Mrs. Mulvanerty's Update

May 11, 2025

Hello SKS!

It's my honor to wish all of our moms a VERY happy Mother's Day today! Let's face it, motherhood is not an easy job. In this day and age, many moms feel pressure to be "perfect" or to raise “perfect children”—whatever that even means. We sometimes think of motherhood as an idealized image -- peaceful babies sleeping through the night, children who are always polite and well-behaved, and maybe a home that feels like and HGTV episode. We scroll through social media feeds and see curated images of smiling kids in matching outfits, and it can feel like everyone else has it together, and that having it together is somehow the "norm."

The truth is, God never called us to raise perfect children or to be perfect ourselves. God calls us to love. To show up, again and again, with patience when we’re exhausted, with forgiveness when we’re hurt, with compassion when we’re frustrated. Today's gospel of the Good Shepherd reminds us of that. He doesn't expect his sheep to be perfect -- he doesn't love them because they never wander (or because they get straight As, or they are perfectly behaved) -- he loves them even when they stray. And that's what motherhood is. We are shepherding our children, but they aren't projects to perfect or problems to solve. We are called to love with patience, gentleness and mercy, because love is always stronger than perfection.

And, just like the sheep don't earn the Shepherd's love by being flawless, neither do we have to earn God's love by being perfect mothers (or fathers for that matter!) He's already loving us, guiding us, and walking with us, even when it is hard. I happen to think that it's especially in times where things are hard that God's grace meets us the most.

In all of this, we have the mot perfect model of motherhood in Mary, the Blessed Mother. Imagine what it was like for her to say "Yes" to God's plan without fully knowing what that would mean; to love a son and watch him grow and to watch him suffer. Mary's love as not based on perfection -- it was rooted in trust and surrender, and a deep, unwavering acceptance. As mothers, and especially during this month of May and today on Mother's Day, we can look to Mary and pray for that same grace - to let go of picture-perfect, and to embrace the beautiful, messy, holy reality of the children God places in our lives.

As we celebrate Mother's Day, here are a few ways to let go of perfection this week:

• Say yes to presence, not perfection. Sit down and play a board game, read a story, or just take a walk with your children, knowing this is enough.
• Pray a simple Hail Mary when you feel overwhelmed. Ask Mary to be with you in the messy moments.
• Compliment yourself once a day. Don't focus on what you didn't accomplish -- name one thing you did well.
• Put away all comparisons. Take a social media break and focus on your own family story.

This week, let's let go of the pressure to be perfect and embrace the beauty of loving, right where we are.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

G.B.Y.*,

Mrs. Mulvanerty

*God Bless You!

The beloved tradition of our May Procession is coming up on Tuesday, May 13! Students must report to their classrooms no later than 6:15, and the procession will begin promptly at 6:30.

Please pay attention to the attire noted below:

Students in grades K,1,4,5,6 wear their winter uniform. Students in grade 2 wear their Sunday best. Students in Grade 3 wear their First Communion attire, Grade 7 wears Confirmation robes, and Grade 8 wears graduation robes.

This event is mandatory for all students. We look forward to seeing you there!

SKS students are invited to participate in a meet-the-organ workshop on our Ruffattiorgan with visiting organist, Joseph O'Brien from Yale University. Mr. O’Brien will givean introduction to the organ, demonstrate how it works, play some music for the students and answer questions. Students will also have the opportunity to play the organ! Mr. O’Brien will also give a 45 minute recital on Friday evening.

Space is limited. Students grades 3-8 will be

chosen based on their music background and

interest in the organ. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Laura Kerr directly, at choirdirector@sksparish.org.

A huge thank you to Mrs. Kerr for providing such an exciting musical opportunity for our SKS students and community!

Sign Up Here: https://forms.gle/ZUmrJZmeDCqJDpGu6

Mark your calendars and start your training: The Holy Sprint is on Saturday, May 17th at 8 am! Registration is open NOW.

What is the Holy Sprint? Glad you asked. There are two events - a one mile fun run and a 5k. Both races are on the same, one-mile course through beautiful South Wayne. The 5kers will run the loop three times.

This event is open to students, parents, friends of SKS, walkers, strollers, wheelchairs, you name it! Not a runner? Grab a friend or your kid and download the couch to 5K app!

Participants receive a tshirt, timed race chip, refreshments and bragging rights! Students who participate will be allowed to wear their Holy Sprint tshirts to school on Monday, May 19th.

Want your business's name on signs around SKS and the race tshirt? Become an event sponsor. We have three, very reasonable tiers for sponsorship, and only a few remain! Sponsorships are open to individuals and businesses. See the attached flyer for more details.

Come out to cheer on our runners and help along the race course! If you'd like to volunteer, sign up HERE!

Everyone is invited to the parish center after Mass for our last parish coffee of the year!

• Hosted by CYO
• All children who received First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation this spring, please wear your special sacrament attire! Home and School has arranged for a professional photographer to snap pictures of the children with their family and friends.
• Congratulate Deacon David on his graduation from Villanova – with cake! Watch for the date of his ordination, which will take place at SKS.
• Faithful Families will offer a service project during the coffee.

The SKS Fall Classic on October 6, 2025 is a tremendous opportunity to bring our entire SKS community together, while raising some significant dollars for the school!

The day is a combination of events that start with a racquet outing at Overbrook Golf Club, a golf outing at Philadelphia Country Club, and a reception at Philadelphia Country Club that evening. It is open to all friends of SKS, which means we are casting our fundraising net beyond the current parents that includes alumni, alumni parents, and parishioners. All proceeds will go to benefit the school through the governance of the annual fund. We have the capacity for 30 foursomes, around 50 racquets players, and 250 dinner reception tickets. Some portions of those categories have been pre-sold as part of larger sponsorships, so I strongly encourage anyone with interest to jump on the ticket information here to register.

Thank you for your continued support of SKS and we look forward to seeing you on October 6th!

Tom and Moira Hobson, Event Chairs
Bud Tosti, Coordinator of Development and Alumni Relations

There are some great new camps open for summer! Please click here for more details about after school clubs and summer camp opportunities.

For more announcements about SKS activities and clubs, CYO, and parish activities, click here!

May 13 - May Procession

May 16 - Electives, Grades 5-8

May 17 - SK5K

May 20 - Middle School Youth Group

May 23 - No School

May 26 - No School

May 29 - Ascension Thursday, Monthly School Mass

May 30 - 8th Grade Exams

June 2 - 6 - Final Exams

June 3 - Kindergarten Graduation

June 5 New Family Ice Cream Social, 8th Grade Graduation Party

June 9 - Spirit Day, Noon Dismissal

June 10 - 8th Grade Graduation, Noon Dismissal

June 11 - SKS at the Phillies, Noon Dismissal

June 12 - No School - Faculty In-Service

June 13 - Last Day of School! Closing Mass with Dismissal immediately following

8th Grade visits Washington DC!

Celebrating Mary in the month of May!

Third grade learns order of operations in math.

DINO DAY in 3rd grade!

Home and School celebrates faculty and staff during Teacher Appreciation Week!!! Thank you, H&S!!

Kindergarten Mother's Day Brunch!

5th Grade visits the Philadelphia Zoo!

Enjoying new books!

4th Grade Wax Museum!

7th grade parents honor 8th grade parents at the annual 8th Grade Parent Dinner! Special thanks to all who made the night special -- including Nick Duncan, who set the vibe by playing piano!