ABJ Scots Week at a Glance (SWAG)
October 26 - 30, 2026
Gospel Reading
Matthew 22:34-40
The Pharisees continue to test Jesus with a question about the greatest commandment.
Background on the Gospel Reading
This week’s Gospel follows close behind the Gospel read last Sunday. It is the last of three questions put to Jesus by Jewish religious leaders who are trying to trick him into saying something that might get him arrested. This reminds us that the context for today’s reading is the mounting tension between Jesus and the religious leaders in Jerusalem.
The Herodians and the Pharisees asked the first question, which was about taxes. The Sadducees asked the second question, which was about the Resurrection (see Matthew 22:22-33). The third question, considered in today’s Gospel, is asked by a Pharisee who asks Jesus about the greatest of the commandments.
The question requires Jesus to interpret the Law of Moses. The Mosaic Law consists of the Ten Commandments and many additional rules, numbering over six hundred. Adherence to the Mosaic Law, for a devout Jew, is an expression of faithfulness to God’s covenant with Israel. The ranking of the Commandments was regularly debated among the teachers of the Law.
Jesus answers the Pharisees’ question with a two-fold summary. Jesus says that all of the commandments can be summarized in two commandments: love God and love your neighbor. Both of these were central elements of the religious tradition Jesus learned from his Jewish community. Indeed these continue to be central aspects of contemporary Jewish religious understanding. Jesus’ response to his questioners proposed an integral connection between these two aspects of the Jewish Law. Love of God finds its expression in our love for our neighbor.
What's Happening This Week:
Please see the athletics calendar above for all practice information.
Monday, October 26
- Day A
- *Seniors Night - VB* Sr. girls 5pm vs. St. FX; Sr. boys 6:30 vs. Trinity
Tuesday, October 27
- Day B
- UpLift Prayer Group 8:30am Chapel
- UBC Information session - block 3
- *home game* Jr. girls VB 5pm; Jr. boys VB 6:30pm vs. Dr. Anne A
- Gr. 9 girls and boys VB 3:30pm vs. Ardrossan
- Day A
- 3 way conference bookings open @ 8am (https://www.schoolinterviews.ca/ du4p8)
- Early Dismissal 2:15pm
- Math 20-1 Tutoring 2:30 - 3:30 Rm 146
- Jostens Rings at lunch
- NAIL Improv 7pm BUY TIX HERE
- Sr. Girls VB 6:30pm vs Edmonton Christian
- Sr. Boys VB 5pm vs. Father Michael
- Jr. Football (Semifinal) 7:30 @ Jasper Place Bowl Vs. Scona Lords
- Day B
- Jostens Rings at lunch
- Sr Football - Semifinals - 7:30pm @ Larry Olexiuk field vs. Paul Kane
- Jr. Boys VB 5pm vs. O’Leary
- Jr. Girls VB 6:30 vs. SACHS
Friday, October 30
- Day A
- Open Gym BBall 3:15 - 5:45pm
- Halloween Costume Competition @ lunch
UPCOMING EVENTS!
Nov. 4/5 - 3 Way Conferences
Nov. 6 - Remembrance Day Service - 10:30 in the gym ALL ARE WELCOME
Nov. 9 - 13 Fall Break
Organization of the SWAG
The newsletter is organized based on our four school assurance priorities for this year:
- Faith Integration
- Learners and Learning
- Systemic Wellness
- Operational Stewardship
Faith Integration
ABJ Faith in October
October is a month dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, and this year Pope Leo XIV has given it a special urgency. Speaking at Lourdes on 27 September, where Our Lady appeared to St Bernadette holding a rosary, the Holy Father invited every Catholic and every Christian community to pray the Rosary throughout October for an end to war and for peace among peoples in conflict.
It’s a fitting call from a Pope choosing to walk in the footsteps of Pope Leo XIII, who first dedicated October to the Rosary in 1884. Whether you pray alone, with your family or with your parish, why not take up the Holy Father’s invitation this month?
This month, we celebrate the feast days of many notable saints including St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Oct. 1), St. Carlo Acutis (Oct. 12), St. Theresa of Avila (Oct. 15), St. Luke (Oct 18), St. John Paul II (Oct. 22), and many others! October also brings along thanksgiving weekend, a time to gather together with our families and friends, in gratitude for our many blessings.
How can we pray and reflect this October?
Gratitude: What are you and your family most thankful for this season?
Peace: How can you bring peace and kindness into your community this week?
Prayer: Consider setting aside a few quiet minutes to pray a Hail Mary, a decade, or a whole Rosary.
For more information about the Rosary, watch this video by Fr. Mike Schmitz: Where Does the Rosary Come From?
Learners & Learning
Grade level administrators
For any questions or concerns related to your child, please contact their specific grade level administrator:
Grade 9 - Nadine Diogenes nadined@eics.ab.ca
Grade 10 - Daniel Holden daniel.holden@eics.ab.ca
Grade 11 - Dustin Malony dustinm@eics.ab.ca
Grade 12 - Nicole Baker nicole.baker@eics.ab.ca
Need a Tutor?
Looking for a TUTOR to start off the year on the right foot academically?
Check out the ABJ Tutor List attached below.
Grade Level Google Classrooms
Students are encouraged to join their specific grade level Google Classroom. Please enter the following code to join:
Grade 9 = qjff4u4n
Grade 10 = gzmsg7yn
Grade 11 = j7ymiqr6
Grade 12 = bhaqmz3o
The SET (Science, Engineering and Technology) Conference
The SET (Science, Engineering and Technology) Conference is a chance for students to learn what education and career in SET is all about. It is a fun interactive day that shows young women in Grades 10 through 12 that there is more to science than medicine, more to engineering than building bridges, and more to technology than sitting behind a computer screen.
WISEST invites YOU to attend the 2026 SET Conference Sunday November 21, 2026 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the University of Alberta (sign in begins at 8:30 am). Online registration is NOW OPEN!
Students will take part in hands-on lab activities led by university students, researchers and industry professionals, and will meet role models working in Science, engineering and technology who share their educational and career experiences.
Click HERE for more conference and registration details, access to the online registration form and links to downloadable forms.
Cost is $80 per student including lunch or $65 without lunch. Deadline to register is October 30th at 11:59 pm MDT!
Gr. 12 and Post Secondary Information
A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR ALBERTA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
The Scholarship Essay Playbook
Less is more. Make every word count.
A focused guide to writing scholarship essays that help selection committees see your strengths, character,potential, and fit.
The goal: Don't try to sound like the perfect student. Show, with specific evidence, why you are a strong candidate for this particular award.
Guide linked HERE!
OCTOBER SCHOLARSHIPS!
Looking for some scholarships to apply to! I have compiled a OVER 100 Scholarships available for you to consider to apply for! Check them out HERE!
See Mrs. Glass if you have any questions!
UBC at ABJ!
On Tuesday October 27th, a recruiter from UBC will be coming to ABJ to run an information session for those that have interest in attending UBC or their Okanagan Campus, UBCO.
It will take place in the Library Learning Commons
during Block 3 from 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm.
Learn all about their campuses, their programs, their admissions! See if the UBC might be the right place for you!
Please sign up HERE to attend. Mrs. Glass will communicate with your teachers that you will be in attendance!
DISCOVERY DAY AT THE U OF A!
Registration for this year’s Canadian Medical Hall of Fame’s Discovery Day in Health Sciences, hosted by the University of Alberta on Friday, November 20th 2026 is now open.
Initially we were only able to register four students and those spaces have been filled.
However, if you were not able to secure a spot, on October 28th at noon, the limit per school will be adjusted to 25 students and you will be able to register until November 13th or when all spots have been taken.
For a successful registration, please read thoroughly:
To register on October 28th, click on this link.
During registration:
- Make sure that for the Question: “Is the above named a teacher/counsellor?” the answer is NO. If the answer they submit is YES, the student will NOT BE REGISTERED as the system does not count it as a valid registration.
- Your students will need to upload a previously completed and signed copy of a CONSENT FORM and will have to select a morning workshop and an afternoon workshop from the WORKSHOP CATALOGUE (only workshops with available spots will be shown in the list.
See Mrs. Glass if you have any questions!
Systemic Wellness
A huge shoutout to our Broadcasting class who walked to a local seniors facility to help the residents with their technology!
Upcoming Events!
Cafeteria Menu
MONDAY
Assorted Pizza
BREAKFAST SANDWICH
HASHBROWNS
Deep fried pickles
TUESDAY
CHEESE TORTELLINS WITH ALFREFDO SAUCE
GRILLED CHEESE
CRISPY CHICKEN BACON RANCH WRAP
WEDNESDAY
TACO IN A BAG
CHICKEN FINGERS AND FRIES
CHICKEN QUESADILLA
THURSDAY
BEEF BURGER
CRISPY CHICKEN BURGER
ONION RINGS
FRIDAY
FRENCH FRIES
POUTINE
GRILLED HOT DOG