Congratulations to our present students and alumni whose works were chosen to be shown at the Inter scholastic Art Exhibit featuring the work of students in our local Catholic grade schools, Bishop Canevin High School, and OLSH. The art will be on display from 12-8 on Saturday, October 30, and from 10-3 Sunday, October 31, in Fr Kelty Hall. Stop after Mass to view and enjoy the students’ artistic accomplishments. Special congratulations to Mrs. Bartlett and Mrs. Kennedy from Bishop Canevin who chair this event each year. It is their dedication and hard work that makes it possible to recognize and encourage our young artists in such a wonderful venue.
Tour the gallery below and view the pieces created by present students and alumni . Clicking on an individual piece will allow you to enlarge it. Enjoy!!

Normal 0 0 1 98 564 School 4 1 692 10.1316 0 0 0 Mrs. Ravenstahl’s 2nd grade class shared their excitement for Halloween with the clients of Meals on Wheels by making tray favors for them. Several Moms helped with the project of creating pumpkins from tissue paper. Attached to each pumpkin was a pumpkin prayer which the children said for their special friends.
Pumpkin Prayer
Father in Heaven, Like a farmer, you have watched me grow And picked me out from all the rest to house your light and grow.
Open my mind to think of you. Open my mouth to sing.
Open my eyes to see your world and share the joy you bring.
Open my heart to be your home- a warm and welcome shell.
Washed clean of sin. A place wherein your love may dwell.

Miss Nucci’s 3rd grade class did a book report in a bag project in which they read a mystery book and then decorated a bag to represent a scene from the book. In addition, the students were asked to place 7 mystery objects in the bag that were related in some way to the characters, setting, plot, or theme of the book. The objects were used as the clues for an oral presentation.

In anticipation of All Saint and All Souls Day, the 6th grade Spanish students participated in a Spanish tradition celebrated on that feast by creating traditional Ofrendas. The word Ofrenda means offering in Spanish. They are also called altares or altars which remember and honor the memory of their deceased relatives. The ofrenda is set on a table along with flowers, a crucifix, candles, incense, clothes, pictures of the deceased, and special foods.

Our annual Halloween Candy Collection will be held November 1 -3.Students are encouraged to share some of their trick or treat goodies with Allegheny Valley School, Meals on Wheels, soldiers in Iraq, and Citizen Care. Please send your donations and place them in the collection boxes in the main hall.

In religion class, Mrs. Ravenstahl's second graders are talking about meeting Jesus in the Sacrament of Baptism.  Since most children do not remember their own baptism, it is nice for them to talk about the experience with family at home. Each student in 2A is invited to share a baptismal picture, remembrance or other item with the rest of the class this week.  Items ranging from Baptismal garments, candles, certificates, photos and gifts were shared. It is very enjoyable for the children to learn the symbolism of the sacrament using items that tie them to the sacrament in a meaningful way.  The children look forward to more opportunity for learning by sharing as the week continues.

Our annual Respect Life Rosary was held in the courtyard last Thursday. This tradition began in 1985 and since that time, we have been honoring the Blessed Mother and praying for greater Respect for Life as a part of Respect Life month. Again, we were blessed with good weather and have never had to hold the event inside.
 In keeping with the  theme“The Measure of Love is to Love Without Measure", the students wrote their name on hearts which form the word life in the school windows.As a part of the service , we planted a hosta  in our Respect Life garden in memory of all of our older parishioners and our grandparents who have helped our school. We especially remembered Bernice Sigh, a St. Philip parishioner and Joseph Hayes, grandfather of the Gamble and Hayes families, who are examples of the people in our lives who loved without measure. The variety of hosta we have chose has heart shaped leaves and is hearty. It grows in all kinds of soil and in all kinds of conditions. It symbolizes the strong love Bernice and Joseph had for the things that were important to them in life. Like many of our elderly parishioners, Bernice was devoted to her Faith and prayed constantly, especially for our school. She did without many nice things so that she could share her resources with anyone in need and was particularly generous to our school. Mr. Hayes showed how dedicated our grandparents have been. He was a devoted Father and Grandfather. He too had a great love for his faith that helped him to give constantly of himself to his children and grandchildren even when he was ill. Neither he nor Bernice ever tried to measure the cost to them of giving to others-they, like all of our grandparents, just loved and gave.