January 19, Dear St. Rita Parents,

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1 Our generation will show that it can rise to the promise found in each young person when we know how to give them space. This means that we have to create the material and spiritual conditions for their full development; to give them a solid basis on which to build their lives; to guarantee their safety and their education to be everything they can be.." - Pope Francis January 19, 2016 Dear St. Rita Parents, Please join us for National Catholic Schools Week, our annual celebration of what makes education at St. Rita School outstanding. Starting with the 9:30 A.M. on Sunday Mass on January 31, we have a whole week of activities planned to show what our students are accomplishing and to celebrate the community we have built to educate tomorrow s citizens and church leaders. Please show your support for our school by attending the 9:30 Mass where our students will serve as lectors, altar servers, gift bearers and choir members. This year s National Catholic Schools Week theme centers on community: Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service. The theme highlights the fact that schools are not only communities themselves; they are also part of many other communities, including families, parishes, towns/cities and our country. The theme also focuses on key elements of Catholic education: faith development, academic excellence and dedication to service. These elements set Catholic schools apart from other educational options. They are why families make sacrifices to provide their children with a Catholic education. I also invite you to visit St. Rita School on Monday, February 1 during National Catholic Schools Week beginning at 8:40 A.M. to attend a student-led Prayer Service followed by an Open House for parents. Please encourage your friends and neighbors, particularly those who may be considering Catholic education for their children to consider attending one of our Welcome Days every Monday that school is in session.

2 I am grateful every day for the teachers, staff, board members, parents and volunteers who make our school a success. National Catholic Schools Week is a good time for all of us to thank them for their dedication and service. Thank you for entrusting your child to our care. Have a great week. God Bless, Mrs. Tiezzi Prayer Corner Let us remember to hold the following people and intentions in our prayer: St. Rita Parishioners All those who pass our school on Whitney Avenue For all those who serve us in the Armed Forces For peace in the world For those who are unemployed For those who suffer with addiction For vocations to the priesthood and religious life For Sr. Maureen Fitzgerald For Sr. Elaine Lattanzi For a special intention For Caroline, a young girl battling a serious illness For a Friend who has cancer

3 NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY CLOSING ( including INCLEMENT WEATHER NOTIFICATIONS) Notifications of school closings due to inclement weather prior to the school day's start will be on local TV stations. (Under normal circumstances if HAMDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED due to inclement weather ST. RITA SCHOOL will be closed unless a phone call/ is sent changing the message). It is suggested to watch WTNH or other local TV stations for information regarding school closings. If it is necessary to close school due to unforeseen circumstances parents/guardians will be notified using the designated primary address and primary cell phone numbers indicated by parents on their emergency information. It is important that parents/guardians keep these numbers and addresses current at all times. Parents may update their personal information at anytime by logging on to the Edu-connect parent portal. Home and School Association "Spring Festival 2016": Please look for a Save the Date flyer in today s white envelope. More exciting information and details to come!! SCHOOL NEWS WELCOME DAYS: For Prospective Families every Monday from 9am-11am when school is in session. Stay Connected with SRS! Visit us on Facebook and Twitter! Facebook: PARENTS: Mrs. Tiezzi welcomes parents to stop by the 1 st Wed. of each month during regular school hours to discuss any concerns or share any ideas that you may have. Get your Spirit on for St. Rita School Catholic Schools Week! Please see attached flyer and order form!!

4 Caritas Christi Center 295 Benham St., Hamden, CT Phone: Fax Kids Night Out (ages 4-12) Movie: Frozen Friday, January 22-6:00-9:00 pm Drop off the kids and enjoy an evening out! A safe evening out which will provide a movie, crafts, snacks and fun for the kids. Facilitator: Sister Jeanne Marie Vonder Haar, ASCJ. Donation: $10 per child, $25 for families of 3 or more children. To register please call Meister Eckhart - Mystic of God s Love Saturday, January 23-9:30 am -3:30 pm Meister Eckhart wrote about the intimate relationship we can develop with God who dwells within us. This intimacy, traditionally developed through silent prayer, can transform us and the world. Facilitator: Therese Saulnier, Coordinator of Contemplative Outreach of New Jersey. Requirement: Centering Prayer Practioner. Donation: $30.00 (Bring your own lunch; beverages and dessert will be provided) To register please call The Holy Year of Mercy (book study) (Tuesday program) Eight Tuesday mornings or evenings, January 26 March 15, 9:30 11:30 am or 7:00 9:00 pm God s boundless mercy has become the recurring theme of Pope Francis preaching and teaching. He desires that we understand the mercy of God that he has called for an extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. This faith-sharing guide provides an opportunity to participate in the holy year in a meaningful way. Each of the eight sessions features a Gospel passage followed by a homily on that passage by Pope Francis. Questions for reflection and discussion focus on both the Scripture text and the homily. Facilitator: Sr. Jeanne Marie Vonder Haar, ASCJ, Director of the Caritas Christi Center. The donation for this program is $45 which includes the book. You can pick up your book any time after January 20. To register please call

5 The Holy Year of Mercy (Wednesday program) Eight Wednesday afternoons, January 20 March 16, 1:00 3:00 pm Please see January 26 posting for details Film Study: The War Room Wednesday, January 27, 6:30-9:00 pm With great jobs, a beautiful daughter (Alena Pitts) and a dream house, the Jordans seem to have it all. Appearances can be deceiving, however, as husband Tony (T.C. Stallings) flirts with temptation and wife Elizabeth (Priscilla Shirer) becomes increasingly bitter, crumbling under the strain of a failing marriage. Their lives take an unexpected turn for the better when Elizabeth meets her newest client, Miss Clara (Karen Abercrombie), who encourages the couple to find happiness through prayer. Facilitator: Jim Pepitone, MA Theology, MA Peace Studies, Certificate in Spirituality Donation: $8. To register please call