Holy Cross Thunderbolt Newsletter
December 8, 2021

Holy Cross Catholic School guides each student in developing academic, emotional and physical excellence while spreading the Gospel message as Jesus did, since 1868.

Oh, so completely simple.
A stable.
Wooden manger.
An exhausted new mother.
A terrified first-time father,
unsure of his fresh role.
Before the quest for the perfect holiday,
there was a journey.
A faithfully fearful passage.
Full of eager anticipation.
Following the guidance of an angel.
By the light of an unmistakable star.
Straight toward prophesied uncertainty.
Before the craziness and chaos of the holidays, there was undeniable peace.
Amidst the quiet darkness of a wooden
building meant for animals, not a King.
A baby's bed made of hay.
Respectful visitors, in awe of new life.
Rest, tranquility and anxious-filled quiet.
Before chasing the mirage of perfection crept into our lives...
...a grand tree
...an expensively prepared holiday meal
...hundreds-upon-thousands of dollars spent on gifts
...rushing from event-to-event; from obligation-to-obligation
...working overtime to ensure a faultless experience...
...there was imperfect.
Gorgeously uncertain and incredibly simple; imperfect.
An imperfectly beautiful night that
granted each and every one of us
the greatest, most undeserving
Gift of all.
Unconditional.
Ever-forgiving.
All-encompassing.
Unlimited.
Life-everlasting.
Grace.
A lifetime of the most unmerited gift. Made possible by the sacrifice of a newborn baby. In the quiet stillness of a livestock stable. Under the majestic light of the North Star.
So humble.
So fearful.
So anticipated.
So serene.
So still.
So often forgotten.
So easy to remember.
Such a powerfully tranquil celebration.
Before the need for perfect, there was simple.
Oh, so completely...
...beautifully...
...magnificently...
...sovereignly...
...intensely...
...redeeming-ly...
...simple.
Gracefully Woven by Elizabeth Spenner
On The Calendar
12/9 - SAC Dress Down Day
12/10 - Packer Dress Day
12/10 - HC Cookie Walk - Parish Center - Doors open @ 12:30
12/10 - NDA Middle School Dance for 7th and 8th Grade Students 6:30-9:00
12/11 - Polar Express 8th Grade Fundraiser
12/13-12/14 - FAST Sponsored Gingerbread House
12/16 - HCS Christmas Concert
12/17 - Adoration Following Mass
12/23 - Early Dismissal (11:30)
12/24 to 1/2/22 - Christmas Break


2022 Catholic Schools Week TShirts Available

Concert Details
We are looking forward to celebrating the season together next week at our all-school Christmas Concert! Seating is limited; two or three guests along with each school family is typical. We are also offering a live-stream option this year, for those who would like to hear and see our concert, but cannot get to our location. https://www.facebook.com/holycrossparishfamily
The concert begins at 6:00 pm in the church. Students are asked to arrive at 5:45 pm and meet their classroom teachers in the church gathering space. If students are arriving earlier, they are asked to stay with their parents until the 5:45 "call time."
All students are asked to dress nicely.
FAST SPONSORED GINGERBREAD HOUSE - HELPING HANDS NEEDED!
2021 Gingerbread House
December 13, 14, &15
A LOT of help is needed by parent volunteers:
We will need help setting up on the weekend before the GBH opens
Shopping and wrapping with the children in the Gingerbread House
Takedown on December 15 at shop closing time
Sign up to help can be found on our Signup genius at:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040A44ACA62AA7FE3-gingerbread
Please consider helping this year. It is a lot of fun. Reach out to Betha Mackey, FAST President, at bethabeeg@gmail.com or via text at (920)634-6889.
