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Monthly Virtues in SJS Counseling Classes
Year of Charity
2024-2025Virtues by Month
Year of Charity
September –Charity
October—Friendship
November—Courtesy
December—Purity
January—Fortitude
February—Prudence
March—Respect
April—Forgiveness
May—Responsibility
Charity(September)
Loving your neighbor like yourself, with your whole heart
This year we mark our 6th year of learning about Catholic Virtues and Saints as part of our counseling class lessons at SJS. Our virtues in counseling lessons blend the richness of our Catholic faith with important social-emotional skills. Each month our students learn about a new virtue and explore the ways in which these faith-filled actions can be practiced in their own lives. We will also look at the lives of various saints who have given us clear examples of what these virtues look like in practice. We hope these classes will help our St. Joseph Catholic School students to see that through these good actions they can live their faith and promote a school climate that is caring and welcoming.
The virtues we will talk about each month flow from the theological virtue of Charity. Faith, hope, and charity are called theological virtues because they are the most important characteristics in a Christian’s life, as Paul explains in Romans 5:1-5 and 1 Corinthians 13:13. Living these virtues strengthens both our relationship with God and our relationships with each other in our school community.This virtue embodies what it means to live our faith fully--we are called to love God with our whole heart, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as our self. We are called each day to treat those around us with the kindness, love and care that Jesus showed to all those he encountered--even those who were not considered worthy or valuable by the society around them. We will learn about charity in action this month as we discuss the lives of St. Gertrude, St. Vincent de Paul and Bls. Laura Vicuna. These saints dedicated themselves to loving God through caring for and loving their neighbors.Saint Vincent was a simple shepherd born into a poor family in France. His father sent him to school to study for the priesthood. Shortly after he became a priest, he was kidnapped by pirates and
sold as a slave in North Africa. Years later he escaped to Rome, where he became a tutor working for rich families. After some time, he realized that he had become proud and lost his focus on God, so he gave up this work to help the poor, especially those who worked as rowers in the galleys of wealthy ships. With Saint Louise de Marillac, he co-founded the Ladies of Charity, groups of women who took care of the sick and poor in parishes. Later the Ladies of Charity developed into a religious order named the Daughters of Charity.
God Bless,
Mrs. Henry
Friendship(October)
Seeking the good for each other
St. Joseph Catholic School students will be learning about the Virtue of Friendship this month and striving to practice it through the many opportunities we have each day to help each other to do good and grow closer to God.
In grades K-2, we look at the lives of the twins St. Benedict & Scholastica who prayed for each other and supported each other in dedicating their lives to God through their Religious Orders. We also learn about friendship as a way of inspiring each other to do our best in grades 3-5 through the examples of St. Basil the Great & St. Gregory Nazianzen. These fourth-century Greek saints were smart students who challenged each other to earn top honors instead of trying to race each other for the prize and glory. Our middle school students explore this virtue through the example of Bls. Pier Giorgio Frassati, a wealthy young man who secretly gave his belongings and food to the poor and made sure that his friends attended Mass even when they were off on adventures.
"There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship."God Bless,
~St. Thomas Aquinas
Mrs. Henry
Courtesy(November)
Being thoughtful of others
This month we are talking about and practicing the Virtue of Courtesy. Being polite, thinking of others, and using good manners are behaviors that are welcome all year long, but are very much appreciated during the holidays. Courtesy as a Virtue puts these good behaviors in a new light. Speaking and acting courteously are ways that we let others know that we value and respect them. We strive to follow Jesus’ example of treating all others with kindness and care.
Our saintly examples this month come from St. Martin de Porres, a 3rd Order Dominican who grew up extremely poor in Peru, and dedicated his life to taking care of the sick and founding orphanages. St. Martin was ridiculed for being of mixed-race and because his father abandoned his family. However, he kept trying to live like Jesus, showing kindness and love to those forgotten or discarded by others. We also see examples of living courteously in the life of Bls. Solanus Casey, a Capuchin Friar from Michigan who served as the “doorkeeper” in his monastery and took pride in welcoming all who came to the monastery with love-- listening to their concerns and praying for them. We also see this virtue in action in the life of Ven. Pierre Toussaint, who was brought to New York from Haiti and enslaved. He was an educated, prayerful and a talented hairdresser who was later freed. Ven. Toussaint went to daily mass and donated generously to charities that helped everyone. He and his wife adopted an orphaned niece and later opened their home to orphans or those who were ill and abandoned.
God bless you,
Mrs. Henry
“A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.”
― St. Basil the Great
Purity(December)Keeping your soul free of sin
Jesus and his Blessed Mother show us in purity of heart in the way they dedicated all of themselves and their lives to God's will. As a Catholic school, we are challenged to practice this virtue by striving to keep our souls free of sin and following the examples of Jesus, the Blessed Mother and this month's saints who were steadfast in their dedication to God, even though they all died young.
St. Dominic Savio, was a young Italian boy who spent hours in prayer and encouraged others to pray too. On the day of his 1st Communion at age 7, St. Dominic wrote four promises in a little book. They were: “I will go to Confession often, and as frequently to Holy Communion as my confessor allows. I wish to sanctify the Sundays and festivals in a special manner. My friends shall be Jesus and Mary. Death rather than sin.”
He was known as a gifted student who was zealous in his studies to become a priest, but became ill and died at the age of 14.
St. Agnes was a Christian martyr at age 13. She was a beautiful girl, who refused many offers of marriage because she felt called to a celibate life of faith. She was encouraged to deny her faith to save herself from being killed but she refused to do this and was put to death.
The life of St. Maria Goretti, one of the youngest saints, also provides a clear example of purity in practice. She died fighting off a young man who stabbed her after she refused his advances. St. Maria Goretti forgave him on her deathbed and is credited for his conversion to a life of faith after he served 27 years in prison for her death.
Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God ~ Matthew 5:8
God bless you,
Mrs. Henry
Fortitude(January)Being brave and strong in the face of trials
“Every day saints! Hidden saints among us! They have the gift of fortitude in carrying on in their duty as people, mother, father, brother, sister citizen. Let us thank the Lord for these Christians who are the hidden saints among us. It is the Spirit within who carries them forward and it would do us good to think of these people. If they do this, if they can do this then why not me and we ask the Lord to give us the gift of fortitude.” - Pope Francis
As we begin a new calendar year at St. Joseph School our students will be learning about Fortitude, a cardinal virtue that helps us to remain steadfast in our faith in the face of obstacles. Fortitude means having the emotional resilience and courage to handle the difficult and challenging times in our lives by relying on God’s grace and strength.
It is this virtue which enables us to withstand the difficulties that can lead us to feelings of hopelessness and aloneness. Fortitude calls us to stand up for what we know is right and to act on it even when it might be easier not to do so. We all have this capacity to be courageous in the face of danger and uncertainty and in the lives of our saints this month we are reminded that we have God's love and support to achieve this task. It is the virtue of martyrs, who died rather than renounce God, but it is also the virtue that helps us to stand against actions that society may embrace, but our faith tells us to reject. It is a virtue that helps us to carry on even when we feel fatigued by long battles or weary of the fight.
As we reflect on ways we can practice this virtue, our students are studying the lives of several saints who provided great examples of Fortitude--St. Bernadette, St. Joan of Arc, and St. Paul Miki & Companions.
St. Bernadette suffered from a variety of physical illnesses her whole life, yet she never wavered in her faith. When the Blessed Mother appeared to her at Lourdes, she trusted in Her completely. St. Joan of Arc, who was well-known for her battle skills in leading the French troops to victory, also had a great love of the sacraments and deep compassion for the poor. St. Paul Miki, a Japanese Jesuit priest, continued to preach about God’s love as he was hanging on a cross. He and his companions were missionaries in Nagasaki who were martyred for spreading their faith.
God bless you,
Mrs. Henry
Prudence(February)Making good decisions
Prudence is the cardinal virtue which helps us to make right judgments, so that we can make the right decisions at the right time. Prudence is like the road map that allows us to see where we are going and highlights the path that we need to travel on.
Our Saints for this Virtue are St. Junipero Serra, St. John Neumann and St. John XXIII. St. Junipero Serra was a Franciscan priest who founded the first missions in California. He learned the native language of the tribes living there and helped to build up a strong faith community.
St. John Neumann, who was born in what is now the Czech Republic in 1811, wanted to follow God’s call to the priesthood. He found that no Bishop in Europe would ordain more priests because they had too many. He learned English by working in a factory and wrote to bishops in America hoping to be ordained. Leaving his homeland forever, St. John Neumann moved to western New York state, where there were so few priests in his diocese that he spent much time travelling from village to village and climbing mountains to visit the sick. Later St. John Neumann continued his missionary work in Maryland, Virginia and Ohio. He became the bishop of Philadelphia at age 41 and worked to organize the parochial school system. He was the first American bishop to be beatified.
St. John XXII is the third saint whose life we examine this month as we learn about prudence. As Pope he had a tremendous impact on the 20th century. He came from a farming family in northern Italy and was proud of his ordinary roots. In 1925 he became a papal diplomat and he became well acquainted with Orthodox Church leaders with whom St. John XXIII, then an Archbishop, helped to save about 24,000 Jewish people during World War II. As Pope he continued to meet with world leaders and religious leaders and was deeply involved in helping to avert disaster during the Cuban missile crisis. These saints remind us that even when the path ahead looks rough, God will be our guide in finding the right path and following it.
God bless you,
Mrs. Henry
Respect(March)Recognizing the dignity of all people
“ The ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being.”~~St. Pope John Paul II
Respect is our virtue for the month of March. It's a great virtue to reflect on as we begin the season of Lent-- remembering Jesus's ministry and the deep respect and love He showed to God and to the people He encountered each day.
Respect is also one of our "St. Joe's Six" core school values. Our St. Joseph School students strive to earn six slips by demonstrating that they respect themselves, their classmates and their teachers. While respect might seem like a virtue that needs no explanation, it can be challenging at times for students to understand what respect can look like both in and out of the classroom. We all want to be respected, adults and children alike. As we think about the examples of our saints this month. St. Jeanne Jugan, St. Damien of Molokai and St. John Paul II, we remember that God calls us to focus on the ways in which we show respect to others.
This virtue of respect is more than politeness. It’s a call to see the face of God in all those around us, to cherish the dignity that God has given all of us, made in His own image.
God bless you,
Mrs. Henry
Forgiveness(April)Pardoning those who offend you and asking for pardon from those we have hurt
We began the season of Lent contemplating ways to be respectful of those around us and now as Lent is coming to a close we will reflect on this month’s virtue of Forgiveness. Our students are reminded by the lives of our saints, St. Patrick, St. Margaret of Castello and St. Josephine Bakhita that forgiveness is more than just giving or accepting an apology. True forgiveness comes to us through the Grace of God and it is an opportunity to grow closer as a community.
St. Patrick returned to a country where he was enslaved and mistreated so that he could share with them the news of God’s love. His story reminds us that when we find it in our hearts to forgive even those who have hurt us deeply, we lead others closer to God. St. Margaret of Castello encourages us by her life to remember that even when others view us as unworthy and shut us out, God loves us and has a plan for our lives. St. Josephine Bakhita endured brutal treatment from several masters after she was sold into slavery at age 7. Yet she was open to God’s healing and love. As an enslaved person in Italy, St. Josephine learned about the Catholic faith and was baptized. She later joined the Canossian Sisters, who went to court to fight for her freedom.
God bless you,
Mrs. Henry"If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive."
- St Teresa of Calcutta
Responsibility(May)Being reliable in your duties and accountable for your actions
This month we are learning about the virtue of Responsibility, which is another one of our St. Joe's Six core values! We live this virtue by being reliable; doing our duties and admitting our mistakes. In these ways we grow as people of faith who can be counted on to do our best and to try again when we fall short.
Our saints this month, St. Peter, St. Henry, and Bl. Bartolo Longo, remind us that God can do great things through us when we turn to him in times of strength and in times of brokenness.
Each Lent we read and listen to the story of how St. Peter, one of the twelve Apostles, denied even knowing Jesus when he was captured and crucified. St. Peter was deeply sorry that he acted in fear and turned away from Jesus, yet Jesus forgave him. He became the rock of our faith and our first Pope. St. Peter's example reminds us that God can do great things through each of us when we turn to God and follow Him.
St. Henry II was crowned King of Germany and Italy before becoming the 5th Holy Roman Emperor. Even though he was powerful and rich, St. Henry wanted to use this power to serve others and God. He defended the Catholic Church and supported its bishops. St. Henry also insisted that priests live holy lives. He wanted holiness so much that he wanted to abdicate the throne to become a Benedictine monk. However a wise abbot reminded him that God gave him the power and responsibility to do great good as a king and emperor.
Bl. Bartolo Longo was a lawyer in Italy born in 1841. He was raised a Catholic and his parents prayed the rosary daily; but Bl. Bartolo stopped practicing his faith and turned away from God while studying the law. A friend helped him to turn back to God. Later Bl. Bartolo and his wife worked to bring others to God; built a church; and started a yearly feast and celebration of the rosary.
God Bless you,
Mrs. Henry
Virtues by Month
Year of Hope 2023-2024
September –Hope
October—Studiousness
November—Humility
December—Patience
January—Fidelity
February—Cheerfulness
March—Temperance
April—Obedience
May—Diligence
Year of Hope
2023-2024
This year we will be learning about the theological virtue of Hope and other virtues connected to it. We receive this of Hope from God in Baptism.
Hope helps us to look for ways to bring joy from our suffering. We trust that God will use our challenges to bring us and others closer to Him. Hope gives us the strength to keep walking toward God even when our journey seems too difficult or dark. We trust that God is the light and that He will never leave us alone.
Our September Saints are: St. Joseph, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin whose lives inspire us to trust in God's loving plan for our lives.
St. Joseph trusted that God knew what was best when He asked St. Joseph to become the foster father of Jesus. He did his best to be a steady and loving father to Jesus even when he did not know God's plan for Jesus or himself and the Blessed Mother.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton showed us what it looks like when we trust in God even when our lives seem turned upside down. She was born into a wealthy family and then happily married to a successful businessman until tragedy struck. She lost her husband and wealth; but kept her trust in God. Her faith led her to a life of sharing her faith with others through Catholic schools. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton opened the first Catholic parish school in America and became the first American-born saint.Sts. Louis & Zelie Martin both wanted to join religious life as young people and yet they both were not able to do that. They trusted that God had a plan for their lives and in that trust they met each other, married and became the parents to nine children. Five of their daughters joined religious life--the most well-known of them was St. Therese of Lisieux. They were the second married couple to be beatified together.
St. Albert the Great by Vincente Salvador Gomez (1660)
Studiousness
Seeking knowledge to grow closer to Truth(October)
“A Catholic school is a place where students live a shared experience of faith in God and where they learn the riches of Catholic culture...Catholic schools must help students to deepen their relationship with God and to discover that all things human have their deepest meaning in the person and teaching of Jesus Christ.” ~Pope St. John Paul II
In October we will learn about the virtue of Studiousness as we look at the lives of St. Albert the Great, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Edith Stein. In our roles as students and teachers we are called to seek to know, love and serve God in all that we do each day. St. Albert the Great, the patron saint of scientists, was a great student who loved learning about God and the world around him. He became known as a Universal Doctor of the Church because he mastered every subject . He is considered one of the Church's greatest scholars and was the teacher of St. Thomas Aquinas. St. Albert wrote 38 volumes covering topics ranging from philosophy to geography, astronomy, theology, law and love.
Following St. Albert's example, we are called to put forth our best effort at developing the many gifts that God has given us. We do this in the hope and belief that our search for knowledge and understanding leads us closer to God who is the Truth.
“Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen.” ~~St. Thomas Aquinas
Humility
Knowing where you are strong and where you are weak(November)
“Always humble yourself lovingly before God and man, because God speaks to those who are truly humble of heart, and enriches them with His gifts.” ~St. Pio of PietrelcinaThe virtue of Humility is defined as, “accepting our limitations and our God-given talents.” This month we examine the ways in which we can improve in our studies, in our treatment of each other and in our faithfulness to God. We are reminded to explore the many God-given talents we have and to grow into these gifts, sharing them with our school community and our world. Being humble knowing the truth about ourselves---knowing what we do well and what we don't do as well. Learning about the areas in which we need to grow can challenge us to become more Christ-like.
The saints for this month's virtue are St. John the Baptist, who called people to penance and baptism; St. Pio of Pietrelcina, whose piety and care for the suffering led him to holiness; and St. Therese of Lisieux, whose “little way” inspires us to look for everyday ways to serve God. While we recognize the greatness in the way they committed their lives to God, we are reminded that they all were humble and did not want others to follow them--but to follow God instead. Their humility led them to view their gifts as gifts from God given to lead others to Him.
Patience
Waiting without complaining(December)"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." — St. Francis de Sales
Patience is a fitting virtue for Advent---a time of watchfulness and waiting as we are reminded to make room for Jesus in our hearts and in our lives. It is also a time of year filled with excitement, lots of special Christmas activities and a busyness that can test our patience. Our saints this month: St. Monica, St. Isaac Jogues and St. Rita of Cascia provide beautiful examples of waiting patiently for God’s love to touch the lives of those around them, even when others would have long given up. St. Monica prayed every day for 30 years that her son (St. Augustine) would come to love God and follow Him. St. Isaac Jogues was the first priest to go to what is now New York to preach the Gospel to Native Americans. He first had to learn their language, which took a long time since they used a different alphabet. He did not give up and many people believed in God because of his faith. In the stories of these patient saints, we are reminded that Jesus is waiting for us to slow down and put our focus and trust in Him.
“Holiness consists simply in doing God's will, and being just what God wants us to be.”~St. Therese of Lisieux
Fidelity
Being Faithful to Our Promises and Commitments(January)
"In God's eyes our words have only the value of our actions."- St. Ignatius LoyolaAs we begin the new year with resolutions and hopes for a better year, St. Joseph students will be learning about the virtue of Fidelity. This virtue, modeled by God, is about keeping our promises and commitments to God and each other. We will study the examples of saints who were faithful to God in seemingly ordinary lives. Our saints this month include St. Cecilia, Bls. Luigi & Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi, and St. Gianna Molla. They showed faithfulness to God even when the struggles of daily life became overwhelming.
This month our saints' examples remind us of the opportunities we have for holiness in our own families and our daily lives. Bls. Luigi and Maria Beltrame Quattrocchi were the first husband and wife to be beatified together as husband and wife. The Italian couple shared their intense love for God and each other with their children through praying the rosary every day with their children and through opening their home to World War II refugees. St. Cecilia was forced to marry a pagan, but prayed intently even throughout their marriage ceremony for his conversion. Her prayers were answered and they were later both martyred for their faith. St. Gianna, an Italian medical doctor, also shows us how to be faithful to God in our ordinary lives by being faithful even when facing tremendous pain and suffering. As we practice fidelity this month we can challenge ourselves to make promises that we can keep and to be faithful to God in small and big ways.
“God’s Providence is in all things, it’s always present."
~St. Gianna Molla
Cheerfulness
Looking on the bright side(February)A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows
~Francis of Assisi
This month we will be talking about the Virtue of Cheerfulness, or looking on the bright side. When talking about this Virtue we might conclude that February is an easy month for practicing cheerfulness because our celebration of St. Valentine's Day is filled with treats and happy reminders of our loved ones. We are learning that the cheerful words and kind smiles we share with each other can make a positive impact on and brings joy to family members, classmates and the entire school community.We learn about the cheerfulness this month of our three saints; St. John Bosco, St. Philip Neri and Bl. Miguel Pro, whose lives remind us that God’s love for us is something we can smile about again and again.
Temperance
Enjoying Things in a Proper Balanced Way(March)
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.”
~St. Timothy (2 Timothy 1:7)
This month at St. Joseph School we learn about the Virtue of Temperance. Lent is a wonderful time to practice this virtue which asks us to seek balance in our lives. In practicing temperance we strive to enjoy the many gifts and talents we are given from God and to use them in the ways in which God intended.Temperance is a virtue which challenges us to ask ourselves if we are spending our time and energy on those things which will bring us closer to God. Our students will learn about the lives of St. Teresa of Avila, a Spanish Mystic who overcame physical ailments and devoted herself to prayer; St. Camillus de Lellis, an Italian priest who founded a religious order dedicated to the care ot the sick; and the Venerable Matt Talbot, whose spiritual life centered him in joy and service to others and helped him to overcome addiction.
"May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."
~St. Teresa of Avila
Obedience
Saying yes to the loving will of God and those He has set over us(April)
In April we will be learning about the virtue of Obedience in our classroom guidance lessons. This is a virtue that reminds us to follow God with our whole hearts and to see obedience to God’s will as a gift that transforms our lives rather than a burden that weighs us down.On Good Friday, we are reminded again of the greatest example of Obedience to God’s will in Jesus' willingness to obey God no matter the cost. This month as we study the Virtue of Obedience we are called to look for opportunities in our lives where we can also say yes to God's will for us and ask God to change our hearts so that we can live more fully in His love.
Our St. Joseph students will study the examples of the Blessed Mother, who said "yes" to God in spite of the pain and worry that this brought. Her saying yes to God's Will also brought her great joy as the Mother of Jesus. We will also look at the examples of St. Juan Diego and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, who were known for being compassionate, prayerful and resourceful.Diligence
Doing your best and working hard until you are finished.(May)
As we approach the end of another school year, we are learning about the virtue of diligence---giving our best effort at school and in any part of our lives. Diligence, one of the seven heavenly virtues, calls us to do our best in all that we do and to work until the job is finished. We are reminded to give our best to God each day as we try to follow the examples of Jesus and the saints.
This month we are talking about the lives of three saints, St. Andre Bessette, St, Francis de Sales and St. Catherine, of Siena who tried to be their best and follow God each day. St. Andre, a Canadian Saint, brought healing to others through his devotion to St. Joseph. He was humble and willing to serve God in a way that was helpful and caring. St. Andre was ill throughout his life, but stayed dedicated to helping others in spite of his own hardships.
St. Francis de Sales, a Bishop and Doctor of the Church, desired to serve God from an early age in spite of his family’s opposition. St. Francis insisted that every Christian was called to holiness, to becoming more like Christ, regardless of their career or station in life. His call to “Be who you are and be that well,” reminds us that God wants us to find our gifts and talents and use them to be our very best self.St. Catherine of Siena is the third saint whose life we look to this month for her example of a life of diligence. St. Catherine composed over 400 letters to Church and world leaders calling them to use the power and gifts they were given for God. She dictated these letters and her prayers because she could not read or write, yet her words were so profound that she was named a Doctor of the Church. In her writings, St. Catherine speaks of two feet and two wings----the feet that we must walk on and the wings with which we fly, referring to the love of God and love of neighbor.“Perform faithfully what God requires of you each moment, and leave the thought of everything else to Him. I assure you that to live in this way will bring you great peace.”
~~St. Jane Frances de ChantalVirtues by Month
Year of Faith 2022-2023
September –Faith
October—Reverence
November—Stewardship
December—Generosity
January—Gratitude
February—Honesty
March—Mercy
April—Justice
May--Zeal
Year of Faith2022-2023This year we will be learning about virtues that are tied to the theological virtue of Faith. Each month our students will explore ways in which they can practice faith-filled actions every day. In addition, we will also look at the lives of different saints who have modeled these virtues. We hope that this will help our St. Joseph Catholic School students to see that through these good actions they can express their faith and promote a school climate that is caring and welcoming.
We began the school year by introducing the theological virtue of faith. In learning about this virtue, we reflected on our belief in God and all that He has revealed to us. We talked about the opportunities we have to live our faith each day through the way we treat each other. Our students were encouraged to look for opportunities to put their faith into action by showing respect and courtesy to fellow students, teachers, staff and family members. They were challenged to live their faith through kindness, patience and responsibility, and to grow in friendship.
Our September Saints were: St. Martha, St. Jerome and St. Augustine who inspire us to look for ways to grow in our faith and to share it with others through our unique gifts and talents. St. Martha showed us that sometimes our desire to be heard and recognized for our work gets in the way of really listening to Jesus and living in the present moment. St. Jerome used his talents to translate the Bible from ancient Hebrew to Latin, so that many people could read about God's love and learn more about their faith. This task took many years of dedicated work. The life of St. Augustine reminds us of the power of prayer to lead us back to our faith when we turn from God. He gave us a wonderful example of how deep dedication to our Faith can touch thos earound us and even those in years to come.
God Bless,
Mrs. Beth Henry
Zeal
Being driven by an intense love for God(May)Be not afraid! Open wide the doors to Christ! ~~Saint John Paul the Great
Zeal is about being so filled with God's love for us that we want to share that love through our words and actions. When we live the virtue of zeal it's as if we have faith as our superpower. Our enthusiasm for our faith makes it seem easy to live the way Jesus calls us to live. We want to be more like Jesus and to share His love with everyone.
Our excitement about our faith can be shared each day in the little ways we try to live like Jesus lived---through kindness, caring and generous actions. Like the butterflies that the kindergarteners are watching as they emerge from their cocoons, God's love can change us, giving us the strength to be the people He created us to be.
Our saints this month include St. Paul, who transformed from one of the early Church's biggest persecutors to one of her strongest leaders. We hear his letters to the early followers of Jesus read at Mass. These letters can give us the same encouragement to do the hard work of making good choices and showing love and kindness even when it seems difficult. St. Paul's willingness to change, to learn about Jesus and to support other disciples shows us that with God's help we become new people.
Other examples of saints who demonstrated great zeal for their faith are St. Dominic, who founded an order of priests devoted to preaching. He was known as an "athlete of Christ" because of his travels all across Europe on foot to spread the good news about Jesus. He spent days and nights preaching about God and was known for his gentleness and leadership. St. Francis Xavier, a missionary priest sent to India by Paul Paul III, provides another great example of Zeal. In India, he baptized 10,000 infants in one month. While working in Portugal, India and Asia, he learned to adapt to the needs as customs of the people so that God's message would reach them. He is considered one of the greatest missionaries as ever known.
As we end our school year, we are reminded that God has plans for each of us. When we turn to God, we come away with so much more than we are seeking. God's love can change us like it changed St. Paul and give us the energy and enthusiasm of St. Francis Xavier and St. Dominic to follow Jesus.
“Love is what gives value to all our works; it’s not thanks to the greatness and multitude of our works that we please God, but thanks to the love with which we do them.”
~~St. Francis Xavier
Justice(April)
"We who have a voice must speak for the voiceless."
~~Saint Óscar RomeroThis month we are learning about the Virtue of Justice. God calls to us to be fair and just toward each other in our thoughts and actions. Practicing this virtue of justice means that we pay our debts and to keep our promises. We look for ways to be welcoming and inclusive, whether that means that we ask a classmate to join us at play or make sure that everyone shares in the fun. When we share our time, our talents and our resources with others we become the family that God created us to be--sharing in the many gifts in our lives and growing together.
This month we see examples of living justly in the lives of Saint Anthony of Padua, St. Katharine Drexel and St. Thomas More. They devoted their lives to working with others in need. St. Katharine was born into a life of great wealth and privilege, yet she was moved by her parents faith in God to give up that life for one of service to others. St. Katharine ....d her life to providing for the education of minorities whose needs were not a part of the education landsape at that time. We hear of St. Anthony and St. Thomas More, who also were born into rich and powerful lives, but devoted themselves to teaching others about God and bringing others to God by their examples.
We looked at the concept of fairness and how we sometimes forget Jesus' lessons about justice in the parable about the vineyard workers in St. Matthew's Gospel (Matthew 20:1-16). We when look at what others seem to have with envy and use those comparisons to tell ourselves "it's not fair" we miss the opportunity to look insttead at the unique and special gifts in our daily lives.Mercy(March)
This month we will be learning about the virtue of Mercy and about the ways in which we can care for those who suffer. While practicing this virtue, we look beyond our needs to the needs of those around us ---in our families, our school and our world. We offer our prayers and sacrifices for those who suffer. Our prayers and sacrifices can also be offered for those who suffer far away from us. Lent provides us with the perfect opportunity to help others in big and little ways, from giving up an activity we enjoy like video games or tv shows to abstaining from habits that hurt others, such as selfishness or unkind words.
Our saints this month are: St. John Vianney, St. Faustina and St. Teresa of Calcutta. As a young man growing up during the French Revolution, St. John Vianney witnessed priests risking their lives to practice the faith. St. John Vianney became a priest himself after battling illness and challenging studies. At his parish in Ars, France he saw many people who had become indifferent to practicing their faith or who had turned from their faith during the war. St. John Vianney fought hard to bring them back to God and encourage them to be reconciled with God. St. John Vianney often spent 11-12 hours a day hearing confessions in the winter months and closer to 16 hours a day in the summer.
St. Faustina, a young Polish nun, had always prayed for those around her who suffered and were in need of God's Mercy. She spread the message of God's love and mercy to the world after Jesus appeared to her in a vision and asked her to paint his Divine Mercy image and include the simple, yet powerful prayer, "Jesus, I trust in You."
St. Teresa of Calcutta also provides us with an amazing example of a life focused on easing the suffering of others. St. Teresa was an Albanian nun and missionary who dedicated her life to easing the suffering of the poorest and most neglected people in India. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious order whose Sisters live in the poorest slums and have opened schools for girls and homes for the dying.Honesty(February)
Being trustworthy and true to our faith"If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!"
-St. Catherine of Sienna
Our virtue this month is Honesty. Honesty is more than just telling the truth. To be honest and trustworthy is also to live the truth. When we live honestly, our values are easy for all to see. We say words to help and heal, rather than those that inflict pain or embarrassment.
As we talk about the virtue of honesty this month, we are challenging our students to be honest in their words and their deeds. To live this virtue of honesty as Jesus did, means to use our truth-telling in ways that are kind and life-giving. We work hard to take responsibility when our words and actions hurt others--even if they were not done intentionally. We live this virtue when our words match our actions, and our lives reflect God's love for us.
In the younger grades we will be talking about how we are honest when we keep our promises and try our best each day. In grades 3-5, we will look at the ways in which we can use care with our words. Even if something may be true---we need to ask if it is helpful or hurtful, or even necessary for us to say it. Our 6th grade classes will be talking and thinking about ways to build better relationships with peers and adults by being trustworthy and responsible. We will also discuss how to use charity and respect for each other's privacy when we share personal information. The truth we share should be good for others to know and it should not be a source of gossip or pain.This month we see examples of honesty in the face of persecution in the lives of Saints Jacinta and Francesco Marto, of Fatima; St. Kateri Tekawitha and St. Athanasius. The Marto children, along with their cousin Lucia dos Santos, were jailed and accused of being liars when others learned that the Blessed Mother had appeared to the children at Fatima in 1917. Despite being afraid and alone, they prayed the rosary in jail and soon all of the other prisoners prayed with them. The children refused to deny what they had seen and after they were released from jail they had other visions of the Blessed Mother asking them to pray the rosary for world peace and for sinners.
St. Kateri Tekawitha, the patron saint for the environment, is the first Native American saint. Her face was scarred from the smallpox that she had as a young child and was often seen with a blanket wrapped around her face to hide the scars. Both of her parents died from the disease, so she was raised by an uncle. St. Kateri converted to Catholicism when she was 19 and refused to marry. Her tribe didn’t like her conversion or her decision to devote her life to her faith, so she had to move away.
St. Athanasius, was a Greek Bishop, who lived more than 1,600 years ago. As a defender of the faith, he taught that Jesus was God and fought for this statement of our faith to be included in the Creed that we say at Mass. At the time, St. Athanasius was persecuted for fighting for this belief and he was sent into exile for 17 years.
Gratitude(January)Seeing Everything as a Gift from God and being thankful
"Gratitude to God is to accept everything, even my problems with joy."
~~ Saint Teresa of Calcutta
As we return from our Christmas holidays filled with memories of loved ones and time away from everyday routines, our counseling classes will begin with a focus on the Virtue of Gratitude. Practicing this virtue calls us to look for the good---the many gifts of God in our lives each day.
We will learn more about how to live this virtue as we study the lives of three saints who gave us great examples of living this virtue. We will reflect on ways that we can be grateful for this new year and strive to show gratitude each day to God and each other. In class, we will talk about the gift of friendship and love in our lives. We will also learn about resilience and the ways in which we can grow through the tough times in our lives, seeing God in all of our day---the victorious ones and the challenging ones.
In Kindergarten through 2nd grade, we will be learning more about St. Francis of Assisi, who showed love and appreciation for all of God's creatures, even the smallest insect. St. Julie Billiart's story of faith and her desire to teach others about God's love, despite being paralyzed by a mysterious illness, will provide an example of gratitude in our 3-5th grade classes. St. Julie founded the Congregation of Notre Dame de Namur, whose sisters have been dedicated to teaching since the 1800s. St. Josemaria Escriva, the Spanish priest who founded the Opus Dei organization will provide the saintly example of gratitude in our 6th grade classes. His work with the poor and sick let St. Josemaria to seek ways to help others live their faith. Opus Dei became a way to help both laypeople and priests to see that everyone is called to holiness.
God Bless,
Mrs. Henry
"The more difficult the time are, the more we must expect
and hope everything from the goodness of the good God."~St. Julie Billiart
Generosity(December)Giving Without Counting the Cost
During this season of Advent it is easy to see the gift-giving and good cheer as proof that we are practicing the virtue of Generosity. If we dig a little deeper though, we see that generosity is a virtue we are called to live everyday in many little ways. It is the kindness we show toward that person who gets on our nerves or the classmate who seems alone. We follow Jesus' examples of generosity when we share our time, our talents and the best we have to give without worrying about what we might get in return.
There are many great examples of saints who lived generously toward others. This month we are focusing on three saints who lived clear examples of this virtue. For K-2 students, our saint is St. Nicholas whose feast day we celebrate on December 6th. St. Nicholas desired to follow Jesus by giving to those in need and by sharing his riches and talents with the poor. St. Nicholas became a priest as a way of helping others to experience God’s love and to grow closer to God. When St. Nicholas’ secret generosity was discovered, he humbly told those he had helped to thank God for the goodness in their lives.In grades 3-5, our saintly example of generosity comes from Saint Mary Magdalene, who supported Jesus' ministry and was present at His Crucifixion and Resurrection. In the 6th-8th grades, our saint for generosity is St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan Friar, who published anti-Nazi writings and hid 2,000 Jews from the Nazis at the Niepokalanow Monastery in Teresin, Poland where he lived. After he was arrested by the Gestapo, St. Maximilian Kolbe offered to take the place of a fellow prisoner in Auschwitz who was chosen for death. He is a martyr and the Patron Saint of Prisoners
In our guidance classes this month we are talking about ways that we can support each other through taking the time to listen to each other. We give the gift of respect and kindness when we let each other talk about our lives and our hopes and dreams. We are called to look for ways in which we can share the gift of God’s love each day to family and classmates by being kind and inclusive.
As we practice this virtue of generosity, we can ask ourselves if there is a “yes” that we can say to God this Advent season? A “yes” to being more generous with ourselves and our many gifts and talents to those who need that kindness and help in our daily lives.
I hope you have a very Blessed Advent & Christmas. Thank you for sharing the gift of your children with us!~~Mrs. Henry
Stewardship
(November)"For it is in giving that we receive . . ."
~St. Francis of AssisiNovember is a month for remembering with gratitude all that God has given us--the joy of our families, the bounty of our Thanksgiving feasts and the beauty in the changing world outside our windows. We enjoy time away from our busy schedules to relax with friends and family.
This is also a time for our students to learn about the virtue of stewardship and to reflect on the lives of three saints who clearly lived that virtue. We are called to live this virtue by giving the best of our lives---our time, talents and treasure---to God. We do this in simple small acts of kindness each day; in using caring words to support others rather than tear them down; and in being mindful of how our actions impact those around us. We practice this virtue when we recognize the gifts that God has given us and try to develop these talents as best we can. We also live this virtue when we protect the gifts of the world around us.
Our saintly examples this month include the actions of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, a girl born into riches and royalty who left the palace and all it held to dedicate her life to helping the poor and hungry. Blessed Fra Angelico, the famous Renaissance artist and Dominican Friar, used his artistic talent to spotlight the greatness of God. He was humble in spite of his great talent and reminds us that our gifts can inspire others. Finally, we are learning about the example of St. Giuseppe Moscati, an Italian medical doctor known for pioneering work in biochemistry. St. Giuseppe used his skills and his compassion to treat patients who were considered “incurables.” He reminded the young doctors he taught to care for the whole person--body and soul.At home this month help your child to think about their gifts and talents. Ask to talk to you about something they are proud of and how they can share this gift with others. As a family, come up with something you can do to share your talents and interests with others in your neighborhood, parish or community. It can be as simple as raking leaves for an elderly neighbor, picking up trash or speaking kindly to our siblings.
Wishing you a Blessed Thanksgiving!
Mrs. Henry
Reverence
(October)
“Pray, hope, and don't worry."
~~Saint Pio of Pietrelcina
This month we learn about the virtue of reverence, showing our deepest respect for God and all that God has created. We are called to think about the ways in which we can show this deep love for God at Mass, in prayer and in the ways that we respect all that God has made.
This virtue reverence calls us to see the face of God in all those around us. We practice it by remembering that God made us all to be special and to be loved.Our saints this month, St. Hyacinth, St. Tarcisius and St. Margaret Clitherow, all lived in very different times in history, and yet they all share a deep devotion to our faith. St. Hyacinth, a Domican priest who was born in a castle, fled 12th century marauders with the Eucharist and a heavy statue of the Blessed Mother to keep them from being desecrated. St. Tarcisius was a young boy who was martyred in the early days of the Roman Empire when he was caught on his way to take the Eucharist to Christian prisoners who were awaiting martyrdom. St. Margaret Clitherow was a noble woman in Elizabethan England who converted to Catholicism and raised her three children as Catholics. She refused to renounce her faith and was arrested and martyred for having Mass celebrated in her home.
At home this month ask your children how they can practice this deep respect and love for God in the way that they treat their siblings, parents, and classmates. Spend some time in quiet prayer as a family.
God Bless,
Mrs. Henry
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