Thunder News Flash – April 5th, 2025

As we begin to prepare for Holy Week, it is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the Stations of the Cross.  

The Stations of the Cross offer a profound reflection on the Passion of Jesus Christ. The stations feature moments in Jesus’s suffering. Through these stations, Catholics are reminded that Jesus Christ understands our suffering and is always with us. As they walk alongside Jesus on the Stations of the Cross, families have an opportunity to consider Jesus’s sacrifice and witness his love despite rejection, loneliness, and suffering.

The cross is not just a symbol of Christ’s suffering. It is a symbol of salvation and hope. Jesus Christ offers new life and redemption through his suffering, death, and resurrection. The Stations of the Cross are a reminder, during Lent or anytime, that Jesus is always with our Catholic families offering his mercy and love.

Reflect as a Family

What makes the Stations of the Cross a powerful popular practice is not just the external prayers, but also the internal reflection they invite. After prayerfully experiencing each station, take time as a family to talk about what it means. Consider the following questions:

• What can we learn about Jesus’ love for us from this station?
• What connections can we draw between this station and our family’s own challenges or struggles?
• How can our family support and serve those who are suffering?

Follow this link for a printable, child friendly booklet of the stations of the cross – Childrens-Stations-of-the-Cross-for-Coloring

Our staff is already considering ways to make Holy Week more special and meaningful for our students.  We will be engaged in special classroom activities and prayers throughout the week.  In addition, our Grade 6 & 7 classes are preparing school wide activities for Holy Thursday.  The Grade 6 class will lead us in the Stations of the Cross, and our Grade 7 leaders are planing interactive stations to deepen our students understanding  of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. 

As part of these stations, the grade 7 leaders will be helping students make a cross necklace.  We are requesting donations of any beads that parents might have in their craft rooms and willing to donate for this very special activity.  We are looking for donations of any beads that students can easily thread on a string – plastic pony beads, glass, and wooden beads of all colours would be most gratefully accepted.  Just drop the beads off at the school office anytime next week, from April 7th-11th.  Thank You!

Zumbathon – May 9th, 2025  

Our biggest fundraiser of the year, Zumbathon 2025, is coming up on Friday, May 9, 2025 !  Information packages, including pledge sheets were sent home to each family before Spring Break.  This year is our 2nd year for the 3 years initiative to raise money for new playground equipment for our school. 

2 Ways to Collect Pledges:

• IN PERSON using the pledge sheet provided (cash or cheque accepted and tax receipts are issued for donations of $25 or more)
• ONLINE at  https://www.stjameselementary.ca/zumbathon/ (Visa, Mastercard and Amex accepted online and tax receipts are issued for donations of $25 or more) *Be sure to have them include the student’s name and grade in the notes of their donation.

We will have some great prizes that can be won, which will be announced in the coming month.  If you would like to donate a prize, please contact Brandy Harris at catsyte@hotmail.com.  Thank you for your consideration!

 Together we can raise $30,000!

The March Work Bee will take place at the school next Saturday, April 12th, from 9am-2pm.  You may want to bring gloves for outside work. It would also be greatly appreciated if you could bring any small gardening tools, particularly a rake.  Please also bring a lunch for the mid-day break.  Thank you once again for all of your hard work to keep our school well maintained and beautiful!  

All remaining Work Bee dates for this year have been uploaded to the School Calendar. 

Mark your Calendars for the Important upcoming dates and times:  

• April 7th – Class and team photos – please wear SJA sweaters
• April 17th – Holy Thursday (12:55 Dismissal)
• April 18th – Good Friday (No School)
• April 21st – Easter Monday (No School)
• April 22 – Grade 6 immunizations
• April 24- St. Catherine’s track meet
• April 25th – Staff Retreat (No School)
• May 1st – Student Led Conferences (Non -instructional Day)
• May 5th – Grade 7 Confirmation
• May 9 – Zumbathon 

Track and Field Season has begun!

Track and Field practices are Scheduled Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 2:45-4:00pm

There will be no Track and Field practice on Holy Thursday, April 17th