Holy Family Happenings
Encourage one another and build each other up. 1 Thes. 5:11
March 20, 2020
Apr 14 - Classes are scheduled to resume
PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING
Well, what can we say right now? Things are so quickly changing and hard to know. I think that at times like these, we do well to take a step back and remember that our God does not change. God is tried and true. God who is our past, present, and future, and God who said that we are now his body and the presence of his Spirit in the world.... that God has us in hand.
One cool thing about God, is that God works through people. Our staff has shown the hands and hearts of God this week in a particular way. I emailed them at the start of the week that they should take this week as a break and that we would address school matters starting on Monday. Two days later, I completely changed the tune. There was not a single complaint from anyone. Just big hearts and strong hands doing the work necessary to serve and lead our kids. They have been amazing. Of particular note, we need to acknowledge our childcare staff. They have come in as much as possible and as much as needed, in order to provide care for our 2s, 3s, and 4s. They will continue this service as long as they are able. I am humbled by this team. Please join me in thanking them.
I keep saying, "God is good. We've got this". I don't know if this will be a memory in a month, or if we will just be starting a new sort of living, but hey!......God is good, and we've got this.
Thank you for taking time to read this quick update and the newsletter each week. If this strange situation has you reading the newsletter, and you haven't typically made it a habit, I encourage you to read it each week, and maybe check out the podcast, too! All the important stuff happens here, and partnership with our families is so important to a strong school system!
God bless you!
Zach Zeckser
Chief Administrator
HOLY FAMILY NEWS
School Supply Alternative Pickup
Thank you for your feedback!
STO Reminder
Banking Error being Corrected
Faith Resources from St. Jude's Church
Hello All!
This weekend, many of us will be preparing for and watching Mass at home for the first time. How do we help the youngest Catholics prepare for and engage with the Liturgy in this way? Here are some resources that either have been made free or are already free to help you make this an easy and effective transition.
· Kid's Liturgy: This resource is made for younger children (ages 3-1st grade) and leads through a Children's Liturgy of the Word session including music, Gospel reading and interpretation, and ends with an activity sheet to download. Follow the directions below to access this Sunday's Liturgy.
1. Go to https://mlearn.smp.org
2. Copy/paste the following login information:
Username: kidsliturgy@smp.org
Password: KidsLiturgy123!
* This is a universal login. Please DO NOT change the password!
· MagnifiKids!: Has a kids version of the Magnificat, a guide to Mass each week. Children ages 6-12 can use this colorful booklet as their guide to prepare to watch Mass at home. Click the current week's date to download the guide for that Liturgy.
· Holy Heroes: go to enter your email address to receive Free daily Lenten and Easter activities for your kids. There are Mass quizzes, mazes, coloring sheets and more!
· The Religion Teacher: Has an eBook of Lenten Bible Stories for kids for ages 6-12.
Click Here to download the book on your device.
· This Week's Liturgy: This resource has Scripture reflections and discussion questions and activities for Primary grade children to learn about the Scripture readings for the week. Click on "Upcoming weeks," then scroll to the current week's date.
Stay healthy and pray for those affected by Coronavirus,
Kari Hill
Yearbook Orders Due 3/20/2020
It is time to order the 2019-2020 Holy Family School System yearbook online!
Go to... ybpay.lifetouch.com and type in our school code which is 1248420
Our yearbook will include all Holy Family students and staff from 3 year old preschool at St. Jude through 8th grade at LaSalle.
The deadline to have yearbooks ordered is March 20th.
Thank you and have a great day!
Angela Pasker
Spring Pictures have been cancelled.
The Holy Family Plant Sale has been cancelled.
Hy-Vee Cash 4 Students
This program earns our school system $1 for every $200 collected in receipts from the 13 Cedar Rapids and Marion Hy-Vee Food Stores and Drugstores. For this current promotion, we are collecting receipts dated from April 1, 2019-March 31, 2020.
- The receipt deadline remains the same (March 31), but the redemption period to submit your receipts to Hy-Vee will be May 1-10 (instead of April 1-11). This new time frame is not final as we are uncertain of what will happen in the coming weeks, but for now (provided schools resume mid-April), May 1-10 will be the new redemption period, so please hold onto your receipts dated before March 31st and turn them in when classes resume.
LancerFest update
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
CenterStage Show Choir Pie Fundraiser
There will not be any more pie orders or dessert tables at the fish fry. All salespeople are asked to please tell their customers that pie orders have all been cancelled. Shelly Huiskamp will contact individual salespeople to return checks for pies that will not be ordered for 3/20/20, 3/27/2020 & 4/3/2020. In spite of the short window of time for this fundraiser, the show choir made over $800 this year! Thank you for your help and understanding!
Spring Sports
Watch for spring sports updates when we return to school. Until then, students are encouraged to get outside to play catch with a sibling or parent, take a jog, or ride a bike in the neighborhood!
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS
A Note from Principal Williams
Thank you to all of our families and their amazing support through this unusual situation we find ourselves in. This truly is an unusual time, but your wonderful support and kindness have been uplifting!
A Prayer for Complete, Good Health
Father, Praise You for this, and every day that we get to wake up this side of heaven. Each day is laced with purpose, and we ask for Your wisdom and guidance through every one. Help us to live each day well, and for Your glory, from start to finish. Thank You for Your Word, which breathes life into our tired souls and minds. You promise to meet us there, in study and prayer. Thank You for the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, paying with His life for our ease of access to our
Heavenly Father through prayer and Scripture. Each biblical story and truth weave in and out of our lives in Your perfect timing. Father, You remind us throughout Scripture that You are faithful to Your people. Jeremiah 33:6 says, “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” So often, as in the Old Testament, we rebel, neglect to care for ourselves as You do, and end up tired and sick. But Father You are faithful to enwrap us in Your healing love each time we turn back to You. Forgive us for neglecting to care for the life You have entrusted us with. The life that You have purposed specifically to do more than we can ask for or imagine.
When we go our own way, we wear ourselves down, physically and mentally. Other times, we train physically but neglect our psyche. We often neglect our spiritual life. Father, strengthen us to hold captive the joy You bless our lives with daily. Help us to walk freely in Your love. For as Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy 4:8 (VOICE), “Although training your body has certain payoffs, godliness benefits all things--holding promise for life here and now and promise for the life that is coming.” Send us more of Your Holy Spirit, to help us focus on Your Word daily.
Give us hearts like Jesus.Give us the wisdom to seek You first each day, before each decision. It’s often the little thoughts and daily decisions that lead us into a sudden spiral of bad health. Enlighten us and guide us through Your Word. Let our hearts burn for more of You each day. Help us endure the pain of chronic conditions, some of which will not find healing in this broken and sinful world. We know that You work all things for good, but in those moments of chronic pain and suffering, it can be impossible to understand Your perfect and just hand in it all. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
XAVIER HS, OUR PARTNER PARISHES AND COMMUNITY NEWS
A Note about How Xavier Catholic Schools are Collaborating in Light of Recent Events
Positively Family
Email: zzeckser@holyfamilycr.org
Website: www.holyfamilycr.org
Location: 3700 1st Avenue Northwest, Cedar Rapids, IA, USA
Phone: 3193967792
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HolyFamilySchoolSystem/
Twitter: @HolyFamilyCR