2314 Third Avenue, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361 (308)632-2541

Mailing address: PO Box 349, Scottsbluff, NE 69363-0349 Fax: 308-632-2146 Website: www.st-agnes-church.com

Parish Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9am - Noon & 1pm - 4pm

Rev. Vincent L. Parsons

Pastor

Sr. Vera Meis, C.S.J. Pastoral Minister

Mass Schedule:

(October - May) Saturday: 4:00 pm

Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 am (June - September) Saturday 6:00 pm

Sunday: 8:00 & 10:00 am Monday, Tues, Wed, Friday 7 am

Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays one hour prior to evening Mass or by appointment (632-2541)

Sacrament of Baptism Please call the Parish Office

Eighth Sunday In Ordinary Time

It is good to be back home. It is good to sleep in one’s own bed. And Aggie…well she was happy to see me for about 5 minutes…then would rather go sniff the grass in the back yard! It is good to be back. Thanks as well to all those who sent birthday greetings as well. I am so glad to be a part of the wonderful parish. Today’s gospel from St. Luke follows immediately upon his beautiful explanation of unconditional love whereby we are to love even our enemies. This kind of love is not natural. It can come only with the grace of God and as a result of much work and effort. But this is precisely the challenge of today’s gospel for each one of us. To be so positive of all other people that we can accept them for who and what they are, that we can overcome those occasions when we tend to misjudge others, that we can stress the good in others and hope they can do the same for us. It sounds like a kind of Christian utopia, doesn’t it? But Christ came to change the work, to transform the world according to the will of His Father. Today’s gospel is a challenge, a bold challenge for each one of us followers of Jesus. Ash Wednesday is this week! Hard to believe we are heading into Lent. Have you thought about what sacrifices your going to be giving to the Lord this year?

Page 2 Year C March 3, 2019

The Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Monday, March 4, 2019 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: †John Bush from a Friend Communal Rosary (4:45 pm) Liturgy of the Hours (5:10 pm) Tuesday, March 5, 2019 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: †Alan “Pete” Wylie by Jeanne , Peter C. & Family Tuesday Discussion Group (8-9 am) Liturgy of the Hours (5:30 pm) Ash Wednesday, March 6, 2019 7:00am Intention: Diane Eickhoff by Eileen Young 12:00 (Noon) - Intention: For the Parish 7:00pm Intention: Michael Merkel by Geri Merkel Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Contemplative Prayer Group (6:00pm)

Thursday, March 7, 2019 Daily Mass (10:00am) at the Residency Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Friday, March 8, 2019 Daily Mass (5:45pm) Intention:†Allen Lonowski from a Friend Stations of the Cross (5:15pm) Saturday, March 9, 2019 Weekend Mass (4:00pm) Intention: †John Bush by Eileen Young Sunday, March 10, 2019 Weekend Mass (8:00am) Intention: For the Parish Weekend Mass (10:30am) Intention: †Gordon Bieberle by Don & Bernadine Overman

S a i n t A g n e s

C a t h o l i c C h u r c h

Today’s Readings 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23

Psalm 103 1Corinthians 15: 45-49

Luke 6:27-38

Parish Administration (308) 632-2541 / (308) 632-2146 (Fax)

office@st-agnes-church.com www.st-agnes-church.com

Pastor

Rev. Vincent L. Parsons (ext. 2) pastor@st-agnes-church.com

Pastoral Minister Sr. Vera Meis (ext. 4)

srvera@st-agnes-church.com Director of Religious Education

Mrs. Terri Calvert (ext.5) dre@st-agnes-church.com Church Office Manager Theresa Trevino (ext. 3)

office@st-agnes-church.com School Head Teacher

Mrs. Julie Brown (632-6918) office@stagnesonline.org School Office Manager

Teresa Johnson (632-6918) office@stagnesonline.org

This Week’s Schedule

Daylight Savings is Sunday, March 10th. We move our clocks ahead 1

hour! We wouldn’t want you to miss mass!

Page 3 the Eighth Sunday in ordinary time

Important Dates To Remember In 2018

March 3 St. Agnes Penny Carnival March 6 Ash Wednesday March 9 Rite of Election @ Christ The King April 7 Communal Penance Service April 14 Palm Sunday April 19 Good Friday April 21 Easter Sunday

Finance Corner Sunday Collections

& ATW Giving

February 24, 2019 Actual $6155.20 ATW $4720.00 Budget $9000.00 Surplus (Deficit) $1875.20

February Totals Actual $16781.84 ATW $8998.00 Budget $36000.00 Surplus (Deficit) $4064.96

Next weekend’s 2nd collection is

for Haiti/Uganda

OSCAR ROMERO ROMERO is a compelling and deeply moving look at the life of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, who made the ultimate sacrifice in a passionate stand against social injustice and oppression his country. “If they kill me, I shall rise in the Salvadoran people.” Come, view the film and participate in a discussion facilitated by Fr. Bob Karnish, Sunday, March 17 at 2:00 pm in the garden room. All are welcome.

Monday: Sir 17:20-24; Ps 32:1-2, 5 -7; Mk 10:17-27 Tuesday: Sir 35:1-12; Ps 50:5-8, 14, 23; Mk 10:28-31 Wednesday: Jl 2:12-18; Ps 51:3-6ab, 12-14, 17; 2 Cor 5:20 — 6:2; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday: Dt 30:15-20; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 9:22-25 Friday: Is 58:1-9a; Ps 51:3-6ab, 18-19; Mt 9:14-15 Saturday: Is 58:9b-14; Ps 86:1-6; Lk 5:27-32 Sunday: Dt 26:4-10; Ps 91:1-2, 10 -15; Rom 10:8-13; Lk 4:1-13

This Week’s Readings

Mass Times This Wednesday, 7am, Noon, 7pm

The Lenten season is just around the corner. Ash

Wednesday is a universal day of fast and abstinence. Because

Ash Wednesday occurs this year on Valentine’s Day, there is a likelihood that Catholics will

easily forget the obligation not only to fast that day, but to

abstain from meat, especially if they plan on eating out.

Remember your obligation, which cannot be dispensed or

deputed to another day.

Ash Wednesday Mass 7am, noon, 7pm

Daily Mass

Mondays & Tuesdays, 7:00am Wednesdays, 8:15am

Fridays, 5:45pm

Communal Reconciliation St. Agnes Church: April 7 - 3pm

Christ the King: April 7, 6pm

Individual Reconciliation April 16th 6pm - 7pm

No reconciliation Sat., April 20th

Stations of the Cross Every Friday, 5:15 pm

Communal Rosary Mondays, 4:45pm

Fish Fry Friday, March 8, 29 & April 12

5:30 - 7:30pm, School Gym

Soup Supper Friday, March 15, 22 & April 5

following 5:45pm Mass Garden Room

Holy Week Schedule April 18, Holy Thursday, 7pm April 19, Good Friday, noon

April 20, Holy Saturday, 8pm April 21, Easter Sunday

8:00 & 10:30am

2019 Lent/Holy Week Schedule

Annual St. Agnes Penny Carnival is this

weekend! Sunday March 3rd from 11:30-3:30. There will be lots of

Games, Food & Prizes We hope to see you there!

Page 4 March 3, 2019

Pride can easily lead to our downfall. Pride causes us to lose sight of our failings while finding fault within the lives of others. It is like walking down a narrow path looking for the forest, but not being able to see the forest because of all the trees. It seems relatively easy for any of us to identify the corrections that should occur in someone else’s life and resisting any effort to recognize and correct our flaws. As Jesus says, we ignore the beam in our eye while glorious describing the splinter in another’s eye.

That does not mean we should always ignore the efforts of others to correct our questionable habits. We are dependent on constructive criticisms to improve the quality of our lives. A teacher rightly corrects her student in the use of proper grammar for a writing assignment. The parent rightly directs a child not to hit his sister. A highway patrolman rightly gives a speeding ticket to a person driving too fast through a school zone. These interventions are designed to amend the practices of an individual that fails to comply with the standards considered to be acceptable within a community. These teachers or authority figures correct their disciples with the desire assist in an improvement in performance.

No one, however, appreciates the continuous feedback of a prideful person who feels justified in pointing out ‘if you do as I say, then you will be…’ or ‘Listen to me because I know all the answers.’ The prideful had no desire to assist anyone other than their status. These are the words of a person with a beam stuck in his or her eye even though their words would indicate a concern about your splinter. For these people, their attempt in correcting others is actually a need to demonstrate their self-worth.

Since no one can live in a state being sinless, how hypocritical it is for us to expect purity in the lives of others. How unfortunately it is when we never see the goodness of others because we are only looking for ways to demean them. If we allow sin to creep into our lives, we can become so accustomed to it that a sinful life seems to become our very being all the while it is wreaking havoc in our lives. We will never see the path through the forest to salvation because all the trees of sin keep blocking the way. We often allow our sins to interfere with recognizing the right path to take, the path that God desires of us. As a result, we often wander off that narrow road into brambles and thorns and other dangers that threaten our spiritual life. Unless we pray to get right with the Lord, we will surely walk so far away from the path of salvation and fall into the pit of Hell.

When we stumble off the road and into the brambles, we get stuck, enmeshed by sinful acts that tie us up. The bramble of a single venial sin maybe so minor, that we can easily break it and return to the path. However, as we sin more frequently, the brambles become so overwhelming, that no matter which way we turn cannot get away. Our lives become so consumed with the brambles of sin that there seems no way to return to the pure life on that road to salvation. We need a cleansing fire to burn away all those sins. This mighty blaze is the Sacrament to Reconciliation. As we admit to our sinful ways, the brambles are burned away, and relief comes, freeing us from our sins.

Even more dangerous are the thorns of mortal sins that wound us as they drive themselves into our being. Every movement we make the thorns seem to dig themselves deeper and deeper causing us intolerable suffering and pain. As we attempt to free ourselves from these thorny sins, we tear our flesh and tatters our soul so that we are no longer recognizable. We need the healing balm of Jesus to bring us relief to our aching souls that soothe these self-inflicted wounds. The salve for mortal sins is forgiveness of Jesus through Reconciliation. We must turn to him for redemption, strengthening our resolve to resist sin, and to making lasting changes in our lifestyles that lead to the wellbeing of our soul.

It is only through the faith in God alone that we can come to amend our pessimistic attitudes towards others while walking about with a beam in our eye socket. We have enough challenges in selecting the path to salvation we take in our lives without attempting to find the splinter the eyes of others. Only when we first remove our beam can become a reliable guide in assisting others to find salvation, to see the distant forest through the trees.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.

In all you ways acknowledge him. and he will make straight your paths.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body. (Proverbs 3:5-8)

Page 5 the Eighth Sunday in ordinary time

Rest In Peace Alice Cantril, Mother of Rick Cantril

L i v i n g O u r C a t h o l i c F a i t h

Treasures From Our Tradition Many Catholics who are not active in the Church will still seek out ashes this Wednesday. Likewise, many Jews who are not otherwise observant will follow the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, with great exactness, fasting and refraining from work and entertainment. People customarily dress in white as a symbol of purity and a reminder of God’s promise that our sins will be made white as snow. While the overture to Ash Wednesday for Christians may be a festive Mardi Gras celebration, for Jews it is the New Year feast of Rosh Hashanah. Ten days before the Day of Atonement to God, people are expected to repair breaks in human life. These are days for offering forgiveness and seeking to repair harmed relationships with family, friends, or coworkers. Everyone is expected to seek out someone and “clear the air” by asking for understanding for any mean words or thoughtless deeds in the past year. Perhaps the ashes you receive will be invested with deeper meaning if you follow a similar plan. This year, Rosh Hashanah will be September 29, and Yom Kippur October 8. A conversation with some Jewish friends or neighbors about their experience of a season of repentance may be a blessing on your Lent. —James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Lenten Rice Bowl Lent is a 40-day journey of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. As companions on this journey, we are invited to reach out to our neighbor in need no matter where they live. This Wednesday begins Lent. During Lent you can support the CRS Rice Bowl by picking up a Rice Bowl box from one of the church entrances to use as part of almsgiving. If your child is in the Religious Education program or enrolled in St. Agnes School, they will bring one home for your family.

Server Schedule March 9 4pm Abigail Peiper Ethan Gion March 10 8am Logan Zulkoski Jed Zulkoski 10:30am Charlotte Lewis Yvonne Kreiling

Lector Schedule March 9 4pm Kathleen Roehl March 10 8am Nichole Hoesing 10:30am Michael Schaff

Young at Heart Young at Heart meets Tuesday, March 12th at noon in the Garden Room. Everyone of retirement age is invited to attend. Please bring a side dish to share

Journey of Grief Program To aid in the healing of grief

7 week session by Doug Manning Sunday March, 3 2019 - 5pm

St. Agnes Garden Room call Ellen 631-0811 or

Sr. Vera 632-2541

Easter Choir starting Sunday

March 10th at 5:00 pm. All adults and high

school students are invited to join us.

All children, 1st - 8th grade, are invited to join the Children's Easter Choir at the 10:30am Mass on Sunday, April

21st! Directed by Jessica Mikoloyck, rehearsals will be immediately

following the 10:30am Sunday Masses and will run until 12:30pm each Sunday beginning March 17th. Feel free to call

Jessica at 631.6290 with any questions!

February 100 Club Winners

$200 - Gary Kelley $100 - Mark & Dyana Moran,

Anonymous, Danny & Norma Guzman $85 - Rob & Lisa Johnson

$50 - Bruce & Linda Gaarder, Vince & Vicki Bjorling, Lizbet Hernandez, Scott & Kristin

Schiff, Deborah Moore, Linda Rutz, Margaret Mary Busy &

Julie Brown

CONGRATULATIONS!

Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Gospel: Luke 6:39-45

On the Way to Mass: What is one thing you would like to change about our daily interactions? On the Way Home From Mass: How can you be more aware of what may be standing in the way of seeing clearly? Living the Word: Play a memory game with family. Gather some objects and lay them out on the table under a covered cloth. As you uncover the items briefly, let everyone look at them for the first time. Then, cover them up and ask the family to write down the things they remember seeing. Discuss whether additional time or working together would aid memory. What faults act like the cover and make it hard for us to see things clearly? How can we remove these obstacles?

Celebrating Sunday for Catholic

Families 2018-2019

Find Us On

Facebook Twitter: stagnes-church

Instagram: st.agnescatholicchurch Parish Website

www.st-agnes-church.com myParish App

In the App Store on your phone or tablet

March

Schedules

Grade School Formation Sessions

Grades Pre-K - 5th meet from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the school building. March: 3rd, (No formation sessions), 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st

Middle School

Formation Sessions Grades 6th-8th meet Wednesday evenings from 7-8:15 p.m. in the school building. March: 6th (Ash Wednesday Mass at 7

p.m.), 13th , 20th , 27th

High School (CYM) Formation Sessions

CYM Youth (10th-11th) gather in catechist’s homes & CYM Youth (9th) meet in the Office Basement from 7-8:15 p.m. March: 6th (Ash Wednesday Mass at 7

p.m.), 13th , 20th , 27th

11th Grade CYM Youth CYM & Confirmation Formation Sessions

Mar. 6th - Ash Wednesday Mass

Mar. 13th - Lent Reconciliation

Mar. 20th - Confirmation (Garden Room)

Mar. 27th - CYM (leader’s home)

Save the Dates

First Communion

May 4th - 4pm & May 5th - 8am

Confirmation

May 5th - 10:30 am

Page 6 Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

R_ligious E^u][tion Progr[m Email—dre@st-agnes-church.com Religious Education Office—308-635-1362

SAVE THE DATE!

Junior/High School-(Grades 7-12) June 2nd - 6th - 7-9 p.m.

Grade School - (Grades 1-6)

June 3rd – 7th- 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The Totus Tuus Curriculum The Sacred Scriptures and the Catechism of the Catholic Church provide the foundation of the catechetical instruction of the Totus Tuus summer catechetical program. One of the unique features of Totus Tuus is the two independent cycles of catechetical materials. The six core topics of catechesis (which come by dividing the four pillars of the Catechism into six major elements) and the four mysteries of the Rosary make certain that every summer has an original presentation of material for the students. This year the content focus will be The Sacraments and the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. Totus Tuus seeks to foster openness to vocations in the young people we serve as well as among the teachers. This is accomplished by placing special emphasis on the importance and necessity of prayer, Eucharistic devotion, and Marian devotion in addition to catechetical instruction and formation in the Catholic faith. If your are interested in hosting the female or the male team of leaders please contact the RE Office for more information.

Page 7 March 3, 2019

Higher Ground Middle School

Week 1: July 7-11, 2019 Week 2: July14-18, 2019

Higher Ground Middle School Retreat is a four-day Catholic youth program for those who completed sixth or seventh grade in the spring of 2019. The purpose of the Higher Ground Middle School Retreat is to create an environment where we belong and can invite others to belong. The activities provide an enjoyable opportunity for the young people to develop a better sense of self, to build positive relationships with others and to grow closer to God. Higher Ground Middle School

Higher Ground High School Week 1: May 26-31, 2019

Week 2: June 2-7, 2019 Higher Ground is a five-day Catholic youth program for those who will be juniors or seniors in high school. This program is sponsored by the Diocese of Grand Island's Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, with Fr. Josh Brown as the Diocesan Spiritual Director.

The purpose of Higher Ground is to create an environment where Christian community may be experienced. The activities provide an enjoyable opportunity for the young people to develop a better sense of self, to build positive relationships with others and to grow closer to God.

The week begins on Sunday at 7:00 PM, and ends at 10:00 AM the following Friday. The program runs three successive weeks, beginning the last week in May (Memorial Day Weekend). For registration information go to: www.gidiocese.org

Family Lent Calendar

“Lent is the liturgical season of forty days which begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with the celebration of the Paschal Mystery (Easter Triduum). Lent is the primary penitential season in the Church’s liturgical year, reflecting the forty days Jesus spent in the desert fasting and praying” (Catechism of the Catholic Church). Ash Wednesday - March 6th Take your family to Ash Wednesday liturgy and wear the cross of ashes all day. Mass times at St. Agnes are 7 a.m.. - Noon - 7 p.m. Thursday - March 7th Decide on a family Lenten offering. Examples include: no desserts, attending daily Mass, praying a family Rosary daily. Friday - March 8th Share a meatless meal and review each child’s Lenten offering to be sure they are reasonable and age-appropriate. Saturday - March 9th St.. Frances of Rome

St. Frances used her wealth to help the poor. Use an Operation Rice

Bowl of fill a jar with change during Lent. Donate it at Easter Mass.

Great place to look for Lent resources. If you haven’t signed up go to www.saintagneschurch.formed.org and register today!

Become someone new this Lent March 6th begins Lent – the chance to become the person

God intends us to be. The desert of Lent allows us time and space to take back control of our environment, become more present to our families, and revise the messages we send to others. Take control. What can be shed? Sort through and declutter drawers, toy closets or living spaces with the goal of dumping unwanted and unneeded possessions. Choose one area a week during Lent. The end result can be clear space to store newer, more useful goods or the perspective to appreciate what is left. Become intentional. Family life can become a treadmill of work, school, sports, clubs, and activities. Yet, the ability to say “no” allows us to be intentional about how we to spend our time. Our primary need is for our family to connect with God and each other. These connections are from where our strength flows. A “no” to others may be a “yes” to God and family. Reform speech. How we speak is the primary way we build connection – with coworkers, neighbors, friends, family. This Lent, resolve to use speech only to build up others with positive words and phrases. Promise to reject swears or curses, and use God’s name only reverently and prayerfully. The benefits will be immediate and eternal.

Partners in Faith - March 2019

Page 8 March 3, 2019

Connecting Students and Families through Faith March 3, 2019

School Newsletter

St. Agnes Catholic School 205 E 23rd, Scottsbluff, NE

Ph: 308-632-6918

Tuesday, March 5th Mardi Gras Celebra on - 6:00pm

Wednesday, March 6th Jump Rope for Heart Kick-off Ash Wednesday Mass - 12:00

Friday, March 8th Penny Carnival Prize Ceremony

First Fish Fry 5:30-7:30 in the Gym

Registration for 2019-2020 St. Agnes hosted registration for the 2019-2020 school year

during the week of Feb 25-March 1. A number of new

families took the opportunity to register their child for the

fall classes.

Kindergarten is currently closed and space in Pre-K is

limited. There is still space in grades 1st-5th for those who

may still be interested in enrolling. Please contact Julie Brown 308-632-6918

ext. #3 with questions.

TODAY MARCH 3RD

11:30 - 3:30 ST. AGNES SCHOOL GYM

February 100 Club Winners

$200 - Gary Kelley $100 - Mark & Dyana Moran, Anonymous,

Danny & Norma Guzman $85 - Rob & Lisa Johnson

$50 - Bruce & Linda Gaarder, Vince & Vicki Bjorling, Lizbet Hernandez, Scott & Kristin

Schiff, Deborah Moore, Linda Rutz, Margaret Mary Busy & Julie Brown

CONGRATULATIONS!

What’s Happening at St. Agnes School………...

Celebrating Dr. Seuss Week Pre-K -5th grade students enjoyed celebrating Dr. Seuss week during the week of Feb. 25-March 2. Theodore Geisel, writing under the pen name Dr. Seuss, wrote some of the most popular children’s

books of all time selling more than 600 million copies that have been translated into 20 languages. Some of

the favorites celebrated during the weeklong celebration included: Whoville(crazy hair day), Fox in

Socks (wear wacky socks), Cat in the Hat (wear a crazy hat), Green Eggs and Ham (wear something green),

and Oh The Places You’ll Go (wear your favorite college team apparel). The various classes also did other

activities within their individual classrooms. What a fun way to celebrate some of our favorite classic

picture books!

Monday, Mar 4 Sloppy Joes on a Bun French Fries Carrots w/ranch Mandarin Oranges Helpers: Shannon Hafner Betsy Vidlak

Tuesday, Mar 5 Tacos Potatos Ole’ Refried Beans 1/2 Banana Helpers: Ellie Nash Sheree Verbeck

Wednesday, Mar 6 Grilled Cheese Sandwich Tomato Soup Wheat Crackers Green Salad w/DL Potato Chips Apple Slices Helpers: Lana Zulkoski Kerstin Clarkson

Thursday, Mar 7 Corn Dog Scalloped Potatoes Steamed Broccoli Fruit Cocktail Helpers: Bridget Peck Nichole Hoesing

Friday, Mar 8 Pancakes Scrambled Eggs w/sautéed spinach & red pepper Potato Triangle Orange Wedges Helpers: Jessica Escobedo HELPER NEEDED

Hot Lunch Menu for March 4th - March 8th, 2019

Making Tortillas Second grade students enjoyed making their very

own tortillas as part of a literacy activity associated with a reading story entitled The First

Tortilla. After reading the story, the students, with the help of parent Charissa Gould, made

their own tortilla. While all enjoyed this learning experience, the best part, by far, was eating their

good works.

A New Member of Kindergarten The kindergarten students are the proud new owners of a new pet turtle named, Tudo. Tudo was a

gift from Miss Brill’s aunt who could no longer take care of her. She is 15 years old and is a well-trained pet. Tudo replaces, Red,

the beloved pet turtle of kindergarten who died earlier this month. The students are looking forward to taking good care of Tudo.

Wacky Socks!

Crazy Hair Day!

LUNCH @ 11:00 TODAY

Classroom News………... First Grade Class By Sharon Bird

February has been a busy month for us in first grade. Did the groundhog see his shadow? We learned facts about the groundhog, if he did or did not see his shadow, and what each event would mean. Wow!! Many 100 year old students were in first grade for our one hundredth day celebration. The

students looked so wonderful. The pancake breakfast was delicious! Students participated in many activities. We did 100 exercises, created & built objects with marshmallows and toothpicks, drew pictures, read 100 words, etc. We also celebrated Chinese New Year. We learned how to use chop sticks from an older student. Thanks to his kindness and patience there was not much frustration but so much excitement. Each student made a dragon and we discussed other aspects of the Chinese New Year.

This is the year of the pig so our fifth grade buddies assisted us in making a pig. Our Valentine’s Day was full of learning in the morning and then fun in the afternoon. The students had such a wonderful time looking through their valentine containers they had made and reading the valentine cards within. The party was exciting. In math, we have been working on missing addends, measuring, money, addition and subtraction. The students are excited about math. The week of Feb. 25 through March 1 was Dr. Seuss week. Each child made a Cat in the Hat on Friday Feb. 22. The art is on display in the hall. Many activities were planned for the week.

Third Grade Class By Amanda Brill

Wow how time is flying! We can’t believe the third quarter is wrapping up! Lent is quickly approaching, and we are learning about repentance and almsgiving. We are focusing on others and how we can better ourselves for Jesus’ return. We are learning new prayers this year. We have learned, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. We are now memorizing Hail Holy Queen.

Academically we are coming right along! We are multiplication masters at this point in the year. We are figuring out the basic division and multiplication goes hand in hand. Currently, in social studies, we have been learning about presidents past and present. We will soon be starting our government chapter. We are coming right along in science as well. We have talked a lot about the earth’s surface, and now we are discussing the water cycle.

There is no shortage in fun celebrations in third grade. We just recently celebrated Valentine’s Day, and the concept of sharing love with one another. Soon we will be celebrating Theodore Gisele and his contribution to education and reading. Then finally, we will be celebrating with our pancake feed and Mardi Gras Parade!

As the fourth and final quarter of the school year approaches, we are focusing on preparing ourselves for the transition to 4th grade. We are focusing on our punctuation, division facts, and improving our vocabulary and our overall responsibility level.