Crusader Chronicle
St. Ignatius of Antioch Elementary School
Mary Leads Us
I pray that you are enjoying this last month of summer, as you prepare for school to begin soon!
In the life of the Church, the month of August hinges on the celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which is celebrated on August 15, right in the middle of the month. The Assumption of Mary is an important event in the Catholic Church, so important that the feast day is given the distinction of being a Holy Day of Obligation and the Assumption is given the distinction of being the Fourth Glorious Mystery of the Rosary. You may ask, "What is the Assumption of the Virgin Mary?" On the feast of the Assumption of Mary, we celebrate that Mary, who was sinless all of her life, was taken to heaven at the very moment she died, that God honored her special place in salvation history by taking her, body and soul, to Himself. We believe this to be true because we believe that God would not want to allow Mary's human body, which carried our Lord Jesus, to be corrupted by death. We believe this to be true because, although there was a tomb for Mary, that tomb was found to be empty, and no relics of Mary were ever found.
This is a beautiful belief of the Church; it shows God's love for Mary, and it reminds us that Mary, as Jesus' first disciple, was immediately rewarded with the gift of eternal life that Jesus won for all of us. Mary's Assumption turns our attention to heaven, as we see her once again leading the way to her Son and our life in heaven with Him.
"Almighty and ever-living God, who assumed the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of Your Son, body and soul into heavenly glory, grant, we pray, that always attentive to the things that are above, we may merit to be sharers of her glory." (From the opening prayer for the Mass on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
Preparing for a New School Year
Prepping Classrooms
New Playground Equipment
New Administrative Assistant
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, August 24th, at 6:30 pm, is the New Parent Social. This social is for new parents, to welcome them and answer questions.
Wednesday, August 31st, from 2:00-3:00 pm, is Meet Your Teacher. This is one of two opportunities for parents and children to stop in before the first day of school.
Wednesday, August 31st, from 3:00-5:00 pm, is the first day of the Uniform Exchange. If you are looking to give or exchange uniforms, or if you are looking to find some uniform items, please stay after the Meet Your Teacher hour. Please enter at the Blue Canopy Entrance.
Thursday, September 1st, from 2:00-3:00 pm, is also Meet Your Teacher. This is the second opportunity for parents and children to visit before school starts.
Thursday, September 1st, from 3:00-5:00 pm, is the second opportunity for the Uniform Exchange. Please enter at the Blue Canopy Entrance.
Wednesday, September 14th, at 6:30 pm, is Back to School Night. Please come and hear presentations about your children's classes, school events, and volunteer opportunities.
Saturday, September 17th, after 4 pm Mass, is the Parish Picnic. Please sign up on the parish website.
Saturday, September 24th, at 6:00 pm, is the St. Ignatius School Welcome Back Beef and Beer. More information about this fun event will be available at the Uniform Exchange and at Back to School Night.
CYO News
Other Important Information
The bus schedules and assignments arrived in the mail to the school office this week, so the schedules will be posted on the school website next week.
We are updating the School Handbook for the new school year, and we will be posting the new handbook on the school website next week as well. The majority of the 2021-2022 School Handbook will continue to be followed, so please continue to refer to the 2021-2022 School Handbook for your school year planning. The 2021-2022 School Handbook is on the school website.
As you are aware, COVID-19 mitigation measures have been lifted in the state of PA, so, we will begin this school year without the need to wear masks at school. We will, of course, support the choice of any family or individual who chooses to wear a mask at school. We ask all families to continue to encourage frequent hand washing, to watch their children for symptoms, and to keep their children home if they are sick.