The Good News
April 30, 2017 - St. John XXIII School
Leadership Message - May the Month of Mary
It’s here... Although the recent deluge of snow, sleet and grey skies may want us to feel otherwise... May, the month in which the earth springs into bloom and we start thinking about planting gardens, family picnics, and making vacation plans.
It’s also the Month of Mary.
Having gone to a Catholic school myself, my childhood memories include honoring Mary during May – a practice I’ve continued all of my life and taught my children to do as well. It’s as natural and essential to me as my morning coffee (only far, far more joy-filled if you can even imagine that).
Here are five reasons why it makes sense for us to honor Mary this month:
1. Mary is Jesus’ mother. She is the instrument of the Incarnation and her yes, or fiat, made it possible for our Lord to become the God-Man who was Crucified for our salvation.
2. She is the first and most perfect disciple. Mary was the first to hear the Good News, and the first to follow Christ. Her entire life was devoted to him and assisting him, in whatever way she could, to carry on his mission. Unaffected by Original Sin, she was able to perfectly open herself to God’s will.
3. She’s your mom. No, really. She is. To put it simply, she’s our mother because we are all members of the Body of Christ. Since she gave birth to that Body, then she’s our mother, too. At the moment she gave her fiat, she became our mother in the order of grace. She may not have given birth to us physically, but she certainly has given birth to us spiritually. (Check out CCC #964)
4. She loves you more than you can ever imagine. If she didn’t, would she have endured the horror of seeing her Son tortured, scourged, crowned with thorns, carry the Cross to Calvary, and die a gruesome death on it? She did it for you, for all of us, because she understood that Jesus’ Passion and Crucifixion was the only way to your (our) salvation. She loves you like no human mother ever could.
5. Not only is she Mother, but she also is Advocate, Helper, Benefactress and Mediatrix (CCC #969). Her job, so to speak, began at the moment she conceived Jesus in her womb and continues until this day. What’s more, it will continue for all eternity. As the first and most perfect disciple, she is devoted to accompanying him and continuing her saving office by interceding for us so that we may receive the gifts of eternal salvation. She’s at work 24/7/365/forever, for whatever we need, whenever we need it.
For all these reasons and more, Mary deserves honor, not only during the month of May, but always.
May blessings,
Mrs. Tracy Melnyk, Principal
Adapted from Marge Fenelon's blog on: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/margefenelon/2015/04/5-reasons-to-honor-mary-this-may/
Thank You Volunteers!
Spring Concert
OLA Parish presents formed.org
Please join us for the website launch night in the library at St. John XXIII Catholic School on May 1st at 7:00 pm. Bring your device and we can help sign you up for formed.org. All are welcome!
FORMED – an incredible online gateway to the best Catholic content, all in one place!
Bible Camp Meeting this Monday
News from the Parent School Council (PSC)
Elections for school council are at our next meeting on May 11 at 7pm at the school library. We would love for you to all attend to help vote in a new executive. If you are wanting to run for any positions, please feel encouraged to do so. Here are the positions we have open for elections:
Chair
Vice-Chair
Co-Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
These positions will be elected for the 2017-2018 school year and become official at the September AGM. We look to forward to seeing you! If you have any questions, please contact Donamarie Lukie bookbuggy@me.ca or 780-996-4142.
Donamarie Lukie
Parent School Council Chair
Spring Dance this Friday!
REAL Foundation Golf Tournament May 24nd, 2017
The REAL Foundation raises money to support faith enrichment opportunities in our Elk Island Catholic Schools to help students develop a lifelong commitment to their faith.
The annual REAL Foundation Golf Tournament will be held Wednesday, May 24th at the Broadmoor Golf Course in Sherwood Park. This is the only fundraiser for the REAL Foundation each year and they count on the generous support of both sponsors and golfers. They are asking for help in two ways:
1. Business owners in our Catholic school community may wish to become a hole sponsor for Gold ($1,000), Silver ($500), or Bronze ($250) level sponsorship. Any donation is eligible for a tax receipt for the full amount. Please contact Dave Kornder at Kornder@telusplanet.net to learn more.
2. Interested in fielding a team of golfers? The tournament is free and the REAL Foundation gladly accepts any donations from golfers. (The approximate cost per golfer is $125.) Please click here to register a team.
Thank you for anything that you can do to help promote the Religious Education Activities for Life Golf Tournament!
ACSTA Information Sessions
Thinking about becoming a Catholic School Trustee? The Alberta Catholic School Trustees' Association is hosting information sessions to help explain the process.
These sessions in no way support a particular candidate or affiliation, and are not being held to provide a means of debate among candidates. This is not a forum for candidates to speak, but is for the education of potential trustees.
Pre-Kindergarten is Coming!
Volunteer Appreciation Concert
Grade 1 Lego Presentation
Community News
Fort Saskatchewan Bike Rodeo
Sunday, May 28th from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Protective Services Building @ 200 Town Crest Road
Looking Ahead . . .
May 1 Bus Driver Appreciation Day - Thank you to our BUS DRIVERS!
May 1 Author/Illustrator Richard Van Camp meets with our students 1:00 - 3:00 pm
May 1 OLA Church Bible Camp Planning Meeting 7:00 pm at OLA Church
May 1 "Formed" Website Information Night 7:00 pm at St. John XXIII School
May 2 Grade 2 Fieldtrip to the Edmonton Symphony 9:30 am
May 2 Grade 3 T-Pet Science Presentation on Life Cycles
May 3 NO ECS/BB Classes
May 3 Grade 3Mo & 4M attend the Holy Childhood Mass at Corpus Christi Parish
May 3 Early Dismissal at 2:14 pm / Rainbow Spirit Day
May 4 McDonald's Hot Lunch
May 4 Evergreen Theatre presents "Jurassic Bark" 2:00 pm - everyone welcome!
May 5 Grade 2 T-Pet Presentation on Small Animals
May 5 Spring "Dress Your Best!" Family Dance 6:30 - 8:00 pm
May 6 Drum, Song & Grass Dance Workshop 10:00 am at Community Baptist Church
May 8 Family Rosary Walk at school. All are welcome
May 11 PSC Meeting & Elections 7:00 pm in the library
May 12 Kindergarten Mother's Day Event
"He died, He was buried, He rose and He appeared. Jesus is alive! This is the heart of the Christian message."
Pope Francis
via Twitter April 25, 2017
9526 - 89 St. Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Email: stj@eics.ab.ca
Website: stj.eics.ab.ca
Phone: 780-998-7777
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stjohnXXIII/
Twitter: @St_JohnXXIII