Psalm 122

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. 

I rejoiced because they said to me,
“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”
And now we have set foot
within your gates, O Jerusalem. 

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. 

Jerusalem, built as a city
with compact unity.
To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD. 

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. 

According to the decree for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
In it are set up judgment seats,
seats for the house of David. 

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

From the Principal

Dear Parents,

Thank you to all who came to the reception last Saturday. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I was able to spend with friends. 

Special thanks to Mrs. Little, Mrs. Pinion, Mr. and Mrs. Waddell, Mrs. Curtis and Mrs. Smith for planning and contributing their time and energy to the program. 

So many good memories and so many wonderful friendships were celebrated. I appreciate all the good wishes I have received. 

I will miss St. Joseph. As said on Saturday, there comes a time and I leave feeling very happy that I am lucky in life. I was able to do what I loved, to do it for God’s children, and to share the work with wonderful colleagues.

-- Dr. Gerard Toups
    Principal

From the Pastor

Greetings All,

Well, the time has come!

I am happy to announce that Ms. Danette Ragusa is the new principal of Saint Joseph School. She is very excited to have been chosen and cannot wait to learn all she can about our school. Below you will find a letter of introduction from her that will be in the bulletin this weekend. She has 21 years in education and is retiring from the Ascension Parish School System where she has served as principal for the last 5 years. She has also served as principal for 7 years at DC Reeves in the Tangipahoa School System as well.

I want to thank all the members of the search committee whose advice was very important and needed. I sincerely believe the Lord has been guiding us throughout this process and we are indeed blessed to have someone of Ms. Ragusa's caliber as principal of Saint Joseph's.

I know you will join me in welcoming Ms. Ragusa to our parish family. 

Pax et bonum,
Father McDuffie 


Dear St. Joseph Parish Community,

I am honored and excited to have been named the new principal of St. Joseph Catholic School. God calls us each and every day to be faithful servants and I believe he has called me for this very important job. I have 21 years of experience in education and feel confident I can be an asset to your strong and thriving school. 

I am married to Jake Ragusa and together we have two children, Seth, 22, and Abigail, 19. We are originally from Baton Rouge, but have lived in Ponchatoula since 1999. I love to read, swim, and spend time relaxing with my family. 

I look forward to becoming a part of this community and working together to ensure that our students have an exemplary setting in which they can grow in academics as well as their Catholic faith. 

With Faith, Hope, and Love,
Danette Ragusa

Calendar-at-a-Glance

Thursday, May 22
6th-7th Exams - Reading/Social Studies
PreK/Kindergarten Picnic

Friday, May 23
6th-7th Exams - Math
Spirit Dress
PreK Promotion @ 8:30
Kindergarten Promotion @ 10:30

Monday, May 26
Field Day - wear red, white, or blue

Tuesday, May 27
Awards Grades 1-7 @ 9:00
Early Dismissal @ 11:15
Last Day for Students.

Field Day - May 26

Students at St. Joseph will have school on Monday, May 26.

This will be field day for the students. Organized games and other fun activities have been arranged for the students.

Cafeteria lunch will be served on this day. We will observe regular school hours.

Because this is also Memorial Day, students are encouraged to wear red, white, or blue attire with socks (ankle socks are okay) and tennis shoes. Shorts and capris are also allowed, but the shorts must be of appropriate length. Sandals, boots, Crocs are NOT allowed.

Hats or visors are allowed on Field Day. 

Please send your child to school with sunscreen already applied.

Awards Day - May 27

Students at St. Joseph will have a half day of school on Tuesday, May 27.

This will be awards day for the students. The awards program will begin at 9:00 in the gym. Parents are invited to attend awards day.

Cafeteria lunch will NOT be served on this day. We will dismiss at 11:15.

Students should wear regular uniforms on this day.

This is our last day of school for the 2013-2014 school year.

Summer Vacation - Start of School

Students will begin their summer vacations on Wednesday, May 28.

The first day of school for the 2014-2015 school year will be Thursday, August 7.

Please pay special attention to our website over the summer. Prior to June 1, the BACK-to-SCHOOL TAB will be updated with supply lists, faculty names, calendar, and all sorts of important information for getting the new school year off to a great start.

Our summer office hours will be Monday-Friday, 8:00-noon. We will be closed the week of June 2-July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

We wish everyone a blessed and safe summer. We look forward to seeing everyone again for the fall semester.

Yearbook Orders

Now's the time to order those yearbooks for the closing year 2013-2014.

Yearbooks are much like last year's with over 100 full-color pages with lots and lots of pictures.

The cost of the yearbook is $40. The order form is on EDLINE. The money should be sent to the office in a marked envelope. Yearbooks will be delivered shortly after school starts in August.

8th Grade Breakfast

Trent Vinson and his mother Amanda Lusk Boihem, also an SJS grad, enjoy a moment at the 8th grade breakfast. The breakfast is an annual event sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 4874. Many thanks to the Knights for this much-anticipated traditional celebration for our 8th graders and their parents! 

More pictures of the breakfast can be seen at BREAKFAST.

8th Awards Ceremony

We are proud to announce that the first person in St. Joseph history to be in the Accelerated Reader 1000 point clubs and the top reader for 2014 with 1007.9 points is Taylor Raiford. Taylor received a medal, certificate, plaque, and Amazon gift card for her accomplishments at the 8th grade awards ceremony held on May 19. Presenting the award to Taylor is Mrs. Jeri Carroll, school librarian.

To see all of the awards presented at the ceremony, please visit our website at AWARDS. 

8th Promotion

We are pleased and proud to present our SJS Class of 2014. Their promotion Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, May 20. 

To see more pictures, please visit PROMOTION.  

Members of the SJS Class of 2014:

Josh David Albin
Allie Kate Amerson
Abby Marie Anderson
Courtney Brooke Balisteri
Rebekah Dian Bass
Jayden Madison Berthelot
Kade Louis Bleakley
Darian Gerard Boesch
Traci Marie Carollo
Jourdan Paige Cheek
Kristie Tin-Huei Chen
Brennan James Currier
Maiya Elizabeth Delpidio
Caroline Rose Demars
Michael Todd Dickson
Dara Drum
Gabrielle Leah Escude'
Kaitlyn Marie Fundling
Gabrielle Marie Gremillion
Kayla Christine Guillory
Hannah Beth Henderson
Kaleb Michael Kraemer
Karlee Allisse Kraft
Hailee Brigette Krupp
Haleigh Alexis Laylle
Leslie Dianne Matherne
Olivia Lynn Maurer
Avery Lynn Meyers
Leighanne Marie O'Dowd
Mallory Layne Pecoraro
Joseph Andrew Pellittieri
Lane Matthew Pierson
Taylor Michele Raiford
Noah Joshua Swanner
Hailey Elizabeth Theard
Mallory Ann Vining
Trent Kyle Vinson
Kaylon Rose Willoughby
Alex James Wisecarver.

St. Joseph Awards

Our highest award - The St. Joseph Award. 

This award is presented to two 8th grade students, one boy and one girl, who exhibit through their actions and behavior the values taught at St. Joseph Catholic School. They show a genuine love of God, try their best at academic endeavors, willingly give service to school and community, and are positive role models to students at SJS. 

We are proud to present this year's awards to Olivia Maurer and Kade Bleakley.

Vacation Bible School

St. Joseph Church will hold Vacation Bible School (VBS) 2014 for students in grades kindergarten through 5th on June 9-13, from 8:00 a.m. until noon in the St. Joseph Gym.

The registration fee is $25.

Registration open Monday, May 5.

Registration ends Wednesday, June 4, at 6:00 p.m.

Please visit the VBS website to register.

Volunteers (6th graders through adults) must register at the VBS website. Adult volunteers must have Diocese of Baton Rouge Child Protection Certification. Instructions are on the VBS website.

VBS WEBSITE

FLYER

STA Volleyball Camp

The Lady Falcon Volleyball Team will hold their summer volleyball camp in their gym June 23-26 from 8:00 a.m. until noon.

The camp is open for ages 9-13 or grades 5-8. Cost is $100.

For more information or to sign up, please contact Paul Boudreaux at 228-239-8799 or PBoudreaux@stafalcons.org. .

STA VOLLEYBALL CAMP

STA Basketball Camp

STA Basketball Camp

Boys and girls ages 6-10
Monday-Thursday
June 2-5
8:30-noon

Boys and girls ages 10-14
Monday-Thursday
June 9-12
8:30-noon

Cost is $90

Contact Coach Vyron Keller at 504-346-3561 or vkeller@stafalcons.org

REGISTRATION FORM

Hoopsters Summer Basketball Camp

The Hoopsters Summer Basketball Camp will be held in the gym July 14-17 from 9:00 a.m. until noon.

The camp is for girls and boys ages 5-10.

Early registration (before July 1) is $65/camper. Enrollment is limited.

For additional information, please contact Kristi Gill at 985-507-4778.

Registration forms can be found at HOOPSTERS or in the school office.

Mi5Ke RUN/WALK

Mi5Ke RUN/WALK

Proceeds benefit the Mike Darouse St. Thomas Aquinas High School Scholarship Fund and the Esophageal Cancer Action Network

Scheduled for Saturday, May 24 - Start Time 9:00 a.m. @ STA

Registration/Check in - 8:00 a.m.
$25/person for pre-registration
$20/person for senior citizens and any military members
$35/person for all day of race

Register at www.mi5ke.com.
For more information, please contact 985-974-4419 or shirleydarouse@att.net.

Our Parish

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.

Weekday Mass Schedule
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.

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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