As we approach the end of another year, we would like to thank all of our Knights for their outstanding support to missions, service and continued witness to their Catholic faith. Our community has been very generous this past year and has helped to better the lives of many.

Please take a minute to glance below to learn more about various events, opportunities and stories of how our Knights are striving to make the world a better place for the earth and its people. We ask for your continued prayers through this Advent Season as we wait for the coming of the Lord and as reach out to our community.

Sincerely,

Mr. David Mattiazzo
Director of Campus Ministry

(604) 521-1801 ext 127

dave.mattiazzo@stmc.bc.ca

STMC Toy Drive Back for Another Year
Tuesday, December 16th

The Toys for Kids is back for its fifth consecutive year. Initially launched by St. Thomas More student Miguel Ramos (grad of 2013) 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 16 from 7am-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. For more information please speak with Mr. Mattiazzo.

You are invited to celebrate our annual Advent mass and Christmas sing-a-long!

Thursday, December 18th at 10:45am

All members of the St. Thomas More Community are invited to join us in celebration for our annual Advent mass and Christmas sing-a-long on Thursday, December 18 at 10:45am. STMC Alumnus Father Gary Franken will be the celebrant on this day. Members of our STMC alumni will be joining us to help lead our traditional Christmas sing-a-long following mass.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Social Justice Conference: Voices of Hope
Wednesday, February 25th

social justice Voices of Hope is a highlight of the academic year and a showcase of outstanding student research at Corpus Christi and Saint Mark's College. Guided by the central pillars of Catholic social teaching and featuring the work and research of CCC students, Voices of Hope is an opportunity to explore the social, political, cultural, religious and environmental challenges that we face in the 21st century.

The theme of this year's symposium is Conducere. Conducere is the Latin word that means "to lead with". It's the root-word from which we get our English words "conductor" and "conducive". At this year's conference, we will be looking at how certain kinds of leadership unite people and lead them forth, inspiring them to hope and to action - to go beyond perceived limits towards a common goal. We will feature student researchers speaking on a variety of topics in this light, and an invited guest keynote speaker.

Our theme of "conducere" was inspired by the example of Fr. Emil Kapaun, who gave inspiring leadership to his fellow prisoners in their POW camp, being a voice of hope for them in their darkness, even to the point of the giving of his life.

Any student interested in attending this conference can pick up a permission form from outside Mr. Mattiazzos's office beginning in January.

Upcoming Grade Level Retreats

Grade 8 - 12 Religion Retreats

Grade 9 Retreat

Theme: Jesus in My Life

The grade nine retreat will be held over two days in the STMC Multi-Purpose center.

February 23rd: Mr. Mattiazzo's and Mr. Zimmermann's Religion classes

February 24th: Ms. Lang's Religion classes

Grade 10 Retreat

Visits at the Door is Open: see article below

Grade 11 Retreat
Theme: Leadership

Date: April 1st-2nd

Location: Camp Charis, Chilliwack

Grade 12 Retreat

Date: March 31st-April 2nd

Location: Camp Luther, Mission

Specific information and permission forms will be sent home to your son or daughter closer to the date. If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact Mr. Mattiazzo.

Grade 10 Retreat Information
STMC classes to visit the Door is Open

We are excited to announce that the grade 10 retreat will once again take place at the Door is Open, a Catholic outreach facility located in the downtown east-side of Vancouver. Each grade 10 Religion class will have their own full day mini-retreat that will focus on service and an authentic personal faith journey. Students will have an opportunity to attend mass at St. Paul's Parish, prepare and serve meals to the needy as well as walk through this community handing out sandwiches. Before the start of the school year, the STMC staff had an opportunity to experience the same retreat at the Door is Open and it was a success. More information will be given to your son or daughter in the near future. For your information below is a schedule of the retreat dates:

February 5th: Ms. Lang's block A Class

February 10th: Mr. Mattiazzo's block F class

February 17th: Ms. Lang's block C Class

February 26th: Mr. Hall's block G Class

March 5th: Mr. Hall's block H Class

For more information don't hesitate to contact Mr. Mattiazzo.

STMC Volunteer 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 note that while the Campus Ministry department will do its best to accommodate all students, spots are limited and students are encouraged to find opportunities on their. At anytime if a student needs suggestion they can meet with Mr. Mattiazzo for support.

The following are a list of upcoming student service opportunities:

12th Avenue Breakfast Program

Students help to prepare and serve breakfast for students at 12th Avenue School from Monday to Friday.

Holy Trinity Breakfast Program

Students help to prepare and serve a breakfast for up to 200 people in New Westminster every Thursday.

STMC Chancellor Basketball Tournament

Student volunteers will be needed to help at both our Senior and Junior Chancellor tournaments beginning on January 7th-10th and then again on January 14th-17th.

Open House Student Volunteers

Over 100 students are needed to be tour guides for our Annual Open House on Wednesday January 14th. There will be an information meeting in room 126 at lunch on Tuesday January 6th and 7th.

Royal City Manor Retirement Home

Please see article block for more details (Seniors only).

Canada Score Soccer Program

Please read article block pertaining to this program (Seniors only).

Agape Street Ministry TBA

OLM and St. Francis de Sales Track and Field

Any student interested in assisting with coaching track and field for Our Lady of Mercy and St. Francis de Sales please speak with Mr. Mattiazzo.

Salvation Army Harbour Lights Center

Third World EyeCare Society

Please read article block below for more information.

STM JV Football Team Service Project
Football team spends evening with TWECS

On Friday, November 28th, the STMC Junior Varsity Football team came together to volunteer with the Third World Eye Care Society. Members of the team spent the evening sorting through 100's of eyeglasses, packaging and reading prescriptions for eyeglasses destined to third world countries. Earlier in the year the 2015 Peru Team as well as a grade 10 class also had a chance to volunteer with the TWECS.

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.

If anyone is interested in volunteering with the TWECS please contact Mr. Mattiazzo. The warehouse is located just off of 16th Avenue and Caribou Street in Burnaby.

Our Lady of Mercy Youth Leadership

Students are invited to join leadership team

The Our Lady of Mercy Youth Leadership program in its second full year continues to make a positive difference in our community. Led by STMC Business Manager Susan Silviera, her husband Jude and Melanie Arinzol, the OLM Youth Leadership team has established itself as a dynamic program that reaches out to youth and enables our students to become leaders. The goal of this program is to foster the personal and spiritual growth of young people and draw them to become responsible participants in the life, mission and work of the Catholic community. To name a few, this past year the OLM Youth Leadership team was involved in weekly activities including being part of a Youth Leadership program in the summer and has led various camps and programs for youth. The highlight of the year was putting on a Gospel Concert at STM in October. In the near future, the OLM Youth Leadership team will be organizing an Advent lunch on December 18th, putting on a kids Christmas party, leading the Grade 7 Retreat in February, running a children's bible camp in the summer and attending the Vancouver Archdiocese Leadership Conference in the summer.

Leaders meet every Wednesday or Thursday from 4pm-5pm in the STMC Library. New students are welcome and can expect to build upon their leadership skills. Participants are expected to be fully committed and attend a training session to prepare them to moderate various events for elementary aged students throughout the year and into the summer months if they are available. To sign up or for more information please speak with Mr. Mattiazzo.

STM Seniors run Canada Scores Program
Students run soccer/poetry program for neighboring schools

Beginning in October, St. Thomas More has teamed up with Canada SCORES to help run a complimentary after school program for students from 12th Avenue and Edmonds Community School in Burnaby. New in Canada, this program was inspired by USA Scores that 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 helped to run this program this fall and it was a huge success.

Any senior student interested in being a part of the program in the New Year please speak with Mr. Mattiazzo. Please note that students will be required to commit to three days each week from 3pm-5pm.

For more information on Canada Scores please log onto canadascores.org.

Mission: At Canada SCORES Vancouver, our after-school program will help at-risk students FIND THEIR VOICE, ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS, and REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL through the game of soccer, the art of poetry and community service experiences.

Our Vision: At Canada SCORES Vancouver, our innovative, proven program will INSPIRE, ENGAGE, and MAKE A DIFFERENCE to at-risk urban students allowing the to lead healthy, productive and confident lives.

For more information on Canada Scores...

Grade 10: Sexual Integrity
Religion Class Presentations

Sexual integrity

During the first few weeks of January, the Pregnancy Options Center of Vancouver is scheduled to present to individual grade 10 religion classes on sexual integrity. This is an exciting and interactive presentation designed to reach teens with information regarding making right decisions and living a chaste life.

Special emphasis is placed on helping teens see the value of developing meaningful relationships, as well as the benefits of delaying sexual activity until marriage.

This is designed to teach teens sexual wholeness in all areas of their life-physical, emotional and social. In addition, to motivate students to make healthy sexual decisions consistent with their values and personal goals.

Update from Mission Control

bro cass

A special thanks to our community for their continued support towards our STMC missions. We have currently raised over $6,000 for this school year which is a great feat. There has been a variety of bake sales as well as our religion classes collecting funds daily. Just in the past few years we have donated over $125,000 in funds that have gone to support both our local and international programs. Our mission donations support causes from the 12th Avenue Breakfast program to our Christian Brother school in Peru, Fey Alegria. Last year our community sent $17,7550 to support the Christian Brother service programs in South America. It is inspiring to see such generosity. Once again to all STMC families, parents, teachers, students, alumni, friends and benefactors, a heartfelt thank you!

Update from the Mary Rice Club
STMC Service Club places 2nd at the Gingerbread Lane Competition

The Mary Rice team, has been very busy in our school's kitchen this fall. While STMC doesn't have a Home Economics program, students can hone their baking skills with this club. Our in-house chef, Mrs. Batista and staff member Mrs. Cirillo, has assisted with several students in baking goods to raise money for Missions. To name a few, the Mary Rice Team has baked pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving, over 400 cupcakes during Halloween and an amazing Cake that took second place at the prestigious Gingerbread Lane at the Hyatt Hotel in Vancouver. Local culinary artists and school teams have their creations on display 24-hours-a-day from November 22nd to Christmas. Come support our school and check out their Polar Express cake. While the main competition is over, you can still vote on their display for the People's Choice Award. The Mary Rice team would like to thank Mr. Iquin, Mr. Kinal and Mrs. Karen Peterson for all their support. If any student is interested in joining the Mary Rice Team they can speak with either Mr. Mattiazzo or Mrs. Batista.

Royal City Manor Service Opportunity
STMC students reach out to seniors

Upon the beginning of the school year Brother Cassidy has been bringing a rotation of students to visit the Royal City Manor, a care home located in New Westminster. During these visits, our STMC students have an opportunity to spend time and visit with patrons living at this facility. Members of the choir have also been performing during these visits as well which has been a highlight.

On Wednesday, December 17th, thirty-eight members of our STMC choir will be involved in a special visit where they will be singing Christmas Carols both at the Royal City Manor and Mulberry Retirement Center in Burnaby. In addition, the Bert team will be creating Christmas Cards and plan on handing them out for the residents.

Any Senior student interested in joining Brother Cassidy for his visit to Royal City Manor can sign up with Mr. Mattiazzo.

BERT TEAM Connects with Byrne Creek
Written by Sophie Furey (grade 12 student)

As a group we have decided that we wanted to increase our interactions with not only Christian Brother Schools but also with schools in our area. In November we met with the Byrne Creek Secondary's Leadership Team to network and create an Action plan that both schools can be involved in. We have decided to assist with the Byrne Creek hamper drive that puts together hampers for students in need. Earlier in the year the STMC Leadership club was involved in a canned food drive that will go towards this hamper dive. As well, donation from our STMC Missions will help to support this cause as well. We hope to learn more about their school and develop a bond with the students for future initiatives. We also would like to visit Vancouver College and share with their students the various service opportunities available to students attending Christian Brother schools. We feel that it is important to meet with these schools as we would love to learn new things about the service activities that these schools do and how we can implement similar programs at Saint Thomas More. We will keep our community posted!

Special Thanks to Holy Cross Elementary

Burnaby's Holy Cross Elementary collects jackets for STMC drive

In its sixth year, Holy Cross Elementary in Burnaby has been involved in a clothing/blanket drive to assist with our outreach programs.

As the weather changes to temperatures below freezing, it is essential that those in need in our community are warm and dry.

St. Thomas More students will distribute these clothing items at the Holy Trinity Breakfast program in New Westminster, through the Burnaby Progressive Housing Program and at the Door is Open. We are even hoping that students from Holy Cross can join us in the distribution.

More News from BERT
Written by Alessandra Te (grade 12 student)

Team Justice is the branch of the Blessed Edmund Rice Team responsible for promoting social justice for our community at STMC. Our biggest project of the year will be the Pro-Life campaign in Victoria, B.C. called March for Life. St. Thomas More Collegiate participates every year and will continue with this tradition. This year, the event is happening on Thursday May 14. Our team is working with Mr. Coulombe, the teacher in charge of this activity. At the moment though, Team Justice is working with the Kingsway Imperial Neighbourhood Association Community Garland. The program's purpose is to make our community the best it can be. People write to their website, talking about what community means to you. These thoughts make up the garland that will be presented to the Mayor and Council of Burnaby. Team Justice is excited for the many ideas we want to share during this school year.

STMC Students Volunteering Pictures

David Mattiazzo
St. Thomas More Collegiate