The Patriot Report – February 23, 2024

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest.” – Dt 6:4-7

The above passage from Deuteronomy is referred to as the Shema. It is the central prayer of the Jewish faith and as such was the central prayer of Jesus and his Jewish disciples. In fact, when Jesus is questioned on which commandment was the greatest, Jesus quotes these lines from Deuteronomy and then adds to it by stating that the second greatest is to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt 22:34-40). 

If you want to find out what a person worships, one only has to look at what they value most. To discover that, look at how that person spends their resources (their time, their talents, their energy). Someone who puts work above anyone else has work as their god. A person who constantly tries to get more likes and more followers on instagram or tiktok, has put themselves or fame and fortune as their god. This is why so much of scripture, both old and new testaments, speak of false worship. It is also why, Jesus’ ministry begins with the temptation in the desert. There he is tested to see if he will put God first or himself.

Jesus, and his disciples, changed the world they inhabited because they kept the Shema on their minds and hearts. Most importantly though, they did not fall into worshiping false gods and idols. We would do well to keep the Shema on our hearts and minds and to drill this into our children as well.  

One special school event that takes place during Lent is Stations of the Cross. Through the prayerful participation in this meditation on the last moments of Jesus, we can enter into fuller understanding of the love God has for us. We are blessed to be able to pass along this Catholic tradition to our students. For more information, please check out EWTN.com. 

Student led conferences are a way for students to show parents their learning and it involves multiple groups of parents in the classrooms touring various stations.  Each time slot is 30 minutes. This year, it will take place on Friday, March 8th from 10am – 4:30pm.  Students are to come to the conference dressed in school uniform.  To book your time slot, please click here: https://schoolinterviews.ca/code/eabug

Please note that there is no school on this day. 

Our Junior and Senior Orchestra choirs have been practising hard on their songs and will have their concert on Wednesday, February 28th.  Come for a night of music!  Concert runs from 7pm to approximately 7:45pm with a small reception to follow.  All are welcome.

St. Jude’s Parish is hosting a community-wide parish mission on God’s Healing Love from March 11-13, at 6:30-8:30pm.  This series of talks will cover:

Healing through Forgiveness (Monday, Mar 11)

Healing through Repentance (Tuesday, Mar 12)

Healing through the Name of Jesus Christ (Wednesday, Mar 13)

 Fr. Greg Bramlage of Missionaries of the New Evangelization will introduce us to a new understanding of God’s Mercy and share with us the incredible healings that result when we repent of our sins, forgive those who’ve hurt us and pray with expectant faith. He will teach us how to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and enter into a more profound relationship with Jesus and God the Father. Please come with an open heart & expectant faith. Each night there is a free-will offering to offset the cost of the Mission and to help Fr. Greg build a Center for the New Evangelization in the Diocese of Tyler, Texas. Children are welcome.

Sushi Moon (formerly Sushi Royal House) is now back as our hot lunch vendor.  They have completed their renovations, and menu and pricing will remain the same.  The next available date you can order for is March 5th, and orders need to be placed by 7am on Wednesday the week before. Please note that if your order had been cancelled due to their renovations earlier this year, you will need to re-order it for your child.   The upcoming Sushi Moon hot lunch  dates are March 5, April 2, 16, 30, May 14, 28, Jun 11 and 25.

To begin your order, please click here: https://munchalunch.com/login

The Grade 7 class is holding a hot lunch fundraiser on Monday, March 4.  Please support the grade 7 students and order a Happy Meal or large sandwich from McDonald’s.  

Happy Meals come with fries and a drink – choose from the following:

• Hamburger Happy Meal – $6
• Cheeseburger Happy Meal – $6.50
• 4 piece nugget Happy Meal – $6.75

Large sandwiches (no fries or drink) – choose from the following: 

• McChicken – $7
• Big Mac – $7.50
• 6 piece nuggets – $7.50
• Quarter pounder – $8.50
• Small fries – $4

Payment can be made via e-transfer to stjudegrad2024@gmail.com. Please indicate the student’s name and grade in the e-transfer.  Order deadline is Wednesday, February 28.

Please click on the link below to order.

https://forms.gle/y6QBz6UKn7yhbTqr8

Thank you for your support!

Work continues on the art supply room as the restoration and repairs needed are extensive. After School Club continues to operate out of the cafeteria. Parents are reminded to pick their children up from the exterior door that faces the parking lot and is close to the retaining wall and the gas meter. Thank you for your cooperation. 

St. Jude Parish Mass Times
Monday – Saturday: 9 am morning Masses
Novena Mass on Wednesdays: 7:30 pm
Stations of the Cross on Fridays (followed by Mass): 7pm
Saturday anticipated Mass: 5 pm
Sunday Mass: 9 am, 11 am, 5 pm