December 15 Class Update: Gifts, Christmas, Break

Greetings 8th Graders (and Parents)!

Summary of Most Recent Class

Ms. Lawrence led our time of learning in class as we explored the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit, each of which was represented by a symbol.

Here is a link to the slides shown during class.

Please feel free to eat the edible symbols and blow the bubbles.

Please also share the card that was in the envelope with your family if you haven't done so already.

Recent Exit Slip Questions

Someone wondered if Confirmation will be via Zoom or in-person:

Sacraments, including Confirmation, are permitted in-person activities in Church, and sacraments must happen in-person.

Here are responses from Paul's Uncle Bernie to exit slip questions from when he visited our class on December 8:

Poverty rates: 16% US, Cook Country 21%, North Lawndale 64% (a number which Paul's uncle feels is low based on what he's seen)  - Oak Park overall poverty is 8%

Chicago Voyagers is able to host the outdoor activity programs because they developed 3 pages of guidelines based on guidelines from health agencies, which include coverings on the face, staying outdoors, keeping safe spacing, and cleaning hands and equipment regularly.

The video shown toward the end of class on December 8 wasn't necessarily an ad, but was created originally for a fundraising event which is important so that donors and prospective donors of Chicago Voyagers can see how their donations make an impact, especially when hearing from the youths who participate.

Important note: We are on break from RE class on December 22 and 29.  We resume class on January 5.  We recognize that this class falls during District 97's Break: We only realized recently that District 97 shifted its break.  However, we still intend to have class that evening because we want to maximize the amount of time we spend learning together during the month preceding Confirmation.  During that class, we'll spend time unpacking the meaning of the Christmas Season, which starts on December 25, 2020, when we celebrate Christ's birth, and extends to Sunday, January 10, 2021, and includes several major feasts.

Faith Booster Activities
During the break time, please spend some time doing one of the following activities.

You can submit your reflection in this Google form.

If you haven't yet submitted the minimum of 5 required Faith Boosters, the deadline for them has been extended.  They are now due on December 31.  Please let us know if you are unsure how many more you still need to complete.

Even if you already completed the required minimum of 5 faith boosters, you are still to complete one of these activities.

Your submission is due by class time on January 5.

1. Watch either of the following videos: Bishop Barron on The Nativity of Luke's Gospel or Bishop Barron on Christmas.  Write a short reflection on what stood out to you and why.

2. Listen to any song in this video compilation of Christmas songs on YouTube.  

You can go to the description to view the entire list, by clicking on Show More if needed, and click on any of the links to go directly to that song. Reflect on what stood out to you and why.

As an in-depth option, listen to all the songs, just under 1 hour.

3. In-depth option: Watch the Advent Vespers Prayer Service at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for Sunday, December 20.  The livestream starts at 2:50 PM CT, with the prayer service beginning at 3 PM CT and lasting until about 3:30 PM.  You may also view an archived video of it later.  This link goes to a webpage where you can view the Vespers prayer service and it includes a PDF program booklet with the lyrics of what is sung.  The video and PDF for the Vespers may not appear until after 2:30 PM CT on Sunday.  This link goes directly to the YouTube channel video, where you may also access the videos for Vesper prayer services from previous Sundays.

4. In-depth option: Watch the movie The Nativity Story, made in 2006, starring Keisha Castle-Hughes and Oscar Isaac, rated PG. It is about 1 hour and 40 minutes long. It is available to watch in its entirety on YouTube for free.

You can check back later during the break period to see more options, as there's a good chance more may be added to the above list.

You can also pick one of the options listed in the previous update for December 8 class.

A particularly pertinent option to this time of year is G.F. Handel's oratorio, Messiah.  There is a part where the story of Christ's birth is sung.  Please see the videos in the list of Faith Boosters for the December 8 class update.

As usual, please feel free to contact us with any questions, etc.

We pray you and your families have a blessed remainder of the Advent Season, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year from 2020 into 2021.  May you be filled with great joy deep within because God has come to us in Christ.

God's Blessings,
Debbie Lopez
Paul Rubio