and

And Then there was light. Starting next week, the lighting in Holy Family school hallways, classrooms, gym and Celebration Hall will be updated. Through the cooperation of the HFCS maintenance committee, our Facilities Manager, Father Rodel and our SAC our resolve to improve the quality of lighting has come to fruition. Rather than

using fluorescent lights that are quite expensive and burn extremely warm, we will move to LED lights that conserve energy and provide better illumination. As of our last count, 61 light fixtures are not working—meaning that the ballasts that are responsible for lighting have burned out. Our students and staff will no longer deal with poor lighting and we will be able to be better stewards of creation through this efficient lighting. Our kids already have fabulous teachers that provide a wonderful education, but now, they will experience a learning environment that has all lights working and is a model for our role as caring well for what God has given us. Thank you for your patience, support, and prayers through this process.

We have an amazing school that truly is a beacon of hope and I want to wish you a happy Holiday season—happy Second week of Advent.

WEDNESDAY WORD

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOLHOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOLHOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOLHOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL

7425 SE César E. Chávez Blvd Portland, OR 97202 (503) 774-8871 www.holyfamilyportland.org

DECEMBER 11, 2019 VOLUME: 42 ISSUE: 15

@Holy_Family_PDX Holy Family Catholic Parish and School

Principal Principal Principal Principal GalatiGalatiGalatiGalati

TODAY is BottleDrop bag drop at pickup and drop off. Drop off your filled BottleDrop blue bag at the main

entrance of school today and pick up a new one!

REMEMBER BottleDrop is matching 20% of all Fundraiser bags deposited between November 29th to December 16th. If you have any BottleDrop bags please drop them off

at a Bottledrop location between these dates and we automatically get an extra 20%!

The spirit of Christmas is a very important thing. It is showing love, joy, and kindness towards others. It could be as big as shoveling your neighbor’s driveway or as small as giving your parents a hug. The Christmas spirit can be shown in so many different ways. It does not matter how big or small it is. All it is being kinder than necessary to anyone and everyone you meet. so, go out of your way to show the Christmas spirit to someone else. Remember to always be thinking of things you can do to spread the Christmas spirit.

Written by Dominic Pienovi

REMINDER TO

OBOB TEAMS Practice Battles are happening this week in the library!

3rd-5th Grades TODAY, Wednesday, December 11th at 3:15pm to 4:15pm 6th-8th Grades Tomorrow, Thursday, December 12th at 3:15pm to 4:15pm

PLEASE bring back any of the OBOB books you have borrowed so we can officially check them out to you!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19TH

Christmas Concert Please join us on Thursday, December 19th at 7PM in the Church. Doors will open at 6:30PM for families to arrive. We will not be able to open before then. Thank you for your assistance and

we look forward to a wonderful Christmas program of music, songs and joy. Your classroom teacher will send home more details regarding props (if planned), drop off and pick-up etc.

MONMONMONMON TUETUETUETUE WEDWEDWEDWED THUTHUTHUTHU FRIFRIFRIFRI

9

10

11 9:05AM Late Start

12 8:15AM 5th Grade Leads Student Mass

7PM SAC Meeting

13

16

17 7PM

PTO Meeting

JESUS PIZZA 6th Grade

18 9:05AM Late Start

19 8:15AM 4th Grade Leads Student Mass

7PM CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

20 NOON DISMISSAL

*FREE DRESS* CHRISTMAS

BREAK BEGINS

JANUARY 6

SCHOOL RESUMES

7 8 9:05AM Late Start

9 8:15AM

Staff Leads Student Mass

7PM SAC Meeting

10

Altar Servers SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14

5:30PM

Cailyn Clark Ella Harman Timmy Khaw SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15

8:30AM

Grant Lord Drew Newbury Tyler Newbury SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15

10:30AM

Kate Schenk Danny Schenk Nina Skoro

Our Mission Statement: Holy Family Catholic School is a community of learners: Students, staff, parents and parish engaged in the life long process of learning. Our commitment, rooted in the Gospel values is to pursue together creativity and excellence in all areas of spiritual, academic, and personal growth. Accredited by Northwest Association of Accredited Schools The Catholic schools of the archdiocese of Portland admit students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available at all the schools. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of their policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs. State of Oregon Registered Private School Send newsletter submissions to: wedsword@holyfamilyportland.org Submissions due by NOON ON MONDAY prior to publication

DECEMBER 2019-JANUARY 2020

Christmas Gifts for the Holy Family Teachers and Staff PTO is collecting donations (suggested $15-20 from each family) to gift each

teacher and staff member a present from the students and families. Please deliver your donation in an envelope marked “PTO Christmas Gift Collection” to the front office.

PTO volunteers will also be “jingling” for collections at drop-off on Tuesday, December 17th and pick-up on Wednesday, December 18th.

Online payment is available through our website https://school.holyfamilyportland.org/PTO-annual-contribution

and is very easy to do (enter “Christmas Gift” in the content box). We will be collecting until Thursday, December 19th. Thank you for

celebrating our wonderful teachers and staff this Holiday season!

We will be having a PTO Meeting next Tuesday, December 17th @ 7pm in Celebration Hall. Come join us!

Did you know…? Handwashing can help prevent illness. It involves five simple and effective steps (Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry) you can take to reduce the spread of illnesses. Regular handwashing is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. It’s quick, it’s simple, and it can keep us all from getting sick.

with CYO SPORTS NEWS

Swim Team is busy busy busy…another meet coming up this Saturday! Just keep swimming…

Good luck, Cardinals!

Basketball teams got to size up the competition at last weekend’s Jamboree! Way to play hard, Cardinals! Keep an eye out for updates from coaches regarding

practices over Christmas break and regular season games starting up.

GO CARDINALS!

You make us all proud!

For more info, check out www.cyocamphoward.org or email cyoholyfamily@gmail.com

Holy Family Parish has been selected for the 2019 Best of Portland Awards in the category of

Places of Worship.

For details and more information please paste the following into your web browser:

http://portland.2019-BestRecognition.org/sqwvgg2p_HOLY-FAMILY-PARISH

CULTURAL INFORMATION LA VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE Before the Mexican Christmas season “officially” begins on De-cember 16th, day when the first Posada takes place, Mexicans join to-gether for the festivities of La Virgen de Guadalupe, Our Lady of Gua-dalupe, on December 12. This is one of the most important dates in the Mexican calendar. Since 1531, Our Lady of Guadalupe or the Dark Virgin, as she is often called, has become the patron saint of the Mex-ican Republic. Historically and emotionally the Virgin is deeply woven into the life of every Mexican. LAS POSADAS Christmas festivities begin with “Las Posadas”, nine consecutive days of candlelight processions and lively parties starting December 16th. In villages and urban neighborhoods throughout Mexico young-ster gather each afternoon to reenact the holy family’s quest for lodg-ing in Bethlehem. This is an active way of teaching children the story of the Nativity, but the chief attraction is the merrymaking that fol-lows, above all the chance to engage in breaking the “piñatas”. LA RAMA In this Mexican tradition that began in Veracruz, Mexico, chil-dren and sometimes adults form a procession holding a tree branch all decorated with lights, flowers, and pieces of colored paper. They go from house to house singing and asking for their “Aguinaldo” (Christmas present). EL NACIMIENTO In most Spanish speaking countries the principal holiday adornment is “El Nacimiento” (Nativity scene). Nowadays a decorate

Christmas tree may be incorporated in the “Nacimiento ” or set up elsewhere in the home.

LOS TRES REYES MAGOS The Christmas season continues in Mexico through Epiphany, which is called “Día de los Reyes” (Three Kings Day). Echoing the arrival in Bethle-hem of the Three Wise Men bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. A special treat served on this day is the “Rosca de Reyes” — a crown shaped sweet bread decorated with jewel-like candied fruits. Tiny figures of babies are hidden in the dough before baking. There is much excitement as each partaker cuts his or her own slice, for whoever gets a piece containing a baby is obliged to host another party on Candlemas, February 2nd.

NAVIDAD EN LA CLASE DE ESPAÑOL Please join us in the following Christmas activities:

Kinder: “La Rama” (Christmas Carols)

Date: Friday, December 20th Time: 9:0o-9:2o am

Place: Main building

1st grade: “Soy un copo de Nieve” (Short play: I am a snow flake) Date: Friday, December 20th

Time: 8:15am Place: Spanish classroom

2nd Grade: “Las Posadas” ( Joseph and Mary looking for shelter/singing)

Date: Friday, December 2oth Time: 9:35 am(singing)

9:50 am ( breaking the piñata) Place: Main building (singing) and the Gym (piñata)

3rd Grade: “Las posadas” (Joseph and Mary looking for shelter/singing)

Date: Friday, December 20th Time: 9:45am (singing) 5 minutes activity

10:25 am (breaking the piñata) Place: Main Building (singing) and the Gym (piñata)

4th grade: “El Nacimiento” (Christmas play: The Nativity Scene)

Date: Friday, December 20th Time: 8:15am

Place: Spanish room 5th grade: “La Virgen de Guadalupe” (Lady of Guadalupe)

Date: Friday, December 20th Time: 8:15 am

Place: Spanish room

5th grade: “Para de roncar, abuelo” (Grandpa, stop snoring) Date: Friday, December 20th

Time: 8:15am Place: Spanish room

Note: Translation for the plays will be available in English.

GOSPEL PAGEANT at 4:00 PM DECEMBER 24 MASS

We are seeking young parishioners to be part of the Family Mass Christmas Story. If you plan on attending, the Family Christmas Vigil on Christmas Eve at 4PM�and your student

would like to take part, please contact Vicki at vicki451@comcast.net We will have one practice that they will need to come to�

MONDAY�December 23 at 9 AM

BRING ANY BOXES (OR BAGS) TO CELEBRATION HALL OR THE PARISH OFFICE BY DECEMBER 15 (preferably earlier if possible). We will have people to assist you in unloading or carrying the boxes.

ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21ST, COME TO CELEBRATION HALL AT 9:00AM with your family or friends and take filled boxes to those who are in need. If you are by yourself, we will try to pair you up with someone else. Each family will get two boxes of food, one a parishioner has filled and one provided by SVdP, plus a $25 gift card to purchase a main dish for Christmas dinner. This is exactly how we have done this program in the past and it is an excellent way to start your holiday gift giving!!

If you know of someone that could benefit from our Christmas

boxes, please have them call 503-595-2292 between the

hours of 9:00AM and 3:00PM. Questions? Feel free to contact

Roberta, Dan or Don � our numbers are in the bulletin.

God bless you for all you do for others!!

St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Boxes

Women�s Advent Morning of Reflection

Facilitated by Bill Zuelke

Incarnate of the Virgin Mary �

The humanity of Jesus

Saturday, December 14th

8:30AM�Noon

Parish O!ce

ALL women are invited to begin your Saturday morning at 8:30 AM at the parish

center with coffee and morning snacks.

A morning of prayer, reflection, sharing and quiet time

We will close with a light lunch about 11:30 AM

Please RSVP to Vicki @vicki451@comcast.net

Suggested Donation� Sleepers All Sizes Newborn�5T

for Mother & Child Education Center

We are looking for student actors

(ages 5 and up), guides, dinner

hosts, and adult volunteers. Help

make this year the best one yet!

To sign up go to:

https://www.signupgenius.com/

go/30e0e45aea62fa2f94-living

Questions? Contact Krisi or Kasten

YouthMinistry@

HolyFamilyPortland.com

Faithformation@holyfamilyportland.com

Living Nativity y v ng Nat v

Dec. 22nd

v ty

dddd

Get a plush front row seat at the 4pm Family Mass Christmas Eve �just sing in the choir!

Contact Chris Brunelle at musicministry@ holyfami-lyportland.com to reserve your spot, and get the im-portant info! Sing next to your child/grandchild, or just come on your own. All ages are welcome, no experience necessary. This is a wonderful way to participate in an important ministry in a low-pressure situation. All music provided.

This was a very popular choir last year, and we reached the overflow point with choir room (about 25 people).

Join the Christmas Eve

Family Choir!