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The Year of Faith is about connecting our life in ACE to a gospel story and discovering more about our life and our commitment to follow Jesus. This may seem like a challenge, but by reflecting on our experiences, we will discover God at work in our lives. Ask yourself, where is God in my life?

This is a time of hope that comes during Advent. We may be looking forward to Christmas. This is what we want to think, but our reality might be that we just want to be home with family for much-needed relaxation.

At this point in the semester, teachers are exhausted and can hardly wait to have some time off. You might be worn out—counting the days, like your students, until Christmas break. These are not the days when you are waking up in the morning and saying to your community members, or yourself, "I can hardly wait to get to school and teach. I have so much passion and enthusiasm." If, instead, you are feeling worn out, that is normal. When we put our whole heart and soul into something like teaching or ministry, it can be natural to feel tired, to need a rest.

Reflecting on this, I thought of Mark 12: 41 – 44 and Luke 21: 1 – 4. Mark's account was read at Mass on the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, and Luke's was read on the Monday of the last week in Ordinary Time. It is the story of the poor widow who puts two small coins in the Treasury. Jesus says: "I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them, for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she has to live on."

The widow gave out of her poverty. She responded to God's love by giving the only thing she had. She gave the gift of herself. I would suggest that your feelings as the semester winds down are leading you into your poverty.

It is important to see that, when we give of ourselves, we become connected to Christ. We are called to give—no matter how much we have. When we give of ourselves, we are giving an amazing gift of love to our community members and our students. Remember, during these days, because we are worn out, we are operating out of our poverty. We have the opportunity to give Christ's love. And that is the best gift that we can give.

During this season of giving, if you give from your poverty, you will give the love of Christ from the depth of your heart.

Have a restful, relaxing and blessed Christmas.

RedefinED, a respected online source of education reform insights, has published a story based on a visit to St. Joseph Catholic School in Tampa, one of the two Notre Dame ACE Academies schools in the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

The report offers an up-close look at life in the school, reflecting its focus on academic excellence and strong Catholic identity--keys to its partnership with the University of Notre Dame through this distinctive model from Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) for transforming inner-city schools.

RedefinED is published by a nonprofit organization in Florida, Step Up For Students, that administers a tax-credit scholarship program serving 35,000 low-income children.

John Schoenig, director of the Program for K-12 Educational Access at Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education, talked to a nationwide radio audience about progress and challenges in the spread of school choice policies around the nation. He was interviewed by host Brian Patrick on the Son Rise Morning Show on Dec. 5, 2012, heard on more than 180 stations in the EWTN Global Radio Network and also heard on SiriusXM Radio and the iHeartRadio mobile app.

Schoenig pointed to increasing bipartisan support for parental choice, or school choice—the idea that all families, including the disadvantaged, should be able to choose schools they believe will give their children the best education. But the enactment of parental choice policies in various states never happens without a tough political battle. Schoenig also commented that Catholic schools, which offer an advantage over local public schools for many disadvantaged children, need to approach with prudence the implementation of policies and practices that arise when a state or local government enacts parental choice. (Run time of interview: approximately 7 minutes)

"From being an adult leader on Arbishop Carroll's first Kairos retreat to helping with the incredible food drive we put on, I have seen firsthand how these experiences help form our students. Students learn how to reach outside of themselves and gain an understanding of how their actions have the power to enhance the lives of others."

The math teacher got down to business at Archbishop Carroll High School, focusing not on her own sense of comfort but on her students' ability to succeed and to serve. Alyssa Bellinder, former track star from Kansas State University, chose displacement from her undergraduate experience to teach and to support young minds in her classroom in Washington, D.C.

"I believe in my students," Alyssa continues. "I tell them, 'I believe you can succeed. But the choice is up to you.' My goal is to provide them with an experience in which they can watch hard work and determination pay off with success. Students need to see the critical role that their effort plays in their accomplishments now and in the future."

Since graduating from ACE in 2013, Alyssa has continued teaching in Catholic schools, and is now teaching Geometry and Honors Geometry at Bishop Machebeuf High School in Denver, CO. She continues her commitment to service in her classroom.

"I've always wanted to be a teacher," she explains. "I have discovered that my life is not about me. It is about God and how I can serve him through my work as a teacher."

To read about Alyssa's community in Washington, DC, click here. To learn more about ACE Teaching Fellows, click here.