Getting Ready for Advent
The other day I overheard someone say that she had to buy some candles for the “real” Advent wreath. I had to chuckle as it doesn’t really seem to me to be Advent any more until we get out the “Advent wreath” made by my daughter Caitlin when she was in kindergarten at JFK. That was thirteen years ago!
Only in a Catholic school.
Busy Calendar
From now until January 2nd, there will be a whirlwind of activities. Please see the website calendars. There’s too many events to list them all!
Advent is also a perfect time to rededicate ourselves to weekend Mass attendance and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Please see the bulletin for Reconciliation offerings by clicking HERE or using the following url: https://www.olvjfk.com/olv/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/11/10328054A-112617.pdf
Victory Vouchers Are Going Online
Need gift cards for the holidays? Want to use gift cards to make your holiday purchases AND support OLV and JFK at the same time? Want to receive credit on your tuition? Victory Vouchers has you covered!
- You purchase a gift card at face value from OLV, meaning there is no additional cost to you — buy a $25 gift card for $25.
- The parish is able to purchase the cards at reduced prices yielding a donation to the parish
- You also receive a 2% credit for the program of your choice (school tuition, youth ministry, Faith Formation fees, or the OLV Foundation)
Victory Vouchers has two convenient purchasing options: paper orders and, now, ONLINE ordering.
Gift cards can be purchased in person in the gathering space on Sundays from 7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. or at the parish office on week days from 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cards are stocked for 40+ retailers, and nearly 7,000 are available online or can also be ordered in person.
To enroll in online ordering, click HERE for the Victory Voucher page on our website or stop by the Victory Voucher store that gets set up in the gathering space each Sunday. For other questions, please contact Elaine Kopf at victoryvouchers@gmail.com
JFK Spirit Night Fundraiser at Chuck E. Cheese
Our Chuck E. Cheese Family Night fundraiser is Wednesday, November 29th from 3-9 pm. We will get back 15% of all JFK sales that night. That includes all food, merchandise and token deals with the mention of JFK. Coupon forms (reminders) and a sticker for 10 free tokens will be coming the day of the event, and Chuck E. Cheese will be in the JFK parking lot at dismissal time that afternoon.
Ho Ho Ho! The Santa Claus Chronicles
Ho Ho Ho! The Santa Claus Chronicles children’s workshop and play will be presented by Assumption students on December 9th and 10th in the AHS auditorium. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m with the workshop for 1st – 6th graders beginning at 10:00. The $30 registration fee includes workshops, lunch, children’s t-shirt, and admission to the play at 2:00. The registration form was emailed two weeks ago and is available by clicking HERE.
Directory Reminder
Please remember that the JFK Home & School Directory is not to be used for solicitation purposes.
Memories in Decorations
After I wrote about the Advent wreath, I looked up and realized that this part of our house is all about family and memories:
- The snow “people” were made by me dad using scrap wood.
- The lighted glass block on the hearth was made by my sister and her husband.
- The tree is decorated with homemade bows and wooden ornaments purchased from a church bazaar one per year per child and personalized with each child’s name.
- Hanging above the window is one of four “swags” with an ornament for each year of our children’s lives. The one in the picture is my oldest daughter’s — it has a Barney ornament.
- Santa and Mrs. Claus on the right side of the mantel were made by Lynn’s grandmother. The set on the left are an example of sets Lynn is now making for each of her siblings and nieces and nephews.
- The sleeping Santa in the middle of the mantel is from my childhood.
- The picture above the mantel is our newest addition. It’s the side of a decorative Christmas bag that we put in a frame.
- And, of course, there are six stockings with our children’s being personalized.
Don’t worry, Fr. Jake. Another part of our house has all the religious elements, including five Nativity sets. Two Nativity sets are from Lynn’s childhood, and one is from a dear friend of Lynn’s from when she was in Mexico. The Nativity set that my mother made and our children played with when they were growing up is currently not set up. It is made with plastic canvas covered in yarn, and our dogs have been chewing on things lately. I’d hate to have to ask my mother to make a new wiseman for us (again!)
I hope your holidays are filled with pleasant memories, and you make new ones with your children this season.
