But Really, It's the Holy Spirit...

God works in mysterious ways. And, after reflecting about the Holy Spirit for pretty much the entirety of today, I came to realize that oftentimes, when we don't have a name for a coincidence or meaningful circumstance/connection/etc., we should probably attribute such to the third person of the Trinity.

One thing that particularly resonated with me today is that we have the power to command the Holy Spirit, and, as the priest this morning said, He can't decide to just not show up. "Come Holy Spirit." There's so much power in the phrase if we remember to call upon Him.

And now that I've taken time to think about it, the Holy Spirit pops up a lot more than one might originally think. Even this past week with my 8th graders - we've been watching the Biblical epic, "The Robe" (starring Richard Burton), and, having now seen it three times in its entirety, I realize that while it tells the fictional tale of the Roman tribune who put Jesus to death, it more importantly (and perhaps more poignantly) tells the story of how the Holy Spirit worked through the early Christians to stand strong in their faith and spread the Good News to others. As a touching line of one of the final scenes says (or, at least it's along these lines), "What would have happened if they (early Christians) would have denied knowing Jesus?" The beautiful, courageous truth is that they didn't. And because of this, the Truth lived on. Jesus, indeed, rose from the dead, and His followers risked their very lives to carry on His work and teachings to this very day. If that's not the Holy Spirit at work, I don't know what is!

I am so grateful for this day of reflection and retreat. Now, it's a matter of remembering to call on the Holy Spirit to be at work in my life and the lives of those around me. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, so that we would not be afraid. He definitely left His followers in good hands...

my "notes" page from adoration/praise & worship

Our Journey Home

"We're in the Easter season until May 24th (Pentecost)," our visiting priest reminded all of us at Mass this morning.

And then he said, "Is anyone familiar with the movie 'The Wizard of Oz'?" Hands shot up, some with more gusto and excitement than others.

"What did Dorothy have to say and what did she have to do to get home?" Click her ruby red shoes together three times and say, "There's no place like home."

"And who were the three characters she met along the way?" Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion
"What did each one need/lack?" Scarecrow = brain, Tin Man = heart, Lion = courage
"Dorothy already possessed all of these things, didn't she? She just didn't know it at first..."

Fr. Larry - Yes, we have two Fr. Larry's - went on to connect this with the idea that during this season of Easter we are like Dorothy: Easter is our opportunity to realize the gifts God has given us to help us on our journey home (eventually) to heaven. He then challenged all of us to show love to others (Tin Man) and courage in tough situations (Lion) this week. He said we already used our brains (Scarecrow) for learning every day anyways.

Good one, Fr. Larry. (It did take a little debriefing with the 6th graders after Mass for them to "get it," but I think they ended up taking away the message.)

May God bless all of us this Easter season so that we may choose to live each day as beacons and signs of His love and mercy. He is Risen. Amen! Alleluia!

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On an unrelated (but Church) note, so many videos, interviews, and articles have been converging on my Facebook and Twitter newsfeeds, but this (short) one in particular struck a nerve. Oh, to have the faith of a child, especially in the face of imminent death. Beautiful...

On a different unrelated (but, amazingly, still Church) note, this quote was included in today's ND prayer reflection, and it conveys an incredible sentiment, so, naturally, I had to share: “O God, to those who have hunger, give bread; and to us who have bread, give the hunger for justice.” (Fr. Hesburgh)

But They Can't Come

As mentioned previously, my 6th grade homeroom won a movie and hot cocoa/popcorn party for winning the door decorating contest.

So, we had the party yesterday...
And I invited the other 6th grade class...
And then my class got upset.

REALLY?!?!

Me: Let's turn the tables - Wouldn't you want to be invited if they won the party?
Student A: But they didn't win.
Me: Let's pretend they did or that they will in the future.
Student B: But the class that won last year didn't share with the other 5th grade class.
Me: Well, I wasn't your teacher last year.
Student C: That's not fair that they get to come.

And so forth...

Ultimately, the other class came over, and they all ate their popcorn, some had hot cocoa, and they enjoyed their movie.

But I just don't know if the message I was trying to send sunk in.

As I was thinking to myself (not meaning to get deeply religious or anything), I thought about the idea that nothing really belongs to us - things and people are ours to take care of while we walk this earth, but, in the end, you can't take it with you. So, who am I to say someone can't use something or be included or whatever, when I turn around and take other people's (like my roommates) things (e.g. couches, tv, etc.) for granted as my own.

Isn't that hypocritical?

Anyways, I'm not trying to be a downer before Christmas. We did have fun, their concert last night was lovely, the parents were gracious, and I was home before 8 p.m. (in time to grade the final Hobbit quizzes and Advent make-up quizzes).

Today is a half day for the students - 15 minute rotating classes for middle school followed by their holiday party and dismissal. (And then the teachers are treated to a luncheon at a local restaurant - lovely!) After that, I'll come home, finish throwing things in my suitcase, and be on my way home for the holidays.

Safe travels to all! And happy (early) holidays!

Let's Go to the Movies...

Showing movies in the classroom sometimes get a bad rap.

And this is understandably so - The teacher needs some extra time to do something? Put on a movie. Kids are engaged. Time is yours. Boom. Done.

Perhaps a common response: "All you did was show movies in your classes today? Sooooo, you didn't teach..."

Not so fast, my friends...

Movies in the classroom have SO much potential - whether you show parts of them or all of them - but the kicker (in my humble opinion) is that the teacher needs to be watching right alongside the students.

Personally, I enjoy using movies in my religion class - in fact, this year I've used three (full-length) ones for my 6th grade class. The videos (and assessments/projects) have met with positive feedback from kids and parents alike. And they have each included some sort of assessment to be completed after viewing. 

The kids are engaged (for the most part), but I usually pause the movie a couple of times each class period to discuss key things going on, reasons for characters' actions, etc. and to address student questions or concerns. And I think that interactions such as these during the films have the potential to make using movies in the classroom successful. This goes back to the idea of watching right alongside your students. (There really is no way around it...)

The movies I've used - "It's a Wonderful Life," "Tuesdays with Morrie," and "The Song of Bernadette" - could be considered ones that are hard for many adults to wrap their heads around. And yet, the students have dug deep within themselves to make connections, apply content material, and think critically.

Clearly, the purpose/curriculum connection(s) must be there. And, the teacher needs to guide the students while viewing the movie, stopping when necessary (much like what would be done during a read aloud or a guided reading session in Language Arts class).

It's no sure-fire formula, but I think the students tend to walk away with a lot more meaning and understanding when they are able to apply their school content knowledge to the movies (or, you know, real-life scenarios - duh).

So, at least in my classroom, I can pretty much guarantee we'll be going back to the movies again soon. (We just won't go too much...)

We're (Still) Tuesday People...

Today was the first "solid" class I've had with my second 6th grade period in quite some time.

And I think I know why.

While the content/style of the lessons was the same - we're doing Family Life right now - the delivery was different. I think they could tell I was passionate about the subject: aging & dying. And, being a class that has faced a lot of death, from classmates to teachers to elderly relatives, they were genuinely interested in the topic and had many good questions, connections, and reflections.

It was incredible.

Oh, and we started watching "Tuesdays With Morrie" today too - which just makes everything better. We're not yet 10 minutes into the film, but the 6th graders are already eager to see what happens to Morrie next.

A good class indeed.

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Here's an article worth reading from America Magazine: Truth & Truthiness: What Catholic Catechists Can Learn from Colbert - the point being that effective catechesis requires a few elements that Mr. Colbert does well, namely "delight, instruct, and persuade". It's definitely worth the read when you have a chance - aside from the many great points it makes, it serves as a reminder that catechists are ministers to those we teach and that we need to reach the hearts of our students before we can reach their minds. Plus, if that wasn't enough, it's written by an ACE grad.

We're Tuesday People...

Saturday was not a very productive day. After I went to the gym, I did manage to do 2 loads of laundry, but then I spent over 3 hours of my time watching the rest of Downton Abbey Season 4. (Don't worry, I won't put any spoilers here. I'll just say that it was really good.)

I believe it was time well-spent...it just didn't really fulfill any purpose except pure entertainment.

Later on (but before the trivia fundraiser event for my sister's school), I previewed the made-for-tv movie, Tuesdays with Morrie, in preparation for using it in my 6th grade class later this week to discuss some topics of aging, death, and dying. Though the book is definitely better, I think the movie will do just fine.

So, this morning I had a mission - to design a mini reflection assessment (to accompany the movie) based on our report card standards (SBRC). I hope it will provide the students with an opportunity to take what they've seen and what we've discussed and reflect on, ultimately, the meaning of life (and what we can learn from those who have gone before us).

Actually, I got quite a lot done today - went to the gym, developed two assessments, & read the rest of the Pope Benedict book for Thursday's group meeting. The only thing I absolutely have to do later is go to Mass, but there are still a few work-ahead things I could do to stay on the ball (and keep my sanity) for school.

Define "Classic"

A few weeks ago (you know, before Christmas), I heard a disturbing conversation on the radio about voting for holiday classics - the disturbing part being that movies like "A Christmas Story," "Christmas Vacation," "Home Alone," & "Elf" topped the list.

Classics? Really? These are considered classics?

Come on now. They may be movies that everyone watches, but they aren't ones that have withstood the passing of the years - ones seen by our parents and grandparents.

So, how about these? Have you seen these holiday classics...?

• It's a Wonderful Life
• White Christmas
• The Bells of St. Mary's (& Going My Way)
• Holiday Inn
• Little Women (any year/version)
• Christmas in Connecticut
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon version)
• Any of the ABC claymation/cartoon movies like Santa Claus is Coming to Town or The Year Without a Santa
• Muppet Family Christmas - you can see the whole thing on YouTube here! (This is a personal family favorite!)

If you haven't seen some of the movies above, I urge you to head to your nearest library, RedBox, or NetFlix account and check them out.

You won't be sorry - these truly are the classics.

Also, have you ever seen Claymation Christmas? If not, do you have about 30 minutes to spare to see it?...Enjoy!