Dear OLVCS Families,

This Sunday, January 25 at the 9:30 Mass is the kick off to Catholic Schools Week. You have received an email yesterday with details for the week, the one-sheet is also below.

** The weather forecast for Saturday night into Sunday is variable at this time. Depending on how the impending storm tacks, we can get significant snow fall or very little. While it is important to celebrate Catholic Schools, it is most important to be safe. Use your best judgement on whether or not to attend.

Our teachers and middle school students are fortunate to have a subscription to the Hallow App. These subscriptions are made possible in part by a grant from the Independent Catholic Foundation. Through prayer and meditation rooted in the Catholic faith, the app helps the students and teachers grow closer to God and find peace. They are able to pray alongside Fr. Mike, Sr. Miriam, Mark Wahlberg, Jonathan Roumie and many more.

OLV parishioners are invited to also be a part of the Hallow App and the parish page. Hallow OLV Sign-up

Our Hallow representative, Jonathan Campbell will give a talk on The Transformative Power of Prayer; tomorrow, Thursday, January 22 from 7-8:30 pm in the OLV church. (details below)

Make it a Great Day!

Samantha

Notable Dates:

Sunday, January 25th: Catholic Schools Week Mass @ 9:30 am

Sunday, January 25th - Friday, January 30th: Catholic Schools Week!

Monday, January 26th: NO MASS

Monday, February, 2nd Mass (3rd grade)

Monday, February 9th Mass (2nd grade))

Wednesday, February 18th: MASS Ash Wednesday @ 10:00 am

Monday, February 23rd: Mass (1st grade)

Monday, March 2nd: Mass (8th grade)

Friday, March 6th: No School: Diocesan Safety Inservice

Monday, March 9th - Friday, March 13th: Spring Break

Pictured: The Book Fair is all set up! There are so many great books to choose from!

In the last 2 months, we have had almost 300 parishioners sign up for Hallow and pray over 17,000 prayers! On Thursday, January 22 from 7-8:30pm in the church our Hallow representative Jonathan Campbell will come to OLV to give a talk on The Transformative Power of Prayer. This will kick off our next Prayer Challenge, 14 Days of Prayer, beginning on January 26. If you have questions, please contact sclement@ourladyofvictory.com.

Please note the location change!

The book fair will run January 20-25th, and will held in the Social Hall of the OLV Activity Center due to the ongoing stage renovation project. Each elementary class will be brought to the fair during their normal library class time, and Middle School will go to the fair during religion class time throughout the week. Envelopes and order form will be sent home so you can list the books/items your child would like to purchase. Please see the attached book fair catalog!

The book fair will also be open to parents and families:

Saturday Jan. 24th from 6-7pm after Saturday Mass.

Sunday Jan. 25th - join us after the Catholic Schools Week Mass for donuts and books from 10:30-1:00pm!

An online link is also available: https://store.ignatiusbookfairs.com/. To purchase for our school's benefit, you need to make a login.

We need help with set up, packing up, and sales throughout the week.

Please sign up here.

Email Melanie Smith (melanie.yonushonis@gmail.com) with any questions.

Get a team together and join us for the best night of the year! Great food, prizes, and (of course) trivia!

Date: Saturday, February 28th, 2026.

Time: Doors open at 6:30PM, and the trivia fun kicks off at 7:30PM.

Location: OLVCS Gymnasium

Trivia Night benefits OLVCS Extracurricular Programs!

Early Bird Tickets/Tables

**Discounted Rate When Purchased On Or Before February 15th**
Individual: $50
Table (seats 8): $350

Regular Tickets/Tables
**Purchased Between February 16th And 26th**
Individual: $60
Table (seats 8): $400

Need More Info?
Look for a special edition newsletter after the holidays!

OLVCS Middle School Pro-Life Service Club will run each Thursday during the month of January after school until 4:00pm. The club will meet in the Spanish Room, and students can be picked up near the school's front main entrance. Fun activities are planned for all students in grades 6-8. Students are encouraged to attend when they can. Service hours are available. Snacks will be provided. Activities planned include:

Creating Care Packages for New OLVCS Moms
Diaper Drive for Gabriel Project with talk from Gabriel Project Organizer: Mrs. Allison
Cards of encouragement for OLV new parents and those being baptized
Make cards and spiritual bouquets for the homebound

Sign Up Here: OLVCS Middle School Pro-Life Service Club

Coming Important Dates

1. 01/25-01/31 Catholic Schools Week

a. 01/25: Catholic Schools Week Mass, Sunday @ 9:30am (refreshments & book fair following mass in Social Hall)

b. 01/26: 9:00am CSW Pep Rally - please drop your child/children off 8:30am-8:45am

c. 01/30: Preschool Mitten Drive Donations Due (Accepted the whole week.)

2. 02/17: Pancake Day! (Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras)

3. 02/18: Ash Wednesday

a. Students receive ashes from Deacon Dave in the baptistry.

b. Parents are welcome to join.

Registration is now open for the OLV Women's Conference (Saturday, February 7, 2026) and the parish-wide Spirit Night (Friday, February 6, 2026).

Saturday's women's conference will feature Fr. Paul O'Connor, SJ as the speaker. Registration is $30 for adults and $15 for college students. The event is 9:00 am - 4:00 pm and includes Mass, two talks, and opportunities for Confession, Adoration and prayer. Lunch and a light breakfast will be provided.

Friday evening's Spirit Night, which is open to both men and women, is free of charge, with donations being accepted at the door. The event is 6:30 - 9:00 pm and includes music, two talks, and opportunities for Confession and prayer. The featured speakers are Mike Ragon and Mary Beth Garvin, co-founders of Peter's Shadow Healing Ministry.

Both events take place at OLV.

Participants can register at https://olvwomen2026.paperform.co/ or by using the QR for the event.

Several changes have been made to the calendar for those children receiving First Reconciliation and First Communion this school year. New dates for Reconciliation are as follows:

Friday, April 24th, 2026 @ 10:00am: OLVCS students

Sunday, April 19th, 2026 @ 10:30am: CCD students in Dr. Zazzali’s class

Sunday, April 26th, 2026 @ 10:30am: CCD students in Miss Small’s/Dr. Puts’ class and anyone who missed the prior dates (OLVCS or CCD)

NOTE: Students who are receiving Reconciliation and Communion this year but who are not in 2nd grade should pick one of the CCD Sundays to receive First Reconciliation.

First Holy Communion will still be held on Saturday, May 2nd @ 10:00am (students arrive by 9:30am).

Rehearsal will be moved to Friday, May 1st @ 6:00-7:00pm.

CCD families will complete two extra, at-home assignments, one before First Reconciliation and one before First Communion. Details about the assignments will be emailed to CCD families several weeks ahead of First Reconciliation and First Communion (shortly before and after Easter).

CCD chalice painting will be moved to Sunday, March 1st during CCD class (previously Sunday, February 22nd). OLVCS students will still have Chalice Painting on Ash Wednesday, February 18th.