http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/ en-us Copyright 2009 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:01:06 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss August 28, 2009 Feast of Saint Augustine The school year started this Wednesday with all the wonder and promise new beginnings bring. Children grow dramatically over the course of the summer, yet remain constant in their hope for fun of friends and success in studies. Next Friday is our opening mass of the year at 10: 15 a.m. Check back in a week to see what theme the class of 2010 will choose to shape the year. Elena Chermak http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2009/08/first_week_of_school_fall_2009.html http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2009/08/first_week_of_school_fall_2009.html Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:01:06 -0600 This prayer is printed on the program booklet and the communion calendar. Sister Jean wrote this prayer years ago. It is a good prayer. First Communion Parent's Blessing My dearest child, I love you very much and that is why being with you today is very important. I am happy that we are celebrating your First Communion Day together, and I am so proud of you. You are a child of grace and beauty. I ask God to bless you with good health, good friends, and happiness. May your heart always overflow with gentle thoughts and beautiful dreams. I ask God to bless you in a special way, because God loves you and I love you. http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2009/05/communion_prayer.html http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2009/05/communion_prayer.html Fri, 01 May 2009 19:12:02 -0600 With our second graders carefully looking on, our eighth graders presented the May Crowning today. In addition to being an ancient prayer of our church, this May Crowning is an opportunity for our entire community to see our eighth grade class - usually hard at work as students and athletes, suddenly transformed into beautiful, handsome, elegant young women and men, wearing their Sunday finest. I hope they will long remember the experience of standing in the sanctuary - all 73 of them - and looking out at the rest of the students sang to them. We are proud of our eighth graders' efforts and achievements, and were happy to celebrate with them. http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2009/05/may_crowning_8th_grade.html http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2009/05/may_crowning_8th_grade.html Fri, 01 May 2009 18:56:44 -0600 Thank you for your participation in the communion banner. All 92 children brought their individual project to school. Thank you for directing and helping them. Thanks for following the directions. When you walk into church tomorrow you'll see all your hard work has paid off. You have created a giant banner - filled with 92 squares. It is stunning! Wait until you see it! It shows a burst of spring color and expresses the vitality of your families and children. It adds to the joy of this communion day and will remain on display for our entire community to enjoy for the coming weeks. Thank you! http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2009/05/communion_banner_2.html http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2009/05/communion_banner_2.html Fri, 01 May 2009 18:51:22 -0600 "Please use these words to sing along with the cd. These songs may also be found in the Gather song books in church. We have included the verses on the cd, to give you more chances to learn the parts we sing together. Just learn the words on this sheet, (choruses and refrains) and not all the verses, although if you want to learn the verses too, that's fine. If the other people in your family want to learn these words, too, that would be great! (You can play the cd in the car.)" All students received a cd with all the communion songs, as well as a set of words. We love the quality of this cd and appreciate all the support you give by encouraging your child to listen to this cd. It becomes a favorite, with each child listing their favorite song. With children listening to the cd on their computers, maybe next year we can encourage our musician to made a music video. This year as we practiced, the children volunteers to "take the microphone" to lead us in a verse or two. They are great! The time spent following American Idol pays off! I often tell the class that if American Idol had a category for First Communion class singers, we would win! Today during the May crowning, the children had the chance to hear the musician who created the cd as he sang the music "live" for the ceremony. The experience was so inspiring I was certain there were future pianists and vocalists in our midst! I remind the second graders that if they are ever unsure (okay, nervous) about something they are presenting at a liturgy (such as a reading) to sing louder ! I've tried it; it works! This fall there was an interview of a British Rock Star on the radio. He said one of the best things a community could do together was to sing. He went on to say how gratifying it is to be able to navigate a complicated rhythm together, and to create a beautiful sound. I look forward to hearing the children and all their musician/vocalists parents singing tomorrow. It all promises to be great fun and will help to create a meaningful experience.... long remembered.]]> http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2009/05/communion_songs.html http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2009/05/communion_songs.html Fri, 01 May 2009 18:30:24 -0600 FIRST COMMUNION FAMILY ART PROJECT Dear First Communion Parent, We're asking your help to decorate the church for the First Communion Mass. We'd like you to decorate a felt rectangle (9" x12") with your child's name (first only, first name and last initial, or first and last name) and a symbol or symbols of your family or First Communion. We will assemble these squares into a large banners to decorate the church for the communion mass. We suggest you make the design and construction of your square a family project. For example, have your first communicant choose the colors, symbols or decorations. Make your square as simple or ornate as you wish. Felt pieces for the symbols are fine, or add some glitter, beads or lace to dress it up. Make the design with the shorter side at the top. This becomes very important when we put all the squares together. It is also important that each square is 9 x 12. We place 95 of these next to each other to form a large banner. If they aren't the same size, the banner is crooked. Please include your child's name and room number or specify C.F.F. (written or taped) on the back. These squares will be returned after communion. Many parents in the past have kept, or framed, these banners as a communion keepsake. Please use light, bright or pastel colors for the background. Avoid orange, black or brown as the background. Our experience has shown spring colors look the nicest. Please avoid stiff felt. Please be sure your banner is 9X12. * * * A Plea and a Challenge * * * A plea: Each year about three banners come in horizontal or bigger than 9x 12! It makes it very difficult to fit them in with the others. A challenge: Let's make this a year that they all come in with the short side on top, as in the pictures above. Felt squares are available at the following location: Jo Ann Fabrics - 135th and Rt.83 (Crestwood) - (also look in the craft section for more colors) or at any other fabric or craft store:Michael's for example. -Squares cost between 49 c. and 75 c. We hope this is one more activity which will make your child's communion a day to remember. Please turn in your square by Friday, April 24th (school) or Sunday April 26th (C.F.F.) to your child's teacher. Thank you! http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2009/05/first_communion_banners.html http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2009/05/first_communion_banners.html Fri, 01 May 2009 18:28:11 -0600 March 20, 2009 Dear Second Grade Parent, This letter will give you some information to help you prepare for your child's First Communion. Your child's First Communion will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. The mass begin at 11:00 a.m. and will be over by about 12:30 p.m. The children should meet in their classrooms by 10:30 a.m. These times will help with your planning. The dress code for girls and boys is as follows: Girls wear white dresses (of any length) and white socks or tights. They also wear veils or flower/baby's breath wreaths in their hair. They don't wear gloves for mass. Boys wear sports coats and dress pants or suits of any color. They wear white or light colored shirts. They wear dress shoes. They also wear ties of any color. Over the years we've had suits and sports coats of just about any color. The boys always look very nice, as do the girls! If you have a relative who is a priest, please let us know if he plans to attend the mass, and would like to concelebrate. Please call the religious education office (773)238-1851 with this information, send a note to school or C.F.F. or write to echermak@sjfschool.net to let us know. We will have a reserved section for seating for 2 adults of each communicant's choice. This will give parents and guardians a chance to be close to the front. As many people as you'd like to invite may sit anywhere else in the church! All are welcome. Your child will receive a CD of communion songs to be used at the liturgy. We are fortunate to have wonderful music here at Saint John Fisher and know the children enjoy listening to and singing along with this CD. We use music found in the Gather hymnal and hope the children have fond memories of their communion day when they hear these songs in the future. We encourage you to listen to this CD in the car or in your home to help the whole family familiarize themselves with the songs. To also help your family prepare for the day, each child will receive a countdown to communion calendar which will allow your child and family to do something each day to get ready for the First Communion. We hope this calendar will be yet another way for your family to focus to the joy and spiritual significance of this day. Calendars will be distributed soon. Please look over the parent's brochure carefully, read the prayer blessing for your child as you present this calendar, and begin by opening door 30 on Friday, April 3rd. To beautify the church, we are asking each family to make a small felt square communion banner. The directions are on the attached sheet. The banners are due by Thursday, April 23rd - school - April 26th, C.F.F. to be turned in to the homerooms or to rectory (C.F.F.). We are also asking for a $30.00 communion/reconciliation fee to cover the cost of program booklets, projects, rings, flowers, decorations and the communion photograph. Make checks payable to the Office of Religious Education, and turn it in to your child's teacher, by Friday April 24th or Sunday, April 26th (C.F.F.). A professional photographer will take a picture of each child as he or she receives communion. Each child will receive this candid picture which is included in the communion fee. We will also have a professional studio photographer in the foyer before each of the masses to take portraits of those children who would like them. There are no appointments for these portraits, so there may be a line at various times. These (optional) portraits start at 8:30 a.m. and go to 10:30 a.m. Remember that the children must be in their rooms 30 minutes before the liturgy begins when you are deciding on picture times. We will also have a professional videographer to record the First Communion Liturgy. We offer this service to allow parents to enter fully into the celebration of the liturgy without having to record the event with a video camera. The videographer will have access to the altar and will record each child as he or she receives communion. We hope any families who would like a videotape or DVD of this event will take advantage of this service. An order form is attached. Please do not take your own flash pictures or leave your seat for photographs or videotaping at any time during the mass. We find this to be very distracting to the children and the rest of the congregation. Your cooperation will help make this a prayerful time for everyone. Please also pass on this information to friends and relatives who will attend. After the liturgy, it is nice to take pictures outside of church, or on the altar. You may want to bring a camera for this. Traditionally the children have worn their communion outfits to mass the next day (Sunday, May 3rd) - for their second holy communion - to give them another chance to get dressed up, and to continue their weekend celebration with all the parish community. We invite your children to wear their communion suits and dresses when they come to mass with your family on May 3rd. First Communion is a time of great grace and blessing for our parish families. We look forward to celebrating with you. In the meantime, the best way you can prepare is to take your child to mass each Sunday, sit close to the front and help them to participate. Let them know why communion is important to you. We look forward to seeing you on communion day. If you have any questions, please call the Religious Education Office: (773)238-1851 or e-mail to echermak@sjfschool.net . Sincerely, Ms. Earner Mrs. Nitsche Mrs. Paluch Mrs. Zelek Ms. Chermak Sister Jean Start Countdown Calendar: Friday, April 3rd Banner due: Friday April 24th (school) or April 26th (C.F.F.) Fee due: Friday April 24th (school) or Sunday, April 26th (C.F.F.) Names of Priest relatives to be included in program booklet due: Tuesday April 21st. Video/DVD fee due: Friday, May 1st. First Communion Day: Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Children to arrive at 10:30 a.m. First Communion Videotape or DVD Order Form If you would like a video or DVD of the First Communion, please fill out the form below and return it to your child's teacher by Friday, May 1st. FIRST COMMUNION VIDEOTAPE/DVD _______________________________________ Child's name and room number _______________________________________ Your phone number Videotapes and DVDs are $22.00. Please make checks payable to the Office of Religious Education. Please return this form by Friday, May 1st. http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2009/05/first_communion_letters.html http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2009/05/first_communion_letters.html Fri, 01 May 2009 18:23:29 -0600 May 1, 2009 Dear Parent, The First Communion preparations are going beautifully. Your children are delightful and their excitement is infectious. We look forward to a GREAT celebration! Thank you for all you do to create a meaningful day. Just a few reminders:  The children are invited to wear their communion outfits to church this Sunday for their second holy communion with their families. This will give other parishioners a chance to see your children and share their happiness. Each child is assigned a spot for two adults in a reserved section. All parents have received a seating chart. Please refer to this, and find your spots. There are white name cards on the back of each pew to help you. Please help us by taking your seats right away, in the reserved sections, and telling your guests also to be seated. Remind your guests that the class is large - 92 - and to allow extra time to find parking, in case the lot should fill up. Our church is large; as many others guests who would like to attend are welcome!  Remember that we have a professional videographer and photographer to help you to be present prayerfully for your child, and not to have to take pictures. Please do not videotape or photograph during the liturgy. Please inform your guests of this. You are welcome to take pictures after the ceremony.  The children are to meet at 10:30 in their classrooms.  If you have a chance, there is a letter on the back of the First Communion Countdown calendar for you to fill in for your child. In the midst of all your busy preparations, if you could possibly record your impressions of this time by completing the three or four sentences, it would be a nice keepsake for him or her.  If you would like to have formal portraits, the photographer will be available from 8:30 - 10:30 in the foyer. Again, thank you for all your hard work to prepare your children so well, and to make this a day they will long remember. See you Saturday! Sincerely, Ms. Elena Chermak 1-773-238-1851 http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2009/05/first_communion.html http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2009/05/first_communion.html Fri, 01 May 2009 18:18:23 -0600 Thanks to all who attended the liturgy and school open house last week end. Our church seats 1150 - it was great to see a full church with so many family groups there. The welcome, read by one of your students, included this thought: We are grateful to God for all the blessings all students in every school has received and pray that all students everywhere use the gift of our education to create a bright future. And maybe I’m biased because I’m one of the flute players, but I think our music at liturgy is some of the best. Attending liturgy as a family is a great investment to make for your family’s and children’s future. I appreciate the church liturgy offering an opportunity for families to sit quietly together and contemplate the mysteries of life. Where else do you give your children a sense of mystery? Or help them contemplate their role in the world? In addition, this may be the only live music a family hears on a regular basis. Where else do you sing together, except maybe at a baseball game or birthday party? There is value for children and families to see others who are trying to think about what’s most important in life. I stand in the front of church for a mass or two each weekend, playing the flute. As I look out and see you there, your presence inspires me to continue to ask life’s most profound questions and to admire how you live out those answers in your own lives. I appreciate hearing the same readings Catholics have heard for generations, and receiving the sacraments – a great gift to us through the ages. I look forward to a year of seeing one another at our Sunday liturgies. This weekend we welcome those who are being the Children Faith Formation classes (former C.C.D.) http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2008/09/open_house_liturgy.html http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2008/09/open_house_liturgy.html Fri, 26 Sep 2008 09:33:26 -0600 All are invited to our open house liturgy this weekend beginning with 10:00 a.m. mass. We are in full swing with this school year. Last weekend was the highly anticipated Fisherfest, when our parking lot was filled with amusement park-size rides. Since the rains were so heavy and unrelenting this weekend, I doubted many would attend. I significantly underestimated the lure of Fisherfest! The children came nevertheless and rode every ride – multiple times, happily, in the rain. I talked with the dad who has run this carnival for years and as way of consolation mentioned that Great America charges extra for water rides! (they don’t, but the idea seemed to amuse him, somewhat). I extend my admiration to all the dads and moms and other volunteers who put on this parish festival year after year and make it all look so easy. As someone wise once said, “It takes a lot of effort to make it look like it didn’t take any.” On Sunday early evening, the entertainment tent has a wonderful jazz band which reminded me of a great jazz band which was part of my high school experience. One of the dads Sunday mentioned this band at Fisherfest played at his wedding – 25 years ago. Still my favorite Fisherfest story is one Sister Jean tells: One year a new family came to tour the school to see if it would be a good match for their children. It was fisherfest weekend and the parking lot was filled with rides. As Sister Jean walked them in that direction, one of the littlest children said, “Wow, Look at their playground!” Imagine a school with that setup! It continues to be an honor and privilege to be with your children and help them learn to become happy, responsible adults who know they are loved by God, their families and all of us - who work each day to help them become their best selves. See you at the liturgy this weekend. Ms. Chermak http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2008/09/open_house_fisherfest.html http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2008/09/open_house_fisherfest.html Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:43:55 -0600 We began our day with this prayer: Loving God, On this September 11th day we especially remember all the blessings of our country and the ways we are a beacon of freedom, of opportunity, of justice and truth for the world. Help us to work hard to support one another to make our country strong by being good citizens who are committed to forming supportive, happy, loving communities. Help us never to take our liberties and freedom for granted. Help us to remember to pray for our country and to say the pledge of allegiance each day with a sincere heart. On this day we remember the events of September 11th, 2001 – 7 years ago when our country was attacked in New York City, and Washington, D.C. We remember the people who died that day in those cities and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We also pray for the firefighters and other helpers who died then, and for their families who mourn them. Through our remembering, help us to be peacemakers who try very hard to learn about the world and to understand the beliefs of all people. Help us to work out peaceful solutions to world problems. Guide our soldiers who love our country very much and who serve to protect our country. We especially ask you to watch over soldiers from our families and graduates of our Saint John Fisher school. Help us to know, love and serve you, as we know, love and serve our great country, America. (Help us grow to be great leaders of our world, and guide those who have the job today, and those who seek to be president in this next election.) We ask your special blessings, O Lord on our country, this day, and all days. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN. http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2008/09/prayer_for_the_eleventh_day_of.html http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2008/09/prayer_for_the_eleventh_day_of.html Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:25:00 -0600 Pre-liturgy welcome and play about Saint Paul: Welcome to this liturgy, welcome to the Saint John Fisher school year of 2008-2009 and welcome to the Year of Saint Paul! This year Catholics all over the world, including here at Saint John Fisher School are celebrating the Year of Saint Paul. The pope named this the year of Saint Paul because 2008 marks 2000 years since Saint Paul was born. Saint Paul was born 2000 year ago in a town called Tarsus in what today is known as Turkey in Asia minor on the Mediterranean Sea. Maybe some of us will visit there some day. Saint Paul was one of the first missionaries of Jesus and helped to make our church strong. Even though Saint Paul never met Jesus in person, he became one of his most famous followers. Saint Paul was so good at explaining the message of Jesus that people everywhere wanted to become followers of Jesus, too. Saint Paul inspired others to follow Jesus by praying, by visiting people and telling them about Jesus, and by writing them lots of letters to keep their spirits high and to encourage them. Not everyone liked what Saint Paul said. In fact, some people were so worried about Saint Paul’s message that they threw stones at him sometimes and threw him in jail other times. On top of that – it wasn’t easy traveling on the sea back then two thousand years ago. Saint Paul was even ship wrecked! But he never gave up. Let’s listen to his story from some of the main people in his life who knew him best. Hi, my name is Gamaliel. , I was Saint Paul’s teacher. Back then his name was Saul. I taught him all about Jewish teachings – everything in the book you call the Old Testament. Saul was an excellent student, and in time, became a teacher, too. His other job was to be a tentmaker – like his father before him. That was another important job in those days. Lots of people needed good tents to live in. Back in Tarsus, Saul began hearing about someone named Jesus. Saul did not believe Jesus was the son of God and Saul began to hurt people who followed Jesus’ teaching. Saul wanted to stop ANYONE from teaching about Jesus. My name is Stephen. I was one first people to teach about Jesus after he died. I was arrested and had a trial. When it was my turn to testify, I spoke about my love for Jesus and told the people at the trial about Jesus’ life, death, and Resurrection. The rulers didn’t like what I said and had me put to death. Saul was one of the people who watched while I was executed. I was one of the first martyrs for Christ. Saul stood by and did not help me. I am Ananias, a disciple of Jesus who lived in Damascus. Like many of Jesus’ followers, I had heard about Saul and the way he did not help people who believed in Christ. In fact, he was known for hurting people who believed in Jesus! I met Saul in a most unusual way. One day in Damascus, I saw Saul riding on a horse. Suddenly Saul was blinded by a flash of light and he fell off his big horse. Saul said a voice asked him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” From that day, Saul name changed to Paul and the love of Jesus grew in his heart. He became one of the very best teachers about Jesus. Since Paul knew the Old Testament so well, he could see how Jesus came to fulfill the promise in the Old Testament, too. My name is Barnabas. I was a follower of Jesus. I sold my farm and gave the money and all my possessions to the Jesus’ follows to help them take care of the poor and spread the message of Jesus. I met Saul in Jerusalem, after he fell off his horse in Damascus. I introduced Saul to the Apostles and convinced them that he had changed his ways and was a true disciple of Christ. Saul’s conversion had changed him so much that he became know as Paul, a new name for his new life. We worked together in Antioch, convincing many people to become followers of Jesus. We then began our first missionary journey, traveling throughout Syria and Asia Minor. It was during this ten-year mission that Paul began to preach to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews. I am Timothy. I was converted to Christ by Paul during his first missionary journey and became his co-worker during his second and third journeys. During these trips, we revisited some of the Christian communities Paul had founded and then traveled to cities located around the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas where we established Churches in some towns you may have heard of. Listen to their names: Corinth, Ephesus, Thessalonica, Philippi, and Rome, to name a few. Paul had such great love for these communities that he wrote letters to them to keep them strong in their faith and to give them guidance. These letters are called Epistles and they were so important, that we hear them in church today. Paul’s letters were treasured, saved and reprinted in the book we call the New Testament. We can read them today, anytime! Paul put me in charge of the Church in Ephesus and even wrote letters to give me advice on how to be the very best leader of this church that I could be. Read 1 and 2 Timothy to discover some of the wisdom Paul gave me. My name is Silas and I, too, was one of the disciples who traveled with Paul. We were even arrested together! Luckily we were freed later on, but this wasn’t the only time people who didn’t like Paul’s message put him in jail. You have heard of my name. Every year at Christmas, you sing about Two for Paul and Silas. Well, that Silas is me – a friend and co-worker with Saint Paul. Two for Paul and Silas! I am Priscilla, although I was also known as Prisca. My husband, Aquila, and I first met Paul in Corinth. We were converts to Christianity and we let Paul stay at our house while he worked there. We ate dinner with Paul many nights and heard about all his activities. During a persecution of Christians in Corinth, we fled with Paul to Ephesus. Our home became the “house church” where the Ephesian Christians gathered for worship, friendship, and to hear Paul preach. He taught us to “live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. He also taught us to give thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father” (Ephesians 5:8-10, 20). My name is Julius. I was a centurion, the officer in the Roman army who guarded Paul after his final arrest in Jerusalem. He was charged with causing riots because of his preaching. As the son of a Roman citizen, (remember his father was a tentmaker who lived under Roman rule) Paul demanded his right to be tried in Rome. Paul spent two years in jail waiting for his trial. Then Paul was handed over to me for the voyage to Rome in what is now known as Italy. I treated Paul with kindness and allowed his friends to visit him when we stopped at a port to rest. When we set sail again, we were caught in a violent storm that crashed our ship on the rocky shores of an island in the Mediterranean Sea called Malta. You can read about our shipwreck in Acts 27:14-44. After spending the winter in Malta, we boarded another ship and continued our journey. When we reached port, we traveled on foot, and walked together to Rome for Paul’s trial. He was placed under house arrest, but he was allowed to have visitors and preach to the believers who came to hear him. He also was allowed to write letters to the Christian communities he founded. After two years, he had his trial and this time was sentenced to death. The Roman authorities had him killed. He was beheaded. He died as a martyr for his everlasting faith in Jesus Christ and for sharing Jesus’ message throughout the world. A church in Rome is there today where Saint Paul died. Many of the people who helped you learn about Saint Paul in this story were later recognized as official saints. They are Saint Stephen, Saint Barnabas, Saint Timothy, Saint Silas, and Sts. Priscilla and Aquila and of course, Saint Paul. At today’s liturgy, you will hear stories from Saint Paul’s life, from Saint Paul’s letters, and from Jesus’ own words which also inspired Saint Paul. The songs we will sing and hear are also filled with words written by Saint Paul. General intercessions Opening School Liturgy Year of Saint Paul 1. For all leaders everywhere, that they may be genuine instruments of Christ’s presence in the world, we pray to the Lord. 2. For the students and teachers of Saint John Fisher, that we may follow the example of Saint Paul and pray for one another constantly, we pray to the Lord. 3 For anyone who suffers from hurricanes Hanna, Ike or Josephine, from floods, famines or any natural disaster and for people who come to their aid, we pray to the Lord. 4. For those running for president and vice president, that God’s grace will inspire them to work for the needs of all people, we pray to the Lord. 5. For our city as we watch the Cubs and Sox play in first place, that the teams stay healthy and strong, we pray to the Lord. 6. For all new students, and for all people in our school and families who are named Paul, for all people who go to schools named “Saint Paul” in our country, and for all people who live in Saint Paul, Minnesota, that this year of Saint Paul will remind all people to spread God’s message of hope and blessings everywhere, we pray to the Lord. 7. For all who serve in the military, especially graduates of Saint John Fisher school, we pray to the Lord. 8. For those who are sick, especially members of our school community and our families, we pray to the Lord. 9. For those who have died, our special saints in heaven, we pray to the Lord. 10. For the intentions we hold deep in our hearts………. we pray to the Lord. Post Communion reflection with prayer cards: Hi, My name is _____________________________________ and I’m _______________________________________. We’re both in 8th grade. And we have a gift for you. This is the gift: Every school day this year, our whole eighth grade class – eighth graders, please stand and face the students – this year our whole eighth grade class will pray for all of you, every day. We will have all of your names in our eighth grade hallway and classrooms to help us remember – all of you! You can help us out. Today each of you will receive a prayer card. This prayer card has someone’s name on it. It includes a saying from Saint Paul which is: “From the time I first heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for one another, I have never stopped thanking God for you and praying for you….” Please keep this prayer card is a safe place – like attached to your religion notebook or taped to your desk, - and pray for that person each day. There are blank places on this card. For you to pray for people in your family, in your class, or for someone in the world who you think could use some prayers – Like one of the Cubs or White Sox, or a soldier, or someone running for president. Please come up to the altar now to receive your prayer card. Teachers, your prayer cards will be in these baskets near the organ. We invite all students and teachers to come forward, now. Thank you for your prayers. (text from cards:) Front: The Year of Saint Paul of the Apostle 2000th Anniversary of His Birth 2008-2009 + Loving God, you sent Saint Paul to tell all people everywhere about the loving message of Jesus. Help us, like Saint Paul, to be genuine instruments of the presence of Christ in the world. Help us to pray for one another and to be peacemakers. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN. For the Students of Saint John Fisher School from the Saint John Fisher Class of ‘09 (back:) “...From the time I first heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for one another, I have never stopped thanking God for you and praying for you….” from the letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 1:3,4: 13-19 I will pray this student from Saint John Fisher: ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ For my family: For my class And for this person in the world: The 8th grade class will pray for you every school day…. These are the ways we inaugurated the year of Saint Paul. The music, too, was terrific – all songs based on Saint Paul writings. I am grateful for the talent in these children, presider and musician to create an event of beauty and inspiration. ~ Ms. Chermak ]]> http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2008/09/year_of_saint_paul_opening_liturgy_friday_09-05-08.html http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2008/09/year_of_saint_paul_opening_liturgy_friday_09-05-08.html Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:32:55 -0600 Today is the first day of a new school year. After graduating the great class of ’08 we look forward to the very fine class of ’09 and the creative ways they will lead our school. On this first day of school, remember the excitement you felt – either experiencing the first day for yourself, or taking one of your children. Today as I watched the dads and moms guiding their children to their first days, I recognized two of my former students – both young men from the class of ’85 who have children in our school this year. They aren’t the first children of students I’ve encountered, yet I was delighted to tell their young children that I taught their dads. I hope I didn’t appear too ancient to them. Our school looks with pride as one of our graduates from the class of ’82 addresses the democratic convention today. Living as we do twelve miles from the Hyde Park home of Barack Obama, the election takes on special significance. Senator Biden also has local connections with extended family who live in our area. This year starts the day after the closing ceremonies in Bejing for the 29th Olympiad. As our current first graders graduate, perhaps they will anticipate the 2016 summer Olympics in Chicago and volunteer as our city hosts to the 34th Olympics?! Our students are also excited about the White Sox and the Cubs – both in first place. Here’s hoping that 2008 is the year of a world series champion for Chicago. In the church world, the pope declared 2008 the year of Saint Paul. Paul was a missionary born 2000 years ago. Two things are significant. 1: his life completely turned around. He began his adult life persecuting Christians and transformed his life work to spreading the Christian message. 2. Paul wrote tremendous letters of encouragement which we read throughout the world – in 2008. Our school theme this year will encompass these themes: A new president and opportunity for leadership; the worldwide competitions among athletes who together celebrate the human spirit; the year of Saint Paul who traveled extensively on a mission to enhance the quality of human life as he carried the message of life-giving love for all people. And a world series? As I start a new school year, I look back with gratitude for having some wonderful opportunities to be with my family in various locations this summer. My father and I saw Alaska while on a cruise. We were interested in the missionary heritage there – most important the legacy of early Russian religious leaders – very much in evidence in Sitka today. I spent considerable time with my parents and brother and saw high school friends at a class reunion. Included in one of those trips was an excursion to Gettysburg which I hadn’t visited since my 7th grade field trip. Nearby was Emmitsburg, Maryland – site of the Saint Elizabeth Seton shrine – the first native born American saint. I am delighted to be with your children this year. I look forward to the work we can do together to help them find their place in the world, to develop their talents to be of great service now and in the future and to establish together a supportive environment of learning about God the world and themselves. Added below are a few readings from Saint Paul which the teachers considered on our opening faculty day. These readings talk about races and having beautiful – Michael Phelps size 14? – feet and perseverance. Readings from Saint Paul: 1. From the second letter of Saint Paul to Timothy: Take as a model of sound teaching what you have heard me say, in faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the rich deposit of faith with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. So you, sons and daughters, must be strong in the grace which is ours in Christ Jesus. The things which you have heard from me through many witnesses you must hand on to trustworthy men and women who will be able to teach others….. (2 Tim 1: 13-14; 2, 1-3) 2. From the letter of Paul to the Romans: Your love must be sincere. Anticipate each other in showing respect. Do not grow slack, but be fervent in spirit; Rejoice in hope, be patient under trial, persevere in prayer. Look on the needs of the saints as your own; be generous in offering hospitality…. (Romans 12:12-13) 3. From the letter of Paul to the Romans: ….How can they believe unless they have heard of him? And how can they hear unless there is someone to preach? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? Scripture says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who announce good news!”…. “Their voice has sounded over the whole earth, and their words to the limits of the world.”… (Romans 10: 16-18) 4. From Paul’s second letter to Timothy: I have done my best in the race, and I have stayed faithful. I know that the Lord will give me a crown and reward everyone who loves him. The Lord has always been with me and made me strong so that I could proclaim the Word of God to people everywhere. The Lord has always helped me; He will save me from every discouragement. Thus, I will keep my eye on the prize. May everyone give praise and glory to the Lord forever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 17-18) Generous God, you fill us with wonder – at all you have inspired through people who carry your hopeful message to the world. May we be open to your life-giving presence and place our trust in you. May we be at peace doing your work and be signs of your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN. http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2008/08/first_day_of_school_year_of_sa.html http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2008/08/first_day_of_school_year_of_sa.html Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:14:39 -0600 You'll notice a new addition to the school bridge: A stained glass window which the students made, with the idea that individually we shine; together we are brilliant. We hope this window will remind the students that God's light shines through them and their classmates and everyone they meet. Thanks to the eighth graders of the great class of '08 who will lead our school in living this theme this year: God's light shines through us. http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2007/09/first_mass_of_the_year.html http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2007/09/first_mass_of_the_year.html Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:29:00 -0600 Welcome back to school! The eighth graders - the class of 2008-will-be-great - are preparing the first mass of the year. Currently they are thinkibg about our stained glass windows in church, designed by the renowned artist Gabriel Loire of Chartes, France. Loire's work in noted internationally; we are fortunate to benefit from his artistry in our own parish. Loire's stained glass is in churches from Capetown South Africa, to Berlin Germany and California, as well as a vast number of churches in France. As a school we are united with faithful people everywhere who find inspiration in his work. Last year's track and field day prayer service in early June started with a student reading her paragraph explaining the song "We're All in This Together" as it applied to her class of '08, our school and the entire community of God's people. In our mass next week, we hope to build on this theme - with the idea that like stained glass windows - God's light shines thorugh each of us: Individually we are bright. Together we are brilliant. Something like that....we're still working on this! All are invited to the opening school mass, hosted by the class of 2008: Friday, September 7th. 1:15 p.m. in the church with the beautiful Gabriel Loire stained glass windows, a.k.a. Saint John Fisher! Ms. Chermak http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2007/08/welcome_to_200708_and_first_sc.html http://blog.sjfschool.net/chermak/2007/08/welcome_to_200708_and_first_sc.html Fri, 31 Aug 2007 09:35:20 -0600