Alex Qitsualik (back), and Leslie Rocher, light the Advent candles on the Advent wreath. - Chris Puglia/NNSL photo

In the third week of Advent, the Catholic school is focusing on the religious and spiritual nature of the Christmas season.

"It's so important this busy time of year to open our hearts and prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ," said assistant principal Dan Curtis.

To mark the third week of Advent the school held a ceremony in the gym where the third candle of the Advent wreath was lit and the Jesse Tree was decorated.

The ceremony also paid tribute to the many things Weledeh has been doing over the Advent calendar.

The students expressed their personal charity with Christmas boxes that were placed in each classroom.

Students brought in contributions to help the Salvation Army fill Christmas hampers. The donations included toys, food and clothing.

The second initiative was a hat and mitt drive.

Pat Weir, a community councillor at the school, said the drive went to help provide warm clothing to children in need.

"We had a really good response. One of the teachers from Newfoundland told her parents about it and a bunch of ladies from Newfoundland made hats and sent them to us," said Weir.

Many of the hats were passed around to students who needed them and the remainder will go to either the Salvation Army or to St. Patrick's parish flea market.

The elementary students did their part by paying a visit to residents at Aven Manor.

The students visited with seniors and presented home-made Christmas cards and cookies.

As well, the students sang carols and decorated the Jesse Tree, whose origins date back 4,000 years and is found in the Old Testament.

The staff had a chance to do their part, too, through the 20 gifts for 20 kids initiative.

"The school identified kids who would benefit from one more gift under the tree," said Witty.

"So, we made up an anonymous list so the staff could choose a girl or a boy and what age."

The gifts were to be delivered to the families today.

Witty send the staff really got into the program and she is hoping it will become an annual event.

Advent is a four-week Christian ritual beginning on the Sunday closest to Nov. 30, which marks the feast of St. Andrew.