HOLY WEEK
Bruin Press April 7, 2020 Edition
St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic School
Email: LSenecal@sbdallas.org
Website: https://www.stbernardccs.org/
Location: 1420 Old Gate Lane, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 2143212897
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SBSBruin
Twitter: @SBS_Official
UPDATE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Bruin Families,
I pray you are well and healthy. As the spread of Covid-19 continues, we are all adjusting to our new realities. For most, that is long hours of work, in addition to cooking and cleaning around the clock, checking-in on family members and friends, all while tutoring/teaching children late into the evening. It certainly has been challenging. During the last weeks, I hope you have found moments of peace and joy amid the chaos. I have enjoyed family meals, ZOOM meetings with loved ones, movies with the kids, walks with my dogs or a ride around the lake (all while social distancing) and nights sitting in my rocking chair on the front porch. For these things and so much more I am thankful.
During Lent we are called to three practices: prayer, sacrifice and charity. Those are the very three things asked of us during this time of Covid 19. Deep prayer, a lot of sacrifice and acts of charity as we reach out to those in need. On Palm Sunday, Pope Francis offered Mass in a nearly empty St. Peter’s Basilica and urged Catholics quarantined at home to remember "what really matters" in life: loving God and serving others. “The tragedy we are experiencing summons us to take seriously the things that are serious, and not to be caught up in those that matter less; to rediscover that life is of no use if not used to serve others. For life is measured by love.” These are important words to remember.
Teachers, like a lot of brave people, are in the business of serving others. Teachers around the world are guiding our children through a moment in history like no other. They are making it work as they always do. They are rising to the occasion. They are doing the best they can in a terrible situation. At SBS, we are blessed to have caring, dedicated teachers who are not only concerned about your children’s education, but just as importantly, they are concerned about their health and wellbeing. Please do not worry about your children falling behind in school. Everyone in our community, in our world, is in the same boat. When we go back to 1420 Old Gate Lane, and we will, the faculty and staff at SBS will meet every child where they are. Your children are their life’s work. This is what they do. So while virtual learning is not perfect, and we have some things to work on, know we will keep striving to do our best to serve the families and children at SBS.
Let us pray as a community that we find God in our hearts, our hopes and our homes. Let us pray that this crisis will end and that lives and livelihoods will be spared. Let us pray for healing of those who are affected. Let us pray that those who are healthy will remain so.
Be safe and enjoy this time with your loved ones.
Laurie Senecal
UPCOMING EVENTS
See further details on events by scrolling down to "Dates and Details" or "Bruin Business."
Monday, Apr. 6th - Saturday, Apr. 11th - Holy Week
Wednesday, Apr. 8th - SBS Community Drop Off for CCD
Thursday, Apr. 9th - 11:00 AM, ZOOM- Stations of the Cross (School-wide)
Thursday, Apr. 9th - Art Choice Board Projects
Thursday, Apr. 9th - Holy Thursday - HALF DAY
Friday, Apr. 10th - Good Friday - NO SCHOOL
Sunday, Apr. 12th - EASTER SUNDAY
Monday, Apr. 13th - Easter Monday - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, Apr. 14th - Teacher Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL
DATES AND DETAILS
Catholic Charities Community Drop Off - Wednesday, April 8th
Catholic Charities needs items for their many programs and services. The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same.
We are organizing a community drop off in the back parking lot of the school on Wednesday, April 8th. Drop off your donated items on the back porch of the school anytime between 8:00 AM and 3 PM. Home and School will be taking them to the offices of CCD. Also if your child wants to make a sympathy card, refer to the toolkit link.
The Agency’s needs at this time are: women's and men's toiletry items, hand soap, Walmart gift cards, gas gift cards, household cleaning items. Click on the link below for a complete list of needed items, or donate money HERE.
HOLY THURSDAY ACTIVITIES - THURSDAY, APRIL 9TH
We will also be doing a special art day, with Art Projects created by our art teacher, Ms. Kenyon. Look for details on the Art/Stem Choice Boards in SeeSaw.
Holy Week Schedule
This week is the holiest week - and includes the holiest day - of the year. Holy Week 2020 will be very different, but it also may be the most memorable Holy Week and Easter of your life. Participate in some or all of the beautiful and inspiring Holy Week and Easter services online by following the links below. Make this week meaningful as well as memorable!
HOLY WEEK MESSAGE FROM MOTHER SERVANT
Dear SBS Families,
The Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday) are the most important days of the entire year within the Church Calendar. They are so pivotal, that they cannot be rescheduled to another moment, but are given to us every year, for us to walk with Jesus in His journey to Calvary. He invites us to know His sufferings which inevitably teach us of His infinite love.
In hopes for us all to enter more deeply into this Holy Week, we want to share some resources that can be of help to you and your family.
Holy Week Resources and Liturgies
BRUIN BUSINESS
EASTER BREAK SCHEDULE
Financial Aid Deadline is Tomorrow!
Good news! The deadline to apply for tuition assistance for the 2020-2021 school year has been extended to April 8th! Families can apply using their 2018 Tax Return along with 2019 W2, or if you’ve already finished your taxes this year, you can use your 2019 Tax Return without needing to upload a W2. For more information visit www.thehaloinitiative.org
Virtue of the Month - Justice
South African philosopher Gideon Strauss defines justice as "when all God’s creatures receive what is due them and contribute out of their uniqueness to our common existence.” Strauss then identifies two types of justice: public justice and social justice ("nonpolitical organizations that promote justice.")
We are all called to be agents of social justice in our lives. How we do that depends on our own unique talents and abilities. Even in this time of social distancing, we can promote social justice - and the betterment of the world we inhabit. Discuss justice as a family, and encourage your children to develop a sense of justice through some of the projects listed in the link below.
WHAT'S BRUIN
HIGH SCHOOL BECKONS...
SEL RESOURCES DURING COVID-19: LEARN MORE
Parents have always been their children’s first social emotional teachers, and now in your new-found role, you are also their primary homeschool teacher. Learn some SEL strategies to support learning at home during this unique time.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL RESOURCES DURING COVID-19
CONFIDENT PARENTS CONFIDENT KIDS