Upcoming Dates of Importance!
Monday, May 1st - 1-hour delay, curriculum work
Sunday, May 7th - First Holy Communion, 2:00 pm
Friday, May 19th - All School 8:15 am Mass. 8th grade recognition/awards. Grade 8 early dismissal
Tuesday, May 23 - Last Day of School
- All-School 8:15 am Mass followed by San Damiano Awards.
- Early dismissal at 1:00 p.m.
- 8th Graduation Mass at 7:00 p.m. in the Church
Wednesday, May 24th - Used Uniform sale in the afternoon/evening TBD
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS! Next week marks National Volunteer Week and I must stress how much all in the school appreciates so many of our parents, grandparents, parishioners, and friends of St. Charles who give of their time and talent to keep our school running smoothly. Without your effort & kindness, the successful development of our students academically, physically and spiritually would be severely diminished. Obviously you do not do it for the pay :), but you are appreciated. Every day next week, during our morning prayers, 870+ will be praying for you, our blessed Volunteers! Happy Easter & keep up the good work! -Rob S.
ABOUT BOMB THREATS, SCHOOL SHOOTINGS, LOSING LOVED ONES, & STAYING HOPEFUL, STRONG, & APPRECIATIVE
Dear Parents and Students - Happy 6th Day in the Octave (8 days) of Easter! I hope you are well! I mean this sincerely as life can be very fragile and very trying at times. Nearly 40 school corporations around the State of Indiana received bomb threat messages this morning and most closed their schools out of caution. Additionally, the continuing cycle of school shootings also weighs on the minds of parents across the country as lives are sensely lost. And finally, with great sadness, our school community has been hit hard by the loss of parishioners, parents, graduates, and newborns. It is a lot.
The bomb threats and school shootings, after analysis of motive (despair, loneliness, revenge, anger, mental illness, etc.) boil down to, in the end, a manifestation of evil in the world. Most of us know this, but we become numb to the idea that there is spiritual warfare going on all around us all the time on this earthly plane and on the spiritual plane. To plot and plan chaos and death with no care, or feeling, or love for others or self is of darkness. The time of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, Herrod’s persecution of the babies, the endless wars throughout history and the unsettling events and division of our time - it would be easy to withdraw, not become involved, stay safe - even give over to despair a bit. “There is nothing we can do about it.” But there is. The answer is with us today, on this Friday of the Octave of Easter, and He is with us always and is our example of the Light vanquishing the darkness.
On Tuesday we laid to rest Mrs. Patricia Kelly, 86, one of the last Founders of our Parish, who gave guidance and love to her late husband and a host of energetic, red-headed children. On Wednesday, we laid to rest George Schenkel, 32, after a long illness. A graduate of St. Charles - a son, brother, friend. On that same day, we also lost Matt Ostermeyer, 46, - a devastating shock - leaving a wife, a mother, and four children. On Thursday we laid to rest a newborn, Tyler Mason Wyss, son of Adam and Jamie, a one-day old twin born April 3rd along with his brother Camden who he had to leave behind along with his twin siblings in PreK Parker & Rylee Wyss. In his short life, Tyler was Baptized, held, kissed, loved, and passed away in his Mother’s arms. Camden is in NICU still, but progressing well. The opportunity to assist with meals for the family can be found here.
Such a spectrum of life amongst the four lost - 86, 46, 32, & one day old. Of course there is grief. Mourning. Anger. Confusion. Loss. But in the end, we do not despair. We do not give into the darkness. We are children of the Light. We draw our strength from understanding that all four have moved on to something greater. The beautiful. The love. The purpose. The same awaits us through our belief and salvation in Christ. And while we wait for our time, we do not cede this world to darkness. We must fight like heaven!
We are strong. We must bring light to others. Heal family wounds. Hug loved ones. Put our phones away. Connect with neighbors and old friends. Pray unceasingly. Thank God and others for being with us. Make a good confession. Partake in the Eucharist as often as possible. Keep a rosary in our pocket and Mary on our lips. Build others up. Lead others to Christ. And address and stand against all the evils in the world, both subtle & overt. Light overcame darkness. Christ overcame evil. Be love. Speak truth. Profess Christ. -Rob S.
ILEARN for grades 3-8 starts Monday. We will start with ELA assessments on Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday the first week. During the week of April 17, students in grades 3-8 will take Math assessments on Monday and Tuesday. Grade 4 and 6 students will take Science assessments on Wednesday and Thursday. Grade 5 students will complete a Social Studies assessment on Wednesday. Testing will start first thing in the morning. Please be at school on time with a charged Chromebook. Students will need earbuds or headphones.
