Christmas Party Tomorrow!

When: Tomorrow, (Wednesday) December 21st

Time: 10:30 - 11:30

Where: 3A Classroom

Hope to see you there!

Christmas Reminders!

Fun Run T-Shirt Contest: Deadline, January 20th

Christmas Program on Monday!

Don't forget that our Christmas Program is Monday, December 19th at 6:15 p.m. in the Church! See you all there!

Busy Bag Reminder: Due December 16th

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PTO Week at a Glance

Save the Date!

Christmas Party!

Hello Families!
By now you have received a letter in your child's Tuesday Folder regarding our Christmas Party in 3A. We are getting excited! If you have misplaced the letter, here is a copy. A big "Thank you" to Mrs. Herrera and all parents who are helping or providing for our party. Can't wait!

Christmas Program!

The students have been working so hard on their Christmas Program. 3A will present their program along with all of the other "A" classes at 6:15 p.m. on Monday, December 19th. Looking forward to seeing everyone there in their Christmas Best!

Reconciliation: December 15th

Sometimes, when we think of the word mercy, we picture someone throwing themselves on their knees before a cruel villain, pleading to be spared some punishment. This is not our understanding of God’s mercy. We do not ask for God’s mercy because we are afraid of incurring his wrath as punishment for our sins. Rather, when we call on God to have mercy, we are calling on God in the only way we know him—as one who responds with compassion to those in need. When we show mercy to others, we are responding as God responds, with compassion.

 

This is such an awesome thing to remember as we prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation this coming Thursday at school. Each Advent and Lenten season, the students have the opportunity to receive this beautiful Sacrament that reminds us of God's mercy and compassion. Sometimes we may feel anxious or nervous to confess our sins, but it is important to remember that God longs to forgive you. Remember, God knows that you are much more than the worst thing you’ve ever done. Knowing this amazing thing, a few things that you can do to prepare for the Sacrament:

1. Recall the Act of Contrition.

2. Examine your conscience. For example: When I make choices, do I sometimes forget about what God wants me to do? Do I pray everyday? Do I pay attention at Mass? Do I try to see God in others?
Do I listen to my parents and teachers or do I ignore them? Have I made fun of my brothers and sister or my classmates? Do I say, “I’m sorry” to the person I have hurt and “I forgive you” to the person who has hurt me? Do I play fair or do I ever cheat at school or games? Have I taken something that does not belong to me? Do I tell the whole truth? Or do I lie about things to not get in trouble?
Am I jealous of what other people have or do I appreciate all that God has given me? Do I try to do my best in school? 

3. Remember, the priest will never tell anyone their sins.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day

On December 9, 1531, a 57-year-old Aztec, Juan Diego, saw the Blessed Mother on a hill in Mexico City. She told Juan to have a church built in her honor. When Juan went to ask Bishop Zumarraga about this, the bishop did not understand the Indian dialect—and he did not believe in the vision Juan described.
Three days later, on December 12, Mary appeared again to Juan Diego, and this time she gave him a sign for the bishop. “Take these roses to the bishop,” she said, as she arranged in his cloak beautiful roses she had Juan Diego pick from the hillside although it was winter. When he was admitted into the bishop's room, Juan Diego opened his cloak, and out dropped the roses. On the cloak there remained an image of Mary as she had appeared to Juan Diego.
The image of Mary on the cloak is known as Our Lady of Guadalupe for an interesting reason. On that same day, Mary appeared to Juan's uncle and cured him, giving him a message for the bishop, saying that she would “crush the serpent's head.” The bishop did not understand the Indians' language. The Indian word for “crush the serpent” sounded to him like “Guadalupe,” the name of Mary's shrine in Spain. Thinking that the Virgin wanted the new shrine to have the same name, the bishop called her Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Mary appeared to Juan Diego dressed as an Aztec woman to show her love and compassion to an oppressed group of people. Mary had heard the prayers and pain of these people, and she came to give them hope.
Mary's visit to Guadalupe is a reminder that God will remember his mercy for all people. In Mary's song of joy, the Magnificat, she praised God because he has put down the mighty, exalted the lowly, filled the hungry, and sent the rich away empty. People honor Our Lady of Guadalupe because they recognize her motherly concern for them.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass Tomorrow

Many people mistakenly believe that the Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ conception was most assuredly immaculate, but the Immaculate Conception does not refer to Jesus at all. The Immaculate Conception is in regards to Mary, Jesus’ mother. “The blessed Virgin Mary to have been, from the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, in view of the merits of Christ Jesus the Savior of Mankind, preserved free from all stain of original sin.” Essentially, the Immaculate Conception is the belief that Mary was protected from original sin, that Mary did not have a sin nature, and was, in fact, sinless.

In observance of this Holy Day of Obligation, we will have our weekly liturgy tomorrow, December 8th, instead of Friday. Hope to see you all at Mass.

PTO Week at a Glance

Feast of St. Nicholas: December 6th

Prayers for Iraan: Jean Day December 9th

Interested in the Christmas Eve Children's Choir?

December News