Halo Notes
St. Louis Catholic High School | Thurs., Jan. 20, 2022
A Letter from our Rector, Father Nathan Long: Concerning King Cakes, Curiosity, and Seeking
Carnival season is here, and we are all hopefully enjoying a little king cake before Ash Wednesday arrives. This local tradition is rooted in the Catholic liturgical seasons, beginning with Epiphany. As many of us know, Epiphany is the celebration of the seeking and finding of the Christ child (the baby) by the magi (the kings). What we may not know is how immediately and directly this is connected to the searching in the minds and hearts of our young people.
As the Gospel story relates, the magi begin their search upon seeing the star. They are by nature curious stargazers and people of culture and study. The search begins in wonder and curiosity. Following the evidence sincerely leads them to Jerusalem – in close proximity to Christ, but not there yet. While in Jerusalem, they are directed to open the Scriptures to a passage in Micah. This prophecy indicates that their anointed one is to be found in Bethlehem. Their curiosity, coupled with Divine Revelation, has led them to the “coordinates” of their heart’s desire. When they finally arrive, they make an offering and an act of worship – a sign that they have been changed by their encounter with the physical Body of Christ.
I offer this little treatment as a reminder that whoever is seeking will find (Matthew 7:7). This is God’s promise to us. For our part, we must sincerely seek. We should also not be terribly troubled when our teenagers ask tough questions about faith. Instead, we can encourage them to find the answers that truly satisfy – on the level of reason and science, but also from the Scriptures and from the heart of the Church.
Virtual Learning-Friday, Jan. 21
Considering tomorrow’s unfavorable weather conditions, driving distances for some of our Saints, and current campus limitations, St. Louis Catholic High School will hold classes remotely on Friday, January 21. For nearly ten years, SLCHS has been a 1:1 learning environment and with the ability to move seamlessly to virtual lessons through MS TEAMS, our students will use the schedule listed to attend class. Attendance will be taken through live class meetings and questions can be answered by your Saints teacher or an administrator.
Keeping our Saints safe with modern equipment
One new deterrent method has been shown to be highly effective - the use of a handheld metal detector wand. This wand will be used as needed to detect any contraband on students. As stated in the student handbook, “when there is ‘probable cause’ to believe that stolen items, illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages, or other items specifically prohibited by law or school regulations are in lockers, desks, on the person, in cars, these may be searched.” If discovered, students that are in possession of vaping devices will be issued disciplinary action. Please refer to the student handbook for more information.
SAVE THE DATE
January Lunch Orders
Click here to fill out the form for January lunch orders.
~ACADEMICS~
Pre-ACT & ACT: March 9
Junior Parents - Please be on the look out for more information in a detailed email next week. We are also excited to offer a free ACT prep class to our current Juniors so that they are prepared for the exam. Click here to sign up, and this information will also be included in the email next week.
Study Hall & Office Hours
Teachers also offer office hours. Please have your student reach out to their teachers if needed to schedule appointments for extra help.
Grade Calculator
STAR Testing
2022 - 2023 Scheduling
- Class of 2023 - Monday, February 7 at 5:30 p.m.
- Class of 2024 - Wednesday, February 16 at 5:30 p.m.
- Class of 2025 - Wednesday, February 16 at 6:30 p.m.
- Class of 2026 - Tuesday, March 22 at 5:30 p.m.
~FAITH LIFE~
Campus Ministry Corner
Here at St. Louis Catholic, we are so fortunate to have the opportunity to hear from so many inspiring speakers.
Last week, we had the wonderful opportunity to hear from Fr. Jeff (out of Baton Rouge) and Fr. Chuck (a retired priest out of Nebraska) about their work with victims of human trafficking. In 2018, Fr. Jeff Bayhi founded Metanoia Manor, a refuge for young women who are victims of trafficking. Since opening, they have helped over 80 women and continue to raise awareness across the state and country. To do our part to help out, we had a spirit dress day for $1 on Friday and raised about $400 to donate to Metanoia Manor.
Next week, we will have the privilege of welcoming a familiar face back to campus. Mrs. Katie Prejean McGrady will be sharing her knowledge with us. We are very excited to hear all about her faith journey!
And in two weeks, Hard as Nails and Justin Fatica will be back on campus for another dynamite presentation!
Hard as Nails Returning
In preparation for their arrival, we are looking for a few families and business owners to help out with the event whether it be monetarily or by providing meals or housing for the missionaries.
If you would like to help out in any way, please reach out to Bit Thompson, Campus Minister.
~STUDENT LIFE~
Choir Making it's Mark!
CONGRATULATIONS TO NEELY KHAN...
for being selected for participation and representing St. Louis Catholic High School at the
ALL-AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL HONORS CHOIR
to perform at CARNEGIE HALL in NEW YOUR CITY Feb. 3-7.
CONGRATULATIONS TO JAMES THOMPSON...
for being selected for participation and representing St. Louis Cathoic High School at the
LMEA ALL=STATE CHOIR
to perform in Baton Rouge Feb. 13-15.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
CODY LYONS, CONNOR LYONS, KAREN NAQUIN, MAGGIE NICKEL, JAMILYN ORO, STUART RIVIERE, COLIN TANNER, JAMES THOMPSON, MILLIE THOMPSON, and ADRIENNE WARD
for being selected for participation and representing St. Louis Catholic High School at the
VMTO ALL-DISTRICT HONOR CHOIR
to perform on the MSU Campus Feb. 4-5.
House System Happenings
Around Athletics
Girls Basketball
Girls basketball improved to 3-0 in District 4-3A play with a 68-57 win over South Beauregard. Junior Paris Guillory scored 25 points to lead the team, while senior Myca Trail added 14 and junior Ragan Kee had 10. Friday’s scheduled game at Westlake has been cancelled, and the team will improve to 4-0 in league play thanks to the Rams’ forfeit. Up next will be a home contest against Iowa Tuesday night in McNeese’s Legacy Center.
Boys Basketball
The Saints opened district play Tuesday night with a 68-31 defeat of South Beauregard. Senior Bryson Hardy scored 23 points to lead the team, senior J.D. Soileau chipped in 15 and junior Drew Morgan added 12. The Saints will travel to Westlake Friday for their first road league contest.
Boys Soccer
Boys soccer got a hat trick from junior Jackson Avery and a pair of goals from Adam Foreman as they cruised to a 8-0 mercy rule victory over Washington-Marion Wednesday night. The Saints will host Erath in a league contest on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Girls Soccer
Girls soccer coasted to a 8-0 win over Washington-Marion Tuesday behind two goals each from freshmen Emma Roach and Edie Stickell. The team will host Erath in a district game Saturday at noon.
Wrestling
Junior Graham Montet and sophomore Hank Hebert won their weight classes in last weekends Rayne Invitational. Sophomore Beau McMichael placed second and senior Daniel Thomas was fourth. Junior Luke Caballero placed fifth in the Louisiana Classics tournament in Gonzales. The Saints return to the mat Friday and Saturday for the Ken Cole Invitational at Comeaux High School in Lafayette.
Indoor Track & Field
The Lady Saints’ 4 x 400 meter relay team of senior Shelby Willis, junior Kenzie Touchet and freshmen Hannah Boullion and Elizabeth Buttross took the silver medal in the prestigious Carl Lewis Invitational at the University of Houston last weekend. The boys and girls teams will both be in action Saturday at LSU.
Powerlifting
The Saints opened their seasons with several strong showings at last Saturday’s inaugural Sam Houston Invitational meet. Junior Luke Churchman led the team by winning his weight class in the event
Junior Prom Dues
The prom tradition at Saint Louis Catholic High School is for the junior class to gift the senior class with paying for prom. As juniors, the dues you pay cover the price for the location, decorations, and music. This also means that you will pay nothing your senior year.
Dues are $50 and need to be turned into the office by February 4.
Christmas Break Reading Challenge Results
Community Coffee Labels for Books
~LAGNIAPPE~
Juniors Getting Confirmed in the Catholic Faith
Catholic Daughters of America Scholarship
Covid Corner
Covid Reporting
10 positive cases reported this week in the Saints Community.
Please use the link on our website to report any Covid related illnesses or email, Teresa Ernst, Covid Coordinator, with any questions.
Planned Giving & Endowed Scholarships
Planned giving, or gift planning, is a form of long-term charitable giving that allows individual donors to make larger gifts over a period of time. Planned giving may come in the form of fixed donations over several years or asset donations as part of a last will and testament, among other strategies. As with any gift to the St. Louis Catholic Foundation, a planned gift, once it is received, becomes part of the Foundation’s investments and benefits the school in perpetuity.
Endowed scholarships are sponsored through a one-time donation, with tuition for recipients derived from the interest on the initial sum in subsequent years in accordance with the Foundation’s reinvestment strategy. Donors may name the scholarship or remain anonymous and may outline the criteria for recipients, as long as it is consistent with our Catholic principles. Criteria may, for example, include academic accomplishments or financial need.
If you are interested or have further questions, please reach out to Ashley Ivey-Atkins.
Patron Saint - Pillar Partners
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