Overview of Hope FEBRUARY. Virtue: LOVE

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1 Overview of Hope FEBRUARY Virtue: LOVE Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectation: A Caring Family Member Principles of Catholic Social Teaching: Community and the Common Good Overview of the Virtue of Love Love can be seen through one s caring for someone, wanting to be near them and wanting to share with them. Love is treating someone the way that you want them to treat you with care and respect. The joy of love can be felt in both giving and receiving. Love is a spiritual practice and not simply something that just happens. Catholic Graduate Expectation -- I CARE! A Caring Family Member Who: Relates to family members in a loving, compassionate and respectful manner. OCSGE 6(a) Recognizes human intimacy and sexuality as God given gifts, to be used as the creator intended. OCSGE 6(b) Values and honours the important role of the family in society. OCSGE 6(c) Values and nurtures opportunities for family prayer. OCSGE 6(d) Principles of Catholic Social Teaching - Community and the Common Good: In a global culture driven by excessive individualism, our tradition proclaims that the person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society in economics and politics, in law and policy directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Our Church teaches that the role of government and other institutions is to protect human life and human dignity and promote the common good.

2 Inspirational Quotes from Heroes of Hope February- Love To love someone is to show to them their beauty, their worth and their importance. (Jean Vanier) Initiatives of Hope Don t Hate; Appreciate at Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School, which focuses on eliminating the stigma associated with mental health issues-exemplary Practice Award 2013 Navigating the Teenage Years-Love is Louder Michael Power/St. Joseph High School Exemplary Practice Award 2013 In light of recent events featured in the media concerning the devastating effect of bullying and team depression, it is no wonder that caring adults are looking for resources to navigate mental health issues. Michael Power/St. Joseph created an evening of guest speakers and seminar presenters to help parents to understand the struggles young people face. Topics to be covered included: understanding the teenage brain, teen anxiety and depression, cyber bullying and texting, mood disorders and many other topics. Organize a Love is Louder Parent Evening in your own school! Bell Let's Talk Day To drive progress in reducing stigma, a new campaign called Bell Let's Talk is opening the national conversation about mental illness and its dramatic impact in all parts of the country. Stepping forward as Bell's spokesperson for Bell Let's Talk Day and our campaign to effect change is six-time Olympic medalist Clara Hughes. On February 12, 2013, Bell once again led the conversation to reduce stigma with the launch of Bell Let's Talk Day a national campaign which will raise awareness about mental health across Canada each year. For every text message and long distance call made by Bell customers that day, Bell contributed 5 to programs dedicated to mental health. Everyday Healing and Empowering Actions Take a hot bath or shower Go for a bike ride Repeat a positive saying (Example: I am smart. I can ask for help if I need it. ) Visit a place of worship Take a moment to pray Don t waste time hating anybody Let yourself be loved Look for something to love in everybody Volunteering is love-work. Any kind can make a difference.

3 February-Love Dear Brothers and Sisters In the Gospel of this radiant night of the Easter Vigil, we first meet the women who go the tomb of Jesus with spices to anoint his body (Luke 24:1-3). They go to perform an act of compassion, a traditional act of affection and love for a dear departed person, just as we would. They had followed Jesus, they had listened to his words, they had felt understood by him in their dignity and they had accompanied him to the very end, to Calvary and to the moment when he was taken down from the cross. We can imagine their feelings as they make their way to the tomb: a certain sadness, sorrow that Jesus had left them, he had died, his life had come to an end. Life would now go on as before. Yet the women continued to feel love, the love for Jesus which now led them to his tomb. But at this point, something completely new and unexpected happens, something which upsets their hearts and their plans, something which will upset their whole life: they see the stone removed from before the tomb, they draw near and they do not find the Lord s body. It is an event which leaves them perplexed, hesitant, full of questions: What happened?, What is the meaning of all this? (Luke 24:4). Doesn t the same thing also happen to us when something completely new occurs in our everyday life? We stop short, we don t understand, we don t know what to do. Newness often makes us fearful, including the newness which God brings us, the newness which God asks of us. We are like the Apostles in the Gospel: often we would prefer to hold on to our own security, to stand in front of a tomb, to think about someone who has died, someone who ultimately lives on only as a memory, like the great historical figures from the past. We are afraid of God s surprises. Dear brothers and sisters, we are afraid of God s surprises! He always surprises us! The Lord is like that. Caring Adult Action of the Month: Ask why the student s behaviour makes sense to them. Michael Ungar, Strengths-Based Counseling With At-Risk Youth

4 February- Love Liturgical Calendar The "liturgical year" includes the first Sunday of Advent and the last week in Ordinary Time. The liturgical year consists of two times: one can call the first time special season times and the other is known as ordinary time. The special season times are, Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, during which a particular mystery of salvation is celebrated. Ordinary Time, in turn, does not hold any particular mystery, but rather the same mystery of Christ in His fullness, especially on Sundays. Ordinary Time is divided into two parts throughout the liturgical year and in total lasts 33 or 34 weeks. Saint Days of the Toronto Catholic District School Board- February St. Brigid February 1 Francis Libermann, Holy Name February 2 St. Agatha February 5 St. Dorothy February 6 Our Lady of Lourdes February 11 Josyf Cardinal Slipyj February 17 Blessed Cardinal Newman February 21 Feast of the Chair of St. Peter February 22 St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin February 27

5 February- Love Feb. 4- World Cancer Day World Cancer Day (WCD) is observed to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. The aims of WCD are to help save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about cancer, and pressing to governments across the world to take action against the disease. Cancer is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumours, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the body through the lymphatic system or bloodstream. Not all tumours are cancerous. Significantly, the number of cancer cases and related deaths worldwide is estimated to double over the next 20 to 40 years. Feb. 20- World Day of Social Justice Social justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. We uphold the principles of social justice when we promote gender equality or the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants. We advance social justice when we remove barriers that people face because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability. "As we seek to build the world we want, let us intensify our efforts to achieve a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable development path built on dialogue, transparency and social justice." Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Message for the 2013 World Day of Social Justice

6 February- Love I CARE Relates to family members in a loving, compassionate and respectful manner. OCSGE 6(a) COMMUNITY AND THE COMMON GOOD Hope and Love Quotes It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving. (Blessed Mother Teresa) Do little things with great love. (Blessed Mother Teresa) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13) Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)...Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. (MLK) Let the beauty we love be what we do. (Rumi) Listen with the ear of your heart. (St. Benedict) First we need to know that we are all madly in love with the same God (Saint Thomas Aquinas) Where there is great love, there are always miracles. (Willa Cather) The best and most beautiful things must be felt with the heart. (Helen Keller) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails... (1 Corinthians 13:4 8a)

7 Discussion Starters on Hope and Love Write a reflection on the ways you have been a life-bringer and a bearer of hope to your family, friends, or community. Pray that individuals, families, groups and communities will be touched by God s love. Have the courage to overcome all defeatism and pessimism, and desire and hope for great things... and see these great things as actually fulfilled by the mighty power of God. Believe in love and all things good. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. What book or movie contains your favourite depiction of the power of God s love? Have members of your family or group make a list of ten things they love most and then talk about why these things may deepen your gratitude to God and bring greater happiness to your life. Discuss who you might include in a family tree that includes those closest to you, whether blood relative or not, physically present or not. Family is the basic community upon which all civilizations are built. The family has its own inherent, God-given laws which ensure its stability; the health and well-being of the family in turn ensures the stability of society and culture. The Christian family is a community of faith... All family members whether in dual parent, single-parent or blended households, share a common and equal dignity as children of God. Mutual love and respect enables family members to grow in freedom to fulfill their roles and responsibilities as contributing members of society. The love of family members for one another reflects the mutual love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the self-giving love of Christ for all who make up his mystical body, the Church. By his birth and life with Mary and Joseph, Jesus our Lord reveals the central importance of family to all who seek to grow in love of God and neighbour as his disciples. Curriculum Support for Catholic Schools What experiences have you had in your role as a Catholic educator that demonstrates the contributions of a Catholic school to the strength and vitality of the family? What challenges do Catholic schools face in this regard? Suggest strategies might be embraced by a Catholic school to meet such challenges?

8 February- Love I CARE Relates to family members in a loving, compassionate and respectful manner. OCSGE 6(a) COMMUNITY AND THE COMMON GOOD The following Catholic Schools are among some which have received Exemplary Practice Awards from the TCDSB or Speak Up Grants from the Ministry of Education. These Catholic Schools from around the province illustrated Hope in Action in their schools through various clubs and activities. May they serve to spark inspiration and innovation in your school, as your Catholic Community lives out the call to care for human life with an ultimate respect. (This Moment of Promise) Title: Full Body Involvement: Books, Balls and More By: Epiphany of our Lord Catholic Academy - TCDSB REFLECTION ON ACTIVITY: How are students engaged in helping each other academically? Listen to why students want to be peer tutors. How can you recognize them in the school? Identify who are your volunteer heroes. In what way can you honour students who are dedicated to service through clubs and community service? Introduce meditation and mindfulness practices in your classes. Description: FBI: Books, Ball and More is an after school program with a difference. The books, ball and more initiative is designed to foster student engagement and instil Catholic values and teachings while at the same time promoting collaborative contributors, caring, and passionate members of the school community, and good hearted citizens doing good because it is good to do. Our primary goal is to involve intermediate students in academic activities (homework, assignments), sporting activities (ball games), and more (arts, technology and experiential learninglike volunteering, ski trips) for their good and the good of the school-i.e. full body involvement-mind, body, and soul. To encapsulate the Ontario Catholic School Graduate Expectations in an authentic and meaningful way is our ultimate goal and to carry this forward throughout our school is our long term mission.

9 Title: Welcoming Seniors with Love REFLECTION ON ACTIVITY: What can seniors teach us about being a loving family member? What can we learn about compassion, respect and unconditional love from spending time with seniors? Welcome seniors within our school community students to fine tune their skills in working with seniors. Arrange visits to various senior homes. Invite students to record their experiences in a journal. Title: Change the Family Scene REFLECTION ON ACTIVITY: How does being a caring family member, who respects the rights and responsibilities of all and contributes to the common good, bring you closer to living a life in the light of the Gospel values? On a sheet of paper students list various sources of conflict and circumstances of conflict that we often face within our families, whether it is an immediate or extended member. Students discuss possible scenarios when emotions and/or reactions interfere with the resolution of an issue. As a class, decide on a scenario to play out. Using forum theatre format, students in the audience will have the opportunity to step in and change the outcome of the scene in a positive manner.

10 February- Love I CARE Relates to family members in a loving, compassionate and respectful manner. OCSGE 6(a) COMMUNITY AND THE COMMON GOOD Hope Floats In order for us to believe in the future and to step into it with confidence, we need the hopeful support of those nearest and dearest to us. Salt and Light link: Saint Gianna Beretta Molla is the patron of Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation. She was selected early in the organization's history by Father Thomas Rosica, CSB, who saw in Saint Gianna a powerful role model for the Church and the world today. She clearly represents the Gospel of Life in an extraordinary way. At the time of her beatification in 1994, Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, then Archbishop of Milan described her as a woman, doctor and lover of life. Gianna Molla was canonized on May 16, 2004 by Pope John-Paul II - the last person to be canonized by Blessed John Paul II, who is the great inspiration in the founding of Salt and Light in Canada. Born the tenth of thirteen children, four of whom would not make it to adulthood, Gianna saw life as a marvellous gift. She nurtured a strong faith and conviction in the necessity and effectiveness of prayer. She later earned degrees in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Pavia in 1949 and would go on to open a medical clinic in Mesero, Italy in She specialized in Paediatrics at the University of Milan in 1952 and eventually would give special attention to mothers, babies, the elderly and poor. Like many saints, Gianna's story entails tragedy and heroic sacrifice. She provides to us a strong example of the values and virtues of Christ and his ultimate sacrifice for us. Against the advice of doctors, Gianna sacrificed her life to save her child's, fully aware that she could die if she gave birth to her baby. A few days before the baby was due, she said "If you must decide between me and the child, do not hesitate: choose the child - I insist on it. Save him".

11 February- Love I CARE Relates to family members in a loving, compassionate and respectful manner. OCSGE 6(a) Prayers: COMMUNITY AND THE COMMON GOOD Faith, Hope and Charity Prayer Loving God, we pray, that the Toronto Catholic District School Board community continue to witness to the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. May we be people of FAITH, always willing to follow the example of Jesus in all that we do May we be people of HOPE, always trusting in your loving presence in our lives. May we be people of CHARITY, always willing to give of ourselves to better the lives of others. Together, may we be a community of faith, anchored in hope, with heart and charity. Through, Christ our Lord. Amen Blessed are you God, the Energy of Life, who inspires us to be hopeful about all that we do. When I look at the moon, I am reminded of the great distances that can be traveled on the wings of hope. Prayer for Friends Lord Jesus Christ, while on earth you had close and devoted friends, such as John. Lazarus, Martha and Mary. You showed in this way that friendship is one of life's great blessings. Thank you for the friends that you have given me to love me in spite of my failures and weaknesses, and to enrich my life after your example. Let me ever behave toward them as you behaved toward your friends. Bind us close together in you and enable us to help one another on our earthly journey. Amen.

12 For Helping a Friend Lord, grant me the strength, the courage, the patience, and the humility I need to help my friend. Let me love selflessly by your supreme example. Holy Spirit, fill me with your grace so that my words become yours. Thank You for being my support and comfort so that I may support and comfort my friend. Amen Now and Forever: The Catholic University of America Student Prayer Book. (2007) That an awareness of God s love will help us to bring an attitude of love to the whole of our existence. We pray to You, Lord. Response: Lord, hear our prayer That as we move through the school year, we will allow our love of learning, and the love in our community, to expand and flourish. We pray to You, Lord. (Response ) Affirmations: I love God, myself and my family I care about and respect my 'family' at school, at Church, in the community, and the world I care about and respect God's creation and everything in it