Celebrate!
December Students of the Month
A shield provides protection to the one who bears it. Aquin Schools strive to provide each student with a shield of Responsibility, Respect, Faith, Leadership, Service, Knowledge and Character. Each month from October through April, Aquin is recognizing three students who display the month’s quality of the shield. Students are nominated by staff and faculty at both campuses and then selected by Administration. Winners are awarded a coveted 'Free Jean Day' coupon!
Responsibility is December’s shield and Aquin Schools are proud to announce their ‘Students of the Month’ for December: Senior High--Leah Wilhelms, Junior High--Megan Holder, Elementary--Addison Rosenstein.
If you are interested in learning more about Aquin’s ‘Guardian of the Shield’ sponsor program, or want to learn more about joining the Aquin family, please contact Laura at 815-235-3154 x 226.
Addison Rosenstein
Megan Holder
Leah Wilhelms
Early Release Day Tomorrow
- 12:35 Release at St. Thomas Campus
- 12:45pm Release at HS Campus
- 12:55pm Release at St. Joe's Campus
Friday . December 13 . 7pm
Come to St. Thomas Aquinas Friday evening for Simbang Gabi at 7:00pm. Father Joel Lopez is celebrating this Mass (in English) and has invited the Filipino choir from St. Isidore in Bloomingdale, IL to provide the music. There will be a potluck with many traditional Filipino dishes following the Mass. All are welcome!
Coincidentally, Pope Francis will be preside over the first Simbang Gabi Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on Sunday, December 15. This is the 4th year that Simbang Gabi has been celebrated in Rome, but this is the first time the Pope will participate (click here).
What is Simbang Gabi?
Simbang Gabi is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so; it is also the spiritual preparation for Christmas and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. The celebration is also seen as a way of requesting blessings from the Lord, as most people believe that if one completes the whole series of nine dawn masses, their wishes will be granted.
Simbang Gabi is also recognized by Catholic Filipino communities who are living elsewhere in the world. No matter how or when this celebration takes place, Simbang Gabi provides a strong indication of the depth of Catholicism among the Filipino people. (from holidappy.com)