Do You Know Jesus?

Baptism of the Lord
Matthew 3:13-17
In today’s Gospel Matthew tells of Christ’s baptism at the River Jordan, and of how the Holy Spirit appeared after Jesus’ baptism announcing to those present that He is the Son of God. This moment is the beginning of Christ’s public life. When we are baptized, the Holy Spirit comes alive in each one of us. There are many symbols in a baptism ceremony that help us to remember the significance of baptism. The oil we are blessed with at baptism represents everlasting life as part of God’s family. The white garment worn is a symbol of purity as a child of God. Candles are given to the person baptized as a symbol that they have received the light of Christ and that the flame of faith burns in their hearts. Every time we make the sign of the cross we are reminded that through baptism we become part of God’s family. It all started for us at our baptism just like Jesus’ public life began with John and the River Jordan. If you have pictures from your baptism, take a look at them. What does your baptism represent to you?

St Joseph Fun Fair
February 2nd - St. Joseph School Hall
What a great way to wrap up Catholic Schools Week by spending a fun filled afternoon with other St. Joseph School families! Hope to see you there!
Friends & Relatives of SJS Families WELCOME!

Presale of Fun Fair Tickets
The day of the Fun Fair tickets will cost 4 for $1.00.  Presale tickets will be available at a cost of 5 for $1.00.  Presale tickets will be available for sale in the following ways:

• Through school mail, click here
• At the Catholic School Week Open House on January 27th  (by the gym)
• During lunch (11-12) on Wednesday 1-30 and Thursday 1-31     

For lunch hour sales please send money and a note for number of tickets.
FYI: Games are 1 or 2 tickets each.  Food can also be purchased with tickets.

Please contact Karen Encher Skala with any questions at keskala@comcast.net or
630-852-0699 

Fun Fair Needs Volunteers!
As always, we need MANY volunteers to help that day. We need help running games, working in the kitchen, running the redemption center and selling tickets. See the Fun Fair schedule for available time slots. Call (630-241-3735) or email sjagielo@sbcglobal.net Cindy Jagielo to sign up to help.

Father/Daughter Dance
Saturday February 23rd
Tickets for this annual event will be distributed in next week's brown envelope.

Bulletin Board

Catholic Schools Week 2008:
Catholic Schools Light the Way
St. Joseph School will begin the celebration of Catholic Schools Week on Sunday, January 27 during our St. Joseph School Open House. This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools Light the Way,” with a stained-glass logo that underscores our faith-based education and the light of knowledge we strive to kindle in our students. We will continue our celebration with special activities throughout the week.
Come see how we light the way!

Sunday, January 27 1:15-2:45
Open House Activities

Open House and New Student Tours. This is an opportunity for prospective students and their families to find out how St. Joseph School Lights the Way by touring the faith filled, academically rich school environment we provide. This is also a chance for students and their families to meet with their teachers, see their students’ work on display, and explore the rest of the school.
Eye Spy Contest
Be sure to pay close attention while touring St. Joseph School in order to participate in our school “Eye Spy” Contest.
Back by popular demand: St Joseph School Basketball Shoot - Out
Don’t forget to stop by the gym to participate in the St. Joseph School Basketball Shoot-Out Contest. We will be accepting donations of a canned good or boxed food item for the St. Vincent DePaul Society at the registration table. There will be prizes for the top scorers in each of the five grade level divisions. All students are encouraged to join the fun!
Science Fair Exhibits. (School Hall) Come and see the 8th grade students’ Science Fair Exhibits on display; they will open your mind to science!
Teacher Appreciation Banner (School Hall) Stop by and write a personal message on a poster to the SJS teachers to show our gratitude for all they do.
Refreshments (School Hall) After shooting some hoops and visiting the teachers, come restore your spirit at our refreshment area for some marvelous snacks and beverages.

Catholic School Week Events
Monday (Jan 28) Morning Trivia Contest Begins
Tuesday (Jan 29) Hot Dog Lunch
Wednesday (Jan 30) Special Performance
Thursday (Jan 31) Buddy Lunch
Friday (Febr 1) Buddy Service Project

The Catholic Schools Week Committee is in need of prize donations for the Basketball Shootout. Specifically we are looking for unused toys, games, sports equipment/apparel or gift certificates that would be of interest for students in grades K-8. We are also looking for volunteers to staff the registration table and Basketball Shoot-out. Please contact Laura Freeman at: freeman98@comcast.net

St. Joseph School Town Hall Meeting
Save the Date - January 29th Town Hall Meeting
The school board is hosting a Town Hall meeting on January 29th. There are many great things happening at our school that the board would like to share with you. We also plan to review the school budget. We look forward to breaking into small groups during the meeting in order to seek your input and feedback as school parents. Please plan to join us!

17th Annual Outstanding Teacher Award
Deadline January 21st, 2008
Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club is sponsoring the 17th Annual Outstanding Teacher Award to recognize a teacher in a Downers Grove area school who is truly special and remarkable in the field of education.

In order to participate, a student must write an essay (approximately 60 words for grades K-3, 100 words for grades 4-8, and 200 words for high school) describing the teacher and what makes him/her special or outstanding. The essay does not have to be about the student’s current teacher. Parents may help those who are too young to write, but the entry must be in the child’s own words.

Deadline for entries is January 21st, 2008.
All entries can be mailed to: Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club Attention: Education Committee, P.O. Box 211, Downers Grove, IL 60515 or e-mailed to: scholarships@dgjwc.org. All entries must be accompanied by the following information: student’s name, grade, address, phone number, teacher’s name, and school. The student with the winning entry will have the opportunity to honor the teacher with a plaque courtesy of the Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club at our March meeting. The teacher will also be honored at our “Taste of the Town” event on February 29th, 2008.

Pictured above is last year's winner: Miss. Gaffud and Megan Geraghty

Cub Scout Wolves--2nd Grade
Meeting Monday the 14th
Just a reminder that our January meeting is Monday, the 14th.
It will be after school in the school hall, and pick-up will be at the usual time of 3:15pm. Please remember to pack a small non-sugary snack for your scout. Any parents who would like to attend the meeting and lend a hand are always welcome and appreciated! Thanks!

Crusader Pride

7th Grade Basketball Champions!
Congratulations to the 7th Grade B Basketball Teams who defeated St. Joan of Arc in the Lithuanian Holiday Tournament to become the 2007 Champs!
(not pictured Liam Lindberg, Andrew Lim, Connor Dimmick)

Basketball Picture Schedule for Tuesday January 15th

Click here for current Basketball News including practice schedules, rosters and games information.
Basketball Schedules / Rosters and Practices

Fundraising

Manna

Manna Order Form
Manna Automatic Withdrawal
Manna Standing Order Forms

Manna begins a new six- month period as of January 1st. When you purchase a minimum of $2500 in certificates/cards within the six- month period, you earn a $50 credit. This credit can be used toward tuition payments, religious education, Principal's discretionary fund or donated to another family. Thank you to all the families that are a part of the standing orders and debit program. Check the web site for sign up forms.

Pre-orders for this month are due January 14th and 28th by 9am to the office or parish center. Sellers for the this week:
Friday, January 11, 9:30am school S. Harte / S. Barrett
Saturday, January 12, after 5:00pm mass L. Krouse / M. McGinnis
Sunday, January 13, after 8:45am mass M. Ruf / M. McCormick
Sunday, January 13, after 10:30am mass T. Galvin / M. Fitzgerald
Friday, January 18, 9:30am school K. Lobes / T. O'Brien

Community News

Youth Football Development Program
http://www.btathletes.com/

The Youth Football Development Program is intended to develop both strength, skill, and speed through a 6- week training agenda.
Sessions will be held once a week: (6) 1 and 1/2 hour sessions.
BTAthletes training staff includes ex-collegiate athletes, strength and conditioning coaches, personal trainers, and youth football coaches. Classes will be limited to 25 youth players per session. This will allow for our training staff to easy evaluate players to make improvements, increase strength, and develop skills through repetition. Registration Information

Club Saturday Nights at the Indian Boundary YMCA for 6th - 8th Graders
Looking for a place to hang out with your friends? All teens in 6th-8th Grade are welcome to attend Club Saturday Nights from 7:00-10:00pm! January 19 - February 16 - March 15
$5.00 per teen (pre-register) $8.00 per teen (at the door)
DJ / Swimming / Rock Climbing / Dancing / Basketball / Volleyball / Raffles
For more information contact Shannon at 630.968.8400