PSR News
Another year is almost over but one of the busy times is yet to come….the scramble before Christmas. How many years do we hurry and rush to prepare for Christmas day only to feel let down when the day finally arrives? Unfortunately, I believe that happens to many people, including myself. I have to wonder if maybe we are all going about this wrong. In order to return some sanity to the next several weeks, I decided to search for some ideas on ways for my family to celebrate advent.
Here are some of the ideas I found on at http://www.catholiceducation.org:
1.
Advent
wreath:
The Advent wreath, which has German origins, is probably the most recognized
Advent custom. It is a wreath made of evergreens that is bound to a circle of
wire. It symbolizes the many years from Adam to Christ in which the world
awaited its Redeemer; it also represents the years that we have awaited His
second and final coming. The wreath holds four equally spaced candles, the three
purple ones lit on the “penitential” Sundays and a pink one for Gaudete, the
joyful third Sunday in Advent.
2.
The
empty manger:
Each child may have his own individual manger, or there may be one manger for
the whole family. The idea is that when acts of service, sacrifice, or kindness
are done in honor of Baby Jesus as a birthday present, the child receives a
piece of straw to put into the manger. Then, on Christmas morning, “Baby
Jesus” is placed in the manger. Encourage your children to make Jesus’ bed
as “comfortable” as possible through their good deeds. In the process,
explain Christ’s incomparable self-gift at Christmas and Easter that enables
us to be part of God’s family.
3.
St.
Nicholas Day: The feast of St. Nicholas is on Dec.
6th. It is a highlight of the Advent season. Each child puts out a shoe the
night before St. Nicholas Day in the hope that the kind bishop — with his
miter, staff, and bag of gifts — will pay a visit. The current “Santa
Claus” is modeled after St. Nicholas, but commercialism has tarnished the true
story. Many families give gifts on both Dec. 6 and Christmas. Read about St.
Nicholas in your favorite saints book.
4.
The
Christ candle: Any large white candle can be used for
the Christ candle. The idea is to decorate it with symbols for Christ. Use old
Christmas cards, sequins, holly, etc. The candle can be lit on Christmas Eve to
show that the Light of the World has arrived. Then continue to light the Christ
candle throughout the year at Sunday dinner to remind your family of our waiting
for Christ, as well as celebrating His birth and Resurrection.
5.
The
Mary candle: Some families have the custom of
decorating the Christ candle with a blue veil on December 8th, the Solemnity of
the Immaculate Conception. On this great feast, others place a candle with a
blue ribbon before a statue or picture of the Blessed Virgin, whose “yes” to
God enabled our Lord’s coming at Christmas. The candle is lit during meal
times to serve as a delightful reminder of Mary’s eager expectation of the
“Light of the World.” It can also serve as a reminder to each family member
to keep their own light of grace burning as a preparation for Christ’s coming.
6.
St.
Lucy cakes: The feast of St. Lucy, virgin and
martyr, is on December 13th. This marks the opening of the Christmas season in
Sweden. Her life story can be found in most saints books, as can the recipe for
the traditional cakes. The symbolism is rich and her life story worthwhile
reading.
7.
The
Nativity scene: This is the event in which the entire family shares —
setting up the Christmas manger. Mary and Joseph should be far off traveling and
their approach to Bethlehem can be adjusted daily. Older children can make
life-size Nativity models, carve them, cut them out from cardboard, or set up
pre-made figurines. The creative ideas are without limit. Make sure to place the
Nativity scene where many can admire the children’s efforts to give God glory.
8.
Blessing
of the tree: More and more frequently families
are blessing their Christmas trees. It is good to remind children that “the
tree” relates to many aspects of our faith. For example, we are reminded that
our first parents were not allowed to eat from one tree, and that Christ paid
the great price for our redemption by hanging on a tree (cf. Acts 5:29-32).
Please consider using one or two of these ideas to bring the Advent season
into your home.
As you can imagine, the PSR classes have been very busy in the past few months. The classes took turns leading the Rosary before 10:00 a.m. Mass during October. The confirmation students prepared their individual posters (which are displayed in the Church vestibule each week). Additionally, the confirmation students, their parents and sponsors gathered for a confirmation BBQ held at the recreation park in October. Each student planted a tulip bulb which will blossom this spring just in for confirmation. The fifth grade students recently finished the ACRES testing. And the fourth grade students prepared posters of a saint and presented them to the class in honor of All Saints Day.
Please remember that PSR classes are scheduled to begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. I have noticed many students are not arriving until 8:45 a.m., which disrupts the rest of the class.
PSR is scheduled to sing Christmas Carols at the Freeburg Care Center on Sunday, December 9, at 3:30 p.m. Please bring your child to the nursing home at 3:20 p.m. Students should make a Christmas card for a nursing home resident. Cards will be handed out to residents after caroling.
The PSR students will be singing Christmas songs at PSR Christmas Program scheduled for Sunday, December 16 (during PSR). The students should report to the PSR classrooms at 8:30 a.m. All parents and parishioners are invited to attend this program which is scheduled to begin in the Church at 9:00 a.m. After the program, please plan on attending the “PSR” Mass at 10:00 a.m.
The PSR teachers are ending each class with the “Prayer of the Month.” In an effort to help the children learn and remember their Catholic prayers, we have assigned a prayer for each month. During the month of December, the classes will pray the Act of Contrition. During the month of January, the classes will pray the Our Father.
Did
you know that Saint Brigid made a small cross from tall grasses to teach others
about Jesus? Did you know that Saint Pope Gregory XIII created the Gregorian
calendar, which is the calendar we use today?
These are just a few of the facts the PSR students hear each week in our Saint of the Week program. Some
of the more recent saints the students have learned about are: Saint Brigid,
Saint Pope Gregory XIII, Saint
Teresa of
Avila, Saint Margaret Mary, Saint Paul of the Cross, Saint Jude, and Saint
Thomas Aquinas.
A recap of the important PSR dates for December and January:
· December 9: PSR Christmas Caroling at the Freeburg Care Center at 3:30 p.m.
· December 16: PSR Christmas Program at 9:00 a.m. in the Church. PSR Mass at 10:00 a.m.
· December 23: No PSR classes.
· December 30: No PSR classes.
· January 6: PSR classes resume at 8:30 a.m.
This year I hope to feel the true joy of Christmas when the day arrives. As Advent is the season for preparation, the way we prepare can make all the difference. Don’t forget the reason for the season. Bring your children to Mass so they can participate in the full experience of the Advent and Christmas seasons.
The PSR teachers and staff wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We hope to see your family at Mass soon!
Yours in Christ,
Dawn Dossett
PSR Coordinator