December 6, 2011

Dear Parents,

Here we are in the second week of Advent already. It is certainly a joyous season of preparation and anticipation as well as the beginning of a new liturgical year in our Church. This year, Advent also marks the beginning of many changes in the Liturgy. The new responses at Mass cause us to break out of our routine and rote responses and focus more closely on our participation in the Mass. This is a great opportunity to reflect on what this new wording (translation) really says to us in our hearts and souls.
    
During Advent, today as a matter of fact, we celebrate the Feast Day of St Nicholas. Nicholas was a bishop in Turkey in about the year 300.  The many legendary stories of his charitable deeds became the basis for the figure of Santa Claus. This popular saint serves as a model for his love of children, his care for the poor, and his spirit of giving. This morning students in Pre-K through 4th grade placed a shoe outside their classroom door in anticipation of a visit from St Nicholas. You might ask your child what happened. This little tradition serves to reinforce the stories of this holy man.
    
Also in St Nicholas’ spirit of helping the poor, students were treated to a visit from Fr. Ken Deasy who talked to our children about his work with the Holy Childhood Association.  Father spoke to the students about the work being done in the missions and in particularly in Haiti. Again, ask your child what he/she leaned from the images and Father’s talk. Students have been given Holy Childhood boxes to fill during this Advent season. Boxes should be returned to school on Wednesday December 14. It would be a wonderful learning experience if the children themselves earn the money for their mission boxes.

Peace and joy,
Sr. Judy

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Read:  Mark 1:1-8

Listen to the Word:  As you read this reading, what words of phrases strike you?

Theme:  Preparing a pathway in our lives

Question:  How do you experience God taking care of you, even in times of trouble?

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Calendar
    Dec. 6      Feast of St. Nicholas
    Dec. 8      Feast of the Immaculate Conception/ Mass 8 a.m. /All are welcome!
    Dec. 11     Youth Mass 7 p.m. in the Hall/Please join us!

ANOTHER ST. NICHOLAS OPPORTUNITY:  Our Student Council is sponsoring a Toy Dive for the children of Mother of Sorrows School. Toys should be wrapped and marked with the age and gender of the child receiving the gift. Toys may be brought to school from now until December 14.

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, December 15 is the date for our traditional Christmas concert here at St Jerome. Bring the grandmas, grandpas, aunties and uncles to the annual SJS Christmas Chorale at 7:00 pm in the Church.  The children are to wear their “Sunday Best”.
 
FAMILY FEATURE: Coming soon to our SJS Website: Our new "Family Feature" will give our website's visitors a better idea of what our students and their families are all about. We'd love to feature a different family each month of the year, or more often, depending on interest. How can you help?  Fill in the Family Feature page enclosed in the family envelope, and return it to the office. Questions? Email  cheppell@stjeromewestchester.org

YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS: Game Night!!! Our next youth night is this Thursday, December 8th at 7pm. Bring your favorite Playstation, board or card games.  Sunday, December 11th, is our next Youth Mass. Come to celebrate Gaudete Sunday with us at 7pm in the hall!

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!!!!  SATURDAY, JANUARY 21st    DOUBLE HOUR OPPORTUNITY!!!!
Calling all PLUMBERS, PAINTERS, AND HANDYPERSONS-your help is needed!  You will receive double hours for completion of a particular task.  After watching Mr. Martinez work diligently all summer, I have a whole new appreciation and respect for all that Mr. Martinez does for St. Jerome School.    There is an enormous amount of work to be done. Outside contractors are too costly, so it’s up to us, the parents, to keep our school beautiful and clean for our children. This opportunity is very rewarding, fun and the fellowship is one of a kind. There will be more details as the date approaches.  For further information and sign ups, please contact Carolyn Gurich at gurich1us@yahoo.com or call 424 207-8558 after 6:00pm to volunteer.

LET THE RECYCLING BEGIN: Our St. Jerome School Recycling Program will start this Friday, December 9th.  Bring ALL your bottles and cans!  Our school recycling program is designed to educate our children about the importance of recycling by encouraging them to make recycling a part of their everyday lives.  Every Friday you will be able to drop off your bottles and cans via carpool drop off/pick up or walk it up to one of our designated receptacles on the school grounds.  We need volunteers who can give twenty to thirty minutes of their time for this program in the morning and/or after school to collect and/or sort.  You will receive double hours for transporting the items to the recycling center.  If you would like to become one of our Recycling Volunteers, please contact Renett Young.

OFFERTORY CARDS: Please complete the green cards inserted into today’s envelope and add the grade of your oldest child. These cards are used to determine tuition rates for the upcoming school year. Please return to the school office as soon as possible.

MARKET PLACE: Did you know that you can shop online and our school will get credit for a percentage of your purchases? It’s easy and quick. Just click here on Market Place. Many stores will pop up to choose from. See’s Candy, Best Buy, Target, Barnes & Noble, and Staples, are just a few of the stores to choose from.

WORLD’S FINEST CHOCOLATE: Coming soon will be boxes of chocolate bars that you may purchase and sell at your convenience. There are 50 bars in each box. Each box is $50.00. Make checks payable to St. Jerome School. Your family will receive $25.00 fundraising credit for each box that you buy.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS: If you ordered Scrip, pick-up this week is on December 8, 2011 from 7:30a.m. to 8 a.m. and 2:30 to 3:30 pm in the Art Room..
 
RALPHS & VONS: Did you know by registering or renewing your club cards online you will earn credits while you’re shopping?  All you have to do is go online and add St Jerome School as your organization, and the earning begins!

CONGRATULATIONS: The National Council of Negro Women Community Service Award was presented to Ravan Robertson, Grade 3, in recognition of her contribution of 10 shoeboxes to Operation Shoebox, a community outreach event to help the ladies of downtown skid row with travel-sized toiletries. This event was held on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. Council House in Los Angeles. Ravan has been saving some of her allowance money all year to buy toiletries for the ladies on Skid Row. She packed and decorated 10 boxes for this annual event.

Quote for the Week

When people discover their own capacity to give life and hope to others, then they want to give more . . . the power of love rises up.
                                                                                                                               —Jean Vanier

Family Envelope - December 6, 2011