The Rhodes Ahead
December 5, 2025
From Mrs. Rhodes
Giving tours is one of my favorite parts of being a principal. I love everything about Catholic Education – I know that it matters and I want to share it with everyone I can.
I take very little credit for where we are as a school today. On my daughter’s wedding day, I found out that she was keeping a journal (for 10 years) of daily sacrifices for her future husband. I was pretty sure who told her that. When that teacher asked me to pray for her because raising kids is tough, I told her to start with surrounding herself and her kids (or in this case the school you love) with good people because we don’t know what we will need down the road. Catholic Education helps to build these relationships and foundations that will last a lifetime and help shape the world around us.
Growing the mission of putting hearts on a collision course with the SHOJ will be easier with a visible change – especially with someone like Jared Herzet to pass the baton to. He is invested in the community, has time to observe and learn, and has similar experiences as I do.
I have come to understand that my role is to give this mission a push – to get the ball rolling. Some of the hard work has been done, but there really is no end. When I made this retirement decision, I struggled with feeling like I was quitting or giving up my passion for Catholic Education. Through deep prayer, I have found the peace that God has given me in knowing the timing is best now.
It is my honor to share with Jared the excellence of the School Leadership Team (SLT) and of all the staff here – with their valuable input, ideas, and strengths, SHOJ is an amazing place. Leadership has often reminded me that if nothing changes, nothing changes.
I look forward to passing this on and watching where it goes.
Blessings,
Kathy
Parish Opportunities
Capital Campaign
We are thrilled to share that the Mission Investment campaign has just surpassed $6 million - thank you for your generous support!
If you haven’t made your pledge yet, please consider joining us as a Partner on Mission by pledging online, mailing back your pledge card, or placing it in the offertory basket this Sunday. Questions? Please contact Beth Bucklin at beth.bucklin@shoj.org.
Advent Guide: If the start of Advent snuck up on you, you’re not alone! Last Monday, Fr. Zarse shared a simple guide—a crash course on how to live out Advent well, go deeper in prayer, and make these days truly meaningful. If you haven’t heard it yet, it’s worth your time this week. Listen here
Parish Adoration, December 10th: Join us for confession at 6:00 PM and Adoration following in the Church at 7:00 PM with reflection, praise and worship music, and time with Jesus this Advent season!
Advent Wreath Light Sign-Up: Please help light the candles in our Advent wreath. All are invited to participate! We need help for the following dates/Masses:
- December 6th: 4:30 PM
December 7th: 8:00 AM &11:00 AM - December 14th: 8:00 AM &11:00 AM
December 20th: 4:30 PM - December 21st: 11:00 AM
If you know you'll be attending one of these Masses and are willing to help, please sign up here.
SHOJ Rosary Ministry
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.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic school
Email: kathy.rhodes@shoj.org
Website: school.SHOJ.com
Location: 21801 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS, USA
Phone: 9134225520
Facebook: facebook.com/SacredHeartCatholicSchool