Do You Know Jesus?

Luke 18:9-14
30th Sunday of Ordinary Time

The parable in today’s Gospel is about humility, how we see ourselves before God. There was a Pharisee who knew he was a good person because he followed God. As he prayed, he admitted to God that he, the Pharisee, was a great person and he believed he was better than others. There was also a tax collector who prayed to God and asked God to assist him in leading his life in the right direction. Jesus tells us that the tax collector’s prayer is more pleasing to God because it comes from his heart. What can we learn from this parable? We are reminded that God has no favorites but he welcomes the prayers of those that are humble. The Gospel reminds us that we need to thank God for what we have and to pray to God to make us better people – no matter how good we think we are. How often do you ask for God’s help? How do your actions toward others demonstrate God’s love?

St. Joseph Annual
Book Fair Nov. 1-6

Proceeds Support the School Library

SJS Book Fair Students will have the opportunity to preview the Fair on Tuesday, October 30th, and Wednesday, October 31st, at which time they will receive a wish list to jot down titles of books they may wish to buy. Students will be returning to the fair to purchase books according to the schedule listed below.

Please go over your child’s wish list, follow the instructions on the back, and return it to school on the day they are scheduled to purchase their books. (Checks should be made payable to Anderson’s Book Fair Company. There is no sales tax.)

If you and your children prefer to shop for books together, the fair will also be open after school and over the weekend. Teachers’ wish lists will be posted at the fair for families who wish to donate books to their children’s classroom.

Classroom schedule
Thursday 11/1
Mrs. Schultz, Mrs. Carbone, Mrs. Stillo, Mrs. Kingery, Mrs. Cherney
Friday 11/2
Mrs. Rozylowicz, Mrs. McGlone, Ms. Biernat, Miss Krueger, Mrs. Moss, Miss Gaffud
Monday 11/5
Mrs. Salek, Mrs.Wick, Mr. Murphy, Mrs. Rensch, Mrs. VanIderstine, Mrs. Phelan

Book Fair Hours
Thursday 11/1 8:00 – 3:00
Friday 11/2 8:00 – 3:00
Saturday 11/3 After 5:00 mass
Sunday 11/4 After masses except for 5:00
Monday 11/5 8:00 – 3:00
Tuesday 11/6 8:00 – 3:00

Volunteers are still needed for the following shifts.
Please contact Regina McCutcheon at 630-852-3454 or 630-969-4306.
Tues 10/30 9:30 – 10:50 & 10:50 – 11:30
Wed 10/31 8:10 – 8:45 & 11:30 – 12:15
Thurs 11/1 9:30 – 10:10 & 10:10 – 11:30
Fri 11/2 9:30 – 10:10 & 10:10–11:30 & 12:40 – 1:20
Mon 11/5 10:50 – 11:30 & 12:00 – 2:00
Wed 11/7 8:00 – mid morning packing up the fair

"Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing."

--Harriet Braiker, psychologist and writer

Bulletin Board

Buy It Now!

2 Tickets to Bears vs Saints
Chicago Bears vs New Orleans Saints
Sunday December 30, 1007 - Noon - Soldier Field
SEC 439 ROW 18 SEAT 5 & 6
Buy it Now Price $500.00

Rules for Buy it Now!
1) To purchase the item, select the green "Buy It Now" next to the item and provide your name and phone number.
2) The first offer to Buy It Now - based on time and date will receive the item. Cash, check or credit card will be accepted at time of delivery.
3) Buy It Now item will expire Nov 1 @ 12:00 noon.

8th Grade Annual Coat and Book Drive
November 1 - December 1

The Annual Drive will be starting soon. The 8th Grade Annual Coat and Book Drive for Corkery School, which is the former school of Mrs. Stasi will take place November 1 through December 1. Eighth grade students and parents will deliver the books and coats on December 6. The families who receive the donations appreciate your generosity.

Kids Coats:
Must be clean and needing no repairs.
Drop boxes located in the School Hall.  

Kids Books:
In good condition. 
Drop boxes in each classroom.

Sunday Children's Liturgy
November 2nd & December 2nd 10:30 Mass

Look around at Sunday Mass. Our Sunday worship is filled with the sounds and joy of children coming with their families and households to celebrate God's great love in our lives. If your child (in grade 4-8) would like to participate in a ministry, please print the registration form and return to the parish center by October 30th.
Registration Form

Cub Scouts - 2nd Grade
Wolf Scout Outing - Doerhoffer Park
We will be having a special Wolf Scout outing on Friday October 26. We will meet at Doerhoffer Park near the concession stand at 3pm. Our den will spend one hour cleaning up the park after a short presentation from some of the park district maintenance team. All supplies will be provided. I hope everyone can attend--it will be alot of fun! Please contact Noelle DiBartolo at 630-963-1446 or ndibartolo@sbcglobal.net to let me know whether you will attend or not.

Crusader Pride

The Passing of the Football
14 Year Crusader Tradition
St. Joseph School's football program carries traditions like many schools. Started by 1996 Alumnus, Peter Mastandrea, this ball is passed to the 7th grader who demonstrates leadership in terms of behavior and performance both in football and in life. Eighth grader Riley McGinnis (L) continues the tradition by passing this football to seventh grader and the 14th recipient, Joe Nitti (R). Pictured with them is Joe's dad and SJS football coach, Tony Nitti.

5th Grade Boys A Teams----Clarification In the Messenger

In the Messenger a couple weeks ago, we had said the two boys' 5th grade A teams would be split evenly based on how the top half of the boys scored during evaluations.  However, for classes with two A teams, league rules stipulate that the boys that scored the highest at evaluations are placed on one A team.  The next group of highest scoring boys is placed on a second A team.  The two teams will play in different divisions in the league and will be matched up against teams of approximately the same talent level.  The league rules for splitting classes with two B teams are the same as previously reported, i.e. the teams are split evenly based on talent.  Apologies for any confusion this may have caused.
Rick Aguayo, David Brandenstein and Mike Kennedy

Parents Basketball Meeting Set for November 4th

The mandatory parents' meeting for basketball is Sunday, November 4 at 6 PM (immediately following 5 PM Mass) in the School Hall. There will be a brief general session followed by team meetings where your child's coach who will discuss the upcoming season with you and cover topics such as practice schedule, team rules, philosophy on playing time. Please mark your calendars.

Prescription Sunglasses Found at JV/Varsity Football Game

Found at Crusaders Football game at Madison Meadows Field; under the large tree. Ladies bi-focal sunglasses, tortoise frames. To claim please contact Zoe Goss at (630) 759-4620. If not claimed by end of November, they will be donated to the Lions eyeglass collection. Thanks Zoe Goss

Fundraising

Time to Stock Up on Market Day Pies

Time to stock up on delicious pies from Market Day! Order pies for the Holidays and help us increase profits for our school! French Silk...Apple...Pumpkin Praeline...you decide! It's not too late. Order forms can be dropped off at school by Fri, Oct 26th, order online by Friday noon, or call Cindy Jagielo 241-3735 by 8pm Friday. Thanks for your support!

iPOD,
you POD,
we all iPOD!
Enter to win a
chance for the
iPOD Touch Nano!
Raffle Tickets and Information

Manna

Manna Order Form

"Standing order" program is now available for the manna program. The forms came out last week in the messenger envelope. Just fill our the forms and have automatic withdrawal set up with the parish business office.

Sellers for the this week:

Friday, October 26, 9:30am school M. Anderson / K. Lynch
Saturday, October 27, after 5:00pm mass M. Ruf / J. Correll
Sunday, October 28, after 8:45am mass C. Dunn / B. Harbauer
Sunday, October 28, after 10:30am mass J. & L. Provenzale
Friday, November 2, 9:30am school S. Harte / S. Barrett

Pumpkin Sale Profits!

Thank you to all the families who supported the 8th grade class in their annual Pumpkin Sale last Saturday. We made a profit of $366.00!! Our sale was a huge success thanks to all of you!!

ULTRA FOODS is sponsoring a 5% cash back to community groups. Please save your receipts dated between 10/1/07 and 12/31/07. They can be turned into the blue container by the School Hall or sent to Amy Marciniak c/o Molly Rm 14.

Aurelio's Day is on Halloween Wednesday, October 31st

St. Joseph Youth Ministry continues to prepare for World Youth Day 2008. With less than 300 days to go, many people are already registered - Australia has almost 64,000 and the United States almost 38,000 participants so far! More than 500,000 are expected to take part in at least one WYD event, which will feature the first visit to Australia by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. Aurelio's has agreed to change our fundraiser date from the last Friday of the month to Halloween! Last year the phones "rang off the hook" from the many supporters of St. Joseph-we had the Aurelio's employees busy for hours and hours! To alleviate the "mad rush", please consider placing a pre-order either on Tuesday or earlier in the day on Wednesday. As much as Aurelio's would like to serve you in a timely manner, please remember this is one of their busiest days of the year! Your patience is greatly appreciated! We thank you in advance for your continued support! Please mention St. Joseph Youth Ministry when placing the order and turn in the coupon below when paying.
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PLEASE CLIP AND PRESENT TO AURELIO'S

Aurelio's Pizza 810-0097
940 Warren Avenue (located next to the Tivoli)
*open for lunch & dinner! *carryout & delivery!
We are happy to support the St. Joseph Youth Ministry in their journey to the World Youth Day 2008 Celebration with this purchase!

10/31/07 Name: ____________________ Order Total: $______

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Community News

Halloween Window Painting 2007 is right around the corner!

Attention to all budding artists between kindergarten and 6th grade! Join the Rotary Club of Downers Grove for it's annual Halloween window painting event in the Downtown Downers Grove business district on Saturday only, October 27th, 2007. Official painting time is from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. [LEARN MORE]

DG FRoG Chess Tournaments Begins December 1
The Friends of the Gifted and Talented, also known as FRoG, is a local, non-profit organization in Downers Grove, Illinois. Twice yearly DFrog holds chess tournaments and the next one is December 1st. The tournament is open to all children K-8. For more information about FRoG and the chess tournament - http://www.dgfrog.org/Chess_Register.html. Online registration is encouraged.