The Patriot Report – Jan 22

“If you make a mess…clean it up!” – said by Moms and Dads all over the world

There are many lessons we try to impart on the youth of today and one of the more challenging is to have our children truly buy into the idea of cleaning up after themselves. It is a mantra we repeat often in our homes. How many times have you reminded your child to clean up after themselves or to put away their toys? How many times have you stepped on a LEGO piece and found yourself looking skyward with a sense of exasperation? How many of us look forward to the day when our children clean up without being told! It is an ongoing lesson we try to teach and one that is so simple yet so deeply profound. 

The lesson of cleaning up our own mess is appropriate to so many aspects of life. It applies to when we err in our relationships. If we say or do something that negatively impacted another, we have only to look at ourselves and clean up our own mess through recognizing our wrongs and making amends. If our children do not learn this lesson, if they do not learn how to take responsibility, then I worry for their future. 

And this is why, earlier this week, I received an encouraging picture (shown below) of two students sweeping up a mess. I went to the teacher and asked the backstory of the picture. She explained that the girls had stomped their feet in the classroom making a mess but then they grabbed the broom and dustpan and cleaned up after themselves. 

While it may feel like we are always nagging our children to clean up their messes, let us reframe it under the lens of responsibility. By teaching our children to be responsible we are teaching them a life skill that will allow them to succeed in many areas of life. 

Earlier this week a communication was emailed out about our decision making process for Snow Days. If you missed that email, you can read the letter here.

Please ensure you follow us at Facebook or Twitter to receive notifications right away about possible school closures. I will post notifications there first and later onto the website. 

Facebook – @stjudevan

Twitter – @stjudevan

Noon Dismissal.  New Year New Color – Wear a Color that you normally would not wear.

A reminder that there is no Hot Lunch on January 26, 2021. The vendor was not ready for January and accounts were credited. 

The 2021 donation envelopes are ready to be picked up from the church. Please call the parish at (604) 434-6700 to arrange a time for pick up. While in-person liturgies are suspended, the parish values your contributions to maintaining the church. Thank you. 

Follow St. Jude Parish on Facebook at @stjudesvan

This is a reminder that parents need to take the time to do the Daily Check every day. It is important that we remain committed to taking our COVID19 procedures seriously. Click here to access the form.