A Message from Mrs. Perrault, Principal
Dear Families,
Christmas is the time of year when we tend to reflect on all that the past year has brought to us. This includes both the blessings and sadness that we have experienced throughout the past year. With the birth of Christ, Christmas brings us the hope of eternal happiness in heaven. I pray that your family can experience the true joy of Christmas and also find peace in knowing that those who are no longer physically present this year are experiencing the truest joy of God’s promise. From all of us at St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic School, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May we continue growing and working together truly being United in Christ.
Much love, many blessings, and prayers,
Mrs. Perrault
In this issue of Martyr Messenger:
- Admin Updates: K-2 Christmas Music Program, Winter Book Fair, Textbook Loan Forms - Earn a Dress Down Day, Lolo's Angels Dress Down Day, CGS Level 1 Formation
- Home & School Updates: Musical Registration Open, Midyear Used Uniform Sale, Yearbook Orders, Breakfast in Bethlehem Thank You, EPS Penny Wars, Faith At Home
- Parish Updates: Advent Parish Mission, St. Stephen Christmas Mass Times, Trivia Night, Sandwiches for Society of St. Vincent de Paul Sign-Up, New Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry
- Community Updates: Play It Forward Winter Camp Registration, Mercy High School Cheer Clinic
Administration Updates
K - 2nd Grade Music Program: Last Program is tonight at 6 PM
Your child will need to report to his/her classroom at 5:45 PM. We are asking that you not arrive at school any earlier than 5:45 as that is the time your child's teacher will be in the homeroom classroom. Please have your child wear comfortable clothing: Boys must wear dress pants/khakis and a nice shirt. Girls must wear dresses/skirts or nice pants/shirt. No jeans, please! Remember they get pretty warm standing so close together - please keep this in mind when choosing an outfit.
Winter Book Fair Ends Tomorrow!
Friday is your last chance to shop our Book Fair. Stop by and stock up on Christmas presents to keep your readers busy over break!
Textbook Loan Forms: Return & Earn A DDD
Please watch for textbook loan forms to come home with your PreK - 7th-grade student(s) this week. Students that return their completed forms by Monday, December 19th will earn a Dress Down Day on Thursday, January 5th. St. Stephen the Martyr School receives some of our textbooks from the Millard School District. Please sign these forms and return them to school with your student ASAP and no later than Jan. 5th. An example of how to complete the forms is included below. Please contact Courtenay Swanstrom in the school office with any questions at c.swanstrom@stephen.org.
Dress Down Day Tomorrow, Dec. 16th
Have you ever heard of Lolo's Angels? 6th Grade wants to help this amazing organization with a Dress Down Day on Dec. 16th for any student that donates $2.00 (or more.) Lolo's Angels is a remarkable group that helps pediatric patients on their journey. The money we raise will be used to purchase blankets for activity bags that are given to these patients at Children's Hospital. We are so excited to support this wonderful organization for our 6th Grade Service Project. Please follow DDD guidelines found on page 45 of the Family Handbook.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Level 1 Formation
All of our Early Childhood students receive their faith formation through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. Our Catechists are all volunteers who have completed the required formation. If you have ever felt the call to be a part of this program, now is your chance! This summer, there will be Level 1 adult formation. Four days will be hosted here at St. Stephen and three days will be at St. Teresa's in Lincoln. For more info, view the below PDF or click the button to register. If you are interested in learning more or have any questions reach out to Brooke Keller at bnkeller@gmail.com.
Home and School Updates
Musical Rehearsals Start in January: Register Today!
The musical is open to all 1st through 8th graders!
Important Notes:
- Rehearsals start Jan. 19th for middle school and Jan. 23rd for everyone else.
- Tech week is MANDATORY for all students (March 27 - 29th, 2023)
- School performance: March 30th at 1:15 PM
- General performances: March 31st and April 1st
Used Uniform Midyear Sale: Jan. 22nd
There will be a mid-year used uniform sale on January 22nd. This sale will be donation only, no consignment. More details will be coming in the next Martyr Messenger!
2022-2023 Yearbooks!
Don’t forget to purchase your 2022-2023 yearbook! The sale price is extended through January 31st.
Attention 8th Grade Parents: now is the time to purchase and create your shoutout. Watch for more details via email soon!
Breakfast in Bethlehem Thank you!
Thank you so much to everyone who attended Breakfast in Bethlehem and those who volunteered their time to make it a success! Special thanks to the Knights of Columbus for serving their famous breakfast to a fish fry-sized crowd and to St. Nicholas for stopping by for a visit!
EPS Penny War
Start saving your change! The EPS Penny War will begin at the end of January. All proceeds will benefit Essential Pregnancy Services. More details coming soon!
Faith At Home
Did you know? If you're going full Catholic-style Christmas, you can keep the party going from Christmas Eve all the way to the Feast of Epiphany. That's 12 days of Christmas! Here are three ideas to celebrate Christmas after Christmas Day:
- Celebrate the Feast of St. Stephen the Martyr, our patron on December 26th! St. Stephen was the very first person to be martyred because he would not deny Jesus. In his honor, choose a way to share Christ with another person. Charitable works are a traditional way to celebrate St. Stephen and how he stood for the truth all those years ago.
- Celebrate Epiphany! We celebrate the day the Three Kings visited Jesus on January 6th and honor the fact that Jesus came to save the whole world! Welcome the baby Jesus to come into your home all year by blessing it with Holy Water. Here is a way to bless your home.
- Choose something "Christmassy" to do on each of the 12 Days of Christmas! It could be something simple or it could be the start of new traditions! After Christmas is the perfect time to discover Christmas traditions from around the world. Exchange books and cozy by the fire like they do in Iceland or party with one of Mexico's Christmas pinatas. You could even attempt to be Ukrainian for the night and serve a 12-course dinner in honor of the 12 Apostles.
Merry Christmas and Happy celebrating!
Parish Updates
Join us this Sunday at 7 PM for Night 1 of our Advent Parish Mission - The Eucharistic Revival
On December 18th, 19th and 20th, we are hosting an Advent Parish Mission. Please join us as USCCB Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis, Fr. Craig Vasek, presents on encountering the eucharist this Advent. Watch the video below, for a preview of Fr. Craig's dynamic presentation.
Not able to attend all three evenings? No problem. Join us as you are, when you're able. We are so excited to provide this opportunity for you to encounter Christ.
Please Join Us to Celebrate The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ!
Trivia Night is Jan. 28th!
Sandwiches for Society of St. Vincent de Paul: Next Drop-off is Mon., Dec. 19th
Help is needed to provide sandwiches for the sack lunches for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul! Sandwiches can be made from home, and then dropped off in the Gonderinger Parish Center Monday evening, Dec. 19th. This is a GREAT opportunity to volunteer as a family and would count towards stewardship hours for our Confirmation candidates.
Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
We are excited to announce that we have hired, Evan Collins. Evan will be our new Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
Evan comes to us with a great deal and background in relational ministry.
His first day will be December 19th. Please join us in welcoming Evan to St. Stephen the Martyr!
A Message from Evan:
“I was born and raised in St. Louis, MO where I graduated from Lindenwood University with degrees in Corporate Communications, Religious Studies, and Philosophy. Upon graduation, I became a FOCUS missionary where I served for two years at Benedictine College watching men and women fall deeply in love with Jesus Christ. I left FOCUS to move to Lafayette, LA to pursue my now-wife who was serving Jesus there with Family Missions Company. Upon getting married at the Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis (look it up) we moved to Gretna where my wife's family is (we are expecting our first baby this Christmas!). I'm currently getting my Master's in Theological Studies from St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry. All along the way, my life has been, well, a real-life: a process of deeper conversion, an ever-more incarnate understanding of the Gospel, and a love for walking with others into the mysteries of the Church that Jesus Christ is continually encountering us within. I am deeply excited to serve the Lord as a faithful partner with the Holy Spirit, son of the Father, and friend of Jesus Christ at St. Stephen the Martyr."
Community Updates
Play It Forward: Winter Camp Registration Open
Camp Dates: December 26-28 (9am -11am)
Location: UBT Sports Complex (21015 Cumberland Dr, Elkhorn)
Grades: PreK - 2nd Grade
Overview: Sessions include fun games introducing young athletes to Basketball, Soccer and Volleyball as well as our Obstacle Course and Agility stations!
To Learn More and Sign Up visit: https://www.playitforwardne.org/
Cheer Clinic & Performance at Mercy High School
Friday, Dec. 16th, 4:30 - 7:30 PM: Kindergarten-4th graders are invited to learn cheers from Mercy Cheer Team! Dinner & t-shirt included. The girls perform at halftime of the Varsity Game that night. Register here: https://www.mercyhigh.org/happenings/.
Important Upcoming Dates
- December 16: Lolo's Angels Dress Down Day
- December 19: Turn in Textbook Loan Forms to Earn Jan. 5th Dress Down Day!
- December 20:
- Early Dismissal – 11 AM (begins Christmas Break)
- End of 2nd Quarter
- December 21-January 4: No School (Christmas Break)
- January 5:
- Classes Resume
- Dress Down Day for students who turned in Textbook Loan Forms by Dec. 19th
- January 6: Report Cards