Mustang Memo

• Spiritual Reflection
• Vision for the Future 2025-2026 Applications
• Home & School Association Notes
• Student Life Notes
  
• Mark Your Calendars!

Our Spiritual Theme: We Walk by Faith

August & September Focus: We Walk by Faith... in Wisdom

Matthew 14: 22-33

Spiritual Reflection by Miss Sheila O'Callaghan

Every time we read our “Parish Bulletin” and our “Mustang Memo” we should feel blessed and encouraged to follow our theme prayer for the year, “Walk by Faith”.

Here at St. Ann Parish we have been and are blessed by those who lead us. For six years we were encouraged and blessed by the presence of Fr. Jasper and for one year, were also blessed by the presence of Fr. James Gebhart as he prepared for Ordination. Fr. Mink and Principal Casey bless us every day in all they do to make St. Ann School the great school that it is. Our students are enlightened and encouraged to Walk by Faith. This year they will focus on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Eric blesses us each week with his beautiful and eloquent explanation of the Gospel. We cannot forget Seminarian Eric who prepared several Holy Hours to help us all Walk by Faith.

This coming week we have several saints to remember. September 9, is the memorial of St. Peter Claver. He came from Spain to Colombia, South America. He cared for the slaves who were being brought from Africa. He worked for the slaves as if he were the slaves’ own slave. This made some slave owners ashamed but others angry. They made Peter return to Spain.

The Holy Name of Mary is celebrated on September 12.

September 14, we celebrate the Triumph of the Holy Cross. St. John Chrysostom wrote: “Let the sign of the cross be made continually in the heart, forehead, at table, coming and going, in joy, and sadness.”

When you look at the cross in your classroom, it should remind you of how much Jesus loves us.

Please pray for the sick, especially Fr. Mink, Mrs. Miriam Harris and all the sick of our parish. Please continue to pray for Maureen Engelbert. Pray also for our Armed Forces and First Responders.

Applications for tuition assistance (Vision for the Future) for the 2025-2026 school year open on September 15, 2024. This is a diocesan fund which provides merit-based tuition support across all CDOW schools.

The deadline for applications is January 31, 2025, and notification of awards will begin on March 1, 2025.

You can submit an application through FACTS here: https://online.factsmgt.com/SignIn.aspx.

Tuesday, September 10

HSA invites you to the back-to-school parent social at Trolley Tap House from 5:30-7:00pm. Connect with fellow parents at our casual and fun-filled Parent Social! This is a fantastic opportunity to meet and mingle with other parents in our school community. Drop by at any time that suits you—there’s no set schedule, just great conversations and new connections. Delicious food and refreshing drinks will be available for purchase. We can’t wait to see you there! Please note: adults only—this event is a chance for parents to enjoy an evening out.

Join HSA!

Looking to meet parents and get involved in school community events? We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us shape our calendar, make key decisions, and possibly handle some vendor and venue coordination. Your input and time are so appreciated to help bring our community together. HSA meets virtually once/month. Please email hsa@thesaintannschool.org to sign up!

• All volunteers must have a current background check on file. Please email Pat Walker at the parish office for background check information–pwalker@stannwilmington.com.

• FIRST MEETING WILL BE AT ST. ANN SCHOOL: September 30, 6:30 -7:30 pm

Second Sunday Social A Success!

Thank you for helping our parish community to salute 125 years of education at St. Ann School at today's "Kick Off The School Year Mass " and Second Sunday Social! Special thanks to parish leadership for organizing this event: Welcoming Committee Chair, Mr. Dave O'Connor and Second Sunday Social Chair, Mr. George Rotsch, and all Welcoming Committee members and volunteers. Thank you to all Mustangs, Mustang families, and Mustang faculty in attendance!

The St. Ann Spirit Wear store is open! The store has some new items for soccer and volleyball. The store closes on September 16th, 2024.

Use the link below to shop. Personalization is available. Items will be delivered to the School and sent home.

St Ann Spirit Wear Store

Please contact Cristalyn Johnson at cjohnson@stannwilmington.com if you require any assistance.

As Christians we are created to live and work in community. That community may be our family, neighborhood, place of work, school, church, sports team or any time we gather with others. As we belong to many different communities, we are called to help others in any way we can. One way to help is through prayer. We have a God who always listens and always responds (even when the response is that we don’t get exactly what we want!).

St. Ann School will keep a community prayer intentions book this year. It will be placed on a stand near the prayer table in the main lobby of the school. Students, faculty, staff, parents, and all visitors are invited and encouraged to write down their prayer requests and needs. You do not have to sign your name or even write the name of the person you are praying for. God knows who they are.

Here are some examples of prayer requests: Please pray …

• for my grandfather who is having an operation
• for my friend who is worried about something
• that I study well for my math test
• that our team plays our best in the game this weekend
• for the people in my neighborhood who had a house fire

If you cannot write the words, you may draw a small picture representing your prayer need.

Thank you to all of the St. Ann community members who have already contributed to this special prayer book!

Calling all singers! Sign up to be a member of the St. Ann School Choir.

Who: All interested students gr. 4-8

When: Tuesdays 2:45-3:45pm

Where: Music Room

Teacher: Andrew Trites, music - atrites@stannwilmington.org

Interested participants are asked to review the Choir Contract, below, for details about the choir program. The contract should be signed and returned at the first practice on Tuesday, September 10!

Pop-Up Class: Shoelace Tying!

We’re excited to announce a special Pop-Up Shoelace Tying Class for our kindergarten to second grade students on Wednesday, September 18th, from 2:45 to 3:30 PM. This fun, hands-on class is designed to help kids master the art of tying their shoelaces with ease and confidence.

Due to space limitations, we have a cap of 20 participants, so be sure to sign up early! If the class fills up, don’t worry—just get on our waitlist by emailing Mrs. Kuha at ckuha@thesaintannschool.org, and you'll receive priority registration for the next session.

To reserve your spot, please sign up using the following link: Shoe Tying Class Sign Up. We look forward to seeing your child there!

CYO Joseph A. McNesby, Jr. Golf Outing (Wednesday, September 18) - The 32nd Annual CYO Joseph A. McNesby, Jr. Golf Outing will be held at Deerfield Golf Club in Newark. Proceeds support youth and athletic programs that benefit the young people within our diocese and community. More information on contributing to this event by becoming a sponsor, donor, and/or registering to golf can be found online.

Diocesan Eucharistic Congress (Saturday, October 5) – Register now for a Spiritual Journey! Join Bishop Koenig and our diocesan family on October 5, 2024, at the Ocean City Convention Center for the Eucharistic Congress, "The Eucharist: The Source and Summit." This day-long event will deepen our faith and strengthen our community through worship, reflection, and celebration. Don't miss this powerful opportunity to reconnect with the core of our Catholic identity! Register at https://www.cdow.org/EucharisticCongress/

• September 10: Opening School Mass, Formal Uniforms for Middle School; Parent Social

• September 15: Catechetical Sunday - Parishes celebrate catechists & religious education programs

• September 17: Picture Day, Formal Uniforms for Middle School

• September 19: Back to School Night for parents, 6:30-7:30 pm

• September 20: Casual Day - $1 to Support Missions

• September 28 & 29: Share in the Sprit Collection at Weekend Masses - student volunteers needed!

• October 5: Diocesan Eucharistic Congress

• October 8: Diocesan Rosary Pilgrimage

• October 11: T1 interim

• October 14: NO SCHOOL, Columbus Day Holiday

• October 15*: School Mass, Formal Uniforms for Middle School (* denotes a change in date compared to earlier editions of the Mustang Memo)

• October 23: Half-Day for Students, Parent Conferences

• October 24: NO SCHOOL for students, Parent Conferences

Special Note: STAR Testing will take place during the week of September 23

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

Ms. Rachael Casey, Principal

rcasey@thesaintannschool.org

302-652-6567