Lenten Fasting and Abstinence from Meat

As we begin the Church season of Lent, here are some thoughts on fasting from St. John Chrysostom that I found helpful:

"Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works. If you see a poor man, take pity on him. If you see a friend being honored, do not envy him. Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye, and the ear, and the feet, and the hands, and all the members of our bodies. Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice. Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin. Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that which is sinful... Let the ear fast... by not listening to evil talk and gossip... Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism. For what good is it if we abstain from birds meat, but bite and devour our brother"

       - St. John Chrysostom on The Proof of Fasting

The requirements for fasting and abstinence are as follows: For this penitential season, the Church draws on the wisdom of the Scriptures and tradition in suggesting a time of intense prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Catholics in the United States are obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays during the season of Lent. Catholics are also obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Self-imposed observance of fasting on all weekdays of Lent is strongly recommended, as is abstinence from meat on all Fridays of the year. The obligation of fasting binds Catholics who are 18 - 59 years old. The obligation of abstinence applies to those 14 years and older. The law does not oblige when health or ability to work would be seriously affected.

Fasting. On a day of fasting, one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one's needs, but together they should not equal the other full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted, but liquids, including milk and juices, are permitted.

Abstinence. On days of abstinence eating of meat is not allowed.

Auction Update

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's gala auction. Final numbers are still being calculated. But thanks to Nancy Schoeggl's hard work crunching numbers, we know that we well exceeded in $300,000 in gross revenue. We are very grateful for the generosity of our community. If you did not have a chance to contribute to the Technology or Endowment Fund-a-Need, please e-mail Jessica Manni in the development office. She will be happy to assist you with making a donation. - Mr. Burroughs

Limited Morning ESS on March 8th

Due to the Science Fair on Friday, March 8th, morning ESS will take place in the library instead of the gym. Drop off will be at the exterior library door instead of the North entrance. Since we will have less space, morning ESS will only be available for families on the full time plan. Thank you for your flexibility & we apologize for the inconvenience.

First Grade Pajama Drive

First  grade is doing an pajama drive for WACAP, an international adoption agency. Please bring in new PJs on Valentine's Day.  First graders only  have free dress on Valentine's Day for hosting this drive. Thank you first graders!

Lenten Movie Series

The Auction Co-chairs wish to extend a heartfelt

THANK YOU

for joining us in celebrating

the 2013 Gala Auction.

Your donations represent an invaluable contribution

to our school community and your participation

created a memorable event for all those

who attended the festivities.

We especially wish to thank all of the volunteers,

staff and additional helpers who spent many hours over the last few months, weeks and days

to make this event a success.

         Shelley Johnson      Aurora Paz       Kim Douglass             

Thank you to everyone who has participated and sent in Box Tops. Our goal this year is $3,000.00, or 8 Box Tops per student per month. So far we have earned $390.90 just by turning in our Box Tops!  Our next deadline is February 28th. 

How you can help:

1. Check the expiration date on the box top.

2. Use collection sheets (click here) or bundle them in 10's or 50's. 

3. Please remember to add your student's name & grade.

4. Send them in.

A $25 scrip card will go to the student with the most collections!

You can also earn Box Tops for our school by shopping at your favorite online stores via the Box Tops Marketplace.

Some offers include:

Barnes and Noble 3 Box tops per $10.00 spent

Nordstrom  2.5  Box Tops per $10.00 spent

Shutterfly 4 Box Tops per $10.00 spent

We will have a third collection period, so please keep on clipping and collecting box tops throughout the school year!

If you have questions, please e-mail Patricia Ramos.

LIMITED SPOTS!!!

Consider joining us. It'll be a great night!  

Sort of a "Family Night" feel without the Auction portion, relaxed evening with friends.

Grades 3rd thru 8th (or BINGO savvy K-2).  High School students are welcome too.

We hope to see you and your family there! Great food, drinks, treats and more!

Register Today

Hosted by the Chandler, Michael & Taylor Families

An opportunity to start an Adventure with Cub Scouts is coming to an area near you!

Cub Scouts if a program through the Boy Scouts of America for boys 1st through 5th grade (7-11 years old) where your son will learn new skills, gain self-confidence and develop strong friendships that will last a lifetime all while having fun and meeting challenges. On March 4th at 7pm we will be having a meeting for all families interested in getting their sons involved in the Cub Scout program with the Boy Scouts of America. The meeting will be at the First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue in room 303. There will be signs posted to lead you to the room.

If you would like more information or want to take on a leadership role now

please e-mail Kenna Burch. For more information on the program follow this link.

Leadership: There are two types of leaders we are looking for to help run this new Cub Scout Pack- organization orientated people and program orientated people.

To start out with for Cub Scouts we'll need two program orientated people- a Cubmaster and a Den Leader.

- The Cubmaster is the person who plans program for boys once a month at the Pack* meeting. These activities can range from having a firefighter come speak to the group to having a Pinewood Derby race. Pack meetings happen once a month and are usually in place of the Den meeting. The Cubmaster is the leader of the Pack and helps the other parents involved in the program side of Cub Scouts i.e. the Den Leaders.

- A Den Leader is another program focused person who plans outings, program, and ties in Cub Scout related Advancement to their Den** meetings. A Den Leader usually has a boy in their own Den, i.e. the Tiger Cub Den Leader has a 1st grade son. Den meetings can happen once a week or once a month depending on how open Cub Scout parents' schedules are. We prefer to have a Den Leader identified for each Den (Tiger, Bear, Wolf, and Webelo), but usually if we just have one Den Leader identified parents will take on roles in their own Den for one or two meetings and it works itself out quickly.

The Renewal Food Bank Needs Your Help!

The Renewal Food Bank, who we have supported with Food Drives and weekly volunteering, is becoming an independent non-profit organization at the end of March. In order to continue feeding more than 250 hungry families every week, we need your help to reach their goal of $85,000 to support their operations.

Flyers and envelopes will be available today and Friday (and after the Mid-Winter Break) for an online auction that they will be holding in March. We need students to take these flyers out to local restaurants (this auction is food-themed) to solicit donations for this auction. Service hours will be provided to all middle school students who help out with this project. Donations can be mailed to the Renewal Food Bank with envelopes provided or dropped off at the school or parish office.

If you want to help the Renewal Food Bank directly, you can make a donation directly to the Renewal Food Bank and drop it off at the front desk of the school

CYO Summer Camps

Does this cold winter weather have you looking toward summer? Now is the perfect time to register for CYO Summer Camps - Washington state's only Catholic summer camps!

For more information check out the Summer 2013 brochure.

Or, click here to register today!

Save the Date - 4th Annual Sacred Heart Marriage Enrichment Weekend

When: Saturday, March 9th, 8am - 8pm, Sunday, March 10th 8am - 12pm

Where: St. Mary-on-the-Lake Peace and Spirituality Center on Killarney Way

Who: This retreat welcomes all couples who want to celebrate, enrich and nurture their marriage, have some time together away from work and family responsibilities and meet other couples that are committed to their Sacrament of Matrimony. 

$105.00 Per couple suggested donation includes 4 meals and all weekend activities. (Scholarships/Support by the Parish available)

Questions? Call the Parish Offices or Kevin & Mary Benz 425-747-2450 or e-mail.

Kingdom Rock-Vacation Bible School

June 24th- 28th 9:00am-12:00pm

Children (Kindergarteners by 9-1-13) through 5th grade can join in the fun!