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Monday, March 15, 2010
Principal McKay’s Message to Charleston Catholic Families
2009-2010 School Theme – Unlocking God’s Gifts
Spiritual Reflection
Fourth Sunday of Lent Gospel of Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32
In the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus emphasizes the need for all of us to seek reconciliation when we have sinned. Let’s focus on the actions of the Father in the parable. He reaches out to both sons, for different reasons and in different ways. When the younger son returns home, the father leaves his house and goes out to greet him. He accepts his confession, welcomes him back in the family, and has a party for him. The father shows unconditional love for his “prodigal” son. Also, the father reaches out to the older, obedient son who refuses to participate in the celebration for his younger brother and sees the father’s actions as unfair. The father talks with the older son outside the house, tells him how much he appreciates his obedience over the years, and encourages him to embrace the return of his younger brother. Thus, the father shows unconditional love for this son, too. Like the Father, God shows unconditional love for us – at all times – when we are obedient or disobedient. God is always there for us, and it is up to us to seek God’s mercy, grace and love.
Gift of Problems / Opportunities: We have several opportunities for spreading the good news about Charleston Catholic School this week. Our students and teachers are participating in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Charleston on Wednesday. Some of our fifth grade students are helping at the Neighborhood House soup kitchen on Thursday. Some of our teachers, students and parents are walking in the Walk for Water on Saturday. Let’s represent CCS well in the community. Go Saints!
School Masses – Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church
• March 17: No Mass; prayer service in the church, 8:15 to 8:40 a.m., led by Fourth Grade
• March 24: Third Grade (Fr. Henry Kulah - celebrant)
• March 31: Eighth and Second Grades (Fr. Greg Wilson – celebrant)
School Communication
1. Best wishes to our Girls 7/8 year old basketball team as they play in the championship game today at 5:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s gym (West Ashley). Go Saints!
2. Today is the beginning of summer uniforms for the students.
3. Our school is participating in the Walk for Water on Saturday, March 20, starting at 9:00am at Cannon Park in downtown Charleston. Some of our teachers, students and parents have already signed up for the Walk. We are supporting Water Missions International with their efforts to provide safe water to people in developing countries and disaster areas, like Haiti. Please consider participating in the Walk or sponsoring one of our students, teachers, or parents. Go to www.watermissions.org/walk to register. We realize that there are several walks / runs on that same day for other worthy causes, and so if you choose to support something else we understand.
4. Upcoming school holidays and school-wide events (mark your calendars):
• March 17: St. Patrick’s Day – whole school will participate in the parade down King Street in the morning, return to CCS for “Irish” lunch organized by each homeroom, and then conclude the school day with a talent show for students. Students will wear their PE uniforms on this day. We will have a prayer service, not Mass, before we walk in the parade.
• March 18-19: Multicultural Days (each homeroom is planning its own activities)
• Easter Break: April 1 – 11
• Memorial Day weekend: school holidays on Friday, May 28 and Monday, May 31. We are taking May 28 as our “Bishop’s holiday” that we were granted.
Student Activities
• Tennis Matches this week:
• Middle School Team – March 15, 4pm, at Jack Adams, vs. Blessed Sacrament
• Elementary Team – March 17, 4pm, at Jack Adams vs. Mitchell
• Elementary Team – March 18, 4pm, at Maybank Tennis Center, vs. Memminger
Development – PTO – School Board
• Auction Notes:
1. Auction invitations to go out by e-mail today. Look for them. Forward them by e-mail to friends, family, neighbors, and business associates.
2. There are paper invitations in the school office if anybody needs one.
3. This year’s auction (April 24, 2010) will be held at the Marriott Hotel on Lockwood Boulevard. The Marriott room rate for Charleston Catholic on the night of April 24th is $139.00 and this rate is good until March 24th. Make your reservations (723-3000) if you want to stay there.
Fred McKay, Principal Fmckay@charlestoncatholic.org (843) 577-4495
