Hello everyone! Mr. Chapman here. Mrs. Rhodes let me write a few thoughts for this week's newsletter. So here goes!
They were overjoyed at seeing the star. - Matthew 2:11
In the Third Week of Advent, we light the rose colored Advent candle. The candle of Joy.
Growing up, I always knew the third candle on our Advent Wreath was pink, but for some reason, the meaning of the candle didn’t stick with me until later on in life. The word ‘Joy’ isn’t something that I generally use in my day-to-day life.
Sure, I laugh and consider myself a happy person, but the word ‘Joy’ is something that has been reserved for Sunday school songs and the closing song at Christmas Mass.
I remember in grade school singing “I’ve got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart…” But what is the difference between Joy and Happiness?
The dictionary simply defines Joy as a feeling or degree of happiness. And although both Joy and Happiness can be present at the same time, Happiness is based on material things or an event. It is a happening.
Joy, however, is from God. It can be present even in unhappy times. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5: 22-23.
I pray that the Holy Spirit fills our hearts with Joy of Jesus Christ this Christmas season. And that it remains, “…down in ‘our’ heart, to stay!”
Pax Vobiscum!
Ben Chapman
Mrs. Rhodes has a message about our Christmas program next week:
I know change can be hard, but I thank you in advance for being flexible as we embrace changes to the Christmas program. Before Covid, we moved the Christmas program to the church. It was beautiful. Then last year, we weren’t able to keep it that way because of the renovations. We are back in the church this year and planned the program as usual. However, the Communion Rails are presenting a new challenge as to the layout of the program.
We decided to put the risers over there to help with student placement, but, depending on where you're sitting, the angle of the risers may block some views. We have already decided that next year, the performances will be done by smaller groups to avoid these challenges. We are asking for grace this year – your children are beautiful and will sing well.
The Christmas Program will be live-streamed at this address. https://boxcast.tv/view/sacred-heart-catholic-school-christmas-program-f6nzptpwrcx60nbnyalk
We will be sending a text with the link on Tuesday.
Mrs. Rhodes