Fr. Simon's Letter - August 21, 2022

Ready or not, school starts again this week. Teachers returned this past week with renewed enthusiasm and contagious confidence. Our principal Mrs. Carlson worked extra hours this summer to find the best teachers available to minister to our children. The four new faculty members are excited to be part of a school that has distinguished itself as a 'Blue-Ribbon School.' Our maintenance staff worked hard to prepare the school for opening day. The masonry work on the Lemont and Keene buildings was our top-priority this summer, and we finished those projects on time. The improvements made to the Keene building lobby are already appreciated by the teachers and will surely be a welcome surprise to the students.

Families are busy dropping-off kids at college, making arrangements for high-schoolers to carpool, and preparing to see their grade-schoolers begin the year with excitement. We are excited to welcome 570-plus students for the 83rd time to Queen of All Saints. Among our students, we are honored to have the children and grandchildren of alumni parents and grandparents. Building upon the great legacy of Monsignor Dolan, who established our outstanding school over eighty years ago, we continue building a firm foundation for the future. While Catholic Education, as witnessed in previous generations, has continued to change, one thing has been consistent since the time of Monsignor Dolan. The core of Queen of All Saints School continues to provide your children with a quality education centered around our faith. The theme for this school year is 'God Is Present in Our Lives.' It will be celebrated at school Masses and be part of everyday prayer, learning, and other school activities.

Catholic education is about developing saints and scholars, planting the seeds of virtue and truth, and flourishing faith, mercy, and love. Anything less cheats our school children of their God-given dignity. Generations of believers who have gone before us gave us an inheritance: Queen of All Saints School and Queen of All Saints Basilica, each built by labor, love, faith, and sacrifice. The generosity and witness of those who came before us made our faith, parish, and school possible. We are honored to continue to build upon the legacy of such a firm foundation entrusted to us.

Parents, thank you for entrusting your child to our care and education. I know that your child's education and future are of great importance to you. The fact that you are making the sacrifice to send your child to a Catholic school is a sign that you want only the best for your child. And so do we! Please be assured that we will work very hard to provide the education that will help ensure the future you wish for your child. While we will do everything we can to provide a rich, solid Catholic education, we cannot do this alone. You, too, are a vital part of your child's education. Your weekly attendance at Sunday Mass and continued presence and participation in our school and parish activities are equally important to your child's Catholic education.

As the school opens, so do many parish ministries and activities. We have 40 ministries in the parish that celebrate and live out our mission statement of being and becoming a community ‘committed to Christ, sharing God's gifts, and building the Church together.' At our 'Mass on the Field' on September 11, the Parish Pastoral Council and parish ministries will present a 'Ministry Fair.' The 'Ministry Fair' will be an opportunity to learn about and become a part of the ministry and mission of the parish.

I look forward to seeing you as we come together in active participation to build our community together. We are the Body of Christ and contribute to its growth together!

Blessings!!