Do You Know Jesus?

First Sunday of Advent
Matthew 24:37-44

            Today’s Gospel story is about leading good lives so that when the Son of God returns, we will be ready. The Gospel reminds us that Noah was one of the few prepared for the floods that God sent.
            Advent is a time to think about the second coming of Jesus. We need to ask ourselves if we’re ready for Christ’s return. Being ready does not mean that we have to be extraordinary. It means that we should do the ordinary things in our lives well - being honest, being fair, being helpful. Basically being good Christians.
During Advent make a promise to yourself to do the ordinary things in your life well. What one thing will you promise to do better?    

FROM THE DESK OF MRS. STASI

eMessenger
Just a reminder any information that you would like inserted via the brown envelope must be approved by Mrs. Stasi. We are continuing to work on reducing the amount of paper being sent through the school. Important school information will always be included in the weekly eMessenger. In order for our parents to participate in the fundraisers of their choice, all fundraiser information may be easily printed from easy links in the weekly eMessenger. Please lend us your cooperation in supporting this initiatives.

Winter Recess is Here!
As we head into the colder months, please remember to send your children to school with warm coats for recess. Students will go out for recess on all but the very coldest days, so, hats, scarves and mittens are a must! Boots are also a good idea when there is snow on the ground. Girls will not be allowed outside with bare legs on cold days. Please send them to school with pants, sweats or PJs to cover their legs if they are wearing skirts. We hate to see their sad faces when they aren't allowed out. Questions? Contact Ann Klein 630-963-9281

Special Thanks from the SJS Staff

SJS teachers and staff send special thanks for the food and fun at the Hoe Down. Many teachers took part and enjoyed themselves tremendously. Mrs. Stasi made it a birthday party for her husband! Together we celebrated the great success of the evening! On behalf of all of us at St. Joe's, we thank ALL of those who assume leadership positions and those who contribute their time and talent as well as their funds to help pass on God's Word through their support of Catholic Education.

Bulletin Board

2007 Christmas Concert
Thursday December 20th
Noon Performance Students will wear their uniforms for this performance. Third Grade's Live Nativity will bring their costumes and change at school. Church doors open at 11:30am.
Evening Performance 6:30 pm Church and School doors open at 6:00pm. Students in grades K-2 and 4-5 will wear their Sunday best/dress up/church clothes. Students in grades 6-8 will wear church appropriate white tops and dark bottoms. Third grade Live Nativity will come to the church wearing their costumes. Grades K-3 report to the church basement. Grades 4-5 report to the school hall. Grades 6-8 report to their homerooms.

A Women’s Evening of Prayer, Reflection & Holiday Dinner
with Sister Rosemary Rafter

On Monday, December 10, at 6:30 pm, a very special event will take place at St. Joseph Parish. Women of the parish will gather in the church hall to pray, reflect and share a meal with Sr. Rosemary as she prepares to retire after giving twenty-five years of her life in service to our parish. All women of the parish are invited and welcome ~ whether you have had the pleasure of knowing Sr. Rosemary for twenty-five years or you have recently joined our parish! Take advantage of this evening during the busy holiday season to relax and enjoy the company of other women.
Call friends and send in your reservation today. The evening will include prayer, a reflection by Sr. Rosemary and a lovely holiday dinner. $20.00 per person will reserve your place. We must have reservations no later than December 3 for our caterer. If you would like to help with decorations, set-up or clean-up, please contact Beth Harbauer, Marta Spiezio or Helen McAlpine at the Parish Center.

We welcome any assistance! Please RSVP by Monday, December 3, 2007 Drop off or mail your response to St. Joseph Parish Center, 4824 Highland, Downers Grove, IL 60515

Please make check payable to St. Joseph Church
Name(s): _______________________________________________
Phone #: _______________________________________________
Amount enclosed: _______________________________________

St. Joseph Holiday Shopping


Manna Holiday Order Form 
Printable Manna Holiday Form                                                                      
Limited time only – additional offerings            
November 26th, December 3rd, 10th & 17th

Orders due by 9am Mondays – checks made payable to St. Joseph Parish
____ Pick up order – school Fri 9:30, mass Sat 5:00, Sun 8:45, Sun 10:30, or Parish center
____ Send with Messenger child ____ Automatic withdrawal

Restaurants                                             Retail
______ Auntie Anne’s $10                    ______ Circuit City $25/$100
______ Bennigans $25                         ______ Fannie May $20
______ Buca di Beppo $25                   ______ Footlocker $25
______ Buffalo Wild Wings $25             ______ Harry and David $25
______ Buona $10                               ______ KB Toys $20
______ California Pizza Kitchen $25      ______ Land’s End $25
______ Champs $25                            ______ Linen’s and Things $25
______ Cheesecake Factory $25           ______ Lowes Home Imprmnt $25/$100
______ Chuck E Cheese $10                ______ Macy’s $25/$100
______ Claim Jumpers $25                   ______ Shutterfly $25
______ Egg Harbor $15                        ______ Sharper Image $25
______ Famous Dave’s $25                  ______ Staples $25
______ Honey Baked Ham $20             ______ Steve and Barry’s $25
______ Houlihan’s $10                         ______ William Sonoma $25/$100
______ Old Country Buffet $25             ______ CVS Pharmacy $10
______ Spaghetti Warehouse $25                       
______ Max and Erma’s $25
______ Pizza Hut $10                                      
______ Qdoba Mexican Grill $25                                      
______ Applebee’s $10                                                    
______ Rockbottom $25
______ Sweet Tomatoes $10                 
______ Dennis Uniform $20
______ Brunswick Zone $10
 Specialty ______ Dennis Uniform $20______ Brunswick Zone $10

My Total Order is over $400 ______          **include my standing order
Free $10 Starbucks card ___            or                Free $10 Bath Body Works card ___
Free $10 Panera card ___                 or                Free $10 Downtown Downers ___
Order Total:  _______         
Name:  ___________________________    Parish Number:  ___________

Questions?  Contact Sue Errichiello (960-0835) or Cindy Jagielo (241-3735)

Mom's Calendar

This fall the students from 7th and 8th grade participated in the ‘Classroom Projects’ portion of the Hoe Down fundraiser.  Their project was a ‘Mom’s 13-month Calendar. The calendar contains 13 months beginning in January 2008 and is decorated with original artwork created by all of the students.  Each month has the day/date down the left side and headings along the top for all family members, beginning with Mom.  It also includes school and national holidays. 

This very unique and creative calendar is still available (by pre-order) for only a few more days!  Don’t miss out on this chance to become extremely organized in 2008 and enjoy a fun creation by the students.
Thanks for your support. Any questions, please call, Maureen McCormick @ 630-964-9396.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name________________________________ Phone______________________________________

# of calendars @ 30.00 each______________TOTAL _________________________________
Orders are due by December 7th c/o Sean McCormick Room 201. Delivery will be made by December 21.

Santa's Secret Store @ Santa's Workshop

When: December 2, 2007  1pm-3pm
Where: St. Joseph’s School Hall
Why: To celebrate the holiday and to raise money for the Children’s Hospitals of Illinois Computers on Wheels Program. More information on the web site www.iajhsc.orgunder service project.
What: An afternoon of fun, crafts, and treats! You can even have your picture taken with Santa! Don’t forget to check out our raffle prizes and take your chances on winning a real tree and much much more!
Who: All St. Joseph’s Schools children and families.
Cost: $5.00 per child $25.00 family max. All children must be accompanied by at least one adult! All money goes to Children’s Hospitals of Illinois Computers on Wheels Program.

OPERATION: SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!

Our Second Grade Cub Scouts and our Second Grade Brownies will connect on Monday, Dec. 3rd in the School Hall to share their meeting making drawings and cards for the 65 Marines that serve with one of their teacher's son. There will be approximately 34 scouts involved with parent and older students support.

They are also doing a collection of the most popular items requested by members of our military this time of year. The Scouts will be sending four smallish boxes of goods, plus the artwork. These will be mailed on the December 4th so it they will arrive in time for Christmas! Overflow of goods from the collection will be taken to Operation Support Our Troops in Lisle on Saturday, who ship to other members of our military who are serving overseas for no charge.

If you want to give to others this holiday season, you can! Cash donations for postage ($8.95 per flat-rate boxes - small shirt-sized box) or items can be dropped off at the school entrance by Monday, December 3rd.

Requested at this time of year are: nutrition/meal replacement bars non-refrigerated sausage (Slim Jim, beef sticks, jerky, etc) non-melt candy (we chose lifesavers and M&Ms for our group) newspaper comics men's magazines Some other items that are high on the list of requests are: peanut butter jelly crackers canned soup canned dinners (ravioli, beefaroni, etc) spam unscented baby wipes white socks w/o sewn-on labels

Crusader Pride

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

Football Tradition Continues
Our football program carries many traditions. One of these traditions include the sharing of a poem written by Walter D. Wintle called "The Man Who Thinks He Can", brought to St. Joseph School by former SJS coach, Pete Mastandrea. SJS Coach Pinelli has continued to share this with our SJS players. Boys seem to treasure this, as parents have witnessed it pinned to bedroom bulletin boards. On the "Last Hit Night", SJS team member Peter Danchisin read this poem after his speech.

"The Man Who Thinks He Can"
If you think you are beaten, you are; 
If you think you dare not, you don't. 
If you'd like to win, but think you can't 
It's almost a cinch you won't. 

If you think you'll lose, you've lost, 
For out in the world we find 
Success beings with a fellow's will; 
It's all in the state of mind. 

If you think you're outclassed, you are: 
You've got to think high to rise. 
You've got to be sure of yourself before 
You can ever win a prize. 
Life's battles don't always go 
To the stronger or faster man, 
But soon or late the man who wins 
Is the man who thinks he can. 

Fundraising

Manna

Manna Order Form
Manna Automatic Withdrawal
Manna Standing Order Forms

The Holiday order form is now available. In addition to the standard pre-order form and standing orders, there will be a Holiday order form for a limited time. Christmas orders are due in on 12/3, 12/10, and 12/17. Manna pre-order forms are always available for printing on the web site. If you purchase $400 or over at one time including standing orders, you can select a $10 gift card. The promotion will run from November 16th through December 23rd. Any orders totaling $400 can choose a Starbuck card, Panera card, Bath and Body Works card, or a Downtown Downers gift certificate! The free card can be obtained at cash and carry, and for every pre-order you place from now until Christmas.

Sellers for the this week:
Friday, November 30, 9:30am school M. Anderson / K. Lynch
Saturday, December 1, after 5:00pm mass L. Krouse / M. McGinnis
Sunday, December 2, after 8:45am mass C. Yeo / A. Marciniak
Sunday, December 2, after 10:30am mass J. Wiechec / M. Harnik
Friday, December 7, 9:30am school M. Byrne / R. Musil

Community News