Do You Know Jesus
Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year A
John 17:1-11

John’s gospel today takes place on the night of the Last Supper. Jesus was praying to God, he talked to God and listened to God through prayer. This too is how you can communicate with God. It doesn’t matter when or where you pray but when you talk to God, talk from your heart. What is your favorite way to talk to God? Share it with someone.
            Talking to God is easier than listening to God. Listening is just as, if not more, important. By listening to God that you learn what God wants you to do. God talks to you when you pray. He talks to you in your thoughts and in your feelings. Set aside time everyday to listen to God, what is He telling you?

Office Notes

Brown Envelope is Going Home with Your Messenger Student Today

Please look for the 2008-09 athletic registration packet .  All registrations due by May 15.  Thanks for all your help.

Parent Forum Volunteer
Appreciation Coffee May 20th
St. Joseph's Parent Forum is fortunate because we have a large pool of volunteers who assist in getting things done! At each event, it reminds us how blessed we are by the number of people willing to pitch in. Our school and children benefit by your time and dedication. As a small way to say thank you, we are hosting a coffee in your honor. Please join us after the school mass on May 20th. The coffee will be held in the Church Hall. Please RSVP to Terese Burk or Cathy Metzler via phone or email. Thank you for your time and hope to see you on the 20th!

End of School Year Mass Schedule

As we count down the weeks remaining in school, we come upon awards and special Masses to complete our year. The following is the schedule for Masses and awards, etc for the remainder of the year.

May 6: 8:30am Mass
May 7: 8:30am May Crowning (no mass)
May 13: 8:30am Mass
Our Lady of Fatima; Pin Awards to Altar Servers
May 20: 8:30am Mass
Pins Awards to Choir, Hand Bells and Bell Ringers
May 27: 8:30am Mass
Cap & Gown Mass
May 31: Graduation
June 4: 8:30am Last School Mass

Hear Ye' Hear Ye' Read All About It!!
St. Joseph in the News!

On Friday evening, April 11th, the Most Reverend Lawrence Sabatini, C.S. delivered the Rite of Confirmation to our 8th graders. A beautiful evening, a beautiful event.
We congratulate them all!
View more pictures and read all about it!

Bulletin Board

What is MANNA ? and What Is It All About?

It’s the fundraiser that requires very little effort from you and generates big dollars for our school. Who doesn’t buy groceries and gas weekly? Who doesn’t enjoy trips to Giordano’s? Starbucks? The Tivoli? Purchasing gift cards to these and many more stores and restaurants could offset future tuition increases and other increasing expenses. Did you know…

If each school family bought a $100 Jewel or Dominick’s card weekly, we would earn over $47,000 in profits for St. Joseph School annually?! And if each family bought a $50 gas card weekly, too, that would add almost $12,000!

We need YOU to make the program a success. And signing up for regular gift cards is easy! Please print out a
“MANNA Ongoing Support” form and return it to the School Office today. Or, you may continue to send in weekly MANNA orders; forms are always available on our web site. Thanks for your support.

Boy Scout Troop 80 will hold their annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, May 10, 2008 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon in the Lincoln Room, located inside the American Legion Hall facilities, at 4000 Saratoga Ave., Downers Grove.

The ‘All You Can Eat’ menu will consist of fresh pancakes, delicious sausage, syrup, toppings, juice, coffee or milk. Customized bean bag sets will also be available on sale the morning of the annual fundraising breakfast. Individual customer orders will also be taken.

Troop 80 has been sponsored by the American Legion Post 80 since 1936 and is a member of Tallgrass District (southwestern communities) of Des Plaines Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America. The DPVC council serves 43 communities in the western suburbs.

Troop 80 scouts will be attending Camp Mach Kin O Siew this summer and will use proceeds from this fundraiser for their scouting equipment fund.

The Boy Scout program introduces the teamwork concept where groups of boys learn leadership and self direction with less parental involvement. The mission statement of the Boys Scouts of America is to serve others by helping to instill values in young people and in other ways prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential. The values instilled are based on those found in the Boy Scout Oath and Law growing tomorrow’s leaders through education, training, fitness, outdoor activities and hands-on development experiences.

If you can’t attend and would prefer to send a tax deductible contribution instead, please send to:
BSA Troop 80 c/o American Legion 4000 Saratoga Ave., Downers Grove, Illinois 60515.

Tickets are available from any local Troop 80 area scout or contact Maureen McCormick @630-964-9396. Tickets will also be sold at the door. Costs are only $6 for each adult and youths (12yrs+), $4 for children (4yrs-11), and free for all children under 3 years of age. Parking is free for all attendees.

Crusader Pride

SJS ATHLETIC PACKETS THIS WEEK IN BROWN ENVELOPE
Please look for the 2008-09 athletic registration packet this week.   All registrations due by May 15.  Thanks for all your help.

SJS TRACK FAST FACTS
For important information regarding track visit the blog @ http://www.sjstrack.blogspot.com/

JUMPING PIT GETS RAVE REVIEWS
St. Joes now has it's own long and triple jump sand pit thanks to the work of numerous volunteers. The construction project was lead by Jim McGinnis. Without Jim's gift of his talents and hard work this project would not have been completed. Special thanks go to Dave Bradley for excavating the pit ($1500 donation), Jim's construction crew of Mike Kennedy and Joe Geraghty for constructing the concrete forms, Green Grass for donating the sand ($700 worth), Riley McGinnis, Jack McGinnis, Melanie McGinnis, Craig Harbauer, Rich Krouse, Tom Novotny, Paul Duffy, David Klein, Kevin Spratt, Joe Binder, Rose Binder for their help making this project a reality. The Track Team is very grateful.

Important Information Regarding Sports Physicals
While you're planning your spring break and summer vacations, please take time to schedule your sports physicals for the 2008-2009 sports season. Annual physical exams are required before playing school sports, which includes participating in volleyball and football camps prior to school starting. The physicals should preferably be performed between May 1 & July 15th.
Completed physical forms must be returned to the school office no later than July 15th.

Fundraising

Manna

Manna Order Form
Manna Automatic Withdrawal
Manna Standing Order Forms

Every order in the month of MAY for $400 (cash and carry order, pre-order, or automatic weekly order) will earn a $10 gift card of your choice from the cash and carry boxes.
These include Caribou Coffee, Starbucks, Panera, Stone Cold Creamery, Every Day's a Sundae, Downtown Downers, Anderson Bookstore, Kohl's, Tivoli, or 2 McDonald $5's. Plan ahead and stock up for the summer! Thank you for making this a great year for MANNA fundraising.


Maribeth Ruf will be putting the summer schedule together next month.  Contact Maribeth at maribethruf@gmail.com or Sue Errichiello at errichiello@sbcglobal.net if you are interested.


Sellers for this week:
Friday, May 2, 9:30am school T. Brandenstein / B. Kelly
Saturday, May 3, after 5:00pm mass N. Woods / J. Correll
Sunday, May 4, after 8:45am mass M. Ruf / M. McCormick
Sunday, May 4, after 10:30am mass M. Fitzgerald / M. Hodshire
Friday, May 9, 9:30am school S. Harte / S. Barrett

Summer Camp Information

Youth Football Development Program
Summer Program Starts June 3rd
http://www.btathletes.com/

The Youth Football Development Program is intended to develop both strength, skill, and speed.
BTAthletes training staff includes ex-collegiate athletes, strength and conditioning coaches, personal trainers, and youth football coaches. Classes will be limited to allow for our training staff to easy evaluate players to make improvements, increase strength, and develop skills through repetition.

The Downers Grove Park District Presents
Baseball Hitting & Pitching Specialty Camp

When: June 16-June 19 Where: Memorial Park Time: 1:00-2:30 PM
Purpose: This specialized camp focuses on the mechanics involved in the development of a quality swing and proper pitching skills.  Students receive drill work, individual evaluation and competition. 
Ages: 6-14 Code: 143036-07 Fee: $ 60.00
Clinic: Will be conducted by Jim Fornaciari This clinic sold out last year. Sign-up today!
Equipment: Bring your own bat and glove.
For more information contact the Downers Grove Park District @ 630-960-7250 or www.dgparks.org

North High School Summer Camp Forms and Information

South High School Summer Camp Forms and Information