All of us at St. Raphael School take the Advent Season seriously because we know that by preparing for the birth of Christ we are also recognizing Hiim in all those around us.  In the school halls we have posters and banners celebrating the 4 weeks of Advent.  Our Advent Wreath is in the front foyer reminding us as we come and go that Christ is present with us.  We have an Advent Calendar which allows us to open a door each day symbolizing the open heart we want to give to Jesus.  Behind each door is a special prayer intention; by the end of Advent all the doors will be open and we will have remembered family, friends, benefactors as well as the needs of the world in our prayers.  This year our Jesse Tree also stands in the front foyer.  Each class will learn about two Scripture figures who are the ancestors of Jesus.  By learning their stories, we will learn more about God's actions in our own lives and how we can respond better to all God asks of us.
       In addition to our prayer preparation for Christmas, we are also reaching out to the local Bridgeport community.  We are collecting gift items for the veterans living in the Bridgeport Homes For the Brave house on Park Avenue.  We're hoping that our gifts will let the veterans know how much we appreciate all they have done for our country. We'll be presenting our annual Christmas Concert at Sacred Heart University on December 19th and our youngest students will be enjoying Lunch With Santa on December 8th.  As you can see, the next three weeks will be very busy ones but they'll also be happy ones as we anticipate celebrating Christmas with family and friends.

A message of Thanksgiving from our Principal, Sister Deborah Lopez.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our students, parents, graduates, friends, and benefactors! All of us at St. Raphael pray that God's graces and blessings are showered all of you during this beautiful season.

Our holiday season has started off with a bang. Our students collected food to help supply the pantry at Merton House. Our Little Friends of the Sacred Heart decorated placemats for Merton House and for Homes for the Brave. These two agencies will also receive cupcakes decorated by our students as a Thanksgiving treat. We also made Thanksgiving cards for our advisory board members and for our wonderful friend John at Vazzy's who is so good to us. Finally, the whole school enjoyed a Thanksgiving luncheon with turkey and all the trimmings. Everyone had a great time with their buddies as we enjoyed a fabulous meal together.

Our food drive is on!!!

Please remember to send non-perishable items in to school. We will be collecting items from the first of November until the 16th. Please join us in supporting those less fortunate in our community. We will be collecting these items daily in your childs homeroom.

Dates to remember in November:

11/1 - Food Drive begins

11/1 - Noon Dismissal - All Saints Day

11/2 - First Friday Mass 8:10 am

11/2 - End of the First Quarter

11/8 - Noon Dismissal - Conferences

11/12 - Faculty Retreat - No Classes

11/14 - Thanksgiving School Lunch

11/16 - Food Drive Ends

11/19 - School Picture Re-takes

11/21 - Noon dismissal

11/22-11/23 - No School - Thanksgiving