This year, as a school family, we are bringing focus to the virtues. Stemming from the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity, we name two virtues each month to discover and strive to live out. Additionally, we learn about a saint who embodies those particular virtues.

For the month of January, the virtues are Moderation and Sincerity. On January 4, we celebrated Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the patron saint of parochial schools.

Born an Episcopal two years before the American Revolution, Elizabeth Ann Bayley married William Seton and had five children at a very young age. Although born into wealth, she chose to live a simple life, immersing herself in books of all genres. In addition to her own children, she also found herself having to care for her husband's seven siblings. The young couple's importing business ultimately failed and the family moved to Italy for a time. William died of tuberculosis in Italy, leaving Elizabeth to search for meaning in tragedy. After discovering Catholicism in Italy, she returned to the United States and joined the Church in New York in 1805. Elizabeth founded the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph, which was the first community for religious women in the US. She also formed the first parochial school, Saint Joseph's Academy and Free School. Her favorite prayer was Psalm 23 and she developed a special devotion to the Eucharist, sacred Scripture and the Virgin Mary. Elizabeth died at 46, only 16 years after becoming a Catholic. She was beatified by Pope John XXIII in 1963 and canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975.

Moderation is considered a virtue in many religions around the world. In Catholicism, it is one of the four cardinal virtues: justice, wisdom, courage and moderation. In today's society of extremes and instant gratification, moderation is a critical virtue to the growth and development of young, impressionable character. While moderation does not mean deprivation, it is a balancing act of temperance, discipline and self-restraint against the temptation of indulgence. The rewards of moderation are realized in the long game by avoiding impulsiveness and employing careful thought.

The virtue of Sincerity is one that enhances our relationships with others, our Church and ourselves. From the Latin sinceritas, at the heart of sincerity is honesty and serious-mindedness in all your conduct and espeically your communications. In everyday life, we can live out the virtue of sincerity by exuding genuineness, keeping confidences, curbing sarcasm, avoiding dishonesty, and living above reproach.

At the end of the month, we will recognize students from each class who has demonstrated these virtues. As Saint George of Nyssa said, "The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God, " and at SPCCS we embrace the virtues and strive to live this virtuous life.