Tuesday Notes
January 17, 2012
Dear Families,
I hope you were able to spend some time this weekend and share with your little ones how important human life is. We have the example of Dr. Martin Luther King who by many sacrifices (including his life) made it possible for all people in America to have the opportunity to fulfill their own personal dreams in addition to fulfilling his own dream. We are able to judge by ‘character’ not by the color of one’s skin. When I look at our classes (and Villa Teresa was one of the first to integrate in Oklahoma City), we have such a beautiful expression of God’s Garden. We are from all the corners of the world. We share our love of God from many religious backgrounds, and all are welcome. We have been given much for which to be thankful and we are also given much responsibility to preserve this awareness of God’s love for all people. Thank you for helping Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream come true. It is a dream however, that continually must be dreamt and brought to reality.
You are invited to join us this Friday, for our School Mass at 9:00 a.m. Rev Msgr Ed Weisenburger will be our celebrant.
Another very real expression of the value of life is being offered this Wednesday, January 18 at Our Lady’s Cathedral, 6:00 p.m. the Sanctity of Life Mass celebrated by our Archbishop Paul Coakley. After the Mass, there will be a talk by Greg Schleppenbach from Nebraska on “Proclaiming the Gospel of Life in a Culture of Death”.
The tables are out for baby items. Please bring your donations to the front office – we hope to fill the tables by the end of the week. The last day for donating is the end of Catholic Schools’Week Feb 3. The proceeds will go to Birth Choice, an organization who helps mothers and infants in need.
There are several assignments given prior to Catholic Schools Week – one is for you to share with us of how you feel about Villa Teresa School – why did you choose us? Letters will be read during Catholic Schools Week. Remember that Monday, Jan 30 you will be able to come and have a bit of breakfast. This is our offering of appreciation to you for choosing us for the educational setting for your little ones. After our Opening Prayer Service, Paul Cwynar will talk to the students about the work of World Neighbors. Last week, I sent invitations to community neighbors to come and visit us, Wednesday, Feb 1 from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. We hope you will also invite your employer. This invitation will be attached to those on our email list. Have them call and confirm their attendance. Our fourth graders will give tours. Tuesday is Staff Appreciation Day – A very special assembly will take place honoring their service and thanks to our homeroom parents’ efforts, volunteers will take the classes from 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. so that we can sit and enjoy the time together. If you would like to volunteer, let us know. That evening, we continue the Sisters and Spaghetti Dinner – no cooking at home (smile). All of the Sisters will come and join our school community so that you may get to know them.
Thursday is Student Day – throughout the day – music will present opportunities to get up and MOVE! We will also be entertained by St. Eugene’s School choir at 10:00 a.m.
Friday will be a very interesting day. It’s Celebrate Reading Day! Closing with a Faculty Basketball game – though you may not recognize us! The teachers will be dressed in their favorite book character. The week will close with a prayer service at the end of the game.
This year’s theme for Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools: Faith, Academics and Service”. We are also bringing contributions for the Sheriff’s Department “Polar Plunge” to benefit Special Olympics Oklahoma. A $1.00 donation will buy a polar bear to decorate walls and doors to show our support of students with special needs. If you are so inclined to represent Villa Teresa School in the actual plunge let me know.
Today, the three winning classes for the number of minutes in reading during our Book Fair Week celebrated their victory with a visit from Silly, the clown. Mrs. Goodwill’s, Ms Mary’s and Ms Marilyn’s students had the top number of minutes leading to the 100,000 minutes.
Menu for January 16 – January 20, 2012
Monday, Jan 16 (daycare) – Taco soup, carrots, rolls, plums, milk
Tuesday, Jan 17 – Sausage patties, pancakes, potato wedges, strawberries, milk
Wednesday, Jan 18 – Chicken fajitas, refried beans, oranges, milk
Thursday, Jan 19 – Mexican lasagna, salad, peach slices, milk
Friday, Jan 20 – Fish sticks, green beans, bread, pineapple tidbits, milk
Immersed in Christ (Third Week in Ordinary Time)
The Power of Light and Love
INVENTORY: How much power do you think you have? Who has more real power: presidents or parents? Priests or peers? What can each do?
INPUT: We ask God to direct his love that is within us so that our efforts in the name of his Son may bring humanity to unity and peace. The power to do this is love. And that love is within us. It is God’s love. We share in it.
Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10; Mark 1:13-20; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
INSIGHT: What is the greatest power on earth? Authorities and lawmakers have power to affect or change peoples’ actions. It takes a greater power to change peoples’ hearts. And that, more than anything else, is the power of example. Has this reflection made power something you want to think about in your life?
INITIATIVE: write down all you started doing because of others’ example. Look twice.
Birthday blessings to our following staff members this month! Raul Orduna (4), Tammy Valentour (10), Deborah Estrada (10), G. G. Burke (14), Andrew Migdalski (22), and Minnie Baber (30)
Thanks to all who expressed prayers and words of sympathy in the recent deaths of Sisters Joan Teresa and Joan Mary. May they rest in peace!
Posted on
Tue, January 17, 2012
by Sr. Veronica