Thunder News Flash – May 26, 2018

Yesterday, the CISVA Superintendents Office hosted the annual theme planning day. During this day, we look at how schools will live out the new theme for the 2018-19 school year. I am not going to reveal that theme now but I do want to share one particular insight that our CISVA Consultant, Rose Pillay, shared with the educators. 

During our final prayer for the day, Rose, in referencing Pope Francis’ recent apostolic exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate, spoke to us about the importance of cultivating holiness in ourselves and our students. However, the concept presented to us was that holiness is not something out of reach and reserved for few people but rather attained in the day to day moments of our lives. Holiness can be achieved in doing chores around the house without complaint. Holiness can be achieved in applying a band aid to someone who has hurt their knee. We were reminded that holiness is often achieved through our hands. Our hands can be instruments of holiness. If we think of the Gospels, Jesus did so much healing with his hands. And one of his more powerful lessons, the washing of the feet, is an act of service and holiness that was performed with His hands. 

So let us teach our children to be holy with their hands. And, for summer reading, perhaps we as Catholic adults can take up Pope Francis’ recent apostolic exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate, as I am sure it is a worthwhile read that will inform us on how to grow in our faith. Click here for more information on the book. 

Our annual Pub Night, and last fundraiser is on Friday, June 1st, 2018.  Last year’s Pub Night was such a great event and a wonderful opportunity to socialize and meet all of the wonderful families in our school. This year it will be held at ‘The Canadian Brewhouse’ in the Highstreet Plaza (right next door to Milestones).

Tickets will be $25 and each ticket includes a burger (either beef, chicken or veggie), beer (choose from 30 on tap), or a 6 oz. wine, or a highball. We will be doing 50/50, lotto board, and Silent Auction. Tickets are available for purchase at the office, and we will be selling them outside the school during the week after school.

Do we have any chef’s at the school?  How about anyone with a vacation home?  Do we have any families that have something that they could donate for our Silent Auction?  Maybe you have a weekend getaway that you can’t attend? How about passes for local events or concerts?

Please consider donating any new items or any event or adventure that you feel would be a success.  Please remember, it all goes back to our children!

If you or someone you know, has an item you would like to donate, please contact Nicola Humphreys at 778-227-8711.

Thank you.

Come enjoy some fun for the whole family at the 2018 Walk for Life. Walk for Life supports the important life-affirming work of Advokate and Hope for Women Pregnancy Services. Family fun activities begin at 12:00pm at the Bevan Avenue side of Mill Lake Park and include bouncy castles, face painting, and a low cost BBQ supplied by the Knights of Columbus. The 4-8K walk/run begins at 1:30. Visit www.walkforlife.ca for more information or to pre-register and create an online fundraising page. The K-12 student who raises the most pledges for his or her walk will receive a $500 VISA gift card.

The fitting day has changed from June 7th to June 14th. Please click here for more information.

There will be a Hospital Mass on May 27 at 4:00pm in the Sacred Space at the Abbotsford Hospital.

Alex and Dana McCune of Sts. Joachim & Ann, along with Fr. Donnelly of St. Joseph’s (Langley) are putting on their first Catholic summer camp in July! 

The camp will be held at St. Catherine’s Elementary in Langley from July 9-13, and we would love to have your help in reaching your students. We are geared towards ages 7-15 and have planned a week full of fun activities that celebrate our faith and life in Christ.

Please click here for more information.