By Sr. Lynn Rettinger, S.C.
Principal
Condolences to Mrs. Rodgers
We are saddened by the death of Mrs. Rodgers' husband, Dan, and we pray for her and her family. A Funeral Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday, February 25. "May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen."
We did, indeed, meet the Maestro!
In spite of the snow, sleet, and frigid temperature, more than 425 Sacred Heart School children and adults attended the Meet the Maestro event at Heinz Hall on February 9. We were thrilled to hear the Pittsburgh Symphony, conducted by Maestro Manfred Honeck, perform The Planets by Holst. Watching the spectacular NASA moving visual images that accompanied the symphony was a profound manifestation of the glory of God's creation.
At the private reception following the concert, our families were welcomed to Heinz Hall by the musical genius and humble man, Manfred Honeck. The Advanced Band, led by Mrs. Sherry Traugh and the Sacred Heart Student Choir, conducted by Sr. Rosemarie Schwartz and Mr. Bela Pater, performed the following pieces for the delight of the Maestro.
Night on Bald Mountain – Edvard Greig (Band)
Ode to Joy Original German words – Beethoven (Band and Choir)
Maria Zu Leben – Austrian hymn (Choir)
Hail Holy Queen – from Sister Act movie –Marc Shaiman (Choir)
Edelweiss – from The Sound of Music movie – Rodgers and Hammerstein (Choir)
The Meet the Maestro Program will continue at Sacred Heart with a few more programs this spring. It has been a culturally enriching opportunity and we are so grateful to have been a participating school.
Missionary outreach
In early February, our students, with your support, collected money for the missionary work at the maternity hospital in Chimbote, Peru and for our sister-school St. Antoine's in Fondwa, Haiti. Thanks to the generosity of our families, both missionary efforts received $325 from the Sacred Heart School children. Recognizing that we are so blest with educational opportunities and health care for our children, it is fitting that we share with other children so they can thrive. "Today missionary activity still represents the greatest challenge for the Church." – Pope Francis
Lenten Season
The Lenten Season begins with Ash Wednesday, March 5. During the all-school Mass on Ash Wednesday, everyone is invited to receive ashes on their forehead as the priest prays in these words. "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel," or "Remember, you are dust and to dust you will return." During the six weeks of Lent, we are encouraged to grow in prayer, penance and almsgiving.
We will attend the Stations of the Cross on Fridays during Lent as a student body. You are invited to join the children in prayer at 2:15 p.m.