How did the Mass Reflection go for you?  I am hoping that this will become a rich, weekly family faith experience for your student and family.  As I am writing this newsletter, I am listening to Fr. Bob Barron speak about St. Paul.  St. Paul was Saul, a persecutor of Jesus whose conversion was the beginning of a faith-filled man who helped establish our church.  That is some strong and productive faith!  He preached far and wide, and once stated that our proclamation is too often tepid.  True proclamation is subversive and explosive as an earthquake  ...especially true in our culture. Sharing faith in this culture is often subversive and explosive.

I want to share an experience with you. One morning during our announcements and prayer, I informed the students that the reading we would soon be hearing would begin with the word “beloved”, and that those readings were always my favorites, as I felt like I was getting a hug from the Lord when I heard that tender word. Many weeks later, I had a child walk out with me at the end of the school day, and she casually told me that she was feeling beloved that day, and it was a hug from the Lord because I had told her that.   I share this with you because I had made that comment on the loudspeaker to 600 children with no real motive other than a sharing of my own faith. For at least one child, that translated into something that she might hold in her heart forever.  If my comment can have that result, think what the sharing of your faith with your child can do. It can be awesome!

If you would like some help in rereading the Gospel each week, or in looking ahead to what the Gospel will be, you can go to the USCCB website at http://www.usccb.org/bible/.  So, if you are feeling at all uncomfortable about our request to have a weekly conversation as a family about the Gospel, I just ask that you give it some time. It could be the start of some wonderful discussions, even if you are not able to make it to Mass, or even if you are not Catholic.  Also, some people have been concerned that we are trying to "track your Mass attendance" when we ask a question like, “What church did you attend?” and “What time was Mass?”  We ask this so we can see and understand the wide perspective that might have been offered on the Gospel by different Priests, or in what the children heard at Liturgy of the Word for Children. This perspective makes our class reflection after the weekend full and rich.  We have way too much other work to find the time to log your mass attendance info, I promise you. But don't misunderstand.  Do I care if you attend Mass? Yes, I do. Why?  Because it is vital to our faith life and spirituality......., and our children won't think it is important unless you do. I once again ask you to embrace this for what it can offer your family as a faith sharing opportunity. If you give it a try, it will offer you rewards you can't imagine.

 

Mary Beth Hicks is back tonight – Wednesday, January 23

Mary Beth Hicks has been one of the most popular speakers that SHPP has hosted here at ASCA.  She spoke last time on “Raising Geeks”.  This time she will address how to raise genuine, empowered, enthusiastic kids in our culture. She's also going to talk about how we, as parents, can navigate the media landscape. You really won’t want to miss this!  She will be in McSherry Hall from 7:00-8:30 pm tonight.

 

Dinner Dance Auction News

Tuition Raffle Tickets

Tuition Raffle Tickets will be on sale TODAY at the Market Day pick-up from 2:30-3:30 pm at ASCA.  Get them before they are gone!  If you would like a chance to win a $5,000 ASCA tuition credit for the 2013-2014 school year, just purchase a raffle ticket for $100.  If you have any questions, please contact Keith or Susan Glab at ks4glab@yahoo.com. 

 

Saintly Spots are on sale now! 

Celebrate your child’s Graduation, First Communion, Sports Team, etc. with an ad in the auction catalog.  Forms are available on the DDA website at www.ascadda.org.  Multiple families may participate together.  The deadline for Saintly Spot Ads is this Monday, January 28^th!

 

Auction Donations

We are accepting item donations now through Monday, February 4^th.  Please turn in your item donation and form to the office as soon as possible.  The forms can be found on the auction website at www.ascadda.org.

 

Attention ASCA Families:

ASAA is proud to announce that Russ Kalins has accepted the position of Volleyball Coordinator. In addition, we still have exciting volunteer opportunities available with the ASAA (All Saints Athletic Association) for the 2013-2014 school year. The following positions also are available: Vice President, Boosters Coordinator, Spirit Wear Coordinator, and Communications Coordinator. The positions are open to any parent/guardian who will have a student enrolled at ASCA for the 2013-2014 school year.

Interested candidates should visit ascasports.org to download an application and review the basic requirements for each position. Information can be found under the “About Us” tab, under the heading “Board Member Info” on the ascasports.org site. All interested candidates will be interviewed by the current ASAA members, and must fulfill all training requirements. Each member is asked to serve for a minimum of two years. Questions regarding any of the open positions can be directed to the ASAA at ASAA@ascacademy.org.

 

Catholic Schools Week Celebration Begins Sunday, January 27^th

The Catholic Schools Week theme this year is “Catholic Schools Raise the Standards”. We have a great week of service and fun planned. The agenda is: 

 

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK CALENDAR

                         Sunday, January 27^th Catholic Schools Week

Open House 1PM-3PM

 

Monday 1-28-13	Tuesday  1-29-13	Wednesday 1-30-13	Thursday   1-31-13	Friday  2-1-13
CHANGE FOR PEACE   10:00AM & 1PM Museum of Saints and Heroes   7:00-8:00 Grade 4 & 5 CSW Program	CHANGE FOR PEACE   SPIRITWEAR – out-of-uniform Day	CHANGE FOR PEACE   8:15 Mass   12:30 Talent show Grades 6-7-8 attend	CHANGE FOR PEACE   Crazy Sock Day   10:00 Magic Show Preschool through Grade 3   Chuck E Cheese NIGHT 3PM-8PM	CHANGE FOR PEACE   1PM Wheel of Wisdom (Thanks to SHPP)

               

Monday                                   

• CHANGE FOR PEACE starts. This is a contest to collect as many pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters as possible. We donate this money to the Hogar del Pobre Orphanage in Mexico who we have sponsored for 8 years. They are so grateful for all that ASCA does for the. Please dig deep for all that spare change – it means a great deal to them 

• Museum of Saints and Heroes –5^th graders offers a unique look at the leaders of our faith with a “wax museum” of people important to our faith.

• The CSW Intermediate Program will highlight the 4^th graders as they perform for their family and friends and display their states projects. The 5^th grade will again share their Museum of Saints

 Tuesday

• Wear your ASCA spirit wear, or our school colors of blue and gold.

 Wednesday           

• 8:15 AM -  Mass
• 12:30 PM -  JH Talent Show

 Thursday   

• Crazy Sock Day - Crazy Sock Day means we show our individuality by wearing unusual socks! 
• Magic Show - This show is sponsored by the ASCA Dad’s Basketball Club, who present this event for our preschoolers through 3^rd graders.
• Chuck E Cheese Night - starts at 3PM    Be there, or be square!

Friday

• WHEEL OF WISDOM -1PM Parents are welcome to watch – Students not scheduled at this time are welcome as well. Thanks to SHPP for funding this event again this year.  It is a favorite of the students.

 

No Cookin’ in the Kitchen Fundraiser – Chuck E. Cheese!

The much anticipated Chuck E. Cheese – No Cookin’ in the Kitchen fundraiser is next Thursday, January  31^st during Catholic Schools Week.  Come to the Chuck E Cheese at 1154 E. Ogden in Naperville between 3:00 and 9:00 pm to enjoy games, pizza and fun.  Bring your family and friends to this once a year event!  15% of the evening’s sales will go toward next year’s eighth grade class trip!  Please contact Beth Brown at elizabethannbrown@att.net with any questions.  Thank you again for your participation.  Let’s have some fun. 

 

2013-2014 Re-enrollment Packets

Packets were sent out to all returning current families via oldest and only students this past Friday, January 18, and are due back by this coming Friday, January 25.  Packets were family specific and are not available online.  Please contact Patty Bajek at (630) 961-6125, or pbajek@ascacademy.org with any questions.

FACTS Financial Aid Application Fee

The online and paper application fee is $30, not the $25 that was noted in your reenrollment materials.  We apologize for any misunderstanding.

 

Martin Luther King Day of Service

Thank you for being the hands of Jesus!  I hope that Monday, January 21^st as your “classroom in the community” day was a wonderful experience.  Let us extend an immense thank you to Ann Zediker for doing the hard work of arranging all of the service opportunities for us. We are grateful, and I know that the places that you visited or worked at were appreciative as well.

Thank you to all the families who took the time and effort to make MLK Day fun and educational for their children. We served over 20 organizations this year. Don’t forget the ASCA MLK Service Project Form is due on Monday, January 28^th.

Ooops!  Did you forget, or were you unable to attend a session…no worries we have two service options that are taking place this weekend:

 Tour St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church on 1/26- 1:00 – 2:00 pm

St. Thomas is a spiritual home, a place where people can form relationships, sink roots, grow and be supported in their lives and in their relationship with God and one another. The STAP website is http://www.stapostle.org/index2.php.  St. Thomas is located at 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville, IL 60563.  All children are welcome to participate.  To register your family for this session, please contact Ann Zediker at jazediker@comcast.net, and include your name, email, phone, and children’s names.

 

Tour St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church 1/27 1:00 – 2:00 pm

St. Elizabeth Seton strives to create a loving environment in which people feel welcome to participate and worship in a friendly and loving community. The SES website is http://sesnaperville.org/sesmain/.  St. Elizabeth Seton is located at 2220 Lisson Road, Naperville, IL 60565.  All children are welcome to participate. To register your family for this session, please contact Michele Klein at mklein511@comcast.net. Include your name, email, phone, and children’s names.

 

Christmas Card Collection for St. Jude’s Ranch

ASCA needs your help after the holidays – please send in your Christmas cards instead of throwing them out!!  Girl Scout Troop 860 will be collecting Christmas cards for St. Jude’s Ranch. The cards will be used by the children at St. Jude’s Ranch to create new cards. The program is beneficial to everyone – customers receive fun, “green” holiday cards they can feel good sending to their friends and loved ones, and the children at St. Jude’s Ranch receive payment for their work, learn about basic job skills, and the importance of recycling.

Please note that only the card front can be used (please check to be sure the back side is clear of any writing, etc.) We cannot accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards. 5″ x 7″ size or smaller is preferred. St. Jude’s also needs birthday, thank you and all occasion cards so please send those in too!

To learn more, please see http://www.stjudesranch.org/shop/recycled-card-program/.  Send your donated cards into school with your student. There will be a collection box in the office. The collection runs through Thursday, January 31. If you have any questions, please email Barbara Garitty at bmgaritty@aol.com.

 

D203 Busing Change

There will be no busing home from school for District 203 bus riders on Friday, February 15.  Please note this change on your calendar.  All other buses will be running on that day.

 

Wednesday Rosary Reminder

Please join us in praying the Rosary in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Reflection Chapel (located across from the school gym) at 7:50 am before Wednesday school masses. All are welcome!  Praying the rosary is a great way to receive additional graces, to meet other parents, and to honor Mary, our spiritual mother.

Instruction sheets and extra Rosaries are always available. Kids (even noisy ones) are welcome! For questions contact Felicia Egan at (630) 357-6869, or blueirises@wowway.com.

 

All Saints Football

If you are going to be in 4^th through 8^th grade in the 2013-2014 school year, and you are interested in playing on the All Saints travel football team, please plan on attending one of the upcoming open houses for more information:

Sunday, February 10: 1 – 4 pm at the Ashbury Clubhouse, 3403 Lawrence Drive in Naperville, 60564

Saturday, February 23:  12:30 – 3:00 pm at All Saints Catholic Academy

Please contact Frank Ribaudo at (630) 853-5397, or info@ascafootball.com with any questions.  Also, visit the www.ascafootball.com website.