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Set of weekly School Newsletters

St. Henry School Newsletter

December 5, 2008

“I, for my part, declare to you, you are Rock, and on this rock

I will build my church, and the jaws of death shall not prevail against it.”

Matthew 16: 18

May your Advent preparations for the coming of the Lord be going well. Isn’t the Advent wreath in church lovely? As many of you know, the evergreens in the circle shape represent our eternal God – no beginning and no end – and the promise of life everlasting with the evergreen. The four candles symbolize our approximately four weeks of anticipation and preparation for the Lord’s coming – a memorial celebration of the past event of his birth in human history, the growth of his presence in our own personal life and in our present world, and his final triumphal coming at the end of time. Purple is used on three of the candles to remind us of the need for conversion and penance, and pink is customary for the third week as an expression of the growing joy we feel as the Lord’s nearness starts to impact us. The lit candles, of course, are an ancient and long-standing symbol of the Lord himself, the Light of the world. The addition of the fruit on our church wreath is an artistic way of reminding us of the Garden of Eden experience of our past and the hoped for joys of our heavenly home. We Catholics do have a grand tradition of using our physical environment to speak of spiritual realities!

Some important reminders and upcoming events

You will find a flyer about a movie being offered this Sunday in the Parish Center by the joint parish Gift group. It’s The Nativity, a lovely and well done rendition by Hollywood of the story of the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. Acting is good and the scenery and sets are very realistic. Heartily recommended.

A thank you to HASA for providing some St. Nick’s gifts today in anticipation of tomorrow’s feast day.

Speaking of treats . . . because most of the school (grades 2-8) will be gone for The Nutcracker at Whitewater next week Friday, the eighth graders will have their weekly popcorn sale on Thursday.

Speaking of The Nutcracker . . . children will need to bring lunches with the same restrictions we had for the Holy Hill trip. No soda please – water or juice – and in throw away bags with the students’ names and grades on each one. Everything will be thrown away after lunch so be careful to not include any utensils or containers you would ordinarily have wanted back. Should be a very nice event.

The night before, of course, will be our Christmas performance – a project Mrs. Oestreicher and the youngsters in grades 4K (preschool) through grade 5 and the upper grade choir and Chuck Norris Quartet have been busy working on. Doors to the PC will open at 6 pm for the early birds, but children will not be allowed into the classrooms until 6:15 at the earliest. All participants should be in their classrooms by 6:25. Children should be dressed in nice clothes appropriate for church and following our school’s dress code. Christmas outfits or clothes in Christmas colors would be great. Although probably not a necessary comment to make, participation in this program is an expectation – and considered an important part of the students’ second quarter music grade. Enjoy! The performance does begin at 6:30. HASA decided not to sponsor any gathering following the program because it is a school night and some of the younger ones will already be past their normal bedtimes by the time everyone gets home.

By the way, we did have to change our spring performance date from March 26 – which is the date on your annual calendar – to the next week, Thursday, April 2nd. You might want to notate that some place. I will certainly be mentioning it again in a few month and putting it on the weekly calendar as it approaches. But sometimes grandparents arrange vacations around special school events so we thought we better give you this early notice.

Another upcoming event sponsored by and for the fund-raising efforts of the eighth grade class is a “Kids’ Night Out” activity coming up next Friday night, December 12th. You will see details about it on a green flyer. This is not an event a parent has to be present for, although you are certainly welcome to stay. The eighth graders will lead some fun, age-appropriate games and share some snacks with the kindergarten through grade 5 participants. There is a $5.00 per student charge -- which may be well worth the time it gives Mom and Dad to get a little shopping done or enjoy some alone time. There may be more such “Nights Out” offered in the future. Please return the permission slip included in the packet on Monday so the eighth graders can plan the events based on who and how many can be expected. There will be adult supervision, of course.

I’ve been asked to let you know that the biannual St. Henry Parish Auction will be held on Saturday, February 7 at the Watertown Country Club. Those who have attended in the past know what a GREAT night out this is. Clear your calendars for it! More details will come in the near future.

Home basketball games here tomorrow! They begin at 9:30 and the last one is scheduled to begin at 12:30.

Such a busy and hectic time! May you find much peace and joy in it, nevertheless. Come, Lord Jesus!

Dates to Mark on Your Calendar

DECEMBER

Friday 05 Eve of Saint Nicholas Day

Market Day

Sunday 07 Joint parish “Gift” free movie event, The Nativity in St. Henry PC at 3pm.

Monday 08 Immaculate Conception Feastday. Holy day of obligation. Children will

attend 8:15 Mass. Grade Seven will fill liturgical roles.

Thursday 11 Christmas Program in St. Henry Parish Center, 6:30 pm

Friday 12 Grades 2-8 attend “The Nutcracker” in Whitewater.

Kraemer/Kringle pick up in PC at end of the afternoon

“Kids’ Night Out” sponsored by the eighth grade class, PC, 6-7:30 pm, $5 charge

Saturday 13 First Reconciliation for Grade Two at 7 pm

Tuesday 16 Grade Seven to Madison for “The Christmas Carol”

Wednesday 17 Grade Five fills liturgical roles at 8:15 Mass

Th-Fri 18-19 HASA Santa’s Secret Shop Store

Friday 19 Student Council Crazy Day

Mid-quarter reports go home.

JANUARY

Monday 05 School begins again following Christmas break.

Wednesday 07 Grade Three fills liturgical roles at 8:15 Mass

St. Henry/St. Bernard Play Group meets in PC, 9:30 – 11:30 am

Friday 09 St. Council “Plaid Day”

Memory verse for December 8-12

(Jesus continues) “I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you declare bound on earth

shall be bound in heaven. Whatever you declare loosed on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)