The following homerooms met their Box Tops goal and earned a jean day with their spirit or uniform shirt Wednesday, Dec. 7. Mrs. Ownby, Mrs. Haskovec,

Mr. Kellogg, Mr. Armbruster.

“How Can I Wait for Jesus?” Remember to continue to send non-perishable food items or monetary donations for our classroom Advent boxes. Prayer for Advent Week 2: Faith Father, we thank You for the gift of this day. Help us to trust in You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Open our eyes and our hearts. Help us to always believe and have faith in the plans You have for us. We ask all this through Christ our Lord. Amen

K-5 Christmas Concert Wednesday, December 7 at 6:30pm in the DB gym is the K-5 Christmas concert. The students will meet their teachers and sit with their classes in the gym. Please have your student with their teacher before 6:20. In the interest of space and not having things get lost, parents should plan to keep students' coats during the concert. Dress for the students is nice or holiday themed clothes, with the exception of the fifth grade who may wear appropriate clothing for their song.

Thursday, December 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is a holy day of obligation. K-1 students need to start their day in Gilbertville. We will attend Mass at 7:45. K-1 students will be bused to Raymond.

Christmas Concerts Preschool students will perform Christmas music on Tuesday, December 13 at 6:00pm in St. Mary Center. The Band and High School Choir will perform on Wednesday, December 14 in the DB gym at 7:00pm.

What’s this STO all about? This holiday season give the gift of a Catholic education. The Our Faith School Tuition Organization (STO) exists solely to make a Catholic education more affordable for every child. As an Iowa tax payer, you can help families with demonstrated financial need through a contribution to the STO. In return, you will receive an Iowa tax credit equal to 65% of your donation. The amount you contribute also qualifies as a charitable donation on a Federal tax return. The available Iowa tax credits are filling up fast so visit www.OurFaithSto.org or call the Archdiocese of Dubuque at 800-876-3546 ext. 219 or 307 to learn more.

Nurse’s Notes The holidays can be stressful. Don't be hard on yourself. Most of us look forward to the holidays. We enjoy spending time with family and friends. Some enjoy decorating and holiday baking. Holiday shopping can be fun. But all these activities can lead to stress also. Try to keep it simple. Don't put so many demands on yourself that you can't enjoy the reason for the season. Take care of yourself. Try to stick to routines. Get plenty of sleep, eat healthy meals and snacks and try to get some exercise. The greatest gifts we can give are making holiday memories and traditions as a family. Mother Teresa said, "It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving". Marianne Hickey RN

No Waterloo buses Friday, December 9, 2016.

Immaculate Conception/St. Joseph Newswww.boscocatholic.org December 1, 2016

The Bosco Catholic School System provides students and families with academic, spiritual, moral, and sacramental formation so that they are prepared to be faithful disciples who are the light of Christ in the world.

forming faithful disciples who are the light of Christ in the world.

Sunday's Word - Second Sunday in Advent Gospel-in-a-Nutshell - John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: "A voice of one crying out in the desert, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’" At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan...were being baptized by John in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. One- Minute-Homily - • It’s hard to change our minds. We do so only gradually and reluctantly because we are embarrassed to admit that we were wrong--and because it usually means we also have to change how we are acting. • John the Baptist and Jesus both called people to "metanoia" (the Greek word for "repent," meaning "to change one's mind" and then one's behavior) -- John did so out of fear, Jesus out of love. • God's love and mercy empower us to change our minds and to see things differently--to be more understanding, more compassionate, more hopeful; we should be grateful, not embarrassed, for this opportunity. • The Eucharist re-presents God's love and mercy, revealed in the life and death of Jesus; it empowers (graces) us to change and grow. For Reflection or Discussion - Question for Children: Why is it hard to admit that you are wrong? What helps us do that? Question for Youth: Can you think of a time when you changed your mind about someone or something important? How did you feel about that change? Question for Adults, Families and Faith Communities: We get clues that there are things we need to change long before we are ready to do it; what hints have we been denying or avoiding?

Don Bosco High School’s First Annual Science Fair When: December 15 from 5:00-6:30pm Where: St. Mary Center commons Don Bosco students will be competing in six different categories. Awards and trophies will be given based on community member votes.

Refrigerator Needed Bosco System Preschool is in need of an energy efficient ,10 cu. or larger, refrigerator for healthy snacks and drinks. If you have an extra refrigerator that you are interested in donating please contact Heather Marvin at hmarvin@bsococatholic.org or call 233-5980. Thank you.

Pee Wee Wrestling Bears Fan? No problem, it's pee wee wrestling season. Fill your Sunday void and get the little one (ages 3-8) a little exercise. Sundays from 5:00pm till 6:00pm in the DB wrestling room starting December 4. Wear a t-shirt and shorts or sweatpants, please no zippers. Any questions? Call Ray Fox at 319-404-5153.

JON LEONETTI is a nationally known Catholic speaker, best-selling author and radio host who conveys a message of lasting fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Through Jon's keynote presentations and parish missions, thousands of Catholics each year discover the freedom Christ offers by way of his life and love. Mr. Leonetti will be speaking at Don Bosco Catholic High School, Thursday, December 15, 2016, at 1:00 and 6:30 p.m. The public is invited. There is no admission fee. This program is the courtesy of the Don Bosco Catholic High School Campus Ministry Program.

DISCOVER DON BOSCO CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL NIGHT, Friday, December 16, 2016. All current 8th grade students, with their parent/guardian, attending parochial or public school or home schooled students are welcome to attend. Students currently in high school who are interested in transferring are welcome as well. 5:30 p.m. – Meet and Eat – Dinner provided free of charge. 6:00 p.m. – Presentation, tour and question/answer. 6:30 p.m. – Girl’s Basketball game. No admission fee students/parents attending Discover Night. 8:00 p.m. – Boy’s Basketball game. Dance team will be performing at half-time. No admission fee students/parents attending Discover Night.

Pizza Ranch Fundraiser Please join the IA Elite 14U Volleyball team for a fundraiser at the Independence Pizza Ranch on Monday, Dec 19 from 4:30pm - 7:30pm. The girls will be helping out at the Pizza Ranch that night and a portion of the sales along with the tips will be donated to the team. Please come out and support our team. Thank you from team members: Erica Becker, Briona Charipar, Jersey Even, Alaney Kuecker, Faith Ohrt, Hailey Ortner, and Calli Thome.

Please send all newsletter items to icsjnewsletter@boscocatholic.org by 3:00pm on Wednesday, December 7.

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