The Trojan Times

St. Maria Goretti is a living testament to our Lord's work in His youngest disciples, exemplified by academic excellence, spiritual formation, and compassionate service to others.

St. Maria Goretti Catholic School aims to form what is True, Good, and Beautiful in the souls of our young disciples of Christ.

Dear St. Maria Goretti Catholic School Families,

Thank you to everyone who helped make our iGiveCatholic event a success. We raised $12,620 of our $20,000 goal. You can still make a donation to this cause on our website just note on the in the details section that this is for iGiveCatholic. THANK YOU for being so generous!

https://smgschool.org/give-now

Over the next few days the school is working on a reverse advent calendar. Students are being encouraged to give items to the poor rather than receive them. I have encouraged the kids to do extra chores at home to earn the money to contribute to this worthy cause.

There are a lot of fun holiday activities planned for the students over the next 10 days. Please be sure to read this edition of the TT and your child's newsletters for all the updated information. Please remember there is NO SMEED on Friday December 20, 2024, this is also a noon dismissal day. Please make arrangements to have your child(ren) picked up on time.

St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!

Blessings,

Amy Utendorf, M.Ed.

Principal

Donated items may be placed in the elementary hallway under the Reverse Advent Calendar. Thanks for sharing in the true spirit of Christmas.

Generosity means giving without counting the cost. It means looking out for everyone else instead of looking out for ourselves. It means giving not only because we have extra or leftovers, but giving when there is a cost to us - and expecting nothing in return. We should be generous not only of our treasures, but generous of our time and talent as well.

While generosity is a virtue we should strive for all year long, it is especially fitting to be generous during the season of Advent. Jesus Christ gave His own life for all of us without counting the cost - the best example of generosity ever!

St. Nicholas was a bishop who was always giving to the poor. He heard about a family with three daughters who had no money to get married. Each time one of the girls was ready to get married, St. Nicholas left them gold. He never told them that he had given the money, but did it in secret.

St. Mary Magdalene was looked upon as a sinner. Jesus healed her of seven devils and many people think she is the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears. St. Mary Magdalene became one of Jesus' closest followers and was one of a few people besides the Blessed Mother and St. John the Apostle who stayed with Jesus during His crucifixion and death.

St. Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish Conventual Franciscan Friar who was born in Poland and was living there when World War II broke out. He was captured by the Germans and sent to the concentration camp of Auschwitz. He volunteered to give up his life, taking the place of another prisoner who was condemned to die.

Saint Maria Goretti Church and School welcomes Fr. Francis Poku! Fr. Francis is from Ghana. He is sixty-one years old and speaks three languages (English, Italian, and Twi). He is the first of six siblings (all boys) and has a half-sister, an American citizen living in New York. Fr. Francis entered the seminary at 14 and was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Kumasi on July 11, 1992. He lived in Italy from 1999 to 2003 to further his studies and was a chaplain for Catholic immigrants in the Modena and Reggio Emilia Dioceses. This is the first time Fr. Francis has been to America. He arrived on September 22, 2024, and is happy to be with us at SMG. Fr. Francis has not had the opportunity to see much of Texas since he is currently working on obtaining his driver’s license, but he looks forward to learning our way of life here. Please keep him in your prayers as he transitions into his new home. Welcome to SMG, Fr. Francis!

The SMG SPIRIT Store is open for you to check out our new swag. You can shop until Midnight TODAY, December 8th and your order will be delivered to the school on December 13th. If the link below does not open for you, copy and paste it to your browser.

https://esixsportswear.com/saint_maria_goretti/shop/home

Our Performing Arts Class borrowed three large set pieces from NCHS. This includes two large OAP window frames and a door. We need some strong individuals with a full-size truck bed and/or a trailer to help us return them. If you are able and willing, please contact Mrs. Richards as soon as possible so she can help coordinate with the NCHS Theatre team on the other end of the delivery.

RRICHARDS@SMGSCHOOL.ORG

December Lunch Menu

Concession stand will offer popcorn, cookies and drinks. Cash only please.

Las Posadas is a school-wide event, and everyone is invited to come and celebrate with us!

Las Posadas is a beautiful Christmas tradition that literally translates to "the inns" or "the lodgings." It symbolizes the journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for shelter in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus. Traditionally, Las Posadas is celebrated over nine nights, from December 16th to Christmas Eve (Noche Buena). Each night, the hosts provide food and drinks for the "shepherds" and for Mary and Joseph. Typical treats include hot beverages such as champurrado, hot chocolate milk, canela, or atole, as well as tamales or pan dulce. Children also enjoy the excitement of breaking a piñata. The grandest celebration takes place on the 24th, with fireworks at midnight marking the final posada, when the birth of Jesus is reenacted as part of the joyful culmination of the journey.

Our school will celebrate this tradition with an evening of fellowship. We will gather at the front steps of the Cafetorium to begin the journey, accompanying Mary and Joseph in their search for shelter. As we walk through Saint Maria Court, we will ask different homes for shelter, and our journey will end at the Peterson’s house, where we will enjoy tamales and chocolate caliente.

Please find the attached Signup Genius link to help with the celebration and to RSVP. Please Bring a Candle.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0A4BADA92EA0FC1-53793180-lasposadas

Many thank to Mrs. Richards for her dedication to SMG's musical cirriculum. She works tiredlessly to offer creative and entertaining productions during the year. The Tapestry of Lights Advent show did not dissapoint. We were treated to beautiful music and song performed by our PreK through 4th grade students and the Saint Maria Singers. What an inspiring way to begin the Advent season.

candlelight percession video

candlelight percession video 2

Following the Tapestry of Light performance, we joined in a candlelight procession from the Church to the Cafetorium to help light our school Christmas trees. We then partook in the Giving Tuesday celebration as we voted for our favorite Christmas tree, completed a craft, enjoyed hot cocoa and cookies and took pictures with the stars of the evening, Jolly Saint Nick and Mrs. Claus! Thanks to all who contributed to the iGiveCatholic fund and helped towards the purchase of new technology for our students.

CONGRATULATIONS! The PreK and 4th grade Faith Family won the Christmas Tree Deocration Contest! They earned a Christmas dress down day!

The annual SMG Christmas Store is a school tradition which allows students to purchase gifts for their family. Our wonderful volunteer elves transformed the cafetorium into a holiday store then helped shoppers select the perfect gifts and offered gift wrapping services! It is always a thrill for Trojans to have the opportunity to share the viture of generosity during the holiday season. Thanks to all who made this possible.

PreK, Kindergarten and 1st Grade students were treated to the magical experience of the Polar Express. They presented their tickets, boarded the train and took a trip where they enjoyed hot chocolate, cookies and received a special bell which was still cold from the North Pole.

We owe a huge thanks to Mrs. Richards for creating another SMG memory for our students to treasure.

Good luck to the Robotics Club as they prepare for competition on Saturday, December 14th!

Use gift cards or shop online through RaiseRight for your everyday purchases and earn money for your organization. It's easy to enroll today!

Our goal is to have 100% of the families enrolled. Be sure to enroll by September 30th so that your child’s class has a chance to win an ice cream party! To enroll email Olivia Bradley at scrip@smgschool.org for the enrollment code.

Please enjoy this audio/visual experience of the goings on of Saint Maria Goretti. Consider that a "Subscription" to the YouTube channel and/or a "Like" on any video will help us grow our exposure and impact. Please do share anything you enjoy with other family members and friends that would similarly delight in the successes and accomplishments of the students.

https://www.youtube.com/@smgbroadcast2001

SMG students receive a Terrific Trojan sticker when they are "caught" being safe, responsible and respectful. After wearing the sticker during the day, the Terrific Trojan places it on the hallway bulletin board. We love seeing how full the bulletin board becomes by the end of the school year.

START EARNING NOW!

• Earn cash for our school just by scanning your receipts! It's as easy as that.

• Download the Box Tops app and make every shopping trip count.

Please consider volunteering to help during lunch and recess. Service hours will be earned. Click on the signup genius link for a description of duties. All volunteers must be current with their Virtus training.

Sign-Up Genius

Congrats to Sebastian Tran and Oliver Tran who were selected to play in last Monday's Diocesan Boys All Star Soccer Game.

Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth Sports Calendar

Monday

• 7:00-7:40 Cheer (Saladino/Risinger) Gym
• 12:16-1:01 Open Library Checkout (4th-8th)
• 12:16-1:01 STUCO (Daly) Computer Lab Begins TBD
• 3:30-4:45 Folklorico Current Members (Zavala) Hope Rm
• 3:30-4:15 PSIA Spelling (Daly) Computer Lab Dec. 9, Jan. 13, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 24
• 3:30-4:15 PSIA Maps/Graphs/Charts (Utendorf) Rm. 110 Dec. 9, Jan. 13, 27, Feb. 10, 24
• 3:30-4:15 Math Tutoring 6th-8th (Tran) Rm. 121
• 3:30-4:15 PSIA Ready Write 4th-8th (Vasquez)
• 6:00-8:00 Robotics (Morales) 4/5 Sci Lab

• 7:00-7:40 Cheer (Saladino/Risinger) Gym
• 12:16-12:36 Library Leaders (Richards)
• 12:16-1:00 NJHS (Jones)
• 3:30-4:15 Cantoring (Breed) Church

Wednesday

• 7:15-7:45 Math Tutoring 2-5 (Sister Mary Monica) Rm. 116
• 7:15-7:45 AM Saint Maria Singers (Richards) Library
• 12:16-1:01 Open Library Checkout (4th-8th)
• 12:16-12:36 SMG Broadcast (Jones) Rm. 120
• 3:30-4:15 4th-8th Detention Rooms Vary
• 3:45-4:30 Run Club (Gutierrez)
• Dec. 11, Feb. 12, 26, March 12, 26, April 9, 30, May 7

• 3:30-4:15 PSIA Drawing (Jamison) Art Room
• Jan. 15, 29 Feb. 12, 26

• 3:30-4:30 Chess Club (Tran) Rm 121
• 3:45-4:15 Science Tutoring (Saladino) Rm. 109
• 3:30-4:00 Rosary Group (Utendorf) - Conference Room NO MEETING 12/4 and 12/11

• 7:15-7:45 AM PSIA Math 2nd/3rd (Sr. Mary Monica) Rm 116
• Jan. 16, Feb. 6, 20

• 7:15-7:45 AM PSIA Math 4th/5th (Sr. Mary Monica) Rm 116 Dec. 12, Jan. 9, 23, Feb. 13, 27

• 7:00-7:45 AM PSIA Math 6th-8th (Tran) Rm 121
• Jan. 16, Feb. 6, 20

• 3:30-4:45 The Trojan Troupe (Richards) Library/Stage
• End time extended to 6PM beginning in March
• 3:45-4:45 Card Club (Saladino) Rm 109

Friday

• 12:16-1:01 Open Library Checkout (4th-8th)

Dec. 12, Thursday: 2:00 Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day

Dec. 13, Friday: 6:30PM-8:30PM Christmas Family Movie Night

Dec. 16, Monday: 6:30 Las Posadas

Dec. 16-18: Junior High Mid Terms

Dec. 17, Tuesday: 3rd Grade Field Trip

Dec. 19, Thursday: 9:00 Band Concert, 2:00 Greek Theatre

Dec. 20, Friday: 12:00 Dismissal, 2nd Quarter Ends, No SMEED

Dec. 23-Jan.7: Christmas Holiday

Jan. 8, Wednesday: Classes Resume

We all do!! The St. Maria Goretti Catholic School Community would love to pray for you and your intentions. Please send all prayer requests to: smgprays4u@smgschool.org.

St. Maria Goretti Parish Website: https://www.smgparish.org/

Serving the North Texas Catholic community by providing the faithful opportunities to grow in Christian discipleship and strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ.

https://fwdioc.org/

Email: development@smgschool.org
Website: https://smgschool.org
Location: 1200 South Davis Drive, Arlington, TX, USA
Phone: (817)275-5081

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smgcatholicschool/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StMariaGorettiArlington/