McFarland Learning Center
599 5th Street Mcfarland, Ca 93250 Phone # (661) 792- 3178
March
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
St. Patrick's Day is celebrated by the Irish and Irish at Heart in big cities and small towns alike with parades, "wearing of the green," music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids such as crafts, coloring and games. It’s a time for fun. Some communities even go so far as to dye rivers or streams green! See all the parades going on around the World to celebrate St Patrick's Day March 17th 2011.
http://www.st-patricks-day.com/St PatrickWell now St. Patrick's Day wouldn't exist if
not for the man himself! But how much do we know about him? Did you know that he spent six years of slavery in Ireland until he escaped and undertook religious training abroad?
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig is the Gaelic way of expressing a wish that you have all the blessings of St Patrick's Day and the "luck of the Irish" to go with it. There are many humorous explanations for this expression. One comes from the legend of the 'Little People' of the land, know as leprechauns. Finding or catching a leprechaun (who would then give you gold) was a lucky event that could only take place in Ireland ! The Irish are descendants of great Celtic and Viking fighters and invaders. Their natural fighting skills often ensured survival & hence they became known as the 'lucky' people, a classic case of making your own luck ! But then "The Luck of the Irish" may all be legend.
So, why is it celebrated on March 17th? One theory is that that is the day that St. Patrick died. Since the holiday began in Ireland, it is believed that as the Irish spread out around the world, they took with them their history and celebrations. The biggest observance of all is, of course, in Ireland. With the exception of restaurants and pubs, almost all businesses close on March 17th. Being a religious holiday as well, many Irish attend mass, where March 17th is the traditional day for offering prayers for missionaries worldwide before the serious celebrating begins.
Wo was St. Patrick?
The person who was to become St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Wales about AD 385. His given name was Maewyn, and he almost didn't get the job of bishop of Ireland because he lacked the required scholarship.
Far from being a saint, until he was 16, he considered himself a pagan. At that age, he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders that raided his village. During his captivity, he became closer to God.
He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre for a period of twelve years. During his training he became aware that his calling was to convert the pagans to Christianity.
His wishes were to return to Ireland, to convert the native pagans to Christianity. But his superiors instead appointed St. Palladius. But two years later, Palladius transferred to Scotland. Patrick, having adopted that Christian name earlier, was then appointed as second bishop to Ireland.
Patrick was quite successful at winning converts. And this fact upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion of the Irish country to Christianity.
His mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. After that time, Patrick retired to County Down. He died on March 17 in AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since.
Much Irish folklore surrounds St. Patrick's Day. Not much of it is actually substantiated.
Some of this lore includes the belief that Patrick raised people from the dead. He also is said to have given a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the snakes from Ireland. Of course, no snakes were ever native to Ireland, and some people think this is a metaphor for the conversion of the pagans. Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday.
One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. And this stems from a more bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.
The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737. That was the first year St. Patrick's Day was publicly celebrated in this country, in Boston.
Today, people celebrate the day with parades, wearing of the green, and drinking beer. One reason St. Patrick's Day might have become so popular is that it takes place just a few days before the first day of spring. One might say it has become the first green of spring.
What can you find in the Learning Center?
Well, what about evening classes?
Computer classes
We have two sessions: Mon. – Thurs. Session 1 from 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Citizenship class
We have one Monday and Wednesday from 6:00 P. M. – 9:00 P.M.
English as a Second Language
We have one Monday through Thursday for 6:00 P.M. – 9:00P.M.
I want to finish my high school diploma. Do you have something for me?
Yes, we do.
Independent Study Mon.-Thurs. 7:30 am - 8:00 pm
Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Hey, what about the nursing program?
We are still developing the program. We will keep you posted as we get more information.
Calendar of upcoming events
3/2 – Read Across America & E.A.P. Testing
3/7 – SISC Staff Health Screening – Br.Rd.1 – 5 p.m.
3/8 – School Board Meeting @ MHS. SISC Staff Health Screening K.A. 1 – 5 p.m.
CAHSEE Eng. Lang. Arts – 10th Census 11th, 12th, & AE
3/9 - SISC Staff Health Screening – MMS 1 – 5 p.m.
CAHSEE Math – 10th Census 11th , 12th, & AE
3/13 – Spring forward your clocks one hour – Daylight Savings Time Begins
3/16 – SARB / Parent Migrant Mtg. Br. Rd. – 6:30 p.m.
3/17 – HAPPY ST. PTATRIC’S DAY !!!!!!!! & DELAC Mtg. – D.O. – 5:00 p.m.
3/18 – End of Qtr. Grades are due
3/20 – Spring Begins