Consider hosting a student for one school year through our partner AFS. Saint Ursula will welcome 1-3 students for next school year. Do you want to be a year-long host family? See below image for additional information or contact Rachel Kemper at rkemper@saintursula.org.
Live N Learn is also partnering with SUA and is looking for amazing host families to host a scholarship recipient from the Canary Islands, Spain who will be visiting SUA from August 16 to September 14, 2024. Families with a child age 14-18 who would be interested in hosting an international student should email them at host@livenlearn.com to request more information about this unique and incredibly fun opportunity! It is a free program, only a one-month commitment for families, and Live N Learn will plan free group events for students and host families too. Check them out on Facebook to see some highlights from last year.
On Saint Patrick’s Day, volunteers from the junior class welcomed 30 group home residents from Catholic Residential Services (CRS) to the annual CRS Prom: an afternoon of awards, food, and dancing. CRS is a non-profit agency dedicated to fostering the spiritual, moral, intellectual, and physical growth of adults with developmental disabilities. Special thanks to Ms. Caito for her work in supporting this fun opportunity.
The observation of Ramadan in the United States began Sunday, March 10th and will end on Tuesday, April 9. Ramadan is when Muslims dedicate themselves to fasting from dawn to sunset, engaging in increased acts of worship,charity work, prayer, and eating together with friends and family to honor God’s work; making them feel closer to God. Suhoor are the meals eaten before the day starts, while Iftar are the meals eaten to break the fast at sundown. Here are a few recipes if you’d like to try them on your own https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/category/occasion/ramadan/
The holiest night, Laylat al-Qadr which translates to “The Night of Power”,which is then followed by Eid-al-Fitr, celebrated to mark the end of Ramadan. At this time, children receive gifts as family & friends celebrate through worship, prayer, games, food, and socializing.
One way you can acknowledge Ramadan is by saying a blessing or wish you have for them during this time in Ramadan:
For some background, Hinduism has 33 gods, but the main ones worshiped are; Vishnu, Shiva, and Shiva’s sons; Ganesha and Karttikeya. Vishnu is considered to be the guardian of man, and believed to have 10 avatars or worldly appearances; those avatars being of man, animal, or a mix of both.
Holi is a festival in India, celebrated on March 25th this year. It’s a time to celebrate love, joy, spiritual embodiment, but is also a time for forgiveness and reconciliation. Its origins come from a legend that involves Lord Vishnu, family betrayal, love, and forgiveness. It’s a fascinating legend!
Holi begins on March 24th, as Holika Dahan, and is celebrated with a bonfire to discard negativity and past transgressions, and asking for forgiveness and protection. The next day (Mar 25th) is Dhuleti, the abundantly lavish love of Holi, which celebrates joy, love, and happiness. This festival is celebrated by the use of lots of coloured powder, colorful balloons, sweet treats, and refreshing beverages, bringing the community together. It’s an opportunity to forgive one another and enjoy each other’s company. Almost like a reset to forgive, forget the past, and focus on loving one another through a playfully joyous festival.