On February 25th, Ash Wednesday in 2009, and it won't be long; the Lenten season will be here. My English classes were recently reading Edgar Allen Poe, and his story, the Cask of Amontillado. The setting for this short story takes place during carnival before Lent. They seem to know all about Mardis Gras, but very little about Lent. "Is that when "catholics" give up candy?" they ask from ignorance. I hesitate to explain, since so many of them are not trained, taken to any church, and really don't care. I fear that some are looking for a way to "get the teacher into trouble." So in my hesitation, the focus is on Mardis Gras, and very little about Lent, except that people spiritually prepare for Easter, the most profound Season of the Christian calendar and Christian Life.
I make the decision to attend Ash Wednesday, rosary, Stations of the Cross, and the Lenten Series adult discussion sessions, held throughout the Lenten season, at my parish, in the evening, when school is not in session. I have yet, in 20 years of teaching, to be granted time off from work for attending a holy day of obligation Mass.
Following Palm Sunday, our public school is in session most of the week. Good Friday is the only vacation day provided - they call it Easter vacation, and it isn't even EASTER yet! We are back to school on Easter Monday. Celebrating the Tridium becomes the centrality of the time I am out of the classroom, beginning after work on Holy Thursday. The school work week offers no solace or break.
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