The Valley Catholic December 13, 2016 | Page 23

Saint Elizabeth Seton School Celebrates the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Mañanitas
Saint Leo the Great School Hosts Turkey Drive
Archbishop Mitty High School Celebrates Thanksgiving Liturgy
tvc . dsj . org | December 13 , 2016 cAtholic schools 23

Saint Elizabeth Seton School Celebrates the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Mañanitas

December 12 - the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe is probably one of our most festive gatherings held at Saint Elizabeth Seton School . The school gymnasium is lined with tables and chairs to accommodate the entire school and visitors , for a morning breakfast that is celebrated together . Parents build a beautiful shrine in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe , and everyone is served traditional La Abuelita hot chocolate and Mexican breads . A Mariachi band plays festive music while students perform Folklorico dance for all to enjoy . Many students , both boys and girls , come to
school in cultural dress . The canonization of Juan Diego in 2002 makes for an even greater celebration .
It is moving to read the accounts of Guadalupe . In them the Virgin Mary , the handmaid “ who glorified
the Lord ” ( Lk 1:46 ), reveals herself to Juan Diego as the Mother of the true God . As a sign , she gives him precious roses , and as he shows them to the Bishop , he discovers the blessed image of Our Lady imprinted on his tilma .
Las Posadas is also an important part of the Mexican Christmas traditions . This novenario ( nine days of religious observance ) is celebrated chiefly in Mexico and by Mexican-Americans in the Southwestern United States . It begins on December 16 and ends on December 24 . Many of the Saint Elizabeth Seton families will participate in Las Posadas on December 17 .

Saint Leo the Great School Hosts Turkey Drive

The season of giving has already begun at Saint Leo the Great Catholic School . On November 18 , the eighth Graders and their teacher , Mrs . Jordan , hosted a Turkey Drive at the school . The students dressed as turkeys , waved signs , and cheered people on as they dropped off their turkeys in the drop-off line . The generous donations
Archbishop Mitty High School Celebrates Thanksgiving Liturgy
Archbishop Mitty High School students joined together last month to celebrate the Thanksgiving season with reflection , prayer and song .
In mid-November , students and staff stepped away from their normal academic schedules to celebrate the annual Thanksgiving Liturgy . Students participating in the opening procession for the schoolwide assembly set up a Thanksgiving table . In the center of the room , yellow candles glowed above a feast of squashes , persimmons , and bread .
This year , the guest speaker was Mulindwa Kirimbe , a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo who recently moved to the United States and shared his journey with students . Mr . Kirimbe was born in the Congo , of our families totaled 300 turkeys and over $ 150 in gift cards . To top off an amazing Turkey Drive , the eighth graders then took a field trip to Sacred Heart Community Center where they brought the donations on behalf of Saint Leo the Great Catholic School as well as helped Sacred Heart members sort food items .
but fled with his brother and sister to Zambia after the war started .
“ The life in the camp is not safe ,” Mr . Kirimbe told students . “ It is scary .”
Theresa Samuel-Boko , the director of refugee relocation for Catholic Charities in Santa Clara , also addressed the school community . Ms . Samuel-Boko is a former refugee from South Sudan . She now helps other refugees escape similar conditions . Over the past 30 years , Catholic Charities has helped more than 7,000 refugees resettle in the U . S ., she said .
During the liturgy , students shared readings that focused on gratitude and faith . The assembly celebrated a spirit of gratefulness along with the importance of finding community in the faces of family and friends .
Saint John Vianney School Gives Back at Thanksgiving
With the support of Saint Vincent de Paul , Saint John Vianney ( SJV ) Catholic School , parents , and teachers , these young men of service demonstrated their understanding of the meaning of giving back to the community . SJV members of Cub Scout Troop 149 arrived at school early on November 10 to set up and collect canned goods and other non-perishable food for those in need during this Thanksgiving season . Through their service , the boys teach us that even the very young can live their baptismal call to service of others .
Saint Nicholas School started the Advent Season with Lights
The Saint Nicholas School float was shining bright in the Festival of Lights Parade in downtown Los Altos on November 27 . The Theme of the float was “ Our Students Are Our Greatest

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Saint John Vianney fi rst grade students / Cub Scouts supporting Saint Vincent de paul Society .
Gift .” Saint Nicholas Pastor , Father John Poncini was on board the float with students , and the Student Council Members walked along the float dressed as Christmas gifts !
Tour the Campus Meet the Teachers Talk with Students Call ( 408 ) 251-1740 or Visit www . stvictorschool . org