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

On May 15, 2007, our nation commemorated her annual Memorial Day in honor of her slain police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. May 15th serves as the annual Memorial Day for our deceased friends of the law enforcement community and National Police Week takes place during that same time. President John F. Kennedy signed this declaration into law on October 1, 1962 and, according to the website COPS (Concerns for Police Survivors), the nation prays for over 13,500 families of police officers throughout the country who have died in the line of duty since then. In 2006, almost 150 police officers died in the line of duty (see www.nationalcops.org/npw.htm).

At that Memorial Service last month, our own Fr. Vytas Memenas (the chaplain of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police) offered the invocation in Washington, D.C. to begin the commemoration. In attendance that day was President George W. Bush, who honored our slain officers with the following words of support: "It takes a special kind of person to serve in law enforcement. Most people run from danger - law enforcement runs toward it. You've chosen one of the toughest jobs in the world. And I suspect during times of dangerous duty or lonely patrols, it might seem like the only person you can depend upon is each other. A day like today I hope not only helps our families, but helps those who serve remember that a larger community here in this country stands with you, that we're grateful for your service" (www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070515-1.html).

Here at St. Patrick's, we are blessed with honoring a group of men and women who serve the Joliet Community and attend worship services with us at church on a daily and weekly basis. Some of them interact on the streets with our local community; some work administrative positions. All of these men and women sacrifice their lives for the protection of all of us sitting in these pews. Today's bulletin recognizes those men and women who serve our community and protect our parish. May God continue to bless them for their dedicated service to our parish, community, and country.

Please pray for those parishioners who serve our local community in the Joliet Police Department:

May God Bless All of You.

Fr. Pete

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

We would like to invite St. Patrick Parishioner's and School Families to submit their favorite recipes (main dishes, desserts, drinks, salads, etc.) for our upcoming cook book. Please include your name and phone number, in case we have any questions. You can drop off your recipes at the school office, parish office or e-mail them to [email protected]. If you have any questions feel free to contact Sonjia Lukas (815)725-3634 or Alicia Tocwish (815)7236563.

If your faith life is not growing, it is dying. For a new growth in your prayer life, decide now to spend one hour on Mondays at 7pm in church and have the experience of praying the rosary in the presence of Jesus in Eucharistic adoration.

Heartland Blood Centers has offered us the use of their Coach (Bus) for blood donation. It is very comfy and air-conditioned! Sign up will be in the Vestibule or by contacting the Rectory.

Thank you for your participation in the 2007 Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal. We are well on our way to meeting our goal. You now can contribute by credit card using the diocesan web page. Go to www.dioceseofjoliet.org and click on Donate now Click and Pledge. This is an easy way for you to help our parish fund the ministries in our diocese that help so many. May God continue to bless you for your generosity.

We currently are at almost 50% of our goal!! Pledged as of May 22nd: $16,396, paid as of May 22nd: $12,074. Thank you for your generosity!

Our picnic will be June 7th at West Park. Come early and stay as late as you wish. Spend time with "Mother Nature" and friends and fellow parishioners. Lunch will be served at noon. Cost is only $2 for members or $5 for guests. Call Pete Valek by June 4th for reservations at 725-1528.

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

We're very excited that so many of you have signed up to be in the directory! Please take this last opportunity to signup in the Vestibule before you leave today. Also, plan to arrive to your appointment about 5 minutes early and give one hour for the whole process. You will have your portraits professionally made, select your proofs and be able to purchase additional portraits at this time. Remember that our directory will be a wonderful tool for our parish. Remember that our directory will be a wonderful tool for our parish, but it won't be as effective if your family is not in it. Sign up today!

If your family will be out of town during the above scheduled dates, please feel free to bring a family portrait of your own to place in the directory. Members of the Armed Forces and our homebound are also invited to bring or send in their individual photos for inclusion in our book. Contact the Rectory during the week for more information or to sign up for your portrait sitting.

After Mass signups will be the weekend of June 2nd-3rd.

Photography Sessions will Take Place:

• Tuesday, June 26th through Friday June 29th, 2:30pm to 9:00pm and Saturday, June 30th 9am to 4:00pm
  
  AND
• Tuesday, July 24th through Friday, July 27th, 2:30pm to 9:00pm and Saturday, July 28th, 9:00am to 4:00pm

If your family will be out of town during the above scheduled dates, please feel free to bring a family portrait of your own to place in the directory. Members of the Armed Forces and our homebound are also invited to bring or send in their individual photos for inclusion in our book.

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, the Paul Ward Family will care for the cross in their home. If you would like to participate, please contact the office (815) 727-4746.

This year St. Pat's is looking for some kids who want to have some western fun! Our Vacation Bible School is heading out West!! Your preschooler through 4th grader 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 fun will begin on June 25th and will go until June 29th. It opens at 9am and closes at noon. The fee is only $20 for one child and $30 for two or more. Registrations are due by June 8th. Please contact the rectory for registration information.

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.