The Rhodes Ahead

Dear Families,

In 2019, my family had a big reunion as the parish we grew up in, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, celebrated its 150th Anniversary. I put a picture of the church below when my son was able to assist at a Christmas Mass to give you an idea of how big and beautiful it is. The events included a parade where hundreds of people from near by towns came to celebrate. It was so much fun to make those memories with my extended and growing family.

As part of building a new parish building campaign at the time for St. JPII, it struck me, that this was a time for me to be part of something really special. Though my family had been in the parish our entire life (going back 127 years) someone had built those memories for us through a generous commitment to a future (and rebuilt and expanded) parish and school.

Here is a link to the homily that kicked off our campaign last weekend. This is our chance to be part of something special.

https://shoj.flocknote.com/note/33789009/video/580606176

You should get a packet in the mail. 100% of the teachers and staff are supporting this because of what it will bring to our community (and those 63 households raised over $268,000).

Just knowing, that in 150 years, there might be a family celebrating the goodness it brought to them is the only thanks I need.

God bless,

Kathy

Oct. 24: Trunk or Treat

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

LAST DAY FOR SHORTS FOR K-5. Pants until April.

Nov. 5: Veterans Reception after All-School Mass

Nov. 8: Tunes and Togetherness Event

Nov. 17: Kindergarten Information Night

https://givebutter.com/AiUC2W

Here is the link to the November Smoothie King Form: https://web4u.forms-db.com/view.php?id=2808198

What an amazing fair! Thanks to everyone who volunteered, especially our Chairs Ashlee Tomasic and Anna Kumru. Special thanks for all the donations to our teachers and to Holy Name. Three of their teachers stopped by to spend almost $600 in donations that we collected. The school uses its proceeds to provide weekly magazines for the students, books and other teacher supplies. Thanks for your support!

As part of our ongoing commitment to excellence in faith and education, and in partnership with Lumen Accreditation, we are asking all members of our school community to take a few minutes to complete two brief surveys. These surveys are designed to help us reflect on how well we are living out our mission and how we can continue to grow as a Christ-centered learning community.

The first survey focuses on how our mission and Catholic identity are reflected throughout all aspects of our school: faith formation, academics, leadership, and community involvement. The second survey looks more closely at our Catholic culture, exploring how we help students grow in faith, prayer, service, and personal responsibility.

Your input is deeply valued and will guide our continued growth in both faith and academic excellence. Please complete both surveys by Friday, October 24, 2025.

Catholic Identity Program Effectiveness:

https://lumenaccreditation.org/surveys/ed602f83-7a7e-429e-b8e7-b14691ef6fd9?year=2

Catholic Identity Defining Characteristics:

https://lumenaccreditation.org/surveys/d319565b-e665-4812-b945-bc5aa37ef77d?year=2

Thank you for your time, thoughtful feedback, and ongoing partnership in helping our school thrive in both faith and academics.

New lunch room policy

Per the Sacred Heart handbook:

-All lunch orders need to be placed daily by 9:00 a.m.

-Please notify the teacher and attendance if your child will be tardy and please include if they need a hot lunch ordered.

-Any student who does not have a cold lunch and has not ordered a hot lunch by 9:00 a.m. will receive an alternate cold lunch from the cafeteria. The alternate lunch will consist of a sun butter sandwich, a cheese stick, a fruit and/or veggie and milk. The cost will remain the same, $4.50.

Capital Campaign FAQ

Week 6 FAQ is out now! Click here to learn more. Missed a previous FAQ? You can find all the previous weeks on our website here.

Trunk or Treat: All Sacred Heart families are welcome to attend the Trunk or Treat TONIGHT in the Johnson Drive Lot at 6 PM!

Remembrance Mass: We gather to honor and remember those we have lost with a “Remembrance Mass.” The Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 8:05 a.m. for those family members that have passed away within the past year. We will honor these deceased souls with a candle set in front of the altar to illustrate the light that burned brightly by your loved one's life. Register here.

Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast: Join the Knights of Columbus for their Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, November 2, 2025, from 8:00–11:00 a.m. in the School Multipurpose Center. Bring your family and friends for a morning of good food, great company, and community spirit — all for an in-kind donation.

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. 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!

Family Advent Workshop: Bring the whole family to the Family Advent Workshop on Sunday, November 16, from 1:30–3:00 PM in the MPC! Enjoy an afternoon of Advent story time, crafts, treats, and fellowship while discovering simple ways to celebrate the season at home. Sign-up here.

MINISTRY

OCIA Prayer Partners: We are SO close to filling up our prayer partners! Your prayers are a vital way to support those in the OCIA process (becoming Catholic) and accompany them on their journey of faith. Click here to sign-up.

Christmas Basket Drive: Sacred Heart Parish is helping the Vaughn Trent Community Center provide 200 Christmas Dinner Baskets for families in need. Bring donated food items before or after any Mass Nov. 1–2. Items include canned corn, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, mac & cheese, stuffing, cake mix, and frosting. Sign-up here.

Verso L'Alto Bonfire: All young adults, ages 21-39, are invited to a night of community and fellowship with a bonfire on Wednesday, November 6 at 7:00 PM at Blackhoof Park. Bring your own beverage and a lawn chair. Register here.

Project Rachel Drop-In Group: Project Rachel is starting a Monthly Drop-in Group for women. The first group will be Thursday, November 6th, from 6:15pm - 7:30pm. Contant Ann Marie at projectrachelkc@archkck.org for location and additional details.

Project Rachel Retreat: Project Rachel will be hosting a Retreat for women harmed by abortion on November 8th at 8:30am – 4:00pm. Continental Breakfast and Lunch provided. To register, please contact: projectrachelkc@archkck.org

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