COMPLETION OF THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION YEAR                                                      2019 - 2020

April 20, 2020
Dear Parents,

As you know, the Corona Virus Quarantine has been extended until May 15^th.  We are scheduled to end classes for Religious Education the week of May 5 – 9.  Clearly, we will not be gathering together before the close of this school year.   You may want to have a little closing party (special dessert for supper) to end the year with your child/children.  This is the way we would be ending the last day of religious ed.

As a result of the continued quarantine, it is necessary for catechists and staff to end the school year through electronic communication.  I have directed the catechists to collect the work your child/children have completed during this time of quarantine.  Catechists will use this as a basis for evaluating your child/children’s completion of the curriculum for his/her respective grade level.  Work can be sent electronically (taking a photograph of the workbook completion, scanning the work, or some other electronic means) or by standard hard mail.   

The religious ed school year ends officially on May 9^th.  Work should be received by the catechist before then if possible.  If an extension is needed due to your situation, please advise the catechist.  Catechists have been advised to make allowances.  We will postpone issuance of the report card until your child/children are able to complete the work but completion of work will need to be before August.

It is always a joy to serve you and your children and I certainly miss seeing everyone come through the doors each week.  During this time of crisis I have particularly admired your spirit of cooperation and support of the catechists who served your child/children this year.  I know it hasn’t been easy but your resilience combined with the dedication of the catechists certainly met the challenge well!  For some of you it has been particularly stressful – work, illness, worry, etc.    I pray that this crisis will soon be behind us and that we can start a new school year in September with a spirit of celebration and anticipation!  In October we will definitely be celebrating the receptions of the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation.  These are always beautiful, moving and memorable occasions.  It will add great joy to the start of the new school year.  

Enjoy your summer!  Be safe, healthy and, as always, may God grant you many blessings and keep you and your loved ones in His embrace!

Sr. Marie

P. S. Tuition payments for the new school (2020 – 2021) year should be mailed to:

St. Columba Religious Education
P.O. Box 368
837 Route 82
Hopewell Junction, New York 12533

NOTE:  Those returning to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation do not need to make a tuition payment for the new school year.  You are simply completing this present school year.

A few parents have contacted me regarding plans for First Holy Communion.  While there are no settled details, it does not seem possible that Holy Communion will be able to be celebrated as originally scheduled.  As of now, we will not even be returning to school until April 20th and, even so, this in-person contact may need to be extended and/or limits on the size of gatherings may continue to be restricted and/or extended.  For this reason, there are no definite details at this time for First Holy Communion.  To make plans, we would need to begin to hear and see "the light at the end of the tunnel."

It would be wise to alert family and friends that rescheduling for First Holy Communion appears to be necessary.  If anyone has tickets or plans to purchase plane tickets for travel, advise them that changes will need to be made but not for the very near future.

I know this is disconcerting but what is more vital is that this crisis be resolved and that all those we love and the entire world community might be safe from mortal harm.  Let's earnestly pray for this greater concern, for someone to be inspired with an antidote/cure, for needed patience, hope and forbearance. 

May God keep everyone in His embrace!