Psalm 97

R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth. The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad. Clouds and darkness are round about him, justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the LORD of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory. R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth. Because you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth, exalted far above all gods. R. The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Welcome Back! That seems to be the standard greeting this week as we start the new school year. I would like to add “Thanks for being here!”. We know you have choices about where to send your children to school and we feel very honored that you chose St. Joseph. We take this responsibility of educating your child and helping to raise them up in the Catholic faith very seriously. You have received quite a bit of information in the last few days. We appreciate your speedy turn-around with returning all forms. Our new car hang tags were distributed on the first day of school. Please be sure they are hanging in your car for afternoon dismissal. We realize it will take a little time for everyone to know their number. Please help us by continuing to practice with your children. We are also now requiring that you have your photo ID with you when you come to visit us or check-out a student. This provides us with an additional layer of safety on our campus, and we appreciate your cooperation with this new process. We have had smooth sailing for the start of school, and the forecast shows sunny skies and calm waters ahead! It is going to be a great year! -- Mrs. Danette Ragusa

Calendar-at-a-Glance

Monday, August 11 PreK Small Group B 8:30-11:30 Kindergarten Individual Testing Tuesday, August 12 PreK Small Group C 8:30-11:30 Kindergarten Individual Testing Home & School Meeting @ 6:30 Back-to-School Night Grades 4-8 after H&S Wednesday, August 13 PreK Small Group D 8:30-11:30 Kindergarten Individual Testing Back-to-School Night Grades 1-3 @ 6:30 in Gym NO SCHOOL MASS Thursday, August 14 PreK/Kindergarten First Full Day Friday, August 15 Mass @ 8:30 - Feast of the Assumption Spirit Dress

Home & School Meeting - August 12

The first meeting for the St. Joseph Catholic School Home and School Association will be held on Tuesday, August 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the gym. We hope to see all of our parents there to start off our 2014-2015 school year! This meeting will be followed by the Back-to-School Night for grades 4-8.

Back-to-School Nights - August 12 & 13

Our Back-to-School Night for parents of students in grades 4-8 will be Tuesday, August 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the school gym. The evening will kick off with a Home School meeting followed by classroom visitation. Our Back-to-School Night for parents of students in grades 1-3 will be Wednesday, August 13, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the school gym. Classroom visitation will follow a short meeting.

First School Mass - August 15

We usually have Mass for the student body on Wednesdays. This week, however, Mass has been moved because Friday is a Holy Day of Obligation, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our first school Mass will be held on Friday, August 15, at 8:30. Parents are always invited to join us for Mass.

Spirit Dress - August 15

We will have spirit dress day on Friday, August 15. On spirit dress days, students may wear the following: Crusader t-shirt - purchased at The Old School blue jeans (long, solid blue, no decorations, no holes) simple belt with simple buckle white crew socks (mid-calf length, no lace) uniform shoes. Spirit dress days are optional, although the overwhelming majority of students participate. If students opt to not wear spirit dress, they are to wear the regular school uniform. Spirit dress days are scheduled for each Friday. Parents and students will be notified when other spirit dress days are scheduled.

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 - http://www.stjosephsonline.com


See Old News: Archive