Greetings SMCHS Parents,

Advent greetings to each of you!  This season of the Church's year is usually associated with waiting...waiting for the celebration of the first coming of Our Lord Jesus.  For many because of the commercialization of the season it can also mean waiting...in long lines in mall parking lots or at check-out counters.  These days before Christmas are busy for everyone as we rush to complete all that we feel must be completed before the holiday.  Yet Advent is a gift from the Church; a gift which we are asked to open slowly, contemplating what is beneath the wrappings, the love of our God as demonstrated by giving us His Son, Jesus Christ.  We are urged to take a few moments to wait and listen; to wait and examine; to wait and consider our world and the impact Christ's birth has had on it and upon each of us.  He came into this world as a living example of love and here at SMCHS we celebrate that love through our charism, Caritas Christi.  If we wait for the celebration of Christmas it is important that we resolve to bring that love to our families, to our school and to each other.  Then we will be living the true spirit of Christmas for the 364 days which follow December 25th.  I pray that all will welcome Him into their hearts and let Him transform those hearts with His love.

A few items to make note of;  I hope that you will join the SMCHS family this coming Sunday, December 8th at one of the two Performing Arts Department Christmas shows, "Christmas In The City." The two performances are at 3:30pm and 6:30pm, in the Moiso Pavilion.  This is a great way to help celebrate the season. By the way,  a shortened version of the show is shown to the entire student body in two assemblies on Monday, December 9th.  Please note:  because of these assemblies school dismisses on Monday the 9th at 2:30pm.

With the change in our school calendar this is our first time of having final exams prior to the Christmas break.  December 17, 18, 19, 20, are the final exam days.   Prior to the exam week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, December 10, 11, 13, we are on special bell schedules which enable students to meet with teachers during 25 minute time blocks prior to the first class period of the day.  This is a good opportunity for students and I hope they will make good use of this additional prep time.

Early in the New Year I will be sharing with all of you specifics regarding our move to the one to one tablet program for the 2014-15 school year.  The campus committee charged with the responsibility of selecting the device is in its final stage in the decision making process.

Finally, we have had and will have liturgical ways to celebrate the season of Advent.  Campus Ministry has just finished two days of Advent Penance Services.  We are very grateful to many local priests who gave their valuable time to be on campus for confessions.  On Thursday, December 12th we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Diocese of Orange, with an all-school Mass.  Parents are most welcome to join us.  Mass begins at 9:00am in the Moiso Family Pavilion.

As we 'turn on' the Advent candles in our classrooms and offices each morning they remind us of the coming Light...the coming of the Lord.  May you have short waits in all your holiday lines but may the wait for Christmas be for everyone a time of growing spiritually.  It is my prayer for each of you that His love, Caritas Christi, will be with you and your families during this Holy Season and throughout the New Year of 2014.  A very Merry and Blessed Christmas to you all!

Caritas Christi,

Ray Dunne

Principal