Panther Press
THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021
ICCS Mission Statement:
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR
Dear ICCS Families,
First, I would like to thank everyone who sent me birthday cards, greetings and gifts. I am especially elated by the birthday cards the school children at ICCS made for me. They were very creative. The students really worked hard on those cards. I feel blessed to have so many spiritual children who pray for me, love me, and support me. Know that I myself pray for you every day.
Next week (January 31st-February 6th), we celebrate Catholic Schools Week. We have encouraged our ICCS students to attend Mass this weekend in their school uniform. They (and all Catholic school students and staff) will receive a special blessing at the end of Mass. Together, let us celebrate the gift of Catholic education. I myself am a product of Catholic schools; I went to a Benedictine elementary school, a Jesuit high school, and a Dominican college. I am grateful to my parents for their sacrifices in sending me to Catholic schools, and to the numerous Catholic school teachers who helped formed me to be the man and Priest that I am today. I would like to thank our parishioners, parents, teachers and staff for supporting ICCS and St. Louis Catholic High School.
As you know, this is Mrs. Christi Jarreau’s last year as Principal at ICCS. We thank her for her 7 years of dedicated service to our Cathedral school. She accomplished a lot in such a short time and helped the school navigate through some very difficult challenges – the re-construction of our annex building, the school-wide implementation of COVID precautions, our hurricane rebuilding efforts, just to name a few. Please join me in praying to Our Lord and asking the intercession of Our Lady of Good Success as we embark on a Principal search for ICCS. Here’s the list of those who will help in the search process:
a. Kimberlee Gazzolo – Superintendent of Catholic Schools (Diocese of Lake Charles)
b. Sister Marirose Rudek, RSM – Director of Religious Education (Diocese of Lake Charles)
c. Suzy Solari – Cathedral parishioner, alumnus of ICS & ICCS, current teacher at ICCS
d. Matthew Devall – Cathedral parishioner, ICCS parent, parish & school finance council, school advisory council
e. Monica Broussard – Cathedral parishioner, ICCS parent, former teacher at ICCS, current teacher at SLCHS, Cathedral staff (Youth Group Director)
f. Erik Fain – Cathedral parishioner, home school parent
g. Barbara Wyman – Cathedral parishioner, teaches at McNeese, former Pastoral Council member
In my last two church bulletin articles, I provided information about the “Year of St. Joseph” and the various ways we could gain a plenary indulgence during this special year. I would like to tell you some of the ways the Cathedral parish will celebrate the Year of St. Joseph.
- We now have a banner in the sanctuary (by St. Joseph’s altar) to visibly remind everyone that we are celebrating the “Year of St. Joseph” this year. We also ordered banners for the light posts around the Cathedral office and yard signs to be placed strategically around the Cathedral.
- We have beautiful prayer cards containing approved prayers for the plenary indulgence: Litany of St. Joseph; Prayer of Pope Leo XIII (To You, O Blessed Joseph); Act of Consecration to St. Joseph; Prayer to St. Joseph, Terror of Demons. They are located in the front of the church by the St. Joseph altar.
- The Cathedral will offer the Votive Mass of St. Joseph every First Wednesday of the month, as well as every Wednesday and every 19th of the month when the Votive Mass is not impeded.
- We will add the Prayer of Pope Leo XIII to our daily recitation of the Rosary in the church: Monday-Friday at 11:30 am, Saturday at 3:30 pm, and Sunday at 4:30 pm.
- We will have a community celebration of St. Joseph’s Altar on March 19th, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our parishioners will have the unique opportunity to participate in the preparations and the set up of the St. Joseph’s Table and Altar. More information will be provided in the future.
- The Cathedral parish will host a Consecration to St. Joseph on May 1st, Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. In preparation for this special day, we will pray, share insights, and study the book by Fr. Donald Calloway “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father.” For more information, see the flyer inserted in this week’s church bulletin. Please save the dates and register for the group study/retreat.
- Our Knights of Columbus are building a temporary shrine before the outdoor statue of St. Joseph to allow people to light votive candles and offer prayers to St. Joseph. The candles may be obtained from the Cathedral office for a minimal donation.
- During this year, we will keep four red votive candles burning on St. Joseph’s Altar. Parishioners may call the Cathedral office if they want to dedicate each of these candles for a loved one who is sick or dying, and their names will be included in a special section in our weekly bulletin.
- We will schedule a Movie Night, featuring “Joseph of Nazareth,” and hold conferences on St. Joseph.
- Our parishioners will have two opportunities each month to practice a Corporal Work of Mercy (Feeding the Hungry), which is one of the ways to gain a plenary indulgence this year. Bring canned food on the Second Sunday and the Fourth Sunday (Fruitful Sunday) of the month, and deposit them in the basket located in the Day Chapel. These will be donated to Catholic Charities for distribution to the poor and needy in our community.
- We will have a special celebration of the "Year of St. Joseph" at ICCS on Friday, March 19, the Solemnity of St. Joseph. More information will be shared with parents and students soon.
I am very excited to lead our Cathedral community in honoring St. Joseph and learning more about this humble Saint. Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us! St. Joseph, guard and protect us!
Sincerely,
Father Rommel Tolentino, Pastor
Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Immaculate Conception Cathedral School
ICCS UNIFORM PRE-ORDER PROCESS STARTS TODAY AT SOUTHERN DRIFTER
ICCS FAMILIES MUST PRE-ORDER UNIFORMS FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR BETWEEN NOW AND FEBRUARY 13 TO GUARANTEE ITEMS BEFORE AUGUST
It is time to place your ICCS uniform order for the 2021-2022 school year. Southern Drifter, located at 3101 Ernest Street, Suite 2, is the exclusive provider of ICCS school uniforms.
The ICCS uniform pre-order period will last from Thursday, January 28 to Saturday, February 13. Ordering during this specific timeframe allows Southern Drifter to guarantee uniform items for your children will be available and ready for the start of next school year. Especially due to COVID-19 and factory limitations - the owners of Southern Drifter want to make sure they have your order placed BEFORE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13.
RESERVE A TIME FOR A FITTING OR ORDERING SESSION
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Southern Drifter team asks that ICCS parents sign up for a specific time to go to their store for fittings and/or to place your order. This will help limit the number of people in the store at one time. To schedule an appointment, please call (337) 602-6668 today! Convenient store hours are available (listed below).
ORDER OVER THE PHONE
If you know what you need, ICCS parents can call Southern Drifter at (337) 602-6668 and place orders over the phone during normal business hours (listed below).
SOUTHERN DRIFTER BUSINESS HOURS
10:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Located at 3101 Ernest Street, Suite 2, in Lake Charles
QUESTIONS?
Call Southern Drifter directly at (337) 602-6668, or contact them by email at southerndrifter@yahoo.com.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 6
This Sunday, January 31, marks the beginning of Catholic Schools Week 2021. The theme of this year's week-long celebration of Catholic education is: Faith. Excellence. Service. We will take this important opportunity to recognize, honor and pray for the many groups of people who make ICCS a great place to learn and grow in faith.
Sunday, January 31: CHURCH PARISH APPRECIATION DAY!
We offer prayers of thanksgiving for Father Rommel Tolentino, Father Sam Bond, the Cathedral Office staff and the parishioners of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for their unending support and generosity year after year. ICCS students are asked to wear their school uniform to Mass at the Cathedral this Sunday, January 31. Sunday Mass times are at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Father Rommel will offer a special blessing for all ICCS students at the end of the Masses.
Monday, February 1: STUDENT APPRECIATION DAY!
We will kick off the school week by celebrating our most important community members, our "PAW-some" students! From our young PK students to our soon-to-be 8th Grade graduates, every child at ICCS is appreciated and valued. We thank our students for their hard work, positive attitudes and extra efforts. All ICCS students will receive a special treat on Monday, February 1. A fun Panther BINGO game will be held on the ICCS playground (weather permitting) Monday afternoon in honor of Catholic Schools Week. All students can wear an ICCS Spirit T-shirt and jeans or uniform bottoms on Monday, February 1.
Tuesday, February 2: CAFETERIA & CUSTODIAL TEAM APPRECIATION DAY!
We will honor our cafeteria workers and custodians who work hard behind the scenes to keep our bellies filled and our school campus clean on a daily basis. Thank you to our Cafeteria staff: Jennifer Miller, Barbara Bargeman, Raquel King and Agnes Armelinand, and to our custodians, Ms. Brittany, Ms. Janice and Mr. Ray for taking excellent care of our students, faculty members and school campus.
Wednesday, February 3: PARENT APPRECIATION DAY!
Our parents and guardians play a key role in the success of our ICCS school community. Thank YOU for believing in Catholic education and for the many sacrifices you make in order to send your child to Immaculate Conception Cathedral School. A small token of appreciation will be given to all parents and guardians in the morning drop off line on Wednesday, February 3. We sincerely appreciate your on-going support, encouragement and cooperation throughout the school year. Thank you, parents and guardians!
Thursday, February 4: TEACHER & STAFF APPRECIATION DAY!
Our teachers and staff members are the backbone of our school. They work tirelessly to challenge and engage students academically and spiritually. We are grateful for their dedication, hard work, knowledge and commitment to Catholic education. Teaching and working at ICCS is not just a job for these women and men, it is a vocation. All teachers and staff members will be treated to a delicious lunch on Thursday, February 4th, in recognition of Catholic Schools Week.
8TH GRADE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK MASS AT CATHEDRAL
All 8th Grade students will attend the annual Catholic Schools Week Mass at the Cathedral the morning of Thursday, February 4. The Mass will be led by Bishop Provost. 8th Grade students from across the Diocese of Lake Charles will be in attendance.
Friday, February 5: CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK MASS AT ICCS
We will wrap up the week by thanking Jesus for the many blessings He has bestowed upon our ICCS community. All PK-8th Grade students will participate in Mass on the playground (weather permitting) on Friday morning, February 5. More details will be shared next week. Just a reminder, girls wear skirts or jumpers and boys wear pants to Mass.
ICCS VARIETY SHOW DEBUTS DURING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
PK through 8th Grade students will enjoy a special viewing of the 2021 ICCS Virtual Variety Show the afternoon of Friday, February 5. Thanks a million to Mrs. Virginia-Kate Jessen and Senora Erica Barrios for coordinating the program. A big ICCS round of applause to the students who sent in videos of their special talents and demonstrations. There will be around 20 acts in the show! A link to the 2021 ICCS Virtual Variety Show will be shared with all families next week.
ICCS STUDENTS INVITED TO GIVE BACK DURING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
SAVE THE DATES
First Penance (2nd Grade): February 3
Class Pictures: Friday, March 26
Third Quarter Ends: Friday, March 26
Fourth Quarter Begins: March 29
ACT Aspire Testing Week: March 29-April 1
First Communion (2nd Grade): May 1
8th Grade Closing Ceremonies: May 27
ICCS KREWE OF VIRTUES MARDI GRAS PARADE COMING SOON
Check out the ICCS Krewe of Virtues Parade participants listed below!
Krewe of Prayerfulness: PK Students
Krewe of Charity: Kindergarten Students
Krewe of Faith: 1st Grade Students
Krewe of Hope: 2nd Grade Students
Krewe of Patriotism: 3rd Grade Students
Krewe of Kindness: 4th Grade Students
Krewe of Respect: 5th Grade Students
Krewe of Gratitude: 6th Grade Students
Krewe of Generosity: 7th Grade Students
Krewe of Justice: 8th Grade Students
THE VIRTUE OF RESPECT
GALATIANS 5:25-26
"If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another."
ICCS FEATURED IN ARTICLE
ICCS was recently featured in an article published on the Diocese of Lake Charles website about Catholic Schools Week and our special bond with the St. Margaret Catholic School community. Click the link below to read the article.
http://www.lcdiocese.org/3-news/3088-catholic-schools-week-highlights-faith-in-action
UPDATE: the St. Margaret Catholic School 5th-8th Grade students and faculty members will be heading "HOME" soon. We are very happy for them and will miss their presence on our ICCS campus. The SMCS students and teachers are scheduled to move to temporary buildings on their Enterprise Boulevard campus around February 11. Please keep the St. Margaret Catholic School community in your thoughts and prayers as their 5th-8th Grade students and teachers make preparations to transition back to the SMCS campus for the first time since Hurricane Laura.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
St. Margaret of Scotland, pray for us.
CLASSROOM AND SCHOOL NEWS
"BONDING" WITH FATHER SAM BOND
AR SUPERSTARS ARE SHINING BRIGHT
FIRST PENENANCE FEBRUARY 3RD
NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLASSES STARTED THIS WEEK
6th Grade
Chess with Mr. Higgins: This critical and logical reasoning game promotes perseverance, tactical qualitative and abstract thought and decision making skills. Strategy as well as sportsmanship are being taught through this course.
Spanish with Senora Barrios: In this course, students continue to develop and hone linguistic application of the Spanish language.
Textile Arts with Ms. Vanchiere: Students study textiles from around the world and learn techniques such as weaving, basic hand stitching, embroidery and finger knitting.
7th Grade
Digital Theater Production with Mrs. Jessen: Students will study playwriting and write and record a Musical Theatre and Drama Review that will use favorite scenes and songs from past musicals.
Google Applied Digital Skills with Ms. Davis: Students work within Google Education apps to enhance digital skills through the design of slideshows, videos, resumes and scrapbooks.
QUIPS (Quiet Uninterrupted Productive Study) with Mrs. Heffer: This enrichment is offered for the purpose of building in quiet and productive independent study time during the school day.
8th Grade
Creative Writing with Mrs. Romano: Students will improve their writing to produce high quality work and publish their writing.
QUIPS (Quiet Uninterrupted Productive Study) with Mrs. Heffer: This enrichment is offered for the purpose of building in quiet and productive independent study time during the school day.
Digital Theater Production with Mrs. Jessen: Study will study playwriting and write and record a Musical Theatre and Drama Review that will use favorite scenes and songs from past musicals.
Spanish with Senora Barrios: Students continue to develop and hone linguistic application of the Spanish language. Emphasis on oral and written questioning and responding increases throughout middle school.
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.
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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