All Souls Catholic School

Newsletter - March 1st 2018

Number 14

REFLECTION

Sunday's Gospel provides a reveling contrast between the ways of God and the ways of human beings. Jesus enters Jerusalem and immediately enters the temple. He stops at the outer area of the temple, where the practical side of temple "business" took place. In this area, animals used for sacrifice were sold, and moneychangers provided local coins in exchange for foreign currency so that temple taxes could be paid. On one hand, it seems that this buying, selling, and exchanging was necessary for the continuation of the temple worship and sacrifice. But as we will see, Jesus clearly does not accept this! Instead he immediately takes charge of his "Father's house," defending it as a place of worship and divine presence rather than a "marketplace."

We may be surprised to read the descriptive details and the passion with which Jesus acts in John's account. John writes that Jesus "made a whip out of cords"! (When was the last time your mental picture of Jesus included him holding a whip?) A slow, reflective reading of the text allows us to imagine ourselves there, to see Jesus overturning tables, dumping thousands of coins on the ground, using this improvised whip to physically remove sellers, money changers, and animals from the temple grounds.

Jesus is challenged by some of those gathered in the Temple, who ask him, "What sign can you show us for doing this?" (In other words, "What sign can you show us that proves you have a right to do this?") In response Jesus delivers a somewhat mysterious prophecy: "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." Although Jesus' audience does not understand (they interpret his words literally), John tell his readers quite plainly: "He was speaking about the temple of his body." John then tells us that although many began to believe in Jesus during that time, Jesus "would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well." What a fascinating commentary John provides here! Human beings, who in Jesus' view were abusing the Temple, would also abuse the very body of Jesus as time went by. The true Temple - where human beings and God meet - is Jesus himself.

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Re Enrollment

Today begins the re enrollment process for the 2018-2019 school year. To assist with the process please pay attention to the deadlines. We do have some families on waiting lists and to be fair to them we need to have all current families enrolled. One of the criteria for starting school next school year is that all financials are current for the school year. Thank you for your attention to this.

I am please to announce that we have a waiting list for Kindergarten. Students at the school are very happy and are receiving a quality education under the wonderful staff we have here at the school.

Molloy's Fun Night

On Saturday March 10th our School Board is holding a fun adult night at Molloys Tavern on Mission Road. I would encourage as many families as possible to attend this event and have fun.. In previous years it has been a successful evening. This year we have some wonderful homeroom baskets for auction. You can see more information on the attached flyer.

Academic Decathlon

Our 8th graders will be competing in the Academic Decathlon on Saturday, March 3rd at St. Pius School in Redwood City. I wish the team all the best on this day.

School Safety

I wish to advise you that when exiting the school grounds in your car and as you approach Walnut Street to turn right, it is important to STOP at the edge of the building. Very often people are walking up from Grand Ave. and are not aware that cars are exiting from the school ground. We do not wish to have anyone hurt. The council will eventually place a stop sign here.

A Message for the Archdiocese regarding School Safety in Light of Recent Shooting

"Undoubtedly the Florida school shooting has shaken your school community as much as it has the rest of the country. Schools and student groups across the country are organizing various events in response to Florida’s and countless other similar tragedies. DCS does not condone politicizing any of these upcoming demonstrations, but is in full support of your school holding age appropriate assemblies that center on prayer and a call to action. On March 14, school’s across the country are planning on participating in a 17 minute walkout as a sign of solidarity with the students of Stoneman Douglas High School. Catholic schools are built on strong communities. It is important during events like these that we demonstrate the strength of our school communities by joining together in prayer and follow it up with a call to action.

The Archdiocese of San Francisco does not support any plans for armed security guards or teachers. Open communication with law enforcement and first responders, regular training and updating of emergency preparedness plans, heightened vigilance, and true care in educating the whole person are positive pathways for schools."

As a school community we are working with our students to focus students' attention on dealing with conflict in a peaceful way and that there are always adults to talk to when there may be stressors in a person's life.

Congratulations

I wish all our students who will be in the upcoming basketball championship games all the best over the next two weeks. Thanks to the Athletic Board and coaches for all you do for the students.

God Bless,

Vincent Riener

Principal