The Messenger
A Publication of St. Gabriel the Archangel School 11/10/2021
Dear Fabulous Families -
- Thank you to everyone who donated to Operation Sunscreen. St. Gabriel collected over 600 items to support our troops! This was also a competition for Houses in middle school. The top three were:
- Jude House
- Joan House
- John House
- Many thanks to all of our Veterans for their service to our country! Our 8th grade students pay tribute to our Veterans through their art thanks to art teacher, Mrs. Abramczyk. Please visit our virtual museum: Art to Honor
- St. Gabriel has the opportunity to partner with St. Louis College of Pharmacy at UHSP to host a clinic for the COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccinations for students ages 5-11 as well as adult vaccines and boosters would be available. However, we would like to gauge the interest of our St. Gabriel community before committing to this opportunity. We are looking at Friday morning, November 19, 7-9:00 am and Friday morning, December 10, 7-9:00 am for the dates to host this. Parents would need to accompany their child.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjdtVcyAcbMo1gDjgRoc6B_lsX1IJsujmT8RnEVU5a3L7Rng/viewform
We respect that each family needs to do what is best for their particular situation. We are offering this as a convenience for our community.
Peace and Joy -
Tonya McEnery
Principal
St. Gabriel the Archangel
Dan Winkeler
Assistant Principal
St. Gabriel the Archangel
celebrity teacher
Calling all HGTV lovers! Mrs. Minor, one of our 4th grade teachers is a reality TV star. Watch her next Monday on a new show Call the Closer. Call the Closer follows real estate and renovation expert Lauren Risley while she helps the pickiest home buyers from St. Louis find their perfect dream home. Tune in on Monday, November 15 at 9 pm Central time on HGTV and Discovery+ to witness the Mrs. Minor’s home renovation show.
St. Louis Metro District
Christmas Poinsettia and Urban Candle Fundraisers
This year there are two exciting Christmas fundraisers to support the 8th grade class; the annual poinsettia sale as well as a special Urban candle sale!
Order forms were sent home today in the yellow envelopes last week. Images of the order forms are shown below.
Vaccine information
covid-19 Vaccine Information
The CDC expanded it’s Covid vaccine recommendations to children ages 5-11 years old. The Pfizer vaccine has been given emergency use authorization and providers have started vaccinating for that age group.
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect children ages 5 years and older from getting COVID-19.
Vaccinating children can help protect family members, including siblings who are not eligible for vaccination and family members who may be at increased risk of getting very sick if they are infected.
Vaccination can also help keep children from getting seriously sick even if they do get COVID-19.
Vaccinating children ages 5 years and older can help keep them in school and help them safely participate in sports, playdates, and other group activities.
Help protect your whole family and slow the spread of COVID-19 in your community by getting yourself and your children ages 5 years and older vaccinated against COVID-19.
Vaccination appointments for 5-11 year olds are currently available at select Walgreens and CVS locations. More options to obtain the vaccine are anticipated through our local health systems and departments of health in the near future.
Press release by St. Louis City Department of Health
Dear Parents,
Congratulations and blessings to Brody Rapplean and his family! Brody was baptized at the 8 am Mass on Tuesday. We are grateful to be be able to celebrate the sacrament of Baptism during one of our school Masses.
This week on Thursday, we will celebrate a Veterans Day Mass. All family members that are Veterans are welcome to join us. We hope to be outside tomorrow.
In November, we focus and learn about the Catholic Social Teaching of:
Dignity and Rights of Workers
We are called to protect the basic rights of all workers: the right to engage in productive work, fair wages, private property, and the right to organize, join unions, and pursue economic opportunity.
Please pray for Pope Francis' intention for November:
We pray that people who suffer from depression and burn-out will find support and a light that opens them up to life.
Please keep our 2nd graders and their families in your prayers as the 2nd graders prepare to receive God's forgiveness and healing mercy in the sacrament of Reconciliation.
Act of Contrition
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against You, whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Amen.
Important Dates for Sacraments:
First Reconciliation- Thursday, November 11th at 7:00 pm
First Communion Parent Meeting- Thursday, April 7th, at 6:30 pm in church
First Communion- Sunday, May 1st
Confirmation:
Wednesday, November 10- Confirmation Rite of Enrollment at 8:00 am Mass
Tuesday, April 26- Confirmation Day of Prayer
Thursday, April 28- Confirmation at 7:00 pm Mass at SGA
We continue to celebrate our Thursday, All School Masses, on the school parking lot. It is our hope to hold our all school Masses outside as the weather permits so that we can gather in a safe way.
For our level Masses on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we have changed from rotating two grade levels at a time to having one grade level attending at a time so students can be safely distanced. The grade level of the homeroom that is planning will be in attendance at the Mass. The schedule below is updated to reflect this new change. Parents are always welcome to join us for Mass.
Mass Days:
November
Thursday, 11/11 5A Veterans' Day Mass -We will pray for and acknowledge Veterans that are present.
Tuesday, 11/16 3P
Wednesday, 11/17 6J
Thursday, 11/18 4S
Tuesday, 11/23 All School Mass Joan House
Tuesday, 11/30 4P
December
Wednesday, 12/1 5A
Thursday, 12/2 John House -Collection for Whole Kids Outreach
Tuesday, 12/7 2A
Wednesday, 12/8 No School- Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Thursday, 12/9 6J
Tuesday, 12/14 1C
Wednesday, 12/15 7M
Thursday, 12/16 4P
Peace and blessings!
Deborah DaLay
Coordinator of Religious Education
PFA Parent Volunteer Opportunity: Christmas Party Coordinators
community outreach
PFA Community Outreach Committee has been working on providing community service opportunities for families to engage in together. While searching, we came across some that we would like to share. Below are some upcoming opportunities through St. Patrick Center that you and your family can get involved in. See details below:
Trevisano Teddy Bear Christmas Land
St. Patrick Center is recruiting volunteers for Trevisano Teddy Bear Christmas Land in November and December. The Trevisano family’s display in Crestwood includes thousands of lights, 100+ teddy bears, animations and, of course, Christmas music. St. Patrick’s Center needs volunteers to manage the St. Patrick Center donation box outside on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00pm or 6:30-8:30pm, from Thanksgiving until Christmas.
Dinner Preparation
St. Patrick Center needs volunteers to prepare a meal at their own expense for up to 30 clients in our Women's Night Program. This opportunity is available every day. Volunteers can choose to drop off the meal, or serve it themselves. Everyone on site must be 14 years of age or older, but this could be a good opportunity for a couple of families to divide and conquer a meal for this group.
For more information and or to sign up for these opportunities, contact:
Katie Joseph, Senior Manger of Development Operations at St. Patrick Center at kjoseph@stpatrickcenter.org or at 314-802-1976.
If you have ideas on how to engage families in community service or have an opportunity you would like to see St. Gabe’s families engage in please contact:
Erin Backes
PFA Community Outreach Chair
Year at a Glance
November 11- First Reconciliation for 2nd grade at 7:00 pm
November 12- School Picture Make-Up Day in the morning
Teacher Planning and Collaboration - NOON DISMISSAL
1st Trimester Ends
November 24- NO SCHOOL- Thanksgiving Break
November 25- NO SCHOOL- Thanksgiving Break
November 26- NO SCHOOL- Thanksgiving Break
December 8- Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Holy Day - NO SCHOOL
December 15- Vocal Concert 7pm
December 16- Band Concert 7pm
December 20- January 2- NO SCHOOL- Christmas Break
January 3- School Resumes
January 14- Teacher Planning and Collaboration - NOON DISMISSAL
January 17- Martin Luther King Jr. Day- NO SCHOOL
January 30-February 5 - Catholic Schools Week
January 30- Catholic Schools Week - Prospective Student Open House
January 31- Catholic Schools Week - Writing Celebrations, 7:30 am - 8:30 am
February 4- Catholic Schools Week- NOON DISMISSAL
February 14- Valentine's Day- Valentine Parties @ 2:05
February 18- Teacher Planning and Collaboration - NOON DISMISSAL
February 21- Presidents' Day- NO SCHOOL
February 25- End of 2nd Trimester
March 5 - Auction
March 13- March 19- NO SCHOOL- Spring Break
March 30 - Student-led Conferences
April 7- First Communion Parent Meeting at 6:30 pm in church
April 14- Holy Thursday- NO SCHOOL
April 15- Good Friday- NO SCHOOL
April 18- Easter Monday- NO SCHOOL
April 28- 8th Grade Confirmation 7pm
May 1- First Communion- 2nd Grade
May 7- 8th Grade Follies 7pm
May 10- Vocal Concert 7pm
May 11- Band Concert 7pm
May 13- Field Day- NOON DISMISSAL
May 20- 7th Grade Leadership Day and 8th Grade Mystery Day
May 24- 8th Grade Graduation 6:30pm
May 27- Last day of school- NOON DISMISSAL
Gift cards for the holidays
Purchase gift cards through ShopwithScrip.com for your holiday shopping and gift giving.
We will process online orders twice leading up to the Christmas break; gift cards ordered by Monday, November 29 will be sent home on Friday, December 3 and orders placed by Monday, December 13 will be sent home on Friday, December 17.
Please see attached flyer for additional information. For any questions, please contact Margie Uxa @ uxam@stgabrielstl.org
SGYG News and Items Needed for Blessing Bags
Donation Request
SGYG is collecting items to make "Blessing Bags" for the homeless. Once completed, these bags will be available for families or individuals to keep in their car and give to the homeless as they see them while driving. Collection bins have been placed in the vestibule of church and at school and will remain until Wed. Nov. 17th.
See the list below of items needed: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JXEe7H2U8NLgC_HNnrXNRs20wgAoecsK/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117940976379995619450&rtpof=true&sd=true
Calling All High School Teens of the Parish:
*You are invited to SGYG Nights! These occur on Wednesday evening from 7-9pm in Gabriel House. Feel free to bring a friend (they don't have to belong to St. Gabriel Parish) and see what SGYG is all about! (Masks are required.)
SGYG Calendar of Events
Nov. 10th (Tonight!) - The Office Olympics! Be prepared to take part in "Olympic Games" inspired by the hit tv show, The Office.
Nov. 17th - Part 3 of “The Work at Hand” Social Justice and the Beatitudes: This night will include making "Blessing Bags" for the homeless.
Nov. 24th - NO YOUTH NIGHT ~ Happy Thanksgiving! ~
Dec. 1st - Part 4 of “The Work at Hand” Social Justice and the Beatitudes: We will begin the night at 7pm in Gabriel House, but at 8pm we will move over to church for Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Families are welcome to attend Adoration and Reconciliation in church with their high schooler(s).
Dec. 8th - We will be attending the evening Mass to celebrate the Immaculate Conception. Any teens interested in helping with the Mass as servers, readers, cantors, choir members, etc. should contact Sarah ASAP! Following Mass, we will enjoy a pizza dinner and tie-dye t-shirts. Please rsvp to Sarah by Dec. 3rd. hendersons@stgabrielstl.org
Dec. 15th - Tacky Christmas Sweater Party: This will be our Christmas Party and the last meeting of 2021.
Dec. 22nd & 29th - NO YOUTH NIGHTS ~ Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! ~
Jan. 5th - First Youth Night of 2022!