“Let us begin again, for until now we have done nothing.” – St. Francis of Assisi

Happy liturgical new year! With the start of Advent, we have the chance to reflect on the spiritual growth we have made over the past year as well as make some “resolutions” for the year ahead. I have heard of Advent be referred to as a “mini Lent” in the sense that while the secular world has already begun Christmas celebrations, the Church asks its people to take the time to prepare for the coming of Christ. In fact, did you know that Advent is a season that is not only supposed to prepare us for the birth of Jesus, but also for how he comes to us now, as well as for when He comes at the end of time? That’s a lot of preparation to pack into three and a half weeks!

Most of us have routines and traditions that help us prepare for the celebration of Christmas. As an adult, I still refuse to let my father buy an artificial tree for his house, because one of my favorite traditions is going out with him to a tree farm and selecting the perfect tree to cut down and bring home. He likes to tease me and claim he already went to the store to get a fake tree, but I know he enjoys the trip as much as I do. Hopefully, your family also has a Christmas tradition that brings you all great joy and helps make the holiday feel “just right.”

I wonder though, how many of us have routines or traditions this time of year that brings us into deeper relationship with the Lord, the One who is “the reason for the season?” If your response to that is “not any,” or “it’s such a busy time of year already,” or “we usually light the candles on our Advent wreath at home,” I’d like to challenge you to make the effort to try something new this year. Stop at St. James Church in Manchester M-F between 9a-4p for 15 minutes of Adoration; sign-up for an Advent “program” that sends you a daily email which includes a meditation or prayer of the day; use one of the many Catholic apps available that provide podcasts, videos, recordings, etc. that you can listen to or watch that will provide you with ways to spiritually enhance your Advent. Pick up a book that has daily readings to ponder; St. Teresa Parish provides an Advent aide called The Little Blue Book at each of its four churches in Manchester that you can take for free! Any of these options could really help you grow in your faith and appreciate the season even more.

I pray that whatever you do to prepare for and celebrate Christmas this year, you remember that what Jesus desires most is your love and trust in Him. December 25th is His birthday after all, consider ways to give Him the gift of your time and gratitude. May this season be full of joy and wonder for your families; I wish you a most blessed Advent and a very, merry Christmas.

-Stephanie

Dear Saint James School Families,

On behalf of the Saint James School staff and faculty, I want to wish all of our families a blessed Thanksgiving. We are thankful for you and the support you give to our school community!

As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, please keep in your prayers those that may be facing hardship as well as those that are serving our country and cannot be home with their loved ones.

Enjoy the long holiday weekend with your family and we will look forward to seeing you back at school on Monday, December 2nd.

Peace and blessings,

Mrs. Zorger

Please note that Saint James School will dismiss at 11:00am tomorrow – Wednesday, November 27th.  Because of the earlier dismissal time, we will NOT have hot lunch on this day.  Aftercare will be in session beginning at 11:00am – ALL students going to Aftercare on this day will need to bring a lunch from home.

Also, because of the earlier dismissal, we WILL have all of our buses available on Wednesday (not the combined bus schedule).