Gospel Reflection for Thursday, April 28, 2022 from Bishop Robert Barron:
Friends, today’s Gospel promises eternal life to those who believe in the Son of God.
In almost every religion, the life of faith has something to do with a creature’s relationship to the Creator; nearly all religions speak of the creature’s dependency upon God, of his subjection to the divine providence, and of his need for grace and forgiveness. Christianity, too, articulates these basic relationships, but it pushes beyond them because it speaks of the Incarnation and the gifts associated with it.
We hear in the third chapter of John’s Gospel that “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” This well-known verse summarizes the Christian faith and gives expression to its distinctiveness, for it speaks of the possibility that a creature might share in God’s own life.
The purpose of the sending of the Son was to gather the human race into the divine life—the rhythm of the Trinitarian love—so that we might relate to God not merely as creatures but as friends. You see, love becomes complete only when there is another who can receive fully what the lover wants to give.
Thank you for your continued efforts to collect signatures for the Michigan Opportunity Scholarship Petition Signature campaign. Here is some additional, important information:
If parishes or individuals drop off signed petitions to your school, please add them to all the petitions with signatures that you have collected.
Signed petitions must be:
Returned to your school by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 9 (a DCS team member will pick up your signed petitions) OR
Mailed to:
Let MI Kids Learn
C/O National Petition Management
24293 Telegraph Rd Suite 285
Southfield, MI 48033
New From Father Day: Measuring How Well the Curia Serves Your Ministry
Since I began my service as Moderator of the Curia, one of my ongoing goals has been to continually improve the support the Curia provides to our clergy, parishes and schools. The work you do in bringing the people of God in southeast Michigan closer to Jesus Christ is profoundly important. To do it well, you need the support of Archbishop Vigneron and all the offices and departments of the Curia.
To help get a better sense of how we’re doing—and to tell us where we need to improve—I ask that you take a few minutes to complete this survey by Sunday, May 8. I am asking priests, deacons, lay ecclesial ministers, parish staff and school principals to share their feedback with me and my Curia coworkers.
Reminder Tuition Assistance Application Round 1 deadline is April 30
The application deadline for Round 1 of 2022-23 Tuition Assistance deadline is April 30, 2022. The entire application must be completed and supporting documents uploaded to FACTS by this date. Please remind your school families to complete their applications, upload documents, and submit the Pastor Verification document as soon as possible. Continue reading
Reminder 2021-2022 Teacher Awards – Nominees Due by May 2
The Department of Catholic Schools is seeking your nomination for the Teacher of the Year from your school. Each nominee will receive an Excellence in Teaching Award and be considered for the Bishop John Quinn Elementary or Secondary Teacher of the Year. We would also like to acknowledge our dedicated retiring Catholic School Personnel. This includes Principals, Teachers, and staff. We ask that you complete the Retired Personnel Form if you have any staff members retiring from your school. Continue reading
MNSAA Annual Reports
Your MNSAA Annual Report is due May 20, 2022. Be sure to use the new link to Accreditrac. When you submit your completed report and forms on Accreditrac, please remember to hit the button “submit to the Superintendent”. We will be switching to a 5-year Accreditation cycle. There will be 12 to 13 Accreditation Site visits per year. Finally, if you are a new Principal, or have not done an Accreditation Site visit but would like to, please contact Nancy Kuszczak and you will be given priority. Please email Nancy at nkuszczak@livoniastmichael.org. The 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 site visit list can be found here.
The MDHHS no longer has quarantine recommendations, for vaccinated or unvaccinated persons, related to international or domestic travel. This means everyone returning from travel should still symptom monitor for 10 days upon return but do not need to quarantine unless they are symptomatic. The Catholic Schools website will be updated shortly to reflect this change in our policy.
In-Person Principal Meeting in May
The May principal meeting will be in-person at Sacred Heart Major Seminary from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (with lunch following). Please RSVP here.
Principal Performance Evaluations
The Principal Performance Evaluation template is available on Box. Please complete your self-reflection and then ask your pastor to complete his portion. Once the evaluations are completed, reviewed, and signed, please email a copy to Erin McNally.
Star Data Meetings
Dr. Bluestein is beginning to schedule appointments with all principals using Star Renaissance for the annual end-of-year meeting to discuss your school’s results and provide comparative data, as well as discuss any PD or curricular needs.
Each appointment will last 30 minutes (via Zoom) and openings are available:
Tuesdays through Fridays, April 26-May 27, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Please email Dr. Bluestein at bluestein.may@aod.org with a few preferred dates/times and she will respond with a finalized calendar invite.
EOY Testing Window
As a reminder, the EOY Star testing window is April 25-May 20. Please make an effort to complete all testing within the window to ensure a timely receipt of our Custom Parent Reports.
Reminder: Childcare Stabilization Grants
Childcare Stabilization Grant Funds need to be returned to MDE. Laura sent an email to principals with instructions. Please ensure that your business manager is aware of this as well. We will not be able to accept second round funds either.
