Yesterday, we all celebrated 100 Days of School – in person! That is very much a reason to celebrate! The primary students, in particular, had a fun and educational time celebrating with many activities focused on “100.” Next week, we turn from outward celebrations to internal reflection as we start our Lenten journey.
“Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart.” Thus begins the first reading at next week’s Ash Wednesday Mass. Lent offers us a special time to renew our relationship with God. We often tend to look at it as a punitive time, fasting from such things as chocolate, wine, or video games, but it really is a time of prayer, meditating on God’s goodness, and doing service. It is a time to nurture our inner life, to evaluate our attitudes and our priorities as we prepare for the death and resurrection of Jesus. Lent gives us an opportunity to look at the process of renewal and hope in our own lives.
Ash Wednesday Mass will begin at 9 am and will be live-streamed to the classrooms. Students and teachers will have the opportunity to have the sign of the cross marked with ashes on their foreheads symbolizing repentance and humility. As we begin the forty days of Lent, let us pray with purpose, fast from unkind words and actions and give more generously to others.
Thank you to all students, families, caregivers, and staff for continuing to be vigilant and following recommendations regarding travel and returning to school after the mid-winter holiday. We have no new COVID updates this week. We continue to closely follow state and local discussions regarding masking mandates and guidance. We are awaiting updated guidance for K-12 schools from Washington State Department of Health and Public Health – Seattle & King County, which will be released the week of March 7. We will communicate any changes in guidance to our school community as promptly as possible.
For additional information regarding masking guidance and how St. John School will make its decisions regarding masking, please see last week’s comprehensive COVID update. More information can be found on the COVID Response page.
Blessings,
Bernadette O’Leary
