Joy to the world! The Christmas season is upon us. I find it to be a time of great joy. We can look forward to the birth of Christ as a time for forgiveness and renewal. As a class, we reflected on the importance of forgiving ourselves, others, and opening our hearts to Jesus. Wishing you all a very Blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year! See you in 2010!
Thank you God for the ability to forgive. I am grateful to to be able to forgive because I can forgive myself and let Jesus back into my heart.
I am grateful for the ability to learn. Some things that I love to learn are exploring math and religion classes because of the social teachings.
Thank You, thank You, thank You God, for blessing us with the wonderful gifts of love and compassion.
Some things that I love learning are people's different opinions.
Joy to the world! I am grateful for joy because it makes me happy. Something that brings me joy is prayer!
Joy to the world! I am grateful for joy because being happy is a good thing. Some things that bring me joy are my family, friends, nature and my life!
Thank You, thank You, thank You God, for happiness, love, joy, peace, nature, and family and friends!
Thank You, thank You, thank You God, for blessing us in the sacraments and my faith and love.
Thank You, thank You, thank You God, for friends who will always love you for who are and will always be there when you need them.
I grateful for being a follower of Jesus. Ways that I can follow him are by teaching others his ways of life, and going to Mass.
Thank You, thank You, thank You God, for being alive!
Thank You, thank You, thank You God, for my life for my life, all the places I have gone and all the people I know, my friends and family, and being able to have you in my life everyday!
Thank You God for the ability to forgive. I am grateful to be able to forgive because it can make me a better friend and family member.
Thank You, thank You, thank You God, for this beautiful world that you created for us!
Joy to the world! I am grateful for joy because it allow us to express happiness. Some things that bring me joy are snow, coldness and wind.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
To My Students - Thank You!
Although this past week was filled with warm, wonderful holiday memories, it was also one of the most challenging weeks for me as a teacher. As I sat down to read the student's journals, a small part of me was feeling deflated, wondering if I was truly answering God's call and teaching these kids anything at all? As I began to turn the pages of each journal, it was as though God was telling me, no, yelling to me to keep on keeping. It seemed as if each student had written something that touched my heart in some small way. I could have written an entry or two from each student, but because of time constraints and an increased risk for carpal tunnel syndrome, I had to limit it somewhere! You will see however, more than the usual number of entries posted for this week ~ enjoy!
"In the sacraments, we meet the risen Christ - we become the Church. Thank You Lord for allowing us to become whole. We are holy in these ways...by going to Sunday worship or mass every weekend, praying and doing acts of kindness."
"We thank You God for a rainy day that turned into a beautiful day!"
"Thank You God, for the ability to make choices. Help to guide me in the choices I will make. Some of the choices I will have to make will be to do something good or bad."
"I am grateful for the ability to freely choose with God's help. If I didn't have God's help, I would make a lot of stupid mistakes."
"Lord of the Harvest, I am grateful for abundance! The abundance in my life is energy!"
"I am grateful for the ability to freely choose. With God's help, I am grateful to be able to choose these things: to go to school and have friends."
"I am grateful for the wisdom of the church! Some ways that I can work for a just society are by praying for the strength to do good deeds."
"Lord of the Harvest, I am grateful for abundance. The abundance in my life is knowledge."
"Lord of the Harvest, I am grateful for abundance. The abundance in my life is love, church and being caring."
"I am grateful for the ability to freely choose. With God's help, I am grateful to be able to choose to make friends, keep the planet clean, and be a strong leader in my community."
"Lord of the Harvest, I am grateful for abundance. The abundance in my life is happiness, joy and having my family."
"Thank You God, for the ability to make choices. Help to guide me in the choices that I will make. Some choices that I will have to make will be to choose to be a leader or a follower and to choose between good and bad."
"Thank You God for my family, friends, teachers, guardians, and for being alive!"
"We thank You God for friends who make us laugh!"
"We thank You God for the Eucharist!"
"Thank You God, for the ability to make choices. Help guide me in the choices that I make. Some choices that I may have to make will be to do something a friend may think is cool, but it is not healthy or good for you."
"Thank You God, for the ability to make choices. Help guide me in the choices that I make. Some choices that I may have to make are saying no to peer pressure that I will face in the future."
"Thank You God for everything that you have graced me with!"
"In the sacraments, we meet the risen Christ - we become the Church. Thank You Lord for allowing us to become whole. We are holy in these ways...because we are sons and daughters of Christ and God is as holy as you can get!"
"In the sacraments, we meet the risen Christ - we become the Church. Thank You Lord for allowing us to become whole. We are holy in these ways...by having good thoughts!"
"In the sacraments, we meet the risen Christ - we become the Church. Thank You Lord for allowing us to become whole. We are holy in these ways...by going to Sunday worship or mass every weekend, praying and doing acts of kindness."
"We thank You God for a rainy day that turned into a beautiful day!"
"Thank You God, for the ability to make choices. Help to guide me in the choices I will make. Some of the choices I will have to make will be to do something good or bad."
"I am grateful for the ability to freely choose with God's help. If I didn't have God's help, I would make a lot of stupid mistakes."
"Lord of the Harvest, I am grateful for abundance! The abundance in my life is energy!"
"I am grateful for the ability to freely choose. With God's help, I am grateful to be able to choose these things: to go to school and have friends."
"I am grateful for the wisdom of the church! Some ways that I can work for a just society are by praying for the strength to do good deeds."
"Lord of the Harvest, I am grateful for abundance. The abundance in my life is knowledge."
"Lord of the Harvest, I am grateful for abundance. The abundance in my life is love, church and being caring."
"I am grateful for the ability to freely choose. With God's help, I am grateful to be able to choose to make friends, keep the planet clean, and be a strong leader in my community."
"Lord of the Harvest, I am grateful for abundance. The abundance in my life is happiness, joy and having my family."
"Thank You God, for the ability to make choices. Help to guide me in the choices that I will make. Some choices that I will have to make will be to choose to be a leader or a follower and to choose between good and bad."
"Thank You God for my family, friends, teachers, guardians, and for being alive!"
"We thank You God for friends who make us laugh!"
"We thank You God for the Eucharist!"
"Thank You God, for the ability to make choices. Help guide me in the choices that I make. Some choices that I may have to make will be to do something a friend may think is cool, but it is not healthy or good for you."
"Thank You God, for the ability to make choices. Help guide me in the choices that I make. Some choices that I may have to make are saying no to peer pressure that I will face in the future."
"Thank You God for everything that you have graced me with!"
"In the sacraments, we meet the risen Christ - we become the Church. Thank You Lord for allowing us to become whole. We are holy in these ways...because we are sons and daughters of Christ and God is as holy as you can get!"
"In the sacraments, we meet the risen Christ - we become the Church. Thank You Lord for allowing us to become whole. We are holy in these ways...by having good thoughts!"
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Tis the season to be grateful!
With Thanksgiving around the corner, I enjoy seeing all the posts of gratitude by my friends on Facebook; only, I wish gratitude wasn't just thought about or practiced this time of year. My prayer is that we can all take a lesson from these wonderful middle school students and be thankful everyday, all year long!
"Thank You God for knowledge, because with out it, I wouldn't be able to write this sentence."
"Thank You for everyone in my life, especially those whom I find hard to accept. Some ways that I will be more accepting of them will be to stand up for them, hang out with them and play with them."
"Thank You God for knowledge, I am grateful for knowledge because it allows us to truly appreciate God's creations."
Lord, You speak to me in different ways, thank You! Some ways in which You speak to me are in my heart and in my soul."
"Ever present God, I am thankful for You. I pray to you in these ways and for these things...through prayer and for my family, friends, my health and to make the right decisions in life."
"Lord, You speak to me in different ways, thank You! Some of the ways You speak to me are by prayer and when I have a choice and I do the right thing."
"Thank You for everyone in my life, especially those whom I find hard to accept. Some ways that I will be more accepting of them will be by finding the best in everyone."
"Lord, You speak to me in different ways, thank You! Some of the ways You speak to me are through prayer, meditation, and caring people in my life."
"Ever present God, I am thankful for You. I pray to You in these ways, by praying through Lectio Divina for peace."
" Thank You for everyone in my life, especially those whom I find hard to accept. Some ways that I will be more accepting of them will be by not criticizing."
"Thank You for everyone in my life, especially those whom I find hard to accept. Some ways that I will be more accepting of them will be by helping them get a question right, or greeting them nicely with an act of kindness."
"Thank You God for knowledge, because with out it, I wouldn't be able to write this sentence."
"Thank You for everyone in my life, especially those whom I find hard to accept. Some ways that I will be more accepting of them will be to stand up for them, hang out with them and play with them."
"Thank You God for knowledge, I am grateful for knowledge because it allows us to truly appreciate God's creations."
Lord, You speak to me in different ways, thank You! Some ways in which You speak to me are in my heart and in my soul."
"Ever present God, I am thankful for You. I pray to you in these ways and for these things...through prayer and for my family, friends, my health and to make the right decisions in life."
"Lord, You speak to me in different ways, thank You! Some of the ways You speak to me are by prayer and when I have a choice and I do the right thing."
"Thank You for everyone in my life, especially those whom I find hard to accept. Some ways that I will be more accepting of them will be by finding the best in everyone."
"Lord, You speak to me in different ways, thank You! Some of the ways You speak to me are through prayer, meditation, and caring people in my life."
"Ever present God, I am thankful for You. I pray to You in these ways, by praying through Lectio Divina for peace."
" Thank You for everyone in my life, especially those whom I find hard to accept. Some ways that I will be more accepting of them will be by not criticizing."
"Thank You for everyone in my life, especially those whom I find hard to accept. Some ways that I will be more accepting of them will be by helping them get a question right, or greeting them nicely with an act of kindness."
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Life is to short to not have fun, or be grateful!
We learned that just one person can make a difference in this world. We can also have fun while making a difference! God wants us to have fun! In a world that forces us to grow up too fast, it is refreshing to read what the students do for fun - simple and delightful!
"Thank You God for fun! This is how I have fun; I play soccer and paintball, I can go outside and play baseball at my friends house and during the fall, I can go outside and see how many leaves I can catch before they hit the ground or make a big pile to jump in. During the winter, I make really cool snow forts and snow men and have snowball fights!"
"Lord, thank You for the people who have made a difference in this world. Some people that I know that have made a difference are our teachers!"
"Lord, thank You for the people who have made a difference in this world. Some people that I know that have made a difference are the priests that encourage us to keep the faith."
Life is a gift, but we often take it for granted. Lord, thank You for giving me life! Things that I will try not to take for granted is just waking up in the morning."
"Lord, I am grateful to to be a voice for the poor. I can be an advocate for justice by raising awareness and boycotting."
"I can be advocate for justice in these ways... by putting on workshops about the poor and helping them get the materials and love they need."
"Life is a gift, but we often take it for granted. Lord, thank You for giving me life! Things that I will try not to take for granted will be my brother, because he is really cool and nice to me. He is a great brother!"
"Lord, thank You for people who make a difference in the world. Some people that I know that make a difference in the world are U2 and the president."
"I am grateful for the opportunity to meditate because it allows me a chance to cool off."
"Life is a gift, but we often take it for granted. Lord, thank You for giving me life! Things that I will try not to take for granted will be nature, love from parents and having friends!"
"Thank You God for fun! This is how I have fun; I play soccer and paintball, I can go outside and play baseball at my friends house and during the fall, I can go outside and see how many leaves I can catch before they hit the ground or make a big pile to jump in. During the winter, I make really cool snow forts and snow men and have snowball fights!"
"Lord, thank You for the people who have made a difference in this world. Some people that I know that have made a difference are our teachers!"
"Lord, thank You for the people who have made a difference in this world. Some people that I know that have made a difference are the priests that encourage us to keep the faith."
Life is a gift, but we often take it for granted. Lord, thank You for giving me life! Things that I will try not to take for granted is just waking up in the morning."
"Lord, I am grateful to to be a voice for the poor. I can be an advocate for justice by raising awareness and boycotting."
"I can be advocate for justice in these ways... by putting on workshops about the poor and helping them get the materials and love they need."
"Life is a gift, but we often take it for granted. Lord, thank You for giving me life! Things that I will try not to take for granted will be my brother, because he is really cool and nice to me. He is a great brother!"
"Lord, thank You for people who make a difference in the world. Some people that I know that make a difference in the world are U2 and the president."
"I am grateful for the opportunity to meditate because it allows me a chance to cool off."
"Life is a gift, but we often take it for granted. Lord, thank You for giving me life! Things that I will try not to take for granted will be nature, love from parents and having friends!"
Monday, October 19, 2009
Simple words can bring great joy!
The past two weeks have been very busy at SJB. The students have been working on their priest projects, learning about angels, meditation and the difference between works of charity and works of justice! They have so much to thank God for already. When I wrote three simple words on the board, live, love, laugh, the responses were overwhelmingly joyous! If just hearing, reading or thinking positive words can bring about such happy emotions, imagine what we could do if we made an effort to say positive or kind words to each other on a daily basis!
"Live, love, laugh! I am grateful for these words, because they are the simplest way to define happiness!"
"Live, love, laugh! I am grateful for these words, because they bring joy to the hearts of others."
"I thank God to be a voice of change, because some people do not have a voice at all, and some people just choose not to use theirs."
"I thank God to be a voice for change, because it gives me a chance to let my light shine on the earth!"
" I am grateful to have been born to a family with the resources to care for me. Some ways that I can help others less fortunate are donating my time and money and fighting for their rights!"
"Live, love, laugh! I thank God for these words, because they make me think of the good and natural things we have in life."
"I am grateful to have been born to a family with the resources to care for me. Some ways that I can help others less fortunate are praying for them."
"I thank God to be a voice of change, because I can pray for change in our world."
"I thank God to be a voice for change, because youth can make a difference!"
"I am grateful for grace, because it shows me how much God loves me."
"I am grateful to learn about other religions, because it helps me to understand why people of a particular faith, do things differently."
"I am grateful for grace, because I get to eat the Eucharist!"
"Live, love, laugh! I am grateful for these words, because with out them, you couldn't tell someone that you LOVE them, or that you want them to LIVE in peace, and you couldn't LAUGH out loud!"
"I am grateful for grace because I know that God is with me."
"Live, love, laugh! I am grateful for these words because they are other words for happiness!"
"Live, love, laugh! I am grateful for these words, because these words make up me!"
"Live, love, laugh! I am grateful for these words, because they are the simplest way to define happiness!"
"Live, love, laugh! I am grateful for these words, because they bring joy to the hearts of others."
"I thank God to be a voice of change, because some people do not have a voice at all, and some people just choose not to use theirs."
"I thank God to be a voice for change, because it gives me a chance to let my light shine on the earth!"
" I am grateful to have been born to a family with the resources to care for me. Some ways that I can help others less fortunate are donating my time and money and fighting for their rights!"
"Live, love, laugh! I thank God for these words, because they make me think of the good and natural things we have in life."
"I am grateful to have been born to a family with the resources to care for me. Some ways that I can help others less fortunate are praying for them."
"I thank God to be a voice of change, because I can pray for change in our world."
"I thank God to be a voice for change, because youth can make a difference!"
"I am grateful for grace, because it shows me how much God loves me."
"I am grateful to learn about other religions, because it helps me to understand why people of a particular faith, do things differently."
"I am grateful for grace, because I get to eat the Eucharist!"
"Live, love, laugh! I am grateful for these words, because with out them, you couldn't tell someone that you LOVE them, or that you want them to LIVE in peace, and you couldn't LAUGH out loud!"
"I am grateful for grace because I know that God is with me."
"Live, love, laugh! I am grateful for these words because they are other words for happiness!"
"Live, love, laugh! I am grateful for these words, because these words make up me!"
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Thank You Real to Reel!
A note of thanks to Peggy Webber and Owen Seery, for taking the time to interview our class about this blog! We can't wait until it airs on November, 21, 2009 at 7 p.m. on channel 22! I am so proud of the students, they are truly an exceptional group of young people! Thank you to Mrs. Rose, our principal, for being so supportive of our internet adventure! We look forward to continuing this blog and inspiring more people to live in gratitude!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
We are Mediavores!
They say that the millennials are a media driven generation. While there are some downsides to "all access, all the time" media outlets, my students are learning ways in which technology can be used for the greater good! They now have the ability to share the message of love, hope and gratitude with the world through blogs, music, videos and websites. With the stroke a key or click of the mouse, a positive message can be shared ~ how cool is that?
"I am grateful for technology because it helps me to find information on certain things and it helps me to understand others better."
"I am grateful for continuing the mission of the apostles. A way that I can continue their mission is by treating everyone everyone with respect."
"Our church recognizes certain people as saints. Some people that I consider "saints" in my life are the pastors at my church and Mrs. Soloio because she does the youth group!"
"Ways in which I can share my faith with others are by being polite and respecting others."
"I am grateful for technology because it allows me to experience things I otherwise might not be able to."
"I am grateful to be able to share my faith with others. Ways in which I can share my faith are to forgive everyone for everything."
"I am grateful for technology because it helps me to keep in touch with my family who doesn't live near me."
"I am grateful for technology because there are so many ways in technology, like computers, phones and t.v.'s to get God's message out."
"Our church has recognized certain people as saints. Some people that I consider "saints" in my life are my mom because she follows in Jesus' footsteps and trys to bring me to church every sunday."
"Our church has recognized certain people as saints. Some people I consider "saints" in my life are my teachers, because they teach us important values."
"I am grateful for technology because it gives us an opportunity to communicate with people all over the world, so we can learn new things everyday!"
"I am grateful to be able to continue the mission of the church. One way that I can continue this mission is by teaching the word of God through sign language."
"Our church has recognized certain people as saints. Some people that I consider a "saints" in my life are my mom, dad, grandma and Mrs. Jag!"
"I am grateful for technology because it helps me to find information on certain things and it helps me to understand others better."
"I am grateful for continuing the mission of the apostles. A way that I can continue their mission is by treating everyone everyone with respect."
"Our church recognizes certain people as saints. Some people that I consider "saints" in my life are the pastors at my church and Mrs. Soloio because she does the youth group!"
"Ways in which I can share my faith with others are by being polite and respecting others."
"I am grateful for technology because it allows me to experience things I otherwise might not be able to."
"I am grateful to be able to share my faith with others. Ways in which I can share my faith are to forgive everyone for everything."
"I am grateful for technology because it helps me to keep in touch with my family who doesn't live near me."
"I am grateful for technology because there are so many ways in technology, like computers, phones and t.v.'s to get God's message out."
"Our church has recognized certain people as saints. Some people that I consider "saints" in my life are my mom because she follows in Jesus' footsteps and trys to bring me to church every sunday."
"Our church has recognized certain people as saints. Some people I consider "saints" in my life are my teachers, because they teach us important values."
"I am grateful for technology because it gives us an opportunity to communicate with people all over the world, so we can learn new things everyday!"
"I am grateful to be able to continue the mission of the church. One way that I can continue this mission is by teaching the word of God through sign language."
"Our church has recognized certain people as saints. Some people that I consider a "saints" in my life are my mom, dad, grandma and Mrs. Jag!"
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