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!"

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!

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!"

Everyday Blessings!

How many of us take a moment to ask ourselves how truly blessed we are? Interestingly enough, when we do stop and ask, our answers are surprisingly simple.


"I am blessed because I was made in God's eyes."

"I am blessed because I was born."

"I am thankful for Wednesdays because it is another day to live happily."

"I am blessed because I am healthy and I have a great family."

"I am blessed because I have loving parents and a loving family."

"I thank God for Fall because I love the leaves and taking pictures of them."

"I am blessed to be a part of the universal church because everyone is the same."

"I am grateful for cool breezes because it is a sign that a new season is coming."

"I am blessed to be a part of the universal church, because it makes me realize how big our Catholic family is!"

"I am blessed to be part of the universal church because we are all united."

"I am grateful for cool breezes because I love feeling the fresh air and seeing it blow through the trees."

Scripture inspires us!

We are right back into the swing of things here at school. I am truly inspired by these students. They are so grateful for the simplest things in life. We don't need to over-complicate our lives in order to be happy. Realizing that we have all we need at this very moment, is so freeing!

"I am blessed with the gift of my life. I am grateful to be alive because I have a great family, friends and talents."

"I am grateful for change because it is a chance for new beginnings."

"I am blessed with the gift of my life. I am grateful to be alive because I can experience God's miracles on earth."

"We are grateful for scripture. One of my favorite lessons from the Bible is the Good Samaritan, because it expresses something that is rarely shown now. It shows that no matter who someone is, you should try with all your power to help them."

"I thank God for Jesus. Jesus is an important part of my life because He is the perfect role model for us and everyone on earth."

"We are grateful for scripture. One of my favorite lessons from the bible is 'do unto others'."

I thank God for my neighbors. One way I can be a good neighbor is by watering someone's plants or taking care of their pet when they are away."

"I am grateful for change because then we cna get out of the ordinary."

"I am grateful for change, because I can explore different ideas, places and I am then allowed to grow in that environment."

"I am grateful for change because when people are able to change for the better, it inspires others to do so as well."

Grateful to be back!

September is here again! Cool mornings turn to warm afternoons and the hustle and bustle of school children can be felt everywhere! I am thankful to once again have the opportunity to teach the students the importance of gratitude. Over the summer we read, Be the change by Zach Hunter, a fifteen year old modern day abolitionist. The message was direct and powerful, kids can make a difference! Here are a few of our most recent jottings!

"I am grateful for the gift of life because everyday is a new adventure for me!"

"I am grateful to be a positive influence. One way I can use my influence is by raising my hand in class."

I am thankful for the gift of life! I am grateful to be alive because there is always something exciting happening!"

"I thank God for the community in which I live. One way I can make a difference in my community is by recycling."

"I am grateful for the gift of my life. I am thankful to be alive because I can help make the world a better place!"

"I am grateful for the opportunity to be selfless. Some ways that I can sacrifice for others are maybe helping someone who has a hard time in school and help them study for a big test."

"I am grateful for school because I get to have religion class and get a proper education."

"I am grateful for the the gift of life! I am thankful to be alive because the earth is beautiful and I love my family and friends."

"I am grateful to be a positive influence. One way I can use my influence top help others is by bringing up important topics to people so that they can get involved and make a difference."

What Catholic Education means to me...

As this is the 8th grade's last week of school, I thought it appropriate to pose the question " how will the religious education you received guide you in high school and beyond?" I wanted to share with you what one student wrote.

How will Catholic school education aid me in my life?

Religion is a very important aspect in one's life. I was lucky enough to get a religious education at a Catholic school. Learning my faith in my youth will help me to be a kinder person, a more devout Christian and I will raise my children in this faith. God calls everyone to do His will and I think learning about God's will is the most important step in our life long journey to heaven. Jesus tells us to treat others as we would want to be treated. Learning to be kind to others is a small step in changing this world full of hatred and war into a world of peace and Love.

Being kind is a very easy thing to do. Whether it be holding a door open for someone, or helping someone with a large package, you can display kindness in many different ways. Going to a Catholic school, I learned many different scenarios in which one can display kindness. I believe if I didn't go to a Catholic school, I would not have the knowledge of what kindness stemming from God's Love truly is. Going to church on a weekly basis and praying in class have revealed to me that faith in God is all that really matters in our lives.

In our school we are free to practice our faith as Catholics without any discrimination. Knowing that others pray to God as you do, definitely makes you feel more comfortable to go to church or pray aloud. In a public school, children are not allowed this privilege. In Catholic school, we learn what prayer can do. Catholic school plants a seed in your soul that will grow and make you a better person. Passing down the tradition of going to Catholic school and to Mass is not only vital for the churches survival, but it allows new generations to take part in such a great and awesome way of life.

I will bring up my children in the Catholic faith because of my religious education. Taking my children to church, letting them go to parochial school and teaching them how to pray are just a few of the ways I will raise my children. God call us to spread His Good News and what better way to do that than to pass it down to our children. Hopefully my children will be as grateful as I am for a good Catholic education. As participants of a catholic school, we are a step ahead of others on our path to God because we have a deeper understanding of our faith.

Jesus asked us to be his disciples. Our parents encouraged and allowed us to attend Catholic school. Our Pastor gave us opportunities to grow in faith through retreats and youth group. Our religion teacher taught us the ways we can live out our faith. With help from all of these people, our faithfulness will flourish for all our lives.



"I am grateful for being raised in the Catholic faith. I demonstrate my faith in these ways: Coming to school even after the big Boston trip, giving a listening ear to a friend and being honest and truthful to my family and friends."

"I am grateful for being raised in the Catholic faith. I demonstrate my faith in these ways: by being helpful and grateful for everyone and everything."

"I am grateful for being raised in the Catholic faith. I demonstrate my faith in these ways: I go to church, I help others and I treat others the way I want to be treated."

"I am grateful for the years I spent at this school. My fondest memory was going to Heifer Internationals Learning center - Overlook Farm!"