PARENTS IN PRAYER Did you know?

Come pray the Rosary with the 3rd graders!

"I will always look upon the work of my salvation, and the foundation and government of our community, as the work of God; hence I will abandon the care of both to Him, acting only through His orders. I will consider myself as an instrument which is of no use except in the hands of the Workman. Hence I must await the orders of Providence before acting, and be careful to accomplish them when known." St. John Baptist de la Salle

St. John Baptist de la Salle (1651-1719) – April 7 Complete dedication to what he saw as God's will for him dominated the life of John Baptist de la Salle. In 1950, Pope Pius XII named him patron of schoolteachers for his efforts in upgrading school instruction. As a young seventeenth-century Frenchman, John had everything going for him: intelligence, good looks, noble family background, money, refined upbringing. At the early age of 11, he started preparation for the priesthood, to which he was ordained at 27. He thought his life would be one of simple service to God, holding a high position in the Church. But God had other plans for John, which were gradually revealed to him in the next several years. He soon became interested in the creation of schools for poor boys in Raven, where he was stationed. Though the work was extremely distasteful to him at first, he became more involved in working with the deprived youths. Once convinced that this was his divinely appointed mission, John threw himself wholeheartedly into the work, left home and family, abandoned his position as canon at Rheims, gave away his fortune and reduced himself to the level of the poor to whom he devoted his entire life. The remainder of his life was closely intertwined with the community of religious men he founded, the Brothers of the Christian School (Christian Brothers, or De La Salle Brothers). This community grew rapidly and was successful in educating boys of poor families using methods designed by John, preparing teachers in the first training college for teachers and also setting up homes and schools for young delinquents of wealthy families. The motivating element in all these endeavors was the desire to become a good Christian. Yet even in his success, John did not escape experiencing many trials: heartrending disappointment and defections among his disciples and bitter opposition from the secular schoolmasters who resented his successful teaching methods. Afflicted with asthma and rheumatism in his last years, he died on Good Friday at 68 and was canonized in 1900 by Pope Leo XIII. He is the patron saint of teachers. "What is nobler than to mold the character of the young? I consider that he who knows how to form the youthful mind is truly greater than all painters, sculptors and all others of that sort" St. John Chrysostom

Lenten reflections on fasting and reconciliation About this time during Lent, we grow weary of fasting because it seems to have little or no effect. Lent is one extended hour in which the Son stands before us, offering life to anyone He chooses. If we have emptied ourselves through a faithful and disciplined fast, then we are ready to eat all that he sets before us. Those who fast find that relinquishing control gets easier. Every day that we can say no to ourselves and bend our will out of love for God makes trusting Him easier. This is true for every believer, from the youngest child to the pope in Rome. We have the greatest of all gifts in the Eucharist offered at each Mass in the Body and Blood of our Lord. Cana was the place of miracles back then; the Mass is the place of miracles now. Fasting before we receive the Eucharist helps us to rid ourselves of expectations, moving us to trust that whatever God tells us to do is exactly what is needed. Jesus asks us to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength" Mark 12:30. Paul gives similar advice: "Whatever you do, do from the heart..." Colossians 3:23 Not Merely Confession But Reconciliation How many people continue to carry tiring and tedious burdens of guilt over events long past? How many souls believe their offense to be so unspeakable that God could never forgive them? Lent provides an exceptional opportunity to assess the current state of our lives. We are asked only to acknowledge where we missed the mark (which is what the word sin really means), confess that it was our own fault, make a determined resolution not to go down that road again, and move on. Leave that burden behind and move ahead as a free person beloved by God. Keep an eye open for an opportunity to avail yourself of one of our faith’s most glorious gifts, the sacrament of reconciliation…not merely confession nor penance, but reconciliation: “I will not forget you,” says the Lord.” “Fight the good fight of faith: lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and hast confessed a good confession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6-12

Come join us during Lent! We pray the Rosary every Thursday at 8:30AM in the Window Room. During the month of April, the students from Grade 2 will join us. Please share this with your children and encourage them to add their intentions as often as they’d like to the book on the table in Mary’s Courtyard. We will pray for the intentions of the students, families, teachers, faculty and staff of the Academy as well as those of the members of the St. Charles parish community.