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5 Stories with a Lesson

These are classic stories with a lesson or moral at the end. Share them with your students when you have a chance. 1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady. During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely,” said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people.  All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello." I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy. 2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960's. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached. It read:  "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's' bedside just before he passed away... God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others." Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole. 3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve. In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.  "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.  "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table.  There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip. 4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in our path. In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway.  Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock.  Some of the King's' wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it.  Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables.  Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.  The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition. 5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts. Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease.  Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.  The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her."  As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?"  Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.  

"The Equality Act discriminates against people of faith, threatens unborn life, and undermines the common good."

A bill now under debate in the US Sentate is HR 5, the so-called Equality Act, which is being opposed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops primarily for how it would discriminate against religious organizations and in fact due harm to  many people in need in the United States. The USCCB offers a link on information on the bill and ways for Catholics (including Catholic high school students) to respond at "Truth about the Equality Act."  As an "opposing" viewpoint you may also wish to research and share information on the Equality Act from PapersOwl.  A Prayer for Religious Liberty O God our Creator, from your provident hand we have received our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. You have called us as your people and given us the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God, and your Son, Jesus Christ. Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit, you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world, bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel to every corner of society. We ask you to bless us in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty. Give us the strength of mind and heart to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened; give us courage in making our voices heard on behalf of the rights of your Church and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith. Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father, a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters gathered in your Church in this decisive hour in the history of our nation, so that, with every trial withstood and every danger overcome— for the sake of our children, our grandchildren, and all who come after us— this great land will always be “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Work and Career in the Year of St. Joseph

In this Year of St. Joseph, the second of his feast days is approaching on May 1. On this feast, we celebrate St. Joseph the Worker. In the days leading up to this feast, have your students consider their future jobs and careers along with the meaning of work. Here are a few resources to help you begin planning a lesson.   Read this quotation from the USCCB document Economic Justice for All: All work has a threefold moral significance. First, it is a principal way that people exercise the distinctive human capacity for self-expression and self-realization. Second, it is the ordinary way for human beings to fulfill their material needs. Finally, work enables people to contribute to the well-being of the larger community. Work is not only for oneself. It is for one's family, for the nation, and indeed for the benefit of the entire human family. (52) Have the students write these three reasons in their notebooks or journals in their own words.   Have students honestly answer these questions as a way to help them gauge their strengths that might translate to a future career. What do other people say are your strengths? What do you think you are good at? What talent do you enjoy using the most? What school subjects to you excel in? What honors or special awards have you received? What special experiences have you had?   Ask students to list both positive and negative reasons for considering each of these options after high school: Attending a trade, technical, or business school Enrolling in a local junior college Attending a state four-year college Attending a private four-year college Enrolling in an online college program Being trained on the job Entering the military service where you can get job training   The following are top ten personal characteristics employers seek in job candidates. Have students rate themselves 1 to 10 (10 being the best) for each characteristic. Then ask them to write a short summary evaluating what their ratings taught them. Honesty/Integrity Motivation/Initiative Communication skills (oral and written) Self-confidence Flexibility Interpersonal skis Strong work ethic Teamwork skills Leadership skills Enthusiasm   Pray together the Prayer to St. Joseph the Worker. O Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations, to work with gratitude and joy, in a spirit of penance for the remission of my sins, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God, to work with order, peace, moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties, to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, having death always before my eyes and the account that I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thine example, O Patriarch St. Joseph. Such shall be my motto in life and in death. Amen.

Where, O Death, is Your Victory?

Life is union and junction of mind, soul, and body; death is the disruption of their union; God preserves it all even after this disruption.                                                                 St. Anthony the Great   For it is for him to fear death who is not willing to go to Christ.                                                                 St. Cyprian   The root of all good works is the hope of the resurrection; for the expectation of reward moves the soul to good works.                                                                 St. Cyril of Jerusalem   To the good person to die is to gain. The foolish fear death as the greatest evils, the wise desire it as a rest after labors and the end of ills.                                                                 St. Ambrose Eternity, eternity, when shall I come to you at last . . . in eternity where we will love with a glance of the soul.                                                                 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton   Life is uncertain and, in fact, may be very brief. If we compare it with eternity, we will clearly realize that it cannot be more than an instant.                                                                 St. Junipero Serra   This I declare, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant in a blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: “Death is swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.                                                                 1 Corinthians 15:50-55   On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here.”                                                                 Mark 16:5-6

Catholic Colleges in March Madness: 2021 Edition

While we at Ave Maria Press our disappointed our own Notre Dame Fighting Irish are not part of this year’s NCAA Men’s or Women’s March Madness basketball tournaments, that is not stopping us from presenting profiles of other Catholic colleges who did make this year’s tournaments. As always, use the information for an exit assignment, a classroom quiz, or as an extra credit assignment based on information of your choosing around these Catholic colleges, their founders, and their histories. Here is some basic information to get you started. Men’s Tournament School: Gonzaga University Location: Spokane, Washington Year Founded: 1887 Religious Community: Society of Jesus (Jesuits) Chapel: St. Aloysius Church Conference: West Coast Conference Team Nickname: Zags Coach: Mark Few Seeding: 1 (West) Total NCAA Appearances:  22 NCAA Championships: 0   School:  Creighton University Location: Omaha, Nebraska Year Founded: 1878 Religious Community: Society of Jesus (Jesuits) Chapel: St. John’s Team Nickname: Bluejays Conference:  Big East Coach: Greg McDermott Seeding: 5 (West) Total NCAA Appearances:  21 NCAA Championships: 0   School: Mount St. Mary’s University Location: Emmitsburg, Maryland Year Founded: 1808 Religious Community: Independent Chapel: Chapel of the Immaculate Conception Conference: Northeast Team Nickname: Mountaineers Coach: Dan Engelstad Seeding: 16 (East) Total NCAA Appearances: 6 NCAA Championships: 0   School: St. Bonaventure University Location: St. Bonaventure, New York Year Founded: 1854 Religious Community: Franciscans Chapel: University Chapel Conference: Atlantic 10 Team Nickname: Bonnies Coach: Mark Schmidt Seeding: 9 (East) Total NCAA Appearances: 8 NCAA Championships: 0   School: Georgetown University Location: Washington, DC Year Founded: 1789 Religious Community: Society of Jesus (Jesuits) Chapel: Dahlgren Chapel Conference: Big East Team Nickname: Hoyas Coach: Patrick Ewing Seeding: 12 (East) NCAA Appearances: 31 NCAA Championships: 1   School: Iona College Location: New Rochelle, New York Year Founded: 1940 Religious Community: Congregation of Christian Brothers Chapel: Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel Conference: Metro Atlantic Athletic Team Nickname: Gaels Coach: Rick Pitino Seeding: 15 (East) NCAA Appearances: 14 NCAA Championships: 0   School: Villanova University Location: Villanova, Pennsylvania Year Founded: 1842 Religious Community: Augustinians Chapel: St. Thomas of Villanova Conference: Big East Team Nickname: Wildcats Coach: Jay Wright Seeding: 5 (South) NCAA Appearances: 39 NCAA Championships: 3   School: Loyola University Chicago Location: Chicago, Illinois Year Founded: 1870 Religious Community: Society of Jesus (Jesuits) Chapel: Madonna della Strada Chapel Conference: Missouri Valley Conference Team Nickname: Ramblers Coach: Porter Moser Seeding: 8 (Midwest) NCAA Appearances: 6 NCAA Championships: 1     Women’s Tournament School: Mount St. Mary’s University Location: Emmitsburg, Maryland Year Founded: 1808 Religious Community: Independent Chapel: Chapel of the Immaculate Conception Conference: Northeast Team Nickname: Mountaineers Coach: Maria Marchesano Seeding: 15 (Hemisfair) NCAA Appearances: 3 NCAA Championships: 0   School: Marquette University Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Year Founded: 1881 Religious Community: Society of Jesus (Jesuits) Chapel: Church of the Gesu Conference: Big East Team Nickname: Golden Eagles Coach: Megan Duffy Seeding: 10 (River Walk) NCAA Appearances: 19 NCAA Championships: 0   School: Gonzaga University Location: Spokane, Washington Year Founded: 1887 Religious Community: Society of Jesus (Jesuits) Chapel: St. Aloysius Church Conference: West Coast Conference Team Nickname: Zags Coach: Lisa Fortier Seeding: 5 (Mercado) Total NCAA Appearances:  10 NCAA Championships: 0

Dedicating Ourselves to St. Joseph

In this Year of St. Joseph celebrating 150 years since being proclaimed the Patron of the Universal Church, one of St. Joseph’s two feast days will be celebrated this month on March 19. The Church offers a plenary indulgence for those who participate in established prayer practices with special devotion to St. Joseph. You may also consider inviting your students to prepare for and consecrate their lives to St. Joseph. A thirty-three day preparation leading to a consecration on May 1, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker begins on March 30. The Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception offer more explanation along with resources to assist anyone who wishes to make an act of consecration to St. Joseph. Share these words of reflection on St. Joseph with your students:   In the Gospel according to Luke, Saint Joseph is portrayed as a discreet man, conscious of the immense responsibility he must accept without quite understanding it. He trusts in God, to be sure. Still, he shows great humility in accepting the role into which he is cast. He is a faithful, silent servant and a servant so retiring that he was almost forgotten for several centuries, even by the church. In short, Joseph’s existence is justified only by the Child he serves. He accompanies Mary, he protects his Son, he works in silence. He fulfills his mission, that of being God’s most docile instrument as he reveals his love to the world. Joseph is the man forgotten when we revere those he served. Joseph stands aside to make for those greater than he is. He works ceaselessly, and yet never a word is spoken about him. Joseph is Jesus’ first friend, Mary’s loving companion: a true family man, who would do anything for those he loves. Joseph is not a doctor of the law or a scribe. He is an uneducated laborer, working with his bare hands. Joseph is an exile, struggling to survive in a foreign land. He is an ever-watchful confidant, listening and giving counsel. We go to Joseph, without being overwhelmed by awe, when we want to converse with the Mother and Child. Joseph is the mediator, the link, the bridge. --excerpt from Brother André: Friend of the Suffering, Apostle of Saint Joseph by  Jean-Guy Dubuc

Working on Virtuous Living

Virtues are God-given powers, abilities to do moral good. They are good habits that enable us to preserver in doing the right thing joyfully. Virtues are skills in Christian living that enable us to face both internal and external obstacles as we continue our life journeys. Lent is a time to work on virtuous living Print or project a list of virtues and then have your students do one of the assignments listed below to help them to learn and practice the virtues. Faithful Hopeful Loving Prudent Just Courageous Temperate Joyful Peaceful Patient Trusting Gentle Kind Chaste Humble Grateful Assignments Write a definition of each virtue. Put a plus by each virtue that you incorporate well into your life. Put a minus by each virtue you need to improve on. Write a sentence that begins with “I am…” for each virtue. For example, I am patient when I help my younger brother with his homework.” Select one virtue you would like to work on. Outline five concrete steps you can take to develop this virtue.

Celebrate Black Catholic Americans

February is Black History Month in the United States, which is an opportunity to focus on Black American Catholics. (Another opportunity is Black Catholic History Month  in November.) Recently, several Catholic high school theology teachers shared some excellent resources and lessons to on Black Catholic Americans on the Ave Maria HS Theology Teachers Facebook page. To make sure that these resources are searchable in years to come, we have also included them here on this platform. Feel free to add any other links you might have in the comment section of this post or on the Facebook page linked above. Also search “Black Catholics” on the Engaging Faith blog for other resources.   Black Catholic Messenger Notre Dame’s Grotto Network Catholic University of America Three resources courtesy of Deacon Ned Berghausen’s Foot-Washer Blog are listed below. Deacon Berghausen is director of campus ministry at Mercy Academy in Louisville. Black and Beautiful The Catholic Church Alone Can Break the Color Line Envisioning a World that Has Never Existed   The photo in this posting is of Daniel Rudd, the founder of the Black Catholic Congress and the first Catholic newspaper in America.