MHR Newsletter October 15th, 2026

Eric Fay

From the Principal’s Desk

Dear Most Holy Redeemer Families,

I’ve added an archive of Principal Newsletters on our website. Please check there to find previous newsletters.

https://www.mhrschool.com/from-the-principal-s-desk


During the remainder of October, we have many ways to get involved. Please join as you are available to contribute to our wonderful school! 


Sincerely yours in Christ,

Dr. Eric Fay


Important Dates & Events

School Calendar 

  • Lunch November lunch is open to orders
  • October 15 First Communion Meeting
  • October 18 Family Mass 4th Grade Hosts 
  • October 21 Living Rosary
  • October 23 8th Grade Retreat and Wear Orange Day
  • October 26 Red Ribbon Week begins; Oct 26-30
  • October 26 Pumpkin Carving Contest; Oct 26-30
  • October 26 Early Dismissal for Faculty Collaboration
  • October 28 First Responder Day 
  • October 30 Halloween; Classroom parties


Faith & Formation

Parent Faith Conversation Initiative – Volunteers Needed

Most Holy Redeemer is joining Christ the King, St. Barnabas, St. Cajetan, and St. John Fisher in a special initiative to help parents deepen their faith and bring meaningful conversations about faith and life's bigger questions into their homes. The Ever Wonder Discussion Series will offer three gatherings during Advent 2026, Catholic Schools Week 2027, and Lent 2027, focusing on identity, longing, and purpose.

We are looking for volunteers, especially a married couple who might be interested in helping organize and lead this initiative. Volunteers will assist with inviting families, preparing the gathering space, providing hospitality, and facilitating small-group conversations. You do not need to be a theology expert, just someone who values our Catholic faith and enjoys connecting with other families.

If you are interested in helping or would like to learn more, please contact Dr. Fay. Together, we can strengthen the connection between faith at school, faith at home, and our shared life as a Catholic community.


Classroom & Curriculum Highlights

At Most Holy Redeemer, we use Blest Are We Faith in Action by RCL Benziger to help our students grow in their understanding and love of the Catholic faith. Rooted in Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church, this curriculum explores four essential dimensions of our faith: what Catholics believe, how Catholics worship, how Catholics live, and how Catholics pray. Students learn about Jesus, the saints, the Sacraments, and the traditions of our Church while discovering how to put their faith into practice through kindness, service, compassion, and love for others. Our goal is not simply for students to learn about their faith, but to develop a personal relationship with Christ and become faithful disciples who live the Gospel in their daily lives. Families are essential partners in this journey as we work together to nurture a faith that continues to grow both in and beyond the classroom.


Spotlight On

We are excited to have our annual pumpkin decorating contest. Decorated pumpkins can be dropped off from 10/26-10/30 in the main office. Due to the large number of entries, please submit one pumpkin per family. Please bring your pumpkins home after school on 10/30. The top 3 winners will receive gifts, and all participants will receive an out of  uniform pass. 


We're accepting leftover Halloween candy for donation to Soldiers' Angels Treats for Troops program. Soldiers' Angels collects candy to share with veterans. Donated candy will be collected from November 2nd-5th at MHR. Please contact Parents Club (parentsclub@mhrschool.com) if you have a MHR parishioner that is active duty and would like candy to be sent to them.


Reminders

  • Let’s come out and pack the house for our 8th grade girls basketball teams on Sunday, October 18! Games begin at 2:00 p.m., with our 8th grade teams taking the court at 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. We’d love to see our MHR family filling the stands, cheering loudly, and showing our 8th graders some school spirit! After the games, all 8th graders are invited to stay for pizza, with the evening wrapping up around 6:30 p.m.
  • Halloween Movie Night. Join us for a Spooktacular Evening hosted by the Parents Club and Women's Guild! Enjoy a showing of Hotel Transylvania with friends and family. Purchase your tickets here! Friday, October 30th. Join us at 5:30 PM to get settled before the movie begins at 6:00 PM! MHR Parking Lot. $20 per Family. Baracco's pizza slices will be available for purchase, and each kid will receive one kid's drink and a special Halloween treat. Come dressed in your Halloween best (pajamas welcome!) and get ready for a fun night of family, friends, and a little spooky fun!
  • Most Holy Redeemer will once again participate in the annual Baby Bottle Collection to support mothers and babies in need. Donations help provide essential items such as formula, diapers, clothing, blankets, health care, and car seats. Please fill the baby bottle with spare change, or any donation you are able to give, and return it to your child’s homeroom teacher by October 30. Please return every baby bottle to school, whether or not you are able to make a donation. Learn more about the organization and its mission: Save the Babies
  • On Friday, October 23, 2026, we will participate in The MuSic Movement's #RockOutMS Dress Down Day. Students are invited to wear orange, the national color for Multiple Sclerosis awareness, in exchange for a $2 donation. For families who would like to support the mission beyond our Dress Down Day, The MuSic Movement's third annual benefit concert will be held on February 6, 2027, at Bourbon Street, featuring The Strumbellas with special guest Coax & Folks. Learn more or purchase tickets at https://www.msmusicmovement.com/.


Social-Emotional Learning

Traditions and family values help children understand who they are, what matters most, and how they can contribute to the world around them. Whether it’s sharing a family meal, celebrating meaningful occasions, practicing your faith, or serving others, these experiences teach children the importance of love, respect, responsibility, and belonging. At school, we build on these foundations by helping students recognize that they are part of something bigger than themselves. We are a community where each person is valued and everyone has a role to play. A simple family activity: Set aside time this week to share a family tradition or talk about a value that is important to your family. Ask each family member how they can put that value into action, whether through an act of kindness, helping a neighbor, or supporting someone in need. When families and schools work together to nurture strong values and a sense of belonging, we help children grow into compassionate, responsible, and caring members of their communities.


Final Word from Dr. Fay

Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together as the Most Holy Redeemer family. Help us to build a community where every student, family, teacher, and staff member feels welcomed, valued, and loved. Teach us to listen with understanding, support one another through challenges, and celebrate the gifts each person brings to our community. May our words and actions reflect Your love and strengthen the bonds that unite us in faith. Bless our MHR family, and help us grow together in wisdom, kindness, and holiness. Amen.


In Christ,
Dr. Eric Fay
Principal


Stay Connected

Email: efay@mhrschool.com


MHR Website - https://www.mhrschool.com/


MHR Instagram -
https://www.instagram.com/mhrraiders/ 

 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MHRRaiders 


Attachments


By Eric Fay • October 9, 2026
From the Principal's Desk
By Eric Fay • October 9, 2026
What a week for our Raiders! Thanks to the incredible generosity and support of our MHR families, we have raised more than $41,000 through the Raider Run-a-thon! Even though the rain moved our Fun Run indoors, our students still celebrated with music, dancing, Kona Ice, and plenty of Raider spirit. Thank you to everyone who shared the fundraiser, encouraged our students, and helped make this such a tremendous success. I am so grateful for the way our MHR community comes together to support our children and our school. Thank you, MHR families! Sincerely yours in Christ, Dr. Eric Fay Important Dates & Events School Calendar October 12 Columbus/Indigenous People’s Day; No School for PK-Grade 8 October 15 First Communion Meeting October 18 Family Mass 4th Grade Hosts October 21 Living Rosary October 23 8th Grade Retreat October 26 Red Ribbon Week begins; Oct 26-30 October 26 Pumpkin Carving Contest; Oct 26-30 October 26 Early Dismissal for Faculty Collaboration October 28 First Responder Day October 30 Halloween; Classroom parties Faith & Formation October is traditionally celebrated by the Catholic Church as the Month of the Holy Rosary , making it a beautiful time for our school community to come together in prayer. To honor Mary and this treasured Catholic devotion, our students will participate in a Living Rosary . During a Living Rosary, our students become the beads of a giant Rosary. Each student represents a particular prayer, and as we pray together, they come forward and take their place, forming the shape of the Rosary. Our students will lead the prayers as we reflect on the mysteries of Christ’s life, death, and Resurrection. There is something especially beautiful about seeing our children literally become a Rosary—a visible reminder that we are a school family united in prayer . We invite our families to join us for this special opportunity to pray together and to ask Mary to lead us always closer to her Son, Jesus. Classroom & Curriculum Highlights Cold-Weather Uniform (October 1st-April 30th) Bottoms Navy slacks or trousers with a leather belt. Shirts are to be tucked into pants with a visible belt. Pants may not be sweatpant material. Plaid jumper (2 choices available for Grades K – 4)* Plaid skirt or skort (for Grades 4 – 8)* Girls may wear solid black leggings or white/red/gray/black tights under their skirt during the cold weather months (October 1-April 30th) *NOTE: There is a choice in 4th grade as to whether a skirt or jumper is the preferred and most comfortable choice for daily uniform wear. That choice is entirely at the discretion of the parents and child. Tops White or gray Most Holy Redeemer polo shirt (short or long-sleeved) with red MHR logo or plain, white, collared blouse tucked into pants/skirt. Articles of clothing worn under the uniform shirt must be white, gray, or black—colored or printed shirts must not be worn under uniforms. Spotlight On Pack the House! Let’s come out and pack the house for our 8th grade girls basketball teams on Sunday, October 18! Games begin at 2:00 p.m. , with our 8th grade teams taking the court at 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. We’d love to see our MHR family filling the stands, cheering loudly, and showing our 8th graders some school spirit! After the games, all 8th graders are invited to stay for pizza , with the evening wrapping up around 6:30 p.m. Come cheer on our girls and help us pack the house! Go MHR! Reminders As Most Holy Redeemer begins an important season of listening and discernment, we are grateful for the faith, people, families, and generations that have shaped our parish. Over the coming months, we want to hear from parishioners, school families, ministry leaders, alumni, and our broader community about what we value most and what we hope for the future of Most Holy Redeemer. Please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey and share your thoughts, hopes, and vision. Your voice is an important part of shaping our parish’s future. Parish Survey Morning arrival procedures help keep all students safe and traffic moving smoothly, even in rainy weather. PreK–4th grade students should enter through The Porch, while 5th–8th grade students should enter through Briody Hall. Students walking or biking must use designated crosswalks, and bicycles must be walked on school/parish property. Families dropping off by car should enter from Lawndale, drop students off in the parking lot, and exit onto Millard; Millard Avenue is not a drop-off area, and parents needing to enter the building should use the Main Entrance and ring the bell. The volunteer commitment sign up offers a variety of opportunities throughout the year. Please review the available opportunities and select the commitment that works best for your family. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B44A4AD2DAAF4C52-65134848-202526#/ Social-Emotional Learning Every day at school is an opportunity for students to be their best selves . Not to be perfect, but to give their best effort, make good choices, treat others with kindness, and take responsibility for their learning. Parents can help by asking questions such as, “Did you give your best effort today?” or “How did you help someone today?” rather than focusing only on grades or accomplishments. Remind your child that being their best means showing up ready to learn, persevering when something is difficult, listening to teachers and classmates, and making choices they can be proud of. When we encourage effort, character, and growth, we help children develop the confidence and habits they need to thrive. Final Word from Dr. Fay Heavenly Father, we thank You for the beauty of autumn and for the many blessings You have placed before us. Through the intercession of Mary, Our Mother, draw our students, families, teachers, and staff closer to Your Son, Jesus. Help us to be people of prayer, gratitude, kindness, and faith, remembering that You are present in both the joyful moments and the ordinary moments of each day. May our MHR family continue to grow together in faith and love. Amen. In Christ, Dr. Eric Fay Principal Stay Connected Email: efay@mhrschool.com MHR Website - https://www.mhrschool.com/ MHR Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mhrraiders/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MHRRaiders