Sr. Roberta's August Message

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Dear Parents,

Welcome back for the 2010-2011 School Year here at St. Peter the Apostle! I hope you have enjoyed your summer and found it to be very restful and relaxing. We are looking forward to another great year and have many wonderful things in store that will allow us to continue to grow.

Together, Catholic Schools nurture a way of life. This school year we are focusing our spiritual life on the Beatitudes. Jesus gave us the 8 Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount, found in the Gospel of St. Matthew (Mt. 5:1-28) Jesus offers to us a way of life that promises eternity in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The teachings of Jesus are simple, unique and innovative now and at the time of his life. Jesus message is one of humility, charity and sisterly/brotherly love. Jesus taught transformation of the inner person. Jesus presents the Beatitudes as a positive way of life. Love becomes the motivation for the Christian.

Each month we will pray and study one of the Beatitudes. For the month of August we will study the Beatitude, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Poor in Spirit means to be humble. Humility is the realization that all your gifts and blessings come from the grace of God. To have poverty of spirit means to be completely empty and open to the word of God. Humility brings an openness and an inner peace, allowing one to do the will of God.

In what ways do we share our gifts with one another? How do we practice humility in our daily life?

God Bless,

Sr. Roberta Thoen, SSMN