ST. AGNES CHURCH. April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday

Transcription

1 ST. AGNES CHURCH April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday Rev. Vincent L. Parsons Pastor Rev. Michael E. Wetovick Associate Pastor Sr. Vera Meis, C.S.J. Pastoral Minister Mass Schedule: (October - May) Saturday: 4:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 am (June - September) Saturday 6:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 & 10:00 am Monday, Tues, Wed, Friday 7 am Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays one hour prior to evening Mass or by appointment ( ) Sacrament of Baptism Please call the Parish Office 2314 Third Avenue, Scottsbluff, Nebraska (308) Mailing address: PO Box 349, Scottsbluff, NE Fax: Website: Parish Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9am - Noon & 1pm - 4pm

2 Saint Agnes Catholic Church Today s Readings Acts 10:34a, Psalm Corinthians 5:6b-8 John 20:1-9 Parish Administration (308) / (308) (Fax) office@st-agnes-church.com Pastor Rev. Vincent L. Parsons (ext. 2) pastor@st-agnes-church.com Pastoral Minister Sr. Vera Meis (ext. 4) srvera@st-agnes-church.com Director of Religious Education Mrs. Terri Calvert (ext.5) dre@st-agnes-church.com Church Office Manager Theresa Trevino (ext. 3) office@st-agnes-church.com School Head Teacher Mrs. Julie Brown ( ) office@stagnesonline.org School Office Manager Teresa Johnson ( ) office@stagnesonline.org Page 2 Year B April 1, 2018 Easter Sunday A t a meeting of his priests, the Archbishop of Paris once told a story of three cynical young men. Those men were raised as Catholic. Later, they not only lost their faith but even denied the existence of God. One day the three of them happened to be walking past the cathedral of Notre Dame. They decided to look around inside this beautiful structure. Inside they noticed that a priest was hearing confessions. Two of the guys dared their buddy to go into the confessional booth. He faintly remembered how to go to confession. Nevertheless he entered the confessional and made up a bogus confession. The priest wasn t fooled by this arrogant atheist. The priest instructed this phony penitent to go out in the church stand under the large crucifix hanging above the altar, look Jesus in the eye and say to him three times: All this you did for me and I don t give a damn. The young man and his friends decided to carry out that instruction. They snickered as they approached the altar. The irreverent imposter stood in front of the altar, looked into the eyes of Jesus and began to speak. He discovered that he was a bit hoarse. Somehow he mustered enough energy to shout, All this you did for me, and I don t give a damn. He tried to shout a second time but his voice began to falter. So he whispered, All this you did for me, and I don t give a damn Moments later he tried to shout a third time but his voice failed him altogether. The young man hung his head in shame and then headed to the exits. Just then a voice inside him said, Wait! Wait! Go back to the confessional. Confess your sins. The young man returned to the confessional booth, apologized to the priest and made a sincere confession. A year or so later that same man entered the seminary. He went on to be ordained a priest. That young man, who once was a cynical atheist, became a dedicated priest. Later he was ordained a bishop and eventually became the Archbishop of Paris. I am that man. The message in this column has been a sad and heavy one. Yet, that is the way Holy week is. It consists of suffering, pain, ignominy, ugliness and death. But wait! Wait three days! Wait three days and there will be new life. The life of the resurrected Christ. Happy Easter! Monday, April 2, 2018 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: Dr. William Leipold by Sr. Vera Meis Communal Rosary (4:45pm) Liturgy of the Hours (5:05pm) Tuesday, April 3, 2018 Daily Mass (7:00am) Intention: Sydney Pollock by William Connelly Tuesday Discussion Group (8-9 am) Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) RCIA (7pm) Wednesday, April 4, 2018 Daily Mass (8:15am) Intention: Ron Eickhoff by Jerry & Eileen Young Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Contemplative Prayer Group (6:00pm) This Week s Schedule Thursday, April 5, 2018 Daily Mass (10:0am) at the Residency Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Friday, April 6, 2018 Daily Mass (5:45pm) Intention: Catherine Ryden by Dave & JoAnn Nash Liturgy of the Hours (5:30pm) Saturday, April 7, 2018 Weekend Mass (4:00pm) Intention: Raymond Kosel by Dave & JoAnn Nash Sunday, April 8, 2018 Weekend Mass (8:00am) Intention: James Nash by Dave & JoAnn Nash Weekend Mass (10:30am) Intention: For the Parish

3 Page 3 This Week s Readings Monday: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Ps 16:1-2a, 5, 7-11; Mt 28:8-15 Tuesday: Acts 2:36-41; Ps 33:4-5, 18-20, 22; Jn 20:11-18 Wednesday: Acts 3:1-10; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Lk 24:13-35 Thursday: Acts 3:11-26; Ps 8:2ab, 5-9; Lk 24:35-48 Friday: Acts 4:1-12; Ps 118:1-2, 4, 22-27a; Jn 21:1-14 Saturday: Acts 4:13-21; Ps 118:1, 14-15ab, 16-21; Mk 16: 9-15 Sunday: Acts 4:32-35; Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1 Jn 5:1-6; Jn 20:19-31 We now have audio and video capabilities in the Garden Room during mass. Please know that this is available if you have children and need to remove yourselves from the main body of the church during mass. EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS Saturday, 4pm Ciborium: Susan Flohr; Chalice : Linda Elley; Doris Flohr, Kathleen Roehl, Paul Mailander, Alice Nye, Daniel Warburton Sunday 8am Ciborium: Nancy Kerr; Chalice: Michael Calvert; Connie Kirchner, Jerry Fitzgerald, Jeannette Fitzgerald, David Nash, JoAnn Nash 10:30am Ciborium: Gabby Montanez; Chalice: Rebecca Montanez; John Bush, Rick Cantril, Jean Kearns, Bridget Palmer, M.C. Schaff SACRISTANS Sat 4pm: Jean Ahrens Sunday 8am: Brad McCaslin 10:30am: Gabby Montanez Dear Parishioners, Easter is about Living forever, Loving forever, Celebrating forever and being with God our Creator, Redeemer and Spirit forever. Happy Easter! May you know in the depth of your being that God loves you and I love you! Sr. Vera Alleluia! He is Risen! Dates to Remember In 2018 April 7 & 8 First Communion April Parish Retreat with Fr. Jim Sichko April 22 Confirmation May 6 High School Senior Mass/ Breakfast April 2018 Ministers GREETERS Saturday 4pm Brian Fulk & Patsy Juedes-Fulk - (E) Tara McCormick - (N) Ellen Rahmig - (S) Sun 8am Billye Castanado - (E) Robert Muldoon (N) Lyle Downs - (S) 10:30am Carlye Johnson - (E) Lynda Montaque - (N) Mark & Robin Loose- (S) USHERS Sat 4pm Rod Ramig (Captain) Jim Ellison, Chuck Elley, William King Sun 8am Michael Esselstein (Captain) Jim Kerr, Thomas Braddock, Michael Schroeder 10:30am Danny Guzman (Captain) Gale McGrew, Delton Herman, Ethan Parks Easter sunday Finance Corner Sunday Collections & ATW Giving March Totals Actual $ ATW $ Budget $ Surplus (Deficit) $ Next 2nd collection is for Haiti/Uganda Attention Students!! Scholarship Opportunity! St. Agnes Catholic School Foundation Alumni Futures Scholarship Applications are available online at catholicschoolfoundation.com! If you re an alumni of St. Agnes Catholic School, and a graduating high school senior, please consider applying (see our scholarship information online to determine if you meet our application criteria). If you have questions or need to request an electronic version of the application, please Jackie at jseymour@stagnesonline.org. We look forward to reading your applications! Deadline: April 9, 2018 LECTORS April 7 4pm Chris Burbach April 8 8am Nichole Hoesing 10:30am Cindy Nelson SERVERS April 7, 4pm Ashanti Arreola, Gianna Gonzales April 8, 8am Tristan Calvert, Mckenna Hackett 10:30am Zade Gurrola, Ethan Gion April 14 4pm Emma Marks, Addison Peck April 15, 8am Lucas J Moravec, William Pieper 10:30am Megan Golden, Adam Polk April 21 4pm Landon Malm, Laetner Malm April 22 8am Jessica Schaff, Spencer Schaff 10:30am Jazmine Golden, Kamden McGrew April 28 4pm Osiris Saucedo, Kyle Henderson April 29 8am Liam Kicken, Emily Esselstein 10:30am Saphiah Montanez, Tori Bogus

4 Page 4 April 1, 2018 Early on the morning on the third day after Jesus crucifixion, there is only sorrow. Jesus lies in the tomb, and His words and promises seemed to have disappeared with His last breath. Then suddenly Mary of Magdala shouts into the room to the small group hiding there in fear and distress, They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don t know where they have taken Him. Among the disciples, there is at first disbelief followed by the glimmer of hope as Peter and John run to the tomb to verify Mary s words. Peter and John find Jesus is gone, only the burial cloths remain. Jesus has risen from the dead. Jesus Resurrection is the most significant moment in human history. Without Resurrection, His words and miracles performed in the name of God by themselves would have little meaning to us after more than two thousand years. It was the Resurrection from the dead that brought to light that Jesus is more than an ordinary man; He is the Son of God. Death is no longer a threat to us for Jesus has conquered Death through His Resurrection. Sin no longer can control us. The fulfillment of the promise, made by God to send us a Savior, a Messiah to save us from our sins, is now complete. The gates of heaven are now open after being shut tight from the sinful acts of Adam and Eve. It is the belief in the Resurrection that keeps alive for us the message of the Christ. Jesus is no longer dead. On this Resurrection morning, we find three cardinal virtues of faith, hope, and love demonstrated in the events of this unforgettable day. Peter and John ran with the same urgency that hope brings to us as our desires extend beyond what seems believable. John was given the gift of faith for he saw, and he believed. Faith, in what Jesus taught, would lead all the Apostles but John to a martyr s death. We decide the direction of faith in our lives by deciding what is most important, the teaching of the Christ or the demands of the secular world. Let us continue to have faith like John to live out our lives knowing that Jesus is ever at our side. And most importantly, let us remember that nothing in Christ was for Himself. Nothing. He is all love, all self-giving, acting in obedience to the Father s will for the sake of our salvation. He rises that we might rise with Him. As the sun rises over the horizon on this Easter morning, let us remember the glorious day when Jesus broke the bonds of death. Like that day, Spring is bursting forth in new life with the buds of the trees opening, the buttery-yellow daffodils brilliantly showing through the whiteness of the snow, and the morning twittering of birds outside the window. Let us see this day and every day as a new beginning. With the hope of the newness of each day, we when can begin again, to model ourselves as Jesus taught. Our lives are forever different because of our faith in Jesus. Let us be thankful to the gracious God, who in His love for us, was willing to allow His son to suffer and die so that we may enjoy the fulfillment of His promise at Easter. Alleluia, He is Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia, 2018 Parish Mission New Stories, Preaching, Laughter and Songs! With Rev. James Sichko April 15th - 17th 7-8 pm at St Agnes Church Known for his story-telling, Fr. Jim weaves every day life experiences with the rooted messages which lie within the Gospel. PROCLAIM THE RISEN CHRIST On Easter morning everything the spring weather, the flowers, birds and butterflies, the people around us in their finery, the beautiful liturgy and music everything seems to bear witness that Jesus Christ is risen today! Like the eyewitness accounts in today s scriptures, the glorious and joyful life all around us helps us to believe the good news of the Resurrection and sing Alleluia! In the scriptures today we hear from Peter and Paul and John. All three speak with conviction about witnessing the resurrected Christ. John s Gospel account includes Mary of Magdala, who also was privileged to witness the Resurrection and tell others the good news. On this glorious Easter Sunday can we ourselves give eyewitness accounts that Jesus Christ is risen today, alive and active in our lives? Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

5 Page 5 Easter Sunday Living Our Catholic Faith TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION The Paschal Mystery is the key to our Christian faith: the dying and rising of Jesus that is the pattern of our life. In their first steps on the road of faith, the catechumens feel the cross of glory traced over their eyes, on their lips, across their shoulders, on their ears, over their heart, and on their feet. The mystery is that even death gives way to life for those who are held in the embrace of Jesus. Today, many new Christians arise from the waters of the font. Yet the font is not the destination of their journey. The goal is Pentecost, fifty days from now, and a lifetime of praise to the Father, in Christ, in the embrace of the Holy Spirit, for the sake of the world. Neophyte, our ancient word for newly-baptized people, means newlyplanted in Greek. If someone in your parish has just been baptized, welcome them today. The smiles on their faces and the light in the eyes is a foretaste of heaven. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. DURING EASTER Place 1 cup of pecans in a zippered plastic bag and let children break them into pieces with a wooden spoon. Explain that Jesus was arrested and was beaten by Roman soldiers. Let each child smell the vinegar and pour 1 teaspoon into a mixing bowl. Explain that Jesus was thirsty on the cross and was given vinegar to drink. Add 3 egg whites, representing life, to the vinegar. Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life. Sprinkle salt into each child s hand. Let them taste it and put a pinch into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus disciples, and the bitterness of our own sins. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know this and how to belong to him. Beat with a mixer on high speed until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents our purity when God forgives our sins. Fold in the nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a cookie sheet covered in waxed paper. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid. Put the cookie sheet in a 300 F oven, close the door and turn the oven off! Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed. Go to bed! Explain that they may feel sad leaving the cookies in the oven overnight, just as Jesus disciples were miserable when the tomb was sealed. The next day, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus followers Pictured above: Resurrection Cookies were amazed to find the tomb open and empty! Jesus is alive! Copyright 2011, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. Reflecting on God s Word The conviction and enthusiasm of eyewitness accounts gives them a certain ring of truth. Yet the more eyewitnesses there are the more variance there may be in the details reported. Different witnesses may have seen different things or seen things differently but they usually agree on the fundamental truth about what happened. The Easter scriptures record the eyewitness accounts of Mary Magdalene, John, and Peter. Their credibility rests not on the precise details, but on the conviction and enthusiasm of the eyewitnesses. It is their belief in the Resurrection that convinces others to believe. Like these scriptural eyewitnesses, today s believers are also witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead (Acts 10:41). We are called to testify that he is the one appointed by God (10:42) by giving eyewitness accounts of how the Spirit of the risen Christ is alive today. Our accounts may not agree in every detail, but the core truth will be the same, that Jesus Christ is risen indeed! Virginia Stillwell Copyright 2014, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

6 Page 6 dre@st-agnes-church.com Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families Easter Sunday Gospel: John 20:1-9 R_ligious E^u][tion Progr[m Easter Sunday Religious Education Office On the Way to Mass: How do you like to celebrate? Pick of the Week On the Way Home From Mass: What did you notice about how the church looked today? How did it seem joyful? Living the Word: As Mary ran to spread the Good News she didn t stop for a bite or to chat, but immediately went to the disciples who found it too good to be true and had to see for themselves. Ask family members if they have heard anything that sounds too good to be true and invite them to share it. Challenge each family member to spread this good news to at least five other people. Perhaps they will want to tell others! Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families Find Us On Facebook Twitter: stagnes-church Instagram: st.agnescatholicchurch Parish Website Grade School (Pre-K - 5th grades) Formation Sessions Meet from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the school building. Mar. 25th, Apr. 1st - No formation sessions, Apr. 8th, Apr. 15th, Apr. 22nd, Apr last session Middle School Formation Sessions (grades 6th-8th) meet from 7-8:15 p.m. in the school building. 28th - No formation sessions, Holy Week, High School (CYM) Formation Sessions Youth gather in catechist s homes from 7-8:30 p.m. 21st, 28th - No formation sessions, Holy Week, Apr. 4th, Apr. 11th, Apr. 18th, Apr. 25th - Last formation session 11th CYM Schedule: Apr. 4th - Confirmation-Garden Room Apr. 11th - CYM - Leader s home Apr. 18th - Confirmation - Practice Apr. 22nd - Confirmation at 10:30 a.m. Save the Dates: First Communion April 7th & 8th all weekend Masses Confirmation April 22nd - 10:30 am Mass Brother Francis: He is Risen! Join Brother Francis as he celebrates the power and splendor of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in this moving and instructive animated presentation! The Resurrection of Jesus Fact or Fiction: Listen as Dr. Steven Smith explores the Resurrection narratives from the vantage point of each of the four Gospels as well as many of the vital medical details of Roman crucifixion. If you haven t registered yet, do it today! Go to: d.org Enter your and create a password (you need this to login later)

7 Page 7 April 1, 2018 Teens Encounter Christ #106 April 13-15, 2018 Christ the King, Gering Registration Deadline: April 6, 2018 To Register go to: Junior/High School-(Grades 7-12) June 10th - 14th p.m. Grade School - (Grades 1-6) June 11th 15th - 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The Totus Tuus Curriculum The Sacred Scriptures and the Catechism of the Catholic Church provide the foundation of the catechetical instruction of the Totus Tuus summer catechetical program. One of the unique features of Totus Tuus is the two independent cycles of catechetical materials. The six core topics of catechesis (which come by dividing the four pillars of the Catechism into six major elements) and the four mysteries of the Rosary make certain that every summer has an original presentation of material for the students. This year the content focus will be The Apostles Creed and the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. Totus Tuus seeks to foster openness to vocations in the young people we serve as well as among the teachers. This is accomplished by placing special emphasis on the importance and necessity of prayer, Eucharistic devotion, and Marian devotion in addition to catechetical instruction and formation in the Catholic faith. If your are interested in hosting the female or the male team of leaders please contact Terri in the RE Office for more information. Make Easter joy last all year The joy of Easter morning is meant to come more than once a year. Sunday recalls the day of Christ s Resurrection. It is Easter which returns week by week, celebrating Christ s victory over sin and death (Dies Domini, Pope John Paul II). Spread Easter joy by making every Sunday, little Easter. Darkness comes before the dawn. Atoning for sin isn t comfortable but it is essential to experiencing the joy of Easter. Make Fridays penitential days in your home. Share meatless meals, fast from television or video games, or perform a family act of charity. Rejoice in second chances. Jesus knew that while our intentions may be good, our resolve isn t perfect so he created the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Take your family to Confession at least monthly. When children see that you seek God s forgiveness, they will learn that it s there for them, too. Experience the Mass. It s not meant to be observed. Preview the readings together before Mass. Sing out loud. Pray responses with feeling. Celebrate the Resurrection with joy. Feasts & Celebrations April 8th Divine Mercy Sunday. In 1931, Jesus appeared to St. Faustina and asked that the Sunday after Easter become the Feast of Mercy. Jesus promised that anyone who honors him as King of Mercy and prays the Chaplet of Divine Mercy the prayer he gave St. Faustina would receive special graces and great mercy. April 30 St. Pius V (1572). He was born Antonio Ghislieri, in Bosco, Italy. As pope, St. Pius instituted a number of reforms, built hospitals, and provided food and money for the poor. He also organized the Christian fleet that won the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.

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9 April 1, 2018 Monday, April 2nd NO SCHOOL Wednesday, April 4th Mass - 8:15 SHS Musical Into the Woods 12:30 (K-5th Grade) FRIDAY, April 6th UNL Extension Field Trip 1st, 2nd & 4th Grade - 12:30-3 rd Quarter Honor Roll Students Twenty-eight 3 rd - 5 th grade students achieved honor roll status for the 3 rd quarter. Students include: 3 rd Grade: Ashanti Arreola, Tristan Calvert, Ayala Ellis, Zaide Gurrola, Tea Hill, Kennedi Larson, Ezmirelda Ramirez, Kayley Smith, Jacob Weitzel, Luis Wheeler, Marley Wineman 4 th Grade: Benjamin Ayala, Ryan Dudley, Ava Kildow, Jacob Mark, Bianca McDonald, Kennedy McKnight, Addison Peck, Logan Polk, Bella Ramirez, George Schmall, Ysary Torres, Natalie Williams, Jed Zulkoski 5 th Grade: Chloe Burton, Laetner Malm, Emma Marks, Emery Wineman St. Agnes Catholic School 205 E 23rd, Scottsbluff, NE Ph:

10 What s Happening at St. Agnes School... Re-enactment of the Passion of Our Lord The 3 rd quarter awards ceremony was held on Monday March 19 th in the school gym. Students in Pre-K-5 th grade were recognized for academic achievements earned in the 3 rd quarter. It is hard to believe only 1 quarter remains in the school year. Students have been challenged to make it their best quarter ever! 5 th grade students performed a re-enactment of the Passion Story on Wednesday, March 28th. Students in Pre- K-4 th grades watched carefully as the 5 th graders narrated and performed the crucifixion, death and resurrection of our Lord. The performance was a strong reminder to the children of the great sacrifice Christ made for them. It provided great preparation for the Holy Tridium, which was to begin the next day. Honor Roll Breakfast Students achieving honor roll status for the 3 rd quarter were honored at a breakfast held in the Learning Center on Tuesday, March 20 th. Students enjoyed a breakfast of pancakes, sausage and potato cakes. Annual Used Book Sale The annual used book sale will take place on April 10 th & 11 th in the library. Books donated for the sale will be sold for $.10 each. What a great way to attain some new reading material for a nominal cost! Proceeds from the sale are used to purchase new books for the library. Monday, April 2 NO SCHOOL Hot Lunch Menu for April 2nd - April 6th, 2018 Tuesday, April 3 Chicken & Noodles Mashed Potatoes Green Beans Pears WW Roll & Bu er Wednesday, April 4 Cheese Quesadilla Refried Beans Peas Churro Apricots Thursday, April 5 Hot Dog on a Bun Tater Barrels Fresh Broccoli w/ranch Peaches Friday, April 6 Grilled Cheese Sandwich Tomato Soup Wheat Crackers/Apple Green Salad w/dl Helpers: Helpers: Jim O, Rick Forsstrom Helpers: Scobie Arno, Jennifer Cook Helpers: Mar n & Jennifer Urdiales Helpers: Gene & Mary Schwarzkopf

11 Classroom News... Kindergarten Class by Teri Ramirez Kindergarten is almost over, and I am so proud of my students. They have all grown physically, and intellectually. I will be very sad to let them go! In April, we are starting our Embryology unit. We are going to watch and track the development of baby chicks from how they grow in an egg to hatching as chicks! This is a fun and educational unit that I love doing with my kindergartners, and they are super excited this year. The students will keep a journal and they record any changes that go on with the egg. They will learn new vocabulary words such as, embryology, humidity, and incubator. Every student will keep a journal and write about the chicks after they have hatched too. This is always a fun unit. We also have talked about rocks and the different types, shapes, and sizes. To conclude our rock unit the students got to adopt a rock from our rock shop along with adoption papers. The students loved doing this and this was a great conclusion to our unit. 4th Grade Class by Kristie Becker It is hard to believe we are in the fourth quarter now! This year has flown by and I could not be more proud of how hard this class works. We just finished our read aloud novel, A Fish In a Tree. Everyone in our room, myself included, fell in love with this book. It's the story of a sixth grade girl who can't read and is bullied about it in her classroom. The students in fourth grade had great discussions on bullying and really connected to the book! We had to take a day or two breather before we started another book! In religion, we have spent a great bit of time talking about the conscience and right from wrong. The students were very into this unit and learned a lot. In math, we recently learned about mean, median, range, and mode, which makes for long homework problems! Students have been working really hard in math, both in class on our white board practice and at home for homework. We are just about finished with our states and capitals unit for social studies. We just started the last region and our last project- Google Slide Shows. Students recently created State In a Bag projects on specific states, which were my favorite projects so far this year! The students were so creative and really had fun with this one! The students writing is also really coming along as we are writing persuasive paragraphs and essays now. Their most recent one was persuading other students what the most fun activity at St Agnes is. It was pretty close between the Penny Carnival and the Kickball Tournament! Another fun activity we recently did was practicing the phases of the moon on Oreo cookies, to go along with our science unit on Earth and Space. I am looking forward to a busy spring! How well do you know your States & Capitals??