Hi everyone! I hope that your kids enjoyed creating their very own Advent wreath.  It is something that my own children made when they were young, and I cherish them more now than I did then!

   For Class on December 19th, please send a gift bag with tissue paper in it - large enough to hold something about 5  inches by 7 inches.  Thank you so much - this is greatly appreciated.

   As Advent begins, here are some prayers to use as your family lights the candles each Sunday.

   I hope you found some time to light your first candle on the 1st Sunday of Advent (Nov 28).  
If not, add these prayers and ideas to your celebration of the 2nd Sunday of Advent (Dec 5), or the third Sunday of Advent (Dec 12), or the fourth Sunday of Advent (Dec 19).

Prayer for Advent ~
How dark outside!
but see.......a star's in the sky;
Mary and Joseph are passing by.
So let's light a candle to welcome them
as they go on their way to Bethlehem.
We'll light a candle each week and pray.
                                                                                                            
Prayer while lighting the Advent candle ~ 
Oh God,
As light comes from this candle,
may the blessing of Jesus Christ
come to us,
warming our hearts and
brightening our way.
May Christ our Savior bring life
into the darkness of this world,
and to us, as we honor his Grace.

   Some things to discuss during Advent:

• Why do we use candles in our Advent wreath? Candles remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World.
• Why are the candles pink and purple? Purple symbolizes a time to prepare & pink symbolizes joy. At Mass, watch the colors in the Church and the colors The Priest wears.
• Why is the shape of a wreath used? Wreaths are circles. Circles have no beginning and no end, like God, they are eternal.

   It may be fun to sing your favorite religious Christmas song after lighting the candle, and then spend some time together by playing a game or reading, calling a relative, etc. Some songs to consider:    

• The First Noel
• God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
• Joy to the World
• Oh Come Let Us Adore Him
• What Child Is This?
• Oh Come All Ye Faithful
• Silent Night
• Angels We Have Heard On High

   Here are some other prayers to use as lighting the other candles during this exciting time of preparation.
Holy Spirit, prepare our minds and hearts
during the Advent season. 
Make us open to each other.  
Let us reach out in love to share each other's joys
and support each other in times of need.

Christ, Light of the World,
Shine above me,
Shine below me,
Shine around me.
Help me to to be helping, caring, loving, and sharing.

Dearest Lord,
Bless us as we come together as a family
in joyful anticipation of your birthday.
Fill us, O Lord, with fellowship for all peoples
and help us to share our family's love
with the lonely, the poor, and your people everywhere.
Amen
   This such a busy & exciting time.  Being together, doing the things you do to prepare for Christmas is what's important now.  If reading your blue "Our Heavenly Father" book is something you enjoy doing and it has become ritual, Chapter 7 - 11 will take you through the birth of Christ.  

   I look forward to seeing you all on Sunday, December 19. It is the fourth Sunday of Advent and I am excited to share in your celebration. Mrs. Olvany



DECEMBER SERVICE PROJECT FOR PRE-K - GRADE 5:
   Warm Feet, Warm Heart! If possible, we'd love the kids to participate in a service project this month. We are asking that they purchase ONE pair of adult socks (Just one, please. Not a pack.), wrap the socks themselves (even the littles should try to do this on their own), and attach a note to the gift that includes the following: a Christmas greeting, whether they are women's or men's socks (or unisex), and their first name only.
   These socks will be donated to local facilities/shelters that serve the homeless or less fortunate in our communities.
   To take it a step further and to allow the kiddos to feel like they are "owning" this service project, you may want to have the kiddos do a chore to make the money that they use to purchase the pair of socks. 
   The wrapped socks can be brought to our next in-person session and placed in a basket at the front of church.
   If you have any questions, please contact Beth, Amy, or Teresa.
 

Read chapters 4,5,6, doing whatever pages in the workbook that you like.  Some involve coloring, some more academic-do what fits you!

Keep saying your prayers!

Next in-person gathering: Sunday, November 14th.

















November at-home activity for ALL grade levels: We are hoping to spread some Thanksgiving cheer around our community and would love for you to help us with that. Before our November 14th in-person gathering, please create a Thanksgiving card that can be shared with someone that may need a little extra cheer this season. The design and cheerful/thankful message can be any you choose, but for safety's sake, we ask that the kids only sign their FIRST name inside the card. Bring the card(s) with you to our November 14th gathering and we will send them on to parishioners and/or community members on our prayer list, in living facilities, in the hospital, etc. Thank you for your help with this project! :)

Watch the intro video below to learn more about Mrs. Olvany!

As mentioned in the video, we are using  two books for our at-home and in-person lessons -- a reading book and an activity book. Before the October in-person session, try to do the following:

• In the reading book: Read chapters 1-3 (pages 7-13)
• In the activity book: Complete pages 3, 7, and 10. You can also complete other activities from chapters 1-3 if you'd like.
• Make prayer a nightly habit. Say the sign of the cross, an Our Father, and try to include a thank you to God, etc.