Psalm 19

R  Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
     refreshing the soul;
the decree of the Lord is trustworthy,
     giving wisdom to the simple.  R

The precepts of the Lord are right,
     rejoicing the heart;
the command of the Lord is clear,
     enlightening the eye.  R

The fear of the Lord is pure,
     enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true,,
     all of them just.  R

Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
     find favor before you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.  R

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

Again, Open House is February 22. As I have repeated many time, the best recruiters are our parents. Increasing enrollment will allow us to support our efforts to renovate the school and offer additional programs for the students.

Today the Fair Program is going home. Parents need to know that significant funds have been expended this year in improving the school environment. Second grade classrooms were renovated, tables purchased for the cafeteria, significant school funds were used to open the new primary building including purchase of StarBoards for the classrooms, and the recently opened new playground are all new for this year and the funding for these improvements came to a large from the success of the fundraising events of the school, most importantly the Strawberry Parking and the St. Joseph Fair.

The Fair Committee has made the packet very parent friendly. If parents follow instructions in the packet, it will make the committee’s job much easier. .

The Home and School is having a meeting on February 4th. All parents are invited and encouraged to attend. I know many of you step up and work the fair and support the school in many ways but attending the Home and School is another very important way to show your support. 

-- Dr. Gerard Toups

Calender for the Week

Thursday, January 28
Reconciliation (7th Grade)

Friday, January 29
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Spirit Dress or Black and Gold
Crusaders of the Month Announced
Last Day for Christmas Card Fronts
Cheer Clinic Registration Deadline

Sunday, January 31-Saturday, February 5
Catholic Schools Week

Catholic Schools on TV

Catholic Life, hosted by Dina DePaula, will celebrate Catholic Schools beginning Sunday, January 31, 2010. Interviews include Dr. Melanie Verges, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Mr. Joseph Scimeca, Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools and Jamie Wax, 2010 Distinguished Graduate of St. George Elementary School. Join us on Catholic Life beginning January 31 as we celebrate Catholic Schools. This production may be seen at the following times and channels:

Hammond, Charter Communications, Channel 74
(January 31 & February 7)
Sunday: 12:00pm

New Survey

In an effort to improve system practices, St. Joseph School is conducting an online survey on Catholic Identity. Your input through this survey is a valuable tool for the school.

The survey will be open from January 25 through February 12. Your responses will be anonymous. Your honest opinion is appreciated. 

The survey website and the access code needed to complete the survey are enclosed in today's packet in a white envelope. A letter from Dr. Melanie Verges, Superintendent of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, is also included.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Who Dat Days

Students at St. Joseph may wear black and gold shirts or jerseys with their spirit dress on Friday, January 29 and again on Friday, February 5, 'cause the Saints are goin' to the SuperBowl!!!!

Wild West Spring Fest

In response to feedback, the Home and School Association is sending home a user-friendly Fair Packet.

The packet will provide you with an early look at all the information needed to plan a fair strategy. It will show all scheduled events, items for purchase, contest, entertainment, etc. Deadlines for each will also be outlined. These deadlines are necessary in order to meet planning, schedulings, and production limitations.

Please review the packets carefully and save them for future reference. A new tab on this website will also be added for up-to-date fair news. We hope everyone finds this a convenient and easy way to plan for the fair.

Haitian Tragedy

We're all aware of the recent tragedy which struck the impoverished island of Haiti.

Blaze D'Amico and Shelby Bagvy, seventh grade students at St. Joseph School are spearheading a monetary collection for the rescue and recovery efforts in Haiti. The drive has been kicked off by Dr. Toups with a personal check of $100. He has challenged each class to meet his donation.

Donations will be collected through Friday, January 23. Please send donations to the office in a labeled envelope (ex - Haiti collection, from Jane Doe, Grade 4). Checks may be made payable to St. Joseph School with Haiti written in the memo line.

Money collected will be sent to the Doctors without Orders organization to assist with their humanitarian work during this crisis in Haiti.

Thank you for your support.

Open House for Prospective Parents

If you have friends, neighbors, or relatives, who might be interested in sending their children to St. Joseph School, please provide us with their name and addresses so that we may send them an invitation to our Open House.

A flyer has been sent home so that information may be provided. You may also call or email the school with the information.

We are especially looking for students entering grades preK, Kindergarten, and First.

Prospective parents will be able to see classes in session, meet and talk with the teachers, ask questions, and get a feel for St. Joseph at this Open House.

Your help in this matter is most important. Thank you for your tremendous support of SJS.

Kiss-o-Grams

SJS Student Council will be selling kiss-o-grams for Valentine's Day.

A kiss-o-gram is a paper heart with two Hershey's kisses attached. The names of the receiver and the sender are written on the heart. Kiss-o-grams may be sent to anyone who attends or works at SJS.

Each kiss-o-gram costs 50 cents.

Money brought in on Thursday and Friday of this week should be given to homeroom teachers. Beginning next week on Monday, January 25, and continuing until Thursday, February 4, Student Council members will be in the gym collecting money before school.

Please make sure that order forms are turned in with the money. Kiss-o-grams will be delivered on Thursday, February 11.

Thank you for your support.

Cheer Clinic

St. Joseph Cheerleaders will host a cheer clinic for SJS students in Grades PreK-4 on Saturday, February 20, in the SJS gym.

The $25 cost includes a t-shirt and ribbon. Participants will learn a cheer, dance, cheer techniques, and jumps.

Participants must bring a lunch and drink, but snacks will be provided.

A registration/t-shirt order form is included in today's packet or can be picked up in the school office. Forms are due into the school office by Friday, January 29.

Christmas Card Recycling

The SJS Student Council is collecting used Christmas cards for the St. Jude's Ranch for Children's recycled card program.

If you would like to donated your used Christmas cards (or other greeting cards), please send just the fronts of the cards to school with your child.

If you don't have time to cut the fronts off, send the cards and Student Council will cut them apart.

Your child should give the cards to his/her teacher.

Cards will be collected until January 29.

Thank you for your support.

You may visit the St. Jude Website for more detailed information about the program.

Looking for Saints

Calling all Students - Grades 3-12

St. Joseph Parish is looking for children to paly the role of saints for the St. Joseph Altar.

The altar will be on Sunday, March 14.

The children will be asked to participate in the rosary procession, Mass, and feeding of the Saints. Each child is responsible for his own costume. There will be a short practice on Monday, March 8, at 6:00 P.M. in the gym.

Anyone interested in participating, please contact Mrs. Fay Murray at 985-386-8151 or call the rectory office at 985-386-3749.

Altar Servers Announcement

Training for anyone in Grades 4-12 who wishes to become an Altar Server will begin Sunday, February 21st at 1:30 pm. We ask that parents meet us in the Narthex to register their child and schedule their small group training. After that, they are welcome to stay, or they may leave and pick up their child after the training session.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Glen and Michele Ernst

Community News

PONCHATOULA YUOTH BASEBALL/SOFTBALL

Registration for Ponchatoula youth baseball and softball is now underway. Players must be between the ages of 5-19.

The baseball fee is $75.

The fee for Coach Pitch T-ball and Softball players is $60. 

There is a $5 discount for each additional sibling. 

Registration fees and a copy of the birth certificate must be included with the registration form (if the birth certificate is not already on file).

Walk-in registration dates are January 30 and February 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Ponchatoula Community Center in the Second Floor Conference Room.

Registration forms are available in the school office and will be accepted until March 6, 2010.


GREEN AND GOLD PAGEANT APPLICATION

Registration for the Green and Gold Pageant will begin on Feburary 5.

Divisions are from ages 12 months through 17 years. 

Rules and the registration form are available in the school office.

St. Joseph Parish News

Parish Website

Mass Schedule

Saturday evening at 5:00

Sunday morning at 8:00 and 10:30

Sunday evening at 5:00


Bible Study on First Corinthians

St. Jjoseph Parish is offering a 10 week Bible study on St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians.

The first Monday night session will begin at 6:30 on January 25.

A Wednesday morning session will also be held beginning on Wednesday, January 27, at 10:00.

The study will cover St. Paul's strategy for evangelization, living in a pagan culture, the importance of the Eucharist in our daily lives, and seeing our bodies as a temple of the Holy Spirit. Both sessions will be conducted int he conference room of the church.

To register, Please contact Deacon Larry at 985-386-3749.


Altar Server News

Training for anyone in Grades 4-12 who wishes to become an Altar Server will begin Sunday, February 21st at 1:30 pm. We ask that parents meet us in the Narthex to register their child and schedule their small group training. After that, they are welcome to stay, or they may leave and pick up their child after the training session.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Glen and Michele Ernst

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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