A Few “Brief” Notes from the Principal

Hello Crusader Families!

What a wonderful first week we had at Holy Name!  It was so good to see the kids again and listen to their stories of summer vacation.  It’s great to hear voices in the hallway, praying in the Chapel, and giggling in the lunchroom and playground again.  It was too quiet here this summer without them.  We are blessed to have such wonderful students at Holy Name and we’re grateful to their parents, grandparents, and benefactors who help support their Catholic education.

Yesterday’s first School Mass was absolutely beautiful.  Father Tim and Deacon Bob lead a beautiful Mass, the Middle School Choir sang so lovely, and it was wonderful to be together again in the presence of Jesus.  Next week’s Mass will be held in the gym as it’s our annual Grandparent’s Day Mass.  All grandparents are welcome to attend this special Mass at 8:45am.  We will also be recognizing the Knights of Columbus for all of their hard work this summer on our locker room renovation.  We hope to see you all at this very special Mass.

Thank you so much for returning the forms and packet that was handed out at Open House.  Our office staff have been very busy entering all the important information.  If you haven’t returned your forms yet, please fill them out this weekend and return the packet on Tuesday.  It’s especially important that you fill out the Free and Reduced Lunch application, even if you know you won’t qualify or if you don’t want to participate in the program, as that is how we receive Title I funding.

Just a couple of reminders as we start back to school; please remember that the three yellow lines in the Grade School parking lot indicate a quick drop off/pick up area.  For the safety of the students and to help with the flow of traffic, please do not park in this area.  Also, please remind your child that if they ride the bus, they should check in with Ms. Maddi in the office when they come in so she can make sure they are marked present and to get their lunch order.  If you drop off your child after 8:15am, please bring them in the front doors and check in with the office.  If your child will be absent, please contact the office by 8:30am by calling 906-786-7550.

There will not be school on Friday or Monday due to Labor Day.  I pray that you all enjoy this long weekend and we’ll see you back on Tuesday, September 8th!

God bless,

Mrs. Brief 😀

A “Viau” from the Headmaster

Hello Crusader Family!

The first week of the school year is in the books and it was a great one! The high school students and staff showed up ready to learn and work. We started the week with a delicious home-cooked breakfast after Mass on Monday morning. Breakfast was sponsored by our Student Life Committee and a huge thank you to Henry Trottier and Jackie Hastings for cooking for us. It was a great start to the week. We were in school for two days and then left early yesterday morning for our annual fall retreat. This year’s retreat was held at Companions of Christ the Lamb retreat center in Paradise, Michigan. We started the trip with a stop at Tahquamenon Falls where the students and chaperones hiked a short distance into the park and swam in the falls. We then finished our travels for the day deep into the woods at the retreat center. Fr. Ryan Ford led our retreat and focused on the importance of being rooted in our faith and in each other this school year. We hiked, had wonderful talks and small group activities and finished off the day yesterday with a campfire. Today we celebrated Mass and finished the day with some trust activities. It was a wonderful two days with the perfect mix of fun and learning and growing closer to each other and to God. Over the last two days, these students have left me in awe and speechless on more than one occasion. Their commitment to each other and to their faith is absolutely beautiful.  I’m so proud of them!

As I reflect on the first week of school, I am reminded how blessed I am. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be part of this Holy Name High School family. God has each of us where we are meant to be right now. We are small (for now) but we are mighty and we are strong in the Lord. Thank you, parents, for allowing me to be part of your kid’s lives again this year. I am so blessed and am looking forward to another fantastic year ahead!

Go Crusaders!

Erin Viau
Headmaster