Dear Parishioners:

Every year the Archdiocese celebrates Catholic Schools. The Archdiocese of St. Louis is abundantly blessed with so many wonderful Catholic schools.  Many areas of our country are not as blessed as we are.  Please consider catholic Schools.  Thanks to all who support Catholic education in our parish and in our Archdiocese.

There are over 105 Catholic grade schools and 27 Catholic high schools to choose from, plus 2 Catholic colleges at Fontbonne and St. Louis University.  In our Archdiocese, there are also over a hundred P.S.R. programs, such as we have here at The Church of the Annunziata. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our teachers both here at our Learning Center School, our PSR school and throughout our Archdiocese for their dedicated ministry to our youth.  The lessons learned at our schools help to enhance the faith that is lived in our homes.  It is with great joy that I commend our student body (these young men and women and all our youth) to you and ask that you keep them in your prayers.

Teachers are members of a vitally important profession.  They teach essential skills and concepts; they nurture curiosity and a sense of wonder; they cultivate abilities and interests and give their students a sense of significance and purpose.

In the context of a Catholic school, however, the work of the teacher (administrator) takes on a new dimension.  At Annunziata, it is often referred to as a vocation – a calling to become part of something of great significance; in this case, to share in the Church’s mission. In their own way, teachers and administrators in Catholic schools follow the example of Jesus to reach out to others and spread the good news about life and its purpose.

I would also like to particularly our principal Ms. Gere Book, our CRE Mrs Julie Reagan, and our parents as first teachers for their leadership and guidance; besides enriching our over 150 students academically, morally, and interpersonally they along with our teachers help to prepare our children for the reception of the sacraments.  This coming spring our eighth graders will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation and our second graders will receive their First Communion.  Just last December our Second Graders received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time, as they partook of the healing and forgiving love of our God.

I would like extend an invitation to all for a special mass, this Catholic School Week, at Annunziata on Wednesday Jan 31 at 8:30am, as we celebrate our school community.

Blessings!

Msgr. John Shamleffer