Just a Word

From the Pastor 01.29.23

Catholic Schools Week

One of the changes that the parishioners of the old St. Monica’s and St. Elizabeth parishes experienced, following the merger in 2015, was that suddenly, they were in a parish with a Catholic school. Of course, older members of St. Monica’s would remember their parish school, which closed around 1970 and is currently rented to the Caedmon School. However, it wasn’t until St. Stephen of Hungary parish was merged with St. Elizabeth and St Monica that St. Stephen’s School became the school of the merged parish.

Every year the Catholic Church in the US celebrates National Catholic Schools Week. It is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It starts the last Sunday of January (this Sunday), and is celebrated with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members.

National Catholic Schools week will be Celebrated at St. Stephen of Hungary School all week long with special programs, celebrations, and events. open houses will be had for the benefit of current and future families This year’s theme for the National Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” Come and celebrate our growing parish based Catholic School on February 4th at the 5:30pm monthly Family Mass and give thanks for the ways it has blessed our merged parish over these past 8 years.

New Altar Servers

Another celebration will take place next week at the family Mass: the installation of new altar servers. We will welcome 7 new members into our cadre of parish and school altar servers.

A Look Ahead

Two weeks from today I will be leaving for a week’s vacation to Germany. I leave on the 12th after mass and will be back on the 21st. I have gotten the masses covered through the generosity of our weekend associates, Franciscan priest Fr. Brian Smail, and Bishop Edmund Whalen. During my time off our pastoral associate for parish life, Maryann Tyrer will be present for all pastoral issues not needing anointing or confession.

I want to thank them in advance for their willingness to help. With only one priest in the parish, this model of pastoral coverage is quickly becoming the norm in many places. I am so glad to have all of them and their assistance, as it makes trips like to one, I will take possible.

But I must hurry back. I come home on the 21st – the 22nd is ASH WEDNESDAY!

Fr. Baker

January 30th - February 4th, 2023 Parish Bulletin

The CSW theme is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.” Catholic schools have a specific purpose to form students to be good citizens of the world, love God and neighbor and enrich society with the leaven of the gospel and by example of faith. The Catholic school, like the Catholic Church, is not a building or an institution, but it is the people. As the people of God, we work together to bring the Kingdom of God to Earth and raise up the next generation to do the same. May we all strive to live in active service of Jesus and his mission as we nationally join together during Catholic Schools Week and always.

These are some of the activities students and teachers will be enjoying to celebrate the uniqueness of St. Stephen of Hungary School as a ministry of St. Monica’s Church:

Monday 1/30 - Celebrating Community

We kick off our week-long celebration during our morning assembly with our very own SSHS Cheer Squad performing a cheer, followed by our Kindergarten class singing “Brand New Day” by Little Praise Party! Some of our 8th Graders will be presenting a video they made of students, teachers, staff sharing their testimonials of what St. Stephen of Hungary School means to them.

Doors will be decorated for our beloved staff members and posters will be made and delivered to local businesses that our school community adores.

Tuesday 1/31 -

Celebrating Our Students

Students are invited to wear RED and WHITE or St. Stephen Kings' sports uniforms to show SSHS pride! Our 8th Grade will wear their custom sweatshirts.

Classes will come together to decorate their doors for a judging contest on Friday. Themes are: PK3 - 2 “Books We LOVE!”

3rd - 6th “St. Stephen Spirit and Pride!”

7th & 8th “Social Justice - What does that look like in a catholic school?”

We will have the first phase of celebrations for our 8th grade based on high school admissions decisions to date!

We also have an Open House scheduled on 1/31 for prospective students. What better way to showcase our beloved school than during Catholic Schools Week! The Open House will run from 8:30am-9:30am. Please help spread the word to friends and neighbors who may be interested in applying to SSHS. They can email our Admissions Director Judy Dickson at jdickson@saintstephenschool.org

Wednesday 2/1 - Celebrating Our Nation

Students will wear their full uniforms and add some patriotic flair as we celebrate our great nation!

SSHS Chamber Ensemble, under the direction of Ms. Leon, will open our weekly school mass with a performance of Bach's "Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring " from the Cantata No. 147.

After celebrating mass, the entire school will gather at 10am in the school’s parking lot/playground area to participate in retiring our school's flag and replacing it with a new one! We have asked Xavier JROTC's Color Guard and X-Squad to be present for this ceremony so that our school community experiences the respectful way to honor our great country's flag. Father Baker will begin the ceremony with a prayer, students will sing patriotic songs and it will end with Early Childhood waving flags and singing "We are the World". The day will continue with Book Buddy reading and flag making crafts.

Thursday 2/2 - Celebrating Vocations

It was such a hit last year that we are bringing back "Dress as Your Favorite Saint". Older students will dress in full uniform and create a medallion to wear that reflects their favorite saint. This is a great time for 8th graders to think about the saint’s name they will be taking for Confirmation in the Spring! For 6th and 7th graders, it's never too early to think of their Confirmation saint names as well!

We will also have a "Procession of Saints" in our chapel while singing "When the Saints Go Marching In!" and our 8th grade will be performing a skit they are writing.

Friday 2/3 - Celebrating Teachers, Staff and Volunteers

They say imitation is the best form of flattery - our students love to dress up as their favorite teacher or staff member! We are excited to see their creativity!

We show our appreciation on this day to our very dedicated faculty and staff - they are the hardest working school community we know! The Parents Association will be providing a wonderful breakfast for faculty and staff to enjoy.

Saturday - Celebrating Our Church Community

Our students will proudly wear their school uniforms to the Family Mass, as they join parishioners for worship and express appreciation for their support for our wonderful school ministry! During this mass, Father Baker will be installing our new altar servers and Mr. Zupan and Mr. Laughead will bring our Children's Choir and Show Choir together to sing!