Have you ever wondered why God allows brokenness and pain and suffering in this world of ours?! In other words, if God is all good, all loving and all
The Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus offer profound answers these questions: First, evil and suffering are caused by sin, not by God. Second, God allows pain and difficulties in order to call forth a greater response of love. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life precisely because he embraces and enters into the brokenness of human existence. As a matter of fact, Jesus transforms suffering (and each of us) from the inside out!
A St. Joseph parishioner recently shared some key advice she gives her children: “Things happen for a reason.” We cannot usually see all of the reasons when confronted with life’s challenges and difficulties, but they become clearer over time—if we allow God to be God.
Indeed, like the disciples after Jesus’ passion and death, we know that suffering can bring confusion or anger or resentment or profound sadness. But like the disciples, we are called to Trust that God has a plan. We are called to place our Hope in the Lord, not in ourselves. We are called to reach out to others, and to keep focused on Love of God and Neighbor.
Even amid difficult times, we know that Love is the reason that we are all so attached to St. Joseph School. And Love is the Spirit which moves our school and which gives it a Soul that’s full of life. If we keep the faith, if we hope, and if we love wholeheartedly, we will be able to realize that Jesus is Risen: God is self-sacrificing Love and brings life even out of suffering and death!
Alleluia— Mr. Spesia
April (Re)Minders
Gratitude Attitude
I am grateful to Mrs. Mayer and Mrs. Bravo for directing this year’s play of the Last Supper! Thanks also go out to Mrs. Barello and Mrs. Huff who have agreed to help coordinate a year end “Carnival on the Courts” during spring fling week (this event will include some “talent show” acts, but will also feature a number of different booths and activities). More information will be forthcoming
Spring Fling Week
We are scheduling a variety of events for the week of May 17-21, including special dress themes. Thanks to Mrs. Gimbel and the Student Council for taking a leadership role in the planning process.
School Search
For those families who are in the process of checking out Catholic schools in the area, we have the following updates:
*St. Mary Nativity will hold an Open House on Sunday, April 18th, from 11-2:00.
*St. Raymond’s, St. Patrick’s, St. Jude’s, St. Paul’s, St. Dennis, and St. Joe’s in Lockport have all offered to schedule individual family tours or “shadow days” any time that’s convenient for SJS families. Please call me if you’d like specific contact information.
Miscellaneous Matters
Please continue to keep our Second Graders in your prayers as they continue preparing to receive their First Holy Communion on May 2nd!
Congratulations to Cassandra Sanchez and Amber Maldonado, 8th Graders, who won Gold medals at the Regional Science Fair and who will be representing SJS at the State Science Fair!
April’s Calendar Keys
M/12 Classes Resume
T/13 PTO meeting
F/16 2:30 Divine Mercy Chaplet
Athletic Banquet
S/25 11:30 School Mass
“Say YES to God!”
On Holy Thursday April 1st, the Diocese of Joliet began celebrating a “Year of the Eucharist.” Please look for ways to participate in parish and diocesan events as we (re-)focus ourselves on this “source and summit of the Christian life.”