Please be advised that all parents volunteering or chaperoning any/all middle school service projects must have 1) attended the Virtus Workshop and 2) be fingerprinted.  Please log on to the following web-sites for more information.

click for Virtus at www.virtus.org

click for Fingerprinting at www.adom.sofn.net

You must bring the necessary documentation to the school office and be approved by the administration before volunteering.  Thank you, for all that you do.

*Upon completion your Virtus Program requirements, please be mindful that is imperative that you up date your certificate by completing the monthly training issues available at www.virtus.org

 

All Middle School students you are cordially invited to attend our Youth Group-Campus Ministry.   Our next meeting is Thursday, 2/9 & 2/23 at 3-4 pm at Religion Class.  Mark your calendar!! 

This is your opportunity to gather in a spiritual rich environment to openly discuss various topics of great concern for today's youth. 

Participants will be trained to give small retreats.

"It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me"

*Mark your Calendars - Saturday, March 10th "Lenten Retreat" for all Middle School students.  More information to follow.

"Catholic Conversation of the Scriptures Corner"

Our Pastor, Rolando Garcia, would like to invite all of our middle school  families to conduct a Catholic Conversation of the Scriptures one evening a week. You will have the opportunity to discuss and reflect the Gospel prior  to Sunday.  The family questions found below for reflection will then be handwritten and turned in by Wednesday for a 2 point extra credit.  Parents MUST sign and read each weekly assignment. You are encouraged to write your experiences as well.  Remember, this activity is strictly voluntary.          

                                 Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Cycle B)

Read aloud: Mark 1: 29-39

Please reflect and answer the following questions in complete sentence. 

1.  How is my faith in Jesus during this time of ongoing conflict in Afghanistan and lingering economic struggles at home?  Do I believe both in times of suffering and of prosperity?

2.   Do I, like Jesus withdraw to a quiet place to put my priorities in order and to remember who I really am and what my mission is?  Explain.

Have you been called to proclaim the Word of God?

 For more information, just click at Lectors Ministry and inquire.  Training and commissioning is required.

Have you been called to serve the Lord?

Sixth and seventh graders this is your opportunity!  For more information, call Mary Gonzalez at (305) 804-4249. 

 

Homework for the week of  January 23-27, 2012

Homework for the week of  January 30-3, 2012

Homework for the week of  February 6-10, 2012

Homework for the week of  February 13-17, 2012

Homework for the week of  February 20-24, 2012

Homework for the week of  February 27-2, 2012

Middle School students will be having a first hand opportunity in assisting "Hope for the Homeless" ministry.  This ministry in conjunction with the Emmaus Brother & Sisters  is geared to assist the homeless of Miami.  Every Wednesday evening at the Our Lady of Chiquinquira (at Parish Hall, south entrance) at 5:30 pm.  Since "Hope for the Homeless" operates on the generosity of others, those attending will be asked to donate the following: cheese, bottles of water, small pack of sweets snacks, and paper bags.  For more information, please contact your grade representative, participation is limited.

6th grade -  Martin Rodriguez at (786) 229-6289 2/8

7th grade - Regina Lozano at (305) 310-1894 2/15

8th grade - Gonzalo Perez at (305)480-9985 2/22

Like to know how can you help?  Just a click away Help the Homeless

Let's unite in prayer and give thanks to God for the gift of LIFE. 

St. Agatha School students will gather to pray the Rosary at 117 Avenue between Miller and Sunset Drive, (approximately across the street of Bank of America and BJ's Club) from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.   Students attending MUST wear PE or volunteer t-shirt.  Bring rosary and water bottle, it will be HOT.  For more information, please contact your grade representative.

Check below for up date information

6th grade, for information, chaperone needed

 7th grade,  for information, Selfida Aub at (305) 299-5670

 8th grade, for information,  please call Olga Denis at (305) 776-4401

 

Is taking care of God's Creation is your calling? 

Then this is your opportunity.

 

The students will be participating at the following planting/cleaning up projects:

 

  February 11th, from 8:30 to 12 noon at Crandon Preserve (Coin Vine)- 7200 Crandon Blvd. Deadline is 2/9, participation is limited.

 

March 3rd, from 8:30 to 12 noon at Florida City Pineland Preserve (clean up) SW 344 Street [West Palm Drive] and SW 8 Avenue Deadline is t/b/a, participation is limited.

 

April 21st, from 8:30 to 12 noon at Baynanza (Clean up at various site) Deadline is t/b/a, participation is limited.

 

Those interested in participating MUST complete a waiver form and an emergency contact form.  Mrs. Veciana will be accepting registration on a first come basis.   Required attire: closed toe shoes, lightweight long pants, long-sleeves shirt and shade, sunscreen & refillable water container.  Carpooling highly suggested.

adopts "Palmer House-Adult Community"

 The sixth graders, will visit "Palmer House", on  2/23rd from 3-5.  For more information, please call Jayne Rodriguez (305)596-0501 and Raquel Cordovi (305) 205-1514.  (Number of participants limited to 10). *Don't forget to bring the consent form signed by parents/guardian and $3.00 to help with the expense of refreshments.  In order to make the time more festive, you need to contribute  games to play with the elderly, as part of your project.

  The seventh graders, will visit "Palmer House", 2/29th, 3/28th, 4/25th & 5/9th from 3-5 pm.  For more information, please call Mia Mestril at (305) 905-4439 and Rosa Garcia at (305) 281-1387.   (Number of participants limited to 10). *Don't forget to bring the consent form signed by parents/guardian and $3.00 to help with the expense of refreshments. In order to make the time more festive, you need to contribute games to play with the elderly, as part of your project.

The eighth graders will visit "Palmer House,"  2/15th, 3/14th & 4/18th  from 3-5 pm.  For more information please call  Lupe Garces at (786) 877-6864. (Number of participants limited to 10). *Don't forget to bring the consent form signed by parents/guardian and $3.00 to help with the expense of refreshments. In order to make the time more festive, you need to contribute games to play with the elderly, as part of your project.

6th graders - Feeding the Homeless at Sister of Charity "Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta."724 NW 17th Street

*On 2/ 25/12 the students are to gathers at St. Agatha School at 8:00 a.m. Please dress in jeans & St. Agatha School PE t-shirt.  If attending, call  Ted Cruz at (305) 401-4734 and Jose Acosta at (305) 505-5215.  Limit of 10 participants.  You must be able to provide your own transportation.

7th graders- Feeding the Homeless at Sister of Charity "Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta." 724 NW 17th Street

 *On 2/11/12 the students are to gather at St. Agatha School at 8:00 a.m.  Please dress in jeans & St. Agatha School PE t-shirt.  If attending, call Lydia Loyola Dopico at  (786) 306-5069 and Claudia Venegas at (786) 449-7164. Limit of 10 participants.  You must be able to provide your own transportation.

8th Graders - Feeding the Homeless at Sister of Charity "Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta ." 724 NW 17th Street

 *On 1/28/12 the students are to gathers at St. Agatha School at 8:00 a.m.  Please dress in jeans & St. Agatha School PE t-shirt.  If attending, call Mary Gonzalez at (305) 804-4249 or Mireya Corea at (786) 402-2444. Limit of 10 participants.  You must be able to provide your own transportation.

St. Vincent de Paul Promotion Food Drive

*Saturday - February 11th from 5:00 to 7:40 pm and Sunday - February 12th from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. Please call Arnaldo Rafuls at (305) 553-4165.  Students are expected to stay for the entire duration of the project. (Maximum of 5 students required).

St. Vincent de Paul Food Packing Drive

*Sunday, February 19th at Sisters of St. Paul Convent House - 500 NW 63 Avenue.  Please call  Blanca Cardoso at (786) 443-9127. (Limit of 6 participants)

On the third Sunday of every month the "Respect to Life Ministry" will be collecting new & used baby items.  Please bring your donations to the Church's vestibule and any coin filled baby bottles.

Middle School students, please be mindful when serving your parish as an altar server, lector, or as an usher to always look your best. Dress appropriately, worthy to serve our Lord. 

*Ladies wear dress/skirt at proper length and comfortable close shoes to move about.  Gentlemen wear slacks, shirts and shoes. 

If you are not scheduled, always be ready to serve.

Thank you!!

 What to know how to get involved and complete your Service Projects goal?

Aside from the posted weekly and/or monthly projects, you may obtain hours by serving your parish as an altar server, lector, parish choir member, and as an usher (training will be required).  You can record up to 5 hours (annually) in any of these given projects for a grade.  Any additional hours will be added towards the end of the year certificate of distinction. [6th grade - 20 hours, 7th grade -32, 8th grade - 40 hours].  Eighth graders MUST complete a minimum of 10 active participating visits earned on a monthly basis throughout the duration of the academic year in order to be eligible for a pin at graduation.  These may be fulfilled through the above mentioned ministries.  Hour logs must be signed by celebrant, sacristan or field supervisor.

For is that in giving that we receive...

If you are an animal lover, this is your call!

Orientation classes are held, rain or shine, the first Saturday of each month except January and July from 9:30 to 1:30 pm.  Upon completing the Volunteer Orientation and Horse Safety Class you will be eligible to volunteer for Ranch Hand duties on Saturday from 5-7 PM or 4-6 PM during Daylight Time.  After completing at the ranch 4 times, you may be eligible to volunteer at the ranch on other days of the week at 5 PM and NEVER ALONE.  All volunteers must be at least 12 years old accompanied by an adult.

For more information and eligibility requirements, please contact Shelley at (305) 495-2486 or at shelley@helpthehorses.org

 

Serve as a peer mentor and friend to the mentally & physically challenged child.  Serve as a horse handler, side walker and/or spotter.  Also learn to care and groom horses and ponies.  For more information please contact t/b/a.  You must be at least 14 years of age and attend two training sessions.

*Good Hope Equestrian Training Center is located at 22155 SW 147 Avenue, (305) 258-2838 speak to Program Director.  St. Agatha school students are welcome to participate throughout the year as they meet the requirements.

 Students without the consent form will not be allowed to participate in the Service Hours Project. 

Parents/guardians dropping students at the events MUST personally inquire about the logistics of the project with supervisor/chaperone in charge.  No participant will be dismissed from the project until the contact form has been signed by the parent/guardian picking up the student. Supervisors/chaperones are encouraged to randomly take roll call to assess full participation and attendance. It is of dire importance to stress that the students MUST be supervised at all times by an adult. Students are asked at all times to stay within the assigned group and keep at safe and modest distance from the chaperone. 

Your cooperation to this matter is immensely appreciated.  The safety of our students is our #1 priority.

"

Service Project Emergency Contact Form

Date: _______________________

To whom it may concern;

"

Need information about our Archdiocesan Youth Ministry.  Is just a finger away. Miami Young Church or at (305) 762-1118.

catholic/rosary

click on Prayer and then Holy Rosary.

Halloween has its origin in the festival of fire, death and darkness, celebrated by the Celtics.  The Celtics were a primitive people united by language, customs and religious rituals, inhabiting Great Britain, France and Ireland.  These peoples had four (4) social classes: Druid Priests, Nobility or Warring Class, Commoners and Slaves.  They had two big feats a year: Beltane (May 1st) and Samhain (November 1st, day of the God of Dead).

It was the believer of the Celtics that on the First of November, the god Samhian would free all the spirits of the dead and these spirits would go back to their homes of origin and visit their families.  Their families had to offer them food and gifts or these spirits would haunt them or punish them.  Here is where the phrase "Trick or Treat" comes from.

With the passing of time, the Druid priests, who had great power over the people, began to use these beliefs for their own purpose.  Then they would make the people put all the gifts outside their homes so when they would go by they would take the gifts.  So what would happen if they did not receive a gift from the particular house or castle?  They would arm themselves with clubs, then they would take black cats (superstitious symbol) then they would bewitch and punish the family and their belongings, including their pets.

If the donation they received was acceptable, they would leave at the doorstep a Jack-O-Lantern, they would light it with oil taken from human sacrifices which had previously taken place.

During these pagan feasts, human and animal sacrifices were performed throwing them in huge bond fires.  They would make costumes out of the flesh and would run through the streets screaming from east to west to avoid frightening the spirits.

After Christianity was established, in the year 731 Pope Gregory II trying to "Christianize" these pagan feasts, changes the date of the Feast of all Saints from May 13th to November 1st.  The idea behind the change was to have Christians celebrate our feast beginning on the eve of the 31st.  Unfortunately a mixture of ideas and confusion has occurred since many Catholics do not know the difference between the Catholic celebration and the pagan ritual.

In the 1600's with the arrival of the British (in other words the Celtics), these pagan rituals were introduced in the American Colonies.  From the beginning these nights were filled with violence to the extent that the authorities would have to double their vigilance.  Slowly during the past two centuries, the feast lost its violence until finally becoming a feast for children who, without knowing where the feast came from, take the place of the spirits and Druid priests.  We must also take into account that still today in the 21st century, the 31st of October is the most important feast of the year for the Druids and witches of our day.

"It is not enough to say that we are Christians. We must live our Christianity at all times and in all places. 

Even when we are persecuted for defending out faith." Matthew 5:10

Summer is almost here !!  It is time to rest and enjoy our free time with our family and friends.  Therefore, NO COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS completed during the summer months will be acceptable.  We will resume our Annual Community Service Program, effective in the fall of 2011.

I will continue announcing weekly opportunities to complete the required hours.  Please remember, that if your are planning to complete your minimum number of hours in another program other than those announced, you MUST request prior approval in writing.  Otherwise, those hours will not be valid.

Remember - Don't forget God during your summer vacation.  I urge to continue supporting your parish community with your gifts of talent and time.  May God bless you.

August  22, 2011

 Dear Parent(s):

My name is Teresa Veciana, and I will be your child's Religion teacher. I am looking forward to a wonderful year of spiritual growth.  Nevertheless, I am a firm believer that as parents, you are the primary example to your child's growth in faith.  My efforts will be to enhance and motivate that growth.  With that in mind, I would like to encourage you to actively participate in your child's spiritual development.

 In the spirit of service, all middle school students are required to complete a given number of annual service hours.  The hours will be distributed in the following manner: 

The hours will be collected each trimester - approximately 2 weeks before the end of the semester.  Specific dates will be announced in class.  Please note that hours will not be carried over from one semester to the next.  In other words, students will have a “fresh start” each semester.  Hours may be completed through announced and approved (in writing) weekly activities posted on my web page and on the Middle School bulletin board outside of the Science class.  Aside from the posted weekly and/or monthly projects, you may obtain hours by serving your parish as an altar server, lector, parish choir member, and as an usher* (training will be required). You can record up to 5 hours (annually) in any of these given ministries for a test grade.  All additional hours will be added towards the end of the year Certificate of Distinction. Example: [6th grade - 20 hours, 7th grade -32 hours, 8th grade - 40 hours]. 

 *Eighth graders eligible for pins at graduation, MUST complete a minimum of 10 ministry visits throughout the duration of the academic year [only 1 hour per weekend may be earned in the ministries]. Hour logs must be signed by the celebrant, sacristan or parish field supervisor. 

 All completed service hours must be recorded on your child's "Service Hours Log" and signed by a field supervisor, not a parent or chaperone.  It is of dire importance to stress that the students MUST be supervised at all times by an adult or legal guardian.  I recommend that parents take turns in supervising and driving small groups of students to and from the activities. 

Besides serving our community, your child is expected to be responsible, organized and prepared for class at all times.  He/she will not be allowed to leave to get materials not brought to class and late assignments will not be accepted.  Therefore, if an assignment is left in homeroom or in the student's locker, the assignments will not be accepted.  Students without his/her necessary materials (binder/blank paper, writing utensil, daily journal and book) will receive a "0" for the day and a detention afterschool after the third warning.  This will eventually affect the EFFORT and CONDUCT grades at the end of the marking period.  In the case the child is absent he/she will have the same number of days absent to make-up missing assignments.  Please, remind your child regularly of these simple guidelines.

 I believe that we learn best by doing.  Exposing your child to the needs of others and giving of themselves, will be an unforgettable experience. (Matthew 25:35-36)

 Please review this letter with your child and complete the form attached by Wednesday, August 24, 2011.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at religionms@stagathaonline.org or (305) 222-8751 ext. 4247.  Let’s work together to make this a great year.

 May God bless you, 

Mrs. Teresa Veciana 

Want to help your community?

Click at Hands On Miami or call (305) 646-7207 for evening and weekend orientation volunteer programs.

Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me a channel of your peace. 

Where there is hatred, let me bring your love. 

Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord. 

And where there is doubt, true faith in you.

Where there is despair in life, let me bring hope. 

Where there is darkness, only light. 

And where there is sadness, ever joy. 

O Master, grant that I may never seek so much to be consoled,

as to console, to be understood,

as to understand, to be loved,

as to love, as to love with all my souls. 

Because it is in pardoning the we are pardoned,

In giving of ourselves that we receive,

and in dying that we are born to eternal life.  Amen

i

 Download The Religious SCREEN SAVER

(Make Sure To Save it in "C:\WINDOWS")

Instructions: Right Click Links And Save Target As

Religious 1                    Religious 2