Campus Ministry Newsletter

April 6-7 Grade 11 Retreat
April 5-7 Grade 12 Retreat
May 1st Grade 9 Retreat Group One
May 2nd Grade 9 Retreat Group Two
May 5th ThinkFast 2017

Campaign Nov. 22nd-25th

T he St. Thomas More Collegiate Justice and Life team are excited to take on its first initiative this year:

SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD.

Help us raise awareness about the hurtfulness of the R-word by pledging and possibly sharing stories at www.r-word.org

The R-word is the word 'retard(ed)'. Why does it hurt? The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It's offensive. It's derogatory.

The campaign asks people to pledge to stop saying the R-word as a starting point toward creating more accepting attitudes and communities for all people. Language affects attitudes and attitudes affect actions. Pledge today to use respectful, people-first language.

Students can pledge online at
www.r-word.org
. Booths and an awareness campaign will begin on November 22nd to the 25th (members of our community attending parent teacher interviews on Thursday November 24th can join the campaign as well).

A special thank you to Special Olympics BC who has introduced this program to our students and is collaborating with STMC on various initiatives including the sports camp earlier this year. For more information regarding Special Olympics you can check out their website at www.specialolympics.bc.ca/get-involved

Dear STMC Families,

I would like to begin by showing gratitude to all members of our community who have helped make St. Thomas More Collegiate what it is today. Thank you for volunteering your time, service to others and contributing to our missions.

At St. Thomas More Collegiate we continue to take steps to foster our spirituality and faith life by offering a variety of opportunities for students to live the message of the Gospel. We are excited about the enthusiasm from our students in giving back and striving to make a positive difference in the world. One of our goals this year is to challenge our students to become advocates. More than ever we need to stand in solidarity towards those marginalized by poverty and injustice. Some great initiatives from our students are beginning to take place. For instance, the Action Team led by Mr. Darren McCormick will begin a Faceless Doll Project to advocate for missing First Nations women. Also, our BERT team will be collaborating with Edmund Rice College in Wollongong, Australia to work on a HAART campaign which encourages early detection for HIV infections in developing countries. Furthermore, in February we plan to connect with Edmund Rice schools in India to advocate for the Nine is Mine Campaign (more details to follow).

Below, you will learn more about various events, opportunities, and stories of how our Knights strive to make the world a better place for the earth and its people. We ask for your continued prayers. Please don't hesitate to contact me anytime if you have any questions, concerns, ideas or want to volunteer.

Sincerely,

David Mattiazzo
Director of Campus Ministry

(604) 521-1801 ext 127

[email protected]

Edmund Rice Beyond Borders: India
David Mattiazzo
india

I just returned from an incredible and memorable trip to India this fall to be part of the Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders program (EREBB). I had an opportunity to visit schools and attend a congress with over 200 passionate Edmund Rice educators from 23 countries across the globe. India was an ideal place for the conference as there are over 30,000 students attending twenty Christian Brother schools throughout the country. Our Edmund Rice schools in India are on the forefront of education and students and staff at all schools are very involved in social activism and service. Although India is now considered one of the most technological advanced countries in the world, millions of children remain out of school and illiterate. My experience was that India, a vast and diverse land of many contrasts and contradictions, has a sacred and very hospitable culture.

EREBB is a relatively recent concept that includes all Edmund Rice schools across the globe. I was inspired by Mr. Deslauriers' visit to South Africa last year as he represented St. Thomas More as a lead school that helped to develop this initiative. This congress I attended was the largest international meeting of its type for Edmund Rice schools which educate over 175 000 students around the world.

The vision of EREBB is for Edmund Rice schools to commit themselves to global solidarity to provide transformational education for justice and liberation for all students across the globe.

Before the congress all delegates were invited to spread across India to participate in an immersion experience. I had the great pleasure of attending Our Lady of Salvation School in Dadar, a school of 1400 students from a poor area in Mumbai. The principal Brother Sebastian, staff, students and their families went to great lengths to show us hospitality. The community feel and dedication to faith was very similar to St. Thomas More. Blessed Edmund Rice and service was a focal point for the school. It was also interesting to see that many of our schools in India had a mixture of students from various religious backgrounds all living out the charism of Edmund Rice.

The congress component was held in the city of Kolkata, often referred to the home of Mother Teresa and the City of Joy. While I encountered extreme poverty walking through the bustling and busy streets, I sensed a strong sense of joy and culture throughout the city. During the congress it was exciting to connect and learn about all the wonderful projects our network is involved in around the world. I was proud to share stories of how our Knights are making a positive difference and how we are eager to connect. We listened to various educators, brothers, sisters and teachers on how the Edmund Rice Network is flourishing worldwide. Every school at the congress is eager to connect with St. Thomas More. Some initiatives we plan on developing are:

partnering with other schools throughout the world and having our students connect
using available technology to connect out students
being involved in advocacy projects to further the message of the Gospel
encourage more opportunities for social justice initiatives

The sessions at the congress were only a part of what made this so special; shared meals, time to travel the streets, daily reflections, morning masses at Mother Teresa's house and numerous cultural celebrations were all an enlightening experience. I was also able to be involved in some service opportunities. Just outside the walls of St. Joseph's College, a Christian Brother school in Kolkata with over 3000 students, dozens of children literally live on the sidewalk. Students at St. Joseph's reach out by serving the poor meals on a regular basis. While there is no escaping the poverty that so many people in Kolkata and India endure, witnessing the Hindu festival of Puja served as a reminder of the faith-inspired resilience of people who face adversity everyday.

Upon returning from the congress the delegates have the goal to put into practice what we learned in India. I look forward to sharing information about our network and collaborating on initiatives with schools both locally and internationally. This congress was exactly ten years after attending an Edmund Rice Immersion in Kibera, Kenya which inspired me to be involved in Campus Ministry at STM.

For more information on the Edmund Rice Education Beyond borders please visit http://www.erebb.org/

Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/erbeyondborders

Remembrance Day Mass and Service

November 10 at 10:45am

Our Annual Remembrance Day Mass will be held at 10:45am on Thursday, November 10th in the STMC gymnasium. We are happy to announce that STMC Chaplain, Fr. Smith, will be the celebrant on the day. Following mass we will have a special service and reception honoring members of the STMC community who have passed away. We welcome anyone in our community to celebrate with us for this service or any of our other school masses.

STMC Liturgy Schedule
Advent Mass: Thursday, December 15th,at 10:45am

Winter Grade Level Masses at OLM TBA.
Ash Wednesday Mass: Wednesday, March 1st at 10:45am
Adoration Service: February TBA
Mother's Day Mass: Friday, May 12th @10:45am

Grad Mass at OLM: Thursday, May 25th @7pm

STM Annual Toys For Kids Drive Back for Another Year!!

Tuesday December 13th

The Toys for Kids Drive is back for its seventh consecutive year. Initially launched by St. Thomas More Collegiate graduate Miguel Ramos ('13) as part of his planning 10 initiative, thousands of toys have been collected and several thousand dollars have been raised for the Salvation Army.

This year the Toy Drive will take place on Tuesday, December 13th from 7-8:30am at the STMC foyer. In years past CTV and the Burnaby Fire Department helped to launch this event. Students are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys to put under the Christmas tree either that morning or anytime leading up to this day. Cash donations and gift cards are also accepted. Please note that students who donate a toy will be invited to a pancake breakfast that morning in the cafeteria.

Looking for Volunteer Hours
Students are encouraged to sign up for opportunities

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the service opportunities offered at STMC. Opportunities are listed on the service board located outside the library and signup sheets can be found outside the Campus Ministry office. Please remember that while the Campus Ministry department will do its best to accommodate all students, spots are limited and students are encouraged to find volunteer options on their own. At anytime, if a student needs recommendations they can meet with Mr. Mattiazzo for support.

The following are a list of upcoming student service opportunities:

12th Avenue Breakfast Program
Students help prepare and serve breakfast at the 12th Avenue School from Monday to Friday. Meeting time is at 7:50am with Mr. Mattiazzo and students will miss part of their first block.

Holy Trinity Breakfast Program

Students help prepare and serve breakfast for up to 200 people in New Westminster every Thursday morning. The program is run throughout the winter and summer breaks as well. Please note that during vacation time we also are in need of volunteers.

Children's Christian Party for Disadvantaged Children December 16th

Five to six students are needed to assist with a Christmas Party for disadvantaged children in the New West area who may not enjoy the festivities of other families. Approx. 60 children up to 9 years of age are expected to be at the party hosted by the Fraternal Order of Eagles. The party will take place at Unifor Hall, 707 West 12th Street in New Westminster from 3pm-6pm. For more information please contact Mr. Mattiazzo

Candy Wrapping Event

Students will be needed to wrap candy for the Good Shepherd Ministry as well as write various prayer cards. There will be an after-school event for students to sign up. Information can be found on the Service Board.

Good Shepherd Ministry

Beginning in November, grade 11 and 12 students will have the chance to be involved in a new ministry serving the people living in the downtown east side of Vancouver. Based out of the Door is Open, the Good Shepherd is where students will hand out candy bags and prayer cards. The program will run twice a month and students will leave at 6:30pm from STMC.

Canada Scores Soccer/Poetry Program

Students help run an after school soccer and poetry program for elementary students. Please read article block below for more information.

Japanese Student Visit Volunteers

On December 9th and again on February 17th, over 100 students from Japan will be visiting St. Thomas More Collegiate. We will need student buddies for each of our visiting guests. Students are requested to sign up. More information TBA.

In-house STMC Volunteer Opportunities

Parent Teacher Interview: November 24th
Christmas Craft Fair: November 19-20
Open House Tour Guides: January 11th
Chancellor Basketball Tournaments: December and January

Harbour Lights Salvation Army Serving

Opportunity
Periodically throughout the school year, students serve a meal at the Harbour Lights Center on West Cordova Street in Vancouver.

Report from Mission Control

A special thanks to our community for their continued support of our STMC missions. The STMC Missions program helps support a variety of charities both locally and internationally. Funds raised have assisted many of our Edmund Rice Christian Brothers around the world and gone towards local initiatives.

We have currently raised just over

$3,000 since the beginning of the school year from our students through their efforts in a variety of bake sales and religion class collections. In addition, our jeans days have contributed greatly to our missions - earlier this month we raised just over $1,200.

Mark your calendars, bring a toonie, and participate in our jeans days:

November 18th , February 16th, March 31st and May 19th.

Brother Stephen Casey Visit and STMC Missions

November 17th-18th

STMC is excited again to welcome back Brother Stephen Casey to present to our students on STMC Missions. Brother Stephen will share with us opportunities within the Edmund Rice Network and share where some of our mission collections help to make a positive difference in the world. For instance, our missions help support a lunch program for poor children at the Christian Brother School Fey Alegria in Peru. Brother Casey is the director of Service trips for South America and has helped lead our STMC students in Canto Grande Peru. We will be having a jeans day to continue to fund-raise for the Christian Brother programs in Canto Grande.

Candy Collection for the Good Shepherd Ministry

A special thank you to all those who have collected candy for the Good Shepherd Ministry.

The Good Shepherd is a Catholic Ministry based out of the Door is Open. Similar to the Agape Street Min istry, the Good Shepherd serves people living in the Downtown Eastside by handing out candy bags and prayer cards. Beginning in November grade 11 and 12 students will have the opportunity to join in this ministry with Mr. Mattiazzo and Mr. Zimmermann.

If you have any left-over candy or chocolate from this Halloween, we encourage you to drop them off to Mr. Mattiazzo in the Campus Ministry office.

Join the Canada Scores Program

Gr. 11/12 Students needed to assist with after school program

St. Thomas More Collegiate has once again teamed up with Canada Scores to help run a complimentary after-school program for students from 12th Avenue, Edmonds Community, and Stride in Burnaby. The program was inspired by USA Scores which was first initiated out of Los Angeles. This unique program combines soccer, poetry (reading/writing) and community service as well as on-going mentoring relationships with students. Several senior students have volunteered for the fall program this year.

Any senior student still interested in being part of the fall program or who would like to be part of the spring program beginning in February please speak with Mr. Mattiazzo.

Students are required to commit to one to three days each week from 3-5pm.

For more information please read the Service Board outside the Library or check out their website at http://www.canadascores.org

Alpha Faith Program
Grade 9 Students to take Alpha Program in Religion Classes

Beginning in January, all grade 9 students will be involved in the Alpha program led by grade 11 students who went through this program last year.

Through episodes filmed in Vancouver, London, Paris and Jerusalem, the Alpha Youth Film Series explores timeless questions about life, faith and God for a new generation.

The series offers compelling stories, images, questions, and discussion topics well spread throughout each episode to better engage youth, helping them think about how these issues relate to their lives as they discuss with their friends and leaders.

For more information please check the alpha website at https://www.alphacanada.org/

Grade 10 Students Volunteer at Third World Eye Care Society

Thursday, October 27

On Thursday October 27th, Grade 10 students had an opportunity to volunteer at the Third World Eye Care Society (TWECS), a volunteer registered BC charity. Run by Derrick and Marina March (parents of Evan and Emma March in grade 9.)

The TWECS are optometrists, opticians, medical doctors and other volunteers who collect old eyeglasses and recycle them for the poor as well as conduct eye clinics. The World Health Organization estimates that there are more than 45 million blind people worldwide, with an estimated 135 million visually impaired simply because they lack a pair of eyeglasses. In the developed world we throw away millions of eyeglasses because they no longer provide us with adequate vision.

These eyeglasses are priceless gifts for tens of thousands of underprivileged in the Third World. In the 20 years that TWECS has existed, they have completed eye projects around the globe in Mexico, Philippines, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Tanzania, Bolivia, Grenada, Cambodia, Peru, Malawi, Ecuador and Nicaragua and have provided restored vision to 80,000 underprivileged men, women and children. In that time they have collected over 250,000 pairs of eyeglasses from compassionate Canadians. For every person they see, at least 10 pairs of eyeglasses need to be found to match a patient's prescription.

Throughout the year we plan on taking various groups of students to assist with this excellent initiative. If anyone is interested in volunteering outside of school hours please speak with Mr. Mattiazzo.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Thursday, December 1st

Students will have an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Thursday, December 1st. Numerous priests will be at Our Lady of Mercy for the occasion and every student in the school will have a chance to receive the sacrament. In addition, Fr. Smith offers confession each Thursday in the school chapel usually from 10:45am to 1:30pm.

This sacrament, by its very nature, gives us graces that help us to live a Christian life.

St. Thomas More Collegiate