All Parish Organizations are asked to send one representative to the parish calendar meeting on Thursday, June 17, at 7:00 p.m. in Bishop Vonesh Hall. This is a very important meeting for the scheduling of religious, social, academic and athletic events.

Please consider giving a gift to the Diocesan Appeal. Your contribution will make it possible for many of the agencies of the Diocese which minister to the needs of the people to continue their work. To name a few: Catholic Charities, Catholic Schools Office, Vocations, Campus Ministries, Hospital Chaplains, Religious Education and Family Ministries.

We need a minimum of 250 pledges in whatever amount, to eliminate the need to make up our shortfall, if any. Thank you.

Father Jim

Last week you contributed $8,380.50 to your parish. Many and sincere thanks for your continued generosity.

At this time, I want to personally thank Janet Muir, Mary Marconi, and Joan Fenske for their dedication and faithfulness to our Children's Liturgy of the Word during the past year.

The program was very successful and thoroughly enjoyed by the children and parents. Many thanks and God Bless.

Father Jim

Wednesday, June 22, 2004

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Bishop Vonesh Hall
Rectory Basement Meeting Room

Please bring:

Depriving the self of luxuries, things, food, etc., is a matter of personal decision. Doing this is practicing discipline. The result is opening to receive the Holy Spirit's gift of Wisdom. Spending time in prayer is this opening. Join us on Monday evenings for the rosary and adoration at 7:00 p.m.

If you are a young, adventuresome woman between the age of 18 and 40 years and would like to consider Discipleship with Jesus in a Religious Missionary Community, come and explore what this would mean. The Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters invite you to a Discipleship Day at the Convent of the Holy Spirit - 319 Waukegan Road, Northfield, IL, on Sunday, June 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you would like to attend or have questions, contact us:

Joliet Area Community Hospice officially has opened the doors to its new Hospice Home, 250 Water Stone Circle. It is a historic occasion, both for the State of Illinois and the Joliet Community, because it is the first independent, freestanding hospice home to be built in the state of Illinois. Dr. Michael Orenic, hospice medical director stated, "This is another excellent choice in end-of-life care provided by Joliet Area Community Hospice."

Duane Krieger, hospice chief executive officer said, "Joliet Area Community Hospice has had the total support of the community in this important undertaking � without their support, this shelter of love would have never been built and opened to its residents."

For more information about Joliet Area Community Hospice and its many services offered in both the home, the nursing home and now the new Hospice Home, please call (815) 740-4104 and our staff will be happy to help answer any questions you might have.

The First Communion Pictures are in and may be picked up at the Rectory between the hours of 9:00 and 4:30 on weekdays. Thank you.

Sister Loretta

We express thanks and appreciation to the family and friends of Patricia Strle for their generous donations to the St. Patrick Adopt-A-Child fund in her memory.

We also thank Bob and Susan Thacker, Virginia Garvey and other friends of John Wilhelmi for their donations to this same fund.

Do you want to:

1. Increase your personal holiness.
2. Foster a deeper devotion to Mary.
3. Undertake apostolic work.

The Legion of Mary may hold the answer to these questions for you. If interested, persons are asked to contact parishioner, Maria Morrison at 722-9197. Members meet every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home on Wyoming Avenue.

On Saturday, June 19, our Pro-Life Committee will pray from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. at the Abortion Clinic in Downers Grove on 75^th Street. Rosaries and Prayer Books will be supplied. For further information, contact Dave or Stasia Knox at 741-8285.

In a community of faith... We discover the true dignity of each and every person made in the image and likeness of God. No matter how small the unborn, no matter how debilitated, and unproductive the aged and infirm, we must take care of each other. No one is expendable. Each and every person counts in God's sight. The Gospel of Life will always be the centerpiece of the Church's social Gospel.

-- Archbishop Sean Patrick O'Malley, O.F.M.Cap., Mass of Installation as Archbishop of Boston, July 30, 2003

God Bless!

Father Jim

Dear Parents,

This year St. Pat's is looking for some kids who want to have some "tropical fun!!!" Our Vacation Bible School is heading out to Lava Lava Island!!!

Your preschooler through 4th Grade can join us for the fun while older children can participate as "guides" - we will need a lot of help so ask them to come on and join us!!! The island challenge will begin on June 21 and will go until June 25. It opens at 9:00 and closes at noon. We are all looking forward to seeing everyone there!!! The fee is only $20.00 for one child and $30.00 for two or more!!!! The kids who join us will be able to have snacks, make unbelievable crafts, receive a t-shirt, sing songs and learn all about Jesus!!!! Plus there will be a few more surprises along the way!!!!

To sign up your child or your older "guide" just fill in the form below and turn it in with your fee by Friday, June 11 (to the school office or the rectory) Registrations cannot be accepted after June 18 because we want to make sure we have enough time to purchase our supplies.

Yes, I would like to register the following child(ren) in VBS at St. Pat's from June 21st through the 25th.

All Board Members and Block Captains, please attend.

Lord, we gather at this moment to congratulate our graduates. We also gather to challenge them -- because this is just one more step in your great purpose: to make life that much sweeter and graceful for one another.

Graduations mean speeches and diplomas, parties and partings, congratulations -- but also expectations.

Graduations evoke challenges. We tell graduates: Dreams are important; but we also tell them: Dreams happen when we are asleep or just sitting around. Life's message is: Wake up! Roll up your sleeves! Put in hours of hard work! Otherwise dreams will never become realities. Wishes don't wash dishes. Dishwashers do. And dishes stay in the sink or in the dishwasher until someone takes them out.

Graduations mean the closing of old doors with an eye to new ones. We tell graduates: When doors are locked; don't be scared to knock; if no one answers, come back tomorrow; if doors get slammed in one's face, try other doors -- and never just stand there stuck, staring at a closed door. Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking, and doors will open.

Graduations are a moment -- just a moment -- but a somber and serious moment to reflect upon the past -- amazed how I got this far -- grateful to parents, teachers, friends and so many others who helped -- and the to look into the future, moving forward as God's good servants -- always trying to make life that much sweeter and graceful for each other. Amen.

Andrew Costello
Markings Publications