We had such a nice time at the Nutcracker last week. I attended with our kindergarten students who sat mesmerized as the dancers moved across the stage. After we returned to school, I had an opportunity to talk with the third grade who shared their favorite parts of the show (the sugarplum fairy and the mouse king were big for them). I have seen the Nutcracker many times, but it was special to see it through the eyes of these children. The kindergartners even thought that riding the bus and sliding into each other as we turned the corner was part of the great fun of the day! They just enjoy things so completely.
Once, Jesus was also five years old and saw the world as new and exciting. Once Jesus was learning about the world from his mom and dad; and he had teachers too. Much was different but the relationships were the same. Because Jesus was surrounded by people of deep faith in God, he grew into the perfection that his destiny demanded. He could not have been that person without his experiences as a toddler, as a child, as an adolescent, as a young man. We adults have much to offer our children as models of faith as they grow into their own destiny. This is a beautiful responsibility that we have.
May you enjoy the beauty and peace of Christ's birth in your family this Christmas. Christ's story is our story.
MLK Day
Thank you once again to Ann Zediker for her hard work arranging for Martin Luther King Day activities for our families. See below for the necessary information:
MLK - Day of Service
MLK - Sign Up Opportunities
MLK - Service Project Form
SCRIP Update
FYI--All Dominick's store locations in Illinois will be closed by Saturday, December 28. If you purchased any Safeway (Dominick's) gift cards, please use them by this date.
Community Outreach
Christmas Caroling Update
Thank you to all participants who attended the Christmas caroling event at Spring Meadows last Friday! The residents and staff loved hearing your voices and couldn't thank the All Saints children enough for "making their day". A special thank you to Mr. Sedlacek for helping us out as our pianist!
Greeting Card Collection
During the month of January, we will be collecting your used greeting cards - Christmas or any other occasion. We cannot accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards, and 5″ x 7″ size or smaller is preferred. The cards collected will be turned into recycled cards and sold to support the programs and services of St. Jude's Ranch for Children. All donations can be brought into the ASCA office. Please contact Ann Zediker at jazediker@comcast.net with any questions.
Father Rocky from Relevant Radio is Coming to ASCA
Father Rocky from Relevant Radio will be at All Saints on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at 7 pm to discuss and sign his latest book, ‘Marriage Insurance’. Please RSVP to this free event as soon as possible by sending an email with your name and number of attendees to allsaintsrocky@yahoo.com. The attached 'Marriage Insurance’ flyer can be found at the school website.
Every Monday and Thursday morning, The Runaway Pencil is open outside Café 1 from 7:30 to 7:50 am. Visit ‘the Pencil’ for all of your school supply needs.
Out of Uniform Days – Benefitting the ASCA Class of 2015
The next out of uniform day is scheduled for this Friday, December 20, and it will be a green and red day. Wear your favorite holiday colors or outfit. If you did not prepay for all of the out of uniform days, you may pay as you go by bringing $5 (cash or check made out to ASCA) on Friday. Please place your money in an envelope labeled with your student’s name, grade and ‘Out of Uniform’.
If you have any questions, please contact Mili Jain at mili_anand@hotmail.com or Dana Campbell at campdanaj@wideopenwest.com. The Class of 2015 thanks you in advance for your support.
Christmas Unplugged
All parishioners are invited to enjoy the annual performance of Christmas Unplugged at St. Margaret Mary Church in Naperville on Monday, December 23rd at 7:30 pm. Relax and unwind from the hectic pace of the holiday season to find the real spirit of Christmas, and experience the musical story of our Savior’s birth. Admission is free so bring your whole family. St. Margaret Mary is located at 1450 Green Trails Drive, Naperville, 60540.
Calling all ASCA Dads
ASCA has an open gym Wednesdays for those who wish to attempt to play basketball. We start at 9:00 pm, and play until 10:25 pm. The cost is $3.00. Experience is not necessary. Let’s just say that the only prerequisite is that you be able to find the gym. For more information, please contact Dave Schwartz at 630-321-7859 or dschwartz@midcosystems.com. December 18th will be the last effort of the year; play will resume on January 8th.
Healthy Tips from Mrs. Loscheider
I found some interesting information from Amit Sood, a stress-reduction expert and the author of a new book coming out in January, The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress- Free Living, which includes the following tips to lessen stress:
- Gratitude - Acknowledge your blessings.
- Compassion - Recognize and honor the pain and suffering of all.
- Acceptance - Play the hand you have.
- Higher Meaning - Focus on who you are, why you are here, and what the world means.
- Forgiveness - It provides peace and freedom.
I wish you a Merry Christmas, and a healthy and happy New Year.
Lego Engineering Club – after school program at ASCA
Bricks 4 Kidz will be offering a hands-on, interactive and engaging program at All Saints that introduces students to STEM concepts and mechanics using LEGO® bricks, gears, axles and motors. This program will provide children the opportunity to build motorized models using proprietary model plans and kits. Bricks 4 Kidz will be offering different themes for the Winter, Spring and Late Spring sessions, which are 6 weeks in duration each. The attached Bricks 4 Kidz flyer provides further details on the sessions. Program and sign up information is available at the ASCA website.
News from All Saints Athletic Association
Are You Ready for Some Football??????????
Then….save the date: Saturday, January 11th!
The ASAA Boosters will be having an AFC/NFC Wild Card Games Party as we continue to raise funds for the expansion of the gym floor. Please stay tuned for details to follow!