A Message from Our Head of School

What a busy time of year we are in! The weeks of Advent are quickly passing us by and as we enter the third week of Advent you will notice that we light the Rose color candle and the Priest vestments are Rose color. The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word meaning “rejoice.” What brings you joy during this Advent season? This past week I have witnessed lots of joy that Santa’s Secret Shop has brought to our students, parents, and staff! A very heartfelt thank you to the PSO and all the volunteers who made this week a very special week for us. May the upcoming days and weeks before Christmas be filled with lots of joy as we prepare the way of the Lord and eagerly await the Light of Christ to enter our lives.

Mike McGinty

A Message from Our Principals

We are blessed to share our days in a school community rich in faith. This is especially evident during Advent. There are so many special traditions and activities.  It is a joy to see the middle school students remember, reminisce and reflect on some of these holiday activities:

• Santa’s Secret Shop was busy with students experiencing the joy of buying presents for others
• 8th graders helping kindergarteners build gingerbread houses
• Weekly Prayer Services 
• An Advent Concert full of treasured moments for preschool, kindergarten, first and second graders and their families
• Beginning the day with Mass on the Solemnity of The Immaculate Conception
• Saint Nicholas Day and the 2nd grade artistic display to recognize this saint
• Band concert showcasing the talents of our hard-working music students

We thank you for the gift of your children and pray that your Advent season is full of peace and light.

Julie Moran & Jim Dahlman

Middle School Service Club (MSSC)

Wednesday, December 14 - Christmas Cards for Seniors

Friday, December 16 - Salvation Army Bell Ringing

Sunday, December 18 - Sunday School Donuts

Sign up here!

PreSchool and Kindergarten Starting Fall 2023

Applications Due Thursday, December 15

Siblings are not automatically enrolled so please email Amy Selby to get application information for next year. Current OLG preschoolers do not need to reapply--you should have received an email with intent directions. Acceptance/wait pool letters will be sent to families in January. If you know a family who would be a great fit for OLG School, have them reach out too!

January Lunch Menus

Orders Due Monday, December 19

Click here to order. Click for PreSchool Menu and K-8 Menu.

PSO Meeting

With everything going on this month, the December meeting will be an email update only. The next in-person meeting will be January 10.

Don't Forget Amazon Smile Donates to OLG

Donate to OLG while you do your Christmas shopping. Amazon donates to OLG, at no additional cost, if you shop at smile.amazon.com. All you need to do is log in on the AmazonSmile website at smile.amazon.com, instead of the regular Amazon website. Click here for instructions. Amazon has made donations to OLG over $2,520, so it adds up to make a difference!

Holiday Photos

Deliver or drop off your family Christmas card to the school office. We will add them to our wall of wonderful OLG families.

Christmas Vocal Music Concerts

3rd - 5th Grades on Tuesday, December 13, 6:30 - 7:30 PM

Students wear their Sunday best (unless they are wearing a costume). Students should arrive at least 15 minutes early.

Snowbusters

Register by December 30th

Snowbusters is a PSO sponsored downhill skiing and snowboarding program for OLG students in grades 3-8. Whether a beginner or expert, participants will learn new skills and have fun with their friends! View the flyer for more information! Click here to register.

Mark Your Calendars for Mom's Night Out

Come join your fellow OLG moms for a grade level mixer at Hilltop. Stop by between 7:30 - 9:30 PM for a casual night of bonding and conversation.

• PreSchool - Thursday, January 19 click here to RSVP
• Kindergarten - Wednesday, January 4 click here to RSVP
• 1st Grade - Thursday, January 5 click here to RSVP
• 2nd Grade - Thursday, January 26 click here to RSVP
• 3rd Grade - Wednesday, January 18 click here to RSVP
• 4th Grade - Thursday, February 2 click here to RSVP
• 5th Grade - Monday, January 30 click here to RSVP

Advent Activity

Each weekend at mass during Advent, stop by the Advent wreath on the center table in the Commons. Each candle in the Advent wreath symbolizes a virtue. Add a pom to represent Hope, Joy, Love, and Peace!

Advent Day of Mercy (No All School Mass)

Wednesday, December 14, 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Church and Commons

Reconciliation stations will be set up throughout the Church, and several priests will be on hand to hear your Confession. A light meal of soup and bread will be available from 11:00 AM to approximately 7:00 PM. Come and prepare for Advent. Please note the weekly Wednesday OLG school mass will more to Friday, December 16. Click here for a video on reconciliation.

Feeding the Hungry

If you are looking for a way to give back, try volunteering for Meals on Wheels, Sharing and Caring Hands or Loaves and Fishes. There are many ways to work with these ministries. You can drive and deliver meals to homebound neighbors with Meals on Wheels, bake goodies or serve at Sharing and Caring Hands, or cook, make sandwiches, assemble and distribute meals at Loaves and Fishes. These are great ways to help our neighbors. For more information, contact Melissa Miller.

Giving Trees

There is still time to help out with the Giving Trees in the Commons. Please return the envelope with cash or check to the collection basket or to the parish office. Your generosity will make Christmas happier for many and will make Jesus Christ known and loved at St. Joseph's Parish and OLG High School in Ghana, San Maximiliano Kolbe Parish in Honduras, St. John Paul II School in Minneapolis, and four local charities in Minneapolis: Sharing and Caring Hands, Abria, Every Third Saturday, and Breaking Free.

Note Christmas Mass Times

Saturday and Sunday, December 24 - 25

Christmas Vigil Masses are as follows 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 9:00 PM. Christmas Day Masses will be at 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM. Click here for Livestream times and all other Advent information.

Small Groups for Mothers of Children

Starts in January 2023

Do you want to better understand yourself, your husband and your children? Do you desire strong friendships with other moms just like you? Knowing your God-given temperament will help you become a better wife, mom and friend. Join The Temperament God Gave You: A Catholic Small Group for Mothers of Young Children. The groups will meet twice a month between January and May at OLG. Cost is $45. For complete details, video and to register click here.

MC Gala - Save the Date

Saturday, February 4, Interlachen Country Club

Registration and ticket sales will start on January 4. You must register to purchase tickets and to participate in the silent auction. The event will sell out. Click here for updates.

Catechism in a Year with Father Schmit

Sign-up for the Catechism in a Year (CIY) study hosted by OLG Catholic Church. By joining a small group, you’ll enjoy fellowship and discussion with other believers who are searching to deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith and lead them to a more intimate relationship with our Lord! Click here for more details.

Santa's Secret Shop

Santa’s workshop was again a wonderful experience for the students and elves! This year we broke records with the number of shoppers and the money raised. Please join us on Friday, December 16 at the 9:30 AM mass when we present JPII this year's donation. Huge thank you to the leader-elves Jess Gessner, Kate Hobbins and Taylor Mahoney.

Sponsor-A-Family

Thanks to all the families and students that helped bring Christmas cheer and blessings to over 30 families at Ascension Catholic Schools. We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our community! Many thanks to the chairs Julie Regan and Missy Ringle too!

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