Lenten notes & news

Greetings as we journey through the season of Lent. 
Some quick housekeeping before we get through the packed month of March -

The final unit of Gospel Weeklies are available for pick-up in room 105. Are you a home-taught family who has had trouble keeping up with the week's lessons? We are currently considering a summer in person 'catch up' for children who were unable to be in a class this year. If this is something you would be interested in, please drop us an email.

Even though we have been blessed with a mild winter, we still have March ahead of us. As a reminder, anytime 3 Village is closed or has an early dismissal, we will be closed as well.  Grade level offerings may be switched to virtual if feasible.
Now - on to Lent........

As you know, the Lenten season is one of prayer, fasting and almsgiving (giving - see below for parish needs) and we have plenty of suggestions and opportunities for you to participate as a family.
LENTEN SACRIFICES FOR KIDS
Pray More
Help them to memorize a new prayer and/or bible verse, read the bible together each night, create a prayer list with them or even pray the rosary.
Think of Others
Help them go through their closets and donate clothes that do not fit or they do not wear (this is a great time of year as the seasons change!) or have them slim down their toys and take them to a local charity. They could even help grandparents with small chores or make cookies for the neighbors.
Show Your Love
Help the kids write a letter to a family member or godparents. They will love putting together the letter and taking it to the post office! Have a family hug time! Have them list a trait they like about each of their siblings. Snuggle more!
Be Kind
Encourage them to leave a nice note for someone at school or in a library book, offer to do someone’s chore or volunteer at school or at home. You could get them out of their comfort zone even more and encourage them to play with someone new at recess once a week or sit with someone new at lunch.
Physical Sacrifices
We all know kids love their video games, electronic devices, and other toys. Ask them to limit them or give them up all the time. Giving up their bedtime snack or their favorite sugary cereal would also be great sacrifices for them. No candy until Easter would make the Easter Bunny’s visit extra special for them!
Best Behavior
Ask them to stop complaining. No more whining or begging. No pouting.
Creative Habits
Talk to them about reading more books or playing a math game each night. They could draw a new picture every day or color in a coloring book. Spark their imagination and ask them to write and illustrate new stories or to put on a play!
Be grateful this Lent
Let your goal during this season and any season in life be helping your kids to understand sacrifice and gratitude. 

FAMILY OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALMSGIVING
College Care Packages - due Monday, March 20th
50 pens
50 Rice Krispie Treats
70 bags of chips
​70 granola bars
70 packs of gum
70 packs of cookies
70 candy bars

Hope Academy - due Sunday, March 26th (all Masses)
Much like the "40 day" initiatives, this year we are encouraging our parish families to donate to Hope Academy. Hope Academy is a long-term, non-traditional residential treatment program, one of the programs run by Fr. Frank Pizzarelli's Hope House Ministries. As a family, come up with a way to collect funds using one of your Lenten fasting sacrifices (a swear jar, the money you'd put toward Starbucks, video games, etc.). To make it fun, decorate a small lunch size paper bag, fill it every time you'd spend money on something you've given up, and bring that bag with you to church on Sunday, March 26th (all Masses), and place it in the boat by the baptismal font. We have bags here if you need one. The boat is already up, so if you'd like to bring in a donation earlier, you can certainly do so.

Upcoming Dates:
2/27 - 3/2 Level 1 Parent/Child Lenten Gatherings 5PM Room 101/102
  (Monday A - D, Tuesday E - L, Wednesday M - P, Thursday R - Z)
3/4 5:00PM Level 7 Family Mass
3/5 9:30AM Level 5 Family Mass & Camino Cafe
3/6 5:00PM Level 3 Home Taught students via zoom (link to follow)
        7:00PM Youth Stations of the Cross meeting via zoom
3/7  7:00PM Level 2 Reconciliation - Group I
3/9  3 - 8PM K of C Blood Drive
          5:00PM Level 5 Home taught students via zoom (link to follow)
3/12 9:30AM Girl Scout Sunday & Camino Cafe
3/13  5:00PM Level 4 Home Taught students via zoom (link to follow)
3/14 7:00PM Level 2 Reconciliation  - Group II
3/15  10:30AM or 7:00PM Level 1 Parent Mtg. via zoom (link to follow)
3/20 7:00PM Levels 4 - 8 Stations of the Cross
3/21 7:00PM Level 2 Reconciliation  - Group III
3/22 7:00PM Youth Teen Stations rehearsal - Church
3/27 5:30PM Level 6 workshop - Parish Center
          7:00PM Level 7 workshop - Parish Center
3/28 7:00PM Youth Teen Stations rehearsal - Church
3/30 10:30AM or 7:00PM Level 2 Parent Mtg. via zoom (link to follow)