November 25th Newsletter

November 25, 2015
Dear OLG Families,
On behalf of the school staff, I want to wish all of you a very special Thanksgiving holiday. We are so blessed to partner with such loving, generous families who are so committed to making OLG a great community in which our children can learn and grow. May you be blessed with good company, relaxing days, and safe travels. See Heidi Ehrenberg’s article below for a reflection on this time of giving thanks.
I hope to see you next Friday for our annual Light Up the Night event!
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

Parent Org Chair

Parent Education Night 

November 30th 6:30 PM in the School Hall
OLG’s very own Ms. Heidi Ehrenberg, along with the Parent Org, invite you to a special Parent Education presentation!
Does your child use the computer or have a cell phone?
This Parent Ed Night is for you!
Does your preschooler play on your iPad or tablet?
This Parent Ed Night is for you!
Is your Kindergarten to 3rd Grader savvy enough to download apps?
This Parent Ed Night is for you!
Have you heard of SnapChat, Tinder, Whisper or Kik Messenger?
This Parent Ed Night is for you!
Join us on Monday, November 30th at 6:30 pm in the School/Parish Hall, for an eye-opening presentation from Detective Stefanie Thomas with the Seattle Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Learn how to be alert to and protect your children, and yourself, against the dangers and vulnerabilities the internet, social media, online gaming, and apps can pose to anyone. This is not just a presentation for parents of Middle School students – this is for everyone! This presentation is about learning to stay safe and protect your identity when taking advantage of the many opportunities and tools the internet and apps provide.
As always, our Parent Education Nights are free to attend and all are welcome. We hope to see you there! RSVP here.
Volunteers Needed for Light Up the Night Event 
December 4, 2015  7:00 pm
December is just around the corner and our Light Up The Night team is working hard to make this year’s event a thing of beauty! We promise a festive and joyous community experience, but you we can’t do it without your help. This is a great way to earn commitment hours for the school year! So, if you would like to earn a nice batch of hours heading into the holiday break (and the 2nd half of our school year – commitment hours are due by April 30th), then please contact our Light Up the Night chairs, Minerva Del Rosario or
Yen Del Rosario and sign-up to help!
Click here to find out about specific volunteer opportunities!
2016 OLG Auction & Gala – An Evening in Paris! Update:
Time is running out! A Class Ice Cream Party is on the line!
Next Friday is the deadline for auction donations!
Please turn in your forms by Friday, December 4th!
You can find all of the information about this year’s auction here.
Still need ideas?  Contact your Auction Chairs.
We need volunteers to collect items on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday next week!  Please sign up to help!
Next Parent Org Meeting
Tuesday, December 8th 6:30 pm. All are welcome!

School Counselor
Giving Thanks…
I think no other holiday evokes more memories and emotions, as does Thanksgiving.

Certainly it is a time of food, family, and friends.  The minute we smell pumpkin pie in the oven, or taste a close version of Auntie’s stuffing, or mom’s gravy, we are transported back to special gatherings. Remember sitting at the kid’s table? How about eating so much you felt as stuffed as the turkey? Can forget arguing and laughing, while tackling a mountain of dishes!
As I give thanks today, the reflection runs deeper. Especially when looking at the suffering of so many. There remain countries around the world where basic needs of food, shelter, and clean water are lacking. How can people pull themselves out of poverty without education or opportunities? We’ve watched the news, and have seen people fleeing destruction and persecution in their countries. In desperation they put their lives and the lives of their families in danger – making boat crossings, walking for hundreds of miles, sleeping in the elements…Imagine a situation so dire that you feel the only choice is to uproot your family, leave your home and com-munity, and become part of a huge wave of humanity. Such a perilous journey! You head into the unknown, to hopefully find someplace safe, welcoming, where you can contribute, and live, and BE!
We all have our journeys, which can be overwhelming and frightening at times. We are more aware each day of how dangerous and precarious our world truly is. Yet we can also be thankful for feeling safe, and free, warm and fed, with friends and family near, in the heart of a community. Our children can go to school, are growing and learning, as they define who they are becoming, and how they will contribute to our future.
I somehow take it for granted that my world will remain stable. I’m annoyed if my power goes out… But oh my, how thankful I am, for so much…! What are you thankful for? Right now, as you read this, stop and think. What are the positives in your life, the opportunities? You may be facing challenges, but who are the people beside you as you move ahead? Yes, who are the people, the places, and the things that enrich your life?
With wisdom, compassion, and gentle humor, celebrate and give thanks for the special gifts in your life. And don’t forget… YOU are a special gift!

 

Pastoral Associate
Check out photos and updates from Fr. Jack’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land with many of our parishioners.
Click here to learn more about:
  • OLG Feast Day Celebration
  • Thanksgiving Mass at OLG
  • Shoeboxes of Joy
  • Fair Trade Sale
Please remember to make your 2016 stewardship commitment to OLG parish!
A Few Reminders for Those Using Online Payments:
  • If you have set up a recurring payment with no end date; please fill out a physical commitment card or email your commitment intentions to Peggy Behnken so that your generous donations can be counted in our stewardship plans for 2016.
  • If you have set up a recurring payment with no end date and you set up your commitment for 2016 with a start and end date, you may have two payments that will come out of your account in January. You can avoid this by signing in to your account and putting an end date of 12/31/15 on your current payment. This will ensure your 2016 commitment beginning in January will be the only one coming out of your account.
We are grateful for your commitment! We understand that sometimes things happen and you may become unable to fulfill your pledge at the rate you had originally intended.  Please let us know of the change so we can update our records.
We are here to help!  If you ever have questions or need assistance … please call Peggy Behnken at 206-935-0358.
CONTENTS

Important Info May 2012

Thanksgiving Break
November 26 & 27, 2015
Thursday & Friday
Internet Safety Presentation for Parents & Guardians
November 30, 2015
Monday
6:30 – 7:30 pm
School Hall

Light Up the Night
December 4, 2015
Friday
 

In Thanksgiving for our strong OLG community and the generous and kind spirit found here. Fo safe travels and time with loved ones over the holidays.
For peace and comfort for all people who are alone or suffering in some way this holiday season.