Weekly School Update 12/11/2025
- Dec 11, 2025
- 4 min read
Happy Thursday!
We began this week by celebrating Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception as a school family. Father celebrated this Mass ad orientum, which was the first time that most of our Saints had ever done this before. Leading up to the Holy Day, Deacon Jim stopped in all of the classes to talk a little bit about this. He explained that for centuries, this is how Catholic liturgy was celebrated; the celebration of Mass facing the people was officially encouraged after Vatican II, in the 1970s.
Deacon Jim said that when celebrating ad orientum, the priest is NOT facing away from us, but rather LEADING us to the Father, through His Son, Jesus Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit. Watching our students have light bulbs go on as they realized that is what the priest would be doing....LEADING US TO OUR FATHER. It was a wonderful preparation for the Mass.
Father Al also then used his homily as a teaching moment as well--reminding us that ad orientum translates to "to the east", and while our church is not set up geographically correct, it is still that posture of facing toward God, leading us closer to Him. He also reminded us that is what our Mother Mary modeled for us in her own life--turn to Christ who will lead us to the Father.
After Mass, one of our fifth graders had this to say, "It felt like I was able to focus more on what I was supposed to be focusing on". Another one said "I liked it; not sure why, but I just thought it felt right."
With the delay today, we are reminded again that technology does not always work the way that we hope. The emails did successfully transmit, but the text messages did not (even though they were sent several times). This was a problem on Option C's end, and I do apologize for it. I can only say to please check emails, texts, and social media on the mornings that a delay or cancellation may have occurred. Also, on tv/radio stations, if Bellevue Schools is delayed or cancelled, then we will be as well.
Hot lunch is available daily in our cafeteria. The lunch menu for next week is popcorn chicken on Monday, walking taco on Tuesday, pancakes on Wednesday, hamburger on Thursday, and Christmas lunch on Friday . December lunch menu
NEWS WORTH REPEATING
Families are invited to come to First Friday Devotions on the first Friday of every month for a Holy Hour that includes Eucharistic Adoration, Evening Prayer, and Benediction. The next First Friday is January 2 from 5:30-6:30 pm.
Our Annual Christmas afternoon program will begin at 12:45. This is a change from the original time that was sent home to families last week. Please let anyone that is planning to come to the program know we will be starting at 12:45. The evening program remains at 6 pm.
The Student Council has organized a hat and gloves/mittens drive to collect for those in need this winter. The class who donates the most will win a prize. Our staff has now challenged the classes, claiming that no single class will beat the staff's donations!
We are asking all students to sell at least 10 tickets each for the Annual Calendar Basket Raffle. Our School Calendar Raffle is a huge fundraiser for our school, with 100% of the proceeds going back to ICS. With the support of our school families, parish families, and local businesses, we are able to have 28 incredible baskets (one for each day in February) valued at over $100 each. A winner will be drawn daily through the month of February. The ticket pulled will win the prize listed on the date it was drawn. The winning ticket is placed back in the drawing pool so it may have a chance to be drawn and win again (28 drawings and 28 chances to win per ticket). All winners are announced on social media (ICS facebook). Winners will also be contacted directly via phone. $10 tickets can be purchased now through the end of February 2026. I am drawing a ticket every Friday in December and January. The ticket seller is given a Dress Down pass and gets an ice cream treat on the following school day!
Immaculate Conception Church is currently seeking a sacred music minister. This is a part-time or full-time position supervised by the Pastor. Responsibilities include forming and leading parish cantors & choirs in coordination with parish clergy; managing music-related administrative tasks like scheduling and budget oversight; directing training and rehearsals; maintaining instruments. The director plans and executes music for all weekend Liturgies, major feast days and solemnities, weddings and funerals, and other para-liturgical services throughout the year as scheduled. This role requires strong musical and organizational skills, a deep understanding of Catholic liturgy, and the ability to collaborate easily with parish staff, parishioners, and children.
For more information (or to apply with resume, professional references, and audio samples of your work and printed materials you have put together) contact Fr. Beltz at pastor@icssaints.org / 419.483.3417.
Breakfast is available daily for all of our students from 7:00-7:30am for $1 which includes milk.
Please be sure to go in to Option C to check your balance and do your best to keep the total below $50 at all times. You are welcome to send a check or cash into the school in an envelope labeled with your child's name and Option C.
Upcoming Dates
December 18--Christmas Program at 12:45 and 6 pm
December 19--Preschool program 10 am, end of second quarter
December 22-January 2--Christmas Break
January 5--return to school
Coming home last week
Basket Raffle tickets and information
Attachment
December lunch menu
December Mission project
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