12/1/08

December 2008

December 2008

While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7

How quickly we have moved into the Advent Season this year. Every year I think I will be ready for it, but it always catches me by surprise. This is probably the busiest month we have at Our Lady of Perpetual Help as we prepare for the coming of the Lord spiritually and for the end of the first semester academically. But, somehow we always manage to integrate the two successfully.

We will begin the new month this year welcoming a new priest to our parish and school community. Father Alex Waraksa is not new to OLPH; therefore, it will be welcoming him home more than just welcoming him to a new place. Several of us have worked with him before (I did at St. Jude), and although we will miss Father Manuel, we are looking forward to having Father Alex here. We are planning a meet and greet reception for him. Our preliminary plans are on December 12th after the all school mass. Dr. Morgan, our superintendent, will also be here on that day, and this is a way for our students and parents to meet both. We will send out an email to confirm or change the date.

Our book fair will be the first of this month. Drop in and do some Christmas shopping. Speaking of Christmas shopping, don’t forget the Scrip program we have going on. If you want to give a gift card to someone, buy it from the Home and School; you will be giving two gifts for the price of one.

Speaking of Home and School, they are very busy this month. First of all, they are sponsoring the Catholic Charities Christmas project this year for five needy families. We will have 3 “Giving Trees” on campus: one in the main building, one in the library, and one in the Holy Family Hall. This project was introduced at Home and School’s November 19th meeting. More information will be sent out on how you and your children may get involved to help these families. Thank you in advance for your help and charity.

On December 5th, Home and School will host “An Evening with Santa”. Traditionally, this has been a “Breakfast with Santa”, but this year they are trying something different. This is also the First Friday of the month and there will be an evening mass followed by the Fish Fry of the Knights of Columbus. Therefore, this should be a wonderful evening for the entire parish. Plan to join us if you can.

Also, on December 5th, Mrs. Dee Grant will lead the bell chime choir at mass for the last time. She has graciously given her time and talents to our students for many years. She will be missed, and we wish her well. She has been looking for someone to take over this choir, but has been unsuccessful. If you or anyone you know is interested, contact me. This has been a wonderful enrichment for our children, and we would like to continue it.

With the end of the year comes the end of the second nine weeks and the first semester. The middle school students will be taking exams before Christmas break. The teachers should be sending out their exam schedules shortly.

With everything else that is going on, the children are working on the Christmas Program. This program will be taking place December 18, 7:00 P.M. at Notre Dame High School. It will be approximately an hour long, and it always is a wonderful treat and way to end the year. Please make sure you have this date on your calendar.

The last day of school before the holidays is December 19, and we will resume January 7. Have a wonderful and blessed holiday and break.
God bless,
Jeri McInturff