Happy Advent!  We are busy here at school preparing our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ this Christmas.  You may have seen an Advent calendar make its way home in your eldest child’s backpack. This is meant to provide a starting point for your children and family as we all strive to make space for Christ this season. If you are looking for more ideas or another copy, please let me know!

Tomorrow is St. Nicholas Day!  A popular Catholic custom is for children to leave their shoes out the night before. When they wake up, they see that St. Nicholas has left them a small treat!  Oftentimes this treat is something like a chocolate coin or an orange, serving as a reminder of the way that St. Nicholas used the money he had to help care for others.  The Student Council has been working on a little surprise for the students at school tomorrow for St. Nick’s Day.

Please join us on Monday, December 9 at 8:15am for Mass.  We are having a special Mass that morning to celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.  We take this day to celebrate the fact that Mary was conceived without sin.  All are welcome to join our PreK-8th grade students for this holy day Mass!

One of the ways that our school children will be preparing for Christmas is by receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Please join me in praying for our 2nd graders, who will be receiving their first Reconciliation this Saturday at 10:00am!  Our 3-5th graders will be going to Reconciliation on Tuesday at 9:00am and our 6-8th graders will be going on Thursday at 9:00am.  All are welcome to join us and share in this special gift from God. If you are looking for another opportunity to go to Reconciliation, Fr. Vien offers confession every Saturday starting at 3:15pm before the 4:30pm Mass.