The Family Auction Procurement Deadline is TOMORROW, Friday, Dec 1st - don’t delay and enter in your contribution today!

Dear Families, 

Last week, in my own excitement for Thanksgiving, I shared with you that Advent kicked off on Sunday. Advent actually kicks off THIS Sunday, so I hope that you enjoyed your extra weekend to prepare and gather as a family, thinking about all that you can do together this Advent season, bringing light to others as we await the coming of Christ’s birth at Christmas. Much more on Advent can be found below, and in the weeks to come, at Mass, and as well as in your FCE next week. We hope that you will take time to read it, and rather than make haste, take pause, and prepare in joyful anticipation of the season that is ahead of us. Use the handmade Advent wreaths from Family Groups today at home and look to the prayers that will be in the newsletter. 

In our final Words of Wisdom, this year, we hear from Jane Denini who helped to build OLG into the school and community it is today. Her tireless efforts, along with the rest of the Womens’ Guild and other groups in the parish worked together to make us not simply just exist, but thrive and flourish. As I think ahead and begin preparing myself for the Advent season, I pray in thanksgiving for people like Mrs. Denini who provided such solid, intentional foundation for the Guadalupe school community and parish. They gave what they could of their time, talents and treasures, not knowing what the future had in store. They did it with grace, hope and love, and with great determination, dedication and hard work. Decades later, we remain, thanks to their efforts. I am confident that the efforts we all put in today will continue to have a lasting impact for generations to come, especially when we come together, just as our founding members of our church community did.

Tomorrow is a big day, December 1st! I am aware that many of you read this portion of the newsletter, so I will be sure to mention a few key things, in addition to reminding you to please read all the goodness that fills this weekly mailer. 

For ALL Students: Tomorrow is OLG Spirit Wear Day. This means that it is CYO gear, OLG uniform, OLG sports, OLG colors (navy, white and gold). This is not a free dress day, but a time for you to show school spirit, with article(s) of clothing that take prominence (ie. a CYO shirt with jeans, but not CYO socks and free dress). Please see the handbook if you have questions regarding free dress. Remember no tight fitting or ripped clothing, regardless of the day or dress. Loving that uniform? That's great too!

For ALL Parents/ Guardians: Tomorrow is the Auction Procurement Deadline! Please read closely about all the details outlined by our fabulous auction team below. This is a requirement for all families. 

For Parents/Guardians Considering Aid: Please review the email I sent on the 28th regarding Tuition Assistance deadlines. Remember that December 31st is a firm deadline for all applying for aid for K-8. Visits FACTS Grant and Aid.

For All Students/ Families/ Community Members: Light Up the Night is TOMORROW Night at 7! See the flier for details and come join in a nice evening of carols, Christmas tree lighting, crafts, a raffle for students, hot chocolate and so much more! Bring canned goods to support our St. Vincent de Paul! There will also be a Giving Tree, and an opportunity for families to select gift tags to support and provide a Christmas gift to a child in need. Check it out! 

I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow night!

Dec 1 - OLG Spirit Wear Day - Wear OLG Spirit Gear, anything CYO Athletics or your uniform

• Family Auction Procurement Deadline (Required all families). See PO News below
• Light up the Night 7:00 pm

Dec 2 - Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass at St. James Cathedral 12:00 pm

Dec 6 - Wednesday 2:15 Early Dismissal (K-8)

• After School Tutoring 2:15-3:00 pm -- Pick up at the South Door lot (2023-24 AST Schedule)

Dec 7 - FCE goes home with youngest child - remove contents & return Family Communication Envelope to school ASAP

Dec 8 - K-8 in Full Uniform ("blues")

• All School Mass (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) + the Mary Dance 9:00 am. K-8 in Full Uniform
• Auction Item Donation Due - If you are donating an auction item, drop off at the school today 8:00-10:00 am north entrance

Coming Up

Dec 12 - All School Mass (OLG Feast Day!) 9:00 am

• Parent Org Meeting 6:30 pm

Dec 13 - Wear Red and Green Holiday Dress

• $2 cash gets you a picture of your student with Santa!

Advent Prayers Schedule

During the season of Advent, our school prepares for Christ's birth as a community. Schoolwide prayer and Family Group activities are led by 8th grade students. Please be on time by 8:30 am bell (everyday), but particularly these prayer dates: Dec 4, Dec 11, Dec 13, Dec 15.

Ask your K-8 student about making Advent Wreaths with their Family Group today

AUCTION UPDATES December 1, 2023

Do you hear that? It’s Paula Abdul singing ‘Rush, Rush” to remind you that the Family Procurement Deadline is TOMORROW, Friday, December 1st - don’t delay and enter in your contribution today!

Wait….do I hear The Beatles singing “Help!”? That must be a reminder that the Auction Committee has MANY opportunities for volunteers looking to support this massive event. If you have Any Time At All, we’d be so thankful for your support! Contact your auction team here 

As The Pointer Sisters professed, “I’m So Excited!” to share some of the amazing items that will be available to bid on at this year’s event. More details coming soon!

Gym Monitors Needed!

Basketball season is underway and that means we're looking for gym monitors. This is a fun way to earn volunteer hours while watching some hoops. Have a high school student looking for hours? This is a great opportunity for them too! Please contact Dan Womac for more information

2023-2024 Annual School Fund Drive Thermometer

Please consider supporting this year's OLG School Fund Drive. Your donations will fuel every aspect of the OLG student experience and will help ensure many students can continue being part of OLG. We cannot make this happen without the support of our community.

A big THANK YOU to all of you who already donated to our Annual School Fund!

While the Annual School Fund Drive runs the entire school year, by submitting your donation by December 31st you can take advantage of 2023 tax deductions!



Donate to the OLG Annual School Fund

Have you seen the Proposed Parish Families?

Archbishop Etienne wrote a letter thanking people for their participation in the recent Partners in the Gospel consultation. You can read it here. In addition, the Parish Family Feedback Report about the proposed Parish Families was also released based on public input received. You can view the report HERE. OLG & Holy Rosary are Family #20.

This Sunday is Family Faith Sunday in the Walmesley Center

Gathering time is from 9:30-9:45 with start time at 9:45. We conclude at 10:45. The focus is for families with children in grades K-4 but all ages are welcome. This week our learning activities will be on “Seeing God through the Example of Jesus” and Advent.

OLG Families Sharing Ideas

First Sunday of Advent

Take time as a family to plan your spiritual preparation for Christmas. This may be an Advent wreath, Baby Jesus Crib, a Jesee Tree, nightly readings, praying the Rosary, or one of many other possibilities. Check our ever-growing list of ideas at our Families Sharing Ideas page. www.bit.ly/OLGFamilies

Christmas Eve Gospel Pageant

Join us in our Christmas Pageant at the 4:00 Christmas Eve Family Mass. Practice and costume fittings will be from 6:30-7:30 P.M. Wednesday, Dec 20, in the church. (Parents stay with the children for this practice for costume fitting.) More information here. Contact Molly Berger for questions.

Celebrating the Advent Season

Advent begins this weekend. It is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas. From the earliest days of the Church, people have been fascinated by Jesus’ promise to come back. But the scripture readings during Advent tell us not to waste our time with predictions. Instead, our Advent readings call us to be alert and ready, not weighted down and distracted by the cares of this world (Lk 21:34-36). Here are some ways to celebrate this season:

• Our website has a variety of resources, including blessings for Advent wreaths, Christmas trees, and creches. In addition, there are several video reflections to enrich your prayer life.
• Join us for our Advent Communal Reconciliation Services on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 7:00 pm or Saturday, Dec. 16, 10:00 am.
• Pick up one of the “Little Blue Advent Booklets” that provides daily reflections during the Advent and Christmas seasons based on the Scriptures. It is a great resource to enrich your prayer life during this holy season. Available in the church vestibule.

Upcoming Events for December

We are heading into a very busy season including here at OLG. This not only includes our liturgies for Advent, Thanksgiving and Christmas but also such parish traditions as Light Up the Night, our Parish Feast Day, and Simbang Gabi. December Events

OLG Parish Feast Day Mass Celebrations

Join us as at one of our special OLG Parish Feast Day Masses:

• Sat, Dec 9 5:30 pm
• Sun Dec 10 8:30 am
• Sun Dec 10 11:00 am. Student Council will portray the Guadalupe Story. After mass, join us for a Fiesta at Walmesley Center for food, fellowship and fun including homemade carnitas and tamales hosted by the Multicultural Committee, the Knights of Columbus, and the Santa Teresita Community.
• Tues, Dec 12 9:00 am. All-School Mass with the Student Council portraying the Guadalupe Story.

Looking for volunteer hours?

Our parish needs a few more camera operators for our Masses and other events. You can volunteer once a month or more often. The system is easy to operate (especially if you like playing video games!) Contact Helen 206-935-0358.

And always more to see on the OLG Parish Website