Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday, with its conspicuous mark of faith, is atypical for Catholics. As we read in Matthew 6:16-18, we are not to mope or moan while fasting. We are to wash our faces and trust that God will see our good works, even those done in silence. We are to carry our crosses with courage and grace. And we all have crosses, some more heavy than others. It may seem that your neighbor has it easy: She's always chipper, or his yard is neat and his car clean. But no one escapes trouble or sorrow entirely in this life. It may simply be that they have washed the ashes from their faces and bear their crosses in silence. So what can you do this Lent to demonstrate your love for God and your willingness to share in the cross his Son carried for us? You can take up the crosses you encounter daily, and you can do so with faith, hope, and love. One way is through the traditional Lenten practices of increased prayer, fasting, and giving to those in need. These practices can take on many unique forms in the course of even a busy day. Think of 40 small steps you might take this Lent as you walk with Jesus on the road to Calvary. Add your shoulder under the cross—his cross, your own, and others'. Even more, try to do so with the trust that God sees your efforts, and that, paradoxically, there is no greater satisfaction or reward.
Taking Up the Cross in These 40 Days
Social scientists say it takes 28 days to change a habit. Lent asks us to change more than a habit. We're invited to change our priorities and the focus of our lives. Maybe that's why Lent takes a full 40 days and happens every year.
There are other reasons that our Lenten journey lasts 40 days. Throughout the Bible, the number 40 holds special meaning, indicating a span of time when significant events took place. It rained on Noah and his ark for 40 days and 40 nights. Moses spent 40 days and nights with God on Mount Sinai. The Hebrew people spent 40 years wandering in the desert upon their deliverance from slavery to the Promised Land. Jonah gave the city of Nineveh 40 days in which to repent. And Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights.
Our time of preparation in Lent is akin to Jesus' preparation for his work. We spend 40 days fasting, praying, and giving. “By the solemn 40 days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert,” the Catechism of the Catholic Church says. We are called to live as representatives of Jesus today—even when the ashes have been washed away, even when no one is looking.
Week of February 1, 2010
Students, Please Bring a Candle to the School Mass
Tomorrow for Father Richard’s Blessing
Thank you parents for joining us yesterday at the 10:00 Mass!
I heard so many compliments from the parishioners.
Our children were wonderful.
Thursday night is Family Dinner Night in O’Malley Hall 6:00 p.m.
Student Council and 8th Grade Panel
“Ranita” presented by 4th Grade
followed by the Parent vs. Student Spelling Bee
(are you smarter than your child?)
Please R.S.V.P. by Wednesday
This Saturday Night, February 6th is
The St.Rita PTO
Annual Wine Fest
at Alverno
7:00-9:30 p.m.
Buy your tickets by tomorrow for $10.00 per person
At the door $20.00
This is really a fun event whether or not you drink wine.
Join us for a fun, relaxed evening at a beautiful venue.
This is a great opportunity to get to know other St. Rita parents.
Muffins with Mom was a big hit today. “Mommy and Me” was a dud.
I am offering the PAC Hall for moms with preschoolers so that you have a time and place to get to know one another and exchange resources. Let’s try again on Wednesday following “Donuts with Dad.” I need someone to take the lead and get it going.
St. Rita Book Fair Volunteer sign-up sheet is in the office.
Catholic Schools week is January 31- February 5, 2010
St. Rita School collaborates with parents to provide young people with sound Church teaching through a broad-based curriculum, where faith and culture are intertwined in all areas of school life. We provide an atmosphere in which the Gospel message is proclaimed, community in Christ is experienced, service to others is the norm and thanksgiving and worship of God is cultivated. This unique Catholic identity makes our school and all Catholic schools “schools for the human person” and prepares our students for moral decision making as the future leaders in our Church, our country, and our world. (From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 2005)
Our School Mass to kick off Catholic Schools Week is this Sunday~10:00 a.m. January 31, 2010
Mr. Augustynski and the Children’s School Choir will perform the Music Liturgy - A first for our parish!
Please “Pack the Church” to show your school spiritPlease don’t miss this event.
(F.Y.I. The Saturday 5:30 p.m. Mass is a High School Youth Group event. )
WOW! You are Amazing! Hats for Haiti ~ Donations- $1900.00
Thank you! To everyone who attended the fabulous production of “ James and The Giant Peach”. It was a huge success!
This weekend our students attended Bishop Amat’s Math Competition with 300 students in attendance.
The St. Rita Team Placed 3rd in group C.
Our 6th grade team placed 2nd
Erin Armstrong, Michael Amerio, Joe Gooch, Chris Dal Ponte, Erin Mcfaul, Kristine Kuhn, Tyler Rix, Sarah Troescher.
Our 7th grade team placed 2nd. Christian Almeida, Clyde Johnson Matthew Mac Donald, Rachel Wiggins, Reece Aguilar, John Stover, Tom Usle, Jacob Mijares.
St. Joseph’s Basketball Tournament
Our B Boys 1st Place
Our B Girls 3rd Place
Varsity Boys 2nd Place at the Raider Shoot out the previous week.
Schedule of Events for Catholic Schools Week
Sunday, January 31, 2010 - Pack the Church Sunday - Sponsored by 1st and 5th grades - Coffee and Donuts and Bake Sale in Gara Hall
Monday, February 1, 2010 - Muffins with Mom 7:30a.m.-8:00a.m. - Macaroni Monday (Bring 5 boxes of Macaroni and receive free dress) - West Campus Penny Wars ALL WEEK
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 - Guest Speaker, Cliff Meidl (Author and Olympian) 9:00a.m. - East Campus Coin Toss
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 - Donuts with Dad 7:30a.m.-8:00a.m. - Blue and Gold ONLY Free Dress (prize for most school spirit)
Thursday, February 4, 2010 - Popsicle Sale - Family Dinner 6p.m. - East Campus Coin Toss
Friday, February 5, 2010 - $1 Free Dress to support Sierra Madre Firefighters
The St. Rita book fair is coming!
Tuesday, February 23- Sunday, February 28
Hours: Tues 9:00-3:30, W-F 8:00-3:30,
Fri 6:00-8:00, Sat 5:00-7:00, Sun 8:00-2:00
Earn fundraising hours by volunteering at the book fair….
The volunteer sign-up sheet will be in the office starting Monday, 2/1
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