Daily Summary - 2/27

Scripture
Discussed the Good Samaritan. (Handout)
Read #13 on reading list for tomorrow.

Religious Studies
Discussed the Catholic Church being the complete Church of the Apostles. (Handout)

Oral Communications
Class A: Continued speech round #2.
Class B: Discussed How to Win Friends and Influence People principle 1.1.
#2 on the reading list is due tomorrow.

Friday's speakers:
Jin L.
Jae Joon L.
Dominic M.
Dylan V.

Resources and handouts for speech preparation:
• Speech evaluation form
• Outline sheet
• Speech structure checklist
• Soyouwanna Deliver an Effective Speech (from soyouwanna.com)

Daily Summary - 2/26

Scripture
Discussed Jesus' parables. (Handout)
Read #12 on reading list for tomorrow.

Religious Studies
Conintued discussion of the Apostolic Church. (Handout)

Oral Communications
Class A: Continued speech round #2.
Class B: Began discussing How to Win Friends and Influence People. The students will have daily reading and reflection assignments on this book. #1 on the reading list is due tomorrow.

Tomorrow's speakers:
Ethan R.
Michael K.
Daniel H.
Lucas B.

Resources and handouts for speech preparation:
• Speech evaluation form
• Outline sheet
• Speech structure checklist
• Soyouwanna Deliver an Effective Speech (from soyouwanna.com)

Daily Summary - 2/25

Scripture
Discussed the call of the 12 Apostles. (Handout)
Read #11 on reading list for tomorrow.

Religious Studies
Worked on The Nativity Story paper in the computer lab.

Oral Communications
Class A: Began speech round #2.
Class B: Presented speech #2.

Tomorrow's speakers:
Charles S.
Chris T.
Steven L.
Jason Y.
Nick P.

Resources and handouts for speech preparation:
• Speech evaluation form
• Outline sheet
• Speech structure checklist
• Soyouwanna Deliver an Effective Speech (from soyouwanna.com)

Daily Summary - 2/22

Oral Communications
Class A: Speech preparation in the computer lab. Speeches begin on Monday.
Class B: Speech preparation in the computer lab. All speeches will be on Monday.

Tomorrow's Speeches:
Marcus T.
Jackson W.
Harrison K.
Josh D.
Reggie H.
Adam C.
Seung Chul L.
Jace K.
Jung Bum H.

Resources and handouts for speech preparation:
• Speech evaluation form
• Outline sheet
• Speech structure checklist
• Soyouwanna Deliver an Effective Speech (from soyouwanna.com)

So where have I been?

This little girl is the reason there have not been any posts since last week. Clare Bernadette was born on February 18th at 6:52 a.m. She weighed 7 pounds and 11 ounces, and she was 20 inches long.

This is what my students did on while I was gone:
Scripture
Watched the Passion of the Christ to prepare for that section of the class.

Religious Studies
Watched The Nativity Story, and will write a paper comparing the movie and the nativity account in the Gospels. (Paper requirements)

Oral Communications
Class A: Speech preparation in the computer lab. Speeches begin on Monday.
Class B: Speech preparation in the computer lab. All speeches will be on Monday.

Resources and handouts for speech preparation:
• Speech evaluation form
• Outline sheet
• Speech structure checklist
• Soyouwanna Deliver an Effective Speech (from soyouwanna.com)

Daily Summary - 2/15

Oral Communications
Class A: Speech preparation in the computer lab. Speeches begin Tuesday.
Class B: Speech preparation in the computer lab. All speeches will be on Monday.

Resources and handouts for speech preparation:
• Speech evaluation form
• Outline sheet
• Speech structure checklist
• Soyouwanna Deliver an Effective Speech (from soyouwanna.com)

Happy Feast Day!

You may or may not realize that St. Valentine was a real person (actually it seems to be a pretty common name for saints of the early Church). Here is an interesting take on this feast that combines many of the elements of St. Valentine that have evolved into the holiday we celebrate today. It would be a shame to forget that behind this holiday of love is a man who was passionately in love with Christ.

St. Valentine's Story

Let me introduce myself. My name is Valentine. I lived in Rome during the third century. That was long, long ago! At that time, Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius. I didn't like Emperor Claudius, and I wasn't the only one! A lot of people shared my feelings.

Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join. Many men just did not want to fight in wars. They did not want to leave their wives and families. As you might have guessed, not many men signed up. This made Claudius furious. So what happened? He had a crazy idea. He thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army. So Claudius decided not to allow any more marriages. Young people thought his new law was cruel. I thought it was preposterous! I certainly wasn't going to support that law!

Did I mention that I was a priest? One of my favorite activities was to marry couples. Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, I kept on performing marriage ceremonies -- secretly, of course. It was really quite exciting. Imagine a small candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself. We would whisper the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps of soldiers.

One night, we did hear footsteps. It was scary! Thank goodness the couple I was marrying escaped in time. I was caught. (Not quite as light on my feet as I used to be, I guess.) I was thrown in jail and told that my punishment was death.
I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what? Wonderful things happened. Many young people came to the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and notes up to my window. They wanted me to know that they, too, believed in love.

One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. Her father allowed her to visit me in the cell. Sometimes we would sit and talk for hours. She helped me to keep my spirits up. She agreed that I did the right thing by ignoring the Emperor and going ahead with the secret marriages. On the day I was to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. I signed it, "Love from your Valentine."

I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine's Day. It was written on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now, every year on this day, people remember. But most importantly, they think about love and friendship. And when they think of Emperor Claudius, they remember how he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh -- because they know that love can't be beaten!

Daily Summary - 2/14

Scripture
Discussed how Jesus handled the various social outcasts of his time. (Handout)
Read #9 on reading list for tomorrow.
Page 377 due Tuesday.

Religious Studies
Took Signum Crucis and Gloria Patri quiz.
Discussed the fourth mark of the Church; The apostolic Church. (Handout)
Page 64 due Tuesday.

Oral Communications
Class A: Speech preparation in the computer lab. Speeches begin Tuesday.
Class B: Speech preparation in the computer lab. All speeches will be on Monday.

Resources and handouts for speech preparation:
• Speech evaluation form
• Outline sheet
• Speech structure checklist
• Soyouwanna Deliver an Effective Speech (from soyouwanna.com)

Daily Summary - 2/13

I was not at school today, so the assignments were given by a substitute.

Scripture
Worked on chapter review on page 377. It is due Tuesday.

Read #9 on reading list for tomorrow.

Religious Studies
Worked on chapter review on page 64. It is due Tuesday.

Signum Crucis and Gloria Patri quiz Tomorrow.

Oral Communications
Class A: Speech preparation in the computer lab. Speeches begin on Tuesday.
Class B: Speech preparation in the computer lab. All speeches will be on Monday.

Resources and handouts for speech preparation:
• Speech evaluation form
• Outline sheet
• Speech structure checklist
• Soyouwanna Deliver an Effective Speech (from soyouwanna.com)

Daily Summary - 2/12

Scripture
Took a quiz on reading assignment #8.
Discussed the healing of Jesus and redemptive suffering. (Handout)

Read #9 on reading list for tomorrow.

Religious Studies
Discussed the third mark of the Church; The catholic Church.

Signum Crucis and Gloria Patri quiz Thursday.

Oral Communications
Class A: Continued watching recorded speeches.
Class B: Speech preparation in the computer lab. All speeches will be on Monday.

Resources and handouts for speech preparation:
• Speech evaluation form
• Outline sheet
• Speech structure checklist
• Soyouwanna Deliver an Effective Speech (from soyouwanna.com)

Daily Summary - 2/11

I apologize for this post being late. I had a meeting immediately after school yesterday.

Scripture
Discussed Jesus' temptation by the Devil. (Handout)

Read #8 on reading list for tomorrow.

Religious Studies
Discussed the second mark of the Church; The holy Church.

Signum Crucis and Gloria Patri quiz Thursday.

Oral Communications
Class A: Continued watching recorded speeches.
Class B: Speech preparation in the computer lab. All speeches will be on Monday.

Resources and handouts for speech preparation:
• Speech evaluation form
• Outline sheet
• Speech structure checklist
• Soyouwanna Deliver an Effective Speech (from soyouwanna.com)

Daily Summary - 2/8

Oral Communications
Class A: Began watching recorded speeches.
Class B: Discussed speaking with keyword notes. This is a requirement for the next speech.

Happy Lent!

As shepherd of the Church, the pope is our leader and guide on Earth. To help get our Lent started in the right direction, I wanted to share his Ash Wednesday words with you:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of our annual Lenten journey of prayer and penance. In the early Church, Lent was the time when catechumens prepared for Baptism, accompanied by the prayers of the whole Christian community. Today, too, the Lenten season is a privileged moment of conversion and spiritual renewal for the whole Church. The rite of the imposition of ashes is a summons to return to God and, in doing so, to discover authentic freedom and joy. Jesus reminds us that only by “losing” our life will we truly “find” it. Our ultimate fulfilment is found in God alone, who satisfies our deepest longings. By taking up our cross and following the Lord, we experience redemption, inner peace and loving solidarity with our brothers and sisters. During Lent, in addition to prayer and fasting, the Church invites us to practice almsgiving as an expression of our desire to imitate Christ’s own self-giving and his generous concern for others. As we set out once again on this journey of spiritual renewal, may Mary, Mother of the Church, guide us to a fruitful celebration of Easter. A Blessed Lent to all of you!

You can journey through Lent with Pope Benedict at this link. His Lenten reflections for us will be made available as they come.

Daily Summary - 2/7

Scripture
Began discussion of Jesus' public life with his Baptism. (Handout)

Read #7 on reading list for tomorrow.

Religious Studies
Dicussed the first mark of the Church; The one Church. (Handout)

Signum Crucis and Gloria Patri quiz next Thursday.

Oral Communications
Class A: Finished the first round of speeches.
Class B: Began watching recorded speeches.

Daily Summary - 2/6

Scripture
Discussed the meaning and purpose of Lent and Ash Wednesday.

Religious Studies
Discussed the meaning and purpose of Lent and Ash Wednesday.

Gloria Patri and Sign of the Cross quiz next Thursday.

Oral Communications
Class A: Continued the first round of speeches.
Class B: Began watching recorded speeches.

Resources and handouts for speech preparation:
• Outline sheet

Tomorrow's speeches:
Charles S.
Steven L.
Michael K.

Daily Summary - 2/5

Scripture
Finished watching Batman Begins. Discussed the religious themes in the movie.

Religious Studies
Finished watching Batman Begins. Discussed the religious themes in the movie.

Gloria Patri and Sign of the Cross quiz next Thursday.

Oral Communications
Class A: Continued the first round of speeches.
Class B: Continued the first round of speeches.

Resources and handouts for speech preparation:
• Outline sheet

Wednesday's speeches:
Dylan V.
Marcus T.
Jason Y.
Lucas B.

Daily Summary - 2/4

Scripture
Due to snow days, we did not get to finish our movie during Catholic Schools' Week. We continued watching Batman Begins. When the movie is over we will discuss the religious themes in the movie.

Religious Studies
Saint report due tomorrow.

Due to snow days, we did not get to finish our movie during Catholic Schools' Week. We continued watching Batman Begins. When the movie is over we will discuss the religious themes in the movie.

Oral Communications
Class A: Continued the first round of speeches.
Class B: Continued the first round of speeches.

Resources and handouts for speech preparation:
• Outline sheet

Tuesday's speeches:
Adam C.
Luke V.
Dylan V.
Marcus T.
Jason Y.
Lucas B.

What happened last week?

Last week turned into a very unusual week. My last post was last Tuesday, however, I posted that early in the morning, and things didn't quite go as planned. The Subiaco area faced very strong winds, 60 mph in some places, last Tuesday. Sometime around 12:30, the power went out and flickered off and on for about 2 hours. So, Oral Communications students were not able to give their speeches, because most of them had prepared PowerPoint presentations, which they could not use without power.

Wednesday the entire school celebrated Catholic Schools Week with a pilgrimage to some local churches, and then returned to campus for a school-wide movie day. There were no classes this day.

On Thursday morning the sleet started at 7:15 and by 8:00 there was already visible accumulation, so classes were cancelled. Later Thursday afternoon the snow and ice continued, and so Friday classes were also cancelled.

Catholic Schools week certainly provided the students with a change of pace.