From the Coordinator of Youth Ministry

Dear St. Francis Families,
 
We are so excited to announce St. Francis’ first international mission trip to Mexico. On February 16-20th, Ms. McLeod and Mr. Croghan will be taking twelve students to Tijuana, Mexico, to volunteer at the Salesian Oratory House. The Salesian House in Tijuana has been serving homeless children in the area since 1987. We will be providing home, school, church and playground to many deserving children. Please pray for us and the children we will be serving.

Lent Season
Lent is the period of 40 days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is a season of reflection and preparation. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.

To help us in our reflection and preparation we will offer a variety of activities on campus.
· Join us for Ash Wednesday service on March 6 at 7:50 a.m. in the BAC.
· For 40 days starting on Ash Wednesday, there will be a walking Stations of the Cross set up in the windows of the classrooms. All are invited to take a moment to pray and reflected on Jesus’ sacrifices for us.
· We will be offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation on campus March 28 in the Heritage room.
· All students 16 and older and their family members are called to serve by donating blood to the American Red Cross Blood Drive on April 2nd from 9:00am-2:00pm. Contact [email protected] to schedule a time.
· We will have a school wide Lent Mass on April 3 at 7:50am in the BAC. All are invited.

Attached is an article on the 10 best Catholic apps for the Lent Season. Check them out. I really like the Confession App. Lent Apps

The Campus Ministry Team prays for all of you to have a blessed and spirit filled Lenten season.

Junior Retreat
Save the date: The Junior Retreat will be held on Thursday, April 11 at the St. Francis Retreat center in San Juan Bautista. More information coming soon.

LA Religious Education Congress
The LA Congress trip this year is March 20-23. Due to the tremendous sign-ups we rented a bus and are taking 43 students. Those who are going (you know who you are) please get your payments and permission slips into the front office no later than February 28.
 
Red Cross Blood Drive
Save the date: April 2, 9:00am-2:00pm, we will be hosting our annual American Red Cross Blood Drive. Any student or St. Francis community member aged 16 or older are invited to make a difference and donate. In March we will be posting a link to schedule your appointment.
 
Go Sharks,
Ms. Shannon McLeod
Coordinator of Youth Ministry
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