The Good News
Saint John XXIII May 2, 2021
5th Sunday of Easter John 15:1-8
Like the Vine and Branches, Christ is intertwined with his disciples
The parable of the "Vine and the Branches," contained in John 15:1-8, reveals many wonderful teachings. We want to teach our kids to have virtue. Teaching kids virtue is demonstrating integrity by choosing to do what is right. That can be very hard in this life. We often want to do what is right but it is sometimes hard because we rely on our own strength. It remains so much easier to maintain integrity when we are rooted in God.
Seeds: These are planted when someone hears the word of God. We want to tell people about Jesus so that they can have hope and eternal life through a relationship with him and the forgiveness of sins. Seeds need to be planted in good dirt. If we are going to bear fruit, we need to be planted in good dirt too. That means a teachable heart ready for God’s word to work in our lives. It also means surrounding ourselves with good influences and being careful about what we listen to, watch, read and the friends we choose.
Roots: We need to make sure our roots stay grounded in God. That will be through prayer (talking to God) and studying his word. We must firmly establish our roots in the truth so that we can grow strong and stable. It will help us resist pressures from the outside that might tempt us away from virtue.
The Vine: In the parable, Jesus says that he is the vine. We must remain in him so that we are able to stand firm until the end. There will be some work on our part, but we are resting in his strength and ability to change us. He is there offering the free gift of help and forgiveness. All of this is impossible on our own.
The Gardener: In the parable, the gardener is God. He is there to prune off branches that are not bearing fruit. This can be painful and hard. It often takes a lot of trimming. Although this seems painful at the time, the Master Gardener knows what he is doing and is truly trimming us back so that we can experience gorgeous fruit.
Branches: We are the branches growing out from the vine. We are God’s hands and feet on this earth. We should serve him by serving others. We are called to love with a sacrificial love so that others can see God in us. These branches, however, are only useful if they remain in the vine.
Fruit: When we remain in the vine, we (the branches) begin to grow good, healthy fruit. This comes in not only a virtuous life that is a model of honesty and integrity, but it is also shown in the love and care we have for others. We are called to care for those in need. Our fruits, all the good things we do, don’t get us into heaven, but they are a demonstration that we are rooted in our faith in Jesus.
Sun: We are to be people who live in the light. Just like a grapevine would wither and die without sunlight, we start to wither as we try and hide in the darkness. What does darkness represent? It represents lies, secrets, the shade of old habits and shame. When we live a life in the light we are being virtuous, but we are also reflecting God’s light that shines bright so the whole world can see.
Fence: Grapes grow along a fence. It helps the vine grow in the right direction. The grapevines grow up along the poles and then stretch out across the wires. The branches wrap themselves tightly around these wires for strength and guidance. Without the fence, the vine would fall to the ground and not reach the light. Parents, teachers and authorities are like a fence in our lives. They give us rules and guidelines we need to obey. They want to keep us standing strong so we can be healthy and thrive, bearing good fruit.
Water: Jesus is the living water. Fruit does not grow without living water. If we are not seeking Jesus as our living water, we won’t be bearing any good fruit.
Bus Driver Appreciation Day, Monday May 3rd!
In celebration of Bus Driver Appreciation Day!
THANK YOU for your dedication in ensuring the safe transportation of our students.
Every day our bus operators safely steer 1000s of students to and from school. School bus drivers are tasked with one of the most important responsibilities in education - safely transporting our children to and from school.
School Bus Driver Appreciation Day is a well-deserved salute in the direction of all those men and women who dedicate their lives to helping children get to and from school safely every day, while staying patient, helpful and positive all throughout.
Let's thank them for going the distance and celebrate their commitment to student learning. Text or call your operator on Monday May 4th to thank them for what they do!
EICS Transportation Department
Playground use during school hours
There is JOY in the Journey: Celebration of Learning! Congratulations!
It's that time of year: Transitions for next year. If your family is moving, please kindly let the office know as we make plans for next year
Spring means new life, growth, and time for new adventures around the corner. While this year's staff and students work diligently to honour the current year we are in, administrators are also in the planning stages for our next school year. At our School Council meeting on Tuesday, Mrs. Boehm & Ms. Astalosch will share some of the many ways in which we plan for and support student transitions from grade to grade and school to school. Please consider attending so you can be informed of the many ways we help provide support for transitions.
Looking ahead: Mark your calendars
May 3: Monday Faith Assembly- Grade 2
May 4: School Council Meeting 7 pm Google Meet link will be shared that day
May 5: Early Dismissal 2:23 pm Spirit day - Hats On for Mental Health Awareness
May 7: PD day, no school for students, Plant sale pick up
May 10: Monday Faith Assembly- Grade 1
May 17: Monday Faith Assembly- K
May 21: No school
May 24: Victoria Day- no school
Growing Brains & Sharing Smiles! It's a Great Day to be a Saint John Kid!
Help Support our St. John XXIII Community - Operation Education Fundraiser
Saint John XXIII School Council News
Spring Plant Fundraiser Update: Thank you for your generous support!
Thank you for the amazing support through our School Council plant fundraiser. We sold 158 items!
Pick up will be on Friday, May 7th (PD day) with two time slots available:
12-3pm and 6-8pm, from the school gym. We are in need of two-three volunteers for each time slot. Please contact Shannon Dahlseide @780-862-4052 if you are able to help out. You will need to follow all site specific COVID-19 protocols.
In order to abide by Covid protocols, pick up will be contactless. When you arrive, please use the bus lane rather than the parking lot. You will text the number provided stating you’re picking up an order and the name on the order. *There will be a sign placed at the bus lane with the phone number to text.* Our volunteers will place your order outside the back doors to the gym (closest to the bus lane) and then a text response will let you know you may come and pick it up. Please ensure that you wait until you receive a text back stating your order is ready for you before coming up to the doors. This is very important in order to allow volunteers time to get your order out and to ensure distancing. We will make sure there are clear signs and directional arrows for the day of pick up for those who may not be familiar with our school and the gym door location.
Next School Council meeting is Tuesday, May 4 @ 7 pm via Google Meet. Google Meet link will be shared that day via School messenger.
To connect with school council executive, email st.johnxxiii.psc@gmail.com
Click below to order your St. John XXIII Spirit Wear:
Saint John XXIII Catholic School
Email: stj@eics.ab.ca
Website: https://stj.eics.ab.ca/
Location: 9526 89 Street, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-998-7777
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St.JohnXXIII
Twitter: @St_JohnXXIII