Weekly Staff Update
Holy Rosary Bilingual Academy
Message from the Principal - May 6th
I also want to say a very heartfelt thank you for all of the special messages from everyone pertaining to my time here at Holy Rosary and the loss of Father Wagner. I having been waiting to read them until I had time to really sit down, take a breath, and reflect on them because I knew they would be special...and make me cry...again. That day was finally today. I can't express how much your kind words mean to me. Your support and encouragement makes all the difference. It has been a stressful couple of months with the loss of Darrell, Father's medical situation and now his passing, and the gala. The blessing through it all, though, was to see how all of you took over and filled in for me during my absence (physical and emotional). There is no greater gift to me than to be able to spend the time at the hospital in support of Father and his family and you all allowed me to do that. You are all so special and I am grateful to each and every one of you for the special gifts and talents that you bring to the work we do each and every day.
Last night, the Bishop said something that really made me think. He said that life is not meant to be easy. The apostles were told, after all, that if they wanted to follow Jesus, they must first pick up their cross. The Bishop said that he wants to have scars and battle wounds when he goes before the Lord. This signifies the hard work that he did here on Earth. Life is not easy, but it is not meant to be. That is where our faith comes in and why it is so important for us to teach our children to rely on that in the good times and the bad times...and to always be grateful to God for the lessons He gives us. Thank you for the work you are doing in the classrooms and throughout the school to prepare our children for a life of battle...in Jesus' name and through His strength.
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4
Have a wonderful week and please make sure to read through everything in preparation for the funeral this week.
Blessings,
Katie Dempsey
Upcoming
- John A and Gabe are at a Marzano conference in Colorado
- Set up in the auditorium for the funeral reception - no meals in the auditorium today!!!! Also, no drama practice unless it is ONLY on the stage. The main auditorium is off limits. Thank you.
- Staff meeting at 3:20 in Doris' room.
Wednesday:
- No school for students. Salaried staff need to be at school from 9-2 for funeral and reception presence and assistance. The only hourly staff that need to be present are Gricelda and Lizbeth. Funeral at 10 am
Thursday:
- John A and Gabe are at a Marzano conference in Colorado
Friday:
- All school mass at 9 am with Father Jose
Funeral Info
- The Vigil will be held on Tuesday evening from 6-9 pm at Visitation church. All are welcome. Light refreshments will be provided immediately after the vigil in the Visitation Hall.
- School will be closed on Wednesday due to the large number of people on campus, the parking situation, the time of the funeral and reception, and the desire of staff to be present for the funeral. We know this can present problems for families who require childcare and we thank you for your understanding during these difficult and extraordinary circumstances.
- The funeral will be held at 10 am on Wednesday and will be celebrated by the Archbishop. We are expecting dozens of priests, as well. In total, we will likely have 700 or more people in attendance for the funeral and a few hundred for the reception in the school auditorium. The funeral is at Holy Rosary Church and the reception will follow immediately in the school auditorium. All are welcome to attend the funeral and reception.
- Graveside services will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Seattle at 10 am on Thursday. All are welcome.
- If you have a sympathy card for the family, please address it to Father Wagner's mom and dad, Maria and Andew Wagner. You may leave it at the school. The family will all be staying at the Holy Rosary convent all week.