The Cougar Connection
The mission of Corpus Christi Catholic School is to nurture every child by providing the opportunities to grow in faith, achieve academic success, and serve others as disciples of Jesus
January 30, 2023
Dear Parents,

We are so excited to be celebrating Catholic Schools Week this week. It is a week to celebrate, honor, and reflect on the values of a Catholic Education. The following are just a few of the many benefits of Catholic education:

  • The integration of faith with academic subjects, culture, and everyday life
  • The emphasis of living out the faith as missionary disciples
  • Catholic virtues and values and Catholic Social Teaching, which contribute to productive citizenship and responsible leadership.
  • An environment that encourages and nurtures prayer and is safe, welcoming, and supportive for children.
  • A favorable student-to-teacher ratio
  • High graduation and college attendance rates
  • Teacher commitment

-From Sadlier Celebrates Catholic Schools

Yesterday we had some wonderful families attend our prospective parent Open House. If you know of anyone that is interested in our excellent school, please have them contact our school to arrange for a tour.
Sincerely,
Bible Verse and Prayer Focus of the Month
Our Bible verse focus for the month of February is: Matthew 6:33

“But seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” The prayer we will focus on is the Guardian Angel Prayer:

Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
To whom God's love
commits me here,
Ever this day,
be at my side,
To light and guard,
Rule and guide.
Amen.
Education in Virtue
This year all Archdiocesan Schools will participate in the Education in Virtue program. This program focuses on the development of the whole person and equips our children to strive for holiness, which is where we will find true happiness. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines virtue as “a habitual and firm disposition to do the good.” Virtues are essentially those habits of doing good that lead us to Christ. The three theological virtues are faith, hope, and charity. The Cardinal virtues are justice, prudence, fortitude and temperance. Flowing from these 7 core virtues are countless other virtues that help us to be in a relationship with God. Everyone is born with a capacity for virtue, but we need education and practice to become truly virtuous people.
Each week, we are focusing on a particular virtue as a school. Students have been learning the definition as well as what living the virtue looks and sounds like in our actions and words.

The Cardinal Virtue we are focusing on and learning all about this week is Fortitude and the related virtue we will focus on the next week is: 
Industriousness (Week of February 6)

Meaning
Diligence, especially in work that leads to natural and supernatural maturity.

Ways to Cultivate

  • Ages 6 and up: Work to complete your duties. “Let me finish this first.”
  • Ages 10 and up: Diligently complete a task, set small goals along the way.
  • Ages 12 and up: Work diligently, especially in things that lead to natural and supernatural maturity. 

Prayer
You have given me the gift of this day, the gift of this moment. Help me to use my time well. Give me the grace to do all for your greater glory. 
Catholic Schools Week Activities
We kicked off our celebration of Catholic Schools with an amazing pep rally on Friday and Family Masses on Sunday. 

The remaining activities are as follows: 
Monday, January 30:
  • Seminarian and CCS alumnus Andrew Wentworth will begin our week with a virtual pep talk about Catholic Schools. 
  • Food collection begins for Light of the Village. See list below for requested food items.  
  • Buddy Bingo for students
Tuesday, January 31:
  • Catholic Kahoot game for students 
Wednesday, February 1:
  • PTO coffee cart for teachers and staff
  • Teacher swap (8:45-9:30) 
  • Kona Ice available to purchase for students 
Thursday, February 2:
  • Out of Uniform for students
  • Food Pantry Day
  • Family picnic during lunch waves. Lunch times are as follows: 
6-8: 11:00
3-5: 11:45
K-2: 12:30
Preschool: check with the teacher for time
Friday, February 4:
  • Alumni Mass followed by Adoration (8:15) 
  • Distinguished Graduate and Outstanding Business Partner to be honored following Mass.
  • 8th grade vs. Theodore Bobcats Special Olympic team basketball game (9:30) All are welcome.
Food Pantry
Thursday, February 2
We will continue to have our food pantry day on Thursday of this week in addition to our CSW Food Drive for Light of the Village. Our Blessings in a Backpack Ministry is supported by our students' food pantry day donations each month. This is already a full out-of-uniform day for Catholic Schools Week. 
Archbishop Rodi Celebrating Mass and Visiting Classrooms
February 7th
We were so glad to have Archbishop Rodi introduce the students to visiting Seminarians from Minnesota last week. We will welcome Archbishop Rodi again on February 7th. He will celebrate Mass for us at 8:15am. After Mass, he will visit our students in the classroom. We will also welcome our superintendent, Ms. Gwen Byrd, to campus. She will join Archbishop Rodi in visiting the classrooms. Parents, please join us for Mass!
A is For Africa
Through your generous donations, we were able to raise $41.05 for the Matim Primary School through January’s Just .25 day. Remember on the days we are in school in the 25th, students are asked to bring in .25 cents for the A is for Africa Program.  
Fees Reminder
Registration fees of $150/student will be drafted through FACTS on February 8th. On March 10th, the second half of assessment fees will be drafted through FACTS. 
Reminder concerning electronic watches/fitness trackers
As a reminder, electronic watches/fitness trackers are prohibited from being used by students on campus. Please see the statement below that can be found on page 33 of our handbook: 
Electronic Watch/Fitness Tracker Policy All devices used on campus must be monitored through the school’s network. Since many electronic watch devices, including many step counters, are connected to a cell phone or outside wireless carrier, the school administration is unable to monitor students’ activity. Therefore, Smart Watches, Fitbits, and other fitness trackers are prohibited from being used by students while on campus. While we understand that some of these devices are not network-enabled, it is too difficult to police which devices have networking capabilities and which do not. Many devices that are very technical look very similar to those which are not. 
Booster Club News
CYO Spring Soccer Registration is now open for grades Kindergarten through 6th grade! Registration will end on February 3rd. Sign up today!

https://ccsboosterclub.sportngin.com/register/form/301936083?fbclid=IwAR3ktBBOGAPHKNAff71WpHD_HH_BjsHu_5O7VfU2QeTsbAytGn4lhTp3FAo
PTO News
The Liturgical Theology of Pope Benedict XVI presented by Fr. Crow
Join us for a Conference on The Liturgical Theology of Pope Benedict XVI presented by Fr. Crow! The Conference will be on February 10th and 11th in our Adult Religious Education Room. See the full schedule and register here: https://corpuschristiparish.com/pope-benedict-xvi-conference
Summer Camp
School Calendar
Remember that you can always access our online school calendar via this link from our website:


Once on the page, you will need to scroll to the bottom to access the online calendar.
 Parish Ministries
This month we’re highlighting our newest ministry, Meals 4 Moms. Meals 4 Moms is a communal effort to support new parents during the newborn phase in a very practical way. Any parishioner parents are eligible, including birth parents, foster parents, adopting parents of an infant, as well as mothers who are experiencing pregnancy complications. Sign Up to Give or Receive a meal here: https://corpuschristiparish.com/meals-4-moms


We have a number of ways to get involved at Corpus Christi Parish! See a list of our parish ministries on our website at this link: https://corpuschristiparish.com/parishorganizations
Upcoming Dates to Remember
February
7: Mass with the Archbishop
10: Preschool Mardi Gras Parade
17: Fourth Grade Mardi Gras Parade, OOU, Noon Dismissal
20, 21: Mardi Gras Holidays
22: Mass, Ash Wednesday
Corpus Christi Parish News
Parish Information
PARISH OFFICE
Monday - Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., second floor of the Community
Center.

TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Parish Office: 342-1852, Fax 342-6313
School Office: 342-5474, ext. 1
Fax 380-0325

SUNDAY MASSES
Vigil: 5:30 p.m. Saturday
Sunday: 7:00, 9:00 and11:00 am

WEEKDAY MASSES
8:15 am Mass: Monday - Saturday
5:30 pm Mass: Monday - Friday

ADORATION
Every 1st Friday of the month following the 8:15 am Mass until 5 pm.

CCD/SUNDAY SCHOOL
https://corpuschristiparish.com/sunday-school

SACRAMENTAL INFORMATION
https://corpuschristiparish.com/liturgy-sacraments

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (R.C.I.A.)
https://www.corpuschristiparish.com/rcia


JOIN OUR PARISH
https://www.corpuschristiparish.com/register
Paper forms are also available in the Parish Office.

COMMUNITY CENTER RENTALS
For rental information, please visit https://www.corpuschristiparish.com/community-center
Parish Staff
Fr. Pat Arensberg, Pastor
pastor@corpuschristiparish.com

Fr. Alex Crow, Parochial Vicar
frcrow@corpuschristiparish.com

View our full Parish Staff Contact List here: https://corpuschristiparish.com/staff