St. Edmunds Newsletter – April 2025
I hope you all enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating two-week spring break, finding time to recharge and reconnect with family and friends.
As we continue the season of Lent and prepare for the sacred season of Easter, let us take time to reflect on its profound meaning—a time of renewal, rebirth, and the ultimate triumph of light over darkness. The Resurrection of our Lord is a powerful reminder of God’s infinite love and mercy, calling us to live with faith, hope, and charity in our daily lives.
During this season of grace, may we open our hearts to Christ’s message of love, compassion, and selflessness. In our words and actions, let us strive to be beacons of His light, extending kindness to those in need, offering comfort to the sorrowful, and embracing one another with the spirit of Christian joy.
As we celebrate the Risen Lord, may we be guided by His truth, strengthened in faith, and united as a community of love and service. May His presence bring peace to our homes, joy to our hearts, and abundant blessings to our families.
On behalf of our pastor Fr. Steny and the entire staff, I extend our warmest wishes for a blessed and joyful Easter. May the hope and peace of Christ remain with you always.
Prayer Requests:
Please keep those in our community who are sick in your thoughts and prayers, asking for God’s healing, comfort, and strength for them and their families. May they feel His presence and love during this challenging time.
Lenten Prayers for the Seminarians
Your children have received mite boxes to help support our Seminarians. These young men, with God’s grace, will one day serve as priests in our Archdiocese. We ask that you continue to pray for them and for vocations. Lenten mite boxes can be returned after Easter.
Intermediate Spelling Bee:
Our in-house school competition will be taking place on Friday, April 11th! We are proud of those students who are taking on the challenge and look forward to having a student represent St. Ed’s at the CISVA Spelling Final on Tuesday, April 29th at Holy Cross Elementary.
Track & Field:
With much gratitude to Mr. Dotto who sent out permission forms before Spring Break for students in grades 3 to 7 to join our terrific TBIRD Track & Field program. Please check your email for a schedule and if you have any questions or are able to help out with practices, please contact Mr. Dotto.
April Calendar Highlights:
April 1 – 1:00 pm Legion Remembrance Day Contest Presentation
April 2 – 9:00 am Whole School Mass led by Grade 6
April 2 – First Reconciliation (Gr. 2) and Confessions (Grades 3-7) following Mass
April 4 – 9:00 am Class Photos
April 8 – 1:00 pm Earth Rangers Presentation for Grades K to 7
April 8 – 7:00 pm PAC meeting
April 9 – 9:00 am Gr. 7 Class Mass
April 11 – 10:45 am Intermediate Spelling Bee
April 14 – 2:00-3:15 Purdy’s chocolates pick-up
April 16 – 9:00 am Gr. 3 Class Mass
April 17 – 11:00 am Stations of the Cross led by Gr. 5
April 17 – 12:00 Early Dismissal for Holy Thursday
April 18 – No School – Good Friday
April 21 – No School – Easter Monday
April 22-25 Walkathon Week!
April 23 – 9:00 am Gr. 2 Class Mass
April 23 – 7:00 pm PEC meeting
April 25 – Walkathon Celebration Hot Dog Lunch
April 30 – 9:00 am Kindergarten Class Mass
Reminders – Crosswalk Supervision & Traffic:
Thank you to all the parent volunteers who assist daily with the safety of our children and community. We still need volunteers. If you need participation hours or are able to volunteer extra time, we would greatly appreciate it! (Note: Our fabulous track team will be walking back from Mahon Park on most mornings in April & May and we really appreciate having a crossing guard on 6th and Jones!)
We continue to face challenges in the school drop-off and pick-up zone. If your child cannot exit the car independently, please park a block or two away and walk. Do not stop in fire zones near the crosswalk or park diagonally on the street. These actions cause unnecessary traffic blockages and create unsafe conditions for everyone in the community and especially our children and traffic supervisors.
Reminders – Uniform:
It is the expectation that all students come to school dressed in full “regulation” uniform every day and ensure all articles of clothing are labelled with your child’s name. Maintaining our uniform policy is not just about appearance—it fosters a sense of unity, belonging, and respect among students.
Order your uniform from Cambridge for next school year by June 15th to ensure that you receive your order by September. An email has gone home with additional instructions from Cambridge.
Reminders – Learning Update Report Covers:
Just before spring break, your child came home with their second term learning update. We appreciate your continued support and collaboration with your child’s learning goals for this final term. The learning update is your home copy, but please return the report card cover with your signature to confirm receipt.
Parent Workshops:
“Establishing Safe, Caring & Respectful Digital Communities”
Last year we had the opportunity to have a Safer Schools presenter speak to parents about online safety. You can continue learning about current concerns with social media platforms, smartphones and AI from the comfort of your home. Safer School is offering FREE monthly remote sessions. See here for more information.
Fundraising & Walkathon
Thank you to all the families who have already purchased Purdy’s Chocolates! The last day to place your order is Saturday, April 5th. Fill up your Easter basket and support your children and St Edmunds at the same time! Campaign link: https://fundraising.purdys.com/1970486-126237 Campaign number: 22052
Once orders close, you can collect your treats from the St Edmunds Gym, Mahon Entrance on Monday April 14th 2:00-3:15.
We are also gearing up for our annual Walkathon which will take place during the week of April 22-25th. All our fundraising efforts are going towards additional learning resources such as enhanced technology tools, outdoor garden and playground equipment. Last your donations went towards the purchase of 60 new Chromebooks and 2 charging carts. We truly appreciate your efforts to reach out to family and friends for donations!
How to Help:
- Please donate to St. Edmund’s Spring Walkathon 2025, by:
Clicking on the “GIVE TO THE CAMPAIGN” button. - Enter the amount of your donation
- Leave a comment in the COMMENT BOX – put the First Name and Last Initial and grade of the student you are pledging toward. This way each student will know when someone has contributed for them. ie. “John D, grade best of luck”.
- Please tell your friends about our wonderful school! All donations via CHIMP receive a charitable tax receipt.
Parish Schedule for Holy Week Services
Confession Schedule
At St. Edmund’s, confessions will be available at these times:
- After the 9 AM Mass
- Saturday from 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM
Additionally, special Penitential Services will take place on the following days at various locations:
- St. Edmund’s School – April 2 following the 9:00 School Mass
- St. Pius – April 7th to 10th, at 9:30 AM & 7:30 PM
- Wednesday, April 9 – St. Stephen’s at 10:30 AM
- Thursday, April 10 – St. Thomas Aquinas (STA) at 9 AM
- Monday, April 14 – Holy Trinity at 7 PM
- Tuesday, April 15 – Christ the Redeemer at 7 PM
Palm Sunday
The Blessing and the Procession with the Palms will take place 15 minutes prior to each Weekend Mass in front of our School. Please arrive early so that you can participate in the solemn entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
- Saturday – 4:15 pm
- Sunday – 8 am, 9:30 am & 11 am
Holy Thursday
- Stations of the Cross (School) at 11am in the Church
- Last Supper at 7pm followed by Adoration at Repose Altar till 11pm
Good Friday
- Outdoor Stations of the Cross at 10am.
- Lord’s Passion at 3pm
Easter
- Easter Vigil, 9pm
- Easter Sunday, 8am, 9.30am, 11am Mass
- Easter Flower Donations: There are envelopes at the Church entrance. Your donation will help beautify the Church for Easter and they can also be offered in remembrance of a deceased loved one or other Intentions.
- The 11am Liturgy on Easter Sunday is a Children’s Mass. Easter Treats will be given to the children after the Mass. If you could sponsor the Treats, please contact the Parish Office. It will be highly appreciated.