Mercy Peek & Ponder by Mr. McGrath
Volume II Issue 21 Sunday, January 31, 2016
Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic School
Email: jmcgrath@olmcatholicschool.com
Website: www.olmcatholicschool.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
From the Principal's Desk: Catholic Schools Week 2016
Pope Francis when a Cardinal wrote: “The education of children and young people is such an important task in forming them as free and responsible human beings. It affirms their dignity as an inalienable gift that flows from our original creation as children made in the image and likeness of God. And because education truly forms human beings, it is especially the duty and responsibility of the Church, who is called to serve mankind from the heart of God and in such a way that no other institution can.”
I asked myself what new can I say this year? Yet there is value in repeating worthy thoughts. It is one form of learning – repetition. It is also an important way to remember and be grateful for the beautiful gift which Catholic education is and for those who make it possible. Certainly our students are key family members. Hopefully they all know what a blessing it is for them to be in a Catholic school. Our students have the opportunity for not just a great academic education, outstanding music, and other extracurricular opportunities to develop your unique gifts, they have the privilege of doing so in an environment that integrates prayer, faith formation, and the Sacraments.
How appropriate it is that we celebrate the beginning of Catholic Schools Week on the Memorial of St. John Bosco, patron of young people, who devoted himself by taking children into his arms as did Jesus in the Gospel, especially the poor and abandoned. His educational approach was unique for his times. He used music, study, prayer and work to develop the whole person who then could live a life of value and purpose.
With advice applicable to our day, St. John Bosco said, “Knowledge gives more power in the exercise of good or evil, but alone it is an indifferent weapon, lacking guidance.” It is the faith element of Catholic education that offers moral and practical guidance for living holy and fulfilling lives.
That is what Catholic Schools: Communities, Families of Faith, Knowledge and Service seek to do: turn each child of God into someone beautiful. Thank you to all who make it possible. Our Lady of Mercy, pray for us!
Upcoming Events
January 31
Catholic Schools Week Kick-Off Open House, 11AM to 1PM
February 1
Parents/Grandparents are invited to join their children for lunch: K-3 - 11:45AM to 12:30PM; 4-8 - 12:35PM - 1:05PM
Light refreshments will be available to our guests.
February 2
Installation of new members into the National Junior Honor Society, 1:30PM
February 3
Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheon hosted by OLM Home & School, 12:05PM
School-wide Bingo, 1:30PM
February 4
Magic Show featuring Hilarious Magic of Sam Sandler sponsored by OLM Home & School, 9AM
February 5
THON, 9AM-11AM
Student wear gym uniforms - THON shirts
Noon dismissal
February 6
Family Fun Bingo, 6PM
Did you know?
Virtue of the Month: KINDNESS
Our virtue of the month of February is KINDNESS. Students will learn that kindness is a gift of the Holy Spirit where one learns the quality of understanding and sympathy for those in need. It is shown in friendliness of speech, generosity of conduct, and forgiveness. Saint Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother will be our model.
O St. Gabriel of our Lady of Sorrows, obtain for our young people the grace of following Jesus with generosity. May they place the gospel at the very heart of their lives. May they desire to love God wholeheartedly as you did. May they especially obtain a true devotion to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of Mary, and following thy example may we all increase in grace. Pray for us that we will be saints, so we may know the peace and joy of eternal life in Heaven.
+Amen+
Reading Olympics
Four Diamonds Mini-Thon, February 5th
As part of our yearly service project, the fifth grade students we will be sponsoring a dance-a-thon to raise money for the Four Diamonds Fund, which provides support for patients and families facing the battle against pediatric cancer. This event is for all OLM students and will culminate our celebration of Catholic Schools Week. We look forward to a morning of dancing, fun, and some surprises!
When: Friday, February 5th; 9:00am - 11:00am
(special guest - 10:00am; eighth grade versus teachers volleyball game - 11:00am)
Where: Gym
Who: All kindergarten through 8th grade students; Parents and families are most welcome!
If you would like to donate to this worthy cause, please donate to the weekly Wednesday mission collections or bring your donation to school during the week of February 1st. We greatly thank you for your support!
All checks can be made payable to the Four Diamonds Fund. If you would like to make an online donation, follow the link below to access the OLM donor page: http://fourdiamonds.donordrive.com/event/olm16/
All students should wear their gym uniform and/or optional Mini-Thon tshirt on Friday, February 5th .
Scholarship Awards for the Class of 2017 as of 01/10/2016
We are so happy and proud to announce scholarship awards to the following students in the OLM Class of 2016. The list will be updated as more awards are announced.
Shannon Reilly: Mount St. Joseph Academy:
Founders Academic Scholarship
Maeve Gallagher: Mount St. Joseph Academy:
Fontbonne Academic Scholarship
Micaelina Carter: Mount St. Joseph Academy:
Fontbonne Academic Scholarship
Maggie Fitzpatrick: Mount St. Joseph Academy:
Eugenia F. Comerford ’37 Alumnae Award
Carrie Johnston: Gwynedd Mercy Academy:
Legacy Scholarship
Thomas McLaughlin: Bishop McDevitt:
Lancer Leadership Scholarship
Nicholas Signoretta:
LaSalle High School: Principal Scholarship
Lansdale Catholic: Msgr. Joseph Schade Scholarship
Colin Hope: Archbishop Wood: Academic Scholarship
TOTAL AS OF 1/24/16: $148,000
Mercy 5K - Saturday, March 19, 2016
The 4th Annual Run is scheduled for Saturday March 19, 2016. Click here for all the information:
We are looking for 100 OLM Students to register and take part in the 5K Run. The first 100 students who register for the 5K run will receive a choice of a free "official" OLM 5K stuffed penguin or School Supply Kit Pouch (with logo) with Pencil, Eraser, and Sharpener. Let’s all run for MERCY! Perhaps, Winston will run with you!
2016-2017 Registration
•Our retention rate for next academic year is 91%.
347 of the 382 eligible for registration have done so.
If you register prior to 03/31/2016, registration fee is $250 per family.
If you registered after 04/01/2016, the registration fee is $350 per family.
Our registration fees cover: the cost per student of the student information database (MSP), Religion books, certain instructional classroom supplies, and administrative fees for the operation the FACTS system. Please note, registration fees are non-refundable.
OLM Home & School News
In honor of OLM's wonderful faculty and staff, please consider helping out with our appreciation luncheon scheduled for Wednesday, February 3rd during Catholic Schools Week. See the link below. There are many ways to help! Thank you for all that you always do!
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d4eaea822a2f85-faculty
Catholic School’s Week Breakfast: Please join us on January 31, 2016 from 11:00 to 1:00 for Home and School’s annual breakfast to kick off Catholic Schools Week in OLM’s Cafeteria.
Family Fun Bingo: As we end Catholic School’s Week, please join us for our family bingo which will be held February 6th at 6:00!
$ 7.00 per person or $ 25.00 per family
Pizza and drinks will be provided
*Bring a dessert to share*
Please send in your payment by Monday, February 1st to Nancy Emma c/o Anna 6th Mrs. Opdyke
Please save the dates for the following events!
Mother /Son Bowling: Sunday, February 21, 2016 at Thunderbird Lanes in Warminster
Father/Daughter Dance: Friday, February 26, 2016
OLM Mercy 5k Run: Saturday, March 19, 2016 for any registration questions please contact Megan Citro at mcitro@comcast.net
Thank you for all you do to support our Home and School Organization!
OLM YEARBOOKS!
Believe it or not, it is time to our your 2015-2016 OLM yearbook! The cost of the yearbook is $20. The Class of 2016 does NOT need to order a yearbook as it is included in the graduation fees. All orders are to be completed online this year. Please no cash or checks! To place an order please follow the directions below:
1- Go to www.schoolannual.com
2- At the top of website, select " "Buy Your Student's Yearbook". This will open a new tab.
3- Type in "Our Lady of Mercy" as the school. Be sure to select the correct school since there is another OLM!
4- Order your yearbook and check out! It may ask you to create an account to purchase the yearbook online!
All yearbooks orders are due February 1, 2016!
Birthday Blessings this Week
Bauer, Meredith Feb 3 - Wednesday
Mirabelli, Michelle Feb 4 - Thursday
Knouse, Emily Feb 5 - Friday
Waters, Isabella G. Feb 5 - Friday
Playground at Lunch Recess
Monday, 02/01: Mrs. Marano
Tuesday, 02/02: Mrs. Kling
Wednesday, 02/03: Mrs. Quinn
Thursday, 02/04: Mrs. Ronzoni
Lunch Duty Sign-Up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d4daaa622a6f49-february
Two parent volunteers must be on-duty in the school yard - before the playground is open. This ensures the safety of ALL. Our active volunteer program not only provides valuable hands-on assistance through the school, but also benefits the children by reinforcing ties between the children’s individual homes as well as the community at large, and the school. The Lunch/Recess Duty Volunteer program is a great way to volunteer and become involved at the school.
Altar Servers 9AM
Tuesday, 02/02: Teddy Nagle
Wednesday, 02/03: Mary McGrory
Thursday, 02/04: Gina Princivalle
Friday, 02/05: Antonio Fabrizio