From the Pastor&

     Summer 2001 -- I hope and pray that you are enjoying these great days.  It's turning out to be an interesting summer, isn't it?  Watching our building approach completion in October, picking out furnishings, planning the landscape.      Before you know it, schools are in session, the "snow birds" are getting restless to head south, the Vikings are  playing, and the community of St. John the Baptist gathers for another Fall Festival.  This year our Fallfest celebrates 20 years, while the Booya celebrates 70 years of tradition.  This year's festival begins with the Gala event on Friday evening, a golf tournament on Saturday afternoon and street dance in the evening and continues on Sunday with the Booya, Polka Mass and Festival.  Three days of fun& Three days to celebrate and to give thanks for faith and community.  We need different rituals in our lives to keep us focused and the Fall Festival is an important ritual in our parish life.
     The Fallfest is the largest fundraiser for St. John's and needs your support to make it a success.  Donating to the Fallfest can be a great experience as families work together to collect items, put together a basket to donate for the Gala, bring pop for the Ring-a-Pop Game or buy prizes for children's games.
     This year's Gala theme is "Cruisin' the Carribean" and will have a silent auction.  However this year will be a little different.  The silent auction will have "ports of call" or themed areas with baskets and/or items grouped by theme.  The ports of call and the items that follow those themes are listed below.  If your family, business or parish groups wants to put together a basket or donate items for the various ports or donate any items to the festival, bring them to the parish center  and let us know what they are being donated for. 

Ports of Call
A Day at Sea
Items that could be enjoyed during your first day at sea: spa day, books/games/cards, video tapes, pizza certificates, blankets, audio tapes, book light, suncare products, foot massager, tabletop waterfall, candles, tropical beverages, Caribbean brands of beer, skeet shooting certificates, fitness supplies, beverage glasses, pillows, coolers, Aveda/Mary Kay products, manicure/pedicare kits, aromatherapy items, haircare/mirror set and etc.

Castaway Basket
Items to enjoy on the island or camping: lawn chairs, kayak, beach towels, sun umbrella, picnic basket, snorkle gear, blender, camping equipment, coolers, water toys, raft, aqua tramp, floatation devices,  water ski/kneeboard, boat, gift certificates (ex. Spectacle Shoppe, Valleyfair, Dayton's, etc.)

Duty-free Shopping
Perfume, crystal, liquor, jewelry, Lladro items, cigars, wine, Caribbean trinkets, shopping certificates (mall, gas, coffee, liquor), and etc.

Midnight Buffet
Culinary items, party planning services, cookbooks, tablewares, certificates (cooking lessons, bakery, grocery, restaurant), fun food items and etc.

That's Entertainment
Airline tickets, event tickets (sports, movie, theatre), limo rides, dance lessons, cabin/condo usage, hotel certificates, champagne and etc.

Captain's Dinner - Father Bill's dinner
We are looking for wine glasses and some special wine to compliment this special night.

Day of Rest
Items to celebrate your faith - bible, rosary, prayer books, medals, artwork, inspirational books/music/tapes, statuary, retreat sponsorship and etc.

     If you haven't already done so, please mark your calendar to join us for three days of fun, September 14, 15 and 16.  Purchase your tickets to join us for the 4th Annual Gala Event at the Northland Inn, sign up the whole family to play in the golf tournament on Saturday, come to the street dance and join us for the Booya and festival on Sunday.  For tickets and information on any events, call the parish office at 651-633-8333.

Fr. Bill