Thursday Note Home

Dear Visitation Families,

The school has been humming with preparations for our Advent Program. Children have been shopping in Santa's Workshop, and on Wednesday, St. Nicholas Day, there was a rumor that St. Nick himself visited. When the children heard that rumor, they each placed one of their shoes out in the hall. The rumors must have been true, as when the children looked, they found treats stuffed in their shoes!

Classrooms are finishing up Community service projects and there is definitely a sense of preparation around! We lit the first Advent candle on Monday and listened to prayers that focus on the coming of Our Lord. Those prayers continued through the week in classroom prayer services. Next Monday we will light the second candle and focus on how we can change our lives to welcome the Infant Child.

IN THE ENVELOPE: Included in this week's envelope, are the updated service hours and fund-raising totals. The reports reflect all pink slips turned in through December 1st.

SPEAKING OF SERVICE HOURS: Take some time to help decorate the church for Christmas and get your service hours in! Work will be happening on December 24th from 12 noon to 3 PM.

ADVENT PROGRAM INFO: Our wonderful Advent Program is set for Thursday, December 14, at 7:00 PM. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Teachers are asking the students to dress in their Sunday Best!

HOT CHILI TIME! Congratulations to the winners of the First Annual PTO Chili Cook-Off.

The Celebrity Judges choices were:

1st Place: Greg Reed
2nd Place: Kileen Swortz
3rd Place: Keith Wawrin

People's Choice Awards were:

1st Place: Keith Wawrin
2nd Place: Helen Johnson

Thanks to the celebrity judges: Fr. Tuan, Greg Morley, and Joe McCallum (Philly Joe's Restaurant).

PICTURE MAKE-UP DAY: Individual portrait make ups will be on Wednesday, Dec. 13th. Students who were absent and wish to purchase a portrait package should pick up an order envelope from the office.

Retakes are done at no charge only for those students who experienced a technical error, closed eyes, an error that is under the studio's control or a lab/printing mistake. If a retake is due to a hair style change, new glasses, different selection of clothing or other reasons beyond the control of the studio, there will be a $6.00 per package fee or a refund can be issued.

If you have questions, contact the studio at 253-841-2967.

COAT DRIVE: 3rd grade students are sponsoring a Coat Drive to help people who might not have a warm coat to wear during this winter. They are collecting new and gently used coats in all sizes and colors.

Please bring your donations to the 3rd grade classroom. Last year the children bought in over three hundred coats and donated them to the Angel Room at St. Vincent de Paul. They are hoping to exceed that total this year, so tell your friends and neighbors to clean their closets!

SAVE THE DATE: As you know, Kate Amundson, our wonderful parish administrator, is leaving her job at the end of December. The parish will be hosting a farewell party for her on Sunday, January 7th after the 10:30 Mass until 2:00 in the Lower Hall.

CHOIR OPPORTUNITY: Lisa Heyel, a parishioner at Visitation, has approached me with a proposal to begin a children's choir. She has a background in music and has worked with children and choirs before. Because this time of year is so hectic, she has decided to begin auditions in January after we are back in school. Look for more information as it becomes available.

Peace and Blessings,

Sheila Harrison