Peace as a Journey of Hope

The following is from Catholic Online https://www.catholic.org/news/hf/faith/story.php?id=83969   This new year, this new decade, begins much like the past year, the past decade: wars between countries, wars within countries, nations around the globe preparing for future wars and astronomical military budgets cemented in place to ensure all this unholy madness continues.  In his Jan. 1, 2020 World Day of Peace message "Peace as a Journey of Hope: Dialogue, Reconciliation and Ecological Conversion," the Holy Father writes "Hope is thus the virtue that inspires us and keeps us moving forward, even when obstacles seem insurmountable."  Francis says, "The world does not need empty words but convinced witnesses, peacemakers who are open to a dialogue that rejects exclusion or manipulation. In fact, we cannot truly achieve peace without a convinced dialogue between men and women who seek the truth beyond ideologies and differing opinions."

Where does St. Stephen fit in with this message?  Upcoming events show that we are living Pope Francis' words.  We have professional development at the end of the month on Sustainability and how we can do our part to protect our planet.  In less than a month we will hold Interfaith Day which is an opportunity for 8th graders of different faiths to come together and see how much alike they are.  Finally, living our faith is a testament of hope and without hope there is despair.  If you walk through our halls and see the smiling faces of the children, you know that we are all filled with joy and hope.  On Community Day we will open our doors so that others may witness the great joy and hope we have.

Teachers, please be sure to attend the Faculty Meeting on Monday as there a number of important items we will be talking about including the events for Catholic Schools Week.  Other things happening this week:

• School Board meeting Tuesday night
• Principal's Coffee Wednesday morning
• Bible Study with Youth Minister at lunch Grades 6-8
• Gina, Linda, Jill, and Gina A will be at the Pastoral Center on Thursday
• Re-enrollment begins on Thursday
• Final round of the Geography Bee is Friday last period for grades 4-8 in the FLC
• Gina will be at an Assistant Principal's meeting on Friday
• And it all ends with a 3-day weekend!

Please keep in mind that we are half-way through Trimester 2.  Teachers should be talking with parents of any student who has grades below a C for this trimester.  It can be as simple as a phone call or email, but you must make contact.  

On a personal note, thank you all for the thoughts and prayers for my sister.  Knowing there is an army of prayer warriors supporting you makes every burden lighter.  Have a wonderful week.