It was a chilly night, but we gathered together to sing carols under the stars!  So many of our families were there singing and laughing together making it the perfect night! 

After caroling, we headed downstairs for a delicious holiday meal when suddenly we heard bells ringing....  To what did our wondering eyes did appear...but great old St. Nick in his holiday cheer!  

Thank you to everyone who came out for this night of Christmas fun!  If you weren't able to attend, I hope you will join us next year!

Each year at the St. Patrick Auction, one of the gifts we offer up for bidding is "Christmas Cookie Decorating with Ms. Monaghan and Mrs. Orr".  This year, one of our 2nd grade students won this fun filled afternoon of cookies, icing, sprinkles, and fun!  Not only did our students decorate cookies, they created their own chef hats, and built gingerbread houses, too!

One of the things that came out of Covid that I truly LOVE the most is "Parking Lot Caroling".  Gathering as a community in song is something that is so magical, and this event is one that truly kicks off the holiday season for me!  

Some people decorate their cars (sort of like Trunk-or-Treat, but with Christmas lights and decor) and others just show up bundled up and ready to sing!  We circle up and join our voices together for an experience that is so much fun!!

Immediately following caroling, we'll have a Holiday Family Dinner in the Parish Hall.  Each family is asked to bring one holiday dish to share.  It's a great meal and a great time to meet people and have a little fun.  Rumor has it, there will even be a special visitor from the North Pole!

​I hope to see YOU there!

If you've never been around a classroom in the months of November and December, you might not know how hard it is to get our students to stay focused and on task, let alone memorize songs, dances, and lines!  As I stood in the back of the gymnasium last night, my heart was completely full.  From watching Mrs. Tomes lead our students with passion and joy to watching our students perform the most amazing Christmas production I have ever seen, I found my eyes filled with tears and my soul filled with pride.

I wish I had videoed the entire production, so I could watch it over and over again.  It was a truly magical night!

It's the 2nd week of advent and Father Matthew reminded us to stop rushing and hurrying around.  Instead, he reminded us that this is the season of waiting.  We should spend time reflecting, praying, and appreciating the blessings in our lives.  It's a wonderful to spend with family and friends, playing games, baking cookies, watching Christmas movies, and praying together!

I am so proud of these students who volunteered to lead at our weekend student led mass today.  It takes a lot of courage to volunteer as a lector in front of such a huge crowd, and these two students were like professionals!   Not only that, a student volunteered to be the cross bearer - because it's something he LOVES to do, two students volunteered to be servers, and two students volunteered to bring up the gifts.  It always makes me so happy to let our students shine in front of our parishioners!  

As I looked around the congregation, the pews were filled with St. Patrick students.  I am so grateful to our families for bringing their children to this student led mass today!

Thank you to all who came out for the St.  Nick's Small Mall this weekend! Children had the opportunity to purchase and wrap gifts, create a beautiful ornament, and have a visit with Santa Claus!!  

We had such a fun night at the PTO's December Parent Mixer & Ornament Exchange!  These FREE events are a great opportunity for our families to get to know each other and to have a little grown-up fun.  

We are incredibly blessed to have Miss Shannon and Miss Vicki who work hard to plan a fun night for the kids during these parent events, too!  

If you've never attended a Parent Mixer, I highly encourage you to give it a try!