December 20, 2007
Dear Parents,
Christmas is a wonderful season at Holy Child Academy! Beginning with the family Christmas Liturgy on December 9 and continuing with the weekly lighting of the Advent wreath, the HCA community has prepared for the birth of Jesus with prayerful activities and memorable traditions.
We are especially proud of the many service projects supported by the school community during December. Students collected toys for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and for The Life Center of Eastern Delaware County. Faculty and staff donated funds to purchase DVDs and games in Seventh Grader Thomas Verdi’s name for the oncology floor at CHOP. Another Seventh Grader, Carrie Ryan, collected used books for the East Parkside Neighborhood Association in Manayunk. Thank you for helping to make these efforts successful.
We salute six Eighth Graders who have received early Christmas presents, seven scholarships to area independent high schools:
- Jack Brenner and Stephen Donnelly, Devon Preparatory School;
- Akul Penugonda, Malvern Preparatory School (full) and St. Joseph’s Preparatory School;
- Jennifer Adelizzi and Danielle Radomile, Country Day School of the Sacred Heart; and
- Shelby Tana, Academy of Notre Dame de Namur.
Santa left an additional early gift under the Holy Child Academy Christmas tree --- Coloring Cornelia, a beautiful coloring book depicting the life of Cornelia Connelly, the foundress of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. Conceived and written by primary director and guidance counselor Anne Wood, the book recounts the important events in Cornelia’s life in simple, captivating terms. Illustrated by Seventh Grader Joe Farrell and art teacher LynAnn Mueller, the drawings will enthrall audiences of all ages. You can purchase copies in the main office of the school.
As the handbell and senior vocal choirs entertained audiences at the Delaware County Courthouse, Villanova Conference Center, Riddle Village, New Sharon Infirmary in Rosemont, and Center Square in Philadelphia, they, along with the band, jazz band, string ensemble, wind ensemble, dance troupe and junior choir, brought down the HCA “house” with a dazzling concert on the evening of December 13.
Primary children were filled with anticipation as they prepared a beautiful gift for their parents, the Christmas Gala. On the evening of December 17, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels, Wise Men, and “narrators” were a sight to behold and Third Graders delighted audiences with A Penguin Christmas.
December 18 brought a spectacular primary Grandparents’ Day celebration with a repeat performance of the previous evening’s show. On December 19, the student council prepared cookies, chocolate milk, and hot chocolate for all HCA students. The day ended with a beautiful Advent prayer service led by Eighth Graders. The children left for vacation brimming with excitement for the Christmas season.
I hope that the days ahead will afford you many memorable hours with family and friends and that 2008 will bring you many blessings.
Please know how grateful we are for all that you do for Holy Child Academy.
Sincerely,
Anita P. Coll
Head |