Happy end of October.  I keep hearing bewildered exclamations at how quickly this school year is going.  I tend to agree!

I wonder how you would complete this sentence:  "The only real sadness, the only real failure, the one great tragedy in life, is ________________________________."  (answer will be given below...keep reading).  This week we transition into the month of November, the first day of which we celebrate the Communion of Saints, and remember our call to be saints in our own day, in our own workplace, in our own homes.  We often think of saints as a genre of art called "still life", but the saints are real, alive, and very active.  They sit in the pew next to you, or perhaps you tuck them in each night at bedtime.  We are called to be saints right where we are.  The call to be a saint is one that encompasses our whole being - utilizing our gifts, overcoming our temptations, relating to other people, giving our time, talent, or treasure.  At times when life becomes busy, and we spin our wheels in our routines, we get caught in the small circles we have made for ourselves and forget where we are headed in this life.  The feast of All Saints Day, a day we are obliged to attend Mass, gives us pause to re-focus our lives around Jesus Christ, who is our center, and remember that our life is not our own, but our lives and our salvation are a gift of God our Father and our Savior.  All the people in our lives, all the great treasures and memories we have amassed, the difficulties and struggles - all are meant, in one way or another, to direct or re-direct our attention to God, who alone can fill us.  Come this Friday to our School Mass or to the evening Mass and resolve once again to put God at the center of your life, then do what you will.  The original author of the above statement was Leon Bloy of the previous century.  He completed in the statement as follows: "The only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint."  Become who you were made to be!  There is nothing more important, more loving, more powerful that we can do for our children , or that will better prepare them for their futures,  than to become saints ourselves! 

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Walk/Run: Thank you to all who are helping to who are helping on the Making a Difference Race/Walk for Saturday, November 9th.  If you or your children wish to participate, please complete a registration form for each person, and return them to the front office.  Forms are available in the front office.  T-shirts are guaranteed to those who register by Thursday, October 31st.  If you wish to volunteer, please contact Pam Garrett at snoopypamg@yahoo.com.  We are looking for course marshals, registration table coordinators, and people for set up. 

Science Fair: The whole school science fair will be on display on Thursday November 7th.  We invite everyone to attend, and in particular, the middle school students can have an opportunity to speak with the judges and answer questions about their projects.  Mrs. Rizzi is offering some extra credit to students who attend.  OLMC uniform is optional for this evening.

Book Fair: a two-for-one: The book fair will also be open on the evening of November 7th, so it is a great night to come to OLMC!!

End of 1st Trimester: The first trimester ends on November 15th.  Please keep in mind that while the grading standard has changed for report card and GPA purposes, the School will maintain its higher standard of eligibility for principal's list, academic honors and eligibility, and also for athletic eligibility.

St. Albert's Feast Day: In honor of St. Albert, patron saint of scientists, the OLMC 8:15 School  Mass on November 15th will be a special Mass in honor of local Catholic and Christian scientists.  Following the Mass Dr. Bill Smart will give a brief presentation on integrating faith and reason in the life of the scientist.  While this is particularly relevant to anyone engaged in the field of science, research, engineering, medicine, it is of wide interest simply for all who live in our culture today.  All are invited for this Year of Faith presentation at St. Michael's Hall.  ________________________________________________________________

Scholastic Book Fair! Our yearly Scholastic Book Fair dates have changed.  Scholastic Book Fair - Monday November 4th - Friday, November 8th

Monday, November 4th              8:00 - 5:30
Tuesday, November 5th              8:00 - 5:30
Wednesday, November 6th         8:00 - 5:30
Thursday, November 7th            8:00 - 8:00

(Science Fair Night)
Friday, November 8th                 8:00 - 3:00