MARCH 2024
St. Augustine School
Newsletter
Principal's Message
Lent is a time of self-examination, sacrifice, fasting, charity, and prayer. It is a time for us to realign our priorities and to make use of more reflective time each day. It is a time to fast and abstain from those things that hinder our relationship with the Lord and to consider being more generous to the poor. Lent is a time to ready ourselves for God’s grace to work in us.
Lent offers us all a very special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a way of life, rooted in our baptism. In our busy world, Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon our patterns, to pray more deeply, experience sorrow for what we've done and failed to do, and to be generous to those in need.
Spring Break is in the middle of Lent this year. During our two weeks off for the break, let us not forget to continue to prepare our hearts for Easter, even if we are on vacation. Let us practice being selfless, generous, and giving. In these ways we can focus our attention on others during this Lenten season to bring love, peace, and forgiveness into our lives and to look for all that is good in others. Let us make use of this special time to realign our priorities and to make more reflective time each day. As we journey through Lent, let us be open to God’s grace so that we can experience spiritual renewal and growth.
Mr.Yaptinchay
PEC AGM THANK YOU!
Thank you to all the parents who came out to support our Parish Education Committee Annual General Meeting and Parent Appreciation Evening February 22. Thank you for visiting our school website as a place of reference for any updates and for all news and events, including our Strategic Plan 2024-2029.
SPRING BREAK
Spring Break is from March 9 to March 24. The last day of school before Spring Break (March 8) is a NOON dismissal (with staggered pick-up beggining at 11:55am). Please, join us for school mass March 8 at 9:15am.
LOOKING AHEAD: HOLY WEEK
Upon our return from Spring Break, we will be in Holy Week. Please, join us for our annual school-wide retreat on Holy Thursday. Stay tuned for full details.
MONTH AT A GLANCE
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March 4 - lockdown drill at 1:15pm
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March 5
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Axis Theater (K-4)
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Seniors Lunch
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4pm Camp counselors meeting
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March 6 - Stations of the Cross Assembly at 9:15 in the church
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March 7 - n/a
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March 8
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Last Day of School before Spring Break
9:15am School Mass (6D) -
Noon Dismissal
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March 9-24: Spring Break
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March 24 - Palm Sunday
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March 25: First day back after spring break
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March 26: School Confessions (Grades 3-7)
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March 27: NO assembly
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March 28: HolyThursday School Retreat (all day)
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March 29: NO SCHOOL (Good Friday)
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March 31: Happy Easter!
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April 1: NO SCHOOL (Easter Monday)
During this season of Lent, I would like to share with you a different take on fasting, which can take many forms. Traditionally and biblically, fasting is defined as abstaining from food or drink to focus on a period of spiritual growth. Specifically, we humbly deny something of the flesh to glorify God, enhance our spirit, and go deeper in our prayer life. In modern times, our Lenten fasts have a tendency to be oriented or even limited towards things like giving up coffee, chocolate, TV, Facebook, social media, etc. These are all wonderful ways to show our commitment to sacrifice during Lent, but I would like to share a list of other ways to make your Lenten fast even more meaningful:
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Fast from anger and hatred. Give your family and friends that extra dose of love. "Love one another as I have loved you."
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Fast from division. Strive to be in unity with everyone.
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Fast from judging others. Before making any judgments, remember how Jesus overlooks our faults.
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Fast from low self-esteem, pessimism, and negativity. Be positive in your outlook in life.
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Fast from discouragement. Let's have hope in all that we do. "See I will not forget you...I have carved you in the palm of my hand." (Isaiah 49:15)
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Fast from personal anxiety, fear, and worry. Jesus is watching over our lives. Put your trust in Him. "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)
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Fast from lethargy. Have enthusiasm for life. Remember God loves you so.
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Fast from the problems that overwhelm your life and wear you down. Pray and ask Jesus for help. He said, "Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find."
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Fast from complaining. When you're about to complain, count and appreciate all your blessings. "Praise you, Lord, for all that you have given me."
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Fast from too much self-concern. Put yourself in the shoes of other people.
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Fast from any resentments or bitterness. Forgive those who have hurt you.
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Fast from conversations that are negative or filled with gossip. Encourage one another instead.
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Fast from spending too much money. Reduce your spending and have your family give the savings to the poor.
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Fast from too much of the world. In Lent, find extra time for Jesus. Go to a quiet place and pray, pray, pray – for your friends, for your family, for all families, and for peace in the world.
