• Friday Mornings after the 7:30am Mass:
  February 8th through March 14th
  
  
• Wednesdays at 1:00pm with St Patrick's School:
  February 13th through March 12th

Mondays, February 25th, March 3rd and March 10th:    7:00pm-8:00pm
10 minute reflection with Fr. Pete followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The opportunity for Confession will be available as well.

Wednesday, March 12th at    7:00pm
St. Paul the Apostle
Woodlawn Avenue

News and Views from St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
By Your Pastor, Fr. Pete Jankowski

Contemplating the Crucified One with the eyes of faith we can understand in depth what sin is, how tragic is its gravity, and at the same time, how immense is the Lord's power of forgiveness and mercy. - Pope Benedict XVI (Angelus - February 25, 2007)

As we come to the home stretch of this Lenten Season, we have approached the moment in this journey to reflect on the manner in which we have reflected on Christ crucified. The whole point of praying, fasting and giving alms during this Penitential season is to predispose ourselves to a lifestyle similar to that of our Lord, who sacrificed infinitely more than our attempts of refraining from meats or chocolates could ever accomplish. The way to reach heaven is to walk the way of the cross.

In lieu of a parish mission at St. Patrick's, I will once again be offering three reflections during the Season of Lent on "The Three Days" of our Lord's Passion: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday morning. I will offer these ten minute reflections as part of our Monday night adoration sessions on February 25, March 3, and March 10. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and these reflections will begin at 7:00 p.m., followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and confessions until 8:00 p.m. (or until all confessions are heard). If you have not been to confession for awhile, now is the time to "clean house," so to speak. If you have not fulfilled your Lenten sacrifices by now, here is your opportunity to make this commitment.

Here at St. Patrick's, we also have asked our students to participate in the National "Operation Rice Bowl" program, sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In 2007, more than 14,000 parish participated in this program, netting over eight million dollars in revenue for the poor. Seventy-five percent of this revenue is allocated to the Catholic Relief Services program; twenty-five percent of this sum is allocated to each local diocese. For our part, Bishop Sartain sent our parish's St. Vincent DePaul Society a check for $500 in Rice Bowl funds. I ask that you do what you can to support the Rice Bowl program, as well as all the Lenten activities our parish offers for the sake of the salvation of souls.

God Bless.

Fr. Pete

Gloria Dei Vivens Homo (The Glory of God is Living in Man)
- St. Irenaeus of Lyons

Lord, you are truly the Savior of the world; give me living water, that I may never thirst again. This weekend at the Sunday 8:00 a.m. Mass, the special "elect" of our community who will receive the sacraments at the Easter Vigil will participate in the first of three scruti nies in the parish. A scrutiny is a rite at Mass designed for "self searching and repentance and above all, spiritual." There are special changes that take place during the scrutinies at Mass.

Regardless of which cycle of readings we use at Mass each year, the Church returns to the readings from the "A" cycle of the year, since the themes of these readings (the woman at the well, the healing of the blind man, and the raising of Lazarus) are some of the most important in the education of our elect. After the homily during these three special scrutiny Masses, the priest will offer prayers on behalf of the elect and the community is called to pray more diligently for our beloved elect.

The emphasis of our first scrutiny will focus on the importance of the Nicene Creed and the beliefs of the faithful. Please continue to pray for our elect as they walk through the final stages of their sacramental preparation.

Subjects to be covered: "Who is God, who am I?", "How to Pray", "Humility", "Healing of memories", "Healing of addictions", "Virtues of Faith , Hope & Love", "Self Deliverance", "Why be a Catholic", and much more. Please check out
Lenten Retreat.

Eucharistic Adoration is a time of silent prayer and the offering of your daily trials and physical pains for the good of those most in need of God's love; a time of re-creation and a newness of life.

Come join us on Monday evenings in Church for this intimate encounter with Jesus Christ, present in the Eucharist and a communal praying of the Rosary.

Each week, St. Patrick's Vocation Cross travels from home to home throughout the parish as we pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. This week,

will care for the cross. If you would like to participate, please contact the office (815) 727-4746.

Over the 2007-2008 year, parishioners from St. Patrick's Catholic Church are invited to audit our RCIA Sessions in learning the basics of the Catholic Faith. Sessions generally run on Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the Faculty Lounge of the School. As an effort to promote Adult Education in the parish, all members of our community over the age of 14 are welcome to join us for any or all of the sessions listed each week. For more information, please contact the parish office at (815) 7274746.

The beliefs of our faith were summarized in this simple prayer, written in 325 AD and amended in 389 AD. Fr. Pete Jankowski will discuss the background and the effects of the prayer on our faith life today.

1. Everyone 14 years of age or over is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent.
   
   
2. Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 years of age is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
   
   
3. On these two days of fast and abstinence, only one full meatless meal is allowed. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one's needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices are allowed. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige.
   
   
4. To disregard completely the law of fast and ab- stinence is seriously sinful.
   
   
5. Lent is the principal season of penance in the Christian year. All of the faithful are strongly urged to develop and follow a program of vol- untary self-denial (in addition to following the Lenten regulations), serious prayer, and a per- formance of works of charity and mercy.

St Pat's,

My family and I would like to say "thank you" to everyone who helped us after my brother, Bill, passed away. From those that came to the wake and funeral, to the kind words of encouragement, to the beautiful flowers, donations made to my family and to the Adopt a Child Fund, and those that helped with the reception, your thoughtfulness and generosity will never be forgotten. I am truly honored and blessed to be a part of such an extended family at St. Patrick's.-Jimmy Smith

To date, we have collected over $14,881 for our 2nd Annual Alumni Appeal. Last year, we collected over $25,000 for this event. Please be as generous as you can in helping us meet our goal this year of $25,000.

2007 Tax Statements may be obtained by contacting the Rectory. Due to the increased amount of paper required to print statements this year because of a mandatory change by the IRS, we are asking those parishioners who desire a tax statement to call the Rectory at 815-727-4746 ext 55. Or by email at stpatrectory0710@sbcglobal.net. Please plan to leave your name, address and telephone number. Your tax statement will then be available for pick up in the parish office or mailed upon request. Thank you!

St. Patrick's Parish is participating in a wonderful mission program this Lent. We are giving our support to Friends of the Orphans and the children of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos orphan homes in Bolivia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. How can you help? By praying that the mission will be a success or by volunteering to help on a committee or by at- tending the fiesta on April 19th. The day will start with Mass at 4:30pm celebrated by Father Ron Hicks, Regional Direc- tor of NPH - Central Amer- ica. Immediately following Mass, you are welcome to join us for dinner and a Bal- let Folkloric performance by seventeen talented chil- dren from NPH Nicaragua. If you would like to help or make reservations for the fiesta please contact general chair Jane Richards at 815-744-7660.

Evenings of Reflection February 25th, March 3rd and March 10th at 7:00pm in Church. Join us for a 10 minute reflection with Fr. Pete and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. An opportunity for the Sacrament of Confession will also be available.

Natural Family Planning Classes are available throughout the year at St. Patrick's. Please contact John and Barbara Halbur at 815-727-3018.

• February 28 - Operation Andrew Dinner with Bishop Sartain - All men who are high school age or older are invited to Holy Family Parish in Shorewood to have dinner with Bishop Sartain from 6-8pm on Thursday night, February 28. There is no cost for this event.
  
  
• March 1 - Jeremiah Day -Boys in grades 7-10 are invited to Mundelein Seminary on Saturday, March 1, 2008. This day will provide the young men a chance to visit a seminary and experience the life of a seminarian. Cost is $5 per person, which includes lunch.
  
  
• March 1 - Marian Day - Girls in grades 7-10 are invited to Loretto Convent on Saturday March 1, 2008, to learn more about religious life. The day will provide young women a chance to visit a convent and experience the life of religious sisters. Cost is $5 per person, which includes lunch. If you have any questions at all, or would like to RSVP, feel free to call Nora at the Diocesan Vocations Office at 815-834-4004 or e-mail noral@dioceseofjoliet.org .
  
  
• Sunday, March 2nd: St. Bernard's Church at Ster- ling and High Streets in Joliet, will hold a pancake breakfast from 8am until 12noon.
  
  
• Saturday, March 8th: St. Paul the Apostle would like to invite you to their annual school fund raiser Festivale 2008 "A Night in Hollywood". This event is scheduled for March 8, from 5:30 pm to Midnight. Tickets are $30 in advance/$40 at the door and $20 for seniors. Please call Dawn Serrato at 815-744-4158 or emai l at d.serrato@sbcglobal.net for tickets or with any questions.
  
  
• April 11th & 12th: St. Raymond's School is host- ing their Spring/Summer Children's Resale. This is an excellent opportunity to pick up some great stuff or sell off your extra items. Contact Mari at 815-609-0577 for booth space.

The holidays are over so are you ready to spend some time with old friends and make some new ones? Our first meeting for the New Year will be February 28th at 1:00pm in the school gym. Kathy Wilhelmi will revisit future plans for our club. Dues still only $5. All Seniors 55+ welcome!!

• Mass with the Irish-American Society at 4:30pm
  
  
• 4pm-7pm Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner only.
  (Carry outs available.) Join us for the Keigher Irish Dancers and other musical performances all evening. Adult dinner $10, children $7, Seniors $9.
  
  
• 8pm to 11pm: Late Nite Catechism 2 & Special Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner including Carrots, Potatoes & Wine with the meal, Irish Soda Bread and Dessert. Cost is $45 per person.

Contact Kelly Creed at 815-726-0712 or Kathy Johnson at 815254-6044 for questions or reservations. We are also in need of smiling volunteer faces to serve the dinner. (This event is eligible for school points.)

Attention Bakers!

We are in need of individual baked goods for the dessert table. Please contact Kelly or Kathy to volunteer your yummy cookies, cakes, cupcakes, etc.

St. Patrick School Mission Statement

St. Patrick School embraces a mission to provide the finest academic environment for all of our children. We emphasize achievable goals and high moral ethical standards. We instill in our students a lifelong commitment to excellence and dedication to their Catholic Christian faith. Saint Patrick School is marked by a spirit of hospitality, a parent-school and parish partnership with a nurturing atmosphere in which our children develop in mind, body and spirit.