1st Week of Advent – Filled With Hope
December 2, 2022
Principal Desk

Dear HFCS Friends and Families,

Hope, our focus for the first week of Advent. During a tech committee meeting about five years ago, we asked the parents gathered “Why do you send your child to a Catholic school?” I’ll never forget Mike O’Dell’s response, one word – HOPE. Hope, it’s what ties us together as Catholics. It’s what helps us to get up each morning and face the day. Hope. Hope in Christ, hope in our families, hope in our faith. May you be filled with hope this holy season.

Each day this week, let’s start with a focus on hope. Take just a moment to remember that Christ is our light. Pause to pray for hope, joy, and love in our ever changing world.

“Lord, the light I choose to let into my life today is based on my trust in you. It is a weak flame, but I so much desire that it dispel a bit more darkness today. Today, I just want to taste the longing I have for you as I go to the meeting this morning, carry out the responsibilities of my work, face the frustration of some difficult relationships. Let this candle be my reminder today of my HOPE in your coming.”

Remember to take time for prayers as you gather for your evening meal and light the family Advent wreath. Encourage all members of your family to share what this week of Advent has meant to them, how are we all preparing for Christ’s coming.

God bless you and keep you safe.

Pax et bonum,

Sue Styren, M.Ed.

Message From the Principal – He Looked Up and Saw Him
November 16, 2022
Principal Desk

Dear HFCS Friends and Families,

Who among us has not felt like Zacchaeus, from the Gospel of St. Luke this morning? Who hasn’t felt at some point that they weren’t good enough or worthy enough? “Because Zacchaeus worked hard and risked embarrassment to see Jesus, Jesus saw him and did not pass him by. In the best sense, Zacchaeus stood out to Jesus, and Jesus connected with him.” We are reminded in the Gospel today that we need to risk ourselves in order to grow closer to Christ. Being a Christian is not always the easy thing to be but the tenets of our faith will keep us on the right path as we move forward in life.

Thank you to all in our community that continue to support our efforts in faith formation and education here at HFCS, through our SUCCESS Campaign, volunteering, and prayers. Thank you especially to the Knights of Columbus, St. Thomas the Apostle, who generously donated to our school this week. Your faith in our mission is appreciated.

The beginning of November is often the start of the “holiday season.” For many parents, this is a time of tremendous stress, as you scramble to prepare for family gatherings, and squirrel away the coveted Christmas gifts. This time of year can be very secular in nature and while that should not be the focus, it is difficult to avoid getting caught up in the frenzy of toy lists and children’s expectations. But it is also a time of renewing faith, recognizing heroes in our community and of the Church. We look at how we can express our gratitude and thanks for the many blessings God has given us.

In this season of gratitude, I pause and consider the importance of the families that create our school community. Your commitment to the faith and educating your child in a faith-filled environment is vital to the sustainability of our Diocesan Catholic school and local parishes. It is through the parents and families that children embark on a rich and vibrant faith journey. I thank you for your continued presence in our school community, understanding the choices and sacrifices that are made to partake in a Catholic education.

May you and your family enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving, filled with the abundance provided from our Creator. Take the time to reflect on the greatest blessings of children, family, and friends. As Zacchaeus was grateful that Jesus looked up and connected with him, let us all connect in gratitude for our faith and each other.

Pax et Bonum,

Sue Styren

Message From the Principal – Celebrating Champions of our Faith & Country
November 11, 2022
Principal Desk

Dear HFCS Families and Friends,

What a perfect day to celebrate our Veterans and St. Michael the Archangel. St. Michael has four main responsibilities or offices, as we know from scripture and Christian tradition.

  • The first is to combat Satan.
  • The second is to escort the faithful to heaven at their hour of death.
  • The third is to be a champion of all Christians, and the Church itself.
  • And the fourth is to call men from life on Earth to their heavenly judgment.

Today at our school mass we honored those men and women that have answered the call of their nation to serve and protect their country. They have been called to defend of all human rights, especially the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters as they go forth with courage and determination to face the forces of violence, weapons of destruction and hearts filled with hate.

Thank you to Kim Johnson and her 6th and 7th grade classes that put together our Veterans’ Day mass and reception. Thank you to all our Veterans for your service.

Pax et Bonum,

Sue Styren

Message From the Principal – All Saints & All Souls Days
November 2, 2022
Faith, Principal Desk

“God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength.” (CCC 1)

Dear HFCS Families and Friends,

Thank you to our 4th grade for creating our Ofrenda display to remember our family and friends that have departed this world. We join together in this season to pray for all souls.

Thank you also to our 2nd and 8th graders for the amazing Saints presentations that they have shared with us this week. It reminds us that God has created us all to be saints as we move forward in life. There’s a lovely artistic depiction of this at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. In the Saints niche to the left of the main altar is what appears to be an unfinished homage to our Saints … one singular niche is empty while all the others are filled with Saints. The empty niche is there to remind us that we all have the opportunity to be Saints – its the choices we make as we move through life that will determine if we are able to fulfill God’s plan for us.

 

Have a safe, happy, and prayerful week.

Pax et Bonum,

Sue Styren

Message From the Principal – Pumpkins & Prayers
November 2, 2022
Principal Desk

Dear HFCS Families and Friends,

Friday, we had our first Rosary Procession preceded by talks given on the Rosary to all the classes. We finished the day with Adoration led by Fr. Anthony and Fr. Remi. Many thanks to the Knights of Columbus that turned out to help with this effort and to Mr. Chavez, our CampusPumpkins & Prayers Minister, who put the event together. It was truly a beautiful prayerful end of the day.

This time of year finds our neighborhoods filled with skeletons, headstones, and carved pumpkins. We are surrounded by symbols of death. As Christians, we believe that death finds its true meaning in the light of the death and resurrection of Christ (Paschal Mystery). Through Jesus’ resurrection, death does not get the last word (1 Corinthians 15:19) Christ is our hope, and nothing – not even death – can separate us from the love of God. What may be commercially advertised as a “pagan” holiday, Halloween, in truth holds its origins in the Catholic faith. This all but forgotten triduum of Allhallowtide gives us an opportunity to celebrate and commemorate our departed loved ones, the saints, Heroes of our Faith, and all souls. I encourage you to explore this season and its roots.

This year, we will celebrate our loved ones through prayer and artistry. Traditionally, HFCS has placed a “Book of Life” in our entry where families may place the names of their loved ones that have departed this world. We urge you to share in this practice with us. We will pray for those loved ones throughout the remainder of this month and through November. Additionally, we will be creating an ofrenda. During Día de Muertos, November 1 and 2, the tradition is to build private altars (“ofrendas”) containing the photos of the departed. We encourage you to add to our ofrenda this season as well. Prayer is an important part of Allhallowtide and Dia de los Muertos celebrations. We pray for reconciliation, for living a life that transcends because of the sincere love we give in Christ’s name. We pray for God to comfort those of us that remain on earth.

Have a safe and happy Halloween, blessed All Saints and All Souls Days, and a great week!

Pax et Bonum,

Sue Styren

Message From the Principal – Finding Rest in God
October 19, 2022
Current Families, Principal Desk

Dear HFCS Families,

I am so grateful for our families here at HFCS and our extended families through the the many parishes here in Northern Idaho. We are truly blessed to be able to work and worship together. I start every day looking at the Daily Reflections published by Dynamic Catholic. Today, the post shared “Remember: Your Heart is Made to Rest in God..” It’s a busy week this week – and yet taking time to find rest and reflection in Christ is so important. Please feel free to stop in the chapel and spend a moment with Christ as you pick up or drop off your children. Your heart will truly find respite in God.

As we end each school day, our students rush out to meet their families in the carline, there’s an outpouring of joy to reunite with family members and share their day. Sometimes, that rush can be a little overwhelming for the little ones and in addition, safety precautions may not be being met as they should. To attend to that need, we would like your assistance.

  • Students will enter cars only from the curbside
  • Parents, please do NOT exit your vehicle
  • Students entering vehicles from in front of the school will enter only with Staff supervision.
  • Parents – please be keenly aware of other vehicles and individuals. Vehicle speed in the parking lot should be less than 5 miles per hour

If you have other family members picking up your children, please provide them with the information shared above please. Please plan to join us for our Eucharistic Procession and Rosary on Friday this week. See the flier below.

Thank you to Gprep for coming to visit our 5th – 8th graders this afternoon!

 

Have a blessed week.

Pax et Bonum,
Sue Styren
Principal

Message From the Principal – Fabulous Fall
October 12, 2022
Principal Desk

Dear HFCS Families,

Thank you so much for a fabulous Hawktoberfest! There are so many people to thank for putting this event on – I’m sure I will miss someone. Please know that we could not do this without the many volunteers that gave of themselves to plan and produce this amazing event.

Thank you all so much for your innovation, creativity, and hard work!

We are truly blessed with a great group of parents and volunteers from current families and alumni. This is turning out to be a beautiful fall.

Today, we had the opportunity to celebrate mass with Fr. Sleeva’s brother Fr. Arogyam Madanu, we look forward to having Fr. Madanu on campus throughout the year. 4th grade did a great job hosting the mass as well. Thank you to all who celebrated with us today.

 

Have a blessed week.

 

Pax et Bonum,

Sue Styren

Principal

Message From the Principal – Family Rosary Time
September 27, 2022
Current Families, Faith, Principal Desk, Service

I always look forward to the month of October and we are nearly there! October, as you may know, is the month of the Rosary. When I was a child, my family would gather together to pray the Rosary. It’s one of my earliest and favorite memories. Please join all our HFCS families this month, to pray the Rosary. I invite you every night in October to join us for the Family Rosary Across America, the program is sponsored by Relevant Radio. United in prayer, we can gather to support all human life.

Next week is Hawktober Spirit Week – leading up to our Hawktoberfest on Saturday, October 8th. Students participating in the theme for the day may be in Free Dress – as long as it matches the theme. Free Dress regulations apply. If you have questions please reach out to your homeroom teacher or the office.

We have a number of ways parents may be involved at school, last week we sent home a volunteer form. We hope that you will consider serving at an event, on campus assisting, or on one of our committees:

  • Advisory
  • Safety
  • Finance
  • Facilities
  • Wellness
  • Advancement

Have a blessed week.

Pax et Bonum,

Sue Styren

Principal

Message From the Principal – Family SUCCESS Together
September 22, 2022
Faith, Principal Desk

Dear HFCS Community,

“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” Luke 8:21

How does this happen? It happens when we “hear the Word of God and act on it.” It’s that simple. Fr. Len in his homily at our school mass today helped us to understand more fully the Mass. As he explained it, in the Gospel – we stand – to indicate that we are entering into a covenant with God. We are invited to enter the family of Jesus in a deep, personal and profound way as we listen to the word of God and then act on it.

When God speaks, His words are powerful and transforming. And acting on His words will change our lives.

At Holy Family Catholic School, we are a family and we have the opportunity to act as a family in support of one another as God asks us to do. The SUCCESS program helps to ensure that everyone in our family may have the opportunity to avail themselves of a Diocesan Catholic education if they so wish – no matter the ability to pay. Success is building the foundation on which our students, our children, can become the moral and ethical leaders of tomorrow. Success is our stepping stone to the future and investment in children and their contributions to our world and our communities.

We hope that you think of HFCS during your family prayer and how your gift of time, as a volunteer, and treasure, donating to the SUCCESS campaign will strengthen our community and become an investment in our childrens’ future.

Lord, I accept Your invitation to become a member of Your intimate family. May I hear Your voice speak and act upon all that You say. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

God bless you and keep you safe.

Pax et Bonum,

Sue Styren

Principal

Message From the Principal 9/13/22
September 14, 2022
Principal Desk

Dear HFCS Community,

We are in to week 2 and everyone is still smiling. Thank you to Fr. Len from Pope St. Pius X for celebrating Mass with us today. And thank you to JJ from St. George for his amazing musical talents supporting our choir and Mr. McDonell at mass. Beautiful voices and a wonderfully educational homily. It was a wonderful way to start out our week at HFCS.

Parents in Education (PIE) had their first meeting last night and we had a large group in attendance. I encourage you to come to the next meeting if you have not gotten involved yet. Lots of fellowship and great information to be shared at these meetings. One of the important notes discussed last night was the necessity to record and turn in your volunteer hours monthly. A sheet is provided to families in your family packet on which to record your hours. If you need help with this please reach out – if you are not sure how to volunteer – call our office or read below. There are many opportunities throughout the year for parents and guardians to fulfill their hours of service.

A few reminders as we begin the new school year:

  • Mass will be on Tuesdays @ 10:30 am, parents and families are welcome.
  • Fridays are Spirit Days, students, faculty, and staff are welcome to wear their spirit T-shirts and jeans. Once a month we will have free dress Friday – see school calendar for dates – usually the last Friday of the month.
  • PE starts September 14th. PE shirt may be worn under the school shirt for ease of changing. Girls may wear their PE shorts under their skirts/jumpers as well.

Thank you to all our families, staff, teachers, and priests for making our first of week of school fabulous. Let’s continue the year with joy, peace, and love of Christ.

Pax et Bonum,

Sue Styren

Principal