St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 27

R     The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
     whom should I fear?
The Lord is my life's refuge;
     of whom should I be afraid?     R

Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call;
     have pity on me, and answer me.
Of You my heart speaks; You my glace seeks.     R

Your presence, O Lord, I seek.
     Hide not Your face from me;
do not in anger repel Your servant.
     You are my helper: cast me not off.     R

I believe that I shall see the bounty of the Lord
     in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord with courage;
     be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord.     R

From the Principal

Dear Parents:

The school fair is around the corner and plans continue to assure its success. All are asked to do their part by working the booths and by attending and supporting the event. So all will know, projects are identified for the funds raised by the fair. Six to eight Starboards are necessary to assure that every teacher has access to this wonderful teaching tool. Some additional work will be completed in the main building in the way of renovation. Finally, there is an art program that would enhance the entire school’s program kindergarten through eighth grade that the school is examining for purchase. Know that every dollar the school has to improve the program or the facilities will be put to work for the students.

Congratulations and thanks to the Quiz Bowl Teams that competed in Baton Rouge last Saturday. The fifth and sixth grade team members were Christopher Ballard, Duwayne Kyle, Katelyn McKneely, Lauren Mckneely, Emily Waddell, and Hailey Habisreitinger. The team won two of three matches. The seventh and eighth grade team members were Emily Buddy, Zacary Barrient, Blaze D’Amico, Paul Mitchell, Kyle Tumulty, and Krystal Waddell. They won one of three matches, but all three were very close. Sixteen teams competed from the Diocese of Baton Rouge. We thank Ms. Mims for sponsoring the teams and Mr. Naquin for volunteering time to call out questions. 

-- Dr. Gerard Toups

Calendar for the Week

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 
Field Trip - Grades 3 & 5
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 of Third Quarter
Library Closed 

Lots of things are due Friday, March 12, for the Wild West Spring Fest!
     * ride band pre-orders
     * Friday fish dinner pre-orders
     * raffle tickets (for contest entry)
     * jambalaya cook-off entries
     * pie eating contest entries
     * class basket/silent auction donations


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.

Lenten Prayer

God, help us during this season of Lent to: 

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from focusing on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on trust.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on nonviolence.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence. 

May our fasting and feasting during this season of Lent purify our hearts and minds that we may more worthily heed the voice of the One who beckons us, "Come and follow me."

2010 Distinguished Graduate

St. Joseph School is proud to announce Captain Thomas J. Waller, Jr., SJS class of 1994, as our 2010 Distinguished Graduate.

Tommy is an Infantry Officer in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. He and his wife Rebecca live in Ponchatoula with their twenty month old son Oran. He is the oldest of Tom and Julie Waller's seven children, all alumni or current students at SJS.

More details are available under the schools' Alumni Page.

"Catholic education helps form the cornerstone within one's character from which a person advances themselves and others toward Christ, bridging life from earthly to eternal." -- Captain Thomas J. Waller, Jr.

Wild West Spring Fest

Wild West Spring Fest Reminders:

Ride Band Orders (pre orders due by March 12)

Friday Fish Dinner Order (pre orders due by March 12)

Raffle Tickets (due by March 12 for contest entry)

Jambalaya Cook-off Entry (due by March 12)

Pie Eating Contest Entry (due by March 12)

Class Basket/Silent Autction Donation (due by Mach 12)



Sweets  Booth

The Wild West Spring Fest Sweets Booth is back! We need your favorite desserts whether it's cookies, brownies, cupcakes, pralines, candy, rice crispy treat, or some treat that might be your special creation that everyone would like to try.

You can bring your donations anytime Friday, March 19, or anytime throughout fair weekend during fair hours to the sweets booth.

Thank you for your support year after year. It's because of you that this booth is so successful!

Spring Pictures

Barberito Photographers will be at St. Joseph School tomorrow, 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 last week's packet. More details will follow.

Students may wear their own clothes to school for the pictures. SOLID 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.

February Crusaders

Mini Crusader - Kaitlyn Saari - third grade
Crusader - Adam Poche - eighth grade

Softball Schedule

March 4 - @ Holy Ghost - 4:00 

March 15 - Lake Castle - 4:30

March 16 - Holy Ghost - 4:00

March 23 - Northlake Christian - 5:00

March 26 - @ SSA - 4:30

April 6 - Mater Dolorosa - 5:00

April 8 - @ Lake Castle - 4:00

April 10 - SSA - 4:30

April 22-23 - NIAL Championships

Home games are played at Ponchatoula Recreational Park off of Hoover Road.

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).

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.


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 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