Joyfully Embracing Our Mission
St. Clare School Family Newsletter | 8 November 2018
A Matter of Perspective
"Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood."
~ Mark 12
Dear St. Clare School Families,
It's all a matter of perspective. Last Friday, the Office of Evangelization in the Diocese of San Jose ran a retreat for the Principals and Administrators in our Catholic Schools. There were about 30 of us there. The day revolved around three scripture passages: Moses and the burning bush, the Angels appearing to the shepherds at Bethlehem and the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Each tell a compelling story I've heard many times before, so there was a tendency to react with, "yeah, OK, God talks to Moses, the Angels send the shepherds to the manger, the disciples didn't realize they were talking to Jesus...I've heard this before."
Then at the end of the weekend, after a much needed getaway, I saw a post with a link to Fr. James Martin's podcast using the practice of The Examen. I started to listen to the meditation while unpacking (not as it was meant to be listened to, of course...I was just checking it out). In the course of the 15 or so minutes, something clicked. The events and discussions of Friday, the weekend, the message in the podcast suddenly made sense.
I questioned my skepticism, I questioned why I found certain people, very nice and kind people, annoying. The exercise made me think more deeply--allowed me to peel the layers of the onion, as it were--and to figure out to where the culpability lay. In this case, it allowed me a sense of perspective which I have never taken before: to go more deeply and realize that I had a hand in the way I was feeling about things and I have a responsibility, with humility, to require of myself some sort of transformation.
Without this opportunity and invitation to be mindful, I can go on with one perspective and continue to be annoyed at these nice people. I will spare you what I learned about myself (we can talk about it over coffee someday, if you'd like), but I would like you to consider for a moment: give yourself permission to be mindful, to peel the layers of the onion, to seek understanding.
Here is a link to the good that mindfulness brings:
https://www.mindful.org/the-remarkable-brains-of-high-level-meditators/
It's a practice that will allow us to reconnect with ourselves and one another: one that our children can benefit from as we see a rise in anxiety disorders attributed to the barrage of information and too much screen time from technology use. It's a matter of perspective.
SAVE THE: NOV. 20, 2018 | 10:30 in the church
Community Service Officer Mike Robinson, our Guest Speaker, will speak to the Middle School students about cyber crimes using social media including bullying, stranger-danger associated with online video gaming, the use off vapes and juuls in Middle School associated with the indifference to drug culture. All parents are invited to attend. The presentation will be about one hour.
WE ARE GRATEFUL
Thank you to Santa Clara University and Christopher Mendoza for allowing us to use the University facilities for basketball games and practices. We are so lucky to have SCU as partners!
YOU ARE INVITED | Thanksgiving Prayer Service, 2 P.M. in the church
On Tuesday, Nov. 20, our school will gather for a Thanksgiving Prayer Service. Come join us as we recollect all for which we have to be grateful!
MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE
Please note all the many ways we are challenging our students and school community to give: See Sr. Ann Marie's message about the Thanksgiving Giving drive, Poinsettia sales, and soon to come: a focus on Advent Giving. In addition, our Third Graders brought fresh fruit to the Carmelite Sisters and are teaming up with the First Graders for the Layette Collection, our TK students created colorful art for the shut-ins, and our group of 6th grade girls are about to embark on the collection of plastic bottles to turn in for cash to donate to a worthy cause.
Service is a virtue St. Clare is practicing daily, especially with your help!
TRIMESTER 1 ENDS TOMORROW.
Our teachers will be hard at work compiling the report for the end of Trimester 1. Congratulate your students for their efforts, review their goals and set new ones for Trimester 2.
Remember that at the end of the day on November 13, PowerSchool will not be accessible while we upload grades and comments. Your access will resume at the end of the day on November 19. Anticipate report cards being sent home for TK-5 and published for 6-8 on November 20.
OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 8
We hope that you will come and bring a friend to our fall open house on Thursday, Nov. 8 from 4-6 P.M. Our teachers will have some work on display and will be available to answer questions about why they chose to fulfill their vocation at St. Clare School and why it is the best school for your children. We hope that you can share this information with co-workers or friends who have school age children who are looking to join our community.
FACEBOOK | @stclareschoolsantaclara
Go find us on Facebook! Make sure you LIKE the page and share the link with others.
Please share the ALUMNI GOOGLE FORM link https://goo.gl/forms/pEtJxf8h5OBlnMF93
with all the alumni you know so that we can continue to tell the story of St. Clare!
SECOND SUNDAY IS ST. CLARE SCHOOL SUNDAY | 9 A.M. MASS
We hope to many of you at the 9 A.M. mass this Sunday. (I know Mr. Mantecon loves coming to this mass: he enjoys seeing the students and families from St. Clare!) Come and say HI!
MINISTRY FAIR | Sunday, Nov. 18 after all masses
On November 18, our parish will be holding a Ministry Fair after all the Sunday masses. There will be a "booth" for St. Clare School and a booth where you can sign up to give online using We Share. Come by and visit and sign up to serve in the life of the parish. I hope to see you there!
IT'S FLU (and other things!) SEASON
Please reinforce healthy habits at home: plenty of fluids, plenty of sleep, exercise, eat a healthy diet, wash hands thoroughly and often, cough/sneeze into the space where your arm bends and do not share water bottles, drinks or food that has come in contact with your mouth. Rest, rest, rest...many students with or without your knowledge, spend hours way past their bedtime on social media, group chats or watching YouTube channels. What's your "protocol" at home?
It takes a village and this one's an amazingly supportive and caring one. Aren't we lucky?
It's a matter of perspective and from mine, it looks pretty darn good.
Moses had to "turn aside to look" at the remarkable sight of the bush that does not burn up; that when the shepherds saw Jesus in the manger they knew that they had to make "known the message that had been told them;" and the disciples' eyes were opened and their hearts burning within them because Jesus "was made known to them in the breaking of the bread."
Transformed by a matter of perspective. Pretty darn awesome.
Grateful for eyes that are opened, heart burning within and wonderment for the world around, I remain,
Mrs. Cecile Mantecón, Principal
Blessing and Prayer for our Veterans
On November 9th at our 9:00 morning prayer service, we will be celebrating our diversity and our unity. We will also include in the prayer service a blessing and a prayer for all of our veterans. We would love to have any veterans who are able to join us on this day. If you can join us, please send an email to Mrs. Mantecon with a brief bio of your service.
Thanksgiving collection 2018
Hello St. Clare Parents,
In the past, we have asked our families to donate certain foods for Thanksgiving baskets. After some feedback, it has come to our attention that turkey with all the trimmings, although appreciated, is not the kind of food that is normally eaten by many of our families. Therefore, we would like to try something new this year. We are asking each St. Clare family to donate $5.00 and we would use that money to purchase scrip for different grocery stores. These gift cards would be given to our families who are in need and allow them to purchase the type of food that is “celebration” food for them.
If you are sending checks, please make them out to St. Clare School and write on the memo line – Thanksgiving.
Thank you for your generous support as we continue to reach out to those in need.
Poinsettias for Christmas
Happy Holidays! It’s that special time of the year to purchase poinsettias for your holiday decorating and gifts or donation to St Clare Parish in memory or honor of a loved one. Order plants online at stclareschool.3dcartstores.com or print attached order form and return it to the school's office by November 12th.
Ordered plants will be available for pick-up at school on December 4th.
Help support St. Clare School and Parish!
Gospel Reflection | Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time | 11 November 2018
Your Voice Matters!
A Matter of Perspective
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 11/12 Veterans Day No School CKZ/CTZ
- 11/14 A Cup with the Principal, immediately following morning assembly in the Faculty Lounge
- 11/16 Multi Cultural Dinner
- 11/20 Honors Reception for those invited | 7:45 A.M. Rectory
- 11/20 Presentation to Grades 6-8 on Cyberbullying, the Drug Culture and Social Media Safety | 10:30 A.M. in the church - All Parents Invited
- 11/20 Thanksgiving Prayer Service | 2 P.M. in the church
- 11/21-11/23 Thanksgiving Break No School CKZ/CTZ
- 11/30 Teacher in Service Day No School | KIDZ CAMP AVAILABLE - Flyers to Come
SERVING ST. CLARE LINK
St. Clare School
Email: office@stclareschool.org
Website: drexel.dsj.org/stclareschool
Location: 725 Washington Street, Santa Clara, CA, USA
Phone: 408-246-6797