“The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” This lyric from the classic Christmas carol, “O Little Town of Bethlehem, ” was penned by Phillips Brooks after his trip to the Holy Land in 1868. Though written over a century and a half ago, these words ring as true today as ever before. Christ continues to be our harbor of hope and Prince of Peace amidst all our fears and uncertainties. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13: 8). His birth in Bethlehem reveals that each of us is uniquely loved by God. Each of us matters to him. And each of us is called to live like we are loved by the Lord. This is the truth we seek to instill in our students every day here at St. Anne School.

As we write you this letter, we are blessed to have 77 beloved students learning the Lord’s love. Along with the addition of six students compared to this time last year, we are tremendously grateful to be offering sixth grade this year! Our Parish and School staffs’ extra efforts to make this happen have been a daily inspiration both to us and to our students. While the land of Christ’s birth and many parts of the world are witnessing war and upheaval, we have been blessed with Christ’s peace throughout this first semester. We wish to share his peace with anyone who worships with us at Mass, volunteers to help our students, or simply pays us a visit.

To continue Christ’s mission of peace, we humbly ask you to join us this Christmas and New Year in our 2024 Guardian Angel Appeal. Donations of any amount to our Appeal help St. Anne Catholic School and Preschool Academy provide an excellent Catholic education to our students while remaining affordable for our families. In gratitude for your support, we will remember you, our Guardian Angel benefactors, by praying for you every week at our School Mass and by displaying your name on the Parish and School lobby television throughout the school year. Please prayerfully consider supporting our 2024 Guardian Angel Appeal with your charitable contribution. We thank you in advance for your generosity to this year’s Appeal. May the Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace, bless you and your families with his peace this Christmas and New Year!

Fr. Timothy Draper, Pastor

Mrs. Talarie Bilharz, Principal