Who do you belong to?

That’s a strange question. Our society puts a high value on individualism, on “being my own person”, and not being “owned” by anyone. But, maybe that’s not really how human life works. Maybe there’s another way to think about it.

On Ash Wednesday this year, Pope Francis said there is one essential truth about life: we belong to God! We exist only through relationships! Our primary relationship is with the Lord Himself, and it includes relationships with the brothers and sisters around us. He said these relationships are “vital” to our existence, and called us to “rediscover the joy…of caring for those who are poor and afflicted.”

All that we have actually belongs to God. He gave it all to us to help develop those relationships. Our talents and abilities, our time and attention, our treasure and fortunes, all are given to us for that same purpose, to develop and strengthen relationships, by sharing them with others.

Lent is a great time for us to focus on these essential truths, and to make them more and more part of us. It’s a time for us to learn more deeply the joy of sharing our gifts with others, and to develop habits of sharing that endure, that don’t end with Easter, but go on through the rest of our lives.

It’s a time for each of us to consider the best way of sharing what we have with those who need it.

Who needs you today?

Who do you belong to?

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Spring Fundraising Events for Hoops Mania, Feasting for Funds, Scrip, Read Across America, Pi Day, and the American Heart Association efforts. Every little bit makes a big difference!

HOOPS MANIA UPDATE:

Throughout the Tournament - While the tournament is in progress, scores will be posted and updated on the website. Please encourage your card holders to check their cards on the website and have fun tracking their progress all tournament long. HoopsMania Winners - Winners will be calculated after the conclusion of the tournament on Monday, April 3rd.

Raffle tickets will be coming home on Tuesday in the take home folder. Each family will receive 5 tickets to sell. I'm going to attach the letter that is going home with the tickets in case you want to reference anything. This letter is still a work in progress, so don't attach it to your newsletter.

1. Friday, March 24th - END OF 3rd QUARTER
2. Friday, April 7th - Good Friday - NO SCHOOL
3. Monday, April 10th - Easter Monday - NO SCHOOL
   
4. Friday, April 21st - Teacher Inservice - NO SCHOOL
   
5. Tuesday, May 16th - Spring Concert (Afternoon Performance)

Scrip is a great way to support the school and save yourself some money on tuition!

How Scrip Works: You buy Scrip to purchase everyday products (ex: gas, groceries, etc). The company donates a percentage back to the school when you use Scrip for your purchases. You get half of that amount as a savings on your tuition and the other half goes towards the school. For example, if you buy $100 Shell card, they give 10% back. Therefore, $10 is given back; $5 comes off of your tuition and $5 goes to the School.

How to Buy Scrip:

1) Scrip is sold after the following Masses:

- Saturday, 4pm Mass @ Askeaton

- Sunday, 8am Mass @ Greenleaf

- Sunday, 10am Mass @ Wrightstown

2) Scrip is sold at school on Wednesdays

3) Scrip can be purchased using the RaiseRight App

How to Sign Up:

Sign up with your coordinator or school.

Download the RaiseRight App in your app store.

Use enrollment code: A1C5219523L2

*If you use the app, eGift Cards, your purchased Scrip is in the "Wallet" feature on the app. Any purchase or physical gift cards will be shipped to the coordinator and then will have to be picked up at a later time and location. You can choose to pay on the app with the following options: "Banck Account" (has a $0.15/fee), or "Pay Coordinator Directly" (you will have to pay before your order is submitted), or "Credit Card" (has a 2.6% fee).

Thank you for your continued trust and support. I am proud to announce that I have signed my contract with Fr. Brian to continue on as your Principal for the 2023-2024 school year. I am grateful to God for this opportunity, my family for their endless support, and the Diocese of Green Bay for their guidance. Most importantly, the strength of St. Clare is in the profoundly welcoming, helpful, and faith-filled community. So, a very special thank you to each you, your families, and the Parish and School teachers, staff, volunteers, and committees.

It is through a positive collaboration with Fr. Brian and all of the wonderful people that care so deeply about the success of the Parish and School that our community is able to thrive.

The future is bright, God is good, and I send lots of luck and love on this St. Patrick's Day.