Prayer, Sacrifice, Service

God of infinite love, you shower us with limitless gifts in our lives. In our every thought and action today guide us to the bright and loving light of your kingdom. Help us to be aware of the many ways you allow us to share in your life so intimately today. Thank you for the gifts you have placed in our lives. Let us be grateful every moment of this day. Pray these words aloud together and then spend a few minutes in quiet reflection.

The following quotes are excerpts from Pope Francis’ 2014 Lenten Message. In it, he talks about how the poverty that Christ embraced by becoming man reveals His immense love for us… a love that is the antidote to all of the poverty and destitution of the world, so long as we share His love with everyone. We will reflect on these words as we embark on our Lenten journey in hopes that we will gain a renewed passion for sharing the Gospel message and for drawing ever closer to God.

“Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty.” “Let us not forget that real poverty hurts: no self-denial is real without this dimension of penance.” “I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt.” “In expressing this hope, I likewise pray that each individual member of the faithful and every Church community will undertake a fruitful Lenten journey.”

What you think Pope Francis is asking of us? What does he mean when he speaks of “charity that costs nothing and does not hurt”?

Again this year, as we did last year, we will make a sacrifice as a school community on two Fridays during Lent. On these two Fridays the Kitchen Staff will prepare meals similar to what the students at the Brother’s School in Amatongas, Mozambique eat. Rather than having our typical three options for lunch and dining on our normal fare, we will be offered a meal of beans and cornmeal. Over the course of the two Fridays, the difference in cost between this meal and the normal menu will be sent to the school in Amatongas to help cover the cost of buying corn needed to replace the crops that were lost due to drought this year.

What we raised last year: First Day Friday, April 4, 2014: $1, Second Day Friday, April 11, 2014 plus Drama proceeds: $1,283.00

Total sent to students at Amatongas thanks to your sacrifices : $2,524.00

Letter from Brother Chris following last years donation: “150 new laying hens arrived in Amatongas after a very long journey from Zimbabwe.”

“The new laying hens were purchased at 18 weeks old when they begin laying eggs.” “The eggs will be used to feed our 108 boarding students and any leftovers will be sold to the local people.” “We can't thank everyone at SSC enough for all your efforts. You truly are the School of Character.”

The following slides are excerpts from a letter that Bro. Chris wrote to Bro. Bernard last month.

“The late beginning to the rainy season has brought many challenges to us and to the people in our region. We were 8 weeks late planting corn.”

“That wouldn't be that big a deal if it wasn't the staple of our diet. The people are already suffering waiting for their corn crops to mature and dry.” People waiting in line for the arrival of a shipment of corn

“The good news is that once the rains arrived they have been regular and coming with just about perfect timing.”

“The challenge to us this year is we will be without corn for about 2 months. This means we will be forced to buy corn or corn flour for our boarders.” “We go through about 550 pounds per week feeding our 120 boarders. Therefore, doing the calculating that means we will be spending about $160 per week that we really don't have in our budget.”

“Anyway, you see where my mind is these days. Feeding our kids is my primary job here, so I tend to think on those lines. Let me know what you think.”

Two days of fasting as a school community: Friday, March 13 Friday, March 27 Besides that, can you sacrifice some of your spending money? Delay buying something you want for yourself? If each student was willing to pledge an additional $2, we could easily raise another $600 to send to Amatongas. A small sacrifice for us would be an enormous gift to the students in Mozambique.

Pope Francis’ Call No meat on Fridays Two lunches of beans and cornmeal Donating $2 Giving up cookies, chips, candy, etc… for 40 days These are the small things we can do to sacrifice during lent…but what else can we do? Remember Pope Francis’ words: “Let us not forget that real poverty hurts: no self-denial is real without this dimension of penance.” “I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt.”

What can we do as a school community and as individuals to experience the “real poverty” that Pope Francis calls us to during this Lenten Season? And how can we use our poverty “to help and enrich the lives of others”?

Closing Prayer Father, you have called others to renounce the world and serve you in the solitude of the desert. By their prayers and examples, may we also learn to deny ourselves and to love you above all things. Lord, be merciful to your people. Fill us with your gifts and make us always eager to serve you in faith, hope and love in; our words, in our deeds, and in our hearts. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN