From the Principal's Desk

Dear St. James Catholic School Family,

What a short but meaningful week it has been at St. James! With Parent-Teacher Conferences taking place, the week was filled with gratitude and connection. I continue to be deeply moved by the incredible love and support our parents show for our school community. The meals provided for our teachers during conferences were such a generous gesture, and we are truly thankful. Your kindness nourishes both body and spirit.

I hope everyone enjoyed the short week and found some time to rest and recharge. One of the highlights of the week was hosting three “Principals for the Day.” It was a wonderful experience for both them and me! I enjoyed slowing down my day a bit and sharing what it means to lead our school, to work, pray, and find joy in all that we do. Their excitement, curiosity, and leadership were truly inspiring (You can see the picture below).

We also welcomed a new custodian and maintenance technician to our St. James team, but I am again humbled by how all the staff joined in to take on janitorial roles. Their hardwork could definitely be seen! God willing, the onboarding process of our new hires will go smoothly and they will start next week. Their work is essential to keeping our school safe, clean, and beautiful, and we’re delighted to have them join our community.

Looking Ahead
We have another short week ahead, and with it comes a wonderful trio of celebrations, Halloween, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day.

• Halloween reminds us of the joy and imagination of childhood. I’m looking forward to seeing the creativity of our elementary students at Trunk or Treat. It should be a fun and faith-filled day for our community to experience!
• All Saints’ Day calls us to celebrate the holy men and women who have gone before us and to remind our students that we are all called to holiness in our daily lives.
• All Souls’ Day and Día de los Muertos give us a beautiful opportunity to remember and pray for our loved ones who have passed away. While Día de los Muertos is not a formal tradition of the Church, it is a deeply meaningful expression of faith within Hispanic culture.

During the week of November 3–7, we would like to create an altar inside the school to honor and pray for those who have gone before us. If your family celebrates Día de los Muertos and would like to help set up this altar, please reach out to me directly.

This will be another deep, wonderful, and prayerful way to bring together our faith and culture in remembrance and love.

As always, thank you for your continued partnership, prayers, and presence. May the saints intercede for us, and may the souls of our loved ones rest in peace.

Sincerely in Christ,

Mr. McDonnell