A Message from Administration

Dear Saint Albert Family,

As we enter the first week of Advent, a season of hope and preparation, we begin this beautiful season filled with anticipation, and spiritual preparation for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Advent is a special time for us to pause, reflect, and open our hearts to the true meaning of Christmas.

This season calls us to "prepare the way of the Lord" in our daily lives, creating space for Christ to dwell in our homes and hearts. It’s not just about decorations or gift-giving, but about living with love, joy, and hope as we await His coming. Let the beautiful sounds of Christmas carols inspire us to embrace this journey with faith and gratitude.

May this Advent be a time of peace and spiritual renewal for you and your family. Together, let us prepare in our hearts and homes to celebrate the incredible gift of God’s love at Christmas!

Joy to the World!

Deanna O'Keefe

Assistant Principal

SCHOOL NEWS 🍎

Saint Albert the Great Parish School Parents and Coaches,

As we continue to work together for the success and well-being of our students, we are writing to kindly remind everyone about an important policy in our school handbook regarding student attendance and participation in extracurricular activities.

The handbook policy on absences clearly states:
"Students who are absent are not permitted to attend extracurricular activities, including any school-sponsored sporting events (practices or games). This also includes any student who is ill and leaves during the school day."

This policy is grounded in fairness, accountability, and, most importantly, the health and academic priorities of our students. The importance of being in school every day cannot be emphasized enough. Absence should be kept to a minimum, as consistent attendance lays the foundation for learning and personal growth.

While we know that illnesses and unforeseen circumstances do arise, students must prioritize their school day responsibilities before engaging in extracurricular activities. Allowing students who are absent from school to participate in extracurricular events creates inconsistencies and inequities among peers. It also sends a message that school attendance is secondary, which is not in alignment with our shared goals.

In an effort to remain consistent and ensure fairness for all, the administration is committed to adhering to this policy. We kindly ask for your partnership in reinforcing these guidelines by encouraging your child to focus on their recovery and return to school when they are healthy, or to fulfill their full school day if they are present.

These guidelines not only maintain equity and fairness but also protect the health and well-being of our school community. We appreciate your cooperation in helping Saint Albert the Great Parish School uphold these important principles.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the school office or administration. Together, we can ensure that our students are set up for success in both academics and extracurricular activities.

Jr. Kindergarten and Kindergarten- NO SCHOOL JAN. 10, 2025

On Friday, January 10, 2025, our JK and Kindergarten educators will conduct readiness assessments for new students entering JK or Kindergarten for the 2025/2026 school year. As a result, there will be no school for current JK and Kindergarten students on that day. However, Preschool and grades 1-8 will still be in session. We are notifying parents early to allow for any necessary adjustments. Thank you for your understanding.

School Board Meetings and Minutes

The next School Board meeting is scheduled for January 13, 2025. Meetings are from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in the Viking Room. (Enter through the gym door. The Viking Room is on the 2nd floor.)  You can learn more about the School Board and review minutes of past meetings on the school website.

Save the Date: Mother Son Carnival Night! 

Step right up and join the fun! Save the date for a special mother/son event on January 18, 2025! Ticket sales and more information coming soon soon! Link to flyer. 

PTO NEWS❤️

Click, HERE, to visit our PTO webpage.

2024-2025 PTO Executive Committee:

President - Jennifer Boyle, ptopresident@stalbert.org

Vice President - Sarah Stahl, ptovicepresident@stalbert.org

Secretary - Lauren Biagi, ptosecretary@stalbert.org

Treasurer - Emily Rives, ptotresurer@stalbert.org

Past President - Christine Newman, pto-past-president@stalbert.org

2024-2025 PTO Meeting Dates:

November 21st, 7:00pm-8:30pm, Visitation Hall (Cafeteria)

January 23rd, 7:00pm-8:30pm, Visitation Hall (Cafeteria)

April 24th, 7:00pm-8:30pm, PLC

Boxtops

As you do your holiday shopping, don't forget to scan for box tops and earn money for our school!

PTO Teacher & School Staff Christmas Collection

Need ideas on what to gift your favorite St. Albert teachers and staff for Christmas? 

The PTO has you covered. We are collecting money that will be divided out among our outstanding teachers and school staff for the holidays.

Instead of receiving small gifts, each teacher and the school staff will receive a substantial monetary gift that they can spend as they please. They really enjoy receiving these monetary gifts during Christmastime.

You can send your check (made out to the St. Albert PTO) to the school office in an envelope marked: “PTO Teacher & School Staff Christmas Collection”. Deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 11th  or you may contribute online using the link until December 9th.

PTO Student Appreciation Committee

The PTO Student Appreciation Committee is ready for the holidays, and we can’t wait to celebrate our students! Get ready to groove into the holiday season with our Silent Disco & Christmas Cheer event on December 19th! Students will dance to their favorite tunes through wireless headphones in a festive silent disco experience. To add to the holiday fun, each student will receive a scratch-off card for a chance to win a special prize, with winners in every grade. It's the perfect way to celebrate the season with music, dancing, and a little extra holiday magic!

Viking Gala 2025: Gold & Glam presented by Fun Masters!

Ticket info:

Thank you to everyone who bought tickets! There are less than 60 of the 500 tickets left, so don’t delay - grab yours at VikingGala.org! The event is Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 at the Louisville Marriott East from 6 to 11 p.m.!

Win a Trip for Two to Costa Rica!

The 2025 Gala Trip Raffle presented by Kaiman & Crahan is a 5-day trip for two to Costa Rica including airfare! Raffle Tickets are now on sale at VikingGala.org! Tickets are $50 each and only 400 will be sold! Spread the word to your friends and family! The winner will be drawn at the Gala, and you do not need to be present to win! Charitable Gaming License # ORG0000407

2025 Fund a Need Project

This year’s Gala Fund A Need is presented by Stealth Field Hockey! At each PTO Gala, the PTO works together with the administration to identify an area of need or improvement within the school. Our fundraising program during the event will fund this special project to improve our school. More info coming soon. Stay tuned!

Find out how to help at VikingGala.org!

• Donate bourbon to the Pet Station Country Club Bourbon Pull by emailing gala@stalbert.org

• Donate fabulous items to our auctions

Email questions to Julie Kruer and Allison Gotting at gala@stalbert.org!

SAAM NEWS (Sports Ministry)🏆

Saint Albert Athletic Ministry website link

St Albert Trivia Night- December 7, 2024

23nd Annual St Albert Triva Night- Presented by SAAM and Sponsored by The Noe Group

Join Us For Fun and Fellowship! Doors open at 6PM. Trivia starts at  7PM.

THIS YEAR’S THEME IS COLLEGE GAMEDAY!  

Dress up as your favorite team, player, mascot, coach, gameday anchor, the choices are endless!

Click here for more information

Prizes for the Winning Teams, Best Theme, Split the Pot and Heads or Tails

DJ Dave with Odyssey Entertainment is the returning Emcee for the evening. Water and Soda will be available for free with table purchase. Bring your own food. 

If you weren't able to purchase a table but still would like to experience Trivia Night without having to answer all those questions, volunteer to work. Check out the SignUp Genius link to see the positions available.

Email Trivia Night Chairs Nick and Erin Carter with questions at trivianight@stalbert.org 

PARISH NEWS⛪

Please read the Parish Post to stay up to date with events and opportunities. 

Advent Schedule 

Prepare your heart and mind for the celebration of Christmas by engaging in prayer and reflection!

Evening Advent Mass: Wednesdays, December 4, 11, 18, 5pm

Join us for evening Mass during the season of Advent on Wednesdays at 5pm. Confession will be offered before and after Mass beginning at 4pm. 

Gaudete Sunday – December 15th

The congregation is invited to join Fr. Schultz in wearing pink or rose colored clothes to Mass for an Advent "Pink Out." The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete, or “rejoicing” Sunday. The priest may wear rose colored vestments instead of purple and we light the rose colored candle in the Advent wreath signifying the anticipated joy of the birth of Christ. 

Bambinelli Sunday – December 15th

All children and teens are invited to bring their baby Jesus to Mass on December 14th & 15th for a special blessing and tradition. St. John Paul II began a tradition early on in his papacy where he invited the children of Rome to bring their little statue of the baby Jesus that would be placed in their Nativity set at home. He blessed the figurines of those present of prayer. Children can also wrap their Bambinelli in paper, place it under their Christmas tree, and open it as the first gift on Christmas morning. 

Family Friendly Eucharistic Adoration - Thursday, December 19th, 6:00 pm

Families and individuals of all ages are welcome! This holy hour will take place in the church and will include prayers, music, scripture and time for silent reflection.

St. Albert iGiveCatholic Campaign

Save the Date for the first annual St. Albert iGiveCatholic campaign on Giving Tuesday! We are hoping to raise $8,000 to install a permanent camera in church, so we can once again broadcast Mass. This new system will allow us to stream more easily and more often. 

Offering Livestream will help parishioners, school families and loved ones, near and far, feel spiritually connected to our community when they are unable to be here physically. Weekly Mass, School Mass, Special Liturgies, Sacraments, Funerals & Weddings, Graduation... We hope that you will “Give Back and Give Catholic” and “Let There be Streams of Mass”!

Go to this website to learn more about our campaign and watch a video from Fr Chris. Donations close December 10th.

Need to add something to the Viking Voice? 

Click HERE to enter your submission. 

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