Easter Blessings from Principal Hurley and Father Tom

We are in the midst of week 3 of distance learning, and I’m so happy to report that, with every passing day, we are noticing improvement with the various applications we are using to support learning. Even more important is the engagement we are experiencing, as students, teachers and families share in this new learning experience. Thank you, Saint John's families, for supporting your children during this unique time in our lives. I understand that we are all figuring out the demands of working from home, maintaining a household and supporting our children in their learning. I'm even learning the skills to Podcast!

Fr. Tom's Wednesday Prayer:
Father Tom again is sharing a prayer this week, which has special meaning during Holy Week. Click Here!

Important Calendar events:

• 7:00 PM Thursday, April 9: Holy Thursday Mass live-streamed on Parish Facebook
• Friday, April 10: Good Friday, no classes!
  • Noon: Good Friday Service live-streamed on Parish Facebook
• 8:00 PM Saturday, April 11: Easter Vigil Mass live-streamed on Parish Facebook
• 8:30 AM Sunday, April 12: Easter Sunday Mass live-streamed on Parish Facebook
• Friday, April 17: Deadline to order yearbooks: Don't miss out!
• Friday, April 24: Auction Raffle: Buy your tickets today!
  • 8:00 PM: Live-streamed drawing of winners on School Facebook  

As we are all in a “stay-at-home” environment. Here are three daily questions to ask yourself:

1. What am I grateful for today? In times of stress, it’s understandable you might become worried and zoomed in on the negative around us. Cultivating a daily gratitude practice can refocus us, even in the most difficult times. What are you grateful for today? Take two minutes to create a list and think about ways to add to it throughout your day.  
2. What expectations of “normal” am I letting go of today? During this time of daily change and possible numbness, reflect on what’s truly important right now. It’s OK to not have the perfectly cleaned house or to have answered all the emails in your inbox, but to just make sure everyone in your house has felt loved. The faster we let go of the expectations of “normal,” the faster we adapt.
3. How am I getting outside today? Nature can be powerful in improving our mood and affecting our nervous systems. Can you get outside every day, even just to sit in the sun for 10 minutes? If you can’t leave your house, can you sit by an open window and breathe the fresh air?

I miss our school community. Please tell your children “hello” from me, and that the staff and I are looking forward to celebrating with them when we are all reunited back at Saint John's! 

Happy Easter!