NEWS FROM THE CAMPUS MINISTRY OFFICE

By: Miss Geri Pitti

The Archdiocese of St. Louis is sponsoring the annual Archbishop May Service Award. Each Catholic High School chooses one senior student to be recognized by the diocese on behalf of that student’s commitment to service.Completion of the essay in a timely manner and a final decision made by the Theology Department and Campus Ministry will result in the naming of this senior to represent IWA. Any senior that would like to be considered for this special service award must write an essay which lists specifically all the services that she has done in the past four years, what service has done for her, and how doing service has touched her life. Essays must be two to three pages, typed and double spaced. All essays are due in my office by Friday, November 20.

Thank you to everyone that prayed for the girls that attended our Kairos #17 retreat in October. The student and adult leaders that attended did an awesome job on their particular talks, and all of the girls bonded exceptionally well. It was truly an amazing experience for all! Applications for the next Kairos #18 retreat which is February 9-11, 2010, will be given out in early December. I encourage any Senior who has not participated in a Kairos retreat to seriously consider attending. Reservations will be made on a first come, first serve basis, since there is a limit of 30 retreatants.

The Sophomores will be going on a retreat day on November 16, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The retreat will be held in the Fleur de Lis Room at the Cardinal Rigali Center and will be facilitated by the Reap Team. Eight of our senior peer leaders will also be attending the retreat and will help to lead the small group discussions. Please pray for the girls that they will have a spirit-filled day and will return to school refreshed and enthused about living their faith and building friendships.

The Seniors will be going on retreat on November 23-24, 2009. They will leave IWA at 8:00 a.m. on November 23, and will return at 3:00 p.m. on November 24. They will be going to Sojourn Retreat Center in Dittmer, MO. The theme of their retreat is “Building Community as Women of the Word as We Look at Our Past, Present, and Future.” Please pray for the seniors that their faith may grow stronger and that they may be enriched by interacting with their peers and teachers.

The Juniors have all received information concerning their Junior Service which will take place May 17-27, 2010. In their packet the girls received their Junior Service Site Form, the letter to be given to their supervisor of their service site, and a letter of important dates concerning junior service. Juniors should be contacting specific service sites and should be making arrangements with a particular site to do their nine days (minimum of 60 hours) of service which will take place in May. All Junior Service Site Forms are due in the Campus Ministry Office no later than February 19, 2010.

The Marian Middle School Committee will sponsor a Pretzel Sale on Thursday, November 12 after school. All proceeds will help benefit the “Girls’ Schools Together” Program for Marian Middle School students.

Throughout the year the Campus Ministry Office receives many requests for assistance. So this year in order to live the mission and make a positive difference to more people, the IWA Community is going to reach out to four different service agencies for the Christmas Drive. Each grade level will put forth their spirit and energy into helping one specific agency to brighten the lives of children for Christmas. The Student Council will assist the Campus Ministry Office with this service project. The Christmas Drive will begin on Friday, November 20 and will end on Friday, December 4. Each homeroom will receive a wish list of items being requested from their service agency. The Freshman Class will help St. Louis Crisis Nursery North County. The Sophomore Class will help Our Little Haven in St. Louis City. The Junior Class will help Whole Kids Outreach in southern Missouri. The Senior Class will help Guardian Angel Settlement in Wellston. We are called to live the example of Jesus, the Incarnate Word. So I hope that in the spirit of giving, each girl will find it in her heart to bring in one or two items for the children.

The Liturgy Committee will lead the IWA Community in an Advent Prayer Service on Monday, November 30. The girls will focus on two of the traditions of Advent, the Advent Wreath and the Jesse Tree. Advent is the season of waiting and hope. We await the coming of the Lord with hope in our hearts. Jesus is the Son of God, present among the people God loves. That is good news, and it makes us happy to remember that Jesus will come again in glory. We wait patiently to celebrate God’s gift of light, who is Jesus Christ. We pray that God will light our path through the Advent season so that we can be light to others.

Congratulations to Caroline Tiffin, a Junior at IWA, who designed the cover of the Christmas cards for Room at the Inn, a shelter for homeless women and families in St. Louis County. The card depicts an image of Mary and the Christ Child and the word “Hope.” It is very beautiful, and I have one in my office, if you would like to see it. The cards will be sold in sets of 12 for $10, plus $2 for shipping. All proceeds will benefit shelter clients. If you would like to purchase any cards, please contact Colleen Price at 314-209-9181 at Room at the Inn. The inside message reads, “May your hearts be filled with hope and joy, for the Savior has been born for us. Peace and blessings to you this holy season!”

Thank you to the 99 people from Incarnate Word Academy who took part in the Walk for Autism on October 10. The “WORD SPEAKS” Team collected $1,059.39 for Autism. What a wonderful team spirit!

Thank you to the ten faculty/staff members who volunteered at the St. Louis Area Foodbank in Earth City on Saturday, October 24 from 10-1. What a wonderful spirit of giving of time and energy that is exemplified by so many of our dedicated IWA community!

Thank you to the ten faculty/staff members who are volunteering at Women’s Build for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, November 7. Your gift of time and talent is very much appreciated!

Thank you to members of OBA for volunteering to help at the Fall Festival and Card Party for St. Alphonsus Rock Church on November 8.

All students are encouraged to continue to work on their service projects,

and to remember that all of us are always called to serve one another just as

Jesus did.

I continue to see the wonderful spirit in the IWA girls as they work with each other and volunteer to help with many worthwhile projects. We are truly blessed with a caring community of students, as well as faculty and staff.

Prayer Meditation: “Let Your Heart Be Your Treasure”

Dear Lord, Be love in us today as we journey. May we welcome with joy and delight all who come our way. Deepen our faith to see all of life through your eyes. Fill us with hope and abiding trust that you dwell in us amidst all our joys and sorrows. Thank you for the treasure of our faith life. Thank you for the gift of being able to rise each day with the assurance of your walking through the day with us. Thank you for the treasure of your unconditional love. God of life and love, we praise you. Amen. Praised be the Incarnate Word. Forever. Amen.