St. Joseph
Catholic School

Psalm 103: 1-2, 3-4, 8 & 10

R. O bless the Lord, my soul! 

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. O bless the Lord, my soul! 

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

R. O bless the Lord, my soul! 

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. O bless the Lord, my soul!

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

On December 12th, the school will celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadaloupe at the morning assembly.

Again, this is the time of year that we ask parents to begin to recruit students for the school for next school year. Open House this year is scheduled for February 27th. As parents, you come into contact with other parents of children who have school-age children as yourself. This often happens at Christmas time. 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. The form can also be accessed by clicking on PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS FORM.

Remember, exams are on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of this month. Please encourage you child to prepare for exams. The holidays are approaching, but the next two weeks are important so there will be celebration and not disappointment at report time. 

-- Dr. Gerard Toups
    Principal

Calendar for the Week

Wednesday, December 7
Advisory Council Meeting @ 6:30
Last day to order Scholastic Book Fair Books Online

Thursday, December 8
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.

Friday, December 9
NO SCHOOL MASS
Spirit Dress
Pictures with Santa
Santa Bear Gifts Due

Sunday, December 11
Third Sunday of Advent

Monday, December 12
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta (following Mass)

Tuesday, December 13
Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - Reading & Science

Wednesday, December 14
Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - English & Social Studies

Thursday, December 15
Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - Math

Friday, December 16
NO SCHOOL MASS
Spirit Dress
Second Quarter Accelerated Reader Deadline

Sunday, December 18
Fourth Sunday of Advent

Tuesday, December 20
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Crusaders Announced
Christmas Program @ 9:30
Christmas Parties @ 10:30
Early Dismissal @ 11:30
No After School Care.

See more plans for the year at CALENDAR

Basketball News

Congratulations to our boys' varsity basketball team for their runner-up finish at the Mater Dolorosa School Tournament! Way to go, Crusaders!

Prospective Parent Names

'Tis the season!

It's the season when we ask parents of current St. Joseph students to suggest names of parents of prospective students so that we may send them invitations to our Open House in Februaryy. 

At the Open House, these parents of prospective students can tour the school, see classes in session, meet the faculty, and ask questions about all that St. Joseph has to offer their children.

It's very easy to send names so that the school can mail invitations. Just fill out the form sent home today or click on PARENTS OF PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS FORM, provide the needed information, and send the form to the school office.

We thank you for helping spread the word about St. Joseph School.

Santa Bear

Only two more days remain .... !

St. Joseph School will again this year participate in the Santa Bear Project to help provide Christmas toys for needy children.

Please bring unwrapped toys to the school library between now and Friday, December 9. Toys should not be of a violent nature (no guns, bows and arrows, etc.). 

Your Advent Act of Kindness can make a huge difference for a child in need. Thank you in advance for your generosity for those less fortunate than ourselves.

We Were SO Happy to Hear ....

Dear Teachers and Students of St. Joseph's School, 

My name is Kyle Tumulty, part of the St. Joseph graduating class of 2011. I am saying my name for the teachers and students who did not meet me during my 10 years of being a Crusader.
 
I am currently a freshman at Ponchatoula High School. School is going very well for me at the moment. I have all A's and B's (thanks to your wonderful education), and have met lots of friends. This school is very huge, but students who think about coming here should not worry. On your first day here they give a map to all PHS students. 

I am also in the gifted and talented music program. (I miss P.E every monday now). I am learning new things every day, both good and bad. 

I want you all to know that I miss all of you dearly, and that I wish I could have stayed longer. You have made 10 years of education worth it. I hope to see you all soon - maybe during the fair when it comes or when my school is closed because of the weather (if that ever happens). I also miss the students and former friends of mine. They made me feel like I could get past any obstacle, no matter how hard I tried.(The teachers did that also). 

I hope you guys are having a fantastic year this year, and I want to say welcome to all new teachers and students at the school. GO 'SADERS!!!!!!!! I hope the teachers and students having their first year here have a marvelous time like I did. Welcome, Newcomers, and good luck to the 8th graders. If you guys are having trouble, try and contact me. I might be able to help. Especially if it is in grammar. And be nice to Mr. Jay, Guys; he really is awesome. That goes to the 7th graders too, a pinch of kindness turns the whole world around. Try your best on the compositions and conjugation sheets too. Don't forget the tenses.(he will test you on them!!!!!). 

I have to go now. Have a wonderful year SJS. I miss you dearly. May God bless all of you. (Please forward to all upper class teachers. they can show this to the students if they want. It's optional.)

Title I Parent Center Parent Activities

Title I Parent Center Parent Activities
2011-2012 

Note:
Individual consultations are given daily to parents seeking guidance in improving their children’s academic skills. 

Call 985-429-9043 for more information. Limited seating in computer lab sessions. 

December 16 9:00 – 11:00
Technology Dept. Lab
Technology Resource Teacher
Hammond Jr. High

Community News

A CHIRSTMAS CAROL

The Octavian Foundation for the Arts presents A Christmas Carol on December 16-18.

Several St. Joseph students are performing in this production.

All performances are at St. Albert the Great Student Center at 409 West Dakota Street in Hammond.

Performances will be on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and Saturday and Sunday at 2:00.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students, and $3 for children age 6 and under. 

"Cookies with the Cast" will be available after the Saturday matinee. Tickets for this are $6 (plus the regular admission). Reservations are strongly recommended.

 For tickets call 225-294-8678 or visit the website at www.theoctavians.com.

 

Parish News

Personnel
Rev. John Dominic Sims, O.P. - Pastor
Rev. Cayet Mangiaracina, O.P. - Parochial Vicar
Rev. J.D. Logan, O.P. - In Residence
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