Dear Friends,
Sr. Regina Chassar, SSJ
We often associate the month of October with the beginning of autumn and a time of harvest. We can also think about the parable of the Sower and the Seed. In some ways each of us are both sower and seeds. Sowing seed is far different from putting a seed in a designated hole in the soil. When we sow, we can’t always control the direction it goes. Think about where your seeds fall. Let’s consider the seed, the message , the word. Scripture tells us it lands on the footpath—the road-where “birds came and ate it up.”
The parable continues and tells us “Part of the seed fell among the thorns, which grew up and choked it.” But remember some of the seed fell on good soil. And we ask ourselves: WHAT MAKES SOIL GOOD? The minerals and nutrients that are put into the dirt by decaying vegetation, organic matter, life that has gone before.
So what makes the soil good? It is the living and dying of people who have gone before us. The ideas, dreams, projects, and beliefs that have left our world enriched and our soil fertile.
We look at the parable again and we see the sower was not disappointed in the small yield ,nor did the hundred-fold get special recognition. The soil was good and that is what counted!!!!
We need to spend some time coming to understand what our life is all about. Spend some time pondering what the seeds have to teach us and when we have discovered what their message is, let it go. Take the risk of “letting go and letting God.”
During this month of October, let us look to the saints and ask for guidance as we move through each day.
Family Life Connections
Your family is a gift from God! As a way to support you and the Church’s teaching on family life education we are using RCL Benziger’s book Family Life Connection pages in the religious education program. This program accompanies our Book- Blest Are We /Faith in Action. This type of program is mandated by the Archdiocese of Newark for Religious Education Programs.
Students will bring home each week from class the two pages insert in each chapter of the religious book that is studied in class. This insert will help your family integrate Catholic values and virtues into everyday living.
Please make every effort to review and work with your children on the Family Life Connection worksheet.
May your family enjoy these Family Life Connection pages as you learn and practice the skills to build healthy relationships. May you continue to grow as a family of faith.
Blessings and peace,
Sister Regina M. Chassar