Madonna Catholic School
Parent Bulletin. December 4th - 10th 2016
Advent: Love is Coming!
Back in the day, 1970 to be exact, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young released a song titled Carry On. In the refrain they sang, Carry on. Love is coming. Love is coming to us all.
I thought of this song this past Sunday while at Mass for the First Sunday of Advent. No, my mind wasn't drifting! Actually, quite the reverse. The pastor was delivering a splendid homily about the Gospel’s call for us to remain awake because the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. He related a story about a friend whose home was broken into and how the friend’s reaction was twofold. First came the only’s if.... if only we had locked the back door, if only I had not left my purse out in the open, and so on. Second, however, came the thank God comments: thank God no one was hurt, thank God nothing more was stolen,and so on.
His point was that it is this attitude of gratitude that enables us to carry on in the midst of challenges. The Season of Advent is an opportunity for us to focus on what we are thankful for, especially knowing that more good things are coming. With Christmas, we celebrate the coming of Love in the Person of Jesus Christ. He finished his homily by pausing and then saying, in a dramatic and exuberant voice: Love is coming!
At that moment, I fully expected the church organist to break into a rendition of Carry On! Of course, it was not to be. However, the message was very well taken. Advent is a time of joyful anticipation. It is a time of longing for something good that we know is coming. It is not at all like the waiting we experience while at the airport or in the doctor’s office, nor is it like waiting for the Cubs to win a World Series! The waiting we experience during Advent is not fearful or despairing. It is confident.
Why? Because love is coming!
Knowing that love is coming is what enables us to carry on each and every day, despite the darkness that surrounds us.So, this Advent, let’s carry on. Love is coming. Love is coming to us all!
Joe Paprocki. DMin. http://bit.ly/2goKGdx
Grade 2L Assembly - What is the Advent ?
As well, they are spearheading a fundraiser to 'buy animals to fill Jesus' stable. All the monies raised will be used to purchase animals for a community in need through the Catholic Organization Chalice. For more information about Chalice, click here.
Christmas Social for Madonna Parents
Beginning at 630 PM with our School Parent Council meeting
Come and hear all about the great things happening in the school and enjoy some Christmas Goodies, coffee and tea.
Hope to see you there, as your input and feedback are welcomed.
Hello from the Book Club
Any students in Grades 1-4 who love to listen to stories or read stories are welcome to join us in the Library each Tuesday at lunch recess 12:23- 12:48.This week we had 27 students attend our first Book Club. We are going to enjoy Christmas stories for the month of December.
We would love to have grandparents and/or parents join us at Book Club in the library to read with students or listen to students share their books.
If you are available to join us please email your name to Mrs. Starko or Mrs. Prenoslo.
Earth Club News
For the month of December, Madonna Catholic School’s Earth Club members will be supporting the Edmonton Humane Society by donating items from the society’s wish list. If you are interested in donating to the Edmonton Humane Society please check out their web site at www.edmontonhumanesociety.com and click on “SUPPORT THE EHS” tab and then the “WISH LIST’ tab. We will collect the items for the Edmonton Humane Society at the school and hope to deliver them the week of December 19th, prior to Christmas.
The Earth Club members will also be raising awareness for WWF-World Wildlife Federation-Canada by raffling off two WWF Adoption Kits. Tickets are $1.00 with all proceeds going to WWF Canada. We will be drawing the winners at the Christmas concert on December 20th. Students can purchase their raffle tickets on Monday and Wednesday at lunch beginning December 5th to December 19th. The two kits for adoption are the Polar Bear and the Grey Wolf. On the evening of the Christmas concert, the Earth Club will also have adoption brochures available for those interested in adopting a species at risk to further support WWF Canada.
The Madonna Catholic School Earth club members would like to say “Thank you” for your support of the Edmonton Humane Society and WWF Canada.
December at Madonna
Early dismissal - Wednesday December 7th -School ends at 2:13PM
Parent Christmas Social and school council meeting. Weds. Dec 7th 630pm start. School Library
This year our Advent Celebration of Reconciliation will take place Thursday, December 8th, 2016 at 7:00 pm. If you are unable to attend the service at our parish, please consider attending the penitential service at one of the other parishes.
Christmas Concert - Tuesday December 20th.
We will again be videotaping this years concert. More information coming!
Afternoon dress rehearsal begins at 1:30pm. We encourage those who are available to attend the afternoon performance.
Evening Performance begins at 7:00pm. Students to arrive and go to their classrooms at 630pm. Gym doors do not open until 6:45PM
Christmas Break
December 24th - January 8th. School resumes Monday January 9th 2017.
Please, please come into the office and sign out your children at the office when you are bringing them in late of picking them up.
If your children are away, you can use Safe Arrival.
Using Safe Arrival you will be able to report your child's absence the following ways: Using the Safe Arrival link inside the new EICS App
Creating an account with Safe Arrival using the credentials supplied in the email you will receive
Downloading the Safe Arrival App using Google Play or the App Store and create an account using the credentials supplied in the email you will receive.
Calling 1-877-246-9970
About Us
Email: mcs@eics.ab.ca
Website: www.madonna.eics.ab.ca
Location: 15 Main Boulevard, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Phone: 780 467-7971
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Madonna-Catholic-School-Sherwood-Park-282656331804065/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel