December 2018 Parent Newsletter

Transcription

1 December 2018 Parent Newsletter May God s Christmas Gift of Love grace your season with heavenly peace and joy. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host - Psalms 148:2

2 Principal s Message During the season of Advent, it is important to take some time to reflect upon and prepare for the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. We will be celebrating Advent Mass at St. Joseph s Basilica on Tuesday, December 18 at 10:00AM. All parents are welcome to join us. Archbishop MacDonald students have participated in a variety of Social Justice activities this month. We thank you for your compassion for others. I would like to thank all the parent volunteers who gave of their time to volunteer for our SAC casino in November. Thank you to Cara Kaup who is our Casino Chair. As we prepare for the Christmas season, we wish each of our families a blessed Christmas holiday filled with joy and happiness. Theresa Antonakis, Principal

3 December Events Dec. 3-7 Dec. 6 Dec. 12 Dec. 13 Dec Dec Dec. 18 Dec. 20 Dec. 21 Sprit Week Music Dept. Concert 7 pm All City Band Concert Music Dept. (Jazz Band & Choir) Concert 7 pm Marmot Ski Trip Weekend Year Play- Spring Awakening- At L Uni Theatre at La Cite Francophone Advent Mass at the Basilica- Parents Invited to join us! FULL DAY OF CLASSES EARLY DISMISSAL: 12:28 pm Mac s Got Talent Jan. 7 First day back from Christmas Break- Day 2 Upcoming Dates. Jan Diploma Exams/Final Exams- Please see next page for Exam Schedule. It is also posted to our website- located under School Information- Exam Schedules & Front Page. Jan. 18- Last day of Classes Jan P.D Day- NO CLASSES Feb. 1- First day of Classes- Semester 2- Day 1

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5 Drama: Year Play This year s play is fast approaching! The play this year is Spring Awakening which is a story centered around the issues that have affected young people and continue to affect them throughout the generations. It takes place in 1890's Germany in a small lower class town. The original version has moments that would seem a bit too abrupt for our audiences and so we have made adequate and necessary changes to cope with these moments, though we could not change them all we have done a good job at highlighting the issues at hand but softening the focus. The play concludes with a feeling of redemption and hope as the main character chooses life even when it seems all hope is lost. The show will be at La Cite Francophone from December 18 th -21 st December 18th: Preview at 6pm is $5.00 for students and $10.00 for adults December 19th: 6:30 pm is $10.00 for students and $15.00 for adults December 20th: Matinee for other high schools at 1:00pm and evening show at 7:00pm with tickets $10.00 for students and $15.00 for adults December 21st: Closing show at 6:30pm is $10.00 for students and $15.00 for adults. *All tickets can be purchased through our business office* Your talented and bright children have been working hard at all elements of this show and we all cannot wait to see you all there.

6 Athletics November was another busy month for Mac Athletics. Volleyball wrapped up with both our junior and senior girls teams making it to semifinals! Congratulations! We would also like to thank our volleyball teams for their help during our annual Junior High Volleyball Tournament held on November Curling began their second phase in November as well. We had several dozen students register for our Learn to Curl session, and we have now moved into our Seeding session, working toward Provincial play downs after Christmas. Mac has three teams competing out of Jasper Place Curling and they have all started their seasons with wins! Go Marauders! Finally, all four of our basketball teams are gearing up for their seasons. They have been practicing for the last few weeks getting ready for their December league games, which are slated to start the week of the 10th. Our senior teams are playing in the international No Regrets tournament in Vancouver from December 5-9, and our junior teams will be competing in the Holy Trinity tournament that weekend as well. MAC Council is hosting a pep rally on December 4 th to showcase the teams and give them supportive send off! Stay tuned for more curling and basketball updates in December.

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13 Chapter 3: Gaudete et Exsultate As we continue to explore Pope Francis most current Apostolic Exhortation: On the Call to Holiness in Today s World, this month we reach chapter three. This chapter is at the center or heart of the exhortation both literally and figuratively. Chapter Three: In the Light of the Master, focuses on the life lessons Jesus shared during the Sermon on the Mount. After explaining how to live a blessed life, Jesus says, Rejoice and be glad! (MT 5:12) This is the title of Pope Francis apostolic exhortation on holiness in everyday life. Living our faith is a lifelong journey. The Beatitudes are a roadmap that steer us towards holiness. Also referred to as Blessed are, the Beatitudes demonstrate what it means to be blessed or holy. Pope Francis uses these to remind us of the practical ways we are called to holiness in our everyday life while doing so joyfully. Let s review the Beatitudes. While reading, call to mind that Jesus spoke these words to his people who were being persecuted and judged on his behalf. This was a difficult and challenging time: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (MT 5: 1-12) Jesus is encouraging all of us to give ourselves to God and live a life that is filled with virtue. When we do so, we receive true life: the happiness which we were created for. If humankind would live out these Beatitudes, life would be simpler, just, peaceful, empathetic, loving, and joyful. People would put their trust in God first and foremost. Today this continues to be a path that goes against the flow and is often opposite to society s message. We are constantly called to challenge this and live our lives with mercy and forgiveness. This involves serving others and it also includes forgiveness and understanding. These are two central themes to Pope Francis papacy and reach the heart of this exhortation. Pope Francis Exhortation encourages us to look deep within and ask the questions: Where am I on the path to holiness? How do I rejoice and be glad in my faith journey? God Bless, Kathleen Nguyen, Elementary Religious Education Consultant Edmonton Catholic Schools