Superintendent Message: Dec. 2 - 6
SUPERINTENDENT MESSAGE
Inspired by Christ on a Journey to Encounter, Nurture, and Serve.
Inspiré par Dieu dans une Aventure à Découvrir, Grandir, et Servir.
December 2 - 6, 2024
Good morning,
Advent is now upon us as we celebrated the First Sunday of Advent this past weekend! Classrooms are adorned with advent wreaths, educators are spending time with their students explaining the symbolism of the wreath, the candles, and the importance of anticipation as we wait patiently for the birth of Jesus.
On the first Sunday of Advent, we light the purple candle on the Advent wreath which symbolizes HOPE. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
Join Archbishop Smith (Advent Is A Season of Repentance | Ep. 83) as he shares about Advent as a season of penitence, the purpose of the liturgical year vs. the secular year, Advent as a season of being shaken out of our apathy, and the irregularity of the fourth Sunday of Advent being the same day as Christmas Eve this year.
In closing, we pray:
Dear Lord, please allow me to embrace Advent as a way to prepare for Your arrival.
May everything I do–every gift I send, every party I attend, every meal I share–remind me to prepare space in my heart for You.
Amen.
Blessings,
Kathleen Finnigan, Superintendent
LIVE from the Faith News Studio comes a Heavenly News broadcast bringing some of your favourite Bible Stories to life.
Our newscast flows back and forth between two angelic News Anchors Cameron Flowers and Summer Showers to stellar on-the-ground reporting by our roving angel duo, Chera Bim and Sara Fim. Clever, snappy dialogue and fun, catchy, Biblically-based songs help tell the stories of Noah (with a bit of help from Mrs. Noah), Joshua (at the Battle of Jericho), Queen Esther, Moses (including an important conversation where Moses asks Pharaoh to “let my people go”), Abraham and Sarah, and, direct from the New Testament, Ananias and Saul/Paul.
The Faith News Network – spotlights all the best in Heavenly headlines; builds faith through real, Bible-based news stories; inspires through sharing the encounters of real Bible heroes and encourages us all to believe anything is possible when we follow God’s plan.
We are so proud of our students for their hard work and dedication to this show. At St Martin de Porres School, our love of God and Fine Arts is showcased in this production as our students share their gifts while sharing fantastic, faith-affirming truths that only come from God’s Word.
- LeeAnn Arsenault
November 28, 2024
rdnewsNOW - Stuff-A-Bus for Sylvan Lake Food Bank happening Dec. 7
In This Edition
- Strengthened in Spirit Faith Report
- Indigenous Education Services
- Upcoming Events
Strengthened in Spirit Faith Report
The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton is excited to host the Mission Collaboration Initiative Summit on May 29 (5:30 pm Mass followed by dinner) & May 30, 2025, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm at the Queen Elizabeth II Building on the Alberta Legislature Building grounds.
More information will be sent out early in the new year. We are looking forward to a fruitful Summit! Please click here for a PDF copy of the Save the Date poster.
The Knights of Columbus “Keep Christ in Christmas” 2024 Poster Contest
Aim
- To have our elementary school children artistically display ideas that Jesus Christ is the primary focus and reason for the celebration of Christmas
- To help them grow spiritually and creatively
Contest Rules
- Contest is open to all Catholic Elementary schools located in the City of Red Deer
- Posters to be completed in color on white paper either 8.5” by 14” or 11” by 17”
- Student’s name, grade (combined grades must be specific) and classroom should be clearly printed on the bottom of the poster and the school name on the back of the poster so that the posters can be returned to the appropriate school and classroom
- Entries will be judged based on Christian message, content, originality, and artistic composition/talent
- This year there are five separate categories: grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, and grade 5.
- Teachers from each participating class are to select the two best entries from their class for final judging, and only these two should be submitted. Teachers will keep the rest for display at school, as we will only be displaying the three winning posters for each grade at St. Mary’s Church over the Christmas season.
- Prizes of first, second, and third will be awarded in each of the categories. The prizes will be dropped off at the Schools for presentation the week of December 16 - 20.
- Please submit the posters to the School Division office by the end of the day, Thursday December 12, to allow time for judging. If unable to make delivery or additional information is needed, please contact Dick Dornstauder at 403 - 597 - 6438.
Please click here to download a PDF copy of the contest rules.
Please submit the two best entries from each class to:
Montfort Centre, c/o Jo-Ann Kelly by end of the day, Thursday, December 12th.
Indigenous Education Services
Click here for a PDF copy of the newsletter.
Upcoming Events
Click here to register.
Dear Partner,
As part of the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre and Red Deer Polytechnic’s commitment to supporting frontline workers, we are excited to announce a series of learning sessions at the Sheldon Kennedy Centre of Excellence.
These sessions will address current issues affecting vulnerable children and the broader community, providing valuable insights for professionals across sectors such as Education, Child Care, Healthcare, Child Protection, Recreation and Sports, Non-Profit Organizations, Social Services, Emergency Care, and more.
We invite you to participate in these events and share this opportunity with your teams. Below is the link to sign up for our first learning opportunity.
Details of the first session are below:
Here is the link: