Dear Families of St. Joseph,
As all of you know, I had the opportunity to visit Athens, as well as a number of the Greek islands and most importantly, the Holy Land. Some highlights of my trip included visiting the island of Patmos, where it is said that Saint John was inspired to write the Book of Revelation as found in the New Testament.
Visiting the Holy Land was something I have wanted to do my whole life. My days in the Holy Land were all that I could have hoped they would be. To be where Jesus walked and taught and died is indescribable. I can only say that it was an emotional and life changing experience for me. I feel, that without question, it deepened my faith in the birth, life, death and Resurrection of Jesus.
I experienced a great deal of reflection on what Jesus means to me. Our third graders wrote reflections on what Jesus means to them. It is striking to think that two thousand years later and, halfway around the world, Jesus is the same Lord and Savior to us all.
Here are a few of our third graders’ reflections on what Jesus means to them.
"Jesus died with a faithful heart and still helped people find faith in themselves."
"Jesus means life to me because life is beautiful."
"Jesus means love to me because he has loved the world."
"Jesus means peace to me. He came to earth to bring peace to us humans."
"Jesus inspires me to build and draw stuff like a paper airplane or to draw a school."
"Jesus means empathy to me. Jesus means this to me because he will always try to cheer up a sad person."
"Jesus means kindness to me. He means kindness to me because Jesus helped everyone when they were sad or 'heart.'"
"Jesus means help to me, because the “hole” world needs help. I feel good because Jesus helps me in everything. Thank you Jesus!!!!"
(I listed their reflections as they spelled them...I just love the authenticity of their thinking.)
God’s Blessings on Each of Us!
Dr. Marquita Yriarte
Principal
