February 23, 2023
February 23, 2023
Dear SJB Families,
On Tuesday, after Mass, in preparation for Ash Wednesday, we were able to partake in a special prayer service before the palms which were received on Palm Sunday last year, were burned. The ashes were used yesterday and placed on our foreheads.
What a beautiful and sacred experience we had yesterday during our Ash Wednesday Mass, which started the liturgical season of Lent. Father Christ reminded us that Lent is a time to repent and open our hearts to God and let our love grow. The ashes we received are a sign of repentance and our desire to refocus on the Lord and be better followers of Jesus. We loved having parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings, and parishioners attend. We were so grateful and thankful to have our preschool classes join us.
Beginning tomorrow on Fridays throughout Lent, kindergarten through eighth grade will be participating in the Stations of the Cross at 2:00 PM in the chapel. This special and meaningful devotion commemorates Jesus Christ’s last day on Earth as man. You are welcome to join us in the chapel. Our preschoolers are learning about the Stations of the Cross in their classrooms. Students in grades second through eighth, will also go to Reconciliation on this coming Tuesday, February 28. Father Chris also reminded us of the three pillars of Lent yesterday, which are to pray, fast, and give alms. As a part of our Almsgiving, one of the pillars of Lent, we will be giving to those in need. This year, we will be collecting for the Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Eucharist. They minister in Chicago and the donations will help their ministry. Boxes should have come home yesterday or today for donations. The Franciscan Sisters will also be sending a nun to speak with our students. As a reminder, you also have the booklet, “Trust in the Lord,” to help make Lent more meaningful.
For our Lenten service project, students in third through eighth grades will once again be going to Feed My Starving Children in March. Permission slips have been sent home. Signed permission slips and $3.50 to cover the cost of bus transportation, are due back on Monday, February 27. Our younger students will be participating in a project to collect pet supplies for a local animal shelter. More details will be shared soon.
Last Thursday, seventh grade student, Isabella Fernandez, was honored at the Warrenville Memorial VFW Post 8081 for her Patriot’s Pen submission, “My Pledge to our Veterans.” She received first place for the post and was recognized for her paper being in the top fifteen in the district. Congratulations, Izzy! We are very proud of you.
On Saturday, the Knights of Columbus held their district Free Throw Contest, and the following students competed and will be moving on to Regionals at Benedictine University on Tuesday, March 14:
Anelise Mains – 4th grade
Brian Soriano – 4th grade
Landen Stith – 5th grade
Levi Renzulli – 6th grade
Dominic Zagotta – 6th grade
Jacob Spencer – 7th grade
Brielle Borner – 8th grade
Joey Zagotta – 8th grade
Congratulations to you all! We are thankful to the Knights of Columbus for sponsoring and offering this contest!
As I shared last week, our 7th and 8th grade students have been receiving social dance lessons in PE. On Wednesday, March 1, parents of our 7th and 8th graders are welcome to join the last class at 2:06 PM to see what they have learned! If coming, you may park your car in the parking lot for dismissal and enter through door 3, the gymnasium door, to sign in and watch the class.
From our Parent Club
Let's ROLL on over to Funway in Batavia on Wednesday, March 15th for a SJB Roller Skating Party from 5-7pm! Pre-registration is encouraged, and details are included in the flyer found in the posting. Family and friends are welcome to join. We are hoping to see some parents, teachers, and staff out on the rink as well. It should be a fun time together!
Tomorrow is Mom and Son Bingo in St. Cecilia Hall from 6:00 – 8:00 PM for all who have preregistered. A delicious meal, fun with friends, and amazing prizes are awaiting!
The Roden’s flower fundraiser is back. I can attest that the flowers I have purchased have always been gorgeous and do well with tender loving care. Please see the posting for more information.
We are so proud of our basketball teams! Our sixth grade girls and sixth grade boys are currently in third place, and our eighth grade boys are in fourth place. All our teams will be playing in play-offs this weekend. Our Lady Wildcats will be playing St. Joan of Arc on Saturday, February 25, at 1:00 PM at St. Raphael in Naperville. Our sixth grade Wildcats will play St. Raymond on Saturday in our home gym at 2:00 PM. Lastly, our eighth grade Wildcats will play St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick this Saturday at St. Mary in Mokena at 4:00 PM. All games are sure to be exciting! Let’s go Wildcats! Best of luck to you all!
This is a reminder that our Student Council has a special dress down day planned for tomorrow. To dress down and wear the color orange, students need to bring a minimum donation of $1.00. Donations will be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
In addition, our preschool students are so excited for tomorrow’s Donuts with Dads. We can’t wait to have their dads join us in the morning at 8:00 AM in St. Cecilia Hall. Dads, please enter through door 9, which is our ramp door in the rear of the school, and where the four year olds dismiss from at the end of the day.
Don’t forget that the first Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry is tomorrow from 5:00 – 7:00 PM in Sebahar Hall, just below the church sanctuary. Pre-orders can be placed by calling 630-668-0918, ext. 651, or Sean Conley at 630-835-8225. You can also order online. Place orders by 6:30 PM at www.stjohnwinfield.org. Please see the posting for more details.
As we begin our Lenten journey, I close with this prayer:
Grant us the courage, O Lord, to abandon ourselves entirely into your hands for these Lenten days. Give us the joy of your Holy Spirit and sustain us with your Word.
We continue to pray for peace in Ukraine and pray for those in Turkey affected by the recent earthquakes.
May your week be filled with many blessings,
Joanne