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

The Fifth in a Five-Part Series on the Eucharist

�To prepare for worthy reception of this sacrament, the faithful should observe the fast required in their Church. Bodily demeanor (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest.� -Catechism of the Catholic Church #1387

This week, I would like to speak about the manner in which we prepare to receive the Eucharist. The illustration that authors often use in speaking about this preparation focuses on the way we prepare for a job interview, going to a wedding reception, or attending a special dinner. At these events, the way we dress, act, and the way we attentively participate in the event shows respect for the person we honor.

In the case of the Holy Mass, the person we honor is the Lord our God, who is infinitely more important than those in life we meet at a wedding or a job interview. Here are some basic rules we should follow in order to show the proper respect to our Lord:

Everyone needs to be fed by spiritual experiences. Every Monday at 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. we experience the presence of Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration and the Rosary. Come and join us in Church for one hour. All are welcome� Come and be fed!

Come and experience the Eucharist every FIRST FRIDAY beginning after morning Mass and ending with Benediction for the Repose of the Blessed Sacrament.

Monday, September 4th is Labor Day. Mass will be celebrated at 8:30am that morning. The parish and school offices will be closed that day.

Being Catholic�means engaging ourselves courageously, in mind, will and body, in the work of Christ. This work is to unite all things in Christ and so bring everything to the fullness for which it was created. �from God�s Mercy Revealed: Healing for a Broken World

Thank you to the following generous donors in support of our children! From Virginia R. Garvey in loving remembrance of Ralph Fenelli.

In today�s first reading, Joshua challenges the people to decide whom they will serve. Recalling God�s faithfulness to them and to their ancestors, the people declare, �We also will serve the Lord , for he is our God.� May we, too, be mindful of God�s gifts to us and renew our commitment to serve Him with grateful hearts.

Summer is here, and many will plan vacations and family outings away from the parish. Please also remember to continue your support for St. Patrick�s Church by including your weekly donation in your family plans and mail your contribution to the rectory while you are away. Thank you for your giving spirit!

Many thanks for your support of our Joliet Diocesan Church! Your sacrificial gift is deeply appreciated. Any amount is gratefully acknowledged and helps us reach our goal.

How does a donation to the Diocesan Appeal help? The many services to the poor and needy in our community benefit greatly from a gift to the Appeal. When we give as a parish, even a single dollar from many people makes a big difference.

Concerning Bulletin Inserts and Handouts in Church: All inserts and handouts MUST be approved by the Pastor in advance and must be �Rated G� in nature for the community at large. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

The Young at Heart Club is planning a trip to Springfield, Illinois on Monday October 16th. The all-day trip will tour the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. The bus will depart at 7:00 a.m. and return at approximately 8:00 p.m. Dinner will be at the Shooter�s Buffet in Bloomington, Illinois. The cost for the day will be $50 per person. This fee covers the bus, tour and dinner. Reservations may be made with Joyce Hutten at 744-1188. Make checks payable to the Young at Heart Club. Full payment must be made by September 15^th.

Altar Server Training at St. Patrick�s�. On September 13th, 20th, & 27th (three Wednesdays) from 2:45pm to 3:45pm Fr. Pete invites all students in the fourth or fifth grade and older to learn about the basics of Altar Serving. It is important for students to attend the first two sessions. On September 27th, those servers interested in serving at weddings and funerals will meet from 2:45pm to 3:45pm as well. For more, info, please call Fr. Pete at 815-727-4746.

PLEASE NOTE: The Rectory, Church and School are in the process of having all locks and keys changed as well as an alarm system installed. If you have a meeting scheduled, please contact the Rectory prior to ensure that the meeting room is accessible.

Attention Adults in the Parish!! Do you wish to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and/or Eucharist? The RCIA process begins on September 17th. For those adults who wish to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and/or Confirmation this upcoming spring, the classes for the 2006-2007 Rite of Christian Initiation for adults (RCIA) begins on Sunday, September 17 in the Bishop Vonesh Hall in the Rectory. This is a wonderful opportunity to complete the initiation process and to become involved in our parish community. If you would like more info, please contact Loretta Crawley at 744-1145 or locate the RCIA flyers in the Narthex (Vestibule) of the Church.

The first period in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults ( RCIA ) is the period of evangelization and the pre-catechumenate. This period is a time for inquiry and introduction to Gospel values, an opportunity for the beginning of faith, unbaptized adults are drawn to inquire about the Catholic faith through the life and example of the local parish and its members, whom they see devoted to God through prayer and good works. Thus evangelization, in which the Good News is proclaimed in word and deed by all the baptized, becomes an important ministry in every Catholic parish. Evangelization is the way in which God calls unbaptized and un-churched adults to believe in and live the Good News. But we who are already baptized must live that Good News so that God can call others to Him through us.

Rosary Walk for Life�..to pray for the closing of Access Health Center/Abortion Clinic. Saturday, September 23rd, Mass at 9am with Bishop Kaffer at Divine Savior Catholic Church at 6700 Main Street in Downers Grove followed by a 10am Peaceful Rosary Walk to Access Health Center. A closing Benediction at Divine Savior Church will be at 12:30 p.m. Contact Sarah Halbur at 727-3018 for information.

St. Patrick Religious Education Program is now taking registrations for new students. You can register at the rectory Monday�Thursday 9am until 4:30pm and Friday until 12 noon or by call the rectory at 815-727-4746.

Sacrament Fee for First Communicants and Confirmation Students�$20.

Our classes meet on Sunday mornings from 8:30am to 9:45am.

Our first class is on Sunday, September 24th.

Any new student not baptized at St. Patrick�s needs to submit a copy of his/her baptismal certificate upon registering.

Students transferring into 8th grade (Confirmation program) must provide documentation that he/she has attended 6th & 7th grade religion classes.

Fr. Pete & St. Patrick�s In conjunction with the Cathedral of St. Raymond Michelle & Denis Brunner Youth Ministers at St. Ray�s invite any High School aged student to attend this Catholic Youth Pilgrimage. We are excited to invite the St. Patrick�s teens to join us on this Pilgrimage to Sydney and the Land Down Under. Fr. Pete will join our group as our Chaplin for this 2 week experience in July of 2008. We will schedule an informational meeting in September. The meeting will include potential fund-raising and cost cutting programs. Please call the Brunner�s @ 815-577-6185 by September 10^th to RSVP for attendance at the information meeting.

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.

For additional information about our parish school, please visit stpatsjoliet.com/stpatjolietschool.html or Church/School Calendar