Mercy Peek & Ponder
Faculty/Staff Edition Sunday, December 6, 2015
Our Lady of Mercy
Email: jmcgrath@olmcatholicschool.com
Website: www.olmcatholicschool.com
Location: 29 Conwell Drive, Maple Glen, PA, United States
Phone: 215-646-0150
REMINDER: NO FACULTY MEETING - FACULTY/STAFF CHRISTMAS PARTY ON 12/08
Faculty Weekly Information
Weekly Reflection: Second Week of Advent
We prepare this week by stepping up the longing. We move through this week by naming deeper and more specific prayerful intentions.
Each morning this week, if even for that brief moment at the beginning of the day or at the beginning class, we want to light a second inner candle. We want to let it represent “a bit more hope.” Perhaps we can pause, breathe deeply and say with our students,
“Lord, I place my trust in you.”
Each day this week, as we encounter times that are rushed, even crazy, we can take that deep breath, and make that profound prayer. Each time we face some darkness, some experience of “parched land” or desert, some place where we feel “defeated” or “trapped,” we hear the words, “Our God will come to save us!”
The grace we desire for this week is to be able to hear the promise and to invite our God to come into those real places of our lives that dearly need God's coming. We want to be able to say:
“Lord, I place my trust in your promise. Please, Lord, rouse your power and come into this place in my life, this relationship, into this deep self-defeating pattern. Please come here and save me.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER AT OLM
As always, it is necessary to have structured prayer time every day. And I know how busy we all are during the school day. It is imperative that during morning prayer in the gym, noontime prayers, dismissal, and other times of prayer, that we create the appropriate climate for a few minutes of prayer. We do this by insisting on our students' reverence and attention AND by modeling good prayerful behavior ourselves. To remember the time to share with God, setting a routine of prayer and remaining disciplined in that routine can help all of us continue to bring our MISSION to life.
Christmas Tableau: 12/17/2015 at 7PM
12/11/2015: 1:15PM - 8th Grade
12/16/2015: 1:15PM - Entire School
While practicing, please actively encourage your students to participate.
MUSIC ASSEMBLY
Santa Secret Shop
End of First Trimester & Grades
GO NOODLE
Annual Catechist Convention - 03/05/2016
This event is your yearly update for those with certification (if needed) and counts for one elective for those where religion certification remains a goal. Religion certification is mandated by year seven of teaching in an Archdiocesan school.
Catholic Apps for iPads & Additional Information
The Catholic Social Teaching app is a wonderful resource for all Catholics, who desire to deepen their knowledge of the Catholic understanding of service to others. Teachers of young people preparing for Confirmation or students fulfilling service learning requirements will find this app very helpful, since it contains Church documents and articles about his topic.
Teachers, please keep in mind that the use of technology is not optional - it is a professional expectation in education. Absent tech problems/issues, technology should be used in a variety of strategic ways - and deliberately planned. If you are uncomfortable in the technology world or with a specific piece of technology, it is incumbent upon you to seek professional development in that area. For example, if you are unsure of the uses, benefits, or practical application of Apple TV - do some research online, watch some videos.... Technology is here to stay - and it has impressive results on student achievement and success.