Hello families,
Advent, the four weeks before Christmas, began this past Sunday. Like Thanksgiving, Advent is often overshadowed, taken for granted as merely a means to an end, to the BIG DAY, December 25th. But Advent is so much more than that. Advent is a time of waiting, but more importantly it is a time of preparation. We prepare our homes and our hearts for Christmas. The decorations, charitable acts, gift giving, and special gatherings are all part of this time of preparation. It is a busy time for most of us as we try to do so many things in a relatively short amount of time.
This Advent, I invite you to join me in slowing down the pace, even if just for a few minutes each day. This Advent, I invite you to join me in practicing Mindfulness. Mindfulness is one of the most valuable activities we can practice for ourselves. Mindfulness is "paying attention in a particular way for a specific purpose and without judgement" (Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn). Mindfulness is known to reduce stress. Mindfulness is also very easy to do: sit still, close your eyes, and breathe. As you quiet your body and mind, you will notice a keener awareness of your senses - how your body feels, what you hear, what you smell. Many of your children practice mindfulness in class because it helps them focus and calm.
To focus our mindfulness practice for Advent, consider one or more of the following questions while sitting still and quiet:
How am I preparing my heart for the Christ child?
What are my intentions for how I am spending my time this Advent?
What am I doing to help others?
How am I showing God’s love to the world?
The answers to these questions are not intended to urge you to do more but rather to focus on the intentions of all the things you’re already doing. Reflect on the impact the Christmas cards you’re sending will have on friends and family, the difference your donations will make for others who have less than you, the memories you are creating for your family for years to come. Pause, breathe, reflect, be mindful.
Put a timer on for one minute to start. Notice how calm and grounded you feel afterward. Do this as a family, at mealtime or just before bed. You might find that you add time, two minutes, three minutes, four minutes. Feel the calm energy as you sit quietly, mindfully with your family. Use this Advent to prepare for Christmas as you become more mindful of what you’re doing and why.
~
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered to students in grades 3-8 on Friday, December 3rd. Three priests will be available for optional face-to-face confessions in the Church (socially distanced but in open space). One priest will attend each grade level, with 6th, 7th & 8th grades beginning at 9:00 a.m. after they attend the daily Mass, followed by 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades at approximately 9:30 a.m.
To celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Wednesday, December 8th, we will be live streaming All School Mass for our student body at 9:30am, hosted by the 6th grade.
Our Annual Fund is going strong due to the generosity of our school families, parishioners, and friends of St. Philip Neri School! Our goal is $50,000 and we are currently nearing the $35,000 mark. If you have not donated yet, please consider this tax deductible donation, and if your company or business can match your donation, that’s even better. Thank you to our volunteers on this project -- your efforts are truly paying off!
The Christmas Concert this year will be a recording distributed to families to watch together on December 16th. Mr. Quinones will notify all families of the date of the recording and instructions on uniforms, etc.
Warmly,
Julie Thomas
Interim Principal
