Hello SJMS Community, We want to first begin by stating, we acknowledge that world events of war have left us all in a very uncertain state of mind and heart. Here at St Joseph Mission School, we stand alongside, and hold in prayer our brothers and sisters in lands faced with the ravages of war. We answer the call of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to fast and pray for the end to war and towards peace. Many blessings to you and your loved ones during this Lenten season. May it be a time of peace and reflection, for all who celebrate. In this month's newsletter, SJMS would like to invite you to reflect on the opportunity of new growth, and the hope and peace that our chapel provides. For Lent, For Life SJMS announces our annual participation in the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl. During our 40-day season of prayer, fasting; we are also called to practice self-discipline and the giving of charities are ways to share God’s gifts. Many people across the world receive life saving support through the Rice Bowl donations. Funds generated from the Rice Bowl help fight hunger and poverty even in our own communities. Our reminder that what we give up for Lent changes lives. Fast. Learn. Give. Pray. When we give, we recognize our gifts are from God so that we are generous with others. SJMS Families and Staff are welcome to turn in their gift/Rice Bowl at the end of Lent to the Front Office.  From Seed to Plant: Growing minds Middle grade students water seedling plants of cilantro and basil herbs. Persons in photo from left to right: Sunny, 6th grade student, Ann Ray, school staff, Hannah Johns, school staff, Isabella, 6th grade student. During the annual Catholic School Week, our SJMS students had the opportunity to start seedlings. They have been anxiously observing the germination of different types of seeds and will soon learn how to transplant seedlings while incorporating local traditional farming techniques. The excitement of seeing a small seed slowly sprouting forth with strength and determination continues to amaze each of us. “My plants are going to grow so big; I already know it! They’ll be so tall and strong; and I want to share the corn with everyone, even all the baba’s and nana’s (grandpa’s and grandma’s) everywhere,” shared Dalonte (5th grade student). Farmers from both the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna continue to share their wisdom in guiding our students the various traditional styles of farming. One of those styles of farming include the Three Sisters Method. Which encouraged our students to start seedlings of corn, squash, and beans (Three Sisters). Each of these seeds provide something that the other seeds would need as they grow. The beans would provide nitrogen to the soil, which the corn and squash would need to grow strong. The corn provides trellis for the bean to grow. The squash provides cover for the other two plants as they grow and helps to deter pests. We plant seeds at SJMS, in our classrooms, playground, cafeteria, and throughout. This annual activity provides one way for our students to live as good stewards of the blessings we have received from God, blessings that we are called to share with others. Once our gardens are harvested our students graciously share with our families and communities. It is our mission to hand on our faith to the next generation, dropping tiny seeds along the way that will bear lasting fruit. Keep planting, keep watering, keep loving. Blossom in Christ.  Registration open for students Grades Pre-k through 8th grade. More information about registration and our school's application can be found on our website at https://www.stjosephmissionschool.com/application.html Welcoming HomeThere is something reverent about simply being inside a church. It gives us a physical space to connect and draw closer to God and to realize that there is something out there bigger than ourselves. Entering a house of worship, we’re instantly elevated to a state where we’re opening ourselves to God and trying to understand his message. The simple act of walking in the door brings us closer. For each of us, living through the pandemic has had many challenges. One of those challenges has been the closure of our sacred churches including our SJMS Chapel. As the local COVID data begin to indicate that we were able to safely return to the classroom we also opened our chapel doors for mass. Still protected with face masks and added safety measures but most importantly a strong presence of God was ever present. In the chaos of our lives, we’ve been feeling lately, we were quickly transported to a place of worship and peace while in the chapel. Our students and staff were transcended into a place of calm and a place of joy. Our PreK and elementary students joyfully sang their hearts out through their masks. It was something magical about listening to their voices uplifting us through hymns. Our middle school students expressing humility and gratitude through liturgy. We felt joy and happiness while reflecting upon the great message, which was carried un our hearts all week long. There’s no better place to be reminded of the gift of life. We continue to pray everyone will come back to the pews, eventually. But we have much more important hope too. We hope that we will not forget our pandemic experience, and we will bring a new set of expectations to parish life. The best way to have a church worth coming back to is to build one. To build one together, that is.  Fr Isaac, Super Intendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Gallup, celebrated mass with St Joseph Mission students and staff during his visit to the school. This mass was our first mass celebration in the school chapel since October 2021, due to gathering precautions taken during the surges of COVID. We are so grateful for the opportunity to safely celebrate the sacrifice of the mass as a school again. Thank you for reflecting with us and looking towards the peace that God, the Creator can provide. We invite you reply to this newsletter, and to let us know how we can pray for you, we would love to hear from you! Please keep our students, families and staff in prayer that we may be able to gracefully endure the challenges presented to us. You will be sure to hear from us next month in our April newsletter. Pax et Bonum, St. Joseph Mission School St. Joseph, pray for us. Keep updated with the school on our socials: Facebook + YouTube + Twitter
PO Box 370 + San Fidel, NM 87049 + 505-552-6362 + stjosephmissionschool.com Since 1923, St. Joseph Mission School shares the gospel of hope through Faith, Academics, Culture, Environment and Service. Through our Catholic Faith and local traditions we strive to encourage the love of learning, with respect and dignity for all, and help students develop their skills to become courageous leaders in our local communities and beyond.
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