Mercy Peek & Ponder by Mr. McGrath
Volume III Issue 28 Sunday, March 26, 2017
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
Realigning Our Priorities
All of us have, at one time or another, named certain things as our "priorities." From time to time, when we become aware of our not doing something that is really important, we say, "I have to make that a priority." Lent is an important time to do a top-to-bottom review of what we value and what we actually do, in our every day lives. Whenever we do this, we always discover that something needs re-aligning. We discover that there are values we hold, commitments we've made, growth we desire, that simply don't make it on the list of our "actual priorities" - that is, the things that take the "first place" in our lives. For example, I might say, "My family is my first priority!" My family might say otherwise. I might say, "My faith is among my top priorities." But, an honest self-examination may show otherwise. I may say, I hear the words of Jesus that we will be judged really on only one thing: how we care for "the least" of his sister and brothers. I may only occasionally even notice that feeding, clothing, caring for or defending the marginal never makes it to my priority list. Not to mention the infirmed and aged.
A thorough review of what is most important to us, and what seems to be important to us by virtue of what we actually do, is prime Lenten activity. If what we are hoping to do during Lent is to grow in personal freedom, based upon our growing sense of God's love for us, and our clearer vision of who we are, and our deepening desire to be more closely aligned with the heart of Jesus, then we will want to do this personal review very carefully. How else might we ever hope to get to a heroic, courageous, self-sacrificing service of others? What chance will care of the poor ever have of making it into our priorities? How will we ever be able to break old self-defeating habits and secure the establishment of new ones that help us be who we want to actually be?
LENT AT OLM
Our OLM School Lenten Theme is THE GIVING TREE. This year we are enhancing our theme “OLM Rooted in Mercy” in our seasonal celebrations. At Christmas, we focused on the message of the Jesse Tree and now, during this season of Lent, we are focusing on the message of The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. At the end of this story, after the tree had given everything it had to the little boy, the tree then provided a special place for the boy to rest and reflect. We have placed our OLM Giving Trees at the end of each hallway and the students have added their personal leaves on the trees to share their special Lenten promise to God. This symbol of the Giving Tree represents the life that Jesus lived on earth and the ultimate sacrifice that He made so we can rest and reflect in the eternal happiness of salvation made possible because of His love for us.
Class of 2017 Scholarship Total: $265,000
CALLING ALL CAMPERS! SAVE $50 with EARLY REGISTRATION (coupon attached)
Information went home on March 1st. We are very excited to bring Camp Mercy to our OLM families this summer. The camp runs from June 19th through August 18th. Families can register for the full 9 weeks or individual weeks. Before care and after care is available as well as full day and /2 day options. Check out the brochure for a complete overview of the camp. A registration form is attached to this email.
Upcoming Events
March 27-29
ACRE Exam - grades 8 & 5
March 27
Stations of the Cross - 6th grade leads - 2PM
March 29
Grade 5 Class Mass, 9AM
March 30
Spring pictures
Middle School Reading Olympics Competition
5th Annual OLM Run for Mercy 5K
Volunteers for St. Catherine's Parish Event - "Coffee & Donuts"
Sunday, Apr 2, 2017, 09:00 PM
St Catherine of Siena, Witmer Road, Horsham, PA, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Quilting Club at Our Lady of Mercy
OLM’s Quilting Club is about to celebrate its 5th year. The quilting club is a service project organized by former teacher Mrs. Marge Ayers and Mrs. Sharon Gribb. To date the club has donated over 100 quilts to local hospital neonatal units. Club participants work in pairs to purchase the fabric, and over eight weeks they cut and sew a quilt from scratch. This year we have a total of 31 students participating and will produce 16 quilts for distribution. Mrs. Carol Opdyke and Mrs. Natalie Marano will also be volunteering their time and sewing skills. Once completed, the finished quilts can be seen hanging in the hallways of OLM before going off to their final destinations.
SCIENCE FAIR
Date: Thursday, April 27th and Friday, April 28th
Grades: K-6 (Voluntary participation)
7-8 (Required participation)
Parent invite: Thursday, April 27th from 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Attached is a letter explaining the Science Fair and what it's all about. This is an exciting event for our junior high students who have been working since September and are eager to share their projects and ideas with you. If your K-6 grade child is interested in participating, please print and submit the entry form by Friday, March 31st. Any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Sharon Gribb at sgribb@olmcatholicschool.com.
Reading Olympics 2017
We are so PROUD of our elementary Reading Olympics team who competed this past week. Congratulations to our students and their families. Special thanks to Mr. Smith and Mrs. Costanzo.
Eighth Grade Events - CLASS OF 2017
Eighth Grade Events
Tuesday May 9th: May Procession 2PM
Wednesday May 24th: Class Trip to Baltimore, MD
Friday June 2nd: Graduation Dinner NHCC 6-10PM
Thursday June 8th: Class Picnic ~Noon to 2:30
Final Walk at 2:50 PM; Last Class Day for Eighth Graders
Wednesday June 14th: Graduation Mass 4PM St. Alphonsus
Church
**More information can be found on the 8th Grade Teachers Websites!
Our Virtue of the Month of March is FAITH
Pope Francis says, "Love and Mercy are the measures of faith."
Catholic Faith believes in the value and dignity of each individual person, including the weakest. The love of God towards us is unconditional. Catholic Faith therefore gives hope to everyone including those who had committed grave wrong in the past. Catholic Faith preaches the profound love and forgiveness of God, which we may better experience when we also forgive other people.
Although the fruit of Catholic Faith should include striving to perform acts of love, Catholic Faith is not a religion that only preaches justice and the need to do good deeds. Justice is already known to many people without Catholic Faith. The profound love and forgiveness of God surpasses even the justice of God. The coming of Jesus is not to bring justice but to reveal the unconditional love of God.
Catholic Faith believes in the gifts of different talents to each individual in order that we may use them to serve others in our daily work at home and at work. Catholic Faith believes in the love and healing from God especially when one has been deeply hurt by people in the world.
Catholic Faith believes in the love of God present in us. However the lack of love and hurt from many people often makes it more difficult to believe in the love of God. It may take strong Faith to believe in and to rediscover the love of God.
St. Katherine Drexel will be our model.
Prayer to St. Katherine Drexel
Ever loving God, you called Saint Katharine Drexel to teach the message of the Gospel and to bring the life of the Eucharist to the Black and Native American peoples. By her prayers and example, enable us to work for justice among the poor and oppressed. Draw us all into the Eucharistic community of your Church, that we may be one in you. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Students will be recognized at the School Liturgy on Friday, April 7, 2017 at 9AM.
SMART AID FOR 2017-2017 IS NOW OPEN! Click the link above to apply.
Smart Aid Information
The new ONLINE application is available. Click the Smart Aid Button above to access the application. ALL applications are due on or before 03/31/2017.
OLM SCHOOL CODE 91026
OLM families are encouraged to complete and submit and application. This application 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.
Those families who applied in 16-17 will only need to:
1. Login in ( using the username and password from 16-17) www.smartaidforparents.com
2. Update their information
3. Submit and pay the $25 application fee
4. Return to the site and upload their 2016 taxes when completed but no later than 3/31/2017.
A NOTE FROM HOME AND SCHOOL - NOMINATIONS FOR 2017-2018
Thank you for all you have done this year to help OLM be the best possible school! In whatever way you have helped, it is appreciated more than you know.
Believe it or not, we are starting to plan for next year and Home and School needs your help. We are looking for people to join our Home and School Board.
Attached is the nomination form. If you are interested in participating or know someone who would be an asset, please complete the attached form and return it to Megan Romano by Monday, April 3rd.
We would LOVE to have our board in place by the first week of May so we can get a jump start on the 2017-2018 school year. There are many way you can help and our school can benefit.
A MESSAGE FROM THE HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION...
The HSA is organizing another Teacher's Wish List. Last year, the OLM community provided so many important items to help our teachers provide the best education to our students. Please take a moment to look at this year's requests. If you are able to provide new or gently used items, please sign up!
Consider joining together with other families and don't forget about our specials teachers!
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0F48A5AC2CA0F85-teaching
When you have something ready, please contact the teacher it is for to set up the best way to get it to them!
Please contact Alison Bell, alisonL24@yahoo.com, with any questions!
We Can’t Do It Without You!
The Home and School Association sponsors a full calendar of social events, fundraisers, meetings and programs each year. Lots of volunteers are needed to help make this happen. Contact Mirella Palme at mirellapalme@verizon.net our volunteer coordinator to lend a hand!
To view a list of current volunteers and chairs/co-chairs, or to sign up as a volunteer, please https://sites.google.com/site/olmhsaweb/volunteers
Volunteer for Lunch Duty at OLM!
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.
Sign up for Lunch Duty at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4DAAA622A6F49-march1
Birthday Blessings this Week!
Sunday, 03/26
Braden Binczewski
Monday, 03/27
Natalie Bonner
Tuesday, 03/28
Elizabeth Sadorf
Wednesday, 03/29
Matthew McGettigan
Thursday, 03/30
Gianna Ignudo
Andrew Van Stone
Friday, 03/31
Ryan Wills
Christopher Gallo
Saturday, 04/01
Sean McErlean
Brendan Moore
ALTAR SERVICE THIS WEEK 9AM
Monday: TBA
Tuesday: TBA
Wednesday: TBA
Thursday: TBA
Friday: TBA