A Jubilee Year of Mercy at J.E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School ~ by Mrs
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
A Jubilee Year of Mercy at J.E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School ~ By Mrs. Betsy Hunt, Principal Pope Francis declared 2016 the Holy Year of Mercy, a Jubilee Year. It started on December 8, 2015 when the Pope opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, and it will end on November 20, 2016. The J.E. Cosgriff school community, under the Students celebrated with Fr. Andrzej on his 60th Birthday September 20, 2015 leadership of Fr. Andrzej Skrzypiec, has learned The administration is filled with much gratitude and appreciation first-hand several ways to as the 2015-16 school year comes to a close. The students made incorporate the Corporal remarkable strides in character formation and understanding and Spiritual Works of Catholic teachings and traditions. In addition, students embraced Mercy in their lives. Parents the challenges of rigorous academic instruction, competitive and students served food sports, and opportunities to excel in several fine art forms. to the homeless, raised money to provide comfort Parents, and medication to the sick, grandparents, and donated clothing and and St. Ambrose hygiene supplies to men, Parish volunteers women and children in assumed many need, both locally and on important roles a national level. Support which supported with food and thank-you academics, letters written by students sports, and fine “Door of Mercy” created by Ms. Gehrig’s were sent to our men in the art opportunities sixth grade religion class armed forces, and veterans. for all students School families assisted throughout the elderly St. Ambrose parishioners with leaf and snow removal year. This faithful Grandparent Volunteer Ralph Conner with Rhea Pearson during the school year. group of hard working volunteers The primary components of Mercy—peacefulness, forgiveness, play a vital role in strengthening a multi-faceted liberal arts patience, compassion, and gentleness—have been a primary education for all students. focus of our Friday school mass homilies, as well as religion and other academic classes. Teachers were the first to recognize and The J.E. Cosgriff School community looks forward to continuing compliment students who demonstrated forgiveness, patience, our Year of Mercy at the beginning of a new school year on and compassion in a classroom setting or who recognized it August 15, 2016. in others. “A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.” ~ Pope Francis CatholicA Jubilee SchoolsYear of Mercy:: Communities at J.E. Cosgriff of Faith, Memorial Knowledge Catholic & ServiceSchool The Eleven-Year Face Lift and New J.E. Cosgriff Donor Wall From 2007 to the present, J.E. Cosgriff School has undergone an external and internal “Face Lift.” It was very evident to the principal several years ago that in order to meet current health codes, accept more students substantial school improvements which would not have been into the school and expand the educational opportunities possible without the generous gifts of some very kind and caring for all students, some facility changes and upgrades would individuals, couples, and foundations who have given $50,000 or be necessary. This eleven-year face lift has resulted in more of in-kind or monetary donations. A few of the changes and upgrades include the following: a viable updated pre-school area complete Katie and Dorothy Weber reading with playground, a separate middle with Teddy Stockham school, a newly located state-of-the-art computer lab complete with computers, current classroom technology, a new and updated lunch room and faculty kitchen, student academic scholarships, a hardwood gym floor, a leveled library and reading resource room, greatly expanded fine arts resources Maureen McCarthey and Roger and Mary Lowe and opportunities for students, a new Philip McCarthey school boiler to replace the 1957 model, Phillip Winston language arts books for pre-school thru eighth grade, schoolwide WiFi and new copy machines for the faculty and staff. A special donor reception was held in April to bring these generous Cosgriff supporters together. At the reception, a new memorial wall was unveiled entitled “Building a Foundation of Excellence.” An engraved brick was placed on the wall to honor each generous donor. It is our hope that this new wall of excellence continues Ronny Cutshall of the ALSAM to grow for many years to come. Diane and Dan Henry Foundation Chris Gose and The current bricks were named as Michelle McDonough follows: Bob and Lana Martino, Maureen McCarthey, Philip McCarthey, Phillip and Beckie Winston, Herman and Laurie Franks, Roger and Mary Lowe, The Danielle Byron Henry Foundation, Chris Gose and Michelle McDonough, Philip and Anne Purcell, Terence Stephens, Bing and Judy Fang, Peter Purcell, Nick and Missy Boris, The ALSAM Foundation. “The true meaning of life is to plant Terence Stephens Peter Purcell with Mrs. Hunt, trees under whose shade you do not principal expect to sit.” Bing and Judy Fang J.E. COSGRIFF MEMORIAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL ANNUAL NEWSLETTER & REPORT | 2015-16 SCHOOL YEAR Intermountain Therapy Animals build and encourage children’s love of books and the reading environment. The program provides an opportunity for children and Reading Education Assistance to practice reading as well as other communication skills. Dogs (R.E.A.D.) Katie comes to Cosgriff School one time per week during the Katie’s first job was school year, with her owner Dorothy Weber. Katie, Dorothy and that of a cattle dog a lucky student sit close together on the floor or on a sofa in the on a large ranch out library, while the magic of reading takes place. Students are very west. She has spent comfortable and often find Katie’s paw resting on their lap as she the last six years as a listens to every word the student reads. All students, especially in trained Intermountain the lower grades, want a turn reading to Katie. Therapy dog, and now Dorothy Weber, Katie’s owner has worked in both private and specifically, a popular corporate settings in behavior management. She is very kind and R.E.A.D. dog. This encouraging with each student, and she provides such a valuable program utilizes the volunteer service for the school. We are fortunate to have Dorothy Katie and Dorothy Weber reading companionship of and Katie returning to Cosgriff in the fall of 2016. with Teddy Stockham therapy animals to Community Action League of CALC provides the opportunity for parents Cosgriff (CALC) to “teach by example,” the importance of community The Home and School Association (HSA) under the direction of service, as they work Kerry Hankins, President, and Sarah Farr, Vice President, created to instill a life-long a new opportunity for school families to work together as good commitment and passion stewards in our church and school community. Cosgriff families in their children to give of were called to action in November 2015, to offer their time and themselves as they serve service for elderly parish families who were in need of help with others in need. raking leaves and general yard clean-up. Over thirty Cosgriff school families assisted the elderly in the parish with fall clean- **Research shows that up in the month of November. In addition, sixty plus students volunteering at a young and their families prepared and served lunches to the homeless age improves self-esteem, Bridget, Rowan, and Declan Hankins raking through the Good Samaritan program during the year. encourages healthy life leaves at a senior parishioner’s home choices and inspires a life- CALC affords parents the opportunity to work side by side with long service ethic. their children, for the purpose of helping those less fortunate. CALC builds community among Cosgriff families as they work Watch for CALC opportunities in the upcoming 2016-17 school together for a common purpose. year. Go to: www.cosgriff.org J.E. Cosgriff proudly supported the following charitable organizations during the 2015-16 school year. St. Patrick’s Parish A Jubilee Year of Mercy at J.E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School J.E. Cosgriff Faith Formation Class Seventeen Cosgriff faculty members participated in a six-week course in “Catholic Faith and Tradition.” The course was adapted from Notre Dame’s Satellite Theological Education Program (STEP) including the text, United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Lisa Romero, first grade teacher, completed the online STEP course in the summer of 2015, then taught the class for all interested Cosgriff faculty and staff. Reading and discussing the text, in addition to required essays, filled the diocesan requirements for catechist certification. All faculty and staff who teach religion are required to complete at least ten hours of continuing education each year. This course was informative and interesting with the added small group discussions. We were fortunate to have Fr. Andrzej join the class to enrich our discussions. Celebration of the Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation at St. Ambrose Church FIRST HOLY COMMUNION ~ MAY 1, 2016 Second grade students received their First Holy Communion on Sunday, May 1, at the 11:00 mass. We are excited for these students who received the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist. Fr. Andrzej officiated at this very important Mass and encouraged the communicants to continue to receive the body and blood of Christ as a source of spiritual strength in their lives. THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION ~ MAY 4, 2016 Eighth grade students received the sacrament of Confirmation on the evening of May 4, 2016. For the first time in his years as a priest, Fr. Andrzej Skrzypiec confirmed the prepared candidates. He spoke to all in attendance at the Confirmation mass about the importance of this sacrament, as the candidates continue their spiritual journey and ongoing faith formation.