Newsletter (Archived): Newsletter 1022 - Dec 11, 2013 - Dec 18, 2013 [Archive]
Psalm 103
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,Remember on Friday the girls are inviting their Fathers to the Father-Daughter Dance. A lot of time and effort goes into these activities and they add significantly to the memories the students have of the school. Dads, come out and have some fun!!
Some members of the faculty were laughing today, naming today “double hump day.” It is Wednesday of the middle week between Thanksgiving break and Christmas break. Just a few more days of this semester, but exams are before Christmas so now is no time to let up on studies.
This is the time of year that we recognize those who serve us and we are asking each child for a donation for a gift for Father McDuffie. He has served us alone since school began. He says Mass for the children and always has an excellent message. He arranges for reconciliation for the children. He oversees the school and supports our efforts to provide a faith filled experience for the students. We will also present Deacon Larry with a gift. We will be collecting for a gift for Father and the Deacon through next Tuesday of next week and make the presentation on Wednesday. Thank you for your generosity.
-- Dr. Gerard Toups
Principal
Calendar-at-a-Glance
Friday, December 13 Accelerated Reader Deadline
Spirit Dress
Wear Green/Red/Christmas Shirts with Spirit Dress for $1
Father/Daughter Dance
Sunday, December 15
Third Sunday of Advent
Monday-Friday, December 16-20
Library Closed
Monday, December 16
Exams - Grades 6-8 - English/Science
Tuesday, December 17
Exams - Grades 6-8 - Reading/SS
Pelicans Tickets Order/Money Due to Office
Wednesday, December 18
Mass @ 8:30 - All are invited to attend.
Bring Bagged, Boxed, or Canned Good
Thursday, December 19
Exams - Grades 6-8 - Math
7th Grade Guest Speaker
Kindergarten Polar Express Day
PreK Christmas Fun Day
Pick up Pelicans' Tickets in Office
Friday, December 20
Spirit Dress
Last Day of Second Quarter/First Semester
Christmas Program/Parties
11:15 Dismissal
December 23-January 3
Christmas/New Years Holidays
Monday, January 6
Classes Resume
No Buses
A/R Deadline - Friday, December 13
The last day to take an Accelerated Reader test for the second quarter is Friday, December 13. The library will be open until 2:50 on that day.
Wear Christmas Shirts - Friday, December 13
For the donation of $1.00, students may wear a red, green, or Christmas shirt with blue jeans and school shoes and sock instead of the spirit shirt on Friday, December 13.This is an annual fund raiser sponsored by the cheerleaders. Proceeds go toward their donation to a charitable event.
What a great way to get into the spirit of Christmas!
Of course, students may also wear regular uniforms or spirit dress without the donation.
Father/Daughter Dance - Friday, December 13
It's Totally Awesome 80's at the annual Father/Daughter Dance. The theme is 80's wear. An award will be given out for the best dressed couple!
All grades are invited.
All dads are welcome to come and enjoy a night out with their little girl(s).
There will be music, dancing, food, drinks, and pictures available.
Friday, December 13, from 7:00-9:30 p.m.
The early bird price is $20. This admits one dad and one daughter. It's only $5.00 extra for each additional dad or daughter.
At the door, the price increases to $30 per dad/daughter with an extra $5.00 for each additional dad/daughter.
We know special circumstances permit another male figure in the student's life. This may include grandfather, uncle, etc.
Sign up on EDLINE specifying the gir(s) who will be attending and who will be their escort. Sendyour check to the office.
Exam Schedule
The exam schedule for students in grades 6-8 is as follows: Monday, December 16 - English & Science
Tuesday, December 17 - Reading & Social Studies
Thursday, December 19 - Math
Christmas Program/Parties - Friday, December 20
The students at St. Joseph will have a short Christmas program on Friday, December 30, beginning at 8:30 in the gym. If you plan to attend, please check in through the office.Following the program, small Christmas parties will be held in each classroom.
We will have early dismissal on Friday, December 20. Bells for early bus will be at 11:15, followed by carpool and late bus dismissal.
There is no after school care on this date.
If anyone other than a parent plans to check out a student, a note MUST be sent to the office.
Christmas Holidays
St. Joseph Catholic School will be closed from Monday, December 23 through Friday, January 3, so that our families may enjoy Christmas and New Years with their families.Classes will resume on Monday, January 6. We will have NO bus service on Monday, January 6. Everyone will be carpool both morning and afternoon.
We wish everyone a blessed and merry Christmas season.
Pelicans Game - Monday, December 30
It's time for the St. Joseph Catholic School Pelicans' Basketball Game!
The game will have the New Orleans Pelicans playing the Portland Trail Blazers.
December 30, at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets ordered through the school will be $15 each which is about half the regular cost of a ticket. Tickets can be ordered now on EDLINE.
Our group will sit together in the upper level of the New Orleans Arena.
With each ticket sold, the student's name will go into a drawing for a chance to go down on the court to make a tunnel and high five the Pelican players. Thirty students will be chosen (ten before the game, and twenty at half time).
Deadline to order tickets is Tuesday, December 17.
Drawing for the 30 winners will be Wednesday, December 18.
Parents can pick up tickets at the school office on Thursday, December 19.
Merry Christmas Card
The official St. Joseph School Christmas card was drawn by eighth grade student Allie Amerson. Allie's original depiction of Bethlehem during the Nativity was made into a card and will be distributed to Catholic schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge as well to others. Congratulations, Allie!
Sixth Grade Field Trip
Our sixth graders visited Magnolia Mound Plantation on December 5. They participated in hands-on experiences of weaving, washing, grinding, and other plantation chores while learning about life in the "olden days".
Pictures can be found at MAGNOLIA MOUND.
St. Nicholas Day
Oooooooooooooo! How exciting! The younger students at St. Joseph put their shoes in the hallways on December 6, and !!!! St. Nicholas came by to drop a candy cane in each one as a surprise on his special day! Look closely. He even left a little glitter magic.
Happy St. Nicholas Day, Everyone!
Tithing Reminder
Remember:
In order to receive the discount for the 2014-2015 tuition, parents need to:
1. be St. Joseph parishioners AND
2. have a documented at least $416 in contributions to St. Joseph Parish by December 31, 2013.
Mother/Son Tailgate - Sunday, January 26
Even though it doesn't happen until next year, that's coming quicker than you think!It's time to start thinking about the Mother/Son Tailgate Party!
The event will take place on Sunday, January 26, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the school.
Cost is $20 per mother/son ticket and only an additional $5 for each additional son.
Food and drinks will be served at the party.
Tickets can be reserved on EDLINE. Please remit payment to the office in a well-marked envelope.
We'd like to extend our thanks to J&J Inflatables for their donation of jumping inflatables to the party.
We have a flyer if a visual reminder is desired. TAILAGATE PARTY
Parish News
Personnel Fr. Paul A. McDuffie, Pastor
Larry J. Melancon - Deacon
Mike Agnello - Deacon
Dr. M.J. "Dutch" Schanzbach - 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.
Contact Information
Address - 255 North 8th Street (P.O. Box 368), Ponchatoula, LA 70454
Phone - 985.386.3749
Website - www.stjosephsonline.com
ADVENT PENANCE SERVICES
All Penance Services/Confessions will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Monday, December 9 - St. Helena, Amite
Tuesday, December 10 - St. Joseph, Ponchatoula
Wednedsay, December 11 - St. Stephen, Maurepas
Tuesday, December 17 - St. Margaret, Albany
Wednesday, December 18 - Mater Dolorosa, Independence
Thursday, December 19 - Holy Ghost, Hammond
MASS SCHEDULE FOR CHRISTMAS
AND SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
Masses for Christmas:
Tuesday, December 24 - 4:00 p.m. Vigil and 7:00 p.m. Vigil,
Wednesday, December 25 - 12:00 Midnight Mass, 8:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.
Masses for Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God:
Tuesday, December 31 - 6:00 p.m. Vigil,
Wednesday, January 1 - 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 .am
NEW WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE
Effective Monday, December 2, our week day Mass schedule hs changed.
The week day Masses on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday will be at 8:30 a.m. Reconciliation (Confessions) will be available before all week day Masses at 8:00 a.m. in addition to Confessions on Saturday from 3:30-4:30 p.m.
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