35 minute read
Overtime
Sports
Ed Daniels
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Retooled Saints are a complete team
The transformation of the New Orleans Saints is complete.
The Saints have come full circle, from a team that depended on big passing numbers from their Hall of Fame quarterback, to a complete team.
It is a team with an outstanding kicking game, a defense that is one of the more improved in football, and a running game that features both Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray running behind a young, but still experienced offensive line.
With a win at Atlanta Dec. 6, and a sweep of the season series with the Falcons without Drew Brees at quarterback, the Saints won their first eight games over the past two seasons without Brees in the lineup.
In 2014 through 2016, the Saints won seven games each season, with a pass happy offense.
In 2016, Brees threw for 5,208 yards.
One year later, he threw for 4,334. And, a year later, Brees’ numbers went down again, to 3,992 passing yards.
In 2019, Drew Brees did not have a 400 yard passing game.
His last 400 yard passing game was when he threw for 439 yards in a 4840 loss to Tampa Bay to open the 2018 season.
Meantime, the Saints have retooled their offense with a series of outstanding personnel decisions.
The Saints traded up to draft running back Alvin Kamara and center Erik McCoy.
New Orleans traded wide receiver Brandin Cooks, and turned the pick acquired, No. 32 in the first round of 2017 into offensive tackle Ryan Ramcyzk.
Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, who has missed six games this season, is still the fastest player in NFL history to 500 catches, achieving the feat in his 69th NFL game.
Thomas was the 47th selection in the 2016 draft.
The Saints have used a first round pick or their first pick in a draft to choose an offensive lineman in four of the last six years.
Ramcyzk, McCoy, and guards Andrus Peat and Cesar Ruiz have helped completely change the Saints identity.
The Saints are second in the NFL in time of possession at over 32 minutes a game.
On the road, that number grows to almost 34 minutes a game.
And, because of the Saints ability to run the football, and master the short passing game, the defense has had fewer possessions to defend.
As good as those numbers are, and that New Orleans had won 10 of its first 12 games, still leaves questions unanswered.
Does this football play in the playoffs?
Can the Saints win another Super Bowl with Drew Brees?
And, can the winning continue long after Brees retires? BC
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Catholic Schools Week
Jan. 31-Feb. 6
Catholic Schools Week
Marissa Bagala St. Mary’s Nativity
Jeremy Gueldner President, Vandebilt
Ginny Medina-Hamilton Vandebilt
Cheryl Thibodaux
St. Genevieve
Peter Boudreaux
Central Catholic
Lydia Landry St. Bernadette
Tim Robichaux President, E.D. White
Tricia Thibodaux
Holy Savior
Kelli Cazayoux
St. Francis
Michelle Chiasson
E.D. White
Cathy Long Holy Rosary
Gerard Rodrigue Jr.
St. Joseph
Dr. Cindy Martin
St. Gregory
Amanda Talbot Central Catholic
Catholic Schools Week
Catholic Schools:
Faith. Excellence. Service.
From the Superintendent
Suzanne D. Troxclair
The year 2020 has, indeed, been a year like no other. Our day-to-day activities, roles and actions changed. For many of us, typical routines and practices that we often took for granted suddenly came to a screeching halt over nine months ago. On March 13, we exited our brick and mortar schools in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and embarked on a weeks-long virtual journey of Catholic education to complete the 2019-2020 school year.
On that Friday in March—a day that, under normal circumstances would have been filled with family, church and the typical activities we cram into the Saturdays and Sundays following a busy school week—we feverishly made accommodations for our children and aging family members, prepared workspaces for our children to complete assignments or for our own remote work environments, stockpiled supplies we believed were sure to become difficult to find, and settled in to what we believed would be a few weeks of alternate practices until we could return to life as we knew it.
Today, nine months later, in the midst of a world-wide pandemic, we reflect on the incredible faith journey we have experienced in the Catholic Church and, particularly, in the ministry of Catholic education in our diocese. And, oh, what a journey it has been!
To begin, the task of a successful completion to the 2019-2020 school year began before March 13. In the weeks leading up to the last day of inperson instruction, the administrators, faculties, and staffs in our Catholic schools worked creatively to ensure that our students would have the ability to successfully complete the academic year and be supported in that process. New ground for everyone, our school families worked together and embraced this alternate method of teaching and learning as our schools completed an unprecedented semester.
During the summer months, as it became evident that our typical return to school would not be possible, a Returnto-School Task Force was created that included teachers, administrators, parents, medical professionals, human resource representatives, clergy, diocesan leadership and various other representatives. Through much research and due diligence, this team developed guidelines to assist our schools in planning their safe return to the classroom for the 2020-2021 school year.
In alignment with the Centers for Disease Control, the State of Louisiana and its Department of Health, the Louisiana Department of Education, as well as our insurers and diocesan leadership team, each school utilized diocesan guidelines to develop and implement their approved Returnto-School plans for their campuses. Passionate about the importance of inperson teaching and learning for our students, our schools worked to create safe environments that incorporated the mitigation practices necessary to maintain in-class instruction.
Keeping the heart and purpose of our ministry in the forefront, schools prepared their physical plants in compliance with the necessary health and safety guidelines to allow for our students to attend school in brick and mortar buildings. Whether it was relocating classes to gyms or libraries to maintain appropriate social distancing, employing additional staff members to accommodate the necessary sanitation of desks and learning spaces, or developing comprehensive schedules to ensure all students and adults entering the schools would have their temperature checked and be appropriately screened, our school families overcame the many challenges successfully.
Simultaneously, while school employees were preparing the schools, parents were purchasing approved face coverings for their children, planning for transportation until public bus transportation would be available and able to accommodate all who utilized it, and giving of their own time, talents and treasure to assist the schools in preparing for the safe start to the new year. Whether through the donations of needed items, such as bottled water, or by assisting in building sanitation stations for door entrances, our school families showed incredible commitment to the ministry as they worked collaboratively for the success of the ministry. No matter how daunting the task, our school families kept their eyes firmly fixed on our Lord, Jesus Christ, and trusted him to walk with us.
This month, as we celebrate the ministry of Catholic education in a very intentional way during National Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 31-Feb. 6, we reflect and pray in thanksgiving for an incredibly successful semester in which our students were able to continue in-class instruction in our diocese. Beyond the never-before challenges we are facing due to the pandemic, our schools have also walked with others in neighboring dioceses and schools as an a
Catholic Schools Week
unprecedented hurricane season altered their “new normal.” Armed with the faith and hope of Jesus, students continue to use and share their Godgiven talents with their school, church and larger communities.
Indeed, we have so much to be thankful for. This year’s theme for National Catholic Schools Week is Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service. This theme concisely envelopes the impact of the ministry of Catholic education in the formation of our students. Even a global pandemic cannot stop the work of our Father! In celebration of all that is beautiful and good in our children, below are a few examples of the schools in the diocese are living the mission of our church through their Faith, Excellence and Service over the past year:
Faith:
n Understanding the importance of communal worship, school Masses are held at least twice weekly to accommodate more students under the guidelines of size gatherings and social distancing at St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary. n On the school’s Worship Wednesdays, using personal Bibles generously gifted to them by the Peltier Foundation, St. Joseph Catholic Elementary students worship through word and song as they reflect on Sunday’s Gospel reading each week. n Fostering a culture of virtuous leadership in the school community, Central Catholic School has engaged their school families through active participation in SportsLeader’s Virtue=Strength program.
Excellence:
n Each year, schools select an outstanding fifth, eighth and 12fth grader as its Student of the Year. These students go on to compete in district, regional and state competition as part of the Louisiana Department of Education’s Students of the Year Program. St. Genevieve’s Jonah Waguespack was selected as the fifth grade winner of all nonpublic schools in the state, naming him a State Finalist in the 2020 Students of the Year program.
n Through the cultivation of talent and work ethic, E.D. White Catholic High School earned four Louisiana High School Athletic Association sports titles in one week for both Class 3A boys and girls cross country and Division III swimming. n This year, the National Junior Beta Club awarded Holy Rosary Catholic School the National Beta School of Distinction Award, recognizing the school’s increase in membership and student involvement. With these increases, Holy Rosary is strengthening a pathway to improved academic performance and character development, two hallmark qualities of the organization. n At St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School, 43 percent of the seventh grade class qualified to participate in the Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP), allowing these students the opportunity to take the ACT to qualify for participation in enrichment programs for academically gifted and talented students. n Academic excellence is a pillar of our National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools. In Vandebilt Catholic High School’s Class of 2020, 29 students were awarded the Sacred Heart Scholar Award for achieving a score of 30 or higher on the ACT.
Service:
n In the aftermath of Hurricane Laura, the schools in our diocese partnered with the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Lake Charles to offer aid and assistance. Holy Savior Catholic School collected and delivered cleaning supplies and toiletries to their partner school, Our Lady’s Catholic School in Sulphur. n During Advent each year, St. Gregory School conducts a Baby Shower for Jesus, collecting baby items that are donated to Bright Beginnings, an emergency homeless shelter in Terrebonne Parish that also supports its participants through additional services as they work toward selfsufficiency. During the school’s “baby shower,” students unwrap their gifts (baby supplies) brought for the shelter and present them to baby Jesus. The items are used for the shelter participants. n Understanding the financial hardships that follow a natural disaster, as well as the importance of community workers, St. Mary’s Nativity School families supported residents and first responders in Hackberry, a community near Lake Charles, through their collections of food and cleaning supplies. Working in partnership with St. Mary’s, area firefighters delivered the collected supplies to residents and first responders of Hackberry.
As we reflect upon the impact of 2020 in our schools and embrace the new year, we can look to the words of Pope Francis, as he led his general audience from the Library of the Apostolic Palace in August. “Within the Christian tradition, faith, hope and charity are much more than feelings or attitudes. They are virtues infused in us through the grace of the Holy Spirit: Gifts that heal us and that make us healers, gifts that open us to new horizons, even while we are navigating the difficult waters of our time.”
May we use those gifts as we continue to pray for the ongoing strengthening and commitment to Catholic education, working together in the formation of the children we serve. May our Lord, Jesus Christ walk beside you and bless you in 2021. BC
H IGH SCHOOL
1870 2020
For 150 years Vandebilt Catholic High School has been committed to spiritual formation and academic excellence in an environment rooted in Catholic values and in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Within the context of a caring and orderly atmosphere, Vandebilt Catholic offers a college preparatory curriculum and stresses a personal approach to the education of the whole student through diverse academic, athletic, and co-curricular programs.
The 2020-2021 school year marks the 150th anniversary of the opening of the first Catholic school in Houma, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart by the Marianites of Holy Cross with an enrollment of 25 girls. The school’s name was changed to St. Francis de Sales Academy in 1879 and boys were admitted for the first time in 1890. With the arrival of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in the early 1950s, the school divided into St. Francis de Sales Boys’ and St. Francis de Sales Girls’ High Schools. As enrollment increased in the 1950s and 1960s, a new facility was needed, and the two schools merged in 1965 under the name Houma Central Catholic High School. In 1966 the school was dedicated as Vandebilt Catholic High School, named in the memory of Fr. August Vandebilt who was a longtime pastor of St. Francis de Sales Church.
CELEBRATING Catholic Schools Week
January 31 - February 6
Vandebilt Catholic High School day Forever Faith Family Excellence Yes is to provide students with a holistic education that is rooted in religious values, terday Today Forever Faith Family Ex structured through friendly discipline, nurtured by personal attention, and committed to cellence Yesterday Today Forever Faith academic excellence. Family Excellence Yesterday Today For ever Faith Family Excellence Yesterday of our current teachers and faculty are proud Vandebilt Catholic alumni who now share Katie Anderson ‘02 and Laurie Robichaux ‘84 both VCHS faculty members, Nearly 40% with their sons, Caleb Calhoun the mission and values of Today Forever Faith Family Excellence their alma mater with the next generation. and Jackson Robichaux, 2020 graduates Yesterday Today Forever Faith Fami 4X 2 year winner and Finalist ly Excellence Yesterday Toda Forever Bayou’s Best of the Best for Best Private School in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes. Faith Family Excellence Yesterday To
Faith Family Excellence Yesterday To day Forever Faith Family Excellence Yes Vandebilt Catholic: A Catholic School of Faith, Excellence, and Service. terday Today Forever Faith Family Ex 7Terrebonne Parish Teenagers of the Year have been Vandebilt Catholic seniors. Since 2010,Vandebilt Catholic considers clubs, organizations, sports, and activities an important part in the development of the whole person and offers 35 co-curricular activities and cellence Yesterday Today Forever Faith 15 sports for students to participate in, including Catholic-based Family Excellence Yesterday Today For Katherine Bonvillain, 2020 Graduate and 2019 Terrebonne Parish groups such as campus ministry and pro-life club.
JV Jazz team members Teenager of the Year
ever Faith Family Excellence Yesterday The ACT average composite score from the VCHS class of 2020 wasEach Vandebilt Catholic student receives on the sideline of a home football game Today Forever Faith Family Excellence 24.2 which was nearly 6 points higher than the state average approximately hours of faith instruction per year through daily religion classes. 150 Catholic spirituality and Christian values are also integrated and almost 4 points higher than Yesterday Today Forever Faith Fami the national average.into the curriculum through annual Christmas and Lenten projects, class retreats, and school-wide liturgies. ly Excellence Yesterday Toda Forever Nicole Pellegrin, 2020 Graduate and 2019 National Merit Finalist and Sacred Heart Scholar Students attending the national March for Life in
Washington, D.C. recipient (30+ ACT score)
Faith Family Excellence Yesterday To PLACEMENT TEST If you would like a private tour, please contact January 9, 2021 Mrs. Kayla Vicknair, Director of Admissions at 985-876-2551.
For more information, please visit www.vandebiltcatholic.org.
REGISTRATION February 1-12, 2021 Vandebilt does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, or ethnicity.
CENTRAL CATHOLIC
where
Central Catholic School in Morgan City fosters a Christ-centered atmosphere with a focus on faith formation, academic excellence, and service development in pre-kindergarten through high school. We provide students, faculty and parents with opportunities for faith,
excellence and service.
Students at Central Catholic are forming and sharing their faith by participating in weekly Mass, having organizations for students to participate in such as Sisters in Christ and the Campus Ministry/Retreat Team, facilitating grade level retreats, praying throughout the day, leading a Living Rosary annually, and hosting a community Christmas Pageant. Central Catholic is also excited to implement a program this year called Virtue=Strength, which is a Catholic virtue-based formation program for Catholic schools. Our students create cards for our community leaders—police, fire and medical personnel—as well as our veterans. During Lent, students visit and pray with elderly or ill members of our community.
students strive to lead by faith, excellence, service
Central Catholic students are afforded many opportunities to excel in many areas. We have a 1 to 1 student to iPad ratio, Chromebooks, STEM classes, and AP opportunities. Central Catholic also offers Senior and Junior BETA as well as National Honor Society. We have Million Word Readers in addition to having finalist in the Spelling Bee, Hometown Spirit Art contest, St. Mary Parish Art Show and Literary Rally. Central Catholic students, faculty and staff focus on service to others by generously donating food items for Thanksgiving baskets; helping with hurricane relief efforts; collecting coats for the needy; donating and packing items for shoeboxes for underprivileged children around the world through Box of Joy to educate them about Jesus Christ; providing nursing home residents with clothing and personal items; collecting toys around Christmas for Toys for Tots; collecting items for the needy during Lent through a program through Holy Cross Church called Operation Lent, as well as many other service opportunities throughout our community.
At Central Catholic, each child is seen as a unique gift from God, and all missions are possible with God. Central Catholic embodies the theme of Catholic Schools Week, Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.
If you want your child to receive spiritual formation and academic excellence, consider Central Catholic. Your children and your family will be enriched by the experience of a Central Catholic education!
Catholic Schools Week
Catholic Schools Week
Holy Savior Catholic School Encouraging students to be engaged citizens and faithful disciples for 141 years
For 141 years, Holy Savior Catholic School in Lockport has been devoted to providing students with the foundation needed to unite their own hearts to the heart of Jesus Christ as engaged citizens and faithful disciples.
Bishop Shelton J. Fabre says, “to love as God loves, we must see as God sees.” This statement embodies what we are called to do as Christians and our calling at Holy Savior as ministers of Christ through Catholic education. The mission of our school calls for us to see the worth of every student, parent and teacher, and to encounter them the way Christ would. By doing this, we spread God’s love throughout our community. Therefore, we strive to live out our mission this year through our 2020-2021 theme: “Love as God loves.”
Even during a year which is so different from any other, our school has embraced this theme, continuing to encounter Christ through others. The need for truly encountering others has fueled our commitment to being present on our campus in a way that is safe and fosters growth.
Within our school, eucharistic adoration is made available to all classes in the school chapel throughout the school day once each month. Students continue to attend weekly Mass and receive religious instruction daily. The Christian Leadership Club has also formed on our campus, giving students the opportunity to perform “above-and-beyond” service projects within our school and community. Our teachers have fully embraced and built upon this year’s theme in their own unique ways in each classroom. In November, our 4-H Club held a canned food drive to collect non-perishable items which were used to create Thanksgiving baskets for the less fortunate in our community. We have been blessed to have the support and presence of our local priests with our children throughout this unusual year.
Despite changes made to ensure COVID-19 safety in the classroom, the pursuit of academic excellence has not been compromised. Our dedicated teachers continue to use various innovative teaching strategies and integrate technology through use of classroom computers, Promethean ActivBoards, and our 1:1 Chromebook Program in 1st through 5th grade. Holy Savior offers several enrichment classes, including technology, music and library, all of which have found innovative ways to safely continue—including library-on-a-cart and outdoor band classes. Our nursery students continue to grow as learners through a curriculum which focuses on the development of reading, math, science, art and self-help skills, as well as fine and gross motor skills.
Holy Savior is made up of all those who have been a part of it since 1879. We are grateful for the support and dedication of those who believe in Catholic education. It is because of you—and God’s grace—that Holy Savior will continue to create self-motivated, lifelong learners who positively impact their families, their communities, their country, the church and the world. BC
Catholic Schools Week
Holy Rosary Catholic School (HRCS) in Larose is blessed to be covered with the Mantle of Mary, our mother in heaven. Through her intercession and by teaching the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, HRCS recognizes students’ talents and abilities and strives to develop their highest potential. Quality academics in a safe, nurturing, Christ-centered environment is offered to students two years old through eighth grade.
Holy Rosary Catholic School continues to carry out the mission of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception who began offering a Catholic education to the South Lafourche community in 1963. The current administrator, Cathy Long, and a united teaching staff, are dedicated to providing a quality education that combines our Catholic faith and teachings along with academic excellence. The school sets high standards for achievement and assists our students in developing a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Selective enrichment programs help to provide a balanced foundation which integrates faith, social and physical development along with service opportunities which focus on the seven Catholic Social Challenges and Directions presented by the U.S. Catholic Bishops. The goal of these programs is to help students grow in faith and wisdom while preparing them to be productive citizens and leaders. Programs include: DARE, social studies fair, award-winning 4-H and Jr. Beta club, Altar Servers, Nativity Play, Passion Play, Literary Rally, along with numerous art and essay contests.
Holy Rosary recognizes Christ as the heart of its mission. Traditions of an active and exemplary religious program are professed through weekly liturgies, monthly adoration, and daily instruction in the Catholic faith, service clubs, and its mission work. HRCS is recognized as an instrumental supporter of Veterans, the Holy Childhood Association, Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent de Paul Society, to name a few. The school expands its faith experiences in the school chapel and Jesus Prayer Garden.
The combination of a caring staff working with the support of parents in the faith and academic formation of their children has proven to be a formula for success. Through the collaborative efforts of staff, parents and all stakeholders, HRCS joins Catholic schools across our nation as we continue to assist our children to live a life of faith, excellence and service. BC
OFFERING TRADITIONS OF CHRIST-CENTERED, CHALLENGING ACADEMICS SINCE 1963 COME GROW WITH US
Open House for New Families is on Monday, March 8 from 9am – 1pm Registration for New Familes will be Monday, March 8 – Friday, March 12
www.holyrosary.org 985-693-3342 12925 E Main St • Larose, LA 70373
Catholic Schools Week
St. Bernadette Catholic School Where students can make a difference in changing the world
From Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, 2021, St. Bernadette Catholic School in Houma will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week. We will be joining Catholic schools across the nation in celebration with Mass, Open House, and student activities as we focus on the rich traditions and incredible values of Catholic education. The theme this year is “Faith. Excellence. Service.” We aspire to achieve success in all three areas as stated in our mission statement, “St. Bernadette Catholic School is a Christ-centered faith community that fosters spiritual growth and academic excellence. We instill in our students a lifelong commitment to Christian values, discipleship, learning and community service.
Faith. It is our goal as a Catholic school to provide a faithbased education, in which students build and deepen their relationship with Christ. More importantly than providing the education of faith, we provide students with the opportunity to experience living the faith. Faith strengthens us during trials and fuels what we do forth going. Here at St. Bernadette Catholic School we start every day in prayer and end every day in prayer. Our daily intentions among our faculty prayer help build a stronger faith community as we experience compassion for all.
Excellence. It is important to strive for excellence, not perfection. When we strive for excellence, we learn from our mistakes. With excellence as our goal, more opportunities will open for growth. Although academic excellence is an important aspect of who we are as a school, we also want our students to strive for excellence in life through their morals and values. We are proud to say that in 2019 one-third of our seventh graders qualified to participate in Duke TIP by scoring at or above the 95th percentile on the ACT Aspire.
Service. There are many benefits of serving others such as connecting to others and raising social awareness. Many service opportunities are available to all students as we participate in several school-wide projects. Our upper grade students are required to complete community service hours each nine weeks. Community service provides students with the opportunity to make a difference in society. It not only allows the students to help those in need, it allows them to support the very community that often supports them with school activities. We want them to learn that they can make a difference in changing the world. BC
FOSTERING SPIRITUAL GROWTH & ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE!
Open House for New Families Feb. 2, 2021 & Feb. 3, 2021 5:30 - 7:45 P.M. Registration for New Families Monday, Feb. 22, 2021 - Friday, February 26, 2021 St. Bernadette CatholiC SChool 985-872-3854 309 Funderburk Avenue • Houma, LA 70364 Visit our website to schedule an open house tour! www.saintbernadettepandas.org
Catholic Schools Week
As St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School in Houma celebrates its 150th year, it continues the long tradition of providing a faith-filled learning community dedicated to the education, development and spiritual formation of all students. By placing an emphasis on Catholic faith and respecting the uniqueness of each child, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School provides a Catholic education with a strong academic curriculum and a variety of co-curricular activities that allow our students to be examples of faith, excellence and service.
The opportunities to learn and live out our Catholic faith at St. Francis are endless. From daily prayers and religion classes to weekly class Masses and everyday interactions, students not only learn about God but are able to live out his word. Additionally, throughout the day, students are immersed in engaging, hands-on collaborative learning activities that foster both academic excellence and spiritual growth. Teachers stay on top of the latest educational trends in order to provide a variety of effective teaching methods to ensure student success. Last year, 43 percent of our seventh grade students qualified for the Duke Tip program, which provides enrichment activities to students who score at or above the 95th percentile on national standardized tests.
Furthermore, in striving to live as Jesus would, St. Francis students give of themselves through service. This year our school family not only collected money to assist St. Margaret School in Lake Charles after Hurricane Laura, but they also donated over 10,000 canned goods and other non-perishable items to the people in Grand Isle and Golden Meadow that were affected by Hurricane Zeta. In addition, the 4-H club sponsored “Socktober” to raise funds for the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, and the school collected coats and blankets for the Kiwanis club.
St. Francis students are successful learners of both academics and faith. Through every opportunity that students are given at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral School to be models of faith, excellence and service, they are able to continue to live their lives as missionary disciples. BC
Catholic Schools Week
St. Genevieve Catholic School Celebrating 60 years of Catholic education
St. Genevieve Catholic School in Thibodaux strives to create an atmosphere that promotes a community of faith, excellence and service. Our primary mission is the teaching of the Catholic faith. We offer a quality Catholic education for families in our area. We seek to know Christ in our daily school experiences and honor him in each individual. Our students are nurtured in all developmental areas – spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally. Christ is the center of our school as evidenced by the deep spirituality that is developed here. Our students know that they are loved and share that love as they greet visitors in a warm and caring way.
At St. Genevieve Catholic School, we strive for excellence. As a learning community, we set high standards for our students and ourselves. We know that we are held to a higher degree of responsibility and accountability, and accept the challenge. Our teachers are given many opportunities for professional growth through workshops and seminar attendance which will enhance instruction.
Important to our mission is to instill in our students a sense of service to others. They first learn to take care of one another. Our seventh graders are “big buddies” to our kindergarten students. Students “pair off” at other grade levels, giving older students an opportunity to mentor and model good behavior for younger students. Through our student job program, students are given responsibility for the operation of their school. We know that when students are included in the daily operation of their school, they have a sense of pride and ownership. They also learn to take care of our community by supporting several nonprofit organizations such as Hope for Animals, the Missionary Childhood Association, and Our Lady’s School in Sulphur, LA, that suffered hurricane damage.
This is a special year for our school as we celebrate our “60th Anniversary.” It is important for us to remember all of those who came before us that laid down this Christ-centered legacy and made St. Genevieve Catholic School what it is today. We are forever grateful for their dedication to Catholic education. It is up to us to carry on that legacy and let the light of Christ shine on everyone we meet on a daily basis. BC
St. Genevieve Catholic School
“Lord, it is good that we are here.”
“My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.” - Charles F. Kettering
Ponder a moment this quote from an elementary student’s point of view. How seriously we must take our role in their future! We are here to touch that future, dramatically. We hope that you see our school as an investment in the future.
807 Barbier Avenue • Thibodaux, Louisiana 70301 (985) 447-9291 stgenevieveschool.us
Catholic Schools Week
St. Mary’s Nativity School Rising to the challenge, doing its part locally and statewide
Faith. In a year when our faith could be sorely tried by all the restrictions associated with keeping our students safe, St. Mary’s Nativity School in Raceland has risen to the challenge. Whatever could be done to guard the health of our students and staff has been done, including masks and social distancing. Father Clyde Mahler, pastor, holds two school Masses a week to keep up our weekly services. Our faith instruction continues unwaveringly.
Virtue-Based Restorative Discipline (VBRD), the program we employ that emphasizes the use of virtues for replacing misbehavior with cooperation, allows us to cope with unwanted behavior and teach students self-control. Class meetings have taken the place of larger “family” meetings so that prayer circles and monthly programs on the virtues continue. Our prayers every morning are dedicated to those who need our help. This crisis means that together we have a greater reliance on our faith than ever.
Excellence. St. Mary’s educational progress continues. Though our STEM, P.E., and art classes cannot meet as before, teachers are incorporating these into the curriculum. Chromebooks are employed in many classes, allowing for cooperative work without crowding. Students still participate in essay and art contests, prepare for exams for high school credits, and are readied for any testing in the future.
Students have been trained to continue at-home learning should it become necessary. Our educational program has risen to recent challenges; we teach not only self-discipline but resilience in the face of change.
Service. Some of the service projects we have participated in during past years have been made impossible this year, but students and parents continue to show their generosity. Our church pageant became a drive-by tableau. Financial aid was sent to Our Lady Immaculate Catholic School in Jennings to help students displaced by a hurricane. Fundraisers have replaced donating objects; one was held for first responders in Hackberry near Lake Charles after Hurricane Laura.
Our veterans program this year meant that over 100 letters went out to veterans across the country; others go to senior citizens. Small Christmas trees were decorated for the veterans. Gifts and toys for needy families helped make Christmas more joyful. Service to others more than ever means we need each other.
St. Mary’s Nativity School does her part. BC
St. Mary’s Nativity School
3492 Nies Street • Raceland, Louisiana 70394 (985)537-7544 • https:www.plusportals.com/StMarysNativity
2021-2022 Registration
Current Students February 8-12, 2021 New Students February 22-26, 2021 Faith. Excellence. Service.
Pre-K 3 through 8th grade
Catholic Schools Week
St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School Forming faith-filled missionary disciples
Our Mission: With Jesus as our role model, St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School in Thibodaux exists to educate the youth of the area spiritually, morally, academically and socially, in a safe, Catholic, Christ-centered environment.
Faith: Our faith, hope and love for one another in our school family, parish community, state and world has grown deeper this school year. Each day begins and ends in prayer. A decade of the rosary is recited as a school on Mondays. Videoed recordings of Worship Wednesdays include the Gospel of the day being read followed by a reflective meditative song. Friday Mass is celebrated in the library and is livestreamed into each classroom. Jesus’ body walks through the halls of SJCES on a weekly basis as holy Eucharist is distributed to students and staff. Students are reminded that we all make mistakes and in learning from our mistakes we become stronger individuals.
Excellence: Faculty and staff members embrace learning methodology and technology advancements to ensure students are acclimated to the demands and rigor set for them in the larger world. New Promethean ActivPanel boards, 180 new Chromebooks, six new charging carts and document cameras aid in-person learning as well as possible virtual learning. Students are challenged academically and are exposed to real life hands-on learning experiences. A fulltime school counselor, curriculum specialist, and religion coordinator are on staff.
Service: Our school vision is to form missionary disciples of Christ while providing a rigorous academic program and promoting a virtuous life focused on service to others. Random acts of kindness and service by students is acknowledged through our Paws-i-tive Prints program where recipients are recognized for their virtuous acts. Some projects to promote service and giving from the heart include the Giving Tree project at the co-cathedral, monetary collections for hurricane relief, the missions, Hope for Animals, local food drives and partnering with Catholic Charities to make cards and color suncatchers for local nursing home residents. These are all living examples of our mission as well which states we strive to educate the whole child while promoting social interaction in a safe, Catholic, Christ-centered environment. BC
Catholic Schools Week
St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic School Building God’s kingdom one child at a time
At St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic School in Houma, we develop a community of faith, excellence and service.
Faith – Students learn and practice faith each and every day through prayer, words and actions. We pray together for each other, our families and community when we start and end our school day. The children are taught that their faith “can move mountains.” Students participate in the weekly school Mass and our pastor, Father Alex Lazarra, is active in the daily operations of the school. In addition to our religious education curriculum, students take part in special religious activities and observances throughout the school year. St. Gregory faculty and staff are dedicated, caring, spiritual and effective in the education and social growth of the children.
Excellence – We promote spiritual academic processes by which students are motivated to learn in ways that make substantial and positive influences on how they think, act and feel. We strive to elevate students to a level where they learn deeply and remarkably because of our teachings. Every student has learning opportunities that promote individual success. We provide individualized instruction each day in addition to our whole class environment. All students set personal academic goals in various areas and receive the support to attain those goals. Our students have opportunities to prepare them in religious, academic, social, personal and service areas to become well-rounded, spiritual, successful individuals.
Service – Student-lead service projects have increased an awareness of the needs of others in the community and other areas around the world. We have a “baby shower” and donate items to a local family shelter. The students donate canned goods for the church food pantry for distribution at Thanksgiving. They bring gently used coats for children. The students also participate in many other charitable activities that range from making cards, painting inspirational rocks, and fundraising to make monetary donations. Our students also take part in prayer ministry for the sick in the community. Our students are involved in giving of themselves just as Jesus taught us. BC
Building God’s Kingdom. One Child At A Time! ST. GREGORY ST. GREGORY BARBARIGO BARBARIGO CATHOLIC SCHOOL CATHOLIC SCHOOL
School Tours
February 2nd and 3rd 5:30-7:45 by appointment only. Call for appointment
Current Student Registration
February 8-12, 2021
New Student Registraton
February 22-26, 2021
Educating students age 3 through 7th grade Principal: Dr. Cindy Martin, NBCT
Small Class Sizes Morning and Midday Prayer Time Family-Oriented Environment SmartBoard Technology iPads and Kindles Computer Lab & Library Weekly School Mass
Monday School Assembly Music Ministry STEM Program/Robotics Yearbook Club Art Classes Royal Ministers of Christ Parent Teacher Organization Award Winning Junior BETA Club Award Winning 4-H Club Buddy Programs Before/After School Care Program Academic Enrichment Small Group Interventions
Spinal Implant Procedures including
• INTRATHECAL PUMP IMPLANT • SPINAL CORD STIMULATOR IMPLANT • VERTIFLEX -
(MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENT FOR SPINAL STENOSIS)
DR. HAYDEL IS 1 OF ONLY 3 PHYSICIANS IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA & IS 1 OF ONLY 20 PHYSICIANS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY THAT HAS EXCEEDED OVER 100 VERTIFLEX PROCEDURES
Interventional Pain Procedures including:
• EPIDURAL STEROID AND OTHER SPINE INJECTIONS • PERCUTANEOUS DISC DECOMPRESSION • RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION • KYPHOPLASTY FOR COMPRESSION FRACTURES • DISCOGRAM
Wellness/Osteoporosis Clinic
Lafayette Location: 1101 S. College Road, Suite 202 Lafayette, LA 70503 Phone: (337) 233-2504
Houma Location: 1022 Belanger St. Houma, LA 70360 Phone: (985) 223-3132
Thibodaux Location: 2100 Audubon Avenue Thibodaux, LA 70301 Phone: (985) 223-3132 Michael S. Haydel, M.D. FIPP, ABIPP Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians American Board of Anesthesiology
