Receiving the Sacraments

One of the most rewarding events for Catholic school administrators is when our students receive the sacraments. For this school year, our 8th graders were Confirmed back in January.  In two weeks, our 2nd graders will receive First Communion. In the past couple of weeks, our 2nd through 8th graders participated in Reconciliation. In between, several of our students, some non-Catholic and some Catholic but new to St. Ann, have decided that they would like to become Catholic or receive the Sacraments they have missed. These students have now been Baptized, received First Communion, and/or Confirmed in the Catholic faith.

With some of our non-Catholic students becoming Catholic, they also bring their families into the Church through RCIA. I have to believe that a big reason this is happening is because we are setting a great example of our faith through our daily actions. I'm not talking just about the actions and faith of the faculty and staff, I'm talking about all who enter our building on a daily basis consisting of students, parents/grandparents, volunteers, and church staff including all who attend the Friday school Mass with the students. We all set a great example of faith through prayer and deeds to our work for the Catholic Church.

I would like to give a special shout-out to everyone on the church and school staff who make certain all students are prepared to receive the Sacraments. Thank you to Fr. Ernie, Kathy Schober, Melodee Pohl, Katie Dyer, Brittany Martinez, and Kelly Pettit at the church office for all the preparation in making the Sacramental events happen. Thank you to our teachers who work with our students in sacramental preparation; this includes all the teachers from PK3-8th grade who teach religion with a special shout-out to Carol Caesar for making sure all the middle schoolers preparing to receive the Sacraments are ready.

A final thank you goes out to all the parents who entrust us to teach our Catholic beliefs to the children in preparation of receiving the Sacraments.

God bless you and Happy Easter,

Didier Aur, Principal

8th Grade Confirmation

My favorite part of the school day is when I remove the administrator's hat to enter the classroom as an educator. For one class period per day, I can fulfill the reason why I got into education in the first place; to teach.

My teaching assignment is predicated by need; I teach the class and subject where we would have to hire a teacher to teach just one class period. This year, I am teaching 8th grade religion. Whatever I teach, I spend the summer before the new school year prepping for that class. Since most of my outside reading is religion/faith based, prepping was something I looked forward to.

The focus of 8th grade religion is Confirmation prep. What is cool about Confirmation prep is that it is so much more than being "sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit." It is also about being "strengthened for service to the Body of Christ."

With Confirmation only two weeks away, my students have led several service projects (Catholic Charities and Dorothy Day House), studied the Sacraments and the Mysteries of the Rosary, learned the purpose of patron saints and sponsors, discussed the Sunday gospel readings, and spent every class period reflecting and writing. Most importantly, the students are focusing on God's love for them and their love for themselves.

As we learn everyday in class, we cannot take care of others until we can take care of ourselves first. And, we cannot love others until we love ourselves first. If I am not the person I want to be, it is up to me to become that person.

Our hope isn't just for the Sacrament of Confirmation, it is for a lifetime of service to the Church. As Fr. Dexter said in his homily at Mass yesterday, "Our duty as Christians is to lead others to God." As we continue preparation for Confirmation, your prayers and support are much appreciated. 

Enjoy your week, and see you on January 27th for Confirmation.

God bless you, Didier Aur

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