Lent has started. Yesterday we gathered for Ash Wednesday Mass. Thank you to the many parents and parishioners who participated and prayed with us. In a Mass graced with beautiful music, thanks to Schola and the young musicians, Fr. Crispin reminded us that during Lent, we fast, pray and give alms. The students in many classes are discussing how they will make their Lenten 'journeys".   This morning a boy in fourth grade read to me a paragraph he had written about his plan to bake chocolate chip cookies every week and deliver them to the homeless shelter in the University District.  Our children have big hearts!  

Through the Rice Bowl program the students are Living Their Faith and learning about local and global social justice issues. Each year Catholic Relief Services (CRS) focuses on six countries that struggle with hunger. This year students will learn about hunger in Tanzania, Nicaragua, Niger, Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and here in the the US. To learn right along with your children you will find great resources at http://www.crsricebowl.org/ about CRS's work in these countries. You can even go to CRS's Global Kitchen with Fr. Leo Patalinghug and learn to cook a simple meatless recipe from each of the countries that you and your children can make at home.

Mrs. Thornquist usually tours new applicants, but today, I had an opportunity to take a new family around the school. It gave me so much pleasure to share the great news about St. John, the community, the dedicated hard-working teachers, and the success of our students. On that note, I congratulate the eighth grade students and their parents on their acceptance to the Catholic High Schools. Many students received academic scholarships and service awards. We are proud of you all!   As these students prepare to move on, we are welcoming the new kindergarteners! Let your friends and neighbors know that now is the time that we are accepting applications. Although many grades have fluctuating wait lists, we encourage all interested families to come and tour.

Please keep the Peter Flanagan family in your prayers.  Peter passed away suddenly yesterday.  His boys, Ben and Jon, are both St. John graduates and attended Bishop Blanchet.  His wife, Anne McBroom, directed our middle school musical for several years.