Today we find ourselves at the threshold of the new millennium. Led by Pope John Paul II, we have been preparing ourselves for the last three years for this most momentous occasion, which marks two thousand years since the birth of Christ.  During these past three years we have reflected on Jesus, the one savior of the world, on the Holy Spirit as the eternal source of every
gift that comes from God, and on God as our loving Father.  The celebration of the holy year in 2000, the Great Jubilee, is a time to let faith be refreshed, let hope increase, and let charity exert itself still more.  It is an opportunity to renew ourselves by deepening our spiritual lives - becoming holy people through Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God the Father.  The Great Jubilee year should be a year of hope, a time to celebrate the good things present in our world and a time to examine ourselves to see how we can bring better things to our world. It is a time for re-energizing ourselves through faith, hope, and love. It is an opportunity for us to think about our life and the hopes we have for the future.

Pope John Paul II has asked us to focus on the following for the Year 2000:
General Theme: Open Wide the Doors to Christ: Evangelize, Reconcile, Celebrate!
Trinitarian Theme: Three Persons of the Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Sacramental Focus: The Eucharist
Mariological Theme: Mary, Model for the New Millennium

As individuals, as families, as members of the community of Christ, let us use this Jubilee Year as an opportunity for growth.  Let us be able to say to ourselves at the end of the year 2000:  " God is my best friend; the lines of communication from Him to me and from me to Him are always open; and I have truly lived Joy, Truth, and Love and have shared it with everyone!  I have truly been a light unto the darkness.  I am truly blessed."

By Kathy Hailey

Dear Parents,

As the year 2000 begins, I would like to take this time to thank each and every one of you for your contribution to Sacred Heart Academy in 1999. The PTG-sponsored fundraisers, so far this school year, have been very successful. Thank you for your support!

I do have a concern regarding our Grocery Certificate Program. This program is a major contributor in helping us met our budget and with the changes taking place, we could have a shortfall in funds. Vons has already changed their program to e-script. Many of you have resisted joining the program due to the $10.00 annual fee and the credit card number needed to apply. Vons has assured us that the credit card information will not be shared. The annual fee is an issue, but the money the school makes from your participation is substantial. At this time only 70 out of over 200 SHA families have enrolled. If Vons is your primary grocery store and you have not enrolled in e-scipt, please reconsider your decision. Applications are available outside Ferol's office.

God Bless,
Kathy Hailey
PTG President

TEACHER FEATURE
By Van Thaxton
This month's teacher feature showcases four unique individuals, none of whom are technically teachers. They each hold distinctly different roles at SHA and all are critically important to the academic and spiritual education of our children. Allow me to first introduce our Principal, Bob Hamm.
 

MR. BOB HAMM         Principal Mr. Hamm is a native of Waco, Texas and attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock. He taught American History to eighth grade public school students for nine years before beginning a career as school a Principal. Mr. Hamm has been a principal of Catholic schools for nineteen years, including nine years at St. Louis Catholic school in Waco and ten years at Sacred Heart Academy. When asked why he chose his role as principal, he said, "I am a principal because in this position I am able to be an educational and spiritual leader. I can be a viable catalyst for change in a school, always leading a school into a more challenging and rewarding direction. As principal, I am able to form a team of professionals who are committed to the same educational and spiritual goals as I am and who work toward the same ideals and goals." He continues, "What I like most about Sacred Heart Academy is that YOU are here!" I assumed this meant the collective you and not me personally. At any rate, it is plain to see that Mr. Hamm cares deeply about the students, teachers and parents at Sacred Heart Academy.  Before beginning his career in education, Mr. Hamm served in the U.S. Army, spending most of his time in the Adjutant General's office in the U.S. Army Headquarters for Europe in Heidelberg, Germany. Before his service in the military, he was a member of VISTA, the domestic Peace Corps, working with families living in poverty in the Mt. Shasta area of northern California. While with VISTA, he met the future Mrs. Mary Hamm, who hails from Minnesota. Mrs. Hamm "retired" to become a fulltime mom when their daughter, Elizabeth was born. "Elizabeth, who is now 26 is the very special person that she is because her mother was there for her while she was growing up." Mrs. Hamm concentrated all her time and energies to ensure that Elizabeth attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through college, receiving her degree from the University of San Diego. Today she is Director of Communications at Paradise Point Resort here in San Diego. Mrs. Hamm is still "retired" and enjoying life in beautiful San Diego with her "incorrigible husband" (Mr. Hamm's words not mine). Anyone can see that Mr. and Mrs. Hamm are duly proud of their daughter and relish every fleeting moment they spent with her, a good lesson for us all! When not making morning announcements over the P.A. system and policing the parking situation out front (of course he does much more than that), Mr. and Mrs. Hamm enjoy swimming, reading and combing San Diego for the very best restaurants. His favorite author is John Grisham and his favorite book right now is The Educated Child by William Bennett. "If I had to recommend only one book to parents of school-aged children, this book would be it!" Mr. Hamm's favorite sport is football and guess what his favorite team is...you got it...the Dallas Cowboys!!! Those Texans are loyal to the end!  Mr. Hamm's parting words: "I talk to my best friend, God, many times everyday, and I thank Him for the many blessings He has given me in my life, especially for allowing me to spend time with you!"

CONNIE JOHNSON  Extended Day Care Director Connie is a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She attended Our Lady of Fatima in Albuquerque and then Correia and Point Loma High School, here in San Diego. Immediately after graduating from Point Loma High, Connie began working at the high school as a secretary. When she married her Air Force husband, Jim, they moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota where he was stationed. While there, Connie continued to hone her secretarial skills in the Sociology/Anthropology Department at the University of North Dakota.  Like most people who once lived in San Diego, Connie and Jim returned to "paradise" and she began work at Cal Western College in Point Loma as a secretary in the English Department. After the birth of her second child, Connie decided to stay home to "chase after little ones." Then, when her oldest child started Kindergarten at SHA, Connie started a daycare at her home to care for other children at SHA. She walked the children back and forth between school and her home. In 1987, she was asked to start the Extended Daycare on site at SHA because of the large volume of working parents. And the rest is history. Though Connie has been a day care provider since 1978 and has been the day care provider at SHA since 1987, her history with SHA goes well beyond that. All three of Connie's grown kids (Wendy, Jeff and Heather) all graduated from Sacred Heart Academy. During those years, she wore many hats including: Brownie and Girl Scouts leader, room mom, Rags to Riches Chairwoman, PTG Board member, PTG Secretary, PTG VP and PTG President. She also served as festival entertainment and raffle chairwoman as well. She well remembers the years when SHA was run by the nuns, and when the school almost closed. She adds, "It is wonderful to see the resurrection of the school by Monsignor Rhatigan and Mr. Hamm and the total dedication of the many excellent teachers that have been here throughout the many years."  When Connie is not tending to the youngsters at SHA, she and Jim enjoy camping, water sports of all kinds and hiking. Their other two roommates are Rocky and Wasatch, their beloved dogs. Connie's favorite color is violet, her favorite food is homemade bread and she enjoys all kinds of Disney movie entertainment. She must also consider herself a local girl, as she is both a Padre and a Charger fan, in any kind of weather. Connie said, "I am so happy to be at Sacred Heart Academy and to be here for the many great children and families I have had the pleasure of knowing and interacting with daily."

FEROL HENKELS The Unflappable Woman Who Does it All With a Smile on Her Face There is no way to adequately describe what Mrs. Henkels does except to say that she does anything and everything whether it needs to be done or not and she does it without a wince or grimace. I know that it is an run-on sentence, but was the only way I knew how to get it all in.  Ferol Henkels was born in Van Nuys, California and was raised in San Diego. Her family moved to Ocean Beach in 1968, making her almost a native. She attended Point Loma High School, Mesa College and then graduated from UCSD with a degree in biology. While at college, she worked at local banks, gaining knowledge and skills that were later used when she entered into a career in banking and mortgage lending. It was a good thing too, because that career lasted 24 years, the last 11 of which, she worked as a bank auditor. Mrs. Henkels joined the SHA staff two and a half years ago. She tells us, "I came to SHA to have an opportunity to be with my kids more and to work in the community where we live." When asked what she likes most about SHA, she has two perspectives. "As a parent, I like the quality of education and the "community" that is present. As a staff member, I like the wonderful people who work here - great teachers, great individuals." Ferol and Greg, her husband of 20 years, share three adorable children: Kate (age13), Liz (also age 13) and Tom (age 9). They also share residence with a menagerie of pets: 4 cats, 1 dog and 10 finches. There is nothing Mrs. Henkels enjoys more than having a movie marathon with her kids. She also likes to work in the yard, sew, craft, quilt and watch baseball games. She and the family like to hit the mountains or the beaches, depending on the weather. Ferol says that she likes to do just about anything...except going to the dentist. She also collects teapots and salt and pepper sets. Two of her hobbies include antique and thrift store shopping and cooking. "I make bread and try new recipes regularly." Mrs. Henkels' favorites are so vast that it was just easier to identify those things that she does not like: she likes all colors... except purple and all foods... except beets and Brussels sprouts. Her favorite movies are of the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers genre and her favorite sport is baseball. Based on the number and variety of animals she has, she obviously likes cats, dogs and finches!  We are so fortunate to have Mrs. Henkels at SHA and I know her kids appreciate all she does as well.

DENNIS NORENBERG Facilities Director Dennis is a native of Cass Lake, Minnesota. He attended Cass Lake Elementary School, Cass Lake High School and then moved westward and attended Grossmont College. During the last seven years, Dennis has been more than Mr. Fix-it around Sacred Heart Academy. What Dennis likes most about SHA is the super teaching staff and faculty. "I am impressed with how the teaching staff spend so much time and energy with the kids. Also, having a commander such as Bob Hamm at the helm is a God send to Sacred Heart Academy" Dennis Norenberg has been married to Julie for 29 years. Together they have two children: son Matt, 28 years old and employed at Scripps Institute of Oceanography and daughter Amy, 27 years old, employed by the Grossmont High School district. Before being employed at SHA, Dennis was self-employed. He owned his own construction company and operated a beer and wine tavern in El Cajon for several years. He sold that business and purchased a 7-11 store in Santee. After selling the 7-11 store, Dennis went back into construction and built a second story computer lab and library at SACRED HEART ACADEMY! Dennis' favorite color is green and his favorite meal is steak and potatoes. His favorite movie of all time is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. His favorite animals are mountain lions and bears. Dennis enjoys softball and basketball.  Dennis' hobbies are varied and labor-intensive. When Dennis is not on campus, he designs and builds whirligigs. My Webster's Dictionary says that a whirligig is a 1: child's toy having a whirling motion 2: Merry-go-round 3a: one that continuously whirls, moves, or changes b: a whirling or circling course (as of events). There you have it. He also enjoys fishing for salmon in Alaska and hauling rocks in his yard to build rock walls in the garden. Certainly no one could say that Dennis does not get his exercise! We are blessed to have all of these individuals as members of our staff at SHA. I hope you enjoyed getting to know them just a little bit better.

Next time you're talking with God, please ask Him for some special attention for these members of our Sacred Heart Academy family:
Brendon Andrade - Fourth grader, son of Kelly and Steve and brother of Leslie in fourth grade and Allyson in second grade. Brendon has leukemia.
Marilyn Stroud - Mother of Erik in third grade and Brett in fifth grade. Marilyn has cancer.
Thelma Hamm - Mother of Bob Hamm, principal. Thelma has cancer.