A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal

Dear Families,

Christmas is a time to relax, reflect, and enjoy the beautiful moments of the season. It is also a time to share the gifts of love and peace. It is so important to remember that without Christ there would be no Christmas. He is our life, love, peace, hope, and joy. I am always so grateful to be a part of a Catholic community where Christ is always at the center of everything we do. Thank you for sharing the gift of your children with me and our staff. They truly ignite the joy of learning!

This Christmas season please say some extra prayers for our music teacher Mrs. Smith. She has been in the hospital since Thanksgiving. After having surgery, she developed some complications. She will not be able to return to teaching until the fourth quarter as long as she heals correctly. We will hire a long-term sub for the third quarter. Please pray for Mrs. Smith and all members of our community who need prayers for healing and comfort.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Mrs. Perrault

In this issue of Martyr Messenger:

Admin Updates: Christmas Break, December Saint of the Month, Talent Show, Uniform Reminders, Lunch Pricing, Italian Feast, Artist of the Month, Archdiocesan Educator of the Year Nominations
Sports Club Updates: Soccer Registration
Home & School Updates: Musical Registration, Yearbook Photos, Middle School Dance
Parish Updates: Christmas Mass Times, Free Throw Contest, Middle School Youth Ministry, Sign up for a Holy Hour
Community Updates: Mt. Michael Coaches Clinic, Play it Forward Winter Sports Camp, Catholic High School Entrance Exam Dates

Administration Updates

Merry Christmas Break!

We will dismiss at 11 AM tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 20th. There will be no Pre-K or Preschool tomorrow. Classes will resume Tuesday, Jan. 7th. Have a wonderful & restful break!

December Saint of the Month: St. Stephen

St. Stephen the Martyr was a man filled with grace and power. In his final moments, St. Stephen displayed great forgiveness and asked God not to hold the sins of his attackers against them. Hundreds of years after his death, he is still a role model for us to follow. Teachers and staff watched for students who show mercy and patience for others. Congratulations to our December Honorees!

Early Childhood Honorees

(L to R) Eli Turco, Tiago Braga, Damien Cooley, Izzy True

K-8 Honorees

(L to R) Top Row: Alexa Titman, Ava Caldwell, Colin Hagerty, Melki Boko, Dominic McGregor, Shivali Sahgal, Ellie Wise, Samantha Wichman

Middle Row: Lyla Kountze, Sutton Munson, Ben Havlat, Brock Cunning, Reid O'Leary, Emiliano Sandoval, Ally Rose Dieckmann, Fitz Paus

Bottom Row: Emily Tauriella, Camila Rodriguez Perez, Sydney Trujilio-McCoy, Londyn Loseke, Charlie Erickson, Gianluca Stephen, Graham Plugge, Joseph Veit

Talent Show Registration Deadline Extended!

Register by Jan. 6th | Extended to include 3rd & 4th Graders!

The Talent Show takes place during Catholic Schools Week, scheduled for Jan 27-31st. Please contact Mrs. Tucksen at j.tucksen@stephen.org with any questions.

Open to all 5th - 8th graders
Up to 6 students per act
Auditions on 1/8 and 1/9 after school on the music stage
All acts should be 2 min 30 sec or less
Selected acts will attend a final rehearsal on 1/22/25 after school
Great ideas include singing, playing instruments, dancing, skits, magic acts, acrobatics, and unusual stunts /tricks
All acts should be appropriate in every way, including language and costumes if applicable
No lip-syncing or improvisation

Order Uniforms from DiGiorgio's Early!

Dennis Uniform has closed it's business. DiGiorgio's Custom Apparel will now handle uniform needs for all the Catholic schools in the area. If you need to order more uniform pieces, please order early! See pg. 42 of the Family Handbook for Uniform Guidelines. Reminder that khaki colored shorts/skorts/skirts are options for grades 6-8.

Visit DiGiorgio's

Lunch Pricing Change

Due to state requirements, the price for an adult lunch will now be $5.15 beginning 1/1/2025. Prices for TK-8th lunch will remain unchanged. This new price does NOT apply to student lunches. Thank you!

Italian Feast Fundraiser

Jan. 11th | 5-9 PM | Dining Room

Artist of the Month Honorees

It is time to announce new honorees for the Boden Reischl Artist of the Month! We've rounded up another great group of talented artists and are excited to share them with you! You may view their art displayed in the gallery outside the music room or online at school.stephen.org/art. Congratulations to our honorees!

View Art

Nominate our Teachers for Archdiocesan Educator of the Year!

Nominate Here!

Sports Club

Register for Spring CYSL Soccer by Jan. 9th

Register Here

Home & School Updates

Matilda Jr. the Musical

There's still time to register! Rehearsals begin the week of Jan. 6th.

Learn More & Register Here

The cast list has been announced! Congratulations to our actors!

Matilda: Lizzie Bruce (Act 1) Scarlett Atkinson (Act 2)
Trunchbull: Ava McCartney (Act 1) Rachel Savicky (Act 2)
Miss Honey: Kayla Cooper (Act 1) Rylee Zucchelli (Act 2)
Mr. Wormwood: Silas Wolford (Both Acts) also plays Dad in MIRACLE
Mrs. Wormwood: Kenzie Gibbes (both Acts) also plays Mum in MIRACLE
Ms. Phelps: Emma Zubia (Both Acts) also plays Mum in Miracle, and Russian
Acrobat: Olivia Herstein (Both Acts) also plays Mum in Miracle and Sergei
Escapologist: Miguel Guerra (Both Acts) also plays Dad in Miracle and Russian
Michael: Nolan Harr (Both Acts) also plays Dad in MIRACLE
Rudolfo: Jack Harr (both Acts) also plays Bruce in ACT 1
Lavender: Joy Delma (Act 1) Madeleine Cooley (Act 2)
Bruce: Jack Harr (Act 1) James Ramsey (Act 2)
Amanda: Charlie Jo Lantz (Act 1) Eva Guthmann-Leany (Act 2)
Erica: Kyler Lavalee (Act 1) Sam Pearson (Act 2)
Nigella: Gwenny Brown (Act 1) Aliyah Hinman (Act 2)
Alice: Katelyn Keller (Act 1)
Tommy: Ellie Wise (Act 1)
Hortensia: Reagan Heinen

Yearbook Club Needs Your Photos!

The Yearbook Club is off and running creating another great book of memories for all grades, but we need your help! We are asking for picture submissions throughout the school year that capture all the fun memories of classroom parties, events, sacraments, milestones and other fun activities for all our students. Use the button below and make sure to select the grade or activity appropriate album when submitting. Thank you for your help in collecting the '24-'25 school year memories!

Submit Photos

Save the Date! Middle School Dance

Parish Updates

Christmas Mass Times

Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest

Middle School Youth Ministry Announcement

During the early days of this new liturgical year, it seems fitting to introduce this second of two articles updating you all on the momentum behind a new Middle School Youth Ministry program at our parish. I am encouraged by the positive feedback this initiative has received. I am particularly grateful to Tiffany Cole who has generously offered her time and energy to lead this effort. She is collaborating with Adam Ybarra, our Director of Mission, to advance this important ministry.

Our new program is in line with our mission that “…all encounter Christ, know Christ, and proclaim Christ.” This means that providing an atmosphere in which an experience with the living God is at the center. To that end, I invite you to please consider sharing your talents with our middle schoolers, whether they be musical gifts for praise and worship, organizational, activity-planning, or other skills that may benefit our youth. While a schedule is not yet firmly established, the gatherings are expected to be monthly on Sunday evenings. The presence of Safe Environment Certified adults will be most helpful. If you would like to assist in any way, please contact Adam (a.ybarra@stephen.org), and he will get you in touch with Tiffany and the Middle School Youth Ministry team.

I am excited about this opportunity for the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in our parish. Please keep them in your prayers. May God bless you all in a particular way in this holy season of Advent.

Peace,

Fr. Matthew