Through our observance of Lent we correct our faults and raise our minds to God.
Ash Wednesday Liturgy
On February 21st the school celebrated the beginning of the season of Lent with our Ash Wednesday liturgy. Once again we were blessed with the presence of Deacon Rick and Father Titus of Our Lady of Divine Love in Pendleton. They shared their love for the students and provided a good understanding of the purpose of Ash Wednesday in our Catholic tradition. We are also very thankful to Mr. K. MacDonald’s class who led all of the readings for this celebration. Thank you to everyone who participated in the setting up and cleaning up. These celebrations could not happen without the cooperation of the entire staff and student body.
Reconciliation
This year we will offer reconciliation opportunities to the students on March 28th. Confessions will be heard by Fr. Marcel Leger and Fr. Darryl Kennedy. These priests will spend the morning with us and all students will be given the opportunity to receive this sacrament. Below you will find listed a basic understanding of this Catholic tradition and we encourage you to discuss this with your young adult.
Karl Menninger, a psychiatrist, wrote a book titled Whatever Became of Sin? In it he said that people worry about crime, violence, terrorism, war, cheating, unethical conduct, and a host of other problems, but still avoid talk of sin. Yet sin exists and should be spelled “s-I-n,” for it means that I set myself and my choices against those of God and others. Sin is pride and self-centeredness and is a part of all of us. We can strive to improve our need to be self-centered by relying on God’s grace to overcome sinful habits
In our faith tradition we experience the sacrament of confession with a priest. Often times teenagers will say, “Why must I confess my sins to another human being? Why can’t I confess them directly to God?” We can and should confess directly to God as soon as we are aware that we have committed any sin, large or small. But confession with a person sworn to secrecy is good for the soul. Psychiatry and psychology depend on the old art of listening to problems, which often include guilt. Guilt can eat away at people, causing physical and emotional ills, but when it is brought to the surface, healing begins. The gift of reconciliation is the forgiveness we need to begin our works of healing.
Cuernavaca Mission Team
The Cuernavaca team will be having a half day retreat in school retreat on Monday, March 5th. This will help prepare the students who are travelling to Mexico to take some time and remind themselves why they are going and what the true purpose is. May all of us keep the Mission Team in our prayers that Jesus will touch their lives in a particular way and for their safe travels to and from home.
Holy Week Mass
On April 3rd we will celebrate our Holy Week Mass. This mass will help us prepare our hearts and minds for the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Everyone is welcome to join us for the celebration of the Eucharist this day. Mass will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the gym for the whole school.
Clothing Drive for The Mission
The SHOUT team is continuing is clothing drive as part of our Lenten project this year. All students are asked to bring in any used clothing to help the homeless people who partake at the Mission in Ottawa. This is a wonderful way to promote our Christian charity towards our brothers and sisters in need. The drive will wrap up at the end of March and delivery will be done by our SHOUT team the first week of April.
Joy & Peace in the suffering Christ,
Gordie Van Putten
