Letter From the Pastor
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September 6, 2020
From the Desk of Father Raaser
Happy Labor Day! As Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of summer, this weekend is the unofficial end of summer. In this very strange year of 2020, the question being asked is did we have a summer? It seems ever since March, one day flows into the next, without any noticeable differences. We missed spring, and for some, summer too, no travel, no vacation, and not even one trip to Disney. Now it is Labor Day Weekend. Usually one feels excitement in the air for a new school year with back to school shopping; malls being crowded, and waiting for the first day of school and who will be my new teacher, new classmates. Sadly, not this year, things are different. For some, the first day of school will be like the last day of school—done through Zoom or Google.
This Tuesday, September 8th, the Feast of the Birthday of Our Lady, St. Margaret’s School will open its 67th Academic Year. It promises to be a year like no other!
Coming back to school this year, temperatures will be taken at the door, each student will be assigned to a particular group with no other mingling with other students, wearing masks with “mask breaks” throughout the day, social distancing, lunch in the classrooms, headphones and laptops, the arrival and dismissal will be very different as well. And the one Catholic school memory most of us old timers have: a class trip to the bathroom, twice a day! I still remember at 10:00 AM and at 1:00 PM, after lunch, whether you had to or not, you lined up and went into the “lavatory.” And God forbid if you took too long or were too loud, Sister would barge right in. The more things change, the more they stay the same!
Yet the most important aspect of school-life remains the same: the love, and the dedication of our nurturing teachers, staff and principal working, trying and doing their very best. Difficult as it is for the students in learning through computers at home, imagine the teacher. No one in their wildest dreams ever thought schools would operate like this. We as family pray for our school family, that they will be kept safe and free from all serious sickness, that in spite of the difficulties, their year will be filled with a love for learning the mysteries of God, and a deeper appreciation of all who help and love and protect them.
I also want to publically thank Mrs. Maldonado, our Principal. One cannot imagine the hard work, the many hours including her own time, even at nights and weekends making sure everything is safe and ready for our children, teachers and staff in returning to school. Also thank you to Mrs. Maul and
Mrs. McGowan for their hours of hard work in the offices.
So as we begin our new year, we pray for God’s loving protection upon our school family, and our school building which in October will see our PREP children and catechists and staff returning.
Lord Jesus Christ, who bade your apostles to pray that peace might come on any house they entered, we entreat you to bless our school building dedicated for the education of the young. Bestow your peace and blessing on it in full measure, so that its teachers and pupils may experience your saving grace, as did Zaccheus when you came into his home.
Bid your Holy Angels to keep guard here and to drive away all power of the enemy.
Inspire the teachers with knowledge, wisdom and holy fear. Foster their pupils with grace from on high, so that they may grasp, retain and put into practice the lessons they are taught. May teachers and pupils alike so please you by a truly virtuous life, that they may finally deserve to be received into your everlasting home in heaven; through you, Jesus Christ, our Savior and our God, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen
Welcome Back to All!