Christmas Cards for Shut-Ins

 Image taken from onextrapixel.com.

In my efforts to help children to use technology to better serve others, this week each class will be making Christmas cards for members of St. Paul Parish who are shut-ins, unable to attend Mass regularly because of age or illness.  All students, K-8 will make Christmas cards to give love and encouragement to a lonely and isolated member of the St. Paul community.

Are there any people you or your family know that could use some encouragement or holiday cheer?  Perhaps an elderly neighbor or a service man or woman stationed far away from home?  Send them a card!  Drop by and visit!  Call and sing them a Christmas carol!  As Aesop, the Greek fable author who lived in 620-560 BC, wrote, "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

Too Much Time Online?

I came across a great article by Mitch Albom this weekend as I was reading the Detroit Free Press--digitally, of course.  It's about how today's youth are spending a lot of time online, which itself isn't a problem.  The problem is that youth aren't using their online time wisely.  Watching endless hours of YouTube videos isn't helping humanity in any way.  I am mindful of this and take it to heart every time I recite our class prayer, which says, "may we use this technology to better serve others, and you (God)."  So how are you using your online time?

Class Prayer

Miss Curtin was a beloved teacher at St. Paul.  What many students might remember best about her was the prayer she recited with the children at the beginning of each class.  I wanted to continue the tradition of beginning our computer class with prayer, but composed my own, simple prayer to recite.

Gracious God,
Thank you for this time, this place, and these friends.
Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion of my work today.
May we use this technology to better serve one another, and You.
Amen

What kinds of things would you include if you wrote your own prayer for computer class?  Should we add anything?  Remove anything?  We'll talk about it this week in class.