St. John the Baptist School Alden

Our elves here are doing all they can to try to be there tomorrow, but this year, as challenging as it has been, well, it keeps throwing us some curveballs. Whether St. John's is able to represent, the incredible team at Alden Chamber Commerce have done SO much to transform this event into a safe way to celebrate together. Drive through the park to experience the tree lights strung by the amazing Alden Substance Abuse Coalition team, and all the "trunks" set up from the various organizations that can make it! We are incredibly proud and thankful to be part of such a BIG hearted community. Come on out for a boost of Small Town Christmas Cheer - I think we all need a little of that right now. <3

Don't forget that tomorrow is a Dress Down Day to benefit our Holiday Toy Drive for the kids at Oishei Children's Hospital! For our in-person AND virtual classes, Students can bring in $1 (or more!) to dress down, or if you'd like to, a new, unwrapped toy from your family! Funds collected from this day will be used by our Student Council Service Club to purchase more toys to deliver to the hospital. <3 If you're interested in helping too, anyone can drop off a toy to our "designated drop-off" partner businesses by December 17th (extension!), or as a safe option idea, order online and send directly to the school, attn: Class President, Alex Ertel. Thank you so much to our families and our community for your help!

Have you ever heard of The Sparkle Box by Jill Hardie? It's a wonderful story that helps us all understand and live the true meaning of Christmas, and we LOVE that it has become a tradition to share the story and practice in our School every year! This is "a heartwarming story about a boy named Sam who discovers a mysterious sparkly box in his home. His parents tell him it's a special gift called a Sparkle Box that they will open together later, but they need to fill it first.... As Sam enjoys the festivities of the season, he continues to wonder, 'What's inside The Sparkle Box?' When it's finally time to open it, what Sam discovers catches him by surprise and changes Christmas, and his heart, forever." Principal Jonna Johnson enjoyed being able to read this story to all classes, even the virtual ones. After hearing this great Advent story, students were given a plain white box to decorate and share with their families, to help them start preparing their gift to Jesus. Mrs. Johnson says, "This is a tradition that I have enjoyed with my own children, and I was excited to start sharing it with our school families when I came to St. John's." We encourage you to read "The Sparkle Box", and you can do so online at https://www.thesparklebox.com! When you're there, you can browse the site to get inspired by the fun family Advent ideas and make your own Sparkle Box. <3 May your Advent "sparkle" with joy and love!

Thursday of the Second Week of Advent - St. John the Baptist Church, Alden, NY This Mass is sponsored by St. John's 3rd grade class. Worship Aid: https://drive.google.com//1byBYxUGdB_s_nNRhjG5USLeHf/view Celebrant: Fr. James Walter... Music: Dan Stachelski, Director of Music & Liturgy Music is streamed and reprinted with permission under OneLicense # A-729658 and CCLI license 2815924 If you are having trouble viewing this video on Facebook, go to: https://www.stjohnalden.com/live-stream-portal

Our Students had a visit from Saint Nicholas via the St John the Baptist Catholic Church - Alden, NY Works of Mercy ministry! "Shoes" left on the windowsills were filled with symbolic and fun treats to mark the significance of the Feast Day. Did you know?! Students were also treated to some history! From the Works of Mercy ministry: "Saint Nicholas was a 4th century Bishop of Myra; modern-day Turkey. Known for his compassion for the poor, marginalized and children especially... - anonymously helping those in greatest need, Saint Nicholas became so legendary that his generosity never faded over the centuries, but has continued to inspire others. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of Russia, Greece, sailors and children. We celebrate Saint Nicholas' Feast Day on December 6th. Oranges, a popular treat as a stocking filler, even in North America into the later part of the 20th century, they were traditionally given by Sinterklaas to children in Holland. The oranges recall the 3 round purses containing gold coins that Saint Nicholas threw into the windows of destitute families for 3 consecutive nights to deliver them from poverty. We enclosed small bouncy balls representing these oranges! The same event was recalled in the chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil that we enclosed for the students - and these can still be seen today in North America. Candy canes have been a staple in America and are associated with Santa Claus. Why? They really derive from the crozier; the bishop's staff of Sinterklaas, or Saint Nicholas, and so, we enclosed a candy cane pencil!" Thank you to our devoted Works of Mercy group for helping to make this thoughtful and fun surprise happen!

Tomorrow night (12/7), please join us for this event!