Mercy Peek & Ponder by Mr. McGrath
Volume II Issue 11 Sunday, November 15, 2015
From the Auction Chairs -OLM Loves Philadelphia
A sincere thank you to everyone who participated in last night's Auction. What a wonderful evening! We truly hope you felt the LOVE in our very own City of Philadelphia. This event could not have been possible without the support of so many individuals here at OLM. We are grateful to everyone that played a part - both big and small - in making the OLM Loves Philadelphia Auction the success that it was for our school's future.
We want to extend a huge thank you to Mr. McGrath for supporting us every step of the way! We are OLM, We are your Future!
Danielle, Denise, Nicole and Sheila
Congratulations to the Hart Family! Winners of the Tuition Raffle!
From the OLM Home & School Association
What an amazing time was had last night at our OLM Loves Philadelphia Auction! For those of you who were able to attend, we are sure you can agree that it was a night of fun, food, friends and many wonderful items that helped raise money for our children. Saying THANK YOU does not do justice to all the people who stepped in to help with our auction. From sending out emails, donating items, making phone calls, decorating and supporting, THANK YOU! To Sheila Miller, Nicole Moffa, Danielle Moore and Denise Schmalbach: THANK YOU! Your time, dedication, talent, hard work, and flexibility are more appreciated than you know. From the bottom of our hearts, Thank you for making OLM Loves Philadelphia a huge success!
From the Desk of the Principal
We all work tirelessly to nurture in our students a heart of service. We cannot teach this in our classrooms. Young people do not learn it from collecting cans of food at Thanksgiving in order to win a pizza party. It comes from seeing, feeling, and doing, with kindness, caring, and mercy. It requires us, their adult role models to show them by example. Our Auction Chairs have taught me what caring, kindness and mercy looks like each day as they came through the doors - at times, dragging themselves through them. They had ONE agenda - the children at OLM.
Our Lady of Mercy is on a path to go even higher and further. We are glad you are a part of this effort. We thank God for the many blessings he has bestowed on this school. Let us continue to seek his wisdom and direction as we serve the students entrusted to our care.
And while the final tallies are not in yet of course. We know that all goals and expectations have been surpassed. Great things continue to happen at OLM! I thank each of you for your support.
Upcoming Events
November 16 - November 20
Food Drive to benefit the Saint Vincent DePaul Food Pantry
November 18
Grade 1 Class Mass, 9AM
Mission Collection - St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry
November 20
Dress Down Day to benefit the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry
Reading with Winston, 1:15PM (check website for more information)
Looking Ahead:
November 23
St. Anthony Confirmation (6th Grade), 4PM
November 25
Thanksgiving Prayer Service, 10:30AM
Noon Dismissal
November 26
Happy Thanksgiving! No School
November 27
No School
November 30
Classes Resume
St. Anthony Confirmation
Reflection Corner: A Gift of Freedom
"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5: 1 The veterans who selflessly offered their lives and sacrificed to defend the land of Americans must have truly been impelled by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is only the Holy Spirit who can give us the freedom to work for true justice, serve with greater devotion and commitment, embrace sufferings and sacrifices for the common good by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection: We honor the veterans’ sacrifices and reflect on the freedom brought about by their courage and heroism. What forms of sacrifices and commitment can we offer to our community and country to show our appreciation for the gift of freedom that we are enjoying at the present moment?
We are doing AWESOME things!
During our two weeks of re-registration over 130 currents students have registered for next year! We thank you for your commitment to the Mission of OLM. Our Lady of Mercy continues to evolve with many new and exciting ventures in the works!
As a reminder:
If you register by 11/30/2015, discounted registration fee is $200 per family.
Placement for the 2016-2017 school year is guaranteed until 11/30/2015 as we will be accepting new registrations starting 12/01/2015.
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.
Additional Smart Aid Information
OLM SCHOOL CODE 91026
ALL OLM families are encouraged to complete and submit and application. This application replaces PSSA (BLOCS) and Smart Aid will handle all financial aid for OLM (and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia) - including BLOCS, Heritage of Faith Funds, and other scholarship opportunities - both system-wide and at OLM.
While we believe that Smart Aid will help us to more effectively and efficiently provide financial aid services to our families, we also know that the strategic use of financial aid is crucial to achieving and sustaining our enrollment goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who should complete this aid application?
A: Whomever the child resides with should fill this application out, whether it is a parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, or legal guardian. There is a section within the application where you can enter contributions from non-custodial parents and relatives.
Q: Why do I need to input my spouse’s information if I am remarried and they are not legally responsible for my children?
A: Smart Aid’s calculation works off of the total household income, therefore including all income, whether the party is legally responsible for your children or not. Our system however, does take into effect your spouse’s expenses as well as their income. It is important to list all expenses that are asked of within the application.
Q: I do not have the required tax documents. HELP!
A: Include the most recent tax documentation you have available. If you are asked for a specific line from a tax document that you have not yet completed, please estimate the projected amount.
Q: How will I know if I qualify for aid or not?
A: We do not disclose information about the results of your application. All final tuition aid decisions, including notification of an award amount (if any); will be made by OLM. For the date award notices is anticipated to be March 2016.
SPECIAL REQUEST FOR 4TH TO 8TH GRADE LUNCH VOLUNTEERS
We welcome your assistance at Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic School. We are most fortunate to have such an interested, committed and involved parent community. 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. OLM NEEDS YOUR HELP WITH LUNCH VOLUNTEERS! The Lunch/Recess Duty Volunteer program is a great way to volunteer and become involved at the school. Participating in our volunteer program is a wonderful opportunity to see your children at lunch and work with fellow parent volunteers.
Use the following link for Signup Genius web site:
November Virtue of the Month - Generosity
PRAYER TO SAINT FRANCES XAVIER CABRINI
O Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, mindful of Your bountiful goodness and love, deign, we implore You, through the tender devotion of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini for Your Sacred Heart, to hear our prayers and grant our petitions.
O God, the Holy Spirit, Comforter of the afflicted, Fountain of Light and Truth, through the ardent zeal of Your humble handmaid, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, grant us Your all-powerful aid in our necessities, sanctify our souls and fill our minds with Divine Light that we may see the Holy Will of God in all things.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, beloved spouse of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, intercede for us that the favor we now ask may be granted.
Experience the Circle of Mercy
Our theme for this school year at OLM is “Experience the Circle of Mercy”. Keeping this theme in mind our OLM community will be collecting donations throughout the school year to help organizations that show and promote mercy in the world. In this way we can help others throughout the world experience mercy as a result of our generosity. These mission collections will take place each Wednesday. Please encourage your child to bring donations regardless of how large or small the donations are. Every donation makes a difference in helping more people to experience the circle of mercy.
During the month of November we will be raising money to support the Saint Vincent DePaul Society. This Society is dedicated to the service of others. The Saint Vincent DePaul Society places a particular emphasis on helping the needy and those living in poverty through their service projects. The members of this Society try to see the face of Jesus in each person that they serve. Every donation will assist this Society in helping people in need to experience compassion and mercy. We look forward to continuing to support organizations that help others to experience the circle of mercy throughout the school year. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Our Lady of Mercy Food Drive (Sponsored by the OLM Ambassadors of Mercy)
WHAT TO BRING:
Kindergarten & 1st Grade
(jars or 6 packs)
Canned fruit
Fruit cups
Applesauce
2nd & 3rd Grade
Capri Sun
Other juice box packs
4th & 5th Grade
Pasta sauce (jar)
Canned mixed vegetables
Canned whole potatoes
Canned spinach
6th, 7th, & 8th Grade
Box of crackers
Saltines, Triscuits, Ritz, etc.
Each classroom will have a box where students can place their donation during the week of November 16th.
Thank you for your generosity!
Monday, Nov 16, 2015, 08:00 AM
Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic School, Conwell Drive, Maple Glen, PA, United States
Congratulations are in Order!
Congratulations to St. Catherine’s 5th & 6th Grade Girls Soccer Team on an undefeated season and wining the Championship of Region 11.
Way to go girls.
Congratulations to St. Catherine’s Varsity Girls Volleyball Team on winning the Region 11 Championship the past Sunday.OLM students on the team are Megan Ehrgott, Nicole Funk, Nicole Graumann, Audrey Lane & Gretchen Reese.
Good luck in the Archdiocesan Tournament.
St. Alphonsus Parish Olde Fashioned Christmas Bazaar
Can you feel the excitement growing? There is someone special making an appearance at our Christmas Bazaar next Saturday.
Since Santa knows where to find the fun - we hope you do too! The Christmas Bazaar features over 40 vendors and most are hand crafters. Start Christmas shopping early and enjoy the holiday music and atmosphere, free from the mall craziness!! Many of your favorite vendors are back from last year and there are lots of new ones – it all adds up to a great day of fun, out-of-the-ordinary shopping. To get an idea of the variety of our vendor’s, we’ve listed their names on the back. There’s “Someone for Everyone”!
There is a food court featuring fresh donuts for breakfast & outdoor BBQ grilled hot dogs & hamburgers and delicious homemade salads for lunch – it is worth a stop just for food especially since the only price of admission is a dry staple or canned good for a local food pantry!
For the children there is a Secret Santa Shoppe (ages 3-10) where they can shop for inexpensive gifts for family; a home-baked goods table; vendor gift raffles and 50-50 chances.
We really need a few 7th-12th graders or adults to help unload the vendor’s cars from 7-8:30am.
Please consider contributing a baked good - the funds will go to a parish family that needs some Christmas cheer. Contact Gina 215-816-7611 or Marcia 215-643-4224.
St. Alphonsus’ Children's Choir
Does your child like to sing? Our St. Alphonsus Children's Choir is just for them! Mary Lou Lewcun, our director of music ministry is looking for children in grades 3 through 8 to join the group. Monica Spadoni-Matthews will provide the piano accompaniment.
Last year our choir did an outstanding job and we look forward to another beautiful Liturgy this Christmas Eve! We hope you will join us for an enjoyable experience!
For further information, please contact Mary Lou Lewcun at (215) 654-0129 or email her at maryloual@aol.com.
Rehearsal Times are 4:30 to 5:30 PM
on the following dates:
Wednesday, November 18th
Thursday, December 3rd
Thursday, December 10th
Thursday, December 17th
In order to determine an approximate number of students, please send an email to maryloual@aol.com to let Mrs. Lewcun know that your child is interested. If your child cannot attend a rehearsal, please also email Mrs. Lewcun.
Winston Wear School Store
Birthday Blessings this Week
Mrs. Cox Nov 15 - Sunday
Brown, Katharine D. Nov 16 - Monday
Boland, Kelly J. Nov 18 - Wednesday
Gentile, Giacomo Nov 18 - Wednesday
Maselko, Thomas J. Nov 19 - Thursday
Trinacria, Antonio Nov 20 - Friday
Playground at Lunch Recess
Tuesday, 11/17: Mrs. Kennedy
Wednesday, 11/18: Mrs. Marano
Thursday, 11/19: Mrs. Kling
Friday, 11/20: Mrs. Quinn
Two parent volunteers must be on-duty in the school yard - before the playground is open. This ensures the safety of ALL.
Altar Servers 9AM
Tuesday, 11/17: Siobhan Brogan
Wednesday, 11/18: Gretchen Wolpert
Thursday, 11/19: Nicky Araco
Friday, 11/20: Danny Bryce