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December 2014
We now enter into a very precious time of our liturgical year; the time of waiting
and preparation. Just as the Holy Family made their hearts ready, we too must
prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of our Saviour.
Our Faith Theme of Kindness continues to be exemplified in our school as we
strive to be a PAX community. An important aspect of the PAX program is the
tootle. Students are encouraged to write tootle notes to others in the community
celebrating acts of kindness they see.
November 3rd our Grade 6 students joined thousands of students from around
Alberta at WE DAY. This was a very inspiring day and our students returned
engaged and excited to shift thinking from Me to We and bring about a focus to
the community.
We look forward to sharing our Advent Liturgies with our friends and
families:
Tuesday, December 2nd - Advent One Liturgy (Marian Feast Day)
at 9:30 AM
(prepared by Mme Erins 1EH and M. Paulos 4PG classes)
Thursday, December 18th - Advent Two Liturgy at 1:30 PM,
(St. Vincent de Paul Food Blessing) prepared by Mme Erikas 1EO
class.
After the Advent Two Liturgy, at approximately 2:15 PM, we are
having a Christmas Presentation featuring Christmas songs
prepared by each class.
St. Jude Prayer for Advent
Lord Jesus, your power is infinite, your glory, everlasting.
Quietly you come, as a tiny baby. Ready my heart for the miracle of your birth.
Bring light to this dark world, waiting silently for your warmth in the coldness of the night.
Waiting is itself your gift, animating my heart with anticipation.
Bless me with needed patience and faithful discipline to prayerfully prepare to welcome and greet you.
St. Jude, eternal hope, let your holiness flow into me.
May Christmas joy and burning love take root in me and grow until they bloom on Christmas Day,
to carry joy to the world and inspire hope to renew the face of the earth.
Amen
May God bless you and your family during this Christmas season.
Mme Mary Laviolette
Principal
Faith in Action
Our Faith in Action theme for the month of December is Responsibility. As part of our Monday
morning announcements, student will be reminded of ways they can demonstrate responsibility in their
day to day activities.
BFGs
Our school community gathered together in our BFGs on November 26. The BFGs explored
perseverance. Each BFG participated in a variety of fun activities that highlight the importance of
teamwork and trying again in order to be successful in a task. The groups attempted balancing
activities, target games and even attempting to build a card tower. The students took time to explore
different solutions to the challenges and ways in which they could be successful. These fun little
activities presented different degrees of difficulty which challenged the students perseverance and stickto-itiveness. It was great fun to watch the older children help and guide the younger students efforts.
St Vincent de Paul
During this Advent season, we will be asking our students to contribute to the St Vincent de Paul
Society.
The collection will begin on Monday, December 1st and go until December 11th.
Please consult this core hamper listing of possible items.
Thank you for contributing.
Kraft Dinner
Spaghetti
Pasta (dry)
Rice (900g)
Soda Crackers (4 sleeve)
Pancake Mix
Pancake Syrup
Juice 1L
Jello Pudding
Jello
Canned Tuna
Canned Fruit
Your CCC committee
Mme Mary Laviolette and Mme Devon Shields
Page 3
Sacraments Received
The following students of cole Blessed Mother Teresa celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation
during the month of November.
Congratulations to:
Sara B.
Nyckolus M.
Peniel N.
Please pray for them as they continue their Catholic faith development.
Please inform us if your child/children received or are receiving sacraments this year at St. Patricks,
St. Albert the Great, St. Bonaventure or in another parish. We wish to include everyone in our yearend celebration recognizing faith development.
WHO
WHEN
Dance Club
Mme Erika
Div. I
Choir Club
Mme Halvorsen
Grades 1 to 6
11:40 AM on Day 2s
Mme Laviolette
Grades 1 to 6
11:40 AM on Fridays
Mme Laviolette
Div. II
Chess Club
Parents are encouraged to use the website My School Bus Monitor (http://myschoolbusmonitor.ca)
in order to track any delays in busing services for our bus numbers 15, 16, 19, 93 or 94
This service is provided to all Calgary schools and should be considered as the first step for parents
needing accurate updates in delay information.
***Our school is listed under the name: Blessed Mother Teresa
Children should be well prepared for extreme cold and not left unattended at bus stops for any period
of time, under any circumstances.
Inclement Weather
With colder weather now upon us, it is very important that our students come to
school dressed for the weather. Please label all of their belongings.
Bad Weather Procedures:
On rainy mornings or very cold ones (-18C wind chill), we invite students
to come into the school through their regular door, remove their outdoor footwear, drop their
backpacks at their classroom door and PROMPTLY go to the gym. Supervision will start at 8:40 am.
In the situation where your child must be dropped off at school earlier than the supervision time,
please have them enter the school through the front door, where the school office is located. They will
wait there until 8:45 am, when supervision will start in the gym.
Afternoon Kindergarten Families Only:
Mme Melanie will get the students at 12:48 pm at their
entry door. As always, please do not leave them unattended.
Page 5
Wednesday
December 24th
6:00 pm
9:00 pm
Midnight
Thursday
December 25th
9 am & 11 am
Please note:
The capacity of our building is of about 1800 people. Last year, at some
Christmas Masses we were close to, or over capacity, as follows:
December 24 6:00 PM
December 24 9:00 PM
December 24 12:00 AM (Midnight)
1950 people
1443 people
553 people
December 25 9:00 AM
December 25 11:00 AM
426 people
984 people
Due to safety regulations, please plan to attend Mass at a time of less congestion, if
possible.
Christmas Carols at St. Albert the Great Parish
When? Saturday, December 20th, after the 5 pm Mass.
Please come with your family (children must be accompanied by an adult), and
join us for an evening of Christmas carols.
We will be walking in the neighborhood, singing carols, and showing our joy for our Savior is
born!
Dress warmly; we will be outside no more than an hour.
Please join us in the basement of the Church after caroling, for hot chocolate and treats.
Youth Ministry
The Junior High Youth night for this month will be held on Tuesday, December 9th from 7 to 9
pm, starting with Holy Mass.
Note: There is no Youth night on December 23rd. Please join us on Dec. 20th instead, for some
Christmas Carols.
If you need more information, or to register, please contact us at youth@st-albert-parish.com
Page 6
St Patricks Parish
1414 Shawnessy BLVD SW, Calgary, Alberta T2Y 2L7
Phone (403) 254-6878 Fax (403) 256-0963
1. Confirmation
A total of 147 young people from our parish received the sacrament of Confirmation on Nov. 8 and 9,
2014. The breakdown for students from your school who received confirmation is as follows:
Mother Teresa
Confirmation
Gr. 6
3
At the beginning of November, I contacted the school office and was informed that the total number of
students in Grade 6 was 19 This means that 16% (3/19) of the Grade 6 students in your school received
confirmation. How can we increase the number of children receiving Confirmation in Grade? How
many students receive this sacrament at other parishes?
The parish receptionist will be sending the names of the students who received confirmation to the
school office this week.
2.
First Reconciliation
Registration for First Reconciliation began on November 4, 2014 and continues through November 28,
2014.
Registration forms were delivered to the Catholic schools within our parish on November 5 for all
students in Grade 3. Registration forms are to be returned to the parish by November 28 during parish
office business hours Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. For the convenience of parents, I will
be in the parish office on Wednesdays November 19 & 26 to accept registration forms. A parent
meeting will be held on Monday December 1. A poster was dropped off at the school office to post on
the school bulletin board.
To register a child for First Reconciliation, parents complete a registration form available from the
parish office and return the completed form and registration fee to the parish office. At the parent
meeting, the First Reconciliation preparation program is presented and parents will receive the book
their child will complete at home. For First Reconciliation your child will attend two preparation
sessions, each 1 hours in length, on Saturday mornings before they celebrate the sacrament on a
Saturday.
3. REJOICE IN GODS MERCY
Bishop Henry has decided to continue Rejoice in Gods Mercy for another year. This initiative consists
of all parishes in the diocese offering the sacrament of Reconciliation on all Wednesdays of Advent
from 7:30-8:30pm
in addition to other scheduled times for Reconciliation at your parish.
In addition to the regular parish schedule, the sacrament of Reconciliation will be available at parishes
throughout the Diocese of Calgary on all Wednesdays of Advent from 7:30 8:30pm:
Wednesday December 3
Wednesday December 10
Wednesday December 17
(The Wednesday after the fourth Sunday is Christmas Eve so there will only be three Wednesdays for
diocesan scheduled Reconciliation in Advent 2014)
Page 7
4.
5. Youth Group
Our Youth Group welcomes youth ages 12 to 18 to share their faith, meet new friends and have
fun on Monday evenings from 7pm to 9pm in the Parish Hall.
6. Childrens Liturgy of the Word
Childrens Liturgy of the Word continues at the Saturday 5:00pm, Sunday 9:00 am, 10:45am and
12:30 pm masses. The children leave mass before the First Reading and process to the hall
where they share the Gospel with each other, profess the Creed and participate in the Prayer of
the Faithful. The children return to their parents at the Presentation of the Gifts. No registration
is required and there is no fee.
7.
Christmas Masses
Christmas Eve Masses Wednesday December 24 6pm, 8pm, 10pm & 12 midnight
Christmas Day Masses Thursday December 25 9am & 10:45am
To avoid overcrowding, admission to the 6pm Christmas Eve Mass will be by ticket only. There is no
cost for the ticket. Tickets will be available from the parish office beginning Monday December 8.
8.
God bless you all, and have a safe and joyous season,
Judy Bibby, BMT school council chair
Fundraising Committee
Everyone, look forward to what is coming. The Foundation for Blessed Mother Teresa School will be
having a westjet raffle. For $10 per ticket, maximum of 1000 tickets being sold, this could be your
chance to win two tickets to anywhere westjet flies. What a great stocking stuffer this will make!!
More details to come soon.
Page 8
Religious Coordinator
As we wait and prepare, the season of Advent brings us the magnificent vision of life and hope for the
future given to us by Christ. It reminds us to set aside some of the hectic business of the season, and
to quietly reflect on the promise of the baby born in Bethlehem 2000 years ago.
We (our small prayer group) would like to invite you to pray the Rosary Friday mornings at 8:30 in the
chapel.
Merry Christmas!
Special Lunches
Our first special lunch in November was a great success! Thank you so much to the grades 5 and 6s
who helped us serve them! We are looking forward to serving more lunches throughout the year to
give parents a break from packing lunches and to give the students some variety and fun!
You can order one lunch at a time, or even order for the entire year. To register visit:
www.healthyhunger.ca
Our December Special Lunch will be held on Wednesday, December 10th and will be provided by Little
Caesars. Please note that the deadline to order for this lunch is Friday, December 5.
Page 9
Monday
1 Day 4
Grade 3s to Glenbow Museum
Div. II Intramurals, 11:40 AM
St. Vincent de Paul Food
Collection Begins
Tuesday
2 Day 5
Wednesday
3 Day 6
8 Day 3
Div. II Intramurals, 11:40 AM
4 Day 1
Dance Club, 11:40 AM, Gym
Thursday
9 Day 4
10 Day 5
Little Caesars Special Lunch
(If pre-ordered by a parent.)
11 Day 6
Friday
5 Day 2
Sat
11:40 AM:
Choir Club, Music Room
Card Games
Due day to pre-order special
lunch for next Wednesday at
www.healthyhunger.com
12 Day 1
13
14 15 Day 2
16 Day 3
17 Day 4
Grade 5s to
ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen
Dance Club, 11:40 AM, Gym
Christmas Presentation,
2:15 PM (by each class)
23
24
19 Day 6
25
26
Christmas Day
28 29
30
20
No Kindergarten Classes
Advent Two Celebration /
Food Blessing @ 1:30 PM
(by 1EO)
21 22
18 Day 5
Supervision begins at 8:40 AM. Students should not arrive at school before this time.
Kindly phone the School at 403-500-2078 if your child will be absent or late.
Messages can be left on the answering machine before or after school hours.
Any students wishing to leave the building during school hours due to illness, doctors appointment,
etc. must be signed out at the office by a parent/guardian.
27
C
December 2014
ONNECTIONS
CALGARY CATHOLIC
SCHOOL DISTRICT
1000 Fifth Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 4T9
403-500-2000
www.cssd.ab.ca
This writing speaks perfectly to this years faith theme, Love Kindness. Since we are
often distracted during this time of year by the commercialization of the Christmas season,
these words remind us to slow down and to reflect and plan the ways in which we may be able
to shine Christs light. Through acts of kindness such as showing compassion, encouragement and forgiveness for those we know as well as those who we do not know, we embrace
Christ and His teachings for us.
As shepherds in a modern world, we are called to reclaim Advent and the Christmas season as a holy time. The gospel message on the First Sunday of Advent reminds us to Be on
guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with ... the worries of life (Luke 21:34). What
a wonderful reminder to all of us to keep it simple so that we can focus on what is important.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas and a
very Happy New Year!
Linda Wellman
Chair, Board of Trustees
to them; and act courteously towards them. Both themes resonate throughout the Christmas
season and provide us with ample opportunities to make positive impacts within our own
lives as well as the lives of others.
This season, take the time to bring Christs light into the world through acts of justice and
kindness. Let us be respectful, courteous, patient, generous, dependable and thoughtful. Let
us extend our hearts and our hands out to those in needthe sick, the lonely, the fearful, the
poor, the hungry. Let our busyness be purposeful and meaningful. Advent gives us the opportunity to show our thanks and to demonstrate to the whole community what it means to
do justice and love kindness.
As you hang your Advent wreath this season, let it serve as a reminder that there is no
beginning or end to Gods love; there is time to look back at what we have accomplished this
year and plan our course for the coming year.
Enjoy this time with your children, your families and friends. Take time to recognize the
many ways that God is present in your life and how His presence touches who you are and
what you do.
Merry Christmas!
Gary Strother
Chief Superintendent
The day explored the second part of the districts three-year faith theme, Love Kindness.
From Bishop Henrys message, to the keynote speaker and his performance, the faith theme
resonated throughout the day.
Chief Superintendent Gary Strother spoke on the ways in which educators love kindness
every day. His speech was woven with stories and examples, giving insight into the caring,
compassionate and creative nature that district employees embody.
Healthy Children
Parent Newsletter
December 2014
Spending time with them, both at home and while taking part in activities outside the home.
Choosing the right time to talk to your child and trying to be available when they want to talk to you.
Knowing your children their activities and interests and getting to know who their friends are.
Speaking calmly and being prepared for resistance when emotional or difficult topics come up.
Not being resistant or emotional yourself.
For more information about talking to your child, building self-esteem, enhancing resilience, and other topics for parents please
visit www.albertahealthservices.ca/2434.asp.
Hand Washing
Anytime is hand hygiene time. Studies done by the Center for Disease Control have shown that if children wash their
hands as few as four times during the school day they have up to 50% fewer colds, flu and sore throats.
There are five important steps:
1. Wet hands with warm water
2. Apply enough soap
3. Scrub for 20 seconds focusing on the thumb and fingertips
4. Rinse off the soap and dirt
5. Dry hands well.
The first four steps remove 60% of the germs. The last 40% of the germs come off when hands are dried. Keeping skin
in good condition also keeps the germs away, so use lotion if skin gets dry. If the dirt is visible, waterless hand gels do
not work. The best way to keep the germs away is to use plain soap and water, spend the time and get good friction.
Hand hygiene continues to be one of the best and simplest ways to stay healthy all year round.
MONDAY
1
6:30pm First
Reconciliation
Parents Meeting
7:00pm
Youth Group
7:30pm Choir
Practice 12:30pm)
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
1:00pm
Seniors Group
3 9:30am
Moms Group
7:00pm Mass
9:30am Bible
Timeline Study
7:00pm Pillars II
7:30pm C.W.L.
Meeting
7:30pm K.C.
Executive Meeting
7:30pm Choir
Practice (10:45am)
7:30pm Young
Adults Meeting
7:30pm
Reconciliation
7:30pm
Legion of Mary
7:30pm R.C.I.A.
6:00pm Young
Peoples Choir
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
9:30am Womens
Scripture Study
7:00pm
Holy Hour
4:15pm 4:45pm
Reconciliation
6:00pm
St. Sebastian
School Advent
Mass
5:00pm Mass
6:00pm
Guadalupe Gifts
sale
6:30pm
Cubs
7:00pm
Stewardship Mtg.
7:30pm Choir
Practice (5:00pm)
8:00pm Choir
Practice (9:00am)
9:00am Mass
Solemnity of the
Immaculate
Conception
Guadalupe Gifts
sale after all
Masses
9:30am
Christmas Eve
(6pm Mass)
tickets available
for pick-up
7:30pm
Parish Advent
Reconciliation
Service
2:00pm
Servants of God
7:00pm
Youth Group
2nd SUNDAY
OF ADVENT
Masses: 7:30am,
9:00am, 10:45am,
12:30pm &
7:30pm
7:00pm Rosary
7:30pm Mass
1:00pm
Seniors Group
7:00pm Pillars II
7:30pm K.C.
General Meeting
7:30pm Choir
Practice (10:45am)
3rd SUNDAY
OF ADVENT
Masses: 7:30am,
9:00am, 10:45am,
12:30pm &
7:30pm
15
6:30pm
Youth Group
7:30pm
Choir Practice
(12:30pm)
S.V.P. Collection
9:30am Bible
Timeline Study
7:30pm Parish
Council Meeting
7:00pm S.V.P.
7:00pm
Scriptural Rosary
3:30pm Junior
Legion of Mary
7:30pm Choir
Practice (5:00pm)
4:15pm 4:45pm
Reconciliation
5:00pm Mass
6:30pm
Special Mass &
Simbang Gabi
6:00pm Young
Peoples Choir
7:30pm R.C.I.A.
16
12:00pm
Seniors Outing
17 9:30am
Moms Group
6:30pm CWL
Executive Meeting
6:00pm Young
Peoples Choir
7:00pm
Finance Council
7:30pm Y. Adults
7:30pm
Reconciliation
2:00pm Baptism
Preparation
7:30pm Choir
Practice (10:45am)
7:30pm R.C.I.A.
22
23
24
7:30pm
Choir Practice
(12:30pm)
OFFICE CLOSED
OFFICE CLOSED
7:00pm
Legion of Mary
S.V.P. Collection
2:00pm S. of God
13
7:30pm
Legion of Mary
2:00pm
Servants of God
4th SUNDAY
OF ADVENT
Masses: 7:30am,
9:00am, 10:45am,
12:30pm & 7:30pm
12
6:00pm
Cubs
7:30pm
Reconciliation
7:00pm Pastoral
Care Christmas
Celebration
21
11
8:00pm Choir
Practice (9:00am)
7:30pm Choir
Practice 12:30pm)
14
10 9:30am
Moms Group
18
19
20
S.V.P. Hamper
Packing (all day)
S.V.P. Hamper
Packing (all day)
S.V.P. Hamper
Delivery
6:30pm
Decorating Church
7:00pm
Holy Hour
4:15pm 4:45pm
Reconciliation
7:30pm Choir
Practice (5:00pm)
7:30pm
Legion of Mary
5:00pm Mass
OFFICE CLOSED
AT 12:00 NOON
& OPEN 9:30AM
ON JANUARY 5TH
S.V.P. Collection
26
27
8:00pm Choir
Practice (9:00am)
CHRISTMAS
EVE
Masses: 6:00pm
8:00pm, 10:00pm
& 12 Midnight
Tickets needed
for 6pm Mass
25
CHRISTMAS
DAY
FEAST OF
ST. STEPHEN
Masses:
9:00am, 10:45am
& 12:30pm
Mass: 9:00am
OFFICE CLOSED
OFFICE CLOSED
Mass: 5:00pm
OFFICE CLOSED
28 FEAST OF
THE HOLY
FAMILY
29
30
31
7:00pm
Legion of Mary
Mass: 7:30am,
9:00am, 10:45am
12:30pm &
7:30pm
NEW YEARS
EVE
Mass: 5:00pm
OFFICE CLOSED
OFFICE CLOSED
OFFICE CLOSED
Solemnity of
Mary Mother of
God - Holy Day of
Obligation -Masses:
PLEASE NOTE:
Tickets are required for attendance
at the 6pm Christmas Eve Mass
See calendar back
for more details.
7:30am, 9:00am,
10:45am, 12:30pm
& 7:30pm
The heavens proclaim his righteousness; and all the peoples behold his glory.
Psalm 97.6
Please note that the 6pm Mass requires tickets for admittance. (See below)
Thursday, December 25
Christmas Masses
Friday, December 26
9am
Saturday, December 27
Mass
5pm
Sunday, December 28
Holy Family
Monday, December 29
Daily Mass
9am
Tuesday, December 30
Daily Mass
9am
9am
5pm
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 7:30am, 9am, 10:45am, 12:30pm & 7:30pm
Holy Day of Obligation
World Day of Prayer for Peace
PLEASE NOTE Tickets are required for attendance at the 6pm Christmas Eve Mass.
They will be available from the Parish Office at 9:30am on Monday, December 8 th.
Tickets are not required for any of the other Christmas Masses.
The Parish Office will be closed from 12:00pm, Friday, December 19th to
Sunday, January 4th, inclusive.
Normal office hours will resume at 9:30am on Monday, January 5th.
2014 CHRISTMAS
MASS SCHEDULE
Effective December 24th, 2014 to January4th, 2015 inclusive
Christmas Eve Mass
Wednesday
Thursday
Weekday Mass
Friday
December 26th 9 am
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
December 27th
December 28th
December 29th
December 30th
December 31st
January 1st
5 pm
9 am & 11 am
No Mass
9 am & 7 pm
5:00 pm
11:00 am
Weekday Mass
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
January 2nd
January 3rd
January 4th
9 am & 7 pm
5:00pm
9 am & 11 am