Catholic Schools Week 2017 - Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service: 

Developing our talents at ASA to go out and Serve All 

We kicked Catholic Schools Week off this year with a Pack the Pew event at St Alphonsus on Sunday January 29th. It was great to have the ASA community gather together for a Sunday Mass AND donuts afterwards! Our students provided music while many alumni, and representatives from the Board of Directors and the Grand Rapids Diocese of Catholic Schools Offices joined us for the beautiful celebration. Mark your calendars for the next Pack the Pews at Blessed Sacrament on Sunday February 26th at 11 am! It is such a blessing to gather together and worship as one!  

On Monday of Catholic Schools Week, both campuses were visited by our friends from Catholic Charities of West Michigan. Representatives of the Foster Care Team played a few educational games with our students, highlighting the work they do with families to improve communication skills and relationships. The elementary students had an opportunity to pretend to be barnyard animals searching for their "families," while the middle school students gave instructions for building a PB&J sandwich, and learned the confusion from giving unclear directions. At the end of their visit we were also able to present the items collected during our Advent drive. The donations collected for the spirit dress-up days during CSW will also be sent to Catholic Charities to further support their work with West Michigan Families. 

On Tuesday of CSW our 3rd grade students represented ASA at the Diocese School Mass at the Cathedral! Also during the day all students decorated superhero capes, masks or wands. Students spent the week with teachers reflecting on how they are growing and developing their gifts and talents at ASA to go out into the world as heroes and saints to serve all! We are putting together a collection of all of these creations, pictures and reflections to share out later. There was so much creativity and innovation! Here are just a few example highlights:

On Wednesday February 1, 2017 we gathered K-8 at St Alphonsus for All-School games and Mass. The 6th, 7th & 8th grades led the K-5th grades in "minute to win-it" type games and a combined art project. The 5th grade provided us all a great service by helping the teachers pass out a light snack. We are excited to share a few snapshots of the fun here! Look for the art projects around school and the four parishes in the next few weeks. After games we gathered for Mass. Fr. Pat inspired us to be salt and light. We are one!

 

Thursday of CSW we had our evening 8th grade v. staff community basketball game at St Isidore. The 7th grade provided some school spirit by dressing up as Eddy the Eagle! We shared pizza and cheered on our two favorite teams. The 8th grade gave the teachers a run for their money Thursday night, but ultimately the teachers prevailed. The 8th grade proved they have saintly character and ASA eagle pride on and off the court with incredible sportsmanship and a very fun game! This was a great night of ASA community members living out our core values of faith, learning, loving and serving! 

                                   

Friday of CSW started with both campuses saying a rosary for our staff and volunteers at 8am! We are one! Friday also provided the chance for a rematch between the 8th grade and staff. This time the 8th grade had a huge, loud, supportive student section and the staff was blessed with the presence of Fr. Tom Cavera on the court! While the 4th-8th grade celebrated together in the gym to wrap up CSW the Kindergarten through 3rd grade attended a performance of The Lion King.

Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate CSW and to everyone in the ASA community for the role you play in building our community of faith, knowledge and service as we work together to form saints to serve all!