Blue Jay Flyer
April 8, 2020
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK...
Suffering has meaning
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Today, we are in the middle of Holy Week. Even though we will not be in church to be reminded of our Lord’s Last Supper, of His passion and death or of His glorious resurrection, we are still able to find meaning there.
At St. Xavier and at McAuley, I taught a course to juniors and seniors which focused on suffering. Students had to come to terms with this profound syllogism. Life has meaning; Life has suffering (therefore inescapably) Suffering has meaning. We are reminded this week of Jesus’ own struggle with the mystery of suffering. Jesus cries out on the cross, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (MT 26) If Jesus must also wrestle with this truth, so too must all of us.
I do not pretend nor presume that I understand why so many are suffering during this pandemic. I do not have the wisdom nor the insight to understand why we are here. However, in the confidence and faith in the Risen Christ, I do believe that this suffering also has meaning.
I hope, pray and believe that in coming through this we will have a profound commitment to the dignity of all human beings even those whom we may have overlooked or even looked through in the past. I believe that we can emerge from this with a deeper respect for all life; our own, our families, our neighbors, the unborn, our planet and especially the poor. I believe that, if in the midst of this suffering we turn to kindness, compassion and generosity, we will become more fully who God is calling us to be this Easter Season.
Please take the time this week to pray with your daughters and sons for the Easter Faith to work at trusting that Suffering has meaning. I do not and will not in this life fully understand this mystery, but I take hope in the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ. We have included in this newsletter a Fox 19 News video about real strength in the face of suffering. This article is about Mr. Tony Acito’s daughter, Emily. It gives me great hope, and I believe that it will for you as well.
Peace,
Dan Minelli
The Strongest of Souls: Emily Acito
Blessings Bags for Healthcare Heroes
The St. John the Baptist Parish Development Committee is creating "round two" of their Blessings Bags for Healthcare Heroes and dropping them off to local ER's in Cincinnati.
If you would like to sign up to donate and/or learn more about this service project, please click the link below. Deadline for drop off is April 11th.
YOU SHOP.....ST. JOHN'S EARNS MONEY
When shopping on Amazon, be sure to shop through the Amazonsmile link and choose St. John the Baptist School Catholic School as your charity. We receive a percentage of all orders.
Click here to assign St. John's to earn rewards.
Shop Here:
St. John's Shutterfly Storefront
DON'T FORGET TO ORDER YOUR 2019-20 YEARBOOK
Don't miss out on all the memories! We have received so many wonderful photos of everything you are doing at home these past few weeks to finish our yearbook pages.
1) Order your yearbook online at ybpay.lifetouch.com and use Yearbook ID Code: 12651120
Yearbooks should arrive in mid August and be distributed at the beginning of next school year.
help support Colerain Small Businesses
Pebble Creek Easter Egg Coloring Contest
Google Classroom User Guide
If you have any questions about Google Classroom, follow the link below for a complete guide.
Blue Jay Showcase
And the Winner is...EVERYONE!!!
The Gift of Time
Holy Week Kindergarten Project
Getting Our Distance Learn On!
We have an author in the house!
Check Out These Resources
Free Access to over 800,000 Books
You have FREE access to over 800,000 ebooks, including textbooks, educational materials, bestsellers, young adult, and children’s titles. Students can read books in audio, audio + highlighted text, braille, and large font.
Click here: Bookshare
Make a corona Virus Time Capsule
Get TIME for Kids Free
Made possible by Google, AT&T, HP and PwC Charitable Foundation, the new TIME for Kids digital library will be available for free for the remainder of the school year.
Click here: TIME Kids
Resources & Activities for Every Age Student
Click here: Resource List
Velocity Speed & Agility Summer Camp
Athletic Boosters
St. John's Football Sign Ups
Program Levels are as follows:
Bandit (Kindergarten-2nd grade), Pony (3rd-4th), Reserve (5th-6th), Varsity (7th-8th).
Practices:
Bandits practice Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Pony through Varsity practice Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays (typically).
Equipment is provided by the program.