At the liturgy on the feast of the Epiphany, we hear the story of the three wise men who visited the baby Jesus, bringing him gifts. The Christmas story is all about gift giving. The wonderful gift of Jesus that God gives to the world and the wonderful gifts that we give back.

This time of the year is a time of resolutions. If you have not made your new year's resolution yet, here is something for you to consider: spend time thinking of all the wonderful things you did for others during this past year. These actions are a reflection of who you are. Reflect on these, then make your new year's resolution to continue to give back to God the gift of yourself, to give back to God through helping others.

Dear God, help us see more clearly the gift we are to the world and the potential we have within us. Help us share this with the world. We ask this through Jesus your Son. Amen.

• Wednesday January 15 - Performing Arts/Musical Theater 8 - Newsies Jr. tickets go on sale
• Wednesday January 15 - Linking Generations @ 11:45am
• Thursday January 16 - Grades 5 & 6 Skiing - Sunridge
• Friday January 17 - PAC Hawks Nest Lunchtime Concession - Grades 5 & 7
• Tuesday January 21 - PAC Meeting - St. Theresa Library @ 6:30pm
• Wednesday January 22 - Linking Generations @ 11:45am
• Monday January 27 - PAC Little Caesar's Fundraiser - Deadline to order
• Monday January 27 - Performing Arts and Musical Theater 8 - Newsies Jr. Performance
• Wednesday January 29 - PD Day - No School
• Wednesday January 29 - Report cards go live @ 4:00pm
• Wednesday January 29 - Performing Arts/Musical Theater 7 - Newsies Jr. tickets go on sale
• Thursday January 30 - Semester 2 Begins
• Thursday January 30 - Performing Arts and Musical Theater 8 - Newsies Jr. Performance
• Thursday January 31 - PAC Hawks Nest Lunchtime Concession - Grades 6 & 8

IT'S SHOW TIME! Our Performing Arts and Musical Theater programs have been working tirelessly preparing for their production of Newsies Jr. There are many opportunities to come out and support the wonderful performers! Tickets at $5 each and are available on PowerSchool. Once paid, students can pick up the tickets in the office. It will be festival seating, first come first serve.

Tickets for the Performing Arts and Musical Theater 8 performances go on sale Wednesday, January 15. Here are the show dates and times:

• Monday, January 27~ Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 6:45 pm
• Thursday, January 30~ Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 6:45 pm

Tickets for the Performing Arts and Musical Theater 7 performances go on sale Wednesday, January 29. Here are the show dates and times:

• Tuesday, February 11~ Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 6:45 pm
• Friday, February 14~ Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 6:45 pm

Parent Council will be opening up the Hawk's Nest Concession over lunch for students. Chips, candy and chocolate bars will be available for purchase. All items will be $2 each.

The schedule is as follows:

Friday January 17th - Grades 5 and 7

Friday January 31st - Grades 6 and 8

St Theresa Catholic School presents our Little Caesars Fundraiser!

Order online Monday January 6th - Monday January 27th. Delivery Week of February 10th.

1. Visit www.PizzaKit.ca

2. Select “Shop” from the dropdown menu that appears when you hover over “Products” at the top. Click on “Purchase & Support a Local Fundraiser”.

3. Enter Fundraiser ID: 452822 and click on “Confirm Fundraiser”.

4. Login to your account if you have purchased Kits before or if not, create an account to get started.

5. Click on “Pizza & Specialty Kits” or “Cookie Dough” to see items available for purchase. For any allergy or food sensitive concerns. When viewing an item, click on nutritional information and Ingredients in each kit. Links are right above the picture of Kit Components. You can also print it from there to if needed.

6. Add items to your cart on the left. Select “Checkout” when you are done shopping.

7. Enter the student’s name in the “Seller Name” field. Fill in payment information and click “Continue”.

Our Performing Arts class is in search of newspapers for the Newsies performance. If anyone has any newspapers that they would like to donate, please send them to the office. Thank you.

The newsletter is organized based on our four school assurance priorities for this year.

1. Faith Integration
2. Learners and Learning
3. Systemic Wellness
4. Community Engagement

Monday afternoon, our Ukrainian Bilingual Program students gathered at St. Sophia’s Ukrainian Catholic Parish to celebrate The Feast of Jordan—a deeply meaningful tradition marking the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan.

Together, students and staff participated in the blessing of water, reflecting on the sacredness of this feast and the significance of Christ’s baptism in our faith journey. The celebration was a beautiful reminder of our shared heritage, the gift of faith, and the blessings of our Ukrainian Catholic community.

Thank you to all who made this celebration so special!

Mrs. Sutcliffe's class is doing rapid-fire current events in Social Studies. Each group had 5 minutes to review an article and then do a one-minute presentation to the class. Discussing current events allows students to explore multiple perspectives, appreciate diversity, and recognize the significance of active citizenship in a democratic context while promoting critical thinking, effective communication.

"Grow with the Flow" is a recess drop-in program on every second Wednesday at St. Theresa that is aiming to support students' mental well-being through fun and engaging activities. It is hosted by Emma St. Theresa's Mental Health Capacity Builder, Mrs. Norrie (Family Wellness Worker), and Ms. Billingsley (Collaborative Response Coordinator). Grow with the Flow is meant to foster a positive and supportive environment for all grades and to encourage wellness. Students created and designed their own beautiful watercolor paintings this week.

This Advent, EICS is continuing to partner with Catholic Social Services to support women and children in Lurana Shelter. Please consider supporting this worthy cause by making a monetary donation at https://www.canadahelps.org/s/6PsAWu

Good luck to the Hawks basketball team this weekend as they prepare for the season by playing Riverbend JH in an exhibition game. Next week, league play begins with our Hawks hosting FR Haythorne on Wednesday, January 15 with the boys game starting at 4:00, followed by the girls game at 5:15. The busy week concludes with the teams participating in the EIAA tournament from Thursday through Saturday (boys games at FR Haythorne, girls games at SCA). Come out and support the teams!

Go Hawks!

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 - Tuesday January 21, 2025 - St. Theresa Library @ 6:30pm

https://stt.eics.ab.ca/parents/parent-societies

2024/2025 PAC Meeting Dates:

September 24, 2024

October 22, 2024

November 26, 2024

January 21, 2025

2024 - 2025 Executive PAC Members:

Chair: Kara Gettings

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.

Next BUCPS Meeting - TBA

https://stt.eics.ab.ca/parents/parent-societies

2024-2025 Executive BUCPS Members:

President : Andrea Chmilar

Vice-President: Kelsey Whattam

Treasurer: Laurie Leeder

Secretary: Paula Harasymiw

Please see the below links to register for the Grade 6 and Up Confirmation sessions starting in February 2025:

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.

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/