November 27, 2019

Sunday, Dec 1 First Sunday in Advent Monday, Dec. 2 TRIP orders due by 9:00 am

Advent Food and Toy Collections continue Cub Scouts

Tuesday, Dec. 3 Donation dress down for Community Christmas Dinner

Draw Down Dinner Planning Meeting 6:00 at the Hunt Club Girl Scouts

Wednesday, Dec. 4 Daddy Daughter Dance Planning Meeting – 5:30 in the school

Thursday, Dec. 5 Reconciliation – gr 3 and 5 in the school

Band Concert – gr 6,7,8 in the gym – 7:00 (Band students arrive 6:30 - cafeteria)

Friday, Dec. 6 Mass – 9:00 in the church. Please join us! Adoration in the school chapel

St. Nicholas Day Saturday, Dec. 7 St. John Vendor/Craft Show – 10:00 – 4:00

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Prayer Requests ~ For the intentions of all of our SJS families

For the special intentions of several school families For Kiernan and Owen Terry’s grandma who is recovering from a health issue For Mr. Marshall’s grandma and Mrs. Krueger’s mom who are recovering from illness

For Mrs. Brinker’s husband who is recovering from surgery

Craft Show Help Needed: Volunteers are needed both the evening of Friday, December 6th, and on Saturday, December 7th. Please use the following link to sign up to help! High school students may earn service hours for set up and tear down. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090a4eafa92ea13-fatima Wreaths Across America – St. John Cemetery is commemorating service men and women who gave their lives for our freedom by placing a wreath on each grave. SJS will donate $300 from our fall Potbelly fundraiser to this worthy cause. We are grateful for continued support of our amazing school families.

Popcorn Sponsor Thanks – We send a big SJS thank you to the following families who sponsored classes last week: Trey Shaughnessy family, Hawkins family, Radecki family, Wollet family (3 classes), Lammers grandparents (Desy – 3 classes), Breton family, Putra family, Friedrich family, and Best grandparents (Baglien). Our next popcorn date is December 13. The only classes needing sponsors are Farley, Russler, Panici, and Lampman

Draw Down Dinner Planning Meeting – Sarah Soper and Mary Jo Montague have agreed to co-chair this annual fundraiser which is scheduled for March 14, 2020 at the Commonwealth Commerce Center. There will be a planning meeting on Tuesday, December 3, at 6:00 at the Hunt Club. Please email Sarah at satz05@gmail.com by December 1st to let us know you will be joining us. Daddy Daughter Dance planning meeting: Wednesday, December 4, at 5:30 in the school faculty lounge. If you can’t attend but would like to help please email Kathy Dalton, ktbdalton@comcast.net or Lisa Barancin,

lbarancin@gmail.com News from the T.R.I.P. office: Weekly orders must be received by 9:00 am Monday for orders to be submitted. On hand TRIP will be available from Mrs. Guerin in the school office Monday through Thursday most weeks. Contact Alison Levy by email stjohntrip@yahoo.com

Be it known to all who enter here,

that Christ is the reason for this school.

He is the unseen,

but ever present, teacher in its classrooms.

He is the model for its faculty

and the inspiration of its students.

Secret Santa Help needed Dec. 8,11,12. Sign up at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090a4eafa92ea13-secret Secret Santa Shop is asking for the following donations:

New or gently used gift bags

Tissue paper – red, white or green Curling ribbon Bows

Scotch tape Christmas labels – to/from (stick on are best) Large sturdy shopping bags (not thin plastic grocery bags)

Save the Dates: Band Concert – LCCS 7t h- 8th, and 6th grade bands perform on Thursday, December 5th at 7:00 in SJS gym

O Come, Let Us Adore Him – Thursday, December 12th, in the church. Evening of adoration, song and

prayer. Prelude music begins at 7:00

St. John Parish Cookie Walk – After masses on December 8th in the parish center.

Christmas Program – Preschool through 6th graders perform on Thursday, December 19th, at 6:30 in the

gym. There is a 1:30 rehearsal that same afternoon for relatives and friends who are unable to join us for the evening performance.

SJS Fundraising ~

Magazines – www.gaschoolstore.com Click on “Shop Now” and enter school ID 2627826 RADA Cutlery for SJS PTO - http://bit.ly/2zm4BTp Shop Amazon and Earn $$$ for St. John School - Use the same account as for any Amazon shopping on

the smile.amazon.com website, and search for St. John the Evangelist Church Jackson MI to ensure that the proceeds are given to St. John School

Ways to Grow and to Live in Faith:

To learn more about your Catholic faith, Go to FORMED.org Use the parish code (0766a8) to create an account

Browse or search for content of interest

6. 7. 8.

Embrace the Advent season (begins December 1st) from the ease of your e-mail inbox with Sacred Advent Each day of Sacred Advent invites you to a step-by-step way of praying

with a Scripture reading and related points of reflection. The messages also include suggestions for further exploration of Advent themes through additional online articles and prayers Sacred Advent is free from Loyola Press. Sign up now, and take a break from the hectic pace of the world for moments of quiet prayer that will lead you through a meaningful Advent and Christmas

THANK YOU!!!

A huge SJS hug of thanks goes out to Mrs. Christine Desnoyer who put together another absolutely incredible Irish-themed gift assortment for the Lumen Christi Auction using the monetary donations from our generous school family. This beautiful display went to a lucky bidder for $600. The proceeds benefit Lumen Christi.

FAN SHOP

Christmas Shopping

Extravaganza! Conveniently located in the

Advancement Office at LCCS

Friday, December 6, 2019

Noon-6pm

*Gift Wrapping

* New Items

*Sale Items

12th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS ST. VINCENT FOOD AND

PRICELESS TOY STORE COLLECTIONS *** through December 13th***

Week 2 – (December 2nd – December 6th) Peanut butter, Jelly Ketchup, mustard Spaghetti sauce Spaghetti noodles Macaroni and cheese Ramen Noodles Crackers Toilet paper and tissue *** New or very gently-used, clean toys. Week 3 – (December 9th through 13th) Instant potatoes Canned vegetables Canned fruits Cold cereal

Hot cereal – Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, etc. Pancake mix and syrup Ramen Noodles Toilet paper and tissue *** New or very gently-used, clean toys.

Planning is underway for the Community Wide Christmas Dinner that is held each year at Queen’s School on Christmas Day for members of our Jackson community. The monetary support received from the Catholic schools is a very important component in the success of these community outreach dinners. The school donations are used directly for food purchases and the students and their families are a vital volunteer resource.

St. John School will be having a Donation Dress Down Day on Tuesday, December 3

rd. Students and staff are asked to donate any amount to this

worthy cause. Checks may be made out to St. John School.

A link to the volunteer sign-up page will be posted in a future newsletter.

A big thanks to all of you who continue to make this dinner a success!

11/19/2019

PTO MEETING

5:30-6:30

ATTENDANCE: Monica Delaney, Jennie Knoll, Heather Roberts, Niki Rhinehart, Jenifer Smith, Rebeka Bessot

Amy Lawe and Kristi Blair

Treasurer’s Report: $4,059.23

Secret Santa: Volunteers are needed to sign-up on the Sign-Up Genius App. Set-Up will be on: Sunday

December 8, 1:00-5:00.

Kathy Dalton reported on a store in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It would be a great place to shop for Secret Santa and

Mardi Gras. The Darlington Warehouse.

Michelle Willet will taking care of the grab bags for Mardi Gras. Amy Lawe has agreed to shadow Michelle.

Monica Delaney has booked the DJ-Photo Booth-Bounce Houses for Mardi Gras.

Games still need to be booked.

ATTENTION PTO MEMBERS: THERE WAS GREAT DISCUSSION ABOUT POSSIBLE SILENT

AUCTION ITEMS. PLEASE EMAIL MONICA DELANEY WITH INFORMATION.

The On-Line Apparel store looks great!

Sarah recommended creating a survey if there is any interest in holding a lock-in.

Jen Smith attended the Witness the Difference Meeting and Tour at Lumen.

Mardi Gras Baskets

Preschool 3’s and Enrichment- Pet Basket

Preschool 4- Cooking/Baking Basket

Kindergarten- Arts and Crafts Basket

First Grade- Boy/Girl Basket

Second Grade- Detroit Sports Basket

Third Grade- Gift Certificates Basket

Fourth Grade-MSU-U of M- Notre Dame Basket

Fifth Grade-Handy Dad/Pampered Mom

Sixth Grade-Family Fun Night Basket

Gift Card Winner: Karen Laura

No December Meeting

December 2019

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 Advent Begins Food/Toy Collections Continue

2 Cub Scouts 6:30

3 Donation Dress Down for Christmas Dinner at Queen’s

Girl Scouts Draw Down Planning Meeting 6:00 Hunt Club

4 Band Practice

5 Reconciliation 10:00-11:00 Grades 3 & 5

Band Concert St. John’s/ 7:00 Grade 6,7,8

6 All School Mass 9:00 Adoration

St. Nicholas Day

7 SJS Craft Show 10:00–4:00

8 Feast of the

Immaculate Conception 2nd Sunday of Advent Food and Toy Collections

through Friday

9 Last TRIP Order

before Christmas Cub Scouts 6:30

10 11 Secret Santa Shop

12 Feast of Our Lady of

Guadalupe December Birthday Dress Down Secret Santa Shop Reconciliation 10:00-11:00

Grades 4 & 5 Advent Retreat Grade 6

13 All School Mass

9:00 5th Grade Bake Sale Popcorn Friday

14

15 3rd Sunday of

Advent

16 TRIP On Hand ONLY

17 Christmas Lunch in

Gym Girl Scouts

18

19 Christmas Program

Rehearsal 1:30 Evening Performance 6:30 LC Choir visits during lunch

20 JPS Buses AM ONLY

All School Mass 9:00 Classroom Parties Christmas Vacation Begins 11:45

21

22

4th Sunday of Advent

23

Christmas Break

24

Christmas Eve

25

MERRY CHRISTMAS

26 27 28

29

30

Christmas Break

31

NEW YEAR’S EVE

In addition to our daily entrée we

also offer PB&J Crustable w/string 2 3 4 5 6cheese or Bagel w/Cream Cheese Hot dog BBQ Chicken Beef Tacos Confetti Pancakes

& String Cheese or Peanut Butter. Baked Beans Cheesy Potato PIZZA DAY! Refried Beans Sausage

a variety of fruits and vegetables a variety of fruits and vegetables a variety of fruits and vegetables a variety of fruits and vegetables a variety of fruits and vegetables

offered daily from the salad bar offered daily from the salad bar offered daily from the salad bar offered daily from the salad bar offered daily from the salad bar

Second Choice Second Choice Second Choice Second Choice

Mini Corndogs Chicken Nuggets Beef & Cheese Taco Stick Bosco Stick

9 10 11 12 13Flatbread Sandwich Cheeseburger Chicken Tenders Baked Cheese Ravioli

Pasta Salad Tater Tots PIZZA DAY! Corn Garlic Bread

a variety of fruits and vegetables a variety of fruits and vegetables a variety of fruits and vegetables a variety of fruits and vegetables a variety of fruits and vegetables

offered daily from the salad bar offered daily from the salad bar offered daily from the salad bar offered daily from the salad bar offered daily from the salad bar

Second Choice Second Choice Second Choice Second Choice

Mini Corndogs Chicken Nuggets Hot Dogs Bosco Stick

16 17 18 19 20Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap French Toast Sticks 1/2 Day

Must have 3 of the 5 to be a Veggie Chips Christmas PIZZA DAY! Sausage No

Complete nutritional lunch a variety of fruits and vegetables Luncheon a variety of fruits and vegetables a variety of fruits and vegetables Lunch

offered daily from the salad bar offered daily from the salad bar offered daily from the salad bar

Second Choice Second Choice Second Choice Second Choice

Min Corndogs Chicken Nuggets Beef & Cheese Taco Stick

23 24 25 26 27Elementary $3.00 Merry ChristmasReduced $0.40 Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas

Additional Milk $0.50 Break Break Break Break Break

Additional Entrée $1.00

Second Choice Second Choice Second Choice Second Choice

30 31 1 2 3

Happy New YearChristmas Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas

Break Break Break Break Break

Second Choice Second Choice Second Choice Second Choice

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

LUNCH PRICES

FRIDAYTUESDAY WEDNESDAY

St. John's

Lunch Menu

MONDAY THURSDAY

Condiments offered with lunch are

Ketchup, Mustard, Taco Sauce and

Salad Dressings.

Water, Milk Choice of Fat FreeStraw, White or Chocolate

are included with Lunch

Free & Reduced-Meal forms can be obtained online or

from both school offices

at any time throughout

To check the balance in your account and for additional

information contact Amy Kaiser at

517-784-1714 orEmail:akaiser@myjacs.org

MENU IS SUBJECT TOCHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

December2019

Have a peaceful Advent

Helping our children grow in their Catholic faith. December 2019

Originally from Central America, poinsettias were used by early Christians to teach the faith. The bright red leaves recalled Christ’s blood which was shed for us, while their arrangement evoked the Star of Bethlehem. In one legend, a poor Mexican

girl wanted to give something to the Christ child. Having

nothing, she arranged weeds into a bouquet

and left them before the manger. They grew

beautiful red �owers, showing that she had

given the best gift of all: genuine love.

Do you wish for an idyllic family Christmas complete with joyful music, grateful children, and tinsel-covered tree? For many parents, the weeks of Advent before Christmas mean weeks spent shopping, wrapping, and spending, and are wrought with family tensions, obligations, and overly excited children. Try these steps to keep your sanity and your Savior in your family’s observance of Advent and Christmas: Be realistic. It isn’t the goal of the season to make everyone happy. If you don’t overspend and over extend before Christmas, you’ll be in a better frame of mind when it arrives. Tie gifts with heartstrings. It’s okay to give fewer gifts and to keep what you give simple, meaningful, and from

the heart. For example, give a coupon for a household chore to someone who would appreciate an extra hand. Handmade ornaments make meaningful gifts that last.

Soothe the beast. Beautiful music can set a soothing tone for the season. Play

your favorite hymns and

carols to keep a peaceful tone in

your home. Reach out. Want to

help children focus on something other than their gift lists? Do at least one good deed for someone needy. Seek the eternal. Jesus gives us peace, purpose, and perspective. Spend time with Jesus each day of Advent and Christmas to remember what is most important about Christmas.

© Copyright 2019 Success Publishing & Media, LLC

Why do Catholics display poinsettias at Christmas?

St. Maria di Rosa Born into a wealthy family in Brescia, Italy, Paula spent her time, talents, and resources to help others. She left school to help her father with the mill. She helped her brother run a school for deaf and mute girls and cared for those suffering from the cholera epidemic of 1836. She founded the Handmaids of Charity in 1840—a religious order which cared for the sick. Upon entering, she took the name Sr. Maria Cruci�xa.

The �rst Christmas gift Find something shiny or yellow that reminds you of gold. Use something fragrant (like an air freshener) to represent frankincense. Pour a small amount of oil into a small container to represent myrrh. Put these three gifts in a box, label the present with Jesus’ name, and open it �rst on Christmas Day.

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14) .

Mrs. Kristi Blair, PrincipalSt. John the Evangelist School

December 2019 Page 2

Success Publishing & Media, LLCPublishers of Growing in Faith™ and Partners in Faith™

(540)662-7844 (540)662-7847 faxhttp://www.partnersinfaith.com

(Unless noted Bible quotes and references are fromthe Revised Standard Version and the New American Bible.)

To help parents raise faithful Catholic children

© Copyright 2019 Success Publishing & Media, LLC

Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23,God protects those who trust him.

Dec. 1 – First Sunday in Advent. During this season, we anticipate Christ’s birth and his coming on the last day. Catholics everywhere light candles in an Advent wreath to signal the coming of the light of Christ. Dec. 1 – St. Edmund Campion (1581). As a young man, St. Edmund studied theology in France then became a Jesuit missionary. He returned to England to preach but was betrayed and arrested. He was martyred at Tyburn. Dec. 7 – St. Ambrose (397). St. Ambrose was an effective pastor,

bishop and teacher, and was devoted to care of the poor in Milan. He guarded the Church against the Arians, who denied Jesus’ divinity. Dec. 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe (1531). The Blessed Mother appeared as a Native American maiden to St. Juan Diego. She asked that the bishop of Mexico build a chapel for her, and had him carry roses as a sign. When the roses were emptied from his tilma it retained the image of the Blessed Mother.

Telling stories, making music, demonstrating gratitude, and sharing our love and faith with one another, are warm and wonderful ways to celebrate the joy of bringing God into the human world each Christmas season. Consider these ideas: Tell stories. The �rst and second chapter in Luke’s Gospel tell the most remarkable true story of God coming to live among us. Read a little each night together, and try to imagine you were there. Make music. The word “carol” means an old round dance with singing. Sing your

favorite carols or hymns and create dances to go along with them.

Count blessings. Each day during Advent, �nd a picture of something for which each person is

grateful and put it up in a prominent place in your home. These are visible reminders of God’s love. Make it last. The Catholic Christmas season lasts from the vigil Mass on

Christmas Eve until the Baptism of Our Lord on January 12. Leave your tree up the

entire time and celebrate with gusto!

When she was nine years old, Kara asked the question many parents dread. “Is there really a Santa Claus?”

Without hesitation, I told her, “yes.”

I grew up in a large family and my

parents often lacked money

for gifts at Christmas. Yet,

thanks to “Santa Claus,” we never went a Christmas without a stocking to open or a gift under the tree. I admitted that I have never met Santa Claus and I don’t know if our gifts were really delivered by a chubby man in a red suit. Still, I believe he exists in the generosity and kindness of others. Santa provides an opportunity for people to humbly reach out to others in his name. So whether we call this spirit, “Santa” or “St. Nicholas,” at the core, it is a love for Christ and the joy of celebrating his birth that brings out the best in people.

Nativity scenes usually show Mary and Joseph calmly kneeling at Jesus’ crib surrounded by adoring shepherds and wise men. It’s a peaceful scene and probably pretty far from reality. Mary and Joseph traveled in the last stages of her pregnancy from Nazareth to Bethlehem. On foot or donkey, it was a dirty, exhausting journey. Once there, there was nowhere to stay except a stable with animals because all the good inns were full. After a short time, they had to �ee to Egypt with a newborn to escape danger, and stayed

Celebrate a warm and wonderful Christmas

there for several years without family or friends.

The Holy Family had a share of pain and dif�culties much like

our own experience. Yet Scripture tells us that

Mary and Joseph found strength from their faith in

God and were guided by his Word. We can do the same.

What can a parent do? Tell your children that Jesus’ birth and the Holy Family’s escape to Egypt is further proof that God always keeps his promises. When we lean on him, God will always lead us to safety.

1 December Make and bless an

Advent wreath. Light the first violet candle each night this week.

2 Set up your family Nativity scene

with the empty manger. Add other major figures gradually throughout the season.

3 Consider buying a gift for a struggling

family in your parish. Ask the parish office for suggestions.

4 At dinner tonight, pray for troops

stationed overseas and their families this season.

5 Today, resolve as a family to only say

kind, encouraging things to each other.

6 Show love on St. Nicholas’ Day by

doing a secret good deed for someone else.

7 Put up a Christmas tree. Have each

family member put an ornament on every day until it is beautiful for Christmas.

8 Light two violet candles in the

Advent wreath each night this week. Sing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”

9 In honor of Mary’s Immaculate

Conception, attend Mass and pray a family Rosary tonight.

10 Cut star-shaped ornaments out of

colored paper. Decorate with glitter on one side and your favorite Bible verse on the other. Hang them on the tree.

11 This can be a sad time for

those who have lost someone or are alone. Include anyone in your gathering who might otherwise be forgotten.

12 To honor Our Lady of

Guadalupe, place a rose in a vase in your home and pray a “Hail Mary” whenever you pass it.

13 Make time to visit the

church when Mass isn’t celebrated. You can sit and pray together quietly, or just show the little ones around.

14 Gather with friends and go

Christmas caroling. Warm up with hot chocolate afterward.

15 Light two violet candles and the

rose one for joy. See which of you can sing loudest at Mass today.

16 Give each family member

a chance to say “thank you” for a blessing God has given this year.

17 Make Christmas cookies and

decorate them with symbols of the season. Bring them to a nursing home or homeless shelter.

18 Christmas can be a stressful

time for parishes. Send or make thank-you notes to your priests or parish staff.

19 Write letters to Baby Jesus

telling him that you look forward to his coming at Christmas. Read them aloud on Christmas Eve.

20 Have a family story night.

Reread your favorite Christmas storybooks over cookies and milk.

21 Attend Confession

together to ready your hearts for the Savior. Go out to dinner afterward to celebrate forgiveness.

22 Light all four candles in the

wreath tonight. Reread today’s Gospel reading, Matthew 1:18-24.

23 Resolve as a family to pray

for at least 15 minutes every night during the coming year.

24 Place Mary and Joseph in

the Nativity scene. Add grass or straw to the manger to get it ready for the Baby.

25 Rejoice! Read the story of

Jesus’ birth in Luke 2:1-20. Think of how joyful it will be to meet Jesus when he comes again.

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because

there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:1-7).

© Copyright 2019 Success Publishing & Media, LLC • 800-36-3114

Family Advent Calendar Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Mrs. Kristi Blair, PrincipalSt. John the Evangelist School