"The Magi set out because of a deep desire that prompted them to leave everything and begin a journey. It was as though they had always been waiting for that star. It was as if the journey had always been a part of their destiny, and was finally about to begin. Dear friends, this is the mystery of God’s call, the mystery of vocation. It is part of the life of every Christian, but it is particularly evident in those whom Christ asks to leave everything in order to follow him more closely.” – Pope Benedict XVI

Christmas and Advent are the perfect time to think about your vocation. Jesus was beginning his earthly vocation, the greatest vocation of all. Mary is finally able to do what she was put on earth to do. The Magi knew that something was calling them to leave behind the world they knew. We all have a vocation. It might be to be a priest. It might be to be a monk. It might be to be something completely different. Christmas reminds us that Jesus, Mary, and the Magi followed God’s call perfectly. And for Mary and the Magi, following this call, even though it would be difficult, made them closer to God than had ever even been possible before. Listen to God this season. Be ready for him to call you just as he did the Magi.

Daily Summary - 12/15

Today's Mass Readings
Today's Feast Days

Scripture
Discussed the return of the faithful remnant. (Handout)
Current Assignments:
• Test and notes due tomorrow.
• Final exam is on Friday morning. All final exam questions will come from previous tests.


8th Grade Religious Studies
Discussed final exam.
Final exam is on Saturday morning.
For the final students should study previous tests and quizzes.
The quizzes have been:
• Catholic glossary terms 1-60
• The Beatitudes
• Basic prayers
• The Mysteries of the Rosary

9th Grade Religious Studies
Discussed final exam.
Final exam is on Saturday morning.
For the final students should study previous tests and quizzes.
The quizzes have been:
• Catholic glossary terms 1-60
• The Beatitudes
• Basic prayers
• The Mysteries of the Rosary

Oral Communications

Continued speech preparation for final in computer lab.

The following students will give their final speeches on Tuesday:
Blake W.
Brendan D.
Brian D.

All Class A speeches on Friday afternoon.
Remaining Class C speeches on Thursday afternoon.

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

“Why did the Magi set off from afar to go to Bethlehem? The answer has to do with the mystery of the ‘star’ which they saw ‘in the East’ and which they recognized as the star of the “King of the Jews,” that is to say, the sign of the birth of the Messiah. So their journey was inspired by a powerful hope, strengthened and guided by the star, which led them toward the King of the Jews, toward the Kingship of God himself.” – Pope Benedict XVI

Why a star? Why was that the sign God chose to lead the Magi to the Savior? Why do we still use stars and twinkling lights to celebrate Christmas today? Jesus is the light of the world! The world had been stained dark with sin, and it was only getting darker, but just like a single candle in a pitch black room, a single light can make all the difference. St. John tells us that “a light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” Once the light of Jesus started to shine in our world, nothing could ever cover it up again. When you see stars and lights this Christmas, let them remind you of Christ who brings us light when life seems the darkest.

Happy Feast Day!

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Here is an account of her story on Wikipedia. She is the patroness of the Americas. We are having a special Spanish mass this afternoon.

Our Lady of Guadalupe - Pray for us!

Daily Summary - 12/12

Today's Mass Readings
Today's Feast Days

8th Grade Religious Studies
Discussed make-up work and final exam.

Oral Communications

Continued speech preparation for final in computer lab.
Outlines must be completed by Monday.

The following students will give their final speeches on Tuesday:
Blake W.
Brendan D.
Taylor J.
Brian D.

Class A speeches on Friday afternoon.
Class C speeches on Thursday afternoon.

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

“We can imagine the awe which the Magi experienced before the child in swaddling clothes. Only faith enabled them to recognize in the face of that child the King whom they were seeking, the God to whom the star had guided them. In him, crossing the abyss between the finite and the infinite, the visible and the invisible, the Eternal entered time, the Mystery became known by entrusting himself to us in the frail body of a small child.”
– Pope Benedict XVI

We are not just celebrating a day because it makes us feel good. We are not just honoring a baby, because he is cute. The feast day we call Christmas, is one of the most important days in our salvation! This is not just a cute little baby. This is the man who will save us from sin and take us to eternal paradise. Do not get wrapped up in the “warm and fuzzy” feelings of Christmas. Like the Magi, never lose site of the Christ child. He is truly amazing. He is your Savior.

Daily Summary - 12/11

Today's Mass Readings
Today's Feast Days

Scripture
Discussed the beginning of the Babylonian Exile. (Handout)
Current Assignments:
• For next class read #45 on the reading list. Be ready for a quiz.
• Test on Tuesday.

8th Grade Religious Studies
Finished watching The Nativity Story in preparation for Christmas.

9th Grade Religious Studies
Discussed make-up work and final exam.

Oral Communications

Section A: Continued speech preparation for final in computer lab.

Section C: Continued speech preparation for final in computer lab.

Outlines must be completed by Monday.

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

“It is like finding ourselves at a Crossroads: Which direction do we take? The one prompted by the passions or the one indicated by the star that shines in our conscience? The Magi heard the answer: ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet,’ and enlightened by these words, they chose to press forward to the very end. – Pope Benedict XVI

Christmas always presents us with an interesting choice. Sometimes it is a very clear example of the things that are wrong with the world. We see this in the greed and commercialism that sometimes overtake the holidays. We also see people try to strip away the Truth of this feast when they refuse to wish you a “Merry Christmas,” and insist on saying “Season’s Greetings,” or “Happy Holidays.” Other times we see the opposite, people who are normally in bad moods show extra cheer and charity, and use this season as a chance to show their faith in Christ. Which will you choose? The Magi chose to follow the light of Christ in the star. This light led them to a great spiritual encounter with Jesus, the Savior. Follow the example of the Wise Men. Take the path that leads you to Christ, not the one that leads you away.

Daily Summary - 12/10

Today's Mass Readings
Today's Feast Days

Scripture
Discussed the conquest by the Assyrians and the Prophet Isaiah (Handout)
Current Assignments:
• For next class read #44 on the reading list. Be ready for a quiz.

8th Grade Religious Studies
Continued watching The Nativity Story in preparation for Christmas.

9th Grade Religious Studies
Finished watching The Nativity Story in preparation for Christmas.

Oral Communications

Section A: Continued speech preparation for final in computer lab.

Section C: Continued speech preparation for final in computer lab.

Outlines must be completed by Monday.

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

“Following [the Magi’s] route, you too want to find Jesus…Like yourselves, I too, have set out.” – Pope Benedict XVI

Advent is a journey for all of us; from the Magi and the shepherds on the first Christmas to the pope and all of us today. Life often is a journey, and very often we do not know where we will end up. Now it is different. We know the Magi reach their destination. If you hope to find Christ this Christmas, follow the example of the Magi. The Magi set their hearts on the star, and they found what they were looking for. Christ has what you are looking for. Set your heart on him this Christmas.

Daily Summary - 12/9

Today's Mass Readings
Today's Feast Days

Scripture
Discussed Hosea and Gomer. (Handout)
Current Assignments:
• For next class read #43 on the reading list. Be ready for a quiz.

8th Grade Religious Studies
Began watching The Nativity Story in preparation for Christmas.

9th Grade Religious Studies
Continued watching The Nativity Story in preparation for Christmas.

Oral Communications

Section A: Began speech preparation for final in computer lab.

Section C: Began speech preparation for final in computer lab.

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

Advent Meditation

Each day in class I include an Advent meditation on the journey of the Magi, and I thought I would begin sharing that here each day. Each day includes a quote from Pope Benedict XVI and a reflection on that quote that I wrote.

“Like the Magi, all believers – young people in particular – have been called to set out on a journey of life in search of truth, justice, and love. The ultimate goal of the journey can only be found through an encounter with Christ.”
– Pope Benedict XVI

Advent is a journey. As with Magi, the more days that pass, the closer we come to Christ. Advent is a time to prepare yourself to meet Christ. As families and loved ones get together for the holidays, they get their homes and lives in order. Is your life in order? Are you ready to meet Jesus?

Bad Link

I just realized today the link that I place at the top of each daily summary that reads "Today's Feast Days" was taking you to the wrong place. So if you have tried to get to the current day on the calendar of saints and instead got August 26th, I apologize.

Daily Summary - 12/8

Mass Readings for the feast of the Immaculate Conception.



O Mary, Conceived Without Sin, Pray For Us Who Have Recourse To Thee!

Scripture
Discussed the Prophet Elijah. (Handout)
Current Assignments:
• Read UTS 31-33 and answer the questions on this handout.
• For next class read #42 on the reading list. Be ready for a quiz.

8th Grade Religious Studies
Discussed the Immaculate Conception.

9th Grade Religious Studies
Began watching The Nativity Story in preparation for Christmas.

Oral Communications

Section A: Began speech preparation for final in computer lab.

Section C: Began speech preparation for final in computer lab.

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

Daily Summary - 12/4

Today's Mass Readings
Today's Feast Days

Scripture
Discussed the Divided Kingdom. (Handout)
Current Assignments:
• Read UTS 31-33 and answer the questions on this handout.
• For next class read #41 on the reading list. Be ready for a quiz.

8th Grade Religious Studies
Took test. Turned in notes.

9th Grade Religious Studies
Took test. Turned in notes.

Oral Communications

Section A: Watched video clips of speeches and discussed their strengths and weaknesses.

Section C: Discussed principles 4.6 & 4.7 of How to Win Friends and Influence People.
Current Assignments:
• Carnegie final reflection paper due on Friday.

Daily Summary - 12/3

Today's Mass Readings
Today's Feast Days

Scripture
Took test.
Current Assignments:
• For next class read #40 on the reading list. Be ready for a quiz.

8th Grade Religious Studies
Reviewed for test.
• Test Tomorrow. All notes due.

9th Grade Religious Studies
Reviewed for test.
• Test Tomorrow. All notes due.

Oral Communications

Section A: Presented short impromptu speeches.

Section C: Discussed principles 4.5 & 4.8 of How to Win Friends and Influence People.
Current Assignments:
• Read #18 on Carnegie reading list.
• Carnegie final reflection paper due on Friday.

Daily Summary - 12/2

Today's Mass Readings
Today's Feast Days

Scripture
Discussed King Solomon. (Handout)
Current Assignments:
• Answer the questions on this handout from Chapter 10.
• Test tomorrow. All notes due.

8th Grade Religious Studies
Discussed the Eucharist and the Paschal Mystery. (Handout)
Current Assignments:
• Test Friday. All notes due.

9th Grade Religious Studies
Discussed the Eucharist and the Paschal Mystery. (Handout)
Current Assignments:
• Test Friday. All notes due.

Oral Communications

Section A: Created short impromptu speeches.

Section C: Discussed principles 4.2, 4.3 & 4.4 of How to Win Friends and Influence People.
Current Assignments:
• Read #17 on Carnegie reading list.
• Carnegie final reflection paper due on Friday.

Daily Summary - 12/1

Today's Mass Readings
Today's Feast Days

Scripture
Discussed David's Sin. (Handout)
Current Assignments:
• Answer the questions on this handout from Chapter 10.
• For next class read #39 on the reading list. Be ready for a quiz.
• Test Wednesday. All notes due.

8th Grade Religious Studies
Discussed the Institution of the Eucharist and the Paschal Mystery. (Handout)
Current Assignments:
• Test Friday. All notes due.

9th Grade Religious Studies
Discussed the Institution of the Eucharist and the Paschal Mystery. (Handout)
Current Assignments:
• Test Thursday. All notes due.

Oral Communications

Section A: Made corrections to final Carnegie papers.

Section C: One speech was presented. Took second names quiz.
Current Assignments:
• Read #16 on Carnegie reading list.
• Carnegie final reflection paper due on Friday.

Daily Summary - 11/25

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Here are the mass readings for the Thanksgiving mass.

Today's Mass Readings
Today's Feast Days

8th Grade Religious Studies
Finished Footprints of God: Jesus video.

Oral Communications

Section A: Gave short impromptu speeches.

Section C: Presented speeches.