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Dear Assumption Catholic Schools,

We continue to move through ordinary time between Christmas and Lent.  I wish you time to reflect on the gifts that God has given each of us. Most especially the gift of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  May you find peace in the Lord and joy with friends and family.

Lord, thank You for giving us the opportunity to
gather and learn about the virtues.
Help us to do it for your glory and honor.
May we grow stronger in the virtue of RESPECT
today and develop the habit of looking for ways to
do good for others.

This week our strength building on the virtue of
LOVE FOR NEIGHBOR is RESPECT.

DEFINITION
The strength to show honor and goodness
toward others, recognizing their talents.

THE GOLDEN RULE
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
“Do unto others
as you would have them do unto you.”
Matthew 7:12

ALPHABET MANNERS
A — Accept a compliment graciously.
B — Be on time.
C — Clean your hands.
D — Do chew with your mouth closed.
E — Elbows off the table.
F — Friendliness to others.
G — Good grooming shows self-respect.
H — Hang up your clothes.
I — Interrupt only for a very important reason.
J — Join in and include everybody.
K — Kindness to all living things.
L — Lend a helping hand.
M — Magic words: “Please” and “Thank you.”
N — Never point or laugh at others.
O — Obey the rules.
P — Pleasant tone of voice is a plus.
Q — Quiet when others are working or sleeping.
R — Remember others on special occasions.
S — Sit up straight.
T — Thank the host or hostess.
U — Use your beautiful smile.
V — Visit a friend who is lonely or sick.
W — Watch out for little ones.
X — “X” out bad habits.
Y — Yawn if you must but cover your mouth.
Z — Zip your zipper.

RESPECTFUL MANNERS & HAPPINESS
When we act with good manners, we elicit a
positive response from other people. We live
happier lives — we are more secure, confident,
and poised — when we know how to behave. By
our courteous behavior, we can help to create a
more considerate, gracious, and well-mannered
society.

By age sixteen, Washington had copied out by
hand, 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in
Company and Conversation. They are based on a
set of rules composed by French Jesuits in
1595.
CLICK HERE FOR GEORGE
WASHINGTON’S 110 RULES

RESOLUTION
Put your device down or away when
someone is talking to you.
Look them in the eye and give them
your full attention.

Matthew 19: 13-23
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and
pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to
me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as
these.” After he placed his hands on them, he went away.
Now someone approached him and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to
gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good?
There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep
the commandments.”
He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not kill; you
shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false
witness; honor your father and your mother’; and ‘you shall love your
neighbor as yourself.’”
The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still
lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have
and give to [the] poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come,
follow me.”
When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had
many possessions. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Amen, I say to you, it
will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.

“Look for Christ our Lord in everyone and you will
then have respect and reverence for all.”
– St. Teresa of Jesus

“The young must respect their elders and the
elders must love the young.”
– St. Benedict

“Give yourselves to God, treat every individual with
gentleness and respect, always using kind words and
requests.”
– St. Vincent de Paul

“Disorder in society is the result
of disorder in the family.”
– St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

The Opposing Vice

DISDAIN
THE WEAKNESS TO TREAT OTHERS WITH CONTEMPT,
SCORN OR A LACK OF RESPECT.

WHAT TRIGGERS DISDAIN?
VICE
The basic notion of disdain is: “I’m better than
you and you are lesser than me.”
The most common trigger for this vice or
weakness is an immoral action by a person or
group of people to whom you feel superior.
Disdain often leads to anger.
Teenagers often display disdain because they
feel that they know better than their parents,
teachers or elders.

SIGNS OF DISDAIN
•Sarcasm and cynicism in communication with
others
•Derisive or insulting humor
•Contemptuous facial expressions (eye rolling,
sneering, raising upper lip …)
•Insults and name calling

STEPS TO CONQUER DISDAIN

The most successful ways to overcome disdain
are to look for positives and cultivate respect
and appreciation.
The biggest secret of a happy life is focusing on
the positives.
Disdain grows its ugly roots in an environment
where we see others in a constant negative
light.
Focusing on the positives will not only make your
life better overall, it will also help eliminate
disdain and make your relationships better.
The more we appreciate what we have and who
we have in our lives, the more we will rid
ourselves of disdain.

CLOSING PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, for the example of so many
saints throughout the history of the Church who
have have taught us by the words and example
the power and beauty of the virtue of RESPECT.
Help us all to be more RESPECTFUL this week by
saying something kind about someone else and
rejecting the temptation to speak negatively
about others.
Amen.

Have a great weekend and Happy Valentine’s Day

In Christ’s Peace

Daniel Minter

President

Assumption Catholic Schools