From the Desk of the Principal

Dear Bishop Family - 

Thank you for your love and support in celebrating BMCHS’ 20 Years in Catholic Education at the Navy & Gold “Vegas Vacation” Gala; it was a delightful night of fun and support for our students. Many thanks to the parents, faculty/staff, and admin who joined me and my support in raising the paddle for updating our athletic complex. If you want to continue making this goal a reality, please support the BMCHS Annual Fund.

Next week is an important week in our Catholic faith. Enjoy a special message from Dr. Mark Majeski, Associate Superintendent of Schools.

Holy Week is a time of deep reflection and meditation for Christians around the world. It is a time to remember the passion and sacrifice of Jesus Christ and to contemplate the meaning of his death and resurrection. Through meditation, we can deepen our understanding of the significance of Holy Week and connect with the spiritual teachings it offers.

One powerful meditation practice during Holy Week is to focus on the events of each day. On Palm Sunday, we can meditate on Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the excitement and hope that his followers felt. On Holy Thursday, we can reflect on the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist and washed the feet of his disciples. On Good Friday, we can meditate on the crucifixion and the intense suffering that Jesus endured for our salvation. On Holy Saturday, we can contemplate the solemnity and quiet of the day, as we wait in anticipation for the joy of Easter.

Another powerful meditation practice during Holy Week is to focus on the emotions and feelings that arise within us as we contemplate the events of the week. We may feel sadness, awe, gratitude, or love as we consider the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. By paying attention to these emotions and allowing ourselves to fully feel them, we can deepen our connection to the spiritual significance of Holy Week.

Finally, we can use Holy Week as an opportunity to deepen our daily meditation practice. By setting aside time each day for meditation and reflection, we can connect more deeply with the spiritual teachings of Jesus and open ourselves to the transformative power of his love. Whether through silent meditation, prayer, or contemplation of scripture, Holy Week offers us a unique opportunity to connect with our faith and to deepen our spiritual practice.

Peace,

Mark Majeski, Ed.D.

Lent is a time to prepare our hearts and minds for Easter, and the Church recommends prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to focus our preparation. While “the three pillars of Lent” are practiced all year round, we intensify our devotion to these pillars during Lent as we pause and reflect on our relationship with God.

Please join me in a Lenten prayer by Pope Pius V:

Look with favor, Lord,

on your household.

Grant that,

though our flesh be humbled

by abstinence from food,

our souls, hungering after you,

may be resplendent in your sight.

Reminders:

Noon dismissal on Holy Thursday, April 06, at 12:00 PM. Buses will depart at 12:30 PM. All students must be off-campus by 1:00 PM.

No Classes on Good Friday, April 07, through Friday, April 13, for Easter Holidays. Classes will resume on Monday, April 17 (DAY 2 Schedule).



Please have a Blessed Easter and a safe Easter break! Our next Newsletter will be sent out on Friday, April 21, 2023.

Take care and create peace,

Ms. Jenalisa Zummo

Principal

Governor DeSantis has signed HB 1, a landmark Educational Choice Bill, that will make every

K-12 student in the state eligible for a scholarship at the public, charter, or private (including Catholic) school that best meets their needs. As you may know, our school has participated in Florida’s income-based and special needs scholarships for many years. The new law will dramatically expand the program to include all students. What this means is that if you’re already receiving a scholarship, you will continue to do so. If not, you will be eligible to receive one starting with the 2023-24 academic year. While the exact figure has not been determined, estimates indicate that the value will be about $8,000

per student.

Our school and diocesan leadership have been monitoring these developments very closely. We will communicate next steps in the upcoming weeks, once more logistical details are available. Please look for details in the near future.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Jennifer Harris, Scholarships Coordinator, at scholarships@bmchs.com.

Dear Bishop Students,

To receive your course selection sheet, needed to pick your courses for next year, you must complete your re-enrollment for the 2023-24 school year. Once you receive your course selection sheet, review it. If you do not agree with the core course recommendations, you must meet with your current teacher and discuss possible changes. Have your teacher initial the change on your course recommendation sheet, and then have the Department Chair sign off on the changes. Once all electives and courses have been completed have your parent sign the sheet and return it to your homeroom teacher.

Thank you,

Mr. Geiger

April 6, 2023

8:00-8:30 Block A

8:35-9:05 Block B

9:10-9:15 HR

9:20-9:50 Block C

955-10:20 Block D

10:25 All to EDPAC for Prayer Service and Reflection

10:50 All to Café for Song and Meal

Except for the resurrection on Easter, Holy Thursday is possibly one of the most important, complex, and profound days of celebration in the Catholic Church. Holy Thursday celebrates the institution of the Eucharist as the true body and blood of Jesus Christ and the institution of the sacrament of the priesthood.

During the Last Supper, Jesus offers himself as the Passover sacrifice, the sacrificial lamb, and teaches that every ordained priest is to follow the same sacrifice in the exact same way. Christ also bids farewell to his followers and prophesies that one of them will betray him and hand him over to the Roman soldiers.

Around the world, Bishops and priests come together at their local Cathedrals on Holy Thursday morning to celebrate the institution of the priesthood. During the Mass, the bishop blesses the Oil of Chrism that will be used for Baptism, Confirmation, and Anointing of the sick or dying.

At this Mass, the bishop washes the feet of twelve priests to symbolize Christ’s washing of his twelve Apostles, our first bishops and priests.

Later that night, after sundown – because Passover began at sundown- the Holy Thursday Liturgy takes place, marking the end of Lent and the beginning of the sacred "Triduum,” or three days of Holy Week. These days are the three holiest days in the Catholic Church.

This Mass stresses the importance Jesus puts on the humility of service, and the need for cleansing with water, a symbol of baptism. Also emphasized is the critical importance of the Eucharist and the sacrifice of Christ’s Body, which we now find present in the consecrated Host.

After Holy Thursday, no Mass will be celebrated again in the Church until the Easter Vigil celebrates and proclaims the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Athletics

Continuous



Please click here for the Athletic Calendar.

Earn service hours before the end of the school year. Help support Bishop Athletics by serving as a game worker. Click on the link to sign up, Spring Sports Home Game Volunteers.

Coming Soon!!  Be on the look out for Summer Camp and Summer Workout dates for each Bishop sport. New Cheer staff press conference coming soon!

Dining Hall

Monthly

"Did you know that March is National Noodle Month? The month of March also includes National Oreo Day, National Cereal Day, and National Ravioli Day!"



Our monthly Dining Hall menu can be viewed by clicking here

Click here for the steps on how to place a dining hall order.

To ensure the safety of our students, all volunteers must complete the three requirements below.

Each volunteer will need:

1. A Volunteer Application Form: Click here
2. Background/Fingerprinting. Background and Fingerprinting can be scheduled by the volunteer applicant at: https://dosp-scheduler.fingerprintlocations.com/landing (BMCHS does not pay for this.)
3. CMG Safe Environment Training. CMG training is located at https://stpetersburg.cmgconnect.org/. Please email certificate to marketing@bmchs.com.



Link to Safe Environment Frequently Asked Questions: Click here

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School staff member you will be volunteering with.

Parents don't forget to enter your service hours!

PARENT SERVICE HOUR REQUIREMENT (Handbook, p. 26)

As part of the Bishop family, parents are required to support the school’s mission and our students through volunteerism. Your presence at school activities is one way to show your support. School volunteer opportunities are NOT community service hours, but are volunteer hours through school-sponsored events. All BMCHS families are required to complete ten (10) hours of volunteer service per family each school year. All hours completed should be submitted through the FACTS Family Portal Upon successful submission of all hours, parents will receive an email confirmation. Parent service hours not completed for the school year will be fulfilled at a rate of $20/hour for the remaining balance due on April 30th.