The Trojan Times
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School February 27, 2022
Mission Statement
St. Maria Goretti is a living testament to our Lord's work in His youngest disciples, exemplified by academic excellence, spiritual formation, and compassionate service to others.
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School aims to form what is True, Good, and Beautiful in the souls of our young disciples of Christ.
Principal's Message
Dear St. Maria Goretti Catholic School Families,
Open enrollment continues. Please note that the tuition assistance deadline is this Monday, February 28th.
Mardi Gras will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. We will be providing pancakes, an orange, half a banana, and a bottle of water. For dessert everyone receives a piece of King Cake. If you think your child will need more food, please send additional food in a lunch box. Thank you to those who donated items and their time to make this a success. There are a few spots left open to donate an item or your time, please use the Sign Up Genius to help.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D45A8AC2FABFD0-pancake
Students will be attending Ash Wednesday Mass at 10:00 AM. We will have stations of the cross every Friday at 2:30 PM in the church. Everyone is welcome to attend. The hosting schedule is listed later in this newsletter.
SMGCS will be hosting the 11:00 AM Mass on Sunday, March 6, 2022. We are looking for altar servers and hospitality ministers. Please use the link below to sign up.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D45A8AC2FABFD0-smgcs4
We will be hosting the 1:00 PM Mass in April. This will be the last Sunday Mass the school will host for the year.
Thank you for your help with the morning and afternoon carlines. I appreciate your support.
Please pray for our teachers and staff.
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for Us!
Blessings,
Amy Utendorf, M.Ed.
Principal
March Virtue: Mercy- Caring for those who suffer
Jesus has told us that we must show mercy in two ways: physically (for the body) and spiritually (for the soul). When we feed someone who is hungry, we show mercy; when we forgive someone who has hurt us, we show mercy. Jesus showed us this mercy when He forgave sins (spiritual) and cured the sick (physical). As Jesus did, so we must do. Blessed are the MERCIFUL!
Saint John Vianny: Feast Day August 4
Saint John Vianney wanted his life as a priest to be filled with mercy for those who turn away from God. Saint John Vianney went to the homes of the people in his parish when they were sick, spent many hours praying to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and heard Confessions all day and night - people came from everywhere just so he could hear their Confessions!
Saint Faustina: Feast Day October 5
Saint Faustina grew up in a big family in Poland and joined the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy when she was a young woman. She was always mindful of how others suffered and wanted to help them. She offered many sacrifices, sufferings, and prayers for souls who needed God's mercy. Many times she did not know the souls for whom she was suffering.
On February 22, 1931, Our Lord appeared to Saint Faustina in a vision and instructed her to paint Him as He appeared to her and include the motto, "Jesus, I trust in you." He wanted her to proclaim the message of His mercy - Divine Mercy - to the whole world, which she faithfully did until her death.
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta: Feast Day September 5
At the end of our lives, we will not be judges by...how many great things we have done. We will be judged by "I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in." Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was born in the country of Albania and left home at age 18 to join the Sisters of Loreto as a missionary. By 1929, she was assigned to a girls' school in Calcutta, India, where she spent many happy years teaching.
It was in 1946 that she experienced an encounter with Christ that led her to dedicate her life to serving the poorest of the poor in imitation of the mercy of Jesus. With permission, she left her religious community, trading the habit of the Sisters of Loreto for a plain white sari bordered with blue. Very soon, young Indian women came to join her - including some of her former students - and her new community became known as the Missionaries of Charity. Throughout the remainder of her life, Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity would spread the mercy of Christ throughout the world, attending to the needs of the most abandoned and neglected of our brothers and sisters.
Preparing for Lent
Dine Out at La Isla Restaurant Tuesday, March 1st
Service Hour Opportunity
Nolan Catholic High School is hosting a robotics competition over Spring Break. They are looking for volunteers. If your child needs service hours please sign them up.
Join us for the Fort Worth Zoo Run on April 2nd
We are ready for spring and ready to RUN! You do not have to be a member of Run Club to join our Zoo Run team. All students and families are welcome to join us. In the past we had a blast as we ran through the Fort Worth Zoo. You can register online and join our team- SMG Run Club. Beginners can choose a 1K Fun Run and experienced runners can come out for the 5K. You must register by March 20th to join our team. https://www.fortworthzoo.org/zoo-run
Yearbook Pictures Needed!
SMGCS parents and friends, we need your help to make this year's yearbook the best one yet!
Download Now!
Entourage Yearbooks is excited to announce our NEW smartphone app! App users can instantly submit photos from their phones to the yearbook staff for consideration in the yearbook.
Changes to Mass Hosting Schedule
The Class Mass Hosting schedule has been updated for the year. If you plan to attend Mass when your child is participating, please consult the new schedule.
- March 2 - 8th Pennell 10:00 Mass
- March 9 - 8th Pick
- March 16 - Spring Break
- March 23 - 7th Nguyen
Red and blue cardigan sweaters, not vests, are required for Mass. Please ensure your child is following the Mass dress code.
Stations of the Cross
Friday, March 25, 2022: 4th-grade hosting
Friday, April 1, 2022: 6th-grade Tableaus
Friday, April 8, 2022: 7th-grade hosting
Thursday, April 14, 2022: 8th-grade hosting (Passion Play)
The link below is a digital version of the Stations of the Cross book the students are using. Please feel free to download this when attending to be able to join us in prayer.
Stephen Breen Tournament February 21 - March 10
The Stephen Breen Tournament is an annual basketball tournament held at Saint Andrew Catholic School that celebrates the life of Stephen Breen and provides support to his foundation. This year’s tournament is February 21st – March 10th. All proceeds go to the Stephen Breen Foundation, which provides tuition assistance to students in our diocese, as well as assistance to families of children battling cancer. Please contact Mrs. Baxter (ebaxter@smgschool.org) with any questions.
SMG Clubs - Mark Your Calendar!
Monday
- Shutter Club during 6th-8th Lunch/Recess (Jamison) Begins Nov. 1 - Every other
- March 7, 21, April 4, 18, May 2, 16
- 3:15-4:00 PM Rubik Club-No Mtg 2-28-22
- 3:30-5:00PM Cheer Club (Paladini/Cruz)
- 3:30-4:15 PM 5th-8th Trojan Troupe Drama Club (Richards)
- 3:30-4:15 PM PSIA 4th-8th Maps, Graphs, Charts (Daly)
- 3:30-4:15 PM Coding Club (Nguyen)
- March 21, 28, April 11, 18, May 2, 9
- 3:30-4:15 PM Tai Chi (Nguyen)
- March 7, April 25
- 3:30-4:15 PM Chess Club (Nguyen)
- May 16
- 3:30-4:15 PM Table Tennis (Nguyen)
- Feb. 28, April 4, May 23
Tuesday
- Library Leaders during Recess (Richards)
- 6:00-7:00 PM Ballet Folklorico (Zavala)
Wednesday
- SMG Broadcast Club during 6th, 7th, 8th Lunch/Recess (Jones)
- 3:30-4:15PM Running Club (weather permitting) (Gutierrez/Mitchell) Begins Oct. 6
- Mar. 9, 23, April 6, 27, May 4, 11
- 3:30-4:15 PM PSIA 3rd-8th Ready Write (Vasquez/Utendorf)
- March 2, 9, 23
- 3:30 StuCo (Pick/Pennell) specific dates to be announced
Thursday
- NJHS during Recess (Vasquez and Jones)
- March 3, 24, April 7 Executive, 21*, May 5 Executive**, 19*
- *Includes newly inducted Members, **Includes newly inducted officers
- 3:15-4:30 PM 4th-8th Garden Club (Pick)
- 3:30-4:15 PM 3rd-8th Cecilian Singers Club (Richards)
- 3:30-4:15 PM PSIA 6th-8th On-Site Drawing (Jamison)
- 3:30-4:15 PM PSIA 3rd-4th Math (Schump)
- March 10
- 3:30-4:15 PM PSIA 5th-7th Math (Schump)
- March 3, 24
Lunch room and recess helpers needed!
Please consider volunteering to help during lunch and recess. Service hours will be earned. Click on the signup genius link for a description of duties. All volunteers must be current with their Virtus training.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0448ADA622A5FE3-alunchroom3
Last Week at SMGCS
Robotics Competition
FIRST Lego League Competition was held Saturday, February 19, 2022. The main mission of FIRST which is to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals was accomplished. Our students showed great workmanship, troubleshooting skills, collaboration, and great problem-solving skills
Team 23282 SMG Cardboard Lords (GIRLS) won the Motivation Award. Unfortunately, their robot did not cooperate and could not perform at the level that it was performing at SMG. They could achieve scores that would have placed them in the top 3, but not on Saturday.
Here are some of the comments from the judges about the Girls
- Fantastic Teamwork, the kids are really enjoying it
- Great Chemistry, good attitude and enthusiasm
- Very energetic and Engaging
- Good explanation of design and problem solving
Team 23283 SMG Robo-bobo-bots (BOYS) had a great and consistent robot game performance (200 points, 200 points, 205 points). They ended up in 7th place in the Robot Game out of 32 teams.
Here are some of the comments from the judges about the Boys
- Kids were enthusiastic and excited to participated
- Good cooperation on coding
- Enthusiastic about the design process
Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Morales and Mr. Payne for helping our teams.
City of Arlington Essay Contest Winner
First Place winner of the City of Arlington Sheri Capehart Animal Essay Contest, Kyleigh Z, visited the Arlington Animal Shelter Saturday where she read her essay, received her Kindle Fire and toured the facility.
Happy Two's Day!
February 22, 2022, was a big day for the number two! When written out, 2/22/22, the date is considered a palindrome, which means it can be read both forward and backward. And it also fell on a Tuesday being deemed 'twos-day'. This rare 2/22/22 occurrence won't happen again for 400 years. https://abc7chicago.com/twosday-22222-2022-02-22-2022/11590028/
2nd Grade
After reading The Hat by Jan Brett, 2nd grade library students illustrated their own hat and identified how it could help them.
3rd Grade
Third grade read The Story of Money by Betsy Maestro. Through this classical curriculum picture book, students were presented with the history of money. At the end of the lesson, students designed a two sided coin with the objective of having the coin represent a specific state or continent, showing a detailed image and being a specific value.
Need Prayers?
We all do!! The St. Maria Goretti Catholic School Community would love to pray for you and your intentions. Please send all prayer requests to: smgprays4u@smgschool.org.
Calendar Notes
February 28, Monday: Tuition Assistance Deadline, 7:55 Faith Families
March 1, Tuesday: Mardi Grad pancake lunch, 2:30 Prayer Service led by 8th Grade
March 2, Wednesday: 10:00 Mass Ash Wednesday
March 3, Thursday: 8th Grade Shadow Day at Nolan Catholic High School
March 4, Friday: 2:30 Stations of the Cross - SMGCS staff hosts
March 8, Tuesday: 6th Grade Fine Arts Open House at NCHS
March 11, Friday: Spring Pictures, Pep Rally, 8th Grade Volleyball Game, 12:10 Early Dismissal
March 14-18: Spring Break - No School
March 25, Friday: 2:30 Stations of the Cross - 4th grade hosts
March 26, Saturday: PSIA Regional Meet
March 29, Tuesday: NJHS induction, 7:00 Home & School Meeting
April 1, Friday: 2:30 Stations of the Cross - 6th grade Tableaus
April 2, Saturday: Ft. Worth Zoo Run
April 8, Friday: Stations of the Cross - 7th grade hosts
April 14, Thursday: 8th-grade hosting Passion Play, 12:10 Early Dismissal
April 15, Friday: No School - Good Friday
April 18 and 19: SMGCS in session
May 1, Sunday: 11:00 Mass with Bishop Olson at NCHS, Spirit Games at NCHS
May 23, Monday: 8th grade ONLY dismissed at 12:10 and, 6:30 PM 8th-grade graduation Mass in the Church
Meet Our Priests!
St. Maria Goretti Parish Website: https://www.smgparish.org/
Fr. Mike Ciski, T.O.R.
Fr. Jim Morman, T.O.R.
Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Serving the North Texas Catholic community by providing the faithful opportunities to grow in Christian discipleship and strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
St. Maria Goretti Catholic School
Email: development@smgschool.org
Website: https://smgschool.org
Location: 1200 South Davis Drive, Arlington, TX, USA
Phone: (817)275-5081
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StMariaGorettiArlington/