 |
As we head into the Christmas season, I find my thoughts turning most often to gratitude. Gratitude for what each and every one of you contributes to our mission, vision and values and gratitude for the many ways our school is blessed.
Looking back on the past year, we have much to be grateful for. Our graduates had great success in acceptance to universities and colleges, winning scholarships to many of them. Our athletic program saw many successes in Ultimate Frisbee, Hockey, Basketball, Tennis, Badminton, Track & Field and Soccer, bringing home countless medals and trophies. Additionally, our Girls' Rowing Team won their heat at the 200th Royal St. John's Regatta. Our Wind Ensemble took home the Instrumental Group Rose Bowl in the Kiwanis Music Festival. Debating saw a revival with students representing us in competition in Halifax, Quebec City and Toronto. Our students saw success at the local, regional and national levels in the Science and Heritage Fairs. These and many other accomplishments by our students have made 2018 a very special year for us.
It is at Christmas time when St. Bon's shines brightest as a very special place. Our concerts full of music and happiness celebrate the coming of our Lord and Saviour, and our Advent Mass and the various Advent services remind us of the faith we share.
I hope this Christmas and holiday season affords you some time to reflect upon and rejoice over the graces in your life.
May these holy days, and every day, be filled with peace and joy for you and your loved ones. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at St. Bon's to you and yours.
Tom McGrath
President
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consider a Donation to St. Bon's
This Christmas Season
|
As Christmas is a time of giving, we are hoping that you will consider making a donation to our Annual Giving Appeal. There are three different areas you can support: Greatest Need, the Bursary Endowment Fund or the Facilities & Campus Fund. Please view the video below to see how your donations help our school.
To learn more about our Annual Giving Appeal you can download the brochure
here
. You can make a donation online by clicking
here
. Donations received on or before December 31st will receipt a tax receipt for the 2018 tax year.
To those that have already donated, please know how grateful we are that you are helping to support our mission of forming Men And Women For and With Others.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
2018 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice
|
|
|
|
2019 IFTJ St. Bon's Delegation |
In November, a delegation of our Senior High students joined over 2000 youth committed to faith and justice at the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice (IFTJ) in Washington (hosted by the Ignatian Solidarity Network), accompanied by teachers Ms. Colette Prior and Ms. Carolyn Windsor. Our students joined in many learning and action experiences related to social justice issues in immigration, mass incarceration and more. See below for a personal reflection on the experience from student Aaron Greenland '19:
"Men and Women for others". Many of us students here at St. Bon's hear this line every day when we go to school, but do we really understand its true meaning? Well, until my recent trip to Washington I thought I did. I was wrong.
I've been attending St. Bonaventure's College for nearly 13 years now, and in those years I have had several volunteering experiences, including the opportunity to volunteer in El Salvador. I've always thought that just volunteering and trying to be a nice person in my everyday life made me a "man for others". However after going to the conference in Washington and learning about the struggles and good things that people are doing all around the world, I've come to realize that there is more to being a "person for others" than just volunteering. Being a "man for others" means being passionate about a cause and taking action, like the Peace Poets who rap about social justice issues to inspire change, or the Universidad de Central America that sheltered protestors from government forces. At this conference we not only learned about the actions of others but we also learned about issues happening today that we can take action on.
The IFTJ Washington trip is more than just a travel opportunity, it gives students the opportunity to learn about what it really means to be a "Man or Woman for others".
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Students Celebrate Advent
|
With the Christmas season upon us, our school came together for Advent services as we prepare for the birth of Christ.
Our school Advent Liturgy was held at the Basilica of St. John the Baptist on Monday, December 3. Celebrated by Archbishop Currie, this was the last Mass he celebrated for our school before he retires this month. We thank His Grace for always supporting St. Bon's and our Mission.
Our Grade 2 classes led a beautiful Advent service for our Primary grades in our school Chapel. They did a wonderful job preparing everyone for the Holiday Season and reminding us all of the true meaning of Christmas.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
St. Bon's Gives Back At Christmas
|
|
|
|
|
Gathering Place Executive Director Joanne Thompson is presented with 200 $10 gift cards for the Gathering Place clients
|
|
St. Bonaventure's College is committed to working towards justice and peace for all, especially during this season of giving. We are proud of the many initiatives led by our students and teachers to bring a little Christmas cheer to others, whether it be company or sustenance that they are in need of.
On Wednesday, December 12, 2018, students paid $5 for the chance to have a dress down day, with all proceeds going to The Gathering Place. This is an important establishment that provides much needed services and meals to those in need in our community. There are 4 days over the Christmas Holidays on which The Gathering Place will not be able to provide meals. This school-wide initiative raised $2000, resulting in 200 $10 Tim Horton's gift cards that The Gathering Place can give to those who will need them for the days they will be closed. Our students and staff will also continue serving the Monday and Wednesday breakfasts at The Gathering Place over the holidays, as they do every week of the year.
|
|
|
The Social Justice Committee presents the Single Parent's Association of NL with a cheque for $525.
|
|
|
|
|
Grade 5s presented a $730 cheque for CJI
to Brother Joe & Father Smith
|
|
Clubs and classes participated in numerous other giving campaigns. The Social
Justice Club raised $525 through a bake sale for the Single Parents Association of NL. The Grade 5's hosted a Social Justice Movie and Popcorn day, in which they raised $730 dollars to donate to Canadian Jesuits International, an organization which does global charity and social justice work. Our grade 3 classes collected art supplies to donate to the Janeway Children's Hospital, to help bring a little happiness to the children who will be in the hospital over Christmas.
|
|
|
Gr. 5 student Hudson spends time with a resident
at the Veteran's Pavilion |
As we all know, time is one of the greatest gifts to give to those who may feel lonely at the holidays. Our grade 5 classes visited the Veteran's Pavilion to sing with the residents, and to sit and make crafts together with them. Our grade 6's also sang carols at the Pavilion. Among other joy-bringing field trips, carols were sung to the residents at St. Patrick's Mercy Home by the grade 2's and to the Presentation Sisters Convent by the grade 1's.
Whether it be money, gifts, supplies or time, we are proud to see our students so involved in the spirit of giving this Holiday Season.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bursary Deadline - January 15, 2019
|
A reminder that Bursary Applications and required documents for the 2019-2020 school year are due on
January 15, 2019
. Find the application form
here
. Applications should be brought to the President's Office in a sealed envelope addressed to the Bursary Committee.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Bursary Program, please contact Ms. Jessica Whalen at [email protected] or 709-726-0024 ext. 228
|
|
|
|
