Psalm 126

The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing. R

Then they said among the nations,
"The Lord has done great things for them."
The Lord has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed. R

Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those that sow in tears
shall reap rejocing. R

Althought they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
they shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves. R

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

Friday’s Fall Fest was a huge success. All week long the younger students were so excited. It provided a wonderful break for the routine of the day. I thank each of you who worked so hard to make it happen. A special thanks to J and J Inflatables for making them available to us this year.

This morning Ms. Mims had a Hobby Day for the kids as part of Drug Awareness week. Several adults demonstrated their hobbies. The idea is to offer students insights into life long interests. Students were extremely well behaved and enjoyed the morning. I thank Ms. Mims for organizing the morning. Ask your children about it. Hobby Day pictures are up on this website at "Photo Albums".

The varsity girls represented the school in the NIAL Playoff yesterday. We congratulate them for their successes and thank George Waddell, their coach.

Today is the NIAL championship for Cross Country at St. Thomas Aquinas.. We have had a number of students who have been very successful in meets throughout the fall. If you want to cheer them on, sub-elementary runs at 3:45, elementary runs at 4:15, middle school at 4:45, and junior high at 5:35. I hear the middle school and junior high races will be particularly exciting. We will let you know the results next week.

-- Dr. Gerard Toups

Calendar for the Week

Thursday, October 29
Red Ribbon Week
Reconciliation - Fifth Grade
Parent Survey Open

Friday, October 30
Red Ribbon Week
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
All Saints Day Celebration
Crusaders of the Month Announced at Mass 
Spirit Dress OR Fall Fest Shirts
Parent Survey Open - LAST DAY!!!! 

Sunday, November 1
All Saints Day
Daylight Savings Time Ends

Tuesday, November 3
Student Council 2:40-3:40

Wednesday, November 4
Advisory Council 6:00 Library

Thursday, November 5
Reconciliation (4th Grade)

Friday, November 6
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Adopt-a-Child collection 
Spirit Dress - NO FALL FEST SHIRTS

School will closed for Thanksgiving Holidays November 23-27. We'll see everyone back at school on Monday, November 30.

Parent Survey

ONLY TWO MORE DAYS!!!!!!

If you lost your survey code number and need another, please contact Toni in the office 985-386-6421

St. Joseph School is participating the Diocese of Baton Rouge District Accreditation Process. A letter explaining this process was sent home today with oldest student in each family.

Your input is important to St. Joseph and to the Diocese of Baton Rouge during the self-study process. Please take the time to complete the online survey between October 15 and October 30.

To take the survey, simply go to http://web.nsse.org/nsse-surveys/src/ and use the access code attached to the letter you received to log in. Survey codes have been supplied to schools at random. All responses are confidential. Only the group statistics will be reviewed and included in the data reports.

Students who return the enclosed Survey Verification Form by October 30 will receive a special gift from the superintendent! Thank you for your help with this important endeavor.

Fall Fest

Alexa LeSaicherre (8th Grade) paints a spider on the face of Maddie Henry (3rd Grade) at the Fall Fest held in the SJS gym on Friday, October 23. 

Students in Grades preK-4th were able to enjoy a break from their studies as they spent the afternoon jumping in giant inflatables and visiting the various game booths and snack tables.

Older students were treated to a field day with outside games and snacks conducted by students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

Many, many thanks go to all the very involved parents from the Home and School Association for putting on this fest for the students. Jeanine Wisecarver, Jennifer Tallo, George Waddell and a large cast of generous volunteers coordinated this much-anticipated annual party.

Another huge thanks goes to  J&J Inflatables, LLC located at 47281 Randall Road in Hammond who donated use of the inflatables which delighted all!

More Fall Fest pictures are posted on this website in "Photo Albums".

Spirit Bags!

Krystal Waddell, 7th Grade, shows the new string bag available for sale in the school office by the Home and School Association.

The bag is navy blue nylon in a generous 16"x20" size with the school name and Crusader logo on the front. It's lightweight and very versatile.

Show your Crusader spirit around town by carrying our new string bag!

The cost is only $8 per bag. Please contact Toni in the office for purchase or more information.

Literary Club Contest

St. Joseph School Literary Club
would like to invite all students to enter a contest for our
Favorite Christmas Recipe!

All recipes should be typed with accurate ingredients and
instructions included.

Categories are: desserts, main dishes, novelty.

Recipes may not be copied directly from magazines or recipe books.

Please type separate recipes on separate pieces of paper.

Be sure to include your name and homeroom for credit for your fantastic food!!!

All submissions are due by Wednesday, November 18.

Winners will be published in our school newsletters in December!

Altar Servers Changes/Training

To all active altar servers:

In the very near future, there will be additional duties during Mass for Altar Servers. The additions are not difficult, but they are critical to the proper celebration of the Mass. You only need to attend one of the training sessions. If you are absolutely unable to attend either of them, please let Mrs. Michele or Mr. Glen know as soon as you can. We are very excited about these changes and think that you will be also! Thank you for your service to God and His people…

Active Altar Server Training: 
Wednesday, October 28th at 5:30 pm
Sunday, November 1st at 2 pm

St. Joseph Parish News

Mass Schedule

Saturday evening at 5:00

Sunday morning at 8:00 and 10:30

Sunday evening at 5:00



All Saints Day
Since All Saints Day falls on a Sunday this year, it is not a Holy Day of Obligation. We will have the regular weekend schedule for Masses.

Night for Marriage Enrichment
On Thursday November 12th from 7 to 8:30 pm in our church, the St. Joseph Marriage Ministry is offering a free presentation for married couples on God's awesome plan for married love. The presentation given by PHS graduate, Jason Angelette will focus on the Church's beautiful teaching on marriage and will concentrate on the body of work from Pope John Paul II as it pertains to authentic love and the steps needed for a joy filled marriage. Couples attending will have the opportunity to win prizes to two local restaurants and to a married couple retreat. Mark you calendars and plan to share the night with us.

Knights of Columbus Blood Drive
The annual Knights of Columbus blood drive will be held on Sunday, December 6, from 8:00 a.m. till noon. The Bloodmobile will be parked in the church parking lot for your convenience during the morning Masses.
There is an accute shortage of blood. As a community, it is important for us to support the Blood Center and our area hospitals. The Blood Center provides blood to over 30 hospitals in Southeast Louisiana.
If you have any questions or would like to pre-register, please contact Mr. Lawrence Kluka at 225-294-2071. Even if you do not pre-register, please feel free to donate blood that day and "give the gift of Life".

Community News

CAMP BEARABLE

Camp Bearable is a weekend grief therapy camp to help children ages 7-12 cope with the loss of a loved one and provide a healing eperience.

It will be held at Whispering Pines Girls Scout Camp in Independence on November 6-7-8. The cost is $30 per child for all three days. Meals and snacks will be provided.

Children will be divided into age groups for appropriate art and grief therapy sessions. The activites are dsigned to help children identify their feelings which may be associated with grief. The activities will also help children to express their feelings and will help to provide tools for them so they can continue to work through their grief in a positive and healthy way.

Camp Bearable is proudly sponosred by the volunteered efforts of Hospice Foundation fo the South, Vital Hospice, St. Joseph's Hospice, and Memorial Hospice and Palliative Care.

For more information, plese contact Kathy Busco wit Hospice Foundation of the South at 985-643-5470. 


LOUISIANA CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTER

Charter membership packages are now available for the Louisiana Children's Discovery Center in Hammond. Flyers with detailed information are available in the school office. Additional membership information can be found by calling 985-340-9150.

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.


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