Principal's Notes: Monday, November 21, 2011

Monday Notes
November 21, 2011

Dear Families,

This week as we prepare for Thanksgiving, let us remember all the gifts God gives us daily. Besides the beauty of this fall season with all its glorious colors and brisk reminders of upcoming winter, my most sincere is the prayer of thanksgiving for YOU! and for your trust in us for the educational setting of your children. I am also grateful for the many hours of volunteer work, your assistance in projects and reviewing your child’s daily work – for the support you give each other. I am grateful for our wonderful teachers who spend hours not only in planning, but continual formation to improve techniques and to discover how to reach each and every one of their students. Our support staff who without them the school would not run as efficiently – we so need our kitchen staff, maintenance and cleaning crew. Everyone’s gifts help make the reality of school life.

Tomorrow is the last day for our Food Drive. After school, our fourth graders will assist me in forming the ‘mountain’ in front of the altar – let’s hope we have at least as much as last year –for some families – life is harder this year. I went shopping Saturday! There is a certain element of joy knowing someone will be happy with our offering and some one will go to bed less hungry. As I’m writing this on the Solemnity of Christ the King Sunday – we heard in the Gospel today – “For as much as you do for the least of my Brethren, you do it for me.” Our choir director gave an excellent talk to us before Mass and stated that those last five words are the most important in life. It is really what sums up what I share with our students (and staff) all the time. The Lord dwells within each of us. Whatever we do, or say or think – it is to our Lord, Jesus Christ. So if you have not gone shopping, please help us share with those less fortunate.

Our first week of turning in our Reading Logs was great, even though several wasn’t sure when to turn them in. We have already 10,274 minutes and the rocket in the hallway has begun its journey up to the 100,000 minutes goal. Please remember to put you names on the slips so credit can be given. Today (Monday), your child will receive Grandparent invitations to color over the weekend and deliver to their grandparents for the Grand Event. This is a special opportunity for Grandparents to come and take their grandchild to the Bookfair where they can read books, enjoy refreshments and of course, buy books!

The schedule for basketball is on the CGSAA website. We still need a coach for one of the kindergarten teams. Our second, third and fourth graders are playing on Rosary’s team.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone! The School’s celebration of Mass will be Wednesday, November 23 with Abbot Lawrence from St. Gregory’s as our presider. The Mass is at 9:00 a.m.

Menu for November 21- 23, 2011
Monday, November 21 – Chicken Parmesan sandwiches, baby carrots, applesauce, milk
Tuesday, November 22 – Ham, sweet potatoes, rolls, jello and mixed fruit, milk
Wednesday, November 23 – Turkey, mashed potatoes and brown gravy, green beans, pears, milk

Immersed in Christ (Christ the King)
Continuation on the taking responsibility for knowing the Mind of God

Today, rather than jumping ahead to Advent, which begins next Sunday, I would like to share Fr. Knights summary of reflection on today’s Gospel (Matthew 25: 31-46). In this passage, all who are judged are surprised at what God says about them, the “sheep” as well as the “goats.” The good didn’t know they were that good; the bad didn’t know they were that bad. Surprise all around! God offers everyone the grace of sharing in his divine life. Our faith obliges us to treat everyone with the love we give to Jesus himself (John 13:34; 15:12 “Love one another as I have loved you”).

INVENTORY: By earnest study and reflection, we gain knowledge of the way God thinks. What is his attitude toward people? What does he want yours to be/ Is this reflected in the way you treat people? All people?
INSIGHT: What does it mean for you personally to be in the service of Christ the King?
INITIATIVE: Look forward to the “end time.” Look around you always to see what needs to be done to extend the reign of Christ over every area and activity of human life on earth.