As we get ready for parent teacher conferences, we thought it would be fair to ask the STUDENTS how their teacher is doing. Here is some feedback for Mr. Whalen, 5th Grade Teacher
Isaac- When people get something wrong he helps them.
Sofie-In religion, he reads from HIS Bible instead of the textbook.
Alivia-He doesn’t get upset that you don’t get your homework done, he just wants you to learn.
Chiara- He does lots of labs to make learning fun.
Ollie- He prays before every class.
Olivia- He is easy to ask questions of.
Ruby- He shares how God has changed his life.
"Our parting will not be for long; we shall see each other again in Heaven." -St. Gonzaga
Thank you to our friends at St. Michael the Archangel School and all those who have shown us such love, grace, and support over the past week. Saint Michael the Archangel School- the lunch you provided was true food for the soul. God bless you all!
Here is the latest newsletter. Please read for important information about the funeral this week. Also, one SHOJ student will win smoothies for a year from Smoothie King if you stop by to register today. Happy Saturday.
https://secure.smore.com/n/n41wv
Libby Davis of The Cooper Davis Memorial Foundation https://cooperdavismemorialfoundation.org/ spoke with our middle school students today. The students were locked in as they learned of the overwhelming danger of illicit fentanyl and fake pills. You could hear a pin drop. We are grateful for the awareness brought by the "Keepin' It Clean For Coop."
“A man of prayer is capable of everything.” - St. Vincent de Paul
Dads, Donuts, Darling Kids. Delightful.
“Let us love one another, for love is from God.”
—1 John 4:7
Kindergarten parents gathered after All School Mass today. What a beautiful witness to the joy of community
Here is this week's newsletter.
https://secure.smore.com/n/q4k6w
He IS a good good Father, indeed. His children are so lovely.
The Middle Schoolers gathered at 6:30 AM Mass as they held their “First Friday Club” meeting. The club shares Mass, the Devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and donuts. Many students availed themselves of time before the Blessed Sacrament and Reconciliation.
Morning duties for this middle school teacher: Make sure students return from Reconciliation in time for 1st hour. #teacherlife?
NAH
#SHOJteacherlife
Welcome Future Cardinals!
Praying for these adorable souls as they begin SHOJ preschool. These are some of the faces of the Class of 2035! At Sacred Heart, students are never too young to build minds for the future and souls for eternity!
Here is this weeks newsletter! https://secure.smore.com/n/d0ryn
Here is this week's newsletter.
https://secure.smore.com/n/70dq2
"Trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be."- St. Teresa of Avila
Mr. John Kyle is excited to join the Sacred Heart community as ½ of a dynamic duo counseling team. Mr. Kyle (M,T, F) and Mrs. Schierts (W, TH) will split time in the counselor's corner this year. Their partnership is already in full swing.
Mr. Kyle is a 2019 graduate of Benedictine College and will finish his Masters in May of 2025. He has classroom teaching experience and comes to us from Christ the King where he committed his heart to the vocation of counseling. As a counselor in a Catholic school, Mr. Kyle appreciates that he can bring Christ to people on an individual basis. He prays to be a vessel where others can see Christ in Him and he endeavors to be Christ to others.
Mr. Kyle has been married to his wife Annie since 2020. Annie works in the Archdiocese's Marriage and Family Life office. They will know a LOT more about family life as they anticipate welcoming their first child in February of 2025.
We feel so blessed to have Mrs. Schierts and Mr. Kyle in our kids' corner.
"Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength."- Saint Francis de Sales
If you hang around the K-1 hallway at SHOJ, you may think Saint Francis de Sales was talking about our Kindergarten and 1st Grade teaching teams-that's why school parent and Northern Illinois grad Nichole Mayfield is a perfect addition. Her demeanor is one of sincere welcome. You cannot help but smile when you are around her.
Nicole completed her RCIA journey at Easter this year. She aspires to continually grow and learn about her faith alongside her students and peers. How does she incorporate her faith with her Kindergarten friends? When a little one took a tumble at recess, she, the student, and the student's friends prayed for healing. She told the kids that God wants us to "pray for our boo-boos." Indeed and Amen.
Welcome, Nicole
The 10th Lemon Out event is just under one month away! This year goal is to raise over $85,000 for Alex's Lemonade Stand. A portion of the proceeds of the shirts goes directly to support the cause. The Lemon Out will be Thursday, September 12, 2024. Please use the links below if you would like to order a shirt.
Adult sizes: https://sjathunder.athsolutions.shop/product/sjathunder/classic-t-shirt-daisy-9308_7
Youth Sizes: https://sjathunder.athsolutions.shop/product/sjathunder/youth-classic-t-shirt-daisy-9308_17
More information will be made available as we get closer to the event!
"Leave all and you will find all in the Sacred Heart." St. Margaret Mary Alocoque
The Menghini family is woven deeply into the fabric of Sacred Heart School. As they start their 21st consecutive year here, we can't help but feel nostalgic about this family's final year at SHOJ School. Parents David and Beth made SHOJ School home for Sophie '13, Josie '14, Annie '16, Anthony '23, and Katie '25. For 15 years Beth volunteered in the lunchroom and even as their time comes to a close, you can find the entire family active in school (and parish) life as well. A heart for service beats steadily inside each of these beautiful souls- a life of surrender. Thanks be to God for Sacred Heart families who define the mission of, "Preparing minds for the future and souls for eternity. "
"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ; the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31).
Following the instruction of Sebastian D'Amico from the Seelos Institute, SHOJ staff unpacked what this verse from John means as it refers to the word "believe" and the word "life". We can't think of a better disposition for our staff to begin the school year than finding themselves in awe of His words and He who is The Word.
Jesus, I surrender to you, take care of everything.
“If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family.”- St. Teresa of Calcutta
Julie Heinking, Cardinal and parent of Forever Cardinals Alex and Emily, is joining the Middle School Resource Teaching team. She received her Master of Arts in Teaching from Kansas State University and brings a wealth of middle school experience to our team.
Julie and her husband Steve have been parishioners for over 23 years. When asked how she feels about her new position at SHOJ Julie said, "I am happy to be home."
Welcome home, Julie 💖
"Teachers should be a group of friends united for the transformation of souls... joining in a mutual adventure of joy and wonder." Bishop Conley, Bishop of Lincoln, NE
Prince of Peace hosted all teachers from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas at the annual convocation. We shared Mass and were blessed to hear from Superintendent Dr. Cascone, Jenny Punswick from Blessed Seelos Institute and Bishop Conley. Starting the year together at the Eucharistic table. Let's go!
"A place of memories."
SHOJ School staff loves nothing more than to see Forever Cardinals back in the building. These beautiful souls from the Class of 2022 returned to SHOJ as members of the Saint James Academy (SJA) chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Tri-M focuses on music, service, and faith by encouraging members to share their gift of music with the community. Genevieve, SJA Woodwinds Captain, and Peter, SJA Upper Brass Section Caption, are pictured here with Dr. Helen Harrelson, SJA Band Director. They spent time serving SHOJ's music department by organizing the Music classroom in anticipation of the new school year.
As they posed for this picture, Peter and Genevieve were laughing as they recollected lining up in this same spot for music class during their K-8 years at SHOJ. They reflected that SHOJ is a place of memories that spark a great deal of nostalgia for both of them.
We love our Forever Cardinals!
