Advent is the liturgical season that precedes and prepares for Christmas. It is a season of hope and of longing, of joyful expectation and of peaceful preparation.
We await your coming with joyful hearts and so we pray:
Come, Lord Jesus.
You come to bring us hope and courage:
May our hearts be open and receptive to receive the many blessings you wish to give us.
You come as a reflection of God's love:
May our actions of justice and care reflect this same love.
You come to show us ways of compassion and mercy:
May we reach out to all people in our society with that same spirit of compassion and mercy.
Christmas Outreach Campaign
Christmas is not as much about opening presents as opening our hearts. During Advent, the St. Mary community unites to help spread the joy of the season through our annual Christmas Outreach Campaign.
The Christmas Outreach Campaign supports families who are connected to St. Mary, as well as Holy Redeemer and St. Isaac Jogues parishes, and the Pickering community through school-wide fundraisers, food and gift donations.
It's that time of year again St. Mary! The Christmas Outreach Campaign starts Thursday November 28 and ends on Friday December 15, 2024.
How you can donate
Donations are collected in homeroom classes during the Advent Season (Thursday November 28th - Friday December 15th, 2024). Our goal for this year is to surpass $15,000 worth of gift cards! We are collecting gift cards for grocery and retail (e.g., Loblaws/Metro/No Frills/Fresh Co/Independent, Walmart). The money collected from our school-wide fundraisers (e.g., non-uniform days, Bingo, bake sale) is donated to the Christmas Outreach fund.
You are also encouraged to donate in other ways! For example you can:
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Participate in the 3 non-uniform days that are scheduled for Thursday November 28th (theme pajamas/flannel), Thursday December 5 (theme red and green, and accessories), and Thursday December 12 (theme is Christmas sweater). Each non-uniform day will cost $2 and all money collected will be converted into gift cards for families in need. Just bring $2 to your homeroom teacher on the non-uniform day. Please note that you don’t HAVE to wear the theme of the day but it definitely helps to get into the spirit of the season! You will be given a bracelet to wear for the rest of the day to show that you have paid for the non-uniform day.
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Participate in Bingo: Bring money on Monday December 2 (period 1), Friday December 6 (period 2) and Monday December 9 (period 4) and play Bingo. Each card can only be used once and you can purchase 1 card for a $0.40. If you spend $1 you can purchase 3 cards and share with your friends. You can purchase Bingo cards from your homeroom teacher on the day of Bingo. Prizes include Owala water bottle, Beats buds, McDonald’s and Amazon gift cards, portable charger!
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Community Bake Sale: Encourage members in your homeroom to bake Christmas deserts and bring in the deserts on Wednesday December 4. Retreat Leaders will sell them for you and the money that you make will go towards your homeroom family! There will also be a bake sale during the Christmas Music Concert in the evening.
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Purchase a speciality Christmas hot chocolate for you or a friend on Tuesday December 10.
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Domino's Pizza Fundraiser: Make it family pizza night on Wednesday December 11 and purchase a pizza form your local Domino’s on Bayly or Dixie and a portion of the money raised will go to the Christmas Outreach campaign!
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You can also donate directly through the School Cash Online!
- Raffle: Tuesday December 3 and Wednesday December 11 during lunches. Draw will take place during period 4 - students MUST be in the school on Wednesday December 11 to win the prize. $1 for 1 ticket, $3 for 5 tickets.
Contact Us
For more information, please contact our Chaplain: Ms. M. Bosetti (ext. 56028) and follow on Instagram Ms. Bosetti @chapatstmary and St. Mary Retreat Leaders @stmaryretreatleading
