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The Rhodes Ahead

October 3, 2025 , 2025

The RhodesAheadOctober 3, 2025 , 2025
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From Mrs. Rhodes

Dear Sacred Heart Families,

So many reasons to love October! If only we can get it to feel like fall!


October is Pro-Life Month, a special time when we join together as a Catholic community to celebrate and uphold the dignity of every human life, from conception to natural death. As followers of Christ, we are called to cherish the gift of life and support those most vulnerable in our society, especially the unborn.


Oct. 7, we celebrate Our Lady of the Rosary, and we are reminded that October is also the Month of the Holy Rosary. The Rosary is a powerful prayer that helps us reflect on the life of Christ and His mother, Mary, while drawing us closer to God through contemplation and meditation on the mysteries of our faith. School of Faith has a wonderful podcast that produces a daily Rosary meditation that will help you grow in your faith. It can be found at schooloffaith.com.


Our 8th graders have some reflections that they wrote that can be found at https://school.shoj.org/page/rosary-reflections.


Blessings,

Kathy

Upcoming Events

Oct. 7: School Picture Day! This is a free-dress day, please visit the handbook on our portal for out-of-uniform guidelines.

Oct. 8: Reception after All School Mass: Cardinal Dads (all dads/father figures welcome!)

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

Road Closure

Starting on October 6, 2025, there will be a street closing at 60th & Monticello. Please see below from the city of Shawnee for more details regarding this closure.


We apologize for any inconvenience!

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The SHOJ Scholastic Book Fair is coming!

SAVE THE DATE for 10/22/25-10/24/25 and get your reader psyched to pick out their own books! Start exploring together: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/sacredheartofjesusschool.
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Purchase your tickets with this link!

https://givebutter.com/AiUC2W

Smart Families Parent Education Meeting

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

Principal Search Update

We are partnering closely with the Archdiocesan Schools Office as we continue the search for our 2026–2027 School Principal. As we shared a few weeks ago, the position has been posted and applications are coming in. The Superintendent of Schools conducts the initial screening and provides Fr. Zarse with candidate information. From there, Fr. Zarse and our leadership team will prayerfully discern which candidates move forward to the next stage of interviews.


A few families have asked when the posting will close. At this time, we will continue to review and interview candidates, and the posting will remain open until the final candidate emerges.

Lumen Accreditation

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

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Parish Opportunities

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.


Knights of Columbus BBQ: This year's BBQ Competition has been cancelled. All who have registered will be getting refunds.


Respect Life Sunday: Join Archbishop Emeritus Naumann for Mass at Sacred Heart on October 5th at 9:30 AM where he will bless all those who help care for the most vulnerable. Reception to follow in MPC.


Lector Training: Are you interested in proclaiming the Word of the Lord? Join us for Lector Training on Sunday, October 12th at 12:30 in the Church. Sign up here.


KFL Life Chain: The KFL Life Chain is October 5th 1:30 - 2:30 PM. SHOJ will meet at 95th and Bluejack in front of the Oak Park Public Library.


Mother's Circle: All moms of the parish are welcome to join for the Mother's Circle meeting on October 9, at 7:30 pm in the Church Meeting Rooms 1&2 as we grow in fellowship and formation in our vocation.


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.

Uniforms - New Logo

School Belles, see picture below, is ready to provide uniforms for us. As far as old uniforms, there will be no expiration dates for students to wear the current logo. I know that uniforms are expensive and don't intend for you to have to buy all new uniforms.

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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.

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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

Kathy Rhodes
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