Principal Post
April 9, 2025
Principal Post
April 9, 2025
Dear Parents,
Today we observed SPS Fights Hunger Day!
The purpose of Hunger Day is to bring the plight of hunger in both our area, and the world, to our students.
- Today in class, our students discussed how food insecurity can be found everywhere.
- They discussed ways to be empathetic towards others, and how they can help bring food and comfort to the hungry.
- Our students gave up their snacks today as a small sacrifice in honor of those in true hunger.
- If your family would like to help with our parish hunger fighting initiatives, you can do the following:
- Donate funds and or time to our Meals of Hope Food Packing Event held on Sunday, April 27th. You may donate through the parish website or in a marked envelope sent to church. Bring your family to Denning Hall that Sunday. It only takes little over an hour to pack 10,000 meals!
- Bring groceries to church to donate to local food pantries on the First Sunday of the Month.
- Sign up through the parish website to donate food and/or time to our Cafe on Vine meals, which occur on the fourth Sunday of each month.
Together, we can fight hunger in our community!
Thank you!! Best Day Ever
Wow! The generosity of our school community is phenomenal!
To date we have raised slightly over $52,000!
- $39,753 through the POP website.
- $12,400 through sponsorships.
Tonight! 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. Tonight, 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
Energy Drinks
A reminder that only water is allowed throughout the day, and at lunch milk or a juice box. Please do not send energy drinks, flavored water, coffee drinks, carbonated waters, soft drinks, or other types of drinks for students.
ESA Application Opens April 16
Watch your email for more information on the ESA application that opens next week 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.
April Dates
April 14
· No School – Teacher professional development day
April 16
· ESA Application opens for all K-12 Iowa students.
April 18
· Good Friday – No School
April 21 –
· School In Session on Easter Monday
May 2
· St. Paul Parish and School Appreciation Night
NOT NEW BUT IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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.
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, 1st 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 1st Communion in 2nd grade with their class, please contact Madeline before their 1st grade year in order to meet deadlines.
Join Us for Prayer After School on Fridays 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!
