Patriot Post
Jan. 7th - Jan. 11th, 2019
This Week at St. JPII
Monday Jan. 7th
Girls Basketball Practice 7:00-8:00am
Tobacco Prevention Presentation Gr. 6's
Boys Basketball Practice 3:00-4:15pm
Tuesday Jan. 8th
Priest Visits: 12:10 - 1:30 pm
Wednesday Jan. 9th
Early Dismissal @ 2:00pm
Thursday Jan. 10th
Girls and Boys Basketball Practice 3:00-4:30pm
Friday Jan. 11th
Girls and Boys Basketball Tournament at St. Theresa's School Sherwood Park
Chaplain's Corner
We are presently in the season of Christmas where we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus. Today we also celebrate the Epiphany of Our Lord.
WE CELEBRATE TODAY the second of four great manifestations of God in our midst. The word ‘epiphany’ comes from Greek and it means a ‘showing’ or ‘manifestation’. We call today’s feast the Epiphany of our Lord but the term could equally well be applied to the other two.
The first of these four manifestations we already celebrated on December 25, when God revealed, manifested himself to us in the form of a helpless, newly-born infant. He is presented as born homeless and in poverty and surrounded by the poor and outcasts (that is what the shepherds represented). This manifestation fits in very well with the theme of Luke’s Gospel and it is he who tells this story.
In today’s feast, we see the same recently born baby in similar circumstances but the material and social surroundings are hardly touched on. The emphasis here, as we shall see, is different. Here are strangers, foreigners, total outsiders coming to give royal homage to this tiny child. This will be the theme of Matthew’s Gospel. “Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations.”
God, in the person of Jesus, is reaching out to the whole world. From his point of view, all are equally his beloved children. We all, whatever external physical or cultural differences there may be between us, belong to one single family which has one Father, “our” Father. It means that every one of us is a brother and sister to everyone else. There is no room for discrimination of any kind based on nationality, race, religion, class or occupation. There cannot be a single exception to this position.
The message today is loud and clear. We thank God today that there is no “Chosen People” whether they be Jews or Christians (or even Catholics). Let us try to understand more deeply God’s closeness to us which is also a reason for us to be close to each other. There are no outsiders. All are called – be it the Mother of Jesus, the rich and the poor, the privileged and the lonely, the healthy and the sick, the saints and the sinners.
Finally, we might ask ourselves, What are the stars in my life? The wise men saw the star and followed it. The people in Jerusalem did not. How and to what is God calling me at this time? Where does he want me to find him, to serve and follow him? Some have their priorities already fixed and so have stopped or have never even started to look for the real priorities, the God-sent stars in their lives. That is like first making a right turn at a crossroads and then wondering where you should be going. Saint Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises speaks of people who get married first and then ask, “What does God want me to do?
Click on the link above to read the full commentary for today's readings.
Upcoming and In the Works Faith Events
- Gr. 7 & 8 Days of Service
- Parish priest visits to St. JP II: Tuesdays from 12:05 - 1:30 pm
- JP II Fishermen Edge Night: Weds. Jan. 16, 2019 from 3:00 - 7:30 pm
St. JP II Fishermen Youth Group
Wednesday, January 16, 2018
3:00 - 7:30 pm
Cost: $13/participant
Mr. Brady would like to invite any and all Grade 5-8 students to attend the 2nd JP II Fishermen Edge Night of the school year.
What is an Edge Night?
Edge nights are designed to offer students, no matter where they might be on their faith journey, an opportunity to explore their faith while fostering friendship and building a stronger community. This is all created in an environment that is supportive and accepting. Edge nights include activities and themes that are created to help our youth answer questions and grow in their faith so that they deal with issues and challenges they face each day.
What is included?
Each Edge Night has a fee. This fee is used to cover materials and food for the evening.
Each Edge night includes dinner and snacks throughout the night and any materials related to the theme that evening.
How do we Sign up?
If you would like your child to attend the next Edge Night, all they need to do is get the permission slip, fill it out and bring it along with the fee back in to Mr. Brady. If this is the first time your child will participate in an Edge Night, you will also need to fill out a medical form.
The St. JP II Fishermen youth Group looks forward to seeing your child at our upcoming Edge Night. Feel free to contact Mr. Brady at the school 780-992-0889 or through email at vernonb@eics.ab.ca if you have any questions or concerns.
QUEBEC TRIP 2020
QUEBEC TRIP 2020 - INFORMATION NIGHT
January 16, 2019
7:00-8:00pm
Library - St. JPII school
Parents and students (who will be in Grade 7 or 8 in the NEXT school year 2019-2020) will receive information about our QUEBEC TRIP taking place in May 2020.
School Fees
Thank you to the many families who have already paid their child's school fees.
A reminder, these fees can be paid online through your Powerschool Parent Portal, or you are welcome to send cash or a cheque made payable to Elk Island Catholic Schools to the office. If you require assistance logging in to the ParentPortal please call the school and we will be happy to help.
PATRIOT WEAR!
Shout out to Enhance It Embroidering for making this possible. All orders are processed directly through the store and Enhance It Embroidery will call to arrange pickup within the allotted shipping time.
http://www.enhanceitembroidery.ca/store/c2/St._John_Paul_II_Spirit_Wear_.html
HAPPY SHOPPING!
SCHOOL COUNCIL INFORMATION
Thank you to those that were able to join us for our School Council meeting Nov. 19. There was a lot to discuss regarding what has been happening in the school and upcoming plans. We encourage you to join us for our next meeting which is scheduled for Monday, January 14 @ 6:30pm in the school library.
Approved meeting minutes can be found on the School Council page within the St JPII website.
Our School Council is currently in the process of reviewing and revising our existing Constitution and Bylaws to reflect changes in our school name and to ensure it is in alignment with current legislation, regulations and recommendations from the Alberta School Council Association. On the School Council page on the St JPII website, resource documentation, as well as the existing and proposed documents have been added for all parents to access. We are asking and encouraging you to take the time to review these and provide feedback during the next School Council meeting where these changes will be discussed and determined.
Volunteer Needed - Hot Lunch – School Council is currently looking for a parent volunteer who would be willing and able work alongside our currently coordinator – Sheri McCoy. Tasks would include familiarity with the online ordering system, and working together to determine menu options with local vendors, submitting the order with the vendors, coordinating pick up/delivery of food from the vendors, monitoring payment for orders placed. If you are interested, please contact Stacey at polwalker@shaw.ca.
School Council Executive
YEARBOOK COMMITTEE
Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education
FSMA HOMEWORK CLUB
Demographic Confirmation & Yearly Consent Forms
The annual consent forms allow your child full participation in all activities, field trips and events for optimal learning at St. JPII. Thank you for completing these forms so your child experiences the full learning benefits at St. JPII.
EICS Family Wellness Program
Program Overview
The Elk Island Catholic Schools Family Wellness Program provides short-term supportive assistance to students and their parents and guardians. Services are provided free of charge and may take place at school and/or in home and community settings.
Service Delivery
Each school is staffed with a Family Wellness Worker (FWW), who works under the direction of their School Principal and the Assistant Superintendent of Faith & Wellness. FWW's receive clinical guidance from a Registered Psychologist.
The primary function of the Family Wellness team is to provide social and emotional support to students and families. Family Wellness Workers meet with students and parents to assess needs, set goals, identify required supports, and plan appropriate interventions.
They collaborate with school system staff and community resources to build a “village” of support around students/families who are struggling.
Referrals
Parental consent is required for FWW services.
Referrals to the Family Wellness Program may be made by students, parents/guardians, school administration, teachers, or other school staff (e.g. school counsellor or collaborative response coordinator).
Parents and guardians can access these services by speaking with the Principal or contacting the school's Family Wellness Worker directly.
Family Wellness Contact Information
Amanda Davidson RSW, BSW
St. John Paul ll
St. Andre Bessette
(p) 780-860-4621
Upcoming Community Supports for Parents
Parents Empowering Parents
Do you have a child using or abusing drugs and/or alcohol?
Do you feel embarrassed, exhausted, hopeless, or alone?
Parents Empowering Parents Society
2001 Sherwood Drive, Sherwood Park, AB T8A 3W7
or online at www.CanadaHelps.org
Administration:
#200, 501 Festival Avenue, Sherwood Park, AB T8A 4X3
(2nd Floor, Community Centre, in Centre in the Park, next to County Hall)
Support Line 780.293.0737
Ph: 780.410.8516 • Fax: 780.449.1220
Connect Parent Group
Primary Care Network
An Attachment- Based Program to Support Parents and Caregivers
Connect is a free 9 week program to support parents of pre-teens ages (10-14).
Wednesdays starting January 30th until April 3, 2019
6pm-7:30pm
Land Room at City Hall, 10005 102 st, Fort Saskatchewan
Call Jennifer at 780-997-4164 to register.
Onsite child care will be provided.
Caregiver Info Sessions
CAFETERIA
Cafeteria in St. John Paul II Catholic School
Meals available daily: Chicken strips, Pizza-bun (ham or extra cheese), Salad (cheeseburger, chicken caesar, or egg salad), and Sub (chicken salad, egg salad, or ham).
Daily specials: Monday- Spaghetti, Tuesday- Chicken Alfredo, Wednesday- Pancakes, Thursday- Sweet&Sour Meatballs, and Friday- Chicken Fried Rice
Sides: Apples & Grapes, Apple Sauce, Carrots & Sweet Peas, Cheese Strips, Chocolate Energy Bites, Fresh Fruit Mix, Fresh Veggie Mix, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, Pretzels, Rice Cereal Square, Vanilla Yogurt, Wowbutter Cookies, 237 mL white milk/chocolate milk, 200 mL juice (apple or orange)
*Menu changes three times per year* All food is prepared to meet school guidelines.
A regular meal with two sides is $6,
you can order a larger portion for $1 more,
and you can add an additional side for $1.
Pre-order online or cash purchases
Online orders- how to get started:
· Visit www.fortsasklunchbox.com
· Click the order tab
· Create an account (use the email that is best for receiving receipts and create your own password)
· Choose St John Paul II as your school- lunches can be picked up at the school cafeteria
Visitors To Our School
St. John Paul II Catholic School
Email: stjp@eics.ab.ca
Website: https://stjp.eics.ab.ca
Location: 9975 93 Avenue, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-992-0889
Twitter: @stjp2cs