March 2015
Greetings from the Office of Catholic Schools and Centers!
 
This Lenten season, as we reflect on Christ's sacrifice in love for us, we come together as a community in prayer, fasting and service to others.
 
Ever mindful of God's presence in our lives and the gifts and blessings He has bestowed upon us, we highlight proud moments of service and accomplishments of our schools and centers below.
    
 

2015 National Catholic Sisters Week!


NCSW is an annual celebration that takes place from March 8-14. Created to honor women religious, it is a series of events that instruct, enlighten, and bring greater focus to the lives of these incredible women.

 

The Office of Catholic Schools and Centers was honored to be able to hold a special luncheon for the sisters in our schools. Learn more about NCSW. Photos.


  

USING THEIR HANDS FOR SERVICE 
St. Cecelia Interparochial Catholic School

 

St. Cecelia Interparochial Catholic School 7th graders are using their hands for service at the St. Vincent de Paul Soup kitchen on Monday mornings. Working in small groups, they're helping to prepare and serve hot meals to 200 needy members of our community.


 The Soup Kitchen provides a hot, nutritious meal seven days a week for the homeless and working poor. For many, this is the only meal they will eat all day. The students are privileged to share their many blessings with our brothers and sisters who have so little.  


 

STUDENTS ASSIST AT MASS
FOR HEALING
Tampa Catholic High School

Three students from Tampa Catholic were invited to John Knox Village to assist at a Mass for Healing, offered by Bishop Lynch. In addition to serving the Mass, Emily Cardella, Emily Eckhardt, and Barrett Hill helped transport the residents into the hall for the service.

ASH WEDNESDAY
St. Stephen Catholic School

 

St. Stephen Catholic School was blessed to receive a donated Chalice and Paten from the Knights of Columbus. They were consecrated and blessed by Father Emery Longanga during an all-school Mass on Ash Wednesday. Thank you Knights of Columbus! 

MS. PATTI WALKER ACCEPTS
DUNEDIN'S TEACHER OF THE
YEAR AWARD
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School

 

 

Ms. Patti Walker, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School's Kindergarten Teacher of 22 years receives Dunedin's 2015 "Teacher of the Year" Award. She's most deserving of the Golden Apple!

 

 

"Thank you so much! I have enjoyed every day of the last 22 years working in this parish/school community. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School is truly my second home. The children and families are remarkable and have made my time here a joy. The support and love is felt each and every day. I look forward to many more wonderful years at OLL." Patti Walker 

 


 

ODYSSEY OF THE MIND
Espiritu Santo Catholic School


Espiritu Santo Catholic School sent four teams to compete in the Buccaneer Bay Regional Odyssey of the Mind Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 14th. Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and World level. One hundred and six teams competed in the Buccaneer Bay Regional Tournament in February; those teams were made up of students from elementary grades through high school, representing both public and private schools in the area.

 

A special commendation goes to the Espiritu Santo Catholic School 7th Grade Team: they won second place in their Division and will advance to the Florida State Odyssey of the Mind tournament in April to present their solution to the problem, "Runaway Train." Congratulations!

 
  

MAKING POTTERY
St. Peter Claver Catholic School and Clearwater Central Catholic High School

 

The students at St. Peter Claver were proud of their creations they made with the help of Clearwater Central Catholic High School students. 

 

 



Celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday. St. Paul Child

Enrichment Center  

 

 St. Joseph Hospital nurse teaches kids to "eat a rainbow," at St. Paul Child

Enrichment Center

 

Tea time at St. Paul

Child Enrichment Center while the kids learn manners and the letter "T"

   
  
"The more that you read, the more things you will know..."  - Dr. Seuss

   

 

CONGRATULATIONS! 
  • St. Petersburg Catholic High School: Senior Kelly Burke who has been named a 2015 National Merit Finalist. (left)
  • St. Petersburg Catholic High School: Austin Travis and Garrett Wilkinson selected to attend the American Legion's Boys State in Tallahassee. (middle, top)
  • St. Petersburg Catholic High School: Thalia Schug and Sara Bermudez (alternate), were chosen to attend Girls State. (middle, bottom)
  • Bishop McLaughlin: Senior Shanon Teicher,(right) signing her Intent to attend the  Air Force Academy.


 Students were chosen on the basis of their outstanding leadership, character, scholarship. loyalty and service to their schools and community.  
Blessings,

Dr. Alberto Vazquez Matos, Mary Beth Scanlon, Elizabeth Fulham, Debra Kleinberger, Veronica DeMicheli, Victoria Ward.