Finals Help!

Check these links for helpful study tips: Ten Tips for Finals
Study Tips (for the Overly Stressed)
Tips for Finals
Study Tips

Some of these are more geared towards College Finals, but still can apply to our Finals at STM, just think students at STM, are going through the same studying strategies as those at U of I this week as they take their finals!

Mr. Schreder's Tips:

• Organize your study Time
• Get Enough Sleep
• Eat Breakfast
• Make Flashcards
• Form Study Groups or find a Study Buddy!
• Pray to Sts. Thomas Aquinas, Catherine of Alexandria, Gabriel Ponsetti, the Patron Saints of Students!
• Believe in Yourself that you will do well!

A Prayer before studying for exams.“God of Wisdom, I thank you for the knowledge gained and the learning experiences of the semester. I come to you this day and ask you to illuminate my mind and heart. Let your Spirit be with me as I prepare for exams, guiding my studies, and giving me insight so that I can perform to the best of my ability. Please grant me the strength to handle the pressure during these final days of the semester, the confidence to feel secure in my knowledge, and the ability to keep an appropriate perspective through it all. Help me to keep in mind what is truly important, even as I focus my time and energy on these tests in the immediate future. Finally, may I sense your peace in knowing that I applied myself to the challenges of this day.” Amen

Important Dates

Wednesday December 8th Prophets & Wisdom Quiz
The following books, prophets, terms will be covered:
Wisdom Books
Jeremiah
Song of Songs
Remnant
Nehemiah
Psalms
Proverbs
Amos
Hosea
Prophets
Isaiah
Ezekiel
Jonah
Daniel
Ezra
Elijah
Lamentations
Elisha
Sirach
Ecclesiastes
Apocalyptic Writing
Job

Monday December 13th Final Project Due (Early Turn in for Final Essay
Tuesday December 14th Final Essay Due (in class and by 8 AM on Turnitin.com!)

This Week in Theology

Below are the link for the David & Solomon Video Answers and Study Guide for the Final!
Old Testament Final Study Guide
David & Solomon Video Answers

Remember students will be able to use their notes on the test in class tomorrow (Joshua to Solomon) and their Bible for the short answer essay.

Extra Credit Opportunity: Mr. Schreder needs some help with "fall cleaning;" stop by either Tuesday (11/23) or Wednesday (11/24) before school to see what is left or to be the first one!

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving break and is able to share lots of food and fun with their families.

Freshman Theology

Wow-only 6 FULL School days left until Thanksgiving! There is still a lot to do however so please make sure you are up to date!

This week we will be finish Joshua and getting all the way to King Solomon-lots and lots of new people, places, and ideas. There will be a test covering Joshua to King Solomon on Tuesday November 23rd, 2010 (it will be open note)-it will be multiple choice, short answer, and one short essay. The Study Guide can be found here (click on here). If a student will be absent or leaving early on Thanksgiving break they will be required to take the test before they leave.

Also, students will receive a Study Guide for their final exam on Tuesday November 23rd, 2010 along with the Final Project handout...more details to come in class.

And for your viewing pleasure...

Moses Essay & More!

Please Remember the following dates for the Moses Essay Assignment.

1. Rough Draft due Thursday or Friday in class (typed out); peer evaluation due at the end of Class Thursday or Friday (will not be able to do the peer evaluation if you do not have the rough draft.
   
2. Final Copy due Monday in Class; Online copy on RenWeb by 8 am; must include the Assignment Handout, Rough Draft, and Final Draft ALL STAPLED before class

Tentative Upcoming Topics and Dates:
The Ten Commandments (quiz Friday November 6th)
The Law & Typology in the Torah
The Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant
Test over the Exodus and the Law (tentatively) Wednesday November 11th
Joshua and the Judges
Samuel
The Kings of Israel: Saul, David, Solomon
Test over Joshua to Solomon before Thanksgiving Break (essay as well)

Mr. Schreder is looking forward to meeting with parents and parent teacher conferences on Thursday and Friday.

All School Mass on November 1st is GrandSaber Mass; all Grandparents invited-also the Freshman Class is responsible for the mass parts. Fr. Lampitt will need 3 servers and 2 readers (students can earn Extra-Credit!); see Mr. Schreder if interested

Homecoming T-Shirts still need to be picked up; if not picked up this week the cost will go up to $10...

Have a great Halloween week!

Abraham to end of Genesis Test!

Click Here for the Study Guide for the Test on Friday covering Abraham to the end of Genesis. Students will need to download & print or copy down for study topics for the Test on Friday.

Freshman Class Float & Homecoming Reminders:
T-Shirts are $8-please give to Mr. Schreder or Josh Koerner with your money in an envelope with your name on it.

The float teardown/cookout has been cancelled.

The Float Committee is asking for donations to help offset the costs of the float up to $300. Please give any money to Mr. Schreder or Josh Koerner in an envelope with your name on it.

Enjoy Homecoming week!

More Homecoming!

Freshman Homecoming:

Float Building Dates & Times:

Parents are asked to bring Pizza/Snacks/Drinks for the students on Saturday Night's Building Time. Parents are also asked to come with their student to help supervise. Also, the Freshman Class is looking for donations to help pay for the cost of the materials; please give any donations to Mr. Schreder in an envelope with your child's name on it.

Saturday October 2nd 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Sunday October 3rd 1-4 PM

Breakdown/weiner roast date:

Sunday, Oct 10 from 3:00-5:00

Directions to Lee Eichhorst farm:

From STM, get on I-57 North 2 miles. Take the Market Street Exit 240.

Turn Right onto Market Street. Go to bottom of exit ramp.

At the bottom of the ramp, turn Left onto Leverett Road.

Our farm is about 1/2 mile ahead on the right - red barn, yellow house and buildings.

Complete Mapquest directions: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1pn=St+Thomas+Moore+High+School&1c=Champaign&1s=IL&1a=3901+N+Mattis+Ave&1z=61822&1y=US&1l=40.16232&1g=-88.27716&1v=ADDRESS&1id=7891775&2c=Champaign&2s=IL&2a=309+E+Leverett+Rd&2z=61822-9440&2y=US&2l=40.185501&2g=-88.235635&2v=ADDRESS#initPgSt
You can contact Mrs. Molly (Regan's Mom) Kelly @ 217/493-3441 if you have any other questions or Mr. Schreder.
Homecoming T-shirts will be ordered Tuesday September 28th and are $10.

Any other questions concerning homecoming please see Mr. Schreder!

Homecoming & More!!!

Please see the Homecoming Float post for work dates and directions to the work site-the first work date is Sunday September 26th!

Extra-Credit Opportunities:
1. The Lee Roessler Band is coming to St. Matthew's on Sunday September 26th @ 3:30 and will be performing a concert for the area youth groups. Mass and a spaghetti & meatball dinner will follow the concert. Students may receive extra credit by coming to the concert, mass, and the dinner. After the dinner, students will need to sign in w/ Mr. Schreder before they leave to get credit.

2. Pope Benedict XVI will be returning to the Vatican after his Papal Visit to Britain over the weekend. Find a news article from online or print and type a 1 page summary/reflection on the Pope's visit. You need to include the following: what the Pope did in Britain, the purpose of the visit, why the visit was important, etc. Be sure to follow the writing format-these will be due by Friday September 24th and WILL NOT be accepted after the due date.

Hope to see you on Sunday at the concert & Good Luck!

Freshman Class Float

Here is the information concerning Freshman Class Float Building:

Theme: "The Incredibles"

Build Dates:

Sunday, September 26 1:00-3:00

Wednesday, September 29 3:30 – 6:00

Sunday, October 3 2:00 – 5:00

Breakdown/weiner roast date:

Sunday, Oct 10 from 3:00-5:00

Directions to Lee Eichhorst farm :

From STM, get on I-57 North 2 miles. Take the Market Street Exit 240.

Turn Right onto Market Street. Go to bottom of exit ramp.

At the bottom of the ramp, turn Left onto Leverett Road.

Our farm is about 1/2 mile ahead on the right - red barn, yellow house and buildings.

Complete Mapquest directions: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1pn=St+Thomas+Moore+High+School&1c=Champaign&1s=IL&1a=3901+N+Mattis+Ave&1z=61822&1y=US&1l=40.16232&1g=-88.27716&1v=ADDRESS&1id=7891775&2c=Champaign&2s=IL&2a=309+E+Leverett+Rd&2z=61822-9440&2y=US&2l=40.185501&2g=-88.235635&2v=ADDRESS#initPgSt

You can contact Mrs. Molly (Regan's Mom) Kelly @ 217/493-3441 if you have any other questions or Mr. Schreder. Remember to get your T-Shirt ideas to Mr. Schreder on Monday!

Studying for Finals

Here is the definitions for the "Rapid Fire" matching review game that was played during class on Monday (click on "Rapid Fire")!

Narnia Video Guide

Here is a guide for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe that will help students with completing their final essay.

Click Here for the Study Guide

Due Date: Wednesday May 26th: paper copy due before Mr. Schreder leaves, electronic copy by 8 AM!
Early Turn in Date due Tuesday May 26th

Lent is Here!

For those who need a little reminder of what Lent is about and some questions that you may have (thanks to the Texas A&M Catholic Aggies)

LENT FAQ

When Does Lent Start in 2010?

Lent starts on Ash Wed, Feb 17. Easter Sunday is Apr 4.

What is Lent?
Lent is a time when the Catholic Church collectively enters into preparation for the celebration of Easter. Lent originally developed as a forty-day retreat, preparing converts to be baptized at the Easter Vigil. Lent is a season of conversion. Conversion is the process of turning away from sin and turning to God. Lent starts with Ash Wednesday (this excludes Sundays, which are not part of the 40 days) and ends on Holy Thursday, the first day of the Triduum, the three holy days before Easter.

So why aren't Sundays part of Lent?
This is because Sundays are always a day of celebration of Christ's passion and Resurrection, so we celebrate on these days.

Does this mean I can "cheat" on Sundays?
Since Sundays are not part of the penitential season, you do not have to practice signs of penitence on these days. But, there is no reason you can't do them either. If you feel you are "cheating" then it isn't helping! There are some others that believe that Sundays are a part of Lent, but I do not agree with their take. Since the Church has some conflicting information (different documents state different things) I think you should do what you feel is best regarding the Lenten season and Sundays.

Why forty days and not some other number?
Because 40 is a special number in the Bible. It signifies preparation for something special - as in the 40 day flood of Noah.
* Moses stayed on the Mount Sinai forty days (Ex 24:18),
* Jonah gives the people of Ninevah forty days to repent (Jon 3:4) - (there are many other Old Testament stories)
* We also see this with Jesus, before starting his ministry, he spent forty days in the desert in prayer and fasting (Matt 4:2).
So, as in the Bible, we spend forty days in preparing ourselves to rejoice at the Resurrection of our Lord at Easter.

So, what is Ash Wednesday all about?
Ash Wednesday is so named because this first day of Lent is where we are marked with ashes to show the repentance of our sins and mourning. This is also a Biblical sign that we live today. We can see this in several verses.
* One verse is - "I turned to the Lord God, pleading in earnest prayer, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes" (Dan 9:3)
* Other verses include: 1 Sam 4:12, Jon 3:6, Esther 4:1 and Matt 11:20-21
Today, ashes are still this same sign of repentance and mourning for our sins. They also represent our mortality. "I am nothing but dust and ashes" (Gen. 18:27). We started as nothing and our bodies will become dust and ashes after our death. Reminding ourselves that nobody escapes physical death, we look forward to eternal life.

So, why are the ashes made into a cross on the forehead?
Because it is the ancient sign of being marked by Christ in our baptism. We are no longer our own, but Jesus Christ owns us. The book of Revelation tells us that all the elect will be marked by the sign of Christ - "On Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads." (Rev 14:1)

Where do we get the ashes?
They come from burning the palms from last years Palm Sunday Masses.

Who can receive ashes?
Anyone can receive ashes on Ash Wed. While we have communion only for Catholics who are in good standing with the Church, all may receive ashes.

Is Ash Wed a holy day of Obligation?
No. But all Catholics are strongly urged to attend, because it is the start of the Lenten season.

Do we have to fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wed?
Yes. This means that all Catholics from 14 and up are required to abstain from meat and Catholics 18-60 are required to eat only one average meal and two snacks without anything else. Children, the elderly and those who are sick are not obligated to do this.

Why fast?
Again, this is because we are called to by Jesus. By denying ourselves something good, we remember what the highest good of all is - GOD. We also practice self-discipline and self-mastery, which we need in order to achieve holiness. Jesus fasted in the desert and calls us to as well. * "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." (Matt 6: 16) * "and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer." (Luke 2:37)
Fasting also helps focus us in our prayer. *Yet when they were ill, I...humbled myself with fasting.” (Psalm 35:13)

Why abstain from meat?
Because of the spiritual discipline it provides. "In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia . . . 'I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.'" (Dan 10:1-3) We give up meat, which still today is a luxury in some parts of the world, as a good thing that we offer up in order to remember that Christ is better than food.

Why is fish not considered meat?
Because it was the food of the poor who could not afford meat, yet could catch fish to sustain them.

So, what are the other days of fast and abstinence?
Good Friday is a day of fasting and abstinence. All Fridays during Lent are days of abstinence - Friday was the day Christ died.

So, why do people "give up" things during Lent?

While we are not required to “give something up” we are required to do something penitential. Lent is a great time to break a bad habit and give it to the Lord. These sins and vices we should not take back after Lent. It is also a time to give something up that is good during this season. This is why people give up something they enjoy. In doing so we can draw closer to God by our temporary sacrifice. We should find an appropriate balance of giving something up and not completely cutting ourselves off of good things. We will find our need for God if we do it correctly.

What else then IS required during Lent?
The Church asks us to increase our prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is assumed that we are already doing these things and should merely increase them.

Got any suggestions?
First off, pray about what you are going to do for Lent. Ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your spiritual practice of Lent. Then find a few things that you feel called to do. Don't do too much or too little. Stretch yourself, but don't pick things you won't stick to.

MORE LENT QUESTIONS

*What is the Triduum?*When should I break my fast?
*Do I have to abstain from meat on a Friday if I have a party to attend?
*Should I keep the ashes from Ash Wed or wipe them off?
*Do Any drinks violate the Lenten fast?
*How much can I eat when I fast?

LENTEN SUGGESTIONS

Increased Prayer:
*Wake up 20 minutes early and start the day in prayer.
*Daily Mass 1-2 times a week.
*An hr. in Adoration a week.
*Go to Confession.
*Read Scripture daily.
*Go to a Lenten Bible study.
*Read a spiritual book.
*Start to pray a daily Rosary.
*Pray the Liturgy of the hours.
*Pray a Divine Mercy Chaplet.
*Stations of the Cross on Fridays.
*Pray for your enemies.
*Watch The Passion of the Christ and then meditate on Christ’s life.
*Read about the life of a saint.
*Do an extra spiritual activity at Church
*Get involved in your parish if you aren’t already.
*Memorize Scripture verses.
*Check out a book on spirituality from the parish library.

Increased Almsgiving:
*When you fast from a meal, give the money you would spend to the poor.
*Use a coin box from and put all change into it for the poor.
*Volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul or another charitable organization.
*Spend more time with your parents.
*Visit a nursing home.
*Start tithing.
*Make a pledge to a worthy charity.
*Forgive an old grudge.
*Invite someone to Church.
*Share your faith with someone.
*Give someone a Catholic tract or CD.
*Exercise patience and love.
*Speak in a pleasant tone to everyone.
*Look for extra ways to help others.
*Go out of your way to talk to someone who is shy or difficult.
*Offer to watch a mother’s child(ren).
*Drive with love.
*Write a letter to a relative you haven’t seen in a while.

Increased fasting:
The following are good things we can fast from and have back at a later time:
*Fast on bread and water on Fridays.
*Fast from TV.
*Fast from snacking or candy.
*Fast from the radio in your car.
*Fast from ‘facebook’ / internet.
*Fast from caffeine.
*Do not use seasoning on your food.

The following are things we can fast from and continue to give up:
*Fast from alcohol (especially if you drink too much or are not 21.
*Fast from speeding.
*Fast from sarcasm or gossip.
*Fast from pornography.
*Fast from being lazy or lying.
*Fast from not studying / working hard.
*Fast from complaining.
*Fast from some other bad habit.

Extra Credit...counting down the days

Freshman Theology Extra Credit Opportunity (2x a Quarter)
Students must listen to 91.7 WBGL for at least 30 minutes and write (type- be sure to follow the writing format requirements) a summary of the songs they listened to on the radio. While they are listening they need to be "looking" for a few things:

• Who is the DJ at that time?
• Name AT LEAST 3 songs that you heard while listening & and write 3-4 sentence reflection on each of the song-what did you like about it, what was the message of the song, what impact did it have on you?
  
• Compare the music or the songs that you listened to on WBGL to some of the music you are used to listening to on other radio stations-what were some differences and similarities
  
• Would you listen to 91.7 more often now and why?

Students can do this up to TWO times a quarter! If there are any questions please let Mr. Schreder know-enjoy your listening!

BONUS: What Band is in the picture???

Only 29 School days left until Spring Break!!!