Laetare Sunday stands as the midway marker of our Lenten preparation. For an excellent, brief account of how to think about Laetare and the remainder of Lent, read the account over at Catholic Culture; it is very good.
Our theme for the last weeks before Holy Week is "The Joyful Burden." Notice that this idea is present in our school motto: "Ever unto the heights and depths" means we seek the weight of great burdens. We don't run from them--we step to them--but we don't do so with glum faces and hesitant steps. We approach "with joy like swords." Joy that sings as it marches in, cuts through difficulties, focuses the spirit, reaches out to God.
Here are a few notes for the week:
> A Standard Work Week: This week there are no exams or extraordinary components to classes. Focus on doing better work than last week. Make each thing you turn in just a bit better than you have made it before.
> Lenten Challenge: All members of the Noble League will find a great Lenten Challenge posted. It has a series of mini-burdens to help us all take up the joyful burden of Lent. Parents, get ready! It calls on the students to invite you to join in. Please do!
> Lenten Limericks: Keeping with the theme of joy in burdens, I am pleased to announce the return of our annual "Lenten Limerick" contest. Submit a limerick that includes the words "burden" and "joy" to win a prize. See the entry on the League page for the complete rules. Deadline for submissions is Monday of Holy Week - April 11, 2022
> CLT Exams: Our 11th and 12th graders are taking the exam this coming Saturday; say a prayer for them to do well.
> Summer Camp Sign Up Reminder: Be sure to get signed up! We will be forming committees and starting the prep work soon.
That is all for this week. May Christ enliven our hearts to carry and be carried to the mount of doom, then joy!
Wisdom of Tolkien: "'Now for it! Now for the last gasp!' said Sam as he struggled to his feet. He bent over Frodo, rousing him gently. Frodo groaned; but with a great effort of will he staggered up; and then he fell upon his knees again. He raised his eyes with difficulty to the dark slopes of Mount Doom towering above him, and then pitifully he began to crawl forward on his hands. Sam looked at him and wept in his heart, but no tears came to his dry and stinging eyes. 'I said I'd carry him, if it broke my back,' he muttered, 'and I will!' 'Come, Mr. Frodo!' he cried. 'I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you and it as well. So up you get! Come on, Mr. Frodo dear! Sam will give you a ride. Just tell him where to go, and he'll go.' As Frodo clung upon his back, arms loosely about his neck, legs clasped firmly under his arms, Sam staggered to his feet; and then to his amazement he felt the burden light. . . . Whether because Frodo was so worn by his long pains, wound of knife, and venomous sting, and sorrow, fear, and homeless wandering, or because some gift of final strength was given to him, Sam lifted Frodo with no more difficulty than if he were carrying a hobbit-child pig-a-back in some romp on the lawns or hayfields of the Shire. He took a deep breath and started off."
~ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King