Happy All Saints Day!! Hope you had a fun, yet spooky, Hallow’s Eve and tomorrow please join us as we celebrate All Souls Day and pray for all of our deceased loved ones. It is indeed a special weekend in which we have to turn our whole attention, even in the Church, to the afterlife. On Halloween we find humor and delight in things that ordinarily scare us. Yards are decorated with reminders of death and spirits. More to say on the history of all these celebrations, I share with you from the Magis Center (an online resource that shows how Catholicism and Science are not exclusive to each other):  https://www.magiscenter.com/blog/all-hallows-eve-history-traditions-and-observations

“Before the All Hallows Eve we know today came to be, the night of October 31st was the Celtic celebration of Samhain…The Celtic festival known as Samhain (pronounced sow-in) was a celebration of the end of harvest and preparation for the coming winter—a time usually associated with death. It was celebrated on the eve of the Celtic New Year (November 1st). It was on this night that they believed the boundary between the deceased and living would become blurred and the dead would walk among the living for that single night.

When the Romans took over the majority of the Celtic lands around A.D. 50, they also had similar celebrations. The Romans celebrated a holiday called Feralia in late October. Feralia was known to honor the dead. The following day was known to celebrate Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. On May 13th, A.D. 609, Pope Boniface IV established the date as “All Martyr's Day” and dedicated the Pantheon to honor all Christian martyrs. Later, in A.D. 837, Pope Gregory III moved the observance of All Martyr's Day to November 1st and expanded the celebration to include all saints. As the reach of Christianity spread throughout the Celtic territories throughout the 9th century, All Saint’s Day blended into the traditions of the Celtics. Later, in A.D. 1000, November 2nd was made All Soul’s Day to honor the dead. In Middle English, Alholowmesse meant “All Saint’s Day”—so the day also began to be called “All-Hallowmas.” Consequently, the night before was deemed “All Hallows Eve,” later to be called Halloween.

The tradition of dressing up for Halloween also has roots that date back to both European and Celtic traditions. With the origins of the holiday as preparation for the grueling winter months, many lived in fear of food running low, the darkness, and overall uncertainty. It was believed that during the winter, ghosts would come back to be among the living. So, to avoid an encounter with a ghost who would confuse them for a spirit, people would wear masks. Later, this would morph into dressing up in a full costume and would accompany trick-or-treating and Halloween parties. 

As mentioned above, All Hallows Eve is the evening before All Saint’s Day (November 1st) which is followed by All Soul’s Day (November 2nd). So, in anticipation of the following celebration, October 31st is observed as a day that can fulfill the holy obligation of going to Mass the day before the Holy Day of Obligation (November 1st).

On All Hallows Eve, the traditional observation is a vigil where worshipers pray and fast in preparation for the feast day itself (All Saint’s Day). The Mass, known as the “Vigil of All Hallows” or the “Vigil of All Saints,” was often followed by a visit to the graveyard where they could place gifts and candles for the celebration of the next day. In fact, those processional candles were usually placed inside gourds with holes to protect the flame from the wind, now commonly known as "Jack-o-lanterns.”

In May 2017, I participated in a Cursillo retreat. I was deeply moved by the enthusiasm of the Cursillo members and their vibrant spirit of evangelization. Through their activities and methods of spreading the Gospel, I witnessed that serving Christ—and living out a communal Christian life—can take forms beyond just formal prayer. I felt a strong desire to introduce this movement to other local churches. My most profound takeaway from that retreat was the communal Rosary on the final day. When it began, I wondered how the two leaders—a man and a woman—could possibly keep their arms raised for the entire duration; it was a long time. Then one by one, others stepped forward to support their arms, allowing the prayer to continue. This collective support touched my heart so deeply that I could not hold back my tears. In that moment, I truly grasped the power of community—being there for one another, supporting and caring for the other person.  

At that moment, through this practical act of support, I gained an insight into the true meaning of community in the face of difficulties and loneliness. A Christian community built on mutual support is a place where one can find rest, support and welcome.  To this day, it remains a beautiful memory—vivid and clear, as if it were happening right before my eyes. I am profoundly grateful to God for the gift of that retreat and for the insights I gained. I am also deeply thankful to the Cursillo movement for their invitation and support. Today, that experience serves as a source of hope and strength whenever I face hardship or loneliness. I know that all these challenges are only temporary, and I continue to wait for the moment when the Lord will bestow His grace through friendship and the care of the Christian community. To be part of this community is an open invitation for all who are willing to accept it.

Saint Andrew School Named a 2026 Governor’s Blue Ribbon School of Excellence!

Saint Andrew School is proud to announce that it has been named one of just 24 schools in Illinois to receive the 2026 Governor’s Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award! This honor reflects our school community’s commitment to academic excellence, faith formation, and the growth of every child. We are grateful to our dedicated teachers and staff, supportive families, parish community, and wonderful students who make Saint Andrew such a special place to learn and grow. Thank you for being part of this achievement!

Programming for Infants and Toddlers

Tell your friends and neighbors about our programming for our youngest bulldogs! Baby Bulldogs is a weekly class designed for infants, toddlers, and their caregivers. Each session includes free play, followed by lively music and movement, perfect for building friendships and burning energy! Registration is open; classes began October 1st at 9:00 am.

Storytime is a free weekly Storytime for families with infants and toddlers every Friday from 8:30 am to 9:15 am, beginning October 2nd. Each session includes storytelling, learning centers, and a take-home craft. The program provides a fun, creative space for kids to build reading skills while giving parents and caregivers a chance to connect.

Discover the Difference with Saint Andrew School! 

Are you seeking a nurturing and enriching educational environment for your child? Look no further than Saint Andrew School, where Catholic Education comes to life through faith, excellence, and community. Our dedicated faculty inspires students to achieve their full potential academically, spiritually, and socially. At Saint Andrew, we blend rigorous academics with character-building values, fostering a sense of purpose and belonging. Sign up for a tour here: schedule a tour  New student applications for the upcoming school year can be found here: New Student Application