December - Advent

We have been celebrating Advent at the school. The nativity scene is up and all lit up for all to see. Each week, we gather to light the Advent wreat. We had a school Mass for December 8th's commemoration of the Immaculate Conception. It was lovely and the children were well-behaved. In my classroom, the students made comic strips of the reasons we celebrate, as well as a prayer banner to welcome Jesus. On Friday they made a sign to hang on their doors at home that says "Come, Lord Jesus!" We have been learning about what Advent means and Mary's role in it, and this coming week we will explore the stories of Christmas.

We started to celebrate the holidays at the school, too. Our Christmas concert was on December 6th. My class made lamps out of a paper towel roll, a paper plate, and a battery-operated candle. These lamps looked very sweet on the stage as the show was happening. Also on that day, St. Nicholas came to visit the classrooms with candy canes. St. Nick was actually one of the 7th graders, who also bears the name Nicholas.

Along with everyone else, we have switched to the new translation of the Mass and are still learning it. I have been looking at it with my class and they practiced the new responses and prayers at the school Mass. We also got a new bishop. We attended the evening prayer service that was open to the public at the cathedral here. It was very nice. Sr. Frances, the principal of the school, attended his installation and came back with a glowing report.