STAFF CORNER

An Excellent Tradition Continues…

I attended St. Bernard’s Catholic elementary school from 1956-1964. At that time, there were Tiffin Franciscan Sisters teaching every grade level. Kindergarten did not exist. CYO sports did not exist. Computers (at least in the classrooms) did not exist. “Accelerated reader” programs did not exist,  “Jeans days” did not exist. Physical education classes did not exist. However, fundraising, such as selling seeds, magazines, subscriptions to The Catholic Chronicle, candy sales, etc., did exist. Recess and lunch did exist. Weekday Mass did exist. Daily, religious instructions did exist. Firm, solid discipline (even spanking) did exist. Positive, effective relationships with the pastor and many nuns did exist…

If you happened to attend a Catholic school way back when, perhaps you can remember clearly some of the more challenging and especially, more cherished memories of that experience. I remember my Catholic school days at St. Bernard’s because that’s where my vocation to the priesthood took root, and since then, I’ve never looked back…

This weekend, on Sunday, March 7, St. Charles School is hosting an OPEN HOUSE (11:00 AM-1:30 PM) for the entire community. And so much has changed since 1956! But the essential mission of our Catholic school has not – to pass on the truths of our faith in Jesus Christ. We can quibble today about his or that program, this or that educational methodology, this or that kind of technology, etc., but St. Charles still teaches the basics of our Catholic faith to all its students. I honestly can’t remember much math, history, science, geography, etc., but I do remember my religious training and the Gospel values of Jesus Christ that I was taught. We still seek to form your sons and daughters into the image of Jesus Christ, while, no doubt, offering the best the academic world has to offer in the 21^st century.

Now ask yourself: where else could we possibly receive such solid, faith-filled and well-rounded education? Come and visit St. Charles Catholic School this Sunday and see for yourselves. As excellent tradition continues…

                                   Fr. Steve

March 14 - Spanish Mass at St. John’s Lima 3:00 PM

Scripture Readings for March 14, 2010

Jos 5:9a, 10-12; 2 Cor 5:17-21; Lk 15:1-3,11-32

Set clocks ahead-Sunday, March 14!!

 MONDAYS IN MARCH

“Resiliency: How to Bounce Back When Life Bounces You Around”

by

Mike Schoenhofer

Monday, March 8, 2010

7:00-8:30 p.m.

St. Charles Church

There are so many challenging situations all around and often a feeling of helplessness becomes overwhelming. Wars in the Middle East, economic crises in America, job uncertainties, work drama, family conflicts, and even personal issues can make us want to throw up our hands and scream, “What’s the use?” Or an even better scream: “Help!” 

Resiliency is the ability to bounce back quickly from challenges, setbacks and change in order to actually take advantage of what appears to be a “bad” situation. In other words: Make lemonade from lemons. Drawing on the most recent research in Positive Psychology as well as ancient Christian traditions, participants will learn how easy it is to develop the inner strength necessary to face any challenge and to thrive. But the key is practice and participants will take with them practical ideas that they can put into practice immediately. 

This will be an engaging, entertaining and informative session with the simple objective of helping each person to find joy and serenity in their life no matter what is going on around them. 

Michael Schoenhofer earned an MSW from The Ohio State University, an MA in Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome, and a BA in Psychology from St. Meinrad College in Indiana. Mike has had the opportunity to live for four years in Italy while studying and 6 years in Africa doing mission and economic work. Mike’s work experience includes teaching at an inner city high school in Toledo (where he learned how to be flexible and the value of entertainment), living among the Tonga People in Zimbabwe (where he learned that there can be joy in life even in the most fragile conditions), and working in the mental health field for over 20 years (where he has come to understand that we all need a little help). However, his greatest learning has come from his wife Mary and three children who remind him each day that he has to put on his trousers just like everyone else; one leg at a time.

This evening is free and open to all!

Refreshments will be served following the presentation,

courtesy of the 8^th grade Confirmation class.  CEU’s are available