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Sunday, December 11, 2016
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Today is the third Sunday of Advent; let us pray:
Jesus, Messiah, help us to see you at work in our lives, especially in the moments where we feel alone and discouraged. Help us to cry out at your coming, and to hear the prophets of the good news whom you send to encourage and remind us you are already here. Amen.
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Advent Penance Schedule
The season of Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ and the best way to prepare is to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation to confess our sins and to receive the graces to live holier lives. With this in mind, our local parishes have compiled a calendar listing that includes all Advent Penance Services in our area. All Penance Services are open to anyone (there is no requirement that you attend the service at your own parish). See below for the schedule:
Tuesday, December 13, at 7pm - St. Jude Catholic Church
Wednesday, December 14, at 7pm - St. Helen Catholic Church (Bilingual)
Friday, December 16, at 6:30pm - St. Peter Catholic Church
Tuesday, December 20, at 7pm - St. Mary Catholic Church (Bilingual)
Click here to read more about the
importance of attending a Penance Service during Advent
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Saint Feature: Saint Lucy
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Saint Lucy was born into a rich noble Roman family. At a very young age she lost her father who was a Christian. Lucy was left behind with a huge dowry. Lucy's mother wanted Lucy to marry a rich pagan man.
Lucy, being a virtuous young woman, did not want to marry a pagan man. Lucy asked her mother to distribute the dowry among the poor. The mother did not agree.
As a young teenager, Lucy had already consecrated her virginity and life to God. She was zealously working in the service of God helping the poor.
In addition she helped her fellow Catholics hiding in the dark underground catacombs who were at risk of suffering persecution. She would wear a wreath of candles on her head to find her way in the dark, as her hands were full of food and drink for the people.
St. Lucy was also well known for her beautiful eyes. It was said that her eyes radiated her love for Christ.
Lucy's mother became very ill from a bleeding problem. She had tried many treatments, but failed. Lucy then asked her mother to accompany her to Saint Agatha's shrine where they both prayed all night. Due to exhaustion, they both fell asleep near St. Agatha's tomb.
St. Agatha had appeared to Lucy in a dream and gave her the good news that her mother was healed. Saint Agatha further informed Lucy that she will be the glory of Syracuse - the city where Saint Lucy lived.
Lucy's mother convinced with her miracle cure, then complied with Lucy's request to distribute their wealth among the poor.
The Pagan man proposed to Lucy was furious when he heard the news. He decided to destroy Lucy's life denouncing her as a Christian to the Governor of Syracuse, Sicily.
That was a time where many Christians were persecuted for their faith. The governor sent his guards to forcibly take Lucy to a brothel house and then insult her in public.
When the soldiers came to take her, Lucy was filled with the Holy Spirit that she could not be moved. They claimed that she was heavier than a mountain. When the Governor questioned her as to how she could stay strong, she claimed that it was the power of Jesus her Lord and God.
Finally, they tortured Lucy to death and she died as a martyr.
There are two legendary stories about St. Lucy's eyes. As Lucy had beautiful eyes, the Pagan man who was proposed to marry Lucy, wanted Lucy's eyes.
One story tells us that Lucy gifted her eyes to the Pagan man, and asked him to leave her alone.
The second story tells us that during the torture, Lucy's eyes were taken out and that God had restored her eyes back.
Either way, Lucy's eyes were taken out and God had restored her eyes. That was the reason she became the patron saint for people who are blind and with eye problems.
The most important aspect of her story was that Lucy was a brave young woman who was zealous to give her life to God. She was ready to give her eyes and even her life, but stood strong in her faith at a time where Christians were persecuted for their faith.
This is why Saint Lucy is venerated as a virgin and martyr.
Lucy sets a good example to our young people today who are persecuted for their faith at school, at universities and work places. Her message would be to stand strong in your faith, no matter how hard the situation may be.
St Lucy is also the patron saint of Syracuse. Over the centuries many people have been healed by God through the intercession of St. Lucy.
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On Tuesday, December 13, our 3rd graders will celebrate the Feast of St. Lucia! A student from each 3rd grade homeroom was selected by her peers to dress as St. Lucia; then all the students will visit our classrooms to tell the story of St. Lucia and deliver donut holes. This year, Nora Day (3A) and Grace Martin (3B) will portray St. Lucia in this time-honored 3rd grade tradition at O'Hara.
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To learn more about Saint Lucia, visit these links:
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Dress Code Request for December 12
On Monday, December 12, O'Hara's Auction Committee will be taking photos of O'Hara students for use at our 2017 Auction. Students are requested to please wear a white or navy uniform top on both days (no jumpers, no burgundy). Thank you, O'Hara families, for accommodating this request!
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Extended Vacations
Please remember, this coming week is a full week of school, including a full day on Friday. If your family will be taking vacation days either before or after Christmas break, please
email Barb so she can mark your student(s) out. Thank you!
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Congratulations!
Congratulations to the Milliron Family on the arrival of their new baby! Evelyn Mary was born on Monday, November 28.
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Scholastic Book Fair - Thank You!
Thank you, O'Hara families, for your support of our recent book fair! The Book Fair earned $1,261! Thank you to Mrs. Gori & Mrs. Booth and all of our wonderful volunteers for their time & efforts.
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Inclement Weather Decision and Notification Process Reminder
If it becomes necessary to cancel or delay the start of school due to inclement weather, O'Hara families will be notified in the morning via an automated phone call and text message. The information will also be posted on our Facebook page.
O'Hara typically follows Eugene School District 4J's decisions regarding weather delays and closures. However, we also take into consideration the larger geographic area that our O'Hara families live in and are mindful of what those travel conditions might include. The safety of our families and staff is our primary concern. A decision regarding school delay or closure will normally be announced by 6:30am in the morning.
Please note, in the event of questionable weather, we expect and encourage each family to make their own decision for safe travel based on location and circumstances. If your students will not be to school on time, please
email Barb to let her know.
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Picture Retakes
If your student had picture retakes, please watch for a Monday folder with those pictures coming home with your student tomorrow.
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Marist Apparel Store
The Marist Apparel Store will be open this coming Friday, December
16, from
2:30 - 3:30pm. Please contact Mary Quick with any questions: mary.m.quick.16@gmail.com, 541-520-1026.
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Christmas Programs
Thank you to Mrs. Leonard and our O'Hara students for all their hard work in preparing for two very wonderful Christmas programs! We would also like to thank Mrs. Showalter for directing Tuesday night's program, Mr. Chris Fudge for setting up our webcast, Mr. George Helbling for managing our lights & sound, and Fr. Ron, Fr. Bryce and Fr. Edgar for making time to attend our programs!
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Religious Jewelry for Sale
Our 8th graders attending the Steubenville San Diego Conference in July will be selling religious jewelry this week (December 12th through December 16th),
both before and after school. The jewelry is beautiful and makes great Christmas gifts! Come check out the jewelry and support our 8th graders!
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Congratulations Stella Larson!
Congratulations to O'Hara 3rd grader, Stella Larson. Her artwork was selected as an honorable mention in the 2016 Christmas Card Contest held by
Catholic Charities. There were over 600 entries from 19 schools and parishes this year!
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| Christmas Giving at O'Hara |
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Helping our own
Every year, O'Hara collects gift cards that are distributed to help our own O'Hara families in need. If you are able to contribute gas gift cards, grocery store gift cards or gift cards for clothing or toys, please drop them at the front office for Mrs. Conway by Wednesday, December 14th.
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Marist Preview Day
Marist Catholic High School will hold Preview Day on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 1pm.
Click
HERE for more information!
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Drop-off & Pick-up Reminders
Please, please, please.....
-remember that the left-hand lane in the front lot is not for stopping. All cars must pull through the left-hand lane and find a parking spot, or exit the parking lot and circle the block to come back in.
-watch for students that may be walking in the
parking
lots
-follow the instructions of our staff directing traffic
-be courteous and safe when driving and parking
-keep the flow of traffic moving during drop off and pick up
-remember that the parking lot exits are RIGHT turn ONLY during drop off and pick up hours
-slow
down
in
our
parking
lots
We recognize that our parking lots are often frustrating, and for this reason, we have many rules in place to make it work as smoothly as possible. We ask that
everyone
please follow the rules and be kind, courteous and forgiving to other parents in our parking lots.
There are 300+ cars that need to move through, twice a day, every day, and the process goes much smoother when
everyone
plays by the same rules and is extra cautious. Thank you for your increased attention, caution & cooperation!
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Jog-A-Thon Invoices
PLEASE forward invoices to those who pledged your student(s) and help us save on postage.
Payments can be made by cash, check (made payable to O'Hara Catholic School) or can also be made online.
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AUCTION SPONSORSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE!
If you or your business is interested in sponsoring the 2017 Auction, please contact
Sean Jones in the Advancement Office.
The following sponsorships are still available:
Platinum Sponsor - $5,000
Gold Sponsor - $3,000
After Party Sponsor - $2,500
Silver Sponsor - $1,500
Silent Auction Sponsor - $1,500
Wine Wall Sponsor - $1,500
Super Silent Auction Sponsor - $1,000
Dessert Dash Sponsor - $1,000
Tuition Raffle Sponsor - $1,000
Pick of the Live Auction Raffle Sponsor - $1,000
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DECORATIONS WORK PARTIES SCHEDULED - FIP Hours Opportunity
Our decorations committee will be holding 5 work parties in December and January. If you can help, please come to the cafeteria from 8:05am - 11am on any of the following days, it is not necessary to RSVP:
Wednesday, December 14
Wednesday,
January 11
Wednesday,
January 18
Wednesday, January 25
Please note: work parties are for adults only, please no toddlers or small children (infants ok).
DECORATIONS REQUESTS
If you can help by donating or lending any of the following items, please drop items off to
Danielle Hauser.
-Wine Corks (will not be returned)
-Brown, flip-top beer bottles
(empty & clean please. These can be returned - if you'd like them back, please mark with your name)
(
click here for an example image
)
-We would also like to borrow German Beer Steins. If you have one or more that you would be willing to lend, please mark it with your name, and we will return it to you after the auction.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Donation Request Phone Calls: Preparations and planning are underway for O'Hara's 2017 Auction and volunteers are needed to make follow up donation request phone calls to local business donors. If you would like to learn more or sign up to help, please contact
Amy Londahl
, Silent Auction Chair (541-514-1369).
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SILENT & LIVE AUCTION DONATIONS NEEDED
Our Silent and Live Auction Committees are hard at work putting together great packages for our bidders! To help make our auction a success, we ask that every O'Hara family help by procuring or donating an item or package.
Click
HERE to view a wish list for our
Silent Auction.
If you would like additional ideas or have questions, please contact
Amy Londahl
, Silent Auction Chair.
If you can help with a connection or a donation for a larger package that might go in our
Live Auction
, please contact
Kate Hudson
, Live Auction Chair.
O'Hara's auction is the school's largest fundraiser of the year and we are grateful for the help and generosity of our families to make it a success!
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Please visit our
website
for current Volunteer Opportunities.
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| Important links for our families |
Dress Code
O'Hara's App for smartphones
O'Hara's app is available by searching the app store for: web4u ocs
Returning Parents: NEW VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
New Parents: VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
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