The Family Foundation School Catholic Community Bulletin
Pauca Verba ( A few words)
Lent begins this Wednesday – Ash Wednesday. We will have Mass as usual in the early morning. Many of us will begin the Sugar Fast. The money we save will go to helping lepers and the poor in the Amazon Region of Brazil. One student here, getting ready to begin the sugar fast, is already discovering something about her motives – her selfishness – vanity – pride. There’s Lent! INSIDE.
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ASHES signify that something has to die so that something new can live. What’s that?
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Prayer of Saint Teresa of Avila
Let nothing disturb you.
Let noting frighten you.
All things pass away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things.
He who has God
Finds he lacks nothing.
God along suffices.
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My friend, Father John Zharsky, is the pastor of Saint John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Binghamton. Some time ago an elderly priest loaned his parish a wonder-working icon of Saint Anna, the Mother of Mary. The icon emits a wondrous oil and Father John attests that miracles have taken place through the anointing with this oil and prayer before the icon. While the elderly priest is unable to bring the icon to us he has sent Father John some oil from the icon. Father John will visit us with his parish’s own icon of Saint Anna on Sunday evening, February 10 and will anoint those who come to chapel. The time will be announced. A great opportunity!
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Important reminder: If you are taking on the sugar fast you need to sign up for it – so we know if a gift is being made to Amazon Relief in your name. Drink more water and eat more fruit during Lent if you’re doing the sugar fast to quiet cravings. Remember that if I’m doing the sugar fast and become cranky, moody, nasty, etc. – that’s defeating the purpose. What are you learning about yourself during the Lenten days? Those of us who are not doing the sugar fast should mind our own business and not be telling others how to go about it.
During Lent – even just a few days into the sugar fast – things may become very difficult. Stuff that we ordinarily would eat will still be all around us. NO DRAMA about how “I’m suffering,” “how much I’d like to have this or that,” “this is soooooo difficult.” Keep it all to yourself. No advertising. “Don’t let your left hand know what you’re right hand is doing,” Jesus says. Maybe one thing we’ll realize about ourselves is how hard it is to keep quiet about doing some little good thing! Don’t be talking about it all – just do it and keep in mind who you’re doing it for.
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“Since praying the rosary, I feel happier and more clear and more willing to help. I have a more positive outlook on things.” Family School student.
When Catholics pass the tabernacle (the decorated box where the Eucharist is kept) we genuflect. This means we get down on our right knee looking at the tabernacle. The red light indicates the presence of Christ in the tabernacle. The container inside the tabernacle is called a ciborium. It always has a cover or lid. The word ciborium comes from the Latin word “cibus” (chee-bus) which means food. That’s because the Eucharist contained there indeed, is our food.
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Those who are to be confirmed in May need to be doing their research for a new saint’s name. The saint should be a personal model in goodness. A woman was received in Full Catholic Communion recently at St. Paul’s and was confirmed as well. She took the name Mary Magdalen de Pazzi. This saint asked for 2 spiritual gifts: That she would look on any neighbor as good and holy without judgment and to always have God’s presence before her.”
