Full School Days and Fullness of Faith

I just finished watching 3 eighth graders give PowerPoint presentations: Vincent on Hard Rock, Mary on Volleyball, and Eloise on her life. This is always the fun part of teaching when students become the teachers and instruct us. I have always been grading 7th grade PowerPoint presentations on autobiographies; you would have enjoyed the good quality work that we have been seeing. Thank you Mrs. Worrall for supporting what we are doing in the classroom. And thank you students for the good work that you have done to add visuals to the good essays you have written.

If your students are asking you the meaning of the vocabulary words "twitter" and "tweet" the above paragraph is somewhat close to this new way of social networking (micro-blogging) where you just write about what is happening in the moment (twitter) and each sentence or phrase is a tweet. Yes, computers are even changing the way we communicate.

Today the junior high led our Mass. Father Henry focused on "remain in the truth, and the truth shall set you free." This sounds straight forward, but truly is a challenge in a world where more than ever people are hungry for the truth. Jesus was way ahead of us and set up guidelines that are good for all times and for all people. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind and all your soul; and love your neighbor as yourself." This still is true today.

After Mass Chester Marcol (Packer kicker 1972 to 1981) came and talked to our students. Along with his football career, he talked about his life got derailed from drugs and alcohol. His story was powerful and difficult as drugs stole much of his hope and happiness. He is now a drug counselor and sharing his story with young people. Thank you Mr. Marcol for your willingness to teach others in the hope they will make good decisions.

Grade 6 turned in final Greek biographies today. Grade 7 and 8 are working on desert Nomadic camps and Sahara folktales.

Along with the usual spelling each week, Grades 6, 7, and 8 are learning about haikus and will be writing their own poetry. April is National Poetry Month.

Thank you Mrs. Chambers for 3 young adults versions of Three Cups of Tea. Already two of the books are in the hands of good readers. I was able to hear Greg Mortenson's mother at the Visitor's Center on Monday night; she received a standing ovation for the good work her son is doing to build schools in remote villages in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

So we are having full school days. Woven into this activities is the season of Lent. Sunday will mark the beginning of Holy Week. Let us remember to stay on the road to the Cross. We have much to learn and relearn about redemption and resurrection. Thanks be to God for offering His son Jesus as a sacrifice on our behalf.