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Hawks Weekly
St. Theresa - November 6 - 17, 2023
Fall Break - November 6 - 10, 2023
Gospel Reflection
Exalted Through Humility
Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)
Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example.” Matthew 23:1–3
Sometimes people’s words inspire us, but more often it is the witness they give with their actions that inspires. Additionally, when someone’s words do not match up with their actions, they are seen as hypocrites. Jesus is very hard on the scribes and the Pharisees for this reason. “For they preach but they do not practice.” They spoke about the Law of God, taught it in a detailed way, but they did not truly practice God’s Law as it was intended to be practiced. Jesus goes on to give a list of the ways that these religious leaders failed to live the laws of God. They failed in their charity and encouragement of others, they did everything for public praise and for show, and they sought out honors and meaningless titles. As a result, they cared little for others and cared much about themselves.
At the heart of Jesus’ criticism of the scribes and Pharisees was their tendency to exalt themselves in the eyes of others. Jesus corrects this tendency by saying that “the greatest among you must be your servant,” and that “whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Therefore, if you wish to be truly great and if you wish to be exalted by God, you must serve with the deepest humility.
Humility begins by seeing yourself in the light of truth. How does God see you? The humble soul seeks to discover this insight by using the eyes of Christ to look at their own soul. It would be truly humbling if we could see ourselves in the full light of the truth. But too often we take on a false image of ourselves and look at our lives through a lens of self-righteousness. We tend to quickly defend our actions, justifying the sins we commit and failing to acknowledge our weaknesses.
What would you see if you looked at yourself with humility? One glaring thing you will see is your sin. Our lives are filled with sin. Sometimes they are serious sins, and at other times less serious, but our lives are undoubtedly filled with sins and imperfections. If we are blind to those sins, then we lack the necessary humility we need to see ourselves in the light of truth.
The virtue of humility will also take us a step further than seeing our sins clearly. It will also help us to see our need for God’s grace in order to change, to love, and to serve God and others. We cannot love by our own efforts. It is impossible. The love of charity is only possible when it is God Who lives in us and acts through us. God and God alone is able to work true charity through our actions. Knowing and believing this humble truth is the only way to open the door to that grace.
Reflect, today, upon the humility that you need in order to truly love. When you love others with the pure love of God, you will discover within yourself a need to serve. You will see others as objects of your love. You will discover a burning desire to help them, forgive them, be gentle and merciful to them, and to do all you can to help them discover the truth of their own lives so they will, in turn, humbly turn to God. The scribes and Pharisees failed miserably at this mission, and that is one of the reasons that Jesus used them as an example. Do not follow their lead. Seek to take the opposite approach. Seek humility. Seek the truth. If you do, God will use you in powerful ways and will exalt you on high.
Most humble Lord, You are exalted above all because You were humble beyond all. You knew the truth of Who You are and embraced that truth with all Your might. Please give me Your eyes to see myself as You see me, so that in Your humble gaze, I will see my sin, repent wholeheartedly, and turn to You as the source of all my love. Jesus, I trust in You.
Upcoming School Events
Mark Your Calendars:
Monday November 6 - Friday November 10 - Fall Break - No School
Saturday November 11 - Remembrance Day
Monday November 13 - Friday November 17 - Metis Week and Louis Riel Day
Monday November 13 - Friday November 17 - Scholastic Book Fair
Wednesday November 15 - 3-Way Conferences - 3:30pm - 7:00pm
Wednesday November 15 - Book Fair is open 3:30pm - 7:00pm
Thursday November 16 - Swimming Lessons Grades 5 & 6
Thursday November 16 - 3-Way Conferences - 3:30pm - 7:00pm
Friday November 17 - Swimming Lessons Grades 5 & 6
Monday November 20 - Linking Generations @ 11:45am
Thursday November 23 - Swimming Lessons Grades 5 & 6
Friday November 24 - Holodomor Memorial Day
Friday November 24 - Swimming Lessons Grades 5 & 6
Friday November 24 - PAC Christmas Fundraiser Deadline to Order
Monday November 27 - Linking Generations @ 11:45am
Wednesday November 29 - Grade 6 Immunizations
Thursday November 30 - Swimming Lessons Grades 5 & 6
Saturday November 11 - Remembering and honoring our heroes
Metis Week and Louis Riel Day
Parent Information
3-Way Conferences
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Three Way Conferences will be held on November 15th and 16th in an online format. Please note that if you wish to have an in-person conference you will need to contact the teacher(s) you have booked with to ensure that an in-person meeting can be accommodated at that time.
Conferences are 10 minute slots; if you feel you require more than a ten minute conference with any of your child’s teachers, please contact the teacher directly to book an alternate meeting date.
Bookings will open Friday Nov 3rd at 9am and will close on Nov 14th at 9am.
Please check your parent PowerSchool account to ensure that you are booking with the correct teacher(s). To book your conferences, please visit https://schoolinterviews.ca/code/ec56s
INTERVIEWS WITH MR STEPHENS ONLY will be held on Nov 22 and 23. To book with Mr. Stephens please visit https://schoolinterviews.ca/code/vtqy9
Fall Book Fair
Parent Council Christmas Fundraiser
Oilers Spirit Days
St. Theresa in October
5K - Kaiser Kings Dodgeball Intramurals
Halloween
Art 5 - Halloween Monsters
Grade 6 SFL - Volleyball @ the Saville
St. Theresa in November
Remembrance Day Celebration
Parent Societies
Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
The St. Theresa Parent Advisory Council performs many vital functions for our school community, by helping to facilitate school wide student functions and providing valuable funding to our school via fundraising. Parents involved in the PAC learn about planning and development within the school and are part of the planning process. These roles make their involvement very important to the families, administration and teachers.
Next Parent Council Meeting - Wednesday December 6th - St. Theresa Library @ 6:30pm
https://stt.eics.ab.ca/parents/parent-societies
2023 PAC Meeting Dates
September 26, 2023
October 24, 2023
December 6, 2023
2022 - 2023 Executive PAC Members:
Chair - Jodi Ostrosky
Co-Chair - Lindsay Tomalik
Treasurer - Kim Pennock
Secretary - Rosie Conrad
Bilingual Ukrainian Catholic Parents Society (BUCPS)
Bitaemo! Sherwood Park's Ukrainian Bilingual Program began in 1980 and has seen decades of success in academic achievement, global learning, and celebration of the rich Ukrainian heritage. From Preschool/Sadochok to Grade 12, the Ukrainian Bilingual Program offers a community-minded cultural environment along with an enhanced academic curriculum. BUCPS Mission is to promote, advocate, support and foster cultural and educations opportunities for students in the Ukrainian Bilingual Program.
https://stt.eics.ab.ca/parents/parent-societies
2022-2023 Executive BUCPS Members:
President - Slavko Nohas
Vice-President - Christin Hyshka
Treasurer - Andrea Chmilar
Secretary - Kelsey Whattam
Members at Large:
Talia Koziak/Kathy Leskow/Clayton Starko
Health and Wellness
Youth Paint Party - Strathcona County
Youth Painting Party
Painting is a fun way to de-stress and meet new people. You don’t have to be an artist. Bring a friend and enjoy a night of painting, music and more. *Free and all supplies provided *Each person will have their own physically distanced painting space. Limited space, register at Strathcona.ca/youthconnect
Mental Health Moment - The Stress Response
Confidence Courses
Childhood Anxiety Workshop at the U of A
The Institute of Child Psychology is holding a workshop that is all about childhood anxiety and will be hosted in person at U of A. It is $97 and a 1 day session.
This is the link:
https://instituteofchildpsychology.com/product/childhood-anxiety-helping-children-heal-edmonton/
Parish News
OLPH Parish
We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP PARISH
13 Brower Drive, Sherwood Park AB. T8H 1Y7
Phone : 780 467 5470 Fax : 780 467 0530
E-mail: info@olph.ca Website: www.olph.ca
Dear Parents:
Welcome to a new year of Catholic education and faith formation for your child!
Each year, in a Catholic school, your child will learn about many aspects of their Catholic faith— including learning about the seven sacraments. In our Archdiocese, preparing children for the celebration of their own sacraments always occurs in the parish, with the support of the school: • preparing for First Reconciliation, and then First Eucharist, can begin when a child is 7 years of age and in Grade 2 or older
• preparing for Confirmation can begin when a child is about 12 years of age and in Grade 6 or older • special preparation is also available for children of any age who are not yet baptized
Most children attending Catholic schools are ready to receive at the ages shown above, but there is no such thing as too late. Are you seeking for your child to celebrate a sacrament, such as Baptism, First Communion or Confirmation? Are you ready to help them live out their Baptismal promises? Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and Elk Island Catholic Schools are each involved in preparing your child for a Catholic sacrament along with you. It is a group effort, and everyone has a role:
• As a parent, the Church has always held that you are the primary teacher of the faith for your child. You teach them about God; set the example; talk about your own faith; and you bring them to Mass. • The place where the sacraments are celebrated and lived is the Catholic parish. We the people of God in the Church are each part of the Body of Christ. Being in relationship with the parish community (with all its challenges and blessings) is essential for your life of faith and that of your child. The preparation for, and celebration of, the sacraments happens in the parish church. • You must sign your child up for preparation at the parish. The school doesn’t do this part of the process for you. Catholic schools are a special place for children to learn more about Jesus Christ, to practice living in a community of faith, and to develop and deepen a relationship with Christ. We (Catholic parish and Catholic school) are eager to walk beside you and your children during this very special time.
Please call OLPH parish office 780-467-5470, send an email to sacraments@olph.ca or visit www.olph.ca/sacraments to get started or learn more.
As you prepare your child for their sacraments may this also be a special time for you - of deepening your own understanding and of growing in faith for the whole family!
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jim Corrigan, Pastor
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
A Roman Catholic Christian community.
We come together at our Lord’s invitation to worship God, celebrate the sacraments, and deepen our faith. We strive to be thankful, generous and welcoming, and are sent forth to help advance God’s Kingdom on earth by proclaiming the Gospel and serving others.
Helpful Links
St. Theresa Catholic School
Email: stt@eics.ab.ca
Website: https://stt.eics.ab.ca/
Location: 2021 Brentwood Blvd, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-464-4001
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St.TheresaCatholicMiddleSchool/