Portland St. Patrick Catholic School

Lent, from the Middle English word Lenten, meaning springtime – the time of lengthening days, is a period of 40 days of fasting, prayer, and penitence before Easter.  Lent traditionally begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday.

Lent offers us all a special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a way of life, rooted in our baptism.  It is an opportunity to reflect on our lives, pray more deeply, repent of the ...

Since 1988, the National Geographic Society has been conducting regular studies of young adults in the United States, to see how literate they are about geography. The results of their latest study in 2006, conducted by New York City based Roper Public Affairs, were rather alarming.  The study of United States citizens ages 18 – 24 years of age showed that the group are “alarmingly ignorant of the relationships between places that give context to world events.”  

January has been designated as School Board Appreciation Month. St. Patrick School does not officially have a School Board but instead has a School Commission. The School Commission serves as a consultative body for the pastor and the principal on matters concerning St. Patrick School. The School Commission is a diverse group of individuals who meet each month to discuss issues that are important to St. Patrick School students.

The seven School Commission members are chosen from school ...

In today’s world, a high school education is no longer sufficient.  Few would argue that point, and yet many students go through high school without a good solid plan for college.  College planning can be overwhelming, as families grapple with the realities of academic requirements and costs.

In addition, many families wait too long to begin planning.  Few eighth graders have college on their minds when they sign up for their first high school classes, and yet...

Last week, St. Patrick School was the recipient of a wonderful gift.  A donor called and asked if we would like to have the original nativity set used by St. Patrick Church.  Of course, I was thrilled by the offer and very happy to accept the donation.  The nativity set is currently in my office awaiting restoration by our art department.  

While I work, I’ve taken some time out to study each figure of the Nativity.  I noticed the paint is fading and...

This weekend, I found myself watching many basketball games at several locations and with a variety of age groups.  I watched our Shamrock varsity and junior varsity girls basketball teams play at home on Friday evening.  On Saturday morning, I traveled to Bath to watch my son’s fifth grade team play and then to Haslett to watch my daughter’s seventh grade team.  On Sunday I was off to Holt to watch my son’s team play again.  

I studied the crowds a...

The word.Advent derives from the Latin word for “coming” or “arrival.”  Advent began this year on November, 29, the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day.  It will end on Christmas Eve.  During the next four weeks we will reflect on Christ's birth and will also look to His second coming. 

Advent is a time to become more involved in the meaning and the possibilities of life as a Christian community.  We are waiting and getting ready for...

At the end of the last school year, our long-time and beloved math teacher, Ann Marie Pung retired.  We knew it would take a special person to replace her.  After spending much time conducting many interviews and after much prayer and discernment from the entire interview team, we hired Mr. Terry Austen.  During Mr. Austen’s interview, he mentioned that one of the assignments he would have his students complete if he were hired as math teacher at St. Patrick High School w...

History came to life at St. Patrick School during our annual Veterans Day celebration on November 11.  Following a Communion Service in the church, students, staff, veterans and family members assembled in the school gymnasium for our annual Veterans Day assembly.

Planning for the program began even before the school year started.  During our Staff Development day in August, our teachers decided that our Veteran’s Day program should be a learning and educational ex...

If you happened to see large groups of St. Patrick School students walking around town during the morning of November 6, you may have wondered what they were doing out of school.  The rakes they were carrying might have been a clue that it was time for the annual St. Patrick School Pay it Forward Day.

One of the goals at St. Patrick School is that our students will learn to be good stewards of their time, talent, and treasure.  In efforts to put our mission into action, ...