OLGC Mission Statement: “We exist to offer a life-changing encounter with Jesus and equip leaders to transform the culture.”

WEEK AT A GLANCE

CRUSADER CONNECTION for the week of December 23rd through January 6th

Monday, January 6th• 8:00 School resumes • 8:10 Epiphany procession

Tuesday, January 7th• 7:15 Mass in chapel• 9:00 Practice Lockdown

Wednesday, January 8th• 7:15 Mass in chapel• 7:00-7:30PLT Meeting - Parish House• MAP Testing window opens

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Peace of Jesus be in your heart and on your lips! I praise God for this season of Advent and eagerly await His coming at Christmas. Jesus is our hope and joy! It is such a gift to be pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel and the spiritual father to this school community. Over the last few months I have been overwhelmed by grace in seeing all that God has done and is doing in this school. Jesus certainly loves the children and families of OLGC! We have a remarkable community and I am encouraged by the passion you have for this school and, most importantly, the love and care you have for your children. God is in our midst!

One of my greatest joys is to visit classrooms and celebrate the Mass with our school children. They are God’s precious little ones! I have also enjoyed the time I’ve spent these last months to meet individually with parents and teachers, go to the Fall Bash, attend the parent leadership team meeting and the morning Listening Session. I have learned much in the past few months.

As I’ve been meeting with folks, I have also been seeking God’s wisdom regarding concerns raised earlier this year. The concerns primarily involved new programs, initiatives and philosophies at the school and the way these things were implemented. I have met in groups and privately with parents, teachers, staff, and leadership, and a couple of common themes emerged. It was made clear to me that folks are concerned about the way changes were communicated, and the pace at which they were implemented. Please know that I took, and will continue to take, these concerns seriously and have spoken with Mrs. Hunt and others about ways we can improve and grow moving forward. In addition, rest assured that Mrs. Hunt and I will be convening the strategic planning team in January to continue addressing these concerns and to ensure everything we do is in the best interests of our children and families.

I am excited to be on mission here at OLGC and proud to pastor a school whose vision seeks an exceptional education for our children which includes encountering Jesus. There is no greater gift we can give our children than for them to discover who they are in Jesus and help them develop the gifts He has given them. Only Jesus can unlock the treasure chest of our childrens’ hearts and help them throughout their life to reach their greatest potential.

Upon reflection, I am awestruck at the significance of Christmas and how as Christians our identity is rooted in what happens in Bethlehem. There is nothing more important than this reality: God is made flesh as one of us! What an amazing mystery to draw near to the manger and gaze upon the Christ-child. In this infant child Jesus lies our salvation and all of our hope. We can remain confident in the providence and blessing of God when embracing this mystery. There is no greater experience of the Father’s love for us than in the life of His Son which He so willingly and humbly gives us at Christmas! What a grace to have a community which lives this truth!

I pray that the love of Jesus is born anew in your hearts and in your homes this Christmas season. My gratitude overflows for all that God has given us, in this parish and school community, and look forward to the blessings He will continue to pour forth.

In Jesus and Mary,

Fr. Michael Suhy

Thursday, January 9th• Letter of Intent sent home• 7:30 Walking Rosary• 8:30 - Grs PreK-3 Division Mass - gym• 9:50 - Grs 4-8 Division Mass - gym • 3:10 - 4:30 Musical Rehearsal - Music Rm/Commons

Friday, January 10th• Deadline to order February Hotlunchonline• 7:15 Mass in chapel• Adoration - school chapel

Monday, December 23rd through January 5th -Christmas Vacation

Dear Parents,We need your help in the lunchroom and on the playground ! This is a wonderful opportunity for D.O.V.E.S. hours!Please sign up using the signup genius link below for January.

2nd Gr. Sacramental Events (Link: First Reconciliation & First Communion – OLGC Parish Plymouth):

• Saturday, January 11th: First Reconciliation Retreats, 9:30-12:00 OR 1:00-3:30. Registration links available on the First Communion & Reconciliation web page.

• Family First Reconciliation Services:◦ Last name A-L: Friday, January 24, 6:30-8:00

pm in the church◦ Last name M-Z: Saturday, January 25,

9:30-11:00 am in the church

5th Grade Pre-Confirmation Retreat (Saturday, Feb. 8th): The link to the Pre-Confirmation retreat was mailed out via SignUpGenius ion November 19th. It can also be found on the confirmation web page: Holy Confirmation – OLGC Parish Plymouth. Look under News & Announcements for the link.

Community Service Corner: Sydney Blakemore helped the Salvation Army by ringing bells and raising money. Her service addressed the Corporal Work of Mercy: Feed the Hungry & Give Drink to the Thirsty. Well done, Sydney!! Here is what she had to say about her service:

• What the service means to me: I made the world a better place all of a sudden…. It helps people actually be able to have some other things.

• Lessons learned: It’s worth the time because even if it’s cold… you’re helping someone or some cause in the end.

Following are the words to a great old song that teaches the right way to think of Christmas. Even if you’ve seen this before, it’s a wonderful reminder as we head into Christmas break. Enjoy!!

When I was but a youngster, Christmas meant one thing,That I’d be getting lots of toys that day.I learned a whole lot different,When my Mother sat me down,And taught me to spell Christmas this way:

"C" is for the Christ child, born upon this day,"H" for herald angels in the night,"R" means our Redeemer,"I" means Israel,"S" is for the star that shone so bright,"T" is for three wise men, they who traveled far,"M" is for the manger where he lay,"A"'s for all He stands for,"S" means shepherds came,

And that's why there's a Christmas day.

The Religious Formation office wishes you all a very blessed and Merry Christmas!

January Recess/Playground Sign UpJanuary Lunchroom Sign Up

Parent Leadership Team Meeting Invite

The Parent Leadership Team invites you to join them for a meeting! Who: All Parents When: Wednesday, January 8th at 7:00 pm Where: Parish House Below you can find the agenda and the items that will be discussed that evening: I. Call to orderII. Opening Prayer II. Approval of last meeting minutesIV. Principal Report V. Old Business: a. Fall Bash numbers b. Survey data from Fall Bash c. Update on used uniform closet VI. New business: a. Treasurer report b. Trivia Night January 25 c. Mom’s coffee January 15 d. Winter Fest e. Parent Light house update f. Fun Run Date set May 8VII. Closing Prayer VIII. AdjournmentWe look forward to seeing you all there,

Your Parent Leadership Team

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

We want to extend a huge thank you to all of our families who donated gifts, toiletries, and food items for our Most Holy Trinity Christmas Collection. Some amazing Jr. High ladies helped load all of the gifts to be brought down to MHT. Our 6th graders met the truck to unload the gifts for the families after spending the morning doing buddy activities with the MHT students. We are so blessed to be a part of such a generous and loving school family where we can continue to serve others through this rewarding tradition. God bless all of you this Advent season!

Volunteers Needed!OLGC is welcoming the Rotating Shelter in February and could use help from OLGC Parish School families. There are many volunteer opportunities, morning and evening

slots on both Tuesday, February 25th and Wednesday, February 26th.

This opportunity allows us to put into practice the Corporal Works of Mercy. We are fortunate to have moments in our lives when we can help those who cannot help themselves. Please prayerfully discern the service you are able to provide. Please watch the parish website for links starting Janaury 2, 2020.

Thank you in advance for your help in allowing the OLGC Parish to provide this important service.

If you have any questions, please contact Katie Miller at kt_3811@hotmail.com