Mercy Peek & Ponder by Mr. McGrath
Volume III Issue 33 Sunday, April 30, 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
THE OLM WAY ...
1. An Incarnational View of the World: OLM students learn that God is present and active in their lives and in the world. They learn to recognize the “footprints of God” in their daily experiences. They develop a sense of “sacramental awareness”. They see the signs of God’s love around them, and become instruments of God’s grace in their own neighborhoods, communities and the world. In an incarnational view of the world, there is no such thing as a secular subject as all learning helps to develop and bring to bloom that image of God that is in each person.
2. Immersion in the Paschal Mystery: Our lives are a series of small and not so small “fallings” and “risings”. In union with the Paschal Mystery, we realize that there is redemptive power in suffering, and in the power of the cross. In it lies the answer to the mystery of all of life’s successes and failures. In the experience of the Paschal Mystery, we also experience the need for COMMUNITY. Like Jesus, we encounter our own Simon of Cyrenes to help us along the way. Wins and losses on the athletic field, good marks/bad marks, and laughter and tears in our lives are ways we participate in Jesus’ dying and rising.
3. The Value of Relationships as a Reflection of the Divine: OLM students learn to experience God’s grace and presence in their lives through their relationships with family, friends and teachers. The loving and supportive relationships they experience are reflections of the love and life-giving dynamic of the Trinity. As a community we celebrate our successes and achievements. We share grief and downfalls. We unite TOGETHER in solidarity, and even challenge each other to become better reflections of the divine. We are made for community.
4. A Nuanced View of Scripture: OLM students are given the opportunity to explore the beauty and richness of Sacred Scripture seen through the lens of faith and lived out in daily practice. They experience the ongoing revelation of God in Scripture as the One who leads the Israelites through the promised land, and who redeems them through His cross and resurrection. They also come to view the human person as created in God’s image and likeness, and destined for eternal life. They learn to apply Scripture to their own lives as a tool for prayer and the true guide for virtuous living.
5. Civic Engagement: In recent research, it has been reported that Catholic school graduates are significantly more likely to actively participate in civic activities than their public school counterparts. Catholic Schools were ranked #1 in the percentage of graduates who actively participate in civic and community activities such as voting, volunteering, letter-writing to legislators, and donations to charity, not just for a tax write-off, but out of a sense of the requirements of justice. (Research conducted at the University of Notre Dame)
6. Service for the Common Good: Our Lady of Mercy School promotes SERVICE (it’s one of our foundational words) as an essential part of our curriculum. At OLM we have service projects from kindergarten through eighth grade. OLM students learn that since community is at the heart of who we are, there are no strangers, only brothers and sisters in the Lord. We have a responsibility to respond to the needs of others because we are all part of God’s family.
7. Discipline as a Faith Expectation: OLM promotes self-discipline through clarity of moral vision that is based on the Gospel. Students are challenged to be Christ-like in word and action. They are asked to examine their choices and action in light of the Ten Commandments and the Gospel law of love. They are given a theological foundation for ethical behavior. Students are not good because they act in accord with rules and expectations. Rather, because students are good, i.e. sons and daughters of God, they are expected to act and make choices that are in keeping with this dignity.
8. The Centrality of Arts, Ritual, Drama, Music to the Life of Faith: At OLM, students are exposed to the richness of the religious tradition. Music, Art, Literature, Drama and Rituals are rooted in the rich history of the Church, and find their truest glory as an expression of divine praise.
9. The Fullness of the Catholic Identity as the Heart of the Church: Catholic education has always been at the heart of the Catholic mission. Catholic education, and the students who are a product of it, have been called the “greatest work of the Church”. They have been entrusted with the fullest of faith and have been charged with the mission of evangelization. They go out into the world and share the gifts they have received, as doctors, lawyers, police officers, fire fighters, business men and women, teachers, priests an religious, all as Catholic school graduates. Catholic School graduates are a leaven in society, helping the broader community to be the best that it can be
10. Personal Excellence as a Spiritual Goal: Our Lady of Mercy students learn that excellence is a response to God’s blessings. Academic excellence is not a gospel value in and of itself. The Sermon on the Mount doesn’t say “Blessed are you who get all A’s.” Education must have an altruistic orientation. Our students learn so as to help others, and make a difference in the world around them.
Our Lady of Mercy, Pray for Us!
John C. McGrath, M.Ed.
Principal
Upcoming Events
May 1
Club Day/STREAM Academy
May 2
Grade 4: Harrisburg Trip
May 4
Talent Show, 12:45PM & 6:30PM
May 5
School Liturgy (with Peacemakers), 9AM
May 9
May Procession, 2PM
OLM Volunteer Luncheon & Prayer Service
Did you volunteer at our Fall Ice Cream Social, participate in lunch duty, gave of your time working in centers, helping to plan the 5K, Mother/Son Bowling, the Sweetheart Dance or the library? Have you walked through the doors of OLM to offer your services to help our terrific teachers, star students or super specialists?
You are cordially invited to attend a luncheon as a special way of the Home and School Association saying thank you for all the ways you have helped this year!
We hope you will join us after the luncheon for a Prayer Service at 1:30PM.
Since this will be a catered event, PLEASE RSVP by clicking below or complete the form attached to the email and return. Please RSVP by May 12th. *If you are interested in learning more about how you can get involved, please reach out to Janine Braccia @ janinebraccia@comcast.net or Megan Romano @ mromano@cbsd.org *
Wednesday, May 17, 2017, 12:30 PM
Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic School, Conwell Drive, Maple Glen, PA, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITY: Alex Lemonade Stand
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4EA8AA2DAAFF2-alexs
For additional information, please contact Julie Bebey at jbebey@olmcatholicschool.com
Saturday, May 6, 2017, 10:00 AM
Believe In Me 2, Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA, United States
MASQUERADE FOR MERCY: CALL CENTER NIGHT
- Stuffing Envelopes
- Filling out online solicitation forms
- Calling past and new donors
- Brainstorming
PLEASE EMAIL auction@olmcatholicschool.com if you can make it or RSVP to our facebook event! OR just click the link below to RSVP. It is that simple!
Wednesday, May 10, 2017, 07:00 PM
Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic School, Conwell Drive, Maple Glen, PA, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Our Virtue of the Month of May is JOY
Pope Francis says, " Christianity spreads through the JOY of Christians who know that they are saved and loved."
"Christianity is, by its very nature, joy--ability to be joyful," wrote the theologian Joseph Ratzinger. "A Christian," said Pope Francis more concretely in a recent sermon "is a man and a woman of joy . . . . The Christian sings with joy, and walks, and carries this joy."
Joy is a central theme in the Scriptures. Indeed, the Gospel, which is to say the very inception of Christian sacred history, virtually begins with the announcement of joy: "Rejoice!" was the first work spoken to Mary by the angel Gabriel to the Good News that the Word was to become flesh. (Luke 1:28)
Jesus' teachings are intended to cause us joy. "These things I have spoken to you," said Jesus to his apostles, "that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:11) "Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." (John 16:4)
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, that Holy Spirit of Truth (John 16:13), the Spirit of Love, against which there is no law. (Gal. 5:22-23)
Perhaps the most famous is St. Paul's commandment to rejoice: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice." (Phil. 4:4)
What is this Christian joy? In its essence, Christian joy is supernatural in origin, which is to say it is something beyond our natural powers. Christian joy is anchored in Jesus Christ. "Christian joy," wrote Pope Paul VI in his apostolic exhortation on joy Gaudete in Domino, "is the spiritual sharing in the unfathomable joy, both divine and human, which is in the heart of Jesus Christ glorified."
Christian joy is therefore, a grace, a gift of God. "Joy is a gift from God," "a grace we must seek," observed Pope Francis in his sermon. Like the heart of Jesus in which it is found, like the Holy Spirit from which it comes, like sanctifying grace which justifies us, it "fills us from within." It is the product of our adoption as sons of God, of our divinization and at the same time our true humanization.
Saint Damien of Molokai will be our model.
Prayer to St. Damien of Molokai
St. Damien, brother on the journey, JOYful and generous missionary, who loved the Gospel more than your life, who for love of Jesus left your family, your homeland, your security, your dreams, Teach us to give our lives
with a joy like yours, to show MERCY to those in need, to celebrate Eucharist
as the source of our JOY. Help us to love everyone with JOY & MERCY.
Amen.
Students will be recognized at the School Liturgy on Friday, June 16, 2017 at 9AM.
OLM CYSTIC FIBROSIS WALK-A-THON
There have been tremendous strides made in research, as treatments have greatly improved, and the average life expectancy for those with CF has risen. This means that $$ raised for CF research truly does make a difference! Having CF means a daily struggle and you can help. Last year, Dan was able to raise $1250 through his personal page and another $750 with our dress down day at school, for a total of $2k. In 2017, their last year together at OLM, Dan is hoping to double the amount raised through his page, and is asking the OLM Community for help.
Please see the link to his personal page below where you can donate.
Click here to visit my personal page.
TALENT SHOW
Due to the large amount of entries, acts for the afternoon show may need to be limited to between one and two minutes. Full acts can be performed at the evening show.
BENEFIT BEEF AND BEER FOR ELIZABETH MYERS
The family of Elizabeth Myers, daughter of former teacher Allison Myers, is sponsoring a Beef and Beer to benefit Elizabeth and her family on Saturday, May 20, 2017 from 7 - 11 PM at St. Anthony of Padua, Friendship Hall. Please see the attached flyer for more information. To purchase tickets, please follow this link:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0d44a5a729aa8-evening or you can also donate to the Go Fund Me page at: https://www.gofundme.com/zhmpyadw.
May Procession: Tuesday, May 9th at 2PM
- 8th Grade: Their class picture in graduation robe will be taken before the May procession. Boys need to wear a dress shirt and tie. They wear their long khaki pants, school shoes, and socks. Girls will wear their uniform skirts and button down shirt with flat dress shoe or sandals. Shoes must have backs (no flip flops). No socks. Please try to carefully press their robes to remove the creases.
- 6th Grade: Sixth graders will wear their Confirmation robes over their school uniform: boys – school shirt, long khaki pants, school shoes, and socks & girls – school shirt, skirt with school shoes and socks.
- 2nd Grade: Second graders will wear their Communion attire. Students should wear their school uniforms to school. They will change into their Communion attire during lunch recess. Parent volunteers will be needed to supervise this and to assist students in getting ready. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact your child's teacher.
- Kindergarten: Students in kindergarten will wear their “Sunday Best”.
- All other grades: Students are to wear their school uniform. Girls are to wear their jumpers/skirt and boys are to wear long pants. No student is permitted to wear shorts. Practices:
- Process into Church: All grades will assemble in classrooms except 8th grade. We will follow an all-afternoon schedule. Please arrange your students in two lines (boy/girl) in height order. The order of procession: 2-6-K-1-3-4-5-7-8 After the May procession: Students will return to their classrooms for regular dismissal.
Camp Mercy: Where summer memories are made!
Special April Camp Sale!
During the month of April, Camp Mercy is making it rain with Camp Discounts!
Register in April & Save $$$$
- Full nine (9) Weeks of Camp
- Special April Price: $1500 - save $450
- OLM Student Rate: $1400 - save $300
- Multi-child Family Discount - save an additional $75 off a 9-week session
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Enrichment week, faith-based activities, community service projects, outdoor adventures, STREAM activities, Legoland, bowling, indoor and outdoor sports, swimming ... and much, much more!
UNIFORM EXCHANGE
If you have kids that have outgrown their OLM uniforms, please contact Julie Bebey, jbebey@olmcatholicschool.com with what you are looking for and the sizes needed. If we have them, she can send them home with your child. Also, if you have outgrown uniforms that are in good shape, please feel free to send them to school and we will re-distribute them.
Class of 2017 Scholarship Total: $265,000
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!
Home & School Sports Club Survey (see attachment)
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-mayjune1
Birthday Blessings this Week!
Sunday, 04/30
Monday, 05/01
Marianna Sowden
Tuesday, 05/02
Wednesday, 05/03
Amanda Amoia
Thursday, 05/04
Lucy Yeomans
Christian Amoia
Friday, 05/05
Olivia Cordua
Timothy Jennings
Katherine Wesztergom
Saturday, 05/06
ALTAR SERVICE THIS WEEK 9AM
Monday: Nicky Araco
Tuesday: Timothy Barrett
Wednesday: Andrew Boles
Thursday: Siobhan Brogan
Friday: Danny Brice, AJ Citro, Connor Cunningham