Reflections

Kindergarten Round Up

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:46:00 -0500

The snow is melting and the temperatures are beginning to rise. It is that time of year when schools begin preparing for the next school year. One of the items that schools need to prepare for is the kindergarten screening. For many parents, especially those with a child entering school for the first time, it can be a time of anxiety. Parents can be nervous about the kindergarten screening process. There is no need to be nervous as our experienced staff is prepared to help you through this process.

St. Patrick School will not experience any major changes in its developmental kindergarten or kindergarten programs. Next school year we are again offering half day sessions of developmental kindergarten. To enter our DK program, students must be four years old at the start of the school year and turn five before the end of the school year (if they do not meet this criteria they would enter the 4 year old preschool program). We will have a morning session that runs from approximately 8:30 – 11:30 and an afternoon session that will run from approximately 12:30 – 3:30. Our kindergarten program will continue to be all day, five days a week for students who are five years of age by December 1 of the school year of enrollment.

The kindergarten screening for St. Patrick School will begin in the school office on Tuesday, April 20, 2010. There are three different times to sign up. 9:00 – 11:00 a.m, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. To sign up for a time, you may call the school office at (517)647-7551. The screening for your child will last anywhere from approximately 30 minutes to an hour.

To further alleviate any anxiety you may have as screening day draws near, I will answer some frequently asked questions about kindergarten screening.

How will the school screen my child?

St. Patrick School uses the Gesell Developmental Observation (GDO). The GDO is a standard procedure for direct observation of a child’s growth and development. This assessment is conducted by a trained examiner who makes observations of a child’s behavior and then evaluates these observations by comparison with normative patterns developed for each developmental age. The GDO does not have right or wrong responses. This assessment provides a composite picture of a child’s developmental age, his or her individual rate of growth, and his or her integrity in the total growth process.

Is it important to have my child screened, especially if I already know that I want my child in DK or kindergarten?

The Gesell Institute recommends that every child receive a developmental screening to create a picture of where he or she is in their unique process of growth and development. A screening provides information about a child’s developmental maturity compared to other children at different ages. Developmental screening can often provide the first warning signs of developmental delay.

How will my child handle the screening process?

When your child is screened they will possibly experience some anxiety. This is perfectly normal. Relax, your child will be fine. Once they are asked to complete the screening tasks, they usually dive right in and give their best effort. Help relieve their anxiety before they arrive by explaining what they will be doing and why. Ask them to relax and try their best. Kids are more resilient then we expect and love to work hard and give their best effort. I am not aware of any child that has been scarred for life by their kindergarten screening.

Do I do what the school recommends or do I go with my instincts?

The parent can choose to have their child placed in DK or in kindergarten if they meet the age requirement. If the child is screened and the teacher recommends kindergarten the parent may still request DK. If the teacher recommends DK after the screening but the parents wants their child placed in kindergarten, then that is what we do. We would closely monitor that child when school starts in the fall to make sure that child is developmentally ready. If the child is struggling a short time into the school year, we will again encourage parents to place the child in DK. The goal for both the school and the parents is to work together to make a decision that is best for their child.

If you have any further questions in regards to St. Patrick’s DK or kindergarten programs, you may contact me at (517)647-7551 or by email at randyhodge@portlandstpats.org. If you have further questions or are still feeling anxious, a time can be scheduled to visit classrooms and meet with your child’s teacher. Do not be afraid to ask questions. You will not be the first or only person with that same question. Kindergarten screening should not be a time of fear and anxiety but should be a celebration of the next step of your child’s development.

March is Reading Month

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:29:00 -0500

It is no secret that a child’s reading skills are vital to their success in school and work. We often forget that reading can be a fun and imaginative activity for children, which opens doors to all kinds of new worlds. The month of March is nationally recognized as Reading Month. All across the country, students will be engaged in activities to remind them that reading can be fun.

At St. Patrick School our teacher committee has been busy preparing special activities for the students to do during March. The list of activities planned for the month include:

 Hall and door decorating contest: Big Rocks will assist Little Rocks in decorating their classroom doors and the hallways outside their classroom. The decorations will support the Reading Month theme.

 Mystery Reader: Every Monday morning after announcements, there will be a mystery reader from our school. The students will have a chance to guess who it is and a prize will be given to the winner.

 Play Your Favorite Board Game with Words: Students will take time out of their busy school day to play board games that use words.

 Guest Readers: Classroom teachers will schedule guest readers to visit and read to students.

 Read – A – Thon: The elementary will spend a portion of one school day enjoying their love of reading in their classroom.

 Ionia County Literacy Council: This organization donates a book to every first grade student in Ionia County. Mrs. Sandy Meitler will visit St. Patrick School first grade classrooms to distribute books and read to students.

 DEAR: Students in grades DK – 5 will Drop Everything And Read on Tuesdays and Thursday at scheduled times.

 Readers Theater: Middle school students will present plays to the school based on their own adaptation of popular fairy tales.

We are very excited about the Reading Month activities, because we all know “Readers become leaders.” We challenge parents to further support these efforts by encouraging reading at home all year long. I hope you will be able to join us for some of these fun and creative activities and that you will continue to support us in our reading and literacy efforts.

Technology in the Classroom

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:12:00 -0500

Technology in the classroom is no longer a new concept for schools. Computers have become such an integral part of our society that their use in the classroom has become even more important. The focus is no longer just teaching students how to use the technology, but has evolved into integrating the technology into everyday usage in the classroom itself. Some of the advantages of doing this are:

• Technology reaches those students who may not perform well in a traditional educational environment.

• Children are motivated and excited by multimedia.

• Active students can creatively apply their energy to multimedia projects and presentations.

• Educators better prepare students for the future when using technology aimed at addressing multiple intelligences or the different learning styles.

Teachers who embrace technology in the classroom find that it can be a marvelous teaching tool. According to Dr. C. Terry Morrow, Professor of Agricultural Engineering and Faculty Fellow with the Center for Academic Computing of Penn State University, digital technology:

• Improves lectures

• Enhances the curriculum

• Provides visualization in a variety of formats

• Increases flexibility of presentations

• Allows educators to share resources

• Enables demonstrations of complex concepts.

We have been working hard to upgrade hardware and software at St. Patrick School. We purchased new laptop computers this year for the teaching staff. We are working to purchase new multimedia video projectors for each classroom, and are about half way to our goal. Approximately half our classrooms have had projectors purchased or donated and the equipment is being used constantly. We have also purchased three document cameras and will continue to purchase more in the near future.

Another of our goals is to keep our two computer labs up to date. We plan to replace the computers in one lab next year, and will distribute the older computers to various classrooms for students to use. We are also in the process of purchasing a portable wireless laptop computer lab that can be moved from classroom to classroom. Our goal is to have two of these labs which can be used in conjunction with the wireless internet that we now have throughout the building. We are very grateful for a donation from our IT specialist Mr. Ross Schneider. His donation puts us closer to our goals.

All of the students at St. Pat’s School use this technology. Students in preschool, developmental kindergarten, and kindergarten are introduced to computers through learning centers. Students in grades kindergarten through five have computer class once a week. Students in the 6th grade have computer class twice a week and 7th and 8th grade students have class daily for one semester. All ninth grade students take one semester of computers their freshmen year and sophomores have a semester of an online computer course.

Finally, students are able to apply what they have learned by using the technology to make presentations, do research, create projects, collect, monitor and assess data, and to enhance communication. The staff continues to enhance our student’s educational experience by using technology in the ways suggested by Dr. Morrow.

St. Patrick School will continue to make sure we integrate the latest technology into our classrooms. It is important that our students are tech savvy when they graduate and are prepared to enter the 21st century workplace.

St. Pat's Pre-School, DK, Kindergarten

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:11:00 -0500

Even though the snow is flying and temperatures are hovering around the freezing mark, this is the time of year people begin to inquire about pre-school and developmental kindergarten for next school year.

In June of 2006, St. Patrick School acquired Miss Laura’s Wee People, a pre-school which had a long and successful history in Portland. This acquisition gave us the distinction of being the only school in the Diocese to operate a complete educational program – pre-school through high school graduation.

Our pre-school director is Mrs.Carol Kahn, former owner of Miss Laura’s Wee People. She brings more than 16 years of early childhood teaching experience to the school. Mrs. Kahn and her staff strive to help the children grow developmentally, in a Christian environment, preparing them well for developmental kindergarten or kindergarten. The students in the pre-school classes are included in some activities at St. Patrick School, so they become more comfortable with the building as well as the transition into elementary school.

St. Patrick School offers a three-year-old and four-year-old pre-school program. Three-year-olds attend on Tuesday and Thursday. Four-year-olds attend on Monday and Wednesday with an option to attend on Friday. Both the three and four-year-old programs run from 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. The four-year-old program also offers an afternoon session from 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.

The major elements of our pre-school program focus on cognitive skills, social interaction, and language development. These skills are developed through the use of art projects, field trips,music/finger plays, holiday activities, and using sign language. The activities for each month are centered on a Christian theme.

The question that I am asked most frequently is, “Should I put my child in the four-year-old pre-school program or in developmental kindergarten? “ A large part of the answer is dependent onthe parent. Some parents choose pre-school because they feel their child isn’t quite ready to go to school everyday. Some parents prefer pre-school because it has more of a focus on social interaction and not as much on academics. Other parents prefer DK because they feel that going to school every day prepares their child better for kindergarten. Our recommendation is to have your child screened on the kindergarten screening date and the parents,along with our experienced staff, can work together to make an informed decision.

Any child who enters our developmental kindergarten program should attend the kindergarten screening and the child must be four years of age or older and should turn five before the end of the school year.

Research indicates that the early years of education are crucial to a child’sdevelopment. If you have questions, we would love to have you attend our pre-school, developmental kindergarten, and kindergartenopen house scheduled for Thursday, February 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the St. PatrickParish Hall.

Dividends for Life!

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:25:00 -0500

The dust has finally settled on an exciting and very rewarding Catholic Schools Week. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate together in prayer and to learn more about our Catholic faith. It was also a chance to cheer the end of a successful first semester.

Catholic Schools Week began on Sunday, January 31 when students and teachers took part in the 9:30 Mass. After Mass, a record crowd enjoyed the Breakfast Buffet sponsored by the School Commission. Many attendees also attended the Open House at the school.

Monday through Wednesday were dedicated to prayer, service, and celebrating the Catholicity of our school. Some of the events which were memorable were:

The PTO Breakfast: Monday morning started with the PTO cooking and serving breakfast for all of our students.

Operation Cookie Drop Off: On Monday afternoon, students in grades 5 and 6, with the assistance of a few high school seniors and teachers, delivered cookies to all businesses that were open in the downtown area and along the Grand River Avenue corridor. Thank you cards, handmade by our Little Rocks with the assistance of the Big Rocks, were delivered with the cookies to thank the area merchants for all they do for St. Patrick School and the greater Portland area.

Mass at the Cathedral: On Tuesday, representatives from all of the Catholic schools in the diocese traveled to Grand Rapids for a special Mass. A male and female student was chosen from grades 1 - 12 to represent our school. I will always remember the look of awe and surprise on the faces of our younger students as they took in the enormity and the beauty of the Cathedral.

Mass at St. Patrick’s: On Wednesday, the entire student body attended mass together. Our school community watched as four high school juniors became Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. We were treated to excellent music by our Catholic Schools Week choir, who sang at Mass on Sunday and again at the school Mass on Wednesday.

Big Rocks/Little Rocks: Little Rocks were able to go upstairs to middle and high school classrooms to make Valentine’s Day cards for the Veterans hospital in Grand Rapids.

On Thursday, Fr. Larry King and his puppet Elmo paid a visit to elementary classrooms. Friday afternoon was time for celebrating. We celebrated the end of Catholic Schools Week and the successful completion of the first semester. Each age group celebrated in a different way, after we all had pizza and pop for lunch.

Elementary Students: Students in grades DK through 5 headed out to the Meadow Bowl Lanes for some bowling. Students were excited when I picked them up after bowling. One student exclaimed, “Did you know that they turned the lights off and let us bowl?” Another student told me, “I love Catholic Schools Week.”

Middle: Students were unable to hold their planned sledding party, due to the lack of snow. Instead, they stayed at the school and watched the movie “Hoosiers” and played board games. In the evening, there was a middle school semi-formal dance attended by more than 100 students from at least four area schools.

High school: The afternoon started with a pep assembly followed by an all high school volleyball tournament.

What a whirlwind of activity! I tried to be present for at least a portion of every activity that was happening throughout the week. What a great way to celebrate our own Catholic School and those around the world. Even though it is one of the busiest weeks of the school year, I love every minute of it! As this year’s slogan denotes, Catholic Schools do pay “Dividends for Life.”

Preparing for Lent

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:05:00 -0500

Lent, from the Middle English word Lenten, meaning springtime – the time of lengthening days, is a period of 40 days of fasting, prayer, and penitence before Easter. Lent traditionally begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday.

Lent offers us all a special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a way of life, rooted in our baptism. It is an opportunity to reflect on our lives, pray more deeply, repent of the wrongs we have committed or in what we have failed to do, and to be charitable to those in need.

All of us at St. Patrick School have begun to spend time preparing for Lent. Students and staff will attend Mass on Ash Wednesday. The distribution of ashes reminds us of our own mortality and calls us to repentance. In the early Church, Ash Wednesday was the day on which those who had sinned, and who wished to be readmitted to the Church, would begin their public penance. The ashes that we receive are a reminder of our own sinfulness, and many Catholics leave them on their foreheads all day as a sign of humility. Some other activities that our students will be involved with during Lent are:

• Stations of the Cross: Each Friday during Lent, students will come together and pray the Stations of the Cross. The Stations of the Cross are a Catholic devotion which commemorates the Passion and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Each of the fourteen stations represents an event which occurred during Jesus' Passion and death at Calvary on Good Friday.

• Sacrament of Reconciliation. Students in even numbered grades (students in odd numbered grades received the Sacrament during Advent) will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

• Operation Rice Bowl: There will a renewed sense of charitable giving. Students will participate in Operation Rice Bowl to raise money to help feed those less fortunate in our area and around the world.

• The student council will hosts a Red Cross Blood drive on Thursday, March 4.

Lent is a time to focus on repenting from our sins and consecrating ourselves to God, not on trying to earn God's favor or increase His love for us. What are you doing to prepare for the death and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Good Friday and Easter Day?

St. Patrick Prepares Students for a Global Future

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:52:00 -0500

Since 1988, the National Geographic Society has been conducting regular studies of young adults in the United States, to see how literate they are about geography. The results of their latest study in 2006, conducted by New York City based Roper Public Affairs, were rather alarming. The study of United States citizens ages 18 – 24 years of age showed that the group are “alarmingly ignorant of the relationships between places that give context to world events.”

Some of the results of the study showed that:

Thirty-three percent of respondents couldn't pinpoint Louisiana on a map.

Six in 10 could not find Iraq on a map of the Middle East.

Forty-seven percent could not find the Indian subcontinent on a map of Asia.

Seventy-five percent were unable to locate Israel on a map of the Middle East.

88 percent of those questioned could not find Afghanistan on a map of Asia.

Six in 10 did not know the border between North and South Korea is the most heavily fortified in the world.

The study concluded that "far too many lack even the most basic skills for navigating the international economy or understanding the relationships among people and places that provide critical context for world events." "Taken together, these results suggest that young people in the United States ... are unprepared for an increasingly global future," said the study's final report.

We want to make sure all of our students are prepared for a “global future,” so all of the students at St. Patrick School, from Developmental kindergarten through 12th grade receive instruction in geography that goes far beyond the typical array of social studies classes found in most schools.

To help our students become literate about the world in which they live, all DK-6 students learn Spanish as a second language. Students in grades seven and eight will take one year of German and one year of Spanish before moving into high school. Two years of foreign language are required for graduation however all of our high school students have the opportunity to take three years of German or Spanish.

Research suggests that students learn the most about geography when they are given the opportunity to visit places and immerse themselves in those cultures. All St. Patrick high school students have the chance to travel to either Germany or Spain to learn about these countries and apply what they have learned.

Last school year we were blessed to have a foreign exchange student from the country of Venezuela attend school here. We are again blessed this year to have two students from the country of South Korea visiting and studying at St. Pat’s. Having these students join our school family gives everyone the opportunity to learn about the cultures of other countries first hand. Recently, one of our parents, Mrs. Sandy Pearson traveled to Vietnam as part of a Habitat for Humanity team. Mrs. Pearson has visited our school to talk to the students about her experience and to explain the differences and similarities she observed.

We constantly watch for ways to bring geography into our classrooms, and we work hard to make our students more aware of the world around them. By learning foreign languages, visiting foreign countries, developing relationships with people from other places, and studying current events, they are preparing themselves for a place in a global society. If National Geographic sends their survey team to Portland in the future, I’m pretty sure that they’ll be pleased with what they find.

School Commission Appreciated

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:20:00 -0500

January has been designated as School Board Appreciation Month. St. Patrick School does not officially have a School Board but instead has a School Commission. The School Commission serves as a consultative body for the pastor and the principal on matters concerning St. Patrick School. The School Commission is a diverse group of individuals who meet each month to discuss issues that are important to St. Patrick School students.

The seven School Commission members are chosen from school parents and/or members of the parish. Terms are for three years and a member can serve a second consecutive three year term at the discretion of the Pastor. Nominations are sought from the parish in May of each year and members are chosen through a discernment process like other parish committees and commissions.

The main duties of the Commission are to help develop the school public relations plan to attract and retain students. In conjunction with the Business Manager, Principal, and the Finance Committee, the commission also assists with the preparation of the school budget. The Commission also evaluates and advises on class size, dress code, fundraising, technology, school policy, standardized test scores, and many other subjects.

The members of the Commission are:

Mr. Ralph Willemin is in his 6th year as a School Commission member. He serves as the Chairman of the commission and also serves on the Public Relations and Fundraising subcommittee. He and his wife Mary have a daughter attending St. Patrick School. Ralph is an alumni of St. Patrick School and is self employed as a mortgage broker.
Mr. Ken Cook is in his second year and serves as the Vice Chairman of the commission. He serves on the Public Relations subcommittee. Ken and his wife Mary are both graduates of the school and they have three children attending the school. Ken has a Bachelor of Arts degree from MSU and an MBA from GVSU and is employed by Follet Library Resources.
Mr. George Rutherford is a past Chairman and has served as member of the commission for three years. He and his wife Linda have two children who are graduates of the school. George has a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology and an MBA from Michigan State University and works for Sparrow Health Systems as the VP/COO of Ionia Memorial Hospital. George serves as the Commission’s liaison to the Father Flohe Foundation.
Mr. Dan Lawless is in his second year on the School Commission and serves as Chair of the Fundraising subcommittee. Dan is also the President of the Athletic Association. Dan is a graduate of Portland High School and he and wife Denise have one child who is a graduate of St. Patrick School, one who is a graduate of Portland High School, and one child currently attending St. Patrick School. Dan received an Associate’s degree in Building Construction Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ferris State University and works as an Industrial Engineer for General Motors Lansing Delta Plant.
Ms. Diane Bissell is in her fourth year serving on the School Commission. Diane has two children attending St. Patrick School. She is a graduate of Alma College with a dual major of Spanish and Business Administration with an emphasis in history. Diane graduated from the Detroit College of Law (now the MSU School of Law) and is employed as an attorney with the State of Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation.
Mr. Mark Davis is new to the St. Patrick School Commission. His wife Laura is employed as a para pro at the school. Mark is a graduate of Portland High School. The Davis’ have two children who are alumni of St. Patrick School and two that are currently enrolled. Mark has a degree in Emergency Services from Lansing Community College and is employed as a Detective Sergeant and is in charge of the Detective Bureau and the Special Response Team with the Kentwood Police Department.
Mr. Dave Zimmerman is new to the St. Patrick School Commission. Dave and his wife Amy are both graduates of St. Patrick School and have two children attending the school. He has a Bachelors degree in business from Central Michigan University and owns two local businesses.
Mrs. Nancy Wohlscheid is the recording secretary for the commission. Nancy is a graduate of the school and she and her husband Brian have three children attending St. Patrick School.

The St. Patrick School Commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month and encourages attendance. Meetings begin with Mass at 6:00 p.m. and reconvenes after Mass at 6:45 p.m. More information about the Commission, including meeting minutes, can be found under Administration on our school website www.portlandstpats.com.

I’d like to thank our fine Commission members for their time, talent, and dedication. Their knowledge, enthusiasm, and leadership are a vital part of our school’s success. If anyone has questions or concerns about the School Commission, feel free to contact Chairman Ralph Willemin at rewillemin@yahoo.com.

College Planning 101

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:13:00 -0500

In today’s world, a high school education is no longer sufficient. Few would argue that point, and yet many students go through high school without a good solid plan for college. College planning can be overwhelming, as families grapple with the realities of academic requirements and costs.

In addition, many families wait too long to begin planning. Few eighth graders have college on their minds when they sign up for their first high school classes, and yet, that is exactly when the process begins.

On the evening of January 19, Dr. Frank Bernier will be at Portland St. Patrick School to conduct a seminar entitled College Planning 101. Dr. Bernier has 30 years of experience as a high school college planning advisor and as a college and medical school director of admissions and financial aid. He received MSU’s prestigious Crystal Apple Award for his “innovative and outstanding contributions to the field of education.” The topics covered at the seminar are:

• High School Preparation

• Finding a “Good Fit” College

• Scholarship Searches and the Financial Aid Process

• Designing Your College Plan

• High School to College Transition

This workshop is designed to help families understand and manage the college planning process. The outcome is for students to find, be admitted to, and afford one or more “good fit” colleges. Dr. Bernier conducted a similar seminar recently at both Pewamo - Westphalia and Portland High School. If you missed those meetings, this is another chance to attend. The seminar will be held in the St. Patrick Parish Hall at 6:30 p.m. and is open to everyone. All families with seventh grade students or older are encouraged to attend. Admission is free.

You can register by calling the St. Patrick School office (517) 647-7551, e-mail randyhodge@portlandstpats.org or register online by going to www.portlandstpats.com and clicking on the College Planning 101 link near the top of the homepage.

Pre-registration is not required, however it is strongly recommended. We want to make sure that we have enough handouts for everyone. Unregistered guests will not be guaranteed to get one.

I’d like to personally invite you and your student to attend this seminar, so you can begin preparing for this important phase of life. Please take advantage of this terrific opportunity, you’ll be glad you did.

The Gift of the Nativity

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:11:00 -0500

Last week, St. Patrick School was the recipient of a wonderful gift. A donor called and asked if we would like to have the original nativity set used by St. Patrick Church. Of course, I was thrilled by the offer and very happy to accept the donation. The nativity set is currently in my office awaiting restoration by our art department.

While I work, I’ve taken some time out to study each figure of the Nativity. I noticed the paint is fading and there are chips taken out of some of the figures but all heads are bowed in reverence, wonder, and awe before the newborn Savior. I can’t help but wonder to myself what each member of the Nativity would say to me if they could speak?

Would they quote scripture and tell me “For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Would they tell me “Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that no one comes to the Father except through him” (John 14:6)?

Maybe instead of quoting scripture they would instead tell the story of the Nativity as told in Matthew or Luke. They could explain the circumstances which led Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. They could further explain how our Savior, Jesus Christ came to be born in a stable in Bethlehem. They might even go on and explain the gifts of the Magi and how the Holy Family had to flee to Egypt.

It is also possible they might tell me about the places they have been or the people they have seen. They might even tell me about the lives that have been impacted when people who witnessed their presence understood the true meaning of Christmas.

Or perhaps instead of talking about the past, they would instead talk about our modern times. Maybe they would voice frustration that in many communities, they would be shuttered away because of lawsuits about the separation of Church and state. Maybe they would talk about the people who no longer celebrate the birth of Christ and instead have “holiday” or “winter” celebrations. They might even explain their frustration with people who no longer regard “Jesus as the reason for the season.”

As we finish the third week of Advent and move into the final week before the birth of our Savior, the lessons and sacrifices of the Holy Family and the Nativity serve as a strong reminder of exactly what it is that we are planning and preparing for on Christmas day. Let the joy of Christ be with you this Christmas season. God bless you and yours.