The Cougar Connection
The mission of Corpus Christi Catholic School is to nurture every child by providing the opportunities to grow in faith, achieve academic success, and serve others as disciples of Jesus
November 14, 2022
Dear Families,
It will soon be Thanksgiving, a time when we will gather with family and friends and express gratitude and give thanks for all that we have been given. On behalf of the faculty and staff at Corpus Christi Catholic School, I want to express our gratitude for our students who come to school every day ready to learn.  We are also thankful for the support of our school families who contribute so much to our school.

Our school will be closed for Thanksgiving Holidays November 21st-25th. I hope that all of our families have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Bible Verse and Prayer Focus of the Month
Our Bible verse focus for the month of November is: Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God”
The prayer we will focus on is the Memorare:

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Education in Virtue
This year all Archdiocesan Schools will participate in the Education in Virtue program. This program focuses on the development of the whole person and equips our children to strive for holiness, which is where we will find true happiness. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines virtue as “a habitual and firm disposition to do the good.” Virtues are essentially those habits of doing good that lead us to Christ. The three theological virtues are faith, hope, and charity. The Cardinal virtues are justice, prudence, fortitude and temperance. Flowing from these 7 core virtues are countless other virtues that help us to be in a relationship with God. Everyone is born with a capacity for virtue, but we need education and practice to become truly virtuous people.
Each week, we will focus on a particular virtue as a school. Students will learn the definition as well as what living the virtue looks and sounds like in our actions and words.

The Cardinal Virtue we are focusing on is Justice, and the related virtue we will focus on the next week is:

Trustworthiness (Week of November 14) 

Meaning

Acting in a way that inspires confidence and trust, being reliable

Ways to Cultivate

  • Ages 6 and up: Telling the truth
  • Ages 10 and up: Do the right thing, even when no one is watching
  • Ages 12 and up: Be faithful in small matters

Prayer

Dear Jesus, help me to be faithful in even the little things of each day. In your eyes nothing is little when done with great love!
PTO Meeting
Please join us for our quarterly PTO meeting this Wednesday at 6:00pm in the Banquet Hall. Following a very brief business meeting, there will be a Social Media Boot Camp presentation by Scott Walker. He will educate parents on popular social media apps and the dangers they can present.
The following day, Mr. Walker will hold an educational presentation for our students in grades 3rd-8th. They will learn the mistakes and challenges that social media and online gaming can present.
Iron Bowl
(or favorite team colors)
Out Of Uniform Day
Middle School Information Night
Parents of current 4th and 5th-grade students, please make plans to attend our Middle School Information night on November 29th at 6:00pm. You will be able to tour our middle school, meet our teachers, and learn more about the wonderful opportunities available to students in grades 6th-8th at our school.
Veterans Day Celebrations



We are so thankful that our 5th-grade students helped us celebrate Veterans Day by organizing a carpool parade. We also want to thank the veterans that visited several of our classrooms on Veterans Day. 
Cougars of the Month
We recently honored our September and October Cougars of the Month with treats. 
The following students were chosen by their teachers as Cougars of the Month for the month of September: 
Evelyn Duff, Jonah Schaffer, GiGi Porr, Gigi Del Rio, Harper Mason, Maggie McNair, Lincoln Pigg, Charlie Smith. Jax Hensley, Mary Madison Wade, Parker Lartigue, Erin McLaughlin, Evan Breedlove, Jack Smith, McKayla Bayird, Jacob Sullivan, Ella Netto, Chase McDaniel, Marianna Razo-Lozada, Bela Bovenizer
Troy Pham and Carolyn Shelp

The following students were chosen as overall cougars of the month for their grade level and received a gift card and certificate from our Partners in Education. The overall cougars of the month grades K-8th are also honored by the Midtown Optimist Club. 

Preschool: Jonah Schaffer, sponsored by Charles F. Lursen PC
K-2nd Grades: Parker Lartigue, Sponsored by Rehm Animal Clinic
3rd-5th Grades: Mckayla Bayird, Sponsored by Professional Estimating Services
6th-8th Grades: Marianna Razo Lozada, Sponsored by Donaghey Orthodontics
Our teacher of the month for September was Deana D’Alonzo, Sponsored by Richard March, Assist to Sell Realty. 

The following students were chosen by their teachers as Cougars of the Month for the month of October: 
Garner Diehl, Kathleen Bovenizer, Charlie Lipsey, Caroline Rees, Raphael Ramer
Blake Johnson, Sebastian Clecker, Caleb Tholl, Eloise Ellsworth, Isabelle Hanna
Anna Karlee Wilson, Paige Calagaz, Carsyn West, Brayden Mason, James Woodard, Will Weiskopf, Thomas Darling, Audrey Woodard and KaShawn Finch

The following students were chosen as overall cougars of the month for their grade level and received a gift card and certificate from our Partners in Education. The overall cougars of the month grades K-8th are also honored by the Midtown Optimist Club. 

Preschool: Garner Diehl, sponsored by Charles F. Lursen PC
K-2nd Grades: Raphael Ramer, Sponsored by The Knights of Columbus
3rd-5th Grades: Anna Karlee Wilson, Sponsored by Payne Environmental Services
6th-8th Grades: Marianna Razo Lozada, Sponsored by Azalea City Lawn Service 
Our teacher of the month for October was Lauretta Ferrill, Sponsored by Mark Travis, MH3 Printing

To join the Partners in Education group, contact our school or Mr. Richard March, 401-0466
Snacks with Santa
Food Pantry
School Calendar
Remember that you can always access our online school calendar via this link from our website:


Once on the page, you will need to scroll to the bottom to access the online calendar.
Upcoming Dates to Remember
November
27: First Sunday of Advent
29: #iGiveCatholic
29: Middle School Information Open House (6:00)
30: 8th Grade PE Field Trip to Bowling Alley

December
1: Food Pantry Thursday
2: First Reconciliation following Mass for 2A
2: Spelling Bee (1:00)
4: PTO Snacks with Santa
5: Kindergarten Field Trip to Wales West
6: 2nd Grade Field Trip to Environmental Center
8: First Reconciliation following Mass for 2B
9: Cookies and Carols, Grades K-2 (8:15)
13: Christmas Musical, Grades 3-5 (6:30)
15: Christmas Program, PK3 and PK4 (9:00)
16: Noon Dismissal  
Corpus Christi Parish News
Parish Information
PARISH OFFICE
Monday - Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., second floor of the Community
Center.

TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Parish Office: 342-1852, Fax 342-6313
School Office: 342-5474, ext. 1
Fax 380-0325

SUNDAY MASSES
Vigil: 5:30 p.m. Saturday
Sunday: 7:00, 9:00 and11:00 am

WEEKDAY MASSES
8:15 am Mass: Monday - Saturday
5:30 pm Mass: Monday - Friday

ADORATION
Every 1st Friday of the month following the 8:15 am Mass until 5 pm.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: Grades K–8,
Sundays during the school year, 10:05-10:55 a.m. in school buildings.

BAPTISM, MARRIAGE, ANOINTING OF SICK
Please call the parish office (342-1852) for information.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Confessions are heard 30 minutes before each Mass.

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (R.C.I.A.)
If you're interested in learning more, please contact Fr. Pat Arensberg:
Email: pastor@corpuschristiparish.com
Phone: 251-342-1852

TO REGISTER AS A MEMBER OF THE PARISH
Please fill out a Registration Form. They are available in the church vestibule and parish office.

COMMUNITY CENTER RENTALS
For rental information, please call or email the parish office.
Parish Staff
Fr. Pat Arensberg, Pastor
pastor@corpuschristiparish.com

Fr. Alex Crow, Parochial Vicar
frcrow@corpuschristiparish.com

Mrs. Kristy F. Martin, School Principal
kmartin@ccscatholic.com

Mrs. Mary C. Lawson, Sacramental Coordinator
ccd@corpuschristiparish.com

Mr. Peter J. Stoyka, Youth Ministry Coordinator
pstoyka@ccscatholic.com

Ms. Ashley Kovaleski, Parish Secretary
office@corpuschristiparish.com

Mrs. Wendy Tulo, Parish Bookkeeper
bookkeeper@corpuschristiparish.com
Women of Mary
We gather Thursdays at 3 p.m. to reflect on the Sunday Gospel and pray together. Meetings will be in the Community Center, 2nd floor Conference Room.  All are welcome.

Contact Sister Deborah Kennedy, RSM
251-753-4872.
Men of St. Joseph
Our purpose is to help all men become the spiritual leaders of their family. All men are welcome to meet for prayer, gospel reflection and fellowship.
Tuesday Mornings, 7-8 am, 2nd floor Conference Room.
AND
Wednesday Evenings, 7-8 pm, 2nd floor Conference Room.
Contact: Jay Cox at 401-6070 (Auburn50@hotmail.com)
OR
David Sheffield, 423-5666 (David.sheffield@uniti.com)
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Join us in service, grow in spirituality, and open your heart in friendship to neighbors in need. St. Vincent de Paul has a very active conference at Corpus Christi. Vincentians believe that Jesus’ words in scripture are very clear that all of us must help the poor face-to-face to obtain heaven. We invite all parishioners of all age groups, including our youth, to join us in following our Lord’s commandment to us. Meetings are the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, 6:30pm in the Conference Room.
To join us, contact Ann Mackie at: annmackie10.am@gmail.com
or call the parish office for contact information.
Women’s Bible Study
All women are invited to join us on Thursdays 9:15-10:45 am in the conference room, 2nd floor of the Community Center. 

Contact: Patti Hughes at 401-9623 (hughes@comcast.net)
Child Care is offered by Cynthia Wentworth, 251-767-0532 (cynwen@yahoo.com)
Youth Group
Welcome to Corpus Christi Youth Group. We are a community of high school disciples of Christ striving to live holy lives. We meet Wednesday Nights at 6:30 pm in the Parish House to grow in faith and fellowship. All High School students are invited!
For more information contact Fr. Crow:
Email: office@corpuschristiparish.com
Phone: (251)-342-1852
Funeral Reception Committee
Volunteers are needed to donate food, serve, and clean up. 
For more information, contact
Ophelia Gillespie 251-610-6503.
Sacred Grounds
All are welcome in the Atrium after each Mass for a cup of coffee and fellowship.
If you would like to volunteer to prepare coffee, serve, or clean up, please call: Glenna Cannon, 251-666-6552.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Meetings on the last Monday of each month, 7:00 pm in the Parish House. 
Contact: Chad Pugh 251-232-0648.
Corpus Christi Women's Club
The CCWC is a group of women in our parish that helps our community through fundraisers which include the Angel Tree, an area nursing home, and Penelope House. We also have meetings on occasion at area restaurants to discuss ideas and planning. All ladies in the parish are welcome to attend.
Contact: Lois, 251-209-2163
TUESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY
All are welcome at 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays in the Adult Ed Room, Community Center. 
Contact: Dave Burchette, 367-6660 (davebur1955@gmail.com)