Faculty Staff Memo
St. Gabriel School ....... December 6, 2015
WEEKLY LITURGICAL READING AND REFLECTION
2nd Sunday of Advent
Sacred Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2
Finally, brothers and sisters, we earnestly ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus that, as you received from us how you should conduct yourselves to please God — and as you are conducting yourselves — you do so even more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
Meditation
Who gave me instruction on how to conduct myself to please God by living out the truth entrusted to the Church? How does her or his example influence the way I form others in the Catholic faith?
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 and restful Thanksgiving! I'm sure these next few weeks will be filled with extra excitement in the children, and opportunities to bring lessons of love and peace on earth in the new life of Jesus. We can focus on this joy of Jesus being Emmanuel, God with us, especially with the sadness and pain of the violence increasing around the world. Personally, Emmanuel is my favorite Advent word - it speaks hope, comfort, peace, thus courage, belief, faith, love ...
I have been reading about Pope Francis' visit to Africa. To me that is amazing and profound. I sense how he wanted with such a passion to be there. And he is preaching this message of mercy, and care for the poor, in the midst of the most poor, and the most merciless ... He calls Africa the hope of the church ... hope ... I did not realize there was such a large Catholic population there ... truly, actually my brothers and sisters in Christ ... and I have never even thought of them ...
I have mentioned in the VB also about Pope Francis' declaration of the Jubilee Year of Mercy starting next Tuesday. The theme of mercy is a highlight that Francis refers to frequently in his pontificate as you surely know. What a deep and rich part of our Lord that is to focus on, reflect on and question with the children. What does mercy really mean to them? Much to bring to their hearts for reflection ...
I have thought about "mercy" myself and how I have usually considered it - I say, "Lord, have mercy on me." I have heard it said and written about lately, that we should also become the mercy we seek, much as the saying goes that we should become the change that we seek. I beg and hope that God will have mercy on me, forgive me my little mistakes, "surely you understand, Lord". I ask now though, how do I fare with that with other people who beg my mercy? Outright, or with pleading eyes? Can I have the same eyes for others as the Lord has for me? Can we have the same eyes for our children as the Lord has with us? How my heart is so many times torn and stretched to a painful thinness that I think will surely rip, as I see pleading eyes ... and i have heard and read that the mercy we seek is Jesus ... jesus is the mercy ... if I pray, "Lord, have Jesus on me, in me ... how profound that is ... brings tears ...
Blessings of peace and goodness and courage to you and your families and loved ones,
Donna Lee
bustedhalo.com
November 29, 2015---February 8, 2016
November 30
- Classes Resume
- Ohio State - Dress Down Day (See previous Newsletter for guidelines)
- Grizzly Academy 2:40 pm - 4:00 pm
- Play Practice - CANCELLED (next practice is December 7th - Full Cast)
December 1
- 3rd grade basketball practice (Budrys)
- K - 1st Children's Liturgy of the Word 8:05 am
- BOK Jr. Leadership Mtg. (MPR) 2:30 pm- 3:45 pm
- Debate Club (Room 112) 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
- Grizzly Academy 2:40 pm - 4:00 pm
December 2
- 8:05 All School Liturgy JK-8
- Math Club (Grade 6 - 8) 2:45 pm - 3:30 pm
- Brownie Mtg. (Piunno) Church Basement (MR1) 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
- Grizzly Academy 2:40 pm - 4:00 pm
- Grizzly Growler (Press Club) 2:45 pm - 4:00 pm
December 3
- 7:00 pm School Band Concert, Lake Catholic HS (band members arrive at 6:15 pm)
- 8th grade girls basketball practice (Simek)
- Grizzly Academy 2:40 pm - 4:00 pm
December 4
- Gr. 7 and 8 Field Trip "A Christmas Carol"
- Jingle Kingdom Set Up 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm
December 5
- St. Gabriel Parish Jingle Kingdom
December 6
- St. Gabriel Parish Jingle Kingdom
December 7-13
- Student Council School Service Project Candy Gram Sale!
- Play Practice - Full Cast
- Computer Science Education Week -- Joining students all over the world in an "Hour of Code" -- details TBA
December 8
- 8:00am All School Liturgy - Feast of Immaculate Conception
December 9
- NO SCHOOL LITURGY
- 8:00am--2:00pm PTU Santa Shop
December 15
- 2:45 Faculty Meeting
December 16
- 8:05am All School Litugy
December 10 -- Principal Parent Circles
- 5:00-6:00pm, Church CR
December 21
- 6:30 JrK, K, 1 Christmas Program, Church
December 23 -- January 5 -- NO SCHOOL - Christmas Break
January 6 -- Classes resume
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 (beginning earlier this year)
- Cognitive Abilities Testing (CogATs) - Gr 3, 5, 7
- Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) -- Gr 1-8
Religious game available to borrow - "Stella Nova, Journey of the Magi"
The religious board game, Stella Nova, made by the company Christian Haven, was donated to our school for a teaching aid by the religious goods store here in Mentor, Mozack's. It has not been opened, but it looks very interesting. It lists that it is for children ages Grades 3-8, though looks better matched to 5-8, though you never know -- whoever would like to try it out with their class is welcome to use it.
It is for 3-6 players, maybe a good Religion enrichment activity? It says it takes about 1.5 hours to play a complete game, so it would be an ongoing game. Let me know. We will have a signup sheet in case several of you want to share it.
It centers on the journey of the 3 wise men into the ancient past, who have seen a new star arising in the east (stella nova) ... and a race to see which wise man can be first to reach Christ child in Bethlehem.
Dress Code Reminders and Updates
Reminders:
Please make sure you read the notice that went out to everyone in the VB tonight about Dress Code.Note that hoodies are not allowed in class - if students are cold, they need to wear the sweatshirts and sweaters that are part of the uniform. Since they have started this habit, please give warnings these next couple days to give time to get back in uniform, not referrals.
Note about gym shoes, and socks, and navy long sleeve polos. Again, please give warnings next couple days to give time.
In Process:
We have looked at gym warm-up suits as addition to uniform. I have talked with parents and several teachers, and we are moving forward with it. Students really have lots of options in our dress code which is nice. Goal is to keep it uniform and neat however, so all blends well.
I'll be getting samples from Schoolbelles so parents can see and begin placing orders. With Christmas around the corner, they would make a nice gift.
If you have any questions, or need any help. let us know.
Snow Days ...
We will also still put it up on the TV stations first as soon as we get the call.
BRIGHT SPOTS
"When the moon hits your eye like a bigga piece-a pie, that's amore!"
Turkey Bowl 2015
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Our PPC
Please continue to pray for the victims of the terrorist attack in France, their families and loved ones, and the French and European and world countries in their gathering to respond.
Please continue to pray for Beth Roebuck, Andi and Joyce as they go through their treatments and healing . Please also pray for Sherry Tedeschi's Dad who fell and was injured and is now in care in a nursing home. Please also pray for others on our staff whose children are needing special treatments and surgeries and of course needing extra time and energy as they expend their love and care also for our students!
Let us continue to pray also 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 the Galeazzo's, the Degners, the Lyons, and all others 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