This Fall

Hi everyone, I hope all our graduates are excited about the move to high school!

By now most of you have received a mailing from Marta Spiezio about the upcoming youth program for this school year and I wanted to encourage you to have your student take part . . . especially when considering the Theology of the Body series. This program gives meaning to the "rules" we as parents give our children about relationships and self respect.

I went to World Youth Day in Sydney this summer with 14 St. Joseph teens and saw this program in action there and in the kids own words, "It's amazing!". The teens were able to choose what they wanted to see with music, dancing, and many other speakers available and three nights in a row they wanted to go to the Theology of the Body talks. It truly touched them and they wanted more.

Our St. Joseph pilgrims weren't alone. Each night thousands upon thousands of other teens from around the world packed the venues and cheered on this attitude of respect, hope and love.

From an adults perspective, every one of the chaperones said they wish this "message" had been available when we were growing up. It is a beautiful understanding of why God made us as men and women and that He wants us to know great desire and endless love. But most importantly, the best way to get it is by giving others and most importantly ourselves, the highest level of respect first.

I found a website that gives you a brief video overview of the content www.tobforteens.com/video .

Marta is starting the Theology of the Body program with a girls night in October and a boys night in November and then a joint presentation in January with parents. If you're interested just send back your form and sign up for the youth programs, it's one fee for everything. Theology of the Body is just a part of what she has in store, but your child is not committed to anything more than they can handle. It's no different than signing them up for volleyball, golf, band or any other extra curricular activity. Only Marta won't suspend them if they can't make it :).

If you didn't get a form then call Marta at 630-964-0216 and she'll answer any questions you have and get you the form you need.

Have a great school year!

Kelly Aguayo

P.S. - I'm sorry for using this forum for a personal plug. I just witnessed such power and such hope in watching our youth receive this message that I wanted to share it with you and your children.

Helping the Biederman Family

The following is an email from Cathie Dunn who is organizing help for the Biederman Family:

I hope this finds you well and enjoying the summer.

As you may know, Melanie Biederman has been diagnosed with ALS.

I spoke with Melanie and her family about providing meals for her family. At first they declined the offer, but now they would welcome & appreciate meals delivered for the family. Right now 3 children are living at home Dan Jr. 20?, Drew 17 & Clare 14.

I am sending this note to as many people that I think may know the family, but if you would also pass on the word I would appreciate it. Just give anyone interested my contact information.

We would like to deliver meals to the Biederman's on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They have stated no particular dislikes or food allergies. Anything at all is greatly appreciated. We can deliver anytime after 4pm and see how it goes if we need to change any procedures.

It is very beautiful and moving to see how everyone at St. Joe's puts their faith in to practice. We've seen it so many times in our close knit community.

I will simply put names on a calendar of Tuesdays and Thursday as I receive responses from volunteers.

I will be away beginning on the 9th and I will respond to people once school starts.

THANK YOU - God Bless You - Please keep Melanie in your prayers.

Cathie Dunn
515-9528
dunnfamilydg@comcast.net

More Prayers

Praying the Rosary for Johnny, Janet, Melanie and all others that need it, will be at 8pm in the St. Joseph Church Chapel during Eucharist Adoration. As well the Rosary will be prayed Wednesday night at 8:45pm in the lower level of the Parish Center.

All are encouraged to come!

Miracles are happening all the time through prayer!

Johnny and Janet Update from Marilyn Kasal

Hi All,
Just some quick updates that I was asked to share with everyone . . . Johnny Anderson was transferred from Loyola's Pediatric ICU to the Intermediate Monitored Pediatric Unit yesterday. The family wanted me to let everyone know that he is doing much better and is now able to communicate to the family. They thank you for your prayers.
I spoke with Janet Crosswhite as well who is recovering from a head injury and a fractured shoulder after a cycle collision which occurred a few days ago. She is in the 2 ICU at Loyola. She is feeling much better as well. She wanted me to thank everyone for their prayers.
Our prayers are being answered!

Marilyn Kasal

More prayers for Johnny Anderson

For those who had not heard the details . . . Johnny Anderson, son of Joe and Margie Anderson, was hit by a car on Main Street Thursday afternoon. After being taken to Good Sam he was air lifted to Loyola's Pediatric Trauma Unit.

He is currently in a drug-induced coma and has sustained multiple injuries including a broken collar bone, severely bruised kidneys and liver, a punctured spleen and the most concerning at this time, two severely bruised lungs.

In the first 24 hours after injury the lungs won't show the trauma, but the next 48 hours after that are the most critical. With that in mind there will be two more opportunities for us to pray as a St. Joseph Church Community. After 5pm mass on Saturday 6/21 and after 5pm mass on Sunday 6/22 of this weekend.

We will also be praying for Janet Crosswhite, a mother of two children that both went to St. Joseph's and are now at DGN. She was in a bicycle accident, colliding with another cyclist in a forest preserve in Brookfield and is now at Loyola as well. Janet is in a coma but last night began turning her head in response to peoples voices.

There is so much to pray for. Please feel free to share this email with anyone you know that might want to attend or could simply pray for Johnny, Janet and their families.

Let's Storm Heaven!!!

Johnny Anderson prayer service tonight

St. Joseph's is holding a prayer service tonight at 7pm for 5th grader Johnny Anderson who was hit by a car on Main Street yesterday. He is in critical condition at Loyola. For those of us that want to flood him with prayers as a Community please join us.

As a relative of the Anderson's put it:

"He will be monitored very closely in critical condition at Loyola, but the opinion at this time is that it's a miracle that he is in the position he is in. Keep him and all the Anderson's in your prayers."

Last Chance for YLC!!!

There are several students who have told our Youth Minister Marta Spiezio that they wanted to go to YLC, but have not yet turned in their forms.

And for anyone else who's considering this awesome experience Marta says, "If you sign up, you will look back and be like, "Ya know, I'm glad I chose to go to YLC during the summer of '08" ~ so don't let the pressure to hang around DG get to you! If money is an issue for you please let me know. I don't want you to miss the FAB weekend because you can't get the $$'s together."

The forms and money need to be to Marta by 10am Thursday (6/5) morning in order to get the count in to the Diocese. You can even bring it late Wednesday night to the Parish Center or to Rosary.

Questions, call Marta at the Parish Center at 964-0216.