St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 103

R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits. 

R. The Lord is kind and merciful. 

He pardons all your iniquities,
heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
crowns you with kindness and compassion. 

R. The Lord is kind and merciful. 

Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes. 

R. The Lord is kind and merciful. 

As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him. 

R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

The Open House for Parents of Prospective Students went very well on Monday. I thank each of you who recommended the school to friends, relatives, and neighbors. A large number of new parents came to the Open House and registered their children for the 2011-2012 school year. There are more students registered for the next school year than are presently attending the school. We will continue to register students throughout the rest of the year and into the summer. 

Parents recognize the work that is being accomplished to continually improve the program. They are appreciative of the close knit faith community that is the school and the values being taught. Finally, they understand the excellence of the academic program that is offered in the school. Continue to encourage friends, relatives, co-workers to come to visit the school. Generally, if parents come to the school and see what is offered, they register their children. An increase in enrollment allows us to better serve everyone in the school.

I want to thank the school parents who volunteered their time to come to the school and act as guides during the day. Your support is invaluable in our effort to explain to prospective parents the program and the facilities the school has to offer. I also thank the teachers for their dedication and their cooperation during this most important day. I offer a special thanks to those who returned to school for the evening session.

Preparations continue for the school fair. All parents are being asked to make a contribution by volunteering to work in the booths. We ask that everyone do their part in financially supporting the effort. This is a major fundraiser for the school. Last year weather dampened the fun as well as the profit. Let us all do or part to assure this year’s success.

Finally, the eighth grade had a wonderful time on their trip. I congratulate the students on their behavior. I thank Mrs. Little, Mr. Jay, Mrs. Mercer, and Mrs. James for accompanying them on the trip. Mrs. Mercer deserves a special thanks for planning and making all the arrangements for the trip. 

-- Gerard Toups

Current Calendar

Thursday, February 24
* Penance Prayer Service - Grades 3-4-5

Friday, February 25
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
* Crusaders Announced
* Spirit Dress 
* Baseball/Softball Pictures
* Last Day for Third Quarter Accelerated Reader

Tuesday, March 1
* Exams
* - Grades 6-7-8 - Reading/Science

Wednesday, March 2
* Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - English/Social Studies
* Advisory Council Meeting 6:00

Thursday, March 3
* Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - Math
* Reconciliation - Fifth Grade
* Math-a-Thon Permission Slips Due

Friday, March 4
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
* Adopt-a-Child Collection
* Spirit Dress (optional fair t-shirt may be worn)
* Krewe of Crusaders Parade
* Third Quarter Ends

Monday, Marcy 7 - Friday, March 11
* Mardi Gras Holidays

Wednesday, March 9
* Ash Wednesday

Sunday, March 13 
* Daylight Savings Time Begins - Spring Forward
* First Sunday of Lent

Tuesday, March 15
* Diocesan Home & School Luncheon & Mother Seton Awards

Wednesday, March 16
* Report Cards

Thursday, March 17
* St. Patrick's Day
* Reconciliation - Fourth Grade

Friday, March 18
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
* Spirit Dress (optional fair t-shirt may be worn)
* Stations of the Cross @ 1:45
* Math-a-Thon Pledges Due
* Spring Fair Begins!

Saturday, March 19
* Spring Fair Continues!

Sunday, March 20
* Spring Fair Continues!
* Second Sunday of Lent

Tuesday, March 22
* LEAP Grade 8

Thursday, March 24
* Reconciliation - Third Grade

Friday, March 25
* Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
* Crusaders Announced
* Spirit Dress (optional fair t-shirt may be worn)
* Stations of the Cross @ 1:45

Sunday, March 27
* Third Sunday of Lent

Tuesday, March 29
* Spring Pictures



 

5th-6th Grade Quiz Bowl

Members of the 5th/6th Grade Quiz Bowl team are, left to right, Olivia Maurer, Joseph Pellittieri, Emily Ransom, Brennan Currier, and Haleigh Habisreitinger.

7th-8th Grade Quiz Bowl

Members of the 7th/8th Grade Quiz Bowl team are, left to right, Katelyn McKneely, Kyle Tumulty, Christopher Ballard, Paul Mitchell, and Krystal Waddell.

Spring Fair - Silent Auction

This is a reminder that Silent Auction donations for the Spring Fair will be collected during the wekk of February 28-March 4 and again on Monday and Tuesday, March 15-16. 

Please start sending in your Silent Auction items!

PreK - Summer Fun

Kindergarten A (Harwell) - BBQ Fun

Kindergarten B (Smith) - Kitchen Gadgets

First Grade A (James) - Gardening

First Grade B (Rigney) - Sporting Goods/Outdoors

Second Grade A (Dufreche) - Saints

Second Grade B (Scruggs) - Rest & Recreation

Third Grade A (Tallo) - Family Fun

Third Grade B (Casey) - LSU

Fourth Grade A (Naquin) - Arts & Crafts

Fourth Grade B (Thomas) - Cajun Cooking

Fifth Grade A (Aymond) - Health & Fitness

Fifth Grade B (Hamilton) - Health & Fitness

Sixth Grade (Wagner) - All Around Ponchatoula

Seventh Grade (Mercer) - Movie Night

Eighth Grade (Naquin) - PHS/STA Sports

If you have questions, please contact Kristie Wisecarver at 504-616-4717.

Math-a-Thon

St. Joseph School is excited to participate in the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Math-a-Thon program. The Math-a-Thon will be sponosred by the Beta club and participation is open to any student in st through 8th grades.

Math-a-Thon is a free educational program that teaches our kids the importance of math while helping others in need. This year's Math-a-Ton will kick off today, Wednesday, February 23. Students have watched a viedo that showed them how they can help kids at St. Jude.

If you want your student to take part in the St. Jude Math-a-Thon, please follow the instructions on the sheet sent home today.

1. Get permission.
2. Get sponors.
3. Do the math.
4. Collect pledges.

Permission slips to participate in the Math-a-Thon are due back to school on Thursday, March 3.  Books will be sent home to students with permission slips. Pledges should be collected and returned to school by Friday, March 18.

Of course, the best reward for participating is knowing that your family has made a difference in the life of children suffering from cancer and other catastrophic diseases, but the added bonus is that Math-a-thon will help your child sharpen his math skills just in time for Terra Nova testing. 

To learn more about St. Jude, visit www.stjude.org. For additional informaiton regarding the Math-a-Thon program and a complete list of prizes, please visit www.mathathon.org.

Through Math-a-Thon, you and your child make it possible for St. Jude to treat patients regardless of a family's ability to pay.

For 8th Grade Parents

PHS Parent Info Night:
Attention all 8th grade parents:
Ponchatoula High School will be holding their annual parent information night for incoming freshman on March 3 at 6:00pm. This meeting will be held in the PHS auditorium. You will receive registration information as well as scheduling packets at this meeting. However, if you cannot attend the meeting, you may pick up these packets at the PHS office after March 3rd.

Carpool Line

Father has asked that those in carpool line to please not block the driveways for entrance into the new church parking lot. Please let cars attempting to enter and exit the church parking do so without cutting them off.

Community News

Ponchatoula Recreation Baseball and Softball Info:
Registration for the 2011 Ponchatoula Baseball and softball season is going on now through March 5th. Forms can be found in the St. Joseph School office or online at www.ponchatoulayouthbaseball.com
*Walk in Registration Date March 5 @Community Center-2nd floor conference room from 9:00am - 2:00pm 


1 MILE FUN RUN/WALK AND 5K RACE
Child Advocacy Services will sponsor a 1 mile fun run/walk and 5K race on Saturday, April 2, beginning at Cate Street Square Park in Hammond.  
Registration may be completed online, in person, or by mail. 
More information can be obtained by clicking on the Blue Ribbon tab at www.childadv.net or by calling 985-902-9586.

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 


ST. JOSEPH ALTAR 

St. Joseph Altar Committee will sponsor its annual St. Joseph Altar, the weekend of March 26 & 27. 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 our St. Vincent de Paul Society.

The members of the St. Joseph Altar coordinating committee requests donations of goods, services and money towards the preparation for the altar. The following items are needed for cookies: all purpose flour, sugar, 3lb cans of Crisco shortening, powdered sugar, evaporated milk, and dried figs. If you can donate any of these items, please bring the items to church and place them in the box marked St. Joseph Altar. .

CALLING ALL STUDENTS GRADES 3RD-12TH

We are looking for children to play the role of saints for the St. Joseph Altar. The St. Joseph Altar will be on March 27. The children will be asked to participate in the rosary procession, Mass, and feeding of the saints. The children will have to furnish their own costume. There will be a short practice on Monday, March 21 at 6:00 p.m. in the gym. If you are interested in participating, please call Fay Murray at 386-8151 or the church office at 386-3749. 

COOKIES

We will bake cookies on Saturday, March 5th at 8:30 a.m. at Ponchatoula High School cafeteria. Bring a rolling pin and a small knife.

We will frost cookies on Monday, March 7th at 9:00 a.m. at St. Joseph School cafeteria.

NEEDED: 3 gallons grape juice, Fresh Shrimp, and 8 chocolate bunnies that sit up. 


Please call Fay Murray at 985-386-8151. 


ROSARY ALTAR SOCIETY
The St. Joseph's Altar Society will have a monthly public rosary for world peach and pro-life on March 12, at 10:00 a.m. We will meet in front of the school by the Blessed Mother sttaue, weather permitting. In inclement weather, we'll meet in the chapel. All are invited and encouraged to come pray the rosary with us. If you need more information, please contact Peggy West at 985-370-7397.