Principal Post

Dear Parents,

Kids had a fun April Fools Day. I am sure they shared some of the tricks they played and teachers’ tricks. It was a very lighthearted day at school!

Thank you for your support for our Best Day Ever Fundraiser!

We have raised $29,528 to date! I know additional donations keep coming in!​ ​ April 8 is the last day of the fundraiser.

​Join the parish tonight for Dr. Tim Millea's talk on 

The Passion & Crucifixion: A Medical Perspective​ at 6:30 PM in the church.

St. Paul’s Outside the Walls – Meals of Hope Family Food Packing Sunday

·     Did you know that food insecurity affects every county in the United States? Over 44 million people, including 13 million children, don’t always know where their next meal will come from. Right here in Scott County, around 14,370 people—8.2% of our population—face food insecurity.

·     Join us on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, at 1 PM in Denning Hall for a family-friendly Meals of Hope packing event! Together, we’ll prepare 10,000 mac & cheese meals for our neighbors in need, with all meals staying local through River Bend Food Bank.

·     Can’t make it but still want to help? We need to raise $3,500 to make this possible. Just $20 provides 57 meals! Donations can be made via Venmo (@StPaulApostleDav) or placed in the collection basket—please specify "Meals of Hope."

·     Let’s come together as a parish to share God’s mercy and serve those in need!

Enter Holy Week with Tenebrae

·     Join Father Bruce and the St. Paul Singers on Palm Sunday, April 13, at 7:30 PM for Tenebrae, a powerful service of prayer, scripture, and music that invites us into the depths of Christ’s Passion.

·     This ancient tradition, meaning “shadows” in Latin, takes us on a journey as candles are gradually extinguished, symbolizing the growing darkness as Jesus faces His crucifixion. Throughout the service, we will experience a mix of traditional hymns, psalms, and contemporary worship songs, creating a moving and reflective atmosphere. The readings invite us into the sorrow and hope of Holy Week. In the quiet moments of prayer and the striking of the “strepitus” noise at the end, we reflect on the weight of Christ’s sacrifice and prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter.

·     This experience is a beautiful way to enter into Holy Week and reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Come, experience the journey from darkness to light.

ESA Application Opens April 16

Watch emails for more information on the ESA application that opens on April 16, 2025. All Iowa K-12 students qualify for the 2025-2026 school year. You must apply each year for your child to receive the ESA. If you miss the deadline, you will forfeit the money. I will keep families informed about deadlines.

Registration is now open for True North VBS! 

Registration is now open for St. Paul's True North Vacation Bible School. We are headed off on Alaskan themed adventure the week of June 23-27 from 8:30 - 11:30 am daily for youth who have finished 3-year-old preschool through 4th grade. As we explore the wilderness, we will learn all about to trust Jesus in a wild world! Registration forms will be coming home in Wednesday folders and available as an attachment. Forms and payment must be turned in together to secure a spot. Please register by May 16th. 

We are also looking for volunteers! All volunteer hours will count towards your Home and School obligation! Please fill out volunteer information on the registration forms.

April Dates

April 4

·     Out of Uniform for Panther Perks

April 16

·     ESA Application opens for all K-12 Iowa students

NOT NEW BUT IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Zigazoo App

I want to alert you to an app called Zigazoo. It promotes itself as a bully free app. We have discovered students are making videos on this app that are not appropriate. I strongly recommend checking your child’s device for this app and monitoring the content. Adults without children can access the app, therefore making it unsafe by sharing your child’s pictures and videos. I checked several reviews, one from CyberSafetyCop website gives the following information:

Safety Concerns 

While Zigazoo aims to provide a safer social media alternative for kids, parents should still exercise caution:

·     Exposure to Online Strangers
Although moderated, Zigazoo’s video interactions can connect kids with others outside their social circle. This may increase the risks of exposure to inappropriate connections or interactions.

·     Privacy Concerns
Kids post videos of themselves, potentially revealing personal details like school logos, routines, or home settings—information that could be misused. Parents should guide their children to avoid sharing identifying details.

·     In-App Notifications
Like other social apps, Zigazoo includes notifications to encourage engagement, potentially increasing screen time.

Baptism

If your child is not baptized and you would like them to receive the sacrament of Baptism, please contact Madeline Dudziak Peake at the parish office, 322-7994.

·     Did you know that children who are 7 years old and wish the sacrament of Baptism will also receive the other Sacraments of Initiation, 1^st Communion and Confirmation. Once a child reaches the age of reason, which is 7 according to the Catholic Church, they must be fully initiated into the Church.

·     If you would like your child to receive 1^st Communion in 2^nd grade with their class, please contact Madeline before their 1^st grade year in order to meet deadlines.

School Volunteers

Thank you so much to all our parent volunteers! You make a huge difference in our school!

All volunteers who are present with children must complete the CMG training for safe environment and have a background check completed. To help with this, any parent who completes the training may record an hour towards their volunteer hours. If you have completed the CMG training this school year, please record your hour of volunteer time. Our hope is that it will help our volunteers get their trainings complete and recognize the time you put into doing that.

Soup Supper, April 9 – School Sponsored

I hope you have had the chance to join the parish on one or more Wednesdays for the Lent Soup Suppers. They are a great chance to build community and enjoy a delicious dinner. On April 9, school families are asked to bring a crock of soup, Mac ‘n Cheese, dessert or help set up. If you are interested in helping, please go to the SignUp Genius - https://tinyurl.com/muhtjvw8

Join Us for Prayer After School During Lent!

Lent is a season of prayer, reflection, and drawing closer to God—and we have a special opportunity for you and your family to do just that!

·     Each Friday during Lent, St. Paul the Apostle will have All-Day Eucharistic Adoration in the church. At 3:00 PM—the Hour of Mercy—the St. Paul Singers invite you to come straight from school and join us in praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet together in song.

·     This is a beautiful and powerful family devotion, helping us all to reflect on Christ’s mercy and love during this sacred season.

·     What: Divine Mercy Chaplet in Song
When: Fridays in Lent at 3:00 PM
Where: St. Paul the Apostle Church

Bring your family, take a moment to pause in prayer, and grow in faith together this Lent. We’d love to see you there!