St. Mary’s School 129 St Mary Street Phone 419.943.2801 Leipsic, Ohio 45856 Fax 419.943.3555 Website: ls.noacsc.org Ring Out the Good News !

As a significant ministry of St. Mary’s Parish, St. Mary’s School exists to aid in the development of the whole child: spiritually, academically, socially and physically. As part of a Catholic community living out the Gospel message, the school and family collaborate to nurture self-worth, respect, and an appreciation of the pursuit of knowledge.

Parent Newsletter November 13, 2015 #11

No One Knows the Day nor the Hour When Jesus will Return This coming Sunday’s reading is an excerpt from Mark 13 which scholars call Jesus’ “Eschatological Discourse.” Eschatology refers to the end times or the last things. In this discourse, Jesus teaches His disciples about signs they can expect when those times are near. But He also makes it clear that no one knows the day or hour when the Son of Man will return in glory. The net effect of this teaching is clear. If no one knows the day or hour when Christ will return to “gather His elect from the four winds,“ then we must always live in a state of vigilant watchfulness. We must always be ready. The way we live our lives – right now, today – matters. The teachings of Jesus are not to be saved for a rainy day, or for when they better fit into our schedules, or for when our families or friends make it easier for us to love them. We are to walk in His ways right now. In a way, this may seem demanding and unfair. Elsewhere Jesus talks about returning like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:43). Is it fair to sneak up on someone when they aren’t expecting it? But isn’t there a beauty and a freedom in not knowing the day or the hour? Shouldn’t we always live according to the teachings of Christ – not because He is trying to control us or take us by surprise – but because these teachings actually free us and bring peace to our lives? He has promised that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). So let us take on that yoke in eager expectation, and may He find us carrying His light burden when He returns. (taken from CATECHIST, November/December, p. 15)

WEEKEND MASS SERVERS: KASH for KIDS WORKERS Saturday, Nov. 14 – 4:30 PM THIS WEEKEND Brock Lammers, Mitchel Maag, Libby Quintero Saturday, November 14 – 4:30 P.M. Sunday, Nov. 15 – 8:00 PM *Amy Niese & Susan Maag Austin Schroeder, Grant Schroeder, Hannah Schroeder Sunday, November 15 – 8:00 A.M. Sunday, Nov. 15 – 10:00 PM Caleb Ellerbrock, Peyton Heitmeyer, Hope Lammers *Joan Ellerbrock & Ann Evers Sunday, November 15 – 10:00 A.M. *Kay Schroeder & Stephanie Goedde (L) Amanda Ellerbrock SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROJECT (O) Kay Schroeder Soon you will be receiving news on what our students have planned for our Christmas sharing this year. Our upper grade students PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION: have been working hard on a project that will Mon. Nov. 16 -- Susan Maag help some needy family in our area. They are Tues. Nov. 17 -- Ann Evers just about finished with all the details. Wed. Nov. 18 -- Chris Walther They are also planning activities for the Thurs. Nov. 19 -- Karen Schroeder students that week before Christmas break. Fri. Nov. 20 -- Beverly Berger ST. MARY’S POP TAB COLLECTION HARVEST BREAKFAST Next week we start our annual pop tabs A big thank you to all who came and collection contest. We will collect pop tabs enjoyed a pancake/sausage breakfast last Sunday. The setting was super and the up to Friday, December 11. weather was great – what more could we Each class competes with each other class. ask for? The “cooks” enjoyed working in The whole process is one of learning weight, our new kitchen. The space in the parish reading graphs, making predictions, and hall gave us plenty of room to walk having fun. between the tables not only for cleaning Each class has a large container in which purposes but also for visiting. Thank You! Enclosed with this mailing you should the students can put their pop tabs and then find the list of all the raffle prize winners. after prayer each day the tabs jars are Thanks for all you did to make this event a weighed, emptied, and weighed again. The great success. amount is recorded in a running log and ...... then posted on the wall outside the office. PLANNING AHEAD

The tickets for our annual Winterfest Sometime in January, weather permitting, Dinner/Reverse Raffle on February 6th the collected pop tabs will be taken to the will be going on sale in early December. Ronald McDonald House. The class that brings in the most tabs will be treated to a pizza party in early January.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS KASH for KIDS UPDATE (AS KNOWN AT THE TIME OF THIS PRINTING) Beginning this weekend you will have Wed. Nov. 18 -- All school Mass planned by the the opportunity to purchase certificates in second graders Fri. Nov. 20-- Pizza Day lower denominations to your favorite Wed. Nov. 25 -- NO SCHOOL places. These make great stocking Thurs. Nov. 25 -- HAPPY THANKSGIVING! stuffers for either St. Nicholas Day or for Fri. Nov. 27 -- NO SCHOOL Christmas. Listed below are the stores Sun. Nov. 29 -- First Sunday of Advent we have in stock: Wed. Dec. 2 -- All school Mass planned by the Regal Entertainment Group - $10 seventh graders Outback Steak House - $10 -- Santa’s Secret Shop Barnes & Noble - $5 Thurs. Dec. 3 -- Santa’s Secret Shop Panera Bread - $5 Wed. Dec. 9 -- All school Mass planned by the Applebee’s - $10 fifth and sixth graders Thurs. Dec. 10 -- School Christmas Program Starbucks - $5 Performances: 12:30 and 7:00 Walmart - $10 Wed. Dec. 16-- All school Mass planned by the Target - $10 fourth graders -- All school field trip to the Walleye Game Fri. Dec. 18 -- Christmas vacation begins at The cold weather is upon us. 3:00 P.M. today -- Pizza Day Please remember that our students December 19 & 20 – Bake Sale after each Mass

walk over to the public school for Fri. Dec.25-- MERRY CHRISTMAS ! lunch every day. Be sure they Fri. Jan. 1-- HAPPY NEW YEAR ! Mon. Jan. 4 -- School Resumes come to school warmly dressed.