Principal Steve Hammond shares a special song as he reflects upon parenting and ‘letting go’ as our children grow older.

Time: 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM
Where: Saint Patrick Green

The Reverend Joseph H. Metzger, Jr. will conduct this blessing of all living pets that may appear with their keepers. Father Metzger will also bless stuffed animals of our youngest students, as well as pictures of pets who not able to travel to Saint Patrick. During this service we will honor the patron saint of all domestic beasts, Francis of Assisi. Following this blessing, the pets will be invited to return to their charges for safe keeping as well as departure for home.

Location: Saint Patrick Catholic School Dining Hall

More details to come.

My office is next to Nurse Wohner’s clinic, so I get to see a fairly steady stream of children who make their way to see her. Besides being a professional of exceptional competence, Karen is kid magnet. They flock to her. She treats their hurts and scrapes, takes their temperature, gives them ginger ale for upset stomachs, and in her wonderful tone, reassures them, that: “Every little thing’s gonna be alright.” It’s priceless to watch.

The transition to school always brings a few challenges…new routines, getting up earlier, new studies and relationships. In the first few weeks of school, Nurse Wohner sees a goodly share of youngsters who just need a little reassurance more than anything else. She is just the right medicine.

Often, in passing through the clinic, I’ll enjoy the opportunity of chatting with a student and join Nurse Wohner in providing a soothing word or two. In one instance recently, it didn’t take much encouragement for a student to provide me with an amazing amount of his genealogy. He is mid grammar school and he could trace back to his great, great grandparents! One grandparent hailed from Nicaragua to which I replied, “All the way down to South America, hey, little man?”

Very thoughtfully he replied, “Well, actually Mr. Hammond, Nicaragua is in Central America. You know … that strip of land between North America and South America?”

Out of the mouth of babes.

Progress Reports will post at 9:00 am on September 29.

Saint Patrick Catholic School is excited to launch its Chapel Reflections Podcast project! In our first broadcast, principal Steve Hammond talks with the school community about the JOY principle and the power of forgiveness.

All students and parents interested in the band are invited to an informational meeting after school today, Wednesday, September 03, 2008. The meeting will begin at 1:45 PM in the music room and last approximately 45 minutes.

If you are interested and unable to attend, please contact Band Director Mike Finn at mfinn@stpcs.org.