Message From Mrs. St. John
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The Epiphany of the Lord
The story of the magi, the three wise men, who traveled from the East to pay homage to Jesus as the King of the Jews, is part of our Christmas tradition. But have you ever thought about who these wise men were? How did they know to follow the star? Was it revealed to them? Were they that wise? How did they know?
In the first chapter of the Venerable Fulton Sheen’s Life of Christ titled “The only Person Ever Pre-Announced,” he describes the wealth of prophecies of the coming of Christ, not just in the Old Testament, but also from cultures all over the ancient world. He cites the Romans: Tacitus, Suetonius, Cicero, and Virgil. He cites texts from the Greeks from Aeschylus and the Sibyls, and points to the longing of Socrates and Plato for the Logos. He notes a remarkable story from the Annals of the Celestial Kingdom recounting that an emperor of the Tcheou dynasty in China saw a remarkable star in the southwest and inquired of his sages what this might mean: “They showed him books in which this prodigy signified the appearance of the great Saint of the West whose religion was to be introduced into their country.” And this explains how the wise men in Matthew’s Gospel knew to follow the star that led them to Bethlehem. Not only had the Jewish prophecies and the texts that carried them penetrated into the Persian and Babylonian cultures from which these men likely came, but it also seems the whole world was longing for the wisdom of God and for release from sin. Jesus satisfies both longings.
That ancient world was ripe for harvest. The whole of the Greco-Roman world was won for Christ in a remarkably short time, especially given the slowness of communication in that day.
As we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord today, we remember the scene of the magi. It doesn’t look much like a royal court. It simply looks like a father, mother, and child, living in humble circumstances in a tiny town in a rural province of Rome. And yet, it was there that the magi encountered the King of all creation. They gave him gifts and paid him homage. They were truly wise! They followed the sign that was foretold. They made it their life’s work to find God.
The early Church Fathers encouraged Christians at Mass to meditate on the magi. It’s a good lesson for us, as well. When we think about the magi approaching the Infant Jesus, we can take that same image to prayer in our lives. As we approach the Eucharist, we can see ourselves coming before the Lord, offering our most precious possession--our very lives--as we worship and adore him as the magi did those thousands of years ago.
Sacramental Programs
I am pleased to announce the Sacrament of Confirmation will be conferred upon the 8th Grade Students on Saturday, March 18th at 12:30 P.M. in the Cathedral. More information regarding Confirmation will follow.
The 2nd Grade Students will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on the following days:
- 2-1 and 2-2: Wednesday, March 1st at 1:15 P.M.
- 2-3 and 2-4: Thursday, March 2nd at 1:15 P.M.
Please note, this is a new date for the 2nd Graders’ Reconciliation due to a scheduling conflict with the Cathedral. The students will be escorted to the Cathedral from school. Parents are invited to attend the ceremony as well as receive the sacrament.
2023 Dinner Dance
Saturday, February 4th
Don’t forget to purchase your tickets for this year’s Dinner Dance. This is the school’s biggest fundraiser, and we need your support to help keep the cost of tuition down as well as fund the school’s operating budget. It will be a night to share with friends and family. Reserve a table. It is sure to be a fun way to spend the night as well as support the school and honor some very special people. Click on the link below to purchase your tickets and other ways to support the school.
Click Here to Purchase your Tickets.
If you need assistance in arranging a table for your grade, please contact Mrs. Mary Meagher at mmeagher1128@gmail.com.
School Banner
St. Agnes Cathedral School, in conjunction with Catholic Schools throughout the country, annually celebrates Catholic Schools Week. Each year a banner has been hung in the main hallway depicting photographs of our children and their families. This banner has been a source of much pride and beauty, as the pictures reflect the love which binds our school community. Please submit your family picture by Tuesday, January 10th for this year’s school banner. (NO POLAROIDS, PLEASE). In order to accommodate our many families, pictures may be no larger than 4" x 6".
On Tuesday, January 10th a Graduation Meeting for 8th-grade parents will be held at 7:30 P.M. in the Carlin Cafeteria.
Interim Period is next week. Interim reports will be mailed home to students exhibiting academic difficulty the week of January 23rd.
Drama Club
This year we will be performing Into the Woods Jr. Tryouts will take place after school on the following days from 3-4 P.M. in the Carlin Cafeteria. Parents must indicate their child’s participation in Pick Up Patrol.
- January 17th: Grades 5 and 6
- January 18th: Grades 7 and 8
Pick up will be from the Carlin Doors on Clinton Ave. at 4 P.M.
Girls should learn either one of the songs below for tryouts:
Boys should learn either one of the songs below for tryouts:
There will be a Drama Club Parent Meeting on Monday, January 23rd at 7 P.M. for all the students who will be in this year’s production.
Drama Club practices are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays after school from 3-5 P.M. and will begin mid-January through showtime, April 27, 28, and 29. Practices may go beyond, until 6 P.M., closer to the opening of the show.
Middle School Sports
Anyone who still owes the $150.00 fee, it is past due. Students with outstanding fees will not participate in practices or games until the fees are paid.
Girl’s Basketball:
Practice: Tuesday 1/10, Wednesday 1/11 @ 3:00-4:30
Location: Stags Gym
Game: Monday 1/9 vs Holy Name @ 3:30
Location: Holy Name
Game: Thursday 1/12 vs Our Lady of Lourdes @ 3:30
Location: Stags Gym
Boy’s Basketball:
Practice: Tuesday 1/10, Wednesday 1/11, Thursday 1/12 @ 4:30 - 6:00
Location: Stags Gym
Game: Monday 1/9 vs Holy Name @ 4:45
Location: Holy Name
Girl’s Cheerleading:
Practice: Monday 1/9 @ 3:00 - 4:00
Location: Coach Farrell’s Room
Game: Thursday 1/12 vs Our Lady of Lourdes @ 3:30
Location: Stags Gym
Bowling:
Practice: Tuesday 1/10 @ 3:00-4:00
Location: Maple Lanes RVC
Meet: Friday 1/13 @ 3:45
Location: AMF East Meadow
Please email the coaching staff, Mrs. Brower (mbrower5546@stagnes-school.org) or Ms. Poore (kpoore5546@stagnes-school.org) with any questions.
Mothers’ Club
All 8th Grade Parents
There will be a graduation meeting for all 8th-grade parents this Tuesday,
January 10, 2023
7:30 PM
Carlin Dining Hall
Important information will be shared about all the wonderful events that are planned for our graduates.
All are encouraged to attend. Please bring the $150 graduation fee. Checks should be made out to St. Agnes Mothers' Club.
Family BINGO!
Grab your platforms and your bellbottoms and join SAMC for a Disco themed FAMILY BINGO
Friday, January 20th from 6/8 P.M. in the Parish Center
Please click on the link below to access the flyer for reservation information
Reservations only - no walk-ins permitted.
For questions, please contact Meghan Carney at Meghanh07@yahoo.com
(please note the updated email on the flyer)
Jaime Iacono at jmiac817@gmail.com
If you would like to volunteer for this event, please contact Shannon Mangione at smangione@gmail.com
Peace and Blessings to you on this great Feast of the Epiphany,
Mrs. Cecilia St. John, Principal
St. Agnes Cathedral School Open Houses
St. Agnes Cathedral School will host a General Open House for students entering Grades K-7 on Sunday, January 29th. Open House begins with Mass at 9:30 A.M. followed by refreshments in the Parish Center from 10:30 - 11:00 A.M. Tours of School are from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. A dedicated Open House for NEW Middle School Students is on Tuesday, January 31st from 7 to 9 P.M.
Registration for the 2023-2024 School Year is on Tuesday, January 31st from 9:30-10:30 A.M. and 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Registration will continue on Wednesday, February 1st from 9:30-10:30 A.M. Children entering Kindergarten must be five years of age by Dec. 1, 2023. Children entering Grades 1-7 must present their most recent report card and standardized test results. Applicants must present a birth certificate and baptismal certificate (if applicable) upon registration. For more information, contact Mrs. Cecilia St. John, Principal, at 516-678-5550.
