934 SW Clay St

Topeka, KS 66606

Phone: 233-1727

Fax: 233-1728

MATER DEI CATHOLIC SCHOOL

January 2013 Parent Newsletter

Our Mission: Based on the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church, in partnership with the family and parish

community, Mater Dei Catholic School will provide each child the opportunity to reach their potential and to develop the academic, technological and social skills necessary to become lifelong learners

“Christ is the reason for this school. He is the unseen but ever present teacher in its classes. He is the model of its faculty and the inspiration of its students.”

Website: materdeischool.org . E-mail: materdei@materdeischool.org . Facebook: Mater Dei Catholic School—Topeka

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Love It, Learn It, Live It:

In Our Parish

Catholic Schools Week Kick Off!

Students will serve as lectors, members of the choir and altar servers at

the 5:00 pm Mass.

Chili Feed in the School Cafeteria immediately following Mass. The 8th

grade will host and all parishioners are welcome! Proceeds to help install

sound panels in the gym!

The Mater Dei Catholic Schools Week Video Premiere!

Book Fair: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the gym.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Love It, Learn It, Live It:

Faithful Teachers

Teacher Appreciation Day!

Teachers will receive special treats throughout the day.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Love It, Learn It, Live It:

Actively Serving Our Community

Day of Service!

Students will work on service projects to benefit our Topeka Community.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Love It, Learn It, Live It:

Including Prayer in All We Do

Day of Prayer!

Students in grades 5 - 8 will celebrate Mass with Archbishop Naumann at

9:30 am at Hayden.

Students will say special prayers together throughout the day.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Love It, Learn It, Live It:

Terrific Students

Student Appreciation Day!

Dress comfy (PJs are acceptable)!

Students will receive special treats throughout the day.

Friday, February 1, 2013

Love It, Learn It, Live It:

Honoring Someone Special

Grandparents and other adults who are special to our students are invited to visit us at school starting at 8:30 and to celebrate Mass with us at

10:30.

“Mini-concert” in the gym at 9:00!

We honor all our benefactors and invite them to tour our building.

Student dismissal immediately following Mass.

Mater Dei Book Fair The Scholastic Book Fair will be here all week!

Catholic Schools Week

Family Time Topic:

Create a family handprint. Trace each

family members hand and cut out. Glue

each hand print on top of each others.

Basketball Players (Boys & Girls)

Remember to bring your basketball uniforms on

Monday, January 14th for team pictures.

12 5:00 pm Mass (MDHN) David Droge Jr., Robert Meidinger, Gennavieve

Salsbury

13 The Baptism of the Lord 7:30 am Mass (MDA)

Allison Baum, Andrew Baum, Caroline Crawford

9:00 am Mass (MDHN)

Laura Burenheide, Emery Eakes, Kyle Simons

11:00 am Mass (MDHN)

Alex Parkerson, Claire Schmidt, Mary Schmidt

5:00 pm Mass (MDA)

Rosie Anguiano, Frances Befort, Xavi Ramos

14 Lunch Aides/Crossing Guards

Ethan Sams, Ceci Schmitz, Lauren Stous, Aaron Kennedy

15 8:05 am - Gr 1-8 Mass by 6G

Logan Eakes, Makara LasKares, Jessica Smith

Lunch Aides/Crossing Guards Isabella W. Martinez, Mason Wietharn, Noah Williams,

Saige LasKares

16 8:00 am Deadline for Newsletter Submissions

Lunch Aides/Crossing Guards Katherine Meggison, Robert Meidinger, Roni Raines,

Genna Salsbury

17 Lunch Aides/Crossing Guards

Claire Schmitz, Nicole Seichepine, Jessica Smith,

Katelyn Thompson

18 8:05 am - All School Mass by 7S

Jacob Tritsch, Mackenzie Giefer, Katherine Meggison

Lunch Aides/Crossing Guards

Madison Tinsley, Sera Todwong, Sierra VanSickel

19 5:00 pm Mass (MDHN)

Liz Emmert, Aidan Renyer, Katrin Renyer

Coming up Next Week January 12 - 19

PTO NEWS

MDS News

Prayer List: Please join your prayer with ours for: Barbara & Warren Bottenberg, Brody Keil, Bryce Kalas, Carol Culver, Chase

Ensley, Darlene Dillon, Dean Zepp, DJ Elam, Donald Lem, Ed Lambrecht, Edward Dawson, Frank Jaramillo, Jason Brown, Jennifer Towle,

Jenny Burghart, Joe Johnson, John Harrington, Karen Mead, Karis Selk, Keith Shaffer, Ken Zweig, Kent LasKares, Lola Martinez, Luther Fluke, Madison Taliafero, Margaret Schaffer, Mary Meier, Matthew Kipp, Maureen Wilson, Michele Anguiano, Mike Houser, Nicki Hidalgo, Reece Renyer, Regina Lorenz, Sara Essman, Sarah Huffman, Scott Weiland, Steve Wilcox, Sylvia Wiechold, Tom Esquibel, Tom Heath, and Wyatt Rutherford. For Sr. Corita’s extended family. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. For the

special intentions we hold in the silence of our hearts.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 9th, 2013. Games held in Rossiter Hall from 7 - 10 pm. Please join us as a participant, volunteer or both for

a fun filled night. (This is an adult only event.)

See attached sheet for more information.

January 17th - Spirit Day

Get Ready for Ultimate Spirit Fest!!

This is no ordinary spirit day! Show your ultimate school spirit. Color your hair in our school colors, paint your face, wear only blue and gold clothes - whatever it takes to show your creativity and love for Mater Dei! Have fun and be creative. We will be looking for the most spirited homeroom class to win a special prize! *Note - all crazy hair colors and face paint must be completely removed the next day.

See parent note that is attached to January’s newsletter.

Catholic Schools Week

Kick-off Mass

Saturday, January 26, 2013

5:00 pm Mass MDHN

See attached sheet for more details.

Basketball pictures will be taken on Monday, January 14th at 2:30 pm. Order forms will be sent on Friday. The orders need to be turned into the photographer Monday with payment.

Remember to bring your uniform.

JANUARY 2013 ACTIVITIES CALENDAR

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

2

3

4 No School

5

6 Feast of the Epiphany

7 8 8:05 am - Gr 1-8

Mass by MD Faculty

9 Boys Basketball

7:00 MDA vs TC

8:00 MDB vs MPH2

A & B played at Topeka

Collegiate

6:00 MDC vs MPH1 at Most

Pure Heart

10

Middle School

attends the

Symphony

11 8:05 am - All School Mass by 4H

12 Boys Basketball

10:30 am MDA vs CTK1 at

Christ the King

10:30 am MDB vs CTK2 at

Most Pure Heart

9:00 am MDC vs MPH1 at

Most Pure Heart

5:00 pm Mass

Youth Choir will sing

13 Baptism of the Lord

14

2:30 pm

Basketball pictures (both boys and girls)

Remember your

uniforms.

15 8:05 am - Gr 1-8

Mass by 6G

16

17 Mater Dei Spirit Day

“Ultimate Spirit Fest”

sponsored by STUCO

18 8:05 am - All School Mass by 7S

Awards Assembly

9:00 am ~ K - 2

9:45 am ~ Gr.3 - 5

10:30 am ~ Gr. 6-8

19 Boys Basketball

12:30 am MDB vs TC

1:30 pm MDC vs HF

Games at Holy Family

20 8:00 am

Hayden Booster

Club Pancake Feed

Hayden Cafeteria

21 No School

Martin Luther King,

Jr. Day

22 8:05 am - Gr 1-8

Mass by 2T

23 Hayden Shadow Day

for 8th Graders

Boys Basketball

8:00 pm MDA vs CTK2 at

Christ the King

8:00 pm MDB vs CTK1 at

Most Pure Heart

24

25 8:05 am - All School

Mass by 4F

26

27

28 Chi

Faithful Teachers

29 Kansas Day 152 years old

Actively Serving Our

Community

30

Including Prayer in all

We Do Boys Basketball

7:00 pm MDA vs MPH2 at CTK

7:00 pm MDB vs MPH1 at MPH

31

Terrific Students

February 1 10:30 am - All School

Mass by 8J

Honoring Someone

Special

2

Classes resume

Monday,

January 7th

Confirmation Retreat

Prairie Star Ranch

Leaving on the 2nd at noon and returning

on the 3rd by 3:30 pm.

5:00 pm CSW

Kick-off Mass

Followed by

Chili Feed

Book Fair

Premier of the

CSW Video

6:30 pm 2nd Grade First Reconciliation

MDHN

1:45 pm

MDHN Church

8th Graders will attend Pro Life

Mass and Rally

Catholic Schools Week January 27 through February 2

Book Fair will be opened on Saturday January 26th after 5:00 pm Mass. Monday through Friday after school.

F. A. I. T. H.

filled week

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Menu is subject to change without notice.

1/2 pint of 1% white, chocolate skim, and strawberry skim offered with each lunch.

January 2013 MDS Breakfast & Lunch

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 1

2

3

4

7 B—Cook’s Choice L—pig in a blanket, smiles, raw veggies, apples

8 B—French toast, juice, milk L—BBQ meatballs, peas/carrots, buttered noodles, roll, rosie applesauce

9 B—cereal, bagel, juice, milk

L—nuggets and nachos, green beans, salsa, oranges

10 B— breakfast cookie, yogurt, juice, milk L—stromboli, salad, cottage cheese, green beans, pineapple

11 B—cereal, cinnamon roll, juice, milk L—deli style sandwich, raw veggies, baked beans, fruit

14 B—breakfast pizza, juice, milk

L—chicken sandwich, cooked carrots, cooked broccoli, fruit

15 B—cereal, pastry, juice, milk

L—taco burger, salsa/tomato, tortilla chips, corn, mixed fruit

16 B—oatmeal/cereak, cinnamon toast, fruit, milk

L—Cook’s Choice

17 B—cereal, bagel, juice, milk

L— pizza, salad, corn, fruit

18 B—pancakes, fruit, milk

L— corn dogs, smiles, raw veggies, apples

21

No School

22 B—cereal, bagel, juice, milk L—Cook’s Choice

23 B—pancake on a stick, juice, milk L—chicken nuggets, mash potatoes, gravy, green beans, fruit

24 B—cereal, cinnamon roll, juice, milk L—cowboy dinner, corn chips, baby carrots, fruit

25

B—biscuit, egg or sausage, juice, milk L—fish, salad, smiles, muffins, rosie applesauce

28 B—cereal, bagel, juice, milk L—soup, crackers, veggies & dip, cinnamon rolls, grapes

29 B—biscuit and gravy, juice, milk L—hot dogs, smiles, raw veggies, apples

30 B—biscuit, egg or sausage, juice, milk L—teriyaki chicken, broccoli and carrots, green beans, rice, mandarin oranges

31 B—cereal, toast, juice, milk L—pizza sticks, salad, corn, pears

February 1 B—No Breakfast L—No Lunch 1/2 Day of School

Christmas Break ~ No School

Happy Birthday, Kansas!

February

1 10:30 am - Gr 1- 8 Mass by 8J

3 Feast of St. Blaise

5 8:05 am Grades 1- 8 Mass by 3B

8 8:05 am All School Mass by 5R

11 First Communion Prayer Service 6:30 pm RH (Parents only)

12 Fat Tuesday

Jump Rope for Heart

Celebration of Valentine’s Day for Mater Dei School

13 Ash Wednesday

8:05 am All School Mass by 8W

14 No School

School of Faith for Teachers

Parent Teacher Conferences

15 No School

Parent Teacher Conferences

18 No School Presidents Day

19 8:05 am All School Mass by Faculty

No Kindergarten

Kindergarten Roundup for the 2013-2014 Class

20 3rd Grade attends Sheffel Theater Clinic

21 Spirit Day

22 8:05 am All School Mass by 6G

25 Confirmation

26 8:05 am Gr. 1 - 8 by 2M

March

1 8:05 am All School Mass by 4H

No Class for the 2012-2013 Kindergarten

Kindergarten Screening for Kindergarten 2013-2014

2 Spring Read-a-Thon

8 End of 3rd Quarter

9 Irish Fest Mater Dei 5k Fun Run and Leprechaun Leap

14 Pi Day and Spirit Day

15 No School School of Faith

16 Irish Fest

18 -22 Spring Break

28 - April 1 Easter Break

Future Dates

Fill up the attached Box Tops for Education sheet & return it to school.

We receive 10¢ for every box top we send in so keep them coming!

January

Booster Club

Pancake Feed

Sunday, January 20th 8:00 am

Hayden Cafeteria

Shadow Day for Mater Dei 8th Graders

February 23, 2013

8:30 am to

PACE

Bingo

6:30 Thursday and Saturday

Auction

Mark your calendars now and plan to attend Take Me Out to the Ball Game, the 35th Annual Pace Auction on Saturday,

April 6, 2013.

MATER DEI CHILD CARE CENTER NEW

News from the After School Program

New rate increase:

Pick-up by 4:30 pm ~ $35.

Pick-up by 6:00 pm ~ $45

$55 for before and after school care weekly

$55 for each session/class/a la carte.

School Day Out fees will remain the same.

Contact Marlena or Margaret should you have any questions or concerns regarding the new changes.

232-1603

Excellent Child Care

Excellent child care is still available for before or after school. We also offer SDO care (School Day Out). SDO age limit is kindergarten to 11 years of age.

Contact Marlena at 232-1630 or after school.

Fun in Afterschool

Did you know the After School Program has a homework room? Did you know that some of the

students cook in the After School Program?

Mater Dei Scholastic Book Fair

Saturday, January 26th ~ 6 pm to 8 pm

Monday - Friday ~ After school

Save the Date:

Jump Rope for Heart

February 12, 2013

If you can’t serve when you’re assigned, please find a replacement.

January Altar Servers: Mater Dei Parish News

January 12 - 13: Baptism of the Lord Sat. 5:00 pm (MDHN) David Droge, Jr., Robert Meidinger,

Gennavieve Salsbury Sun. 7:30 am (MDA) Allison & Andrew Baum, Caroline Crawford Sun. 9:00 am (MDHN) Laura Burenheide, Emery Eakes, Kyle Simons

Sun. 11:00 am (MDHN) Alex Parkerson, Claire & Mary Schmidt

Sun. 5:00 pm (MDA) Rosie Anguiano, Frances Befort, Xavi Ramos

January 15: Gr. 1 - 8 Mass Tues. 8:05 am (MDHN) Logan Eakes, Makara LasKares,

Jessica Smith

January 18: Gr. All School Mass

Fri. 8:05 am (MDHN) Jacob Tritsch, Mackenzie Giefer,

Katherine Meggison

January 19 - 20: Second Sunday of Ordinary Time

Sat. 5:00 pm (MDHN) Liz Emmert, Aidan & Katrin Renyer

Sun. 7:30 am (MDA) John Madden, Addy & Emily Mead

Sun. 9:00 am (MDHN) Eric Hutley, Drew Spindler, Alfredo Torres

Sun. 11:00 am (MDHN) Ben Metzger, Kyle Simons, Tanner Ramirez

Sun. 5:00 pm (MDA) Brandy & Jordan Diaz, Xavi Ramos

January 22: Gr 1-8 Mass

Tues. 8:05 am (MDHN) Brenden Jones, BreAnna Droge,

Rosie Anguiano

January 25: All School Mass Fri. 8:05 am (MDHN) Tanner Ramirez, James Woods,

Laura Burenheide

January 26 - 27: Third Sunday of Ordinary Time

Catholic School Week

Sat. 5:00 pm (MDHN) Cade Dennis, BreAnna Droge, Katrin Renyer

Sun. 7:30 am (MDA) Caroline Crawford, Nicholas Kirmer,

Roni Raines

Sun. 9:00 am (MDHN) Anna Burnett, Blake & Katherine Meggison

Sun. 11:00 am (MDHN) Jonathan Wickstrum, James & Rebecca

Woods

Sun. 5:00 pm (MDA) Reina Gonzalez, Peter Oberle, Jessica Smith

January 30: Gr 5-8 Mass at Hayden with Archbishop

February 1: All School Mass

Fri. 10:30 am (MDHN) Unavailable at this time

A Manna form is attached to each monthly newsletter. If you need more, visit the school website (http://materdeischool.org/forms.html). You can also get forms from the school and parish offices. Manna is a truly great program that benefits our parish. When you buy Manna cards, the parish receives a portion of the cost (the percentages are listed right after the name of the busi-ness). Please consider helping by purchasing these cards! Once you begin participating in this program it is really easy to make the change from cash, credit card or debit to Manna card. Most of the businesses listed are places you already shop. If you don’t see what you need on the form,

call Shawn (232-7744) to see if he can get it for you.

To order Manna, simply complete the form and return it with cash or check. As with all things sent to school, place it in an envelope with your student’s name, grade and what’s

inside. We will fill it and get it back to you.

Use the Manna program! Manna is for sale after all Masses the first week-

end of every month and after school on Fridays.

Fridays - The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is prayed at 3:00 pm in the Mater Dei Holy Name Chapel. All are

welcome.

Altar Society Bake Sale

February 9th and 10th

We need help to make the Irish Fest Fun Run on March 9 a success! If you would like to volunteer, please contact Mimi Gardner.

In loving memory of and with great

gratitude for the gift of life of

Sister Mary Corita Conlan, SCL

Born May 12, 1927

Died January 1, 2013

“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin

with me…”

Date : Total Order $

Child's Name/Grade: Check #

Phone Number: Zip Code Cash

GROCERY VENDORS % AMT QTY Sub total Filled % AMT QTY Sub total Filled

Dillons Reloadable 5 $5 Hyvee 5 $25

Dillons Reloadable 5 $25 Hyvee 5 $50

Dillons Reloadable 5 $50 Hyvee 5 $100

Dillons Reloadable 5 $100

RETAILERS % AMT QTY Sub total Filled RESTAURANTS % AMT QTY Sub total Filled

Amazon 4 $25 Arby's 8 $10

Barnes & Noble 9 $5/$10/$25 Applebee's 8 $25

Bath & Body Works 13 $10/$25 Burger King 4 $10

Bed, Bath and Beyond 7 $25/$100 Carlos O'Kelly's 9 $10

Best Buy 3 $25/$100 Chipotle 10 $10

Best Buy 3 $250 Chili's 11 $25

Cabela's 11 $25 Chuck E Cheese 8 $10

Claire's/Icing 9 $10 Coldstone Creamery 8 $10

Dicks Sporting Goods 8 $25 Cracker Barrel 9 $10

Dillards 9 $25 $10

Eddie Bauer 10 $25 $25

Gap/Old Navy 9 $25 Hardee's 5 $10

GNC 8 $25 KFC 8 $5

Gordman's 7 $25 Landry' Restaurants 9 $25

Home Depot 4 $25/$100 Little Caesar's 8 $20

iTunes 10 $15/$25 Dardens - Longhorn,

JC Penney's 5 $25/$100 Red Lobster &

Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores 6 $25 Olive Garden

Kohl's 5 $10/$25 Old Chicago 6 $25

Kohl's 5 $50/$100 Outback Steakhouse 8 $25

Lands End(Sears/Kmart) 16 $25/$100 Panera's 9 $10

L.L. Bean 15 $25 Papa John's 8 $10

Lowes 4 $25/$100 Pizza Hut 3 $10

Lowes 4 $500/$1000 Quiznos 10 $10

Michaels 4 $25 Red Robin 9 $25

Office Depot 4 $25/$100 Starbucks 7 $5/$10/$25

Office Max 5 $25/$100 Steak-n-Shake 8 $10

Old Navy/Gap 9 $25 Subway 3 $10

Payless Shoes 13 $20 Texas Roadhouse 8 $25

Pier 1 9 $25 Wendys 4 $10

Talbots 8 $25 Texas Roadhouse 8 $25

Target 2 $10/$25/$100 Wendys 4 $10

TJ Maxx 7 $25

Toys-R-Us 1.5 $20

Walgreens 6 $25/$100

Wal-Mart 2.5 $25/$100

Wal-Mart 2.5 $250

revised 11/07/2012

Name:

Glory Days Pizza

Reloadable10

$259

Kansas is the 34th state.

Kansas statehood is January 29, 1861

Topeka is the capital of Kansas. Kansas state motto is “Ad astra per aspera”…

“To the stars through difficulty”.

Attach your Box Tops coupons over the Kansas State symbols – each is

worth 10¢ for Mater Dei Catholic School. To see more way to earn

cash for your school, go to btfe.com.

FOR COORDINATORS ONLY:

Total # of Box Tops on this sheet: _____

Sunflower Western Meadowlark

Ornate box turtle

Channel Catfish

Limestone

American Bison Barred-Tiger Salamander

Honeybee

Kansas State Seal

Eastern Cottonwood

Friday, January 18, 2013.

Friday, January 11, 2013.

Mater Dei School Nancy Kennedy and Angela Howey Math-a-thon Coordinators kennedyn@materdeischool.org

Adults only event.

Baskets

Please don’t forget about the classroom baskets.

Turn in your themed basket by the end of January.

Contact Information:

Regina McCarthy 224-0350

Volunteers

Volunteer for one hour or all three hours.

The following positions are available:

Black Jack Dealers

Human Slot Machine

Bet takers for the Human Slot Machine

Craps Dealers

Kitchen Help

Beer Garden

Clean Up

Donations for Prizes If you know of any businesses that would be willing to donate either an item, monetary or their service for a door

prize that would be greatly appreciated.

The bright future of our Church

© Copyright 2013 Success Publishing & Media, LLC

Helping our children grow in their Catholic faith. January 2013

Why do Catholics crossthemselves three times before the Gospel?

God created us to know him, to love him, and to serve him. In Mass, when we make the Sign of the Cross on our foreheads, lips, and hearts before the Gospel reading, we are dedicating ourselves to God.

We pray, “Lord, be on my mind, be on my lips, be in my

heart.” We ask God to be in us as we hear the Gospel, so that

we can truly “love and serve the Lord” by our

lives.

When children participate in the Church from a young age, they grow to be strong and faithful Catholics for life. Encouraging youngsters to take an active part in parish life will give them a sense of belonging. And it makes our children and our Church stronger. Consider these ideas: Altar server. This is a common way children participate in parish life. Many parishes offer both boys and girls the chance to be altar servers. Youngsters learn the order of the Mass, grow to appreciate sacraments and sacramentals, and establish healthy relationships with clergy. Christian witness. Young people who know the traditions, creed, teachings, and history of the Church can share their Catholic faith with

others. Parents can encourage this by taking youngsters to religious education classes faithfully and attending Mass every Sunday and holy day. Catholic school. In a world trying desperately to do without God, it is a gift to be able to send children to a Christ-centered parish school. In

Catholic school, students are encouraged to care for one another. Cruelty and bullying are met head-on to help prevent the type of isolation that can erupt into deadly violence. Parish support. Many parishes have opportunities for youths to serve

as lectors, choir members, or ushers. Other ministries include soup kitchens, work camps, homeless shelters, or visiting homebound parishioners.

Keep it real Do you try to do too much? The New Year is a good chance to examine your priorities and decide what really matters. How organized does your home really have to be? How available do we have to be to jobs or friends? Handle what you reasonably can, and give the rest to God.

Show and Tell Demonstrating good Christian values, taking children to Mass, and letting them see you in daily prayer illustrates the importance of your faith. But don’t forget to talk to youngsters about your love for God and why you are Catholic. Show AND tell them.

Stock up Do you get asked questions you can’t answer about the faith? Invest in a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It’s the de�nitive reference on the faith, and the index makes it easy to �nd answers quickly. It is available from most Catholic bookstores and many general ones.

Mater Dei Catholic SchoolBe Holy. Be Excellent. Love One Another.

January 2013 Page 2

Success Publishing & Media, LLCPublishers of Growing in Faith™ and Partners in Faith™

(540)662-7844 (540)662-7847 fax http://www.growinginfaith.com

(Unless noted Bible quotes and references are fromthe Revised Standard Version and the New American Bible.)

To help parents raise faithful Catholic children

© Copyright 2013 Success Publishing & Media, LLC

Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21; a blueprint for faith

Be joyfully Catholic

In January we celebrate the Holy Name of Jesus. “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:10). January 4 - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1821). An American, St. Elizabeth became Catholic after her husband died. She founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, a teaching order that established affordable schools. January 17 - St. Anthony the Abbot (355). Born around 250 A.D. in Egypt, St. Anthony gave up wealth to live with simplicity in the desert. He is the father of monasticism.

January 24 - St. Francis de Sales (1622). As bishop of Geneva, St. Francis strengthened the faith of others by his writings. For the laity, he wrote Introduction to the Devout Life, which remains applicable today. January 28 - St. Thomas Aquinas (1274). St. Thomas was a Dominican teacher and scholar. He is considered by the Church as the preeminent spokesman for the Catholic tradition of reason and divine revelation.

Catholic families aren’t like other families. While we may have the same worldly problems, our solutions are always spiritual. The challenge for us is to remember that we aren’t meant to be like non-religious families and to give ourselves permission to be different. Be joyfully Catholic. Consider shaping your family’s identity around Catholic seasons and traditions. Make Friday a day of penance. Change eating patterns during Lent. Reserve Sunday for God and family and attend Sunday Mass faithfully. Work for the poor.

Hold children accountable. Be unapologetic about providing consistent boundaries and enforcing family rules. Help youngsters develop good manners and respectful behavior. Raise modest children. Catholic parents have to make tough choices about how children dress and

act. We are called to control our passions and re�ect our faith in Jesus by avoiding sin privately and publicly.

Model self-sacri�ce. Parents are great models when we set aside our own desires for the good of our families, parish, and community. Children watch us even more

carefully than they watch their friends.

When Kara was little, she had one of those toddler cars she could pedal around in and pretend to drive. She

would bump into a wall, get out, slam the door, and curse. I soon realized she was imitating me and resolved to clean up my language. Fast forward to

second grade when Kara was preparing for her First Communion. The teacher sent home an examination of conscience. As we went through the list of questions, Kara stopped at the one about bad language and said, “Mom, aren’t some of the words you say bad language even if they aren’t curses? Mrs. McNeill says if Jesus wouldn’t say them, we shouldn’t either.” I didn’t realize I was giving a bad Christian witness with my language, especially since it had improved so much. But to be honest, I still used language I shouldn’t. I guess my daughter and I are learning together.

In this Gospel story, Jesus gave us a plan for how we are to practice our faith. First, Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath according to his custom. He regularly took time to worship, demonstrating the importance of communal worship. It’s not enough to just pray privately. Second, Jesus read the scriptures, explained their meaning, and applied the scripture to a situation. That teaches us how to approach the Bible. Some Bible passages can be confusing. Explanation is important when we prayerfully read scripture. Applying the

Gospel message to our lives is equally important. It is meant to be lived, not just read.

Third, Jesus asked his listeners to have faith in him. The passage he read from Isaiah was a prophecy of the Messiah. When Jesus said, “Today this Scripture passage is

ful�lled in your hearing,” he was revealing that he is the Messiah. What can a parent do? Use

this Gospel story to determine how your family will live your faith. Explain to children that, as followers of Jesus, we try to do just what he did.