St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 34

R     Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

I will bless the Lord at all times;
     his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the Lord;
     the lowly will hear me and be glad.     R

Glorify the Lord with me,
     let us together extol his name.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me
     and delivered me from all my fears.     R

Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
     and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the Lord heard,
     and from al his distress he saved him.     R

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

Thanks to all those who have been so helpful with the fair. There is still a significant of work to be done. Your help is needed. Workers will be constructing and decorating booths the next two nights.

The school has had a very successful enrollment. Already we have filled the preschool and have a waiting list. The kindergarten is also at maximum enrollment with a waiting list. 

I thank you all for your support and the positive things you have said in the community regarding the school. I have indicated on numerous occasions that we rely on you to recruit for the school. Our present registration for next school year is 368 and that exceeds the enrollment in the school for this school year. 

We do have openings in the other grades, and we will continue registering students in those grades. Again, I encourage you to promote the school with parents in the community. A visit to the school often results in registration. Increased enrollment will allow us to do more for everyone in the school.

Have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day. 

-- Dr. Gerard Toups

Calendar for the Week

Wednesday, March 17
Report Cards

Thursday, March 18
Penance Prayer Service - Grades 3-4-5

Friday, March 19
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited.
Spirit Dress - Wild West Spring Fest T-shirts 
11:10 Dismissal for PreK & K only
11:30 Dismissal - NO BUSES

Friday, March 19 through Sunday, March 21
Wild West Spring Fest - See you at the Fair! 

Tuesday, March 23
LEAP Testing for 8th Grade

Wednesday, March 24
Religion Fair 

Thursday, March 25
Field Trip Grades 1-2-3-4
Reconciliaton Grade 5

Friday, March 26
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Spirit Dress
Crusaders
Stations of the Cross @ 1:55 - All are invited to attend.

Tuesday, March 30
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.

Wednesday, March 31
Field Trip - Grades 6 & 8

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."

Wild West Spring Fest

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 treats, 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!


Ride Bands

A new feature this year is the souvenier ID on a lanyard instead of the traditional weekend-long ride band. Those purchasing a weekend-long ride ticket will have their picture made and attached to a lanyard instead of receiving a band. This will serve as the ride ticket.

Please come just a few minutes early to have the ID made. It should only take a few seconds longer than getting a band and will provide the riders with their own souvenier from this wonderful fair weekend.

Friday, March 19 - Early Dismissal

Due to Spring Fair weekend, on Friday, March 19, St. Joseph School will dismiss classes at 11:30.

This is a deviation from the TPSS calendar.

Buses will run as usual in the morning, but NO BUSES WILL RUN AT 11:30. We will run two carpool lines at 11:30 to make dismissal run quicker. 

PreK and Kindergarten early dismissal students will dismiss at 11:10. They have yellow signs in their windshields. Please allow them to pass regular carpool line to pick up their little ones safely. 

If everyone will follow the direction of the duty teaches, carpool will run smoothly and quickly on Friday.

Lunch will be served.

There will be no after school care on this day.

Carpool Line

This is a reminder that during afternoon dismissal the 2:35 carpool line should not enter onto Willow Street or the alleyway until at least 2;20. 

This allows our PreK and Kindergarten time to complete their early dismissal.

Early dismissal PreK and Kindergarten carpool parents have yellow signs in their windshields. Please let them pass to pick up their little ones safely.

Thank you so much for your cooperation.

Religion Fair

Our Religion Fair will be held on Wednesday, March 24. Parent viewing will be from 6:00-7:00 in the gym.

The entire school participates in the Relgiion Fair. 

Categories are as follows:

PreK- ..... "Love One Another:

Kindergarten ..... "Showers of Love"

1st Grade ..... "Baptism"

2nd Grade ..... "Mosaic Sacraments"

3rd Grade ..... "Mysteries of the Rosary"

4th Grade ..... "Religious Art"

5th Grade ..... "Sacrament Scrapbooks"

6th Grade ..... "Old Testament Dioramas"

7th Grade ..... "Tour-a-Church"

8th Grade ..... "Music Videos"

4th Cup Presentation

Mike Fulmer will give his 4th Cup Presentation at St. Joseph Church on Tuesday, March 23, at 7:00 p.m. All are invited to hear this power presentation.

St. Joseph Parish News

Parish Website

REGULAR MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday evening at 5:00

Sunday morning at 8:00 and 10:30

Sunday evening at 5:00


EASTER MASS SCHEDULE

Vigil at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, April 3

8:00 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 4

10:30 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 4



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 24.

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.



COME TO THE BIRTHDAY PARTY!

Come join in the parish for a celebration of Father John's 50th birthday on Sunday, March 21, after the 8:00 a.m. Mass in the Narthex for doughtnuts and coffee.

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