ST. MARK School Walks in a Manner Worthy of the Lord ST. Mark Catholic Community
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Volume 38 Number 7 October 2016 Volume 38 Number 1 ManelineFebruary 2016 ST. Mark Catholic Community ST. MARK School Walks in a Manner Worthy of the Lord by Kathy Aquilina e have all been victims of challenge for the active population of some inconsiderate act, and nearly 400 Students. One learns that Wwe have also had our share of noise does disturb classroom learning. hurting others. This is the reality of the “Leave No Trace” is a goal that all of human condition. Yet when one is trying us could work on, as picking up after to build a healthy, learning community, oneself is a life-long journey. Somehow, such as that at ST. MARK School, what it does seem easier to leave it to others is a Christian community supposed to do? to tidy up! “Owning your own behavior” Maddie Clerici and includes not bragging when you win or I had a most interesting conversation Tess Brinkman with two 8th-Grade Students, who ex- blaming others when you lose. plained to me that the School focuses And how important is it to look some- create a lemonade stand during two days on a virtue each month. Recently, the one in the eye when speaking, giving a of lunch breaks. We got the idea from 8th graders led a reflection on Manners. greeting, responding to a question, or a website known as ‘Alex’s Lemonade Although manners are not in the realm making a positive comment? How about Stand.’ When I got to know, over the of Cardinal Virtues, they nevertheless not getting hit by a swinging lunch box? internet, families with kids facing can- play a strategic role in getting people My favorite: “Procedure #9: We will cer, it changed my whole mindset. I re- there. Manners are basically about being not swing, throw, shoot baskets with, alized how important it is to be happy sensitive to the needs of others. These or hit with lunch boxes.” Such specific- with your life and what you have.” The two 8th-Grade Students, Maddie Clerici ity makes one curious about the back- 8th-Graders will be operating a lemon- and Tess Brinkman, made an articulate ground story to that one! ade stand during lunchtime; and student case for learning manners: Pokemon Go was the medium for high- donations for cups of lemonade will be “We learn our basic manners in our fam- lighting the learning of these procedures given to a charity to support children ily”, said Tess, and she was happy to re- in a fun skit produced by the 8th-Grade struggling with cancer. port that ST. MARK School “supports Students. Tess went on to give some rea- This kind of caring outreach is infec- our living this out at School”. She and sons why having manners helps one in tious! Tess was obviously impressed with Maddie were quick to add that everyone life. Social graces and how we get along Maddie’s commitment: “How she helps makes mistakes, so the key to improving with people were her focus: cancer patients is so important. I want manners is “to acknowledge you did it, to do something like that, perhaps help apologize, and strive not to do it again.” “Manners are life skills and one wants to poor people in Africa. In our School, we They had a term for this — “owning connect politely with people and have a want to do what we think is right, based your own behavior.” In presenting man- good reputation. You don’t want to do on the Bible”, continued Tess. ners, the ST. MARK School Principal, things that make people back away from Mrs. Darcie Girmus, told me earlier that you. Friendliness makes the School hap- The 8th-Graders chose a passage from “it’s all about practice”, noting that edu- pier. This School is a place where every- Colossians 1:10 for the skit to root their cation specialist Ron Clark features man- one wants to make friends.” message in Scripture: “Walk in a manner ners not as rules backed up by punish- “And you do not want to hurt someone worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, ment but as “procedures” internalized by something you say”, added Maddie, bearing fruit in every good work and in- by working at them daily. making the point that being aware of the creasing in the knowledge of God.” ST. MARK School has picked 12 man- feelings of others is also key. In this world, which can be a little rough ners on which to focus. They are practi- Maddie, who wants to be a pediatric and tumble at times, do manners still cal and achievable. However, for exam- oncologist, spoke about the service as- matter? They certainly do at ST. MARK ple, being silent in the halls is a Herculean pect of this month. “We have decided to Catholic School! 40 Days for Life: The First Time By Maureen Barrett [Editor’s note: This is the second in a three-part series.] he day arrived to pray in front the counselor. Most of the people ig- rather they feel they have no choice. of the abortion clinic. I had nored her; some accepted literature. After we finished the Rosary, I felt Tbeen telling myself for a long I am glad that someone was there emboldened. I asked a question time that I should do something to to offer alternatives. We continued that had been bothering me. “Does fight abortion, but I always found to pray the Rosary. I was saddened our being here make a difference? reasons not to go. This year, when Why can’t I pray somewhere else I heard the announcement at church on my own? Won’t the same thing that there were signups, I felt God “I’ve been praying in be accomplished?” giving me an extra push and signed up. I decided to pray with the 40 front of abortion clin- The person smiled and said. “I’ve Days for Life campaign because it is ics for a few years now. I been praying in front of abor- a prayer vigil, not a protest. I signed a tion clinics for a few years now. I Statement of Peace saying that I will haven’t saved a baby that haven’t saved a baby that I know of. only pursue peaceful solutions to I know of. I haven’t seen I haven’t seen an abortion worker the violence of abortion and show repent, but I trust that God is us- compassion and reflect Christ’s love an abortion worker re- ing my presence and prayer in the to everyone I meet while praying. pent, but I trust that God best possible way. Abortion work- ers who have become pro-life tell However, I was still nervous. What is using my presence and us that up to 70 percent of the if people heckled me? What if I prayer in the best possi- abortion appointments are no- saw people from work or school? I shows when there are people pray- was not sure what to expect. I did ble way. Abortion work- ing outside.” not want to be there by myself, so I made sure there was another person ers who have become When my hour was up, nothing signed up at the same time as I was. pro-life tell us that up to had changed on the street. There were still women going in to have I picked up a sign from church and 70 percent of the abor- abortions, but I knew that God was drove to the location. The weather tion appointments are working through each one of us was cool but not cold. I parked my on the sidewalk. I was happy that car in a legal parking space. I had a no-shows when there are I came, and I knew that I would bottle of water, a hat, and my Rosary. people praying outside.” come back again and pray. I pray I was ready. I saw a few other people every day for an end to abortion already praying in the public right- and believe all things are in God’s of-way and approached them. I did hands. not recognize any of them, but they greeted me and welcomed me to to see so many women go into the pray. There were people from dif- clinic. Watching the women come ST. MARK will participate in ferent churches. One of the other out was worse. Some of them were Catholics saw my Rosary and asked crying, others were stoic, but they all 40 Days for Life on October if we could say the rosary together. seemed to be hurting. The sidewalk 25. The group, led by Fr. I agreed. counselor tried to give them infor- Paul, will leave church after As we were praying, cars passed us. mation on recovering from an abor- Some drivers honked to support us, tion. Most were in too much pain to the 9:15 a.m. Mass, arrive listen, but a few took the brochures. others yelled at us to disagree. The at the abortion clinic at 900 person saying the Rosary with me In that moment, I realized that pray- smiled at all of them and waved. ing on the sidewalk was the most South Washington Street, She told me, “We are all children of powerful thing I could do to help Falls Church, around 10:30 these women. I saw first-hand what God, even the people who disagree and pray peacefully and with us.” is meant when 40 Days for Life tells volunteers: “You as prayer warriors witness to life.