View this email in your browser

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021


Faith Feature

Advent Prayer 

Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'
Amen.

 
- Henri J.M. Nouwen

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Advent Prayer Partners

As we near Christmas, please mail a Christmas card to your Advent Prayer Partner.  If you need the address resent, please contact Laura. 
 

From Vic Michaels: New MDHHS Quarantine Guidelines


Please remember to add all positive Covid cases in your school using the following links: Elementary Schools | High Schools

MDHHS continues to recommend universal masking in all K-12 school settings. 
Quarantine and isolation are determined by the local health department and are used as important tools to prevent the spread of disease.  
  • You isolate when you are infected with COVID-19 and have tested positive, even if you do not have symptoms. Isolation is used to separate people who are infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected.  
  • You quarantine when you might have been exposed to COVID-19. This is because you might become infected with COVID-19 and could spread COVID-19 to others. 
  • Any individual that displays COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, should not attend school and should be tested for COVID-19. 
COVID-19 School Quarantine Guidelines for Asymptomatic Students 
  • Fully vaccinated contacts without symptoms do not need to quarantine. 
  • Contacts that are not fully vaccinated and do not have symptoms: 
  • If masking was maintained, contacts can participate in school activities if wearing a mask for 14 days after exposure and using a "Test to Stay" strategy* 
  • If masking was not maintained, if additional testing and mitigation strategies are used, contacts may participate in school activities at the discretion of the local health department.
Test Kits:
The MDHHS COVID School Test Order Process has changed as of Dec. 13, 2021. Please see the attached document regarding the new procedure for ordering tests.

Travel Within the United States:
Out-of-state travel is permitted. We are following the return guidance as if they are a close contact (masked upon return unless the trip was conducted in a safe controlled environment). If students on the trip are only from your school they can return as normal. 

International Travel:
Unvaccinated students are required to either quarantine for 10 days OR get tested and return on day 7. Vaccinated students are to be tested with a viral test 3-5 days after travel and self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms (quarantine not required). If a test result is positive, the student must follow isolation requirements for a positive case.
 

FACTS Report Card Training

Additional support for teachers regarding report cards was offered this past week and will be offered once more in January. The next available training opportunities are Jan. 4-6 from 3:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m. The content for each date is the same, so teachers need only attend one if they are in need of support. Recordings and updated written instructions will be provided as soon as they are available. Please see the attached document which provides details about the content and registration links for each session; participants must register prior to the session.
 

Book Deliveries & SoulCore Schedule

As you know, DCS will be providing Matthew Kelly’s book, Life is Messy, to all teachers and staff in our schools. Those orders have either been directly shipped to your school or will be delivered by a member of our team in the coming weeks. All deliveries will be complete before Christmas break. Read more
 

Petition Drive – Michigan

The Michigan legislature recently passed two bills which would have provided “student opportunity scholarships” to low-income families for their out-of-pocket educational expenses. Unfortunately, Govern Gretchen Whitmer vetoed the two measures.
 
A petition drive is now underway that would place the issue before the legislature, which if passed again, would not require the governor’s signature to become law. The effort to obtain signatures will be headed by Let Michigan Kids Learn, a coalition of organizations which includes the Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) and the Michigan Association of Nonpublic Schools (MANS).  MANS will provide you with instructions and materials in mid-January regarding this process.
 

Youth Projects to Advocate for the Dignity of Life

As we approach the 49th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a decision that made abortion legal in our country, please consider taking a stand to protect life at all stages by choosing some of these service projects for your classroom or school that promote life in our communities.
 

Transgenderism Resources: from the Department of Evangelization, Missionary Discipleship & Family Engagement

Please review the attached document with vetted resources to assist in providing pastoral care and accompaniment to our youth, adolescents, and young adults in their identity as beloved sons and daughters of God.
 

Catechist Certification Update – Franciscan University

While most teachers are now using “On Fire for the Faith” for catechist certification, some have chosen to complete their certification through Franciscan University Catechetical Institute. For the latter, it is important to note that Franciscan University has renovated and deleted some of their workshops.  Because of this, the Office of Discipleship Formation has adjusted the reporting form.  The reporting form has been updated to reflect the workshops offered for certification as an advanced catechist.
 
There are now 20 workshops listed, instead of 22, for a school religion teacher or catechist to achieve advanced certification.  Please share the attached form with teachers who are completing their catechist certification through Franciscan University.
 

Families of Parishes

Each of our schools is part of (or will be part of) a Family of Parishes. Wave 1 FOPs were launched on July 1 of this year. Wave 2 FOPs will be launched next July. Families of Parishes are groups of parishes, generally three to six parishes, sharing resources to advance the mission. Our ministry in Catholic schools is critical to the mission of the Church. Please talk with your pastor and with the Moderator of the Family of Parishes to which your school belongs – it is important that we work together to ensure that we are all on mission to share the Gospel.  
 

Meeting Invitation – January 20, 2022

All are invited to attend a meeting on January 20, 2022 for a presentation on the Principal as a Spiritual Leader. The meeting will take place at Sacred Heart Major Seminary from 9:00 – 12:30 and will include lunch. Please RSVP here to indicate that you would like to attend. Participants in the New Principal Academy do not need to RSVP. 
 

Detroit Priestly Vocations Seminarian Profiles

The Office for Priestly Vocations has prepared Seminarian Profile Pages with pictures and facts about the men studying to be priests in the Archdiocese of Detroit. These can be used in schools and/or classrooms to promote priestly vocations and to pray for these men. The profiles, along with zip files containing 4 slides that could be shared on social media, can be found HERE
 

Sacred Heart Major Seminary Cafeteria Meal Prices, Process and Payment

Due to the current environment and the impacts of the supply chain on the Sacred Heart Major Seminary Food Service Program, it was necessary for the Archdiocese to adjust meal prices accordingly, in an effort to contain costs and simplify the overall pricing structure. Please see the current meal pricing, identification, and payment process here.
 

AOD School Food Program Updates

There are a number of important updates for schools that make use of the AOD School Food Program. Please click here to read more about forms for special dietary accommodations, a letter to be shared with student families, and a recording of today's town hall meeting. 
 

UPCOMING EVENTS & EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

RISE Detroit 2022 for High School Students

The Archdiocese of Detroit is hosting a brand-new event for high school students in the spirit of Unleash the Gospel—RISE Detroit 2022. All 9-12th graders are encouraged to attend with their pastor, youth minister, campus minister, or parents! The event will take place on Sunday, February 6, 2022, from 8:15am-7:15pm at Mercy High School in Farmington Hills. Activities include keynotes, powerful praise and worship experiences, two workshop opportunities, small group discussion, and Liturgy! Learn more and sign up at www.risedetroityouth.org.
 

Alliance Catholic Credit Union Scholarship

The 6th annual “Live It. Show it. Share it” Scholarship is now live! $20,000 in scholarships will be awarded. You can find more details in the attached PDF and full rules and entry form here.
 
Please share this with any families of 8th-11th grade students who will be attending a Catholic High School League school in the 2022-2023 academic year. Share in newsletters, email blasts and bulletins as you see fit. 
 

Young Women’s Leadership Forum

Young adult Catholic women, ages 21-30, seeking leadership training, faith formation, and mentoring to better understand and pursue their particular mission and vocation are encouraged to apply to attend the 2022 GIVEN Catholic Young Women's Leadership Forum.  Applications are now open! Prospective applicants can find information about the speakers, schedule, and distinctive Forum features on our website. Applications are due February 18, 2022.
 

Post-Secondary Catholic Trade School Opportunity

Harmel Academy is an all-male Catholic trade school in Grand Rapids, Michigan and their mission is to form excellent Catholic Tradesmen. They teach two types of trades at the moment; Electrical and Machine Systems Technician. The program lasts two years and while they are here, students develop a community of brotherhood that will last a lifetime. They commit to daily prayer and to do excellent work in every class. More information can be found at www.harmelacademy.org
 
Please share the information with any of your high school senior boys who are interested in learning a trade. 
 

Carmelite Spirituality: Free Online Course from Sacred Heart Major Seminary

What can Carmelite spirituality teach us about living at peace in this frenetic world? A lot. 

This free online course aims to introduce students to the history of the Carmelite Order and its unique features, including its eremitic and monastic roots, attentiveness to the human soul, the virtue of humility, the spousal meaning of the body, the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the art of silent contemplative prayer. Visit shms.edu/advent to learn more and to register. 
 

IT Training and Certification Program for Michigan Adults with Disabilities

The Michigan Bridge Academy is now accepting applications for enrollment in the program that will start in early 2022. This transformational program is built on previously successful programs in Michigan, the U.S., and worldwide. It is free to qualified Michigan residents, and requires 11th grade equivalent Math and Reading, with an interest in Information Technology. No previous IT experience is required. This program leads to in-demand entry-level IT jobs. See the flyer here.  
 
For more information or to register for an upcoming Student Information session please visit:  www.michiganbridgeacademy.org
 

From the Office for International Student Programs of the AOD: Celebrate America Creative Writing Contest

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is sponsoring a nationwide essay contest, The Celebrate America Creative Writing Contest. Learn more
 

PREVIOUS NEWS & REMINDERS

52 Sundays Resource for Families

The 2022 edition of 52 Sundays is now available for pre-order! You can order it in either English or Spanish. The theme of vocation is woven throughout the 2022 edition, highlighting different vocations and inviting families to look at discernment in fun and easy ways. Each week will include the Sunday Gospel, information on a member of the Communion of Saints, discussion questions, an activity, a recipe, and a family prayer as well as a liturgy link, a family challenge, and a fun fact. Bulk pricing is available. 52 Sundays will begin shipping in mid-November. Visit www.52Sundays.com to order your copies today! If you have any questions about the book, please contact Tara Stenger at stenger.tara@aod.org or 313-237-6056.
 

MDE’s Nonpublic Membership Report

The Nonpublic Membership Report is not yet available in NexSys. We will keep you updated once MDE informs us that the application is complete and available.
 

2021-22 Catholic High School Guide

Elementary principals, please share the link for the 2021-2022 High School Guide with your school families. Please encourage the families to review the document to learn more about our Catholic high schools.
 

Next Star Testing Windows 2021-2022

MOY:    January 17 – February 11
EOY:      April 25 – May 20
 

From NCEA: Free Educator Access to Hallow App for Mental & Spiritual Health

It's hard to believe we are only a little more than a month away from the start of Advent. We know this can be a stressful time of year, so we wanted to share a new resource that has content specifically built to help you and your students find peace amidst the chaos of the world. Hallow is the #1 Catholic app in the world, and we, the Hallow team, have built a series of tools specifically to help Catholic educators strengthen their mental and spiritual health. Redeem your free educator access
 

Counseling and Mental Health Resources

Information about resources and contact information from Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan may be found here
 

AOD Job Position Postings

Please check the AOD Jobs Board to ensure that all postings for your school are current.  Email hr@aod.org to remove old job postings. 
 

Nominate a Principal/Teacher for a Social Media Spotlight

The AOD Communications team is starting a content series for the Detroit Catholic Schools LinkedIn page to celebrate our amazing principals and teachers. You are encouraged to nominate a principal or teacher through the form below. The Communications team will then follow-up with further details about featuring your nomination. 
 
Submit a Nomination

School Mail Archive

View prior editions of School Mail here.



@DETROITCATHOLIC FEATURED CONTENT

'A Saint a Day' devotional highlights diverse lives of Church's heroes, heroines

Royal Oak couple gives glory to God through woodworking, handcrafted religious items

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Website
YouTube



@UTGDETROIT FEATURED CONTENT

The colors we see at Mass in the priest’s vestments are on the alter help paint the story of our faith and help us see what is truly being celebrated, Fr. Mario Amore explains.

Learn the meaning of the green, white, red, and violet colors you see throughout the liturgical year.

Watch now at unleashthegospel.org

Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
YouTube
Website
Questions and/or comments, email catholicschools@aod.org.

Copyright © 2021 Archdiocese of Detroit, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.