St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 40

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. 

I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God. 

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. 

Sacrifice or offering you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.” 

R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will. 

“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
to do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!” 

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. 

I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know. 

R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

From the Principal

Dear Parents:

Today the tuition rates for the 2011-2012 school year are coming home. The re-registration forms will be forwarded on the 2nd of February. For the last five years, tuition rates were increased at the rate of $200.00 a year. This year the Advisory Board determined that most of our goals for the school year could be achieved with a $100.00 increase. For most of the families in the school, qualifying to receive a tax credit for a part of the tuition has meant that the cost of an education at St. Joseph has risen very little since the 2009-2010 school year.

For this school year, St. Joseph had a significant demand for a second class for the preschool. The school is prepared this year to expand the preschool if the demand is there. We know there are twenty-two siblings of present St. Joseph students who are eligible for registration as preschoolers. Not all parents are interested in a fulltime preschool for their children. However, we do want the doors open for new families if the demand is there.

Plans are to hire an additional teacher in the upper grades. This will allow us to keep all the present programs in place.

If you were at a St. Joseph Parish Mass this Sunday, I am sure that many of you know that now that the building on the corner of across North 8th Street from the main school (the antique store) has been obtained by the parish. The parish plans to completely renovate the building. The front of the building will be assigned to the teens of the parish. The back of the building will contain two classrooms and connected by a walkway to the early childhood building. The school plans to occupy those classrooms over the summer of 2012.

The school continues to make progress in providing a better program and a better environment of the students to work and play. There is still much to be done. Plans are to renovate more of the main school building over the summer. We ask for your continued support. All the money raised by the fair comes to the school. Please be generous in your support. Again, our pledge is to assure that the resources you provide are spent with care and attention. 

-- Gerard Toups

Current Calendar

Thursday, January 20
* Reconciliation - 8th Grade

Friday, January 21
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
* Spirit Dress

Monday, January 24
* Accelerated Reader Hornets Basketball Game

Thursday, January 27
* Reconciliation - 7th Grade

Friday, January 28
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
* Crusaders Announced
* Spirit Dress

Sunday, January 30 - Saturday, February 5
* Catholic Schools Week

New Tuition Rates/Re-Registration

New tuition rates for 2011-2012 have been sent home today. New rates are also posted on the school website in the Admissions Section.

Re-registration for students already attending SJS will be sent home on Wednesday, February 2. These forms and the registration fees are due back to the office by Friday, February 11. 
Tuition and bank loan papers are due Monday, May 2.

Current students registering after that date will be assessed a late fee.

Open registration for new students will begin during the Open House on Monday, February 21.

Open House for Students of Prospective Parents

We ask parents now to begin to recruit students for the school for next school year. Open House this year is scheduled for February 21, which is President's Day.

As parents, you come into contact with other parents who have school-aged children. This often happens at Christmastime. You are our best recruiters. You have family, friends, and co-workers who have children starting school, who are moving into the area, or who are not happy with the education their children are receiving. Let them know about St. Joseph. Let us know about them.

Please send the names and addresses of parents who you think might be interested in sending their children to St. Joseph. We will simply invite them to the Open House. The prospective parents need not know how we received their names. Increasing school enrollment will allow us to provide a better education for all the students. Please use the form sent home today for that purpose.

Louisiana March for Life

Everyone is invited to join the Louisiana March for Life in Baton Rouge on Saturday, January 22, for the first Louisiana Life March.

The march will begin at the Old State Capitol and proceed up Fourth Street to the Capitol steps for prayer, worship, and insirational presentations by Dr. Richard Land, Father Shenan Boquet, and others.

There will also be an opportunity to learn about various life ministries already bringing hope to our communities. A rosary will be recited at St. Joseph Cathedral that morning at 8:00 a.m. for those able to attend.

For more information, pleae visit the LA Life March website or contact Deacon Mike at 225-242-0135.

St. Joseph Parish

Personnel
Rev. John Dominic Sims, O.P. - Pastor
Larry J. Melcanon - Deacon 

Weekend Mass Schedule
Saturday Vigil Mass - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday Mass - 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 5:00 p.m.

Contact Information
Address - 255 North 8th Street (P.O. Box 368), Ponchatoula, LA 70454
Phone - 985.386.3749
Website - www.stjosephsonline.com


MARRIAGE MINISTRY
The St. Joseph Marriage Ministry Presents: Evenings at Paul’s An Evening for Married and Singles from St. Joseph Parish and School Date: Thursday January 27, 2011 Time: 7:00 to 9:00 PM Location: Paul’s Café in Ponchatoula Topic: Making Good Marriages Great – Married Love and Natural Family Planning Presenter: Father Jose I. Lavastida, Rector of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans Married Couples and All Singles Adults 18 or Older are Welcome Admission is Free – No Advance Registration Required Snacks and Refreshments will be offered