The Buzz

Greetings SBPS Parents and Friends:

This has been both a sad but touching week. We are obviously grieving the loss of our pastor, Father Steve, but also comforted by the strength and love of our St. Benedict Community. Thank you for all the ways you have supported our students, faculty, staff and each other during the past week. Together, we were able to remember the blessing and gift of Father Steve through prayer and community. Both the wake and funeral were beautiful celebrations of Father Steve’s life. While this was a tough week, our shared experiences are also a sign of God’s love for us. I encourage you to see Father Peter’s (pastor St. Clement who attended the funeral) short video posted on his Instagram. He does a great job explaining the value of being connected as a family of faith and how it gives us strength during the difficult times. I certainly cannot imagine being a principal of a non-faith based school and having to help a community through a tragic loss without being able to lean on the strength and support we have for each other through faith, prayer and the Lord’s mercy.

On Tuesday evening this past week, I had the privilege of delivering a eulogy for Father Steve’s wake. During the eulogy I recounted the fun we had being silly together when filming some videos during the COVID years. They are just some reminders of how much he cared about the kids and the school and liked to have fun. I know it’s been a sad week, but if you’d like to revisit some of the videos with your children, it may be a good time this weekend to watch some together and share a few laughs. Some of the younger children may not have ever seen the videos or might not remember them. You can find the post below. Enjoy!

iReady Math Diagnostics begin on Wednesday this week in the morning. Please have your children to school on time. Middle school students should remember to bring their laptops fully charged for the best success!

The athletic fundraiser has been rescheduled for Friday, January 24 at 7PM. This year’s fundraiser hopes to help fund new scoreboard for the gym. It’s also just a fun night out with fellow Bengals. Low key, casual and just easy fun. I think right now, we could all use a little lighthearted camaraderie.

Tomorrow, our 4th grade will lead the school community in a prayer service for Peace, honoring the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Families are welcome to join us in the church at 9:30AM. We also will pray for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who is the reason we celebrate a Federal Holiday on Monday. Dr. King gave his life to promote peace, justice and freedom for all. The work still continues today - and if we want peace in our homes and communities, we need to remember to pray that God gives each of us the strength and courage to be peacemakers.

Finally, someone named Iris Jose Guzman Urpin lost her ID on Bell over the past day or so. If you know who this person is, please let her know that we have her ID in the school office.

Please continue to keep Father Steve, his family and our parish/school community in your prayers during the coming days and weeks.

There’s a lot more important information below. Be sure to check out the following:

• Funny old school videos featuring a silly Father Steve

• Bengal Bash Update

• iReady Winter Diagnostics - Reminder

Please find listed below important dates:

• January 17, 2025 - 4th Grade Prayer Service for Peace - 9:30AM in church

• January 20, 2025 - No School - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (Day-off-school Basketball Camp available)

• January 22 and 23, 2025 - Math iReady Diagnostics in the morning

• January 22, 2025 - First Communion Parent Meeting 7PM in Kittler Hall

• January 24, 2025 - Bengal Bash Athletic Fundraiser in GYM 7PM

• January 26-31, 2025 - National Catholic Schools Week! (more information about week’s festivities coming soon)

• January 28, 2025 -Catholic Schools Week Mass 8:30AM in church

• January 29, 2025 - 8th Grade vs. Faculty Volleyball Game 2PM

• January 30, 2025 - 50 State Challenge Reward - Carnival Game Day for PK-8

• January 31, 2025 - Open House Grades PK-8 - All invited - 8:15AM to 10AM

• February 2, 2025 - 8th Grade Parent Night at all 8th Grade Basketball Games - come out and cheer on our Bengal families

• February 7, 2025 - No School - Teacher Professional Development Day

• February 11, 2025 - 2nd Trimester Progress Reports Go Home

May God be with us and protect us!

Ms. Rachel Gemo, Head of School

Ms. Gemo’s Prayer Corner

May Father Steve Rest In Peace

Lord Jesus Christ,
by your own three days in the tomb,
you hallowed the graves of all who believe in you
and so made the grave a sign of hope
that promises resurrection
even as it claims our mortal bodies.

Grant that our brother, Father Steve, may sleep in peace
until you awaken him to glory,
for you are the resurrection and the life.
Then he will see you face to face
and in your light will see light
and know the splendor of God,
for you live and reign forever and ever.
R/. Amen.