The Triduum of Hallowtide

This Sunday we celebrate Halloween which comes from the Catholic tradition of All Hallows Eve.  Pope Sixtus IV in 1484 established November 1 as a holy day of obligation and gave it a vigil (known today as "All Hallows' Eve" or "Hallowe'en")

In England, saints or holy people are called "hallowed", hence the name "All Hallows’ Day".  (Think about the Our Father – Hallowed be thy name.)  The evening, or "e'en" before the feast became popularly known as "All Hallows' Eve" or even shorter, "Hallowe'en".

Many recipes and traditions have come down for this evening, "All Hallows’ Eve" (now known as Halloween).  In England "soul cakes" are another traditional food. People would go begging for a "soul cake" and promise to pray for the donor's departed friends and family in exchange for the treat, an early version of today's "Trick or Treat."

This week is a good time to talk to students in Religion class about The 3 special days - All Hallows Eve, All Saints, and All Souls Day.  Be sure students and parents are aware of what the children should wear to Mass next week on Monday, Nov. 1 (PE shorts and saints t-shirt or saints costume for gr. PK-2nd).  

Please remember that students may wear a Halloween or Fall color t-shirt on Friday with jeans.  Be sure to go over the rules particularly the length of shorts (2 inches above the knee).  Friday is also our Trunk or Treat event.  Please try to attend and support our PTCO and student council who are working hard to make this a fun event.  

Grades 5-8 will go back to the FLC on Monday to eat lunch.  I know the students are very excited to be back there.  Please create a seating chart.  This is important as they are sitting next to each other without masks for an extended time.  You can create the seating chart after they sit down at the table and share it with me later in the day.  Gina and I will be there for lunch tomorrow and can help with that too.  

Teachers, our PLC meeting tomorrow will be for teachers to meet in grade levels and work on filling in the information in the spreadsheet Christa created.  I will be sure to share that with you.  This means it will not be necessary for PK and Encore teachers to attend.  

I believe that's everything.  Have a great week!