SPB Family Newsletter
Week of December 16, 2019
Mission Statement
The Eucharistic community of Saint Paschal Baylon Catholic School
focuses on Christ-centered values and develops the unique potential of each student
through a rigorous and engaging curriculum.
Calendar of Events
Sunday
Third Sunday of Advent
Grade 6 Flash Mass--10:00 am
Monday
Power of the Pen--2:30-3:30 pm
Tuesday
Junior High Field Trip--"A Christmas Carol"
Grade 6 GCCTM Practice--2:30-3:15 pm
Wednesday
Primary Christmas Concert--1:15 & 7:00 pm
Geography Bee Championship--2:30 pm
Thursday
Grade 2 Gingerbread Party
Grades 1 & 7 Buddies Polar Express Party
Friday
No Preschool Classes
All School Mass--9:00 am
Last Day of School before Christmas Break
A Note from the Principal
The pink candle on the Advent wreath will be lit on Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, marking the third week of Advent. Gaudete is the Latin word for "rejoice." The pink candle represents joy--we wait in joyful anticipation for the birth of Christ.
I am very excited for our upcoming concerts! This evening, our junior high choir and our grades 4-8 band will perform their Christmas concert. For the first time, it will be held in our Church which will serve as a beautiful backdrop for the concert. Next Wednesday, December 18, our primary students will delight the audience with some Christmas favorites, too. We hope that you can join us for one or both of these concerts and kick off the holiday season in a special way!
Blessings,
Diane Raguz, Principal
Christmas Concerts
Band and Junior High Christmas Concert
It's here! The Band and Junior High Choir Christmas Concert is on Thursday, December 12th at 1:00 and 7:00 pm, both in the Church (new location!). Performers should wear school uniforms for the daytime concert and dressy black and white outfits (khaki pants are also ok!) for the evening performance. ALL Junior High students are expected to perform in both concerts. Junior High students not involved in Band are asked to arrive at 6:30 pm and go to their homeroom before the concert. Hope to see you there as we celebrate the sights and sounds of Christmas in song!
Here are a few reminders for all band members for the upcoming weeks:
- Band Students will meet at O’Brien Hall for instrument case storage and tuning. Students should arrive at 6:30 pm.
- We will also have an in-school concert on Thursday, December 12th, 2019 at 1:00 pm in the church. You are welcome to attend. Please make sure that your child has his or her instrument and music on this day.
- All band members must ensure that their instrument is in working condition and have extra reeds (as needed) at hand as well as their band folders with all their sheet music prior to the concert day.
- Feel free to invite your friends and family to our concert.
- Encourage your son or daughter to practice their concert music! Band students who store their instruments at the school are strongly encouraged to take the instruments home to practice their concert music. A great concert is more likely the result of deliberate practice, not talent.
- Feel free to email me at emandujano@musicallianceinc.org if you have any questions.
Primary Grades Christmas Concert
Save the date for our annual Primary Grades Christmas Concert! This year's concert is on Wednesday, December 18th, with performances at 1:15 and 7:00 pm, both in the Church! All Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, and Third Grade students have a role in our show, so please make sure they are in attendance! Performers should wear school uniforms (or gym uniforms if it's a gym day) for the daytime performance and dress up for the evening performance! (Sunday best as some like to call it!) Performers should arrive for the concert at 6:30 pm and find their class and teacher in the Eymard Room. Hope to see you there as we ring in the Christmas Season and celebrate the birth of Jesus in song!
Seeking Distinguished Graduate Award Nominations
PTO Spirit Wear
Our online store is officially CLOSED. Items ordered will be delivered to the school by Christmas break! Missed out on ordering online?? The Pop-Up Shops will magically appear before the Band Concert and Primary Concert. You can shop the Limited Edition and Traditional items from 6-6:50pm in the Narthex. Can't make it to either of those concerts? Check out our Limited Edition online order form here: https://forms.gle/BCKA3JqVZTKeaEsS9 Be sure to read the instructions at the beginning of the form! Happy Holidays!
Box Tops News
December box tops have been counted! Here are the top 5 classes:
Mrs. Marti with 240 box tops, Mrs. Meeks with 160 box tops, Miss Martinson with 152 Box Tops, Mrs. Herald & Mrs. Uzzo with 140 box tops. Thank you to everyone. We collected 2,063 box tops in December. Our $10 raffle winner is Angela B.
Thank you for supporting our program. If you have any questions please let me know. Maria 216.577.8014 or majdihp@gmail.com
8th Grade Play
THANK YOU for supporting the 8th grade play fundraiser! There is still time to order- the online sale ends January 8. 40% of every sale goes directly toward the play!
ONLINE SALES:
Here is the link for catalog and purchasing: www.yankeecandlefundraising.com
The group number for the SPB 8th grade is 999995461. You can shop online, place your order, and receive your products quickly. You support the whole class by placing an order, there is no need to credit a specific student.
Over 500 quality products available online and new items through the season from Yankee Candle, Calphalon, Coleman, CrockPot, Oster and many more.
These items make great Christmas gifts and host/hostess gifts.
Questions? email Beth Mennel at bsmennel@gmail.com.
From the Pastor's Perspective
There are so many wonderful things that happen at SPB each day. You or your children enjoy many of the fruits of so many who labor and share their time, talent and treasure – to be an excellent steward of God’s many blessings. During this special holiday season, from Thanksgiving to the New Year, I share my gratitude and gratefulness for all that you do for our SPB Community! We really appreciate your participation, and for most of you, your membership in our parish family!
I look forward to celebrating with you each Sunday at Mass. Through the Children’s Liturgy of the Word at either the Saturday 4:30 p.m. Mass or the Sunday 10 a.m. Mass, or altar serving, I enjoy the privilege of getting to know your children. Furthermore, my (almost) daily visits to the school and school Masses afford me the opportunity to share in the joys of growing together in faith with our young people. They amaze me! Thank you for passing on the faith to them by your witness and dedication to our Catholic Christian life!
There are a few pieces of news, that maybe have been missed in the busyness of the season. First, I hope you’ll take some time for you, through prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament (day or night, so ask me for the door code for the special door and park in the new SSS Kitchen lot, near this door to come in at any time 24/7). Also, here’s our Christmas schedule:
o 4th Sunday of Advent & CHRISTMAS TIME MASSES:
o REGULAR SUNDAY MASS TIMES: December 21/22
o MASSES, Monday, December 23: 9 a.m., church 11:30 Saint Ann Shrine, 12:15 p.m. church chapel
o Tuesday, December 24, Vigil Masses for the Nativity of the LORD (Obligation)
§ No communal Morning Prayer, Rosary or morning Mass
§ 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m. with special music before each service
§ TO HELP WITH THE FIRE CODES, we encourage families that are truly able to attend other times, to please do so to avoid our precarious situation at 4:00 p.m. each year. Thank you!
o Wednesday, December 25, Masses for the Nativity of the LORD (Obligation)
§ 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. (the special Children’s Mass & Choir)
o REGULAR MASS TIMES: December 26 – December 31
o Tuesday, December 31, Vigil Mass for Mary, Mother of God (Obligation)
§ 4:30 p.m.
o Wednesday, January 1, Mass for Mary, Mother of God (Obligation)
§ 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
o REGULAR MASS TIMES: January 2 & 3 (Holy Name of Jesus Day and special day for the Holy Name Society of our parish)
o EPIPHANY KITS for Blessing Homes: January 4/5 during the Sunday Mass – marking the chalk on your doorposts for the new year
Secondly, you may have also read in the bulletin (full report will be in also the December 8 bulletin) our new Masses schedule, starting June 1, 2020. Here’s a summary:
§ Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. in church
§ Monday – Friday 11:30 a.m. in Saint Ann Shrine
§ Saturday (anticipated Mass) 4:30 p.m.
§ Sunday 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. or 7:00 p.m.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLW), currently at 10 a.m. will have a special survey from George Peko, our Catechetical Leader to have you share what time would be best for CLW to continue on Sunday morning.
With the First Sunday of Advent, we begin our new 5-year Pastoral Plan. It’s now online for our website: https://church.saintpaschal.com/strategic-plan so that you may have the pleasure of reviewing and seeing our hopes and dreams for the coming years. Twenty-five members of our parish’s family assisted in making the plan with our parish leaders and Pastoral Staff. I especially thank our Advancement Director, Kelly Ericsson, for her leadership and compiling all the materials. We have a lot of work to do together! I thank you for wanting to be part of one of the new projects – especially the new Marketing Committee.
Thanks for being part of SPB! Have a wonderful holiday and may Christ’s peace continue growing in your hearts. Happy 2020!! Let us continue to pray for each other!
In Christ our Eucharist,
Reverend John Thomas Lane, SSS
Pastor
Bambinelli Blessing
Throughout the weekend of December 14th and 15th, a Bambinelli Blessing will be held during all of the Masses. "Bambinelli" refers to the "Baby Jesus" in the Nativity scene. Originated by Pope Paul VI in 1969, the blessing takes place each year in Rome on the Third Sunday of Advent. Since then, Roman Catholic churches from around the world, and now ours, have adopted this tradition. Every family is invited to bring their "Baby Jesus" from their Nativity scene to the Mass they attend on the Third Sunday of Advent and receive a blessing. The Bambinelli Blessing will incite us to experience God's true joy and love that comes from the infant Jesus, which reinforces the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Jesus Christ.
Come and rejoice in God's love for you in this new Advent celebration with your parish family.
Save These Dates!
Preschool Open House: If you are interested in enrolling your child/ren in our Saint Paschal Baylon Preschool, mark Thursday, January 23 on your calendar! The preschool team will be presenting information on all of our preschool programs beginning at 6:30 pm in the Eymard Room of the Family Life Center. The opportunity to see the classrooms will be available to all. Our preschool fills up fast, so you won’t want to miss this event. You may call the school office or email us at office@saintpaschal.com to register for the meeting.
All School Open House: All are welcome, seasoned parents and prospective parents, to our Catholic Schools Week Open House on Sunday, January 26 after the 10:00 am Mass. Information for new families will be available during this open house. For answers to your questions call the school office or email us at office@saintpaschal.com. New families will be entered into the free registration drawing taking place on Thursday.
Kindergarten Sneak Peek & Grades1-8 Grade 8 (new enrollment) Q&A: On Thursday, January 30 at 8:30 am, new families interested in our kindergarten or in transferring child/ren to our school are invited to our Sneak Peek event with our Kindergarten staff and a Q&A session with our administrative team. Join us for a light brunch, a tour of the school, and an opportunity to win a free registration worth $225. Please call the school office or email us at office@saintpaschal.com.
GRADES 3-4-5 PARENTS/GUARDIANS-we need you!
The link for December for Grade 5, for January for Grade 4, and for February for Grade 3 can be found below.
We are asking that each family (mom, dad, grandma, etc.) choose at least two days to volunteer each time slot being 11:00-1:00. We are so grateful for the help!
This is a great way for you to interact with your child and his/her classmates during the school day! Lunch/Recess Volunteers should arrive to school at 11:00 and check in at the office. Duties will include supervising students at recess, escorting students to the cafeteria from recess, and supervising in the cafeteria. Volunteers will be with one teacher and two "core" volunteers each day to help direct. Remember that after your two volunteer time slots, you are done for the year, as each month is assigned to a different grade.
Thank you again for your time and service to the students and teachers of SPB! Simply click on the grade level link to pick a time convenient for you: Grade 5, Grade 4, Grade 3.
Camp Invention June 2020
Do you love to sketch, create, and design? Do you like using your imagination to come up with new ideas? Check out the all-new Camp Invention 2020 program, where you will bring your designs and ideas to life, explore hands-on activities with friends, and take apart and personalize your own robot. St. Paschal's is excited to host Camp Invention again this summer the week of June 8-12 from 9:00-3:30 pm with an option to add Extended Day. Secure your spot today by visiting invent.org/camp. Register by March 31st using the promo code ELEVATE25 to save $25 off your registration. Contact Mrs. Popelka, mpopelka@saintpaschal.com, with any questions.
Grade Level Flash Mass-Mark Your Calendar
Grade 6
December 15 - 10:00 am
Grade 5
January 12 - 10:00 am
Grade 3
February 23 - 10:00 am
Grade 4
April 5 - 8:00 am
Amazon Smile
What's in Today's Folder?
- Kdg-Gr. 5: Camp Invention
- Box Tops
PLEASE NOTE: There will not be a folder sent home next Thursday, December 19.
From the Advancement Director
It has been a busy Fall and start of Winter – and we are so grateful for your support
On Friday, November 8, we held our second annual Green Knight to Remember Gala. The event was held at La Vera Party Center and over 250 guests attended. Along with our honorees, Deacon Joe Bourgeois, and Mike Rossi, attendees enjoyed a fun night. Dinner, open bar, 50/50 and basket raffles, sideboards, silent auction, and our anniversary raffle all made for a fun (K)night! In total, we raised almost $23,000! This goes directly to the school’s operating fund.
On December 3, we participated in our fourth annual #weGiveCatholic. This is an online day of giving on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving each year and is sponsored by the Cleveland Catholic Diocese. Once again, your participation was outstanding! On this “Giving Tuesday,” we raised $7,800! This will go towards purchasing new lockers for the school, most of which are original from 1955. By the day’s end, we had exceeded our goal!
We are still raising money for the Parking Lot Campaign. To date, we are just over 40% of our $1 million goal. The school entrance and parking lot area where recess is held, are in need of repair. With the harsh winter cold and snow, the snowplows and salt are sure to damage it further. We ask that you donate what you can so we can complete this soon!
Did you know we launched our next Pastoral Plan for 2020-2025? Our last Plan was executed with help of so many ministries and parishioners doing their part, and much was accomplished. We are excited to implement the next Plan which started on December 1. Please take a moment to check it out. You can find it on the parish website, or simply click here: Pastoral Plan 2020-2025.
Lastly, I just want to say THANK YOU for your contributions and support of our SPB Community. We are so thankful and blessed for all of you! If you have any questions or want to contact me, please reach out. My email is Kelly@saintpaschal.com.
Here’s to a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2020!
Kelly Ericsson
Advancement Director
New Altar Server Training
For our upcoming First Communicants and older (2 grade through high school), we invite then to become part of our Mass ministry team to assist the priests and other ministers at Mass. Special bonus training time (see the video online first! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2kYrNeuzX4&app=desktop ) will be:
· Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. – 3:25 p.m. in church: February 11, 18, March 10, 24 & 31. We will install at the Palm Sunday Mass, April 5, at 10 a.m.
To register, please contact: Kathryn Mailer: solonkat@yahoo.com