Collars, Habits & Mud Bug Madness

1. O L H O C S __ __ __ __ __ __

2. T A I N V C A __ __ __ __ __ __ __

3. O M R E __ __ __ __

4. H M I C E N Y __ __ __ __ __ __ __

5. S E J S U __ __ __ __ __

Why did the nun go to the convent for the 4th of July?

It was her:

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Reorganize each jumble into a word above. The circled letters hold a new

jumble that completes the joke. (answers on back)

Nuggets of wisdom from priests, deacons, religious and consecrated women, topped off with more than 600 pounds of crawfish made for a thought-provoking and fun-filled Vocations Day! After a beautiful mass celebrated by Fr. T.J. Dolce, the Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, each class learned about vocations first-hand. The SJPII campus was crawling with clergy and religious, all hoping to plant the virtue of discernment in each student’s mind. Fr. T.J. asked the eighth graders to “invite God into the conversation through prayer” as they discern their vocation to either religious, single or married life. Along with the dozens of visitors from our Archdiocese was Fr. Jonathan Raia from the Vocations Office in the Diocese of Austin. Fr. Raia is an alum from SJPII’s first graduating class in 1994. He explained how his time spent at SJPII, and being a parishioner and altar server at St. John Vianney parish, helped him in his discernment process. He assured the seventh graders that his vocation to the priesthood has brought him “excitement, joy and incredible peace.”

As the evening of Vocations Day approached, so did dark skies, but according to Mrs. Festa, the storm didn’t “dampen our spirits”! The gym was packed with families, faculty, an inflatable slide, face painting and the spirit of New Orleans at the school’s first Saints @ Sunset Community Dinner. Zydeco beats echoed in the room over children’s laughter and excitement. Pots of crawfish were boiled as attendees lined up at the serving line. Snow cones were scooped from the Kona Ice Truck in the parking lot, and $1,200 was raised for St. Mary’s Seminary! It was a great evening that served to cap off a great day. We look forward to next year!

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Fr. Michael vs. Br. Jerek

During Catholic Schools Week in January, Fr. Michael

Sullivan and Brother Jerek went head-to-head in a

basketball game with the support of the elementary

students. In the end, Fr. Michael’s team came out on

top, but it was a blast

for both teams and

for the entire rowdy

crowd!

Saints Springing into Action

This spring, the staff and students at St. John Paul II have pulled up their leggings,

buttoned their capes and unmasked their kindness. Beginning this Lent and continuing

beyond, students are learning how they can become super heroes by doing good deeds in

their everyday lives. With weekly challenges such as “fast from judging others” and “give

thanks for the blessings in my life,” the community has been uplifted, with an air of kindness

sweeping over it. Students have been depicting everyday heroes by creating comic strips,

designing computer graphics, writing and performing plays, and consistently adding to

their Rachel’s Challenge chain of kindness with their own good deeds. These chains continue

to grow, inspiring each person to perform good deeds that, although small, can be heroic

to those affected. Although our students and staff have been looking heroic in their super

hero t-shirts, it is the actions of the community that are producing real heroes. The school is

eager to see the lasting impression that the “Be a Super Hero” Campaign creates.

That’s Game! A completely

undefeated

season led to a

Championship for our boys’ Varsity

basketball team this year! Our

baseball, softball and track teams

have also been playing tremendously

well, and we can’t wait to see what

the playoffs bring!

Grandparents’ Day

The middle school band welcomed grandparents to campus for this year’s

Grandparents’ Day. Mrs. Marquis’ Theater Arts students performed their Pope

play with the help of Ms. Dao’s Honor Choir, and the Chorale sang along with

the Kindergarteners as they serenaded their loved ones. All students loved showing their

grandparents their classwork before setting off for Easter Break!

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Texas Universities:

Out of State:

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

The Next Steps for the SJPII

Class of 2011

Texas A&M: Alex Allen, Liam Chang, Taylor Chojecki,

Danielle Harding, David Horsley, Nico Kawar, Michelle

Krug, Trey Lowe, Michael Sivinski, Sarah Staerker,

Greg Wiatrek, Camila Zaldivar

UT: Maryann England, Jeremy Goethals, Trey Pizzito-

la, Kevin Quist, Mary Day Royston, Abby Varona

Texas Tech: Caroline Bouffard, Mary Heiberger,

Audrey Sauer

Texas State: Adrianna Alexander

Baylor: Kaitlyn Hovermale

University of Dallas: Alexia Zaldivar

Trinity University: Beverly Morabito

UNT: Katie Lowe

UST: Pauline La, Alex Pacheco

U of H: Isabel Harvey

UTSA: Mikaela Sanchez

St. Edwards: Jacob Spencer

University of Wyoming: Zachary Agee

Lindenwood University, MO: Erin Sutton

Ole Miss: Riann Polk

San Diego State: Haley Rocha

U. Penn: Nicky Sammour

Washington University, MO: Victor Gutierrez

LSU: Tres Meyers

Loyola Marymount: Andrew Malekie

University of Michigan: Chloe Wiseman

University of Missouri: Anthony Ashley

Barnard College, NYC: Nadia Halim

SAVE THE DATE SENIOR SEND-OFF

MAY 26th, 12 pm @ your old stomping grounds: SJH

Wear your college shirt proudly while enjoying pizza

and catching up with the Class of 2011!

SJPII Alums dominate the field, track,

lanes and taste buds!

Lauren Sutton, ‘07, butterflies “goodbye” to a

swim career of 17 years.

Erin Sutton, ‘11, signed on to swim for

Lindenwood University in Missouri.

Brittany Bowles, '12, Elena Irvine, '13, and

Amanda Stoner, '13, represented the

Universal Cheerleaders Association in the Lon-

don New Year's Day Parade.

Chad Bell, '13, performed in the Buffalo Wild

Wings Citrus Bowl Pre-Game in

Orlando, Florida as a Varsity Mascot.

Zachary Agee, ‘11, signed at Wyoming for

Track & Field.

Mary Heiberger, ’11, signed on to continue

her soccer career at Texas Tech University.

George Fritsch, ‘09, a sophomore at the Uni-

versity of Oklahoma, was selected to the Big

12 All-Conference team in Rugby.

Anthony Ashley, ‘11, signed on to swim for

the University of Missouri.

Samantha Wright, ‘06, is pursuing her dream,

having started her own local

gourmet marshmallow and candy business

called Sweet & Mellow in Houston.

The Houston Symphonic Band, Choir and Sight Reading Competition

Kick-Off Summer

with SJPII @ The

Skeeters Game

May 30th, 2015

Jumble Answers:

1. SCHOOL

2. VATICAN

3. ROME

4. CHIMNEY

5. JESUS

Puzzle Answer:

“Summer Vocation”

The Advanced Band, under the direction of Mr. Griffin,

earned the highest rating for both their practiced pieces

and sight-read number. This “First Division” Band has

competed in this competition for five consecutive years,

winning the Sweepstakes every time!

Mrs. Marquis’ Middle School Chorale amazed

the judges and other competitors with their

talent. The singers performed three musical

selections along

with a sight-

reading piece,

earning a Superior

rating and trophy!