Holy Thursday, April 1, 2021 | Good Friday, April 2, 2021 | Holy Saturday, April 3, 2021

"You will live in the land I gave your ancestors;
you will be my people, and I will be your God."
Ezekiel 36:28

Communication is a two-way street, and there is often a difference between what is said and what is heard. For example, we have heard often that people who are COVID-19 positive should isolate, and that those in the same household should quarantine. Yet, we saw countless times people mask-less and in close proximity, going for a walk in a busy park. A child is told they may choose one stuffed animal for bed and end up surrounded by four different teddy bears instead. God promises to make a great nation of Abraham's children, but is unclear on what kind of great – powerful, mighty, culturally, in character and policy?

Despite the foretelling, despite the prophets relaying God's message, everyone is surprised by the events of the Triduum – Jesus's passion and death. According to their expectation, it wasn't supposed to happen this way. Judas and the other Zealots believed a warrior was to come to finally establish a mighty temporal kingdom. Jesus was not a warrior. His kingdom not of this world. The religious elite believed that a holy man was to come to live in the ways of the Mosaic Laws. Careful to follow the law, Jesus did not let it keep him from loving people, healing and including all. Every group expected a savior in their own likeness and image and because of this, they were all caught unaware.

In the collection of essays Bird by Bird, writer Anne Lamott recounts something a priest friend once told her, "You can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do." Instead of considering how others are made in God's image, we comfort ourselves with a god made in our own image. A god who loves who we love, believes what we believe, values what we seek, and condemns those we condemn.

The king of kings was born into poverty and humility. The Son of God was flesh and blood. The holy man was unorthodox. The revolutionary was a pacifist. The sacrifice was not in the Holy of Holies, but instead, in the most shameful and painful of deaths. A criminal's death. Like so many who would come after them, the Jews struggled to reconcile the Messiah with the man who would be Reconciliation.

The question of these Triduum days is, are we willing to follow Christ when we have no roadmap, no indication of a hopeful ending? Can we hear him on Holy Thursday when he asks to wash our feet? Do we hear him when he writes his story on cardboard and holds it up for us at an intersection? Can we follow him on Good Friday and believe in him hanging half dead between murderers and thieves? Can we serve him in our advocacy for those condemned to death today? Can we believe in him, remember his message as the stone gets rolled into place? These days, we are being asked – how deep is your hope? (Catholic health Association of America)

As we celebrate Holy Week, our minds are focused on the last days of Jesus' life. Holy week is when we remember the agony that Jesus went through to save His people – Us. During these days I hope you will get the opportunity to attend as a family Triduum services culminating with the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. Here are the parish times of services:

01 April Holy Thursday 5:15 pm Mass of the Lord's Supper in English, Institution of the Eucharist, Adoration 7:00 pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper in Spanish

02 April Good Friday Celebration of the Passion of Our Lord 2:30 pm: Station of the Cross in English 3:00 pm: Passion of our Lord in English 6:30 pm Via Crucis in Spanish 7:00 pm: Pasión de Jesucristo in Spanish

03 April Holy Saturday 5:15 pm Easter Vigil Mass in English 7:00 pm Easter Vigil Mass in Spanish

04 April EASTER Sunday 7:30 am; 9 am; 10:30 am; and 12pm in Spanish There will not be a mass at 5:15 pm

Update on Mitigation Plan

I wish to remind everyone that San Mateo County Health has not changed any policies regarding the return to school documents especially in the area of social distancing of 6 feet and travel policy. Please be aware of the travel policy as it has not changed since we initiated the mitigation plan. That means if traveling beyond 120 miles from home, students will need to quarantine for 14 days upon return.

Thank you for your patience during these times. We are all aware with vaccinations occurring we should not be letting our guard down.

Family Agreement 2021-2022

A reminder to everyone, that if you have not completed the re-enrollment procedures, we ask that you do so as soon as possible. You need to log into SchoolSpeak to complete the process. Thank you for your cooperation.

Student Council Newsletter

I am very happy to release the 2nd Trimester Student Council Newsletter. I believe the student council members have done a wonderful job under the leadership of the Editor, Emma Morgan. Congratulations. The newsletter link is attached to this newsletter.

Fun Run

We will be holding the Fun Run for the students this May. It will run differently as compared to previous years, but I am assured it will be a fun time for all students, whether in person or Distance Learning. I would ask that you all obtain many sponsors this year as our goal is $60,000 for the new blinds which will be installed in all classrooms once the window project is completed. More information to come from the Fun Run organizers. See flyer in the newsletter.

Social Security Scam

The school phone number has been targeted by scammers to reach out to people to hand over money. We are receiving a number of calls across the county thinking we are social security contacting them. We have reported this issue to the local law enforcement authority and also to the Social Security Fraud division. It is unfortunate there are people out there conducting such scams especially targeting elderly people.

Vending Machine

We have installed a healthy products vending machine. It will be available to students after Easter. There are healthy drinks and snacks available for purchase. It will accept cash, credit cards, and Apple Pay.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Easter for 2021. From darkness comes light!!!

God Bless,

Vincent Riener

Principal

Dear All Souls Families,

You can now pay and add credit to your child/children's cafeteria account through SchoolSpeak. Your payment will be processed through PayPal with a 3% convenience fee for all transactions.

Sign-in to your SchoolSpeak account and select "Lunch Order" in the quick links menu on the left. The "Pay" tab will direct you to your payment options. You may pay the cafeteria balance through your existing PayPal account or as a guest using your credit or debit card. You may also add credit to your child/children's cafeteria account. If you wish, you may still make cash or check payments to the school office.

Please note, for the families that have a credit card on file I will no longer be charging your credit card for lunch payments. You are responsible for paying and adding credit to your cafeteria account.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Regards,

Ms. Escobar

1- Prayer Service - 11:30am

2- Good Friday - Holiday

4- Easter Sunday

5-9- Easter Vacation

12- School Resumes

17- First Reconciliation - 9am

19- Staff Dev. Mtg. - 12:20 Dismissal

20- School Assembly - 2:30pm

20- School Board Mtg. - 6:30pm

22 -Agape - 2pm

24 -First Holy Eucharist - 10am

Please check with all providers regarding current summer program dates, times,

and other important information.