Mrs. Mulvanerty's Update

September 13, 2026

Hello, SKS!

This week’s gospel about forgiveness has me thinking.

Over the summer, someone I know went to confession for the first time in a very long time. He had just been through a pretty rough patch in his life, and he was a little nervous about doing it. When I spoke to him afterwards, he sounded the happiest I’d heard him sound in a very long time. He said, “It feels so good to have a clean slate.”

Those words stayed with me. What a gift it is to start over - completely unburdened by past mistakes, missed opportunities, or old habits.

It struck me how much that feeling mirrors this first week of school. September is the ultimate season of the clean slate. Crisp notebooks, sharp pencils, clean sneakers, and a fresh calendar. Our kids get to walk into new classrooms with a blank page in front of them. Teachers get a fresh start with a new group of students. And as parents, we get a chance to reset our goals and family routines, choosing not to let last year's struggles or past mistakes define what happens next.

This is all very exciting! But let's not forget, despite our best intentions, as humans, the year ahead will not be perfect. I will make mistakes. There will be scuffles in the playground. Forgotten lunches. Lessons that don't work out the way we wanted. Tests that didn't go so well. Days we know that aren't our best for whatever reason. Let's go into the year ahead remembering Jesus's call today to give each other grace and understanding in the midst of whatever lies ahead, knowing we can expect the same from each other.

Starting over feels good! As this new school year begins let’s celebrate the sweet relief of a clean slate—and remember to offer that same fresh start to our kids, to each other, and to ourselves!

G.B.Y.*,

Mrs. Mulvanerty

*God Bless You!

Now that Labor Day is behind us, many of our parish organizations and activities

resume. Our parish school opened on Wednesday with 410 students. Our parish

religious education program (PREP) will begin on Monday with 245 students. We are

blessed to have so many children in our parish learning about God and growing in their

faith and so many teachers and catechists eager to help the parents of these children

share their faith! On this Catechetical Sunday, we pray for them and their parents, the

primary teachers of their children in all things, including their faith.

Bishop Keith J. Chylinski, the auxiliary bishop whom Archbishop Pérez has

delegated to oversee the Catholic Education apostolate in the archdiocese, has invited

us and all Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to become part of a

guild of intercessors for our Catholic schools and parish religious education programs.

In a letter that Bishop Chylinski recently sent to Catholic educators throughout the

archdiocese, he recalled a powerful message that the faculty and staff from our Catholic

elementary and high schools heard at their recent Day for Educators: Catholic schools

do not have a mission; the mission has Catholic schools. In other words, all Catholic

schools and PREP - including ours - share in the mission of Jesus Christ: to proclaim

the Gospel and form missionary disciples.

In his letter, Bishop Chylinski went on to remind its readers that the Church’s

mission is sustained by prayer. Without prayer, we cannot accomplish the important

mission of leading our children to a close relationship with Jesus Christ and forming into

missionary disciples. And so, Bishop Chylinski is inviting everyone throughout the

archdiocese to join in a new initiative of intercessory prayer: the St. John Neumann

Prayer Guild for Catholic Education. Members of this guild commit to praying the

following St. John Neumann Prayer Guild Daily Prayer each day for our children, young

people, families, educators, and catechists:

Prayer for Catholic Education

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus,

source of all grace and love,

we entrust to You the children and young people

of our Archdiocese.

Through the intercession of St. John Neumann,

pour out Your grace upon all Catholic schools

and religious education programs.

Bless all pastors, educators, catechists and families.

Bring our young people to deeper conversion,

and form them as faithful and joyful missionary disciples.

Make us all humble and faithful witnesses of Your love,

and let Your Sacred Heart reign in our schools, our homes, and our hearts.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us

St. Joseph, pray for us.

St. John Neumann, pray for us

St. Katherine Drexel, pray for us

St. Carlo Acutis, pray for us.

Amen.

Anyone who is willing to pray is welcome!

To join the Guild, visit: https://sksparish.org/prayerguild

As we celebrate Catechetical Sunday, thanking all of our

teachers and catechists for their dedication to spreading the

Gospel in our school and PREP, let us commit ourselves to

supporting them with our prayers. I have already joined the

Guild; I hope you will, too!

Students should be in the building no later than 8:05 AM. Homeroom begins promptly at 8:10 AM. Please factor in the amount of time it takes to get through carline so your student can be in school on time.

Think about that dreaded feeling of walking into a meeting late—it creates instant stress! The same is true for your students when they arrive late to school.

Why Arriving On Time Matters

• Reduces Anxiety: Entering a quiet classroom after class has started draws unwanted attention and can cause embarrassment or stress.

• Sets a Calm Tone: Being on time allows students to participate in morning routines, hear key instructions, and transition smoothly with their peers.

• Builds Friendships: Morning arrival is often when kids greet friends and transition socially into the day. Arriving late makes students feel disconnected.

• Builds Great Habits: Learning punctuality early helps children develop responsibility and time-management skills for life.

Getting kids to school on time is hard, but standardizing the routine helps!

• Prep the Night Before: Lay out clothes, pack backpacks, and prepare lunches before going to bed.

• Establish an Anchor Schedule: Set non-negotiable morning targets (e.g., shoes on by 7:30 AM).

• Build in a 10-Minute Buffer: Plan to arrive a few minutes early to account for unexpected delays or lost shoes.
  
  

Thank you for cooperation!

Please see the flyer below for more info!

St. Katharine of Siena School is beaming with pride as two of our alumni, Quinn and Reece Murdocca, earn the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout.The Eagle Scout rank is the highest achievement attainable in the Boy Scouts, and only a small percentage of scouts earn this honor. To achieve it, a scout must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, demonstrate exceptional leadership and character, and plan, organize, and manage an extensive service project that benefits their community.

Demonstrating incredible leadership, craftsmanship, and dedication, Quinn and Reece chose to direct their Eagle Scout service projects right back to our SKS school community by:

• Restoring Sacred Spaces- Reece Murdocca
  Take a walk through the grotto and see the beautifully re-built Stations of the Cross! The new set of stations revitalizes the space and encourages parishioners, teachers, students, and neighbors to visit the grotto for prayer and spiritual reflection.
• Brightening our Learning Spaces- Quinn Murdocca
  Turning his efforts indoors, Quinn gave the primary K–1 hallway a fresh coat of paint, transforming the hallway into a vibrant, bright, and welcoming environment for our youngest learners.

These thoughtful contributions leave a lasting positive impact on our campus

Dear Parents and Guardians,

My name is Janice Hemcher, and I’ve been a Radnor Township Crossing Guard at SKS for 11

years. Sometimes it can get a little hectic at Midland & Aberdeen when drivers and walkers try

to get to and from school at the same time. For the safety of your students, please keep the following in mind:

Drivers

• Please stay off your phones while driving through the school zone
• Please approach the school on Midland Ave and not Aberdeen.
• Please be patient and follow the directions of the Crossing Guard when dropping off, or picking up your children.

• Please cross at the intersection and not the middle of the street.
• Please be patient and follow the directions of the crossing guard.
• When crossing, walk, don’t run.

I know it can be frustrating when you are in a hurry or running late, but just take a

moment to realize why we are here, and be safe.

Thank you,

Janice Hemcher

We rely on the neighborhood for our overflow parking and for our carline. Please be courteous.

• Do not block driveways or double park in car line.
• Be considerate of people's grass and stone work when parking
• Do not travel East on Midland during carline (it causes major jams!)
• Be kind!

Thank you for your cooperation

St. Martin de Porres

Back-to-School Drive

Sept. 5 - 21

It's time for the annual school-supplies drive for the school at St. Martin de Porres, our

sister parish. You can find a list of items the teachers would like for their classrooms at

www.sksparish.org/smpdsupplies or visit their Amazon wishlist at

www.sksparish.org/smdpwishlist. Items will be delivered directly to the school if you

choose Amazon. Please be sure to include your name so they know whom to thank!

You can also drop off donations in the bins in the church library or school entryway.

Ready to get active after school? SKS After School Sports Club is back for Kindergarten through 4th grade! Run by Mrs. Marchese and our SKS teachers, students will play fun games, build teamwork, and stay active together. Click here for the registration form and more information.

Mr. Gavin is starting a Trading card club for those kids who are like him and love the hobby of collecting Sports or Pokemon trading cards. Students will organize our collection, learn about the value of the cards, and trade with one another under supervision.

For more information, please contact Mr. Gavin at mgavin@sksschool.org.

Lego club is BACK! This club was created to allow kids to play with Legos and make new friendships in the process. Every Trimester we will create original and new lego builds that go with the themes for the Trimester. We also play lego games for prizes and showcase our talents in the halls of the school with the builds we have created for the month. Anyone can join. You can drop in or pay for the whole semester. Check the website or contact Mr. Gavin for more info!

Do you love sports? Do you enjoy writing, creating and sharing your opinions about the big game? Then Press Play Sports is for you! This club is open to 4th and 5th graders, and stay tuned for registration information.

Homework club is an after-school program that provides a structured and supportive environment for students to complete homework, projects or study for tests while receiving academic assistance and organizational tips.

First Virtual Rosary of the School Year
Tuesday, Sept. 15 from 8:30-9PM
Prayers will be lead by the Faithful Family board members

Special intention: For the 2026-27 school year, we will pray for all PREP and SKS teachers, staff, and students.

Please join fellow SKS parishioners, parents and friends to pray together as a community! We invite you to bring any prayer intentions that are close to your heart. You can email your intentions ahead of time to faithfulfamilies@sksparish.org or write them in the chat box during the google meet up.

Visit the link below to join with your cameras off from wherever you are - even if you are driving home from a late pick up. You do not need to know the rosary to participate, the prayers are shared out on the screen so you can listen and follow along.

Click here to join

Walking with Purpose
Connect Coffee
September 22, 9:15-11:00AM
Parish Center

Walking with Purpose is so much more than Bible Study! More than 50 women, of all ages and life experiences, gather at SKS each week to deepen their faith through personal study and small group discussions that link everyday challenges with solutions given to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Join us on Sept. 22 for our first Connect Coffee, an opportunity for newcomers to learn about WWP with coffee, breakfast treats and an inspirational video followed by a casual discussion.
Come as you are - you are welcome here. www.sksparish.org/wwp

Mothers of Young Children
Opening Mass in Church
September 23 - A special Mass in Church at 9:30am followed by playtime in the Parish Center

MoYC is a group for moms (dads, caregivers, grandparents, etc.) with newborn to preschool-aged children. We meet weekly on Wednesday mornings, 9:30-11am in the parish center as well as at local parks, libraries and play areas. It's a time for kids to play and adults to socialize. We are always looking for new members - please stop in!

For more information on the group, contact Kristen Nicholls, moyc@sksparish.org.

SKS Young Adults
Mondays, 7:30-9:00pm
Begins September 14
Parish Center

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the SKS Young Adult group! Drop in to socialize and grow your faith with other young Catholics. This casual group will explore Scripture through lectio divina and discussions. Anyone aged 20-39 is welcome. For more information, contact Julia Tyson at julia.hudson.tyson@gmail.com or 347-752-3430.

Dear SKS Families,

Fall sports season is officially here! Region 32 CYO kicked off today, August 15, and St. Katharine of Siena is ready with a full slate of programs for the 2026 fall season.

A warm welcome to Chris Golden, our new Fall Sports Coordinator, who joins the CYO board after years of coaching for the Parish. Chris will be the point of contact for coaches, schedules, and fields across all fall programs.

We already have almost 200 athletes signed up, but know there are many more to get registered! REGISTER NOW: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/527064

Sign-ups are open for all fall programs; see attached and basic intel below:

• Girls Field Hockey (Varsity & JV) — practices at Ditmar Field

• Football — Flag (grades 1–4) at Bo Connor Field; Tackle (grades 5–8) in partnership with St. Aloysius

• Soccer — front field at Archbishop Carroll

• Cross Country — practices Tues/Thurs at The Willows and Mon/Fri at Rose Tree Park; Sunday meets at Bishop Shanahan HS

• Volleyball — SKS Gym

• Cheer — SKS Gym

• Golf — held at local ranges

KEY DATES

• Games & practices begin: early-mid September

• Homecoming: Saturday, Oct 3 at St. Aloysius

WHY REGISTER NOW? Later sign-ups delay uniform orders and roster planning. Registering now ensures your child is outfitted and placed on a team from day one. Every year we see a rush of registrations at the start of and after school starts — please beat the rush!

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS: Cheer and Golf are both seeking volunteer coaches. No experience necessary — just a willingness to give our kids a great season. Reply to this email if you're interested.

Questions?

Jason Griesser, Athletic Director — ad@sksparish.org — 484-213-2675

Chris Golden, Fall Sports Coordinator — cgolden5@gmail.com — 609-970-7788

Please take a few minutes and sign up now!

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St. Anastasia has invited SKS to join their HS Information night on September 16. Please see the flyer below for more details!

Fall Sports Registration

Grab your clubs, string your racquets, and mark your calendars—we are 60 days away from our biggest social event of our school year! We are thrilled to invite our entire SKS community—current families, past families, alumni, and friends—to the 2026 SKS Fall Classic!

What is the Fall Classic?

• Whether you're going for a hole-in-one on the golf green, serving up aces on the tennis court, or joining us for drinks and dinner, the Fall Classic is a vibrant, joyful day to connect and celebrate our rich tradition of Catholic education at SKS, which has been going strong since 1916!
• The Fall Classis is our largest fundraiser for the SKS Annual Fund. This fund helps us in two ways:

• It bridges the gap between tuition revenue and our annual operating expenses, helping us improve faculty salaries, complete deferred maintenance and enhance academic programs.
• It funds our tuition assistance program, ensuring an SKS education remains accessible to all families in our community.

You don't need to be a pro to make an impact—there’s a way for everyone to contribute!

• ⛳ Register to Play: Sign up for golf at Waynesborough or tennis/pickleball at Overbrook—all skill levels are welcome!

• 🏆 Become a Sponsor: Showcase your business or family name on the course or courts.

• 🎁 Donate an Auction Gift: Contribute an item, experience, or gift basket.

• ✋ Volunteer: Lend a hand in event planning or on the day of the event to keep everything running smoothly.
  
  

Join the Fun!

Your support of the Fall Classic helps us build community and support at SKS. We can't wait to see you on September 21st!

Before placing your Flynn and O'Hara order, you may want to visit the uniform closet! Come and see what's available, free of charge!

TuitionCare leverages programs offered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that allow individuals to redirect some or all of their state income tax liability to support Catholic education. This program creates a true win-win opportunity - participants are able to redirect theri tax dollars while helping to reduce tuition costs. All SKS families received a credit towards their tuition last year as a result of our school and parish's contributions. Learn more about how you can contribute here!

September 13 - Catechetical Sunday 9:30 Family Mass followed by Parish Coffee

September 19 - Porchfest in South Wayne

September 16 - High School Information Night at St. Annie's

September 21 - SKS Fall Classic, HSPT Testing for 8th Grade

September 22 - Walking With Purpose Connect Coffee 9:30am

September 25 - Faithful Families Kick Off Coffee, 8-10am

October 1 - Women's Evening of Reflection

Teambuilding on the first week of school!

8th Grade helps us kick off the year with a prayer service in the church.

First Mass for the teachers to pray for a successful school year.

Teachers working through their back-to-school professional development on learning strategies.

Ms. Gibbons bravely gets Marshmallow in his exercise wheel for the first time to the delight of her new third grade class!

Back in the groove with Mrs. Santiago's class!

Special thanks to our Youth Choir for making Catechetical Sunday so vibrant and joyful!