Religious Education
Pope Francis March Prayer for the World Let us Pray for the Pandemic to end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0mjfenuDck
Finding Peace in the small things.
There is so much we can’t control right now, and so much we can. We can control our mindset, what we say, and how we say it. We also control how present we are with our loved ones at home.
Times are challenging for adults, but especially for kids, they have never been through anything like this. Neither have most of us. We are all dealing with collective anxiety and fear, and incredible disruption to our daily routines. How we hold and deal with this anxiety will impact those around us. Everybody stumbles on fear, even adults, and that is OK.
Instead of allowing fear to drive you, tell yourself that you are given time for a slowdown. The change in routine is permitting you to do less, to be more aware of your day to day, moment to moment life so that you have more time and energy to deepen your compassion, your self-care and the wisdom you already have.
Find peace in the small things that you do not always have time to enjoy.
Be extra patient with your kids, your partner, and your friends.
Deliver needed groceries to an elderly neighbor who can’t leave their home.
Donate much-needed blood.
Give money if you have it to the homeless who are the most vulnerable during a pandemic.
Practice the selfless act of staying at home, so you don’t put those already susceptible to illness in our community at further risk.
Look at reality differently, put a positive spin on it.
Last week the students and I took time to enjoy the sunshine, the breeze on our faces and some good old fashion bubbles. We laughed as we chased and popped the bubbles. It was liberating for my soul and I was completely at peace.
Stations of the Cross
If you would like to get some fresh air and hounour the sacredness of Good Friday, you are invited to take a personal journey in prayer. There will be a Stations of the Cross reflection, that respects social distancing rules, set up on our school fence. Come and read about the final steps Jesus took as he made the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation.
Celebrating a Unique Easter
Easter is the highlight of our Catholic faith, the Easter Story, also known as the Passion of Christ, tells of the humble beginnings of Christianity. During Holy week we reflect on the key events in Jesus’ life which lead to his sorrowful death on the cross, then on Easter Sunday we celebrate his resurrection. It is a time of hope and new beginnings.
This year many of us have had to endure the crosses that Coronavirus has forced upon us. Just like Jesus many of us have stumbled and fallen on our journey. Just like Jesus, may we hold onto our faith and find the strength to get up and continue on our way.
This year, we celebrate a unique Easter due to the uniqueness of our current situation. There will be no church gatherings, no neighborhood egg hunts, and no celebratory meals with extended family and friends.
Do not let the absence of these long-standing traditions frame your Easter, many Easter celebrations can still take place – just a little differently. We are only bound by how far our imagination will let us go. Church services are going online, Easter meals can be intimate with our immediate families, and children can draw pictures of Easter eggs to hang in their windows for others to find – a drive by Easter egg hunt. Pray for your loved ones, extended family and friends that you may usually see at Easter and connect with them over the phone or online. Spend the day indulging in new and different customs this Easter. Each will be different in their own ways and equally as special and significant. Remember that gratitude turns what we have into enough. Celebrate the joy and hope that is Easter.
May God’s richest blessings be with you this Easter.
May you rediscover hope, faith and love in new ways.
Rosemary Perre
Religious Education Coordinator.