In January the virtue was kindness. Kindness isn’t just being nice. It’s a “fruit of the spirit.” It’s about seeing someone else struggle and choosing to help them. ”You don’t do it for an award. You do it because it’s the right thing to do. It comes from your heart. When one person chooses to act with patience and heart, it inspires others to do the same. True kindness doesn’t require a grand gesture; it’s found in the quiet moments. By focusing on the virtue of kindness, we aren’t just making our school a better place for ourselves; we are honoring the spirit of love and grace that connects us all. Even when we are tired and stressed, choosing to be kind is the ultimate “win” for our school community. The beauty of kindness is amazing. Open up your heart and spread the kindness of God! Do the right thing, even if it's hard sometimes. I believe we all can make a change, for ourselves and others. Being kind is the ultimate deed. When we practice compassion, we aren’t just being “nice;" we are choosing to be a light in someone else’s dark day. Whether it’s helping a classmate with a difficult subject, sitting with someone new at lunch, or offering words of encouragement to a friend who is feeling nervous, it is a great act of kindness. These small acts of selfless love reflect a strength of character that goes far beyond the classroom. Kindness means putting the needs of others before your own and loving your neighbors without expecting anything in return. Kindness is a choice. It’s never forced. That choice belongs to you. It’s up to you to make a difference.
For this month of February, our virtue is empathy. Empathy is when you try to see the world through someone's eyes. It’s when you try to better understand someone. It’s when you're trying to see the real person behind someone's mask. They might laugh and joke, but think about what someone might be going through. Ash Wednesday is coming up; it’s a solemn day that marks the official start of Lent. Ash Wednesday is February 18th. Lent is a 40-day season of preparation leading up to Easter. Lent is February 18th - April 2. For Ash Wednesday, the ashes are a symbol of humanity and a reminder that life is fragile. It’s a day for reflection and “turning back” to what matters most. Lent is a time for spiritual growth, prayer, and “almsgiving.” It mirrors the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert. Valentine’s Day is coming up. It’s named after Saint Valentine, a 3rdcentury Roman priest. He lived during the time when the Emperor, Claudius II, was very strict. The emperor believed that single men made better soldiers, so he passed a law forbidding young people from getting married. He wanted his soldiers focused only on war. Valentine thought this law was unfair. He believed that love and family were the most important things in the world. Even though it was dangerous, he decided to help. He performed secret marriages for people. But the emperor found out and sent soldiers to kill Valentine. Valentine's Day is named after him.
By: Sophia Almanza
