Friday Letter 12/11/15

Dear St. Sebastian Families,
 
 Thank you to all our families that were able to attend the Family Mass last Sunday.  The pancake breakfast and scholastic book sale were well attended.  We were able to earn over $700 for the church to update their electrical system; this is on top of the $1200 collected for the raffle.  The church is still in need of a significant amount of money to cover this unexpected cost so do not forget to give where you are able during the Christmas season.   Father German asked that I share this message:
 
In the name of the parishioners from St Sebastian Church, I want to sincerely and graciously thank St Sebastian's School faculty and families, for the vital and important support that you lovingly provided by helping us sell raffle tickets and hosted a delicious Pancake breakfast sale. 
United we will continue to move forward, so our communities grow guided by the Holy Spirit.
With Much Gratitude,
Fr. German Sanchez
 
The scholastic book fair has ended with a sales total of $3,297- this was a significant increase from last year.  Scholastic dollars earned from this will be used to buy various items for the school.  Thank you Anna Duran and all the families that helped to keep the bookstore open bring yummy treats and make sure that Clifford made a number of visits.  
 
Friday, Brandon “our poetry guy” brought a friend with him to work with our 5th- 8th graders.  Here is a little about this very impressive young lady.  Keep in mind; Amanda is only a senior in high school:
Amanda Gorman is Los Angeles’ first ever Youth Poet Laureate. She is a senior at New Roads High School in Santa Monica, and is the founder of One Pen One Page, a nonprofit organization that promotes literacy through poetry workshops. She has served as a United Nations Youth Delegate and as an ANNpower Fellow in Washington, D.C and London. Her first book of poetry is titled The One for Whom Food is Not Enough. She is also a contributor to Huffington Post, mariashriver.com, and Hello Giggles.
 
This week we have a number of events planned.  Wednesday night at 6pm, students will carol and delight us in song.  This year the 8th grade will be heading the Christmas dinner.  If you would like to have dinner before the Christmas concert, food will be available at the school for purchase.  All proceeds for this event will go towards the 8th grade graduation.  Order forms are attached to this e-letter and will need to be returned by Tuesday. 
 
Thursday the 17th St. Sebastian School will be leading the Posada at the church at 7pm.  All are invited to be a part of this beautiful prayer service.  A light snack will be provided after the service at the parish center. 
 
Friday after mass our youngest kiddos (preschoolers) will be performing at the church.  After the performance St. Sebastian students will be part of their own Posada.  We will be traveling as Mary and Joseph did in the days before the birth of Christ to find shelter.  Students will finish with a small treat.
 
SPC:
Keep selling your chocolates; remember each family is responsible for two boxes.  Chocolate cannot be returned to American’s Finest, so keep selling those chocolates! Thank you for all your support with this fundraiser!
 
Important Dates to Remember

• Dec. 12 - Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration http://www.stsebastianla.org/

• Dec. 14 - Chocolate Sale Ends
• Dec. 16 - Winter Concert
• Dec. 17- Posada at church 7pm
• Dec. 18 - Preschool Performance
• Dec. 18- Children’s Posada
• Dec. 18 - Early Dismissal 2pm no aftercare

 
For other dates please check our web site at: www.saintsebastianschool.com
 
Tweet from Pope Francis:
“May the Jubilee of Mercy bring us all closer to God’s goodness and love!”
 
God Bless,
Ms. McDugald