Saints Speak – Empty the Tank - 3/21/2019
Are you ready for Spring Break? I think that everyone – whether you are a student, parent, teacher, or administrator – is looking forward to a little time off. Some of us will be taking a trip; others will enjoy a ‘staycation’ here at home. A few of us will be resting, recuperating, and regaining our strength, as many of our ASCA families, parent and student alike, have been dealing with illness.
My wish for you all over the coming week is to enjoy this special time off with each other. The gift of time is one that is precious. It is one that is easy to waste. It is one we can take for granted. It seems like we never have enough of it. We can never go back and reclaim time that has passed. We only have the memories of time to hold dear, and hope that they do not fade over time. Time is finite. We never know when we will run out of time. A dear friend of mine always used to say, “We are only here for a visit.” He was a very wise man of great faith.
In the last week, our school community suffered the devastating loss of a school parent. In the fourteen years of All Saints’ existence, we have dealt with this type of loss a few times, and it is never easy. Our hearts are broken for each family. We cannot imagine how we would deal with a similar circumstance. I am heartened by the outpouring of support in so many different forms that has come from our school community for the Arias/Navas family. What a testament to the kind, compassionate, and loving Christ-like arms, feet and hearts of our All Saints school community, and how they have embraced Elizabeth and Daniela, and wiped away their tears.
On Monday morning of this week, we celebrated the life of Ricardo Arias at his funeral Mass at Our Lady of Mercy, and said goodbye. No one expected Ricardo to leave us so soon, too soon. Father Mark Bernhard, our All Saints Catholic Academy Chaplain and Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy, gave a beautiful and moving homily that truly reflected the type of man that Ricardo was. Ricardo loved his God, his faith, his wife, Elizabeth, and his daughter, Daniela, with all of his heart. He did not hold back. He did not equivocate. He was all in. He emptied the tank. Father Mark challenged all of the men in attendance to empty the tank like Ricardo did.
Quite frankly, I believe that everyone hearing those words and that challenge, myself included, looked inward and asked themselves, “Am I emptying the tank?” Am I fully invested in the lives of those that I love?” Do I love my God with all my heart, mind and soul? Am I making the most of the precious gift of time that I have in the here and now, that might not be here tomorrow?
Let’s make the most of this coming Spring Break, and each day going forward. Let us be good stewards of our time with each other, and spend it wisely. Let’s love harder, deeper, and more profoundly. Let us all empty the tank.
DDA 2019 – Coming Home Update
Thank you to the entire ASCA Community for your part in making the 14th Annual DDA – Coming Home! – such a wonderful success! From sponsors to donors, participants to the ASCA staff, as well as the incredible parent committee who organized this effort, we are filled with gratitude for your support, your efforts, and your generosity in supporting the All Saints community! What a beautiful homecoming!
While receipts and final accounting are still ongoing, the event was a huge success by all accounts. Our Fund-A-Need campaign in support of the renovation of McSherry Hall raised an incredible $37,700 with a goal of $45, 000! As a result of your generosity, renovation is set to begin this summer! Donations are still being accepted in hopes that we can reach our goal. Checks can be made out to ASCA and sent to the office marked McSherry Renovation.
They say “home is where the heart is” and there can be no doubt that ASCA is a very special home for so many! Thank you for supporting All Saints and DDA!
2018-2019 Family Fundraising Obligation (FFO) Statements
2018-2019 FFO statements are coming home with youngest and only students today via backpack mail. Statements will be mailed to families who are absent today and tomorrow. Any remaining FFO balance that is due should be paid by 8 AM on Friday, April 5.
Fundraising payments not received by 8 am on Friday, April 5 will convert to tuition. This unpaid amount will be divided in two, and added to FACTS tuition account balances to be paid on Monday, April 22, and Monday, May 20.
Please send your check payment in an envelope marked "Fundraising Obligation". If you have any questions on your fundraising obligation, or you believe that there is an error or omission in your statement, please send an e-mail to fundraising@ascacademy.org with your specific question(s).
Spring Book Fair Update
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! At this time we are only $270 short of our goal for the book fair? Can you help us reach it our goal? We are only $270 short of everyone receiving an out of uniform day! In order to reach our goal, we have extended the online shopping until this Saturday, March 23. Please visit the online fair site at: http://www.scholastic.com/bf/allsaintscatholicacademy1.
Resurrection Eggs Coming Back to ASCA
After we return from Spring Break, our Student Voices will begin taking orders for Resurrection Eggs. What are Resurrection Eggs, you ask? When you purchase one you will surprise a friend, teacher or staff member with an Easter egg filled with jelly beans and a special prayer.
- Who: K-8 grades can purchase Easter eggs for $1.00 each.
- Where: Submit order form and exact money to your Homeroom teacher
- When: Order from Monday, April 1st to Monday April 8th
Eggs will be distributed at the end of the day on Friday, April 19th. To purchase an egg, simply click here for the form. You can pay by cash or check. Please turn in the exact money as no change can be given. Please be sure to list each student that you are purchasing an egg for; do not list, for example, 'All of the students in 1A'.
ASCA NOW News
Be sure to check out the recent edition of the ASCA NOW News, produced by our 8th grade students. Click here for the ASCA NOW News from March 18, 2019.
Chapel News
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be held every day during Lent at 7:50 am (except Wednesdays) in the Chapel. Join us for 10 minutes of quiet reflection and prayer to start your day during your Lenten journey. All are welcome! Prayer guides will be available. The Rosary will be held Wednesday’s at 7:50 am in the Chapel. All are welcome! The Rosary will be said bilingually. Guides are available. Check out Catholic Apps do download Chaplet of Divine Mercy or Rosary prayer guides https://catholicapps.com/13-best-catholic-apps-for-2017/. There are so many events happening in our parishes throughout the Lenten season. We encourage you to visit their websites to find out more.
Please plan to join us for Eucharistic Adoration as we return from Spring Break on Wednesday, April 3.
Spirit Wear Sunday
For those of you who will be in town for Spring Break - our next Spirit Wear Sunday weekend will be March 30/31. Our places of worship where we live out our faith journey is a very important and special place. It is where we minister to others, and where we our ministered to.
We encourage you to show your school spirit on Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31 by wearing something that identifies you as part of our All Saints family. In turn, you may identify and establish a relationship with other school families, strengthening our bonds outside the walls of All Saints. You also will be entered into a drawing to win an Out of Uniform pass. It is a great feeling to have a sense of belonging and connection with each other. For more details about Spirit Wear Sunday, please click here.
GO SAINTS!!
Check Us Out on Social Media - We welcome all of our new followers!!!
A Tremendous Thank You to the Cornerstone Sponsors of
Coming Home, ASCA Dinner Dance Auction 2019
For more information, please click on the Cornerstone Sponsor logos above.
We encourage you to patronize these generous sponsors.
Please share with them that you are an ASCA family, and thank them for their support of All Saints Catholic Academy.
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