Ringing in the Christmas Spirit

December Newsletter 2023

Reflections

Dear Mater Dei Community,

As we end this calendar year, we are reminded of the journey we have been on this year at Mater Dei. Starting anew, finding the new normal and adjusting to the daily routine. We have been beyond blessed to find our new location and are so grateful to all who have been instrumental in the successes so far. We are nearing the end of our first semester in our new location and are looking forward to continued growth and success for our apostolate.

As we round out the calendar year, we would like to express our deep gratitude for your contributions to Mater Dei Apostolate. We have had two fundraising events so far for Mater Dei this school year, both of which have been very beneficial for our Apostolate, and we deeply appreciate your continued support of MDA! Without your contribution and support for Mater Dei, we wouldn't be able to offer affordable, authentically Catholic education at the high school level. Thank you for your support, donations, and prayers! We are wishing you a happy, healthy, and blessed New Year!

Heavenly Father, as the world hustles, grant us a prayerful pause to reflect on the blessings of Christmas. Amid festivities, help us recognize the true gifts—love, family, and the presence of Christ. May our reflections deepen our gratitude for the abundant blessings You bestow upon us.

++

Ad Jesum Per Mariam

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

Gaudete Spirit Week

During the final week before Christmas break, the students were able to participate in a fun tradition that we have coined Gaudete Spirit Week. The students participated in cozy sock day, pink day, Christmas headwear day as well as an ugly Christmas sweater day! It was fun to see the creativity from the students during these days!

Ringing in the Christmas Spirit

Since our start in 2019, Mater Dei has implemented a monthly service project. This gives students the opportunity to engage with and support the community, as well as grow in the practice of corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

In December, we continued this trend. Students spent some time at a few businesses in the Cloquet area, ringing bells and raising money for the Salvation Army. Some students even dressed up in costumes, which merited many smiles from passers-by.

From the Faculty Lounge

One question that is asked frequently about Mater Dei Apostolate is how does our model differ from other homeschool co-op models. Here is a brief explanation:

“Our hybrid high school is a homeschool co-op with conventional features. We offer high school courses "a la carte" for homeschoolers. Students may register for just one or two courses to supplement their own curriculum/coursework at home, or they may register for everything we offer for a more conventional, university-style experience.

All students at Mater Dei benefit from the Christ-centered peer community that is cultivated through Mass and the sacraments, monthly service projects, spiritual retreats and pilgrimages, and student events. The environment at Mater Dei reinforces the values and morals of the Christian home. Our role is to bring students together in an authentically Catholic environment to learn from qualified educators. Beyond that, we honor the role of parents as primary educators of their children. Our hybrid model serves to strengthen parents and the family unit under the principle of subsidiarity, as articulated by Pope Pius XI in Quadragesimo Anno, 79.”

Looking to the Future

Looking ahead to the next few months, Mater Dei has several exciting events coming up, including Catholic Schools Week, the monthly service project, and an open house for new families who are interested in joining Mater Dei Apostolate. Keep an eye out for more information!