Thunder News Flash – December 19-23

Over the last few weeks it has become very clear that this is an incredibly generous community, and one that we are very proud to be a part of.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all you have done.

First, we would like to thank you for the many gifts and good wishes we have received in anticipation of Christmas.  From gift cards to chocolates to candles and everything in between, we thank you for showing how much you appreciate what we do for your children.

Second, your donations to St. Vincent de Paul were absolutely amazing.  So many food items were collected that they helped to fill the Christmas hampers at St. James Parish, and there were many extras to share with St. Ann’s Parish as well.  Your generosity will help to make Christmas special for those in need in the Abbotsford area.

Finally, even with all the other causes you have been supporting, your generosity towards the Taschereau family in their time of need has been overwhelming.  We collected a very large amount in cash and cheques, and we also collected many gift cards as well.  I know they will put this to good use replacing all that they have lost, and will help them to have a merrier Christmas.  If you did not have a chance to make a donation and would still like to, St. James Parish will gladly accept donations over the Christmas break, and will also collect things such as clothing and household items that you would like to give as well.

Come join the Christmas Eve Children’s Choir at St. Ann’s!  Practices are Wednesdays at 7:30pm in the Church, or come after PREP.  They will be singing in the Christmas Pageant before Mass and in the choir for the 5:00pm Christmas Eve Mass.  For more information, please contact Kristina by email by clicking here  or by phone at 604-773-1446.

Parent Participation reminder:  on January 31st any family who has not completed and entered 10 hours will have the first cheque of $150 cashed.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Shannon Maddalozzo Tou by email by clicking here.  If you need to make up any missed hours, please note that there is a Work Bee on January 14th from 9:00am – 2:00pm.

As we get closer to Christmas, and we think about what would be our perfect Christmas gift, let us remember those who are in need far away from where we live.  For about the price of one piece of electronics such as the latest gaming console, an entire village in a third world country could be provided with a water system to give them clean water.  Through Chalice the cost of a water system for a village is $600.  The students in our school are very generous, and if they would consider giving some of the money they may receive as a gift this Christmas as a donation to Chalice, this would have a big impact on the lives of many.  With 225 students in the school, if each student were to donate even $5 of their Christmas money we could raise almost enough to provide two villages with clean water.  If each student donated $10 we would have almost enough to buy four villages systems to provide clean water.  What a difference we could make in the lives of many! 

If you already have children in the school, and would like to have a sibling come into Kindergarten or any other grade for the 2017-2018 school year, you must complete an Application Form.  The Sibling Application Forms will be available at the school office on January 3rd, and they must be filled out and returned to the school office with all the required supporting documents no later than January 27th.  We will be having our New Parent Meeting on Wednesday, February 8th and we would like to be able to tell the new families how many spaces are available in each grade.  

Once again we will be selling DVD copies of our Christmas Musical, Wrapping All The Way, for $10 each.  If you would like to order a copy, simply email the school office by clicking here and requesting a copy.  Please let us know the family name and the number of copies you would like.  We will let you know when the copies are available, and will collect the money for the DVD when you come to pick it up.

There has been a small change in the company that sells our school uniforms – R.J. McCarthy will continue to supply uniforms to schools in eastern Canada, and Neat Uniforms will be selling uniforms to schools in western Canada.  As this name change takes effect there will be a small interruption in online sales as Neat Uniforms gets their new website up and running.  Our school uniforms may still be ordered over the phone or you can visit their store at 1050 Boundary Rd., Burnaby.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our school families a very merry Christmas.  We hope you have a wonderful break filled with just the right balance of good food, family fun and relaxation.  May the miracle of Christmas touch all of our hearts.