Do You Know Jesus?

2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A
In today’s Gospel John the Baptist makes it clear to followers that Jesus is the Son of God. John recognized that Jesus is the Lamb of God when he saw the Holy Spirit coming down upon Jesus. John’s evangelization prepared people to be ready for Jesus when He started His public life. Today, as always, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are with us in our daily life. How do you encounter Jesus and the Holy Spirit? This week watch for Jesus shining through in the actions of others, and in nature. Share these experiences with someone you love and try extra hard to be like Jesus. Remember, “God does not command that we do great things, only little things with great love.”*
* Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Special Lunch
The last Special Lunch order form packets for this school year will be going home through the brown envelopes this Thursday. Extra's will be available  in the school office.  

Special Lunch Volunteers
Also, we are still looking for one or two people to take over organizing special lunches.  Ideally I will be able to assist for one more year, (my daughter will be in 8th grade) so please, consider one or two of you working on this committee.  It is not a difficult job at all and gives you the opportunity to meet new people and provide a service for parents.   But as all things go, if no one volunteers, Special Lunches will go away.  Sorry if this sounds harsh but that is why we are trying to transition this to new people.  Think about it.....
Thanks Nancy Gelwicks

The volunteer list for the rest of the year was sent out before Christmas break. If you did not receive it, just send me an e-mail and I will send you one! Once again a big thanks to all the helpers every Monday... we would not be able to do it without you!!

Catholic School Week Hot Dog Lunch
We are in need of volunteers to help with the Catholic Schools Week Hot Dog Lunch on Tuesday January 29th. Please contact Sheila O'Meara to sign up!

Yard Signs
Thanks to all the families who have offered to promote the school in their front yards. Volunteers will be around on January 28th to pick up the signs, so please do not throw yours out. Show your school spirit and wave you St. Joseph Flag during Catholic Schools Week. Contact Michelle Geraghty to purchase St. Joseph Flags.

Ben & Jenny Wettle new address: 
2378 Rossini Rd
Dayton, Ohio  45459
937-439-5266 
cwettle@sbcglobal.net   

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!

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 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

Catholic School Week Basketball Shoot - Out
Sunday, January 27 1:15- 2:45 Grade Divisions K-8 in the Gym
All students are invited to shoot hoops by themselves or team up with an adult to win prizes and have lots of fun!


Donation: 1 Canned Good or Boxed Food Item (cash donations are also accepted)
Prizes for Top Scorers in Each Grade Division Division 1: Grade K
Division 2: Grades 1&2
Division 3: Grades 3&4
Division 4: Grades 5&6
Division 5: Grades 7&8
New This Year.........
Commemorative St. Joseph 2008 Basketball Shootout T-Shirts will be on sale for $10.00. All profits will be donated to the St. Vincent DePaul Society. For more details click here.

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 Fun Fair
February 2nd
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 Volunteers Needed!
IT’S FUN FAIR TIME!!  This year’s Fun Fair will be held on Saturday February 2nd from 11am-3pm. 
We need people to work 1 or 2 hour shifts. If you are interested in volunteering, please call  
Cindy Jagielo at 630-241-3735 or email: sjagielo@sbcglobal.net   
Thanks in advance for your time!

ALLEY OOPS_____ BATTER UP         BUMPER CARS                                                  
11-12                       11-12                       11-12
12-1                         12-1                         12-1
1-2  Cherie Spinosa  1-2                           1-2          
2-3                           2-3                           2-3          

CRAZY BALL        CROSS BOW           DARTSDUCK POND
11-12                       11-12                     11-12 Janet Fosket
12-1                         12-1 Janet Fosket    12-1
1-2                           1-2  Jill Smart         1-2 
2-3                           2-3                        2-3 Kim Harbauer

DRIVING RANGE  LOLLIPOP TREE   5 PIN BOWLING
11-12                       11-12                       11-12
12-1                         12-1                         12-1
1-2                           1-2                           1-2 
2-3                           2-3                           2-3

PLINKO                 POTTY TOSS         SHOOTING STAR
11-12                       11-12                       11-12
12-1                         12-1                         12-1
1-2                           1-2                           1-2
2-3                           2-3                           2-3          
                                                 
FIELD GOAL         BASKETBALL       TIN PAN ALLEY
11-12                       11-12                       11-12
12-1                         12-1                         12-1 
1-2                           1-2                           1-2
2-3                           2-3                           2-3

REDEMPTION          KITCHEN               TICKET SALES
11-12                       11-12                       11-12
12-1                         12-1                         12-1      
1-2                           1-2                          1-2                    
2-3                           2-3                           2-3                                                             
                                                                                                                                               
CLEAN UP

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

Crusader Pride

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.

The next pre-orders for this month are due in January 28th by 9am to the office or parish center.
Sellers for the this week:
Friday, January 18, 9:30am school K. Lobes / T. O'Brien
Saturday, January 19, after 5:00pm mass N. Woods / J. Correll
Sunday, January 20, after 8:45am mass M. Menard / B. Harbauer
Sunday, January 20, after 10:30am mass C. Jagielo / M. Hodshire
Friday, January 25, 9:30am school M. Byrne / R. Musil

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

Father / Son Baseball Clinics
Prepare your son for the upcoming baseball season. This two-evening event focuses on developing correct fundamentals involved in pitching and hitting while giving fathers the opportunity to interact with their sons.
Location: Rec Center
Ages: 8 -14 years old
Hitting: 2/10 SUN 3-4:30 pm
Pitching: 2/24 SUN 3-4:30 pm
For complete details click here.

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.

Super Saturday Classes offered by FRoG
Registration is now open for the winter session of SUPER SATURDAY CLASSES offer by FRoG. Classes are open to all children in and around Downers Grove. Some classes are available to parents as well. This session we have returning favorites such as Spanish, French, cooking, science and chess, but have added Hawaiian Hula, Intro to Law and Cartooning. Please take a moment to see all the truly wonderful and unique offerings available. FRoG is non-profit and word of mouth is very helpful.
http://www.dgfrog.org/Super_Saturday_Register.html

Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players are coming back to Downers Grove's Tivoli Theatre!
A one-hour family concert , Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, 10:00 a.m. Doors open at 9:30. at the Downers Grove's Tivoli Theatre.
You won't want to miss one of the nation's exceptional children's musicians, right here in Downers Grove. If you still need convincing, a portion of proceeds will benefit Family Shelter Service, so you can feel good about having a fabulous time. His CDs are available through Amazon.com, Borders, iTunes, The Land of Nod and more. This concert is proudly presented by Downers Grove Area Newcomers, and sponsored by Pugi, Pure Health and Wellness, Reporter/Progress Newspapers, U.S. Cellular and Maximum Printing and Graphics. For more information, visit dgareanewcomers.com. Thanks! Hope to see you at the Tivoli Jan. 26!
Justin Roberts Concert Information