December 2009

Junior Retreats Add Service Component

The first of the 2009-10 junior retreats started off on a new foot. The Student Life Team and Campus ministry office decided to add a service component to the junior retreats. The decision brought the junior retreat program in alignment with the goals of both the freshman and sophomore retreats becoming days of service, reflection, team building and prayer. The students gathered at school, then walked to the Alameda shoreline. While the recent oil spill required some modification of the original plan, the students still managed to remove several bags of trash from the pedestrian walkway and Washington Park. Many neighbors stopped the students to commend them on caring for their hometown. The students added the connection between the random carelessness of littering to the larger impact on our natural resources. After our morning of sharing and servicing, Mr. Shelton, Ms. Dlugosh, Mr. McKee and Mr. Duran headed to the Lafayette Retreat Center for the rest of the retreat. The senior retreat leaders and Mr. Macalinao greeted them with an emotional program focused on trust and decision making. Junior Tia Gangopadhyay summarized the experience as “fantastic.” Thank you to both our hard-working student and adult retreat team leaders. Look for the next group of juniors walking the shoreline on Jan. 20.

International Food Fest Raises Funds for Angel Tree

Building on our love of crepes, brie, lumpia, and enchiladas, our culture clubs offered traditional foods as a fundraiser for the parish Angel Tree. It was so well-received that we are looking to schedule as second Food Fest in the spring. Ole!

Freshmen Elect Officers

Congratulations to the newly elected Freshman campus life team members: Eric Baskett, Juan Pamplona, Jada Hodge, Emily Stott, Sierra Harper, Akaela Magno–Ordinario, Matthew Republicano, Rose Lasalle-Klein and Khalia Burton-Hom. Their first responsibility is the Immaculate Conception Liturgy, Dec. 8. Welcome Class of 2013 officers.

898 is the Record!

Thank you to all members of the St. Joseph Parish Community. Working as one unified body, the parish, high school, and elementary school communities gathered 898 coats, sweaters and sweatshirts for the needy in the area. Coats and sweaters were given to the Women’s Shelter of St. Vincent de Paul, the Oakland Day Laborers center, and the Emancipation Project members. Next time we think how cold it is, please remember how many neighbors are staying warmer because of your generosity. Thank you. We look forward to scheduling this again next year.

Senior Sweatshirts

Senior sweatshirts have arrived! Sweatshirts are $30 each and available in blue or white. Sweatshirts can be purchased online at www.tinyurl.com/isc-2009. Thank you, Christine Doan ’10, for your artwork and design. The sweatshirts look fantastic.

Prestige Portraits by Lifetouch has provided this new photo link will allow you to pre-purchase many of the picture programs offered by throughout the year. It will also allow you to purchase after the picture day. Please bookmark this site as a favorite as it will remain the same from year to year. http://www.orderschoolportraits.com/StJosephNotreDameHighSchool