From Mr. Stone’s Desk
Greetings Friends of Saint James Catholic School,
This Friday, February 14th, many people will observe
and celebrate Valentine’s Day. The Catholic Church
no longer officially honors St. Valentine, but the
holiday has both Roman and Catholic roots. While
there are varying opinions as to the origin of
Valentine’s Day, I’m going with those folks who state
that it originated from a priest, Valentine, a Roman
who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity.
In short, here is a summation of his story.
Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II Rome was
involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns.
Claudius the Cruel was having a difficult time
getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He
believed that the reason was that Roman men did not
want to leave their loves or families. As a result,
Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements
in Rome.
The good Valentine was a priest at Rome in the days
of Claudius II. He and Saint Marius aided the
Christian martyrs and secretly married couples. For
this kind deed Valentine was apprehended and
dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned
him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his
head cut off.
Valentine suffered martyrdom on Feb. 14th, 269 A.D.
Legend also says that Valentine left a farewell note for
the jailer’s daughter, who had become his friend, and
signed it, “Love from your Valentine.” In 496 A.D.
Pope Gelasius set aside February 14th to honor Saint
Valentine.
Although the mid-February holiday celebrating love
and lovers remains wildly popular, the confusion over
its origins led the Catholic Church, in 1969, to drop
St. Valentine's Day from the Roman calendar of
official, worldwide Catholic feasts. (Those highly
sought-after days are reserved for saints with more
clear historical record. After all, the saints are real
individuals for us to imitate.) Some parishes, however,
observe the feast of St. Valentine.
Now every year on February 14th many people
remember and exchange friendship and/or love
messages. You, however, may also now remember
the life of Valentine, recalling how the Emperor
Claudius tried to stand in the way of love, but
knowing that love can’t be beaten. Love for one
another is what God calls us to do. Love never fails.
What do you love? How do your choices, prayers,
resources, and actions reflect such? Peace, David
"Love Never Fails" – By Brandon Heath
Love is not proud
Love does not boast
Love after all
Matters the most
Love does not run
Love does not hide
Love does not keep
Locked inside
Love is the river that flows through
Love never fails you
Love will sustain
Love will provide
Love will not cease
At the end of time
Love will protect
Love always hopes
Love still believes
When you don't
Love is the arms that are holding you
Love never fails you
When my heart won't make a sound
When I can't turn back around
When the sky is falling down
Nothing is greater than this
Greater than this
Love is right here
Love is alive
Love is the way
The truth the life
Love is the river that flows through
Love is the arms that are holding you
Love is the place you will fly to
Love never fails you
Cougar Paw Prints
A Publication of St. James Catholic School – 2019-2020 Edition 22
Enter to Learn. Go Forth to Serve. Visit us at: www.sjcstx.org
Est. 1878
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does
not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others,
it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps
no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always
trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never
fails.
“Washington’s Birthday” vs “President’s Day”
According to the federal government, the holiday
observed on the third Monday in February is
officially Washington's Birthday. However, many
Americans believe that this holiday is now called
"President’s Day," in honor of both Presidents Lincoln
and Washington, whose birthdays are Feb. 12th and
Feb. 17th, respectively. It turns out that whether you
honor one or the other or both of these presidents may
depend on where you live.
Washington's Birthday was first celebrated as a
holiday in the District of Columbia in 1880. It was
made a federal holiday in 1885. The holiday was
originally held on the anniversary of George
Washington's birth, on February 22nd. In 1971, this
holiday was moved to the third Monday in February.
The states are not obliged to adopt federal holidays,
which only affect federal offices and agencies. While
most states have adopted Washington's Birthday, a
dozen of them officially celebrate Presidents' Day. A
number of the states that celebrate Washington's
Birthday also recognize Lincoln's Birthday as a
separate legal holiday.
Many people feel that Lincoln, the president credited
with preserving the nation during the Civil War, has
been short-changed. To them, having Presidents' Day
is a sensible way to recognize both Washington and
Lincoln. Others feel just as strongly that having an
inclusive Presidents' Day diminishes Washington's
importance in American history.
Source: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/washington1.html
02/10-02/14 – No school lunch program offering.
02/14 – Valentine’s Day
02/17-02/21 – Random Acts of Kindness Week
02/17 – No School – President’s Day
02/18 – New Dilly Deli Lunch Program Begins – See
related information below.
02/20 – School Advisory Council Meeting – 6:00p.m.
02/25 – 5th Grade Fieldtrip – Mass with Archbishop at
Archdiocese (All 5th graders in Archdiocese)
Lunch Program Update:
Yes, we are starting our new lunch program next
week, effective Tuesday, February 18th.
Yes, all families will receive an email regarding how
to order school lunches through Parents Web
(RenWeb). The menu is also on ParentsWeb.
Yes, hopefully you have already ordered lunches for
your child(ren) for next week. Remember, due to
when Chef Jimmie orders food and subsequently
preps for the lunch program there will be no ‘day of’
ordering allowed. School lunch orders need to take
place by the end of Tuesday the previous week.
Yes, you need to order exactly what you want for your
child. Again, due to the planning, ordering, prep, cost,
etc. no ‘day of’ substitutions will be facilitated.
Yes, billing will take place via FACTS – Incidental
Billing for now, with a ‘Pay Now’ feature still being
explored…TBD.
Yes, there may be a few transitional bugs to work out
but please feel free to contact Erica or Gloria in the
main office with any questions. Thank you.
Option: Red/Pink or
Formal Uniforms
Saint James
Robotics…
Learning,
Competing,
and Having
Fun! See
related info
blurb below.
Attention SJCS Community: Please enjoy this submission provided on behalf of Kindergarten-4th
Grade:
* * * * * *
Class News
Featuring:
3rd Grade
Saint James Catholic School Motto:
“Keeping God in Everything We Do.”
Saint James Catholic School Mission Statement:
Saint James Catholic School exists as a gift to God’s
children, to prepare them to live a life of faith with
Jesus the Good Shepherd as their teacher and friend.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, our school seeks to foster
in each student spiritual growth, academic excellence,
and a sense of service with moral integrity.
Saint James Catholic School Vision Statement:
The vision of Saint James Catholic School is to
develop and inspire within its students faith-based
values that represent the service nature of a Catholic
school; to treat others with love and kindness as Christ
loves each of us. Our service to others will give back
to the community while fostering our Catholic
identity. Saint James will also strive to maintain
sound and transparent fiscal policies which will enable
our school to continue to grow and provide a quality
education to all those we serve.
2019-2020 School Year Theme:
Indescribable Joy
Unshakable Faith
Unstoppable Love
“With GOD all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26
Congratulations Saint James Robotics Team!
This past Saturday, February 08th, nine of our Saint
James Catholic School students competed in the
FIRST LEGO LEAGUE (FLL) Competition
at Canyon Lake High School. This was St. James’
very first year to compete in this type of competition.
Every year the challenge includes three parts: the
Robot game, the Project, and the Core Values. We are
happy to announce that our team brought home a 3rd
Place trophy for the best Robot design. Overall, our
team placed 11th out of 24 teams. This is an awesome
accomplishment, especially for our very first year
doing this type of competition! We are very proud of
the following students who participated in this event.
5th Grade:
Connor Taft
6th Grade:
Zakry L.
Matthew M.
Alora P.
Noah R.
Brandon S.
Colton T.
Shyan T.
Aukai W-M
Non SJCS Student:
Paxton L.
Tasks include minor repairs in plumbing, painting,
building upkeep, electrical repairs, and HVAC system
maintenance. (Some prior experience is required.)
For initial consideration please submit a resume via
the school office. SJCS FAX: 830-379-0047
Start Date: As soon as possible.
Reliability and ability to work with people is desired.
Job Type: Part-time Salary: $14.00 to $15.00/hour
An Archdiocesan Application, Background Check,
and VIRTUS will all be required prior to hiring.
* * * * * *
* * * * * *
Position: General Maintenance
15-20 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Occasional Evenings and Weekends 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.
SJCS Robotics Team
Mrs. Lo Ra Dick, Coach
Attention SJCS Families: NOW is the time to apply to Hope for the Future Tuition Assistance!
There is more money available for early applicants. Questions? Mrs. Gloria Valdes is available to help.