Faculty Staff Memo
St. Gabriel School ....... December 13, 2015
WEEKLY LITURGICAL READING AND REFLECTION
3rd Sunday of Advent
Sacred Scripture: Luke 3:11
“Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Meditation
How does my service as a Catholic educator restore hope in the world?
NCEA Weekly Reflections, Praying with you and for you as we focus on family and mission in Catholic education.
Blessings dear teachers and staff,
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and rest after this week of excitement and intense activities. As we come to the final days of our Advent preparations, I pray that a true "Gaudate" joy will bring God's blessings of peace and healing and courage we need in our preparations for Jesus to come more deeply than ever into our hearts.
I read a reflection from Bishop Robert Barron, whose Advent reflections I have been following, and he shared something that struck me deeply. He talked about the penitential dimension of Advent. He talked about needing to come to a point of awareness that we are helpless, powerless, hitting bottom, almost as an addict in a 12 step program, and know that we are truly needing and waiting for a Savior. "O Come, o come Emmanuel ... and ransom me as captive ... mourning ... " And when you are lifeless, make of your life a gift, and you will come back to life.
Then what most impacted me were his final words in this reflection, going to one last image of our Savior, as potter ... and he says, "Your life is not about you. You are being shaped by a higher power for his purposes. You are waiting for the potter to do his work." If I can reach this, then I am ready ...
Blessings of peace and goodness and courage to you and your families and loved ones,
Donna Lee
Faculty Meeting Tuesday, December 15
JrK, K, 1st Grade Christmas Program
We will have an all school performance of the Jr K 1 Christmas Program at 8:00am. There will be an AM schedule.
Parents have been notified that VMG (Viewpoint Media Group) will be videotaping our 2015-16 St. Gabriel School performance and program events. For anyone, the cost for ordering will remain $10/DVD. If anyone would like to order a DVD, please send in a check (made out to VMG) or cash to the School Office by December 22, along with the completed form below.
Orders will be distributed through school.
Snow Days ...
December 14, 2015 - February 19, 2016
December 14
- 7:00 pm Evening Parish Communal Celebration of Reconciliation
- GBN Meeting 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
- Grizzly Academy 2:40 pm - 4:00 pm
- Drama Club (Treasure Island) - Geauga Theater 2:45 pm - 5:00 pm
- Power of the Pen 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
- Play practice (Cinderella) Music Room 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
December 15
- Mini Open House - NEW Families 9:00 am
- Daisy Mtg. (Bender) 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm (Church Basement) MR1
- Grizzly Academy 2:40 pm - 4:00 pm
- 2:45 pm - Faculty Meeting
December 16
- 8:05 am ALL School Liturgy of the Word
- Grizzly Academy 2:40 pm - 4:00 pm
- Grizzly Growler (Press Club) 2:45 pm - 4:00 pm (Holiday Party)
- Student Council Meeting 2:45 pm - 3:15 pm
- Power of the Pen 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
December 17
- Family Prayer after 7:00 pm Mass, Chapel
- 8th grade girls basketball practice (Simek)
- Brownie Mtg (Malinas) Church Basement (MR1) rescheduled from 12/16 (2:30 pm - 4:30 pm)
- Daisy Mtg. (Coode) MPR 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
- Grizzly Academy 2:40 pm - 4:00 pm
December 18
- Gr. 7 Alter Care Visit 1:00 pm
December 20
- 7:45-8:05 St. Gabriel Parish Night Prayer, Chapel
- Sunday evenings from Advent to Easter
December 21
- 8:00-9:30am All School Performance of Jr K 1 Christmas Music program
- 6:30 JrK, K, 1 Evening Performance Christmas Program, Church
December 22
- NO Cub Care
- NO Grizzly Academy
December 23 -- January 5 -- NO SCHOOL - Christmas Break
January 6 -- Classes resume
January 7 - Principal Parent Circle
- 5:00pm
- Grizzly Learning Den (new school media center)
January 14
- 4:30-5:30 pm - PTU meeting
January 31 -- February 6, 2016 -- CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
January 31 -- Open House, 1:00--3:00pm
February 1 -- All School Career Day
February 3 -- Arts Day II
February 8 through February 19, 2016 (having an earlier time this year)
- Cognitive Abilities Testing (CogATs) - Gr 3, 5, 7
- Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) -- Gr 1-8
Bright Spot
Without a "home", they have made "homes" amidst faculty and staff, amidst school and parish, transforming spaces no one would have considered quite possible. Repeatedly month after month hearing "almost", or "just one more thing" in response to their queries of "when? ..." would be enough to make many grown persons cry in discouragement. The goal of course has been to keep the children being served and having the support they needed, so they rise above their own lacks and needs for their sakes.
I thank them for their bravery and perseverance. I thank them for their rising in their persons and allowing us all to get to know them better, a benefit that has to be admitted of the "neighboring" experiences. I especially thank their fearless leader Nancy, working tirelessly with me to keep the boat steady,
I am hoping that coming back from Christmas break will finally be the transition into their new "neighborhood" of rooms. Yet I hope that the relationships and experiences forged from this whole journey will have made all of our lives more meaningful and fruitful, aware of who we are. I believe they have as I said, and I know that will be changed, but I hope it will not be lost, for as a successful community it is still needed!
God's blessings and peace to you all, you are such a gift, Nancy, Marge, Rick, Veronica, Andi, Kaylene, Diane, Beth ......
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Our PPC
Let us continue to pray for each other and all of our families, as colleagues and friends, and as companions on the discipleship journey of our mission in Christ. I know there are many unspoken needs, needing big and little prayers.
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Please continue praying for parents and families in our school community needing prayers. Remember those who are suffering through loss in any way in their families. Please note all community names in the Weekly Parent VB Newsletter and keep them in your prayers.
Have a beautiful week!
Peace in the Father, love in Jesus, and courage and wisdom in the Spirit,
Blessings,
Donna Lee
St. Gabriel Catholic Elementary School
Email: donnalee.saladino@st-gabrielschool.org
Website: www.st-gabrielschool.org
Location: 9935 Johnnycake Ridge Road, Mentor, OH, United States
Phone: 440-352-6169