Home

1329 East Moyamensing Avenue                                Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone:   215-462-4129                                              Fax:   215-462- 9429

Dear Parents/Guardians,

May the Holy Family watch over and protect our families
during this beautiful Christmas season. As we focus on the crib
in our churches and homes, our minds wander to that First
Christmas as we gaze at each figurine in the manager, each
important to that significant event that forever changed the
world.

Reflection upon the Birth of Jesus, calls us to look ever deeply
upon the roles of two ordinary people in the plan of God. Mary
and Joseph, simple, humble servants who are ordinary like you
and me, are called to do extraordinary things out of love! This
God of love planned from the beginning that His Son would
become human like us through the "yes" of a teenage girl filled
with so many questions, yet ever faithful. Though Mary had no
idea why God had chosen her, a poor maiden servant, she
accepted the message of the angels with great faith and trust.

At times in our lives, we too, have many questions and wonder
where our lives are heading along life's journey. May we
always trust that our loving God will guide us along life's
journey as we continue to cooperate with His grace, like Mary.
We pray to be open and receptive to a new way of growing
closer to our God and the people around us who God has placed
in our lives.

The Holy Family reminds us how "sacred" our families are in
God's plan of salvation. God chose that His Son would grow
and be nourished in a human family like ours. He calls us to
reflect His love and forgiveness to those in our care, especially
those who are marginalized within our own families. Can we
work to reunite those in our famalies who have been turned
away for whatever reason? Whatever the reason for alienation,
can we invite those who are outcasts, to return home once again?

This New Year may we always treasure our family and friends,
as "gifts" of God, who have been lovingly given to us to help us
grow and nourish one another as we continue to travel along
life's short journey into the loving and merciful arms of God, our
heavenly Father! May God's gift of peace, love and forgiveness
be yours!

                                              Merry Christmas!

                                              Sister Patricia

Catholic Schools Week
Sunday: Opening of Catholic Schools Week
            Family Mass at 9:30 - Children act as lectors, ushers greeters, etc.
            Bowling Party for School Children - 1:00 - 3:00 PM at "30 Strikes
            Bowling Alley"

Monday: Bring A Friend To Lunch
                 Relatives invited to each lunch with the child and provide lunch from
          "outside source". Meals will take place in the Cafeteria to
             accommodate extra time. Relative would be asked to "adopt" a child
             that may not have someone able to attend. Pre-K and Kdgn. at 11:00
             AM , Grades 1-3 at 11:45, Grades 7 and 8 at 1:15.

Tuesday: Service Day at SHJ
              Peanut Butter & Jelly will be collected during the family mass and
              sandwiches will be made by the classes for various shelters, etc.
              Grade 8 will coordinate with teachers to plan an in-class activity to
              correlate to a lesson.

Wednesday : Academic Day
                 Jeopardy games will be played by various grades at different
                  locations and times to be coordinated by the grade level teachers.
                  SHJ will compete in the West Catholic High School Academic Bowl
                  from 3:30 - 8:00 PM. We wish our students the best as they compete
                  in this Bowl.

Thursday: Student Day and Tribute to the Mummers
                   Children may dress like Mummers if they have costumes, sweat
                   shirts from various clubs or create some outfit befitting of the
                   mummers. Quaker City Stringband/Bagpipes from the Second Street
                   Irish Society may also visit while strolling through the hallways and
                   playing outside each classroom.

Friday: Teacher Appreciation Day
                    Morning Prayer Service
                    Dismissal is at 1:00 PM so that the teachers may participate in a
                    special luncheon to thank them for all they do for our children.

.