The Messenger

Dear Fabulous Families -

Veterans Day Mass and Reception - We look forward to celebrating our Veterans at Mass tomorrow and at the reception afterward. The parking lot will be open at 7:45 for them to park and then proceed into church. Veterans will sit in reserved pews at the front of church. As students make their way to Mass, those with special guests will sit in the front pews with them. After Mass, student hosts and their Veteran guests will make their way to the cafeteria for coffee and donuts as well as enjoy a program from our 5th graders.

Donate to Veterans - Please see the list of items under "CRE News" that are needed to donate to the John Cochran Veterans Hospital. Items are due Friday.

Capital Campaign Dress Down Pass - We are still working on getting all of the Capital Campaign Dress Down Passes assigned, so these will come home in next Wednesday's yellow envelope. The Dress Down Day will be Friday, November 22.

End of Trimester - This Friday is the end of the first trimester. 8th grade transcripts will be sent to high schools and Teacher Ease will be open when report cards are posted for families current on financial obligations.

Calendar Update: Everyone should have received an email yesterday regarding the leaking pipe that will need to be fixed. Because water will need to be shut off by the city for an extended period of time, there will be no school on Monday, December 2. This extends Thanksgiving break by one day.

Coming home in the Wednesday yellow envelope:

• Photos from picture retakes are coming home.
• Invoices for families with outstanding balances

Reminder: Submissions for the newsletter should be sent to Mrs. McEnery and Ms. Schmitt by noon on Monday. Graphics should be a jpg or png. In the subject line, please put "Newsletter".

Tonya McEnery

Principal

Jenn Schmitt

Assistant Principal

After launching the Building Bright Futures capital campaign across the parish three weeks ago, we’re asking all parishioners to bring their completed pledge cards – if you haven’t pledged already – to one of the masses this weekend and drop them in the collection basket.

Please bring your completed pledge card from home in the envelope provided in your kits. We’ll also have plenty of pledge cards and envelopes in pews.

This is a crucial project for our parish and school – the first of its kind in nearly 25 years. The Center for Innovative Learning will provide a differentiated offering for our school – perhaps the only one like it the Archdiocese. It’ll provide flexible meeting spaces for all sizes of parish organizations. The Welcome Room will provide the space to be welcoming to our parish community as well as areas for after-mass coffee and doughnuts, pre- and post-funeral gatherings and pre-wedding space – among dozens of other parish meeting uses. Both projects are a bold investment in St. Gabriel and our neighborhoods for decades to come.

But we need everyone’s help. A sacrificial gift.

Perhaps the most critical outcome of Sacrificial Giving is its impact on the giver. It isn’t a sacrificial gift if you can give your gift and not notice it. The element of sacrifice is present when something about your life has to change for you to provide the gift. You re-order priorities; reconsider your values. And every time you give the gift, you are reminded why you chose to provide it.

But sacrificial giving is joyful. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

While this weekend is Pledge Weekend, if you don’t make your pledge now, there is still time through the end of the year to do so. Please be generous. And thanks to the donors who have already pledged!

While an “up-front” gift of cash will allow us to begin the projects earlier, there are a variety of ways to make a gift that will have an impact on the parish. Please consider Creative Ways to Donate, such as:

- Spread your pledge payments out over several years (3 years maximum for gifts under $15,000; 5 years maximum otherwise).

- Explore Memorial Naming Opportunities, perhaps together with other family or community members.

- Check if your employer has a matching gift program.

-Use our regular electronic donation platform for you capital campaign gift, Faith Direct.

- Consider gifts of stock or donor advised funds.

- Other non-traditional sources could include life insurance, personal property or saleable real estate, and IRA distributions.

We encourage you to think outside the box to contribute to the Campaign as best you can.

If you need help exploring options, please reach out to Campaign Committee through the Parish Office (314.353.6303) or review our campaign information on our website: www.stgabrielstl.org/campaign

Use the QR code or following link to order poinsettias to benefit the Class of 2025!

https://forms.ministryforms.net/viewForm.aspx?formId=ab2ddc21-27fd-4780-a1a2-b55c7b6a0e5f

Ordering closes on November 15th at 10pm. Contact Kristen Miller with questions at kristeneickman@yahoo.com.

Urban Candles make great holiday gifts! Order yours starting Friday to benefit the Class of 2025!

This year we are offering special item drops throughout the school year with our Holiday drop being the first. The items below have a longer turn around time so please order promptly. Be on the lookout for our next drop (boy items included) in the next 2 weeks. The online store for these items will close November 22nd! Order items here.

Parents have the opportunity to volunteer at school by helping with lunch and recess duties. All volunteers must go through the Protecting God's Children / Safe Environment training requirement.

• Please do not sign up for a position if you have not completed Protecting God's Children / Safe Environment training. Information on this is posted below. .
• The following links are for the first trimester.
• Please only sign up for one spot to give others the chance to volunteer.

Here is the link to the Sign Up Genius for recess volunteers: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A044FAFAD2DA5FA7-52834478-recess

Here is the link to the Sign Up Genius for cafeteria volunteers: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A044FAFAD2DA5FA7-51700775-cafeteria

• Important - All volunteers need to successfully complete the mandated Archdiocesan Protecting God's Children/Safe Environment Training. Before signing up for lunch duty/recess duty, field trips, etc., volunteers must have this completed. Please use the following link to find the complete information from the church website: mandated training information. Please direct questions to our parish secretary and Child Safety Coordinator, Eileen Garavaglia, at 314-353-6303 Ext. 110 or garavagliae@stgabrielstl.org.

Dear Parents,

We look forward to celebrating Mass tomorrow with our veterans! Veterans will sit with their student hosts. The front center pews will be reserved for them.

Joan House is coordinating a collection to benefit Veterans in need. We are grateful for the students' leadership. The items collected are for the VA John Cochran Division. Collection boxes will be located outside of the school office door. Please bring donations to school by Friday morning, November 15th. Your generosity is much needed and appreciated for these veterans that are most in need.

Clothing Items (NEW only)

 Men’s Sweatshirts (M-XXL)  Men’s Sweatpants (M-XXL)

 Men’s Jeans (all sizes)  Men’s T-shirts (L & XL)

 Men’s Tennis shoes (10 and up)  Men’s Athletic Shorts (M-XXL)

 Winter is coming Men’s Jackets (all sizes)

Personal Care Items:

 Travel size Shampoo  Travel size and Full size Body Wash

 Toothpaste  Razors  Personal Care Wipes

Other Items:

 Baseball Hats  Backpacks, Duffle Bags

 Belts (one size fits all)  Gloves/Caps/Scarves

See the link below for an invitation from the Archdiocese to join in prayer and explore ways to respond to the missionary call to serve.

Faith into Action

https://northernvicariate.flocknote.com/signup/177825

Please keep our 8th graders and their families in your prayers as the 8th graders commit to preparing for their Confirmation at this Sunday's 8th Grade Family Mass.

Please keep our second graders and their families in your prayers as the second graders prepare to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation next week.

From the USCCB site:

https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/upload/catholic-social-teaching-poster-for-children-digital.pdf

The students are so proud when they have parts at Mass. We hope you can join us whenever you are able. See below for the school day Mass Schedule.

School Masses

Tuesdays- 1-4 Attends

11/12 4W

11/19 4H

11/26 3S

12/3 3P

12/9 All School Mass-Feast of the Immaculate Conception-Note this is a Monday

12/10 Students do not attend as they attended 12/9

12/17 3B Baptism Mass

Wednesdays- 5-8 Attends

11/20 5W

11/29 No school Thanksgiving Break

12/4 8M

12/11 No Mass-Students attended Monday

12/18 5P

Thursdays- All School Attends

11/14 Joan House- Veterans Mass

11/21 5H

11/30 No school-Happy Thanksgiving

12/5 John House-Whole Kids Outreach

12/12 4W Our Lady of Guadalupe

12/19 4H

Looking ahead 2024-2025:

Family Mass Schedule-Mass is at 10:00 am

8th Grade Confirmation Commitment- November 17th

4th and 5th Grade- January 12th

2nd and 3rd Grade- February 9th

K and 1st Grade- April 13th

Second Grade

First Reconciliation

First Reconciliation-Thursday, November 21st- at 7 pm

First Eucharist

First Communion Parent Mtg.- Wednesday, March 26th- 6:30 pm in church

Sunday, May 4th- 1st Communion, 2pm Mass

Confirmation

Confirmation Day of Reflection- February 18, 2025

Confirmation Mass -February 20, 2025 at Saint Gabriel the Archangel Church at 7 pm

Prayer Resource:

The School Sisters of Notre Dame have a virtual prayer space to pray for peace.

SSND Prayer Room: Open on Fridays from 9am- 9pm Central Time.

https://ssnd.org/ssnd-virtual-prayer-room/

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Come pray with us!

Deborah DaLay

Coordinator of Religious Education

Dates below are subject to change and additional days will be added as we continue to plan for the year. Dates are also posted on the Google calendar located on our website.

2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR

November

15- End of 1st Trimester

15- Planning & Collaboration (Noon Dismissal)

16 - St. Gabriel 90th Anniversary Gala

17- 8th Grade Confirmation Commitment Family Mass

21- First Reconciliation, 6:30pm

27-29- Thanksgiving Holidays

December

2 - No School (pipe fixed) NEW

11- Vocal Concert (2nd and 4th grade students, and Honor Choir), 7pm

12- Band Concert, 7pm

20- Christmas Parties, 11:05

20-Christmas Break Begins (Noon

Dismissal)

23-January 3, 2025 - Christmas Break

January

6- Classes Resume

12- 4th & 5th Grade Family Mass (NEW)

15- American Heart Association Fundraiser Begins

20- No School: MLK Day

26-31- Catholic Schools Week

26- Open House

27- Spelling Bee, 2:05pm

31- Noon Dismissal

February

7- End of American Heart Association

Fundraiser

9- 2nd & 3rd Grade Family Mass (NEW)

14- End of 2nd Trimester

14- Valentine’s Day Parties, 11:05am

14- Planning & Collaboration (Noon

Dismissal)

17- No School: Presidents’ Day

20 - 8th Grade Confirmation

25- Parents/Students/Teacher Conferences, 3:30-7pm

27- Parents/Students/Teacher Conferences, 3:30-7pm

28- Noon Dismissal

March

5- Ash Wednesday

6- 4th Grade Field Trip to LinkUp (Updated)

7- Stations of the Cross

8 - Auction

14- Stations of the Cross

17-21- Spring Break

24- 8th Grade Field Trip to Holocaust Museum (Updated)

26- First Communion Parent Meeting,

6:30pm

28- Stations of the Cross

April

4- Planning & Collaboration (Noon

Dismissal)

13 - Kindergarten & First Grade Family Mass (NEW)

17- No School: Holy Thursday

18- No School: Good Friday

20- Easter Sunday

21- No School: Easter Monday

23-25 - 6th Grade Camp

25-27 - AYM Luke 18 Retreat for 8th Graders

May

2- 2nd Grade Jesus Day

4- First Communion, 2pm

5- 2nd Grade Only, No School

6-7- Art Fair

6- Vocal Concert (Kindergarten, 1st, and 3rd grade students, and Honor Choir), 7pm

7- Band Concert, 7pm

9- Noon Dismissal: Field Day

15- May Crowning

15- 8th Grade - Last Day

16- 8th Grade Mystery Trip

16- 7th Grade Leadership Day

20- 8th Grade Graduation, 6pm

23- Noon Dismissal: Last Day of School

Welcome to ARCHANGEL YOUTH MINISTRY (AYM) covering the parishes of the St. Louis Hills neighborhood (St. Gabriel & St. Raphael). AYM is open to all high school teens. No sign-up necessary and teens do not need to be from the St. Louis Hills parishes to participate. High school teens can attend on a regular basis or drop-in as it fits their schedule.

Weekly Sunday Life Teen Nights (6:45-8:30 pm in Gabriel House) include snacks, socializing, games, talks, and discussions.

Wednesday R&R Nights (7-8:30 pm in Gabriel House) are unstructured evenings for teens to hang out (recharge & reconnect). See the AYM calendar for specific dates.

TEEN MASS & THANKSGIVING SOCIAL NEXT WEEKEND!

Next Sunday, November 24th will be the 5:30 pm Teen Mass at St. Gabriel followed by AYM's Thanksgiving Social Night! Any high school teens who can help with parts of the Mass should contact Sarah asap!

Salt and Smoke Thanksgiving Dinner will be provided for the Social Night. Please rsvp to Sarah by Nov. 20th so an accurate order can be placed.

LOOKING AHEAD

*April 25th-27th | Luke 18 Retreat! | for 8th graders, led by high school teens | Registration and more information to come...

*July 18th-20th | AYM at Steubenville 2025! | open to current 8th-12th grade students | Registration and more information to come...

STAY CONNECTED with AYM

Follow us on Instagram @archangelym

Like our Facebook Group: Archangel Youth Ministry

Join the SGA or SRA Flocknote Group: Youth Ministry

Visit the Youth Group page on the SGA parish website

Contact Youth Minister: Sarah Henderson - hendersons@stgabrielstl.org