The Advocate. Learning from Pen Pals. A Message from the Superintendent. Inside this issue: Celebrating Faith, Heritage, and Unity

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1 DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION The Advocate Celebrating Faith, Heritage, and Unity Volume 1I, Issue I Learning from Pen Pals November 2017 Remember how much fun it used to be to write letters to pen pals? Students in Miss Deborah Caputo s fifth grade at Our Lady of Mercy in Hicksville are participating in a pen pal project with The Academy School in Manipal, India. The idea for this international exchange was brought forth by an alumnus who is studying at Siena College and currently spending a semester abroad at a major university in India. Her siblings are still attending Our Lady of Mercy. Both groups of students are learning about the others school and community and discovering differences (such as the use of different letters in words, existence of colors, and variations of food). The students are also delighted to learn about things they have in common with the students, such as favorite colors, hobbies, and aspirations for future careers. Due to the language gap, the letters are translated so that the children can understand each other; however, they are also connecting through drawing pictures. Inside this issue: School News 2 It s all about experiencing diversity and culture, and the children are really enjoying it. They look forward to receiving the next batch of letters and ask me about them everyday, said Miss Caputo. Saints Around the World Spanish Classes Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 3 4 & 5 What do the OLM kids look forward to learning about next from their friends in India? They may not formally celebrate Thanksgiving the way we do in the United States, but they really want to know what they are thankful for in their lives! A Message from the Superintendent What s New 6 What a wonderful time of year! The leaves have changed color, the sky has darkened earlier, and the cool wind reminds us that the season of fall has arrived! As we prepare for both Advent and Christmas, it is important to be reminded of our mission to prepare ourselves in a prayerful and spiritual manner. In many of our classrooms, you will find an Advent wreath whose circular shape reminds us of God s eternity. The Jesse Tree is a tree that is decorated gradually throughout Advent with symbols or pictures of biblical persons associated with the coming of Christ. Advent calendars are also a popular tradition, following the calendar month of December, but still a way to mindfully lead up to the celebration of Christmas. These symbols and traditions represent our looking forward and waiting for something greater the event of Christ s birth. As people of faith, we embrace the wonders of God s creation, His promise of salvation, and the gift of faith we have been blessed to receive. During our Advent journey, let us remember to pray for all who suffer, who are neglected, who are experiencing the results of devastating storms, and who are seeking peace in their lives. May the leaves that have changed color bring us the hope of newness, the darkened sky remind us all that the light of Christ is near, and the cool winds of fall refresh and invigorate our spirit to give thanks and glory to God! May the seasons ahead bless us all with a renewed faith and a joyful heart! Gratefully, Dr. Kathleen Walsh Superintendent of Schools, Diocese of Rockville Centre

2 Page 2 Viva St. Raymond s! School News I The mission of schools and teachers is to develop an understanding of all that is true, good and beautiful. Pope 10/5/17 The culture of encounter means recognizing that we are all children of God, despite our differences. Pope 10/26/17 In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the 6th grade Spanish classes at St. Aidan School in Williston Park learned about four Hispanic American people and their positive contributions to society. Some of the students are seen here posing in front of their projects on Ellen Ochoa, Sonia Sotomayor, Mario Lopez, and Alex Rodriguez. For more Hispanic Heritage Month projects, please see pages 4 and 5. Last spring, Señora Dolan s 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Spanish classes at St. Raymond s School went to Pancho s Cantina to learn about Spanish foods. When they arrived there, they were each given a large sombrero and a mustache. They drew pictures on brown paper tablecloths, played Spanish Bingo, and Danny, the owner, disguised himself as Pancho to call out the Spanish vocabulary for Bingo. Afterwards, the students were served buffet style and chose from tacos, quesadillas, chicken nuggets (pollo), chicken salad (ensalada de pollo), French fries (papas fritas), and ice cream (helado). Music was playing, and they danced the Macarena. They enjoyed the cultural experience!

3 Volume 1I, Issue I Saints around the World Page 3 St. Frances Xavier Cabrini India Feast Day: November 13th Patron of lndia, immigrants, and hospital administrators Born Maria Francesca Cabrini on July 15, 1850 In 1877, she became Mother Cabrini after St. Margaret of Scotland Feast Day: November 16th Patron Saint of Scotland, death of children, large families, learning and widows English princess born in Hungary who married the king of Scotland, Malcolm Canmore III and had eight children She was known as The Pearl of Scotland. She constantly worked to aid the poor in she finally made her vows, adding Xavier to her name in honor of St. Francis Xavier. Pope Leo XIII urged her to go to the U.S. to the Italian immigrants who need her help and in1889 arrived in NYC. Founded 67 institutions including orphanages, schools, and hospitals all over the U.S. Frances had two miracles attributed to her: she restored sight to a child and she healed a terminally ill member of her congregation. We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend upon material success...but on Jesus alone. St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Scotland and was well-known for her life of prayer and piety. She helped build churches, including the Abbey of Dunfermline, where a relic of the true Cross is kept. In 1093 her husband and oldest son were killed during the Battle of Alnwick. Margaret passed away four days later. Pope Innocent IV canonized Margaret as a Saint, acknowledging her life of holiness and extraordinary virtue. I thank You, Almighty God, for sending me so great a sorrow to purify me from my sins. -St. Margaret of Scotland St. Frances Xavier Cabrini St. Margaret of Scotland St. Francis Xavier Co-founder of The Society of Jesus, more popularly known as the Jesuits. India, China Feast Day: December 3rd Patron Saint of Pakistan, India, China, and Catholic missions. Companion of Ignatius of Loyola who encouraged him to become a priest. He led an extensive mission into Asia, mainly in the Portuguese Empire of the time, and was influential in evangelization work, most notably in India. Known as the "Apostle of the Indies" and the "Apostle of Japan", he is considered to be one of the greatest missionaries. Be great in small things. St. Francis Xavier St. Francis Xavier

4 Page 4 Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month St. Martin of Tours School The sixth graders created this banner featuring notable Latino figures and their achievements. Each student colored a square of the banner, and then they all brought their individual pieces together to create a masterpiece! Did you Know? facts are also displayed throughout the school along with flags from various countries. Our Lady of the Hamptons Regional School The seventh graders learned a traditional song from Costa Rica. Eighth graders picked a Saint from a Spanish speaking country or a famous deceased person of Hispanic descent. After researching the biography, the students created a project to honor and demonstrate respect. St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope Regional School Separated into groups, the 8th graders read various articles on Día de la Raza and created a poster about the article they read. Each group presented their posters while students listened for the main idea.

5 Learning Together about Different Cultures Page 5 St. Dominic s Elementary School The sixth graders wrote a report about Spanish speaking countries, and the fourth graders learned how to make Mexican paper flowers. Bishop McGann-Mercy Diocesan High School The Spanish classes participated in a gallery walk featuring famous Latinos, past and present! Students were given a scavenger-hunt-style worksheet to use as a reference as they tried to guess the image or person that was displayed backwards. There were lots of surprises as the students uncovered results, learning that many Latinos hold prominent roles like astronauts, legal positions, and behind the scenes roles in Hollywood! Homework assignments compared and contrasted Cuban art and Peruvian music (where African influences were also featured.) Additionally, students had to complete a community-based scavenger hunt where students had to search places of interest near them that have Hispanic influence or work with the Latino population within their respective communities. Some students did not even know they had these places in their communities! Do you have a cultural event in your school you would like to share? naufiero@drvc.org and we may feature you in the next issue of The Advocate.

6 The Advocate DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION What s new with the Diversity Initiative? The Hispanic Initiative has evolved into the Diversity Initiative as our Catholic schools continue to welcome families of all cultures to share in the benefits of religious values, a safe environment, and a superior education. New schools participating in the Diversity Initiative for the school year include: St. Edward the Confessor, Ss. Cyril & Methodius, Long Beach Catholic, St. Dominic, Our Lady of Mercy (Hicksville), and St. Joseph (Ronkonkoma). 128 Cherry Lane Hicksville, NY Additionally, the Department of Education introduced the Advocacy Initiative where every school has a parent representative who will help us to reach out to families within the school as well as within the community to provide the best environment as possible for our children. Culture Brings Us Together for Healing Phone: x naufiero@drvc.org Culture connects us to a history, not merely as an assortment of past facts, but as an evaluative means of remembering. Culture enables us to remember and be remembered to connect with the larger set of human wisdom through which we find a way to live in the truth. In theological terms this is called anamnesis, the recollection, particularly in the Eucharistic Prayer, in which we draw our own lives back into the tradition of faith and recognize that our worship in each particular service is continuous worship that has gone before us. Though Berry doesn t speak in these terms, the work of local culture has this kind of sacramental nature for him. Culture enables the healing by which the scattered members come together and the holy enters the world. Adapted from Minute Meditations from Franciscan Media as written from the book: Wendell Berry and the Given Life Recommended Resources Best Practices for Shared Parishes By: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Developed from responses of a recent study among a group of pastors who achieved a high level of integration and inclusion in the parishes where they serve, these recommendations help pastors and their teams respond to challenging ministerial situations and growing demographic changes. The guide identifies pastoral responses and proven best practices in relation to intercultural competencies in attitudes, knowledge, and skills. It helps parishes discern pastoral planning strategies and opportunities that will lead to a higher level of stewardship. Bilingual. A Rainbow of Friends By: P.K. Hallinan A story in verse about how all friends are special and valuable regardless of differences or difficulties.