November 13, 2018 Dear Parents: CATHOLIC IDENTITY SAINT ELIZABETH, MOTHER OF JOHN THE BAPTIST Feast: November 5 Not much information is known about Elizabeth, but she has the distinction of being one of the first to know about Mary's great blessing as the Mother of God. Zachary was a priest in Jerusalem whose wife, Elizabeth, Mary's cousin, was beyond childbearing age. He was told by an angel in a vision that they would have a son and should name him John. When he doubted this, he was struck dumb. Elizabeth was visited by Mary, at which time Mary spoke the hymn of praise now known at the Magnificat, and after John's birth, Zachary's speech was restored. This is all that is known of Elizabeth and Zachary, and is found in the New Testament in Luke, Chapter 1. As we anticipate our family celebration of Thanksgiving, let us ask Christ to be the silent guest at our tables. Let Christ be present in our prayers of gratitude and in our conversations. It is very important that we teach our children, by word and example, the virtues of gratitude and thankfulness. When we participate in Mass, the word Eucharist means Thanksgiving. We are thankful to God the Father for sending his son, Jesus, to redeem us. We are thankful to Jesus for giving himself in the Holy Eucharist A Prayer for your Thanksgiving Gathering We give thanks as we gather with our loved ones on this day of Thanksgiving. We give thanks for this food, prepared by loving hands. We give thanks for our lives, our health, our freedom as Americans, and our many other blessings. As we partake of this food, we are reminded to share our blessings with those who lack food, health and freedom. May we all be united in peace and love. Amen 1
MISSION AWARENESS- Help End Hunger! On Monday, November 19, our students are encouraged to participate in bringing food products to help the needy families in our parish. We will continue with our project Help End Hunger. We all have so much to be thankful for and need to be reminded that others are not as lucky as we are. Let us be generous to God s poor. Students will have FREE DRESS by bringing a food product on November 19. The following items are most helpful as we prepare the standard packages for delivery: TK Can of Pumpkin Pie Filling 5A Boxed Stuffing K1- Corn Bread Mix 5B Canned Gravy K2 Boxed Mashed Potatoes 6A Canned Pinto Beans 1A Boxed Stuffing 6B Boxed Rice 1B Pouched Drinks 7A Cooking Oil 2A Pasta 2B Pasta Sauce 3A Canned Green Beans 3B Canned Corn 4A Canned Vegetables 4B Canned Fruit 7B Canned Yams/Sweet Potatoes 8A Canned Cranberry Sauce 8B Boxed Pudding PENANCE SERVICE Students who received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist in grades third-eighth are required to attend the Penance Service on the following dates at 9:00 a.m. in the church. December 3 Third and Fourth December 4 Fifth and Sixth December 6 Seventh and Eighth FEAST OF SAINT NICHOLAS The Feast of Saint Nicholas is Thursday, December 6. The students will participate in the annual tradition of placing their shoe outside of class and having St. Nicholas place a candy cane in their shoe. Students are encouraged to wear Santa Hats on this day (Sponsored by the Student Council). ALTAR SOCIETY LUNCHEON Saint Benedict Altar Society Luncheon will be Friday, December 7 at noon in the Parish Hall. Tickets can be purchased at the Parish Rectory for $25.00. Students in grades TK, Kindergarten, First, Second grades, Cheer, Bruin Choir, Concert Band and Bruin Folklorico Group will perform. Parents wishing to view the performance must purchase a ticket early at the Rectory. CHILDRENS S ATTIRE FOR ALTAR SOCIETY LUNCHEON Cheer Team: Cheer Uniform Bruin Band: Band Polo Shirt Bruin Choir: Full School Uniform with Santa Hat Bruin Folklorico: Costume TK: Black shoes, black slacks, white sweater of turtleneck and a foam Red Nose/Deer Antlers Kinder: Black bottoms with your creative choice of greed top First: Black bottoms with red top and bell necklace Second: Black bottoms with white sweater or white turtleneck 2
Saint Ambrose Born around 340 AD, St. Ambrose was governor of Milan in the Holy Roman Empire. During his term as governor, the bishop of Milan died. Though Ambrose was studying the faith, he had not yet been baptized. Knowing there would be conflict between orthodox Christians and the Arians (people who did not believe in Christ s divinity), he attended the election of the new bishop and spoke, only to have the people call him to take the vacant seat himself. As bishop, he was instrumental in ending the Arian heresy in Milan. His preaching also helped convert St. Augustine. St. Ambrose s feast is celebrated on December 7. TUITION Semi-Annual FINAL payment is due on December 7, 2018. All tuition agreements MUST be current by December 13, 2018. NO EXCEPTIONS HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATIONS Eighth grade students who are applying to a Catholic High School for next school year; must mail application and fee to the high school. The recommendation forms are to be submitted to our school office, Attention: Mr. Gomez, Vice-principal. All Catholic High School applications must be submitted by December 7, 2018. NO EXCEPTIONS! CONGATULATIONS PACK 476 Our cub scout pack Webelos and Arrow of Light Dens (4 th and 5 th graders) participated in Camp- O-Ree. We had a total of 16 boys attend this camp. Out of the 16 boys, 13 of them attend Saint Benedict School. This is a competition camp that takes place twice a year. All of the Rio Hondo District packs and troops get together to compete. There is a rigorous scoring sheet that we must comply with. The areas that the boys are scored on are: - Building of the gateway (with Rope and wooden poles) - Camp site inspection - Foil cooking competition - Building of 3 gadgets with rope and wooden poles - Competing in different games which measure scouting techniques - Patrol Chant - Patrol Skit We are happy to say that Pack 476 representing Saint Benedict School/Church won overall FIRST place and we brought home the trophy which is a GOLDEN SHOVEL. This is a HUGE accomplishment for our pack. They are very proud to represent Saint Benedict school/church. HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL Thanks to the parents who generously gave their time and talent to assist in providing an afternoon of fun for our students during our annual Halloween celebration! First place winners received trophies! 3
Costume Contest First Place Winners were: Originality Scariest Funniest Primary Primary Primary Samantha Sanchez TK Mia Maldondo TK Mateo Cano 2B Intermediate Intermediate Intermediate Madison Marin 3B Donovan Perez 3A Emma Hernandez 5B Junior High Junior High Junior High Darla Felipe 6B Donna Perez 8B Isabella Contreras 8A Students had Free Dress on Wednesday, October 31, 2018. DIA DE LA HISPANIDAD On Sunday, October 14, twenty-two of our junior high students volunteered to carry flags of various countries during the entrance procession of the 12:30 p.m. Mass. We thank the following students who did an excellent job! Room 7A: Carlos Flores, Mia Gomez, Abril Rodriguez, Donivan Schwieger, Samantha Umana, and David Vasquez Room 7B: Daisy Galvan, Noah Loera and Emma Mendizabal Room 8A: Carmen Balderrama, Kaylen Carrasco, Diego Marin, Amanda Pacheco and Melina Perez Room 8B: Santiago Alvarez, Sophia Arvizu, Grace Baltierra, Jillian Barendregt, Karla Lopez, Alberto Romero, Mia Ruiz and Julianna Venegas SACRAMENTS Please read carefully Fr. Michael s invitation for students in our school to receive the Sacrament of Baptism and return the form to the school office. Also parents. In Sunday s bulletin there was an announcement that Fr. Michael is planning for a Group Wedding for anyone who has been married civilly or living together for three years or more. This is an opportunity to be married in the Catholic Church. See the parish bulletin for more information and provide the parish office with your name(s) and telephone number. FROM OUR PASTOR.. I informed Mr. Loya of my concern for students in our school who need to receive the Sacrament of Baptism. For this reason, I am planning on a celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism on Saturday, February 2 at 11:30am in our church. (This is only for children in Grades TK through 8 and who are registered in our school.) If you wish to have your child baptized, please complete the form below and attach a copy of their Birth Certificate and the names of the Godparents. The requirements for Godparents are that they themselves have the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. If they are 4
married, they are to be married in the Catholic Church. Remember, Godparents fulfill a very special role in the life of a child. Please return this form (and a copy of the Birth Certificate) to the school office before November 20 Blessing, Father Michael Stechmann, O.A.R. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE PRINT- Yes, Father Michael, I wish to have my child receive the Sacrament of Baptism. Name of child: Grade: Name of Godfather: Name of Godmother: REMINDER: November 20 November 21-25 November 26 School Dismissal at 12:00noon NO SCHOOL School Resumes God Bless, Frank Loya Jr. Principal 5