From the desk of Sister Stella
From Fr. Tom Pastor
PWC President
Parish News
Traffic Duty Assignments
Weekly Readings/Reflections
Student School Activies
Ski Club information
Miscellaneous

 

.December 7 Second Sunday of Advent

"Once upon a time in a land far away…" So begins the standard fairy tale,. The beginning of today’s gospel may sound similar, but Luke lists a series of individuals form hard-to-pronounce places because his story is very much rooted in history: Jesus’ appearance on earth is no fairy tale
.
When John the Baptist quotes form Second Isaiah, he is linking his ministry to God’s actions among the people of Israel over 500 years earlier, during the time of the Babylonian exiles, Isaiah tell the Israelites that God is going to set them free and bring them home, straight through the desert on a direct and level path. By connecting Israel’s liberation from Babylon with Jesus’ coming. Luke indicates that the God who set his people free long ago is doing so again, Luke’s audience.

The same is true for us today. During Advent we prepare ourselves for Christmas, when was celebrate Jesus’ coming to set us free. But we do not remember just a past event: we also seek to experience his coming once again. If we receive him, we can experience the salvation he began 2,000 years ago. In the words of Isaiah: "Prepare the way of the Lord… and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."
John McLaughlin, Toronto, ON

From the Desk of Sister Stella Maria:

All of the events of the past few weeks have gone extremely well.
Our gratitude to:

Parents for 450 grocery bags of food for St. Joseph's Center. Families who worked Wed. and Thurs evenings, at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium distributing food.

Ms. Munroe and the sixth graders for preparing two inspirational Thanksgiving Prayer Services

The Amos family for organizing and directing a spectacular Advent Wreath making Festival.

The Faculty, student council and head room parents for making High School night a worth while experience for the communities of St. Paul's, St. Sebastian, and Notre Dame Academy.

The students of St. Pauls from Kindergarten through sixth grade have been invited to Emerson Middle School to see a performance of The Little Mermaid.

Monday Dec. 8th at 9:00am Kindergarten, first and second will attend.
Tuesday Dec. 9th Grades 4th, 5th, and 6th will attend.

The children will be under the supervision of St. Paul's faculty at all times. If you do not wish your child to participate, please send a note to the homeroom teacher. We are very pleased to have been invited again this year, as the performances are always excellent.

Kindergarten parents just to let you know the kindergarten children will sing their Christmas concert for their parents and the seniors of our parish on Thursday Dec. 10th. On Dec. 19th the day school breaks for Christmas vacation first through eight grade will sing their concert. The Kindergarten will not be singing on that day

Continued

ENROLLMENT AND MARKETING

Full enrollment is vital to the financial health of every high school and elementary school. Furthermore, full classrooms ensure that Catholic education is provided to as many families as possible, consistent with our goal of teaching and evangelizing.

9. The Department of Catholic Schools will investigate the potential of an archdiocesan-wide (or regional) marketing plan(s).

10. Catholic schools that have less than capacity enrollment will develop an aggressive marketing program to bring the school to capacity.

11. Under-enrolled schools that cannot achieve an acceptable enrollment goal in an agreed upon period of time will enter into discussion with other schools and parishes about restructuring or consolidation:

12. When possible, preschool programs will be opened as part of the elementary school, or in parishes that do not sponsor a school.

QUALITY

Every family has a right to expect that our Catholic school will provide a quality education for their children. Lack of financial resources and leadership are often the two biggest challenges faced by Catholic schools. Every aspect of the strategic plan addresses ways in which quality Catholic education can be provided by all schools.

13. The archdiocesan motto for Catholic schools will be "excellence". Each school will develop its

SCHOOL GOVERNANCE

Parish members, alumni, community leaders and parents must be more involved with Catholic schools. They need to understand the significant mission of Catholic schools and assist with fund development, marketing and other functions.

14. Each archdiocesan and parish elementary school and high school will be required to have a functioning consultative school council no later than 2008.

15. Local school councils will be consultative and involved in policy development. They may also have hands-on involvement in fundraising, development, marketing and facility planning. However, local councils do not become involved in areas of day-to-day school affairs which remain the school administration’s responsibilities.

SCHOOL OWNERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE

As changes continue to be experienced, the governance of Catholic schools needs to be reexamined. The parish-based model is still preferred, but as circumstances change, additional governance models need to be considered.

16. Three governance/ownership options will be used for elementary schools in the Archdiocese: Parish school (One parish sponsors the school), Inter-parochial school (One or more elementary schools are sponsored by two or more parishes) or Archdiocesan school (A single elementary school, or group of schools, operated by the Archdiocese).

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

Everyone agrees that an effective, strong principal and a supportive pastor are the most important
factors in the success of a Catholic school. Consequently, the selection, compensation and training
of principals is one of the centerpieces of the strategic plan.

17. Compensate principals at a level that will attract and retain qualified persons in the position.

18. Establish a full-time or part-time assistant principal position in all elementary schools.

19. Provide regular pre-service and in-service training for principals that equips them to successfully perform their expanded range of responsibilities.

20. Regularly and systematically review parish school principals to (a) evaluate job performance,
(b) facilitate professional development planning, (c) encourage capable principals to continue in their job and (d) make changes in leadership positions when necessary.

TEACHING STAFF

Teachers are the Catholic schools’ most valuable asset because they have the most influence on the education of students. Maintaining a quality teacher corps is a constant challenge because of periodic turnover and the need to ensure that teachers understand our Catholic values.

21. Catholic school teachers will be paid just, competitive salaries, including religious community teachers and principals.

SCHOOL FACILITIES

Parishes located in changing neighborhoods often are unable to maintain facilities in quality condition and
many #6 through #10 schools have deferred maintenance needs and/or lack needed educational facilities.

22. Deferred maintenance and needed facilities in some #6 through #10 parish elementary schools and inner-city high schools must be funded through outside sources and/or an archdiocesan-wide capital fund drive.

23. Department of Catholic Schools’ policies will require that each school conduct a professional analysis and have a deferred maintenance plan that is updated each year.

FUNDING

Providing quality Catholic education requires that more funding be available to underwrite additional costs. Most of this revenue must come from local sources: full enrollment, tuition, fundraising, development and parish support.

24.Schools will be required to make an accurate calculation of their actual cost-per-pupil. Each year, schools will increase tuition rates closer to the actual cost-per-pupil and will simultaneously provide more tuition assistance.

25. Elementary school classifications (#1 to #10) will be updated using 2000 Census data.

26. Elementary and archdiocesan secondary schools will substantially increase development income.

CAPITAL NEEDS

The strategic planning process identified many capital costs that are in addition to local school~ operating budgets. The conclusion is that we need $158 million to fund the following projects between now and 2010.
Add to the principal of the Catholic Education Foundation $50 million
Inner-city parish school facility upgrades $50 million
Seed money to add new classrooms $52 million
Marketing, Department of Catholic Schools and leadership development $6 million

27. The Archdiocese should conduct a capital campaign for schools and other needs as soon as practical.

HIGH SCHOOLS

Some Catholic high schools in Los Angeles have too little enrollment while additional high school capacity is needed in growing suburbs.

28. The Department of Catholic Schools will establish specific criteria for high school viability, and alternative scenarios will be developed for some schools.

29. A study will be conducted of the needs for Catholic secondary education in Deaneries 3 and 4.

30. Paraclete High School facilities in the Antelope Valley will be expanded to accommodate projected enrollments, and there will be exploration of a new Catholic high school in the Santa Clarita Valley.

SCHOOL RESTRUCTURING

Population changes continue to occur in all areas of the Archdiocese. Sometimes these changes
necessitate reevaluation of the long-range future of schools in a geographic area.
31.The structure and governance of Catholic schools will change, as needed, to recognize revolving attendance patterns.

SCHOOL EXPANSION

Catholic population (ages 5 to 19) in the Archdiocese has grown from 437,000 in 1980 to 975,000 in 2000, and more growth will occur in coming years. Based on survey research, we know that there is high demand for additional schools in suburban areas where Catholic schools are lacking or are too small. We want to respond to this demand so that more Catholic children have access to Catholic schools.

32. Parish school expansion plans will be developed within the context of master plans and the pastoral plan for the region.

33. Parishes that have schools with suitable acreage at the site (or potential to acquire acreage) to expand the school, will study the market to determine if there is enrollment potential to add another section of each grade.

34. Parishes that do not have schools, and are located in growth areas, will participate in a regional study to assess the need for new schools.

35. An archdiocesan-wide capital campaign for Catholic schools will include "seed money" for starting new schools.

36. New and/or expanded Catholic schools are needed in the Simi and/or Conejo Valleys, Antelope Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and Hacienda Heights area.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Strategic Planning Committee members who helped prepare the plan were: Mr. Thomas H. Barron;
Rev. William J. Bonner; Ms. Nancy J. Coonis; Fr. Albert J. DiUlio, SJ; Sr. Mary Elizabeth Gait, BVM; Mr. Richard A. Grant, Jr.; Sr. LaReina Kelly, SND; Dr. John Monrng; Ms. Sharon Morano; Rev. Timothy E. Nichols; Mr. Vince O’Donohue; Mr. Ricci J. Ruffinelli; Dr. Frank M. Sanchez; Deacon Gus Sebenius; Mrs. Dorothy Shea and Mr. William E. B. Siart.
The entire planning process was facilitated by Meitler Consultants, Inc. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Executive Summary /Archdiocese

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           Happy New LITURGICAL Year! The 1st Sunday of Advent begins our new liturgical year and so you will see and hear some changes at Mass & in Church.

           The first thing you might notice is the color of the priest’s vestments changes. After a lot of "green" Sundays today we begin four weeks of purple…a sign of Advent. Advent purple has more of a blue hue to differentiate it from the deep violet/red of Lent. This is because Advent is a season of preparation – while Lent is more a season of repentance.

           At Sunday Masses we will now read primarily from the gospel of Luke…though, as always, the year is interspersed with selections from the gospel of John. Luke is the gospel of reconciliation, of women, of poetic songs and of journey…from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. Listen for the lyrical nature of Luke…a real shift from the "matter of fact" style of Mark that we have heard the past year.

           The 1st Sunday of Advent also marks the initiation of some new liturgical practices throughout the world. These changes have been mandated by the new General Instruction on the Roman Missal (or the GIRM… as the acronym goes!) The GIRM seeks to bring greater unity to the celebration of the Mass throughout the world in action, prayer forms and gestures. Some bishops have required that all the changes be implemented immediately. Cardinal Mahony has asked us to begin implementation now and seek to complete it over the next few months…which is what we will do here at SPA.

           So that the shifts in the Mass will be more understandable the SPA staff decided we would present some bulletin inserts over the next few months for you to read that will describe the changes being made. Along with the written material we are going to prepare a series of educational opportunities for the Easter season (April and May of 2004.) These will include tours of the church, new training opportunities for liturgical ministers, homilies on the history of our liturgical celebrations and the shifts requested by the GIRM and how these shifts are integrated with Cardinal Mahony’s pastoral letter on liturgy.

           We are also planning to have a retreat/workshop day on The Triduum… Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. We want to provide an opportunity for everyone here at SPA to gain a deeper understanding of the liturgical & spiritual importance of these three days.

           We hope this process will make the upcoming changes understandable and, in the end, make us a more prayer-full parish community.

           Blessings for a grace-full week! Fr. Tom

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PWC President

Dear SPA Families,

Decorating Upper Social Hall
Thanks to Santa’s helpers for decorating the Upper Social Hall, (JCPC) last Monday. This project fell under the direction of Sherrie. Mary Kay and Joy were chief wreath hangers. The Christmas Tree was beautifully decorated by Barbara, Jennifer and Kathleen. Allison is certainly not height impaired. She easily climbed up and down the 2-story ladder. In addition to decorating, Mary and Janet set up the cookies and beverages. The garland team included Kelly, Beverly, Emily, Kristina, Julie, Candi and Leslie. Thanks to Head Room Parents Julianne and Anne for helping as well.

High School Night
High School Night was a big success. It is always great to hear from our Catholic High Schools. Thanks to all those who were a part of this very informative program. We appreciate the help from Head Room Parents Julianne O’Connor and Anne Duerr.

Christmas Party
This year’s PWC Christmas Party Committee included Jill, Lynne, Vicki, Mai and Jill. We thank them for planning and executing this annual holiday event. Hope to see you this evening at the Beach Club. It will be a lot of fun!!!!!!

Senior Christmas Luncheon
This event to be held Thursday, December 11th, is open to all SPA families and special invited senior guests. Please get those reservations to Mai Li ASAP. This lovely luncheon is being catered by The Bistro Gardens on Coldwater and includes their famous pumpkin crème brulee for dessert. You won’t want to miss the Kindergarten children singing, either!
As we rush into the holidays, don’t forget Christmas is about "Christ.

"Karen Knott
PWC President

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Parish News

Adults Looking for Confirmation?

Are you an adult who has never been confirmed -- but would like to be?
Do the following requirements fit you?

Age 21 or older
Have already received the sacraments of Baptism
and Eucharist
Registered SPA parishioner
Regular and faithful participant in the Sunday
Liturgy (or willing to begin this commitment)
Would like to be confirmed in May 2004

If this description fits you, please come to a one-hour orientation meeting in the Conference Room of the Parish Office on Saturday, December 6, at 10:00 AM. The catechetical formation for this sacrament will begin in mid-January, and you may register for this formation program at the meeting on the 6th, if you wish.

Please RSVP for the meeting by calling the receptionist at the Parish Office (310-474-1527). If you need further information, contact Joan Doyle, Director of Religious Education, at the same number (voice mail #241)..

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Traffic Duty Assignments

December Traffic Duty Assignments (5th grade)

Nice job last month to all those who took a position.

Everyone Please Remember:

Just a reminder: There is NO parking inside the driveway by the rectory at anytime. Please inform nannies, grandparents and anyone else who drives to school.

There are no left turns when exiting onto Ohio in the morning.
You do not get to choose whether you turn into the driveway or let your children out on Selby- this is up to the director.
Be courteous to all volunteers, even when you are in a hurry- it’s easy to be kind when you are not under pressure, we are all modeling how to handle that pressure to our children- let’s all take the high road!

Substitutions: Estrada, Hassenfratz, McDermott, Mossler, Wulinger, Bailey, Courtemanche, Ferrer,Kim, Ryan, Slay, Washingtom

Thank you,
Teresa McDugald

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Weekly Readings/Reflections

Next Sunday, December 7, is the Second Sunday of Advent.
Please read and reflect on these readings during the week (alone or with family and friends), and come to next Sunday’s liturgy prepared to listen attentively to the proclamation of the Word of God.

READING I Baruch 5:1-9

Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever:
wrapped in the cloak of justice from God,
bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name.
For God will show all the earth your splendor:
you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God's worship.
Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children
gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One,
rejoicing that they are remembered by God.
Led away on foot by their enemies they left you:
but God will bring them back to you borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones.
For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low,
and that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground,
that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.
The forests and every fragrant kind of tree have overshadowed Israel at God's command;
for God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company.

READING II Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11

Brothers and sisters:
I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you,
because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now.
I am confident of this,
that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.
God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer:
that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception,
to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

GOSPEL Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea,
and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis,
and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,
the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.
John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan,
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
"Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."

The Second Sunday of Advent (December 7)

READINGS A call to hope for Jerusalem;
A call to love and discernment for Chirstians;
A call to repentance by John the Baptist.

WHAT I HEAR Do I hear myself being called?

MY FAITH JOURNEY What am I being called to do?

FOR CHILDREN The Gospel tells us to "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths." What can I do this week to prepare for the coming of Jesus?

 

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Student School Activies

Volleyball News

Girls Blue Team

The Blue Team finished their season strong, going 6-0 to end their season. Their overall record of 9-2 makes them the league champs in their division.Way To Go Blue Team!
Thanks again to all of the parents and friends who supported us throughout the season.See you at the Awards Dinner

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Ski Club Information

SKI CLUB NEWS
Family Ski Weekend
February 20-23, Mammoth, CA.

Thanks to everyone for your terrific response, especially your timely submission of forms and checks!

We have sold out of all of our contracted rooms at Juniper Springs / Sunstone Lodge. There are approximately 43 families attending, totaling about 185 people. Please contact John Plueger to be placed on the waiting list for any rooms that might become available as a result of our request for additional rooms, or if there are any families that need to cancel and sell their space.

Bus spaces are still available.

Please mark your calenders for our Bake Sale to be held on February 13. The Bake Sale is our main fundraiser and we count on your support.

 

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Miscellaneous

Chess Club News

2nd trimester chess club renewal notices went home last week. They were mailed or e-mailed depending on your stated preference. Please send your payment via the black bag by December 8th.

Our next tournament will be held Saturday, January 24, 2004. Registration forms are already available on our website. Parents will be contacted to volunteer at the tournament

Web: http://home.earthlink.net/~spachess Email: spachess@earthlink.net

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