Dear SJB Families,

I hope everyone had a restful and restorative week off. My trip to Italy was even better than I had hoped—being surrounded by such profound beauty truly nourishes the soul. Life in Rome moves at a slower, more intentional pace, and I found that rhythm incredibly refreshing.

While visiting Assisi, Father took us to see the body of Blessed Carlo Acutis. While we were there, we were unexpectedly interviewed by The London Times, which was preparing a piece on Carlo’s upcoming canonization. The reporter asked why relics are important, and, unfortunately, I fumbled through an answer. (Of course, that’s the quote they chose to publish!) Father Paolo offered a much more thoughtful reflection—but, naturally, his was left out. As the week went on, and I found myself in one church after another filled with relics, I felt a growing desire to truly understand this tradition. It’s humbling to love something and not yet be able to articulate why you love it.

I also can’t help but feel that Carlo Acutis is calling our school in a special way. When looking up the saint for this week’s virtue, he was the one highlighted. And—what a beautiful coincidence—our second-grade students will receive their First Holy Communion on the very day of his canonization. (They were so excited to tell me this!) Carlo was a teenager who enjoyed many of the same things our students do—sports, video games, technology—but he had the wisdom, even at a young age, to place those things in their proper order. He had a heroic love for the Eucharist and used the things of this world to draw others closer to Christ, especially in the Blessed Sacrament. Take a little time, with your family, to get to know him better.

See you at Palm Sunday Mass!

Maggie Javins



Fr. Paolo Holy Land Trip

Father Paolo will be heading to the Holy Land tomorrow April 12th to celebrate Holy Week. Father Paolo is so excited for this pilgrimage as he has visited the Holy Land before, but this will be his first time as a priest. He will be traveling with two of his brother priests, Father Brett Garland and Father Jacob Lindle. (I got to meet Father Brett in Rome). We will be praying for him in a very intentional way as a school. We invite all of our families to do the same. The following will help you to follow Father Paolo on his journeys. It is fun to google what these places look like as Christians celebrate in the footsteps of Jesus. Please keep him in your family's prayers this week.

Moderation is a sub virtue of Temperance.

Definition: Attention to balance in one’s life.

Meekness in Practice:

• I maintain balance in my life.
• I seek to use every good thing in moderation: not too much, not too little.
• I am content with what I have.

Saintly Example- Bl. Carlo Acutis

Carlo was a typical teenager who enjoyed video games, computers, and sweets. For love of Jesus, he practiced moderation by limiting himself to only one hour of video games a week. Before he passed away from leukemia, he said, “I am happy to die because I have lived my life without wasting a minute on those things which do not please God.”

Scripture: Titus 2:11-13

For the grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Help me keep balance in my life, using created things properly and in the right amount that is best for me. I need Your help to set limits for myself in doing things that I enjoy.

Amen.



Amen.

4/21 & 4/28 Lunch Order Form

• Lunch Order form MUST be returned by Monday, 4/14
• Students receiving Free lunches must also fill out this form.

Sacrament Jeopardy

Seventh grade has been learning about the Sacraments. After we learned about each Sacrament, students created Jeopardy-style questions. These questions were compiled into a lively two-round Jeopardy game to culminate our unit. Winners were Joe Chapman, Ben Lehner, and Mason Eagleson-Chandler from 7A, and Sophia Bradley, Ella Keirns, and Julissa Nino from 7B! Congrats to all the 7th graders!

150 Psalms

Sixth grade begins each class period by praying a psalm. Thursday they completed praying the entire 150 psalms.

Dahlia Levan won third place in the Allen County Public Library's 42nd Annual Poetry Contest - Fourth Grade division for her poem, "Cloudy Night." All the winners from kindergarten through sixth grade will be celebrated at a National Poetry Month reception at the Main Library on Saturday, April 26. Dahli's Haiku is below. Congratulations! We are so proud of you.

Arts & Enrichment Nelson's Chicken Fundraiser

Our Junior High students will be selling Nelson's Chicken Dinner tickets. The funds from these tickets go towards all of our awesome field trips at St. John the Baptist. This year 5th grade goes to Blue Spring Caverns and IU, 6th Grade goes to Dearborn, Michigan, 7th Grade goes to Chicago, and 8th grade goes to DC. The DC trip is the only trip that we charge students for. All of the others are provided through the generosity and fundraising of our Arts and Enrichment committee. Students will be selling tickets after all Masses this weekend. You may also buy directly from any junior high student or call the school office.

Snacks and Coffee for Teachers

Each year HASA organizes parents to bring snacks and coffee for the teachers. It is so very appreciated! If you would be willing to volunteer for a week, please see the signup link below.

You may bring the snacks any day during the week you have signed up. If you are wanting to bring in coffee for the teachers, the coffee maker uses both ground coffee and nespresso pods. We have currently been purchasing ground coffee solely from a Catholic-owned coffee company named Guadalupe Roastery. If you are able, we would love to continue to support them by buying ground coffee directly from them. To help make purchasing easier, link to Guadalupe Roastery's website (Use code StJohn for 12% of Nicaraguan coffee) and a link for where to buy the nespresso pods are linked below. This is just an example of the nespresso pods - any brand of these type will work with the machine.

Thank you! 

Signup Genius

Guadalupe Roastery Website

Nespresso Pods Example

Sign up to help serve Popcorn

HASA is bringing back popcorn day the 1st Friday of each month. Popcorn is $1/bag. Popcorn will be delivered to the homeroom by the end of the day. We need volunteers to help pop popcorn to make this possible. The popcorn machine is easy to use and ingredients are pre-measured. 

Popcorn Signup

There are some changes to aftercare this year

• Aftercare will take place in the PreSchool Room and Pick up will be in the cul-de-sac at Door #9. There will be a doorbell for you to ring.
• Miss Sydney Strack will be our Aftercare Teacher.
• All families must complete a registration form on Eventlink. This form provides information to the Aftercare teacher and only needs to be completed once.
• Parents will be sent a statement each week. They can pay by check, cash, or credit card. If paying by credit card, please use Eventlink. The payment is due by the following Friday.
• You can change the payment amount on Eventlink to match what your statement says.
• Aftercare costs $11 per student per day.
• Aftercare hours are until 5:30 PM each day.
• There are semester and quarterly options available for a reduced daily fee.

BLHS Freshmen Registration Open

Bishop Luers High School NEW Freshman Registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now open! Learn more and register here: https://www.bishopluers.org/o/blhs/page/admissions. It’s a great time to be a Knight! Contact Jenny Andorfer at jandorfer@bishopluers.org with any questions.

Luers Knight 2025

Join us on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 6pm-11pm to celebrate Bishop Luers High School at our annual gala fundraiser! Event includes Cocktail Hour, Dinner, Live and Silent Auctions, preview performances of the spring musical, and more! Tickets and sponsorships are available at www.bishopluers.org. 

2nd Annual Bishop Luers Alumni Celebrity Bartender Fundraiser

The Bishop Luers Alumni Board is excited to announce the 2nd Annual Bishop Luers Alumni Celebrity Bartender Fundraiser on Saturday, April 12 at the 07 Pub! Come out from Noon to 5p and catch your favorite BLHS alumni behind the bar, serving drinks and more! A portion of all drink sales will be donated by 07 Pub to support the BLHS Alumni Association. Mrs. Javins will be the bartender from 2-3PM.

BLHS Volleyball Camp

June 17-19 from 6pm-7:30pm for 4^th-8^th graders (2025-26 school year). This event introduces young campers to the sport of volleyball and sharpen skills for older campers, all in a FUN atmosphere. Cost is $50 per camper, including a t-shirt if you register by May 30.

Bishop Luers Basketball Camp

May 27-30, 2025 from 10am-12pm for 5^th-8^th grade boys (2025-2026 school year). Campers will receive basic instruction in basketball fundamentals, with an emphasis on ball handling, passing, and shooting. Cost is $50 per camper. Each camper will receive a t-shirt and a basketball to keep. Register by Monday, May 19 at athletics.bishopluers.org. 

Spring Musical

Get ready for an unforgettable performance of High School Musical! This beloved, high-energy production brings the iconic story of Troy, Gabriella, and their friends to life with catchy songs, vibrant dances, and a heartwarming message about friendship, dreams, and staying true to yourself. 

Showtimes: Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 at 7:30pm in the gymnasium.

Tickets are $10 each, purchase at www.bishopluers.org.

As a Family of SJB, you have full access to our virtue program

Disciple of Christ, Education in Virtue is more than a curriculum; it’s a way of life – the means to a happy life and a healthy mind. Our school has purchased an institutional membership, and we invite you to sign up – for free.

There are videos and resources for the entire family – parents, educators, teen and young adult and children as young as 4 years old.

Simply use the following link and then type in the zip code of our school. When you see our school name, click on it and that’s it! You now have access to 100 % of the Openlight Media website.

Virtue Program Family Link

Spirit and Uniform Store Available

Our new uniform store is available.

• The site is broken into different categories: Uniform, Fridays Spirit Wear, etc.
• When order there is an option to add a comment. It is very helpful to add your children's name to the comment so we can deliver uniforms in a timely manner.
• Uniform Store

Do you know someone who would like to receive our weekly newsletter?

Our weekly newsletter is a great way for grandparents, alumni, and friends to stay connected to our school. Have them complete the following information to receive our newsletter updates.

Sign Up Here

Do you know someone that wants to be a Substitute Teacher at SJB?

We are in need of substitute teachers. In order to be a substitute, you must apply with the diocese and hold a valid substitute license from the state.

• Diocesan information located here.
• Valid Substitute Permit application from State found here.
•  Licensed or Retired Teachers - $125 per Day/ $75 Half Day
• High School Diploma and Valid Substitute Permit - $100 per day/ $60 Half Day
• Please email jhohenstein@stjohnsfw.org once you are on the sub list so that she can be sure to call!