Welcome to the month of March! This month we celebrate the virtue of perseverance, which is linked with the moral virtue of fortitude. Perseverance is the quality that allows someone to keep going and continue trying even when faced with difficulties or obstacles. It is this virtue that helps us through the dark and difficult days. It gives us the discipline that not only leads us through the Lenten moments in our lives but in morally trying times. This virtue carries with it the promise of God’s loving presence that is always with us.
We continue our Lenten journey.
God of the journey,
Sustain us throughout this Lenten season.
Help us to continue to use this time of the Lord’s favour
to reflect on ways to change and grow.
Strengthen us to keep going when we are discouraged.
Give us the grace to persevere as we journey toward
the sacred days of Easter, nourished by your steadfast love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
March is also Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which serves as a reminder that each individual, regardless of their abilities, has the right to be respected, embraced, and provided with opportunities to thrive. This is also a key message of our faith and the Catholic Social Teaching Principle of Human Dignity. Each one of us is a beloved child of God, valued and worthy of respect. God calls each one of us to honour the dignity of others.
We are grateful for our students with developmental disabilities.
Spring Student Silent Art Auction Fundraiser
St. Mark CES is invited to participate in the Student Silent Art Auction Fundraiser, sponsored by Elite Class in Stouffville, in support of the Stouffville Food Bank.
We invite students to share their artistic talents by creating an original work of art. The theme is, “Thankful / Giving Thanks”.
Students can submit their original work of art for our school-level competition, in one of the following categories:
– Special Education
– JK to Grade 3
– Grades 4 to 6
All submissions to St. Mark CES’ school-level competition must be received by Thursday, April 4th, 2024.
St. Mark CES will select three winning works of art, per category. Elite Class will then feature and auction the artwork from each category at the Student Silent Art Auction Fundraiser on Friday, April 12th, 2024 at Elite Class in Stouffville.
Student winners will receive a cash prize of 50% of the funds raised from the sale of their artwork at the auction. The remaining funds raised will be donated to the Stouffville Food Bank.
Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Student Silent Art Auction Fundraiser Flyer_April 2024
We look forward to seeing the artistic talents of our students revealed through their works of art!
Next Week’s Activities and Events
Here is a look ahead to next week…
Tuesday, March 5th:
– Grade 4 Indigenous Class Presentation (Sanchez), 12:10pm
Upcoming Activities and Events
March 11th to 15th: March Break!
March 18th, 19th and 21st: X Movement Workshops
March 25th to 29th: Holy Week
March 25th: World Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day
March 28th: Holy Thursday Liturgy and Stations of the Cross
March 29th: Good Friday (no school)
April 1st: Easter Monday (no school)
April 2nd to 5th: Autism Awareness and Acceptance Week at St. Mark CES
April 17th: Praying the Rosary with the Rosary Apostolate
Closing Prayer
Throughout the season of Lent, we close with our Lenten prayer.
God of the Journey,
Walk with us this Lent.
Teach us to pray, fast, and give
in ways that bring us closer to you.
Help us to persevere in staying with you
on the journey through Lent to Easter.
Amen.
St. Mark, pray for us.
Our weekly update will resume on March 17, 2024.
Wishing all families a wonderful March break!
Sincerely,
C. Quadrini, Principal