Blue Letter: September 12th, 2008

The Most Holy Name of Mary

Dear Families:

Last Tuesday, one of the parents approached me with flyers. On Sunday, I heard an important homily at Saint Sebastian’s. On Monday, _________ gave me the information following this paragraph. Nudged along, thrice, I thought I would share with you all. Not that we need the convincing, but it never hurts to be better armed with reasons, should we need to discuss it with others. And, to boot, we need to pray for common sense and goodness to prevail in Prop 8 and Prop 4.

Re. Prop 4: See http://www.yeson4.net/ for information. A good man from San Diego has spent nearly $5 million of his own money to try to get these props passed. Let us help out passionately with our prayers and our vote.

Re. Prop 8: Please inform yourself and inform others. Click on site below and then on your own category–Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish–for a one page (front and back, PDF format) explanation of facts concerning the traditional concept of husband/wife marriage and the probable changes to our society if same sex unions are given equal status.

We have had forty years of the media pushing the envelope in regard to sexual morality and effectively de-coupling sexual activity from the institution of marriage in the minds of many, especially the young. Enough harm has been done. In my teen Confirmation class at the parish, it is an up-hill battle to present a message many have never heard and to demonstrate that the traditional concept of marriage alone leads to happiness, holiness, and deep and abiding personal contentment/fulfillment.

No one is out to put gays in jail. It is a free country; they can live as they want. This is not a case of bigotry, unjust discrimination, or fear of someone different from ourselves (homophobia).

It is the legal status that will make the harmful difference in the world our children inherit.

Please read the material here and encourage others to do the same. Bring a copy to your pastor. Possibly he will include it in the Sunday bulletin. Make copies to hand to others.

In California, please vote yes on Prop 8. Enough confusion about marriage exists already in our country.

Love and prayers,
_________
www.nationformarriage.org
http://www.nationformarriage.org/site/c.omL2KeN0LzH/b.3480051/k.6A4D/Why_Marriage_Matters. htm

JOG-A-THON - Today was the Jog-a-thon Kick-off. This fun Fall event is an opportunity for the children to have a hand in helping provide for 1. their own education AND, 2. the continued founding of this school. It is a great time for everyone - lots of fun, lots of prizes and great success as part of keeping the Academy operating, (not to mention a great story for our benefactors! $20,000 raised by only 100 students!)
SEE the Jog-a-Thon Packets.

CONGRATULATIONS to _________ - _________ has received another scholarship toward her college tuition bill from the Italian-American Federation. Nota bene: When looking for how to pay for college, check many sources, organizations, etc. Every little bit helps!

Paris, City of Light - GALA AUCTION and DINNER DANCE - See the enclosures for information which is starting to come together for our Big Event!

CONFIRMATION - Attention 8th graders and others needing to be confirmed: Confirmation classes will begin at St. Sebastian’s on September 14th at 3:00 PM. For more information call _________ at
525-4551. This program is great, attracting confirmandi from all over the county.

TOMORROW!!!!!
LIFE CENTERS OF VENTURA COUNTY FASHION SHOW LUNCHEON - Saturday,
September 13th, from Noon -3:00 PM. Call 486-2721 for information or reservations.

HIGH SCHOOL ART - Taught by _________ , Mondays and Wednesdays, Period 7. Starts 9/15.

VOLLEYBALL - Girls Volleyball starts this coming Thursday. Coach _________ and her girls take on the other Catholic Schools in the county, and a few other schools, too, in order to defend their Dual Crown. Last year our girls achieved Championship Status: First Place in the league, and winner of the Tournament. A schedule for the season is enclosed. Please come cheer our girls and have fun watching a great sport. This Thursday our girls play St. Mary Magdalen School at 3:30 PM, in Camarillo.

DIRECTORY CHANGE - Please note the following changes to the directory. Go ahead and pencil in the change while you are reading this so you don’t forget and end up not having it noted:

CALENDAR NOTES

Sept. 24th College Night - MAY BE MOVED TO OCTOBER
Sept. 26th Progress Reports
Sept. 30th PICTURE DAY: Full Uniform!
Ora Pro Nobis:
This weekly section provides us with a list of prayer intentions. These provide us the important opportunity to help members of our school family in their need. For a friend of many families at SAA, _________ who is thankfully recovering from a very devastating heart attack and coma. For a great Catholic man from Virginia, _________ , involved with Seton School in Manassas and Christendom College in Front Royal. He died saving his 20 year-old son from drowning, and perished in the act. We pray for his son to recover and for the whole family and community, rocked by this tragedy. For _________ continued recovery. For two-year-old _________ (friend of the Sandovals), who fell injuring her liver. We continue to keep all our friends and family in our prayers. Let us pray for one another.