The Patriot Report – Nov 13

“The Eucharist is essential for us: it is Christ who wishes to enter our lives and fill us with his grace.” – Pope Francis

This Sunday, students in Gr. 3 at St. Jude School will receive Jesus Christ in the form of the Eucharist for the first time. Whenever I see someone receive Jesus for the first time, it reminds me of my own faith journey and my belief in the centrality of the Eucharist. The Eucharist is often a teaching that many people new to Catholicism will struggle with. Even those who are baptised and have received the sacrament of communion will sometimes struggle with the teaching. The Eucharist though remains the source and summit of the Christian life and so it is worth reflecting on. 

My journey into the Eucharist begins with understanding the importance of food in scripture. In Genesis, the fall of humankind is from consuming what was not to be consumed. In Exodus 13, we have the institution of Passover in which an unblemished lamb is sacrificed and consumed so that the Hebrews could be freed from the bonds of slavery. Later in Exodus 16, the Hebrews were wandering in the desert and when starvation seemed inevitable God blessed them with bread from heaven: “This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat.” (Ex 16:15).  Even within the Gospels Jesus refers to food and drink often in his ministry.  This is because Jesus, and the people of his time, knew the value and importance of food. Food sustains life. Food alters and shapes us. 

Therefore, it is no accident that Jesus choose food as the vessel in which we could participate in union with him. By instituting the Eucharist, Jesus offers us a way to physically and spiritually unite with God and the whole Church. During the mass and while I write this reflection, I find that I often contemplate on the words of Christ to his apostles and repeated at Mass: “Do this in memory of me” (Lk 22:19). I find myself narrowing in on the words “this” and “memory” of that sentence. First we need to ensure that we remember the why of Christ’s sacrifice. Christ’s death is not without meaning. He died “for the forgiveness of sins” (Mt 26:28). Second, the word “this” refers to the immediate act of eating the bread and drinking the wine, but I also like to think that Jesus was referring to the totality of his mission. 

Do what in Jesus’ memory? Participate in the Eucharist? Yes. Forgive your enemies? Yes. Teach the gospel message? Yes. Give to the poor? Yes. Do not judge others? Yes. In essence, to truly embrace the Eucharist means to embrace the totality of Jesus. This means to do it all. But of course we fall short of this mission. Hence the need to participate in the Eucharist often – we need the reminder. 

The Gr. 7 Class is hopeful that you will be able to support their fundraiser. All proceeds from the reusable St. Jude Patriots Mask sales will go to support a Covid19 Safe Gr. 7 Farewell in 2021. Click the follow link to order: Gr 7 Mask Fundraiser

Kindergarten spent a recent art period exploring the medium of paint and using their fingers to create explosions of color!

Grade 1 is showcasing their reading goals as a train heading towards Literacy Town! Students in Gr. 1 are encouraged to read as many books as possible at home to develop and improve their reading skills. 

Gr. 6 explored the concept of “Lines” in art. The students used a pre-existing work of art while filling in the rest of the work with carefully thought out lines. 

Our photo retakes will take place on Wednesday, Nov 25th.  Please come dressed in full uniform.  

Temporary Transition Students are to come from 10am – 11am for their photos.  This will be the only opportunity to have your child’s individual school photos taken.  This will take place in the library downstairs.  Your child will enter in one set of doors and exit out the other.  We ask that parents stay outside and do not enter into the library while photos are being taken. A sign up link will be emailed out to parents next week.  

We are excited to welcome kindergarten sibling registration for children born in 2016, turning 5 in 2021. These children will begin kindergarten in September, 2021.  Please complete the Kindergarten Sibling Registration Form to register siblings for 2021-2022 school year. 

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.