Volume 9, Issue 15
March 7, 2011
Message from the Secretary for Education/Superintendent
In this bulletin, we begin with Pope Benedict’s Lenten Message that develops the connection between the Sacrament of Baptism and the observance of Lent. The Holy Father message contains three elements representing “a road map to rekindle the supernatural life that was given to us in Baptism.” Cardinal Robert SarahThe Holy Father’s 2011 Lenten Message
“You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him." (cf. Col 2: 12)
This is the title of the Holy Father’s 2011 Lenten Message.The Lenten period, which leads us to the celebration of Holy Easter, is for the Church a most valuable and important liturgical time…As she awaits the definitive encounter with her Spouse in the eternal Easter, the Church community, assiduous in prayer and charitable works, intensifies her journey in purifying the spirit, so as to draw more abundantly from the Mystery of Redemption the new life in Christ the Lord (cf. Preface I of Lent).
1. This very life was already bestowed upon us on the day of our Baptism, when we "become sharers in Christ’s death and Resurrection", and there began for us "the joyful and exulting adventure of his disciples"… In his Letters, St. Paul repeatedly insists on the singular communion with the Son of God that this washing brings about. The fact that, in most cases, Baptism is received in infancy highlights how it is a gift of God: no one earns eternal life through (his/her) own efforts. The mercy of God, which cancels sin and, at the same time, allows us to experience in our lives "the mind of Christ Jesus" (Phil 2: 5), is given to men and women freely. The Apostle to the Gentiles, in the Letter to the Philippians, expresses the meaning of the transformation that takes place through participation in the death and resurrection of Christ, pointing to its goal: that "I may come to know him and the power of his resurrection, and partake of his sufferings by being molded to the pattern of his death, striving towards the goal of resurrection from the dead" (Phil 3: 10-11). Hence, Baptism is not a rite from the past, but the encounter with Christ, which informs the entire existence of the baptized, imparting divine life and calling for sincere conversion; initiated and supported by Grace, it permits the baptized to reach the adult stature of Christ.
A particular connection binds Baptism to Lent as the favorable time to experience this saving Grace. The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council exhorted all of the Church’s Pastors to make greater use "of the baptismal features proper to the Lenten liturgy" (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum concilium, n. 109). In fact, the Church has always associated the Easter Vigil with the celebration of Baptism: this Sacrament realizes the great mystery in which man dies to sin, is made a sharer in the new life of the Risen Christ and receives the same Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead (cf. Rm 8: 11). This free gift must always be rekindled in each one of us, and Lent offers us a path like that of the catechumenate, which, for the Christians of the early Church, just as for catechumens today, is an irreplaceable school of faith and Christian life. Truly, they live their Baptism as an act that shapes their entire existence.
2. In order to undertake more seriously our journey towards Easter and prepare ourselves to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord – the most joyous and solemn feast of the entire liturgical year – what could be more appropriate than allowing ourselves to be guided by the Word of God? For this reason, the Church, in the Gospel texts of the Sundays of Lent, leads us to a particularly intense encounter with the Lord, calling us to retrace the steps of Christian initiation: for catechumens, in preparation for receiving the Sacrament of rebirth; for the baptized, in light of the new and decisive steps to be taken in the sequela Christi and a fuller giving of oneself to him.
The First Sunday of the Lenten journey reveals our condition as human beings here on earth. The victorious battle against temptation, the starting point of Jesus’ mission, is an invitation to become aware of our own fragility in order to accept the Grace that frees from sin and infuses new strength in Christ – the way, the truth and the life (cf. Ordo Initiationis Christianae Adultorum, n. 25). It is a powerful reminder that Christian faith implies, following the example of Jesus and in union with him, a battle "against the ruling forces who are masters of the darkness in this world" (Eph 6: 12), in which the devil is at work and never tires – even today – of tempting whoever wishes to draw close to the Lord: Christ emerges victorious to open also our hearts to hope and guide us in overcoming the seductions of evil.The Gospel of the Transfiguration of the Lord puts before our eyes the glory of Christ, which anticipates the resurrection and announces the divinization of man. The Christian community becomes aware that Jesus leads it, like the Apostles Peter, James and John "up a high mountain by themselves" (Mt 17: 1), to receive once again in Christ, as sons and daughters in the Son, the gift of the Grace of God: "This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favor. Listen to him" (Mt 17: 5). It is the invitation to take a distance from the noisiness of everyday life in order to immerse oneself in God’s presence. He desires to hand down to us, each day, a Word that penetrates the depths of our spirit, where we discern good from evil (cf. Heb 4:12), reinforcing our will to follow the Lord.
The question that Jesus puts to the Samaritan woman: "Give me a drink" (Jn 4: 7), is presented to us in the liturgy of the third Sunday; it expresses the passion of God for every man and woman, and wishes to awaken in our hearts the desire for the gift of "a spring of water within, welling up for eternal life" (Jn 4: 14): this is the gift of the Holy Spirit, who transforms Christians into "true worshipers," capable of praying to the Father "in spirit and truth" (Jn 4: 23). Only this water can extinguish our thirst for goodness, truth and beauty! Only this water, given to us by the Son, can irrigate the deserts of our restless and unsatisfied soul, until it "finds rest in God", as per the famous words of St. Augustine.
The Sunday of the man born blind presents Christ as the light of the world. The Gospel confronts each one of us with the question: "Do you believe in the Son of man?" "Lord, I believe!" (Jn 9: 35. 38), the man born blind joyfully exclaims, giving voice to all believers. The miracle of this healing is a sign that Christ wants not only to give us sight, but also open our interior vision, so that our faith may become ever deeper and we may recognize him as our only Savior. He illuminates all that is dark in life and leads men and women to live as "children of the light".
On the fifth Sunday, when the resurrection of Lazarus is proclaimed, we are faced with the ultimate mystery of our existence: "I am the resurrection and the life… Do you believe this?" (Jn 11: 25-26). For the Christian community, it is the moment to place with sincerity – together with Martha – all of our hopes in Jesus of Nazareth: "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world" (Jn 11: 27). Communion with Christ in this life prepares us to overcome the barrier of death, so that we may live eternally with him. Faith in the resurrection of the dead and hope in eternal life open our eyes to the ultimate meaning of our existence: God created men and women for resurrection and life, and this truth gives an authentic and definitive meaning to human history, to the personal and social lives of men and women, to culture, politics and the economy. Without the light of faith, the entire universe finishes shut within a tomb devoid of any future, any hope.The Lenten journey finds its fulfillment in the Paschal Triduum, especially in the Great Vigil of the Holy Night: renewing our baptismal promises, we reaffirm that Christ is the Lord of our life, that life which God bestowed upon us when we were reborn of "water and Holy Spirit", and we profess again our firm commitment to respond to the action of the Grace in order to be his disciples.
3. By immersing ourselves into the death and resurrection of Christ through the Sacrament of Baptism, we are moved to free our hearts every day from the burden of material things, from a self-centered relationship with the "world" that impoverishes us and prevents us from being available and open to God and our neighbor. In Christ, God revealed himself as Love (cf. 1Jn 4: 7-10). The Cross of Christ, the "word of the Cross", manifests God’s saving power (cf. 1Cor 1: 18), that is given to raise men and women anew and bring them salvation: it is love in its most extreme form (cf. Encyclical Deus caritas est, n. 12). Through the traditional practices of fasting, almsgiving and prayer, which are an expression of our commitment to conversion, Lent teaches us how to live the love of Christ in an ever more radical way. Fasting, which can have various motivations, takes on a profoundly religious significance for the Christian: by rendering our table poorer, we learn to overcome selfishness in order to live in the logic of gift and love; by bearing some form of deprivation – and not just what is in excess – we learn to look away from our "ego", to discover Someone close to us and to recognize God in the face of so many brothers and sisters. For Christians, fasting, far from being depressing, opens us ever more to God and to the needs of others, thus allowing love of God to become also love of our neighbor (cf. Mk 12: 31).
In our journey, we are often faced with the temptation of accumulating and love of money that undermine God’s primacy in our lives. The greed of possession leads to violence, exploitation and death; for this, the Church, especially during the Lenten period, reminds us to practice almsgiving – which is the capacity to share. The idolatry of goods, on the other hand, not only causes us to drift away from others, but divests man, making him unhappy, deceiving him, deluding him without fulfilling its promises, since it puts materialistic goods in the place of God, the only source of life. How can we understand God’s paternal goodness, if our heart is full of egoism and our own projects, deceiving us that our future is guaranteed? The temptation is to think, just like the rich man in the parable: "My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to come…". We are all aware of the Lord’s judgment: "Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul…" (Lk 12: 19-20). The practice of almsgiving is a reminder of God’s primacy and turns our attention towards others, so that we may rediscover how good our Father is, and receive his mercy.During the entire Lenten period, the Church offers us God’s Word with particular abundance. By meditating and internalizing the Word in order to live it every day, we learn a precious and irreplaceable form of prayer; by attentively listening to God, who continues to speak to our hearts, we nourish the itinerary of faith initiated on the day of our Baptism. Prayer also allows us to gain a new concept of time: without the perspective of eternity and transcendence, in fact, time simply directs our steps towards a horizon without a future. Instead, when we pray, we find time for God, to understand that his "words will not pass away" (cf. Mk 13: 31), to enter into that intimate communion with Him "that no one shall take from you" (Jn 16: 22), opening us to the hope that does not disappoint, eternal life.
In synthesis, the Lenten journey, in which we are invited to contemplate the Mystery of the Cross, is meant to reproduce within us "the pattern of his death" (Ph 3: 10), so as to effect a deep conversion in our lives; that we may be transformed by the action of the Holy Spirit, like St. Paul on the road to Damascus; that we may firmly orient our existence according to the will of God; that we may be freed of our egoism, overcoming the instinct to dominate others and opening us to the love of Christ. The Lenten period is a favorable time to recognize our weakness and to accept, through a sincere inventory of our life, the renewing Grace of the Sacrament of Penance, and walk resolutely towards Christ.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, through the personal encounter with our Redeemer and through fasting, almsgiving and prayer, the journey of conversion towards Easter leads us to rediscover our Baptism. This Lent, let us renew our acceptance of the Grace that God bestowed upon us at that moment, so that it may illuminate and guide all of our actions. What the Sacrament signifies and realizes, we are called to experience every day by following Christ in an ever more generous and authentic manner. In this our itinerary, let us entrust ourselves to the Virgin Mary, who generated the Word of God in faith and in the flesh, so that we may immerse ourselves – just as she did – in the death and resurrection of her Son Jesus, and possess eternal life.
Marketing Minute #7
Surveys consistently show results that indicate religion/spirituality are among the top three reasons for the choice of a Catholic School.How do you regularly provide parents with evidence that students are growing in faith?
Is there a “Sharing Our Faith” piece in the Parish Bulletin? Does it quote student insights; give the number of service hours provided by students or the generosity of students in food collections?
Do we sufficiently advertise student planning and participation in liturgies?
Do we summarize pieces of the curriculum that students are learning?
Do we share a witness of faith of an employee?
Do we tell parents when faculty attend a religion workshop or class?
Do we invite parents on a regular basis to visit special religion classes?
Do we ask parents to tell us the faith life they see nurtured so we can tell other parents what is happening in our religion classes?
Whether parents are regular Churchgoers or not, research indicates that parents want children to be educated in the spiritual life.
Rally in Columbus, March 22, 2011 Update!
We have received updated information concerning the March 22, 2011 Rally in Columbus representing School Choice issues and (unique to the Catholic Conference agenda on behalf of the children in Ohio Catholic schools) protecting funding for Auxiliary Services and Administrative Cost Reimbursement.The information our office sent to you by e-mail on February 24, 2011 provided rally registration information through School Choice Ohio. We received the following information and the attached flier from the Catholic Conference on February 28, 2011 asking that our Catholic School Advocates register for the rally through the Catholic Conference. The Catholic Conference will provide them with information and then advocate for the issues that affect our students. The following is information that was included in Larry Keough’s e-mail to Ohio Catholic School Superintendents.
(Larry) Per our discussions at last week's superintendents' meeting, we have prepared a flier for Catholic school supporters who intend to participate in the March 22 Rally at the Ohio Statehouse, West Lawn. (The flier was emailed to you on March 1, 2011.)
Our message, as indicated in the flier, will ask Catholic school supporters to champion school-choice options and to protect funding for Auxiliary Services and Administrative Cost Reimbursement.
Those who plan to attend the Rally are asked to register/RVSP by accessing the Catholic Conference of Ohio website at http://www.ohiocathconf.org/, then linking
To the Ohio Advocates for Catholic Schools (OACS). Information about parking in Columbus will be available for those completing the registration.
If any Catholic school supporters have already registered through the School Choice of Ohio website, we would ask them to register through the Conference website as soon as possible. We will provide participants with "talking points" to communicate with their legislators.
You may want to contact Kate Yonkura at Kyonkura@aol.com if Catholic school supporters are looking for bus transportation to and from the Rally.
Please urge those attending the Rally to check the OACS link for periodic updates, including one for this week, as well as others to follow in the weeks leading up to the Rally.Praesidium: Called to Protect Winter 2011 Training & Conversation
The launch of Praesidium is here! Is your parish ready? DREs, Catechists, School Principals, Teachers, Etc. are welcome to attend the training with National Trainer Mr. Aaron Lundberg! This training is sponsored by The Office for the Protection of Children & Youth.
Friday, March 11, 2011 6:30- 9:30 pm and Saturday, March 12, 2011 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at the
Center for Pastoral Leadership
28700 Euclid Ave.,
Wickliffe, OH 44092
To Register: Please call Sharon Minson, 216-696-6525 X1157, or sminson@dioceseofcleveland.org by March 4, 2011.Light snack will be provided on Friday and continental breakfast and lunch on Saturday.
No cost to parishes.Follow-Up to Praesidium Training: March 19, 2011
9:30 to 12:00 noon at Cathedral Square Plaza, Rappe Room, Lower Level, 1404 E. 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44114. This training is sponsored by the Office of Catechetical Services.
- Praesidium Conversation: Getting Practical!
- How to Implement Praesidium in Your Parish
- Includes a Panel Discussion with Pilot Parishes
To Register: Please call Mary Keating, 216-696-6525 X 3260, or oce-ocs.org/ocs
By March 15, 2011
No cost - Refreshments availableSt. Rocco PTU Spaghetti & Meatball Dinner
On Sunday, April 8, 2011, St. Rocco’s School PTU will sponsor a Spaghetti and Meatball Dinner at the Parish Hall from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Dinners include: pasta, meatballs, salad, bread & butter, dessert, and coffee. Adult dinners are $9.00; Children dinners are $5.00. Raffle tickets will be available for $1.00 each.The Principal's Office from The Ohio State University
http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/index.php
•In this month's issue, research findings offer new ways to work with students with a variety of special needs: http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/files/zone.TIP.php
•Working with Gen Y Teachers. What motivates Gen Y teachers and keeps them in the classroom? http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/files/zone.3.11.bontempo.php
•Schools and Suicide - Although they may be well intentioned, administrators who don’t send the right messages may make copycat suicides more likely. http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/files/toolbox.3.11.php
•The Play's the Thing. Brushing up their Shakespeare can keep students engaged while honing their critical skills. http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/files/story.3.11.php
•Professional Readings include reports on charter schools, teacher evaluation, ARRA, school district consolidation, and state use of data. http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/files/profreadings.3.11.php
<http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/files/landscape.3.11.php> New on the Opportunities page: summer professional development travel programs designed for teachers, ING Unsung Heroes Grant Program, and an opportunity to participate in the Summer Food Service Program. http://principalsoffice.osu.edu/opportunities.php
Professional Development Grant for Math Teachers
This program is intended to help math teachers become proficient with alternative teaching methods, and to become involved with national courseware development groups working on Acellus Math courses at the International Academy of Science. As an optional feature, teachers are also offered online instruction regarding the use of Acellus in various school environments. The program even has support for setting up classes of real students for math tutoring and courseware. It is the intention of this program that it will improve the quality of math instruction by teachers enrolled in the program.
The cost to enroll in this program is $495/teacher annually. Teachers enrolling now are set up for the next school year, and are able to start immediately resulting in a year and a half of benefits for the cost of one year. Better yet, there is a block of grant money set aside to support this initiative. The grants will cover up to 50 percent of the cost of the program for qualifying schools.
For details regarding the program, please review online:
http://www.science.edu/Acellus/teacher-development-program/
When a teacher is ready to proceed with the grant application, Julie Billings can assist.
It takes about 10 minutes. Or, if preferred, let Julie know the number of teachers you would like to put on the program, and she will put together the grant application and send you the link by email for your approval. Julie can be reached by telephone at (567) 270-3812 or by email:
mail to: julie_billings@science.edu.Julie Billings
Acellus Coordinator
(567) 270-3812 direct
International Academy of Science
26900 E. Pink Hill Rd., Independence, MO 64057 USA
Phone: 816-229-3800 Fax: 816-229-1000
www.science.eduLive it to Learn It® Summer Study Abroad for Teens, Teachers, and Other Adults
Request details about any of the programs listed below from: www.flsas.com. <http://www.swiftpage1.com/SpeClicks.aspx?X=2T0XFWDSHZVTEJDC00Z7W7>
info@flsas.com <mailto:info@flsas.com> or call 786-216-7302 (9am to midnight)FLSAS/Foreign Language Study Abroad Service
Box 430903. South Miami, FL 33243
Fax: 888-725-5382
The programs have extremely flexible schedules in 35+ countries, 20+ languages with 100% total language immersion, summer and all year.
Middle & High School Programs
Enjoyable Cultural &/or Sports Programs for Serious Language Students
Home Stays, Residence Halls; Excellent for students who need to "catch up," advance, prepare for IB & AP exams, etc.
Special Summer Intensive Language Programs
Individual Participants or Small Groups
Spain, France, Italy, Germany,
Mexico, Ecuador, Argentina
Guatemala, Costa Rica
China, Japan,
one week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks & longer
Soccer, Sailing, Tennis, Sports Camps, Skiing & French, Spanish, German
- Professional Sports Programs & Coaches
- Home Stay or Residence Hall
- Excursions & Cultural Activities
- Language Lessons - Optional
one week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks or longer
All Age Groups
35+ countries, 20+ languages►100% Total Language Immersion (summer & all year)
- All ages (including parents & children together)
- Live in the home of your own private teacher
- You are matched with teachers who share your interests
one week, 2 week, 3 weeks & longer
100% Cultural Immersion (summer & all year)*
Teacher Training Programs
Ask about special programs in Spanish - Mandarin.
VERY SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Cultural Immersion in England: *Live with a host family and Visit the England of: ►Harry Potter (Wiltshire) ►Winnie the Pooh (East Sussex) ►Robin Hood (Nottingham) ►Scary Tours (London)
* Detailed information available.
Please let FLSAS know what you would like to do. They want to know what you need. Mail to:
info@flsas.com
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)
The National Science Foundation is currently accepting nominations and applications for the PAEMST program. PAEMST is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. The year 2011 is for secondary school teachers, grades 7-12. The year 2012 is for elementary school teachers, grades K-6.Presidential awardees receive a citation signed by the President of the United States, a trip for two to Washington, DC to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
Anyone, principal, teachers, parents, students, or members of the general public may nominate a teacher by completing the nomination form available on the PAEMST website: http://pull.xmr3.com/p/5619-FC8E/54329319/html001-www.paemst.org.html. Teachers may also initiate the application process at http://pull.xmr3.com/p/5619-CBAC/54329965/html1002-www.paemst.org-apply.html.
The Nomination Deadline is April 1, 2011. This date gives the nominated teacher enough time to thoroughly prepare an application prior to the application deadline. The Application Deadline is May 2, 2011 for secondary school teachers (Grades 7-12). Elementary school teachers (Grades K-6) are eligible to apply in 2012.
The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Fabulous Lawns and Landscapes Without Chemicals: Transitioning to Cost-effective, Organic Landscape Management
Presented by Cleveland Botanical Garden and Beyond Pesticides Ohio
Friday, April 29, 2011
8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Fee: $25/member; $35/nonmemberBeautiful and healthy lawns, landscapes, playing fields and public spaces do not need to rely on toxic pesticides and herbicides. Address issues of adopting safe and affordable natural turf care, organic turf methods for homes and public spaces, integrated pest management, and the broader implications of pesticide reduction to human and ecosystem health.
Presenters include:
Barry Zucker, Executive Director, Beyond Pesticides Ohio
Chip Osborne, CEO of Osborne Organics and nationally known horticulturist and trainer
Alec McClennan, President, Good Nature Organic Lawn Care
Andrew Pratt, Grounds Manager, Cleveland Botanical Garden
Cynthia Druckenbrod, Director of Horticulture, Cleveland Botanical GardenHiram College Summer Courses 2011 for Professional Educators
Hiram College offers graduate-level courses for professional educators. Participants can earn graduate credit hours that may be applied toward updating teacher certification/licensure. If you register prior to May 16th, there is a 10% discount on the $190/credit hour tuition. For more information and to register visit www.hiram.edu/future/grad/programs/teachers.html or call 330.569.6111 or email mais@hiram.edu.Scholarship Opportunity for Students
Please inform parents of the opportunity for a James E. Flynn Memorial Scholarship sponsored by Unity Catholic Federal Credit Union (UCFCU). This scholarship awards $7,000 in funds to support Catholic Education within the Diocese of Cleveland. The UCFCU awards:
- Four $500 Scholarships to students Kindergarten through 8th grade
- Five $1,000 Scholarships to students 9th – 12th grade
The student must be a member of Unity Catholic Federal Credit Union, but don’t worry if the student is not a member. If he/she opens an account before March 31, 2011 the Credit Union will deposit the first $5 in his/her new member account.
The deadline for the Scholarship is April 1, 2011. Applications are found by visiting any office or on the website www.unitycatholiccu.org.