January 13, 2019

“Be Careful Out There”

I remember that line from the TV show “Hill Street Blues.”  After the shift briefing and the police officers were all leaving to go on duty, the sergeant would always say, “Hey! Hey!  Be careful out there.”  Being careful out there applies to our families as well, particularly as everyone moves about the parking lot.  At pickup time in the afternoon, the lot is empty in about seven minutes after the dismissal bell rings.  That’s fantastic for moving 400 students around campus!  Speed, however, isn’t the important measurement; safety is.  Please be careful as you move about the campus as a pedestrian and as a driver.  Lately, it seems it’s even more important advice to which we need to adhere in the morning when people are stressed and trying to get somewhere in a hurry.  I was talking to a parent the other day who was almost hit FIVE times in our parking lot and within a one block radius of our school.   A bit more attention and even being a few seconds or minutes later to where we need to be is more than worth the life of a child.  Please be careful out there.

MobyMax

Have your children been on MobyMax outside of school?  Share your experiences with your child’s teacher so we can acquire some good feedback.  MobyMax is an online tool that we are using to supplement math instruction, primarily.  It does, however, also have modules for reading, English/language arts, social studies, and science.  It can be used both in and outside of school across a variety of platforms.  Contact your child’s homeroom teacher if you misplaced the log in information.

Bible Study for Middle School Youth

You’ve never seen a Bible study like this before!  OLV’s Faith Formation staff is offering “Encounter:  Experiencing God in the Everyday,” for 6th-8th grade students after school beginning in January.  Dates are January 24 and 31, February 7, 14, 21, and 28, and March 7 and 21.  Each session is 2:45-3:45  in the library or parish center.  Cost is $13.  There are a few books left so a few more students can register.  For more information, or if financial assistance is needed, please contact Jennifer Wemhoff at 563-391-8384 of davolvrek6@diodav.org.

Need the Bulletin?

When I don’t get a hard copy bulletin at church, I always think that I’ll just go look it up online.  Then, it seems as if I rarely do.  Here’s the link:  January 13, 2019.

Blessing Bags Collection Begins

Have an old backpack?  A drawstring sports bag?  JFK is teaming with OLV’s Christian Service Ministry to collect new or gently used backpacks or similar bags for adults.  During Lent in the spring, the bags will be filled with with non-perishable items for the homeless and distributed.  Bags can be sent to school through January 13th.

Music Boosters Trivia Night

The new date for the adults-only trivia night fund-raiser is Friday, January 18th.  It will be at the Knights of Columbus on 35th Street.  Doors will open at 6:00 p.m., trivia will start at 7:00.   The price is $100 per table with a maximum of 8 people per table. “Double Downs” and “Mulligans” are included in the price of the table this year and do not need to be purchased separately.  You may bring your own snacks, but drinks are to be purchased from the Knights of Columbus.  Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place teams.  All proceeds go to the JFK Music Boosters in support of the 5th – 8th-grade Music Programs.  Contact Ethan Connors at ethan.connors@olvjfkmail.com to reserve your space.

Better yet, attend the boosters’ meeting on January 7th at 6:30 p.m. in the library.

The Holidays Were Different But Still About Family

We did things a little different this year through the holidays, and it reminded us all of the importance of family.  Actually, these feelings began to be felt deeply before Thanksgiving as Lynn’s mother’s health was not well.  In fact, Lynn and I were actually concerned that Donna might not make it until our children could see her again.  It’s hard to say to your kids, however, that you had better get home and cherish the time you have with Grandma because you never know if she’s going to be around much longer.  My oldest daughter, Colleen, was able to visit a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, and our other three children were home for Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving itself was very nice.  Many cooks made for a delightful meal with family all gathered together.  It was, again, at my in-law’s house as my mother-in-law was on oxygen, and those portable units just didn’t do enough to help.  In fact, the only time she had been leaving the house for months now had been to go to doctor appointments, and even those trips were a struggle.

As we moved into December, my mother-in-law’s health continued to deteriorate.  Lynn and her siblings continued to care for her while also respecting her choices.  Around December 8th, we really weren’t sure how much longer she would make it.  We even struggled with having a priest administer the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.  While we know this sacrament isn’t “last rites” any more, in this situation, we still wanted Donna to receive the sacrament, but we also didn’t want her to think it’s the end.  We are so grateful that Fr. Jake helped us through that mental/emotional turmoil, and he came to the house to celebrate the Sacrament.  Donna, in fact, seemed to be lifted up in spirits too.

Unfortunately, lifted in spirits didn’t translate to better health.  Within a couple of days, Donna did have to be admitted to the hospital.  With different treatments that were able to be done in the hospital, however, Donna was released a few days later with a renewed feeling that something could be done.  We also were able to have conversations with her that the big family gatherings for Christmas (cookie day and Christmas Eve) would have to be different this year.  Instead of one big cookie day with all the grandchildren helping to decorate sugar cookies, there were multiple, more private sessions.  Instead of a huge gathering of family with gifts going in every direction at my in-laws, it was a calmer gathering with conversation and good fellowship.  Everyone was able to have just as much fun without as much stress for Donna.  With all of my own children home for at least a week around Christmas, we were also able to just stop by at times to visit Grandma during Christmas break.

I could feel that things were winding down for my family by December 28th.  Colleen went back to Charlotte, NC, and Tom moved to Charleston, SC.  Lynn and I returned to work in early January, and Kirsten began substitute teaching at Lourdes.  On January 5, Caitlin returned to Kansas to have some time with friends before her semester began.  Without family around, it really did seem like the holidays were over for Lynn and me, and we put the decorations away.  It’s done.  Back to the normal routines, and back to the struggles with Donna’s health.

Perhaps the Lord, however, said “Not so fast.  You need to gather again.”  Early Saturday morning, Donna, again, went to the hospital.  Kirsten and I arrived just in time to participate in Fr. Nicholas’ administering of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, and Donna passed away shortly thereafter.  I have been so blessed to have been welcomed into Donna and Jim’s family.  One more time this winter, we will gather together as one very large family to celebrate Eucharist, mourn, laugh, and share in life with one another.

Chad