January 19, 2023

Jan. 19, 2023
 
Dear STM Families,
The international Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began yesterday and continues through next Wednesday, Jan. 25. Christians around the world pray for the unity of Christ’s sheep.  We are all called to fulfill Jesus’ prayer at the last supper, “that they all may be one” (John 17:11).
Each year, a different theme is chosen for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme for 2023 is "Do good; seek justice" (Isiaah 1:17). It was chosen by a working group from the Minnesota Council of Churches, which chose the verse from the first chapter of the prophet Isaiah, which reads “learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow” (1:17).
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an opportunity to ask God to help Christian Churches seek common ground and appreciation for each other. Prayer is the key which opens our hearts to Christ’s desire for unity. In opening ourselves to prayer we remember that we share a common baptism and faith in the Trinity. Our practice of faith begins in our shared appreciation for Scripture as the Word of God where we encounter the saving truth of Jesus.
Each morning through this special week, our students will hear readings from the Bible that reinforce the theme to “Do good; seek justice.”  Following is a prayer you can share with your family at home for this unifying celebration of faith:

Heavenly Father,
We pray for all our brothers and sisters in the faith.
May we sow love, forgive those who wrong us,
And bring about justice in the world.
This is only possible with your grace, 
So that peace may reign in the world.
We ask this through Jesus Christ your Son,
Who prayed that we may all be one in your love.
Amen.
 
Peace and Blessings,
Linda Crosthwait, STM Principal
 
STM IMPORTANT DATES
Friday, Jan 20 - KC Chiefs RED FRIDAY Dress Down Day

Monday, Jan. 23 - Student Council Donut Sale at 7:30 a.m. in the cafeteria.
$2 per donut; only one donut per person

Wednesday, Jan. 25
Group photo day: 8th Grade Individual Graduation pictures (see details below)

Friday, Jan. 27 - 8th Grade Mixer Fundraiser at STM

Sunday, Jan. 29 - STM Open House from 10:30 a.m.-1 p..m.

Sunday, Jan. 29 - Friday, Feb. 3 - Catholic Schools Week (see details below)

Friday, Feb. 3 - Student Learning Conferences:  7:30 a.m.-noon

Saturday, Feb. 4 - ‘Be More’--STM Auction Event (see details below)

Saturday, Feb. 11 - STM Father/Daughter Dance from 6-8 pm in Flanagan Hall.

Friday, Feb. 17 - NO SCHOOL–Teacher Professional Development Day

Monday, Feb. 20
NO SCHOOL–President’s Day

Wednesday, Feb. 22
Ash Wednesday

 
KC CHIEFS RED FRIDAY/STM SPIRIT DAY TOMORROW:
As our KC Chiefs prepare to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars Saturday in the NFL Divisional Round, we want to SHOW OUR CHIEFS PRIDE AT STM!!!  Tomorrow is  RED FRIDAY at STM!!
Students may wear KC Chiefs jerseys, shirts, jackets, or sweatshirts (no hoodies, please!), STM Spirit Wear tops (no hoodies, please), or a uniform top.  Also, students can wear STM Spirit Wear bottoms, jeans, khaki pants, or uniform bottoms. 
GO CHIEFS!!! 
STM K of C Council No. 14270 YOUTH FREE THROW CHAMPIONSHIP
All boys and girls ages 9 to 14 are invited to participate in the local level of competition for the 2023 Knights of Columbus (K of C) Free Throw Championship.  The local competition will be held during the STM School P.E. classes (third to eighth grades) NEXT WEEK.
The K of C Free Throw Championship is sponsored annually, with winners progressing through local, district, and state competitions.  International champions are announced by the K of C international headquarters based on scores from the state-level competitions.  All boys and girls 9 to 14 years old are eligible to participate and will compete in their respective age divisions.  Age eligibility is determined by the age of the contestants as of January 1st.  Last year more than 120,000 sharpshooters participated in over 3,600 local competitions.
Participants are required to furnish written parental consent (signed entry form).  For entry forms or additional information contact Craig Borgmeyer at 816-863-2332 or cborgmeyer@kc.rr.com.  PLEASE FIND THE CONSENT FORM ATTACHED.  SIGN AND RETURN THE FORM WITH YOUR CHILD BY FRIDAY, JANUARY 20.
The K of C is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization with 17,000 local councils. Founded in 1882 to assist working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States, today the approximately two million members of the Knights put their faith into action through a broad range of charitable causes locally, nationally and internationally with financial contributions and hands-on service.
 
 
BRICKS 4 KIDZ–NEW SESSION BEGINS FEBRUARY 1:
Bricks 4 Kids enrichment classes are designed to be educational and FUN!  Principles of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are utilized through building motorized LEGO models.  Every lesson is unique and designed to engage a child’s mind.  Each 6-week session features a new theme and models.  
This club is for grades K-5.  Class size is limited.  Students will receive a LEGO minifig with enrollment.  Cost:  $82 for six-week session.
*NO ENROLLMENT TAKEN AT SCHOOL.  ENROLL ONLINE AT:  www.bricks4kidz.com/kcnorth
STM AUCTION:  Saturday, February 4th:
St. Thomas More 'Be More' Auction and Dance is this February 4, 2023.  Tickets are on sale now through our auction website www.stmauction.org.  Join your STM community and help raise funds for our school and parish.  Seats are limited, so purchase your tickets today!
ITEM DONATIONS: It’s not too late to consider contributing to our fundraising efforts. We would love to include your items in this year's auction! We can't do it without you! Please visit stmauction.org and click on 'Donate Auction Items' to fill out the form -or- email Courtney Fahey/Andrea Moore: stm-auction@stmcyclones.org. Not sure what to donate then shop our Amazon with list. The items you buy will be sent directly to the Auction Committee to be included in the Auction. Don’t forget to shop under Amazon Smile to double your giveback impact! To shop visit stmauction.org and click on ‘Amazon Wish List’. 
messages/attachments/ef54e93f73bcc4685eee6c873b3f9a5e/STM_Auction_2023_Invite_2_Social.jpg
Thank you to the following who have graciously donated items to date. We are blessed!
 
 
8th GRADE MIXER - Fundraiser:
Friday, Jan. 27th @ 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Where: STM - Flanagan Hall
Admission: Tickets will be limited, so click the link below to purchase tickets today!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-grade-mixer-at-st-thomas-more-tickets-512153965297
ONLY 8TH GRADERS WILL BE ALLOWED!
 
8TH GRADE PARENTS:  GRADUATION PICTURES ON WEDNESDAY:
Professional 8th-grade graduation pictures will be taken at STM beginning at 8 a.m. next
Wednesday, January 25.
Here are some details:
· All boys should wear a white dress shirt with a tie for the photos.
· Girls will have a white-collar provided for their photos.
· Gowns and caps will be provided.
· Students will not be allowed to have hair in or over their eyes. Boys' hair should not
touch the collar (so if a haircut is necessary, please make plans for this to happen
before Wednesday).
· Two photographers will be set up in Flanagan Hall to take the photos.
· Pre-payment is not necessary. The photographer will send proofs to your
personal email for purchase.
· Re-takes are scheduled for February.
· See attachment below.
· Please call our school office with any questions.
 
STM FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE COMING UP!:
STM Father/Daughter Valentine’s dance will take place February 11th from 6-8 in Flanagan Hall. Cost:  $25 a couple, $5 for each added girl. Cash, check to BMA foundation or Venmo Meg Burke @meg-burke-5.
Don’t miss out on this great way to make Daddy-Daughter memories!!
 
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK ACTIVITIES:
SUNDAY, 1/29: Open House CSW Kick Off
· STUCO  and student participation at Saturday and Sunday Masses.  
· Open House from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
 
MONDAY, 1/30: Celebrating Inclusion/Student Day
· Inclusive Education Scavenger Hunt 
· Dress Down Day for Students - Sweats Day
· 8th Grade Bake Sale - after lunches and afternoon recesses
TUESDAY, 1/31: Celebrating Community/Family Day
Parents come in at lunches and share what they do within the community and how they incorporate their faith (SignUp Genius).
No Homework Night - Spend Time As A Family
Local Organization T-shirt Day or STM Spirit Day
 
WEDNESDAY, 2/1: Celebrating Vocations/Service Day (MASS DAY)
· Petitions at Mass highlighting our Appreciation for Fr. Justin, Fr. Kleine, Sister Colette, etc.
· Cards, Posters, Paper Chains for Priests & Sr. Colette (delivered to Sr. Colette & Parish Office by EOD)
PreK-1st: Sr. Colette
2nd-4th: Fr. Justin
5th-8th: Fr. Kleine
· Promote our Unbound student to the student body: presentation before Mass by Linda/Meredith
· STUCO Sponsored Dress UP Day to raise money for our Unbound student.
· Living Rosary - All school @ 2pm 
THURSDAY, 2/2:Celebrating Teachers/Staff Day
Teachers do their own “Faithbook” Profile with pieces of their own faith story that can be shared with the community; each teacher will get a template to fill out.
 
· Staff Dress Down Day
· Students Dress like their Homeroom Teacher
· 8th Grade/Teacher Volleyball Game @ 2:15 p.m.
FRIDAY, 2/3: NO SCHOOL
· Student Learning Conferences; 7:30 a.m. - Noon
 
 
ATTENTION PARENTS OF 5TH-8TH GRADE STUDENTS:
Teachers at each grade level (5th-8th) will begin sending out a weekly synopsis in ONE EMAIL to your Inbox by each Sunday afternoon.  This email will delineate the upcoming week’s essential learning topics, plans for major assignments or projects, and planned test dates.  These dates may be pushed back if necessary, but will never be sooner than shared in these emails.
There was a glitch with the 7th & 8th grade newsletter last weekend.  Please expect to receive it by 3 p.m. on Sundays from now on.
 
JOIN THE STM RESCUE PROJECT:
 
The Rescue Project...Coming to St. Thomas More February 9th!
 
God made a universe that has roughly two trillion galaxies, each with 100-400 billion stars...and He knows each star by name. The same God made you.  You matter to God! 
Do you ever wonder why you matter to God? The Rescue Project answers the why. Just released in August, The Rescue Project proposes The Story of the gospel presented in a way that you've never heard before, and it appeals to everyone...whether in or outside of the Church...from teens to adults of all ages!  
Watch the trailer:
https://rescueproject.us/trailer/
 
Each session includes a meal, presentation on video by Fr. John Riccardo, and conversation at St. Thomas More Catholic Church-More Hall
Starting February 9th, Thursday evenings: 6:30-8:30 p.m.  
February 9,16,23 and March 2,9,16, and 30  
*Saturday Retreat: March 25th, 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
 
To Register: https://stmkc.com/faith_formation/adult-faith-formation/the-rescue-project/
 
Dear Father in heaven, 
You know every star by name, and there are billions of stars!  
You created the entire universe out of nothing. 
Your creation is so vast 
and beyond anything that we can even imagine. 
You are amazing, God!  
Your Word says that you knew me before I was born, 
that every hair on my head is numbered, 
that my name is written on your heart 
and that You hold me in the palm of Your hand. 
Thank you God! 
Thank you for loving me with such an amazing love as this. 
Amen.