ST. AGNES CHURCH

Second Sunday of Lent

February 25, 2018

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 Rev. Michael E. Wetovick

Associate 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

Church of the Transfiguration Mt. Tabor, Israel

Page 2 Year B February 25, 2018

C atholics are expected to do penance during this season of Lent. Some give up favorite foods or drinks. Others perform charitable acts. There are those who increase their devotion or prayer. Some attend daily Mass. No one is excused from doing something extra during Lent. Plus, it is very important that we receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent. President Lincoln frequently made hospital visits to wounded soldiers during the Civil War. When visiting a soldier near death Lincoln asked, “Is there anything I can do for you?” The soldier did not recognize the President. He asked, “Would you please write a letter to my mother?” President Lincoln complied as the soldier dictated this letter: “My dearest mother, I was badly hurt while doing my duty. I’m afraid I’m not going to recover. May God bless you, Dad Mary and John. The President then added ’written for your son by Abraham Lincoln.’ At that moment the soldier recognized the President. Lincoln asked if there was anything else he could do. “HoId my hand” the soldier said, “it will help me to see me through to the end.” There, the President of the United States sat next to a dying soldier, holding the boy’s hand until he died. No matter who we are, no matter our profession or position in life, no matter what political party we endorse, no matter what religion we profess, no one is excused from being compassionate. Christ reached out to the poor, the widows, the suffering and the dying, the lepers and the crippled. As Disciples of Christ, we too must imitate our leader. As Mayor of New York, Fiorello La Guardia liked to keep in touch with all the various departments under him. Often he would fill in for the department heads of officeholders as a way of understanding what that person was experiencing. One time he chose to preside over Night Court. It was a cold winter night and a trembling man was brought before him. The man was charged with stealing a loaf of bread. His family, he said, was starving. “l will have to punish you,” declared La Guardia. “There can be no exceptions to the law. I fine you ten dollars.” As he said this, however, The Little Flower was reaching into his own pocket for the money. He tossed a bill into his famous sombrero. He said, “Here’s the ten dollars to pay your fine – which I now remit. “Furthermore,” he declared, “I’m going to fine everybody in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a city where a man has to steal bread in order to eat. Mr. Bailiff collect the fines and give them to the defender! The hat was passed and the incredulous man, with a smile on his face, left the courtroom with a stake of $47.50.

Second Sunday of Lent

Monday, February 26, 2018 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: †Felix Koenig by Lucille & Family Communal Rosary (4:45pm) Liturgy of the Hours (5:05pm) Tuesday, February 27, 2018 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: †Jack Bussey by Bussey Family Tuesday Discussion Group (8-9 am) Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) RCIA (7pm) Wednesday, February 28, 2018 Daily Mass (7am) Intention: Rhia Young by Jerry & Eileen Young Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Contemplative Prayer Group (6:00pm)

Thursday, March 1, 2018 Mass at The Residency (9:30am) Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Friday, March 2, 2018 Daily Mass (5:45pm) Intention: Larsen/Rojas Families by Gayle Rojas Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Saturday, March 3, 2018 Weekend Mass (4:00pm) Intention: †Pete Wylie by Jeanne Wylie Sunday, March 4, 2018 Weekend Mass (8:00am) Intention: †Earl Lungel by Family Weekend Mass (10:30am) Intention: For the Parish

This Week’s Schedule

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 Genesis 22:1-2, 9a,

10-13, 15-18 Psalm 116

Romans 8:31b-34 Mark 9:2-10

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 Kristie Neilan (632-6918) office@stagnesonline.org

Finance Corner Sunday Collections

& ATW Giving

February 18, 2018 Actual $6537.96 Budget $9000.00 Surplus (Deficit) $2462.04

February Totals Actual $18931.44 ATW $4736.50 Budget $27000.00 Surplus (Deficit) $3332.06 Next Sunday’s 2nd collection is for

Easter Altar Flowers

Page 3 Second Sunday of Lent

The Dead Sea Scrolls This week’s DVD is titled Daily Life at

Qumran &The Halakhic Letter—Rituals Define the Sect

All are invited on Mondays at 7pm.

Dates to Remember In 2018 Feb 25 - Open House for Dani Mar 2 Lenten Soup Supper Mar 24 - DCCW Shroud of Jesus April 1 - Easter Sunday April 15-17 - Parish retreat with Fr. Jim Sichko

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS Saturday, 4pm Ciborium: Mark Rueb; Chalice : Kathy Rueb; Connie McDounough, Patsy Juedes-Fulk, Krystal Rodriguez, Brooke Talkington, Toni Warburton Sunday 8am Ciborium: Jeannette Fitzgerald; Chalice: Jerry Fitzgerald; Michael Esselstein, James Carney, Margaret Rood, Shannon Hafner, Erika Hackett 10:30am Ciborium: Scott Corr; Chalice: Shelley Corr; Ifeanyi Okpalaejesi, Ruth Kozal, Gabby Montanez, Rebecca Montanez, Steve Viessman

SACRISTANS Sat 4pm: Doris Flohr

Sunday 8am: Marjorie Benzel 10:30am: Danny & Norma Guzman

GREETERS

Saturday 4pm Steve & Sara Olsen - (E) Tami Otto - (N) Chuck & Linda Elley - (S) Sun 8am Mike Merrigan (E) Dick & Susan Lessert - (N) Paul Tyler - (S) 10:30am John Vidlak - (E) Jason & Stephanie Parks - (N) Brad & Brandi McCaslin - (S)

USHERS

Sat 4pm Bruce Fraas (Captain) Dick Lager, Phillip Kelly, Mike Svitak Sun 8am Jeff Pickering (Captain) David Wingenbach, Corey Greckel, Pete Brown 10:30am Melvin Elledge (Captain) Joe Benson, Scott Schiff, Jeff Wolfe

LECTORS March 3 & 10 4pm Carmen Trevino March 4 & 11 8am Jordan Colwell 10:30am Michael Schaff

SERVERS Mar 3, 4pm Adryana Rodriguez, Kyle Henderson Mar 4, 8am Logan Moravec, Aaron Schaff 10:30am Kayley Smith, Lily Polk Mar 10 4pm Marley & Emery Wineman Mar 11, 8am Matthew Hafner, Emily Esselstein 10:30am Lillian Golden, Leah Polk Mar 17 4pm Addison Gonzales, Laetner Malm Mar 18 8am Anna Hafner, Abrahm Hafner 10:30am Jacob Mark, Chloe Burton Mar 24 4pm Gregg Hartman, Austin Svitak Mar 25 8am Katie Forsstrom, Noah Henderson 10:30am Natalie Williams, Jesse Claire McCaslin

March 2018 Ministers

Monday: Dn 9:4b-10; Ps 79:8, 9, 11, 13; Lk 6:36-38 Tuesday: Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50: 8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 23:1-12 Wednesday: Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, 14-16; Mt 20:17-28 Thursday: Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 16:19-31 Friday: Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a; 17b-28a; Ps 105:16-21; Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 Saturday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 103:1-4, 9-12; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 Sunday: Ex 20:1-17 [1-3, 7-8, 12-17]; Ps 19:8-11; 1 Cor 1:22-25; Jn 2:13-25

This Week’s Readings

Friday (March 2nd) following the 5:45pm Mass

in the Garden Room Please bring a pot of soup or a

loaf of bread to share

New Office Manager Theresa Trevino, Retiring Office Manager Danni Koeteman

Please join us in honoring

Danni Koeteman on her

retirement! An Open House

will be Sunday, February 25

Following 10:30am Mass

in the Garden Room

Cards may be sent to Danni at:

2009 Cheyenne Dr.

Scottsbluff, NE 69361

Page 4 February 25, 2018

Daily Mass

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

Fridays, 5:45pm

Individual Reconciliation March 26, noon & 6pm

No reconciliation Sat., Mar 31st

Stations of the Cross Every Friday, 5:15 pm

Communal Rosary

Mondays, 4:45pm

2018 Lent Schedule In the book of Exodus, God had promised Abraham

would become the ‘Father of Nations.’ In Abraham’s old age, his son, Isaac, seemed the only possible hope to fulfill the promise to be the father of the world. To assure that Abra-ham continued to remain obedient to the Lord, God directed him to sacrifice his beloved son. The old man recognizing that all things, including his beloved son, belong to God, made ready to offer up Isaac. The innocent son, bounded, was lifted onto the altar, and only when Abraham was about to plunge the knife into Isaac, does God’s Messenger forestalls this act. God mercifully prevents the killing of Isaac, and thus the covenant between God and Abraham remained.

God, later in the Bible, asked for the sacrifice of another son. This son, Jesus, was His Son. God did not save Him from death, but permitted the crucifixion to pro-ceed. The death of His beloved son occurred to keep the covenant that God promised to us. Through the prophets, the Lord vowed that the Messiah would come to us. God has made a promise to each of us, the promise of salvation for our sins. He never fails to keep His covenants, even if it required that His Son die. Like Abraham, we must be will to give up everything, remain obedient, keeping our part of the covenant. God, becoming aware of our dedication, will be merciful to us as He was to Abraham.

We understand that Jesus is the Messiah for we know of His Death and Res-urrection. However, the Apostles did not have this foreknowledge that Jesus was the One who was to come as the prophets proclaimed. Therefore, Jesus needed to pro-vide for the Apostles assurances that He was the Son of Man as the prophets foretold. He needed to provide an image so that the Apostles recognize that Jesus is not a char-latan, a magician who was performing slights of hand to the crowds and then calling them miracles.

In the Transfiguration, Jesus Christ demonstrated that He is the connection between earth and heaven, where mortality and eternity meet. The Apostles, experi-ence the physical experience an unknown voice from the heavens speaking ‘This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to Him’ and the brilliant light, brighter than the sun, on the top of a mountain. Moses and Elijah, two of the most significant men in Hebrew histo-ry appear with Jesus assuring the Apostles that God was His Beloved Son. Moses gave to the Israelites the Law of God, the Ten Commandments, and lead them to the brink of the Promise Land. Elijah defended the Jewish worship of God against the Canaanite god Baal and performed miracles to assure that he was a prophet of the Lord.

In the Transfiguration, Jesus confirmed that His miracles are not a charlatan's magic and His word are not those a madman. For in this spiritual episode Peter, James, and John recognize that only God could perform this miraculous transformation of Jesus. While they still did not understand what would happen, the Apostles now knew that Jesus was the Messiah, because God had spoken to them personally.

As we being this second week of Lent, be assured that God speaks to us as well. He speaks to us not in a brilliant light and with a booming voice. Instead, the Lord speaks to us through the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist. He speaks to us through our prayers. However, until we seek Him beyond the earthly noises and lights, we will not find the Lord. Only when we, like Abraham, are willing to sacrifice every-thing, we will know of His presence in our lives.

Transfigure us, O Lord, Transfigure us, O Lord. Break the Chains that bind us; Speak your healing word, and where you lead we’ll follow. Transfigure us, O Lord.

Let us sacrifice and pray as Jesus did with the assurance that God will transfigure us.

Meet the RCIA Canditates

Phillip Black was born in Greenville, South Carolina, and was raised in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was baptized in the Episcopal Church shortly after his birth. Three years ago he encountered Catholic thought for the first time in the writings of Thomas Merton, Josef Pieper, and Fr. James V. Schall. Inspired by these writings, he began attending Mass in 2016 while living in Arlington, Virginia. Phillip likes to say that his conversion experience is akin to that of those who converted to Christ the day He gave His Sermon on the Mount; which is to say, in the Church, Phillip has found the only institution in the world that speaks with the authority and conviction of one which knows the truth.

Page 5 Second Sunday of Lent

The second Sunday of Lent every year recalls the Transfiguration of the Lord. Since the fourth century, Mount Tabor has been the focus of devotion to this event. As mountains go, it is not particularly lofty, rising about fif-teen hundred feet, within view of the Sea of Galilee and very close to Nazareth. Scripture doesn’t identify the mountain, but in the year 348 Saint Cyril of Jerusalem said he preferred Mount Tabor to Mount Hermon as the site of the Transfiguration, and his opinion won. It has long been a strategic military site, and ancient fortresses are visible on the heights. Over the centuries, churches and fortified monasteries rose on the mountaintop, only to be destroyed by various invaders. Six hundred years ago, local Christians started to decorate the ruins with flags and banners on the Feast of the Transfiguration. In 1631, the Sultan granted permission to the Franciscans to live on Mount Tabor, and they have been there ever since, discovering the ruins of an old Crusader church and constructing the present church on the site in 1924. The top of the mountain is divided into Greek Orthodox and Latin (that’s us) zones. At one time, tourists arrived on the summit by bus, but this is no longer permitted. Some ride bicy-cles up a challenging and winding path, while others take the four thousand three hundred steps constructed for Christian pilgrims in the fourth century. It’s hard to imagine the fisher-men following Jesus up this craggy mountain without complaint. Visitors will sympathize with Peter’s plan to construct booths and stay put with Jesus, Moses, and Elijah for a while, enjoy-ing the view, and planning the trip back down. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

NEW THIS

WEEK!

L i v i n g O u r C at h o l i c Fa i t h

Rite of Election 2018 Candidates pictured are from St. Agnes and Christ the King

MAKING ROOM “Why would God ask a father to kill his own son?” said Michael to his parish Bible group. “Isaac was spared, but God wanted blind obedience from Abraham!” Jim, the new member, spoke up. “Well it hits me where I live. Isaac was the most precious thing in Abraham’s life, and to give up that child was to give up his greatest treasure. But a relationship with God was a greater treasure than even his own son.” Jim paused. “The most precious thing in my life is my wife. With no children she’s been my whole world. When she got cancer I bargained with God to let her live. I was so grateful she recovered that I joined the parish prayer group and signed up as a food pantry volunteer. Just doing that made me realize how much I wanted God and a life with God. My wife is just as dear to me, but God has taken a hold of my life in ways I could never have imagined—because I have finally made room for God.” - Copyright © 2011, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

Grade School (Pre-K - 5th grades) Formation Sessions Meet from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the school building. Feb. 25th Mar. 4th - No formation sessions, Mar. 11th, Mar. 18th, & Mar. 25th Middle School Formation Sessions (grades 6th-8th) meet from 7-8:15 p.m. in the school building. Feb. 28th - Adoration & Confession in the Church, Mar. 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th - No formation sessions, Holy Week

High School (CYM) Formation Sessions Youth gather in catechist’s homes from 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 28th - Adoration & Confession in the Church, Mar. 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th - No formation sessions, Holy Week 11th CYM Schedule: Feb. 28th - Adoration & Confession in the Church 7th - Confirmation-Garden Room 14th - CYM - Leader’s home 21st - Confirmation - Garden Room 28th - No formation sessions, Holy Week

Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families

Second Sunday of Lent Gospel: Mark 9:2-3

On the Way to Mass: We will hear today that Jesus’ clothes were dazzling white. What does that mean? On the Way Home From Mass: If you had been there with Jesus on the mountain, would you have been like Peter and wanted to stay there? Or would you have been excited to come back down and do the work? Living the Word: Encourage your family to try to see the fullness of those around them, instead of only as they usually think of them (as mother, sister, brother, etc.). As they look at family members more fully today, invite them to tell each other about the gifts that they notice that each possesses. At the end of the day, bring everyone together and ask if another’s notice of a gift has changed how anyone feels about him or herself. Does this appreciation for a gift help anyone want to grow that gift and make it stronger? Would the family like to do this exercise again?

Celebrating Sunday for Catholic

Families 2017-2018

Find Us On

Facebook Twitter: stagnes-church

Instagram: st.agnescatholicchurch Parish Website

www.st-agnes-church.com

Pick of the Week My Beloved Son is an audio talk by Bishop Robert Barron

which offers five sermons on the spiritual discipline we must cultivate in the Lenten Season, a discipline centered on Christ. These meditations cover topics such as finding our identity in God, prayer as the key to mission, our thirst for God, how to end our alienation from God, and how to embrace the way of happiness joyfully.

Sign up for the parish-wide Lenten Study A Lent to Remember on formed.org If you haven’t registered yet, do it today! Go to: www.saintagnesscottsbluff.formed.org Enter your email and create a password (you need this to login later)

Page 5 Second Sunday of lent

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

Page 6 February 25, 2018

Family Activities Week of February 25th - March 3rd

Sunday - February 25th After Mass today, explain the Gospel and homily in terms your children can understand. Monday - February 26th Choose a someone featured in the news today and pray for him or her at dinner tonight and or the rest of the week.

Tuesday - February 27th Participate in Operation Rice Bowl, or fill a jar with your loose change during Lent. Donate it at Easter Mass. Wednesday - February 28th Forgive someone who hurt you today. Ask forgiveness of anyone you may have offended. Thursday - March 1st Put a jellybean in a jar every time someone performs a good deed. Share the candy at Easter! Friday - March 2nd Serve pretzels as a reminder of when Catholics used to give up milk, butter, eggs, cheese, cream, and meat for Lent. Saturday - March 3rd Make up a box for a needy family or homeless shelter. Fill it with canned goods, warm clothes in good condition, toiletries, and toys.

Partners in Faith - February 2018

Lenten Opportunities at St. Agnes for the Whole Family! Daily Mass - Mon. & Tue., 7 am - Wed. at 8:15 am -, Fri. at 5:45 pm Stations of the Cross - Every Friday at 5:15pm Communal Rosary - Mondays at 4:45 pm

Teens Encounter Christ #106

April 13-15, 2018 Christ the King, Gering

Registration Deadline: April 6, 2018 To Register go to: www.gidiocese.org/yya/tec

As the community of St. Agnes Religious Education, we can make a difference in someone’s life! The service project for Lent is a Penny War between grades Pre-K – 8th. Coins will be collected weekly on Sundays and Wednesdays. The money raised from the Penny War will be donated to Catholic Relief Services, Rice Bowl. The grade with the most points at the end of Lent will receive a party! Penny War – It’s so much fun! The goal of a Penny War is to collect as many PENNIES as possible in your classroom container. Here’s how it works: Each classroom will have a Penny container for the Penny War. Money is worth “points” based on its monetary value. Again, the grade with the most points at the end of Lent will receive a classroom party! Pennies = 1 point Nickels = 5 points Dimes = 10 points Quarters = 25 points $1 Bills = 100 points $5 Bills = 500 points $10 Bills = 1, 000 points $20 Bills = 2, 000 points

Together We Can Make a Difference!

Page 8 February 25, 2018

St. Agnes Catholic School 205 E 23rd

Scottsbluff, NE Ph: 308-632-6918 Fax: 308-632-6943

February 25, 2018

Upcoming Events

Dr. Seuss Week

Monday, February 26th Mustache Monday

Tuesday, February 27th

Whoville hair day

Wednesday, February 28th Mass at 8:15AM-4th grade leads

If I Ran the Zoo Day-wear animal print Advisory Council -- 7PM

Thursday, March 1st

Theordore Thursday-dress as your fa-vorite Dr. Seuss Character

Friday, March 2nd

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss Wear pajamas for a movie day

5th grade to Mark Nizer-9AM Midwest

2nd grade students enjoyed celebrating the Chinese New Year on Friday, February 16th. The students enjoyed read-ing and learning about various Chinese traditions, creating a flip book, eating fried rice (with chopsticks) and enjoyed an orange which is considered good luck in the Chinese Cul-ture. They also created the red envelope filled with money, which is given as a gift on the new year as a wish of good luck and prosperity in the coming year.

Kindergarten & Pre-K Registration will be held Monday, February 26th-Friday, March 2nd from 7:30AM-12:00PM, 1:00PM-4:00PM. At St. Agnes School Office, Please remember there is a $100.00 non-refundable registration fee; a State embossed birth certificate is required at the time of registration. If you have any questions please call 308-632-6918 or email: of-

fice@stagnesonline.org

Monday, Feb 26th Hamburger on a bun French fries Peas Mandarin oranges Helpers: Shannon Hafner, Jessica Acosta

Tuesday, Feb 27th Super nachos w/taco meat & black beans, cheese sauce and salsa Potato circles Grapes Helpers: Betsy Vidlak, Kris n Schiff

Wednesday , Feb 28th Barbecue chicken sandwich Au Gra n potatoes Steamed carrots Pineapple dbits Helpers: Viqi Garcia, One volunteer needed

Thursday, Mar 1st Hot dog on a bun Tater barrels Fresh broccoli w/ranch Peaches Helpers: Need two volunteers

Friday, Mar 2nd Grilled cheese sandwich Tomato soup Wheat crackers Green salad w/DL Potato chips Apple Helpers: Kris n Schiff, Sco Schiff

Hot Lunch Menu for February 26th-March 2nd, 2018

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

The Lenten season brings about the annual fish fries held in school gym. The first event was held on Fri-day, February 16th. Future fries will be held on March 9th and 23rd. Come and enjoy fried Pollock, French fries, coleslaw, cheese pizza and dessert. Proceeds benefit the school. Thanks to the fryers for their gen-erosity in supporting St. Agnes School.

1st -5th grade students were the guests of the Midwest Theater on Friday, February 23rd for the performance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The students enjoyed the Missoula Children’s Theater perfor-mance of this well-loved fairy

tale. Congratulations to our St. Agnes students who played roles in the production: Landon Malm, E’owyn Merrigan, Tea Hill, Cora Hill and Nina Polk.

The annual penny carnival will be held at St. Ag-nes School and gym next Sunday, March 4th from 11:30-3:30. Parents should be watching for a

reminder re-garding their game shift/assignment, set-up times and clean up times. Families are re-minded they are to provide cakes for the cake walk and are en-

couraged to continue to sell raffle tickets. The students are working to attain their goal of $20,000 tickets. As of Friday, Feb. 16th, they were at 9,054 tickets.

In correlation with the World Winter Olympics, St. Agnes 1st-5th graders have been participating in their own PE Olympics. Events include team, pair and individual sports. Hockey, scooter bobsled-ding, shuffle board curling, short sprint, discus, jump roping and basketball shoot were events in-cluded in the competition. Small plastic medals will be awarded for 1st-3rd place in each event. Watch future bulletins for pictures and results.

School News...

Mrs. Liz Salazar

Mrs. Elise Gurrola

Six more weeks of winter is what the groundhog said! We have been staying warm and cozy with lots of fun buddy activities the past few weeks in Pre-K. We have been focusing a lot on social skills and how to solve problems by ourselves. This is a big deal for 4 and 5 year olds. We are allowing them to try and work through their problems with little to no adult support. We have also been involving fun activities to go along with these discussions. We have been able to buddy paint, build with a buddy, read with a buddy and also give out awards for students who we see are being a super friend. All of these compo-nents will help mold our students to become problem solvers. Alongside our social skills lessons, we have been able to squeeze in learning more and more letters, sight words and also writing simple words and sentenc-es. Our pre-kers just love the art center and making all kinds of books, letters and notes for their friends and family members. In math, we are learning how to sequence 3 and 4 letter picture cards. We are also learning our teen numbers and how to write them. We have learned what a 10 frame is and how to count on it orally and with objects. This is one of the students’ favorite activities. Now that all the holiday parties are over I would like to send a huge thank you to all of the parents that donat-ed time or treats to our holiday parties! They were all wonderful thanks to you. A special thank goes out to our room mothers: Aurora Linz and Kerstin Clarkson. Again thank you for your continued support of our Pre-K program we would not be able to do it without out our parent volunteers!

How quickly this past month has passed us by ! This is seems to be fly-ing by with all of the activities taking place like 100th day of school, Catholic Schools Week, Mardi Gras, Valentine's Day, and Ash Wednes-day! It's been a very busy couple of weeks! In Science, the fifth graders have started a new unit on natural re-sources. We have looked at the importance of conserving resources and explored how the surface of the earth is affected by wind and water, which cause erosion and other changes in the geography of the land. We have entered into working with fractions by adding and multiplying them in Math. We have also began working on exponents and equiva-lent fractions; as we begin getting into some new or more complex con-cepts. In Social Studies, we are learning about the American Revolution and the struggle for independence of the American colonies from England. We really enjoyed participating in the activities of Catholic Schools Week. The students really enjoyed having Mayor Randy Meininger and Vice-Mayor Jordan Colwell. Thank you to Mrs. Marilyn Rahmig and Roselle Kelly for your help with our Mardi Gras banner. We appreciate all of your work!