The Holy Family Academy students and faculty celebrated the Advent and Christmas seasons with a variety of activities.
December 8th is a Holy Day of Obligation, and as such, the school is closed – however, that doesn’t keep students from the halls of HFA… Students decorated the school on December 8 after attending Mass in celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with their families.
Every classroom and office was filled with cheer, as well as the common areas, and even the teachers’ lounge!
On December 16, Fr. Saenz celebrated the year-end Mass in the chapel.
That evening, the students provided a joyous kick-off to the season with their performances in Tidings and Tinsel. Families were serenaded with traditional Christmas carols such as Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard on High and Joy to the World as well as some more modern wintery favorites like Sleigh Ride.
The grand finale was a rendition of 12 Days of HFA Christmas by the entire student body that concluded with “…and a Padre in a pear tree.”
Many thanks to Music Director Monica Hable and Prinicipal Laura Graves for their work with the students to make this a fun-filled evening for all.
The school year ended the following week with final exams and classroom celebrations.
Amid winter cold and flu season, the students soldiered on – with some needing to take their final exam after Christmas break!
Students were welcomed back to school on January 4 to begin the second semester. On Friday, January 6, Fr. Saenz celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. Epiphany recognizes the manifestation of Jesus to the whole world after being revealed to the shepherds of Bethlehem at Christmas. The Magi were the first Gentile witnesses of His message of universal salvation.
After Mass, students marked HFA door frames using blessed chalk with the inscri6tion of “20 + C + M + B + 23”. The chalking of the doors is a centuries-old practice observed throughout the world. It is when people dedicate the year to God and ask His blessing on their homes and on all who live, work or visit them. Traditionally, the names of the Magi are remembered as Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. The first letters of these three names – C, M, B – are inscribed on the door frame. C M B may also stand for “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” meaning “May Christ bless this dwelling.” The numbers 20 and 23 indicate the year 2023.
