In this issue of the Scribe:
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Dear Parents,
A few years ago, towards the end of a talk to parents whose children were preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation, I announced to my audience: "And now I would like to share with you a list of things that you can do at home to support your children's preparation for Confirmation."
As I surveyed the parents briefly, I could see a mixture of expressions on their faces: some looked alarmed ("Not another list of things-to-do!"); others looked eager ("I would love to know what to do to help my child."); some looked curious ("Hmmm, I wonder if Sister is going to tell me anything I don't already know."); and, some just looked exhausted after a long day at work. However, all looked surprised when I told them: "The first thing you need to do is: take care of yourself." Their eyes widened and I knew I had these parents' undivided attention. "You have got to take care of yourself because you can't give what you don't have - if you want to teach your children to love the Lord, you've got to be in love with Him yourself - you have to be convinced of His love for you."
Today we begin the season of Lent. Many of us know of Lent as a time for making sacrifices and exercising greater spiritual self-discipline. Pope Francis tells us: "Lent is a new beginning, a path leading to the certain goal of Easter, Christ's victory over death. This season urgently calls us to conversion. Christians are asked to return to God "with all their hearts" (Joel 2:12), to refuse to settle for mediocrity and to grow in friendship with the Lord." However, in order to embark on the path of conversion - an arduous journey - we must first take care of ourselves. But how do we take care of ourselves? And, what does it really mean to take care of ourselves? I think the first step is simply to acknowledge our need for help, and then to ask our Lord for His help. Thus the Pope goes on to say: "Jesus is the faithful friend who never abandons us. Even when we sin, he patiently awaits our return; by that patient expectation, he shows us his readiness to forgive." Taking time for prayer, especially the prayerful reading of Scripture, may be a good start. Again, taking Pope Francis' suggestion, we are reminded that, "
at the basis of everything is the word of God, which during this season [Lent] we are invited to hear and ponder more deeply."
So, to you, dear parents, as you prepare yourselves and your children to enter into Lent through the traditional practices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, I say: please take care of yourselves. Please remember that you are not alone. Please turn to Jesus for help. May this Lent be a time of great graces for you and your families: a time of healing, a time of reconciliation, a time of conversion, and, ultimately, a time of growth in the knowledge of our awesome identity beloved children of our Father.
God bless you,
Sister Mary Jacinta, O.P.
Principal
ITBS Testing begins next week for grades K-8. Please help your child be prepared by doing the following:
- Get plenty of rest and sleep
- Eat a health breakfast
- Arrive to school on time
- Avoid making appointments during the school day
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Week of 2/27-3/3:
Monday, 2/27
Math Lab - 7 & 8 Grade
Tuesday, 2/28
Prospective students shadow
Robotics
International Night - 5pm
Wednesday, 3/1
All school Mass - Ash Wednesday
No Confessions
Fun Lunch - Jason's Deli - Past w/no meatballs
Tuition Assistance Application Deadline is today
Friday, 3/3
Prospective students shadow
Frozen Friday
Saturday, 3/4
Kindergarten Screening for all Kindergarten applicants
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IOWA Testing 3/7-3/17
Tuesday, 3/8
First Holy Communion Parent Meeting (7:00-8:00, Cafeteria)
Wednesday, 3/9
All school Mass - 3A
8B Confessions
Fun Lunch - Chick-fil-a Sandwich
Friday
, 3/10
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Please pray for:
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Congratulations to the Adyson (4B) and the Norton family as they welcome the arrival of their new baby, Georgia!
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Academic Fair Judges Needed
We are in need of parent volunteer to serve as judges for our upcoming Academic Fair presentation on Wednesday, March 22. Judges will use prescribed rubrics to evaluate students' projects in various subjects (Social Studies, Religion, Performing Arts, Math, Technology, and Literature). Judging will take place during the school day on March 22. If you are able to help or would like more information, please contact Mrs. Glavin at [email protected]. Thank you and God bless!
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Kindergarten Bake Sale
Thank you to our Kindergarten students, parents, eighth grade student volunteers, and our sixth grade student, Mary Anna Cumbie, for hosting a very successful bake sale yesterday. All treats were sold out! Our students raised $442.50 to benefit the Limbs for Life Foundation.
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St. Catherine of Siena Parish "Greeters Ministry"
We are starting a new ministry at St. Catherine's beginning in March for families to serve as greeters at our Masses. We want to create a warm, welcoming environment as people come to Mass. We encourage the entire family to participate including parents and children (and even grandparents). Greeters will have three main responsibilities during Mass. 1) Before Mass, greeters will greet people as the arrive. 2) During Mass, greeters will bring up the gifts of bread and wine during the offertory. 3) After Mass, greeters will hand out bulletins as people leave. For more information or to signup, visit our parish website at
www.stcatherinercc.org.
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Middle School Parent Presentation
We invite parents to attend some very important and helpful presentations - on campus and off campus.
1. A presentation on the novel,
Gadly Plain
, will take place during our Middle School Activities this
Friday, March 2 from 11:00 to noon.
Dr. Jason Dew, the author, will give the presentation. Gadly Plain is a story about how a young girl wrestles with the untimely death of her father. Dr. Dew states: "This book resonates well during the Lenten season as the topics the book explores are death, rebirth, loss, and hope. My purpose for writing this book was to give young people a perspective on death that runs counter to popular culture and instead embraces the Christian message of hope." Parent are invited to attend this presentation.
2.
Theology of the Body
meetings on Monday, March 6 at 7:00 PM OR Tuesday, March 7 at 2:00 PM
St. Pius X Catholic High School presents Sarah Swafford, of "The Chastity Project" and "Emotional Virtue." Middle school and high school parents are invited to a PARENTS ONLY evening, "From the Outside Looking In" on Thursday, March 9, 2017 from 7:30-9:00pm at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Historic Church. Sarah will be speaking about the challenges of being the parent of a teenager, and how to create a game plan to best love, support, encourage, pray with, and affirm your child. If you are interested in attending, PLEASE RSVP at
https://goo.gl/forms/ JkJkKygnFkvC1rEv2 We hope you can join us for this special evening. For questions, contact
[email protected].
4.
"Parenting an Internet Generation"
by Matt Fradd here at St. Catherine's on Tuesday, March 14
5.
Computer and Internet Safety - Protecting your family on the Internet
by Rick Huebner (parent of SCS students): Do you worry about your children online? Do you know anyone whose computer has been infected? Come hear Rick Huebner talk about what you can do to protect your family and children online. Rick has worked in technology for large companies, US Government contractors, and with small to medium sized businesses for over 20 years. This presentation will help you understand Antivirus Programs, basic computer security, and online safety. Feel free to ask questions and take notes. This will be an interactive talk. For planning, please RSVP to
[email protected]
. March 21 at 7:30pm at St. Michael the Archangel. Room TBD.
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Tuition Assistance Applications
Please remember the due date for tuition assistance applications for 2017-2018 is tomorrow, March 1. If you have questions, please contact our Business Manager, Shana Watson, at
[email protected]
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Running Club
We are happy to announce that SCS will be offering a running club again this year for 2nd-5th grades!
SCS RUNNING CLUB
will begin March 15th! Click here for more information.
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Annual Fund
Thank you for your generous support of our Annual Fund! To date, we have received $17,975 in pledges from 37 families. We are grateful for the generous contributions that so many of you have made to St. Catherine of Siena. If you have not had a chance to make a pledge to the Annual Fund, there is still time to contribute a gift. The gifts raised will directly support our students, the cost of educating our children, academic classroom enhancements, student programs and services. Please consider a gift and help us achieve our goal with 100% participation. No amount is too small and every gift will make a difference in the success of our amazing school!
! Please click here to go to our webpage to make a pledge. Thank you for your generous support!
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Father Daughter Dance
The Enchanted Forest
Saturday, March 25, 2017
6:00 - 8:30 pm
St. Catherine of Siena Herbert Hall
Hosted by Girl Scout Troop 10393
Grab your fairy wings and your Prince Charming and fly on over for a magical evening.
Your reservation ensures an Enchanting Evening on our Woodland Dance Floor, Fairy Punch and Enchanting Desserts as well as a Photo Booth and one Raffle Ticket for Elementary & Middle School Raffle Baskets. Additional Raffle Tickets will be available in the Forest.
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Yearbook Early Edition - Make it Yours!
The 2017 yearbook will be filled with pictures of our year together at St. Catherine's and is must have for all the students! We are happy to offer this all color, hardcover edition at a special price of $25 each! This price is valid from February 1st to March 15th. After this, each copy will be priced at $30. You can order your copy from the following link:
We are excited to inform you that Yearbooks will be available earlier- on May 17, 2017. An insert with all the end of year pictures will be distributed in August, 2017.
Help make the Yearbook spectacular!
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Calling all Photographers
We are busy working on the pages of this unique early edition and are looking for pictures that have been taken during special events, class field trips- very specially TEAM SPORTS!! We need Team pictures as well as action shots of Volleyball and Basketball.
Please send photographs as soon as possible to Mrs. John. Pictures are to be in jpeg format and preferably on a flash drive. You can also send Mrs. John a link to your online collection.
Deadline February 28th, 2017.
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Box Tops
Attention! Last chance to turn in Box Tops before the deadline! Please be sure to send in all Box Tops no later than Friday, February 24th. Thank you for your support!
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St. Catherine of Siena Preschool
Do you have a little one that will be 16 months to 5 years of age in September of 2017? If yes, St. Catherine's Preschool offers a strong Catholic, educational foundation in a highly academic and creative environment.
Our preschool teachers are loving and qualified individuals that will help mold your children. We are housed in Our Lady of Grace building and have been in existence for 25+ years!
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Blessed Trinity Football
Be part of the tradition! The Blessed Trinity football program finished #5 in the state and is gearing up for another great season. Registration for BT Junior Titan football is now open to all rising 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders (current 4,5,6 and 7th graders).
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