(Formerly St. Philips)
Give at https://www.givestlday.org/SisterThea
Today is the day – May 7 – GIVE STL DAY 2020
Our region’s day of giving
There are numerous worthy causes
Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School appreciates your support!
“Suddenly Jesus met them and greeted them, saying: ‘Rejoice’” (Mt 28:9). It is the first word of the Risen One after Mary Magdalene and the other Mary discovered the empty tomb and ran into the angel. The Lord meets them to transform their mourning into joy and to comfort them in the midst of affliction (cf. Jer 31:13).He is the Risen One who wants to resurrect the women to a new life and, with them, all of humanity. He wants us to begin to participate from now in the resurrected condition that awaits us.
An invitation to joy could seem like a provocation, and even like a bad joke in the face of the serious consequences we are suffering from COVID-19. Like the disciples at Emmaus, not a few could think of it as a gesture of ignorance or irresponsibility (cf. Lk 24:17-19).
Like the first disciples who went to the tomb, we lived surrounded by an atmosphere of pain and uncertainty that makes us wonder: “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” (Mk 16:3). How can we deal with this situation that has completely overwhelmed us?
The impact of everything that’s happening, the serious consequences that are already being reported and glimpsed, the pain and mourning for our loved ones disorient, distress and paralyze us.
It is the heaviness of the tombstone that imposes itself on the future and that threatens, with its realism, to bury all hope. It is the heaviness of the anguish of the vulnerable people and elderly people who are going through quarantine in total solitude; it is the heaviness of families who can’t now put a plate of food on their tables; it is the heaviness of health personnel and public servants feeling exhausted and overwhelmed… that heaviness that seems to have the last word.
However, it is moving to highlight the attitude of the women of the Gospel.
Faced with doubts, suffering, perplexity in the face of the situation and even with fear of persecution and of everything that could happen to them, they were able to keep going and not be paralyzed by what was happening. Out of love for the Master, and with that typical, irreplaceable and blessed feminine genius, they were able to confront life as it came, cunningly circumventing obstacles to be close to their Lord.
Unlike many of the apostles who fled as prisoners of fear and insecurity – who denied the Lord and escaped (cf. Jn 18:25-27) – they [the women], without evading reality or ignoring what was happening, without fleeing or escaping…, they knew how to just be and to accompany.
Like the first women disciples, who, in the midst of darkness and grief, loaded their bags with perfumes and set out to anoint the buried Master (cf. Mk 16:1), we ourselves were able, at this time, to see many who sought to bring the anointing of co-responsibility to offer care and not put the lives of others at risk.
Unlike those who fled with the hope of saving themselves, we witnessed how neighbours and family members set out with effort and sacrifice to stay in their homes and thus curb the pandemic.
We were able to discover how many people who were already living and suffering the pandemic of exclusion and indifference continued to strive, to accompany each other and to sustain themselves so that this situation is (or was) less painful.
We saw the anointing spilled by doctors, nurses, supermarket shelf stackers, cleaners, carers, people who transport goods, agents of law and order, volunteers, priests, women religious, grandparents and educators and many others who were encouraged to give up everything they owned to contribute a little of healing, calm and soul to the situation.
And although the question remained the same: “Who will roll away the stone from the tomb?” (Mk 16:3), all of them did not stop giving what they felt they could give and had to give. And it was precisely there, in the midst of their cares and concerns, that the women disciples were surprised by an overwhelming announcement: “He is not here, he is risen”.
His anointing was not an anointing for death, but for life. Their watching and accompanying the Lord, even in death and in the greatest despair, was not in vain, but allowed them to be anointed by the Resurrection: they were not alone, He was alive and preceded them on their way.
Only this overwhelming piece of news was able to break the cycle that prevented them from seeing that the stone had already been rolled away, and that the spilled perfume could overflow further than that which threatened them.
This is the source of our joy and hope, which transforms our actions: our anointings, dedication… our watching and accompanying in all possible ways at this time are not and will not be in vain; they are not a dedication to death.
Every time we take part in the Passion of the Lord, we accompany the passion of our brothers; living even our own passion, our ears will hear the novelty of the Resurrection: we are not alone, the Lord precedes us on our way, removing the stones that paralyze us.
This good news made those women retrace their steps to look for the apostles and the disciples who remained hidden so as to tell them: “Life torn off, destroyed, annihilated on the cross has awakened and pulses again”.
This is our hope, the hope that cannot be stolen, silenced or contaminated. All the life of service and love that you have given in this time will pulse again. It is enough to open a crack so that the anointing that the Lord wants to give us expands with unstoppable force and allows us to contemplate suffering reality with a renewing outlook.
And, like the women of the Gospel, we too are invited again and again to retrace our steps and allow ourselves to be transformed by this announcement: the Lord, with his newness, can always renew our life and that of our community (cf. Evangelii Gaudium),
Watch our Mega Raffle Drawing! Congratulations to our winners!
Grand Prize $10,000 – Lauren (ticket #504)
Second Prize $1000 – Elizabeth (ticket #439)
Third Prize $500 – Dion (ticket #174)
Dear Virtual Auction Attendees,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
We hope you had fun participating in and enjoyed watching the auction. Your support for our students was incredible!
The Mega Raffle, Gift Card Raffle and Attendance Prize Drawings will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24 – we will notify the winners immediately following the drawings – Good Luck!
Relative to pick-up and delivery of auction items –
Sister Thea Bowman Catholic School will abide by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s issued – “stay-at-home” order for the state through Saturday, April 7. Similar restrictions will be instituted in Missouri this evening.
What this means is that we are unable to distribute items at this time, and we will hold all auction items until after the stay-at-home restrictions are lifted.
We understand that you may be disappointed that you are unable to receive your item(s) right away; however, the health and safety of our supporters, staff and families are our main priority.
We will keep you updated should we receive any new information. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. If this poses any unforeseen issues, please let us know by responding to this email.
We will provide additional information on when and how we will distribute auction items as quickly as possible, (once the restrictions are lifted).
We have also heard from many of you that with the excitement of winning those last few auction items, you were unable to choose one of the “Each One Teach One – Fund-A-Need”levels. If you were still planning to give, please go to our website www.stbcs.com and choose “Donate Now”.
Thank you for all of your continued support in these difficult times.
Please stay safe – We look forward to seeing you soon!
Abundant blessings,
The Benefit Dinner Committee and Staff
THANK YOU AGAIN
Enjoy watching the video!
Mega Raffle, Gift Card Raffle and Attendance prize drawings will be held –
Tuesday, March 24 – 2:00 pm – You will be notified immediately of your winnings!
Roberta Trost
Email: sistertheaauction2020@srthea.org
Dan Nickerson
Email: nickerson.bowman@gmail.com
To Register Click Here: http://stbcs.schoolauction.net/auction202
From Your Computer, Select: “STBCS Virtual Auction Sign Up”
From Your Mobile Device, Select: Menu and then, “STBCS Virtual Auction Sign Up”
You will receive an email from “STBCS Online Administrator” with “Your Personal Link”
Questions:
Contact Roberta Trost
Email: sistertheaauction2020@srthea.org
Dan Nickerson
Email: nickerson.bowman@gmail.com
Here’s what is waiting for you online once you are registered:
After the auction closes, you process your payment, and drawings are completed – you will be able to pick up your winnings during pre-determined dates and times. We will also make arrangements for delivery within the Metro East area.
Please share this information with all of your friends and family so that more individuals can have fun with our virtual online auction while supporting our school!
PRINCIPAL’S NOTE
We have started Lent, a season of Prayer, Fasting, and Giving in preparation for the Easter Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. Work with your student to “Fast” (give up) from something negative or unproductive such as TIK TOK, and replace it with Prayer, Studies, or even Reading.
12:30 DISMISSAL MONDAY, NO BUS SERVICE
PEACEMAKER DAY: Peacemakers may wear a Black History shirt instead of uniform shirt.
OPEN HOUSE MARCH 12 FROM 9-11 AM AND 4-6 PM. KINDERGARTEN TEA MARCH 12 FROM 9-10. Enrollment starts March 12. Have potential new families contact the office, so we can invite them to our school!
BENEFIT DINNER CLASSROOM SPONSORS
All students should have brought $3-$5 per student for our Benefit Dinner prizes.
BENEFIT DINNER GALA MARCH 14, 2020 HELP
Our annual fundraiser dinner is March 14 at the Regency Conference Center in O’Fallon. See Flyer.
SPRING FAMILY PHOTO FUNDRAISER
The PTO is sponsoring a Family Photo Fundraiser for Mar 21-22. Family Photo Sitting ticket is $5. See Flyer!
MEGA RAFFLE
Our MEGA Raffle can earn the school $20,000 while rewarding a lucky winner $10,000. Limited to 300 tickets sold!
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS NEEDED!!! Contact us! College degree required.
ALUMNI FACEBOOK PAGE
If you are a Sister Thea Bowman Alumni, or know one, please contact us or find us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sr.theabowmanalumniconnect/. Join the 30 Year celebration!
February
LIKE our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/theabowmanschool or our web page at stbcs.com. If our first line (618) 397-0316 is busy, try our second line (618) 397-4926!
PRINCIPAL’S NOTE
Saint Josephine Bahkita was stolen from her home in Sudan and sold into slavery in Italy. She suffered much, but turned her life to God. She said, “If I were to meet the slave-traders who kidnapped me and even tortured me, I would kiss their hands, for if that did not happen, I would not be a Christian and Religious today.” What faith!!!
ALUMNI FACEBOOK PAGE
If you are a Sister Thea Bowman Alumni, or know one, please contact us or find us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sr.theabowmanalumniconnect/. We are trying to find Alumni to set up a 30 Year celebration this Spring or Summer! If interested in helping, please reach out to us!
PTO BLACK HISTORY NIGHT
Our PTO is hosting a Black History Night on February 20 from 5:30 – 6:30 PM with refreshments served at 6:30 PM.
BENEFIT DINNER CLASSROOM SPONSORS
Each class will collect $3-$5 per student to sponsor a class gift box at our Benefit Dinner. Please send your money in by Feb 21st in an envelope or with a note with your student’s name and marked Benefit Dinner.
OPTION C MESSAGES???
If you are not getting our Option C Alerts via text or e-mail, log into Option C and check your profile.
3rd QUARTER MIDTERMS GO HOME TODAY, Please sign one copy and send it back!
BENEFIT DINNER GALA MARCH 14, 2020 HELP
Our annual fundraiser dinner is March 14 at the Regency Conference Center in O’Fallon. We have Silent Auction Baskets and Gift Card Balloon sales as part of the event. You can help by taking a Donation Solicitation form to local businesses that you use and ask them to support your school. Also, invite people!
SPRING FAMILY PHOTO FUNDRAISER
The PTO is sponsoring a Family Photo Fundraiser for a Mar 21-22 Photo Session at our school. You can sell a Family Photo Sitting ticket for $5, and the family gets a free Family Photo. JUST IN TIME FOR EASTER! For each ticket you sell, you get $20 credit toward the Family Fundraising requirement. You can get a ticket from the office, or sign out a book of 10. We are limited to 100 tickets, so act quickly!
MEGA RAFFLE
Our MEGA Raffle can earn the school $20,000 while rewarding a lucky winner $10,000. Limited to 300 tickets sold!
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS NEEDED!!! Contact us! College degree required.
YOU ARE THE BEST ADVERTISEMENT!
Enrollment starts in March. Our Benefit Gala is in March. Do you want good students and good families at our school? Do you want more support for our school to raise our Tuition Assistance levels? YES? We are asking you to take our message to your friends, churches, businesses etc., or bring them to us! Contact the office, so we can invite them!
NO SCHOOL MONDAY!!!
The Regency Conference Center
400 Regency Park, O’Fallon, IL 62269
$60 per person
$600 per table sponsor of eight (includes gift)
Doors Open & Silent Auction 5:00pm
Dinner 6:00
Entertainment
RSVP via email to roberta_trost@yahoo.com
The Mega Raffle Returns
Chance to Win the Grand Prize $10,000
Next Early Bird Drawing – February 28
Evening Highlights
Kenya Ajanaku – Call of the Drums
Distinguished Alumni Honoree
Violin Special Group
Liturgical Praise Dance
Silent Auction
Fund-A-Need – “Each One Teach One”
Interested in advertising, being a sponsor, donating a service or item – please contact us!
For more information contact Roberta Trost for dinner tickets, MEGA RAFFLE TICKETS or Learn more about Cash for A Cause. Call 618-397-0316 or email: roberta_trost@yahoo.com
