Remember You Are Dust... Ash Wednesday, March 1 Father Ron Franco, CSP presided at Mass as we called to mind our sin and began again our road to Calvary. Behold, I make all things new. Rev 21:5. While the dust on our foreheads reminds us of our own mortality as a result from sin, the shape of the cross helps us remember that Jesus has saved us. May this season of Lent bring about true repentance in each of our hearts so that we might rise with our Lord at Easter. Operation Rice Bowl Lenten Almsgiving Our students took home Rice Bowls as part of Catholic Relief Services' annual Lenten efforts to help the most vulnerable in our world and in our local community. Visit crsricebowl.org / crsplatodearroz.org for more information. Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! Thu, Mar 2 We celebrated the birthday of children's author Theodore Giesel, better known as Dr. Seuss. Our primary wing made it even more fun by dressing up as their favorite characters from Dr. Seuss books. What a fun day! First Friday Mar 3 We gathered as we do each first Friday of the month to worship our Lord in the Mass and throughout the day in Adoration. Father Tim Sullivan, CSP of Immaculate Conception presided over our morning worship and Deacon Scott Maentz of Holy Ghost led our Benediction in the afternoon. For more information on Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque and the First Friday devotion, please visit: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resources/prayers/devotions/toour-lord-jesus-christ/first-friday-devotion/ 8th Grade Pancake Breakfast - Sat, Mar 4 Come, have breakfast. John 21:12. The Class of 2017 hosted a delicious Pancake Breakfast from 8:00-10:00 am at Aubrey's in Powell. All proceeds benefit the class trip to Camp Greenville and graduation expenses.
Sister Jolita Irish Supper & Sing-Along Sat, Mar 11 Irish Dancing, Hearty Irish Food, Loud Laughs, Silent Auction, Family Fun, and best of all, a Great Cause! The Sister Jolita Fund provides much needed help for SJS students in particular need. Speech therapy, field trip money, special needs testing, help with school uniforms, etc. Sister Jolita, RSM always had room in her heart and something in her hands for students in need. Thank you for your help in continuing her legacy for the children of Saint Joseph School! "You Be the Chemist" Challenge Qualifiers Science excellence from our Middle School students! 8th Graders Kate Landen, Meredith Thomas, Levi Waxmonsky, and Sami McLean and 6th Graders Braden Allen and Bryson Harris have qualified to participate in the "You Be the Chemist" Challenge on April 29th. Congrats to our qualifiers and their teacher, Mrs. Rosemary Calvert! Paulist Novice Geno Flores Speaks with 8th Grade Wed, Mar 22 Father Ron Franco and Paulist Novice Geno Flores spoke with our 8th Grade about the founder of the Paulist Fathers: Servant of God, Isaac Hecker and the upcoming Hecker Essay Contest. Geno, a former Marine and Naval employee at the Pentagon, shared his personal conversion story. After growing up amidst violence in his Chicago neighborhood, Geno lost his faith. Years later, Geno was struck by the message of Jesus in the Gospel to Love God and Neighbor after having accepted a friend's invitation to Mass. Now he desires to become a priest and bring that message of truth, love, and healing to others.
Bishop Stika Visits SJS Wed, Mar 22 We celebrated Mass with Bishop Stika last Wednesday. Afterwards, Bishop visited students in their classrooms. He even took a quick look at what is now a grassy rectangle in our courtyard, but what will someday be a Middle School wing (the other half of our Media Center). Thank you Bishop for your support! Rosary for Life at Sacred Heart Cathedral Wed, Mar 22 Our 7th and 8th Graders joined with Bishop Stika and Middle School students from Sacred Heart Cathedral School to pray for the protection of all people from conception to natural death in the Rosary for Life. Students reflected on the dignity of life in the womb, of those around us every day, of immigrants and refugees, of the elderly and the sick, and people in prison or on death row. We prayed for hearts to be converted to the truth, for healing for those whose lives have been destroyed by choosing abortion, and for the legal protection of life at all stages. Special thanks to Mr. Paul Simoneau for organizing the event.
Living Stations of the Cross Fri, Mar 24 Our 8th Grade leaders gave us a beautiful witness to Jesus' passion as they enacted the Living Stations of the Cross. Our entire school gathered in prayer and followed the Way of the Cross around our campus, from Jesus' condemnation to His burial. Many, many thanks to our 8th Graders for their reverence and for the gift of prayer they gave to the rest of us. Iowa Assessments Mon-Fri, Mar 27-31 Students in Grades 1-8 begin the Iowa Assessments this week. We use the results of these tests to determine the needs of our students and inform instruction, curriculum and staffing. It is essential that students show up on time, after having eaten a good breakfast, and after a good night's sleep. So that students are not interrupted after testing has begun, tardy students will remain in the office until there is a break between individual tests. We look forward to sharing results with you in the future. SASEF - SJS Students Participate in Science Fair at UT Tue, Mar 28 Mrs. Rosemary Calvert took 14 of our Middle School students to the Southern Appalachian Science and Engineering Fair at Thompson-Boling Arena. Congratulations to all our participants
and to the following students whose projects were awarded or received honorable mention: Drake Light, Gigi Sompayrac, Keeley Wade, Lola Boehman, and Meredith Thomas. Sunday Best Service Project Mar 20-31 The Saint Joseph School National Junior Honor Society collected gently used Sunday, Easter, and Dress clothing for Boys, Girls, Junior, and Adult Sizes. As many of our students prepare for Confirmation and First Holy Communion, this project helps families celebrate in style and focus on the more important thing clothing ourselves with Christ!