Fr. John Sotak was the celebrant of the Ash Wednesday Mass which marked the beginning of the Lenten season. His homily stressed that each of us is an ambassador of Christ not just during Lent, but year round. He emphasized that the forty days of Lent helps us prepare ourselves to be the ambassador. This preparation is achieved through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Fr. John spent time explaining the merits of three methods of preparation to be ambassadors, but the way he explained almsgiving was enlightening. He explained that almsgiving is more than giving money to the missions, it is the sharing of our talent and time with others. This sharing is something that the PCHS community does very well not just along Lent, but year round. There are so many examples that flood my mind that we dare not try to list any here. We are confident that the students understood this sharing of talent and time not just from our observation of the student body during the homily, but from their actions in school these past few days.

This renewed emphasis on sharing is part of the concept of “live and help live” that we have often talked about in these newsletters. The students work very hard to live up to their fullest individual capability and as Christ’s disciples while helping their peers to do the same. Generally, the achievement of these goals is done quietly as Fr. John pointed and in his homily. He stressed that praying, fasting, and sharing should be perceived and accomplished without any fanfare. This quiet quest enriches the role of being Christ’s ambassador.

The role of being an ambassador of Christ was emphasized in the closing song of the Faculty/Staff Mass that was celebrated during Catholic School’s Week. This song entitled “God has Chosen Me” applies to all of us not just in the PCHS community, but also to all of our neighbor’s and friends. We would like to share this song with you and hope it inspires us during this season of lent. Parents, please share these words with your students, asking them to read them in this newsletter.

       God has chosen me, God has chosen me
       to bring good news to the poor.
       God has chosen me, God has chosen me
       to bring new sight to those searching for light:
       God has chosen me, chosen me.

       And to tell the world that God’s kingdom is near,
       to remove oppression and break down fear,
       yes, God’s time is near, God’s time is near,
       God’s time is near, God’s time is near.

       God has chosen me, God has chosen me
       to set alight a new fire.
       God has chosen me, God has chosen me
       to bring to birth a new kingdom on earth:
       God has chosen me, chosen me.

       God is calling me, God is calling me
       in all whose cry is unheard.
       God is calling me, God is calling me
       to raise up the voice with no power or choice:
       God is calling me, calling me.

Please keep in your prayers those who are suffering at this time of the year. We all know that winter can be a hard season for many of our friends and family. Continue your prayers for the women and men serving in the Armed Forces throughout the world, but especially in the Middle East.

Sincerely,

Donald E. Sebestyen, Principal

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DRESS CODE WEBSITE & DRESS CODE CHANGE FOR 2008-2009 – Very shortly we will be sending you a newsletter devoted entirely to the new dress code website which will be accessible from the homepage of our webpage. It will include directions about how to navigate the webpage for the purchase of dress code approved polo shirts for the school year 2008-2009. Please remember that all dress code approved polo shirt purchases may be done online by following the directions indicated and entering your credit card number in a secure website.

Polo shirts will be available for sizing at the Parent/Teacher Conferences which will be held on February 28, 2008. Laptop computers will be available for your convenience to place your order online at that time if you wish.

In the month of March all juniors will be measured for and complete an application for their free polo shirt provided by Providence Catholic. It is our sincere hope that this transition to dress code approved polo shirts will be smooth and without problems. We appreciate your cooperation as we make this change to enhance the appearance of the Providence Catholic student body.

At the present time the bookstore is liquidating the current stock of Providence polos and fleeces at reduced prices. These polos and fleeces may be worn next school year as part of the dress code as may all previously purchased PCHS polo shirts.

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INCOMING FRESHMAN PLACEMENT EXAM – The incoming Freshman Placement Exam was conducted on Saturday, January 12^th with 399 students taking the exam. An additional Placement Exam was given on January 19^th giving us a total of 426 potential Providence students. These young people will be notified on February 15^th of their acceptance and placement in the PCHS curriculum. If you are aware of any other eighth graders who are still interested in attending PCHS, please have them contact either Mrs. Auld, Mrs. Ellingson or Mr. Sebestyen. We would like to thank all of you adults, students, and faculty who have helped to recruit students as well as for promoting our school to potential students and their families. All of you are very important elements in telling others about the great community and family we have at PCHS. Thank you!!! Also, our thanks to the Development Department as well as all of the faculty and students who worked on the day of the exam.

SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENT – MARCH 2008 – The student retreat for FR, SO, and JR’s has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 18^th. This date fits the availability of facilities and supervision. This student retreat is a graduation requirement. Listed below are the schedules that will be followed for the week of March 17^th which is Holy Week.

Monday, March 17^th – Schedule “C”
Tuesday, March 18^th – Retreat – No classes for seniors
Wednesday, March 19^th – Schedule “B1”
Thursday, March 20^th – No Classes – Harvest Drive Free Day (Previously announced)

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WOMEN’S CLUB – The faculty, staff and administration thank the Women’s Club and all of the parents for providing a delicious lunch for us on Tuesday of Catholic Schools Week. This is a wonderful example of the PCHS family and spirit at work. All of us greatly appreciate the support that the parents give PCHS.

SECOND SEMESTER PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE – Second semester parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for Thursday, February 28^th, 2008. The conferences begin at 5:00 PM and end at 8:00 PM. PLEASE NOTE : WE HAVE A FULL SCHOOL DAY THIS DAY. Teachers will be in their assigned classrooms beginning at 4:50 PM. Please remember that teachers are happy to visit with you to discuss your child’s academic progress, but can usually afford only about five minutes per conference, depending on the number of parents who wish to speak with them. If additional time is needed, please do not hesitate to schedule another appointment at a more convenient time for a discussion in greater depth.

EMERGENCY CLOSING INFO UPDATE – Please add to your information that Providence Catholic now has an emergency line that you can call for information. The number is (815) 717-3131.

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NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY APPLICATIONS On Tuesday, January 22^nd, the list of junior students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 after five semesters was posted. These young adults are eligible to apply for the National Honor Society. Mr. Kevin Oliver, NHS moderator, held meetings on Wednesday, January 23^rd, Thursday, January 24^th, and Friday, January 25^th for students from this list interested in admission to the PCHS Chapter of the NHS. The students at these meetings were given the application packet as well as the following time-table:

Deadline for applications – Friday, February 8^th
Review of applications completed by Friday, February 8^th through Monday, February 18^th
Faculty Council deliberation completed by the week of February 18^th
Notification of candidates on Thursday, February 28^th
(or earlier)
NHS Induction Ceremony on Thursday, March 13^th

In addition, the application packet requires students who apply to document and verify their qualifications in areas of character, leadership, and service as well as scholarship. Viable student candidates must show strength in all areas to be admitted. Students must also understand that once they are admitted they will be expected to maintain their admission criteria by active involvement in the NHS. Applicants were advised that the application form must be thoroughly completed and submitted on time. NHS members must attend mandatory meetings and be involved in NHS service projects. A faculty council will make final decisions as to who is admitted.

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1800 W. Lincoln Hwy.
New Lenox, IL 60451
phone (815) 485-2136
fax (815) 485-2709

Last Updated: 19 Aug 2008
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