Panther Press
THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021
ICCS Mission Statement:
ICCS WILL BE CLOSED AGAIN TOMORROW
SISTER MARY NOEL PEREIRA NAMED NEW PRINCIPAL
As we begin to bid farewell to Principal Christi Jarreau, who will be retiring next month after 10 years of service to ICCS, a new school leader has been named. The Diocese of Lake Charles Office of Catholic Schools recently announced the new principal for Immaculate Conception Cathedral School. The search committee recommended to Reverend Rommel Tolentino, Sister Mary Noel Pereira, RSM, a member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan as the next principal.
Sister Mary Noel was born outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has lived in Brazil, Chile, and Michigan. Her father is from Nicaragua, her mother is of British descent, and she has one younger brother. Her undergraduate work is in Theology and Psychology from the University of Notre Dame. Active in Campus Ministry, she worked as a Mentor-in-Faith for Notre Dame Vision, which is a series of faith-based conferences for high school students. Sister Mary Noel has also completed her Master of Arts in Theology at the University of Notre Dame.
Most recently, Sister Mary Noel led the restructuring and revitalization of the young adult ministry program in the Diocese of Knoxville Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. She catalyzed the start of various parish young adult groups, helped to restructure the diocesan young adult group, and led young adult ministry leadership formation. Fluent in Spanish, she assisted in Pastoral Juvenile Hispana.
While working at the chancery for the Diocese of Knoxville, Sister Mary Noel met the Religious Sisters of Mercy. She discerned a call with their community and entered the Religious Sisters of Mercy in 2019. She has completed one year of postulancy, and in July, will have completed her canonical novitiate.
The Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan is a pontifical religious institute. Originally founded in 1831 in Dublin, Ireland by Venerable Catherine McAuley, it was reinstituted after the Second Vatican Council in 1973. The Religious Sisters of Mercy Motherhouse is in Alma, Michigan. There are 15 convents in the United States and four international convents. The charism of the community is mercy. God’s abundant mercy transforms the Sisters’ own misery into a healing grace and impels her to dispense this mercy to others in service to the Church. The convergence point between God’s mercy and the misery of mankind is represented in the Sisters’ Mercy Cross: the white being the light of Christ shining in the darkness of the misery of mankind.
Venerable Catherine McAuley sought to make the Mercy of God visible in the Sisters’ service to the poor of her time. This service manifests itself in this religious community through a commitment to comprehensive healthcare. The Sisters serve in the medical field, education, administration, and behavioral health. A unique aspect of their charism, the Sisters take a fourth vow of service to the poor, sick, and ignorant, along with the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. In their formation, the Sisters integrate theological studies with a virtuous life entirely given to Christ. The Sisters have a special devotion to Saint Thomas Aquinas, their heavenly patron, and find in him a model for integrating the intellectual life into the life of faith. Sister Mary Noel is excited to continue in this bond of academic studies and the spiritual life at ICCS.
Mother Catherine’s legacy of union and charity calls the Sisters to mirror the union of the Most Holy Trinity. In this spirituality of communion, the religious community strives to be an instrument of union and mercy in the Church. Sister Mary Noel is looking forward to working together in this spirit of dialogue toward an ever-deepening union with Christ in the ICCS community.
The Religious Sisters of Mercy have been serving in the Diocese of Lake Charles since 2014 in various Diocesan and school positions, at the invitation of Bishop Glen John Provost. The Sisters have been privileged to witness the beautiful faith of the people in the Diocese and look forward to expanding their mission within the Diocese to ICCS through the apostolic service of Sister Mary Noel. Sister is excited to meet the Immaculate Conception Cathedral School community and lead the students in their growth of spirit, mind, and body.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE
Several of our ICCS families and co-workers have been affected by the flooding this week. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, as well as the entire Southwest Louisiana region, as we once again pick up the pieces and rebuild and recover from yet another natural disaster. If any of our school community members are in need of assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Jarreau via email at cjarreau@iccsweb.com.
Sincerely,
The Administration, Faculty, and Staff of Immaculate Conception Cathedral School
END-OF-THE-YEAR REMINDERS & IMPORTANT DATES
Monday, May 24: 8th Grade exams (11:30 a.m. dismissal for 8th Grade students ONLY)
Tuesday, May 25: 8th Grade exams (11:30 a.m. dismissal for 8th Grade students ONLY)
Wednesday, May 26: 6th/7th Grade exams (11:30 a.m. dismissal for 6th/7th Grade ONLY)
Thursday, May 27: 6th/7th Grade exams (11:30 a.m. dismissal for 6th/7th Grade ONLY)
Thursday, May 27: ICCS 8th Grade Closing Ceremony at 6:00 p.m. at the Cathedral
Friday, May 28: 6th/7th Grade exams (11:30 a.m. dismissal for 6th/7th Grade ONLY)
Monday, May 31: Memorial Day (NO SCHOOL)
Tuesday, June 1: Last day for Elementary and Middle School Enrichment classes AND PK and Kindergarten Class Parties (half-day dismissal for PK and Kindergarten ONLY)
Tuesday, June 1: Kindergarten Closing Ceremony at 6:00 p.m. in ICCS Gym (Immediate Family ONLY)
Wednesday, June 2: 1st-7th Grade Class Parties (half-day dismissal for 1st-7th Grade)
Thursday, June 3: Closing Mass and End-of-the-Year Awards starting at 9:00 a.m. on the ICCS Playground (PARENTS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND)
Monday, June 7: ICCS Summer Care Program begins
REMINDER! NO SCHOOL ON MAY 31
We remember and pray for all of the men and women who bravely served and died for our country and freedom.
ICCS CLOSING MASS & AWARDS PROGRAM JUNE 3
FACTS FINANCIAL ACCOUNT UPDATE
- Class fees have been invoiced and will automatically draft on June 15, parents have the option to make these payments sooner through their online FACTS account.
- All accounts including cafeteria, aftercare, and tuition balances must be cleared out in order to participate in the end-of-the-year closing ceremonies and to receive report cards and awards on June 3. Please contact Melissa Mathew with questions at mbmathew@iccsweb.com.
- 2021-2022 FACTS financial accounts have been set up. Parents with questions regarding these accounts can email mbmathew@iccsweb.com.
SPORTS UNIFORMS DUE MONDAY
ATTENTION ALL ICCS 5TH-8TH GRADE ATHLETES!
All ICCS sports uniforms MUST BE turned in to Coach Alex by 3:00 p.m. MONDAY, May 24. This includes ICCS football, basketball, volleyball, and track uniforms.
ICCS PANTHERS BASKETBALL SUMMER CAMP INFORMATION PROVIDED
Planning and preparation are now underway for the ICCS Panthers Basketball Summer Camp scheduled for June 15-17, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 Noon, in the ICCS Gym. The camp will be limited to 50 players (registration will be on a first-come, first-serve basis). Registration is $105. The deadline to register is June 5. Additional details are provided below.
- The camp will focus on dribbling, shooting, defense and passing.
- Camp Director will be Marcus Carroll. Coach Marcus is a basketball development specialist who has worked across all facets of basketball, from professional to amateurs alike. He has worked with the Columbian National Basketball Team and NBA players such as Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Porter, and Corey Brewer. His high-level experience does not keep him from working with college, high school, and middle school players who are striving to improve their skills and knowledge of the game.
- Camp Coordinators are Coach Alex Kjellsten & Coach Donald Brinkman.
- What to bring: Basketball shoes, water, or Gatorade
- What you will get from the camp: over 10 hours of expert basketball instruction for your level...and, a camp t-shirt.
To register, click on the link below. Payment can be made via Venmo: ICCS Panthers Basketball @PanthersBball (please include the participant's name in the memo section).
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMICG02H01phGGS635sHLr9A8BnKWQk2fT_Eej1N-Vvl2OXQ/viewform
For questions, please contact Coach Brinkman at (337) 274-0484.
ICCS AMBASSADOR FAMILIES NEEDED
Current ICCS Family Ambassadors are needed. Commitments include:
- Connecting with a new ICCS family in June 2021 via phone or email to officially welcome them to our school community. Possibly set up a play date or opportunity to meet in person as a family over the summer months.
- Check-in with the new family periodically throughout the 2021-2022 academic year to answer parent-related questions and/or to direct them to school staff for additional information or assistance.
- Encourage the new parents to get involved in school-related volunteer opportunities and programs such as PTO fundraisers, Room Parent program, Enrollment Open House events, monthly school Masses, etc.
- Serve as a friendly parent resource for the new family throughout the 2021-2022 school year when needed.
If you are interested in being paired with one of our new 2021-2022 incoming families, please contact Kay Morgan by email at kmorgan@iccsweb.com, or by phone at (337) 433-3497. Current families will be paired with new families according to the incoming student's grade/age and other similarities and interests.
THE VIRTUE OF COURTESY
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL NEWS
FLOWERS FOR MARY
WE WILL BE BUDDIES FOREVER!
ICCS ALUMNI NEWS
ICCS GRADUATING ALUMNI FEATURED ON FACEBOOK
Each year, we look forward to the ICCS Panther Procession. This annual event allows our current students and present and past faculty members and administrators to celebrate the accomplishments and success of our graduating alumni.
Due to the major weather-related issues our city and region experienced this week, the Panther Procession had to be canceled, but this unexpected cancellation has not changed the ICCS Panther Pride we have in our hearts for our former students!
For the rest of the week, we will feature our "Class of 2021" high school and college graduating alumni on the ICCS Facebook page. Check it out! Anyone wishing to submit photos of "Class of 2021" graduating high school or college alumni can send photos to kmorgan@iccsweb.com. Congratulations, Graduates!
ICCS ALUMNI ARE RECIPIENTS OF "THE ST. LOUIS AWARD"
The St. Louis Award, the most prestigious award of the school, goes to the male and female senior student voted as the outstanding Christian student by their peers and approved by members of the faculty of St. Louis Catholic High School.
The 2021 recipients are both ICCS alumni, Caroline Broussard and James-David Self. The award was presented during the St. Louis Catholic High School commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 18, in the Burton Coliseum. Congratulations, Caroline and JD!
CONGRATULATIONS STATE CHAMPIONS!
CATHEDRAL & DIOCESE OF LAKE CHARLES NEWS
SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED
CLI SUMMER LEADERSHIP CAMP DETAILS PROVIDED
PRAYER AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS
O Mary, you shine continuously along our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the Cross were near to the pain of Jesus, keeping your faith firm.
You, Salvation of the Roman people, know what we need, and we trust that you will provide for those needs so that, as at Cana of Galilee, joy and celebration may return after this moment of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the will of the Father and to do what Jesus tells us, He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and took up our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
QUICK LINKS
FACTS FAMILY PORTAL
Parent Portal access to student grades and assignments.
www.factsmgt.comDON'T FORGET TO LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST ICCS NEWS AND EVENTS!
Contact Information
Email: mbmathew@iccschool.org
Website: www.iccschool.org
Location: 1536 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA, USA
Phone: 337-433-3497
Facebook: www.facebook.com/iccschool