Nothing is Impossible with God - Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic ...
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Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School,
as part of the parish faith family,
builds a strong foundation by
developing the unique, academic,
physical, creative, social and spiritual
gifts of its students, empowering
them to live the mission of Jesus.
Nothing is Impossible with God
Summer 2021 8th Grade Farewell Why We Choose OLL Giving Back
From the Principal
Dear Families and Friends,
This past school year has been unlike any other in our lifetime. The challenges we have faced together have been
immense. Due to the constraints caused by Covid-19, our students lost certain opportunities usually afforded to
them, such as field trips and athletics. We spent the year wearing masks and isolating more than usual. But despite
all of this, not a single student complained. We simply have the best students around!
This past year we introduced a new tradition of living out and celebrating core values. Our core values — Seek,
Persist, Excel, Love, and Serve — describe the actions we perform regularly to make our beliefs known to others.
Our values are stated as verbs so that students and teachers can observe our values in action throughout their
day. Each week after our school Mass, the children at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School shared how they
witnessed our core values alive in school that week. They did an incredible job of recognizing others on campus,
and truly set an example for all of us — adults included!
This issue of The Miracle is the perfect place to describe how I witnessed our students and teachers live out our
core values this past year.
SEEK. Our students and teachers sought to find the good in each day. Rather than dwelling on obstacles, our
school family found the countless blessings scattered throughout such a unique school year. Everyone carried an
authentically positive attitude in all that they did.
PERSIST. Our students and teachers came together and persisted in difficult circumstances. Teachers went above
and beyond, preparing lessons for both in-person and at-home learners. Students persisted in their studies and in
helping fellow students, both in-person and virtually.
EXCEL. Our students excelled both academically and artistically this year. Students worked hard in achieving high
marks, whether they were learning in-person or from home. Moreover, our students put on an amazing,
high-school level performance of Into the Woods and also won many art distinctions.
LOVE. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School is a family. The outpouring of love shared by all those in our community
— students, teachers, parents, and parishioners alike — was enormous. Love was also beautifully displayed in the
amazing generosity of the community that supported us financially during these challenging times.
SERVE. Our students and teachers never lost sight of our calling to serve others.
Particularly, our Student Council thought outside the box and came up with
creative ways to raise money for our twin parish and school in Haiti, as well as
other charities.
I would like to offer a heart-felt thanks to our amazing kiddos, for not only
embracing, but truly living our core values each and every day. I am honored and
humbled to be your principal. I look forward to an exciting, and less restrictive,
2021-2022 school year ahead! May God bless you today and always!
Educationally yours,
Principal for the Day
Mr. Yevich, Principal
The Real Adventure
Begins Now!
Eighth Grade Class Farewell
Who would have thought that the end of our journey here at OLL would take place during a pandemic?
It’s true that this year was different in various aspects, but through all the struggles and worries we were
able to make it a memorable and enjoyable last year. This is all thanks to the incredible support of the
school and parish of Our Lady of Lourdes. Thank you for being such a supportive and loving
community, we are forever grateful for all you have done for us!
Graduating from this school does not mean we are no longer part of this community; but instead
signifies the transitioning into the next stage of our lives. We carry with us, not only the academic
knowledge, but the spiritual strength to be God’s fruitful disciples. We, the eighth grade, will forever
remember all the support and love you have graciously shown us.
From the Class of 2021,
Thank you and God bless!
The Miracle
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School Summer 2021 Page 3
In Thanksgiving
Families Were Asked:
To the benefactors whose Why is Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School your
generosity makes learning
possible at Our Lady of Lourdes
Catholic School.
Saints & Sinners 2021
Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
HOOTERS and the
DiGiannantonio Family
Gold Sponsors
The Dees Family
Bob & Judie Warner Teachers at OLL truly believe that Jesus is the unseen teacher in every classroom.
OLL has a strong sense of community. Because it is a smaller school, children have the
Silver Sponsor ability to learn in a way that suits their learning style. We have had so many teachers that my
Hungry Howie’s Pizza children absolutely love, which means the world to me, because I know that they are being
given that love in return.
Bronze Sponsors OLL is a loving, faith-filled community that provides unparalleled academics while also
fostering the student as a whole. I love that we are committed to nurturing not only intellect,
Laurie Powell Newman -
but also social and emotional well-being for our students. My children go to school every day
Re/Max Advantage Realty feeling loved, valued and safe. Without that foundation, they would not be able to learn to the
The Fensterwald Family best of their abilities.
Frank M. Massotto, UBS
OLL encourages the children to be the best version of themselves.
Patron Sponsors There is a sense of Catholic community. It is most important that my children are with
Stephen Harnett, Jr. & others who share the same values, so that they may grow together under their Catholic faith.
Katie Abbitt-Hartnett I wanted to give my children the best start I could. I wanted the Catholic faith and
Paul’s Pool Care morals to always stay in the back of their minds, through their lives and in all their decision
Sweeping Fringe making. I wanted a close relationship with their teachers, so we could make sure they were on
the right track and heading in the right direction. When we enrolled, I didn't realize that we
would also be getting a second family, the OLL community that comes along with it.
In-Kind & Auction Sponsors
Area Printing OLL is a family. Parent involvement is huge and that helps us all succeed and watch our
Caracara Tapas Bar & Restaurant children thrive. Teachers, students and parents have a level of respect that you may not see at
Clear Sky Draught Haus other schools. OLL makes our child a better person.
Clearwater Inshore Fishing Fr. Gary is the main reason! He has created a welcoming environment for our children. He
Eddie’s Bar & Grill has evolved the teachings of our faith to encourage our children to be the best versions of
Future Flipz themselves. I believe as a parent that encompasses not only our faith, but academics
Got You Covered Linens & Drapery (including our awesome teachers), the arts, volunteering, and athletics. I cannot stress enough
Jack Pallino’s Pizza that our teachers and staff are the other reason. They have helped create a loving and
Kim Loves Vintage academically fulfilling environment as well.
MOJO Creations The school and parish are truly a family, everyone is there for one another in times of
Pisces Sushi & Global Bistro need. Even in the year of COVID, the parish stepped up and supported us when we lost events.
PhoEdin
Prohibition Kitchen & Tap My children have a sense of community and family throughout the school. All the
staff and students work in harmony to keep the school a peaceful, safe, and educational
Risse Brothers Uniforms
environment. No matter what challenges my children may face, I know OLL is the best place
Sea Sea Riders for them to learn and grow together!
Spirit FM
Spoiled Rotten Gift Shop OLL strives to help each child be the best version of themselves. We left public
Tarpon Springs distillery school to join OLL because we were seeking a safe environment that also focuses on
Tom Oldt Flights academics. Our son has thrived since entering OLL at the beginning of the school year. He
has grown both academically and spiritually. He has learned so much about the Catholic faith.
He actually enjoys going to school again and participates actively in class. We couldn't be
more pleased with our decision, and only wish we would have done it sooner!
Page 4 Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School Summer 2021
school of choice for your child’s education?
The staff and faculty of OLL strive to serve and encourage every student on an
individual level, and our community is most special! We are grateful for the ability to send our
children off to school each morning to a loving, Christ-centered environment, where we know
they will grow - heart, mind, soul! There is no place like home...and there is no place like OLL!
There is a sense of community at OLL that I can't imagine having at any other school.
Not only has my daughter developed life-long friends, but we as parents have as well.
They are kind and care about every child that comes through the doors!
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School has had such a positive impact on our son
the last two years. we couldn’t imagine him going to school anywhere else. He is happy, safe,
excelling academically, and growing so much in his faith. We are so thankful for OLL.
In the short time our family has been here we already feel we are at home. My
oldest loves going to school and my youngest is excited to be enrolled next year. We've seen
our daughter flourish academically and has so much confidence instilled in her by the school.
Our children have attended Our Lady of Lourdes for over 10 years. We have loved
being a part of this wonderful community and we adore the teachers and staff. Father Gary has
taken care of us through the years with anything we might need. It's a wonderful and caring
community with amazing teachers and staff.
OLL offers a Catholic education with dedicated teachers, some of whom are
former alumni who believe in the quality education at OLL. OLL is a small, family oriented
church/school community with smaller class sizes that offer children one on one time not
afforded in a larger class setting. Caring faculty and staff strive to offer the best, even in these
trying and uncertain times.
It's our family’s belief that our children's character is a direct result of the time
spent at OLL. The staff and facility echo the same values that our family hold dear. We cherish
the memories made and believe that they will serve our children throughout their entire lives.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School was our family's first choice for our son's
education. When your child goes to school for the first time, it can be a difficult transition period
for the family and the child alike. We were incredibly grateful at how welcoming OLL was to our
family. The entire faculty, staff and Father Gary made us feel comfortable from the start. Our
son has been excited to go to school everyday. His teacher, Mrs. Springer, is absolutely
wonderful and he always comes home eager to tell us about his day. We are so thankful that
he has the opportunity to start his academic career and grow in his Catholic faith with OLL.
I want my kids to learn in a small, safe, nurturing environment that fosters their love
of God. OLL has consistently provided this for my family.
Raising our children in the Catholic faith is extremely important to us. We know the
children are safe and being well taken care of while at school. We love the family environment.
It is a warm, welcoming community whose emphasis is ensuring your child is successful.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School Summer 2021 Page 5
Even In Difficult Times
We Give Back
April 2020 By Jeannie Landeros, School Parent
Dear Father Gary...
I wanted to show you what the boys are up to!
I signed up with The Mask Project Tampa Bay. They are asking anyone who can sew to donate their time
making homemade masks for hospitals, nursing homes, doctor's offices, etc. and they will coordinate
getting the masks to these medical professionals that have asked for them.
I asked around and was put in touch with a lady named Jen Newman. I wanted to see if we could make
and donate the masks in honor of Jackson (Abernathy) and our friend Andres who were both seen and
treated at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, and if the masks we make could go there. And they
said YES! So my mom and the boys are in the process of getting 60 masks to the oncology nurses at All
Children's in Jackson’s and Andres' name.
The Mask Project of Tampa Bay currently has an order of over 19,000 masks that they are trying to fulfill!
My mom is teaching Paco and Chirry to sew, and more importantly, they are learning to give back to the
community, even if their part is as small as a 6" mask!
The Miracle
Page 6 Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School Summer 2021
From the Desk of the Pastor
Dear Miracle Workers,
It is a joy to once again write a letter for our school magazine. I am greeting you as ‘miracle workers’ because
over the past year this is what you have been. Our school remained open, alive, productive and active through-
out a challenging school year, thanks to each and everyone of YOU. Our parish family stepped in, through the
School Annual Fund, to fill what would have been a hefty financial hole with the cancellation of the 2020 Fall
Festival. Generosity flowed from the fountain of loving hearts. There is no doubt that our parishioners believe in
Catholic Education. Not only did the Annual Fund exceed all expectations, but so did our virtual ‘Saints and
Sinners.’ Thank you!
Our children and young people excelled spiritually, academically and creatively with an amazing ‘Virtual
Christmas Show’ (with thousands viewing on YouTube) and an outstanding ‘live’ production of ‘Into the
Woods’ (which can still be viewed on our YouTube Channel). Despite having to wear masks (which are now
optional) our children and young people had a very positive and open attitude, a hallmark of those privileged to
be disciples of Christ. We sang God’s praises throughout the year, especially at our weekly School Masses (which
are once again open to the public). Challenges can either bring out the worst in us or the best in us. As people of
faith, we should allow them to bring out the best in us; not a negative attitude, bringing others down, but a
positive heart. The Angel Gabriel told Mother Mary that nothing is impossible for God. If we don’t lose faith and
trust in God, ourselves and others, doors of grace and possibility always open.
2022 will be a very special year for our school, it’s our Diamond Jubilee. In 1962 Monsignor William DuBois, with
vision and faith, opened our school. We will celebrate throughout the year. Catholic Christians love to celebrate,
just like Jesus! My hope and prayer is that this new school year will see a revival in the practice of our faith,
especially on Sunday at the Eucharist. More and more of us are distancing ourselves from Christ, and each other,
in the Eucharist. If going to Sunday Mass is no longer a priority for us, it will not be a priority for our children and
young people, and if we separate ourselves from the
Eucharist there is no future for Catholic Education.
As we open a new school year, please be assured of my
prayers and God’s abundant blessings,
Father Gary (Dowsey), Pastor
Pastor Day 2021730 San Salvador Drive Dunedin, FL 34698 (727) 733-3776 www.myoll.com
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