From the desk of Sister Stella
From Fr. Tom Pastor
PWC President
St. James Inn News
PWC Function
Traffic Duty Assignments
Weekly Readings/Reflections
Playground Volunteer
Hot Lunch Voluntee
SPA Chess Club News

HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY
ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE SCHOOL

CONGRATULATION TO 70 YEARS OF

LEARNING, GROWING AND SERVING

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This week’s column is an excerpt from the February 2006 Loyola High School newsletter’s “Letter from the Principal.” Authored by LHS principal and SPA parishioner Mr. Bill Thomason, it appears with his permission. I hope you will find it as thought provoking as I did.
Fr. Tom Jones

It seems nowadays every 13 year old has been exposed to and ultimately pursues a course of activities that makes you wonder, “Where does he get the time?” [Private tutors/counselors, prep courses, individual coaches, classes in some artistic endeavor, and enough community service to make Mother Teresa blush.] …we’re also led to believe that all of this was of his own doing – “He’s simply that motivated,” although his parents might admit that they sometimes “slightly urged” or “strongly suggested” it was all necessary to catch some school’s eye…

…when and how did these 13 year olds get the idea that they better present a picture that would compare to someone 4-8 years older than them if they wanted to get that best possible jump on their later lives or professional careers? Hey, this is still high school…when do these kids get to act like the kids they still are?

…maybe we, their parents, loved ones, teachers, coaches, and the like are pushing a little too hard too soon, although I do believe in our hearts we’re convinced it’s for their own good. And although we’re there for them, for any type of influence or help we can supply, are we there for them in all contexts? Do we push just as hard in matters that won’t necessarily show up on a resume or in those that might influence some decision that they and we think will measure their worth?

Do we push just as hard for them to faithfully honor their attendance at Sunday Mass…do we “strongly suggest” that the rule rather than the exception is such worship be done as a family? Do we mandate that eating together nightly and sharing everyone’s day’s activities be absolute and not just the once-a-week (if that) luxury it is now recognized to be? Do we actively pursue the weekend family movie (video works too), spectator sporting event, patronization of any of the arts, or just that long-forgotten informal sharing of a meal called the family picnic (heck it can even be a double-double with fries) with as much passion and vigor as the six activities per child we squeeze into each weekend? Perhaps if all those activities all…of us seem to be engaged in…weren’t as numerous and all consuming, these potential, and I might add, quickly fleeting opportunities to be enjoyed as a family wouldn’t be such a rare occasion.

I’m at the point where my children can probably talk circles around me when it comes to matters of investing…the state of our political theory, or even what constitutes an exceptional dramatic performance…but I know I’m still at the top of my game when it comes to what to consider when a potential life-altering personal or professional decision has to be made or when the matters of parenthood are to be considered, and, you know what, I’m not just comfortable with that, I’m extraordinarily pleased by that. To know that my children, just like yours…need that guidance in the things that really count; to know that they…depend on me for advice in forming their resumes that will ultimately be judged by a higher authority – that’s perfectly acceptable to me. I don’t need any other blessings in my life.

It seems to go in cycles…(so) make sure you give your children every opportunity to not only enjoy these years as a family (which may necessitate some type of slow down) but a chance later in life to reflect back upon them and say with love and pride, “I want the same experience for my kids that I shared with my parents and brothers and sisters.” Now that’s the kind of life’s mission statement we can all live with, and it’ll have nothing to do with what was accomplished, but more to do with the love that went along with it.

Respectfully yours,
William R. Thomason, Principal

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PWC President

Dear SPA Parents,

Wednesday, May 3rd Spring Sing II/Installation Luncheon
Please join us at the Installation Lunch, Wednesday, May 3rd.  Grades 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th will be entertaining us after the PWC installs next year’s President, MaryKay Lalli, and the 2006/2007 PWC Board. It promises to be a wonderful afternoon. Reservations MUST be made.  RSVP via the Black Bag or call the RSVP Hotline @310-837-0207. Deadline: April 28th

Saint Paul the Apostle 70th Anniversary
Please join us as we celebrate 70 years of excellence, Saturday, April 29th, 2006.
Anniversary Mass-5:00 pm
Dinner Reception- 6:30p.m
Please contact Kathleen Duncan or Celeste Anlauf with any questions. (Numbers in the directory)

Friday Pick-up will be on the street.  Please drive safely!

Have a great week!
Julie Chait
PWC President

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St. James Inn News

St. James Inn Seeks New Board
& Committee Members

The St. James Inn provides cost-free housing to out-of-town families struggling with illness. Founded in 1988 by Fr. Patrick Traynor, CSP, the Inn is a “home away from home” for patients undergoing treatment at the UCLA Medical Center and other nearby hospitals. We are now seeking new Board and Committee members to join us in this important ministry. If you’d like to be part of a low-stress, community-based organization that directly benefits those in need, we’d love to have you on board.

To learn more, please contact John O’Keefe at 310-476-5791, Mary Kay Kotzman at 310-558-8378, Charlie Gaffney 310-441-5308 or Michael Ness 310-313-3879.

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PWC Funtion News

IN-N-OUT BURGER DAY IS HERE!

Don’t forget, the In-N-Out Burger truck is coming to St. Paul Friday. April 28th.  Orders are all in.  Teachers will have a list in their classrooms on Friday.  Everyone will receive their tickets on the playground just before getting in line for their lunch.  Lunches include a burger, chips and a drink.  Burgers will be available plain, plain with cheese, and with everything (cheese, lettuce and spread).  Ketchup is also available.   If you ordered more than one lunch, please let everyone eat one before going back for seconds.

Questions?  Contact Mark Raineri (mraineri@earthlink.net) or by phone

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Traffic Duty Assignments

For the month of April 1st Grade Parents

PARENT TRAFFIC RESPONSIBILITIES. 
Note:  Please arrive by 7:20 am or 2:30 pm to complete your assignment.  Should you have questions about your duty do not hesitate to contact your room parents – Marissa Filoseta or Rosaleen Ostrick or Mary Ann McQueen. Substitutes:   Monday:  Walsh    Tuesday:  Saade    Wednesday:  Keane   Thursday:  de Oliveira           Friday:  Yunker

70th Birthday Drop off & Pickups:
Thursday Regular Drop offs & pickup
Friday Drop off regular
Friday Pickup :

8th grade- directly in front of the Church on Ohio Ave.

6th & 7th grades – In front of the Rectory on Ohio Ave

5th grade- directly in front of JCPC (lawn area) on Selby Ave.

3rd & 4ht grades - At the side of the JCPC (lawn area) on Selby Ave

1st & 2nd grades - On Selby (lawn area) south of main entry door

KG - In the driveway where the cars usually enter the schoolyard.

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Weekly Readings/Reflections

Readings for Sunday of April 30th

Reading 1
Acts 3:13-15, 17-19

Peter said to the people:
“The God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,
the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus,
whom you handed over and denied in Pilate’s presence
when he had decided to release him.
You denied the Holy and Righteous One
and asked that a murderer be released to you.
The author of life you put to death,
but God raised him from the dead; of this we are witnesses.
Now I know, brothers,
that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did;
but God has thus brought to fulfillment
what he had announced beforehand
through the mouth of all the prophets,
that his Christ would suffer.
Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.”

Gospel
Lk 24:35-48

The two disciples recounted what had taken place on the way,
and how Jesus was made known to them
in the breaking of bread.

While they were still speaking about this,
he stood in their midst and said to them,
“Peace be with you.”
But they were startled and terrified
and thought that they were seeing a ghost.
Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled?
And why do questions arise in your hearts?
Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.
Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones
as you can see I have.”
And as he said this,
he showed them his hands and his feet.
While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed,
he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?”
They gave him a piece of baked fish;
he took it and ate it in front of them.

He said to them,
“These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,
that everything written about me in the law of Moses

and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.”
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.
And he said to them,
“Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer
and rise from the dead on the third day
and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins,
would be preached in his name
to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things.

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Playgound Volunteer

Help our coaches supervise our children during lunchtime recess! We need two parents each day. Questions? Contact Kathleen Felesina

KINDERGARTEN: 11:45-12:15
MAY

THIRD GRADE 12:10-12:40
MAY

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Hot Lunch Volunteer

Remember to sign up by NOON on Wednesdays in order for your student to receive hot lunch during the following week.  Cancellations need to be made 48 hours prior to the hot lunch date.  Go online to www.bethskitchen.com.  Please call either Beth’s Kitchen or Mayora Hiney, Hot Lunch chairperson, with questions. 

First Grade
Mondays                                                      Thursdays

Fourth Grade
Mondays                                                      Thursdays

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SPA Chess Club News

2006 All-SPA

Chess Tournament

Sign-up Form

The SPA Chess Club will again hold its All – SPA tournament on Saturday, May 6, 2006.  The tournament will be located in the JCPC from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Students will be grouped (by grade) in a round-robin style of play.  Trophies and medals will be awarded.  Pizza, drinks and cookies will be served for players, parents and siblings.  It’s a fun night of chess and pizza so sign up today.  Kindergarteners welcome. 

We will need parents to help at the tournament.  Please volunteer below.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - cut here- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Return to “Chess” via the Black Bag by Friday, May 5th.  Make checks payable to SPACC.  Contact Mark Raineri with questions.

Tournament Fee:     $10 per player (includes dinner)

Chess Player’s Name:    1________________________   Grade______

                                   2________________________   Grade______

                                   3________________________   Grade______

Parents and siblings welcome.  Please add $5 per person for food and drinks.

Total enclosed: ______ X $10   +   ______ X $5 = _________

__ Yes, I can help at the tournament. 

Name_______________ Phone_____

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