Halo Notes
St. Louis Catholic High School l Thurs., March 11, 2021
Father Whitney~“Thoughts on Being Home for a Month”
It has now been a little more than a month since my return to the “home” of St. Louis Catholic High School. Although much has changed from the renovated campus of the “Opening Windows” Capital Campaign days, much is still the same. I find the students to be equally respectful, the faculty as dedicated and faithful as ever, the staff hard working with a consistent spirit of going above and beyond the call of duty, and the parents, families and community warm, welcoming and …weary.
It is a descriptive word we don’t use that much in American culture and society, but I have always found it quite expressive. To be weary. Folks in England and countries influenced by the British language make more frequent reference to this term than we do. Right up there with “lovely” and “a cup of tea.” “So, my dear, how are you feeling?” one might ask in polite conversation. To which the respondent could answer, “Lovely, dear, but a bit weary.”
Like London fog, there is a heaviness of “being weary” in our world of Southwest Louisiana these days. A weariness of a pandemic gone on for too long, a weariness of hurricane recovery efforts, a weariness of insurance claims, a weariness of the escalation of construction costs and materials, and a weariness of temporary living arrangements becoming not so temporary after all. Many, if not most, are weary, worn and in need of a good, long nap…for at least a WEEK!
Home is that place as human beings that we find rest and renewal. As Dorothy discovers in “The Wizard of Oz,” “there is no place like home.” It is in the context of home that we can truly be ourselves, take our shoes off, relax, and in the confines of a safe space, find remedy for the weary soul. This is exactly what is missing in the lives of so many of our community in these troubled times. This sense of “homeness” and spiritual restoration.
I am thankful to God for the grace of coming “home” to St. Louis Catholic High once again in this season of my life. I hope and pray that I can bring a bit of the healing spirit of compassion and care to this space of creative boardwalk construction, tin roofs and challenging circumstances; all still surrounded in a comforting color context of orange and blue that not only is surviving but thriving as we take the next step forward with faith and in support of one another. I am thrilled once again to be a Saint and challenged each day to live that calling to the fullest!
Peace,
Fr. Whitney
Congratulations Lady Saints on Winning the State Title
The Lady Saints defeated Liberty Magnet 50-41 on Friday to earn the second state title – and first since 1989 – in program history. Sophomore guard Paris Guillory was named the game’s outstanding player. Guillory also earned first team all-district honors, along with junior Myca Trail, who was selected as the league’s most valuable player. Junior Raven Guillory was voted to the second team, while juniors Tia Reder, Mackenzie Williams and sophomore Gabbie Link earned honorable mentions. Coach Tony Johnson was selected as the district coach of the year for the third consecutive season.
Check out the Good Morning America segment with Robin Roberts!
Celebrate Our Saints Parade
A Gathering Place for Our Saints
Be on the lookout for more information regarding the temporary campus!
~UPCOMING DATES~
- Sanctus 40 meeting every Monday during Lent at 7:15 in Room 20
- Study Hall in Room 26 - March 16, 5-6:30 pm
- Mass in Room 27- Wednesday, March 17 at 7 am and confession during lunch
- 3rd Quarter Ends Friday, March 19
- Deadline to re-enroll is March 25
- Deadline to apply for financial aid is April 15.
- Moonlight & Magnolias Individual Tickets go on Sale- March 29
~ACADEMICS~
PD for Our Saints Faculty & Staff
Strategic Vision Academic Excellence Goal #1: To facilitate ordered critical thinking, build self-efficacy, and foster “perseverance in pursuit of the truth”
Governance & Leadership Goal #2: To support and encourage innovative and collaborative teaching as well as professional development of new and returning faculty to support a culture of continuous improvement
Our faculty and staff will have in-service on Friday, and they will participate in Solution Tree Immediate Impact Institutes along with a follow up virtual visit from Col. Flowers to talk about mindset. The Department Chairs attended a three-day training with Solution Tree over the summer to learn how PLCs (Professional Learning Communities) are used for school improvement, and we are providing additional training to all faculty and staff to continue the work of our strategic vision. In February, Col. Flowers visited SLCHS and spoke about growth mindset with students, faculty, parents, and other stakeholders. We are excited about these opportunities for professional development with a focus on supporting a culture of continuous improvement and student success.
March Book Madness
~ADVANCEMENT~
Don't Miss the Magnolia Parties & Auction~Sponsorships Now On Sale!
Don’t miss out on the fun! Let’s pass a good time at the
Moonlight & Magnolias All Saints Auction & Parties!
Join us Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 6:30 pm!
Our auction may look a little differently this year, but it has the same purpose– build community and raise money for St. Louis Catholic High School.
Here’s how it works:
- We have four Magnolia Parties that will take place simultaneously on May 1.
- The number of attendees is limited.
- Individual tickets will be on sale March 29, 2020.
- Attend a Party & bid on the Live Mystery Item at each house, Virtual Auction, Sweet & Shop.
- Sponsorships are on sale now! Click here to sponsor!
- Click here to Donate an Auction Item.
For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Ashley Ivey-Atkins at aatkins@slchs.org.
The Great Tuition Giveaway
Online Enrollment Runs Through March 25- Act Now! Spots Are Filling Up Quickly!
- Login to your FACTS Portal.
- The online process should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.
- If you do not re-enroll by March 25, you will be charged a late fee of $100.
Tuition Assistance Available for Saints Families
In order to be eligible for tuition assistance, students must meet the following criteria:
1) Complete FACTS Application Process by April 15, 2021
- Complete the FACTS application
- Provide 2020 W2’s and tax returns as stated on FACTS application
- Payment – $35 processing fee due at the time of application; payable to FACTS
2) Be a currently enrolled SLCHS student.
3) Incoming freshmen must have an active admissions application on file.
4) Demonstrate a need as determined by FACTS and the SLCHS Tuition Assistance Committee.
If you have any questions about the process, please contact Ray Baggett, Director of Finance at 436-7275 ext. 247.
~SAINTS LIFE~
Senegal Now Apart of the WolfPack
She is ranked nationally in the following:
3rd at 500 meters
8th at 300 meters
20th at 400 meters
42nd at 800 meters
96th at 60 meters
Around Athletics
Boys Basketball
The boys basketball team fell short in their quarterfinal game at Liberty Magnet Friday night. Seniors Nick Ughovwa and Karlin Hardy earned first team all-district honors and senior Terry Sherman was selected to the second team. Juniors Bryson Hardy and Mika Ducote earned honorable mentions. Ughovwa was selected to represent St. Louis Catholic on the west squad at the LHSCA all-star game later this month.
Golf
Saints golfers opened their season at Koasati Pines on Saturday and posted a fifth-place team finish. Sophomore George Trappey led the team with a 74, good for 5th place, while sophomore Ross Anderson shot 78 to finish 13th. The team will be back in action hosting the St. Louis Catholic Invitational Monday at the Lake Charles Country Club and Tuesday at The National Golf Club of Louisiana.
Baseball
Baseball won three of four games over the last week, taking two of three from Holy Savior Menard over the weekend and routing Sulphur 10-2 Tuesday night. Senior Parker Morgan hurled a gem against the Tors, pitching a complete game to earn the win. Morgan was backed by long home runs by sophomore catcher Jake LaRocca and senior shortstop Evan Joubert.
Saints & Service
"Reunited And It Feels So Good"
In the Morning When I Rise Give Me Jesus
21-22 Tryout Information for Sweethearts & Cheerleaders
Sweetheart Tryouts are March 23-25
- Click here for everything you need to know about Sweetheart Tryouts
Cheer Tryouts are March 25-27
- Click here for everything you need to know about Cheer Tryouts.
~FAITH~
COR Expedition Awaits
Daily Gospel Readings
~LAGNIAPPE~
Shop & Give Back to Our Library
Have you started shopping for Easter, graduation gifts, Mother's Day, teacher gifts, or summer reading books? Would you like to help our school library by shopping from the safety of your home? We are excited to announce a fundraiser that will help us and you! You shop Catholic spirituality books at avemariapress.com with our special code LOUIS21. The books will ship to your house for FREE, and we'll get 30% back!
Contact Information
OUR FOUR PILLARS: Wonder, Identity, Community & Service
Email: saintsmail@slchs.org
Website: www.slchs.org
Location: 1620 Bank Street, Lake Charles, LA, USA
Phone: 337-436-7275
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slchssaints
Twitter: @slchs_saints