Calling All Former Alum Passion Play Participants, School & Faith Formation

Kathy Faith Formation, Parish Activities, Prayer Opportunities 0 Comment

As we prepare for our upcoming Passion Play, we find ourselves reflecting with gratitude on those who have helped bring this sacred story to life in years past. Your involvement as a 7th and 8th grader a few years ago or many, many years ago as a Passion Play participant at St. Valentine left a lasting mark, and it would be a true blessing to welcome you back on Good Friday, April 3rd as part of the “crowd”.

We warmly invite you to join us again—The Passion Play is not only a performance, but an opportunity for fellowship, reflection, and shared faith, and your presence would mean a great deal to us.

If you feel called to participate or would like more information, we would love to hear from you. Please email Bonnie Danic at bdanic@stvalentineschool.com

St Valentine School Closure in June

Kathy St. Valentine School 0 Comment

As many of you have heard, St. Valentine Catholic School will close permanently at the end of the current school year in June 2026.  While this was an extremely painful step to take, it was necessary for the continued viability of the entire parish community.  This move is completely separate from the Archdiocesan Restructuring Plan.  The letter explaining this decision is linked here.  

Many former students and families have expressed a desire to have a place online to share photos, memories and news with others in the St. Valentine Parish family.  Several individuals have created a page on Facebook for this purpose.  It is called the St. Valentine School Alumni and Family page. Please feel free to follow this page or encourage others to do so.

Prayer for the New Year 2026

Kathy Prayer Opportunities

Heavenly Father,
as I stand at the threshold of this new year,
I come before You with a heart full of hope and trust.

Thank You for the gift of another year,
for the grace You have given me,
and for Your faithful presence in my life.

I place this new year into Your hands.
Guide my steps, protect my heart,
and help me grow closer to You each day.

Bless my family, my work, my relationships,
and all the intentions I carry in my heart.
Give me strength in trials,
wisdom in decisions,
and peace in uncertainty.

Lord, may this year be one of grace, renewal, and deeper faith.
I trust in Your providence and surrender all to Your will.

Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

4th Sunday of Advent Communion Reflection

Kathy Uncategorized
As the end of Advent approaches, let us take some time this week to think about the birth of Christ on Christmas Day.

Jesus wasn’t born in Rome, the center of the universe at that time, and not in Athens, the center of the intellectual world, but in Bethlehem. The town’s name means “house of bread.” He was born in a stable, a cold place where animals were kept at night. This little baby was laid in a manger – the container used by the animals for their food. Perhaps Bethlehem, the house of bread, and a manger, a container that housed the animals’ food, tells us who Jesus is for each of us. Is He our food, our source of life?

Long before silver bells jingled, Christmas lights twinkled, and sleighs pulled by horses went dashing through the snow, God reached down from heaven with the best gift of all – love wrapped in swaddling clothes, hope nestled in a manger. The coming of Christ by way of a Bethlehem manger may seem strange and stunning, but when we take Him out of the manager and into our hearts, then the stunning meaning unfolds and the strangeness vanishes.

 On Christmas Day, whether through worship, family gatherings, or acts of kindness, let each of us celebrate the birth of Christ together reflecting on His incredible love and sacrifice. Let us embody the hope, joy, and peace Jesus’ arrival brings.