Deck the (Charles) Hall!

The 5th grade GIFT class has been working hard this Advent season. They've collected lots of great items... spent some time making them into ornaments... and even more time decorating the trees and the tables (and even the ceiling) in Charles Hall.

The 1st graders helped them to create the ornaments, and the 6th graders pitched in as well, making fleece tie scarves.

What for?! For Tuesday's Table guests, of course!

"Watch" the story on the slideshow below :)

You all did a beautiful job turning Charles Hall into a Christmas Wonderland :)

It's Beginning to Sound A Lot Like Christmas...

We're still fully immersed in the Advent season, but because of the upcoming holiday pile-up, GIFT doesn't meet again until after the Christmas season has ended...

So we have to recognize it somehow :)

Here's a BEAUTIFUL rendition of a Christmas song (I'll let you discern which song it is!) by the 5th grade "Jar Choir."

hint: you may have to crank your volume :)

A Beautiful Advent Wreath...

Once again proving that the most beautiful things come not from the store but from the work of our very own hands :)

The Genesis class made an Advent wreath. If you look closely, you'll find that they've written out good deeds & great actions that they can do with their family this Advent season.

What a great way to count down the weeks to our celebration of Christ's birth at Christmas, as we recognize his actions in our lives today, and look forward to when he comes again.

This is one amazing wreath!

Book Fair News (and Thanks Too!)

Thank you to everyone for volunteering and shopping at the book fair in November. The fair was very successful! Many interesting and fun books were donated to the library. I took the library profit in Scholastic dollars. This method gave a return to the library totaling 60% of all sales. We are able to purchase library materials and books using this process. Thank you everyone for your support.


On the weekend of February 14, in the church basement, I will have Catholic books for the Lent and Easter season. The books will be sold at cost. This is not a fundraiser, simply a means to provide families who are interested in spiritual enrichment. Thank you ---- Cindy Marach


Thanks SO MUCH Cindy for all that you do to bring Book Fairs to St. Joe's :)

The Wreath In Action!

The 6th graders led our Advent prayers and lit the first candle last night during our GIFT gathering.

                   

Pardon the poor pictures - the camera was on an odd setting - or maybe the camera operator was a bit distracted!!! Either way, I apologize!

                   

 The items in front of the podium are some of what has been contributed so far for the 5th grade GIFT Advent service project. These items will be made into ornaments and hung on a tree in Charles Hall for all guests of Tuesday's Table.

There's still time to contribute... drop off items at the Parish Center, or have your child bring them to GIFT on December 16th. Hats, mittens, candy canes, Little Debbie snack cakes -

"if you bring it, the 5th graders will string it!!!"

Moooooooore Turkey, Please!!! (Bowling, That Is!)

Turkey Bowling has long been a tradition - a messy one in the past - here at St. Joe's. TYME youth would gather to throw very frozen (and well-wrapped) turkeys down the lanes in Charles Hall. But, with Pam's brainstorm to use cleaner, more durable "turkeys," & Mary Allison's skills in weighting the "turkeys" with rice, Turkey Bowling can now be enjoyed by everyone!

This morning in Little Church, after practicing our listening skills as we heard the story of Samuel, who listened when God talked to him, and creating our own Thankful Turkey centerpieces, we headed off to the gym for some bowling!

Check out the pics of our star bowlers (and find out why the word turkey often appears in quotes in this post!)

Take Time to Give Thanks...

As we all get ready to celebrate the holiday set aside to give thanks, don't forget in the midst of planning where you'll go for dinner at what time, what you'll bring to the meal, or who can pick up Great Aunt Milly :) to take some time to call to mind all of the blessings in your life... and give thanks for each one!

Here are a few ideas from the Genesis class to get you started...

GIFT Goings-on...

Here's a peek at a few of the fun things that happened tonight during GIFT :)

Gathering in the gym to kick-off the night

6th graders putting their personal touch on the 2009 GIFT Advent wreath

The finished wreath - with a contribution from all GIFT students

3rd grade made some beautiful & "handy" Advent wreaths of their own

The Genesis class participated in an age-old St. Joe's tradition...

Can you figure it out?

These are some pretty big hints!

Why it's Turkey Bowling, of course!

The 2009 Bowling league :)

That was just a small taste of the fun "goings-on" on a Wednesday night. Thanks for following us on the blog! Have a Happy & Blessed Thanksgiving :)

A Saintly Segue!

Here's a note from Cindy Marach on the upcoming bookfair. Note that the bookfair will be open during GIFT classes on Wednesday, November 18th, so parents and students, come ready to shop & support St. Joes!

"I am unpacking Saint books for the upcoming bookfair. Be sure to stop in to the Parish Center Nov. 18 through Nov. 25. There will be Catholic books and Scholastic books for sale. Hours are: Wed., Nov. 18, 4:30-8:30p.m. School days Thurs, Nov. 19 through Tues., Nov. 24, 8:00-4:00 p.m., Wed., Nov. 25 8:00 - noon, after all Masses on Nov. 21 and 22. Something new; Books N' Breakfast 6:30a.m.-8:00a.m. Parents only, Thurs. Nov. 19 and Tues. Nov. 24. See you at the book fair!"

                                                            Cindy Marach

Thanks Cindy for all of the work you do setting up the fair, and keeping us informed :)

The Saints Go Marching In

We had a special procession at the 10:15 Mass for All Saints' Day. Several of St. Joe's youth dressed as a saint, wore a saintly crown, or carried a symbol of that saint as they processed in before the Mass.

Many saints were represented, including Saint Katherine and Mary, the Mother of God. Saint Maria Goretti (left), Saint Francis of Assisi (middle) and Saint Vincent de Paul (right) are pictured below :)

Thank you to all of those who participated. And if you weren't able to be there? No worries... just start thinking of who you'll be next year!

Growing in Faith Together

It was wonderful to see all of the youth and the KIND & FAITHFUL catechists (though I may be a bit biased!!!) at our first GIFT session.

I did have a bit of a shock when I realized that the students currently in the 6th grade were brand new 1st graders in my first year here at St. Joe's! The title of the program - GIFT: Growing in Faith Together - certainly took on a whole new meaning for me!!! It's such a joy to witness them grow (in faith and in life) through the years.

I had intended to post pictures from the first night of GIFT, but though I thought of it many times, I just never had the camera in hand!!! So please tune in on Thursday for pictures from our equally special second night of GIFT!

GIFT Begins This Wednesday!

The textbooks have arrived... the catechists have their materials... it must be time for a new year of GIFT to begin!

I'm looking forward to kicking off the year this Wednesday! I'll see you all on Wednesday, 5:00, in the school gym!

Fall Festival & Catechetical Sunday...

St. Joe's parish is a hoppin' place this weekend!

Fall Festival Activities start up at 4:00 today with the Liturgy with the Lima Polka Choir. The KCs will be serving a pork dinner from 4:30-7:30; there will be entertainment in the "big tent" after the mass with the Lima Polka Choir immediately after mass, followed by Ranger Rudy and the Swingin' Wingtips from 7:00-10:00 PM.

There will be cake walking, chalk drawing, scarecrow building, veggie racing, movie watching, bingo playing and MUCH MORE, so come down and check it out tonight and tomorrow!

At the 10:15 Mass on Sunday, we will call forward all catechists and teachers of the faith for a blessing at the mass as we celebrate Catechetical Sunday. If you see a catechist or a teacher or a mentor out and about this weekend (and all year), please thank them for the wonderful work they do in forming our youth in faith.

I'll see you at the Festival!

Safe Environment Information for Parents and Catechists

As we gear up for a new year of Religious Education classes at St. Joe's, we again focus on ensuring a safe environment for all students and volunteers.

Parents and catechists, please use the following links to read the Green Book, and the Red Book which address Diocesan policies and guidelines in regards to providing a safe environment in which students and volunteers can Grow In Faith Together.

Students will watch a short 15 minute video on safety during the GIFT year. I haven't set the exact date, but more information about the video will be sent home in advance of the date it is shown.

Want to know more? Click on this link to view the complete Diocesan Safe Environment policies and forms.

2009-2010 GIFT Calendar

If you've misplaced your GIFT calendar... or maybe just want to quickly check on a date or a time... this is the place to go! Click on the calendar to view it in a larger window, or even save or print a copy.

GIFT: A Look Back...

I promised a look back, and this slideshow delivers! Watch St. Joe's youth as they grow in faith (and in height!) from 2005 to the present :)

GIFT Catechist Meeting

All GIFT Catechists,

Please stop by Charles Hall (the Church basement) at 6:00 PM on Monday, September 21st &
...Sign or fill out your Safe Environment forms...
...Pick up your teacher's manuals and planning materials...
...find out about a GREAT source for lesson & activity ideas...
...Just say "hello!"

I'll see you there :)

A Look Back: Little Church 2009

As Mary Zweber and I prep for a new year of Little Church - and continue to finalize the calendar for the 2009-2010 year - here is a fun look back at some highlights from last year :)

Fun & Faith at Action City in Eau Claire

Thank you to all of the St. Joe's youth who attended the 2nd Annual Eau Claire Deanery Rally at Action City! And a GIANT thank you goes out to the parents who provided transportation and even stayed for the event. St. Joe's was very well represented on Friday!

The pizza and soda were delicious and refreshing... the band "rocked the house," and Pat Brueggen shared an excellent message. And of course, the go-karts, maze, mini-golf, bumper cars, rock-climbing wall, laser tag and other games were a BLAST!

If you weren't able to be there this year, don't worry! We'll see you there next year!

Watch the Catholic Times for an article on the event, and keep checking the blog for some pictures from the event :)

Check Out the NEW Confirmation Site

The NEW St. Joe's Confirmation blog is up and running. Check it out at St. Joe's Confirmation, or use the link under "My Blog List" on the left side of this page to get to the site.

As we start a new Religious Education year, watch both blogs next week for some "blast from the past" slideshows highlighting the last 6 years of Little Church, Kid's Club, GIFT and Confirmation!

Get Your Pictures Here!

See a picture you like?



Maybe you're IN the photo?

Well, if it's on the blog, it's yours! Right click on a picture (or flyer or form) to save it to your computer, and/or print it!

Picture too small to see? Click on it to enlarge it in a new window. Try it with the picture of Cody the dog at the top of this entry. This works 99% of the time - I apologize for the photos that can't be enlarged (like the Lambeau Field picture above!)

Have any questions on how to use the blog? Want to leave a message (or just say hello)? Click on "comment" below any of the entries and follow the instructions to leave a comment :)

Religious Education Registration Weekend

Registration for all of St. Joe's Religious Education programs will be after the masses on Saturday, August 29th and Sunday, August 30th.

Registration packets for students in pre-school through 6th grade, as well as for the Confirmation program can be picked up at any of the masses and completed on the spot, or mailed/dropped off at a later date. (Any packets that are not picked up will be mailed the following week).

TYME & Big TYME registrations, which were mailed previously, can be dropped off as well.

Parents, grandparents, college students and high schoolers, please consider volunteering with one of our Religious Education programs! We need you!!!

6th-12th Graders: You are Invited!!!

Call (715) 232-4920 ext. 12 or e-mail emily.revak@menomoniecatholic.org to register today!!! We'll see you there!!!

Rockin' Crocodile Dockin' Time!

We had a BLAST at St. Joe's Crocodile Dock! The weather cooperated and added to the bayou atmosphere :)



We learned about - and shared in - what the Israelites experienced: plagues, crossing the Red Sea, and this Bible story - any guesses?



We painted some CRAZY bugs, made whistlers, lanterns, turtles and of course, our ADVENTURE VESTS!

We worked hard to stay COOL and HYDRATED...

Ready...

Set...

Crossing the Red Sea with a little help from friends :)

Enjoying some refreshing punch...

...icy popsicles and delicious watermelon :)

And we always make time for photos!!!

Bayou essentials - many hats :)

A (somewhat) serious pic on the dock...

... and a (very) goofy pic too!

Crocodile ROCKIN' with our parents, grandparents and friends...

These people know how to "get down" and have a great time!

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to all of the wonderful youth leaders and parents who helped out during the week! Thanks for showing us all the way :)

Thanks for another great week at Kid's Club!!!

Fall Festival Countdown Continues!

St. Joe's Fall Festival Weekend is approaching rapidly. Join us Saturday, September 19th and Sunday, September 20th for fun and activities the entire family will enjoy.

Watch the bulletin for details, and make sure you contact a member of the Festival Committee to sign-up to help out!

Coming Soon!

Watch in the coming month for calendars, photos, fun trivia and more on the new St. Joe's Religious Education blog!

For now, have an excellent and safe summer!

Blessings from SJRE :)