STA Weekly Update

STA Priests New Assignments

Fr. John Kyebasuuta: St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Altadena, July 1st2025

Fr. Joseph Li: Archdiocese of Beijing Seminary, Beijing, June 2nd2025

Fr. Ambrose Udoji: St. Thomas Aquinas,July 1st 2025

Fr. Joseph Guo: St. Thomas Aquinas, June 2nd 2025

Dear School parents,

On June 30th 2025, my term as pastor here at STA will conclude.

Beginning July 1st 2025, Archbishop Jose Gomez has given me a new assignment as the pastor of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church located at 1879 N. Lake Ave, Altadena, about ten miles north of STA.

Fr. Ambrose Udoji

Archbishop Jose Gomez has appointed Fr. Ambrose Udoji to be the Administrator of St. Thomas Aquinas effective July 1st 2025. Fr. Ambrose Udoji, originally from Nigeria, was ordained a catholic priest in 1995. He served as a pastor in Nigeria up till 2008 when he came to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

He served as an associate pastor at St Philip Catholic church in Pasadena, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Downey, St Linus Norwalk and currently St Genevieve Panorama City.

Fr. Joseph Li and Fr. Joseph Guo

Fr. Joseph Li will also finish his assignment here at STA on June 2nd. He will return to his home Diocese in Beijing. In collaboration with the Archbishop of Beijing, Fr. Joseph Guo from Beijing Seminary will be assigned here by Archbishop Gomez to serve as the new STA associate pastor effective June 1st 2025.

Please keep our parish in prayer during these big transitions taking place at this time.

May God bless us. Fr. John.

Re-registration is open for the 2025-2026 school year. Attached are the re-registration form and tuition/fees sheet for the new school year.

If you are short on service hours, please get in touch with the office.

We still have upcoming events where you can contribute to complete your service hours.

Please use the following link to find PTO minutes: https://ptosta.com/

5/8/25 School Mass

5/15/25 School Mass

5/22/25 School Mass

5/29/25 School Mass

First communion retreat will take place on May 8th at 10:00 am in the Parish Hall.

All 2nd grade parents are encouraged to attend but are not required to do so. Parents will work with their student on their first communion banner.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://la-archdiocese.zoom.us/j/5897232327?pwd=hGJDBPoa0avpCDA9GaZspT81syDkGf.1

Meeting ID: 589 723 2327

Passcode: sta

We are excited to invite all of our wonderful mother figures and their sons to our Mother/Son Dance happening this Friday! This special evening promises to be filled with fun, laughter, and cherished memories as we celebrate the unique bond between mothers and sons.

We can’t wait to welcome you to this joyful event and look forward to seeing our STA families come together for a night of dancing and togetherness.

See you there!

If you're available to volunteer at our Mother-Son Dance this Friday, May 9, please reach out to Mrs. Armstrong as soon as you can. We could use extra hands between 6:00 PM and 9:30 PM to make the night a success!

Ms. Aurora Rodriguez from 2nd grade will be our principal for the day!

Ms. Aurora Rodriguez has decided to extend recess by 15 minutes, so everyone will enjoy a 35 min recess.

Ms. Aurora Rodriguez also extended lunch by 10 minutes, so all the students will enjoy a 1 hour lunch.

We will host our sports bbq for all athletes at 2:30 pm, feel free to join us.

Athletes and coaches will be recognized for their contributions!!!

2nd grade students will be doing their first communion on May 17 at 10 am in the church. The front pews are reserved for the students doing communion and their families. The rest of the school community is welcomed to join us during this important sacrament for our 2nd grade students.

Student council trip:

5/14/25

Mr. Contreras and Mr. Juarez will accompany the students. No extra chaperones are needed.

We will meet in school in the morning and students will be picked up from school in the evening. Hours will be released soon.

8th grade trip

5/27/25

Ms. Campos and Mr. Juarez will accompany the students. No extra chaperones are needed at this moment. Transportation is still being worked out, we will notify you as soon as we have finalized it.

8th grade will be taking professional photos so that we don't have to worry about taking picture during the actual day of graduation.

Students must bring their cap and gown.

Boys must wear their suit and tie with dressing shoes.

Girls must wear their graduation dress with formal shoes (short heels).

Students will be able to change into their PE uniform immediately after the photos.

All the students who re-registered before the incentive deadline will be able to enjoy a movie accompanied with pizza and juice.

All service hours are due on May 23rd.

Families with outstanding service hours will be billed $15 per hour.

This is a reminder that there will be no school on Monday, May 26 in observance of Memorial Day. As we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country, we hope your family enjoys a safe and restful holiday.

Classes will resume on Tuesday, May 27.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

5/27/25 Disneyland Trip

Drop off: 8 am at STA (We will not wait for late students and we will not pick up anyone at Disneyland)

Pick Up: 11 pm at STA

5/28/25 Picnic Day (Parents are welcome to join)

Location: Sunnyslopes Park

Time: 9:30 am - 1:00 pm

Food: The school will order pizza

Drinks and Snacks: Please bring any drinks/snacks you would like to contribute

5/29/25

Memory Walk/ Retreat

8:30 am to 2:00 pm (you can pick up your student at 2:00 pm)

Banquet in the Parish Hall

6:30 pm to 8:30

5/30/25 Graduation Prep Day (No School)

We are looking forward to celebrating our 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony, a special milestone in your child’s journey. This is a proud and memorable occasion for our students, families, and school community.

Please note that all graduates must arrive no later than 9:30 AM on the day of the ceremony.

Early arrival is crucial to ensure students are fully prepared, lined up in order, and ready for the processional. Staff will be on-site to assist with final preparations, attire checks, and any last-minute instructions.

We appreciate your support in helping make this a smooth and dignified event for all.

The front pews are reserved for graduates and their families.

The school community is welcome to join us for this special day.

We will be offering summer camp for all of our students.

Dates: 6/23/25 - 7/25/25

Cost:

Registration per student: $35

Tuition per week: $315

Discount per week if 2 or more weeks: $20

Sibling discount of 30% for each additional student: $220

Bus fee for each field trip: $15 per person

Summer morning care per day for each child: $6 from 7:30- 8:00 am

Summer afternoon care: We will partner with the Boys and Girls club who will be in charge of afterschool care from 2:30 - 6:00 pm. Boys & Girls club will charge a $100 fee per week for the 5 weeks the students are on our campus. The same offer will be extended to families who need daycare after summer camp.

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Start Date 8/18/25

Ice Cream Social/ Supply Drop Off 8/11/25 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Christmas Break 12/22/25 - 1/2/26

Easter Break 4/3/26 - 4/10/26

End Date 6/12/26