Jean Vanier Catholic School
April 7th, 2017
"Every child, every person needs to know they are a source of joy; every child, every person needs to be celebrated". Jean Vanier
Be Like Jean Vanier-from our School Spirit Team
I have integrity when:
I stand up for what is right.
I mean what I say and say what I mean.
I am my own leader.
Leadership Message
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him”. John 4:9
As we enter into Holy Week, we become mindful of the sacrifice Jesus made for each of us and the eternal love of God that surrounds us unconditionally. This week we will remember, we will pray, we will weep, we will come together, and we will rejoice! This is because we are Easter people! There is hope and joy in knowing that after sacrifice and pain comes eternal glory with God, our Father. Sometimes this week can be difficult for our children to understand the suffering of Jesus. There is hope in coming together as Christians to love in times of suffering and pain. What do we do when one of our own are hurting or in pain? We pray, we care, we support, we love, we remember God’s love for each of us. Reminding our children that there is a beautiful call for God’s people to respond in crisis and suffering. This is LOVE and FAITH in action! In their worlds, our students respond with LOVE and FAITH when they include others, pray for the needs of others, share their belongings, and love without conditions. May this week, we remember to respond to suffering with love and remain steadfast in our joy of the hope that Easter brings! God’s blessings to each of our students and their families.
Holy Week
It begins with Passion Sunday, with the blessing of the palms and reading of the Passion. On Monday of Holy Week is the Mass of the Chrism at the Basilica, when the holy oils used in the sacraments are blessed. Lent ends on Wednesday of Holy Week, and the Easter Triduum begins with the mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.
Here is the schedule of masses at OLPH for the Easter Triduum:
- Palm Sunday: April 9th at 8:30, 10:30 and 5:00 pm
- Holy Thursday: April 13th at 7:00 pm
- Good Friday: April 14th at 10:30 am and 3:00 pm
- Blessing of Easter Food: April 15th 12:00 pm
- Easter Vigil: April 15th at 9:00pm
- Easter Sunday: April 16th at 8:30 and 10:30 am
The schedule of masses at St. Sophia's Parish are as follows:
- Holy Thursday, April 13th - Service of the Holy Passion of our Lord (12 Gospel readings) at 7:00pm.
- Good Friday, April 14th – Exposition of the Holy Shroud at 11:00am.
- Holy Saturday, April 15th – Great Saturday Liturgy at 11:00am, followed by blessing of Easter food.
- Sunday, April 16th – Easter Matins (15 minutes) followed with Easter Liturgy at 9:30am. Blessing of Easter food to follow.
For more information, please visit
Almsgiving for the Food Bank
When: Holy Week (April 10-13)
Where: Jean Vanier School
What: Bring a loonie or toonie
Why: Money collected will be donated to the Food Bank.
Thank-you for your support.
Pussy Willow Blessing
On Monday, April 10th, our students and staff will participate in the Willow Blessing at the school gymnasium at 13:00. Father Rendy from St. Sofia Parish will lead us in prayer, and grades 1B and 2L will be in charge of this celebration.
On Willow or Palm Sunday, we recall the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem before His passion. The pussy willow branches have the additional significance of showing life early in the spring, symbolizing the hope of resurrection. On Willow Sunday, it is a common tradition to gently tap one another on the shoulder with the willow branch and say: "The willow hits, not I; a week from now will be Easter". As we prepare for Holy Week, we are reminded of the solemnity of the celebration. The willows are being blessed by Father Rendy and can not be thrown out. The blessed branches are kept at home as a sacramental and a visible symbol of Christ's presence. They also could be entwined on a cross or used to decorate an icon.
In participating in this service, we hope that the students will develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of the range of Christian expression, foster a sense of kinship and pride in the richness of our Catholic faith. Each student will receive a blessed pussy willow branch to take home after the celebration.
Ukrainian Bilingual students from grades 1 to 4 are asked to bring their Ukrainian attire to change into that afternoon.
Parents and guests are invited to join us that afternoon for this special occasion.
Blessings,
Oksana Cokan
Ukrainian Coordinator/Liaison
Ukrainian Corner
Today, the Ukrainian Bilingual students from grades 1 to 4 participated in Shumka Students Matinee at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium at 13:00. Performance was approximately one hour. The students had the opportunity for autographs and photos with the dancers after the show.
KOBZAR - Shumka’s newest work - explores destiny, soul, courage and hope. A kobzar was an itinerant Ukrainian bard who sang to his own accompaniment played on a multi-stringed bandura or kobza. Kobzar is also the name of Shevchenko’s famous book of poems, often referred to as his ‘literary monument to freedom’. In KOBZAR, Shumka wishes to honour the poet’s gift and to extend his voice through the movement, visuals and music of a dance theatre production.
Book Fair Was a Success!
Students + JV Families + Staff = Success!!!
Grade 4 Parent Information Evening
Please mark the date on your calendars at home! If you have any questions, please call St. Theresa at 780-464-4001.
Active School Challenge
Congratulations to the following classes: 2D, 3M, 4R, 4S and 4H for participating in the Strathcona County's Active School Challenge.
2D, 3M and 4R were winners of a trip to Millennium Place next month for a morning filled with fun games and activities as well as a healthy snack!
Congratulations to all classes for leading the way towards a healthy lifestyle!
Taste Test Help Needed
If you are interested in helping, please send an email to Jackie Caldwell at recpc@shaw.ca
Pysanka
Tower Gardens
New seeds have been planted and will begin growing soon! Stop in over the next few weeks to see what is growing!
PSC Family Bingo
Jean Vanier Family Bingo date is set for Friday , April 21, 2017. The PSC is asking for prizes to be donated for this event . All donations can be handed in to the office until April 19. More information on the bingo will come as the day gets closer . Save the date for some family fun ! We hope to see you all there!
Bottle Drive for St. Theresa Playground
All money will go towards Phase 2 of the playground.
Please help out by dropping off any empty recycling bottles.
School Fees - Final Notice
Fees are available to pay online using your Powerschool Parent Account. We will also accept cheques and cash at the office. To avoid your account being sent to collections, please have all fees paid by March 1st, 2017.
If you need help logging in, please call or email the school office and we will help create an account for you.
Upcoming Events at JV
April 10th: Holy Week begins
April 10th: Pussy Willow blessing 1:00 pm
April 12th: Hot Lunch: Press'd
April 12th: Grade 4 classes to Waste Management Centre - (Gr 4 students will receive their hot lunch at 11:30 before they leave.
April 13th: Holy Thursday
April 14th: Good Friday - No school
April 17th: Easter Monday - No School
April 18th: Choir at Festival Place 1:00 pm
April 20th: Taste Test
April 21st: PSC Family Bingo
April 24th: Afternoon assembly 1:00 pm
April 26th: Grade 2 classes to OLPH for morning mass
April 26th: Hot Lunch: Subway
April 27th: Grade 1 Stychyshyn - in class presentation from John Walter Museum
April 28th: PD Day - No School for students
May 3rd: Early Dismissal 2:13pm
May 5th: Grade 1 classes to Arbour Day
May 5th: Grade 2 and 3 classes to Edmonton Symphony
Mark you calendar with these dates for 2017!
2017-2018 Approved School Calendar
Jean Vanier Catholic School
Email: jv@eics.ab.ca
Website: www.jv.eics.ab.ca
Location: 109 Georgian Way, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-467-3633
Twitter: @jvcatholic