The latest edition of the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Foundation Sharing the Good News electronic newsletter is now available at GSCS Foundation Website. The April 2019 edition includes news about Lent and Easter celebrated in Catholic schools:
Lent is a time of preparation for Easter and the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord. Our Catholic Schools do an outstanding job of using this special time of the year to teach and to strengthen the faith of our students.
Each school carefully plans and carries out special programing during Lent. The focus is on praying, fasting and showing service to others. Student spiritual retreats are also often held during this time of the year. It is very heartwarming to witness the amazing work that was done in our schools this past Lent.
Lent at École Sister O’Brien Elementary School –
The principal and staff of École Sister O’Brien School invited the Foundation to join them on their school’s Lenten journey this year. Here is a very brief summary of some of the MANY wonderful activities undertaken at Sister O’Brien School this Lent:
- Masses or Liturgies were held each week during Lent.
- The sacrament of Reconciliation was offered to students and staff during the first week of Lent.
- A Living Rosary was prayed as a school community during the third week of Lent.
- Students were invited to join the Rosary Club which met at lunch each Thursday during Lent. The students prayed the Rosary, learned about the Sorrowful Mysteries and completed many other faith related activities during this time.
- A Lenten Calendar was prepared and shared with each classroom. The teachers and students chose one activity from the calendar each school day to complete.
- Each class prayed the Stations of the Cross at least once each week of Lent.
- Food was collected each week of Lent to be donated to The Friendship Inn. (Week 1 – Sugar and Coffee; Week 2 – Canned Fruit and Vegetables; Week 3 – Pancake Mix and Syrup; Week 4 – Peanut Butter and Jam).
- Students had the opportunity to participate in a “Basketball Shoot” fundraiser in support of the Chalice Children Nutrition Program which assists children living in poverty around the world. Over $700.00 was raised for this very worthy program!
- On Holy Thursday, the students led a breathtaking school Liturgy reenacting Jesus’ journey from Palm Sunday to the Last Supper, through the Stations of the Cross and ending finally with the hope of the Ressurection. It was a privilege to witness this labor of love by the staff and students of the École Sister O’Brien School.
Karwacki Fund Projects Adopted
Ten of the 27 Grant Applications that were submitted for the Karwacki Family – The pursuit of Excellence in Catholic Education Fund have now been funded. Three projects were originally funded by the Karwacki Fund process. Following this, an additional 7 projects have now been “adopted” by other donors that have generously come forward. There are still 18 projects available for adoption. For most of these projects, even a partial sponsorship would go a long way to addressing these grassroots needs within our schools. Please check out the link below to see the projects that are still available for full or partial sponsorship.
Click here to view the Karwacki Fund Project.
Upcoming events:
19th Annual Swing Into Spring Fashion Show & Dinner
- Thursday, May 16, 2019
- Hall A Prairieland Park
- $75 per person
To purchase tickets contact Janice Nepjuk at the Foundation: 306-659-7003.
24th Annual “Share the Spirit” Golf Classic
- Tuesday, August 20, 2019
- Willows Golf and Country Club
- 144 golfers only so register early
- $150 per golfer
To register or to learn about sponsorship opportunities please contact Janice Nepjuk at the Foundation: 306-659-7003 or Rick Rowley (306-371-2061) or David Paslawski (306-652-5525)
Did you know?
- The Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division has over 19,000 students from kindergarden to grade 12
- There are over 1,500 kindergarden students which is an increase of almost 11% from last year
- There are almost 17,500 students in the preschool and grade 1-12 grouping which is an increase of almost 5% from last year