MINISTRY & SERVICE
OCTOBER 2017
|
|
As many of you may have read in last month’s newsletter, this is my first year at St. Teresa’s Academy. In addition, this past month at STA has been one of the most difficult that our school community has faced.
Here I am, brand new to a position, in the midst of communal distress, wondering: how can I best minister to this community?
I’ve sat in prayer with this question so many times this month, asking God to show me where, when, and how I can show up for STA. The word that continues to come to my mind over and over again is hope. And then the following quote arrived in my email inbox:
"Hope is capable of breaking out and remaining creative and alive even in the midst of difficult situations."
–Gustavo Gutierrez
God so often knows exactly what we need to hear in order to be strong, so I've been carrying a little extra hope with me as I minister to and counsel our community. It is our hope that keeps us creative and alive.
With a heart of hope,
Ms. Essner
|
|
 |
|
|
|
UPCOMING DATES
October 16
St. Teresa of Avila Prayer Service
Stars for Life Cupcake Day
October 19
7:10 am - Parent/Daughter Mass
followed by fellowship
October 25
Junior Class Mass
October 29
Open House Mass
November 1
All Saints' Day Mass
|
|
|
|
|
Prayer Wall
I am working with juniors to start an active prayer wall outside the Chapel. Student will write their intentions on a sticky note and hang it on a wall labeled “Hear my prayer.” As girls enter weekly class Mass, they will take prayer requests down from the wall and lift these intentions up during their time in Mass. After Mass, they will re-post these intentions on a different wall, which reads, “Your prayer has been heard.” This is a way for our students to lift one another up in prayer.
Adoration Sign Up
On October 19, we will have adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 8am - 3pm. We welcome all students, faculty/staff, and parents to come to the St. Joseph’s Chapel and spend time with Jesus. If you would like to sign up as an adorer for an hour,
click here
.
Presidential Volunteer Service Award
Applications for the Presidential Service Award are due March 1, 2018. For information about our program and application,
click here
.
Junior/Senior Service
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We will be taking two mission trips this year. Trip details will not be confirmed until November. At that time, I will send out STA trip applications. Here are the details I have now, which are subject to change.
Spring Break: New Orleans
Theme: How rebuilding NOLA after Katrina impacted race
Estimated
cost: $750 (includes travel, lodging, weekday meals)
Dates: March 10-17, 2018
Estimated
cost: $350
Dates: TBD
Lodging and volunteering will be with Jerusalem Farm.
|
|
|
|
Talking about Tragedy at Home
This past month has been a tragic one in our nation and our world. The Diocese shared a
list of helpful articles
to use as a reference when talking with your children or teens about tragedy.
On Sunday, October 22, from 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm, the Kansas City Interfaith Youth Alliance will be hosting a storytelling workshop at Second Presbyterian Church. This is a workshop for anyone interested in writing and the values that inspire our stories. Your daughter can
sign up here.
|
|
OCTOBER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
|
|
Second Saturday at Cherith Brook Catholic Worker
Saturday, October 14, from 9 am-11:30 am
We have a variety of inside and outside jobs, such as sorting clothes/food, preparing lunch/breakfast, working in the garden, cleaning the chicken coop, etc. RSVP to
cherithbrookkcmo@gmail.com
.
Sunday, October 15, from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Budd Park neighborhood in Historic Northeast Kansas City
Saturday, October 21, from 9:00 am - noon
Town Fork Creek Greenway Park, Near 57th and Swope Parkway
Saturday, October 21, from 9:00 am - noon
North Waldo neighborhood
Saturday, October 28, from 9:00 am - noon
South Waldo neighborhood
Saturday, October 28, from noon - 5 pm at De La Salle Charter High School
Our plan is to incorporate service and other non-profit organizations, health vendors and talented artists from all over Kansas City in an effort to bring social and health awareness to the urban core community.
Monday, October 23 in Lexington, MO (rides available with MFAF staff)
Help distribute food, blankets, and clothing to the migrant and seasonal farmworkers of Lafayette County.
|
|
ONGOING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
|
|
Looking for volunteers Tuesday through Friday, from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm and/or Saturday and Sunday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Looking for volunteers Mon
day - Thursday, from 4 pm-7 pm to help watch children while their parents are in therapy sessions.
Jerusalem Farm
is an urban farm that serves the community through home repair.
Looking for volunteers to help with gardening, composting, food processing/preservation, cleaning, yard work, construction on the new house.Tuesday - Saturday between 9 am - 5 pm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
