From the Associate…

      There's no getting around it: it is a difficult thing to pray.  Not always, not in times of special need or special grace; but anyone who has attempted to make prayer a habit knows that it is a steady work and an internal fight.  It's astonishing how many things come to mind, things we really need to do this instant, just as we are setting ourselves to pray.  With the best of intentions we can find that our prayer time, once again, has slipped away from us.  And even after we are praying, after fighting off the host of distractions and intrusions and have really carved out a quiet moment, how hard it is to keep our mind on the task at hand!  Our thoughts go running to one thing after    another: activities of the day, people we are anxious about, arguments we have recently had, projects looming on the horizon.  We can rise from a time of prayer wondering if anything has happened beyond half an hour's distraction of mind.  Yet it is of the first importance for our spiritual equilibrium, for our happiness, to keep ourselves in the presence of God, to come to him regularly, daily, with our thoughts, our needs, our worship.  This is why the Church has always promoted practices that can help us, distracted as we are liable to be, to keep our thoughts and hearts    centered on Christ in prayer.
     The most widespread and successful of such practices is the praying of the Rosary.  St. Dominic is associated with the beginning of this devotion.  It was a way he devised for those who could not read to say their Liturgy of the Hours, the great prayer of the Church.  The praying of the Rosary has always been popular, and is now undergoing a revival of interest.  We are all familiar with its pattern of repeated prayers centered around the meditation of one of the great Christian Mysteries: the Joyful Mysteries surrounding the Incarnation; the Sorrowful Mysteries on the suffering and death of Christ; and the Glorious Mysteries concerning his Resurrection.  In sum, the central truths of the Faith.
     Recently Pope John Paul, a great lover of the Rosary, has suggested the addition of a new set of mysteries, what he has called the Luminous Mysteries, the Mysteries of Light.  Each of these is, in the Pope's words, "a revelation of the Kingdom now present in the very person of                       Jesus."  (Rosarium Virginis Mariae)  As with the other sets of Mysteries, the Luminous Mysteries are five:
The First:  The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan       
     Jesus submits to the baptism of John and a voice from heaven reveals him to be the Son of God.
The Second:  Christ's Self-Revelation at the Wedding of Cana
     Jesus begins his public ministry with the first of his signs, turning water into the New Wine of the Kingdom.
The Third: Christ's Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
     Christ proclaims the coming of a new Kingdom, a kingdom of light and joy, and calls all of humanity to follow him.

The Fourth:: The Transfiguration 
        Christ is revealed in his glory as the first of a new race, and his disciples see in him what they one day will become.

The Fifth:  The Institution of the Eucharist   

    Christ assures his continued presence with us "to the end of the age" by giving us his body and his blood.
If you haven't already, think about taking up the blessed habit of regularly praying the Rosary.  A way to pray alone or together as family or friends; a way to keep our minds fixed in prayer, and centered on the great truths of our Faith; a way to draw close to Our Lady, and allow her to perform her lovely office of leading us to the very heart of Christ.
School News…
MAT 8 TESTING for Grades 1-7 on April 8,9 and 10.  Please do not schedule appointments on these days.
CONFERENCES Circle April 24 and 25 on your calendar.  Parent-teacher conferences are 8:00 am-7:00 pm on Thursday April 24 and 8:00 am- 1:30 pm on Friday, April 25.  Kindergarten conferences are also on Wednesday, April 23, 9:00 am- 7:00 pm.
SPAC MEETING   There will be a meeting of the  School Principal Advisory Committee on April 9 at 7:00 pm.
Youth Newz…
ODYSSEY-  Odyssey (Jr. High Faith Formation) will meetWednesday, April 9 at 5:00 and 6:30 pm.  JHL will also meet April 9 from 7:30-9:00.
A REMINDER TO ODYSSEY STUDENTS:   The "Church in Today's World" assignment is due Wednesday, April 23, the final session of Odyssey.  You are to create a collage using photo, drawings and pictures showing the church at work in your life.  You are to write a one page paper explaining your collage and the way you see the church at work in your life.  Call Kathy if you have questions (763) 754-7666 ext. 5.
ADULT VOLUNTEERS are needed to chaperone 7th and 8th graders at JHL (Jr. High Live) on Wednesdays, April 9, and 23 from 7:30-9:00 pm.  Having at least three adult volunteers each week allows the jr. high participants more freedom to use the gym and the youth room.  Please call Kathy Udvig (763) 754-7666 to volunteer.
SPRING DANCE  All 7th and 8th graders are invited to attend the Spring Dance at St. John's on Wednesday, April 30 from 6:30-9:00 pm.  Guests will be entertained by a DJ and sound and light show.  Snacks and pop will be available for sale.  There is no charge for this event and all are invited to  invite their 7th and 8th grade friends!  Call Kate Roush (763) 754-7666 if you have questions.
JR. HIGH LOCKOUT AND MYSTERY TOUR  7th and 8th graders are invited to register for the Jr. High Lock Out and Mystery Tour on Friday, April 25th, 6:00pm-midnight.  The deadline to register is Tuesday, April 15th.  The cost is $18.00.  Some things you might expect to do (remember it's all a mystery!):  Eat pizza, dance, roller skate and much more...some parts might be at St. John's, some night not!  It's all part of the mystery!!  Registered participants should be at St. John's between 5:45-6:00pm.  Participants should be picked up  between 12:00-12:15 am.  Youth may want to bring extra money for snacks or video games.  (Rollerblades optional.)  don't miss it!  Bring a friend!! Questions?  Call Kate Roush (763) 754-7666.