Category: Announcements

In celebration of the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, All Saints students re-enacted “The Miracle of the Pink Roses” accompanied by the glorious sounds of the professional Mariachi band,  Mariachi Son De America. Prior to Mass, students honored our Blessed Mother with a decade of the Rosary in Spanish.

The Story of the Miracle of the Pink Roses
At dawn on December 9, 531, on Tepeyac Hill near what is now Mexico City, Our Blessed Mother appeared to Juan Diego, an Aztec Indian.  Juan Diego lived a simple life as a weaver, farmer, and laborer. That morning, as Juan passed Tepeyac Hill, he heard music and saw a glowing cloud encircled by a rainbow. A woman’s voice called him to the top of the hill. There he saw a beautiful young woman dressed like an Aztec princess. She said she was the Virgin Mary and asked Juan to tell the bishop to build a church on that site. She said, “I vividly desire that a church be built on this site, so that in it I can be present and give my love, compassion, help, and defense, for I am your most devoted mother . . . to hear your laments and to remedy all your miseries, pains, and sufferings.”

The bishop was kind but skeptical. He asked Juan to bring proof of the Lady’s identity. Before Juan could go back, he found out his uncle was dying. Hurrying to get a priest, Juan missed his meeting. The Lady, however, met him on his path and told him that his uncle had been cured. She then told Juan to climb to the top of the hill where they first met. Juan was shocked to find flowers growing in the frozen soil. He gathered them in his cloak and took them at once to the bishop.

Juan Diego told the bishop what had happened and opened his cloak. The flowers that fell to the ground were Castilian roses (which were not grown in Mexico). But the bishop’s eyes were on the glowing image of the Lady imprinted inside Juan’s cloak. Soon after, a church was built on the site where our Lady appeared, and thousands converted to Christianity. Our Lady of Guadalupe was declared the patroness of the Americas.

Juan Diego’s preserved cloak can still be seen behind the main altar in the new Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, near the original Basilica site. Millions from all over Mexico and the world make their way to venerate Our Blessed Mother and to implore her intercession. Juan Diego was canonized on July 31, 2002 as Saint Juan Diego by Pope John Paul II. The Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas, is December 12th.

Did you know that December 8-14, 2014 has been deemed Computer Science Education Week? Mrs. Carroll will be expanding our students problem-solving, creativity and logic skills by participating in the “Hour of Code” Event with grades 3-8. The event is designed to demystify coding and introduce students to 21st century career paths.

Check out the Computer Science Education Week “Hour of Code” website and try your hand at coding.

All new parents are invited to enjoy “coffee with the principal” on Tuesday, September 9^th beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the atrium of the Parish Activity Center (PAC). Following a brief presentation, there will be time for questions and discussion about our school community and its many programs. childcare services will be offered in the adjacent meeting room.

Plan to attend and meet other new families who have recently joined our community!

Review by Katie Scott, The Catholic Herald
The orchestral music will swell; intricate costumes will paint poverty, riches and revolutionaries; and the heart-wrenching solos will soar.

One would expect no less from “Les Misérables,” the sweeping, sung-through musical set in 19th-century France and based on the novel by French poet, novelist and dramatist Victor Hugo. But this eight-time Tony Award-winning musical will not be on a Paris or London stage or under Broadway lights. For only the second time ever, “Les Mis” will be performed by an amateur theater company in Virginia. The upcoming production will include a 20-person orchestra; 40 cast members and more than 400 costumes; 35 wireless mics; and a beloved priest, Father Robert C. Cilinski, playing the bishop. …. READ MORE

Thank you to Mrs. Tuttle for creating this beautiful look back at our 2013-2014 Virtue Program including photos of all of this year’s award recipients. Established over a decade ago at All Saints, the purpose of the Virtues Program is to instill in each child a desire to practice virtues both at home and at school.

Although specific, structured lessons are presented on a regular basis, the core of the program is the recognition of the many “teachable moments” that arise each day. The goal is to make the practice of Catholic virtues not just another subject, but a way of life for each student.

Mrs. Coyle and many members of our faculty and administration spent their Easter break a little differently this year. After traveling to Pittsburgh, they attended the National Catholic Educational Association’s (NCEA) national convention where Mrs. Coyle was presented with a 2014 Distinguished Teacher Award for her dedication and commitment to teaching excellence.

Mrs. Coyle was chosen from the more than 100,000 teachers who teach in the nation’s Catholic elementary schools and was recognized during a ceremony at the NCEA annual convention on April 22 in Pittsburgh, PA. The annual award honors teachers who have demonstrated a strong Catholic educational philosophy as well as exceptional ability and dedication.

“Each of these outstanding educators embodies the very best of Catholic education,” said Kathy Mears, executive director of the NCEA Department of Elementary Schools. “Their commitment to academic excellence and dedication to young people are the reasons parents choose Catholic schools.”

Congratulations, Mrs. Coyle and thank you for sharing  your gifts and talents with us at All Saints!

Related Story:

Manassas Library Opens Books to Open Minds – Katie Collins, The Catholic Herald

This week’s edition of the Gainesville Times included a front page photo story featuring All Saints students hard at work mulching trails, clearing brush and picking up litter at Bristoe Battlefield on April 5th in Bristow, VA. Their efforts were in support of National Park Day, an annual event that invites volunteers from around the country to help maintain and preserve Civil War battlefield sites. This marks the 9th year that All Saints students have participated in Park Day under the direction of middle school social studies teacher Mrs. Slovenkay. Previous years, students have helped maintain trails and cleared debris and trash at the Liberia Mansion and Signal Hill historic sites.

“The preservation of the Civil War sites is very relevant to our 7th grade history curriculum,” shares Mrs. Slovenkay. “It also reinforces the importance of good citizenship learned in 7th and 8th government lessons.” Being an environmental steward also ties into All Saints active virtue program as it provides students with a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate their civic virtues.

Adds Mrs. Slovenkay, “When I take students to this annual event, it is my fervent wish that children experience the great satisfaction and feelings of accomplishment when they give back to their community and that they will continue to responsibly participate in their communities. Just as we live our faith at All Saints, we live good citizenship as well.”

Congratulations on a successful race this morning for our third annual Running with the Saints 5K Race on Saturday, March 22nd! We want to thank our sponsors, volunteers and everyone who helped make this event possible, including all of our 5K participants. We hope to see you all again next year!

See our 2014 Running with the Saints 5K Race and Award Results 

Details about the Running with the Saints 5K Race