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       "The Messenger"


          November 16, 2018
  Vol. VI, No. 14
St. Michael's Academy
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Thank you to all the parents who came out this past Wednesday evening, despite the cold, to support their children at The Living History Museum.  I'm sure you were very proud of your child(ren)s' projects. It was quite evident that many hours of work went into each of them.

Because of the snow day today, we will have one more school day to collect food for the Gray House.  Please send items in with your child on Monday as we will be bringing the collection over on Monday afternoon. Thank you to all that have already sent in their donations.

Our school Mass of Thanksgiving will be held on Tuesday this week at 9:30 a.m.  We hope you will be able to join us as we give thanks for the many gifts that God has bestowed upon us.

Peace and God's blessings,

Ms. Ann E. Dougal  
 

  Important Dates
 
Please Make A Note Of These Important Dates 


Banking and Drumming every 
Wednesday
Violin every Thursday

Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at 9:30 a.m.
SCHOOL MASS - hosted by Gr. 4

Wednesday, November 21 through Friday, November 23rd
NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break



Please remember to attend Church as a family

  From The Classroom of - Mrs. Morrill - Gr. 3

A Little Kindness Goes A Long Way

In November, we have been learning each day about a new saint. They are great examples of sharing Jesus' love and kindness with others. We also celebrated World Kindness Day on Tuesday of this week. Each year, countries around the world dedicate November 13th to sharing and showing love. It has been an international holiday since 1998. Here are some suggestions from our kind third graders of ways to honor the day!
-     Give someone a hug
-     Say, "Have a good day!"
-      Include everyone
-     Help carry the groceries
-     Be an upstander
-     Volunteer
-      Read to your brother or sister
-     Play with a new person at recess
-     Make someone a card
-     Share what you have
-      Thank your parents or family members for what they do for you
      

This year, 3B is full of math explorers! We are not just learning concepts, but investigating them as well. Students are learning to talk about what they notice and answer questions like, "What does addition mean?" "Why does regrouping work?"  "How can we prove it?" This week, since we have begun the much-anticipated multiplication, the third graders tried to decide "Why are 6 x 3 and 3 x 6 the same?"  It's not just because they're both 18!  Here are some pictures of our budding mathematicians at work figuring out the reason behind the commutative property!




  Living History Museum

Stepping Back In Time

It was a great night at St. Michael's Academy this past Wednesday as the middle level students presented "The Living History Museum." Their hard work was evident as they proudly displayed their projects. Here are just a few of the highlights from the evening!


 Cans and Bottles!

                             CAN and BOTTLE DRIVE

BRING YOUR CANS AND BOTTLES TO ST. MICHAEL'S ACADEMY TOMORROW 
BETWEEN 9 A.M. AND NOON!

ALL TYPES OF CANS AND BOTTLES WILL BE ACCEPTED 
AS LONG 
AS THEY HAVE A DEPOSIT!

SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL!




 Christmas Pageant
   
The Christmas Pageant Is Coming!

It's hard to believe but the Christmas Pageant is right around the corner on Tuesay, December 11th and Wednesday, December 12th at 6 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church.


We have had MANY requests to have a raffle for the front row pew of the church for each night of the pageant. So... ask and you shall receive!  A flyer will be going home with your child on Monday offering the opportunity for you to purchase a raffle ticket!  The pew on the right side of the church, which seats 8-10 people, will be reserved for the lucky winner of the raffle!  This is your chance at having front row seats! Please do not forget to indicate which night you would
like to attend!




And Speaking of the Pageant...

The students are encouraged to practice the music at home and a special YouTube channel has been set up to help them do exactly that!

There you can sing along with all the music associated with the Pageant!

And...

We are also looking for an infant to play the baby Jesus on both nights. Please call the office if you would like to volunteer your infant!


 Catholic Identity
 
Thank You Fr. Aufiero!


Our 6th grade students had a fantastic visit this week from Fr. David Aufiero from Holy Name Parish. What a cool video Fr. David played for the students about a priest by the name of Fr. John Muir.

Fr. John took the students along for a day in the life of a priest to show them that becoming a priest doesn't mean leaving behind who you are and what you're passionate about.

After the video, Fr. David chatted with the students and answered their questions. They all learned that being a priest is anything but boring!

Interested in watching the video yourself?  

A Day in the Life of a Priest
A Day in the Life of a Priest



Thank You Fr. Wood!

We send out a HUGE thank you to Fr. Michael Wood from Mary Mother of Hope Parish for coming in to visit with out 5th grade students.  Since this was Fr. Michael's first visit, much of the time was spent asking questions and getting to know each other.

The students are looking forward to Fr. Wood's next visit!



  Open House
 
 PreK and Kindergarten Open House

Do you know of a family with a PreK 3 or 4 year old or a Kindergarten student that is looking for a GREAT school?

Pass on the news about what a great school St. Michael's Academy is and invite them to attend a special informational session for prospective students and their families on Tuesday, November 27th from 5-6 p.m. This event will be geared specifically for PreK and Kindergarten families. The little ones will enjoy doing a craft in one of our nearby classrooms while parents receive information about our school.

Help us spread the word!


Food For Thought

"You never go away from us, yet we have difficulty in returning to You. Come, Lord, stir us up and call us back. Kindle and seize us. Be our fire and our sweetness. Let us love. Let us run."

                                          - St. Augustine
 
Parish News
   
Holy Cross

Calling all Shepherds and Angels
  


Holy Cross Parish is looking for Shepherds and Angels to participate in the Christmas Eve Family Liturgy.  Please respond to the Religious Education Program by Friday, December 14th  if your child is interested so that we can prepare for the angel and shepherd costumes. They may be contacted at  hcc.cathy@gmail.com  or by calling (413) 372-6239.



Also at Holy Cross

Listening Session With
FR. Dan Lanahan, OFM
 
To the end that the People of God and Holy Cross parish may understand and cope better with the sexual abuse crisis in the Church, Holy Cross Church invites you to a Listening Session on December 8th, following the 4:00 p.m. Mass.

Fr. Dan Lanahan, OFM, will conduct the event that will focus on a variety of topics including: How are you feeling about the current crisis in the Church? Does this crisis have an effect on your faith? Has it impacted your identity as a Roman Catholic? If you could tell or ask Bishop Rozanski anything about the crisis, what would it be? We do not know the lasting effects this crisis will have on the Church. What can our parish of Holy Cross do to help one another, support one another, and deepen our faith as Catholics in the weeks ahead? Specifically, what can our parish staff and leadership do to help our parish navigate its way through this? All are welcome!
 
Light refreshments will be served. Please contact the rectory at (413) 783-4111 for further details. The rectory asks that you contact them by December 3, so they will know the amount of food to provide.  

There is no charge for the event.


***********************************************************************************

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

If you like Christmas Carols, Music Director Ernie Hadley, invites you to help lead us at the CHRISTMAS CAROL FESTIVAL on Sunday, Dec. 9th from  2-4 p.m.  

Join the Mt. Carmel cantors around the grand piano for a few Sunday  rehearsals at 9:30 a.m.  And everyone's welcome to the FESTIVAL event. You'll learn some Carol fun facts, hear two personal stories, relive the Bethlehem scene, have homemade cookies and get a take-home gift.  All free!

 

Prayer Corner
 
 
St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us! 

We pray for all St. Michael's Academy students, families, faculty, and staff, and their special intentions.


And we pray in a special way for our recently departed.


Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. 



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St. Michael's Academy 
153 Eddywood Street - Springfield, MA 01118
www.smaspringfield.org
413.782.5246 office 
413.782.8137 fax