

Principal

Jenn Schmitt

Assistant Principal

FIELD DAY

~ 12:00 p.m. dismissal ~

Some helpful reminders:

• Normal morning drop-off procedures will take place.

• Students should be in their homerooms by 7:45 a.m.

• Normal 12:00 p.m. dismissal pick-up procedures will take place.

• All students should bring a water bottle (labeled with their name).

• A Pirate’s Booty snack bag will be provided to the students on Field Day.

• Students are not required to wear their school uniform on Field Day.

K-5th students should wear colored short/long-sleeve t-shirts (see

color listed on the paper in the Wednesday envelope).

6,7,8th students should wear their house t-shirts.

All students should wear reasonable length shorts or sweatpants.

All students should wear socks and tennis shoes (NO Crocs, sandals

or flip-flops allowed).

Eye black is allowed if desired, but NO body paint should be worn.

• K-5th students will be staying with their homerooms to play games.

6,7,8th students will be playing games with their houses.

• The walking permission slip that was signed by a parent/guardian in the beginning of the year will be used as the allowance for your child to go to Francis Park for games. We will also be using other areas around/inside school for games.

***** Tamm Ave. will be drivable for drop off and pick up, but it will be closed from

7:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. There is no through traffic or parking on Tamm. Ave. (in front of school between Murdoch and Nottingham) during Field Day since we will be spreading out and using the street for games as well.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Morris at lmorris@stgab.org.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Morris, PE teacher

Parents have the opportunity to volunteer at school by helping with lunch and recess duties. All volunteers must go through the Protecting God's Children / Safe Environment training requirement.

• Please do not sign up for a position if you have not completed Protecting God's Children / Safe Environment training. Information on this is posted below. .
• The following links are for the first trimester.
• Please only sign up for one spot to give others the chance to volunteer.

Here is the link to the Sign Up Genius for recess volunteers: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A044FAFAD2DA5FA7-55141184-recess

Here is the link to the Sign Up Genius for cafeteria volunteers: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A044FAFAD2DA5FA7-55141052-cafeteria

• Important - All volunteers need to successfully complete the mandated Archdiocesan Protecting God's Children/Safe Environment Training. Before signing up for lunch duty/recess duty, field trips, etc., volunteers must have this completed. Please use the following link to find the complete information from the church website: mandated training information. Please direct questions to our parish secretary and Child Safety Coordinator, Eileen Garavaglia, at 314-353-6303 Ext. 110 or garavagliae@stgabrielstl.org.

Dear Parents,

Thanks to all the 5th grade family and friends who celebrated Mass with us today for the 5th grade Baptism Mass!

Please keep our 2nd graders and their families in your prayers as the students prepare to receive their First Communion this coming Sunday.

Next Thursday is the 7th grade Baptism/ Leadership Mass when our 7th grades renew their Baptism promises and pledge to be the leaders of our school their 8th grade year.

Thanks to all who contributed to the CRS Rice Bowl collection last week. We will have a total soon.:)

From a Letter from CRS:

“Today more than ever, our societies need ‘artisans of peace’ who can be messengers and authentic witnesses of God the Father, who wills the good and the happiness of the human family.”

—Pope Francis, 1936-2025

It is with deep sorrow that we at Catholic Relief Services extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis. If there was ever an “artisan of peace,” it was Pope Francis. His unwavering commitment to compassion, justice and the dignity of every human being has left an indelible mark on the world.

In this time of mourning, we join the global Catholic community in prayer and reflection, honoring the legacy of a remarkable man who led with humility and love.

“Love for the poor has been the sign, the light that draws people to give glory to the Father.”

—Pope Francis, 1936-2025

His encyclicals—Laudato Si', which calls us to care for our common home and emphasizes the urgent need for environmental stewardship, and Fratelli Tutti, which inspires us to foster fraternity and social friendship and urges us to build a world where all people are treated with dignity and respect—reflect his legacy.

We pray for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul and that he is welcomed into the loving arms of the Lord God. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace."

Prayer of Saint Augustine

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy.

From the USCCB site:

https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/upload/catholic-social-teaching-poster-for-children-digital.pdf

The students are so proud when they have parts at Mass. We hope you can join us whenever you are able. See below for the school day Mass Schedule.

School Masses

Tuesdays- 1-4 Attends

5/6 1K

5/13 1C

5/20 K Baptism

Wednesdays- 5-8 Attends

5/7 6B

5/14 5H

5/21 7th Grade

Thursdays- All School Attends

5/1 1C

5/8 7th Grade Leadership/ Baptism Mass

5/15 May Crowning/ 8th Grade Blessing

5/22 No All School Mass

5/23 Last Day of School All School Mass in church 11:15 am

Second Grade

First Eucharist

Sunday, May 4th- 1st Communion, 2pm Mass

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Come pray with us!

Deborah DaLay

Coordinator of Religious Education

Dates below are subject to change and additional days will be added as we continue to plan for the year. Dates are also posted on the Google calendar located on our website.

2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR

May

2- 2nd Grade Jesus Day

4- First Communion, 2pm

5- 2nd Grade Only, - No School

6-7- Art Fair

6- Vocal Concert (Kindergarten, 1st, and 3rd grade students, and Honor Choir), 7pm

7- Band Concert, 7pm

9- Noon Dismissal: Field Day

15- May Crowning

15- 8th Grade - Last Day

16- 8th Grade Mystery Trip

16- 7th Grade Leadership Day

20- 8th Grade Graduation, 6pm

23- Noon Dismissal: Last Day of School

ARCHANGEL YOUTH MINISTRY (AYM)

AYM covers the parishes of St. Gabriel and St. Raphael in the St. Louis Hills Neighborhood and is open to ALL high school teens. No sign-up necessary! High school teens can attend on a regular basis or drop-in as it fits their schedule! We meet regularly on Sunday and Wednesday evenings in the AYM Room of St. Raphael Rectory's Lower Level.

The 2025 Luke 18 Retreat was last weekend at SRA and was a fun-filled, faith-filled weekend for our

8 th graders, led by our high school teens. We are so proud of the work our high schoolers put into

preparing and their leadership throughout the weekend! We look forward to the 2026 Luke 18 Retreat

next year. The dates are TBD but will be announced as soon as possible.

Life Teen Nights are BACK on Sundays (at a NEW TIME) of 7-9 pm and include snacks, socializing,

games, talks, and discussions.

R&R Nights are Wednesdays from 7-8:30 pm and are unstructured evenings for teens to hang out

(recharge & reconnect).

See the AYM calendar for specific dates.

LOOKING AHEAD

*May 18 th | Teen/Youth Mass at 5:30 pm (SGA church) followed by a Social Night (SRA - AYM Room) |

Current 8 th graders can begin attending AYM!

*June 14 th | SGA Block Party! (service hour opportunity)

*July 18 th -20 th | AYM at Steubenville 2025!

STAY CONNECTED with AYM

Follow us on Instagram @archangelym

Like our Facebook Group: Archangel Youth Ministry

Join the SGA or SRA Flocknote Group: Youth Ministry

Visit the Youth Group page on the SGA parish website

Contact Youth Minister: Sarah Henderson - hendersons@stgabrielstl.org

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