What would you sacrifice?

Did you know that the Thursday morning Masses are traditionally planned by the students? Yep, that’s right. Starting in 3rd grade, the classes take turns planning the liturgy, being greeters, reading, singing etc. So the first Thursday of the school year held a treat for those attending the weekly Mass with the St. Mary’s student body. Instead of the students running the Mass, the teachers did! So the weekly tradition of students from various grades sharing their responses to a Gospel-inspired reflection question was taken over by, you guessed it, the teachers!

What a nice surprise to see the leaders of our school speaking from their heart and setting such a nice, genuine example for our students. So moved by it, one parent suggested we post some of the responses here so others might be able to hear what they had to say.

The reflection question was:  In the First Reading a sacrifice of great value was made to the Lord in return for his favor in battle.  What are you willing to sacrifice or give up in God’s honor?

And here are some of the responses from our teachers:
Judy Eilers
I give up worldly entertainment and material things and use that money to help the poor and/or religious programs like my son’s ministry.  My son is a Catholic priest and serves at Texas State University.  My husband and I have given our time and resources to help his campus ministry program.

Debbie Akin
I would sacrifice unnecessary shopping and spending and try to be more frugal and thrifty when having to buy something. This in turn would give me a better opportunity of giving extra to the Kingdom of God.

Debbie Crenwelge
Nowadays life is moving so fast that we do not stop and take time to praise God for the blessings that he has given us.  To honor God I would like to stop, think, and give some of my time which I really waste and use it to share God’s love and to honor him.  We have only one precious life that God has given us so we have only one precious opportunity to share God’s love.

Carla Gale
I say the Morning Offering prayer every morning.  In this prayer, I give God my whole life, all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of the day.  I also try to make some little sacrifices during the week like giving up a special treat or giving time to someone in need.  I try to remember Jesus’ sacrifice of love.

Ann Blake
I would like to honor God by giving up the tendency to whine or complain about things I cannot change.  For example, it’s so common to complain about our heat and drought yet we have easy access to air conditioning and clean, fresh drinking water…unlike many of our neighbors in other countries.  I believe that by counting my blessings instead of complaining of hardships I can glorify God

Sandra Weinheimer
I am willing to give up wealth and having new things to honor God, for God looks into what is in our hearts and not what we possess.

Debbie Klein
23 years ago, I decided to become Catholic for the sake of my family.  I grew up in another wonderful religion.  I knew I needed to become Catholic, but I didn’t want to dishonor God or my parents who raised me.  After much prayer, God led me to become Catholic.  To honor Him, I followed His lead to the Catholic Church.  I found out after becoming Catholic, I was not dishonoring Him by leaving my other church, but I added to my faith and honored Him even more by becoming Catholic.  I gave up a church I grew up in, but it was worth the sacrifice to build a stronger faith.

Jennifer Petsch
After I had my children I had a choice to make between going back to teach at my old school, the public school in Kerrville where all of my friends were, and where my mom was teaching, or starting a teaching career at St. Mary’s.   I chose St. Mary’s because I’m able to teach the Gospel to my students, and because my own children are at the school with me and I feel that St. Mary’s has a good family environment.

How would YOU answer the question?

By Trish Rawls
St. Mary’s School Council

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