News for the Week of 12/9/15

Come, Lord Jesus.  Come and visit your people.  

We await your coming.  Come, O Lord.

"Dear brothers and sisters, I have often thought of how the Church may render more clear her mission to be a witness to mercy; and we have to make this journey. It is a journey which begins with spiritual conversion.

Therefore, I have decided to announce an Extraordinary Jubilee which has its center the mercy of God" - Pope Francis

The Year of Mercy officially began yesterday, 12/8/15, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and will conclude next year on the Feast of Christ the King on 11/20/16.  The Office of Catholic Schools has many resources available on-line in celebration of this important year.  Click here.

Hot Lunch Menus & Order Form for lunches from January through March are available now.  Click here.  All orders and payments will be due NLT THIS Friday, December 11th.

Lessons & Carols, our annual Christmas Prayer Service, will be held in the church on Monday, 12/14 (snow date, Tuesday, 12/15).  There will be a dress rehearsal at 10am that is open to the public and an excellent opportunity for photos.  The evening prayer service begins at 7pm in the Church.  Every student in Kindergarten - Grade 8 participates in this beautiful retelling of the Nativity Story.  Absence from the prayer service is permitted only for illness or with permission from Mrs. Gannatti.  Students in Kindergarten and 8th grade should follow the dress guidelines provided by homeroom teachers.  All other students should wear their full formal uniform - no sweatshirts, please.

Christmas Band Concert will be held in the Parish Center on Monday, 12/21 (snow date, Tuesday, 12/22) .  There will be a dress rehearsal at 2pm and guests are welcome.  The evening performance will begin at 7pm.  Musicians should follow dress and arrival guidelines that will be provided by Mrs. Morse.  All are welcome to attend this festive concert and enjoy the "sounds of the season".

Christmas Break begins with a 12:45pm early dismissal from school on Wednesday, 12/23. There will be NO PreK Enrichment or Aftercare.  

School reopens and we begin our celebration of Catholic Schools' Month on Monday, 1/4/16.

CHOICE Cards for Christmas Giving - Gift cards make wonderful gifts and donations and the CHOICE program has a wide variety of gift cards available. In addition to the cards normally stocked in the office, many other cards are available by special order via GL Script. Click here and at the bottom of the displayed page select "Retailer List" under Quick Links to view a complete list of available vendors. If placing a special order for Christmas giving, please keep in mind that the last date for assured gift giving availability is Wednesday, 12/16/15. Please contact Tammy Budnick with any questions - 860.658.9412 or tbudnick@stmarysimsbury.eduk12.net.

Grade 8 Fundraising - There are still a few raffle tickets available!  Think of the holiday fun possible with an extra $1,000 available!

  Click here to download a ticket order form.

Athletic News

Click here to share in the excitement of this year's SMS Knights basketball season.  Nice shot, #50, Olivia D., Grade 6!

Congratulations to our JVC Girls team, they won their game last weeked, 22-10. JVC is 2nd and 3rd grade. 

Turkey Trot Results - Thanks to all that contributed a non-perishable food item or made a donation to the annual Jack Bannon Turkey Trot.  Organizers have let us know that SMS contributed 95 pounds of non-perishable food to this drive!

Signs of the Season

Students in Mrs. Jehning's First Grade created manger scenes.







On Friday, 12/4, Kindergarten and First Grade celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas including the tradition of leaving out their shoes for a special visit.

Kindergarten students with their "misfit sock".

Students in Kindergarten and grades 1-4 are preparing for Christmas this Advent using a "Misfit Sock".  Students have read  The Misfit Sock by Karen Kiefer. The Advent Misfit Sock is intended to ignite imaginations and be a catalyst for prayer during this special season. This story has many "bigger messages" within the text, which helps the story come alive.  Click here to learn more about The Misfit Sock and its message for Advent.