Dear Panther Families,
 
Our students gathered yesterday morning in the church for a beautiful Ash Wednesday Mass to kick off this new liturgical season. Lent is a time of focus on penitence, of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Part of the reason we fast is to teach our hearts that we do not hope in our own strength, nor in the satisfaction of the food we eat. In fasting, we hope in something or someone stronger and more satisfying. Traditionally, we give up one or more foods during Lent, but fasting can include things other than food, such as:

• Fasting from hurtful words and saying kind words.
• Fasting from sadness and being filled with gratitude.
• Fasting from anger and being filled with patience.
• Fasting from pessimism and being filled with hope.
• Fasting from worries and trusting in God.
• Fasting from complaints and contemplating simplicity.
• Fasting from pressures and being prayerful.
• Fasting from bitterness and filling your heart with joy.
• Fasting from selfishness and being compassionate to others.
• Fasting from grudges and being reconciled.
• Fasting from words and being silent so you can listen.

Some of our 8th graders joined our Pre-K students after Mass yesterday in Mrs. Johnson's class to learn more about the Lenten season and share what they have chosen to fast from in hopes of growing closer to Jesus. Take a peek at some of the photos!
 
I wanted to pass along a scholarship opportunity with the Jaxson William Augustus Swank (JWAS) Foundation. The mission of the JWAS Foundation is to perpetuate Jaxson's loving memory by providing financial assistance to deserving individuals from preschool through college and to support each recipient in achieving their potential to obtain scholastic distinction while developing good moral character as future leaders. For information on how to apply for this scholarship, please visit https://www.jwasfoundation.org/howtoapply.html. 
 
I’m looking forward to seeing our students and families at Mass this weekend – Saturday at 4:15pm, and Sunday at 8:15am & 10:30am.
 
God’s Blessing upon you!
Fr. Ben Muhlenkamp