Sunday, December 19, 2010

Skiing, Celebrating and Santa!

What a busy week it has been!  Fun, but very busy.


First, Skiing... 

Monsignor William Irwin students from grades 3 - 6 went skiing to Rabbit Hill all day Tuesday, December 14th. 

We rode to the hill in a festively decorated bus!

The Weather was perfect for our students to enjoy a day on the slopes.  Beginner, intermediate and advanced skiiers all took a lesson in the morning and then had some free ski time after lunch. 

Many students experienced their first time skiing under the expert guidance of the Rabbit Hill instructors.

 Here are some students beginning a snowboard lesson.

Some beginning snowboarders and skiiers riding the magic carpet up the Bunny Hill.

The next lift to master is the dreaded rope tow! 

If you can walk, you can ski!

This student makes it look easy.

When you get real good, they let you on the chair lift!

The success of the day is measured in how many students try to hang out in the lodge after lunch.  The fewer the students inside the better.  Not one of Monsignor William Irwin's students stayed in after they devoured their nutritious bag lunches.  I am sure a few beginning skiiers and snowboarders put lessons on their Christmas list!

The Fourth Advent Celebration...
As our last week of school came to a close we celebrated the fourth Advent Celebration with the entire school.  The grade one students were the main celebrants with some assistance from several students in other grades.  Father Andrew from St. Thomas More Parish was in attendance and gave the homily for the beautiful celebration.  The students sat in a circle to signify the never ending cycle of our liturgical season and our belief in life eternal.


Two grade one students played the parts of Mary and Joseph in the manger.

Students listened, prayed and sang respectfully throughout the Celebration and truly understood the reason for the season.

Santa's Breakfast...
On Friday Decemember 17th we had our first Annual Monsignor William Irwin Santa's Breakfast.  The morning was a huge success.  As many staff members rolled into school about 7:45 their nostrils were filled with the heavenly scent of pancakes.  Students, staff and parents alike were all wearing their P.J.'s to school to mark the end of a great first term and the beginning of a restful vacation.
Did you know that monks in Mexico in the 17th Century began to include the Poinsettia in their Christmas celebrations?



I looked into the gym the night before just to see what preparations had been made for Santas arrival.  This is what I saw: 
Serving tables.


Tables for students to sit and enjoy their breakfast.
A corner to have a little visit with Santa in!
The next morning the gym was a buzz with volunteers cooking and serving the healthful breakfast.
Ms. Stang's grade two students dug into their wholegrain pancakes, fruit and whipped cream.  Mmmhh!
Mrs. Flanagan's grade threes didn't mind taking a break from eating to talk with Jolly Old St. Nick.

 This is Madame Brassard's grade two class.
Each class posed for a group photo with Santa after asking him for their Christmas wish. 

Reflecting on the empty gym photos and those with the volunteers and children in them it is clear that we are Church.  It is not the building, but the people who are filling it with their love and faith that are making our community grow.

Once again, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


Saturday, December 18, 2010

Our Wellness Journey in a "Wordle"!

I found an interesting site that creates "Wordles" or Word Clouds out of words to summarize a concept.  I have linked our blog to this site to create a Wordle to illustrate our journey to date. 

Father Bill's Kitchen in a "Wordle" to Dec. 2010.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Activity and Advent

December's Wellness Theme is "Activity" and for Catholics it is Advent and Christmas!  What better way to wait than being active!


How do we fit in activity with our faith traditions of celebratory meals and family gatherings surrounded by traditional foods?  It is a question most of us ask our selves each year at this time.  I have heard conversations at the kitchen table that go something like this..."Food in December has no calories!" or " I couldn't possibly hurt my host's feelings so I always eat what I am given."   Well it isn't quite as difficult as one would think.   I am not saying go overboard, please try to stick to the Canada Food Guide and if you do (and you will) have a little something extra just be a bit more active to offset the extra calories.  The activity need not be of the variety that takes place in the gym.  Grab a child and try some of these!













I am sure you can think of a few more activities that you and yours would like to try or do together.  And afterwards make sure to toast our winter season with a delicious hot chocolate.  Here's a Father Bill's "healthy" version:

OLD FASHIONED HOT CHOCOLATE
For 2 cups of Hot Chocolate

Ingredients
2 cups of milk
2 tbsp. of cocoa powder
4 tbsp. of sugar
Directions:
On stove top heat milk to steaming but not boiling.  Add cocoa powder and sugar, whisking until combined.  Poor into mugs to enjoy :)



Just as an added incentive have a look at the official definition from Health Canada for "Healthy Living":
Definition of healthy living:
At a population level, healthy living refers to the practices of population groups that are consistent with supporting, improving, maintaining and/or enhancing health. As it applies to individuals, healthy living is the practice of health enhancing behaviours, or put simply, living in healthy ways. It implies the physical, mental and spiritual capacity to make healthy choices. The Integrated Pan-Canadian Healthy Living Strategy focuses on healthy eating, physical activity and their relationship to healthy weights.


Now to Advent.  This is a very special time for Christian's as we wait in anticipation of the birth of our Messiah. 

Notice the intentional absence of Baby Jesus?  He will be placed in the creche on Dec. 25.

 There are many ways to wait and reflect on this miraculous event.  One way is to use the Advent Wreath to celebrate the weeks before Christmas. Students at Ecole Monsignor William Irwin School are using a wreath to celebrate Advent while at school.  Each week before Christmas we light a new candle and reflect on a different part of the Christmas story until all the candles are lit.  A fifth candle is often included in the middle of the wreath on Christmas Day to symbolize Christ, the Light of our Life. 

The following link will help you to continue this tradition at home with your children:

 Some classes have made a Jesse Tree to celebrate the family history of Christ our King.  It is a simple procedure that only requires a branch from a deciduous tree, something to put the branch in, a bible and some paper to make leaves.  If you would like the instructions on how to make a Jesse Tree and what scripture passages are to be read with each symbol please follow this link:   Jesse Tree Instructions.   The time you spend with your children sharing these timeless bible stories might just be your best gift this season!

From Father Bill's Kitchen to you and your family,
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!  And remember...
...he's making a list and checking it twice...!  And don't forget to embrace the flakes!