Thunder News Flash – March 8th, 2025

Catholic families have a unique and precious opportunity to share with their growing children the beauty and importance of the Lenten Season.  Lent is the perfect season for us to recommit and strengthen our faith.  Each year the Church gives us six weeks to take a long, loving look at our lives to see if our values and priorities are in line with God’s desires for us. 

Lent is really about denying yourself of something that you enjoy in order to be reminded that it’s God that you depend on in life, that it’s your heavenly Father that we most need in life – not Facebook or a favourite food!  This is the real meaning of Lent.  In this way Lent mirrors the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness.  He voluntarily removed himself from the pleasures of life and company of people so that he could draw close to God, hear from Him, and prepare Himself for what was to come.

Throughout Lent, keep in mind that above all, this season is a time for deepening your relationship with the Lord.  The three pillars of Lent—prayer, fasting and almsgiving—serve as guideposts on this 40-day journey.  Prayer, in particular, holds a special place in this season of repentance and renewal.  Take time to pray as a family each day, whether it is a simple Our Father, a decade of the Rosary, or attending the Stations of the Cross at church.  All prayer brings us closer to Jesus!   Attached is a calendar of activities that your family can do throughout your Lenten Journey.  40 Lenten Activities for Catholic Families

“God our Father, you guide and direct us on our journey through life. Be with us as we begin our Lenten journey of faith and love. Help us to grow closer to you during this special holy season. Help us to do your will each day during Lent.”

Congratulations to Annie D (grade 5), Amelia J, Andrew M and Sam C (grade 4) for advancing to the district level competition in Reading Link Challenge. This team will represent St. James School and compete against other grades 4 and 5 students on Thursday March 13th. Reading Link Challenge is an extra curricular program offered in partnership with the Fraser Valley Public Library to promote a life-long love of reading, to attract and maintain library customers and to create and strengthen partnerships between libraries and local schools and community groups. Good luck to our team!

Next week will be our annual Hip Hop Week.  This is an opportunity to energize and activate a love of dance with our students.   This program also meets curricular outcomes for Physical Education and Dance in school.  This year, students will work with  certified DANCEPL3Y-ED instructors to practice routines throughout the week, which will culminate in a fabulous performance on Friday afternoon.  

Parents are invited to our School-wide Hip Hop performance in the afternoon of Friday, March 14.  Doors will open at 1:40, and the performance will begin at 1:50.  Please enter through the side door of the gym.  Please do not be late as doors will be closed once the performance begins so that students can focus on their fantastic dance moves!  Please join us to watch this entertaining presentation!

There will be a uniform consignment sale before spring break on Friday, March 14 2025 from 1-3 PM.   This is a great opportunity to donate uniforms that no longer fit your child or to buy uniform pieces at a great price!  Donations can be left at the school office.  The sale will take place in the front hallway of the school, before and after our HIP HOP performance, which is scheduled from 1:50- 2:20pm.