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End of Week 14
Published on Dec 8, 2017 18:21
Hi everyone,
We had a tremendous turnout for our Grade 8 Parent information evening this week! We are very excited to see how many new grade 9's we will have next year -- over 200! HT is really growing!
I know summer is still 6 long months away, but we have an exciting student travel opportunity this summer for students. The Simcoe-Muskoka Catholic District School Board is offering students the chance to take Grade 12 English Writer's Craft (College or University) in England and Ireland! This is an incredible opportunity for students to visit some of the landmark locations in the literary works they study, walk in the footsteps of famous writers, and see what inspired them. Cost is $3549 (plus optional protection plan of $189). Students who enroll by Tuesday Dec. 12th will save $50, for a total of only $3499. Space is limited, so sign up now by printing and submitting this application. The full trip itinerary is available here.
We now have just two weeks to go until Christmas Break, and there are a number of events taking place as we wind up 2017:
- Our school musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will open Thursday, December 14th for two nights. This play tells the story of Joseph, one of the 13 sons Jacob, whose ability to interpret dreams brought him from the depths of slavery to the heights of power under the great Pharaoh of Egypt. The students have been working hard since September. It's a great family show for all ages. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. Don't miss this wonderful musical. Get your tickets from Mr. Grogan or any of the drama students.
- Our school Advent Mass takes place Tuesday, December 19th at Holy Martyrs of Japan Church. School masses are an integral part of our school identity and culture, and we expect all students to attend. Please help us out by not allowing your teen to stay home that morning.
- Christmas Activity Day is Friday, December 22. Students have the opportunity to take part in a number of different activities, from Christmas shopping, to skiing, to Escape Room experience and more! Sign up and payment are through School Day. Be sure you have your account!
Sunday also marks the beginning of the second week of Advent, a time of prayer and reflection. Here are some things you and your teens can pray for during Advent:
- Pray for attentiveness to what truly matters, without being distracted by trivial things.
- Pray for opportunities to learn something new regularly.
- Pray for discernment of how God would like you to set your priorities and the ability to focus
- on them consistently to fulfill His purposes in your life.
- Pray for the grace to be able to rest, become aware of God's presence, and enjoy it.
- Pray for strong relationships with other people in the bond of loving community.
- Pray for peace in all situations, no matter what the circumstances.
- Pray for an enlivened imagination that helps you contribute to the world in creative ways.
- Pray for freedom from all that burdens you - past mistakes, fears, destructive habits, hurts other people have inflicted, and more
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Pray for joy and a sense of humor.
- Pray for confidence in God's love for you and trust in His power to work things out for the best in your life.
- Pray for a clear mind and the ability to clearly communicate what you value to others.
- Pray for purity so you can grow as a person and encounter God more fully.
- Pray for openness to the Holy Spirit's guidance.
- Pray for a genuine awareness of God's grace in your life and the humility to extend grace to others.
- Pray for a passion to pursue justice.
There are many expectations put on us during Christmas season that can cause stress, anxiety, worry and sadness, especially for our teens. Please take some time as a family to talk about the importance of Christmas as our Catholic origin story rather than a time of commercialism and gifts. Christmastime is a great opportunity for students to earn volunteer hours as a way to understand the value of being selfless and charitable.
Finally, I offer a prayer for Advent that I hope you will find appropriate and useful:
Lord, in a season when every heart should be happy and light, many of us are struggling with the heaviness of life—burdens that steal the joy right out of our stockings. Tragedy arrives as innocent victims suffer, and an inner voice whispers, “Be afraid!” We need your peace, Jesus.
We confess that our hearts are too often filled with wonder of a different kind: wondering when the bills will be paid, when the terror will stop, when rest will come. Will it ever? Is the message still true? In a world where worry, not peace, prevails, stir up that good news again.
This Advent, make it real in our hearts. Never have we needed Your joy and peace more than now. Thank You for the gift of Jesus, our Immanuel, the Word made flesh. We not only need Your peace and joy; Lord, we crave it.
You’ve promised rest for the weary, victory for the battle-scarred, peace for the anxious, and acceptance for the broken hearted—not just at Advent, but every day of every year. Your name is still called “Wonderful,” “Counselor,” “The Mighty God,” “The Everlasting Father,” and “The Prince of Peace.”
We know that peace on earth can only come when hearts find peace with You. You are still our Joy. You are still our Peace. You are no longer a babe in the manger. You are Lord of lords and King of kings.
And we still celebrate You as Lord—this Christmas and always.
God Bless
Brian McKenzie
Principal
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