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

Howard County Sheriff Jerry Marr got a disturbing call one Saturday afternoon a few months ago. His 6-year-old grandson Mikey had been hit by a car while fishing in Greentown with his dad.

The father and son were near a bridge by the Kokomo Reservoir when a woman lost control of her car, slid off the bridge and hit Mikey at a rate of about 50 mph. Sheriff Marr had seen the results of accidents like this and feared the worst. When he got to Saint Joseph Hospital, he rushed through the emergency room to find Mikey conscious and in fairly good spirits.

'Mikey, what happened?' Sheriff Marr asked. Mikey replied, 'Well, Papaw, I was fishin' with Dad, and some lady runned me over, I flew into a mud puddle, and broke my fishin' pole and I didn't get to catch no fish!' As it turned out, the impact propelled Mikey about 500 feet, over a few trees and an embankment and in to the middle of a mud puddle. His only injuries were to his right femur bone, which had broken in two places. Mikey had surgery to place pins in his leg. Otherwise the boy is fine. Since all the boy could talk about was that his fishing pole was broken, the Sheriff went out to Wal-Mart and bought him a new one while he was in surgery so he could have it when he came out.

The next day the Sheriff sat with Mikey to keep him company in the hospital. Mikey was enjoying his new fishing pole and talked about when he could go fishing again as he cast into the trash can. When they were alone Mikey, just as matter-of-fact, said, 'Papaw, did you know Jesus is real?'

'Well,' the Sheriff replied, a little startled. 'Yes, Jesus is real to all who believe in Him and love Him in their hearts.'

'No,' said Mikey. 'I mean Jesus is REALLY real.' 'What do you mean?' asked the Sheriff.

'I know he's real 'cause I saw him,' said Mikey, still casting into the trash can.

'You did?' said the Sheriff.

'Yep,' said Mikey. 'When that lady runned me over and broke my fishing pole, Jesus caught me in His arms and laid me down in the mud puddle.'

May God Bless All of You.

Fr. Pete

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

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

Why is Eucharistic Adoration for our parishioners so important? Everyone who has friends talks often to them. This ongoing communication is the answers to having intimate friends you can trust. How can Jesus be your intimate friend unless you have ongoing communication with Him? This is personal prayer-silence time.

Every Monday evening from 7:00pm to 8:00pm Jesus is on the alter at Adoration making it possible to spend time in intimate communication nurturing you with love. "Silence is the language of God."

Diocese of Joliet
2008 Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal

This is a reminder to send your Annual Appeal coupon with payment to the Diocesan Annual Appeal Office by the 15th of each month. We meet out parish goal only when pledges have been fulfilled. Thank you.

As of May 27th, we have $15,144.00 in pledges from 123 families, which is 41% of our goal.

Catholic Charities Daybreak Shelter is the largest non-profit homeless shelter in Will County Illinois. At this time they have 56 people living at the shelter. This number includes Men, Women and Children. They are in need of personal care items such as: Deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream and razors, soap and shower gel. A collection bin is available in the Church by the Food Pantry Bin. Thank you St. Pat's!

• Canned Corn
  
  
• Canned Tuna Fish
  
  
• Canned Potatoes
  
  
• Canned Peas
  
  
• Canned Green Beans
  
  
• Canned Mixed Vegetables
  
  
• Pork & Beans
  
  
• Ramen Noodles
  
  

• Breakfast Cereal
  
  
• Canned Tomatoes
  
  
• Stove Top Stuffing
  
  
• Dry Pasta of any style but especially:
  • Spaghetti
    
    
  • Noodles
    
    
  • Macaroni
    
    

Save your Ultra Foods and Strack and Van Til receipts! Receipts from March 3rd through June 1st will earn 5% for the parish! When the School collected these last fall, they raised $400! Contact the Rectory for details.

• June 23-27: Vacation Bible School
  
  
• August 18^th: Joliet Jackhammers!

Join us here at St. Pat's June 23rd through June 27th from 9am to noon for a fun time this summer! Registration forms available in the School office and at the Rectory. Limited spaces-so reserve yours today!

The Young at Heart Club of St. Patrick's is planning a trip to the Performing Arts Theatre in Munster, Indiana to see the musical "Phantom". The date is July 30th. The cost for bus, lunch and play is $60 payable by July 3rd. For reservations, please call Joyce Hutten at 815-744-1188.

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

...of St. Pat's is gathering names of all of our parishes veterans. With being in existence for 170 years, we may have had veterans defending our freedom as far back as the Mexican-American War. Please contact the rectory, or any member of the Men's Club with our heroes' information. Please spell the veteran's name, branch of service and when he serve. There will be a special Mass held at the St. Pat's cemetery on July 4th followed by a picnic offered at the parish. All are welcome.

Communion pictures and discs are in the school office and may be picked up during office hours of 9:00am to 12:00pm.

• June 21st and every third Saturday of the Month, the traditional Latin Mass will be celebrated at 8:00am at Poor Clares Annunciation Monastery, 6200 East Minooka Road in Minooka, Illinois.
  
  
• Sunday, June 22nd at St. Joe's Park in Joliet. 12:00pm to 9:00pm: Lockport Firefighters Local 1544 presents Summer Bash. This Union Fundraiser and Benefit for IAFC Burn Camp Picnic. Food, beverages, Kids games, Raffles, Bingo and Music.
  
  
• Sunday, June 29th at the 10:30am Mass: St. Paul the Apostle Church invites one and all to a special Mass with Most Reverend J. Peter Sartain, to officially begin in the "Year of St. Paul" as well as officially install our pastor, Fr. Gregory Rothfuchs.
  
  
• June 28-29, 2008: St. Joseph Parish in Joliet will hold it's annual homecoming fair at St. Joseph Park at Theodore and Raynor Streets. Saturday is 5-10pm and Sunday is noon to 10pm. Free Admission!
  
  
• June 28-29, 2008: St. Joseph's Parish in Joliet will hold its annual homecoming fair at St. Joseph Park at Theodore and Raynor Streets. Saturday is 5-10pm and Sunday is 12noon to 10pm. Free Admission!
  
  
• Heading out of town this summer? Locate a Catholic Church and their Mass times by going to www.masstimes.org or by calling 305-598-7490.

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.