Psalm 91

R  Be with me Lord, when I am in trouble.

You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
     who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
say to the Lord, "My refuge and fortress,
     my God in Whom I trust."   R

No evil shall befall you,
     nor shall affliction come near your tent,
for to His angels He has given a command about you,
     that they guard you in all your ways.   R

Upon their hands they shall bear you up,
     lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the asp and the viper;
     you shall trample down the lion and the dragon.   R

Because he clings to me, I will deliver him;
     I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;
     I will be with him in distress;
I will deliver him and glorify him.   R

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

Thanks to all who helped in any way with the Open House on Monday. We are dependent on the parents who step forward each year and act as guides in the school. You know who you are, and we thank you for your time, energy, and support. Most of the visitors had younger students, and we had an excellent enrollment in kindergarten and preschool. Because we have doubled kindergarten through fifth grades, we do have openings in those grades and a spattering of openings in the sixth through eighth. Again, invite friends, neighbors and relatives to come to see the school. We will be happy to give families a tour.

The Fair Meeting is tonight at 6:30 in the library. The success of the fair is most important to the school. All the funds generated by the Fair go directly into improving the environment and the program of the school. It is with monies raised by the fair and the Strawberry Fest Parking that we were able to build the playground and make other improvements to the school. Every parent is asked to cooperate when called to work that weekend. The chairpersons and their core committee expend considerable energy and time in preparation for the fair. A significant amount of help is needed that weekend. It is important that parents respond to the requests for help in setting up the booths and manning them. 

-- Dr. Gerard Toups

Calendar for the Week

Wednesday, February 24
Fair Meeting @ 6:30 in the library. All are encouraged to attend.

Friday, February 26
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited.
Crusaders 
Spirit Dress
Stations of the Cross @ 1:55 in church. Grades 1-8. - All are invited.
Last day to be sized for track & field uniforms.

Tuesday, March 2
Baseball/Softball team picutres - Please bring uniforms to school.

Thursday, March 4
Spring Pictures

Friday, March 5
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited.
Adopt-a-Child Collection
Stations of the Cross @ 1:55 in church. Grades 1-8. All are invited.
Spirit Dress
Accelerated Reader Deadline for Third Quarter

Tuesday, March 9
Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - Reading & Science

Wednesday, March 10
Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - English & Social Studies
Library Closed

Thursday, March 11
Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - Math
Library Closed

Friday, March 12
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited.
Stations of the Cross @ 1:55 in church. Grades 1-8. All are invited.
Spirit Dress
Last Day fo Third Quarter
Library Closed


RESCHEDULED EVENTS

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the following dates have had to be rescheduled:

The Religion Fair will now be held on Wednesday, March 24.

The Mardi Gras parade will now be held on Friday, April 23, as a spring parade. Mardi Gras floats already created may be used in the spring parade.

Please mark the above dates on your calendars.

Quiz Bowl - 7th & 8th Grade Team

Our 7th and 8th Grade Quiz Bowl Team will compete with the other Catholic schools in the Diocese at St. Louis King of France School in Baton Rouge on Saturday, February 27.

Standing from left to right, are Kyle Tumulty, Krystal Waddell, Emily Buddy, and Zacary Barrient. Paul Mitchell is seated.
Blaze D'Amico, also on the team, is not pictured.

Good luck to our team!

Quiz Bowl - 5th & 6th Grade Team

Our 5th and 6th Grade Quiz Bowl Team will compete with the other Catholic schools in the Diocese at St. Louis King of France School in Baton Rouge on Saturday, February 27. 

Standing from left to right, are DuWayne Kyle, Katelyn McKneely, Haleigh Habisreitinger, Christopher Ballard, and Lauren McKneely. Seated is Emily Waddell.

Good luck to our team!

Reschedule Dates

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the following dates have had to be rescheduled:

The Religion Fair will now be held on Wednesday, March 24.

The Mardi Gras parade will now be held on Friday, April 23, as a spring parade. Mardi Gras floats already created may be used in the spring parade.

Please mark the above dates on your calendars.

Note to Parents from H&S

As you know, the Spring Fair has become a major revenue stream for our school. We are averaging $40,000-plus at each Fair. This works out to be approximately $120 per student. The lion's share of the work falls on the Spring Fair committee of 15 to 20 dedicated parents.

In an effort to more evenly distribute the volunteer work force for the Spring Fair, we are trying a new method of manning the work shifts.

Your respective room mom will be calling you to schedule your shift. When she calls, she will have the schedule of events and will inform you as to when your child's class will be performing so that you do not schedule your shift during that time.

All we are asking is that you commit to one, three-hour shift and come out and be a part of this fun weekend. Even if every parent in the school works one shift, we are still short on manpower and must use students from the area high schools to fill in. If you can work one shift and your spouse, a grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc. can work a shift, please do so. The more help we have, the less work and more fun it is for everyone.

In the past, parents were charged a fee if they did not work the fair. Hopefully, we won't have to resort back to this. It's just three hours! In an effort to expedite this process, if your room mom misses you and leaves a message, please make an effort to call her back to volunteer.

Once all of the shifts are filled, we will post the schedule on the SJS website under the Spring Fair link as a reminder.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful dedication to the school.

Spring Pictures

Barberito Photographers will be at St. Joseph School on Thursday, March 4, to take spring pictures.

Barberito's is offering a new concept for the 2010 spring pictures. A proof image of the student will be sent home for your consideration. At this time you may also choose your background option for the picture. Background options are shown on the brochure included with today's packet. More details will follow.

Students may wear their won clothes to school for the pictures. SOLD COLORS ARE RECOMMENDED. Clothing must be appropriate to the values of St. Joseph School. No shorts may be worn. Blue jeans may not have holes in them. Shoulders and midriffs must be covered. Dresses and skirts must be of appropriate length. Too tight clothing, crocs, high heels, and sandals may not be worn. 

Rule of thumb --- If you think it wise to pack optional clothing in case what is worn does not pass the guidelines, choose to wear something else.

Calling All 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.

Track & Field News

Any student planning to participate in the SJS Track Program must be sized for uniforms this week. Uniforms are purchased by the parents, and the track participant will keep the uniform. The cost is $26. 

The final deadline is Friday, February 26. Practice on Friday, February 26, is at PARD starting at 4:00.

Community News

PONCHATOULA YOUTH 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.

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


ST. JOSEPH ALTAR

St. Joseph Altar Committee will sponsor its annual St. Joseph Altar the weekend of March 13 & 14. Traditionally, all items used for the altar are donated and all proceeds collected from the altar are distributed to the poor of the parish through the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

The members of the St. Joseph Altar Committee are contacting you at this time to ask for donations of goods, services, and money towards the preparation of the altar. The following items are needed for cookies: all purpose flour, sugar, 3 pound can of Crisco shortening, powdered sugar, evaporated milk, and dried figs. If you can donate any of these items, please bring items to church, place in the box marked St. Joseph Altar. Please contact Fay Murray at 985-386-8151 for additional information.

We will bake cookies on Saturday, February 13, at 8:30 a.m. at Ponchatoula High School cafeteria. Bring a rolling pin and a small knife.

RECONCILIATION SERVICES FOR LENT

At the direction of Bishop Muench the priests of our deanery have been asked to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation more frequently during the season of Lent at two central locations within the Northeast Deanery.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. on the following Wednesdays at Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Hammond and St. Helena Catholic Church in Amite on February 24, March 3, March 17, and March 24.

In addition to the abvoe dates and times, the Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be available during the Parish Mission here at St. Joseph on Tuesday, March 16 at 8:00 p.m. Several priests will be available at all three locations.

This Lenten plan offers a wonderful opportunity for all of us to participate ini this very important sacrament. All our parishioners are urged to take advantage of this opportunity dyring this Lenten season.

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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