The Blessed Times
2016 December Newsletter
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School
The mission of Blessed Sacrament Catholic School is to provide, within an active Christian learning environment, quality education and formation of the whole person by nurturing the development of each child’s talents in the love and service of God and community.
We are a non-profit 501(C)(3) organization who admits students of any race or national origin to programs and activities of the school with all rights and privileges. Equal opportunity and access is provided to persons without regard to race, national origin or gender in the implementation of employment policies and procedures.
Email: michael.fierro@blessedschool.com
Website: www.blessedschool.com
Location: 600 Oblate Drive, San Antonio, TX, United States
Phone: (210) 824-3381
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bscsstax/
Twitter: @BSCS_Bulldogs
From the Principal's Desk....
Dear Blessed Sacrament Families,
Welcome back! I hope that everyone had a restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. It was a welcomed opportunity to spend time with friends and family. We now find ourselves preparing for the Christmas season. As Christians, however, we cannot de-emphasize the liturgical season of Advent - the time of anticipation and preparation.
In the Latin American culture, Las Posadas are celebrated for nine days during Advent leading up to La Noche Buena (Christmas Eve). It is a tradition that brings neighbors together reenacting St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother’s quest to find suitable lodging for the birth of the Messiah. As the Gospel of St. Luke explains, the Holy Family encountered rejection after rejection before a compassionate innkeeper finally offered his stable to Christ’s parents. Once the couple is offered lodging, the neighborhood begins a festive celebration where food, music, dancing and a piñata are included.
Two thousand plus years later, people are still faced with a decision to “reject” or “accept” the Christ-Child and His parents. The quest for compassion and dignity, however, go beyond the stable quarters in Bethlehem. We encounter human hearts on a daily basis who are seeking the same acceptance as Christ’s parents did on that cold winter evening. As we make ready the way for Christ’s birth this Christmas, let us pause and take time to examine the “St. Josephs” and “Blessed Mothers” who are yearning for that welcoming smile. Perhaps it is a grieving widow, a homeless family, an elderly parent, a terminally ill relative, or an overly active child. It can also be an estranged spouse, lonely coworker, a depressed parishioner, or someone struggling with their faith. As we begin to accept these travelers may we too, as the One Body of Christ, celebrate with them in finding whatever shelter they are seeking. After all, at one time or another we find ourselves either knocking on someone’s door or opening the door to see who has arrived at our doorstep.
As we collectively and individually prepare to welcome the Christ-Child, I would encourage you to participate in the various activities sponsored by our parish. These events have been planned by various individuals and ministries and will assist in preparing our hearts and minds for the joyous celebration of Christmas.
In closing, please know that I am most grateful for your presence within our faith community of Blessed Sacrament. May the Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe watch over you and your loved ones this festive season.
In Christ's peace and mercy,
Michael Fierro
Principal
FAITH FORMATION
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Monsignor O'Gorman, Mr. Fierro and the Blessed Sacrament Faculty and Staff congratulate the students below for demonstrating amazing Christian virtues and excellent manners during the month of November!
Generosity
Sharing Things with Others
Keeping Your Hands to Yourself
PARENTS AS PARTNERS
Family Engagement: Free Parent Training Classes
Struggling Readers
Wednesday, December 7, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon
The Distracted, Disorganized or Frazzled Child: How to Promote the Skills for Success in School and Life
Saturday, January 28, 2017, 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon
For more information and additional sessions, visit www.esc20.net/parentresources
How to Register:
Contact Lori Williams at (210) 370-5466 or lori.williams@esc20.net
BULLDOG COUNTRY HAPPENINGS
Counseling Update
My time as School Counselor Intern is coming to a close and I will be graduating from the Marriage & Family Therapy program at St. Mary's University this month.
December 8th will be my last day at BSCS. I want to express my sincere gratitude for my time here. I have enjoyed working with students in every grade level, teachers, and parents. As always, please feel free to contact me directly at (210) 383-3230 or at karellano@blessedschool.com through next week.
I wish each of you and your families a joyful Christmas season!
With heartfelt thanks,
Kim Arellano, M.A.
Tuition Assistance
The application for tuition assistance will be available soon. Please see the following dates for the 2016-2017 Hope for the Future Application Process.
Should you have any questions prior to the opening of the application process you may visit our website at www.hopeforfuture.org or you may contact our office at (210) 734-1963.
Should you have any questions during the application process please contact the FACTS Parent Hotline at (866) 441-4637 and they can assist you with any FACTS issues.
Policy Change
The Blessed Sacrament Catholic School Council adopted the following policy on November 28, 2016:
Beginning in January 2016, parents and guardians must begin paying for ordered lunches at the time of ordering. All ordering and payments must be done using the school's online ordering and payment ordering.
The change in policy was done to ensure the school meets our financial obligation to our catering service.
Please contact Mrs. Dorothy Marton for questions regarding ordering and Ms. Lizz Ramirez for questions regarding billing and outstanding balances.
Pictures with Santa
Santa Claus will be visiting Blessed Sacrament Catholic School on Tuesday, December 13, 2016.
Students will have an opportunity to take their picture with Santa. Check out our Santa Picture Order Form for more information.
Proceeds from our annual Pictures with Santa will be used to provide the Faculty and Staff with a Christmas luncheon on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 following dismissal.
Breakfast with Santa
The Knights of Columbus will be hosting their annual Breakfast with Santa on December 18, 2016 after the 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. masses.
Join us for pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice, and hot cocoa! There will be crafts for the kids and, of course, pictures with Santa.
The event is a service offered up to the community by the Knights so there is no cost for our families!
Christmas Mass Choir
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School is seeking students for our Christmas Eve Choir.
The Children's Christmas Eve Mass will take place on Saturday, December 24, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. Father Richard Hall, OMI will be our celebrant.
The choir is open to students in First Grade through Eighth Grade. All are welcome! A brief rehearsal will take place at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 following our school mass.
To register your child, please fill out this short contact form!
Christmas Gear
In the spirit of building community and celebrating Christmas, students and staff members may begin wearing Santa Hats or Elf and Reindeer Ears beginning Thursday, December 1, 2016.
All we ask is that they not become a classroom distraction and may not be worn in Church. Also, items should be clearly marked with your child's name and grade level. Blessed Sacrament is not responsible for lost items.
Advent Penance
Congratulations to our Second Grade students who received their First Reconciliation on Wednesday, November 30, 2016. A very special thank you to Sr. My-Hanh Tran and Mrs. Jimenez for preparing our students.
Students in Second Grade through Eighth Grade will have an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 9:30 a.m.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School's Class of 2019 invites you to our annual Our Lady of Guadalupe Prayer Service on Monday, December 12, 2016 at 8:00 a.m.
This annual tradition celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe as the Patroness of the Americas and includes prayer, song and a theatrical reenactment of Our Lady's apparition to St. Juan Diego.
2016 Angel Tree
A very special thank you to the many families who have adopted a retired Sister of Divine Providence!
We still have a few sisters needing gifts this Christmas season, so please visit the School Office to and help bring joy to these courageous women who have sustained our Catholic Church.
All gifts are due back to the School Office by Friday, December 16, 2016.
Please contact Sr. Misty Garriga at (210) 824-7231 if you have questions regarding the gifts for your adopted sister.
Christmas Program
Our annual Christmas Program will take place on Monday, December 19, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. The program will be held in the Church.
All students are invited to participate as we celebrate the Birth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Additional information will be sent home with students.
For planning purposes, open seating will begin following the 5:00 p.m. Mass. Out of respect for our Lord, please do not begin entering the sanctuary until Mass has ended.
Parish Events
A Tamale Making Party
Saturday, December 10th
9:00 a.m.
Virgen de Guadalupe
Mass and Reception
Sunday, December 11th
6:00 p.m.
Advent Reconciliation
Individual Confession
Tuesday, December 13th
7:00 p.m.
The Great Posada
Tuesday, December 20th
6:30 p.m.
Christmas Eve Masses
4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Christmas Day Masses
9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
BULLDOG ATHLETIC PROGRAM
Bulldog Athletics
The BSCS Bulldog Athletic Program focuses on the following IDEAS:
A TTITUDE
T ENACITY
H EART AND HUSTLE
L EADERSHIP
E XCELLENCE
T EAMWORK
I NTENSITY
C HARACTER
S PIRIT AND SUCCESS
Basketball Schedule
December
1: Notre Dame (H)
1-2: Sts. Peter and Paul**
2-3: Antonian H.S.*
6: St. Paul (H)
7: Antonian (A)
9-10: St. Leo**
13: Little Flower (A)
16-17: Central Catholic*
H: Home Game
A: Away Game
*A Team Invitational
**B Team Invitational
Athletic Office
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Each of the volunteer opportunities counts towards your annual required parent service hours. Each parent must complete at least 10 hours of service each school year. Consider volunteering a half-hour or hour on a weekly or monthly basis. One time volunteering is also welcomed!
Monday through Thursday
10:45 a.m. through 12 noon
Contact: Ms. Davina Aguilar
Recess Supervision
Monday through Friday
11:15 a.m. through 12:15 p.m.
Contact: Ms. Davina Aguilar
Library Organization
Monday through Friday
Will Work Around Your Schedule
Contact: Mrs. Lela Reyes
Parish Bulletin Stuffing
Fridays
8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Contact: Mrs. Norma Wilbanks
Parish Money Counting
Mondays
8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Contact: Mr. Robert Esparza
Project Wisdom Readers
Tuesdays through Fridays
7:55 a.m. (T-H), After Mass (F)
Contact: Mr. Michael Fierro
PE Class Assistants
Monday through Friday
Various Times
Contact: Mr. Andrew Torres
EXTRACURRICULAR CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Chess Club
Mondays - 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Parish Hall - Room 201
Sponsor: Deacon Mark Harden
Cub Scouts
Every Other Monday - 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Blessed Sacrament School Cafeteria
Sponsor: Mr. Paul GonzálezGirl Scouts
Tuesdays - 3:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Parish Hall - Room 201
Sponsor: Mrs. Debra Palmer
Handbell Choir
Thursdays - 3:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Music Room, Building C
Sponsor: Mrs. Dorothy Marton
School Choir
Wednesdays - 3:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Sponsor: Sister Misty Garriga, CDP