A Time for Action

Lent is a time for action!  For those who attend Mass on Ash Wednesday we will hear a call to action in the Gospel that we should give, fast and pray.  These three essential acts of Lent encompass a myriad of actions, all geared toward knowing Jesus better and being converted into a better image of him, our best self!   In doing so, we will proclaim him better to others by more actions and our words.

Be assured, Crescent Parishes Staff is working hard to provide parishioners with ample opportunities to give, fast and pray.   Some of those ways include the following.  

Stewardship Card of Time

Thanks to parishioners who completed a stewardship card of time, where we reported on actions that we are already doing and some actions would like to start anew.  

Rosary in a Year

One of those new actions includes the Rosary in a Year podcast.  I began the podcast last week though with a more realistic goal for me:  to listen to three podcasts a week, not every day.   Sure, at that pace, it will take me three years to accomplish the “Rosary in a Year” podcast.  However, that is OK.  All things in God’s time!

Parish Mission

I am hoping we will warmly welcome Chris Bray at Masses this weekend and especially offer a welcome by our attendance at the Mission, Renewed in Hope, each night.  As we do so we prepare to welcome Lent in grand fashion!  Our presence at the mission speaks of hope.

Thanks for making Lent stand out as the Lent we take action in one or more faith formation opportunities! 

Lifelong Faith Formation and Crescent Family of Parishes Vision Statement

As another reminder and review, engaging in lifelong faith formation is stated clearly in the third sentence of our vision statement as a prominent part of our new parish.  However, lifelong faith formation is also a prominent way to accomplish the first sentence of the vision - to become a disciple:  to know, love and follow Jesus, and to tell others about him.  See a copy of our vision statement always found opposite this article on page three.   Thanks to those who read it every week and internalize it!

Article From Principal Jason Fightmaster

Please see the article below by Jason Fightmaster, the new principal at Nativity School, our parish family school.  He exhorts parents not to weaken and to continue to reinforce structure and routine in the lives of children.  This applies to all of us and Lent is a great time to embrace such virtues!

Sincerely and with Love in Christ,

Fr. Pat

Dear Nativity School Community,

 Humans have always been creatures of routines, meaning many of us best thrive when we have structure and consistency to guide our days - very few can thrive under chaotic conditions.  While the need for structure and routine may somehow be embedded in our DNA, our kids will often reject our attempts to bring routines into their lives.  That being said, kids also don’t like to get shots at the doctor, to eat all their vegetables, etc… But as loving parents, it’s our job to make our kids do things they don’t want to do.  Believe me, it is a struggle in the Fightmaster household, but we do the best we can to instill a hard work ethic and routines to help our children become the best version of themselves.

I say this to encourage all families to TRY to have routines - especially when it comes to school. Here are some examples that can help students succeed: 

• Checking backpacks before leaving for school each morning 
• Checking backpacks at the end of each school day (which teachers reinforce)
• Cleaning out and organizing backpacks once a week 
• Reviewing binder organization with students once a week 
• Having a specific spot to do homework each evening (and at a specific time, ideally) 
• Eating as a family as much as possible 
• Going to bed at a certain time each evening and getting at least 8 hours of sleep
• Celebrating Mass as a family on Sundays

None of these are easy and none of us is perfect, but if we try to solidify these routines with our child(ren), they will work. And some of these routines will stick with them over the years, becoming a habit.  More than anything, our children need love, care, and structure to be successful.

In Christ,
 Jason Fightmaster
 Nativity School Principal