Psalm 146

R - Praise the Lord, my soul!

The Lord keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets captives free. R

The Lord gives sight to the blind;
the Lord raises up those who were bowed down.
The Lord loves the just;
the Lord protects strangers. R

The fatherless and the widow He sustains,
but the way of the wicked He thwarts.
The Lord shall reign forever;
your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia. R

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

Thanks to Mrs. Brennan for the excellent program for Veteran’s Day. A large number of students participate in the Color Guard and in song. The Student Council was active providing ribbons for all the students. Especially impressive was the presence of Veterans from WW II, Korea, Viet Nam, Desert Storm and Iraq-Afghanistan. It was wonderful for the students to see Veteran’s of different generations in attendance. See Mrs. Little’s pictures on the Web Site.

The students are looking forward to Grandparents’ Day this Friday. We will have a prayer service at 1:00 P.M. A schedule of events will be given to grandparents at the Prayer Service. Two photographers will be available for pictures. There will be a book fair. Entertainment will be provided. It is a hectic day, but it is simply an opportunity for the students to show their Grandparents where they spend a large part of their time. The new lower school building will be open for viewing.

Expectation is that any day we will receive word that the new playground is being delivered. Prep work is being done on the site. A committee has been formed to put the playground together. 

-- Dr. Gerard Toups

Calendar for the Week

Thursday, November 12
Reconciliation - 5th Grade
STA Speaker - 7th & 8th Grades
Alternate Free Dress Day (for 5th Grade ONLY) 
Thanksgiving Food Drive Begins

Friday, November 13
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited. 
Thanksgivng Food Drive Continues
Grandparents' Day @ 1:00
Family Movie Night - 7:00 in the Gym

Monday, November 16 - Friday, November 20
Book Fair! 

Wednesday, November 18
Midquarter Reports - Deficiency Reports 
Thanksgivng Food Drive Continues

Thursday, November 19
National Appreciation Day for Principals 
Thanksgivng Food Drive Last Day

Friday, November 20
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited.
Pilgrims & Indians Mass
Crusaders of the Month Announced

Monday, November 23 - Friday, November 27
Thanksgiving Holidays 

Monday, November 30
Students Resume Classes
Blessing of Advent Wreaths @ Morning Assembly



America's White Table

St. Joseph School, in honor of active U.S. military and veterans, has erected in a prominent place in the school building a traditional "white table".

These tables honor the men and women who serve in America's Armed Forces, especially those missing in action - our MIAs and those held prisoner of war - our POWs.

The objects on the table have the following symbolic meanings:

The Small Table represents one soldier's lonely battle against many.

The White Cloth honors a soldier's pure heart when he answers his country's call to duty.

The Lemon Slice and Grains of Salt on a Plate stand for a captive soldier's bitter fate and the tears of families waiting for loved ones to return.

The Empty Chair is for the missing soldiers who are not here.

The Black Napkin represents the sorrow of captivity.

The Turned Glass is for the meal that won't be eaten.

The White Candle is peace.

The Red Rose in a Vase Tied with a Red Ribbon is for the hope that all our missing will return someday.

Students were read the book America's White Table by Margot Theis Raven which tells a story featuring the table. The story explains the meanings of the objects on the table so that the students are aware of the table's meaning as they continually pass it in the hall this week of Veterans' Day.

Grandparents' Day

St. Joseph School students would like to invite our beloved grandparents to

Grandparents' Day!

Friday, November 13
1:00-2:35 p.m.

Lots to see!

Peformances by First and Third Grade classes,
band, chorus, cheerleaders!

Book Fair!

Grandparent/grandchld pictures!

HINT - Please let the grandparents know in advance that
you've already ordered and paid for pictures.

Family Movie Night

Home and School 2nd Annual
Family Movie Night!

Friday, November 13
Doors open at 6:15 p.m.
Movie starts at 7:00 p.m.

Free Admission, Popcorn, and Soft Drinks! 

And the movie is  --  Bedtime Stories!

Open to ALL St. Joseph families.
Bring the whole family to enjoy a night of entertainment with your fellow St. Joseph School families.

Bring mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, brother, sisters, etc.

Don't forget your blankets or chairs.

We will have a large screen set up on the stage in the gym.

The sound system has been upgraded since last year.

.

Come early to save a spot!!!!

This event is designed for the "family".
DO NOT drop your children off.
They will not be allowed into the gym by themselves.

Destination Book Fair

Paging All Volunteers!

Dear Parents and Families:

The Scholastic Book Fair will be at our school from
November 13-20,
and our special events include a
Grand Opening for Grandparents
on Friday, November 13.

We will also have a Family Night on Thursday, November 19.

There will also be a brand new special event called
Christmas Club
on Friday, November 20,
where parents can shop without their children to make those "special purchases."

Help us connect your kids with books they want to read!
Destination Book Fair brings a week-long celebration of reading to our school.

Parents and family are so influential that we hope you will join us on our quest to encourage your young readers.

We are looking for volunteers to share their time and talents with us.

Please contact Mrs. Carroll via e-mail (jcarroll@sjscrusaders.org)
with the days and times that you can volunteer.
Remember to include the following:
* your name and your child's name and grade
* a contact phone number and e-mail address
* day and date you can volunteer
* time of preferred shift (am or pm).

If you would like your shift to coincide with your child's time to visit the Book Fair,
please mention this in the e-mail. We will do our best to honor your request..

Thanks for making our Book Fair a success!

Thanksgiving Drive

SJS Student Council is sponsoring a food drive to help the less fortunate in our community this Thanksgiving. The food drive will take place from Thursday, November 12 through Thursday, November 19. All food donations will be given to the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry at St. Joseph Church. 

Boxes labeled with each grade level will be placed in the gym, and students may drop off their donations when they arrive at school in the mornings. Listed below are the categories that each grade level has been asked to bring.

PreK & Kindergarten - cake mix, brownie mix, muffin mix, biscuit mix, cornbread mix

1st Grade - breakfast cereal, grits, oatmeal, etc.

2nd Grade - canned fruit

3rd Grade - juice, condensed or evaporated milk, tea bags

4th Grade - canned soup, soup mix, gravy mix, canned fish or meat

5th Grade - rice, pasta, dry beans, instant potatoes

6th Grade - canned vegetables

7th Grade - sugar, flour, cornmeal, other baking ingredients

8th Grade - canned fruit or vegetables

Each grade has been asked to bring food from a certain category so that a variety of items will be donated. If you would like to donate food items that do not fall into your child's designated category, that is absolutely okay. Please make sure that all donated food is non-perishable. We thank you in advance for your generosity. May God continue to bless you and your families.

Father/Daughter Dance

Father/Daughter Dance

Friday, December 11
7:00-9:30

$20 per dad/daughter in advance
$5 for additional daughter(s)

$30 per dad/daughter at door
$5 for additional daughter(s) at door

Food and drink are provided.

Theme is
"She's a Keeper!"

Wear your hunting/fishing attire!
There's a prize for the best-dressed family! 

A form has been sent home today for pre-payment.

Spirit Bags!

Remy Wilson, 6th Grade, shows the new string bag AND the new duffle gear 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.

The duffle bag is large enough to easily carry practice clothes, sports uniforms, or overnight gear. It also is well constructed and has the school name and Crusader logo on the side.

Show your Crusader spirit around town by carrying the new string bag, the new duffle bag, or both.

The string bag is only $8 per bag. The duffle bag is a bargain at $25. 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!

St. Joseph Parish News

Mass Schedule

Saturday evening at 5:00

Sunday morning at 8:00 and 10:30

Sunday evening at 5:00


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 your 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

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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