St. Joseph's Academy

Our Catholic identity is what we live by at SJA, so we have an active committee made up of parents, teachers, and church members to plan ongoing activities. The committee has introduced this new parent page with ideas for parents about Catholic Identity. If you have any questions or comments regarding our Catholic Identity please contact Emily Massarella at mrsmazz@tampabay.rr.com. We are interested in what you would like to learn about relating to our Catholic faith?

You are invited to read our complete 2011 Catholic Identiy Plan to see how we strive to empower students to live out their faith in Jesus Christ. Our theme this year revolves around living the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-25.

THE SEASON OF LENT

Our observance of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, (February 22nd)a day of fast and abstinence for Catholics. At Mass on Ash Wednesday, the imposition of ashes replicates an ancient penitential practice and symbolizes our dependence upon God's mercy and forgiveness.

During Lent, the baptized are called to renew their baptismal commitment as others prepare to be baptized through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, a period of learning and discernment for individuals who have declared their desire to become Catholics.

The three traditional pillars of Lenten observance are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The Church asks us to surrender ourselves to prayer and to the reading of Scripture, to fasting and to giving alms. The fasting that all do together on Fridays is but a sign of the daily Lenten discipline of individuals and households: fasting for certain periods of time, fasting from certain foods, but also fasting from other things and activities. Likewise, the giving of alms is some effort to share this world equally—not only through the distribution of money, but through the sharing of our time and talents.

The key to fruitful observance of these practices is to recognize their link to baptismal renewal. We are called not just to abstain from sin during Lent, but to true conversion of our hearts and minds as followers of Christ. We recall those waters in which we were baptized into Christ's death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ.

View these pages for a variety of suggestions and resources to support your Lenten practice, enhance your prayer, and embrace your baptismal commitment.

http://www.usccb.org/search.cfm?site=newusccb&proxystylesheet=newusccb_frontend&q=lent&lang=eng

http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Seasonal/Default.aspx?id=5

Called to Become Saints

All of us are called to become saints by living our lives God's way and spreading his message of love, forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ. Each month we are featuring saints and feast days to help educate students about the saints and encouraging them to live holy lives. Please visit our display by the student health down the hall from the auditorium. For information on the saints and feast days visit http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saintofday/

The Liturgical Calendar and Colors

The liturgical year is the "calendar" of the Church. The church year begins with the first Sunday of Advent and concludes with the Feast of Christ the King. The liturgical year includes the cycle of scripture readings (A, B or C) that allows us to reflect on the mysteries of Christ, the Blessed Mother, and the angels and saints. This year we are using the Cycle B readings. These readings are used universally for all Masses.

Liturgical colors are those specific colors which are used for vestments and hangings within the context of the liturgy. The symbolism of violet, white, green, and red serve to underline moods appropriate to a season of the liturgical year. We are now in Ordinary Time so the color is green. For more information on the liturgical calendar and our liturgical colors you can visit http://www.catholic.org/clife/lcolors.php

For more information on the teachings and Sacred Traditions of the Catholic faith please visit the US Council of Catholic Bishops website at http://usccb.org