From the desk of Sister Stella
School Information
PWC President
PWC Information
Traffic Duty Assignments
Weekly Readings/Reflections
Student School Activies
Golf Club Information
SPA Campout Information

DISTINCTLY CATHOLIC

THE CRUCIFIX-----While the t-shaped cross, may be the most universal Christian symbol the crucifix --a cross with the figure of Christ--a predominantly a Catholic symbol.
For us the body of Christ crucified reminds us of his divinity (God's holy sacrifice) as well as his humanity. It reminds us that Jesus shared our human experience of suffering and death, just as we share in his resurrection and everlasting life.
From Every Day Catholic February 2004

From the desk of Sister Stella:

If Ash Wednesday isn't a holy day of obligation, why is fasting an obligation?

It's pretty easy for most of us to think of an "obligation" as a burden. The Church views obligations quite differently. Things that the Church lists as obligatory are part of what is called the "indispensable minimum" of maintaining one's life as a person baptized into the Body of Christ. Most of us are familiar with the obligation to attend Mass every Sunday. This is an "indispensable" and minimal way to guarantee that, in community with other members of the Body of Christ, we give thanks and praise to God at least once a week for the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. A few other days are days of "obligation" to make sure that in some minimal way we remember significant events in the life of the Lord (Christmas or Ascension), May and all the saint (Marian feasts and All Saints) and a few others. Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday are among days, that some Roman Catholics are surprised aren't holy days of obligation. But the events they commemorate and celebrate are already in someway, observe by Sunday Lenten liturgies and the Eucharist even Sunday.

The Church prefers a greater freedom in allowing the faithful to make their spiritual disciplines a gift freely given to God a witness, freely shared with others. The discipline of fasting every Friday was relaxed to enable us, without imposition of regulation, to observe fasting as a spiritual discipline year round. There is no regulation imposing the disciplines of prayer or almsgiving during lent, though an increase (which presumes we
do these things al the time) in these practices is long-standing discipline during this season.

The minimal ascesis (ascetic discipline) required of us now is the fast of Ash Wednesday the Fridays of Lent and Good Friday. The Church hopes that this minimal observance will draw our hearts to a greater and broader observance of the disciplines of Lent, leading us from lives that fulfill the barest obligations to lives that mirror the abundant self-giving of Christ.
Fr. Maurice O'Mahony, Pastor Our lady of Mt. Carmel ,Santa Barbara,CA.

DISTINCTLY CATHOLIC

ASHES AND PALMS --Ashes have been part of the liturgical rite for the first day of Lent, probably since some time in the eighth century. Catholics mark the day literally with a cross of ashes on their foreheads. They are a symbol of penance and our own mortality. Palms from the previous Palm Sunday are burnt to provide the ashes.
Anglicans: also celebrate Ash Wednesday but usually without the ashes.
From Everyday Catholic March 2004

Back to the Top

Financial aid packets are now available in the school office. If you would like to be considered for financial aid for the 2004-2005 school year, you must fill in the packet. If you are currently receiving aid, you will still need to fill in the packet. Financial aid is a 1 year grant and needs to be reapplied for each year.

Remember to qualify for financial aid you must have been in the school for at least 1 year and be an active member of the parish.

If you have any questions, please call Missy Stevens at 310-474-1588 ext. 221.

Back to the Top

PWC President

Dear St. Paul Families:

Upcoming calendar items:

March Second Grade has traffic duty
.
March 6 Past President’s/Alumni Luncheon.

March 8-11 Science Fair (JCPC).

During the Lenten season, we are encouraged to ‘give up’ something in order to draw nearer to God. Let’s not forget the good actions we can take, in place of what we are giving up: acts of charity, praying together as a family, attending daily Mass as often as possible, eating no meat on Fridays and giving to the poor. All those who participated in the Read-a-thon have helped us send much needed funds to St. Joseph Center. This is a lovely way to begin the Lenten season.

Thank you.

Karen Knott
PWC President

 

Back to the Top

PWC Information

FIFTH GRADE NEWS

To all the fifth grade families – Thank you for making our Liturgy and Potluck on the 18th such a wonderful evening. We especially appreciate the effort of our teachers Ms. Ranie, Mrs. Gascou, Mrs. Munroe, and Father Paul. The evening went off without a hitch and the JCPC was filled with good conversation and laughter. A special Thank you goes to Karen Dalby for her time and effort in acquiring and bringing in all of the tulip arrangements. We also want to thank all the mothers that helped with the set-up, clean up, and centerpieces. The evening was effortless due to all the helping hands. And to our children, thank you for making the Liturgy so special for all to enjoy.

The Fifth Grade Room Mothers

_______________________________________________________________________________

8th GRADE GRADUATION PARTY MEETING

You should have received a flyer from your 8th grader regarding the party planning meeting on THURSDAY, MARCH 18th at 7:45 AM in the multi-purpose room. All 8th grade parents are strongly encouraged to attend. We have party hosts, but we need 10 - 12 parents to volunteer to help plan, chaperone and contribute financially to each party. Please bring your ideas and support to this meeting to help make these celebrations very special for our 8th Graders. If you have any questions, please call one of the room mothers. We look forward to seeing you on March 18th.

Thank you,
Maria Zecchetto, Tricia Hunter, Anne Hance, Cathy Berman

Back to the Top

Traffic Duty Assignments

March Traffic Duty Assignments (2nd grade)

Everyone Please Remember:
When doing the Selby Driveway Director position: please stop cars at driveway so that you are blocking the driveway. This way children are protected from cars trying to enter the driveway without your permission.

Do Not ever get out of your car while dropping your children off. Let the traffic volunteers assist your children with their things.

Never park in the driveway after letting your children out while exiting to Ohio.

Shared Days;
*Wednesday- Selby Driveway Door #1- 3/3-McLaughlin, 3/10-Shalloe, 3/17-Shalloe
3/24- Ossanlo

*Monday- Ohio Handicap Door #1- 3/1-Kovacs, 3/8-MacLaughlin, 3/15-Kovacs,
3/22-MacLaughlin, 3/29-Kovacs

*Monday Afternoon- 3/1,8,15-Duerr, 3/22,29-Ferrer

PLEASE ARRIVE FOR TRAFFIC DUTY AT 7:20 FOR AM POSITION AND 2:40 FOR PM POSITION.

Thank you,
Teresa McDugald

Back to the Top

Weekly Readings/Reflections

Next Sunday, February 29, is the First Sunday of Lent.
Please read and reflect on these readings during the week (alone or with family and friends), and come to next Sunday’s liturgy prepared to listen attentively to the proclamation of the Word of God.

READING I Deuteronomy 26:4-10

Moses spoke to the people, saying:
"The priest shall receive the basket from you
and shall set it in front of the altar of the LORD, your God.
"Then you shall declare before the LORD, your God,
'My father was a wandering Aramean
who went down to Egypt with a small household
and lived there as an alien.
But there he became a nation
great, strong and numerous.
When the Egyptians maltreated and oppressed us,
imposing hard labor upon us,
we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers,
and he heard our cry
and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression.
"'He brought us out of Egypt
with his strong hand and outstretched arm,
with terrifying power, with signs and wonders;
and bringing us into this country,
he gave us this land flowing with milk and honey.
Therefore, I have now brought you the firstfruits
of the products of the soil
which you, O LORD, have given me.'
"And having set them before the LORD, your God,
you shall bow down in his presence.

READING II Romans 10:8-13

Brothers and sisters:
What does Scripture say?
"The word is near you,
in your mouth and in your heart"
-- that is, the word of faith that we preach --
for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For one believes with the heart and so is justified,
and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.
For the Scripture says,
"No one who believes in him will be put to shame."
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek;
the same Lord is Lord of all,
enriching all who call upon him.
For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

GOSPEL Luke 4:1-13

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan
and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days,
to be tempted by the devil.
He ate nothing during those days,
and when they were over he was hungry.
The devil said to him,
"If you are the Son of God,
command this stone to become bread."
Jesus answered him,
"It is written, 'One does not live on bread alone.'"
Then he took him up and showed him
all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant.
The devil said to him,
"I shall give to you all this power and glory;
for it has been handed over to me,
and I may give it to whomever I wish.
All this will be yours, if you worship me."
Jesus said to him in reply,
"It is written:
'You shall worship the Lord, your God,
and him alone shall you serve.'"
Then he led him to Jerusalem,
made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him,
"If you are the Son of God,
throw yourself down from here, for it is written:
'He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,'
and:
'With their hands they will support you,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.'"
Jesus said to him in reply,
"It also says, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'"
When the devil had finished every temptation,
he departed from him for a time.

First Sunday of Lent (February 29)

READINGS Moses reminds the people of the wonders God has done;
Jesus is Lord: confess with your mouth and believe in your heart and you will be saved;
The devil tries to seduce Jesus into denying his mission.

WHAT I HEAR What phrase gives me joy to meditate on?
What phrase challenges me to renew my faith?

MY FAITH JOURNEY What shall I do this Lent to deepen my life with God?

FOR CHILDREN Jesus is tempted to prove who he is by putting God to the test.
But Jesus wants us to trust.
God will take care of us in everything that happens. Lent is a time for us to talk to God about the things that are most important to us - God will listen and help us.

 

Back to the Top

Student School Activies

Science Fair

Please come to the Science Fair Reception!
The 7th and 8th graders invite all interested families to attend this year's St. Paul the Apostle Science Fair during a Reception on Wednesday, March 10th, from 6:30 until 8:00 pm. View all the projects in Behavioral, Life, Physical, Engineering and Earth Sciences while talking to the students and enjoying some delicious treats! We hope to see all of you there!

Back to the Top

Golf Club Information

Registered Yet?
SPA Golf Club

Registration for SPA Golf Club is open
Please request your Registration information packet via telephone to Mark McDonald, see directory for number.

First Match Monday April 5
Include your mailing address and a packet will be sent to you.
See you on the course!!!

Back to the Top

SPA Campout Information

St. Paul Camp out Update
New Dates this year!
Mark your calendar!

The SPA camp out has moved to a new weekend this year! In order to lower the cost of the event, and to allow those with prior family commitments on Memorial Day weekend to participate, the camp out will be held one week before the Memorial Day weekend.

The new dates are
May 21 - 23

The camp out will be only two nights, instead of the usual three nights. Now everyone can enjoy the camp out, because Sister Stella has made Friday May 21 a St. Paul holiday! By giving up the Memorial Weekend, the camp has given St. Paul’s a substantial discount on the prices!
This year the camp out is affordable, and you will still have the Memorial Weekend to enjoy with your family! The camp out will once again be held at the beautiful El Capitan Canyon located in beautiful Santa Barbara. To see the camp, check out their web page

ElCapitanCanyon.com St. Paul has again reserved the entire camp ground for our group!
This is an event you don’t want to miss! Be sure to mark your calendar for this
yearly St. Paul tradition. Here is the new schedule: Friday, May 21 check in at 10 am
with really fun events all day!, Saturday will be a full day of all the traditional events, including the BIG bonfire and talent show, and Sunday, Mass at 10am, check out at noon. The camp out sign-ups will be held on Saturday, March 20th from 8 pm to 2 pm in the classroom under the church. In order to give everyone an equal chance, you may only sign up for your own family. The camp out is expected to sell out again this year.
Don’t miss it this year!

Back to the Top