From Mr. Stone’s Desk

Greetings Friends of Saint James Catholic School,

Halloween is tomorrow. There are youngsters who

are undoubtedly looking forward to candy, fun,

costumes, trick-or-treating perhaps, family

activities, etc. Special thanks to SJCS parent Kay

Lynne Prochaska and other parents and faculty/staff

members for their impending facilitation of Fall

Frenzy hoopla. I have no doubt that the youngsters

will enjoy the costume parade, games and activities,

and of course the candy. We appreciate all who are

involved.

Immediately following Halloween, tomorrow, we

will be celebrating All Saints Day this Friday,

Nov. 01st. All Saints Day is when the Church

commemorates all saints, known and unknown.

Did you know that All Saints Day is a surprisingly

old feast? It arose out of the Christian tradition of

celebrating the martyrdom of saints on the

anniversary of their martyrdom. When martyrdoms

increased during the persecutions of the late Roman

Empire, local dioceses instituted a common feast

day in order to ensure that all martyrs, known and

unknown, were properly honored.

The current date of November 1 was instituted by

Pope Gregory III (731-741), when he consecrated a

chapel to all the martyrs in St. Peter’s Basilica in

Rome and ordered an annual celebration. This

celebration was originally confined to the diocese

of Rome, but Pope Gregory IV (827-844) extended

the feast to the entire Church and ordered it to be

celebrated on November 1.

As a holy day of obligation Catholics in the United

States are required to go to mass, celebrating all

saints known and unknown (mass obligation

excepting for reasons such as illness or when All

Saints Day is transferred to an adjacent Sunday).

Did you know, however, that Catholics in many

regions of the world celebrate and commemorate

All Saints Day in a number of different ways?

In Portugal, Spain, and Mexico offerings are made

on this day, which coincides with the celebration of

“Dia de los Innocentes” (“Day of Innocents”).

In Austria, Belgium, France, and even American

cities such as New Orleans people take flowers to

the graves of dead relatives.

In Poland, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Romania,

Lithuania, Croatia, Hungary, and Catholic parts of

Germany the tradition is to light candles and visit

the graves of deceased relatives.

In the Philippines, this day, “Todos los Santos”

(literally “All Saints”), and sometimes “Araw ng

mga Patay” (approximately “Day of the Dead”) is

observed as All Souls Day. This day and the one

before and one after it is spent visiting the graves of

deceased relatives, where prayers and flowers are

offered, candles are lit and the graves themselves

are cleaned, repaired and repainted.

There are thousands of canonized saints, individuals

officially recognized by the Church as holy men and

women worthy of imitation. The Solemnity of All

Saints is when the church honors all saints, known

and those who may be unknown or unsung saints,

those who may have been forgotten or never

specifically honored. We celebrate these saints of

the Lord, and ask for their prayers and intercessions.

The whole concept of All Saints is tied in with the

concept of the Communion of Saints. Catholics

believe that all of God’s people, in heaven and on

earth, are connected in a communion. In other

words, we believe that the saints of God are just as

alive as you and I, and are constantly interceding on

our behalf. Let us remember to honor all saints as is

our duty, as is our want, as is our faith. Peace, David

Cougar Paw Prints

A Publication of St. James Catholic School – 2019-2020 Edition 11

Enter to Learn. Go Forth to Serve. Visit us at: www.sjcstx.org

Est. 1878

FESTUM OMNIUM SANCTORUM – NOVEMBER 01st

Halloween Hoopla at Saint James School

[Fall Frenzy – October 31st – School Gym]

As previously mentioned, costumes will be allowed

this day. Those choosing to wear such must be

mindful of and adhere to the following guidelines.

Halloween Costume Guidelines:

1. ‘Minor Make-Up’ Ok - No fake blood or gory stuff

2. No clowns, lil devils, or zombie-like ickiness

3. No masks to be worn at school during any time of

the day except briefly during the Costume Parade

itself, taking place at the end of the school day.

4. General Props Ok – No weapons of any sort

5. School Appropriate Costumes – Bodies should be

normally covered, nothing immodest. Students

advised to wear something normal/regular under

their costumes. Closed toe and heel footwear.

6. All hair coloring, make-up, etc. must be wash-out

appropriate. Regular, normal appearance and dress

uniforms -or- ‘Come dressed as a Saint’ will be

expected the next school day, Friday, Nov. 01st, for

All Saints Day/mass.

7. Any costume questions regarding ‘possibilities’

should be directed to Mr. Stone in advance, thus

assuring the appropriateness of a student’s

appearance. Thank you.

Head’s Up – School Survey – NOW ACTIVE

‘Excellence with Integrity Institute’

Last few days to still participate; Ends Nov. 04th

.

If you haven’t yet had a chance to complete the

anonymous online survey then please do so at your

next earliest convenience. If you lost the web address

and/or Survey ID code then please contact the school

office. We would like to have as many people as

possible provide us with your input. Your feedback is

important and we appreciate you taking the time to

complete this 10 minute survey. Thank You, -David

Catholic Life Raffle: Happening Now!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

As you know, the 2019 Catholic Life Raffle is

underway! We would like to thank our parents and

students who have come out to our events over the

past two weekends to sell tickets. Please review the

attachment with the incentives for our students and the

class selling the most tickets (flyer, below)!

This is a wonderful opportunity for parents/guardians

as well. Parents/Guardians who come out to sell

tickets at our events will receive 1 PTC service point

per hour worked.

100% of the proceeds raised stays at St. James!

When planning to work at an event, please sign up via

the Sign-Up Genius on the time slots allocated; so, we

don't have too many people working one shift.

Additionally, if you have signed up and are unable to

make it, please be courteous and go back to the sign

up genius to remove your name. This will allow others

the opportunity to sign up to work.

Already sold your $100 worth of tickets? Yes, more

are available! Questions? Please contact our Catholic

Life Raffle coordinator, Mrs. Lynda Ploetz at

LyndaPloetz29@yahoo.com. SJCS appreciates you!

10/31 – Fall Frenzy – Gym – Note: Costumes will be

allowed this day, students and faculty/staff

alike. Strict costume guidelines are listed in

this newsletter. Costume parade to take place.

11/01 – All Saints Day – Mass – 8:00a.m.

1st Quarter Awards Assembly – After Mass

11/02 – CAAC Cheer and Dance Competition – SJCS

Competing – 9:20a.m.’ish (Dance) – Central

Catholic HS in San Antonio – Go Cougars!

11/03 – Daylight Savings Time Ends

11/06 – LifeTouch Pictures Day – Formal Uniforms

11/08 – Veteran’s Program – Gym – 9:30a.m.

11/11 – No School – Veteran’s Day / Staff Comp Day

Catholic Life Raffle: Please be looking for future emails in regards to where we will be selling tickets out in the

community over the next few weeks; so, you and your child/children can sign up. We look forward to working

together to make this campaign a success! Upcoming Sale Opportunities: Nov. 02nd, Tractor Supply, 8:00am-4:00pm

November 09th, Tractor Supply, 8:00am - 4:00pm and November 16th and 17th, Walmart, 9:00am - 4:00pm.

(Optional) Dress as a Saint – Friday, Nov. 01st

Students / Faculty / Staff

And, be able to answer (3) questions about your

saint: A. Years Lived, B. Place of Birth, and C.

Patron Saint of _______? – Then you’ll receive a

Free Dress Down Day – Tuesday, Nov. 05th

* * * *

2019-2020 School Year Theme:

Indescribable Joy

Unshakable Faith

Unstoppable Love

“With GOD all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

* * * *

Prayer for Saint James Catholic School:

Dear Lord, bless our Catholic school. Help us to

continue to be a humble source of wisdom, always

yearning to learn more about your tremendous love

for us. May all who enter Saint James Catholic

School be filled with the gift of your Holy Spirit,

coming to know you in a more meaningful way.

Guide us as a community that respects and

welcomes everyone. May Catholic education

continue to grow so that your good news can be

taught to children throughout the world. Amen.

Attention SJCS Community: Please enjoy this submission from our ______, this time representing _____

* * * * * *

News

Featuring:

______

***5th Newsletter of a Month – No Entry /// 1st Newsletter of November will

resume this section with a PK2-PK3-PK4 ‘Little People Land’ offering. Thank you.

“What you are is God's gift to you,

what you become is your gift to

God.” – Hans Urs von Balthasar

All of us, together…

Please note, from our Saint James Parish Weekend Bulletin. Thank you.