We give thanks, oh Lord, for all that have been given by you!
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE FAMILIES WHO GAVE SO GENEOUSLY TO THE 8TH GRADE TURDEY DRIVE FOR THE WAUKESHA FOOD PANTRY. YOUR GENEROSITY WILL MAKE MANY FAMILIES FEEL BLESSED THIS THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.
Happenings in Theo. Class this week...
DAILY "THANKS IN GIVING" PRAYING: Every day this week and next we are starting our lessons with writing a prayer of thanks for a special character trait that we have been given by God. Students then think about how they use that trait to be a MOG or WOG each day, how it helps their family or friends, and how this helps to build the kingdom of God here on earth.
ALL SOUL'S MONTH: This month, as the Church prays for the faithfully departed, we as a junior high will be holding classroom prayer services to remember those who have passed away. Students have been asked to bring in pictures for our "All Souls Bulletin Board" so we can keep these people in mind. As we are praying for these people in class this month we say, "We remember you, we honor you, and we give thanks for you!"
MOG/WOG UPDATE: The students are certainly tapping into what it means to be a "Man of God" or "Woman of God." Just the mere mention of this immediately changes behaviors! I want to thank the students for taking this teaching to heart and for challenging themselves to grow in faith through this idea. Truly, our students are striving each day to be a better MOG or WOG!
GRADE LEVEL UPDATES:
GRADE EIGHT
After our chapter on the Seven Gifts of the Spirit students did skits presenting each gift to come to a better understanding of how the gifts are present in each of us everyday in many varying ways.
Chapter 8 will have us examining what it means to be a Catholic church. How are we diverse and how do we welcome others into our faith ?
With Advent here November 30th our 8th grade students are going to create Jesse Tree symbols through their Jesse Tree Project (see below for rubrics). We will hang these symbols on our Jr. High Jesse Tree outside of the Theo. room (7-35). Stop by and check it out!
Hands for Cans Food for Families Collection: Starting Monday, Dec. 1st, 8th grade students will be collecting non-perishable food for the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee. Each student in the school will be asked to bring in a non perishable food item and place it in one of the collection containers in the school. Students who donate an item will then be given a sheet of green paper to trace their hand, cut it out, and put it on our Advent wreath on the wall by tghe school office. Information fliers will be coming home the first week of Advent.
GRADE SEVEN
Confirmation and Baptism are two sacraments of initiation the church uses to welcome people into the faith community. In chapter 8 the students will investigate these sacraments to understand how they have evoloved over the centuries to what they are today, all the while keeping the same message of welcome at heart.
Milwaukee Rescue Mission Service Outreach: Next date - December 10th with Kathy Gresk and Group B going down to the Mission. Service group assignments and dates attached.
GRADE SIX
This chapter we look at how the Hebrew people ended up in Egypt and at the fasinating story of Joseph, the young man with the great caot and insightful dreams. We will watch parts of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat" to get a colorful and fun look at this timeless biblical story.
Prayers of Thanks are due Tuesday, November 25th. We will read them in class and then the students will take them home to read at their tThanksgiving feasts. Check out the rubrics attached.
St. John's Open Door Cafe Service Outreach: Mrs. Diane Bodalski and Group 2 will head to the Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd. REMINDER: Students are to bring fruit for the liunches. Service group assignments and dates attached.
Thanksgiving blessings to you and yours,
Mr. Newman
