November 23, 2016

                 ” Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of Thanksgiving. 

                                         W.T.Purkiser

                “ A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue , but the mother of all other virtues.
                                         Cicero

Dear St. Katharine of Siena School Families,

                  Last Wednesday evening we had the annual 8^th grade Thanksgiving Mass. At this mass, our 8^th graders honor and thank their parents for the many sacrifices that they make for their families. Unconditional love almost always involves sacrifice. Monsignor Brouwers, in his homily, reminded our 8^th grade class that their parents often sacrifice their own needs for the welfare of their children.  He also thanked our parents for their unconditional support for our parish and school. Our families, who provide Catholic education for their children, in many instances, give up something to give their children an education that is well -rounded and well-grounded in Catholic values.  Teaching our children to give up something for the good of others is certainly a life lesson that is worthwhile and expected for us as Catholics. Our parish/school communities are often asked to help through service. The past few weeks we have emptied out our closets in support for those who will face the cold winter months ahead and need warmth. Cradles to Crayons will once again benefit from your contributions and disperse those goods to those in need.  Thank you to those that brought in hats, gloves, coats, and scarves.

            I love this time of year, and I love Thanksgiving as much as any holiday!  Thanksgiving is a time for love and thanks. It is a great break in the action in the fast paced lives we lead. The early Pilgrims are credited for the holiday, and they got it right.  While we should give thanks every day for our blessings, it is good to stop and circle around the family table, break some bread, feast on a wonderful meal, and have a day to be with our loved ones. It’s no wonder that Thanksgiving is the most traveled holiday ever.  People want to come home and be with their family and friends.

            When I was a child, the time from Thanksgiving to Christmas seemed like an eternity.  Now it seems to be a blink of an eye.  This stretch from Thanksgiving to Christmas is full of a flurry of fun and favorite school community activities. Here are some dates to be marked in your calendars:

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·          * Donuts with Santa (Sunday, Dec. 4th ) for SKS Families and Friends

·          * Santa’s Secret Workshop (at school, during school, for the children

             (Dec 5^th - 7^th). 

           * Holyday - December 8th is the Feast of the  Immaculate Conception - no school

           * School Mass December 9th 9 AM  by 6th grade 

           * The KG - 4 Christmas Concert in church  on Wednesday, Dec. 14th at 7 PM

           * Christmas Bash - KG-4 in cafeteria December 16th 

           * The Annual 5^th to 8^th Grade Christmas Tableau in church on Wednesday,                 December 21 at 7 PM 

After this week, we move quickly into the season of Advent to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Christ Child.  I was glad to see that some stores have decided to close for Thanksgiving to give their employees a break to be with their families. Still the advertising media and the retail world have already both blitzed us with Christmas music and decorations since before Halloween. We need to remind ourselves and our children about the real focus of the Advent season. It is to prepare our hearts and minds for the birth of the Jesus. We are encouraged In Advent season to prepare to spend some extra time on prayer reflection, alms-giving, doing for others,and sacrifice. Try to make some time to reflect on just that. 

My thoughtful prayers of thanks are with you and your families this weekend. At the Tosti Thanksgiving table on Thursday, I will give thanks for my many blessings, including the St. Katharine of Siena School community as one of my most cherished gifts.   Thank you for care and commitment to this parish and school. Happy Thanksgiving to your family. 

A Thanksgiving Prayer

            For each new morning with its light,
            For rest and shelter of the night,
            For health and food,                                               For love and friends,
           For everything Thy goodness sends.
           Father in heaven, we thank you. Amen. 

Most grateful,

Bud

                                                     

Danny Ryan was one of our Peacemakers for the first trimester. 
                                                         

Science Investigations in Mrs. Stefan's  4th grade   science class. This one was on the law of conservation of mass. 

Sr. Maryanne Zacreski met with our 8th graders about her vocation.

                                        

The last of four Mulvanerty's, Nick, with parents, Jeanne and Mark, at the 8th grade Mass of Thanksgiving for parents.

Our music teacher, Ross Fry and Mary got married last weekend. Congratulations to them!

                                         

                          SKS Wildcat Day 

Veteran's Day Celebration

        SKS GOT TALENT

SKS  Handbag Bingo 

KG Thanksgiving Feast 

November 11, 2016

     Dear St. Katharine of Siena School Families,
              On this past Monday evening, I joined about 175 parents, teachers, and students from both SKS and SCJN schools for our joint Speak Up! event for 7th and 8th graders. I have probably attended a dozen or so Speak Up! events and each time I learn something more about what adolescents and families are experiencing.
               One thing I realize more and more is that today's world is much more complicated than mine or yours was. Their world moves much faster, too fast in fact. 
              Speak Up!'s Executive Director, Martie Bernicker, did a quick exercise with parents and students before the breakout sessions. She talked about the fact that every student carries with them to school a backpack with their books and belongings. However, along with that regular backpack, they carry with them an invisible backpack . In that invisible backpack is each child's hopes, dreams, fears, and inadequacies that young adults face: Am I smart? Am I good looking enough? Am I popular? What do my peers think of me?  The list goes on. Martie went on to mention that parents have invisible backpacks too that they carry with them: Am I doing too much or too little? How do I balance freedom with responsibility? Do I protect my child or let them make their own mistakes? These invisible backpacks can weigh on students and parents. They  can get really heavy with one big issue or a lot of little issues. Sometimes families have the same issues, and sometimes the issues differ from family to family. 
            The essence of Speak Up! is to let adolescents and parents  know they are not alone. It teaches our students that they can speak up and ask for help. We as adults can ask for help too. No family needs to walk alone. There is help available.  On Friday, November 18, at 8:30 there is a Speak Up! coffee at their home office on  528 E. Lancaster Ave., Suite #50. The guest speaker is Michael Blanche, who is excellent. The topic is Drugs & Alcohol. For more resources and assistance go to www.speakup.org
          This evening at 7 pm in cafeteria for our first Home & School Meeting, Drew Bergman from Minding Your Mind will be here to talk about his journey as a youth dealing with attempted suicide and how he overcame it. It's a serious topic and we have sent several reminders along with info about Drew on the Minding Your Mind website. 
         Tomorrow is Veteran's Day. We invite you and any veterans  to join us as we honor those who fought and continue to fight for our freedom at 1:30 in the schoolyard. Students have been encouraged to bring either pictures of family/friends who have or are serving or their names on an index card.  The SKS Band will play the national anthem, Msgr. Brouwers will say a prayer and blessing in honor of all who served , and Mr. Ross Fry will play Taps. As a school, we will recite the Pledge of  Allegiance. The entire school will assemble outside as our Student Council and a group of students from grades 5 to 8 will help unfurl a large flag  and then refold it properly to honor all Veterans. After that Student Council and the 8th grade will go over to Aberdeen Ave. by the rectory, where a tree will be planted to honor a Veteran. We hope you can come.   
         Friday evening is also our annual SKS Got Talent in the gym. Come see singing, dancing,  piano playing, comedy acts, jump roping and more as our students let their talents shine on the bright stage. There might even be a surprise act I hear !?
          Every Wednesday morning after the 8 am mass, a group of parents gather in the grotto and pray the rosary. Sometimes they are joined by a class who goes out to pray with them. Consider getting away from the daily grind for about a few minutes and spend some  quiet some time with our Blessed Mother. It's good for the soul.
          Please know that we can always use volunteers at lunch in the cafeteria and in the schoolyard to monitor the students. There is no sign up involved. If you have your clearances you can just show up any day that works for you.  
           We are collecting for those who will be cold during the winter days ahead. Send in any hats, gloves, and coats that are sitting in your closets for Cradles to Crayons.  We are a blessed community and we have an obligation to help those who cannot help themselves.
           There are still some beautiful fall colors in this season of autumn and Thanksgiving is right around the corner from us. Have a great Friday and weekend ahead. 

Take care,

Bud  

P.S. Get your family to Mass too!