This Week at MSS

HSA presents: Girls Night Out: The Eras Tour • February 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m. • $15/adult & child; $5 each additional child

*MSS Families Only*

Get ready to sparkle and sway! Girls are invited to bring along a special adult in their life (Dad, Mom, Uncle, Friend, etc.) to dance the night away at our Taylor Swift-themed sweetheart dance this year. Come dressed in your favorite Era! We'll have a DJ and light refreshments.

We could also use a few hands to help with set up, clean up, and making sure it all runs smoothly!

Buy Tickets | Volunteer

Dear Families,

Congratulations to Pre-K 3 teacher, Mrs. McKenzie Paull for being named the 2024-2025 Friends of Catholic Education Teacher of Excellence. The recipient of this award must demonstrate Christian values in their daily life, demonstrate a high level of expertise in their subject area, create a warm classroom learning environment, be able to motivate students and help them to succeed, be supportive of colleagues, professionally interact with community members, and make a difference in their school environment with their leadership, dedication, and sense of humor. Mrs. Paull does all this and more every day at Mother Seton School. Mrs. Paull was recognized at the annual Friends of Catholic Education Teacher Appreciation Dinner on Sunday, February 2.

Thank you to Joelle Miller, the HSA, and all those who planned and prepared the Catholic Schools Week faculty and staff luncheon on Friday. The meal was delicious. Thank you also to the HSA for the Starbucks gift cards to help faculty and staff close out Catholic Schools Week 2025. We all had a fun time celebrating Catholic education at Mother Seton School.

A couple of calendar reminders: School will be closed on Monday, February 10 for the annual faculty and staff spiritual retreat. School will also be closed on Monday, February 17, in observance of President’s Day.

This week’s message about the Jubilee year of hope concerns indulgences, which in our faith refers to the reduction of suffering from sins that have been forgiven. “Jubilee years emphasize the sacrament of reconciliation and restoring relationships with God. They also provide opportunities for a special jubilee indulgence, which can remove the residual effects of sin through the grace of Christ” (OSV, December 2024).

To obtain an indulgence, the usual conditions of detachment from all sin, sacramental confession, holy Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the pope must be met. A few of the many ways someone can obtain an indulgence include making a pilgrimage to Rome; performing works of mercy; fasting from social media; defending all life; volunteering; donating money to the poor; supporting social works; offering support to migrants, the elderly, young people in difficulty, or abandoned children; or visiting your local cathedral or dedicated Jubilee Pilgrimage site. The Archbishop of Baltimore, William Lori, named The National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton a Jubilee Pilgrimage Site. Visit this site in Emmitsburg to learn more about receiving a plenary indulgence. For more information about indulgences, read this article.

Have a blessed week!

Sincerely,

Kathleen J. Kilty, PhD
Principal

Join us for CASH BINGO to benefit MSS! Sponsored by the Vigilant Hose Company. Saturday, March 1. Doors open at 4pm; Games begin at 6pm.

9 Pack All Inclusive - 25 games!

• Regular: $150
• Specials: $250
• Jackpot: $1000

$40 in advance, $50 at the door - Get your tickets online, at The Palms, or at Wed or Fri night VHC Bingo!

BUY TICKETS

Strawbridge Studios will return on Friday, February 21, for Spring pictures. Students may come out of uniform.

These photos are optional purchases; they will take a couple of different poses of your student against a spring-like background. (Usually at least one is a full-body shot, to include their shoes. Just an FYI.) In a few weeks, you will receive a package with the printed photos. Keep and pay for what you want; return what you don't want. 

More info can be found here.

*HSA Gala Planning Meeting for February 5 Has Been Canceled*

February 10: NO SCHOOL - Faculty Retreat

February 11: Mass, 9:30am; HSA Meeting, 6:30pm in the Media Center - RSVP for childcare

February 13: Re-registration forms and fees due to secure a spot next year

February 14: Registration fee increases to $300/student (max $900/family) if paid today or later

February 17: NO SCHOOL - President's Day

February 21: Spring Pictures

Greetings,

On February 7, we will celebrate the feast day of Blessed Rosalie Rendu, DC (Sept. 9,1786 – Feb. 9, 1856). Rosalie was three years old when the French Revolution broke out. The Rendu family home became a refuge for the priests who would not sign the Oath. Rosalie learned about the Daughters of Charity as she walked by the hospital on her way to school. She entered the Daughters of Charity at 16 years of age. During the Seminary, she struggled with her health and was sent on mission to serve the poor. She remained there for 54 years. Rosalie was a woman of prayer and found her best prayer in the streets serving those in need. Rosalie did whatever needed to be done to serve those in need creating a network of services. She was respected for her dedication to service and was consulted for recommendations by many, including Napolean III’s wife. Rosalie helped students from the Sorbonne including Frederic Ozanam as they began the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in 1834. It is said that 40,000 – 50, 000 people, poor and rich, attended her funeral. To this day, an anonymous hand places flowers at her grave. Her gravestone cross is engraved with these words, “To Sister Rosalie, from her grateful friends, the rich and the poor.”

Reflection Question: What would you like your legacy to be? Will you be known for your dedication to serve those in need?

“Be not lax in celebrating. Be not lazy in the festive service of God. Be ablaze with enthusiasm!”  (Hildegard von Bingen)

Advent Blessings,

Sister Regina Hlavac, Vincentian Voice

Mark you calendars for our Spring Dinner and Auction, A Night at the Races on April 12th! Save the Dates and more details coming SOON!

KIDS HEART CHALLENGE 2025 - February 4-28

Goal: $19,000, 100 students registered

Your child's teacher or Mrs. Reaver will send home more information on how to participate.

Key Highlights of the Kids Heart Challenge:

• Educational Lessons – Teaching students about heart health, staying active, making healthy food choices, and avoiding tobacco.

• Physical Activities – Engaging events like jump rope challenges and obstacle courses to encourage movement.

• Fundraising – Raising money to support AHA’s research and community programs.

• Character Development – Instilling values of kindness, leadership, and community service.

Classroom Incentives:

• The first three classes to reach 100% registration will win a $25 Amazon gift card for their teacher (courtesy of AHA).

• The class that completes the most Finn’s Missions will also win an Amazon gift card.

• Additional challenges and prizes will be announced throughout the event.

Have you downloaded the Mother Seton School app yet? Get the calendar, lunch menu, and Tuesday News at your fingertips. Plus find quick links to the most visited pages on the website. Find it in the Google Play store or Apple App Store. Search for Mother Seton School Emmitsburg and look for our logo!

If you have the app and notifications enabled, you will receive alerts when they are sent.

Already have it? Please give it a rating in the store you downloaded it from. The more good ratings it gets, the easier it will be for other families to find it!