DECEMBER. Virtue: CHARITY. Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectation: A Collaborative Contributor

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1 DECEMBER Virtue: CHARITY Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectation: A Collaborative Contributor Principles of Catholic Social Teaching: Option for the Poor and Vulnerable Overview of the Virtue of Charity The virtue of Charity means being generous with our presence, time, and money. Charity allows us to give freely without expecting anything in return. The virtue of charity encompasses a range of small acts and habits that affects our own immediate surroundings as well as the larger global community. It can be as simple as giving someone a smile or it can be expressed on a larger scale through raising funds for world organizations. Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectation -- I AM A TEAM PLAYER! A Collaborative Contributor who: Works effectively as an interdependent team member. OCSGE 5(a) Thinks critically about the meaning and purpose of work. OCSGE 5(b) Develops one's God-given potential and makes a meaningful contribution to society. OCSGE 5(c) Finds meaning, dignity, fulfillment and vocation in work which contributes to the common good. OCSGE 5(d) Respects the rights, responsibilities and contributions of self and others. OCSGE 5(e) Exercises Christian leadership in the achievement of individual and group goals. OCSGE 5(f) Achieves excellence, originality, and integrity in one's own work and supports these qualities in the work of others. OCSGE 5(g) Principles of Catholic Social Teaching - OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE: Catholic teaching proclaims that a basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

2 December - Charity Inspirational Quote from Heroes of Hope When people love each other, they are content with very little. When we have light and joy in our hearts, we don't need material wealth. The most loving communities are often the poorest. If our own life is luxurious and wasteful, we can't approach poor people. If we love people, we want to identify with them and share with them. Jean Vanier, Community And Growth Initiatives of Hope Find Your Inner Peace: Girls Talk and Meditation Group, Senator O Connor College School Grade 9 and 10 girls are invited to participate in 3 sessions of Find Your Inner Peace. The girls are introduced to various meditations and guided imagery exercises to help them find the God within. Scripture says, Be still and know that I am God. The girls are then led into an open discussion around topics related to social/emotional growth. Snacks are provided, and easy and fun art activities foster community and well-being. Start your own version of Find Your Inner Peace Group, and bring together meditation practices and discussion. For your art/craft activity, knit scarves, shawls or caps and donate them to charity. Everyday Healing and Empowering Actions Play with your pet Have a glass of water Make a schedule of things to do Read a book Look with love into the eyes of those you meet Overlook a flaw today in yourself and in someone else Send a heartfelt message to someone today Be more tolerant of someone who is different from you Take a moment to pray

3 December-Charity Dear Brothers and Sisters What is the image we have of God? Perhaps he appears to us as a severe judge, as someone who curtails our freedom and the way we live our lives. But the Scriptures everywhere tell us that God is the Living One, the one who bestows life and points the way to fullness of life. I think of the beginning of the Book of Genesis: God fashions man out of the dust of the earth; he breathes in his nostrils the breath of life, and man becomes a living being (Genesis 2:7). God is the life on earth. I also think of the calling of Moses, where the Lord says that he is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, the God of the living. When he sends Moses to Pharaoh to set his people free, he reveals his name: I am who I am, the God who enters into our history, sets us free from slavery and death, and brings life to his people because he is the Living One. Caring Adult Action of the Month: Avoid labelling the young person and offer them opportunities to show themselves in a positive ways. Give compliments to your students freely and often. Michael Ungar, Strengths-Based Counseling With At-Risk Youth

4 December- Charity Liturgical Calendar Advent, the beginning of the liturgical year in the Catholic Church, is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas. It was historically known as "little Lent," because, like Lent, it is a time of repentance, with prayer, fasting, and Confession. Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas, and therefore varies in length between 22 days and 28 days. (In 2014, it is 25 days long.) First Sunday of Advent - Sunday, December 1, 2013 Second Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 8, 2013 Third Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 15, 2013 Fourth Sunday of Advent - Sunday, December 22, 2013 The "liturgical year" includes the first Sunday of Advent and the last week in Ordinary Time. The liturgical year consists of two times: one can call the first time strong times and the other is known as ordinary time. The strong times are, Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, during which a particular mystery of salvation is celebrated. Ordinary Time, in turn, does not hold any particular mystery, but rather the same mystery of Christ in His fullness, especially on Sundays. Ordinary Time is divided into two parts throughout the liturgical year and in total lasts 33 or 34 weeks. Saint Days of the Toronto Catholic District School Board - December St. Edmund Campion December 1 St. Francis Xavier December 3 St. Barbara December 4 St. Nicholas, St. Nicholas of Bari December 6 St. Ambrose December 7 Immaculate Conception, December 8 Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton December 10 Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Jane Frances December 12 Mother Cabrini, Monsignor Percy Johnson December 22 Nativity of Our Lord, Holy Child, Divine Infant, Prince of Peace December 25 St. Stephen December 26 Holy Family, St. John, St. John the Evangelist December 27 Marshall McLuhan December 31

5 December- Charity Dec. 1- World Aids Day World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in Around 100,000 are currently living with HIV in the UK and globally an estimated 34 million people have HIV. More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. Dec. 5- International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development "Founded on the values of solidarity and mutual trust, volunteerism transcends all cultural, linguistic and geographic boundaries. By giving their time and skills without expectation of material reward, volunteers themselves are uplifted by a singular sense of purpose." Quoted by Secretary-General Ban Kimoon Dec. 20- International Human Solidarity Day...Solidarity is crucial to solving problems in our interconnected world.... We can reach our shared goals if people are able to participate in the formulation and implementation of plans, policies and programs to shape our common future." Ban Ki-moon

6 December- Charity I AM A TEAM PLAYER Develops one's God-given potential and makes a meaningful contribution to society. OCSGE 5(c) OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE Hope and Charity Quotes In a world which ignores the human thirst for God, we are called to share the living waters of our faith. (This Moment of Promise) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angel and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. (Acts 2: 44-45) And now abide with faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1Corinthians 13: 1) The measure you give will be the measure you get. (Matthew 7: 2) It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35) Ubi Caritas et amor, Deus ibi est. Where there is charity and love, God is there. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free. (Mark 4:18) Discussion Starters for Hope and Charity The Chinese have a saying, "If you keep a green bough in your heart, surely the singing bird will come." How and where can you make a place for hope in your life? Describe specific opportunities.

7 Place before God the hopes and desires you have for each one of the people you wish to pray for... See each one of them as having what you desire for them... You may make an explicit prayer for them. Talk to God and share with God your holy desires, hopes and dreams for them... envision those desires fulfilled. Now place before God the desires you have for yourself: Expose him to all the great things you desire to do in his service... the fact that you will never actually do them, or that you feel incapable of doing them, is irrelevant... what is important is that you gladden the heart of God by showing him how immense your desires are even though your strength is very small... it is thus that lovers speak when they express the immensity of their desires which far outdistance their limited capacity Who has taught you the most about generosity and kindness? Do you think they are given enough attention in our society? Explain your views. Life Among the Believers All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. (Acts 2: 44-45) How have your experiences in Catholic schools reflected this same spirit of the early Church? Suggest ways in which a school could promote such a strong sense of collaboration and community.

8 December- Charity I AM A TEAM PLAYER Develops one's God-given potential and makes a meaningful contribution to society. OCSGE 5(c) OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE The following Catholic Schools are among some which have received Exemplary Practice Awards from the TCDSB or Speak Up Grants from the Ministry of Education. These Catholic Schools from around the province illustrated Hope in Action in their schools through various clubs and activities. May they serve to spark inspiration and innovation in your school, as your Catholic Community lives out the call to share the living waters of our faith in a world which ignores the human thirst for God. (This Moment of Promise) Title: The Young Spiritan/Men on Fire By: Neil McNeil High School, TCDSB REFLECTION ON ACTIVITY: What elements from Neil McNeil s The Young Spiritan/Men on Fire group could you implement in your school? In what ways do Men on Fire recognize and appreciate the dignity and responsibility of being persons created in the Image of God? To what extent do you feel that you are serving in a Christ-like way to better your community and those in it? Describe the personal qualities and skills that are essential to contribute to the efforts to create a more just society. Description: The Young Spiritans/Men on Fire is a group of self-directed young men and their teachers taking action to stand up for local and global justice and generate awareness toward social justice causes. This is done through acts of charity that they proudly call Love in Action. Both groups use the imagery of the Holy Ghost in honour of the school s founders, the Spiritan Fathers. Fidelitas in arduis, (Faith in hard times), is the model that guides these young people and the dedicated teachers. Locally, the Young Spiritans have been helping out at weekly Out of the Cold program, bi-monthly at a Spiritan Refugee House, monthly at a downtown breakfast program. They also plan and run food drives at the school, Christmas baskets including clothing and food, a Day of Silence raise awareness towards those in the world who are not heard. They also participate in Free The Children events such as We Day, Take Action, and the penny drive. For the global initiative, the Young Spiritans plan and run a 24 hour fast at the school that raises money for the Spiritan Fathers to help re-build St. Martial in Haiti. The Men on Fire work with elementary school students to introduce them to service through workshops and sandwich patrol in neighbourhoods with visible homeless populations and work with the elderly in senior residences.

9 Title: Acts of Kindness for the Community REFLECTION ON ACTIVITY: Jesus walked with the poor and the vulnerable embracing each of them as unique gifts of God s creation. His entire ministry was based on the giving of himself so that others may have life, especially those who were marginalized. To what extent do you feel that you are serving in a Christ-like way to better your community and those in it? Description: Students committed themselves to creating a more positive environment in their school and developing a climate of caring for each other and the outside community. Their Random Acts of Kindness included sending greeting cards and letters of thanks to members of the school staff, serving at a soup kitchen once a month, visiting a seniors home and putting together welcome kits to make new students feel at home. Students demonstrated communications skills in crafting announcements to encourage their peers to participate, and then keeping students and teachers informed via a bulletin board that carried photographs and information related to the different acts of kindness. Project Type: Student-Led Teacher-Facilitated Grade(s) Impacted: Teachers, Community School Name: Bishop Gallagher Senior Catholic E S School Board: Thunder Bay CDS Board Other ideas you can try! Keep a bank or box in your room and deposit loose change in it. Every time you go out, you might put money to pay for another person s meal in the box. Hold a family/friends meeting to decide how to distribute your generosity fund. Identify one activity/event in the school or your parish that serves others who are in need. You might consider an annual event such as the Adopt A Family Christmas Basket where individual classrooms sponsor a family in need for Christmas. Or, you might want to consider an ongoing activity such as a food bank in your parish or, the Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. Worksheet and Rubric Link:

10 December- Charity I AM A TEAM PLAYER Develops one's God-given potential and makes a meaningful contribution to society. OCSGE 5(c) OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE Is it fair that good people get hurt? Why is it difficult to accept myself the way I am? Young people have so many questions when it comes to issues such as fairness, acceptance, self-control, and respect. But they re not just sitting around waiting for answers. They re doing great things! In this dynamic and inspirational 10-part series, host Mary Rose Bacani brings you virtues in action. Each half-hour episode presents virtues in action in our Catholic school community, in our personal lives, and in the lives of young people who have followed the call to priestly or religious life. A life of virtue is not impossible. Take it from those who say, People of virtue? They re in The World I Know! The World I Know supports the promotion of safe, caring, inclusive and healthy school communities.

11 December- Charity I AM A TEAM PLAYER Develops one's God-given potential and makes a meaningful contribution to society. OCSGE 5 (c) Prayers: OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE Faith, Hope and Charity Prayer Loving God, we pray that the Toronto Catholic District School Board community continue to witness to the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. May we be people of FAITH, always willing to follow the example of Jesus in all that we do. May we be people of HOPE, always trusting in your loving presence in our lives May we be people of CHARITY, always willing to give of ourselves to better the lives of others. Together, may we be a community of faith, anchored in hope, with heart and charity. Through, Christ our Lord. Amen Loving God, the work of our Catholic Schools calls us to continue to show faith and hope in our ability to be in service to each other. This year, let us remember the poor, the sick and the lonely. Bless us as a school as we strive to be generous to those in need. And be a school that always tries to improve under the guidance of your love and wisdom. During this holy season and time when we remember the birth of Jesus Christ, let us bless the Spirit of Life who has birthed hope in our hearts and a positive attitude in our minds. The call to charity begins inside the home that is our hearts, and extends in an ever widening circle to include the entire community of being all who are, and all that is. When we respond to the call to charity by giving something of ourselves to those in need, we find ourselves transformed, alive, and at peace. As we wait in longing this Advent for the celebration of the birth of Jesus, we ask for an increase of charity in our thoughts, words and deeds. For all those in this community in need of our love, kindness and generosity. We pray to you Lord. Amen

12 To Our Lady of Guadalupe (Feast Day December 12 th ) O Mother of the Americas, You came On a dark hill in a dark time To one who had no documentation. To the challenge of the authorities, You offered roses and grace. You wanted a space, simple and extraordinary, A space where all could worship Together, equally your children. You call us again in this dark time To create a space Where all your children Are welcomed, cherished, Offered bread, roses, And what grace we can gather. O Lady, still shining, Madre, Mother, You wait on the hillside, Until we believe, Until we can welcome The ones whom you send. Christmas Season Prayer May the love that breathes life into all of humanity Be born in us this Christmas season. May the love that brings forth all of creation, Be born in us this Christmas season. May the love that overcomes hatred and brings healing, Be born in us this Christmas season. May the love that forgives and renews, Be born in us this Christmas season. May the love that brings the fruits of justice, Be born in us this Christmas season. May the love that brings the blessing of peace, Be born in us this Christmas season. May that Peace now be the gift we share with all our brothers and sisters. From A Gift of Peace, by Richard Becher, in Shine On, Star of Bethlehem, CAFOD, 2004 Affirmations: I co-operate with others in all that I do I value everyone's work I respect and listen to others I think of others before myself I follow rules of fair play I work hard in school so that I can build my community and make it a better place