The Rhodes Ahead

Dear Families,

I am excited to have Smart-Families present to the children this next week on the App Trap of technology. I just have so much confidence in what they are doing to change our families.

As I near the last wedding of my own children and watch them start to raise children, I think back to a time when my husband and I were trying to set the example of prioritizing marriage for them. We would try to have at least a lunch date alone each week and would respond to their complaints with "you are moving out and we still need to like each other." It is hard to believe that it is coming up on 10 years with our nest empty - time goes so fast.

I see it is harder to do with things like technology. It is easy to be in the same room and start to get trapped in something that is on our own phone. Smart Families has made me aware of this and I can imagine the struggle it might be if our kids are playing nicely and it seems like a good time to see what is happening on our phones. It happens so easily!

Just a reminder of the resources that they have to help us. I found this article on their website interesting:

https://www.afterbabel.com/p/a-time-we-never-knew?utm_source=cross-post&publication_id=1221094&post_id=143851058&utm_campaign=192043&isFreemail=true&r=34linu&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

Please ask your students what they learned from the presentations next week.

God bless,

Kathy

Oct. 20/21: No School

Oct. 22-24: Scholastic Book Fair

Oct. 23: Mornings with Moms

Oct. 24: Trunk or Treat

Oct. 31: Halloween Parties/11:30 Dismissal - weather permitting parade right before dismissal

Visit the SHOJ Book Fair in the school library on 10/22/25-10/23/25 from 7am-6pm and on 10/24/25 from 7am to noon. You can visit https://www.scholastic.com/bf/sacredheartofjesusschool now to set up your child’s eWallet and browse books.

Sign up to volunteer at the fair at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4FABA62DAAF49-58573980-shoj

https://givebutter.com/AiUC2W

Thanks to the nearly 90 people who were able to attend the Smart Families parent education meetings recently. This knowledge is something that we can only learn after much research. We will soon be at the stage where all parents grew up with a phone, if not a smart phone. Similar to when some of us discuss the days of traveling in the back window of cars without car seats and surviving, we need to develop new habits. I hope that you find time to view the program if you were not able to attend. We look forward to the presentations to the students in a couple of weeks called the App Trap.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcxgwV-5Yws

As we continue the journey of switching to Lumen accreditation, here is a comparison of three common accrediting agencies.

Sign up for November and December using this link.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548A5AF2EA3FFC16-57915282-glowing#/

Capital Campaign FAQ

Week 5 FAQ is out now! Click here to learn more.

Missed a previous FAQ? You can find all the previous weeks on our website here.

Updates

Q3 Foundation Stones Survey: It’s time once again to take the Foundation Stones survey! Each time we’ve shared it, the responses have been incredibly encouraging—showing how our parish is growing in faith and continuing to pursue the Lord. Your input helps us see where the Spirit is moving in our community. The survey is quick, anonymous, and a powerful tool for reflection and growth. Take the survey here.

EVENTS

Encounter Conference: The conference is two-days at SHoJ to teach, impart and activate Christians to be a more effective minister of Jesus' healing in the world. It is Friday, November 14 (6-9pm) and November 15 (8am-9:30pm.) You are free to attend as much of the conference as you wish. There is also a Healing Service on November 15 at 6:30pm that is free and open to the public. No meals will be included, but there will be mealtime breaks. Find more information and registration here.

Healing Service: On November 15th at 6:30 PM there will be an Encounter Healing Service here at Sacred Heart. The service is completely FREE - you won't want to miss this powerful opportunity for healing!

MINISTRY

OCIA Prayer Partners: Please keep in your prayers the men and women who are discerning the Catholic faith. Your prayers are a vital way to support and accompany them on their journey of faith. May the Holy Spirit guide them and may they feel the love and welcome of our parish community.
Click here for prayer instructions and to sign-up.

Coffee & Donuts: “Don’t just eat the donuts…serve them!” We all love our Sunday Coffee and Donuts—but we need your help to keep them going! Each weekend, hundreds of people enjoy fellowship and a sweet treat, but we’re short on volunteers to serve. If every family took just one Sunday a year, we’d have the whole calendar filled! It’s an easy and fun way to serve the parish community together. Sign-up here!

Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive: The Knights of Columbus will be collecting donations for their Annual Tootsie Roll Drive to support People with Intellectual Disabilities after all Masses the weekends of October 11–12 and October 18–19. Don’t forget to bring your cash or spare change to help support this important cause!

Camp Tekakawitha Women's Retreat: Join Camp Tekakwitha for their Women’s Retreat starting on October 24th filled with talks, conversations, adventures, and free time as we explore this year's Theme, Pilgrims of Hope: Journey with Christ. This retreat is an edifying experience for all ages of women 18 years and older. Register here.

CYO Basketball: Registration is now open for CYO Basketball (3rd - 8th grade)! Season begins Oct. 27, 2025 and runs through March 7, 2026. Cost is $145 for 3rd /4th grade and $155 for all other grades. Uniforms are included. Register here.

St. Benedict Rosary Prayer Group will meet on the little playground at 3:06 each Wednesday to pray The Rosary (or at least part of it) for SHOJ school. All are welcome, even littles can come play while you pray. Please join us.

Email: kathy.rhodes@shoj.org
Website: school.SHOJ.com
Location: 21801 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS, USA
Phone: 9134225520
Facebook: facebook.com/SacredHeartCatholicSchool