Newsletter (Archived): Newsletter 951 - Feb 29, 2012 - Mar 7, 2012 [Archive]
Psalm 19
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart.
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
From the Principal
Dear Parents -I wish to thank the three ladies who helped with the school tours on Monday for the Open House. This is one of the most important days of the year and having parents of current students as guides is most helpful in recruiting new students. Thanks Veronica Pierson, Mary Ransom, and Kimberly Thibodeaux for their help. We had an excellent response to Open House. Again, if you know of a family that might be interested in enrolling their children, please have them contact the school.
A congratulations and thanks to the Quiz Bowl Teams that competed in Baton Rouge on February 4th. The fifth and sixth grade members were Thomas Casey, Peyton LeSaicherre, Brennan Currier, Olivia Maurer, Joseph Pellittieri. The team won two of their three matches. Members of the seventh and eighth grade team were Haleigh Habisreitinger, Emily Ransom, Katelyn McNeeley, Lauren McNeely, and Christopher Ballard. They competed in three very close matches. Sixteen teams from the Diocese of Baton Rouge completed. We thank Ms. Mims for sponsoring the teams and Mr. and Mrs. Jay Naquin for volunteering their time to call out the questions.
-- Dr. Gerard Toups
Principal
Calendar for the Week
Wednesday, February 29Math-a-Thon Pledges Due
Thursday, March 1
Penance Prayer Service Grades 3-4-5
Friday, March 2
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Adopt-a-Child
Spirit Dress
Stations of the Cross @ 1:45
Wednesday, March 7
Advisory Council meeting @ 6:30
Spring Fair meeting @ 6:30 in cafeteria
Thursday, March 8
Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - reading, science
Reconciliation Grade 5
Parent Meeting (mandatory) for Cheerleader Tryouts 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Friday, March 9
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Spirit Dress
Accelerated Reader Deadline
Stations of the Cross @ 1:45
Monday, March 12
Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - English, social studies
Tuesday, March 13
Exams - Grades 6-7-8 - math
Last Day of Third Quarter
Cheerleader Tryout Clinic 3:00-4:30 p.m.
See more plans for the year at CALENDAR
February Crusaders
Mini Crusader - Cambre Boudreaux (1st grade)Crusader - Scott Dufreche (8th grade)
Math-a-Thon
Math-a-Thon pledge money was due Wednesday, February 29. Please get your donations in as soon as possible. Checks should be made out to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. To learn more about St. Jude, visit www.stjude.org. For additional information 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.
Rice Bowls
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus explains that “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” Our faith calls us to reach out to our sisters and brothers in need and to be authentic expressions of God’s love in our world today. This Lent, St. Joseph School will be participating in CRS Operation Rice Bowl as one way to live out this Gospel call. CRS Operation Rice Bowl helps bring to life the rich spiritual traditions of Lent. Through CRS Operation Rice Bowl, we will pray with our families, fast in solidarity with those who do not have enough food, learn about the joys and challenges in the lives of those in need, and give sacrificial contributions to assist the poor.
Our Lenten sacrifices will be put to use by Catholic Relief Services to bring help and hope to our brothers and sisters in need around the world. Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States, and alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in nearly 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. In other words, CRS acts as our hearts and hands in countries which we may never see.
Through CRS, our prayers and sacrifices will help bring people out of hunger and poverty. People like 13 year old Gulsana in India, whose parents struggled to provide enough food for their family. Gulsana’s younger sister struggled with health problems because she didn’t have enough food. With the help of CRS, Gulsana’s family was able to receive nutritional food supplements, and now her younger sister is healthier and happier.
Rice Bowls were sent home with each student today. Please be sure to take these materials home with you and use them as a family this Lent. You can use the cardboard Rice Bowl to collect your Lenten sacrifices.
Thank you for opening your homes to our brothers and sisters in need around the world through CRS Operation Rice Bowl this Lent. Together we can give hope to a world in need
Quiz Bowl 7th/8th Team
IN THE PICTURE - left to right - Lauren McKneely, Haleigh Habisreitinger, Christopher Ballard, Emily Ransom, Katelyn McKneely
Congratulations and thanks to the Quiz Bowl teams that competed in the Baton Rouge on Saturday, February 4.
Both teams competed in very close matches. The fifth/sixth grade team won two of their three matches. Sixteen teams from the Diocese of Baton Rouge were present for the contest.
Many thanks go to Ms. Mims for sponsoring the teams. Many thanks also to Mr. Jay Naquin and Mrs. Janet Naquin for volunteering to time and call out questions.
Quiz Bowl 5th/6th Team
IN THE PICTURE - left to right - Brennan Currier, Peyton LeSaicherre, Joseph Pellittieri, Olivia Maurer, Thomas Casey
Wild West Spring Fest
WEEKEND RIDE PASS ORDER DUE MARCH 16! The Spring Fair Committee is pleased to announce the return of GoldStar Amusements as our ride company.
We will again have PAY ONE PRICE ALL WEEKEND pass. The pass will be good for the entire fair (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). These bracelets will be $50.00 each. If you bought every session during the fair individually, it would cost $100. That's half price off the individual session bands!!!
We are pre-selling ONLY the ALL WEEKEND passess until Friday, March 16. You will be able to redeem your voucher anytime during the fair, but a special line will be set up on Friday from 5:00-6:00 p.m. where the voucher can be redeemed early. We are NOT pre-selling the individual ride sessons.
Make your check payable to St. Joseph H&S.
SPRING FAIR COMMITTEE MEETING
The Spring Fair Committee will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria. All are invited to attend.
Cheerleader Tryouts
St. Joseph School cheerleader tryouts are open to girls in 4th-7th grades.The tryouts for the 2012-2013 squad will be in March. The schedule is as follows:
Thursday, March 8 - mandatory parent/guardian meeting - 5:00-6:00 p.m. - Mrs. Bankston's classroom. An adult must attend this meeting in order for your child to try out.
Tuesday, March 13- cheer clinic - 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Friday, March 16 - cheer tryouts - 3:00-5:30 p.m.
Baseball Schedule
LL = Lee's Landing Field at Ponchatoula Recreational Park on Hoover Road
M = Manchac Field at Ponchatoula Recreational Park on Hoover Road
2/14/12 - Tuesday - SJS v Walker 8th @ Walker - 5:30
2/14/12 - Tuesday - SJS v Walker 7th @ Walker - 7:15
2/16/12 - Thursday - SJS v Doyle @ Ponchatoula (LL) 54/80 - 5:30
2/16/12 - Thursday - SJS v Doyle @ Ponchatoula (LL) 54/80 - 7:15
2/23/12 - Thursday - SJS v Walker 7th @ Ponchatoula (LL) 54/80 - 5:30
2/25/12 - Saturday - SJS v Holy Ghost @ Ponchatoula (LL) 54/80 - 2:30
2/25/12 - Saturday - SJS v Holy Ghost @ Ponchatoula (LL) 54/80 - 4:00
2/28/12 - Tuesday - SJS v Doyle @ Livingston - 5:30
2/28/12 - Tuesday - SJS v Albany @ Livingston - 7:15
3/1/12 - Thursday - SJS v Ponchatoula @ Ponchatoula (M) 60/90 - 5:30
3/1/12 - Thursday - SJS v Ponchatoula @ Ponchatoula (M) 60/90 - 7:15
3/5/12 - Monday - SJS v Walker 8th @ Ponchatoula (LL) 54/80 - 5:30
Same time for both games on separate fields.
3/8/12 - Thursday - SJS v Christ Episcopal @ Ponchatoula (LL) 54/80 - 5:30
3/10/12 - Saturday - SJS v Northlake Christian @ NLC - 2:30
3/10/12 - Saturday - SJS v Northlake Christian @ NLC - 4:00
3/13/12 - Tuesday - SJS v MDR @ Ponchatoula (LL) 54/80 - 5:00
3/15/12 - Thursday - SJS v Albany @ Ponchatoula (M) 60/90 - 5:30
3/15/12 - Thursday - SJS v Albany @ Ponchatoula (M) 60/90 = 7:15
3/22/12 - Thursday - SJS v MDR @ Ponchatoula (LL) 54/80 - 5:00
3/24/12 - Saturday - MDR Tourney @ MDR - TBA
Track & Field Schedule
SJS Track Meet ScheduleFebruary 29, 2012 (Wednesday) @STA: Elementary Boys and Girls Only
3:30 p.m. Field/4:00 p.m. Running
March 3, 2012 (Saturday) @ STA: Elementary Boys and Girls, Middle School Boys and Girls, and Junior High Boys and Girls
9:00 a.m. Field/12:00 p.m. Running
March 8, 2012 (Thursday) @ St. Paul’s High School in Covington: Junior High Boys and Girls Only
4:00 p.m. Field/5:30 p.m. Running
March 17, 2012 (Saturday) @ STA: Elementary Boys and Girls, Middle School Boys and Girls, and Junior High Boys and Girls
8:30 a.m. Field/12:00 p.m. Running
March 21, 2012 (Wednesday) @ Walker High School: Junior High Boys and Girls Only
4:00 p.m. Field/5:30 p.m. Running
March 28, 2012 (Wednesday) @ PHS: Junior High Boys and Girls Only
4:00 p.m. Field/5:30 p.m. Running
March 31, 2012 (Saturday) – Child Advocacy Services Blue Run in Hammond: Optional Event ($15 Entry Fee would need to be paid by parents – all proceeds benefits children in our area that are involved with the court system due to abuse and neglect) 7:00 a.m. at Cate Street Park – All age groups (1 mile fun run/scored 5K)
April 19, 2012 (Thursday) @ SSA: Elementary Boys and Girls, Middle School Boys and Girls, and Junior High Boys and Girls
4:00 p.m. Field/5:30 p.m. Running
April 27-28 (Friday & Saturday) @ SSA: NIAL Championship Meet Elementary Boys and Girls, Middle School Boys and Girls, and Junior High Boys and Girls
Times TBA
Stations of the Cross
Lent began on Ash Wednesday, February 22, this year. A special Lenten devotion practiced by St. Joseph School students is the Stations of the Cross. After Jesus died and rose from the dead, many people reflected upon His passion and death. Pilgrims began to visit Jerusalem and walk in Jesus' footsteps along the street where He walked, which is known as the Via Dolorosa, the way of pain. They stopped along the way and remember what had happened to Jesus.
As the years passed, the practice spread throughout the world. Many Catholic churches now have the Stations of the Cross along the walls of their churches. Worshippers come to church, pray and move from station to station. This is how we, as followers of Christ, remember His death and resurrection.
St. Joseph School students in grades 1-8 observe this devotion every Friday in Lent. Stations of the Cross begin at 1:45 p.m. All are invited to attend.
A video of St. Joseph students following the stations is available at STATIONS.
Mardi Gras Parade
The annual Krewe of Crusaders parade rolled on a beautiful Friday afternoon prior to the Mardi Gras hoidays. See pictures of all of the floats and participants at PHOTO ALBUMS on this site.
Life's Little Messengers
by Amy Cordon, Office of Child and Youth ProtectionWhen the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart ...
I love listening to Christian music. One of my favorite Christian artists is Michael W. Smith. For those of you who share my love of Christian music, I'm sure you've heard "The Heart of Worship". For the longest time, I thought Michael W. Smith wrote this song. Recently, I learned that Michael is the very talented "messenger" of these lyrics. It's Matt Redman who actually wrote the song. Of course, it doesn't really matter to me that Michael didn't write the lyrics. I still love to hear Michael sing. This new knowledge, however, left me with the desire to learn more about Matt Redman, the songwriter.
Isn't this scenario true of other things in life? For example, isn't it easy to love people who affirm and empower us with their words? Likewise, isn't it difficult and maybe even impossible to love those people in our lives who seem to consistently give us negative messages? You know them. These are the voices that tell us in so many words that we just don't measure up.
If you are anything like me, you probably tend to gravitate towards the positive messengers. After all, who wants to hear that they just don't measure up?
What about the messages we give to others? Do we seize opportunities to affirm and empower other people? Do we find it difficult to say good things? Do we find it absolutely impossible to be silent and say nothing at all when someone really has it coming? This business of being human is really hard!
Remember that messengers get their words from other sources. We are all messengers if you think about it. Good, affirming messages come from love. God is love. Negative messages come from dark places. They do not come from love. They do not come from God.
For those of us who have children in our lives, are we overly critical? Do we balance the need to correct and improve our children with an equally loving message of acceptance? Do we give thanksgiving for the unique and wonderfully-made gift God has given us in the person of our child? Think about the messages children internatlize from television, music, magazines, and other children. How many of these messages are affirming and life-giving? How many of these messages confirm their darkest fears that they are not pretty or smart enough?
This year, let's make an effort to affirm, empower, and love one another, especially children. I challenge you to let go of any voice, real or living in your own mind, that does not originate in love. If you find it difficult to silence those negative voices lurking in the shadows, don't worry. Everyone shares in this struggle. Strive to find voices that "do" minister and hang on to them for dear life. Pretty soon, you'll be singing a new song. Eventually, others will want to sing along. Love is contagious. Love is God, and God is, after all, the source of all love.
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus.
Community News
PONCHATOULA YOUTH BASEBALL/SOFTBALLThe final walk-in registration for youth baseball/softball will be Saturday, March 3, from 9:00-noon at the Recreation Park Gymnasium on Hoover Road. (NOT the Community Center)
Forms received after March 3rd will be put on a waiting list and will contacted if a spot becomes available.
The registration fee for boys baseball for ages 9-19 is $75.00
The registration fee for T-ball, Coach Pitch, and Softball for ages 5-18 is $60.00.
Registration forms are available in the SJS office.
OLIVER!
Ponchatoula High School Drama Club presents Oliver!, originating from Chrales Dickens' novel Oliver Twist.
The performance will be at Ponchatoula High School auditorium on Thursday through Saturday, March 8 through 10, at 7:00 p.m. A Sunday matinee on March 11 will begin at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets will be sold only at the door.
Logan Henley, SJS fourth grade student, will be featured in the show as Oliver. Three former SJS students are also involved with the play.
Title I Parent Center Parent Activities 2012
Title I Parent Center Parent Activities 2012Note:
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.
March 2 9:00 – 11:00
Introduction to Publisher
Technology Dept. Lab
Technology Resource Teacher
Hammond Jr. High
March 9 9:00 – 11:00
Publisher Basics
Technology Dept. Lab
Technology Resource Teacher
Hammond Jr. High
May & June Summer Workbooks PreK to K through Gr. 7 to 8
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.
Parish News
PersonnelRev. 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., 11:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m.
Lenten Confession Information
St. Joseph Church - March 21 - 6:00-7:30
Holy Ghost Church - February 29, March 7, March 14, March 21, March 28 - 6:00-7:30
Contact Information
Address - 255 North 8th Street (P.O. Box 368), Ponchatoula, LA 70454
Phone - 985.386.3749
Website - www.stjosephsonline.com
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