As we approach Christmas, dear God, help each of us recognize what Jesus has done for us and the new direction he has given us. May each of us this Christmas make a special effort to live out Jesus' example and make this Christmas a beautiful one. Amen.

• Monday December 23 - Friday January 3 - Christmas Vacation - No School
• Monday January 6 - Classes Resume
• Monday January 6 - Theophany - water blessing - Ukrainian program at St. Sophia Ukrainian Catholic Parish
• Monday January 6 - PAC Little Caesar's Fundraiser opens
• Wednesday January 8 - Early Dismissal @ 2:13pm
• Monday January 13 - Performing Arts/Musical Theater 7 & 8 - Newsies Jr. tickets go on sale
• Wednesday January 15 - Linking Generations @ 11:45am
• Thursday January 16 - Grades 5 & 6 Skiing - Sunridge
• 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
• Wednesday January 29 - PD Day - No School
• Thursday January 30 - Semester 2 Begins

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”.

Tickets for the Performing Arts and Musical Theater 7 & 8 production of Newsies Jr. will go on sale on Monday, January 13th. More information to come after Christmas Break!

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

"The St. Theresa school community has once again done an incredible job in supporting another local community group, The St. Vincent de Paul Society. Thank you to all who were able to donate to this wonderful cause over the past couple of weeks as we were able to pack nearly 75 extra large bags with various donations of clothing and toys.

One of their wonderful volunteers wanted to pass along this message on behalf of the St. Vincent de Paul Society:

"It's greatly appreciated all the donation. It was way more than we expected. These donations will make the less fortunate in our community very happy. God bless to all of you."

Thank you and Merry Christmas from the Grade 8 Leadership Team

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

Our Grade 5 classes created heartfelt Christmas cards for the seniors at Sherwood Care Center. To their surprise, Santa himself made a special appearance! The unexpected visit filled the air with Christmas joy, creating magical moments for everyone.

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 are excited to help you grow in your faith as a confirmed disciple of Christ!

We've got something fun planned for our youth. Please join us!

Our first OLPH Youth gathering will be Friday January 10, 2025. We'll attend Mass together at 6:15 pm, then proceed downstairs for PIZZA & GAMES and learning about ways to get involved at Mass. (Pick up time is 8:30 pm)

Please REPLY and let us know which youth ministry you are most interested in learning about:

WELCOME CREW ~ greet everyone as they enter our church & help serve refreshments after Mass

JUNIOR USHERS ~ help with the collection baskets & offertory gifts

YOUNG PROCLAIMERS ~ lead prayers & read the Word of God at Mass

Sign up: https://ourladyofperpetualhelpsp.flocknote.com/signup/192029?noteID=29354741

Friday January 10, 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/