St John the Evangelist Catholic School Chronicle
November 20, 2009
Love the Learning. Build our Friendships. Live the Faith
Dear St. John’s Families-
Thank you for all of your prayers as I made my trip to Haiti. It was an amazing experience – full of God’s grace and the face of Christ in everyone I met.
I have been completing my blog on the trip (available on Facebook, our school’s blog, and our website). Below is the first installment in the blog on this incredible journey.
As a reminder, we will have our “100 Person Feast” on Monday November 23rd at 1:30pm. I will be sharing the pictures from my trip – particularly the pictures of our sister school in Cap Hatien, Haiti. All are invited to come!
Day 1
I met the other members of the trip at the Food For The Poor headquarters in Coconut Beach, FL. It was so nice to connect with old friends, especially Angel Aloma, the Executive Director of FFP whom I have known for many years. There was a beautiful new statue in the foyer of a poor beggar on the floor – once you got down on your knees to get a better view, you realized the beggar had Jesus’ face. Very moving! I distributed the Rosaries from Fr. Frank to the other members of the trip, so that they could then distribute them to people who touched their hearts on the trip. After a lunch there and a tour, we returned to the hotel for an early rise the next morning.
Day 2 – Part 1
We depart for Port au Prince and arrive at the Louverture Airport. Your first view of Haiti is of all of the men aggressively looking to help newly arrived passengers with their bags. There is 80% official unemployment in Haiti – most people do odd jobs or sell whatever they can on the streets. We were greeted by Mme. Guerre (our Haiti FFP liaison) and Daniel (our bus driver). We came to find out later in the day that Daniel’s wife just had a baby and there were complications – but yet he spent all day with us until the evening without seeing them.
We first visited Little Children of Jesus Orphanage which serves mentally and physically handicapped children. We arrived in time for Mass and all of the children participated the best they could – it really moved my heart. We all had a chance to then hold some of the children and be with them. There were few workers, so many of the children had limited one-on-one contact. All of the beds were lined up in the main gathering place, side-by-side. Flies were everywhere. The child that moved me the most was a small boy with encephalitis and twisted limbs who just laid there on the bed with flies on his face. These children had been abandoned because of their conditions – Delane Bailey (the FFP Haiti Projects Director) explained that normally these children would have been left to die, so this is truly the best situation currently available to them in Haiti.
Our next stop was to Merge, the first Operation Starfish village. On the way, we have a flat tire and all then cram into the back of a pickup truck! We were greeted by 300 school children for another Mass. The space we were in was a cafeteria/church made of cinderblocks with no air conditioning. To think that only after a few minutes I was sweating buckets – and the kids had been there all morning in uniform practicing for the Mass… Parents take great pride in their children attending school. Every child has their uniform neatly ironed, even if they have only a rusted tin roof over their heads. Delane explained that families rise at 4:00 or 5:00 to just get their children ready for school. After school, children gather around the street lamps to do their homework as it is often the only light in the village after dark. Time and time again, I was struck by how much effort parents put into providing their children with an education, how much education was valued, and how very lucky children were to receive an education. Many times, if a family has multiple children, only a couple of children are able to attend school because the family simply couldn’t afford to send them.
Back on the road again, we encountered the ever present “Tap-Taps”, or old small-sized pick up trucks with the bed brightly covered and rigged to handle about 10 passengers. This is the mode of transportation in Haiti – when you want to get off, you “tap tap” on the roof! The Tap-Taps all have religious sayings or Bible quotes – God Provides, Jesus is my Savior, God is Patience, etc. – and this is one of the first examples a visitor sees of the Haitian’s unwavering faith and how pervasive faith is in everything they do.
Day 2 - Part 2
We had a chance to visit the feeding center at the Food For The Poor Headquarters in Port au Prince. Each day, Monday through Saturday, the center feeds approximately 15,000 people. People walk for miles to the center to receive their only meal for the day, a meal that consists of rice, beans, and a bit of stew. Typically, it is the job of the young girls in the family who are not going to school to fetch the food in large buckets that you see at Home Depot. Imagine having your meal - your only meal - delivered in a plastic utility bucket. The lines start early in the morning and go on until the late afternoon. Since the center only operates 6 out of 7 days, this means that these 15,000 go without food on Sunday.
It was determined that it was safe enough for us to visit Cite Soleil after visiting the feeding center. Cite Soleil is considered by many to be the poorest slum in the Western Hemisphere, and in recent years was the epicenter of most of the gang in-fighting and violence in Haiti. What we saw was shocking - garbage piled in massive heaps, open sewage, children everywhere with sores and no clothes. But the sign of poverty that moved me the most was when we saw the women making "Mud Cookies" to sell and to feed their families: Bouillon, water, salt, seasoning, and dirt left to dry out in the sun. As a mother, I cannot fathom getting to the point where the only option I had in feeding my children was to feed them seasoned dirt.
We left Cite Soleil completely drained.
Day 3 - Part 1
Early the next morning, we left on a puddle jumper for the city of Cap Haitien in the northern part of Haiti. On the way to the airport, I saw public service announcement billboards telling the public about the new anti-kidnapping law that was just put into effect. Somehow, that was mildly encouraging. As you near the airport, you also see the UN bases. Compared to my last visit to Haiti, I did notice fewer UN armored vehicles (tanks?!) on the roads, and more light armored vehicles in the form of pickup trucks. I took that as a sign of lessening tensions. Flying out of Port au Prince, one notices that many of the houses in Haiti have no roofs. This is because that many of the more "middle class" families when building a cinderblock home will only build a lower level and then partially construct the upper level. If you put a roof on your house and paint it, that means you have to pay more taxes. The overall effect is one of a seemingly bleak warzone.
As we arrived in Cap, we saw the morning workers getting ready to vend their goods: the sugar cane carts, the man pushing a heavy cart full of raw meat in 90* temperatures, women carrying impossibly heavy buckets or bowls in their heads. Without all the heavy traffic, it was easy to see the canals between the homes running with open sewage and garbage.
As we settled into Cap, Delane and Jim McDaniel (the Operation Starfish Director) announced our upcoming surprise visit to the prison where we were to free 4 prisoners and provide them with a care package as they started their new life.
+Blessings,
Dr. Sara Baird Amodio
STUDENT COUNCIL IS ASKING FOR BRAND NEW TEDDY BEARS (OR OTHER STUFFED ANIMALS) Deadline - November 23, 2009We will be donating the bears to the Children’s Hospital in Denver. Thank you for your donation;
it is immensely appreciated. Questions? Please contact Mrs. Siedenburg – siedeca@saintjohns.net
ST JOHN EAGLES TAKE HOME LEGO ROBOTICS AWARDCongratulations to the Lego Robotics team at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic school in Loveland. The team competed at the Poudre Qualifier tournament at Poudre High school in Fort Collins and won the "Outstanding Teamwork" award. in addition, they took 10th place overall. This award now qualifies them to participate in the State Championship to be held in Denver, December 12th.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR 100 PERSON FEAST!
The 100 Person Feast is a school event with the simple goal of raising awareness of two important social justice issues: Poverty and Hunger. The event is presented in such a way so that students at the elementary- and middle- school age levels (grades 4-8) can begin to appreciate impact of poverty and hunger on a global scale, and to consider how they may act to address these social injustices. Lessons on Catholic social teachings will infuse the program, thereby showing how these injustices and inequities can be addressed in light of our faith.
This year’s event will be November 23 at 1:30 pm.
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40
We are looking for parent volunteers to assist with serving and running the 100 Person Feast. This is a very moving event, which will inspire you and your family during the Thanksgiving week.
If you can volunteer to help, please contact Mrs. Champlin, 635-5830 or christine@saintjohns.net
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS WERE HONORED BY THE SCHOOL LAST WEEK
There was plenty of excitement at Saint John’s School when the Knights of Columbus arrived at a special assembly to honor Veterans Day. The Knights arrived at the school in full regalia including their swords. The students sang God Bless America and presented the Knights with a plaque commemorating the Knights service to the school. Following the ceremony, the students were able to come thank the Knights with a handshake and smile.
ATTENTION ALL 8TH GRADE STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS HOLY FAMILY HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT TEST
Saturday December 5, 2009 Fee: $20 8:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Bring two #2 pencils and the $20 fee
Holy family high school 5195 west 144th avenue Broomfield, Colorado 80023
The placement test is required for fall 2010 freshman enrollment for further information and registration call
Holy family high school at (303) 410-1411
EXTENDED DAY UPDATE
Payments are due by the 15th each month to avoid a 15.00 late fee. Arrangements can only be made through Dr Amodio or Father Frank to waive such fees. For the month of November, since the 15th fell on a weekend, I am honoring all payments made by the 17th. Please check out the Extended Day Page on the School Website for important information and reminders in the future.
GIRLS’ MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL
Attention all middle school girls interested in practicing basketball. Open gym sessions are scheduled on Saturdays.
When: Saturday 9 – 11 a.m. Dates: Nov. 21, 28 Dec. 12, 19 Jan. 2, 9 You will need to bring your own basketball and a water bottle. Still have Questions? Contact Mary Schneider (970.669.0005)
SCRIP: SPECIAL ORDER SCRIP REMINDER FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Are you traveling over the holidays? Plan ahead, and buy scrip to cover your traveling expenses! You can special order scrip for American Airlines, Avis Rental Car, Budget Rental Car, Carnival Cruise Line, Marriot Hotels and Travelocity Hotels with rebates of 8% to 12%!
Need ideas for the teenager on your holiday shopping list? GLSCRIP has gift cards for Ticketmaster, iTunes, Aeropostle, LL Bean, and Lands End in various denominations.
Do you like to give specialty food gifts? Hickory Farms, Harry & David (scrip can be used at Loveland’s outlet store), Omaha Steaks, and Williams Sonoma are available. Rebates are from 8% to 15%!
How about stocking stuffers? Baskin Robbins scrip is available in just $2 increments, and Blockbuster in $6 denominations with 15% rebate – perfect for stocking stuffers or gift exchanges!
CHECK GLSCRIP.COM ONLINE FOR MORE GIFT CARDS TO ORDER. ALL SPECIAL ORDERS ARE DUE BY DECEMBER 6TH FOR CHRISTMAS DELIVERY. SUBMIT YOUR ORDER FORM WITH PREPAYMENT ATTN: DOROTHEA, SPECIAL ORDER, AT THE SCHOOL OR PARISH OFFICE.
PTO Updates:
v We are in need of volunteers to help sale ornaments at all the Masses on Nov 28th and 29th and Dec 5th and 6th and also the Christmas Festival on Dec 12th and 13th. If you can help please email Kathleen Klenk at colklenk1@frii.com or call 278-1202 with the times you are available.
v The PTO is trying to gather information to get your thoughts and opinions as they begin to rewrite our bylaws and goals for the upcoming year. Please take a moment, to cut and past this link into your browser, and give us your feedback. The survey is located at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=S7tAO9_2fxtoqY4g15X8SXIA_3d_3d
v WE WANT YOU....
....to volunteer at the Barnes and Noble Book Event. Saturday, Novemebr 28th and Sunday November 29th. There are times available all day from 9 am - 10 pm.
This is a great opportunity for the 5th-8th grade kids to help out. We want them too! The sign-up is located in the front office or email lexydonnelly@gmail.com with your available time. Thanks so much.
CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT
The school 2009 Christmas ornament is here, and we will be selling them in the loop on Tuesday November 10th. They will be available in the morning and afternoon loop, or you may drop by the school office.
This year’s ornament, crafted by Peyton Stroh, is a beautiful design of the Christ child under a star encircled in a twisted wreath.
Ornaments are $12.00 each, 2 or more- $10.00 each. PTO will also be taking limited orders for an ornament/cookbook combination. In addition, we have a few ornaments left from last year for $10.00 each. The 2008 ornament is a design of the Holy Family. Please consider these ornaments as a gift for friends and family when you are shopping for Holiday gifts. Thank you for supporting our school!
LAST CALL FOR ALCOHOL! Boots N Bordeaux is wrapping up!
Your may still place your wine order through the end of the month. Be sure to stock up for the Christmas season and get some great deals, while helping our school. For more information go online or contact the school office at 635-5830.
God, our Father and Creator, be with us in our school.Help us to treasure your gift of life and treat one another with care.Let us always remember that we are all created in your image.Come, Lord Jesus, and be with us in our school.Guide our teachers, guide our parents, and lead our students to recognize you in all people.Come, Holy Spirit, and be with us in our school.Give us a vision for the future, and the determination for shaping a faith-filled future.
v Pray for the Kellogg family as they celebrate the birth of their son Joseph Gunner Kellogg
v Pray for the elderly including the grandparents of the Cajero and Ellis family
v Pray for those who have passed away this week, including the Najera’s Grandmother, help them cope with their loss
v Please keep Matt Walsh in your prayers as he get ready to go to Arizona to compete in the Ironman competition
v Pray for the Tollefson/Gerken Family as they celebrate the early birth of their niece/granddaughter
v Pray for those who are struggling to find employment
v Please pray for the Foley, Fox Franks, Garcia, Genger families
v Let us give thanks to God for all the gifts he has provided us
v Especially give thanks to God for the gift of a parish school and ask his help as we continue to grow and prosper
v May Our Lord grant us all the graces we need and desire
Saint John the Evangelist Catholic School
1730 W. 12th Street Loveland, Co 80537 970.635.5830
Saint John the Evangelist School does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color or national or ethnic origin
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