Dear Friars, Family, Friends and Benefactors,

So once in every year we throng
Upon a day apart,
To praise the Lord with feast and song
In thankfulness of heart.
~Arthur Guiterman, The First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving blessings to you and yours from the Friars and Sisters!

Shepherd-King

WOW!!!!!!

Tonight we were all Blessed as we watched All Together Sing and our our Choir continues to move to the top spot of the competition. The comments of the judges were positive. Thanks again for all who have voted and please continue to support St. Mary's College. The students are soooo excited!

The music teacher's pep talk Thursday morning was focused on "David and Goliath" - David doing the seemingly impossible and it was only with the help of the Lord, who was his and our shepherd!

Entering the TV J Studio

Brother Michael Duffy (Board Chair) and two of our male vocalists

Self-proclaimed move stars

They sing as well as they look!


VOTE: 444-8802

Sister Water

As we continue to promote the various Franciscan themes at the Mission and on the property, Michael Stewart, our handy-man, has erected a special fountain in front of the Church.

Building a fountain involves heavy lifting

Swift flowing water, pure and clear

"Watch the electric and water Michael- we don't want brother fire yet!"

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

HOT DOG!

From the last note our Choir Sings on Sunday night until 12noon Wednesday, we can vote, vote, vote for Saint Mary's College 444-8802. As a way to purchase valuable cell phone credits in order to vote, the College and Church Community have become very creative. On Fridays the student body is invited to pay $40 to attend a special concert after school. Under the direction of the PTA President baked goods are sold during lunch.

The Church has also gotten into the Choir mania. Marc, Tennessee and Above Rocks own Bobby Flay prepare the American favorite - hot dogs to be sold to the students and teachers. Every little bit counts. We all appreciate all those who have and continue to vote for St. Mary's College.

Proud of our Students
UNCONDITIONALLY!

7th Heaven

Our College (High School) has made it to the top 7 Choirs in the Country in TV J's All Together Sing. Say some extra prayers and if you live in Jamaica watch the show Sunday at 8:00pm and vote, vote, vote.

Saint Mary's Church and Missions is proud of all our Church Members. On a special note, we are especially proud of our very own Ms. Andreada Cooley. Ms. Andreada is a member of our St. Mary's Church Family. A graduate of the All-Age and College, Andreada is the floor manager at TV J. For the past weeks we have seen her in action - she is in charge of All Together Sing as well as producing the morning show - Smile Jamaica, The Islands take in The Today Show.

"Work With Me People!!"

Brother Joseph and Ms. Andreada on set at TV J

"When I Get There"

Sunday we celebrated the annual blessing of graves in the Archdiocese of Kingston. Father Michael blessed the resting place of those woman and men, boys and girls who we pray are in heaven. As we blessed the Assembly sang the Jamaican chorus:

When I get there
When I get there
W will sing and shout
when I get there
Alleluia, praise ye the Lord
When I get there!

Here's hoping we "get there!"

Tomas vs. Jackson

Today (Thursday) Tropical Storm Tomas was delayed just enough to allow the Choir to make it to the TVJ studios to tape Sunday's Show. They sang Michael Jackson's song - Heal The World.

Although they received "OK" "not bad"comments from the three judges (thus we will really need to vote a lot this week) we can be proud of their message.

Students were divided into the "World" symbolized by gangstas, pregnant teenager, unwed mother, etc and


"Healing" symbolized by nurses, red cross, etc.


Isn't that the message we are trying to instill at our

Catholic Christian School ?

We, all of us, can be instruments of the Lord's healing by our kindness, selfless lifestyle and Gospel values!

We can be proud of our students UNCONDITIONALLY

....and don't forget to watch on Sunday TVJ 8:00pm - VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!

Eight is GREAT!!

Today, we were notified that the College Choir made it to the top 8 in the TVJ competition ALL TOGETHER SING. Off to the studio tomorrow to tape Sunday's show. Tomas, please stay away!

The calm before the storm

Just back from town - the generator is serviced, with back up oil and 15 gallons of fuel; five new 5 gallon waters and four cases of back up 1.5 liter bottles; cash for any help we need to utilize (as the ATM's go down when we lose power); ten extra phone credit cards; and provisions for ten days . . . that should do it!

When we get back from town - Br Joe and Beanie are engaged in an intense round of Dominoes . . .

Beanie asks "what storm?"