Newsletter - October 29, 2026
A NOTE FROM OUR HEADMASTER
Dear Families,
Please take note that the next moment for prayers to the Sacred Heart will be tomorrow, Friday, October 29th, at 2:45pm in the Church. Please consider attending and praying with us for this nine-month novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Here are the prayers we’ll be using - you are more than welcome to use these however you’d like.
I also forgot to share the link for the Zoom recording about financial aid & Blackbaud. Here it is now.
With the departure of Fr. Don, there will be a change to the Confession schedule during the school day. In particular, Confessions will no longer be available during the Thursday at 8am Mass. Father Ron is graciously offering some additional confession times, Tuesdays from noon to 1pm, for our students, on these days: November 3rd & 10th, and December 1st, 8th, and 15th. I’m sharing this for two reasons: (1) so you are aware and might encourage your children to take advantage of this opportunity; (2) since Father Don is leaving, as you may have seen in the bulletin this past week, there may be fewer overall Confession times available. I’d encourage you and your family to consider the rhythm of Confession: since there will be fewer times available, each family might need to be more intentional about going to Confession together.
Thank you, families, for your “yes” to Sacred Heart Academy!
In His Most Sacred Heart,
Sean Nolan
Headmaster
MONTH-AT-A-GLANCE
OCTOBER
23 - Assembly in Gym, 2:30pm
23 - End of Gregory Term
26 - Begin John Paul II Term
31 - All Hallow’s Eve - Jubilee
NOVEMBER
2- All Souls Day, Jubilee
3 - Dress Up as a Saint Day
4 - Authenticum, 7pm
10 - Partners in Formation
11 - Assembly - 8:45am (right after Mass) in Cebelak Hall. Grades 12, 6, & 4 reciting.
20-21 - Forming the Whole Person Conference
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ACTION ITEMS
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LOST & FOUND LAST CALL! Lost and Found items will be donated on Friday, October 30.
SEASONAL PARKING RULES begin on many neighborhood streets Sunday, Nov. 1. Odd-even and same-side parking restrictions start on this date to allow City street sweepers and snowplows easier access to neighborhood streets while clearing roads of leaves, tree debris and snow throughout the fall and winter. These parking restrictions also help to keep one lane of traffic open and available for residents as well as emergency and public service vehicles.
MONEY WARS It’s time for MONEY WARS!!! Beginning Monday, November 2, Sacred Heart Academy will compete against other teams in Money Wars!
Each team will have a labeled container in front of Ms. Herron’s classroom (room 201) in which to donate coins or bills. Coins (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollar coins) count as a positive score. For example, a nickel is worth 5 points, a half dollar is worth 50 points, etc. However, students may sabotage other teams by donating bills to those teams. These bills count as a negative score. For example, if one team has 700 cents worth of coins but has been given a ten dollar bill, their score is negative 300 (700 – 1000). The team with the highest score wins.
Money Wars ends on Friday, November 20 and the winners will be announced on Tuesday, November 24 at the Assembly.
All proceeds will go to HELP Pregnancy Center.
Teams:
Teresa: 1st grade, 5th grade, Kindergarten
Neri: 2nd grade, 6th grade
Joan: 3rd grade, 7th grade, Montessori
Benedict: 4th grade, 8th grade
Bernadette: 1/2 CEC, 5/6 CEC
Ambrose: 3/4 CEC, 7/8 CEC
*Please see Ms. Herron (room 201 or email jherron@shgr.org) if you have questions.
HOT LUNCH The order deadline is Sunday, November 15th! Hot lunch will be Thursday, November 19th. When ordering lunches, please consider donating lunch for our staff. Your generosity is greatly appreciated! Please go here to learn about Boonli, our on-line lunch ordering system. Questions: Sara Klooster
SAVE THE DATES Tickets for our middle school theater production of Hans Christian Andersen JR go on sale Wednesday, November 11 at 8 AM (with a week of advance purchasing for cast families beforehand) !! Join us at Sts. Peter & Paul parish center on December 4 & 5 for this delightful new musical AND a second annual Saint vignette! Our students have been hard at work weaving tales for our beloved audience, and can't wait to see you there soon! Shows will be held Fri @ 7 pm / Sat @ 11 am & 2 pm and ticket links will be posted at shgr.org/theaterarts.
BUSINESS ADS If you or someone you know would like to purchase an ad in our theater program (new this year - a bundled deal to advertise in both MS & HS programs!), please submit HERE. Thank you for helping to defray our printing costs while also promoting your business!
FINANCIAL AID Financial Aid applications are now open for the 2027-2028 academic year. Priority deadline for best consideration is November 30, 2026. Financial aid applications must be submitted by February 28, 2027, for consideration for SHA scholarships.
CALLING ALL PRO-LIFE STUDENTS! Pro-Life Essay Contest. For more information, call 616-532-2300, visit grrtl.org/essay, or e-mail info@grrtl.org. The deadline is November 1.
ALL SOULS DAY PILGRIMAGE Monday, Nov. 2, 8th-12th Grade students will be joining the parish on the All Soul's Pilgrimage. Join if you are able! It is a great day to pray for the souls of the dead.
PICTURE RE-TAKES Re-Take Day is Tuesday, November 10 from 9a-10a in Cebelak Hall. Please click here to place your order. Our order code is 0661KJF. Online ordering is still available. Cash and checks are not accepted. Shipping and handling charges may apply to orders placed after Picture Day. Yearbooks will be sold separately. The yearbook sale will be offered online after the new year. Yearbooks are not included in photo packages. Class Composite pictures (i.e. whole class pictures) will be sold in the spring. Please make a copy of your order for future reference (i.e. yearbooks, class composite). Questions: Sara Klooster
SEASONAL PARKING RULES begin on many neighborhood streets Sunday, Nov. 1. Odd-even and same-side parking restrictions start on this date to allow City street sweepers and snowplows easier access to neighborhood streets while clearing roads of leaves, tree debris and snow throughout the fall and winter. These parking restrictions also help to keep one lane of traffic open and available for residents as well as emergency and public service vehicles.
MONEY WARS It’s time for MONEY WARS!!! Beginning Monday, November 2, Sacred Heart Academy will compete against other teams in Money Wars!
Each team will have a labeled container in front of Ms. Herron’s classroom (room 201) in which to donate coins or bills. Coins (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollar coins) count as a positive score. For example, a nickel is worth 5 points, a half dollar is worth 50 points, etc. However, students may sabotage other teams by donating bills to those teams. These bills count as a negative score. For example, if one team has 700 cents worth of coins but has been given a ten dollar bill, their score is negative 300 (700 – 1000). The team with the highest score wins.
Money Wars ends on Friday, November 20 and the winners will be announced on Tuesday, November 24 at the Assembly.
All proceeds will go to HELP Pregnancy Center.
Teams:
Teresa: 1st grade, 5th grade, Kindergarten
Neri: 2nd grade, 6th grade
Joan: 3rd grade, 7th grade, Montessori
Benedict: 4th grade, 8th grade
Bernadette: 1/2 CEC, 5/6 CEC
Ambrose: 3/4 CEC, 7/8 CEC
*Please see Ms. Herron (room 201 or email jherron@shgr.org) if you have questions.
HOT LUNCH The order deadline is Sunday, November 15th! Hot lunch will be Thursday, November 19th. When ordering lunches, please consider donating lunch for our staff. Your generosity is greatly appreciated! Please go here to learn about Boonli, our on-line lunch ordering system. Questions: Sara Klooster
SAVE THE DATES Tickets for our middle school theater production of Hans Christian Andersen JR go on sale Wednesday, November 11 at 8 AM (with a week of advance purchasing for cast families beforehand) !! Join us at Sts. Peter & Paul parish center on December 4 & 5 for this delightful new musical AND a second annual Saint vignette! Our students have been hard at work weaving tales for our beloved audience, and can't wait to see you there soon! Shows will be held Fri @ 7 pm / Sat @ 11 am & 2 pm and ticket links will be posted at shgr.org/theaterarts.
BUSINESS ADS If you or someone you know would like to purchase an ad in our theater program (new this year - a bundled deal to advertise in both MS & HS programs!), please submit HERE. Thank you for helping to defray our printing costs while also promoting your business!
FINANCIAL AID Financial Aid applications are now open for the 2027-2028 academic year. Priority deadline for best consideration is November 30, 2026. Financial aid applications must be submitted by February 28, 2027, for consideration for SHA scholarships.
CALLING ALL PRO-LIFE STUDENTS! Pro-Life Essay Contest. For more information, call 616-532-2300, visit grrtl.org/essay, or e-mail info@grrtl.org. The deadline is November 1.
ALL SOULS DAY PILGRIMAGE Monday, Nov. 2, 8th-12th Grade students will be joining the parish on the All Soul's Pilgrimage. Join if you are able! It is a great day to pray for the souls of the dead.
- SIGN UP GENIUS FOR DRIVERS AND SNACKS
- FT High School Students AND 8th graders (optional for CEC students)
- Dress: Khakis or jeans, Sacred Heart t-shirt, great walking shoes, warm outerwear (dress for the weather)
- What to bring: sack lunch and water bottle in a drawstring backpack, gloves, hat, scarf, etc.
- Permission Slip: due Friday, October 30 - will be handed out to the students
- Schedule:
- 8 am - Mass
- 9 am - breakfast snack in Cebelak
- 9:15 am - load chase vehicles and head to Holy Cross Cemetery
- 2:30 pm - Return to SH for debrief and regular dismissal
PICTURE RE-TAKES Re-Take Day is Tuesday, November 10 from 9a-10a in Cebelak Hall. Please click here to place your order. Our order code is 0661KJF. Online ordering is still available. Cash and checks are not accepted. Shipping and handling charges may apply to orders placed after Picture Day. Yearbooks will be sold separately. The yearbook sale will be offered online after the new year. Yearbooks are not included in photo packages. Class Composite pictures (i.e. whole class pictures) will be sold in the spring. Please make a copy of your order for future reference (i.e. yearbooks, class composite). Questions: Sara Klooster
Veterans Day Calling all Veterans in our community! Join us Wednesday, November 11, for 8 AM Mass, and enjoy a poetry recitation by Sacred Heart Academy students. Light refreshments will be served and a conversation with our 8th Grade Class. RSVP to Amy Den Braber (adenbraber@shgr.org) by Sunday, November 1.
Knights of Columbus Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest Details are available here. Deadline: November 20th.
SAVE THE DATES Tickets for our middle school theater production of Hans Christian Andersen JR go on sale Wednesday, November 11 at 8 AM (with a week of advance purchasing for cast families beforehand) !! Join us at Sts. Peter & Paul parish center on December 4 & 5 for this delightful new musical AND a second annual Saint vignette! Our students have been hard at work weaving tales for our beloved audience, and can't wait to see you there soon! Shows will be held Fri @ 7 pm / Sat @ 11 am & 2 pm and ticket links will be posted at shgr.org/theaterarts.
BUSINESS ADS If you or someone you know would like to purchase a business ad in our theater program (new this year - a bundled deal to advertise in both MS & HS programs!), please email theater@shgr.org for more information!
March for Life Scholarship Students are eligible for one of five $300 scholarships to be applied to their bus trip expenses to the March for Life in Washington, DC, which will be held on January 22, 2027. This peaceful demonstration is a witness to the truth concerning the greatest human rights violation of our time. Applications and a short essay are due by December 1. Applicants must be attending the March for Life on a Grand Rapids Right to Life bus trip. The academy bus trip qualifies! First-time applicants will be given preference. For details on this scholarship, visit www.grrtl.org/marchscholarship, call 616-532-2300, or email info@grrtl.org.
Discernment and Formation - Parents of upper school students should bookmark the Office of Discernment and Formation Page to stay up to date. If you have a student in high school, you need to make sure you have an operable CLT account. If you have already created an account you do not need to make a new one, but if you have not created one, please email Tim Walsh twalsh@shgr.org for instructions.
Volunteer Driver If you plan to drive students for field trips, you must be Virtus trained and complete a driver form. Please note: Driver information usually expires every six months, so you will most likely need to complete a second form throughout the duration of the school year. Questions: Sara Klooster
VIRTUS Lessons Look for Semester 1 VIRTUS Lessons, now available on our website under “Virtus training” on the parent dashboard. Please go over the designated lesson with your child(ren) by December 15th. If you wish to opt-out of the entire Virtus lesson process, please notify the homeroom/Household teacher by December 15th, as well as, complete and submit the Virtus Opt-Out form. The form can also be sent to Sara Klooster.
VIRTUS - All volunteers must be VIRTUS trained and all drivers must submit a Driver Information Sheet. See VIRTUS Registration Instructions. Forms must be completed BEFORE transporting students. Please return this form to the office or via email to Sara Klooster.
ALUMNI NOTES
Attention: Recent Grad Parents - SHA is working on a new annual publication that will be a summary of the year, and we are planning to highlight our alumni, past and present. Since we do not have emails for our latest graduates, we are counting on you to forward this Alumni Form to their personal email so they may be included in our first edition. For questions contact Amber Hiske.
Knights of Columbus Catholic Citizenship Essay Contest Details are available here. Deadline: November 20th.
SAVE THE DATES Tickets for our middle school theater production of Hans Christian Andersen JR go on sale Wednesday, November 11 at 8 AM (with a week of advance purchasing for cast families beforehand) !! Join us at Sts. Peter & Paul parish center on December 4 & 5 for this delightful new musical AND a second annual Saint vignette! Our students have been hard at work weaving tales for our beloved audience, and can't wait to see you there soon! Shows will be held Fri @ 7 pm / Sat @ 11 am & 2 pm and ticket links will be posted at shgr.org/theaterarts.
BUSINESS ADS If you or someone you know would like to purchase a business ad in our theater program (new this year - a bundled deal to advertise in both MS & HS programs!), please email theater@shgr.org for more information!
March for Life Scholarship Students are eligible for one of five $300 scholarships to be applied to their bus trip expenses to the March for Life in Washington, DC, which will be held on January 22, 2027. This peaceful demonstration is a witness to the truth concerning the greatest human rights violation of our time. Applications and a short essay are due by December 1. Applicants must be attending the March for Life on a Grand Rapids Right to Life bus trip. The academy bus trip qualifies! First-time applicants will be given preference. For details on this scholarship, visit www.grrtl.org/marchscholarship, call 616-532-2300, or email info@grrtl.org.
Discernment and Formation - Parents of upper school students should bookmark the Office of Discernment and Formation Page to stay up to date. If you have a student in high school, you need to make sure you have an operable CLT account. If you have already created an account you do not need to make a new one, but if you have not created one, please email Tim Walsh twalsh@shgr.org for instructions.
Volunteer Driver If you plan to drive students for field trips, you must be Virtus trained and complete a driver form. Please note: Driver information usually expires every six months, so you will most likely need to complete a second form throughout the duration of the school year. Questions: Sara Klooster
VIRTUS Lessons Look for Semester 1 VIRTUS Lessons, now available on our website under “Virtus training” on the parent dashboard. Please go over the designated lesson with your child(ren) by December 15th. If you wish to opt-out of the entire Virtus lesson process, please notify the homeroom/Household teacher by December 15th, as well as, complete and submit the Virtus Opt-Out form. The form can also be sent to Sara Klooster.
VIRTUS - All volunteers must be VIRTUS trained and all drivers must submit a Driver Information Sheet. See VIRTUS Registration Instructions. Forms must be completed BEFORE transporting students. Please return this form to the office or via email to Sara Klooster.
ALUMNI NOTES
Attention: Recent Grad Parents - SHA is working on a new annual publication that will be a summary of the year, and we are planning to highlight our alumni, past and present. Since we do not have emails for our latest graduates, we are counting on you to forward this Alumni Form to their personal email so they may be included in our first edition. For questions contact Amber Hiske.
Partners in Formation:
Technology and the Human Person
Join us for our fall Partners in Formation series, exploring how modern digital tools shape our minds, our hearts, and our families, led by academy teacher Zach Good.
We will meet 7:00–8:30 p.m. in the Academy Cafeteria (Arrive via the Dayton St. entrance.) on the following dates:
- Nov 10 – Digital Sobriety in the Age of AI: Exploring Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, we will discuss how to answer the pope’s call to practice “digital sobriety” without abandoning the culture to digital maximalists.
Questions? Contact Zach Good at zgood@shgr.org.
Basketball Season
Registration for the Winter Basketball Season is now open. If your son or daughter in grades 7 and above is interested in playing, you must complete this form.
Registration for 5/6 Boys Basketball is open now and closes on September 30th.
You can sign your child in grades 5 & 6 using this link.
Registration for the Winter Basketball Season is now open. If your son or daughter in grades 7 and above is interested in playing, you must complete this form.
Registration for 5/6 Boys Basketball is open now and closes on September 30th.
You can sign your child in grades 5 & 6 using this link.
PTC AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Young Families Group
All moms are welcome! Join other Sacred Heart Academy moms on the first Thursday of each month at 9:00 AM for coffee, snacks and fellowship. CEC and full-time families are welcome. We’ll meet on the school playground when weather permits and in rotating homes during the colder months.
Upcoming gatherings:
November 5
December 3
Email edarga1@yahoo.com to be added to the group text.
All moms are welcome! Join other Sacred Heart Academy moms on the first Thursday of each month at 9:00 AM for coffee, snacks and fellowship. CEC and full-time families are welcome. We’ll meet on the school playground when weather permits and in rotating homes during the colder months.
Upcoming gatherings:
November 5
December 3
Email edarga1@yahoo.com to be added to the group text.
ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE
This year, we’re combining the best of past Assembly formats. We’ll have two types:
- Post-Mass Assemblies in Cebelak Hall: Shorter, focused primarily on recitations, with only one or two Academy highlights.
- End-of-Day Assemblies in the Gym: Recitations plus Chamber Choir, extracurricular celebrations, achievement shout-outs, and other highlights, with a more intentionally celebratory feel.
1st Semester
9/30
11/11- Veterans Day
2nd Semester
2/3- Catholic Schools Week Assembly - Bishop may be present - Capstone Honoring
3/10- End of Epiphany Term
4/28- Senior's last Assembly
Celebratory Gym Assembly at end of day - 2:35
1st Semester
10/23- JPII/End of Term
11/24- All School- Including CEC
2nd Semester
4/2- Easter Week
5/20- All School - Including CEC- Pentecost Thursday - Fire Theme
6/4- Feast of the Sacred Heart/Field Day
PARISH NEWS
Noelle Divozzo - parishoffice@shgr.org
Saturday, October 31st will be Fr. Don's last day at the Rectory, please join us as we honor Fr. Don that evening. He will be offering the All Saints Eve Mass at 5pm and then be honored at the party to follow. Please join us if you are able for the potluck party to honor a man who has made all of us want to be better saints! RSVP below or call the office.
All Saints Eve Celebration (Saturday, October 31)
Sunday, November 1: Join us for a very musical celebration of the Feast of All Saints
9:30 Mass (Novus Ordo): Featuring the St. Nicholas Singers children's choir and the Sacred Heart Parish Choir. They will be singing the Mass in re by Dom Bevenot and Orlando di Lasso's (1532-94) setting of the Litany of Saints.
11:30 Mass (Traditional Latin Mass): Featuring the Aquinas College Chorus. They will be singing the Mass in G by Franz Schubert (1797-1828) and some motets by J.G. Rheinberger (1839-1901).
RSVP by November 1st, Vocation Visit: Fr. Ron is taking the young men of our Parish to St. John Cantius in Chicago for their feast day on December 23. If you are interested, please let him know by November 1st at fr.floyd@shgr.org
Authenticum with Fr. David Anderson from Wyoming Catholic, November 4
First Friday Adoration is in need of permanent adorers for 12 midnight and 1AM. Please email Noelle at the office if you are interested (Parishoffice@shgr.org)
March for Life 2027 in D.C. Registration due Dec 4th
Damascus Summer Camp-Spots Open for 2027! Register by October 31
Discernment Opportunities in the Diocese of Grand Rapids
Meal Train Corner: There are so many reasons to be thankful in this Parish. Please help bless some of the families of our parish who recently welcomed a new little one or are going through a difficult time. The Mavis Family, The Reiser Family
Fr. Ron's Prayer Intentions for October: For our police and soldiers, may they be protected from all harm and strengthened in their work by the intercession of their patron, St. Michael.