Our Spiritual Theme
Our Spiritual Theme: We Walk by Faith
March Focus: We Walk by Faith... in Piety
Spiritual Reflection by Miss Sheila O'Callaghan
We are about to begin Lent, so let us accept it with gladness. It is the longest season of the Liturgical Year of the Church. It is seven weeks long, but it will end on Thursday of Holy Week with the story of the Last Supper.
Lent has many traditions. For example, we put away the lively song of “alleluia”. When we sing it again, it will be Easter. We also put away parties, decorations and flowers. During Lent everything is made simple and serious so that we can prepare for Easter.
March 2, is the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time. However, we have a few saints to celebrate before Ash Wednesday, March 5.
On Monday, March 3, we remember St. Katharine Drexel, Virgin, a woman of Philadelphia. She began an order of sisters to open schools for African Americans and Native American children. She gave her life and fortune to this work.
St. Casimir is remembered on March 4. He was a fifteenth century prince of both Poland and Lithuania. His tax reform and programs for the poor made him popular with some people, but others hated him. On St. Casimir Day some parishes celebrate with Polish and Lithuanian songs and foods.
On Friday, March 7, we remember Sts. Perpetua and Felicity. In the year 303, they were arrested for being Christians along with members of their families. They were taken into a sports arena. They were killed. Their story was written down. It is one of the oldest stories of our early saints.
Saturday, March 8, is the memorial of Saint John of God. John ran away from home at the age of eight and joined the army. Later John became a shepherd and then a bookseller. John finally gave his life to supporting and caring for the sick who were homeless. The life of Saint John of God is unusual. Remember that Jesus calls everyone. Jesus has a work of love for each of us.
Do not forget to Walk by Faith. Seize every occasion to do a work of love.
Pray for Pope Francis, he is very ill.
Please pray for the sick, especially Fr. Mink, Mrs. Miriam Harris, Oliver Conaty, and all the sick of our parish. Please continue to pray for Maureen Engelbert and the Straight family. Pray also pray for our Armed Forces and First Responders.
Catholic Relief Services - Rice Bowl Challenge
Fifty years ago, Catholics in Allentown, Pennsylvania, organized to bring help to families facing famine in Africa. That help came in the form of a small cardboard box, marking the beginning of “Operation Rice Bowl.” This year, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) celebrates the 50th anniversary of the CRS Rice Bowl. This program is a tradition for millions of Catholics in the United States who continue to answer the Gospel call, supporting families experiencing hunger around the world.
SAS students are invited to contribute to their classroom rice bowls this Lent. This is an optional donation, with cash and coin accepted. Each week, the rice bowl contributions will be counted, and for every $10 contributed to the classroom rice bowl, that class will earn a raffle ticket. When the school returns from the Easter holiday, one raffle ticket will be drawn to win a special classroom party.
Thank you in advance, students of SAS!
You can learn more about CRS and the work they do around the world here: https://www.crsricebowl.org/.
Spring Festival is Almost Here!
Calling ALL Parents: We need your help for spring raffle baskets!
We are asking for one parent volunteer from each class (PreK 3-8th grade) to oversee the creation of two baskets.
Requirements for the baskets:
Each basket must have a theme.
Volunteers must submit the basket inventory on the Google Sheet linked below.
Baskets must be wrapped in cellophane to keep all items securely inside!
If you would like to volunteer to be the parent volunteer in charge of a grade's baskets, please sign up via Google Sheet (or email Pam - contact is below). We ask for parents to sign up by Monday, March 10 so there is enough time to collect funds or supplies to put the baskets together.
Pam Koenig will be the chairperson for the baskets this year! Please direct all questions to her at pam_koenig@comcast.net.
We truly appreciate your time, creativity, and generosity.
