From a Previous Post (September 2019)
This year is an an exciting and challenging year for your children. For all of them, not only is this the last year here at St. Catherine’s but it is also the year when they will be prepared for high school. In addition, Grade 7 is a very important year in the faith life of your family as it is also the year when they receive their Confirmation. I am confident that it will be a rewarding final year for your children as I work together with them in the classroom. This year’s school theme is “"I can do all things through Christ." This verse is from the 4th chapter of the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians. Biblical scholars say that he wrote this letter while he was in prison in the city of Rome. Today's prison is a luxury in comparison to a Roman prison during the time of St. Paul and is the last place that anyone would want to be in during that time. Yet if we read Paul's entire letter to the Philippians, we will notice his encouraging tone and the lightness of his spirit. Indeed, it would seem as if Paul wrote this while he was in a villa relaxing and enjoying life, when in fact, he was being held captive in a dark prison, uncertain of what may come to him. How then is he able to write this letter? The answer lies in 13th verse of the 4th chapter: he is able to do everything, exactly because Christ gives him strength. What then does this mean for us? Though, we are not in prison or held captive, we as parents, still go through the ups and downs of life and indeed, some valleys are deeper than others and some hills seem insurmountable; and as adults, it is easier for us to attend to the bleakness of life's challenges, without being aware that in doing so, we might be setting an example for our children. It is true that life is difficult, and our children should value hard work. But how do we act when we encounter life's difficulties? What is our attitude when we are facing challenges? More specifically, how are we modelling it to our own kids? Again, the great St. Paul has an answer for us. He says: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4: 4-7) This will be a year of change for your children. They will have to navigate the challenges of friendships, and of academic and extra-curricular aspects of Grade 7, including the emotional upheavals that they experience at this age. And, they will look to you for support and guidance. Most importantly, they will look to you for encouragement. Echo what St. Paul said to the early Christians in Philippi. Let them know that in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, that they should present their requests to God. Let them know that they can "Do All Things Through Christ who strengthens them"
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About MeIn the thirteen years of my teaching career, I have come believe that children need to be taught holistically where there is a balance between the spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual development of the student. Archives
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