Blarney Stone
 

Open My Eyes, Lord

Last week, a teacher was talking to her Pre-K class about the death of a loved one.  As the story developed about the family member going to heaven, a child asked, "Are your eyes open when you go into heaven?"  

I laughed at the innocence of the question but it gave me pause.  While I can only image that when I approach heaven my eyes will be wide open to the unconditional love of God, I worry that my daily life is still bound by a spiritual blindness.  The busyness of our lives, the ego that I can do it myself, even the lack of gratitude can keep me from seeing God's presence in everywhere and in all things.  I don't want to wait for heaven to "see" God.

I know I am not alone in this reality and is why I am so grateful to Katrina Coovert, one of our 5th grade teachers who leads us every week in our Examen.  Katrina directs two students in leading the start of our week in the prayer of St. Ignatius.  The Examen of Conscience or Consciousness is the Ignatian prayer that helps us recall the moments in our day when we felt most aware of God's presence  The students remind us to recall the previous 24 hours or weekend when we were the most happy and then ask if we let God be part of that moment? Similarly,  we are challenged to remember when we felt sadness or were angry and if God is present with us then?  The prayer begins in gratitude and ends with us asking God to help us learn how to have a more open heart to love more deeply, to have ears to listen more keenly and eyes to see more clearly.

I believe if I we pray the Examen in our own lives, we all  will have the eyes to help create God's kingdom on earth which I think will be a lot like heaven.

peace,  

Chris
Upcoming Events


October 1:  All School Mass, 8:45 AM
October 1:  New Parent Information Night, 6:00, Library
October 2:  No School, Teacher Excellence Day
October 5:  Free Dress, Go Seahawks!
October 6:  Individual Photos
Annual Fund 16

We are thankful for the strong support of Annual Fund 16 so far.  In pledges and gifts, we have raised over $88,000 toward our goal of $150,000.  
If you haven't pledged or donated, please take a moment to do so today.  We will need everyone's participation to reach our goal!

For more information, click here for the video and click here to learn more about Annual Fund on our website.  Don't forget to pledge or donate by October 31!  Thank you.

Click Here To Make A Donation
Community Ministry

The Question of the Week at St. Patrick School is, "How do you share YOUR peace?"  Join us in considering this question, looking for inspiration within the readings of our All School Mass on Thursday, October 1, the Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux. Click here for the reading.(alternate first reading from 1 Peter.)  We invite you to celebrate this Mass with us at 8:45 on Thursday in the church!  

The visit of Pope Francis to the United States occupied much of our classroom learning last week. Students were invited to share their reflections on gold and white hearts last week's Queston of the Week, "How does Pope Francis lead like Jesus did?"  Parish and school staff were invited to share memories, stories, and artifacts from personal travels to the Vatican - these are displayed in the main hallway of the school.  Our Primary Division Mass on September 24 was dedicated to the papal visit, highlighted by Fr. Jerry Graham's homily, "What kind of car would Jesus drive?"   Enjoy the Mass and homily by clicking the links below:
CYO

Our Cross Country team had their first CYO meet at Bellarmine Preparatory School on Sunday, September 27th.  Thank you to all the volunteers.  Your efforts make this sport work and help model for our kids many qualities we want them to learn. 
Congratulations to all of our 54 runners this weekend!  Saint Pat's had 10 runners finish in the top ten.  Keep working hard! 
If you have any questions please contact the head coach Megan Miller or the Athletic Director, Matt Smith.  The Athletic Director can be reached at cyoathletics@saintpats.org.  Please see the schedule for the week below:

Practices are held on Tuesday and Thursdays at 3:45 pm. 
Tuesday is picture day.  Please have your runner wear their singlet and arrive at 3:45 promptly to be in the picture.
Race day is Sunday, October 4th.  Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your race.  Parents, please be sure to collect your runners at the finish line.  Our coaches are unable to oversee the runners after the start of the race.

Race Times
Pre-race prayer at 1:50 pm
PreK/K boys (1/4 mile):  2:00
PreK/K girls (1/4 mile):  2:05
1st grade boys (1/2 mile):  2:10
1st grade girls (1/2 mile):  2:15
2nd grade boys (1/2 mile):  2:25
2nd grade girls (1/2 mile):  2:30
3rd grade boys (1/2 mile):  2:40
3rd grade girls (1/2 mile):  2:45
4th and 5th grade boys (1 mile):  2:55
4th and 5th grade girls (1 mile):  3:05
6th-8th grade boys (1-� mile):  3:15
6th-8th grade girls (1-� mile):  3:30
 
CYO Basketball:  There will sign-up sheets in the classroom on October 5th-9th for 4th-8th grades.  Practice will start around October 15th.  Your coach will contact you before the coaches' meeting to discuss practice times.  The coaches' meeting will be Monday October 12th at St. Pats' gym at 7:15 pm.
 
CYO Volleyball starts forming teams for 5th-8th grades in February.  Practice will start in February.  Games start in March.  The season runs through April.
 
There are several other athletics that are offered through the Sno-King CYO program.  St. Pat's has not had its own team in these sports, yet!  We would need volunteer coaches for these sports which are soccer, baseball, softball and track.
SPPA Volunteer Sign-Up

Saint Patrick Parent Association needs you!

Please take a moment to visit the following link and indicate your interest in events planned for this school year.


Click Here To Sign-Up
Photo Request

School parent, Mindi Marsh has generously volunteered to create our yearbook this year.  If you have any unique and wonderful pictures of students, teachers, administration, classroom events, fields trips, CYO sports, etc., please email them to Mindi Marsh at swampclan@hotmail.com. If you have questions, she can be contacted either through email or call 253.232.9152.  Thank you!
Health Screening

Health screening for vision and hearing will be held on October 9 for grades K, 1, 2, 3, and 7. The 5th grade, make-ups and re-screenings will be held on October 30.
Please send your child/ren with appropriate eye wear and/or hearing aids. 

If you are looking for a good way to obtain commitment hours, please don't hesitate to volunteer. No medical experience is needed, but Safe Environment is required.  Interested? Questions? Please email Shannon Zawilski at redheadrn@comcast.net. 
Thank you!
From the Parish


Youth Group
Saint Patrick Youth group meets every other Sunday from 4-5:30 PM in the Parish Center. We have fun, great fellowship, games, food, and grow in our faith. Come every time we meet or whenever you can make it. Bring a friend and join us.

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St. Patrick Catholic School | 253-272-2297 

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