Dear Families and Friends of OLQP:

 

   I trust that your spring break was a good one. The students came back with great stories about their time with family and friends, exciting travel, and enjoying the time off from the regular routine. Many of our students started their break by competing in the Private Schools Interscholastic Association (PSIA) competition in Richmond, TX.

    The competition was hosted by Calvary Episcopal School in Richmond, TX, this year. OLQP families had a good place to sit together while students waited to be called for their individual meets. The students were so well-behaved. They were impressive. They visited with each other, played games, worked on art projects, and STUDIED in between their events. Parents and coaches were there as well. After a couple of hours, the results started coming in. It was so exciting as OLQP students were called up again and again to receive their ribbons.  Jr. High placed first in the district while Elementary placed fourth. Overall, OLQP is second in the region.  Congratulations to a superior Saints academic team, and best wishes to all who are going on to state!

    After spring break, the students returned to have an awards ceremony presented by representatives from the Catholic Daughters of America. The contest gave students the opportunity to submit a poem, art, an essay, computer art, music, or photography. OLQP was well represented. The students were pleased to receive their certificates and prizes.  OLQP students' who placed first will have their work go to the state level competition.

  This week, we honored a very special saint. On St. Patrick's Day, everyone became a little Irish and wore green. The day began with a little history about St. Patrick's call from God to bring the Faith to the people of Ireland. The children heard an explanation of the word "lorica" which means "breastplate" as something worn to protect the warrior's vital organs including the heart. Then the explanation was given that the lorica was a prayer offered by St. Patrick as praise and thanksgiving and trust in God's protection and providence. After the short lesson, all participated in a chorale reading (praying) of the Lorica of St. Patrick.  During lunch, Irish music played and students were able to enjoy a bit of dessert. The third grade scattered their leprechaun traps throughout the school creating a lot of interest. The traps were one of the products students generated as the result of a STREAM class.

   Watching young children at play can teach us so much. As I visit classrooms, observe playground activities, and walk through classes and childcare, I am reminded of something profound. That is, children's capacity for forgiveness. As children play and learn to work together, there are often differences between them. When that happens, teachers facilitate conflict resolution which engages the children in using their words and expressing what has happened as well as analyzing the choices made. In the process, the children forgive each other. Immediately, they return to their work or play as if nothing happened. Our Holy Father Pope Francis said,

"It is not easy to entrust oneself to God's mercy, because it is an abyss beyond our comprehension. But we must! ... "Oh, I am a great sinner!"

"All the better! Go to Jesus: He likes you to tell him these things!" He forgets, He has a very special     capacity for forgetting. He forgets, He kisses you, He embraces you and He simply says to you:  "Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more" 

(Jn 8:11).

 As we journey through this holy season of Lent, let us remember that in Matthew's gospel, Our Lord tells us, " Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:4) May you and yours feel the grace and mercy of Our Lord during Holy Week as we anticipate the glory of the Resurrection.

May God bless you and yours,