Calendar

Father Iqbal to speak on vocations to our grade 9 students

Fr. Roque and Fr. Iqbal will be at the school to offer the sacrament of reconciliation.

On the second Sunday of Advent, we light a second candle, known as the Bethlehem Candle, which is also purple. This candle represents Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. During the second week of Advent we are invited to reflect on God’s promise of universal peace through Christ and how we can be an incarnation of that peace in our daily lives by helping those in need, just as Mary and Joseph were. 

The St. Mary’s School Fine Arts Academy Christmas Show provides
students an opportunity to showcase their work on Medicine Hat’s main
stage. The concert involves all Fine Arts students and all students who take
Band as an option. The purpose of this document is to provide clarity for
staff, students, and parents regarding how concerts and concert
preparations unfold.

Below is a detailed schedule for each day. All rehearsals and preparations take place during
school hours. The Tuesday evening concert is the only commitment that takes place outside of
school time. Because performing is a part of the curriculum, attendance at concerts is
mandatory and will be factored into student grades at the discretion of each teacher.
Christmas Show: December 12th, 2023; 7pm; Esplanade
Tickets for the concert are on sale now! Tickets will be available at tixx.ca or the
Esplanade and are $15. Purchasing a ticket secures you an assigned seat.

Monday, June 12 (all FA students; NO band option students)
8:45-9:00 am – students arrive at St. Mary’s School
9:01 am – Grade 9 FA students load truck with band, drama, dance, and choral supplies
9:10 am – All FA students bus to Esplanade
9:15 am – Dance Rehearsals
– Grade 8 FA students dance first while Grade 9 FA students unload truck
10:30 am – Choir Rehearsals
– Grade 8 FA students set stage with risers and piano
12:00 pm – Grade 7 & 8 FA students bus back to St. Mary’s for lunch and regular Monday
afternoon classes
– Grade 9 FA students remain at Esplanade for Drama Rehearsal
2:30 pm – Grade 9 FA students bus back to St. Mary’s
3:15 pm – students leave St. Mary’s School

Things to remember on Monday:
- Dance shoes
- Dance clothes
- Drama stuff
- Bag Lunch (Grade 9 only)
Tuesday, June 13 (all FA students; AND all band option students)
8:45-9:00 am – students arrive at St. Mary’s School
9:01 am – All FA and Band Option students bus to Esplanade
9:15 am – Band Rehearsals
12:00 pm – Lunch break at Esplanade (bring your own bag lunch)
12:30 pm – Afternoon Dress Rehearsal
● Band 7, 8, 9
● FA 8 students clear stage for dance
● Dance 7, 9, 8
● FA 9 students set stage for drama
● Drama 9
● FA 9 students clear stage
● FA 8 students set stage for choral
● Choral 7, 8/9
2:30 pm – Reset stage for evening performance – students leave band instruments and other
materials at the theatre for the evening performance. Then we will bus back to the School.
3:15 pm – students leave St. Mary’s School
6:30 pm – All FA and Band Option students arrive at Esplanade
7:00 pm – Evening Performance – Esplanade
● Band 7, 8, 9
● FA 8 students clear stage for dance and load truck with band supplies
● Dance 7, 9, 8
● FA 9 students set stage for drama
● Drama 9
● FA 9 students clear stage for choral and load truck with drama supplies
● FA 8 students set stage for choral
● Choral 7, 8/9
9:00 pm – Strike stage and students take band instruments home

Things to remember on Tuesday:
- Black concert attire
- Band instrument
- Band music
- Dance shoes
- Dance clothes
- Lunch

There are no costs associated with this show other than each member of the audience buying a
ticket. No student performers require tickets. No permission form is required; trips to the
Esplanade are included in the preauthorized list. Please contact the school with any questions
or concerns. We’re excited to perform for you on the stage!
Thank you for supporting the arts!

The St. Mary’s School Fine Arts Team:
Kayla Lukacs - Drama
Shayla Marshall - Dance
Braydon Gordon - Band
Parkor Thomas - Choral
Chrissie Remeikis - Art

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

I wish to affirm the ongoing support of our Diocese for Mission Mexico. Since the new millennium the financial support of the Catholic faithful from the Diocese of Calgary has provided much needed health and education projects for the Indigenous Peoples in the mountains of the State of Guerrero which is the poorest region in the country of Mexico. 

On December 12th we celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. As patroness of the Americas the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe recounts Mary’s appearance in 1531 to a poor indigenous man in Mexico. Speaking to him in his native language she requested that a church be built in Tepeyac, the area where the poorest of the poor were living at that time. Mary promised to be present in that church “to listen there to their lamentations, and to remedy all their miseries, afflictions, and sorrows.” Therefore we designate December 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, as “Mission Mexico Day” in the Diocese of Calgary. 

On this day I encourage the Catholic faithful to consider a financial donation to Mission Mexico through their parish or online at www.missionmexico.com. This financial assistance is very important, and it is also welcome at any other time of the year.

In Advent, Matthew (4:16) tells us that when Jesus began his ministry of proclaiming the Good News in Galilee, the prophecy of Isaiah 9:2 was being fulfilled: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death, light has dawned.”

For more than twenty years, the Diocese of Calgary has tried to be a light of missionary outreach, to address the “darkness” and “shadow of death” experienced by the indigenous peoples of the Mountain, peoples who live in more than 700 towns and villages where with the exception of faith, hope, and love the basic necessities of life are truly very scarce. 

As the People of God, let us join Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, as she continues her mission to help “remedy” the many “miseries, afflictions, and sorrows” of our brothers and sisters in Mexico. In gratitude for what we have and are willing to share, I thank you for your generosity and in the sacrifices you make to support Mission Mexico.

Yours in Christ,

William T. McGrattan
Bishop of Calgary

The St. Mary’s School Fine Arts Academy Christmas Show provides
students an opportunity to showcase their work on Medicine Hat’s main
stage. The concert involves all Fine Arts students and all students who take
Band as an option. The purpose of this document is to provide clarity for
staff, students, and parents regarding how concerts and concert
preparations unfold.

Below is a detailed schedule for each day. All rehearsals and preparations take place during
school hours. The Tuesday evening concert is the only commitment that takes place outside of
school time. Because performing is a part of the curriculum, attendance at concerts is
mandatory and will be factored into student grades at the discretion of each teacher.
Christmas Show: December 12th, 2023; 7pm; Esplanade
Tickets for the concert are on sale now! Tickets will be available at tixx.ca or the
Esplanade and are $15. Purchasing a ticket secures you an assigned seat.

Monday, June 12 (all FA students; NO band option students)
8:45-9:00 am – students arrive at St. Mary’s School
9:01 am – Grade 9 FA students load truck with band, drama, dance, and choral supplies
9:10 am – All FA students bus to Esplanade
9:15 am – Dance Rehearsals
– Grade 8 FA students dance first while Grade 9 FA students unload truck
10:30 am – Choir Rehearsals
– Grade 8 FA students set stage with risers and piano
12:00 pm – Grade 7 & 8 FA students bus back to St. Mary’s for lunch and regular Monday
afternoon classes
– Grade 9 FA students remain at Esplanade for Drama Rehearsal
2:30 pm – Grade 9 FA students bus back to St. Mary’s
3:15 pm – students leave St. Mary’s School

Things to remember on Monday:
- Dance shoes
- Dance clothes
- Drama stuff
- Bag Lunch (Grade 9 only)
Tuesday, June 13 (all FA students; AND all band option students)
8:45-9:00 am – students arrive at St. Mary’s School
9:01 am – All FA and Band Option students bus to Esplanade
9:15 am – Band Rehearsals
12:00 pm – Lunch break at Esplanade (bring your own bag lunch)
12:30 pm – Afternoon Dress Rehearsal
● Band 7, 8, 9
● FA 8 students clear stage for dance
● Dance 7, 9, 8
● FA 9 students set stage for drama
● Drama 9
● FA 9 students clear stage
● FA 8 students set stage for choral
● Choral 7, 8/9
2:30 pm – Reset stage for evening performance – students leave band instruments and other
materials at the theatre for the evening performance. Then we will bus back to the School.
3:15 pm – students leave St. Mary’s School
6:30 pm – All FA and Band Option students arrive at Esplanade
7:00 pm – Evening Performance – Esplanade
● Band 7, 8, 9
● FA 8 students clear stage for dance and load truck with band supplies
● Dance 7, 9, 8
● FA 9 students set stage for drama
● Drama 9
● FA 9 students clear stage for choral and load truck with drama supplies
● FA 8 students set stage for choral
● Choral 7, 8/9
9:00 pm – Strike stage and students take band instruments home

Things to remember on Tuesday:
- Black concert attire
- Band instrument
- Band music
- Dance shoes
- Dance clothes
- Lunch

There are no costs associated with this show other than each member of the audience buying a
ticket. No student performers require tickets. No permission form is required; trips to the
Esplanade are included in the preauthorized list. Please contact the school with any questions
or concerns. We’re excited to perform for you on the stage!
Thank you for supporting the arts!

The St. Mary’s School Fine Arts Team:
Kayla Lukacs - Drama
Shayla Marshall - Dance
Braydon Gordon - Band
Parkor Thomas - Choral
Chrissie Remeikis - Art

Click here to access the draw for the tournament

The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday and is all about Joy. Gaudete is the Latin word for “Rejoice,” and on this Sunday we light the Shepherd’s Candle. The third candle is pink, which is the liturgical color that represents joy. The joy we celebrate this week is the joy of our faith, the joy that we have experienced so far this season, and the joy at the coming of Christ. 

The fourth Sunday of Advent is all about Love—specifically, God’s love for the world, Christ’s love for all of us, and our love for our neighbors. The fourth candle on the advent wreath is once again purple, and it is known as the Angel’s Candle. This candle serves as a reminder of the angel’s message, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

There is a fifth candle in the center of the Advent. This candle is called the Christ Candle and it is white to represent Christ’s purity. It is lit on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to celebrate the arrival of Jesus. Lighting the Christ Candle along with the other four candles represents the end of the Advent season and the beginning of the Twelve Days of Christmas. 

Community Supports

• Alberta Crisis Text Line -  Text CONNECT to 741741

• Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868

• Alberta Mental Health Help Line 1-877-303-2642 (24 hrs)

• Distress Centre 403-266-HELP (4357)

• ConnecTeen: 403-264-8336 (24 hrs) or text 587-333-2724 (daytime) or online chat at www.calgaryconnecteen.com

• Health link at 811

Community Supports

• Alberta Crisis Text Line -  Text CONNECT to 741741

• Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868

• Alberta Mental Health Help Line 1-877-303-2642 (24 hrs)

• Distress Centre 403-266-HELP (4357)

• ConnecTeen: 403-264-8336 (24 hrs) or text 587-333-2724 (daytime) or online chat at www.calgaryconnecteen.com

• Health link at 811

Community Supports

• Alberta Crisis Text Line -  Text CONNECT to 741741

• Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868

• Alberta Mental Health Help Line 1-877-303-2642 (24 hrs)

• Distress Centre 403-266-HELP (4357)

• ConnecTeen: 403-264-8336 (24 hrs) or text 587-333-2724 (daytime) or online chat at www.calgaryconnecteen.com

• Health link at 811

Community Supports

• Alberta Crisis Text Line -  Text CONNECT to 741741

• Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868

• Alberta Mental Health Help Line 1-877-303-2642 (24 hrs)

• Distress Centre 403-266-HELP (4357)

• ConnecTeen: 403-264-8336 (24 hrs) or text 587-333-2724 (daytime) or online chat at www.calgaryconnecteen.com

• Health link at 811

Community Supports

• Alberta Crisis Text Line -  Text CONNECT to 741741

• Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868

• Alberta Mental Health Help Line 1-877-303-2642 (24 hrs)

• Distress Centre 403-266-HELP (4357)

• ConnecTeen: 403-264-8336 (24 hrs) or text 587-333-2724 (daytime) or online chat at www.calgaryconnecteen.com

• Health link at 811

Community Supports

• Alberta Crisis Text Line -  Text CONNECT to 741741

• Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868

• Alberta Mental Health Help Line 1-877-303-2642 (24 hrs)

• Distress Centre 403-266-HELP (4357)

• ConnecTeen: 403-264-8336 (24 hrs) or text 587-333-2724 (daytime) or online chat at www.calgaryconnecteen.com

• Health link at 811

Community Supports

• Alberta Crisis Text Line -  Text CONNECT to 741741

• Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868

• Alberta Mental Health Help Line 1-877-303-2642 (24 hrs)

• Distress Centre 403-266-HELP (4357)

• ConnecTeen: 403-264-8336 (24 hrs) or text 587-333-2724 (daytime) or online chat at www.calgaryconnecteen.com

• Health link at 811