St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 15

R - The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Whoever walks blamelessly and does ustice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue. R

Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
by whom the reprobate is despided,
while he honors those who fear the Lord. R

Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
shall never be distrubed. R

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

The next two weeks will be meaningful for St. Joseph Parish.

On Saturday, September 12, at the 5:00 p.m. Mass, Father John Sims will be installed as pastor of St. Joseph Parish by Bishop Muench. Their will be a reception following the Mass in the northex of the church. Father John has been an assistant at St. Joseph for the past two years. He has said Mass for the students, preached to them on Friday in effective and humorous sermons that involved them in his message, heard their confessions, offered them guidance, and worked to prepare them and offer them the Sacraments. Father made himself accessible to the parents at the Advisory Board and the Home and School becoming very familiar with the operation of the school.

On Sunday, September 13 at 2:00 p.m., Father Kauchak will be honored with a reception and presentation in the gymnasium. Father Kauchak has been the pastor at St. Joseph for nine years. He, too, has performed all the priestly duties for the children over these years. Under Father Kauchak’s guidance, the parish has flourished. The new St. Joseph Church has been built. The school has been blessed with his kind leadership. The school has also expanded. The red building where the two third grade classrooms are located was built. The library and its extension, including the teacher’s lounge, bookroom, and computer lab, were opened. Finally, the old convent was demolished and the new classroom building for the pre-school, kindergarten and first grade were built. School enrollment continues to grow. Father Kauchak always made his presence around campus a priority whether it was in the morning at assembly, at pep rallies, at ballgames or other student activities. He was generous in his support of the school in every fashion offering his kind guidance at parent meetings.

Finally, last Saturday, in San Antonio, Brother Ramon who has been stationed at St. Joseph for some time, was ordained to the priesthood. As his first appointment, he has been assigned to serve as the Assistant Pastor at St. Joseph. On Friday he will say one of his first Masses for the students. As Brother Ramon, he visited the classrooms on numerous occasions. He is a talented musician and has numerous gifts which he has shared with the school community. We are most fortunate to have him as a new priest.

It would be most fitting and proper that we offer these three wonderful priests a token of our appreciation for their work and service. I am asking each family to send three dollars to school for a gift to the Fathers. I am certain there will be those that will be more generous. We will present the gifts at appropriate times to the priests.

I thank you for your generosity and I believe that they would both appreciate a “Thank You” for their service when you see them. 

-- Dr. Gerard Toups

Calendar for the Week

Wednesday, September 2
Magazine Sale Ends - Please turn in all subscriptions and renewals.

Friday, September 4
Spirit Dress
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Adopt-a-Child Collection
Please have contributions for Fathers in to school office. (From the Principal)

Monday, September 7
Labor Day Holiday - No School

Tuesday, September 8
Classes Resume
Cafeteria Finger Scan Permissions Due
Birthday of Our Lady

Thursday, September 10
Penitential Prayer Service for Grades 6-7-8

Friday, September 11
Spirit Dress
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.

Saturday, September 12
Installation of Fr. John Sims as Pastor of St. Joseph Parish @ 5:00 p.m. Mass
Reception to follow.

Sunday, September 13
Reception and Presentation for Fr. Kauchak's Retirement @ 2:00  in the Gym

Child Nutrition News

A form was sent home last week (August 26) seeking permission for students to participate in the "Touch 'n' Go Finger Scanning" program that will be implemented in the school cafeteria beginning September 23. 

Students must have parent permission in order to be scanned. Many issues regarding privacy issues were covered in the paper already sent home.

We need a form returned for EACH STUDENT  by Tuesday, September 8, indicating that students may or may not participate in the scanning program. 

Please contact Linda Carville, Child Nutrition Program Supervisor, at 225-387-6421 with questions regarding this new procedure.

Sixth Grade Science

Jeb Kraft, Scott Dufreche, and Emily Waddell are testing pendulums during Mrs. Mercer's science class. Students broke into groups to test three pendulums to discover which would swing the fastest.

Adopt-a-Child Collection

During the first Mass of each month of the school year, students at SJS take up a collection for their "adopted" Guatemalan children. The offering basket is passed among our students who put in their contributions. These offerings are then sent to the needy children. Our goal is to send $60 per month to our adopted children.

This on-going project is through the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA), a non-profit, international, Catholic mission assistance organization which works with the poor, especially needy children and elderly in  26 developing countries. Founded by Catholic lay people, CFCA mobilizes help and support for the poor while promoting understanding and care on an international level.

CFCA has linked the students of St. Joseph School with two children from Guatemala. 

Hector is 17 years old. He and eight brothers and sisters live with their parents. His father is a farmer, and his mother is a housewife. They are a family with few economic resources to cover their needs. Hector is in school to become an automobile mechanic.

Mariela is seven years old. She lives with her parents and three younger siblings. Her father works as a laborer when he can find work. Her mother is a housewife. Mariela is beginning her school career. 

Both families are very needy and greatly appreciate the help from St. Joseph students who are blessed with so much. 

Please remember these children Friday and every Adopt-a-Child collection throughout the school year.

St. Joseph Parish News

St. Joseph Catholic Church will hold its parish mission, "The Road to Emmaus" on September 21 through 24. The presenters will be Deacon Glenn and Linda Harmon. Topics include: Catholic Identiy, Agape Love, Mountain Moving Faith, Forgiveness is a Gift, Commitment is a Decision, and Catholic Community of Disciples. don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your relationship with God, your church, and one another.

Prayer for Priests

The Year for Priests 2009-2010

Dear Lord,

We pray that the Blessed Mother wrap her mantle around Your priests and through her intercession strengthen them for their ministry.

We pray that Mary will guide Your priests to follow her own words,
"Do whatever He tells you." (Jn 2:5)

May Your priests have the heart of St. Joseph, Mary's most chaste spouse.

May the Blessed Mother's own pierced heart inspire them to embrace all who suffer at the foot of the cross.

May Your priests be holy, filled with the fire of Your love, seeking nothing but Your greater glory and the salvation of souls.

Amen

St. John Vianney, pray for us.