Mercy Peek & Ponder by Mr. McGrath
Volume 4, Issue 18, Sunday, January 14, 2018
Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic School
Email: jmcgrath@olmrcs.com
Website: www.olmrcs.com
Location: 29 Conwell Drive, Maple Glen, PA, United States
Phone: 215-646-0150
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Our-Lady-of-Mercy-Regional-Catholic-School-1427959374084742/?ref=bookmarks
Check out our Mary Poppins web page!
A Prayer for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Holy God! Tomorrow, we remember Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s struggle for equality, justice, and dignity for African Americans that inspired so many other reform movements that seek to highlight the plight of the oppressed in society.
We pray that all of those in civil and religious authority be reminded that we all have been created in your image, and that there is an intrinsic dignity in each of us that calls for uplifting every man and woman, young and old.
We pray that your Holy Spirit remind us all that you show no partiality with regards to nationality, race, ethnicity, or gender, and to do so is to go against your great commandment of love toward one another.
We pray that the church will not be complicit of injustice by being silent, but that it can rise up with a prophetic voice that speaks truth to power and advances the values of your Kingdom.
We pray these things in the name of our blessed redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.
PLEASE JOIN US AT OLM TOMORROW FROM 10AM TO 12PM FOR SERVICE. THANK YOU AND HAVE A GREAT WEEK! JCM
Upcoming Events
January 15
MLK Day - NO SCHOOL (see below about service project)
LAST DAY FOR CHICK-FIL-A ORDERS
January 16
Mary Poppins Parent Meeting, 7PM in cafe
January 17
Grade 4 Class Mass, 9AM
CHICK-FIL-A DAY AT LUNCH
January 19
Dress Down Day - to support THON
Club/STREAM Day
Ski Club, 2:45PM
MLK Day of Service at OLM: Monday, January 15th, 10AM to 12PM
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY OF SERVICE AT OLM
On January 15, we will have service activities at the cafeteria at OLM for anyone who would like to participate. We will be in the cafeteria from 10 am until noon. Children in the Middle School Academy may be dropped off and picked up, and we ask that a parent/caretaker be present for children in the lower grades. The activities will include:
Sweet Cases for Together We Rise
Together We Rise is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to improve the lives of foster children in America. TWR works with hundreds of foster agencies, social workers, CASA advocates, and other partners to bring our programs to foster youth across the nation. Our foundation has allowed us to provide thousands of foster youth across the country with new bicycles, college supplies, and suitcases so that children do not have to travel from home to home with their belongings in a trash bag.”
The Sweet Cases are duffel bags filled with essentials like a hygiene kit, blanket, teddy bear, coloring book and crayons. On MLK day, we will have Sweet Cases to be filled and decorated. The Sweet Cases will then go to local foster care agencies to be given to foster children in our area.
Operation Gratitude
The mission of Operation Gratitude is to “thank every American who serves.” On MLK day, the children will make letters for veterans, active duty service members, and first responders. These letters will get sent to Operation Gratitude and included in the care packages that they send out worldwide.
Cradles to Crayons
“Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school and at play. We supply these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities that have with communities that need.”
On MLK day, we will collect items to be donated to Cradles to Crayons. Do you have clothes/coats/shoes that your children have outgrown? This is the perfect time to get rid of old stuff!! The items that Cradles to Crayons will accept are:
• Clothing (youth sizes 0–14/16 and adult sizes small)
• New socks & underwear
• New pajamas (except 0-24 months will be accepted in like-new condition)
• Shoes, boots, sneakers, and sandals (infant/child sizes 0–13; adult sizes 1–9)
• Heavy coats, lightweight jackets, winter hats, gloves/mittens
• Books (baby board books through grade 6)
• New arts and crafts
• New school supplies
• Baby supplies (baby carriers, diaper bags, tubs, etc.)
• Baby hygiene (infant washcloths, towels, shampoo, lotion, wipes, etc.)
• Infant bedding (bassinet and crib only)
• Diapers
• Baby equipment, especially strollers and car seats less than five years old
• New and like-new toys (see below for exceptions)
• New batteries
Cradles to Crayons cannot accept the following:
• Furniture and?household goods/items
• Cribs of any kind (due to recalls)
• Car seats and other infant safety items more than five years old
• Over-sized plastic play structures and backyard toys
• Stuffed animals
• Used sports safety equipment (helmets, shin guards, etc.)
• Bicycles or ride-on toys
• Any toy larger than 2' x 2' (must be small enough to fit into a carry-on suitcase)
• DVDs/CDs/VHS tapes/computer games
• Violent toys/games
• Electronics
• Books and clothing with family related messaging (“I Love Mommy,” “Daddy’s Little Girl”)
• Used bathing suits
• Used underwear, socks, or pajamas
• Used hygiene or feeding products or bottles
• Baby food
• Used arts and crafts/school supplies
We will need help sorting through the items and organizing by gender and age.
Aid For Friends
Aid For Friends provides home cooked meals to individuals who are home-bound in and around the Philadelphia area. On MLK, we will be collecting food to assemble into meals and bringing the meals to the freezers at our local parishes. Here is a link to sign up to bring in the requested food. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f48a5ac2ca0f85-dayofservice. Please bring the cooked food to the cafeteria and we will assemble the meals that day.
Please send an email to register to attend to Meghann Chiappa at chiappa.meghann@gmail.com, and please feel free to email with any questions!
Sneak Peek at Catholic School Week 2018: Full Brochure to Follow
Catholic School Week is right aroundthe corner. There will be something exciting and fun planned every day!
1. APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
In honor of our amazing and dedicated faculty and staff here at OLM, please consider helping out with our Appreciation Luncheon to be held the Wednesday of Catholic School week (1/31).
Please see the sign up below on how you can help! We can't do it without you.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b084baaaf29a31-cswfaculty
Contact Danielle Moore at ddinapol@aol.com with any questions.
2. BAGELS & BANANAS WITH A BUDDY
On Monday, January 29TH (family last names with last name A-L) and Tuesday, January 30TH, (M-Z) students are welcome to come to school with a family member and enjoy a bagel and a banana with them between 7:45-8:30. More information to follow, but we wanted you to be aware so you can plan accordingly.
3. MINI-THON
The fifth grade is proud to sponsor OLM's sixth annual Mini-Thon to help fight pediatric cancer. Our Mini-Thon is for all OLM students and will take place on Friday, February 2nd at 9:00 AM with more details to follow. We are selling t-shirts to help raise money for this worthy cause. The t-shirts will feature a Mini- Thon design and may be worn to the Mini-Thon and on gym days. All proceeds benefit the Four Diamonds Fund and pediatric cancer research. Please see the attached order form. All orders are due by Wednesday, January 17th.
4. FAMILY BINGO NIGHT
We are finishing Catholic Schools Week with Family Bingo Night! On Friday, Feburary 2nd, families are welcomed to come for a night that promises to be filled with excitement, laughter and, for a lucky few winners, prizes!
When: Friday, February 2nd, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Cost: $7.00 per person with a $25.00 family maximum. Price includes pizza and drinks. Please bring a dessert.
Please check your child's backpack / homework folder for the RVP flyer.
We are looking for volunteers. If you are interested, please see the Sign Up Genius: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409094ea4ab2aabfa7-catholic
Any questions, please contact Megan Dougherty @ 215-219-4057 or Jackie Sponosa at 215-582-6329.
From the Home & School - Re: Designer Bag Bingo & Sweetheart Dance
Busy...busy...busy describes the many events quickly approaching. Thanks to the many of you who have already sent in your Designer Bag Bingo responses and money. We have over 100 tickets sold and they keep coming in each day. Remember if you are interested in donating or have a connection to someone who may be able to donate, please contact Megan Romano.
6th Annual OLM Run For Mercy
6th Annual OLM Run For Mercy - The 6th Annual 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run will be held on Saturday, March 24th at 9:00 a.m. Early Bird Registration is now open! Early bird pricing will end on February 5th, so register soon!
Click on link below to register:
Also please "like" us on the OLM Annual 5k Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/olmannual5k/community/
WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW SCOUTS!
* Check our OLM's very own TROOP 540!
*We meet on Mondays from 7PM to 8:30PM in the cafeteria; we gp camping each month.
*You can join scouts if you are 11 or older. (boys can be scouts from ages 11 to 18)
*Please stop by to join us or contact us in you are interested or have questions.
Contact: Scoutmaster Dan Orr
Email: 540scoutmaster@gmail.com
From our STREAM TEACHER
Dear Parents,
Students at OLM will be putting their problem solving skills to the test as they design and construct solutions to STREAM challenges.
What does STREAM stand for?
Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts, and Math
In order for our students to be successful, they will need lots of recycled materials. And that is where you come in - we need your CLEAN trash!
Please send the following materials to school by 1/30 in a clean bag labeled “STREAM Stuff.”
All materials must be empty and very clean, please!
Empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls
Empty cereal boxes with plastic removed
Styrofoam any size or shape
Cotton batting or foam
Tissue paper
Newspaper
Empty oatmeal cylinders, yogurt cups, or berry baskets
Small empty boxes
Plastic containers for strawberries, blueberries, etc.
Bubble wrap
Grocery bags
Empty colored soda bottles
Empty clear water bottles
Empty egg cartons
Scraps of fabric (fake fur would be appreciated!)
Empty tissue boxes
Empty Clorox wipe cylinders
Balls of yarn
Crocheting hooks
Broken/old toys (electronics that can be disassembled and reassembled)
Screwdrivers
Questions? Please contact Miss Masucci at mmasucci@olmrcs.com.
Thank you for your help!
January Virtue of the Month: Decision-Making
God wants us to do what we know and feel is right. Decision-Making…is regulating your thoughts and actions so that you stop any pressures from within or without and act the way you know and feel is right. Developing loving habits helps us to respond lovingly to others in our choices and actions.
Decision-Making:
- Has a positive, confident sense of self and others
- Adapts to situations in light of the common good
- Thinks reflectively to solve problems
- Applies effective communication, decision-making, problem-solving & resource management skills
- Reflects on personal values, abilities and aspirations
- Participates in leisure and fitness activities for a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
During the month of January, students will be learning more about good decision-making. The Blessed Mother, under the title of Our Lady of Hope, will be our model. Peacemakers for the virtue of decision-making will be recognized after our School Liturgy on Wednesday, February 14th at 9AM.
Scholarships Class of 2018 (as of 12/01/2017)
Scholarships: Class of 2018
Mount St. Joseph:
Mary McGrory: Founders Academic Scholarship
Sarah Hughes: Founders Academic Scholarship
Anna Emma: Fontbonne Academic Scholarship
Margaux Barrett: Founders Academic Scholarship
Cassidy Palazzo:Maguire Academic Scholarship
Gwynedd Mercy:
Margaux Barrett: Trustee Academic Scholarship
Sarah Hughes: Trustee Academic Scholarship
Bianca Coleman: Maguire Academic Scholarship
LaSalle:
Nick Araco: Principal Academic Scholarship
Eddie Donovan: Principal Academic Scholarship
Jake Barton: Leadership Academic Scholarship
Archbishop Wood:
Gary Martin: Neumann Academic Scholarship
Alex Sheak: Neumann Academic Scholarship
Margaux Barrett: Presidential Academic Scholarship
Peter Reilly: Viking Academic Scholarship
Cesar Guerra-Solano: Presidential Academic Scholarship
Olivia Coer: Administrative Academic Scholarship
Anna Emma: Viking Academic Scholarship
Gwyn Craney: Presidential Academic Scholarship
Total as of 12/18/17: $493,752
OLM SKI & BOARD CLUB
Friday, January 12, 2018 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Friday, January 19, 2018 (2:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
Wednesday, January 24, 2018 (2:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
Friday, February 2, 2018 (11:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
Wednesday, February 7, 2018 (2:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
Wednesday, February 21, 2018 (2:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
BIRTHDAYS BLESSINGS THIS WEEK!
Sunday, 01/14
Joaquin Carrasco
Nicholas Sapp
Monday, 01/15
Vincent Vacchiano
Tuesday, 01/16
Cassidy Carroll
Wednesday, 01/17
Thursday, 01/18
Jaxson Carroll
Ella Pensabene
Friday, 01/19
Alexander Sheak
Gabriella Youngers
Saturday, 01/20
Conor Bryce
Altar Servers this Week, 9AM Mass
Monday: Valentina Mallozzi
Tuesday: Mary McGrory
Wednesday: Michael McMullen
Thursday: Mark Reilly
Friday: Peter Reilly