NEW! Thank You - Thank you to all those who sent in tissue boxes to Ms. Kuefler at the upper campus! We should be all set until the end of the year!
We’d also like to thank those parents who took the time to recognize our fabulous teachers with a nomination for the NH Department of Education Teacher of the Year award! We have received notification of several nominations and are so very grateful! (Note: nominations are still being accepted for the NH Catholic Teacher of the Year award. Please see the information below!)
NEW! Family BBQ is BACK! We are beyond excited to announce that we are making plans for our Annual Family BBQ!! After a two year COVID hiatus, we have scheduled this amazingly fun FREE evening celebration from 5:30 - 7:00 PM on June 3rd in the lower campus back parking lot. All families from both campuses are invited to come by for food, fellowship, and maybe a little dancing!
We are most thankful that our veteran parent organizers are willing to step up to put this event together again this year…and are hoping to bring some new friends into the fold to help and to learn the ropes! If you love to throw a good party, please contact Marta at [email protected] for more information!
NEW! Spring Portraits- O’Connor Studios will return to the lower campus on Wednesday, March 9 for Spring Portraits for lower campus students only. This is a Dress UP Day…lower campus students should wear their “Easter finest” instead of their uniforms! This is a one-time event, so there will be no retakes for absent students. More information will be forthcoming soon!
NEW! CYO Basketball State Finals- Our boys and girls grade upper campus CYO basketball teams will be playing for the CYO championship TOMORROW! Girls play at 4:30 PM and boys play at 5:40 PM. Come cheer on the Wildcats! All student attendees will earn a free dress pass for Friday. Note: Admission to the game is $2 for students and $3 for adults.
Morning Drop-off at Lower Campus - We continue to see parents who are not following our drop-off instructions, even after our email earlier this week describing a parent injury caused by driver inattentiveness. For the safety of our students and families, we must insist that all parents follow the procedures. If this continues, we will contact parents who are disregarding these policies to discuss these issues.
Lower Campus School Store - The lower campus School Store is now open on a regular basis! The store is open from 8:30 to 8:50 AM every WEDNESDAY! The store sells a variety of school supply items like pencils/pens/erasers, along with school spirit items, rosaries, and more! Please send your little shoppers in with cash for the store as no checks or charges will be accepted. Thank you to Miss Foran for opening the store for our students each week!
February No School Days - Don’t forget….February 28 to March 4 is our February/Winter vacation!
NEW! March No School Day - And looking ahead to next month…..there will also be NO school on March 18 so that teachers can participate in the Diocesan professional development being offered that day.
STEM Day Speakers - Are you in a STEM field? Would you like to share your love of or experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math? We have begun planning for this year’s STEM Day, to be held on May 24. We are looking for speakers to virtually present to students about their interest and/or careers in any STEM-related field, whether as a professional or hobbyist. Presentations will be approximately 20-30 minutes in length. If you are interested in speaking, please email Carol Fiore at [email protected].
Hot Lunch Volunteers - Thank you to all of our Hot Lunch volunteers! The schedule below is for the next week of Hot Lunch volunteers on both campuses. Volunteers are asked to check the list carefully so you do not miss your shift. If you can not make your shift, please email those on the sub list as well as Marta at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Thursday, February 17
LC: Blaise Bizimana, Beth Kreick, Katie Sh
UC: Bethany Dionne, Sarah Wessel
Friday, February 18
LC: Sarah Clauss, Katrina Adell, Tarrah Ledoux, Diane Gear
UC: OPEN! Volunteers Needed!
Monday, February 21
LC: John Lynch, Sarah Neary, Loni Rooney, Nadra Bell
UC: Meredith McCulley, Melanie Dohoney
Tuesday, February 22
LC: Jess Hickey, Tina Bruno, Jeff Howell
UC: Rebecca Small, Sasha Shaplyko
Wednesday, February 23
LC: Tina Bruno, JoAnn Howell, Julie Vincent
UC: Lara Louis, Sarah Neary
UPDATED! Basketball Open Gym - Rising 6, 7 & 8th grade boys and girls are invited to a basketball open gym at the upper campus on Tuesday, February 22 and Thursday, February 24 from 3:00 - 5:00 PM! Sign-ups are limited to the first 25 players to register using the SignUp Genius links below. (Note: upper campus Varsity and JV teams do not need to sign up for these sessions as they are automatically invited.)
- Tuesday 2/22 - 3-5 PM: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CA4AE23A5FEC70-basketball
- Thursday 2/24 - 3-5 PM
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CA4AE23A5FEC70-basketball1
Recognizing Excellence Award Nominations - Nominations for the 2022 Diocese of Manchester’s Teacher of the Year and Clergy of the Year awards are now open!
- Teacher of the Year Award - The New Hampshire Catholic School Teacher of the Year views Catholic education not only as a profession, but as a vocation of service to students and to the greater Church. A practicing Catholic active in his or her faith, the award recipient brings a joyful witness to his or her ministry that inspires students to not only achieve academically, but to put their skills and knowledge to good use creating the Kingdom of God on Earth. Submit a nomination HERE.
- Clergy of the Year Award – The recipient of the Spirit of St. John Vianney Award is a member of the clergy who similarly provides inspirational support for Catholic education in the diocese. The faithful witness that the recipient of the Spirit of St. John Vianney award provides is inspirational to students as they go on to eventually discern their vocation in life. Submit a nomination HERE.
Drama Club Volunteers and Props Needed - The Drama Club will be performing "The Enchanted Bookshop" Musical for this year's spring play on Saturday, March 26th, 2022. We are looking for volunteers for the set design and construction for Saturday, March 12th, 2022, and Saturday March 19, 2022; 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Pizza and Snacks will be provided for volunteers. Students and adults will help create, paint, build and repair sets and make props. We will also need volunteers to organize costumes and clean.
We are looking for donations or help constructing the following items:
Here is a list of props we need donated or found :
- Book Shelves- 1 Tall and 1 Short
- Framed Door on Wheels (Built or Donate Lumber and/or Door)
- Bed of Some type of Bed/ Cot or love seat.
- Blanket and pillow for bed.
- End table and lamp.
- Lots of Old Books to put in bookshelves.
- An area rug.
If you have any questions or would like to sign up for set design days, please contact Mrs. Michael, the upper campus art teacher, and let her know "what you or how you would like to volunteer and/or donate.”
NEW! Anticipated Openings - Saint Christopher Academy is currently building an applicant pool for anticipated faculty openings for the 2022-2023 school year. Interested applicants are invited to submit materials as soon as possible so we may begin conducting interviews. We anticipate openings at both our lower campus (pre-kindergarten to grade 5) and upper campus (grades 6 to 8) this fall. Current teachers, new education graduates, and recently retired teachers are welcome to apply! For more information about qualifications and how to apply, visit our website HERE!
UPDATED! Annual Fund - Our Annual Fund is just over $52,000! Thank you to all of our donors! To join this group of generous friends of Saint Chris, make a safe and secure online donation, please click HERE! All donations made by March 31 will be included in our summer Honor Roll of Donors published in the summer News and Notes and online. To see last year’s 2020-2021 Honor Roll of Donors, please click HERE.
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Auction News!
At this year's exciting event, you'll be "In the Winner's Circle with Saint Chris" as we experience the Kentucky Derby in Saint Chris style! The adult only evening is a great night of raffles, silent and live auctions, drinks (complimentary prosecco during cocktail hour!), and a delicious buffet dinner at our new venue, Alpine Grove in Hollis. As our largest fundraising event of the year, this is a great night out with friends, family, alumni, faculty, and community supporters.
NEW! Invitations are in the mail and Auction ticket sales NOW OPEN online! Keep your eye out…invitations went in the mail yesterday and ticket sales are now open online! Tickets are $85 per person and include a fabulous evening of fun and food. All attendees also receive a complimentary $25 gift card from our Gold sponsor, Wireless Zone! Seating is limited, so get your tickets as soon as possible by clicking HERE.
Reserved Tables - Tables of 8 or 10 can be also reserved ahead of time by sending a list of attendees to Marta at [email protected].
Ticket for a Teacher Sponsors – Aren’t our teachers GREAT? Thank them for a job well done by being a Ticket for a Teacher sponsor! Our teachers work hard all day, every day in the classroom…they deserve a night out! To be a Ticket for a Teacher sponsor, simply complete the RSVP form HERE and select Ticket for a Teacher.
Donations: Help make this online event fun, exciting, and a great success! Item donations are always needed and appreciated! Donation ideas can be found HERE, as well as an online donation form. Donations can be delivered to either campus by March 18. Thank you!
Wine Donations: We are always looking for bottles of wine valued at $15 or more for our Wine Pull! Grab an extra bottle next time you visit the NH Liquor Store or your favorite grocery! Donations can be dropped off to Marta’s attention at either campus. Thanks!
Sponsors and Advertising: Sponsors of the auction receive a variety of benefits for their support, depending on their level of sponsorship. Advertising is also available in our evening program! Sponsorship information for individuals or businesses is available HERE and advertising information can be found HERE.
Extra special thanks to our Auction sponsors for their generous support!
Platinum Sponsor: MATRIX PMO
Gold Sponsor: Wireless Zone
Silver Sponsor: Knights of Columbus Insurance/Kevin Brown
Silver Sponsor: Wanderlust Therapeutic Services, PLLC
NEW! Silver Sponsor: Toyota of Nashua
Bronze Sponsor: Eleanor Dahar
NEW! Bronze Sponsor: Center for Physical Therapy and Excercise
Copper Sponsor: Kalil & Kress Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
NEW! Copper Sponsor: Catholic Medical Center
Item Sneak Peek: Wondering what items will be up for bid at the Auction on April 2? We’ve started our Sneak Peek page on the Auction website to give you a preview! We’ll be updating the page as items arrive, so check back HERE often to see what’s new!
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Black History Month - First officially recognized in 1976 by President Gerald Ford, February is Black History Month across the US. This month celebrates the achievements of African Americans and their important role in US history. Locally, the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire provides excellent resources on black history and culture in NH. Please visit their website HERE!
NEW! Lenten Schedule and Special Events - Lent is fast approaching! Fr. David and St. Christopher Parish invite school families to attend any of the many sacraments, activities, and special events during this most sacred time of the year in the Catholic church!
- Saturday Morning Holy Mass and Confessions – Saturdays at 8:00 AM
- Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions – Tuesdays from 6:00 - 7:00 PM (through April 5)
- Rosary – Tuesdays at 7:00 PM and Wednesdays after 7:30 AM Mass
- Confession – Monday through Thursday after 7:30 AM Mass, Tuesdays from 6:00 - 7:00 PM, and Saturdays 3:00 PM
- Friday Stations of the Cross and Mass – Stations at 5:00 PM with Holy Mass at 5:30 PM
Lenten Soup and Salad Dinners – The parish is sponsoring two FREE Lenten Soup Dinners during Lent! A meatless soup and salad will be served following the 5:30 PM Mass on Friday, March 18 and Friday, April 1. Please join us for Friday fellowship! We are also looking for volunteers to help set up and/or clean up after the Lenten Soup Dinners. The setup crew would need to arrive about 4:30 PM to set up tables and chairs and all should be done before 5:30 so you can go to Mass. The clean up crew would help during the dinner to bus tables, empty trash and after dinner break down the hall, clean up in the kitchen and empty the trash. If you or your family can help, please call the rectory or email info@ stchrisparishn.org.
Women’s Retreat Day - Women are invited to attend a Women’s Retreat Day presented by the Daughters of Mary Mother of Healing Love on Saturday, March 5 from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Based on the book “How Our Father Heals the Family,” by Sister Mary Rose Reddy, DMML, this FREE retreat will open with a rosary and Mass, followed by coffee and pastries. Three presentations are included in the retreat’s schedule, including Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, St. Joseph, Patron of the Interior Life, and Jesus Christ, the Living Bread Come Down from Heaven. The Daughters of Mary will also present a scene from Take Your Part in the Sunday Gospels. A light lunch will be served. A Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration and Reconciliation will conclude the day’s events. To register, please contact the parish office at [email protected] or 603-882-0632.
How to Read the Bible Lenten Workshop with Fr. David – Are you a Catholic who wants to become more comfortable with the VERY BASICS of the Bible? Join Fr. David for this workshop to help you pray with the Bible, ask beginner questions, and better understand the readings at Mass. It will be informal and fun! The workshop will take place Mondays from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Church Hall. The schedule of topics include:
- March 14 - The Word of God and the Structure of the Bible
- March 21 - The Old Testament
- March 28 - The New Testament
We will have free Catholic bibles or you can bring your own. Attendance at all sessions is not required.