MOVING ON WITH NEW CHALLENGES AHEAD

Dear Saint John’s Families,

With only 3 ½ days of school remaining in this 2012-2013  school year,  reality is facing us, as significant milestones are near in the lives of many of our students and several staff members.   

Last evening, 15 of our 8^th graders were bid farewell during a beautiful graduation Mass, ceremony and reception.  The touching DVD of their lives brought laughter and tears.  Many of the graduates had been classmates since preschool.  To watch their lives unfold in front of us from childhood to now, high school, reminds all of us how quickly time passes, and how we all need to “make every day count”, as childhood and life is “oh” so short. 

This morning 29 of our preschoolers had a “moving up” celebration.  How excited they were, waving at mom and dad as cameras flashed and small diplomas were given to them by their 7^th grade Mass buddies.  A picnic with a unique cake with all of childrens’ names was then held outdoors on our east grassy playground.

Next week all of us will say our “goodbyes” to 3 of our special staff members.  Yes, this will be hard, and they will certainly be missed by all of us.  Truett Shilling, has accepted a technology teaching position, so will leave us as our Extended Day Director/Athletic Director.    Dana Brungardt, our Reading/Interventionist, has found that her own business is flourishing and can no longer balance her two jobs.  And, last but not least, Rachel/Campbell-Maher, our beloved kindergarten teacher is moving to Denver. 

Thanks for “ making every day count”!  See you next Tuesday.  Have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend.

Shalom, Lois

Congratulations Confirmandi!

On Wednesday night the class of 2013 received the Sacrament of Confirmation! We would like to congratulate these students who worked hard to prepare for this day. May God, through the intercessions of Saint John the Evangelist,   continue to touch the hearts of all these students and inspire them to lead good Catholic lives. Congratulations, Jackson, Chelsea, Jack, Kevin, Eric, Weston, Sierra, Jennifer, Maggie, Jacqueline, Isabella, Nick, Mark, and Samantha.

We encourage the First Year Confirmation class (2014) to continue to work hard and continue to bless our community with their vibrancy and enthusiasm.

“The new things of God, the trials of life, remaining steadfast in the Lord. Dear friends, let us open wide the door of our lives to the new things of God which the Holy Spirit gives us. May he transform us, confirm us in our trials, strengthen our union with the Lord, our steadfastness in him: this is a true joy! So may it be.”   Pope Francis 4/28/13 Homily

DO YOU WANT TO DRIVE A PORCHE?

Dear Saint John’s School Families,

Well, don’t we all.  First, you need stick-shift practice.  Do we have a deal for you!  The Saint John’s school bus is a manual transmission, and drivers are wanted for school field trips during the school day hours for next year.  A CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) with a school bus endorsement is needed, but training can be provided for those tests. 

Do you occasionally have days off on school days?  Would you like to drive the Saint John’s school bus for field trips?  Dr. Scott Sunheim and Frank Paup have kindly volunteered to provide training this summer for anyone interested in volunteering for this special need.    This is your chance to fulfill your parent volunteer hours while enjoying some fun and interesting field trips.  Ladies and guys alike, please give Dr. Sunheim a call at     593.0345         if you could help us out and become a trained driver.  Our students love riding the bus as new as it is! 

 Thanks so much for considering this opportunity.

 Shalom,

Mrs. Schmitt

PREPARATIONS END/ CELEBRATIONS ARE NIGH

Dear Saint John’s School Families,

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”     Matthew 19:14    

Our Saint John’s second graders and eighth graders have been       carefully preparing for a very important milestone in their lives.      Receiving the Sacrament of the EUCHARIST and CONFIRMATION are two very special happenings in the life of a student here at Saint John’s Catholic School. 

What a blessing it is to have the instruction for these Sacraments be a part of the curriculum taught every day.    The excitement builds as tomorrow morning, Saturday, May 4,  our younger children make their FIRST HOLY COMMUNION.  How beautiful and precious they will be as they receive the EUCHARIST and realize this is an intimate union with CHRIST JESUS!  No doubt, each of us attending this special Mass will have fond memories of our own First Holy Communion.

The second extraordinary date on our school calendar is when our oldest students receive the sacrament of CONFIRMATION.  Archbishop Aquilla will confirm our eighth grade students on Wednesday, evening, May 15^th.   Both our younger and oldest students are very well         prepared to receive these two sacraments.

Please join us in the celebration and happiness for our students .

Shalom,

Mrs. Schmitt

YOU ARE INVITED……NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

Dear Saint John’s School Families,

National Day of Prayer is held on the first Thursday of May each year, inviting Americans of all faiths to pray for the country and its leaders.  Several million people are expected to participate in this call to prayer.  Other events in various communities across the United States will include:  choirs and bands performing songs relating to prayer; community prayer breakfasts or luncheons; daytime prayer walks; and evening worship and prayer services or gatherings.  National Day of prayer is a time for people of all faiths to pray together in their own way. 

In 1775 the Continental Congress allocated a time for prayer in forming a new nation.  Over the years there have been calls for a day of prayer, including from President Abraham Lincoln in 1863.  On April 17, 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming the National Day of Prayer into law in the United States.  It was President Reagan who amended the law in 1988, designating the first Thursday of May each year as the National Day of Prayer.

The National Prayer Committee was formed in the United States in 1972.  It went on to create the National Day of Prayer Task Force, with the intended purpose of coordinating events for the National Day of Prayer.  According to the Legal information Institute, the President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups and as individuals. 

Our local National Day of Prayer Committee here in Loveland has invited  Saint John’s School to participate NEXT THURSDAY AT GROUP PUBLISHING, 1515 Cascade Avenue.   Our student council members lead by their teacher sponsors,  Mr. Sgourdos and Mrs. Garcia  will be on the evening’s program.  EVERYONE IS INVITED to join together for this interdenominational community prayer event.  The evening will begin at 6:00p.m. for refreshments and 6:30 prayer and praise.  Prayer topics will include Family, Church, Schools, Government, and Local Issues & Concerns.  Our students will lead in prayers for our Military. 

With the recent events such as the tragedy in Boston, our nation and local communities must come together to pray.  Perhaps in our own family we could celebrate the National Day of Prayer in our home.   It is good to remember Mother Teresa’s  statement, “The family that prays together, stays together.”

PRAY FOR AMERICA      

“IN HIS NAME THE NATIONS WILL PUT THEIR HOPE.” MATTHEW 12:21 (NIV)

Shalom,

Lois Schmitt

STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH

                       STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH

Dear Saint John’s School Families,

                 

Yes, next Friday, March 1, is a vacation from classes for our Saint John’s Students. However, for teachers and administration it is not a vacation day, but a day when all are expected to gather in Denver at the Colorado Convention Center for the Living the Catholic Faith Conference.       

 Each year we have this wonderful opportunity to renew our faith and come together as God’s family and hear some of the best speakers in the Church today.  It’s the single biggest yearly gathering of Catholics in the Rocky Mountain region.  Last year over 4500 people attended the conference, (1000 teachers).  Friday’s attendance includes parish clergy, professional staff, and ministry leaders (DREs, Youth Ministers, Directors of Liturgy, etc.) as well as catechists, RCIA & faith formation teams, and students from the archdiocese’s biblical and catechetical schools. 

The Conference will begin at 8:00a.m. with Mass celebrated by Archbishop  Aquila. Following Mass our Archbishop will provide the keynote presentation: STAND FIRM in the FAITH.  Some of the workshop presentations the teachers and I registered for included:  Catholic identity and evangelization;   To teach as God does: rediscovering the divine pedagogy in the Catechism of the Catholic Church; Evangelization and media: rethinking the Catholic sub-culture . One session will be given by Jason Evert, who will provide the Youth Chastity Rally on March 20.   

The conference also provides the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as to explore the exhibit hall filled with countless interesting booths displaying resources and services.  

What an excellent staff development day this should be!   In order to provide a strong Catholic education for our Saint John’s students, it is essential that our faculty and staff continue to learn and grow in our faith.  Please keep us in your prayers Friday for safe travel and that the conference will strengthen our Catholic identity.

Shalom,

Mrs. Schmitt

                                      

A NEW SEASON AHEAD

              

Dear Saint John’s School Families,

An important question must be asked each year.  How will our school community experience this Season of Lent and Holy Week in a personal and meaningful manner. 

Tuesday, afternoon will begin our schools’ celebration  of the season.  A Mardi Gras parade will begin starting in the Middle School and ending in our gymnasium.  Our school band and  Mrs. Brown will lead with us with exciting music. All students will be wearing the creative hats they created.  After the loud, happy celebration, we will officially bury “Hallelujah”.  Students will be dismissed eating a donut to celebrate FAT TUESDAY.

Ash Wednesday morning we will attend Mass as a student body.  Please help students to wear their uniforms. 

Our spirituality is as personal as our breath or our fingerprint.  As we move through the forty days of Lent, we might on occasion, surrender freely to the quiet within us.  Beginning next Thursday afternoon students 2nd-8th grade will by class go weekly to Adoration. 

Further in the Chronicle you will learn of how our students will take part in alms giving.  More  of our plans will be shared as we travel this desert road toward Easter.

Shalom,

Mrs. Schmitt