Mercy Peek & Ponder by Mr. McGrath
Volume III Issue 30 Sunday, April 9, 2017
Our Lady of Mercy Regional Catholic School
Email: jmcgrath@olmcatholicschool.com
Website: www.olmcatholicschool.com
Location: 29 Conwell Drive, Maple Glen, PA, United States
Phone: 215-646-0150
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Our-Lady-of-Mercy-Regional-Catholic-School-1427959374084742/?ref=bookmarks
Holy Week Reflection
Several years ago, at a retreat, I reflected upon how we can be counted as the “beloved disciple” standing with Mary at the foot of the Cross. I imagined myself comforting our Blessed Mother, with my arm around her shoulders. I reflected upon how she had to surrender her beloved Son to the Father and His will, how her fiat from the Annunciation had to be repeated many times throughout her life, culminating at the foot of the Cross. She had to learn in little ways how to surrender, from accepting God’s will for her to become the Mother of God; from the Magi that offered myrrh, an ointment for burial, to the baby; from fleeing to Egypt and returning; from losing and finding Jesus in the temple; from her interaction with her Son at the wedding feast of Cana; from seemingly being snubbed so often when she went to see Him during His ministry; and many, many other small ways, all in preparation for that horrible Friday afternoon in a rock quarry just outside the jeering walls of Jerusalem. And as the beloved disciple took her into his home, she may have taught him how to surrender himself, all the way to being exiled on Patmos and writing a Gospel, letters, and the book of Revelation.
Throughout the life of Mary we hear a refrain: “Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.” This occurred at the birth of Jesus when the shepherds came and after the finding of the child Jesus at the Temple. I assume she continued this throughout her life. Perhaps she did so after the wedding feast of Cana. She surrendered the problem of the lack of wine to her Son and simply walked away. She didn’t worry about the solution. Perhaps she kept this incident, pondering about it in her heart, along with the mysterious words of Old Simeon and other things her Son had said throughout his life.
Our Lady of Mercy teaches us her lessons on surrender because she spent so much time pondering and reflecting in her pierced heart. And we must do the same. So I concluded with the image that I had started with, reversed: Mary’s arm is around my shoulders, comforting me, for every difficult surrender I do is mini-death and a grief, preparing me for that final surrender of my death.
Upcoming Events
April 11
Tenebrae, 2PM
April 12 - April 17
Easter Break
April 18
Classes resume
April 19
STREAM ACADEMY/MIDDLE SCHOOL CLUBS
Barn Hill Preserve Assembly (Grades K-5), 1:30PM
April 20
Whale Watch Assembly - K, 9A-11AM
April 21
Jr. High Dance #6 (OLM 6th Grade invited), 7:30PM
Please click on the link below to read the latest edition of Mercy Magazine
Congratulations to our Archdiocesan Honor Choir Members: Grace Toriello, Edwin Garcia, Haley Nish & Joey Wisniewski who performed beautifully at Archbishop Ryan this past week. Special Thanks to our music teacher,Mrs. Laura Demkovitz, who transfers her love of music to all of our children.
LENT AT OLM
Our OLM School Lenten Theme is THE GIVING TREE. This year we are enhancing our theme “OLM Rooted in Mercy” in our seasonal celebrations. At Christmas, we focused on the message of the Jesse Tree and now, during this season of Lent, we are focusing on the message of The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. At the end of this story, after the tree had given everything it had to the little boy, the tree then provided a special place for the boy to rest and reflect. We have placed our OLM Giving Trees at the end of each hallway and the students have added their personal leaves on the trees to share their special Lenten promise to God. This symbol of the Giving Tree represents the life that Jesus lived on earth and the ultimate sacrifice that He made so we can rest and reflect in the eternal happiness of salvation made possible because of His love for us.
PEACEMAKERS FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2017: FAITH
Our Peacemakers of the month help us to maintain and strengthen our OLM community. During the month of March, students were asked to look to Saint Katherine Drexel and work to spread their FAITH each and every day.
Our Lady of Mercy School embraces the virtues of our faith and look to the saints for inspiration and guidance.
The following students have been chosen as Peacemakers of the month for March. They tried to practice their FAITH each day at OLM. We offer them a big OLM CONGRATS!
Kindergarten
Lauren Gerlach
Lucia DeLuca
Bridget Bell
1st Grade
Brynn Miller
Emery Lewinski
Camilla Lutte
2nd Grade
Reese Penna
Margaret Brennan
3rd Grade
Jake Weidner
Caitlin Campbell
4th Grade
Mali Sowden
Evan Klein
5th Grade
Emily Fisher
Gabriella Youngers
Will Ryan
6th Grade
Jenni Appleby
Nathen Selgrath
7th Grade
Vanessa Contreras-Martinez
Jake Barton
8th Grade
Gabby Lorenzo
Grace Toriello
Ryan Zimmerman
Our Virtue of the Month of April is COMPASSION
Pope Francis says, " A Christian is merciful by nature; this is the heart of the Gospel."
God is compassionate, loving kindness. All we’re asked to do is to be in the world who God is. Certainly compassion was the wallpaper of Jesus’ soul, the contour of his heart, it was who he was.
Jesus was not a man for others. He was one with others. There is a world of difference in that. Jesus didn’t seek the rights of the lepers. He touched the leper even before he got around to curing him. He didn’t champion the cause of the outcast. He was the outcast. He didn’t fight for improved conditions for the prisoner. He simply said, “I was in prison.”
The strategy of Jesus is not centered on taking the right stand on issues, but rather in standing in the right place—with the outcast and those relegated to the margins.
Compassion isn’t just about feeling the pain of others; it’s about bringing them in toward yourself. If we love what God loves, then, in compassion, margins get erased. Be compassionate as God is compassionate means the dismantling of barriers that exclude.
Saint Gianna Beretta Molla will be our model.
Prayer to St. Gianna Beretta Molla
God, our Father, You have granted to Your church the gift of Gianna Beretta Molla. In her youth she lovingly sought You and drew other young people to You, involving them, through apostolic witness and Catholic Action, in the care of the sick and aged, to help and comfort them.
We thank You for the gift of this young woman, so deeply committed to You. Through her example grant us the grace to consecrate our lives to COMPASSION AND MERCY, for the joy of our brothers and sisters.
Students will be recognized at the School Liturgy on Friday, May 5, 2017 at 9AM.
Class of 2017 Scholarship Total: $265,000
Camp Mercy: Where summer memories are made!
Special April Camp Sale!
During the month of April, Camp Mercy is making it rain with Camp Discounts!
Register in April & Save $$$$
- Full nine (9) Weeks of Camp
- Special April Price: $1500 - save $450
- OLM Student Rate: $1400 - save $300
- Multi-child Family Discount - save an additional $75 off a 9-week session
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Enrichment week, faith-based activities, community service projects, outdoor adventures, STREAM activities, Legoland, bowling, indoor and outdoor sports, swimming ... and much, much more!
6TH GRADE PRETZEL SALE FUNDRAISER
The 6th Grade students will be selling regular sized pretzels for the students to enjoy in the month of April and May during snack time. Complete the form that was sent home if you would like your child to have pretzels. All pretzels MUST be pre-ordered. The dates for pretzels are 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15 and 5/22. The cost is $5 per child. Send in cash or checks made payable to OLM to JP Romano (6-Opdyke) by Wednesday, April 18th.
UNIFORM EXCHANGE
If you have kids that have outgrown their OLM uniforms, please contact Julie Bebey, jbebey@olmcatholicschool.com with what you are looking for and the sizes needed. If we have them, she can send them home with your child. Also, if you have outgrown uniforms that are in good shape, please feel free to send them to school and we will re-distribute them.
SCIENCE FAIR
Date: Thursday, April 27th and Friday, April 28th
Grades: K-6 (Voluntary participation)
7-8 (Required participation)
Parent invite: Thursday, April 27th from 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Attached is a letter explaining the Science Fair and what it's all about. This is an exciting event for our junior high students who have been working since September and are eager to share their projects and ideas with you. If your K-6 grade child is interested in participating, please print and submit the entry form by Friday, March 31st. Any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Sharon Gribb at sgribb@olmcatholicschool.com.
Eighth Grade Events - CLASS OF 2017
Eighth Grade Events
Tuesday May 9th: May Procession 2PM
Wednesday May 24th: Class Trip to Baltimore, MD
Friday June 2nd: Graduation Dinner NHCC 6-10PM
Thursday June 8th: Class Picnic ~Noon to 2:30
Final Walk at 2:50 PM; Last Class Day for Eighth Graders
Wednesday June 14th: Graduation Mass 4PM St. Alphonsus
Church
**More information can be found on the 8th Grade Teachers Websites!
St. CATHERINE OF SIENA'S CUB SCOUTS PACK 39 -- DESIGNER BAG BINGO
Bring your friends for a night of charitable fun!
Date: Friday, April 21, 2017
Time: 7:30 -- Doors open @ 6:30 PM
Cost: $30 Advance Purchase / $35 At the Door
Place: St. Catherine of Siena, 321 Witmer Rd. Horsham
A MESSAGE FROM THE HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION...
The HSA is organizing another Teacher's Wish List. Last year, the OLM community provided so many important items to help our teachers provide the best education to our students. Please take a moment to look at this year's requests. If you are able to provide new or gently used items, please sign up!
Consider joining together with other families and don't forget about our specials teachers!
Volunteer for Lunch Duty at OLM!
Two parent volunteers must be on-duty in the school yard - before the playground is open. This ensures the safety of ALL. Our active volunteer program not only provides valuable hands-on assistance through the school, but also benefits the children by reinforcing ties between the children’s individual homes as well as the community at large, and the school. The Lunch/Recess Duty Volunteer program is a great way to volunteer and become involved at the school.
Sign up for Lunch Duty at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d4daaa622a6f49-april1
Birthday Blessings this Week!
Sunday, 04/09
Liam Delaney
Monday, 04/10
Alyssa Eichmiller
Reese Penna
Tuesday, 04/11
Nicholas Toriello
Wednesday, 04/12
Thursday, 04/13
Declan McDonnell
Friday, 04/14
Olivia Bogdon
Ben Citro
Saturday, 04/15
Shane McLaughlin
Monsignor McHenry