Today we celebrate the birthday of Society of the Sacred Heart foundress St. Madeleine Sophie Barat! Born on December 12, 1779, in Joigny, France, Madeleine Sophie led a life of vision and ministry. Here is how Sophie inspires us today to live out the Five Goals of a Sacred Heart Education by her lifelong example.
As we enter into the season of Advent, this precious time of waiting in hope, peace, joy, and love, we share a reflection from Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ, Provincial of the Society of the Sacred Heart, United States-Canada Province. Sister Cooke recently recorded a video message for the University of San Diego (formerly a Sacred Heart School) community, which is celebrating their 75th anniversary. Her message resonates with the Sacred Heart family and invites us to carve out time each day to be still.
Welcome to Advent. We know that Advent is a four-week period, but sometimes it can feel mad: the energy and excitement preparing for Christmas can get the better of us. So what might Advent offer us? How can Advent mean something different for us this year?
Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, who was the founder of the Society of the Sacred Heart, once wrote about Advent, “Prepare for Christ coming into your hearts, for that is why Christ came on Earth—to be born and to develop in your souls so on that beautiful day of Christmas we will taste the peace the angels have announced to people of goodwill.”
It has been a joy meeting families at Philippine’s Playgroup twice a month! Philippine’s Playgroup is an open, free, and casual playgroup for children 3 years and younger with their caregivers on the first and third Tuesday of every month. This past Tuesday we had a surprise guest reader, Mrs. Pearce, our Little Acorns/Lower School Science teacher! She got us in the holiday spirit when she read “Santa’s Stuck.” At our next playgroup on Tuesday, December 17th, Ms. Weiss, our Pre-Primary teacher, will read another holiday book!
We invite you to campus to enjoy this relaxed setting for children to engage in play with peers as caregivers socialize, supervise, and join in play. We invite younger siblings, friends and families to come on the first and third Tuesday of every month 8:15-9:30 a.m. We will continue playgroup in 2025 with more surprise guests! Mark your calendar for January 7th and January 21st!
Today we celebrate the 224th Birthday of the Society of the Sacred Heart, founded by St. Madeleine Sophie Barat in Paris in 1800. As we begin the season of gratitude, this week reminds us of how much we have to be thankful for. From our founding mothers and the Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ), to celebrating the Feast of St. Philippine Duchesne with Grandfriends to the extraordinary dedication of our faculty and staff, we are grateful. We give thanks for the mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart, the courage and confidence of Philippine to establish our school, the love and support of our families, and the commitment of our faculty.
Below are notes that were received this week from afar that illustrate a deep connection to Philippine and our beloved school as we follow in her footsteps.
Breakfast with Santa is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season with joy and excitement! Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Advanced tickets are $15 per-parent and per-child, children age 2 and under enter for free.
This week, music teacher Mrs. Liz Foor shares her gratitude for veterans and for the Academy community that supports her family. Along with Mrs. Alarcon’s Fourth Class, she is planning a special Veterans Day Assembly on Monday, November 11. All are welcome!
Veterans Day is a time to recognize and honor all those who have served in the U.S. Military, both the living and the fallen. My family is fortunate to have the opportunity to honor our own hero every day—Sergeant Major Josh Foor, who has been serving in the Army for 18 years and is still serving.
For those of you who are new to the Academy, I had the privilege of teaching here during the 2021 and 2022 school years. Our daughter, Gabby, also spent her time as a Little Acorn and Pre-Primary student. After we were relocated to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas for my husband’s schooling, we were thrilled when the opportunity to return arose. As a family, we couldn’t be happier to be back. The connections we’ve made at the Academy, the support we’ve received, and the sense of community are what I cherish most.
We are excited to connect with Academy alums in the Kansas City area on Saturday, Nov. 16! Join Tim Horner, Head of School, and Sharon Mitsler, Director of Alumni, for some Sacred Heart camaraderie and connect with other alums in Kansas City. Appetizers will be provided.
We are excited to connect with Academy alums in the Kansas City area!
Academy Alumni Gathering
Saturday, November 16 | 5-7 p.m.
Brown & Loe
429 Walnut St., KCMO, 64106
Join Tim Horner, Head of School, and Sharon Mitsler, Director of Alumni, for some Sacred Heart camaraderie and connect with other alums in Kansas City. Appetizers will be provided.
RSVP by Wednesday, Nov. 13 below.
Parking is available within the River Market, on the street and paid lots are within a few blocks.
For more information, please contact Sharon Mitsler, smitsler@ash1818 or 636-946-6127, ext. 1630, Director of Alumni, Parents of Alumni and Hospitality.
Fine motor development is important in the early years and Sacred Heart educators know how to make it fun and engaging. Our faculty share some ideas to help little ones. These easy activities are fun to sneak in some practice!
To watch our first in a series of Early Childhood videos, click here.
