Weekly Update

Gracious God,

As the Advent season begins, we cry out to you.

We come to you looking for hope.

When everything else we rely on fails us, our only hope is in you.

When we do not understand what has happened, we hope in you.

We can hope for better days because we trust you.

We know you and we know you are here with us no matter what we are facing.

Some of us see only darkness this time of year.

Some of us find life overwhelming.

Some of us are filled with Advent joy.

Wherever we find ourselves today, Loving God,

remind us that our hope is in you.

Be with us on this journey.

Amen.

The season of Advent provides many wonderful opportunities for families. The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, which simply means "coming." There are many devotions and traditions associated with Advent that help us commemorate the coming of Jesus into the world. Many families have an Advent wreath and light candles for each Sunday in Advent. Advent calendars mark each day as we count down toward Christmas. A Christmas nativity scene may be set out, leaving the manger empty until Jesus is born on Christmas day. Another activity is having a manger that children can fill with straw as they make little sacrifices. Christmas caroling is a longstanding tradition throughout the world. All of these little things remind us of what Christmas is really about and give us an anticipation for the coming of Jesus.

Light has great significance during this advent season. It is traditional for us to light a candle on the Advent wreath each week, making our wreath brighter and brighter. Our days are so dark now, but we hang lights all over to brighten our world. Advent lights bring us joy and happiness. Light has meaning to our attitudes and demeanor. Our dark days can be brightened by light. Christ is the light.

During Advent in school, we focus on the light that Christ brings. Our students and teachers participate in a daily prayer around their classroom or hallway Advent wreath. Our entire school met this week for a special Advent prayer service in church to begin our Advent season.

Happy Advent!

Blessings,

Mrs. Longden

DARE TO BELIEVE: EUCHARISTIC DISCIPLES

Jesus tells his disciples to be watchful! Be alert!

You do not know when the time will come.

Our Lord’s point is clear:

He will return, and, in the meantime, we have our mandate.

What does it mean to watch for the Lord?

Have I recognized God in those I serve, in my work, struggles, and prayer?

Am I staying watchful and alert as I go about my daily tasks, and do I believe he

strengthens my tired soul so that I may raise my eyes to the joy set before me?

Students are learning ways to be Grateful. This goes along with our Virtues series. Check out the video attached to see what the students are learning about in class.

This week in Family Folders:

*There are no folders being sent home this week.

Our school theme this year will revolve around the Jesse Tree.

CLASSROOM/SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:

Classes have scripture and prayer meetings in the hallways that go along with the bulletin boards created around the Jesse Tree. The Jesse Tree will introduce hundreds upon hundreds of years of God’s story through His beloved people.

Students in 5th-8th grade have reconciliation tomorrow. Students in 2nd-4th grade will have reconciliation next Friday.

HOME/SCHOOL CONNECTION:

Advent Wreath Challenge—have an advent wreath in every families’ home. Send in a picture and we will post it on our bulletin boards. Thank you to those that have sent in pictures!

SERVICE PROJECT:

Holy Trinity School will be helping the Kewaskum Food Pantry by collecting different items needed for our community.

Week 1 (Dec. 4th-8th): tomato soup, chicken noodle soup, canned fruit, apple sauce, canned tuna

Week 2 (Dec. 11-15): canned chicken breast, baked beans, stuffing mixes, canned carrots, canned tomato (sauce/diced)

Week 3 (Dec. 18-22): bags of instant mashed potatoes, baked pasta-roni, taco shells, flour tortillas, any flavored gravy

The Christmas Concert will be on Thursday, December 21st at 1:00 P.M. and 5:30 P.M.

Our 3K and 4K students who are here in the afternoons will be performing at the 1:00 performance as well as the 5:30 performance.

Concert Dress - Dress nicely - Christmas Mass Attire

Home and School is planning a Cookie Fundraiser

**We are asking for each family to please make/buy 2-3 dozen cookies for the event. Cookies can be dropped off at school on Friday, December 15th.

Iowa Test of Basic Skills will be from March 4th-18th for students in 2nd-8th grade. This is a shorter time frame than in previous years. Please make all efforts to not schedule vacations during this time. More information will be coming.

$crip/Raise Right Dazzle Days are here! Two weeks of bonuses on eGift cards AND physical gift cards ends tomorrow, December 8. This Christmas season, take your holiday spending further while raising more funds toward your tuition. Shop bonuses on brands for all your holiday shopping. Follow the easy steps to get started at RaiseRight.com/m/StartEarning. Holy Trinity's enrollment code is 4C5B12214796.

Please contact the school office if you have any questions. Thank you to everyone who buys Scrip and supports this great fundraiser!

The last day to order Scrip for guaranteed delivery before Christmas is Monday, Dec. 11. All orders are due by 8 am to the school office. After December 11, we will still have some Scrip available, based on what we keep in stock. Please call the school office at 262 626-2603 if you need gift cards on short notice. Thank you to everyone who uses Scrip! We appreciate your support of this important fundraiser for Holy Trinity School.

Holy Trinity still participates in the Box Tops program. Watch items you buy at the store and help us earn money toward resources for school.

Friday, December 8th - Mass (Immaculate Conception)

Monday, December 11th - SCRIP donations for Christmas gift for staff due to office

Wednesday, December 13th - Mass (Grades 4K, 1-4)

Friday, December 15th - Mass

Wednesday, December 20th - Mass (Grades 4K, 5-8)

Thursday, December 21st - Christmas Concert 1 PM and 5:30 PM

Friday, December 22nd - Mass

December 23rd-January 2nd - Christmas Break

Wednesday, January 3rd - School Resumes

Wednesday, January 3rd - Mass (Grades 3K, 4K, 1-4)

Friday, January 5th - Mass

Wednesday, January 10th - Mass (Grades 4K, 5-8)

Friday, January 12th - Mass (Baptism Mass December/January Baptisms)

Wednesday, January 17th - End of Semester (3K-5K - Report cards will be sent home shortly after)

Wednesday, January 17th - Mass (Grades 3K,4K, 1-4)

Thursday, January 18th - Mass

Friday, January 19th - No School - Teacher Professional Development Day

Wednesday, January 24th - Mass (Grades 4K, 5-8)

Friday, January 26th - Mass

January 28th-February 3rd - Catholic Schools Week

Wednesday, January 31st - Mass (Grades 3K, 4K, 1-4)

Friday, February 2nd - Mass

Tuesday, February 6th - Parent/Teacher Conferences (3:00-6:00)

Wednesday, February 7th - Mass (Grades 4K, 5-8)

Thursday, February 8th - Mass

Thursday, February 8th - Parent/Teacher Conferences (3:00-6:00)

Friday, February 9th - No School - Teacher Professional Development Day

Wednesday, February 14th - Mass (Ash Wednesday)

November 30 - Josh Doll

December 1 - Sarah Lapinski

December 4 - Courtney Gruber

December 5 - Theresa Bohn

December 6 - Porter Gall

Congratulations!

December 8th - Away game against Shepherd of the Hills

December 15th - Home game against Holyland Orange

January 5th - Away game against Holyland Black

January 19th - Home game against St. Matt's

January 26th - Away game against Holyland Orange

February 2nd - Home game against WCHSA 1

February 9th - Away game against St. Matt's

February 16th - Home game against Shepherd of the Hills

February 22nd - Away game against WCHSA 2

All volunteers connected with Holy Trinity School and Parish: Please see the attached.

Please see the attached with information regarding Altar and Server Guild trainings and opportunities

1st and 2nd grade basketball league.

See the attached for more information.

Our Mission is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to provide a high-quality education, and to guide children in living the Catholic faith.

Email: holytrinityschool@htschool.net
Website: http://www.htschool.net
Location: 305 Main St Kewaskum, WI 53040
Phone: (262)626-2603