St. Luke Weekly Memo

In this Sunday’s Gospel the Angel Gabriel approached Mary with these words “Greetings, highly favoured one!” Mary had known moments of deep joy in her life, but she had known moments of deep pain. “If I am highly favoured by God, he has a strange way of showing it”. Her life, like ours, was a study of contrasts: joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, clarity and confusion, purposeful and aimless. And Mary, like us, had to learn to navigate the waters of life in such a way as to find meaning and purpose as a child of God.

Mary replied, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” But from that moment onwards, it seemed like her life went into chaos. She was having difficulties in her marriage, she was pregnant and became a disgrace to the family and an embarrassment to Joseph. Mary’s finances were in a mess: Caesar Augustus had ordered Mary and Joseph had to return to Bethlehem and register for the census but when they arrived, there was no room for them to stay anywhere. With Joseph being a carpenter, they did make much money and had none to pay for a room. The community in which she lived was also in a mess. The angel Gabriel had said, “Greetings, highly favoured one!” The calling was beautiful – but her reality seemed so different: her marriage was in a mess, her finances were in a mess, her community was in a mess. Mary’s world was in a mess.

I wonder if there are times when we feel like Mary? We look at our lives and we see chaos and mess: relationships are not how we would like them to be. Perhaps there is financial stress or employment is causing anxiety. We may look at our lives and all we see is mess. Yes Mary was facing a lot of difficulties: but there was an emerging miracle in that mess: Jesus, the Saviour of the World. God was looking through all that mess and witnessing the birth of a miracle. For Mary, the miracle was clouded by the mess.

I wonder if you can catch a glimpse of a miracle in your life?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! This past month we have been busy preparing our hearts for the birth of Jesus through our daily advent celebrations and through the wonderful school mass on Friday. A huge thank-you to Father Jim for his wonderful weekly Advent messages and for bringing us virtually together for mass on Friday. What a beautiful way to celebrate Advent with the OLPH, Holy Redeemer, and St. Theresa school communities.

The Christmas spirit is certainly alive within the walls of the school as students and staff joyfully participate in events like the ugly Christmas sweater day, dress like a Christmas tree or present day, Christmas PJ day, the Christmas door decorating challenge, and the 12 days of Christmas giving which we thank you all for your generous support. Teachers extended the Christmas joy to our online grade 7’s and 8’s as they delivered Christmas treat bags, socially distanced, to these students and joy was certainly felt by the staff as they worked on putting together and delivering Christmas hampers for our school community.

Another beautiful event this week was our first virtual Advent concert. Students shone as they sung, acted, and rectited Advent messages. So grateful to be able to watch this event with our school community.

This year has been like no other year. Teachers have been going above and beyond to accommodate the changing environments in student learning. I am so grateful to our teachers who have adapted and prepared our students with the tools they need in order to keep learning moving forward. When we return in January all of our students will be online for the first three days - January 6th, 7th, and 8th. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions about this process. Thank you for your continued support of our school and our students.

As we head into the Christmas break the staff at St. Luke would like to wish you all a blessed holiday season and a joyful, Happy New Year.

Mrs. Cathy HInger - Principal

This time of year can be very challenging for families in our community. If your family is experiencing difficulties please reach out to someone in the school or parish community who can help. There are many supports that can be confidentially arranged.

Cathy Hinger, Principal cathyhi@eics.ab.ca or Sarah McCann, Family Wellness Worker sarah.mccann@eics.ab.ca. St. Luke - 780-922-5920

Our cool weather is here! A reminder for all students to dress

appropriately for the season by wearing the proper winter attire which should include hats, gloves/mitts, winter coats and boots. When students are dressed properly for the winter conditions, they can go outside and enjoy some fresh air and activity in comfort.

Alberta Health Services has updated their guidelines for those under 18 as of November 2nd. Click to access the latest health checklist.

As a parent/guardian you are required to complete a daily health screening check for your child each day before they come to school. We need everyone's help and commitment to these health checks, as well as making sure that your child stays home if they are feeling unwell or displaying any symptoms.

JOIN US AT OUR NEXT MEETING

Join us Monday, January 18th, 2021 at 6:30pm for our next virtual School Council and Parent Association meeting.

Please log into PowerSchool for this year's school fees. If you notice a bracket around the amount this is a credit and does not need to be paid. If your family is experiencing financial restraints Elk Island Catholic Schools will waive fees for students/parents or guardian if they meet certain income guidelines, are on social services or are facing exceptional circumstances. If you qualify, you may apply using the attached application form for a waiver for the following fees Fee Waiver Program Application 2020-2021

EICS Central Learning Services

310 Broadway Blvd, Sherwood Park, AB. T8H 1A4

Fax: 780-467-5469 Phone: 780-449-6440

Alberta Education has announced that K - 12 students will learn online January 6, 7, & 8. Our teachers have been going over with students how to access their google classrooms. This will allow students to have access to materials and google meets that they will need for their online learning.

Click here to access a Parents Guide to google classroom. This guide will help with infromation that your child has been working on in class.

Monday, December 21

• Christmas PJ Day

Tuesday, December 22

• Last day of classes before the Christmas break - Merry Christmas Everyone!

January 6,7, & 8

• Online learning for all K - 12 students

Masses at OLPH will be livestreamed. Please join using this link. https://www.facebook.com/olphsherwoodpark/videos/

Visit OLPH Website for more information about the parish and in regards to sacremental preparation.

Read the lastest bullitin from OLPH.

www.facebook.com/olphsherwoodpark

St. Francis of Assisi parish is administered by Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Sherwood Park. Please contact the parish for confession times and more information.

Clergy: Reverend Jim Corrigan, Pastor

Mass Time: Sunday 11:00

Email Address: StFrancisAssisi.Tofield(at)caedm.ca

5523 - 50 Street Tofield, AB T0B 4J0

See map: Google Maps

Phone: 780-467-5470

Mrs. Cathy Hinger

Principal

Email: Stl@eics.ab.ca
Website: stl.eics.ab.ca
Location: 22139 South Cooking Lake Road, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-922-5920
Twitter: @stlcs_EICS