IHM Catholic EdNotes Spring 2025 by Sister Stephen Anne Roderiguez

OUR CREATIVE CONTRIBUTORS

Karen Creely

Sister Joyce Bell IHM

Sister Mary Sue Carwile IHM

Sister Theresa Duffy IHM

Sister Marie Gipprich IHM

Sister Judith Kathleen Knowlton IHM

Kim Lamb

Sister Margaret Langer IHM

Sister Patricia McCormack IHM

Sister Edward William Quinn IHM

Sister Eileen Reilly IHM

Sister Christina Marie Roberts IHM

Sister Amanda Marie Russell IHM

Sister Patricia Scanlon IHM

Sister Kathleen Monica Schipani

Sister Monica Therese Sicilia IHM

Sister Mary Anne Sweeney IHM

Dear Friends,

Welcome to our Spring 2025 issue of the IHM Catholic EdNotes!

Our cover for this edition reminds us of the HOPE that the Passion of the Cross holds for each of us. As we enter into the liturgical season of Lent, our readings, traditions and actions remind us daily of this sacred time the Church reserves for us to become aware of the Hope that encircles the pain and suffering of our world, our country and our own lives. It is this Hope that bring peace in the midst of our struggles and pain.

Our IHM Sisters and our dedicated lay colleagues, as we journey together, we remind one another and those we encounter daily to "Trust in God! Hope in God Still." (Psalm 42). May Hope accompany you during this Lenten journey and may peace dwell in you hearts.

We hope to inspire and assist you with the sacred work of Catholic education through these engaging, informative and interesting features that can support your best practices, Pre-K through Grade 12, whether in a catechetical parish program or a Catholic school setting.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact us: ihmcatholicednotes@gmail.com

God bless you for your dedication to Catholic education!

The IHM Charism Connection

Theresa Maxis IHM – Woman of Courage and Confidence in God’s Providence

As we make our way through the day-to-day opportunities and challenges of life, Mother Theresa Maxis IHM can offer us insight into cultivating resilience! She is the co-founder of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. With grace and grit, she navigated obstacles and never gave up hope, responding to the call to mission with confidence in God’s Boundless Love!

Mother Theresa’s life prepared her for her role of pilgrim. Let’s consider the virtues of a pilgrim:

• readiness to risk personal mistakes and failures, insecurities, and dangers in searching out God and God’s Will

• caution in settling down into familiar and reassuring surroundings

• awareness of others that prompts encouragement and love for those who share the pilgrimage

• confidence in the Lord’s power in the future as well as in the past

• determination to faithfully follow the vision, knowing the vision is not yet fully defined

• ready to respond as the vision becomes clearer through life’s unfolding journey

One example would be her sense of God’s call to mission for her, as well as the misunderstandings and difficulties she experienced in her life. Most obviously, her lifetime of constant travel and transplantation reveals the excitement, the insecurity, great pain as well as the fruitfulness of the pilgrim’s calling.

Born in 1810 in Baltimore, Theresa was the daughter of a Haitian refugee, Betsy Duchemin and Arthur Howard, a British military officer. Betsy’s grandfather, whose name was Maxis was an African American slave in Haiti. This became the surname that Theresa used. Theresa’s parents were not married and she never knew her father.

Theresa was raised as a Haitian American by her mother’s guardians, the Duchemin family, who provided education for her as they had for her mother. She attended a school established for Haitian refugee children in Baltimore. In 1829 the three women who conducted the school along with Theresa formed a new religious congregation. Their primary work was to teach children from Haitian and African descent. That congregation, the Oblate Sisters of Providence, still exists today and still considers Theresa a founding member.

From her early days Theresa was called to risk personal mistakes and failures, to live with insecurities, to have faith in God and confidence that the Lord was guiding her into an unknown future. Amid our own risks today, let us pray for the confidence and trust that Mother Theresa had in God’s Providential plan. You, too, have these virtues of life – readiness, caution, awareness, confidence, and determination! Respond to God’s graces and watch what happens! As pilgrims, along with Mother Theresa, we, too, “walk by faith and not by sight!”

On December 24, 2024, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door to begin a Jubilee Year for 2025. It is the tradition of the Church to celebrate such a year every 25 years, to give every generation a chance to experience a special time of grace in their lifetime.

“Jubilee,” the name given to a particular year, comes from the instrument used to mark its beginning. The instrument is called the yoble, the ram’s horn that was used to proclaim the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) for the Jewish people. In the bible, a Jubilee year was marked every 50 years to be marked as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, one another, and all creation. Pope Paul 11 ordained that a jubilee year be celebrated every 25 years.

The theme for this Jubilee year is “Pilgrims of Hope.” The logo above represents this theme, showing four stylized figures which represent all humankind coming from the four corners of the earth. The are shown as embracing one another in solidarity which should unite all people. The figure in the front holds the cross. It is a sign of faith and hope. The rough waves under the figures indicates that our life journey is not always calm but often requires a greater call for hope. The significant thing about this logo is the cross itself. It is elongated and turns into an anchor, the symbol of hope. The cross seems to be dynamic, stretching out to all people so that no one is left alone.

Pope Francis, in his letter concerning the Jubilee year, states “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.” In these very difficult and unsure times, these words touch the hearts of all of us. They speak of the desire within each one to be open to God’s plan, knowing that God will be with us always on this journey. We are pilgrim people, which means we travel together toward a destination. No one walks this path alone. It is in the journey that we become one!

Call to Worship

Good morning.

On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door at Saint Peter’s Basilica, in the Vatican, to officially begin the Jubilee Year of HOPE for 2025. At our School Mass today, we also celebrate the phenomenal grace of this Jubilee Year of HOPE. During this year, Pope Francis is calling us to remember the words of Saint Paul that “HOPE does not disappoint since the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” That is why our Holy Father has chosen “Pilgrims of HOPE” as the theme for this special year.

As pilgrims, we are all on a journey to our heavenly home. Jesus has promised to not only welcome us to heaven at the end of our journey, but also to walk with us every step of the way: in sunshine and rain, in joy and in suffering. With confidence and trust, we pray to our loving Lord to ANCHOR our souls in HOPE. may we also be SIGNS of HOPE to everyone we meet this year.

Jubilee Year Intercessions

Priest: “HOPE does not disappoint.” With faith and trust, we place our needs and the needs of the world in the hands ofour loving God.

Our response is: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader: “Those who HOPE in the Lord will renew their strength.”

For Pope Francis and all who shepherd the Church, thattheymaybesignsofHOPEtoallwhomtheyserve, we pray…

“The Lord delights in those who fear Him, in those who put their HOPE in His unfailing love.”

For the leaders of our country and throughout the world, that they may govern with compassion and justice, ever striving for the HOPE of lasting peace everywhere, we pray…

“Rejoice in HOPE, be patient under trial, and persevere in prayer.”

For all who are suffering with sickness, sadness, or the effects ofviolence or natural disasters, that they may know the miracle of HOPE and the strength ofa helping hand, we pray…

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to give you a future and a HOPE.”

For all ofour benefactors, that they will be abundantly blessedfortheirgenerositytoourschoolandfortheir HOPE in the future of Catholic Education, we pray…

“But as for me, I watch in HOPE for the Lord.”

For those students who are preparing for First PenanceorFirstEucharist,thattheywilloverflowwith HOPE as they grow in their friendship with Jesus, we pray…

“Hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.”

For the Confirmation Class, that the graces of faith, HOPE, and charity will increase in their hearts, as they are embraced by the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray…

“God has caused us to be born again to a living HOPE through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

For all who have died, that they mayexperience the HOPE of the resurrection in heaven,we pray…

“May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace in believing.”

For our faculty, staff, students, and their families, that we will all be true “Pilgrims of HOPE” each day during this Jubilee Year of HOPE, we pray…

Priest: God of HOPE, thank You for answering our prayers. Keep us anchored in HOPE as we journey together to heaven. This we ask through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Ash Wednesday 2025

Call to Prayer: Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Our Lenten journey this year takes place during the Jubilee Year of HOPE. The theme for Jubilee 2025 is “Pilgrims of HOPE.” As “pilgrims” Jesus invites us to journey with Him to Calvary by prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, so that we will also experience the HOPE and JOY of Easter and one day – heaven. We pray today that these 40 sacred days will be a Jubilee of HOPE, anchored in forgiveness and mercy; loving God and loving our neighbor with all our hearts.

Gathering Song: Lift High the Cross: Verses 1 and 2

Opening Prayer: Father in heaven,bless our Lenten journey with Jesus and GIVE US HEARTS OF HOPE. Help us to be more like Your Son. Inspire us by His love and guide us by His example to be true “Pilgrims of HOPE.” This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

First Reading: Joel 2: 12-18

Return to theLord with your whole heart

Prayer:

For the leaders of our Church, our country, and our world, that they may lead their people with courage and compassion, let us pray to the Lord...

For all in need of healing, that they may find hope and strength in knowing that Jesus carries their cross with them, let us pray to the Lord…

For all of us here, that we may use this time of Lent to come to know Jesus better and to share His generous and forgiving love with others, as “Pilgrims of Hope,” let us pray tothe Lord…

For all those whose journey on earth has ended, that they may know the Easter joy of heaven, let us pray to the Lord…

Loving Father, please accept our prayers and hopes for this Lenten season. May this holy time fill us with us with love and compassion that we may walk with Jesus to Calvary and rise with Him at Easter. Through Christ our Lord.Amen.

Closing Prayer: Student’s Prayer for Lent

Thereis a very special prayer that began in the Church with the desert Fathers and Mothers over 1600 years ago. It is called “The Jesus Prayer.” The Jesus Prayer is very short, but it is very powerful. It repeats the cry of the publican and the blind man in the Gospel. Let us pray the Jesus Prayer three times now and oftenall throughout Lent.

LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME, A SINNER.

Closing Hymn: Lift High the Cross: Verses 3 and 4

Tuesday Lenten Prayers 2025

First Week of Lent

Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father…

Call to Prayer: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.

- Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Introduction:

During these sacred days of Lent, we are asking Our Lord to GIVE US HEARTS OF HOPE - filled with KINDNESS, BROTHERHOOD, MERCY, HOPE, and LOVE. Each Tuesday, we will pray for the grace to live one specific virtue. We will also remember one holy person from the love story of Calvary, who witnessed to that virtue. We will ask him or her to intercede for us on our Lenten journey and for all who need our prayers. This week, we think of Veronica and her Kindness.

At the Sixth Station, we see Veronica brave the angry crowd and wipe the tears and blood from Jesus’ face. What a small deed of kindness! What a gigantic act of love for Jesus! “Nothing is small if it is done with great love.” We, too, are often asked to step out of the crowd and offer kindness to someone.

Intercessions: The Response is: GIVE US HEARTS OF HOPE!

Help us when we are afraid to do the right thing when no one else does, we pray to the Lord…

Help us to intentionally do one kind deed today, we pray to the Lord…

Help us to be grateful for our parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, and essential workers who have “wiped the face” of so many in kindness, we pray to the Lord…

Pray Together: “The Jesus Prayer” (3x)

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Sign of the Cross: In the name…

Second Week of Lent

Sign of the Cross: In the name…

Call to Prayer: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.

- Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Introduction: This week, we think about Simon and his Brotherhood with and for Jesus. Jesus really needed Simon’s help and support and Simon was “there” for Him by helping Jesus carry His heavy cross. Brothers help and support. Let us pick up our own cross and try to share the burden of someone else’s cross today.

Intercessions: The Response is: GIVE US HEARTS OF HOPE!

For the grace to carry our own cross cheerfully today, we pray to the Lord…

For the grace to help others to carry their cross today, we pray to the Lord…

For special graces for all those who are carrying very heavy crosses, especially the sick, the grieving, and those who are unemployed, we pray to the Lord…

Pray Together:

“The Jesus Prayer” (3x)

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Sign of the Cross: In the name…

Third Week of Lent

Sign of the Cross: In the name…

Call to Prayer:

We adore You O Christ and we bless You.

- Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Introduction: This week, we think about Peter and the virtue of Mercy. Mercy is the gift that Jesus gives to us and the gift we offer to each other through forgiveness. Peter betrayed Jesus not just once, but three times. He was sorry for what he had done for the rest of his life, but Peter was also grateful for the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus. This week, we pray to be truly sorry for our sins and to share mercy with one another.

Intercessions:

The Response is: GIVE US HEARTS OF HOPE!

We are sorry for our sins of thought, word and deed, we pray to the Lord… We are sorry for failing to forgive others, we pray to the Lord…

We are grateful for the grace of new beginnings, especially through the Sacrament of Penance, we pray to the Lord…

Pray Together:

“The Jesus Prayer” (3x) Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Sign of the Cross: In the name…

Fourth Week of Lent

Sign of the Cross: In the name…

Call to Prayer:

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.

- Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Introduction:

Intercessions:

Pray Together:

This week, we think about Dismas, the Good Thief, and the virtue of Hope. Dismas knew that he was a sinner, but he also believed in his heart that Jesus would find a place in His Kingdom, even for Dismas, if he just asked. Because of his hope, Dismas entered the Kingdom of heaven that very day.

The Response is: GIVE US HEARTS OF HOPE!

For the grace to admit that we are sinners, we pray to the Lord…

For the virtue of Hope to believe in the promise of heaven, we pray to the Lord…

For the priceless blessing of seeing God face to face in heaven, we pray to the Lord…

“The Jesus Prayer” (3x)

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me, a sinner.

Sign of the Cross: In the name…

Fifth Week of Lent

Sign of the Cross: In the name…

Call to Prayer: We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.

- Because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

Introduction: This week, we think of Mary and the virtue of Love. Mary teaches us that real love means sacrifice and the willingness to forgive. Mary’s heart was broken, but her strong love kept her standing by the Cross, forgiving all those who hurt or betrayed her Son, Jesus.

Intercessions: The Response is: GIVE US HEARTS OF HOPE!

For the generosity we need to show our love by many little sacrifices today, we pray to the Lord…

For the grace of a forgiving heart, especially if we have been hurt by a friend or a family member, we pray to the Lord…

For all who are dying, that they will know that Mary is beside them with her love, to share their pain and to bring them to heaven, we pray to the Lord…

Pray Together: “The Jesus Prayer” (3x)

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me, a sinner

Sign of the Cross: In the name…

Prayer around the Cross

Items needed:

• Acloth for Sacred Space

• Soft music

• Alarge Cardboard cross (This can be hung in the classroom for Lent)

• Children need a pen, coloring pencils or marker

• Cut out little cardboard crosses: one for each student.

• The children need to learn the response: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you for by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Sacred Space: Place the purple cloth in the center. On it, place a large cardboard cross. The cross needs to be large enough for each student to glue their little cross with Jesus printed on it, or the older students may prefer the rectangular shape with their Lenten resolution written on to it.

Leader: During this holy season of Lent, we are on a journey of faith. Lent invites us to turn towards God and live as Jesus asked us to. God our Father, help us to look into our hearts and see if we are living as Jesus showed us.

Leader: You called us to be people of prayer.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Leader: You call us to be people of peace.

All: Christ, have mercy.

Leader: You call us to be people of love.

All: Lord, have mercy

Opening Prayer:

Leader: Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. We ask that you help us listen carefully to your words. Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

All: Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Leader: Lent is a six-week period when we focus on events in the life of Jesus. During these six weeks we are invited to think about things that Jesus said and did. During Lent we move together towards Good Friday, the day that Jesus died on the cross, and we think of Easter Sunday, when Jesus rose from the dead.

Reader 1: During Lent, with our eyes on Jesus, we try to spend more time at prayer, more time listening and talking to God.

Reader 2: During Lent, with our eyes on Jesus, we try to be more aware of the needs of others, and to share our time and our money with those who are less well off than we are; the homeless and the poor.

Reader 3: During Lent, with our eyes on Jesus, we try to grow stronger by learning to say “no” to our sins and our failings, and by sometimes even saying “no” to the things we enjoy – such as sweets, TV, money etc.

Scripture Reading: It was about noontime, but darkness (like that from an eclipse of the sun) had settled over the whole land. This lasted until mid-afternoon. Jesus, having been on the cross three hours, uttered a loud cry and said: “Father, into your hands I give you my spirit.”After he said this, he died. Upon seeing what had happened, a soldier gave glory to God and cried out: “Surely this was an innocent man.”

The Gospel of the Lord All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Play soft music in the background.

Leader: Close your eyes for a few moments. Thank Jesus for loving you in such a special and generous way. Talk to Jesus about what is happening in your life. Use your inside voice.

Leader: Invite the older students to write a Lenten resolution and/or younger students to color the little cut out crosses with Jesus printed on them. They could use their favorite color to do so.Allow time to do the task. Invite each student to attach the written resolution or the colored cross to the large cross.

Intersperse attaching the resolutions or colored crosses by saying together…

All: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you for by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Reader 4: Jesus, please receive our good intentions (if writing Lenten resolution) OR Jesus, please receive our love and our thanks (if coloring the cross) Help us to be true to our love and promises through all of Lent. We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you for by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Closing Prayer: Jesus, during this holy season of Lent, we ask you to be with us. Help us to follow you always. May we be people of prayer, peace and love.Amen.

Hymn of choice or end in silence

Formative Parenting

Cultivating Character in Children

A Ministry of the Sisters, Servants of the I mmaculate Heart of Mary, Immaculata, Pennsylvania

If$you$were$charged$and$jailed$for$being$a$Christian,$would$there$be$enough$evidence$to$convict$you?$What$a$great$question$to$ consider$during$the$sacred$season$of$Lent!$If$your$children$were$asked$to$give$five$examples$of$evidence$that$Go d$is$central$to$ your$family,$what$responses$would$they$offer?$What$sacred$space,$time,$and$practices$do$you$create$for$your$family$in$order$to$ pass$on$a$heritage$of$faith?$Your$role$as$primary$evangelizer$challenges$you$to$give$to$your$children$a$sense$of$the$sacred,$ knowledge$of$God,$and$formation$in$faith$and$morals$that$transcend$the$popular$culture.$We$live$in$a$culture$that$markets$ materialism,$individualism,$drugs,$sex,$and$violence.$We$must$choose$to$be$countercultural$by$nurturing$the$spirit;$foster ing$ community;$and$practicing$the$moral$virtues$of$prudence,$justice,$temperance,$and$fortitude.$You$teach$this,$both$formally$and$ informally,$as$you$create$family$spiritual$heritage.$$This$newsletter$explores$possibilities$for$cultivating$character$within$the$ context$of$the$liturgical$season$of$Lent.

Through$the$liturgical$seasons,$the$Church$leads$us$to$“re read$and$re live$the$great$events$of$salvation$history$in$the$‘today’$of$ her$liturgy”$(CCC$#1095).$During$a$season$of$40$weekdays$from$Ash$Wednesday$until$Holy$Thursday,$we$contemplate$the$ passion,$crucifixion,$and$death$of$Jesus.$We$face$our$own$sinfulness$and$need$for$repentance.$We$imitate$Jesus,$who$went$into$ the$wilderness$for$40$days$to$fast$and$pray$before$he$began$the$public$ministry$that$led$to $his$crucifixion.$With$violet/purple$ colors$to$focus$us,$we$enter$into$a$season$of$penance$as$a$preparation$for$the$eventual$commemoration$of$the$Passion$of$Christ$ and$the$feast$of$the$Resurrection.$

Lent$begins$with$the$sobering$imperatives$of$ Ash"Wednesd ay:$“Remember$that$you$are$dust$and$to$dust$you$will$return”$and$ “Repent$and$believe$the$Good$News.”$The$Gospel$of$Ash$Wednesday$sets$the$direction$for$the$season.$Jesus$challenged$his$ audience$to$almsgiving,$prayer,$and$fasting,$and$gave$the$caution$to$“Take$care$not$to$perform$righteous$deeds$in$order$that$ people$may$see$them”$(Mt.$6:1 6,$16 18).$The$Scripture$readings$for$the$successive$days$in$Lent$describe$true$fasting;$change$of$ heart;$carrying$your$cross;$loving$your$enemies;$being$compassionate$and$forgiving;$making$justice$your$aim;$and,$in$short,$ modeling$ourselves$on$Jesus.$

The$last$Sunday$of$Lent,$Passion"Sunday/Palm"Sunday,$is$the$doorway$to$ Holy"Week$with$the$ Triduum$beginning$at$dusk$on$ Holy$Thursday$and$ending$on$Easter$Sunday.$On$Passion$Sunday$Jesus$was$hailed$as$king;$the$people$could$not$do$enough$for$ him.$Five$days$later$those$same$people$yelled,$“Crucify$him!”$Jesus$remained$consistent$regardless$of$the$environment$or$ reception$of$people.$That$is$but$one$of$many$lessons$to$learn$from$Palm$Sunday$(Jn.$12:12 19).$On$ Holy"Thursday$Christians$re live$the$Last$Supper.$Jesus’$conversation$at$the$supper$was$packed$with$significance$since$he$knew$it$would$be$the$last$ conversation$before$his$death.$Take$time$to$read$slowly$the$words$he$offered$fo r$the$formation$of$your$soul$(John$13 17).$Apply$ the$message$to$your$present$life.$In$quiet$hours$of$adoration$at$an$ Altar"of"Repose$take$the$place$of$the$Apostles$who$slept$ while$Jesus$suffered$his$agony$in$the$garden.$Observe$him$before$the$illegal$trial$of$the$Sanhedrin.$See$through$his$eyes$and$feel$ what$he$felt$and$compare$that$to$his$responses$(Jn.$18:1 27).$Make$Good"Friday$reflective.$Participate$in$the$liturgy$and$ veneration"of"the"Cross.$Witness$Jesus$before$Pilate$(Jn.$18:28 40)$and$accompany$him $to$Calvary$(Jn.$19:1 37).$Through$every$ event$watch$and$hear$what$was$done$to$Jesus$and$learn$from$his$response.$Vigil$with$his$mother$as$she$holds$his$dead$body$and$ buries$him,$filled$with$sorrow$but$without$bitterness$(Jn.$19:38 42).$Finally,$let$yourself$feel$the$emptiness$of$Friday$evening$and$ Saturday,$the$void$caused$by$the$death$of$Jesus.$Teach$these$lessons$to$your$children.$Enter$into$the$Paschal$mysteries$ together.

Dr.$Patricia$M.$McCormack,$IHM$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$website:$www.Parent TeacherSupport.org ©IHM$Formative$Support$Services.$All$Rights$Reserved.

PRAYER – Deepen"your"relationship"with"Jesus;"speak"and" listen;"develop"a"recollected"spirit;"and"walk"with"Jesus"to" his"crucifixion"and"burial.

•$Participate$in$weekday$Mass$and$discuss$the$Scriptures$ for$the$day.

•$Read$the$Gospel$of$the$day$at$a$family$time.$Discuss$it$or$ pause$for$a$full$minute$of$silence.

•$Meditate$on$the$sorro wful$mysteries$of$the$Rosary.

•$Stop$all$activity,$dim$house$lights,$and$play$Lenten$music$ 15$minutes$before$bedtime.

•$Pray$the$Stations$of$the$Cross.

•$Keep$a$child’s$version$of$the$Stations$of$the$Cross$at$the$ family$prayer$center$or$at$the$center$of$the$meal$table.$ Feature$one$Station$a$day$by$putting$a$picture$of$it$on$a$ table$easel$where$it$can$be$seen$easily.$Teach$your$ children$to$put$themselves$into$the$picture$and$to$talk$with$ Jesus$about$what$is$happening.$For$instance,$the$first$ Station:$Jesus$is$condemned$to$death.$Be$Pilate$because$ sometimes$you$judge$others$unjustly.$Or$be$an$official$or$ soldier$who$is$present$for$the$interrogation$because$ sometimes$you$stand$by$and$watch$injustice.$Or$be$the$ chief$priest$who$handed$Jesus$over$and$demanded$his death$because$sometimes$you$are.$Or$ask$Jesus$to$help$ you$to$know$how$to$respond$when$you$feel$picked$on,$ misjudged,$or$treated$unfairly.

•$Make$the$Good$Friday$hours$of$12 3$p.m.$solemn.$ Eliminate$TV,$stereo,$Internet,$etc.$Create$a$mini retreat$ experience$for$your$children.$Participate$in$church$services$ if$possible.

•$Plan$a$veneration$of$the$family$crucifix.

FASTING – Make"efforts"to"acquire"“mastery"over"your" instincts"and"freedom"of"heart”"(CCC."#2043)"through" voluntary"acts"of"self denial.

Ash$Wednesday$and$Good$Friday$are$days$of$fast$and$ abstinence,$and$all$Fridays$of$Lent$are$days$of$abstinence.$ Fasting,$limiting$oneself$to$one$full$meal$and$two$light$ meals$if$necessary$to$maintain$strength,$obliges$all$ between$the$ages$of$19$and$59$on$Ash$Wednesday$and$ Good$Friday.$ Abstinence ,$refraining$from$eating$meat,$ begins$at$age$14$and$includes$all$the$Fridays$of$Lent,$Ash$ Wednesday,$and$Good$Friday.$

Fasting$can$also$be$a$spiritual$exercise$that$has$no$age$ limit.$Teach$your$children$an$authentic$sense$of$penance$ and$encourage$them$to$do$acts$of$penance$suitable$to$ their$age,$i.e.,$deny$themselves$first$place$in$a$game;$deny$ themselves$a$favorite$TV$show$to$make$time$for$a$prayer$ practice;$or$do$a$hidden$act$of$kindness,$uniting$each$

gesture$with$Jesus$in$his$Passion$and$his$mission.$As$a$ family,$expand$your$understanding$of$fasting$to$include$ holy$deeds$that$cost$your$time$and$preferences$for$the$ good$of$others.$For$example:

•$Meditate$on$Isaiah$58:6 10.$Apply$its$message$to$daily$ living:$

This,$rather$is$the$fasting$that$I$wish:$releasing$those$ bound$unjustly,$untying$the$thongs$of$the$yoke;$setting$ free$the$oppressed,$breaking$every$yoke;$sharing$your$ bread$with$the$hungry,$sheltering$the$oppressed$and$the$ homeless;$clothing$the$naked$when$you$see$them,$and$not$ turning$your$back$on$your$own.$.$.$remove$from$your$midst$ oppression,$false$accusation$and$malicious$speech,$and$ satisfy$the$afflicted.

•$Eliminate$a$life blocker$attitude$by$exercising$its$ companion$virtue.$For$instance,$William$Arthur$Ward$ suggested$this: Fast$from$discontent;$feast$on$gratitude. Fast$from$anger;$feast$on$patience. Fast$from$pessimism;$feast$on$optimism. Fast$from$complaining;$feast$on$appreciation. Fast$from$bitterness;$feast$on$forgiveness. Fast$from$self concern;$feast$on$compassion$for$others. Fast$from$discouragement;$feast$on$hope. Fast$from$idle$gossip;$feast$on$purposeful$silence.

ALMSGIVING – Share"with"others"in"need"as"an" expression"of"love"for"God:"“."."."giving"alms"to"the"poor"is" one"of"the"chief"witnesses"to"fraternal"charity;"it"is"also"a" work"of"justice"pleasing"to"God.”"(CCC"#2447)

•$Practice$the$spiritual$works$of$mercy.$Help$children$to$ recognize$compassion.$Identify$how$Jesus$lived$the$ spiritual$works$of$mercy$during$his$Passion:$warn$the$ sinner,$instruct$the$ignorant,$pray$for$the$living$and$dead,$ forgive$all$injuries,$bear$wrongs$patiently,$and$counsel$the$ doubtful.

•$Expand$your$understanding$of$the$corporal$works$of$ mercy$to$move$beyond$literal$interpretation.$These$are$the$ corporal$works$of$mercy:$feed$the$hungry,$give$drink$to$the$ thirsty,$clothe$the$naked,$visit$the$sick,$shelter$the$ homeless,$visit$the$imprisoned,$bury$the$dead.$For$ example,$in$a$literal$sense,$“Feed$the$hungry”$includes$ giving$food$to$a$person$or$to$a$food$drive;$helping$in$a$food$ pantry/kitchen;$or$making$a$financial$donation.$It$also$ includes$viewing$hunger$as$a$need$for$friendship,$ acceptance,$validation,$appreciation,$etc.$

Dr.$Patricia$M.$McCormack,$IHM$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$website:$www.Parent TeacherSupport.org

©IHM$Formative$Support$Services.$All$Rights$Reserved.

Dr.$Patricia$McCormack,$IHM,$a$former$Catholic$schoolteacher$and$catechist,$is$a$formation$ education$consultant,$an$author$of$several$books$as$well$as$the$PARENT$PARTNERSHIP$ HANDBOOK$feature$of$Today’s%Catholic%Teacher,$and$director$of"IHM"Formative"Support"for" Parents"and"Teachers,$Arlington,$VA.$She$speaks$and$writes$frequently$on$topics$of$child$ formation.$Reach&her&at&DrPatMcCormack@aol.com.

This$article$originally$appeared$in$the$(January/February"2004)$issue$of$Today’s&Catholic& Teacher,&©$Peter$Li,$Inc.$Reproduced$with$permission.$All$rights$reserved.$This$article$is$ protected$by$United$States$copyright$and$other$intellectual$property$laws$and$may$not$be$ reproduced,$rewritten,$distributed,$redisseminated,$transmitted,$displayed,$published$or$ broadcast,$directly$or$indirectly,$in$any$medium$without$the$prior$written$permission$of$Peter$Li,$ Inc.

Dr.$Patricia$M.$McCormack,$IHM$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$website:$www.Parent TeacherSupport.org ©IHM$Formative$Support$Services.$All$Rights$Reserved.

Am I Being Effective?

Pilgrims of Hope amid the ever-changing affect of youth and young adults!

IN THIS ISSUE

Cultivators of God’s Seeds

A short reflection on the impact of perseverance in ministry

How to Cultivate Deep Roots

A few ideas to help your youth and young adults to deepen their relationship with God

Let God Be God

Allow the Litany of Humility to water your soul as you let God do His good work in the hearts of His children

Cultivators of God’s Seeds

By Sr. Amanda Marie Russell, IHM

This year I have an unusually difficult group of 8th grade students. As teachers and ministers we all remember that one group who pushed you to your limits! My interactions with these middleschoolers take every ounce of my energy. I find myself questioning if they are even taking anything away from what I have been teaching them. Are my efforts bearing fruit?

The greatest struggle has been their affect. I feel like they just come daily to my classroom in Religion and simply stare at me. I am bouncing off the walls sharing the Good News in engaging and personal ways and I get ‘nothing’. And then there are those moments of light when a student will share something in their journal or simply say in passing, “I really liked that story you shared today.” I may not be opening their hearts to profound transformation, but God is slowly working.

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, I have found myself drawn to the line in Pope Francis’ prayer, “may your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.” We have been told numerous times as ministers that God is the Sower and He makes the growth. However, when we face the reality of little perceived growth, we can begin to question our effectiveness. Let us not be afraid of what we can see. Let us entrust the slow, quiet work of transformation to God as we seek to be tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel!

How to Cultivate Deep Roots

A Few Tips

1. Do not make assumptions about how God is working in each youth or young adult. Affirm the growth you see by paying attention to the little things.

2. Spend more time listening to what is going on in his or her heart than explaining what they should be doing to grow in their relationship with God.

3. Guide them to make their lives more Eucharistic bring them to Eucharistic Adoration and to Mass. Make a commitment to spending at least 10 minutes before the Blessed Sacrament yourself praying for the youth in your care.

4. Give your youth the opportunity to develop a safe space for journaling their thoughts. Take the time to respond to their questions and uncertainties.

5. Make room for quiet. Teach your youth and young adults forms of contemplative, meditative or centering prayer forms to be able to continue these experiences outside of your ministerial setting. Check on them and help them to adjust their prayer as needed.

6. Foster a sense of real community through celebrations and service. Connections are made over time and can never be forced. Keep inviting and welcome new ideas for bringing youth together!

Let God Be God

Praying the Litany of Humility

I discovered this prayer when I was back in high school. I was consumed by a false sense of religious fervor. My youth minister called me out on my pride and invited me to pray this Litany. Back then I felt its purpose was to humble my big ego. Now as I work with youth every day and have the privilege to see how God is moving in their hearts, I pray this Litany as a form of trust and surrender. These words remind me of my role as a cultivator of God’s seeds. May we never worry about our effectiveness. It is not ours to have anyways! Join me in praying this Litany of Humility that we may surrender our own control to let God complete the good work He has already begun in His beloved sons and daughters.

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me. From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus. (repeat after each line) From the desire of being loved, From the desire of being extolled, From the desire of being honored, From the desire of being praised, From the desire of being preferred to others, From the desire of being consulted, From the desire of being approved, From the fear of being humiliated, From the fear of being despised, From the fear of suffering rebukes, From the fear of being calumniated, From the fear of being forgotten, From the fear of being ridiculed, From the fear of being wronged, From the fear of being suspected, That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it (repeat after each line) That others may be esteemed more than I, That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, That others may be chosen and I set aside, That others may be praised and I unnoticed, That others may be preferred to me in everything, That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should,

INCLUSION: IS IT A POSSIBILITY?

Is inclusion a possibility for us?

That was the question that Mary and Brendan Corrigan faced as their youngest son, Michael at age 8 announced that he wanted to go to school like his brothers. Michael has Down Syndrome, so needless to say, the challenge that lay before these long time supporters of Catholic Education was a steep one. How could they make this happen for their fourth son, knowing that their other boys had been enrolled at Saint Joseph Catholic School in Downingtown, PA for several years.

Mary Corrigan, Michael’s mother had homeschooled her boys from their pre-school days. Mary always made it clear to her boys that they could go to their parish school whenever they wanted to do that. Their oldest son Liam made that choice at grade 4. Then Tommy,

the next oldest son, asked to go to Saint Joe’s at grade 7, followed by James who made his choice at grade 5. At the end of grade 3, it seemed right for Michael to follow his brothers into Saint Joe’s School. As they thought about the enrollment process, the Corrigans wondered, is this a possibility for us?

Knowing that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia had been promoting inclusion through their efforts with the Rising Together Alliance whose mission is to provide children with disabilities the opportunity to receive a Catholic Education in their parish school with their siblings, the Corrigans approached Sister Lisa Golden, IHM, the principal at their parish school. Michael was accepted as a fourth grade student but clearly this was going to be a learning experience for all. Mary, Michael's mother applied for a job as a teaching

assistant at the school with the hope that she would always be “not too far away” when needed. She wanted to be there when situations with behaviors arose, when the staff might need some guidance with cues in discipline or simply as a resource for some educational tips. Michael’s mother admits that his grade four experience was a difficult year as everybody was learning, including herself. How much guidance was needed or appropriate? Once again, they wondered, was inclusion a possibility? The family decided that clearly this was something that needed to be given over to God in prayerful trust.

Mary Corrigan relates that God’s guidance is clearly evident to her now in Michael's fifth grade year. Michael is up every morning, gets himself dressed and makes his own lunch. “He is ready to go100%,” says Mom.

“Miss Shelsy has been an answer to our prayer; she has adjusted her lessons to fit Michael’s needs, has created worksheets that are appropriate and has been willing to learn about and understand Michael’s style of learning. We are aware that Michael may not be learning as much content as he learned in his homeschooling days, but he is learning from his peers lessons that are ever so important for his social growth.

Michael is learning how to interact with others, his sentence structure has grown strong and he is better able to follow directions. Truly, his peers have made a difference in his life!”

It takes a team effort to make inclusion work. Another key player in this effort has been his personal aide, Mrs. Cherie Bratter. Making sure that Michael has what he

needs is not necessarily what other students his age may need or be able to do. Cherie has had to adapt to using strategies that are best for Michael. She works on learning all that she can. Recently, Cherie spent a whole Saturday attending a conference given by the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware in an effort to learn some of these new strategies for inclusion and behavior management. Cherie says “Working with Michael has been such a blessing. . . I have seen so much growth in him.”

The principal of Saint Joseph School, Sister Lisa Golden, IHM has this to say, “Michael brings so much joy to our school community with his infectious smile and warm greeting to everyone he meets. His enthusiasm is contagious, brightening hallways with his cheerful ‘Good Morning’ and high fives ”

Mary Corrigan says that she has had to often renew her commitment to put this inclusion effort into the hands of God. She too, has had to understand that Michael is a member of the school community and needs to learn a sense of independence as well as how to care for others. Mary is confident that Michael’s education will be as God wants it to be and that one day all her children will have graduated from Saint Joseph’s and Bishop Shanahan Catholic High School as well.

Mary loves having all her children in Catholic School. Is Inclusion for her family a possibility - it is definitely a possibility that is working its way into a reality one day at a time!

GPS for Success

Recalculating Positive Social and Emotional Strategies which create healthy climate and learning in the classroom.

Why Reading is Important to a Child’s Development

There is no question that literacy is an essential element to a child’s development and opens the door to a brighter future. It has been said that the more students read or are read to for fun on their own time and at home, the higher their reading scores, generally. Reading and being read to has an impact that extends beyond just hearing stories. Children who are read to at least three times a week by a family member are almost twice as likely to score in the top 25% in reading compared to children who are read to less than 3 times a week.

Language and literacy develop together as a baby grows from infant to toddler, to a school-aged child and older. This development happens in an expected order, through social interactions.

Babies’ and toddlers’ brains grow quickly, and the first three years are critical for language development. Handing a child an iPad or having them use a computer program to learn means they will miss important social interactions. And, once that opportunity passes, it’s hard to make up. The brain cells that would have been nurtured and developed start to fade away.

Building literacy and language skills help children be kindergarten ready, so they enter school with a love of books and ready to learn. This is important for school success because eventually they move from learning to read, to reading to learn. At that point, if children struggle with reading, they struggle with learning. This is also important for selfesteem.

Making reading a part of a child’s bedtime routine early on is beneficial. This helps make bedtime go more smoothly and can lead to a lifelong habit. Reading as you drift off to sleep rather than looking at a stimulating screen helps people of all ages sleep better!

Explore any books which capture a child’s fancy, making reading fun!

Don’t stop reading to your children when they get older. The books change, but parents/ teachers can still read to children and children to parents/teachers.

“Reading gives us somewhere to go when we have to stay where we are.” Mason Cooly

Religion Bulletin Boards

2024-2025

Jesus, Hope for the World

As we continue through this school year, we continue to focus on the virtue of Hope as a virtue to be understood better and to practice during this Year of Hope. During these final months of the school year we will emphasize Jesus and His teachings as a source of hope and prayer as a way to increase our practice of hope.

Every classroom should have a bulletin which reflects a religious theme. So many of our students look up to role models who do not reflect the values of a life rooted in the Gospels This provides us with an opportunity to focus on Jesus as a role model for students.

Focus on Hope During Lent

As we begin the liturgical season of Lent, students can be reminded that Jesus showed—even during His Passion—great trust in His Father’s plan for a world built on faith, hope and love. Continually emphasize with the students that a person who trusts is a person of hope; a person of hope is also a person of prayer.

On your bulletin board, use the word HOPE as an acronym. As shown on the left. Create a list with the students of ways that they can go a little further than usual in building trust by helping others. Create a second list of intentions that they can pray for every day to make our world a place of hope. They can also contribute pictures of helping others and praying. Alternatively, the teacher can take pictures of students engaged in these activities to post on the bulletin board.

Saints for March - People of Hope

We are all familiar with some of the saints whose feast days are celebrated during the month of March. However, even these saints share their feast days with many other saints—all of whom have been identified as saints because they trusted in God’s presence in their lives. On a bulletin board with a heading, “People of Hope,” images of the saints that most are familiar with and leave one blank space. place On the following web site you will find a pdf printout for each day with all the saints whose feasts are on that day. Each saint listed also has a hyperlink giving images and background information on the saint.* https://www.catholic.org/saints/f_day/mar.php

*Note: these materials are copyrighted, but free to use as handouts in schools and parish programs.

For older students: Many students in today’s classrooms have names not easily identified with a familiar saint. Such is the case with many of the saints identified on this website. Have the students research one of the less familiar saints and, using this as an example, complete the exercise on the attached worksheet.

For younger students: Explain to the students what the word ”hope” means. As a class activity, have the students page through their current readers to see if they can identify any of the illustrations that might show an example of hope.

St. Katharine St. Patrick

St. Joseph Today”s Saints

People of Hope are People of Prayer

Father, into Your Hands

I commend My Spirit

During Lent, use a bulletin board as a focus or learning and praying the Stations of the Cross There is a free set of stations located at the following website. https://catholicresources.education/pdf /stations-of-the-cross-crown-completeset-of-14-free-pdf/ Print these out or use another set and place them around header page and introduction on the bulletin board a picture of the crucifixion. Use this as a starter—encourage the students to visually and mentally move through each station through the day. Periodically share your reflections and let them share their thoughts as well.

So often Jesus exemplified His trust in His Father in the times He prayed, especially during the passion. A bulletin board showing Jesus in prayer can be a reminder to students of the importance of prayer in our lives and a commitment to prayer during the Lenten and Easter seasons. Spend time reflecting on the scriptures of this season showing how many of the prayers of Jesus were prayers showing His trust in His Father. Note how many of the prayers we say at Mass are addressed to the Father through Jesus. Have the students write their own Lenten prayers of trust to the Father through Jesus. Place their prayers around the board.

Giving Hope to Others

Design a bulletin board with prayers the students should know at their level. Work with older students to make sure that they understand The. pronunciation and meaning of each prayer. Conduct a prayer partner activity where the older students work with their younger prayer partners to help them to pronounce the words correctly for each of the prayers. This will help the students to avoid mispronunciations resulting in phrases such as. “Hail Mary, full of grays.” And “May the souls of the faithful department get dressed in peas.”

During May we honor our Blessed Mother. We also honor those men and women who gave service to protect the freedoms that we have in our country. Use a bulletin board to honor both. Teach the students that Mary is the patron of our country under the title of the Immaculate Conception. Place a flag or map of the country on the board as well as a picture of Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception. Invite the students to bring pictures of family members and friends who may be veterans. Remember these and all veterans in prayer each day. Prayer cards below.

This Photo

*Dear Mother Mary,*

*With love and devotion, we turn to you in prayer for the soldiers and veterans who have bravely served to protect our freedom. Please grant them strength in their moments of weakness, comfort in their times of sorrow, and peace in their hearts. Watch over them and their families, shielding them with your maternal care. May they find solace and healing in your loving embrace. Amen.*

*Dear Mother Mary,*

Choose a lesser known saint from the website and read the information provided.Tell how the saint was person of hope

https://www.catholic.org/saints/f_day/mar.php/

IHM Catholic EdNotes Spring 2025

OUR CREATIVE CONTRIBUTORS

Theresa Maxis IHM – Woman of Courage and Confidence in God’s Providence

Call to Worship

Jubilee Year Intercessions

Ash Wednesday 2025

Closing Prayer: Student’s Prayer for Lent

LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME, A SINNER.

Tuesday Lenten Prayers 2025

First Week of Lent

Second Week of Lent

Third Week of Lent

Fourth Week of Lent

Fifth Week of Lent

Prayer around the Cross

Formative Parenting

Cultivating Character in Children

A Ministry of the Sisters, Servants of the I mmaculate Heart of Mary, Immaculata, Pennsylvania

Am I Being Effective?

IN THIS ISSUE

Cultivators of God’s Seeds

How to Cultivate Deep Roots

A Few Tips

Let God Be God

Praying the Litany of Humility

INCLUSION: IS IT A POSSIBILITY?

GPS for Success

Recalculating Positive Social and Emotional Strategies which create healthy climate and learning in the classroom.

Why Reading is Important to a Child’s Development

Suggested Reading List For The Development of Fundamental Social

and Emotional Skills

Handling Peer Pressure

Having a Positive Attitude

Integrity

Kindness

Perseverance

Personal Best

Resolving Conflicts

Respect

Self-Control

Name

Showing Respect

Seven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching

Religion Bulletin Boards

2024-2025

Jesus, Hope for the World

Focus on Hope During Lent

Saints for March - People of Hope

People of Hope are People of Prayer

Father, into Your Hands

Giving Hope to Others