MEMORANDUM

TO:       Parents of Queen of Peace Catholic Academy

FROM:  Sister Nancy Elder, IHM

DATE:   December 11, 2009

RE:       Weekly Update

The classrooms and halls of the Academy are filled with the sights and sounds of Christmas.  Rooted in the purple of Advent and the green of the Advent wreath, the students and teachers are soaking up the gifts of the season.  Everywhere the words “hope” and “peace” and “joy” can be heard.  Everywhere the words of “Emmanuel” and “Joy to the World” can be heard.  It’s the time of year that’s hard to hold back and to live in the present.  Rather, with one foot in Advent and the other in Christmas, we prepare and celebrate Jesus’ birth at the same time.

Advent is a hard season to truly embrace for what it is.  Even though we would all agree that preparation time is important in all of life, the excitement of what comes at the end of Advent is just overpowering.  It is hard, but very necessary, to hold back, to reflect, to do some inner searching.  It is essential to take advantage of the season to identify areas within ourselves that could use some revamping.  And then to answer Jesus’ question, “What do you want me to do for you?” 

All of us at the Academy are trying to do that these days.  It takes some of the pressure off us as individuals and allows Jesus to do what He does best – and that is to help us.  For our part, we identify our need and then place it at the feet of Jesus wrapped in faith that it will be accomplished.  Surely, it doesn’t hurt to ask more than once or to spend some time listening for a response.  Identifying, asking, waiting and listening – these are Advent goals!  And, they are goals we can each attain at some level with little effort and a little time.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

Continue to enjoy your Advent days as you journey toward a deeper relationship with God as well as a deeper understanding of yourself and the ways Jesus can play a most important role in your life.

We Believe

Reminders and Other Things

• DVDs of the concert will be available for purchase for approximately $10.  If you are interested in buying one, please e-mail etmajewski@qopacademy.org with your request.
• Congratulations to our Boys Basketball Team for two wins this week!  We are so proud of you!!!
• Middle School Mid-Terms started today.  Parents are requested to assist your middle schooler in preparing for the exams being taken next week.
• A special thanks to all of you who baked cookies for the Extreme Homemaker volunteers.  This is true stewardship in action!
• The Christmas vacation begins after early dismissal on Friday, December 18th.  School will reopen for students on Tuesday, January 5th.
• Don’t forget socks for Catholic Charities!

 

Christmas Concert

Friday, December 11, 2009

6:30 PM

Students in PreK to 4th grade are to arrive in the church at 6:20 PM – be mindful that as you arrive, there will be a Mass going on in the Chapel.

They should wear nice Christmas clothes.

No jeans, T-shirts, shorts, sport shoes, flip flops, or crocs.

 

From Nurse Bunde

In regard to the H1N1 Vaccination:  The Health Dept. and area pediatricians have the vaccine to give.  To find out whether your child is eligible to receive the vaccine, please contact the Health Dept.  There are two forms of the vaccine: “live attenuated”- in nasal spray form and “inactivated”-in shot form.  Please note that you may not be allowed to receive the live attenuated H1N1 Vaccine if you were given the FluMist Vaccine until 30 days have passed.  Also note that if a 2nd dose of the FluMist is to be given, you will have to wait another 30 days to receive the H1N1 nasal mist.  If you plan to get the H1N1 vaccine in shot form, there is no waiting period that I’m aware of.  Please refer to the Alachua County Health Dept or CDC website for the most accurate, up-to-date information.  Due to the current vaccination time line, we will not offer the H1N1 FluMist Clinic at QPCA.  

 

 

See you in Church!