The Messenger
A Publication of St. Gabriel the Archangel School 11/30/2022
Dear Fabulous Families -
- Welcome to the Season of Advent! It is the beginning of a new liturgical year as we prayerfully await the birth of Christ.
- Many thanks to PFA for sponsoring the Christmas Collection for SGA Staff Members. With the beginning Archdiocesan teacher salary starting at $29,088, this is always a well-received gesture. See additional information below under the PFA banner.
- Reminder for Tomorrow: Students are invited to bring a new toy (no toys suggesting war or violence) to Mass tomorrow! We are once again supporting Whole Kids Outreach which helps serve people in need who live in the rural areas of Missouri.
- Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Giving Tuesday Fund yesterday. Money raised will help bridge the gap between tuition and the real cost of educating each child. If any friends or family would still like to donate, you can here .
- Last, in hopes that the USA Men's Soccer Team feels the spirit here at St. Gabriel, students may have a Team USA Add-on Day this Friday. Students may wear red, white, and blue shirts, soccer jerseys, hats, socks, and other patriotic items with their uniform. This is not a dress-down day. Please reference the handbook for specific guidelines, if needed. Go USA!!
Peace and Joy -
Tonya McEnery
Principal
St. Gabriel the Archangel
Dan Winkeler
Assistant Principal
St. Gabriel the Archangel
Counselors' Corner
Our emotions enrich our experiences and it is the fun part of being human! As we move through the excitement of the holiday, take some time to talk with your child about what emotions they may notice in themselves and others. Does the frustration of waiting increase the joy?
Middle school is in the process of finishing their bullying prevention units. In the coming weeks, they will be using class time to create posters, PSA's and social media campaigns to promote Bullying Prevention and a positive school climate.
As always, if you have any concerns about your child, please reach out to the counselors, Mrs. Callison (ccallison@stagab.org) and Ms. Mense (mmense@stgab.org).
Health News
K-5 Math Teachers Work to Analyze Math Standards and Develop Assessment Documents
Pictured below is our third grade team working with Mrs. Bounds.
Last Call! Chromebook Sale Ends Friday!
Monday and Friday Recess Duty
Please consider signing up for Monday and Friday recess duty! In doing so, you will provide opportunities for teachers to take a much needed break. Each session will start with picking up the kids in the cafeteria at 10:50 and will conclude at 12:35. Thank you for donating your time to help our fabulous teachers and staff! There will be 2 teachers and 2 volunteers at each recess.
Protecting God's Children and Safe Environment Training must be complete.
Feel free to bring activities to mix up the fun for the kids:)
School Community: Recess Duty (signupgenius.com)
Contact Mrs. Roell about signing up, if you have questions: mollyroell@me.com
Dear Parents,
We are grateful to be able to offer the sacrament of Reconciliation to our students. This week both 4th and 5th grade students were offered the sacrament.
Here are some resources to help you celebrate Advent:
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/advent/advent-candles.html
https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/advent/
Advent Song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnAKAB4OYik
Students in grades 3-8th will be offered the opportunity to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation this Advent Season.
John House is coordinating our annual collection for Whole Kids Outreach. See below for a link to Whole Kids Outreach's ministry. Please bring items to school tomorrow, December 1st for Mass. A speaker from WKO will speak to the children after Mass in church.
https://www.wholekidsoutreach.org/
Here is a link to their registry:
CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE
to benefit Whole Kids Outreach
Make Christmas Special for a child in need!
Bring items December 1st
Whole Kids Outreach serves rural Missouri children in need. In December, WKO hosts a Christmas Store so that kids can have a great Christmas morning!
<Saint Gabriel the Archangel> will be collecting new toys and other items (unwrapped) for children birth through young teens for the WKO Christmas Store. Every WKO child/teen receives a large, medium, and small gift , so all gifts are appreciated. In addition, cash donations and Amazon, Walmart and Target gift cards are welcome!
Please no items that suggest violence or war (e.g., Risk, Battleship, toy or Nerf guns, etc.). If possible, please mark out the UPC codes with a black marker—this helps us greatly!
Please drop off your toys here by
<December 1st>
Tuesday Masses
12/6 4M -4th Grade Baptism Mass, Parents please join us!
12/13 3P
12/20 3B All School Mass
1/3 3H
1/10 2O
Wednesday Masses
12/7 7D
12/14 6B- Baptism Mass for 6th Grade
12/21 5W-Only 5th grade attends
1/4 6D
1/11 5W- Baptism Mass 5th Grade
Thursday Masses
12/1 John House Mass
12/8 No school Immaculate Conception
12/15 5K
12/22 No school -Christmas break
1/5 4M
1/12 3P
Come pray with us. Please join us whenever you are able! Masses are at 8:00 am in church.
Sacrament Days for 2022-2023 School Year:
8th Grade
Confirmation Retreat Day- April 18th
Confirmation-April 20, 2023 at 7:00 pm
2nd Grade
First Communion Parent Meeting- March 30 at 6:30 pm in church
First Communion-May 7, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Peace and blessings!
Deborah DaLay
Coordinator of Religious Education
Year at a Glance for 2022-2023
Dates below are subject to change and additional days will be added as we continue to plan for the upcoming year.
December 8- Feast of the Immaculate Conception- NO SCHOOL
December 13- 7:00 pm Vocal concert (2nd, 4th, 5th grades, and Honor Choir)
December 14- 7:00 pm Band concert
December 21- Noon Dismissal
December 22 -January 2, 2023 - Christmas Break- NO SCHOOL
January 2- Professional Development for Staff - NO SCHOOL
January 3- Classes resume
January 13- Planning and collaboration- NOON DISMISSAL
January 16- Martin Luther King Jr. Day- NO SCHOOL
February 3- NOON DISMISSAL
February 10- End of 2nd Trimester
February 16 - Mid-Year Conferences - NOON DISMISSAL
February 17- Planning and Collaboration changed to Mid-Year Conferences - NOON DISMISSAL
February 20- Presidents' Day- NO SCHOOL
February 25 - Follies
February 26- Archdiocesan Band Festival (Concert Band)
March 10- Planning and Collaboration- NOON DISMISSAL
March 13-17- Spring break- NO SCHOOL
March 25- Auction
March 30 - First Communion Parent Meeting, 6:30 pm, Church
April 6- Holy Thursday- NO SCHOOL
April 7- Good Friday- NO SCHOOL
April 10- Easter Monday- NO SCHOOL
April 18- 8th Grade Confirmation Day of Reflection
April 20- Confirmation 7pm at SGA
April 21- Planning and Collaboration- NOON DISMISSAL
May 7, First Communion, 2:00 pm, Church
May 9- Vocal concert (Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd grades, and Honor Choir)
May 10- Band concert
May 12- Field Day- NOON DISMISSAL
May 23- 8th Grade Graduation (6:00pm)
May 26- Last day of school- NOON DISMISSAL
Update- Spirit wear items
PFA Christmas Collection for Staff
St. Gabriel Youth Group (SGYG)
Bulletin Announcement from Monsignor Shamleffer
Dear Parishioners:
We have begun this season of Advent, which marks the beginning of a new liturgical year and as such provides us a time for renewal, a new beginning. The beginning of the year actually points to the “end.” The end of all creation is marked by the long-awaited return of Jesus, the Son of Man. Our readings point to this end as the day of judgment (“Son of Man” being the scriptural title of the judge of all humanity).
The “end” reminds us that we are on a journey. The voyage through life is not an aimless wandering but has a destination and a goal.
Love is the basis for human life. God, who is love, loved us into being. Love is the force that orders all things toward God and a participation in divine life. When Jesus is asked what is the greatest of all the laws, he replies: “You shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Love is the basis and starting point. Love also expresses itself as mercy when a violation of love or justice is encountered. Mercy heals and restores. Psalm 25 expresses the desires that lie at the heart of the righteous — to know and live in God’s way. The longing is expressed by the psalmist in this way: “Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and for you I wait all the day.”
The longing is not some abstract or aimless quest, for “good and upright is the Lord; thus he shows sinners the way and teaches the humble his way.” He loves us so much that he wants us to know him and the path to meaning of life. This Way is not a teaching or concept, but a person whose birth we prepare to celebrate at Christmas.
To help give us some guidance this Advent Season I would like to recommend some apps that can be used individually, as a family, or a prayer group to help us pray together and prepare for Christmas.
If you sign up on our Flocknote account and go to the Library section, you will find many of these apps. Engaged / Hallowed (Register today by selecting our parish here: www.Hallow.com/holyday, / Laudate, /ibreviary.
Advent Blessings!
Msgr John Shamleffer
Hallow Catholic App Available to Parishioners
St. Gabriel The Archangel has partnered with Hallow this Advent to provide every parishioner
FREE access to all of Hallow’s prayer content - including the Advent #Pray25
Challenge: Journey through Salvation History feat. the cast of ‘The Chosen’.
Hallow is the #1 Catholic app worldwide and includes over 5,000 audio-guided
sessions designed to help you grow closer to God and develop a daily habit of prayer.
Hallow Plus includes prayers for kids and families, resources for mental health,
meditations for sleep, seasonal music, multiple languages (including Spanish,
Portuguese, and Polish!) daily trivia, podcast-style courses to learn more about faith,
and more! Register today by selecting our parish here: www.Hallow.com/holyday
Promo - Gift Cards for Christmas
Advent by Tailgate
Wanted: Maintenance Director for St Gabriel Parish and School
Responsible for the effective, efficient and safe maintenance, renovation and upkeep of parish
buildings and grounds. Main duties include supervising the preventative, routine and emergency
maintenance and upkeep of the buildings and property for the church and school.
Primary systems include HVAC, plumbing, electrical, security, fire safety, energy management, irrigation and grounds. Will supervise one or more maintenance employees and may supervise and coordinate with outside contractors. Will perform routine to mid-level maintenance functions.
Applicants should contact Monsignor Shamleffer at shamleffer@stgabrielstl.org or leave a message at the church rectory 314-353-6303.