ST. COLUMBA SHEPHERD
GUIDANCE FOR THE WEEK AHEAD
EACH WEEK THE ST. COLUMBA SHEPHERD provides all the information you need to know and links to things that you might need to cross off your list. Stay organized by reading it every week and making sure that you add events and deadlines to your calendar! LET'S DO IT!
DATES TO REMEMBER
5/5-5/9 - Teacher Appreciation Week
5/5 - 5 Grade Retreat to Folsom Park th
5/6 - 1 Grade Field Trip to Durango Nature Studies st
5/7 - School Mass - 1 Grade Leading Liturgy - 8:15 st
5/7 - 2 Grade Field Trip to Animas Museum nd
5/7 - Middle School Mayhem - 5:30 - For Incoming 5 Grade Families th
5/8 - 3 Grade Field Trip to SW Museum rd
5/9 - MS Theater Presents “Willy Wonka” - 7:00
5/10 - MS Theater Presents “Willy Wonka” - 1:00 & 7:00
5/13 - Pre-4 Grade - Wendy’s Lunch Celebration for th Day of Giving 100% Participation & Free Dress Day
5/14 - 5th-8th Grade - Wendy’s Lunch Celebration for Day of Giving 100% Participation & Free Dress Day
5/14 - 4 Grade Fishing Field Trip th
5/14 - Parenting Workshop w/ Ruby Jo Walker - 5:30
5/15 - School Mass - Thursday this Week - 8:15 - 7 & 8 Grade Candle Service th th
5/15 & 5/16 - 8 Grade Retreat at Three Trails Ranch th
5/16 - Middle School Dance - 6:30
5/20 - End of Year Assembly - 8:15
5/20 - 8 Grade Graduation - 5:00 Mass & Dinner th
5/21 -School Mass - 5 Grade Leading Liturgy - 8:15 th
5/22 - Last Day of Preschool
5/22 - Kindergarten Celebration - 8:15
5/22 - STEAM Field Trip
5/22 - Last Day of Preschool
5/22 - Preschool Graduation - 6:00 5/23 - Last Day of School - K-7
Let’s Show Our Gratitude! Teacher Appreciation Week Kicks Off Monday!
*Click the links on the next page to access your child’s classroom and participate.
This coming week we are celebrating our AMAZING TEACHERS and STAFF at St. Columba. We are encouraging families to participate and contribute in whatever way feels right for them - whether it's a small gift card, kind note, favorite morning drink, or a cash contribution towards a favorite thing. Of course, all of this is completely voluntary and optional.
The theme for the week is Favorite Things!
Monday: Favorite drink Whether it’s a coffee, ice-tea or soda
We're looking for a volunteer who can swing by a coffee shop on their way to school and deliver it to the classroom.
Tuesday: Favorite snack or treat.
Wednesday: Sign up to bring an item for the Teacher-Staff Afternoon Celebration and/or Favorite flower or desk item
Thursday: Favorite self-care or relaxation item
Friday: A homemade card with thoughtful words or small favorite thing, something that touches the heart The best gifts are often the simplest.
We understand that some of the items listed on the teacher/staff "favorite things" may feel like a bit much. Participation is completely optional please feel free to contribute whatever works for your family, whether it’s one day or all five!
For those that have special teachers (PE, music, art, etc) there will be boxes in the office for their "Favorite Things".
Thanks so much for helping us make our teachers feel loved and appreciated!
*Click the links below to access your child’s classroom and participate:
Pre-School Teacher Appreciation Week Sign-Ups (Ms. Sherry, Ms. Lexy, Ms. Acelynn, Ms. Jessica)
Pre-School Teacher Appreciation Week Sign-Ups (Ms Brittany, Ms Akiko, Ms. Chelsea, Ms. Niavis, Ms. Ashlee)
Kindergarten Teacher Appreciation Sign-Ups
1st Grade Teacher Appreciation Week Sign-Ups
2nd Grade Teacher Appreciation Week Sign-Ups
3rd Grade Teacher Appreciation Week Sign-Ups
4th Grade Teacher Appreciation Week Sign-Ups
5th Grade Teacher Appreciation Week Sign-Ups
6th Grade Teacher Appreciation Week Sign-Ups
7th Grade Teacher Appreciation Week Sign-Ups
8th Grade Teacher Appreciation Week Sign-Ups
Day of Giving Schoolwide Lunch Celebrations of Community & Generosity
We’re thrilled to share that thanks to your extraordinary support and full community participation in this year’s Day of Giving, we’re hosting a celebratory lunch to honor the generosity of our St. Columba families.
On Tuesday, May 13th (Preschool–4th Grade) and Wednesday, May 14th (5th–8th Grade), students will enjoy Wendy’s Burgers, Fries, and Frosties and a Free Dress Day.
Every student will receive lunch unless you choose to opt out HERE. Gluten-free and dairy-free options are available.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Every gift and every share to friends and family helped make this year’s Day of Giving a success. We couldn’t be more grateful for all of you.
Amazing Parenting Opportunity
All Preschool-8 grade families are invited to join us for a parenting workshop. th Wednesday, May 14 5:30-7:00 in the gym th,
Parenting from the Inside Out
Break reactive cycles. Build a deeper connection.
In this 90-minute workshop, discover how your own childhood experiences and nervous system responses shape your parenting. Learn practical tools for calming reactivity, repairing after conflict, and parenting with greater awareness and compassion
This workshop uses neurobiology to provide a deeper understanding of support more skillful parenting. It is perfect for parents and caregivers ready to grow, heal, and connect.
Trainer: Ruby Jo Walker, Southwest Trauma Training
Ruby Jo Walker, LCSW, specializes in the neurobiology of trauma and resilience. She has been working in the field of SA and DV trauma for over 30 years She works with a wide range of professionals from various disciplines to provide trauma-informed training. She has facilitated several hundred training sessions for individuals and organizations across the state of Colorado and in the Southwest, including the Navajo Nation.
She is the founder of Post-Traumatic Growth Somatic Therapy, a unique combination of advanced somatic therapy practices rooted in neurobiology, resilience, trauma healing, and attachment theory, using applied Polyvagal Theory She is a contributing author of a Norton Press book on trauma treatment modalities published in 2025, edited by Dr. Stephen Porges, PhD. She is currently working on a book now on applied polyvagal theory
She has also served as a leader on a statewide task force that developed supportive resources for healthcare workers in Colorado during the pandemic, including a website and materials on resilience.
She is the founder of SW Trauma Training Services
Light refreshments and childcare will be provided. Please email the office if you are in need of childcare for the evening.
Service Hours Opportunity
We are looking for a volunteer to dig two holes on the preschool playground for a sun shade.
This is such an important need that Mr. Chick is offering your full 20 service hours for this opportunity that will likely take you half a day.
Please let the office know if you would like to jump on this opportunity and we will get you the specifics.
Log your Service Hours
Several of you are completing a lot of your service hours this month and next with all of our Field Trips and events.
Please make sure to log your service hours HERE. Once your 20 hours are complete, your account will be credited back your service hours fee.
All hours need to be logged by June 1 to count towards the 24-25 school year. st
Thank you for sharing your time, talent, and treasure with us!
THE PARISH CONNECTION
A message from Fr. Kevin...
It has been over a year now since I retired from being your pastor having learned that the chemo was no longer working on my brain tumor. I have been very blessed in this time first and foremost by your prayers, and by your providing meals for me and my caregivers. All of my caregivers, paid and volunteers, have been the safety net I need to stay here in Durango. I'm grateful.
At this time I rely even more on my caregivers to assist with all aspects of mobility. Inside, with help, I can use a walker. When outside I’m in a wheelchair. My vision is always doubled which is why I wear the eye patch. Also my speaking and chewing is now labored. I have little energy. I am gratefully able to still teach Scripture each Thursday and occasionally can host a faith group. These are the only ministries I can take on right now.
This is a time of reflection, prayer and grace for me: accepting each day as it comes, making the accommodations needed in this time of both diminishment and rebirth. I ask for your continued prayers as I continue my journey with the Lord.
THE PARISH CONNECTION
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Camp Totus Tuus (Latin for Totally Yours), a summer formation youth program hosted by the Diocese of Pueblo. Sacred Heart and St. Columba have joined together to welcome all youth throughout the Durango area. The program runs Mon-Fri 9:00AM - 2:30PM The day includes fun faith sessions, daily Mass, songs, games, and free play. For middle school and high school youth, the program runs SundayThursday 7:00PM - 9:00PM. The excitement and energy of the Totus Tuus young adult leaders is contagious - come out and join us! All parishioners in both communities are invited to a potluck dinner on Wednesday at 5:30PM.
Registration is available through the Sacred Heart Parish office The cost is $25.00/individual and $50.00/family. Participants in the grade school program should bring a sack lunch and free play equipment. For more information: Call/text: 970-749-1869 or Email: YMSACREDHEARTDGO@GMAIL.COM
