Do You Know Jesus?

Year A: First Sunday of Lent
Matthew: 4:1-11               

In today’s Gospel, the first Sunday of Lent, we hear of how Jesus was tempted by the devil as He fasted and prayed in the desert. Jesus was in the desert preparing for His public life, the period when He traveled and spread the word of God. The Devil tempted Christ by offering him “…all the kingdom’s of the world…” if He followed the devil instead of God. As you know Jesus was not persuaded. He was familiar with His faith for he told His tempter, “The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.” This story, along with all the readings during the season of Lent, encourages us to say yes to God and no to our own selfishness. Like Jesus, we are all tempted to do something that is selfish. But selfish choices draw us away from God. Lent is an opportunity to get closer to God. Our Lent offerings should emphasize doing things for Jesus, rather than just giving something up. For Lent, set short term goals on a daily or weekly basis. Discuss with your family what you will be doing for Jesus during Lent.

Office Notes
Thank you to our school families for their support and cooperation with the snow we dealt with on Wednesday. Also, a special thank you to our extended care families who picked up their children early so that our staff could also go home safely.

Lent
Dear Family,
Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. What do you believe God’s message is for Lent? My response to this question is that God would like us to look at the crucifix. God is saying to each of us; “I love you.” “I love you”. “Remember my love.” “I forgive you”. “I love you.” “Take time to absorb my love.”

Catholic Schools Week
Thank you to everyone who work or participated on recruitment and on the Open House events.
We were pleased and grateful to the alums that joined us for Tuesday’s Mass on short notice.
Evelyn Poulin from the class of ’40 and Deacon Carl Schumacher from the class of ’48 were our seniors. Our current family alums that joined us were: Kathleen (Balsamo) Kuper, Joe Jura, Kevin Spratt, Michael Balsamo, Mark Canty, Maria (Sobieszezyk) Koszewski, Gayle (Aeschliman) Lansdon, Laura McGrath, Deacon Frank Kozar, Krissy Binder and Sr. Dorothy.
Those who are part of our extended family and who returned on short notice are: Marge Dunn, Nancy (Mooney) Sinclair, Many (Dunn) Ploen, Barb (Friebert) Aeschliman, Alyssa Kenny, Jenna Ballweber, Christine Balsamo and Fr. Gerald Riva. Thank you for Lighting the Way!

Keys Found at Fun Fair
Two keys on a black lanyard. The keys are being held in the school office.

THANK YOU!! From Fun Fair Committee
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered to work at this year's Fun Fair! And an extra thank you to all those who worked a little longer to cover an open slot, and to the 7th and 8th graders who also stepped in to fill openings. The Fun Fair was a great success. We couldn't have done it without you.

Penny Wars!
Penny Wars have started this week and Student Council will be collecting coins until Friday. We would like to remind you that we are collecting the money for the Lenten Project for New Orleans. The Catholic Charities of New Orleans will be using the money to help the Senior Citizens. Students can earn change by maybe doing the dishes, laundry, sweeping, babysitting or another household chore. If you haven't earned any change you can always look around the house, in the car or even in the couch! The Penny Wars are a different twist for school spirit while raising money for the Lenten Project. Not all primary grades are participating in the Penny wars, but they are collecting donations for our Lenten Project. Thank you for your participation! Please share this message with your student(s). Student Council

We will start collecting change for our Lenten project February 5th and end on February 8th. Let the PENNY WARS BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bulletin Board

Winter Wonderland Bakers & Decorators Needed
For Father Daughter Dance

Decorating Volunteers
(Convert the school to a Winter Wonderland by blowing-up balloons, decorating the upstairs hallway, etc...)
Friday Afternoon - 1:00- 3:00, 3:00- 5:00, or 5:00-6:30 pm
Saturday Morning - 11:00am-1:00pm

Baking Volunteers
Any type of baked good- finger foods, cookies, tarts, etc... Baked items can be dropped off in the school hall on Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, or Saturday afternoon.

Decorations Needed
Linda is looking for anyone who has any tall, skinny, evergreen trees 3',4' or 5' (fake), that they would consider lending for the weekend to help create the winter wonderland.
Contact information: Please contact Linda Provenzale to volunteer for a time slot and/or to sign up to bring baked goods. Her phone number is 630-963-4188 or email Linda - Linda Provenzale.

You don't have to be the parent of a daughter to help-it is fun!

Help Needed For Pads Meals (Public Action to Deliver Shelter)
Monday Evenings in March

Each Monday evening during the month of March, St. Joseph Parish will be providing a meal for PADS (shelter is located in the basement of the Church, directly across the street from the Downers Grove library). Approximately 90 homeless are served dinner, a safe night's sleep and breakfast the following morning.

Help is needed to provide either a specific food item for the dinner meal or assist in the kitchen during meal time. Church communities are also asked to provide breakfast foods for the following morning.
If you are willing to help, please call the contact assigned to each meal. We will be looking for entrees, salads, vegetables and desserts for each dinner, as well as bulk eggs, bread, bacon and cereal for each breakfast.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
March 3rd
Ham / Contact: Julie Correll at 630-963-6922
March 10th
Turkey / Contact: Chick Briner at 630-960-5072
March 17th
Beef Sandwiches / Contact: Julie Correll at 630-963-6922
March 24th
Lasagna / Contact: Pat Lord at 630-321-1002
March 31st
Meatloaf / Contact: Joanne Norgle at 630-971-3789

Help Needed For Pads Night Staff
St. Joseph Parish is also responsible for supplying Volunteers to staff the overnight shelter. If you are able to work on any of these Monday nights, please contact Dan Troy at 630-969-7925 or Peggy Bills at 630-971-3457. The following shifts are available: 9-11 pm, 11 pm-3 am, 3-7 am. If you have never worked PADS overnight, be assured that you will be scheduled with experienced people!

"Best Pic" Contest
The Yearbook Committee is Sponsoring a "Best Pic" Contest. Submit your best St. Joseph Memory from the 2007-2008 school year. We are in need of photos from school parties, Christmas program, field trips, recess, basketball games, volleyball games, any school related event. Winners will receive a $50.00 gift certificate to Claim Jumpers Restaurant. Submit your image to Yearbook Photos by February 28th .

Yearbook 2006-2007 News
Can you believe that we are in the second half of our school year? Now’s the time to start sending photos for the yearbook. Do you have photos from Christmas parties, Halloween, Football, Basketball and Volleyball games? How about classroom activities, buddy lunch or service projects. Please keep me in mind when snapping your pictures. You can send photos via e-mail or save them on a disc. Please send in the highest resolution possible. If you are sending discs, please send through school to: Nancy Tucker, c/o Kendall Tucker, Gr. 3 / Miss Gaffud.

Spelling Bee Success for St. Joe's Brian Meier!
The winning word? Pinnacle! On Wednesday, February 6th, St. Joseph School's Spelling Bee Winner, 8th grader Brian Meier was one of three (3) top finalists to advance to the DuPage County Final competition at Timothy Christian School, 188 W. Butterfield Rd, Elmhurst. Wednesday's competition included 18 students from private schools in DuPage County.
Meier will compete next in the DuPage County Final on Wednesday, February 27th at 6:15 pm at Lisle Junior High School (5207 Center Ave, Lisle, IL 60532).
Three (3) students will advance to the 2007 Chicagoland Spelling Bee Suburban Finals to be held in March. Congratulations Brian!
The Chicagoland Spelling Bee is the regional competition for the Scripps National Spelling Bee held in Washington, D.C. every May-June. The Chicago Tribune has been a producer of the Chicagoland Spelling Bee since 1982. The regional bee consists of all public, private and home school students in the city of Chicago and suburban nine county region (Cook, DuPage, DeKalb, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will). Over one million students and 5,000 schools participate in the regional competition in Chicagoland. Competition is open to kindergarten through eighth grade students in most counties.

Teacher's Recognized for Years
of Service
At January 29th's Catholic Schools Week Celebration Mass, five staff members were recognized for their Years of Service at St. Joseph. Celebrating 15 years of service are: SJS President Sr. Dorothy, 1st Grade Teacher Miss Krueger, 2nd Grade teacher Mrs. McGlone, and 3rd Grade Teacher Mrs. Moss. Celebrating 10 years of service is 4th Grade Teacher Mrs. Schultz. Congratulations and thank you for your years of dedicated service to St. Joseph School!

2nd Grade Cub Scouts Meeting
Our February Wolf Den Meeting will be held next Monday, February 11.
It will be afterschool in the school hall. Pick up will be at the regular time, 3:15pm. See you there!!

Elementary Catholic School Tuition Assistance

The Diocesan Catholic Education Foundation will award 300 need-based tuition assistance grants for the 2008-2009 school year to elementary school students enrolled in diocesan schools. The grants will be $500 per student, with a maximum award of $1,000 per family. Students entering kindergarten through grade eight are eligible.

The Deadline for applying to facts is March 1, 2008. You can apply online at www.facsmgt.com. If you choose to apply online, remember that all supporting documentation must be sent to the FACTS Office by March 1, 2008. Questions on how to complete the form can be answered by calling the FACTS Office directly at 1-866-315-9262.

A frequent question that is asked is what income level is too high and cuts off tuition assistance. Income is just one factor considered. Other factors include housing costs, number of children, other tuition costs, special circumstances etc.

We cannot give a specific dollar amount as to whether to apply or not.
Families will be notified in May of awards. Additional notification will be sent to the elementary school.

A Note from the Roos!
January 27, 2008 G’day Mates! Second quarter is over and here we are freezing our paws off in the cold Chicago winter. Back home in Hobart, Tasmania, our mums wrote us that it’s in the 20's and sunny. Oops, sorry that’s in degrees Celsius ( that’s in the 70's the way you measure here in the States). But we’ve had some warm weather escapes and some pretty wet ones to tell you about, so we’ll give the drum on our adventures.

CLICK HERE TO KEEP READING THE ADVENTURES OF THE ROOS!

Don’t forget to visit our bulletin board outside the Computer Lab and see all our scrapbook pages. If you have plans for future trips, fun or business, remember to give Mrs. Salek a jingle or write her a note and take one of us along. We currently have traveled 51,568 miles this school year.
We’d all like to see your pictures on a scrapbook page and hear your stories.!

Crusader Pride

St. PAT'S DINNER DANCE
Featuring Live Music by Local Band "Hindsight"

Saturday March 1st
6:30- Midnight
St. Joseph School Hall

Check your Thursday brown envelope today for invitations and raffle tickets.

All proceeds benefit St. Joseph School sports programs and gym class equipment for all grades. Parents may request to sit at tables by classes. It's a great way to meet your child's friends' parents . Dinner includes traditional Irish Fare, corned beef and cabbage, chicken, potatoes, carrots, salad, bread and desserts.

Final Chance to Purchase St. Joe's Basketball
Shoot-out T-Shirt!
Cost: $10.00 • All proceeds will be donated to the St. Vincent DePaul Society. • Approved to be worn on school spirit wear days! To purchase a t-shirt, simply print out an order form by clicking on this link.
Send the form with $10.00 per shirt to: Laura Freeman c/o School Office. All orders must be in by Friday, February 8. Checks should be made payable to St. Joseph School Parent Forum.

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

Pre-orders are due in Monday, February 11 by 9:00am in the school office or parish center. Reminder there is no school the following week, Monday, therefore no manna pre-orders.

Sellers for this week:
Friday, February 8, 9:30am school T. Brandenstein / B. Kelly
Saturday, February 9, after 5:00pm mass D. Criter / M. McDowell
Sunday, February 10, after 8:45am mass C. Piekaraczyk / S. Bowe
Sunday, February 10, after 10:30am mass M. Harnik / J. Wiechec
Friday, February 15, 9:30am school S. Harte / S. Barrett

Market Day News
It's not too late!  Order delicious cookies which are featured this month!  Also don't miss the Lenten seafood specials!  Order forms can be dropped off at school by Friday, February 8, order online by Friday noon, or call Cindy Jagielo 241-3735 by 8pm Friday.

Community News

Kohl's Kids Who Care Scholarship Program
Stand-up kids deserve to stand out. Enter February 1 - March 15 Help Kohl's reward kids whose volunteer efforts have made a positive impact on their communities. Do you know a kid who has cleaned up a park, initiated a food drive or worked with the less fortunate? Children nationwide are making a difference in these ways and so many more. We believe they deserve to stand out. This year, the Kohl's Kids Who Care Scholarship Program plans to recognize more than 1,900 kids and reward over $300,000 in scholarships and prizes. Nominate a stand-up kid today or pass this on to someone who's making the world a better place ... one volunteer effort at a time. Help someone stand out. Visit http://pull.xmr3.com/p/48130-A482/74815205/clickto6.html for more information. Kohl's Department Stores, Customer Service, N54 W13600 Woodale Drive, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

Club Saturday Nights at the YMCA for Members and Non-Members
Looking for a place to hang out with your friends? All teens in 6-8th Grade are welcome to attend Club Saturday Nights from 7:00-10:00pm!
February 16, March 15 $5.00 per Teen (Pre-Register) $8.00 per Teen (At the Door)
DJ Dancing Rock Climbing Basketball/Dodgeball Tournament Raffles Swimming (9-10pm)
Indian Boundary YMCA 711 59th St. Downers Grove, IL. 60516 630.968.8400

If the teens have filled out the waivers at the last event, they do not need to fill it out again. For the new teens that will attend the event they need to fill out waivers.

Climbing Wall Waiver
Guest Pass YMCA Waiver