Character Focus of the Month

   "Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do." -Pope John XXIII

January typically brings about the idea of New Years' Resolutions. In theory, they're a good thing to set, but realistically they are typically put in place without a plan and thus become unsuccessful. Goals, on the other hand, usually come with a plan of achievement and have a higher rate of success.

Goal setting is a necessary life skill for everyone. At any age, goal setting has less to do with reaching success and more to do with the process, for example, what we could learn from working hard to achieve something that matters to us.

As part of our guidance lessons, the students will be working on setting goals for themselves. These goals can be either academic or personal, and should be within their reach given a plan to accomplish that goal. We are going to use the SMART goal method and will identify steps we could use to help us reach success.

SMART Goals are...

1. Specific: What exactly are we trying to accomplish?

2. Measurable: How can we see our progress?

3. Attainable: Can it be done, realistically?

4. Relevant: Why is this goal important to us?

5. Timely: When do we want to hopefully achieve this goal?

Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto

One day three children were watching their family’s sheep in Fatima, Portugal. Francisco Marto was 9 years old; his sister Jacinta was 7, and their cousin Lucia was 10. All at once Mary, the mother of Jesus, appeared to them. 

The year was 1917 and the first World War was going on. Our Lady asked the children to pray the rosary for peace in our world. The children told others what had happened. 

Their example of faith reminds us that people of all ages are called to be saints. Our Lady of Fatima appeared to the children six times in all. The last time, thousands of people gathered, and everyone witnessed the "miracle of the sun". People said that the sun seemed to twirl and dance. The children continued to pray the rosary each day. 

Francisco and Jacinta died two years later during a flu epidemic. Lucia became a religious sister, lived a long life, and died a few years ago.

Today, many people visit Fatima and pray for the intercession of Our Lady and the three children.

Their feast day in February 20.

(Information taken from catechist.com)