Gospel Reading

Matthew 28:16-20
Jesus charges his disciples to make disciples of all nations and promises to be with them forever.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Today’s Gospel is taken from the conclusion of the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew’s Gospel quickly moves from the disciples’ discovery of Jesus’ empty tomb, to Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, to the commission that Jesus gives his disciples in today’s Gospel.

The Final Commission, as this Gospel is sometimes called, is given on the mountaintop. Throughout Scripture, the most important events happen on the mountaintop, and Matthew has used this motif throughout his Gospel. Earlier in Matthew’s Gospel, Peter, James, and John had seen Jesus transfigured on the mountaintop (Matthew 17:1-8). Also in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus taught the crowds from the mountaintop in what we now call the Sermon on the Mount.

Here we are told that the eleven disciples go the mountaintop in Galilee, as Jesus had instructed through Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (cf. Matthew 28:9-10). They see Jesus, and both worship and doubt at the same time. Jesus approaches them and commissions them to baptize and teach, "to make disciples of all nations." It is a task which Jesus had previously prepared his disciples for; recall that Jesus had sent the twelve apostles to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal (cf. Matthew 10:1-15). However, earlier the Twelve were sent only to the House of Israel; in this Final Commission, the eleven are told to go to "all nations." The mission of Jesus is now to be taken to all people; the task now is to baptize and to teach.

Jesus commissions his disciples to baptize in the name of the Trinity, one of the clearest attestations found in Scripture for baptism in the name of the Trinity. In the Acts of the Apostles and in the Letters of Paul, baptism is more frequently offered "in the name of Jesus."

The ending of Matthew’s Gospel can be understood as the beginning of the Church. Jesus commissions his disciples to continue to teach in his name and to bring others into the community of disciples through baptism. The Gospel ends, as it had begun, with the promise that Jesus will continue to be Emmanuel, "God with us" (cf. Matthew 1:23), for all eternity.

Since September, we have communicated that: ALL COURSE WORK IS DUE JUNE 16 and FINAL EXAMS WILL BE COMPLETED BEFORE JUNE 26 Students who have not yet started their courses, who have made no progress in the last month, or who have completed less than 4 modules, will be removed. There is only 3 weeks before Diploma Exams for grade 12 and Provincial Achievement Tests for Grade 9. If you need to re-register for next year to complete courses, please see below on how to register.

Dear Friends,

The REAL (Religious Education Activities for Life) Foundation is once again asking for your

support for our 17th annual golf tournament on Wednesday May 24, 2023 at the Broadmoor Golf

Course. This tournament raises funds to support Catholic education in the Elk Island Catholic

Schools. These funds enable students to be inspired by Catholic speakers, attend faith-based retreats and leadership activities along with the goal of providing student scholarships in our high schools and parishes. This strengthens the Catholic education of Elk Island Catholic School students from kindergarten to Grade 12 in Strathcona County, Fort Saskatchewan, Camrose and Vegreville.

Please consider becoming a 2023 Tournament SPONSOR

Our wide variety of sponsorship packages offers something for every budget – we hope you’ll find something that fits into yours.

Hole Sponsorship:

GOLD – sole sponsorship $1,000/hole

SILVER – co-sponsor (one of two) $500/hole

BRONZE – co-sponsor (one of four) $250/hole

As a hole sponsor, your company, organization or family receives:

• Your company’s name on signage at the hole to be provided by us

• Recognition in all promotional material the day of the event

• Tax receipt provided for the full amount of the sponsorship.

Lunch, Dinner and Refreshment Sponsors

The Foundation welcomes sponsorship of the breakfast, lunch and refreshments, which will take place at the Broadmoor Golf Course Clubhouse. If you’re interested, please contact us to discuss these exciting opportunities more fully!

And last but not least ... Foundation “Friends” are invited!

As a “Friend” of the Foundation, we would like to invite you to participate as a golfer, individually or bring a team ... compliments of the Foundation. The tournament includes use of the practice facility, 18 holes of golf, a power cart along with a light breakfast, BBQ lunch & prizes. (more details on the entry form at our website above) Of course, donations will be gratefully accepted and tax receipts will be issued for the full value of all donations.

To Register a Team:

Go online to our website at :

www.real-foundation.com

For High Schools - Grade 12 students

The Bosco Foundation awards bursaries yearly to grade 12 students entering post secondary, who volunteer their time in their local communities. The Foundation has received a record number of applications from Calgary, and are looking for well deserving students in our local area.

Application package - deadline June 15, 2023

Bosco Foundation Website

Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) are administered annually to all Alberta students in grades 6 and 9. These standardized tests reflect the essentials that all Alberta students are expected to achieve, regardless of school choice or location.

PATs help:

• determine if students are learning what they are expected to learn
• report to Albertans how well students have achieved provincial standards at given points in their schooling
• assist schools, authorities and the province in monitoring and improving student learning

The tests occur in May (ELA Part A) and June for language arts, math, science and social studies.

Your teachers will be communicating with you regarding the particulars about these achievement tests.

St. Isidore Learning Centre (SILC) is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year. Register early - as we are a "School of Choice" space fills up fast! When you head to our website to "Register", https://silc.eics.ab.ca/register-now you will see a few options. Please choose the correct program:

• Online Education - Primarily learning online from home using our Canvas Online LMS - Teacher Directed (Kindergarten - Grade 12+)
• Outreach Education - Students who require an "in person" connection with teachers and are required to have weekly check-ins in the SILC Centre (Grades 9-12)
• Chesterton Academy - Fully Synchronous "Joyfully Catholic Classical High School Cohort" Grade 9-12 ONLY. **Tuition Fees may be applied Contact Headmaster McLarney for more information: gerardm@eics.ab.ca Check out the website: https://chesterton.eics.ab.ca/
• Home Education - Parent Directed Home Education with our partners, THEE - https://thee.ca/

Please follow the instructions carefully. All students, even those already attending, must fill out a new registration form. While St. Isidore is a "School of Choice" and not a designated boundary school, we reserve the right to deny any registration that is not complete. Space is limited.

Register here for the 2023-2024 school year: https://silc.eics.ab.ca/register-now

Any questions? Feel free to contact our secretary, Natalie Mangatal, 780-449-6463 or email silc@eics.ab.ca

Here is the approved 2023-2023 school calendar for Sherwood Park.

• First day of school: Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023
• Fall break: Week of Monday, Nov. 6, 2023
• Christmas break: Monday, Dec. 25, 2023 - Friday, Jan. 5, 2024
• Spring break: Week of Monday, March 25, 2024
• Victoria Day weekend: Thursday, May 16, 2024 - Monday, May 20, 2024
• Last day of school: Wednesday, June 26, 2024

• Please not the CHANGE to the "AP 134 - Inclement Weather"... Changes made to point 1 to include all weather warnings or advisories - “Decisions regarding outdoor activities are to take into consideration inclement weather that may result from weather warnings or advisories.”
  

See below...

St. Isidore Summer School offers courses that allow YOU to earn credits, upgrade marks, lighten workloads for the year ahead or finish pre-requisite courses.

Summer School Registration is opening on January 19! St. Isidore Summer School is opening registration earlier as schools and students plan their term two classes and look forward to student schedules for the upcoming school year.

Term 1: July 4-13; Term 2: July 14-24; Full Term: July 4-24

We are offering synchronous, asynchronous, and in-person courses. Check out https://silc.eics.ab.ca/summer-school-2023 to view the courses that will be offered and how to reserve your spot! See the Course Listings here.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Melissa Damur, Summer School Principal melissad@eics.ab.ca

The Staff of 2022-2023:

Principal: Mrs. Tracy Melnyk tracym@eics.ab.ca

Assistant Principal: Mrs. Melissa Damur melissad@eics.ab.ca

Chesterton Headmaster: Dr. Gerard McLarney gerardm@eics.ab.ca

Creative Director, Chesterton & Chaplain : Mrs. Justine Wright justinew@eis.ab.ca

Secretary: Mrs. Natalie Mangatal nataliem@eics.ab.ca

Family Wellness Worker: Katy Parsons katy.parsons@eics.ab.ca

Inclusive Learning Facilitator: Mrs. Shari Morin sharim@eics.ab.ca

Mrs. Christy Oikonen - Elementary (Grades 1-6) christyo@eics.ab.ca

Mr. Daniel Hughes - Jr / Sr Social Studies - daniel.hughes@eics.ab.ca

Mr. Brandon Geiger - Jr / Sr Science & Math - brandon.geiger@eics.ab.ca

Ms. Jillian Hughes - Jr High LA & Phys Ed & Health - jillian.hughes@eics.ab.ca

Mrs. DeeDee Perrott - Sr. Science & Chesterton deedee.perrott@eics.ab.ca

Mrs. Eva Fung- Sr Math eva.fung@eics.ab.ca

Mrs. Katarina Urdova - Chesterton Math - katrina.urdova@eics.ab.ca

Mr. Brett Fawcett - Chesterton and Religious Studies - brett.fawcett@eics.ab.ca