Dear St. Joseph Families:

Greetings! Congratulations to our second graders who over the past two Saturdays received the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time.  Blessings on Miranda, Kaitlyn, Angelina, Scarlett, Garrett, Zulieka, Alyssa, Maximo, Lena, Lucas, Jaden, Joseph, Fernando, Grace, Matthew, Alyanna, Lindsey, Hailey, Grace, Ashley, Autumn, Dylan, Ella, Frederika, and Christian.  Congratulations to their parents and teachers who prepared the students for this step in their faith journey.

Congratulations to our sixth grade girls basketball team who will represent the East Bay Parochial League in the playoff game this weekend.  Come and cheer the girls on this Saturday, May 19 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Joachim Gym, 21250 Hesperian Blvd. in Hayward.

Just a reminder that next Friday, May 25, is the deadline to turn in tuition contracts and registration for the 2012 – 2013 school year.

He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.  He has kept his promises made to our ancestors and has come to the help of Israel.  He has shown mercy to Abraham and his descendants forever.

Luke 1: 53 – 55

Please pray for Mrs. Munoz’s friend, Rosalie Juarez,  who passed away last evening after being in a coma for a week; for the family of 6^th grader, Alex; for Mrs. Graves; for the family of 8^th grader, Ilia; for Jordan, cousin to 7^th grader, Madison; for Linda Morales; for Deven, a young man battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma; for Mrs. Sonido; for the family of Kindergartner Jack H; for the family of 5^th grader, Leila; for the family of 5^th grader Michaela; for the sick; for those in countries who are at war; for all who suffered loss in natural disasters; for all our own intentions; for peace in our world.

Peace,

Monica O’Callaghan

Principal

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Dear St. Joseph Families:

Greetings! Congratulations to eighth graders John and Emily, who were nominated by their teachers and selected for the Hope of America Award, sponsored by the Kiwanis of Alameda.  Students are recognized for their academic excellence, good citizenship, and leadership skills.  The students and their families will be honored at a luncheon next week.

Congratulations also go to winners of the Diocesan Young Authors Faire.  Please see the enclosed flyer for a full list of award winners.

If you have not completed your service hours,  please be mindful that there are still opportunites to do so.  The flyer in today’s blast is requesting help with set-up and clean-up for the End-of-Year barbecue.

Many thanks to Debra Early for her work in planning a DVD of our Christmas program and Spring Sing.  Although many parents expressed interest, we have many others who do not wish to have their children participate in the videotaping.  We want to respect their concerns.  We are also reviewing liability and copyright issues with the project.  Thank you for your understanding.

Registration and tuition contracts are due back to the office by Friday, May 25.  Please check your school email for the contract.

The almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.  He shows mercy to those who honor him.  He has stretched out his arm and scattered the proud with all their plans.  He has brought down kings and lifted up the lowly

Luke 1: 49 – 52

Please pray for the family of 6^th grader, Alex; for Mrs. Graves; for the family of 8^th grader, Ilia; for Jordan, cousin to 7^th grader, Madison; for Linda Morales; for Deven, a young man battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma; for Mrs. Sonido; for the family of Kindergartner Jack H; for the family of 5^th grader, Leila; for the family of 5^th grader Michaela; for the sick; for those in countries who are at war; for all who suffered loss in natural disasters; for all our own intentions; for peace in our world.

Peace,

Monica O’Callaghan

Principal

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Congratulations to all our student authors who won prizes at this year’s

Diocese of Oakland Young Authors Faire

4^th Grade

Arnet

First Place, Fiction

Lost and Found

Second Place, Class Book

What If?

6^th Grade

James and Mason

First Place, Children’s Book

Ten Scoops of Ice Cream Stacked So Very High

Claudia and Christina

First Place, Fiction

The Day the Gorillas Took Over the Jilton Hotel

Beatrice

First Place, Poetry

I’ve Got Time for You

Jenna

Honorable Mention, Special Genre

Saving Grace

Dylan

Honorable Mention, Special Genre

Act of Kindness

Brian

Honorable Mention, Children’s Book

Terry the Monster

First Place, Class Book

Luminescence, Food

7^th Grade

Hannah

Honorable Mention, Fiction

Rebirth

Mary Carment

Honorable Mention, Religious Theme

Apples to Apples

8^th Grade

Andrew

First Place, Special Genre

Division by Zero

Jason

First Place, Special Genre

A Series of Scientific Principles

Thank you to all our teachers who helped students with writing, editing, revising, publishing, and binding the books for presentation.

Dear St. Joseph Families:

Greetings!  We are in the month of May, a month traditionally dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God.  Tomorrow at Mass, we will have the May crowning in honor of Mary, and we will pray especially for all our mothers.  All are welcome to join us for liturgy.

Our Gospel value for the month of May is JOY.  It is with joy that we celebrate the season of resurrection and new life.

I am happy to announce that the Diocese of Oakland has approved our plan for the modular Kindergarten classroom in Doherty Park.  We are working with the city for final approval.  I will keep you advised.

Thank you to Michelle Langford, our art docents, and Mrs. Heller for a delightful art show.  All our student artists had work on display and the event was enjoyed by students parents, and visitors.

Thank you to all our families who have completed or are near completion on their service hours to the school.  Thanks also to all who have completed their Scrip commitment for the year.  Fundraising and volunteerism help us keep our tuition costs reasonable for our families.  If you have not completed your service hours,  please be mindful that there are still opportunites to complete them.  Check with your class room parents or with the office.  Remember that you will be billed if commitments are not fulfilled.

Registration and tuition contracts are due back to the office by Friday, May 25.  If you did not receive a registration packet, please contact the office.

And Mary said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.  For God has remembered me, his lowly servant.  From now on all generations will call me blessed.

Luke 1: 46 – 48

Please pray for the family of 6^th grader, Alex; for Mrs. Graves; for the family of 8^th grader, Ilia; for Jordan, cousin to 7^th grader, Madison; for Linda Morales; for Deven, a young man battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma; for Mrs. Sonido; for the family of Kindergartner Jack H; for the family of 5^th grader, Leila; for the family of 5^th grader Michaela; for the sick; for those in countries who are at war; for all who suffered loss in natural disasters; for all our own intentions; for peace in our world.

Peace,

Monica O’Callaghan

Principal

Please click here for all other Thursday news!

Dear St. Joseph Families:

Greetings!  Each week in our prayer requests, we ask God’s blessings on those who need our prayers the most.  Today, we pray in Thanksgiving for God’s gift of new life to our school families—for 2^nd grader Ashley, whose family welcomed baby Nicholas ; for 3^rd grader Dylan, whose family welcomed baby Matthew; for  Mrs. Sonido, who became a grandmother when her daughter Laura welcomed baby Noah; for Mrs. Medulan, who became a grandmother for the fifth time when her daughter Kara welcomed baby Lila.  We welcome all these future SJES students and are reminded, by their presence, of God’s abiding love for us all.

Our annual talent show will take place on Friday,  May 11 at 1:15.  Please see the form in today’s blast for details.  Students interested in sharing their talents must contact Mrs. Wong before or after school to obtain a permission form for the show.

Registration packets for next year are coming home via special electronic blast today.  Registration is due back to the office by Friday, May 25.  If you do not receive a registration packet, please contact the office.

Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating.  He said to them, “Go throughout the world and preach the good news to all people.

Mark 16: 14 – 15

Please pray for the family of 6^th grader, Alex, whose grandfather passed away recently; for Mrs. Graves; for the family of 8^th grader, Ilia; for Jordan, cousin to 7^th grader, Madison; for Linda Morales; for Deven, a young man battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma; for Mrs. Sonido; for the family of Kindergartner Jack H; for the family of 5^th grader, Leila; for the family of 5^th grader Michaela; for the sick; for those in countries who are at war; for all who suffered loss in natural disasters; for all our own intentions; for peace in our world.

Peace,

Monica O’Callaghan

Principal

Please click here for all other Thursday news!

Dear St. Joseph Families:

Greetings!  Easter Blessings to all.  The spring days are upon us with the hope and promise of new life all around us.

Congratulations and many blessings to our pastor, Father Fred, on the 35th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.  The parish celebration will take place this Sunday at the 11:30 Mass with a reception following.  All are invited to attend.

As announced at last night’s PTG General meeting, Mrs. Maureen Davis will be leaving us after 7 years in her role as 2^nd grade classroom assistant.  She will be greatly missed and we are grateful for her years with us in service to our students and to the school.  We wish Mrs. Davis God’s blessings as she moves on from our school.  Mrs. Kim Graves, who currently serves in the Kindergarten, will take on the role of 2^nd grade assistant.

Registration packets for next year will be sent home via the electronic blast on Thursday, April 26.  Registration is due back to the office by Friday, May 25.

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Matthew 28: 8 – 10

Please pray for the family of 6^th grader, Alex, whose grandfather passed away recently; for Mrs. Graves; for the family of 8^th grader, Ilia; for Jordan, cousin to 7^th grader, Madison; for Linda Morales; for Deven, a young man battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma; for Mrs. Sonido; for the family of Kindergartner Jack H; for the family of 5^th grader, Leila; for the family of 5^th grader Michaela; for the sick; for those in countries who are at war; for all who suffered loss in natural disasters; for all our own intentions; for peace in our world.

Peace,

Monica O’Callaghan

Principal

Please click here for all other Thursday news!

Dear St. Joseph Families,

On behalf of the staff of St. Joseph Elementary School,  I wish you all the blessings of the Easter season.  In these days of spring and new life, may you find the joys of the risen Lord in everything around you.  May the Easter break give you time to rest and enjoy your children.  Be safe if you travel this holiday.

So the women entered the tomb, where they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe.  And they were afraid.  “Do not be alarmed,” he said to them, “I know you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.  He is not here.

He has been raised from the dead.

Mark 16: 5 – 6

Peace,

Monica O’Callaghan

Principal

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Dear St. Joseph Families:

Greetings!  This Sunday is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week.  During this week, our goal is to keep our students focused on the events in the life of Jesus and in the life of the church today.  On Thursday, our students will participate in a Seder Meal, and will also attend a prayer service in the basilica prior to dismissal.

La Cirque de la Nuit, the event of the season, was truly a wonderful event.  The food was fabulous, the venue was wonderful, and the company was the best. Many many thanks to our auction chairs, Ana Goode, and Rosanna Shook, as well as our parent volunteers who worked to create such a fabulous event.  Thanks to all who attended in support of the school.

In order to streamline our weekly blast, all information that is requested to go in our blast must be in a word document so that it is editable.  Thank you.

Please be advised that our school website and school-issued email accounts will be inaccessible during Easter break, beginning April 6, 2012.  Because of several outages and other issues with our current hosting company, we will be switching the site over to a new, more reliable webhost.  Emails and the website will be back up when we return to school on April 16^th.  Special thanks and appreciation to Mr. Leon and Mr. Nakamura for working on our school website transfer during the break.

The crowd began to shout, “Praise God!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna to our God.”

Mark 11: 9 – 10

Please pray for the family of 6^th grader, Alex, whose grandfather passed away this week; for Mrs. Graves; for the family of 8^th grader, Ilia; for Jordan, cousin to 7^th grader, Madison; for Linda Morales; for Deven, a young man recently diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma; for Mrs. Sonido; for the family of Kindergartner Jack H; for the family of 5^th grader, Leila; for the family of 5^th grader Michaela; for the sick; for those in countries who are at war; for all who suffered loss in natural disasters; for all our own intentions; for peace in our world.

Peace,

Monica O’Callaghan

Principal

Please click here for all other Thursday news!

Le Cirque De La Nuit–Auction 2012

Thank you, committee members, for all your work on the auction!

Auction Chairs—Ana Goode, Rosanna Shook

Graphic Artist—Marci Stewart

Volunteer Coordinator—AnnMarie Anderer

Solicitations—Debbie Ames

Packaging—Carla VanDerveer, Juvy Tamor, Joyce Beck, Jeanne Witherspoon

Publicity—Suzanne Holley

Reservations—Jeanne Witherspoon

Donations—Michele Hembree, Amy Hester

Bartenders—Jeff Anderer, Eric Coker, Pep Montes

Appetizers and Desserts—Beth Anderson

Audio & Visuals—Andrew MacKay

The Band—Brian Kenny, Chuck Michniak, Shawn Grassman

Photographer—Gary Pallister

Casino—Don Johnston, Kelly Johnston

Emcee & Spotters—Brian Kenny, Don Johnston, Scott MacAskill, Jeanne Witherspoon

Parking lights—Kevin Hester

Check-in & Check-out—AnnMarie Anderer, Christine Green, Kim McKeon, Michele Hembree

Dear St. Joseph Families:

Greetings!  Happy spring time.  The days grow longer as we head toward the season of Easter.  We continue our Lenten journey being mindful of our call to service, sacrifice, and repentance.

La Cirque de la Nuit, the event of the season takes place this Saturday.  Our auction chairs, Ana Goode, and Rosanna Shook, as well as so many of our wonderful parent volunteers have worked tirelessly to make it a memorable night for all.  We hope to see your there.

Thanks to Mrs. Wong and student council for a great job in planning spirit week throughout this week.  Students and staff have enjoyed the events each day.  Tomorrow is pajama day.

We will not be having liturgy tomorrow, so Town Hall will begin at 8:00.

The winter is over; in the countryside, flowers are in bloom. This is the time for singing.

Song of Songs

Please pray for all who suffered loss in natural disasters; for Mrs. Graves, our Kindergarten assistant, whose mother-in-law passed away this week; for the family of 8^th grader, Ilia; for Jordan, cousin to 7^th grader, Madison; for Linda Morales; for Deven, a young man recently diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma; for Mrs. Sonido; for the family of Kindergartner Jack H; for the family of 5^th grader, Leila; for the family of 5^th grader Michaela; for the sick; for those in countries who are at war; for all our own intentions; for peace in our world.

Peace,

Monica O’Callaghan

Principal

Please click here for all other Thursday news!

Dear St. Joseph Families:

Greetings!  We will observe Stations of the Cross tomorrow at 11:00 in the basilica.  All are welcome to join us.

Monday is a parish holiday in honor of our patron, St. Joseph.  We will celebrate liturgy in honor of St. Joseph on Tuesday at 9:40 in the parish gym.  Again, all are welcome to join us.

Next week is Spirit Week.  Thanks to Mrs. Wong and student council for their efforts in planning so many fun activities for us throughout the week.  Details of the week are included in the blast.

Tomorrow is a minimum day.  There will be no afternoon extended care.  Enjoy the long holiday weekend.

Let us fast an acceptable and very pleasing fast to the Lord. True fasting is the estrangement from evil, temperance of tongue, abstinence from anger, separation from desires, slander, falsehood and perjury. Privation of these is true fasting.

St Basil the Great.

Please pray for the people of the midwest who suffered loss in the tornados; for Mrs. Graves, our Kindergarten assistant, whose mother-in-law is seriously ill; for the family of 8^th grader, Ilia; for Jordan, cousin to 7^th grader, Madison; for Linda Morales; for Deven, a young man recently diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma; for Mrs. Sonido; for the family of Kindergartner Jack H; for the family of 5^th grader, Leila; for the family of 5^th grader Michaela; for the sick; for those in countries who are at war; for all our own intentions; for peace in our world.

Peace,

Monica O’Callaghan

Principal

Please click here for all other Thursday news!

Dear St. Joseph Families:

Greetings!  As part of our Lenten journey our students and staff will participate in the Stations of the Cross tomorrow at 2:00 in the basilica.  We will observe stations one through five this week.  All are welcome to join us.

I will be away from the school next week as I participate in the WCEA/WASC accreditation team for St. Anthony School in Oakland.  I am happy to serve on this team to affirm the good work done by their staff, students, and families of the school, and am mindful of those teachers and principals from our diocese who served on the team for our own accreditation process.

Just a reminder that tomorrow is the deadline to submit tuition assistance applications for the 2012 – 2013 school year.

What is it to be a Christian?

-It is silence when our words would hurt.
-It is patience when we are being hurt.  -It is deafness when scandal flows.
-It is thoughtfulness for another’s woes.  -It is sharing whatever little we have.
-It is being kind rather than being right most of the time.

Please pray for the people of the midwest who suffered loss in the tornados; for Mrs. Graves, our Kindergarten assistant, whose mother-in-law is seriously ill; for the family of 8^th grader, Ilia, whose grandfather passed away recently; for Jordan, cousin to 7^th grader, Madison; for Linda Morales; for Deven, a young man recently diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma; for Mrs. Sonido; for the family of Kindergartner Jack H; for the family of 5^th grader, Leila; for the family of 5^th grader Michaela; for the sick; for those in countries who are at war; for all our own intentions; for peace in our world.

Peace,

Monica O’Callaghan

Principal

Please click here for all other Thursday news!