934 SW Clay St

Topeka, KS 66606

Phone: 233-1727

Fax: 233-1728

MATER DEI CATHOLIC SCHOOL

December 2012 Parent Newsletter

Our Mission: Based on the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church, in partnership with the family and parish

community, Mater Dei Catholic School will provide each child the opportunity to reach their potential and to develop the academic, technological and social skills necessary to become lifelong learners

“Christ is the reason for this school. He is the unseen but ever present teacher in its classes. He is the model of its faculty and the inspiration of its students.”

Website: materdeischool.org . E-mail: materdei@materdeischool.org . Facebook: Mater Dei Catholic School—Topeka

The Partridge in a Pear Tree was Jesus Christ.

The Two Turtle Doves were the Old and New Testaments.

The Three French Hens stood for faith, hope and love.

The Four Calling Birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

The Five Golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

The Six Geese a-Laying stood for the six days of creation.

The Seven Swans a-Swimming represented the Seven Sacraments

The Eight Maids a-Milking were the eight Beatitudes.

The Nine Ladies Dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit–Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness,

Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

The Ten Lords a-Leaping were the Ten Commandments.

The Eleven Pipers Piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

The Twelve Drummers Drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

This list was complied from

http://www.catholicculture.org and http://catholic.net.

God Bless you,

Andrea Hillebert

The Twelve Days of Christmas

A Christmas Meaning

Family Time Topic: What is your favorite

Christmas movie? Explain why.

When completing your parish pledge

card, remember to check the box that says

you are a Mater Dei School family.

2 First Sunday of Advent 7:30 am Mass (MDA)

Andrew Baum, Caroline, Jacob Keen

9:00 am Mass (MDHN)

Logan Eakes, Cooper Lefort, Kyle Simons

11:00 am Mass (MDHN)

Emery Eakes, Liz Emmert, Ethan Figgs

5:00 pm Mass (MDA)

Peter Oberle, Genna Salsbury, Jessica Smith

6:30 Andy Griffith Bible Study Rossiter Hall

3 Lunch Aides/Crossing Guards

Eric Hutley, Brenden Jones, Jonathan Keck

4 8:05 am - Gr 1-8 Mass by 7S

Darian Hillebert, Liz Emmert, Saige LasKares

Lunch Aides/Crossing Guards

Chris Jones, Veronica Lyle, Blaze Maixner

5 8:00 am Deadline for Newsletter Submissions

Lunch Aides/Crossing Guards

Ben Metzger, Kelsey Paslay, Katrin Renyer

6 8:05 am - All School Mass by 3B

Addy Mead, Billy Ash, Mary Schmidt

Lunch Aides/Crossing Guards

Hannah Rocha, Cole Scheck, Mary Schmidlt

7 Dress Down Day for Christmas Charities

Fourth Grade attends the Nutcracker

Lunch Aides/Crossing Guards

Drew Spindler, Makayla Stover, Nathan Thompson

8 5:00 pm Mass (MDHN)

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Frances Befort, David Droge Jr., Emilio Jaramillo

Coming up Next Week December 2 - 8

PTO NEWS

MDS News Rebecca and James Woods and Alexandra Lyle (Class of 2011) will be performing in the Midwest Nutcracker 2012. They are currently selling tickets. Please contact

Kathy Woods for the tickets at 233-4484..

Prayer List: Please join your prayer with ours for: Barbara & Warren Bottenberg, Bobby Darrough, Brody Keil, Bryce Kalas, Chase

Ensley, Ciera Belaire-Serna Darlene Dillon, Dean Zepp, DJ Elam, Donald Lem, Ed Lambrecht, Edward Dawson, Frank Jaramillo, Jason

Brown, Jennifer Towle, Joe Johnson, John Harrington, Karis Selk, Keith Shaffer, Ken Zweig, Kent LasKares, Laura Ward, LeAnn Petrie, Lola Martinez, Luther Fluke, Madison Taliafero, Margaret Schaffer, Mary Meier, Maureen Wilson, Michele Anguiano, Mike Houser, Natalie Glotzbach, Nicki Hidalgo, Peter Valdivia, Reece Renyer, Rosie Crowe, Sara Essman, Scott Weiland, Sr. Mary Corita Conlan, Tom Esquibel, Tom Heath, and Wyatt Rutherford. For the family of Elizabeth Ann Fluke. For the family of Mary Calvin. For the family of Lyle Giersch.

For the repose of the soul of Bently Clark. For the family of Bently Clark. For the special intentions we hold in the silence of our hearts.

Look at the many boxes that were collected for Operation Christmas Child. Thank you for being so generous

and thoughtful.

We Need You!

Children’s Christmas Sale needs volunteers to be the chil-dren’s shopping “buddy”. Volunteers need to be Virtus trained in accordance with the Archdiocese of Kansas City. Contact Kim Raines at KRaines@kpers.org or call

296-5233 (leave a message).

Mrs. Lorenz’s Kindergarten class is collecting

items for the Helping Hands Humane Society.

Go to http://www.hhhstopeka.org. to see the wish list. Deadline: December 21st.

Gifting Tree

Starts Monday, December 3rd.

All gifts must be in no later than Monday, December 17th. Permission slip is attached with

this December Newsletter.

Addy and Emily Mead and Cade Dennis will perform in the Helen Hocker Theater production of “The Musical Ad-ventures of Flat Stanley, Jr.” Performance date: Decem-ber 7, 8 & 14 & 15 at 8 pm. December 9 & 16 at 2:30 pm. Helen Hocker Theater is located in Gage Park.

DECEMBER 2012 ACTIVITIES CALENDAR

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 2

First Sunday of

Advent

6:30 pm Andy Griffith Bible Study

RH

3 4 8:05 am - Gr 1-8 Mass by 7S

5

6 8:05 am - All School Mass by 3B Feast of St. Nicholas

7 Dress Down Day for Christmas Chari-ties Fourth Grade attends

Nutcracker

8

9 Second Sunday of

Advent

6:30 pm Andy Griffith Bible Study

RH

10

11 8:05 am - Gr 1-8

Mass by 5R

7:00 p.m.

Christmas Program MDHN Church

12 Feast of Our Lady

of Guadalupe

13 Saint Lucia Day

14 8:05 am - All School Mass by 2M

15

7 pm Cleargold Performance at VA Hospital Auditorium free admission

16 Third Sunday of

Advent

6:30 pm Andy Griffith Bible Study

RH

17

18 Children’s Christmas

Sale Set Up 8:30 am Reconciliation Service MDHN for Gr. 3 - 8

19 Children’s Christmas

Sale

20

Spirit Day

STUCO Spirit

Challenge

21 8:05 am - All School Mass by 8J

11:00 am Christmas band concert MD Gym

11:15 am Christmas parties begin

Noon Dismissal

22

23 Fourth Sunday of Advent

6:30 pm Andy Griffith Bible Study

RH

24

25 Merry Christmas

26

27

28

29

30 31

January 1 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

January 2

January 3

January 4

January 5

Feast of the

Immaculate Conception

Confirmation Retreat

Prairie Star Ranch

Leaving on the 2nd at noon and returning

on the 3rd by 3:30 pm.

No School

In-service

and

School of Faith for Teachers Classes resume

Monday,

January 7th

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Menu is subject to change without notice.

1/2 pint of 1% white, chocolate skim, and strawberry skim offered with each lunch.

December 2012 MDS Breakfast & Lunch

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 3 B—biscuit & gravy, juice, milk L—meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peas/carrots, roll, fruit

4 B—cereal, bagel juice, milk L—taco soup, corn bread, veggies, fruit, cake

5 B—biscuit, egg or sau-sage, juice, milk L—hot dogs, smiles, raw veggies, apples

6 B—cereal, toast, juice, milk L—teriyaki chicken, broccoli & carrots, green beans, rice, man-darin oranges

7 B—breakfast burrito, juice, milk L—pizza sticks, salad, corn, pears

10 B—breakfast pizza, juice, milk L—chicken sandwich, cooked carrots, cooked broccoli, fruit

11 B—cereal, pastry, juice, milk L—tacos, refried beans, peas, fruit

12 B—oatmeal, cinnamon toast, fruit, milk

L—chicken patty, mash potatoes, green beans, veggies, fruit

13 B— cereal, bagel, juice, milk L—corn dogs, smiles, raw veggies, apples

14 B—Cook’s Choice L—pizza, salad, corn, fruit

17 B—biscuit, egg or sau-sage, juice, milk

L—hamburgers, smiles, raw veggies, oranges

18 B—cereal, bagel, juice, milk

L—Cook’s Choice

19 B—pancake on a stick, juice, milk

L—corn dogs, smiles, veggies, fruit

20 B—cereal, cinnamon roll, juice, milk

L—”FUN LUNCH”

21 B—yogurt parfait, fruit, muffin, milk

L— No Lunch 1/2 Day of school

24 25 Merry Christmas

26 27 28

30 31 January 1 Happy 2013!!

2 3

Christmas Break ~ No School

Christmas Break ~ No School

January

1 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

2 8th grade Confirmation Retreat departure at noon

3 8th grade Confirmation Retreat return to 3:30 pm

4 Faculty In-Service and School of Faith for Teacher

No School for students

7 Classes resume

8 8:05 am Grades 1-8 Mass by 4H

School Council 5:30 pm Parish Meeting Room

9 Report Cards to be sent home

11 8:05 am All School Mass by 2T

15 8:05 am Grades 1-8 Mass by 6G

6:30 pm First Reconciliation MDHN Church

17 Spirit Day

18 8:05 am All School Mass by 7S

21 No School Martin Luther King Day of Observation

22 8:05 am Grades 1-8 Mass by 2T

24 Spelling Bee (Start time not available at this time.)

25 8:05 am All School Mass by 4F

27 Catholic Schools Week begins

29 Happy Birthday Kansas

Future Dates

Merry Christmas

Fill up the attached Box Tops for Education sheet & return it to school.

We receive 10¢ for every box top we send in so keep them coming!

December

PACE

Bingo

6:30 Thursday and Saturday

Auction

Mark your calendars now and plan to attend Take Me Out to the Ball Game, the 35th Annual Pace Auction on Saturday,

March 31st.

MATER DEI CHILD CARE CENTER NEW

Mater Dei Child Care Center is collecting things to ship to Afghanistan for a special Army unit. One of the Dads who has two children in our programs is stationed there. Jackson Wood and Isadora Wood (Kindergarten - Lorenz) miss their dad and wish him Merry Christmas. Things that can be shipped over are toothbrushes/paste, floss, baby wipes, razors, hair shampoo, bar soap, deodorant, peanuts, sunflower seeds, gum. The items can be

dropped off at the Mater Dei Child Care Center.

News from the After School Program

New rate increase:

Pick-up by 4:30 pm ~ $35.

Pick-up by 6:00 pm ~ $45

$55 for before and after school care weekly

$55 for each session/class/a la carte.

School Day Out fees will remain the same.

Contact Marlena or Margaret should you have any questions

or concerns regarding the new changes. 232-1603

The After School Program will be making cookies and donating them to the Ronald McDonald House Charities Cookie Walk. The Cookie Walk is Friday, December 7th from 9 am to 6 pm. For more information visit

www.rmhctopeka.org.

Merry Christmas!

Every knee shall bend before Him.

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in

the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

If you can’t serve when you’re assigned, please find a replacement.

December Altar Servers: Mater Dei Parish News

December 1 - 2: First Sunday of Advent Sat. 5:00 pm (MDHN) Rosie Anguiano, Darian & Gabe Hillebert

Sun. 7:30 am (MDA) Andrew Baum, Caroline Crawford, Jacob Keen

Sun. 9:00 am (MDHN) Logan Eakes, Cooper LeFort, Kyle Simons

Sun. 11:00 am (MDHN) Emery Eakes, Liz Emmert, Ethan Figgs

Sun. 5:00 pm (MDA) Peter Oberle, Gennavieve Salsbury

Jessica Smith

December 4: Gr. 1 - 8 Mass Tues. 8:05 am (MDHN) Darian Hillebert, Liz Emmert, Saige

LasKares

December 6: Gr. All School Mass

Thurs. 8:05 am (MDHN) Addy Mead, Billy Ash, Mary Schmidt

December 8 - 9: Second Sunday of Advent

Sat. 5:00 pm (MDHN) Frances Befort, David Droge Jr.,

Emilio Jaramillo

Sun. 7:30 am (MDA) John Madden, Emily & Addy Mead

Sun. 9:00 am (MDHN) Laura Burenheide, Emery Eakes, Eric Hutley

Sun. 11:00 am (MDHN) Makara & Saige LasKares, Tanner Ramirez

Sun. 5:00 pm (MDA) Rosie Anguiano, Reina Gonzales,

Xavi Ramos

December 11: Gr 1-8 Mass

Tues. 8:05 am (MDHN) Eric Hutley, Ben Metzger, Drew Spindler

December 14: All School Mass

Fri. 8:05 am (MDHN) Anna Burnett, Claire Schmidt, Kyle Simons

December 15-16: Third Sunday of Advent

Sat. 5:00 pm (MDHN) Liz Emmert, Robert Meidinger, Aidan Renyer

Sun. 7:30 am (MDA) Jacob Keen, Nicholas Kirmer, Roni Raines

Sun. 9:00 am (MDHN) Kyle Simons, Drew Spindler, Alfredo Torres

Sun. 11:00 am (MDHN) Claire & Mary Schmidt, Alex Parkerson

Sun. 5:00 pm (MDA) Brandy & Jordon Diaz, James Woods

December 21: Gr 1-8 Mass

Fri. 8:05 am (MDHN) Robert Meidinger, Roni Raines, Cade

Dennis

December 22-23: 25th Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sat. 5:00 pm (MDHN) Cade Dennis, BreAnna Droge,

Emilio Jaramillo

Sun. 7:30 am (MDA) Andrew & Allison Baum, Caroline Crawford

Sun. 9:00 am (MDHN) Anna Burnett, Mackenzie Giefer, Addy

Mead

Sun. 11:00 am (MDHN) Ben Metzger, Kyle Simons, Jonathan

Wickstrum

Sun. 5:00 pm (MDA) Frances Befort, Reina Gonzales, Jessica Smith

December 29-30: Sunday

Sat. 5:00 pm (MDHN) Rosie Anguiano, Ethan Figgs, Xavi Ramos

Sun. 7:30 am (MDA) Allison Baum, Nicholas Kirmer, Roni Raines

Sun. 9:00 am (MDHN) Jacob Keen, Addy & Emily Mead

Sun. 11:00 am (MDHN) Eric Hutley, Peter Oberle, Gennavieve

Salsbury

Sun. 5:00 pm (MDA) Brandy & Jordon Diaz, Jessica Smith

A Manna form is attached to each monthly newsletter. If you need more, visit the school website (http://materdeischool.org/forms.html). You can also get forms from the school and parish offices. Manna is a truly great program that benefits our parish. When you buy Manna cards, the parish receives a portion of the cost (the percentages are listed right after the name of the busi-ness). Please consider helping by purchasing these cards! Once you begin participating in this program it is really easy to make the change from cash, credit card or debit to Manna card. Most of the businesses listed are places you already shop. If you don’t see what you need on the form,

call Shawn (232-7744) to see if he can get it for you.

To order Manna, simply complete the form and return it with cash or check. As with all things sent to school, place it in an envelope with your student’s name, grade and what’s

inside. We will fill it and get it back to you.

Use the Manna program! Manna is for sale after all Masses the first week-

end of every month and after school on Fridays.

Student Volunteer Opportunities

Wednesday, Dec 19th, 6:30 - 8:00 pm—Decorate MDHN

Church for Christmas

Thursday, Dec 20th, 6:30 - 8:30 pm—Decorate MDA

Church for Christmas

Come prepared to work and clean-up when we are finished. Parents are to pick students up promptly after completion. For more

information contact Laurie Buhler 272-2260.

Mayberry Family Bible Study

Sunday Evenings during Advent

Rossiter Hall

6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

December 2nd, December 9th, December 16th

and December 23rd

Cleargold, the liturgical dance group from Barbara's Conserva-tory of Dance, will be presenting their annual Christmas concert, “To God Be The Glory”, on Saturday, December 15th at 7:00pm. This performance is held at the VA Hospital Auditorium and is free of charge. Please bring your family and friends to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. You will leave feeling

GIRL SCOUT COOKIES will be for sale after all the Masses next weekend, December 8th and 9th.

Come they told me, pa rum pum pum pum

A new born King to see, pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring, pa rum pum pum pum

To lay before the King, pa rum pum pum pum,

rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum

Attach your Box Tops coupons over the drums – each is worth 10¢ for

Mater Dei Catholic School. To see more way to earn cash for your

school, go to btfe.com.

FOR COORDINATORS ONLY:

Total # of Box Tops on this sheet: _____

Date : Total Order $

Child's Name/Grade: Check #

Phone Number: Zip Code Cash

GROCERY VENDORS % AMT QTY Sub total Filled % AMT QTY Sub total Filled

Dillons Reloadable 5 $5 Hyvee 5 $25

Dillons Reloadable 5 $25 Hyvee 5 $50

Dillons Reloadable 5 $50 Hyvee 5 $100

Dillons Reloadable 5 $100

RETAILERS % AMT QTY Sub total Filled RESTAURANTS % AMT QTY Sub total Filled

Amazon 4 $25 Arby's 8 $10

Barnes & Noble 9 $5/$10/$25 Applebee's 8 $25

Bath & Body Works 13 $10/$25 Burger King 4 $10

Bed, Bath and Beyond 7 $25/$100 Carlos O'Kelly's 9 $10

Best Buy 3 $25/$100 Chipotle 10 $10

Best Buy 3 $250 Chili's 11 $25

Cabela's 11 $25 Chuck E Cheese 8 $10

Claire's/Icing 9 $10 Coldstone Creamery 8 $10

Dicks Sporting Goods 8 $25 Cracker Barrel 9 $10

Dillards 9 $25 $10

Eddie Bauer 10 $25 $25

Gap/Old Navy 9 $25 Hardee's 5 $10

GNC 8 $25 KFC 8 $5

Gordman's 7 $25 Landry' Restaurants 9 $25

Home Depot 4 $25/$100 Little Caesar's 8 $20

iTunes 10 $15/$25 Dardens - Longhorn,

JC Penney's 5 $25/$100 Red Lobster &

Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores 6 $25 Olive Garden

Kohl's 5 $10/$25 Old Chicago 6 $25

Kohl's 5 $50/$100 Outback Steakhouse 8 $25

Lands End(Sears/Kmart) 16 $25/$100 Panera's 9 $10

L.L. Bean 15 $25 Papa John's 8 $10

Lowes 4 $25/$100 Pizza Hut 3 $10

Lowes 4 $500/$1000 Quiznos 10 $10

Michaels 4 $25 Red Robin 9 $25

Office Depot 4 $25/$100 Starbucks 7 $5/$10/$25

Office Max 5 $25/$100 Steak-n-Shake 8 $10

Old Navy/Gap 9 $25 Subway 3 $10

Payless Shoes 13 $20 Texas Roadhouse 8 $25

Pier 1 9 $25 Wendys 4 $10

Talbots 8 $25 Texas Roadhouse 8 $25

Target 2 $10/$25/$100 Wendys 4 $10

TJ Maxx 7 $25

Toys-R-Us 1.5 $20

Walgreens 6 $25/$100

Wal-Mart 2.5 $25/$100

Wal-Mart 2.5 $250

revised 11/07/2012

Name:

Glory Days Pizza

Reloadable10

$259

The Gifting Tree “It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you... yes,

it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.”

Mother Teresa

Dear Mater Dei Families,

This Christmas season, Mater Dei Catholic School is sponsoring the “Gifting Tree”

which will allow us to provide gifts to families from the Topeka community. Gift tags

are placed on a Christmas tree in our main hallway. Families who would like to partici-

pate are asked to take a tag and purchase the requested item listed on the tag. Please

wrap your gift and return it to the office with the tag securely attached to the outside of

the package. Each tag contains a code, which helps us make sure that each gift goes to

the right family. We work to insure that the cost of each requested item does not exceed

$20. If you would like to participate, but do not have the time to shop, there are some

tags that request a $5 donation. The money collected from these tags helps to provide a

Christmas dinner for the families we adopt.

If your family has a different Christmas tradition, then please just keep our adopted

families in your prayers this Christmas season.

If you would like to participate, fill out the form below and return it to your child’s

homeroom teacher.

All gifts must be in no later than Monday, December 17, 2012.

Thank you for the many ways that you give generously and for your continued support

of Mater Dei Catholic School.

God bless you!

Andrea Hillebert

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My student, ______________________________________, has permission to take a tag

from the Christmas Gifting Tree.

Parent Signature ________________________________________________________

Your family Christmas can sparkle with love

© Copyright 2012 Success Publishing & Media, LLC

Helping our children grow in their Catholic faith. December 2012

Who do Catholics believe was born on Christmas?

This month we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. We are able to share in God’s divine life through Jesus’s life, death and Resurrection. In his gospel, St. John

explained that the birth of Jesus fulfilled a promise God made. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father”

(John 1:14).

What parent doesn’t cherish the sparkle of excitement in a child’s eye at Christmas? As Catholic parents, though, we want our children to have the full joy of the holiday, not just the anticipation of receiving gifts or getting out of school. Small changes to your family observance can help children fully experience this holiday of love. Help children give, not just receive. Children love to give gifts. Write up a Christmas gift list of grandparents, teachers, and siblings and take youngsters shopping so they can use their own money to buy gifts. If buying isn’t an option, consider helping with handmade gifts like Christmas cookies or ornaments.

Focus on Jesus: On Christmas Eve, tell the story of Jesus’ birth from

Luke 1:5 – 2:39 or Matthew 1:18 – 2:23. Sing your

favorite religious Christmas carols.

After attending Mass on

Christmas Day (a Holy Day of

Obligation), light a birthday candle

and sing “Happy Birthday” to

remember the real reason for the day.

Come alive. In the tradition of St.

Francis of Assisi, act out your own Nativity. If you don’t have enough family members to play all the parts, recruit friends or neighbors for fun. Thank you note. All good gifts come from God. Write Jesus a “thank you” note for all the blessings you have received in the last year.

Immaculate Conception On December 8th, we celebrate the conception of Mary in St. Anne’s womb without Original Sin. In addition to attending Mass (it’s a Holy Day of Obligation), praying a joyful Rosary is a wonderful way to celebrate.

The Magi’s Gifts To help combat consumerism at Christmas, some families limit the number of gifts to three in honor of the gifts of the Magi. Consider giving children one gift that is their heart’s desire, a piece of clothing that is not just sensible, and one gift that will help them grow (a book or sports accessory, for example).

St. John Neumann In celebrating the Year of Faith, the Church honors St. John Neumann in the month of December. The fourth bishop of Philadelphia, St. John Neumann is considered the patron of Catholic schools. He founded the first diocesan Catholic school system in the U.S., going from two schools to one hundred in his diocese.

Mater Dei Catholic SchoolBe Holy. Be Excellent. Love One Another.

December 2012 Page 2

Success Publishing & Media, LLCPublishers of Growing in Faith™ and Partners in Faith™

(540)662-7844 (540)662-7847 fax http://www.growinginfaith.com

(Unless noted Bible quotes and references are fromthe Revised Standard Version and the New American Bible.)

To help parents raise faithful Catholic children

© Copyright 2012 Success Publishing & Media, LLC

Luke 2:41-52; Jesus is found in the temple

“Tell me a Christmas tale …”

Dec. 6 – St. Nicholas (350). St. Nicholas had a generous heart and gave away most of his fortune. He is credited with saving three girls from being sold into slavery to pay their father’s debt. His frequent anonymous acts of generosity helped him become the patron saint of children. Dec. 9 – St. Juan Diego (1548). A simple, humble Native American who became a faithful Christian, St. Juan Diego was visited by the Blessed Virgin at Tepeyac Hill in Mexico. She asked him to have the bishop of Mexico build a chapel for her, and had him carry roses to the bishop as a sign. When the

roses fell from his tilma (cape) before the bishop, it retained Blessed Mother’s image. Dec. 12th - Our Lady of Guadalupe (1531). The Blessed Mother appeared as a young Native American maiden to St. Juan Diego, also Native American. By choosing to appear in that image, she was identifying with the poor and down-trodden of the land to give them hope.

Children of all ages love a good story and some of our favorite Christmas decorations make interesting ones to tell: Mistletoe was used by Druids as a healing plant. Legend says that it was once a fine tree that was made into the Cross of Christ but withered from shame into the parasitic plant it has become. It is now a symbol of Christ’s love, hence the traditional “kiss” under the mistletoe. The Poinsettia, with its red leaves, symbolizes the

burning love our Savior has for us. The shape of the leaf recalls the star of Bethlehem that heralded his birth. A

favorite legend tell of Pepita, a poor Mexican girl, who cried because she had no gift for the Infant in the manger. So she gathered weeds and laid them by the Baby. Suddenly, the weeds burst into

brilliant red flowers of the poinsettia. From that day on, the flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the

Holy Night, for they bloom each year at Christmas time.

Our family Christmas last year was awkward. For no real reason my youngest brother drifted from the Church. David

said he doesn’t feel “connected” to God and now that he coaches his daughter’s soccer team on Sundays, Sunday Mass is out of the question. So Christmas for his

family is no longer about Christ. When the families met at my parents’ house for Christmas dinner, David’s kids were grumpy. In contrast to the rest of the happy cousins, David’s three had long faces and moped. “Santa didn’t come through for them,” David apologized. He said each child only got a few items off long Christmas lists and were disappointed. I pointed out that without Christ as the focus, Christmas will always disappoint. This year, I already invited David and his family to Christmas Eve caroling at our parish followed by the Vigil Mass. That will start off his family’s Christmas right – with Christ.

On December 30th, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family during which we recall when Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the Temple. The Holy Family traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover, as was the custom for Jews of that time. When they started the return trip in their large group, each parent thought Jesus was with the other one and traveled for a day before realizing that he had stayed behind. Upon finding him missing, they hurried back to Jerusalem. They found Jesus in the Temple talking with the priests who were

amazed by the boy’s wisdom and understanding. But to Mary’s stunned

query about why he remained behind without permission,

Jesus’ mystifying reply was, “Did you not know I

must be in my Father’s house?” The boy returned

with his parents to Nazareth where he

continued to obey them. What can a parent do? Explain to

children that Jesus himself was obedient to his parents and wants us all to respect our parents and those in authority over us.

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28 29

30

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Make and bless an Advent

wreath. Light the first violet candle each

night this week.

Family Advent Calendar

Light two violet candles in the Advent wreath each night this week.

Sing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”

Light two violet candles and the rose one for joy.

See which of you can sing loudest at Mass today.

Light all four candles in the

wreath tonight. Reread today’s Gospel reading, Luke 1:39-45.

Celebrate the feast

of the Holy Family by sharing a

special family meal today.

Put a lamp or electric candle in a window to

welcome the Christ child. Light it each night until

Christmas Day.

Set the Mary and Joseph figures of your Nativity set across the room from

the rest of the scene.

Ask a family

member you have hurt in the past

year for forgiveness. Offer it to one who has hurt you.

Send a thank-you

note to your priests or other

ministers who enriched your seasonal celebration.

Set up your family Nativity scene, but leave

out the Holy Family.

Pick roses in honor of the feast of Our Lady of

Guadalupe.

Gather friends and neighbors and go caroling

at a nursing home or homeless shelter.

Put the Baby in the manger and read the story of Jesus’ birth Luke 2:1-

20. (see below)

Read about the angel’s visit to Mary in Luke

1:26-38. Talk about ways we

can also say “yes “ to God.

Pick a Christmas card you’ve received this week

and pray for the person who sent it.

Make a surprise phone call to a friend or relative

who needs cheering.

In honor of the feast of St. Stephen, patron of soldiers, pray for the

safety of all those in the armed forces today.

Show love on St. Nicholas Day by filling an old shoe

with treats and leaving it outside someone’s door.

In honor of St. Lucy,

take a drive or walk around your home

to look at the Christmas lights.

Decorate a “Jesus Candle” with

symbols of Jesus. Light it at Christmas

dinner.

In remembrance of the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt, pray for all

people forced to flee their homeland.

Clean out your closets of unwanted clothes or toys in good condition. Donate them to a shelter or other

charity.

Make cookies to bring to a nearby hospice or nursing

home.

Place Mary and Joseph in the Nativity scene.

Add grass or straw to the manger to get it ready for

the Baby.

Give each family

member a chance to

say “thank you” for a blessing received this year.

In honor of Mary’s

Immaculate Conception,

attend Mass and pray a family Rosary tonight.

Put up and decorate your family Christmas tree. Make some hot chocolate

and admire your work.

Attend Confession as a family and go out for ice cream afterward to

celebrate the sweetness of God’s forgiveness!

Together, write your Christmas cards. Let older kids address the envelopes

and younger ones seal them.

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“… For (un)to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11)

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:1-7).

Resolve as a family to pray for at least 15

minutes every night during the coming

year.

31

Rejoice!