​By Vanessa Prairie and Leona Kelly
     As a part of the February Corporal Work of Mercy, Pray for the Imprisoned, Deacon Tom came in this morning and spoke with the students about how the Prison Ministry works and what part the Catholic Church takes in aiding the inmates in our area.
     Deacon Tom covered these topics:

• The different types of facilities that we have in Idaho for those who break the law and why
• What restitution is and how inmates are able to pay these debts
• What a work release program is
• That inmates are given the opportunity to learn new job skills and receive classes to help them recognize and correct those things that contribute to them breaking the law in order to aid in their rehabilitation.
• The role of deacons and priests and other church denominations who come to visit inmates (to pray with them and hold bible studies)
• The importance of not judging those who are imprisoned and also not to be fooled by them (as sometimes they try to manipulate you).

     The students gesture of making Valentine cards gives inmates encouragement, faith, love, and compassion so that they can continue to rehabilitate.

St. Written by Leona Kelly
     During the month of February, the 5th grade class at Holy Rosary will be leading the school in the Corporal Work of Mercy: Pray for the Imprisoned. Students will make valentine cards that will be given to the residents of Good Samaritan Nursing Home and other shut-ins in our community. Then Deacon Tom Middleton, who is involved in Prison Ministry, will come and talk to the students. And finally, all dress down money that is collected will be donated to the Prison Ministry.

This prayer to St. Valentine inspired our project:
O St. Valentine, lover of Christ and of the Church, we ask your intercession that we may learn how to love God above all things, and to selflessly love one another. O glorious St. Valentine, pray for us, that we too may have the steadfast faith of the martyrs.

     One of the extracurricular activities that we offer at Holy Rosary is Ski Club, run by volunteer Chad Barchard. It is a great opportunity for both beginners and experienced skiers/snowboarders alike, to learn new skills and to continue their progress. Our first trip for this season was held on Tuesday, February 4th and will continue each consecutive Tuesday through the 25th, weather permitting.
     Another opportunity that is available to all 5th and 6th graders is the Passport Program, compliments of Ski Idaho, which allows all 5th and 6th graders to ski or ride 18 mountains for 18 bucks. For more info about this opportunity visit http://skiidaho.us/8-blog/46-idaho-2018-19-ski-and-snowboard-season-begins

Written by Rebecca Scheunemann
     The Holy Rosary 4th graders are leading the school’s Corporal Work of Mercy for the month of January. Our Work of Mercy is “Visit the Sick”. This year we will be focusing on mental illness.
     When people think of the sick, they generally think of those whose illness is physical. Physical maladies tend to be obvious and discussed, and physically ill people are not shamed for seeking treatment for their illness. However, it is estimated that some 43.8 million Americans per year suffer from a form of illness that is not seen and often ignored: that of mental illness (nami.org). 
     Saint Dymphna is the patron saint of anxiety, mental illness, emotional distress, depression, families, abuse victims, runaways, and psychologists. The 4th Grade will be praying the Saint Dymphna Novena to provide relief and support for those suffering from mental illness and those who love them. 
     We will begin the Novena before mass on Wednesday, January 22 and continue it through January 30th. Please join us in praying this novena.

Resources:
Saint Dymphna Novena
nami.org
www.catholic.org

Written by Leona Kelly
     Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration of Catholic education across the United States. Schools typically observe this annual celebration week with Masses and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities, and our nation. (ncea.org)
​     At Holy Rosary, we have many activities planned to celebrate Catholic Schools Week. We will kick off our celebrations on Friday, January 24, with a school carnival and will continue through the following week.  Please join us at Mass on the 25th and 26th, to pray for our school. See a full list of activities below.

Written by Deanne Slaughter
     Last Friday, December 6, our second grade class along with St. Francis (played by Holy Rosary parent, Tim Lynn) led the school in an Advent retreat by performing a Live Nativity skit. Following the performance, all students brainstormed the virtues we can learn from each part of the Nativity scene. Yesterday, December 8, marked the second Sunday of Advent.

Written by Mercedes Shirts
     The sixth grade is in charge of the corporal work of mercy for November to bury the dead. On Thursday, November 8, students visited Rosehill Cemetery to clean up the grounds and to pray for the repose of the souls of those buried there. Students were eager to rake leaves and pine needles, clean gravestones, and pray for those buried in the cemetery. They left with a deeper understanding of the sanctity of life and the importance of praying for those who have gone before us.
     For the remainder of November, the names of deceased loved ones will be posted in the hallway around our school crucifix and the whole school will pray for these souls throughout the month. Dress down money collected will be donated to the Koelsch family in memory of Olly Koelsch. If you have a loved one you would like us to pray for, see the office to add that name to the wall.

Written by Leona Kelly
     With the beginning of the school year comes the beginning of extracurricular activities. Here are a few of the things that will be starting soon:

And, for parents, Auction season is upon us. The Holy Rosary Auction and Wine Tasting Fundraiser is in its 36th year and is the biggest fundraiser of the year for our school, and it takes many volunteer hours to make it a success. We'd love for you to be involved! Our next committee meeting will be Wednesday, 9/18, 6:30 PM in the 6th grade classroom. Here's another resource for keeping track of what's going on with the Auction committee: Facebook group "HRCS Auction Committee." This will be another resource for letting you know when we have meetings, and other activities in preparation of our annual Auction. And, to learn more about our Auction, please visit www.holyrosaryschoolif.org/auction.

If you have any questions about events and activities at Holy Rosary, we have many resources for you. Upcoming activities will always be in the weekly Panther Pause. You can also find information on our website at holyrosaryschoolif.org or on our Facebook page at facebook.com/JPIIHRCS. And you can reach out to your child's teacher, or the front office with any questions. It's going to be a GREAT year!