NEWSLETTER #30: MARCH 27-APRIL 3, 2020 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

!1

PO Box 21297 Barrigada ,Guam 96921 Telephone: 789-1270 / Fax: 789-3900 Email Address: admin@sfcscrusaders.com Website: https://sfcscrusaders.com/ Facebook: Francis St. Francis Fully accredited by the Western Catholic Educational Association and is co-accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges

MOTUS SPIRITU

MOTUS SPIRITU

SAINT FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL

SAINT FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL

MOTUS SPIRITU

SAINT FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL

SAINT FRANCIS CATHOLIC SCHOOL

MOTUS SPIRITU

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

SFCS Logo.pdf 1 1/24/19 9:40 AM

THE PEACE PAGES

From Your AdministratorsHafa Adai Todus Hamyu!

This Lent is real. Somehow, this Lent, we feel a sense of dryness, of lengthy days, and of uncertainty. This particular Lent, however, is more prayerful, more hopeful, and more God-focused. With most of the world now calling on God to save us, we look forward to the healing, peace, and joy that Easter always promises! May we continue to use these days in quarantine to be silent, be still, and be trusting.

As you may have heard, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero has extended the quarantine period for an additional 14 days. This now brings the time being physically away from the school to mid-April. Granted we do not know the certainty of when students are to return to classes, yet learning continues at Saint Francis Catholic School. Teachers continue to prepare and disseminate classwork. School officials continue to man phones, update social media platforms, and are readily available to address any suggestions and concerns. In our efforts to be consistent with operating the school to ensure student learning, we respectfully ask that monthly tuition payments are made responsibly as well. You can make your tuition payments in various ways: (1) drop off to the Main Office, (2) by mail, (3) over the phone. Credit card authorization is available upon request. Please be reminded that a convenience fee of 2.75% will be imposed.

Our financial obligations can continue to be met and student learning will be made possible with the committed cooperation of all our families. Again, tuition is due on or before the 15th of each month. We thank you in advance for your help in this matter.

We urge our parents and guardians to make some time to talk to their children, giving them assurances of God’s presence and healing in our lives. It may be difficult for students to focus on schoolwork at this time, especially with the world being consumed by too much noise, news, and negativity. Let us balance these with patience, peace, and positivity.

We are here to support you in your mission as first teachers of the faith.

LEARNING CONTINUES In our all-in efforts to continue learning and with a spirit of normalcy, our school administrators, faculty, and staff have implemented various plans like never before. As in the past, we ask for your continued support and cooperation as we, too, learn to make this work. We are keeping all our students in mind as we take on new tasks and attempt alternative teaching methods. Please keep abreast of how to use Google Classrooms. Keep in mind, however, that not all teachers will be using Google Classrooms as this particular education tool. Rather, these teachers will communicate with parents to provided the needed student packets for their classes. All these efforts ensure that learning does not end because classes have been cancelled. Most importantly, please remember that we are ready to communicate with you, be it through the Main Office phone, email, and Renweb (now known as Facts-sis). Because this situation is fluid and evolving, direct communication with teachers is best.

LIVING THE FAITH Regarding our Catholic identity: Archbishop Michael Jude Byrnes has announced the cancellation of all Masses and celebrations until April 19, 2020. He urges families now to pray as a domestic Church. Consider the COVID-19 Prayer which should be prayed at 12noon and 8:00pm daily. Make the 3 o’clock Prayer and the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy a new family devotion. Also, offer thanks to Mother Mary by praying the Angelus at 6:00pm nightly. Consider making a little altar at home. You can partake in the Celebration of Mass daily at 12:10pm via KUAM facebook, and on Sundays on Channels 8, 11, and 12 at 9:30am. Remember, a family that prays together stays together.

EVENT CANCELLATIONS The following events are cancelled: 1) Spring and Graduation Photos 2) Mulan Movie Fundraiser 3) 5K Fun Run/Walk Fundraiser 4) School Masses

NEWSLETTER #30: MARCH 27-APRIL 3, 2020 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.

123rf.com%2Fphoto_66411188_stock-vector-vector-colorful-

balloons-birthday-decoration-isolated-on-transparent-

background-birthday-balloon-52963559000&sourc

\e=imaqFwoTCOiOgP7up-gCFQAA

!2

MARCH 2020

NO CLASSES Guam History and

CHamoru Heritage Day 3rd Quarter Exam Week4th Quarter

Begins CHamoru Week FestivitiesNO CLASSES

Parent-Teacher Conference

(8:30am-12:30pm)

CHamoru Food Fest Fundraiser

6:30pm

Mulan Movie CANCELLED

In everything Christ does, He is guided by the Holy

Spirit.

Holy Spirit, lead me into the quiet of my being and

guide me with Your strength and promptings.

Open my eyes to the life-giving message of the

Gospel.

Let us renew our Lenten resolutions daily.

by Sister Clare

School Closure as per Governor’s Directive

School Closure as per Governor’s Directive

School Closure as per Governor’s

Directive

NEWSLETTER #30: MARCH 27-APRIL 3, 2020 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

!3

(SIGN OF THE CROSS)Gi na’an i Tata, yan i Lahi-na, yan i Espiritu Santo. Amen.

TATAN-MAMI (LORD’S PRAYER / OUR FATHER)Tatan-mami na gaige hao gi langet, matuna i Na’an-mu, umamaila’I gobietno-mu, umafa’tinas I pinto’-mu asi gi tano’ komu gi langet!Na’i ham pa’go nu’i kada ha’ani na aggon-mami ya un asi’i ham nu’I diben-mami, taiguihi I asisi’i i dumidibi ham siha, ya cha’mo pumopo’lo na in fanbasnak gi tentasion, lao na’fanlibre ham gi tailayi. Amen.

SI YU’OS UNGUINEGUE MARIA (HAIL MARY)Si Yu’os unguinegue Maria, bula hao grasia. Si Yu’os gaigue guiya hago. Matuna hao entre todos I famalaoan ya matuna I finanagumo as Jesus. Santa Maria, nanan Yu’os tayuyute ham ni man isao pago yan I horan I finatai-mame. Amen.

UMATUNA I TATA (GLORY BE)Umatuna I Tata, yan I Lahi-na, yan I Espiritu Santo. Taiguihi I tutuhon-na pago, yan siempre yan I minaihinekkok na ha’ane. Amen.LE

T’S LE

ARN T

HE PR

AYER

S IN

CHAM

ORU

The school community of Saint Francis joins the family in prayer with the passing of former teacher,

Dorothea Jesus. Our community remembers “Ms. Jesus” for her fun-loving spirit, her desire to serve God’s Church, her firm yet compassionate

approach to teaching, and her friendly spirit as co-worker-turned-family to our administrators, faculty,

and staff. En guaiya hao, Ms. Jesus.

Eternal rest, grant unto Doring Jesus, O Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. Amen.

NEWSLETTER #30: MARCH 27-APRIL 3, 2020 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

LENT IN A NUTSHELL Lent begins with Ash Wednesday (this year February 26) and ends on Holy Thursday (this year April 9). On the evening of Holy Thursday the Sacred Triduum beings. The 40 days of Lent correspond to the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness to fast, pray, and endure the temptations of the devil, all in preparation for his public ministry which would culminate in his death on the cross.

HELPFUL DEFINITIONS FAST: Eating less food than normal (does not necessarily mean no food). • What you can eat: One normal, full-sized meal, and two smaller

meals which if combined would not exceed one full meal. • Why: “Denying material food, which nourishes our body,

nurtures an interior disposition to listen to Christ and be fed by His saving word. Through fasting and praying, we allow Him to come and satisfy the deepest hunger that we experience in the depths of our being: the hunger and thirst for God.” –Pope Benedict XVI

ABSTINENCE: Do not eat meat. • What you can eat: fish and seafood • Why: “Catholic peoples from time immemorial have set apart

Friday for special penitential observance by which they gladly suffer with Christ that they may one day be glorified with Him. This is the heart of the tradition of abstinence from meat on Friday where that tradition has been observed in the holy Catholic Church.” –USCCB

ALMSGIVING: Material generosity to the less fortunate. • What you can give: money, goods, acts of charity • Why: Almsgiving “represents a specific way to assist those in need and, at the same time, an exercise

in self-denial to free us from attachment to worldly goods . . . Almsgiving helps us to overcome this constant temptation, teaching us to respond to our neighbor’s needs and to share with others whatever we possess through divine goodness.” –Pope Benedict XVI

IMPORTANT DAYS DURING LENT Ash Wednesday: Marks the start of Lent and the time for penance. Obligatory day of fasting (ages 18 to 59) and abstinence (ages 14 & over). Fridays of Lent: Obligatory abstinence (ages 14 & over). All Fridays (even outside of Lent) are days of penance. Holy Thursday: Lent ends and the Holy Triduum begins in the evening with the commemoration of the Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper.

!4

NEWSLETTER #30: MARCH 27-APRIL 3, 2020 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Good Friday: The anniversary of the Crucifixion of Christ (no Mass). Obligatory day of fasting (ages 18 to 59) and abstinence (ages 14 & over).

Holy Saturday: Christ is in the grave conquering death and freeing the captives. Final day of Lenten fasting (no daily Mass, Easter Vigil begins at sundown). Sacred Triduum: The period of 3 days (Holy Thursday + Good Friday + Holy Saturday) during which we remember Christ’s Passion, ending at the Easter Vigil (Saturday evening). Easter Sunday: Lent has ended and the joy begins, the day of Christ’s resurrection, the principle Christian feast of the entire liturgical year. This is the celebration of Christ’s victory over sin and death merited for us by his passion, death, and resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday.

OBLIGATORY DUTIES DURING LENT Fasting & Abstinence: Our obligatory duty on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstinence: Do not eat meat on the Fridays of Lent. Treat it as a day of penance. Confession: Catholics are obligated to fulfill their Easter Duty by receiving Holy Communion at least once during the Easter season (from Easter Sunday to Pentecost), therefore the Sacrament of Penance for any mortal sins is required prior to this, and is strongly recommended as a Lenten penitential practice for any venial sins prior to the Easter feast. BEST LENTEN PRACTICES • The entire season of Lent is a penitential season. The liturgical color for Lent is purple (just like

Advent) to show that it is a special time of penance. Taking up additional practices, such as self-imposed fasting outside of the obligatory times, Lenten devotions and spiritual reading, Stations of the Cross, a daily rosary, serving the poor, etc., all enhance the penitential and spiritual aspect of Lent.

• Make the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) an important part of your Lenten penitential practice. Many parishes have special times for confession during Lent. One traditional devotion towards this sacrament is to make a general confession of your whole life using an examination of conscience.

• Attend Mass on Ash Wednesday. While it is not a Holy Day of Obligation, all are encouraged to attend to receive ashes on the forehead.

• Attend Mass on Holy Thursday to commemorate the institution of the Eucharist, called the “Mass of the Lord’s Supper.”

• At 3 o’clock on Good Friday, pause and make a special effort to keep this hour sacred. This is the hour of Christ’s death on the cross, after which redemption for mankind was completed. Praying the Divine Mercy chaplet is ideal at this time (it just takes five minutes), or participate in our parish Good Friday Services.

• If possible, try to clear your schedule in order to reflect through the living Stations of the Cross service on Good Friday.

• Continue your Good Friday fast up to the start of the Easter Vigil to correspond to the entire time from Christ’s death on the cross until his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

• Attend the Easter Vigil at sundown on Holy Saturday to welcome the Easter Sunday feast. Pray for those being received into full communion with the Catholic Church at this Mass, that they will remain faithful to Christ and his Church, grow in holiness, and become saints.

!5

NEWSLETTER #30: MARCH 27-APRIL 3, 2020 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

• On Easter Sunday and throughout the Easter season, fully celebrate the joy of Christ’s Resurrection and the conquering of sin and death he merited for us. Greet one another with the Paschal Greeting/Easter Acclamation, “Christ is risen!” and the response, “He is risen indeed!”

!6

NEWSLETTER #30: MARCH 27-APRIL 3, 2020 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

!7

PRAY AS A FAMILY

12NOON: Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary during Coronavirus Pandemic

3:00PM: 3 O’Clock Divine Mercy Prayer

6:00PM: Angelus

8:00PM: Pope Francis’ Prayer to Mary during Coronavirus Pandemic

NEWSLETTER #30: MARCH 27-APRIL 3, 2020 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

LET US COOK LUNCH FOR YOU! *please note: with constant changes and updated mandates from the

Governor, this fundraiser may be cancelled without prior notice* Pre-Order at 789-1270 by 12noon the day before, or copy and paste on your browser to order online: https://forms.gle/zrVqV5ZhnHH5w2gJ6

Pick-up Hours are from 11:00am to 12:30pm

Cost: $6.00 per plate

Monday, March 30

Meatloaf with Eggs, White Rice, Buttered Corn, Drink

Tuesday, March 31

Fried Chicken, Red Rice, Potato Salad, Drink

Wednesday, April 1

Pork Roast, Steamed Rice, Buttered Mixed Vegetables, Drink

Thursday, April 2

Baked Ribs, Red Rice, Coleslaw, Drink

Friday, April 3

Shrimp Fettuccini, Dinner Roll, Drink

!8