The Good News
March 19, 2017 - St. John XXIII School
Leadership Message
Lenten blessings everyone!
This is a very special week before Spring Break. We will begin Eucharistic Adoration in our chapel this week.
So, what is so special about Adoration?
Understood simply, Eucharistic Adoration is adoring or honouring the Eucharistic Presence of Christ. In a deeper sense, it involves "the contemplation of the Mystery of Christ truly present before us".
During Eucharistic Adoration, we "watch and wait", we remain "silent" in His Presence and open ourselves to His Graces which flow from the Eucharist ... By worshiping the Eucharistic Jesus, we become what God wants us to be! Like a magnet, The Lord draws us to Himself and gently transforms us.
In its fullest essence ... Eucharistic Adoration is "God and Man reaching out for each other, at the same time!"
The ( reserved ) Blessed Sacrament serves as a focal point of devotion.
Because, as Catholics, we believe that Christ is truly and substantially present in the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament is given the same adoration and devotion that is accorded to Christ.
At the beginning of the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a priest or deacon removes the sacred host from the tabernacle and places it in the Monstrance on the Altar for adoration by the faithful. "Monstrance" is the vessel used in the Church to display the consecrated Eucharistic Host, during Eucharistic adoration or benediction. The word monstrance comes from the Latin word monstrare, meaning "to expose". It is known in Latin as an Ostensorium. When a consecrated host is placed in the monstrance, It is said to be a solemn exposition.
When the Monstrance contains the Sacred Host, the priest does not touch it with his bare hands, but instead, holds it with a humeral veil, a wide band of cloth that covers his shoulders (humera) and has pleats on the inside in which he places his hands.
At all other times, the reserved Sacrament is kept locked in the Tabernacle, so that the faithful may pray in the presence of the Sacrament.
Adoration ceremonies traditionally include Scripture readings, hymns, prayers and time for silent adoration.
Our Chaplain, Mr. Scott Walker, will lead Adoration with our students. Each class will have a turn. If you'd like to join us for Adoration, please contact your child's teacher or Mr. Walker at scottw@eics.ab.ca and he can let you know when your child's class will be attending Adoration.
Speaking of Mr. Walker, we would like to Congratulate him on being the well-deserved recipient of the "Excellence in Catholic Education" award sponsored by the Council of Catholic School Superintendents of Alberta (CCSSA). He will be recognized at the "Sharing Purpose in Catholic Education" (SPICE) conference at the end of April. Congratulations Mr. Walker!
In Christ,
Mrs. Melnyk
Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences March 21st & 22nd
We will be hosting the final session of 3-Way Conferences for the school year on March 21st and 22nd. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to visit the School Interviews site to book your spring conference; our school code is: 4eepz. Online bookings will close at 8:00 am on Monday, March 20th. Please contact Mrs. Wilson in the school office with any questions or concerns and she will be happy to assist you.
Lost & Found
School Visitors: Safety, Security, and Learning Time
If you are volunteering or needing to meet with your child's teacher, please check in at the office, sign in, and obtain a visitor tag. For our students' safety and security we monitor all entries into our building. As well, in the case of emergency, we do need to keep track of all people in our building.
As our entrances can become very congested, we really appreciate your cooperation with waiting outside to pick up your child at the end of day.
Thank-you for continued help in creating and supporting a safe learning environment for all our children at St. John XXIII.
Kindergarten Information Evening April 4th
Hot Lunch Spring Orders
April 6th - Panago
April 20th - Mary Brown's
May 4th - McDonald's
May 18th - Booster Juice
June 1st - OPA! of Greece
June 15th - Ricky's All Day Grill
Community News: FSFSA Skating Carnival March 19th
Looking Ahead . . .
March 20 School Assembly & Spell-a-Thon prizes 9:00 am
March 21 Grade 4 Waste Fair in the gym
March 21 & 22 Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences 5:00 - 8:00 pm
March 22 & 23 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
March 22 Grade 4 Rec Swim 9:45 am
March 22 Grade 3 Rec Swim 12:45 pm
March 23 NO ECS Classes
March 24 NO SCHOOL - Day in Lieu of Interviews
March 27 - April 2 NO SCHOOL - Spring Break!
April 3 Classes resume & Welcome Mr. Smith
April 4 Kindergarten Information Evening 7:00 pm
April 5 NO ECS/BB Classes
April 5 Early Dismissal at 2:14 pm / Crazy Hair Spirit Day
9526 - 89 St. Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Email: stj@eics.ab.ca
Website: stj.eics.ab.ca
Phone: 780-998-7777
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stjohnXXIII/
Twitter: @St_JohnXXIII