Hello March!

Can you believe February is almost over? Personally, I found this past month just flew by and March is coming a lot faster than I thought it would. It seems like not too long ago we were welcoming February and anxiously awaiting the news from one of the many famous groundhogs and now we are counting down the days until March break (well, at least the kids are). But, despite the extra few minutes it takes to get over the astonishment of how quickly time flies, this new month brings us many new possibilities. For starters, March typically brings the beginning of spring and the days of freezing cold temperatures and mountainous snowfalls become fewer and fewer. Spring represents a season of renewal, of growth, of new beginnings after a winter of hibernation. March is also the only month that is fully within the 40 days of Lent. Both February and April have Lenten days at the end and the beginning, but March begins within our Lenten journey and ends just before the last few days leading the Easter. March is great time to really dive deep into our spiritual growth this Lent after the getting our feet wet in the last few weeks in February. March also gives many of us March break, and although it can often seem like just a daycare headache, or a break from our comfortable routine, it also gives us a special week to spend time as a family. Whether it means a family vacation, a few special daytime activities, or even just homework-less evenings, March break offers a great chance for new memories. March is also a busy month for our journey towards First Communion. There are three Discovery sessions (March 1, March 22, March 29) and the last parent meeting (March 8). In addition, on the last Discovery session, which lands on the last Sunday of the month, we are hoping to 'host' the coffee Sunday after the 10:30 a.m. Mass for the parish. The children at children's liturgy will be making a few decorations and we will be asking parents to donate a few food items (baked goods, sandwiches, veggies, etc.) to help feed the crowd. Anyone who wishes to help set up or clean will also be welcomed from the Coffee Sunday committee with welcome arms! In the next few days, I will send out more info and a sign up sheet for food donations.

All this being said, March will certainly be a busy month. But, throughout all the changes, my hope is that March will not fly by as February did. Sure, the time will go fast and before we know it, April and Easter will be upon us, but that does not mean that it needs to 'fly by.' Months that fly by, like this past February in my calendar, are months that pass by without much time spent interacting with the special days and special moments throughout the month. They are months that are spent always waiting for the next month, the days 'when it won't be so busy,' or 'when the weather will be warmer.' They are the months that on the last day, we can look back and think, 'where did the time go?' or 'what did I do this month?' and even after much thought, we cannot remember where the time did go, or what we did do. By the end of March, even though the time may pass quickly and every day will be a busy one, I hope that I can look back and say 'this is what I did,' or 'this is where the time went' and that those memories, those hours and days, will have been spent growing in faith, spending time with special people, preparing for Easter or for First Communion. By the end of March, when we meet on Coffee Sunday, our last Discovery session, I hope we can all look back at the past month and think what a great month is was! What great things we did, or learned, or experienced this month! It may still seem like it went by way too fast, but what a great time we had, and just think how often we will look back on these days with fondness, or in awe, in deep reflection, or even just with a smile. February may be almost gone, but March is here, and so are we.

To get you started with your journey this month, here is a fun crossword puzzle the kids will love! It has some of the important feast days of Saints throughout the month and provides a great introduction to learn more about the Saint this month. Some are familiar names, others not. Once you are done the puzzle, check out one of the websites below to learn more about the Saints listed (and those who are not in the puzzle)--they are great examples of holy men and women living a faith-filled life within the realities of our world. 

Enjoy this last day of February and the first one of March! 

Puzzle: http://www.reallifeathome.com/march-saints-and-feast-days-word-search-printable/

Websites for more info on the Saints: 

http://www.loyolapress.com/saints-stories-for-kids.htm?cId=402682#MAR

http://www.catholic.org/saints/fun_facts_arch.php

http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/kids/saints/march.asp