September 23, 2014 Dear Parents, God s peace! I recently came across an old West African fable called God s Hat. It speaks of God walking as an old man through a field where four friends were gathered. God thought he d have a bit of fun with them, so he donned a hat the front was red, the back black, one side was green and the other blue. As the friends walked home to their village that night, they began to talk of the old man who passed through the field. One insisted that the man wore a red hat the other that it was black the third had no doubt it was blue and the fourth stood his ground firmly stating it was green. The four friends argued back and forth until they reached their village and it was apparent by their manner that they were no longer friends. The fable ends with a reminder that divisions still remain there are factions that believe they know who God is beyond a doubt. Others disagree and claim they know God s characteristics and God s ways still others define God and disregard anyone who believes in something different. An interesting story how often do we claim to know God to know where he is present to be sure of who knows God s ways and who doesn t The reality is that when we are most certain that we know who God is he is as elusive as the old man in the field. God is present and in the midst of our every day lives always. He is never absent. We need to seek Him and we need to believe that He works in and through us as well as working in and through others (providing we get out of His way!) God is so in love with us, that He bombards us with opportunities to meet Him in our every day experiences. He might grab our attention with a lyric that takes us beyond the song itself He might give us a moment at a traffic light to bring to prayer the needs of a good friend He might open before us an incredible vista of sun and sand that nearly takes our breath away He might plant in our email a word of encouragement, affirmation, or assurance (and He is clever enough to sign it with another s name) He might give us pause in the presence of a child s simple words He might set our hearts on fire with a word or phrase from Scripture that comes at just the right time He might comfort us with a hug, a look, or a note filled with compassion
We may not know the color of His hat but we can be assured that the hue of God s heart is flush with every face that can recognize Him and wonder. Gerard Manley Hopkins, a Jesuit poet, said it best when he wrote: The world is charged with the grandeur of God Let us pray to have eyes and ears open never quite sure of who God is so that we might meet Him in places we never imagined and delight in His presence. May we pray with rather than clash with those who experience God differently In prayer, Sr.Maureen 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 Syria and in the Middle East For those who are unemployed For those who suffer with addiction For vocations to the priesthood and religious life For Anna Zambory For Dr. John Polio
Home and School Association Working together to build community Check the HSA link on our website at www.stritaschool.org for forms and other information. THE WALK A THON is THIS SUNDAY! Please join us after the 11:30 Mass for a fun day to kick off the new school year! We are collecting non-perishable food donations all this week, please send your items to school by Friday. Perishable food items can be dropped off on Friday, Sept 26 th, between 7:30-9:00am and 2:30-3:30p at the gym door. Please refer to the donation letter that came home in the white envelope. IT S GOING TO BE A GREAT DAY!!!! VOLUNTEERS ARE STILL NEEDED FOR THE WALKATHON! If you can help for the day an hour we need your help with setup, cleanup, crossing guards, first aid, food drop off day 7:30-9:00 a.m.). Please contact Lauren Ruggiero laurruggs@gmail.com or Kristina Cappetta klcappetta@yahoo.com if you can help. HELP OTHERS HELP SRS! BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS supplied SRS with bags that went home last week in the TUESDAY ENVELOPE for the "Fill-a-Truck" clothing drive. The more clothing, linens, shoes, etc. that we collect, the more $$ we raise for St. Rita School and more importantly the more we can help BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS! One truck = $500; two trucks = $1000! So, while you are cleaning out closets getting ready for cooler weather - fill a bag to donate and we'll "Fill-a- Truck"! Drop off bags of clothing between 11am and 1pm at the Walk-a-thon and then enjoy the walk! (PLEASE DO NOT BRING IN CLOTHING PRIOR TO THE WALK A THON!!!) FIVE BELOW St. Rita School Fundraiser September 15th - October 15 th (410 Universal Drive - North Haven, CT) 10% of the dollars spent by you will be donated back to ST RITA SCHOOL. Don t forget to bring the attached flyer to the event and hand it to the cashier so that credit is given for your purchase! Flyers are not allowed to be handed out in the store or shopping center. Feel free to make copies, forward and distribute to your friends, family, co-workers, etc.
HALLOWEEN AND PARTY FUNDRAISER - It's frightfully easy to earn money for our school and save 10% on your Halloween Costumes and Party needs. Purchase decorations, costumes and supplies for Halloween, Parties, Plays and more. Simply go to the website listed on the attached flyer (flyer also available on our website) and use our promo code FUN3146 at checkout for 10% off, and 15% of your purchase will go to St. Rita School. Please see the flier for more details. This fundraiser is year-round so once Halloween has past you can continue to shop for all your party and entertaining needs. Tell your family and friends! Questions? Contact Joanne Bruno at joannebruno@ymail.com. SPIRIT WEAR "Get your Spirit On at the Walk-a-thon." The following items will be available for purchase: water bottles ($6), spirit bands ($3.50 each or 3 for $10), head bands ($3.50 each or 2 for $6), bumper stickers ($3.50 each or 3 for $10), tote bags ($18), rugby scarves ($16.50), spirit fingerz pom-pom gloves ($25). Long sleeve t's ($15) and flannels pj pants ($25) are available in very limited quantities! Questions? email Joanne Bruno at joannebruno@ymail.com Please note that all sales will be cash or check only! SCHOOL REWARDS Check out the many ways to help St. Rita School earn money for free! Visit http://www.stritaschool.org/ and click on Rewards Programs. FREE MONEY!!!!! SCHOOL NEWS OUR TREE OF HOPE is filled with great HOPES for our families, our school, our community, our nation and our world. Please stop by and prayerfully read a few I know you will be moved. If you want to add to the tree there are tags and pens near the tree. May God hear our HOPE FILLED PRAYER! PINWHEELS FOR PEACE Today we celebrated a beautiful prayer service that focused on the theme of PEACE. Each year millions of students around our nation create pinwheels as a reminder to live in peace within ourselves within our families within our communities within our world YEARLY ASBESTOS NOTIFICATION is attached.
DOGS We are certain that everyone s dog is the tamest and gentlest of dogs but please don t bring dogs on school property! Some students are frightened even allergic so please keep them at home! THANK YOU!!!! IMPORTANT AFTER SCHOOL CARE INFORMATION So that we can provide for the best after school care experience for all our students, it is vital to register your child the week prior to your need for After School Care. If we do not have sufficient staff for students who do not register, then we will be in a position to deny students this service and a parent will need to pick up his/her child. We do not want to do this; however, without sufficient staff based on registration from the week prior, we will need to do this. PLEASE REGISTER STUDENTS AT LEAST THE WEEK PRIOR TO NEEDING THIS SERVICE. We understand there are emergency situations, and we want to be able to provide for those situations. Thank you for attending to this matter. IMPORTANT HOT LUNCH Please make sure forms and payment for HOT LUNCH are sent into the office by the due date. We cannot accept late forms and payment because orders need to be processed and food ordered in a timely way. Thanks for helping us in this matter. VOLUNTEERS Anyone who wishes to volunteer in any capacity at St. Rita School needs to be background checked and needs to attend a VIRTUS training session. Please contact Sr. Anne for necessary forms and additional information. The next VIRTUS training session is on September 23, 2014, 6:00PM at St. Stephen s School in Hamden. LIBRARY If you are interested in assisting in the library this year please contact our Librarian, Carissa Civitello ccivitello.stritaschool@gmail.com. HIGH SCHOOL NIGHT All 7 th and 8 th grade parents and students who attend St. Rita School or St. Stephen School or parish are invited to attend. All area Catholic High Schools will be represented. October 8, 2014, at 7PM at St. Rita School. HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Sacred Heart Academy: October 19, 2014 from 1PM-3PM Notre Dame High School Sunday, October 19, 2014, from 1PM-3PM Xavier High School: October 26, 2014, from 1PM-4PM Fairfield Pre: October 5, 2014, from 2PM-4PM
PARISH NEWS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Children s Liturgy of the Word offers the children of our parish the opportunity to celebrate the liturgy in a way that is relevant to their lives and experiences. It takes place during the 9:30am Mass every 1 st and 3 rd Sunday of the month. The children process downstairs to the DPC and hear the Gospel reading. We are looking for volunteers to help become part of our team to present Children s Liturgy of the Word. A small time commitment is necessary to become part of this special ministry. We aren t able to offer this special opportunity to the children without your help. All of the materials are provided to you ahead of time. Please contact Megan Zinn at 203-281-7522 or St.Rita.ORE@gmail.com if you are interested or for more information. Thank you! MASS WITH THE ARCHBISHOP to celebrate St. Rita Church s anniversary! Save the date: December 7, 2014, at 11:30AM. HAPPENINGS AND INFORMATION** ALPHA ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM Tutoring and Mentoring Fall, Winter, Spring Sessions October 11, 2014-April 11, 2015, for girls in grades 4-9. Tutoring given by YALE UNIVERSITY students and professionals. Saturdays 1:30PM to 3:00PM at St. Thomas More at Yale University. Call 203 393 3396 or 203 507 7812 for more information or to register. **St. Rita School does not endorse any event in COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS. Posting these notices is a community service
Spiritual Offerings Book Study: Made for Love, Loved by God Eight Thursdays, September 18 - November 6 On Thursday, September 18 from 7:00 9:00 pm at the Caritas Christi Center, Sr. Patricia Cigrand will lead an 8 week book study of Made for Love, Loved by God. In his book, Fr. John Michael Cameron,OP, editor-inchief of the popular monthly publication the Magnificat uses Scripture, literature, film, and spiritual writings to open us to the mystery and magnificence of God s special love and to draw us closer to that love. His insights clear away the misconceptions and obstacles that keep us from a closer relationship with the Divine. The donation for this program is $40 (includes the book). To register please call 203-281-2569. www.caritaschristicenter.org Film Study: Unconditional On Wednesday, September 24 from 6:30-9:00 pm at the Caritas Christi Center, Jim Pepitone will screen and lead a discussion of the movie Unconditional. After Samantha Crawford s husband is tragically killed, she loses her will to live. At her lowest point, she answers a cry for help and saves a child s life from an almost fatal accident. Through this child she has a chance encounter with an old friend, Joe, who works with children in low income neighborhoods, and she finds her life turned around. This heart- warming film is based on the true story of Joe Bradford. The donation for this program is $8 (includes snack). To register please call 203-281-2569. www.caritaschristicenter.org Introduction to Centering Prayer Practice (Centering Prayer Program) On Saturday, September 27 from 9:00 am 1:00 pm at the Caritas Christi Center, Sr. Carolyn Severino, ASCJ, Director of Adult Faith Formation at Sr. Mary Parish, Branford, will lead a contemporary presentation of the discipline of Centering Prayer as silent communion with God beyond concepts, words and images. This form of prayer is contemplative, a form so needed in our culture. Learn the way to peace of heart and mind. All that is required is an open heart. The donation for this program is $50 (lunch included). To register please call 203-281-2569. www.caritaschristicenter.org Ongoing Centering Prayer On Saturday, September 27 from 1:30-3:00 pm at the Caritas Christi Center, Sr. Carolyn Severino, ASCJ will lead a session of Centering Prayer. The session includes Fr. Keating DVD, centering and Lectio Divina. (Prior experience with Centering Prayer helpful.) All take place at: Caritas Christi Center 295 Benham St., Hamden, CT 06514 Phone: 203-281-2569 Fax 203-407-8965