The lighting of the first candle

The beginning of the Advent season was celebrated at St. Francis Academy Chapel on December 2, 2011 during our First Friday mass. The holy celebration was hosted by the Grade 6 class.

According to Catholic.org, “the word Advent derives from the Latin word meaning coming. The Lord is coming.” We prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas, and we symbolize this by lighting the candles of the Advent Wreath. The first purple candle of our Advent Wreath was lit before the mass.

In addition, the new missal was officially used in our mass on December 2nd, 2011. Mass cards were distributed to guide us to the new translation.

Grade 6 students stand in front of the altar after the Prayer of the Faithful

To learn why Advent is important to us, please follow the link: Why is Advent Important?

From Ryan, Grade 7:

“Each play showed the saint’s life or good deed. I learned from the play that you should always stand up for what you believe in, no matter what happens. You should always be strong in your faith…”

THE SAINTS

Grade 6

St. Patrick

St. Claire

Grade 7

St. Stephen

Grade 8

The Seven Servites

St. Bernardine

The plays were acted out on November 7th for Grades 4 – 8, and on November 9th for Pre-K to Grade 3.

To view more photos, please follow the link: The Saints Play 2011.

Ms. Savage, Grade 8, and Pre-K bless the bulbs before planting

October 11, 2011 – Grade 8 boys dug more than 275 holes around the school yard and garden for our annual bulb planting activity. Each class blessed the bulbs before planting them. We expect to see the flowers in Spring 2012.

Follow the link for pictures of Bulb Planting Fall 2011. (Special thanks to Mr. Martin and Mrs. Perez for taking the pictures!)

Mrs. Raslowsky with Grade 6 Participants

April 14, 2011, Jersey City – St. Francis Academy placed 3rd overall in the Math contest held at Marist High School in Jersey City.

Grade 6 Participants:

• Agarwal, Ashima
• Espino, David
• Jandora, Thomas
• Quintas, Robert

Sr. Una and Sr. Dora with the Grade 6 students

Congratulations, Grade 6!

The students heard “first hand” stories from Revolutionary War veterans. Afterwards, the classes took a tour of the State House which included a walk through of Gov. Christie’s office and the Assembly and Senate Chambers. Reading about our past is not the same as listening stories from actual veterans.

SFA File photo: the inside of the State House dome.

Below are some of the students’ experience….

GRADE 5

Katherine
“The Old Barracks Museum was so much fun. We went back to 1792. We learned how much they used to pay them. It was fantastic and I loved it! I was also scared when they shot the gun. It was awesome!”

Geraldine
“The Old Barracks Museum was fantastic and educational. It had so many fun things. The actors acted so many things out, as we went back to the past. I had so much fun.”

Kavi
“One actor posed as a corporal serving in the Continental Army during the year 1777, and he taught us how to load and shot a musket…. Another actor posed as a surgeon’s maid, and showed us the primitive, and painful ways of taking care of a wound or disease….. From the ear-popping musket firing to the gruesome medical methods used during the Revolutionary War, the museum painted me a vivid picture of what life was like serving in the Continental Army during the year 1777, and I hope to visit it again soon.”

GRADE 6

Ambar
“We learned about the Revolutionary War. I had an awesome time learning how to fire a musket, the defense system against the British, and exploring the vast State House. I liked how everything was organized and factual. What I enjoyed the most was the part of learning about the small pox. The introduction was funny. The field trip was most definitely educational and interesting.”

Thomas
“We went back in time to the Revolutionary War. This fun learning experience surprised me because it was an act rather than a museum. My favorite part was the doctor. He was hilarious.”

Follow the link for some photos of the Field Trip to the Old Barracks and NJ State House.

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Thank you Mr. Martin for taking the pictures and for the writeup.