First Communion Gifts

The fifth graders, led by Wendy Linehan, made about 400 rosaries this spring to give to local First Communicants. Indeed many St. Gabriel's families belong to these neighboring parish churches. In the spirit of community we extend our wish for God's blessings on all of these young ones as they make their First Communion. The kids enjoyed making these small tokens. Annie Pierce, Lisa Parrish, Lisa Nosek and Carrie Brown sealed them with cards and took charge of distribution.

St. Gabriel's Proud of its Eagle Scout Grads

Over the past 3 years seven St. Gabriel's alumni have achieved the Eagle rank with the Boy Scouts of America. Achieving this rank is a great honor and the culmination of many years of hard work, as many scouts know. Only 5% of Boy Scouts make it this far, so we're particularly proud of these young men. They are Judson East, Joseph Jarke, Shawn Maloney and Andrew Reua (2007); Micheal Mitchell, Justin McCathy and Thomas Knox (2005). Congratulations!

Brandin' a Cause, Ropin' a Cure

Linda and Frank Ginac have been busier than usual this year. These very involved and active St. Gabriel's parents are chairing one of Austin's premier fund raisers this spring. The Cattle Barons' Ball will take place at the TDS Exotic Ranch on May 31, all proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society. This gala event promises to be the most lucrative yet, with this powerhouse couple at the helm.

Valentines for the troops

Many groups do a service project of some sort in December to celebrate the Christmas season. This year the fourth grade Girl Scout troop 1953 spent its December meeting making fabric Valentine postcards for our US troops in Iraq. They embellished them with ribbons, buttons, and other pretty odds and ends and will send them in January to a friend's grandson who will distribute them to other soldiers there. As you can see by their smiles, the girls had a jolly time making them and hope they will bring smiles overseas.

Merry Christmas!

A wee angel stands atop a first grader's nativity scene in the lobby of St. Gabriel's school. We celebrate the birth of our Saviour.

First Annual Giving Tree

Casa Angelina Orphanage in Guatemala is the object of this first year's giving tree. this orphanage was brought to our attention through mission work by a graduate of St. Gabriel's and St. Michael's, Rikki Dautel. The following is a touching quote from Rikki's bio: "Attending these shcools provided me with a great opportunity to learn about out wonderful Lord and his love for ALL his children. One specific bible verse from the book of James has always jumped out at me: 'Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look out for orphans.' James 1:27"

Fifty families provided gifts for all of the orphans here, giving these kids and our st. Gabriel's families a more meaningful Christmas this year.

Saradets Serenade Students

The week before school let out for Christmas break, students entered the building to the lovely music of Shelby, 6th grade, and Kyle, 8th grade. The Saradet siblings played Christmas carols for about a half and hour before school began one morning, putting all of us present in the spirit. Most kids stopped and listened for a while before heading up to their classrooms. What a nice way to start the day!

"Holy cow!"

(A note from Martin Wiggins...)

The generosity of St. Gabriel's families continues to be overwhelming and particularly at this time of year.
We rang the bell on coat collections this year outdoing any other single year since we began the drive in 2000.
Three hundred and eighty children will be warmer this winter thanks to your loving support of this campaign.

This was also a contest for the class with the most coats and our three divisional winners of cookie cakes are:

Pre-K thru Second……………………….Kindergarten
Third thru Fifth………………………….Third
Sixth thru Eighth………………………...Seventh

Student Council will get together with the winning teachers and the classes will get their cookie cakes sometime after the new year.

And a very special thank-you to Andrea Burrell (grade 8) for hauling these to Jack Brown each day!

Thanks Tons!

Halloween Treats for the Streets

Our kids donated many bags of their Halloween candy to Mobile Loaves and Fishes again this year. The local charity will distribute this candy throughout the next year in bag lunches. On top of a balanced meal these added sweets are always appreciated MLF and their recipients.

Middle School Dances for Diapers

They're at it again...Friday Sept. 7th was the first back to school dance and the kids got their grooves on while helping out the Gabriel Project of Austin. They brought diapers and other baby supplies to help stock the Austin Diocese group. Their thoughtfulness helps fund and support unwed mothers in crisis. Thanks, middle schoolers!