Believe it or not, it is time to start thinking about our Annual Oktoberfest!

This year's Dates:     Saturday, Oktober 14^th, from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, Oktober 15^th, from 1:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Grand Prize Tickets:   these will be mailed the first week of September.       

"Marketplace":   this market needs NEW items, large or small, such as toys, kitchen gadgets, cameras, lamps, artwork, furniture, beauty supplies, exercise equipment, floral arrangements, knick-knacks and bric-a-brac, silk or dried flowers, lace or needlepoint items, wines and spirits, etc.     This marketplace can also use gift certificates for the theatre, movies, department or specialty stores, sporting events, vacation homes, etc.      This market additionally needs lots and lots of baskets of all sizes, colored cellophane and ribbon.      Please contact Marie at the Parish Office:  818 - 889 - 1279 or Debbie Meier at 818 597-1464 .

Used Books:   Just that: any and all used books, hard cover or soft cover.   Drop them by the Parish Office.

Cake Walk & Sweet Booth:   homemade or store bought cakes, pies, cookies, fudge, breads, rolls, pastries, jellies and jams, and candies.      Whenever making some of your favorite desserts, why not make an extra or two and freeze it for the "Oktoberfest".

Booth Sponsors:    sponsors are needed for our "Oktoberfest 2000" booths to offset the cost of renting them.     Platinum Sponsor:   $200.00 fully covers cost.      Gold Sponsor:  $100.00 covers half the cost.      Silver Sponsor: $50.00 covers one-quarter of booth expense.

The name of your family and/or any business advertising will be prominently displayed on your booth.    Make you checks payable to: "St. Jude's Oktoberfest".     Please include your name, address, and phone number, plus the name and location of your business when submitting your donation.      This is a tax-deductible donation.

Donation Drop Off:    please drop off all donations in front of the Parish Pastoral Office, except spirits and wine as these items must be kept out of reach.

NB:    We do not have any use for "Used Household Items" or "Cast-offs".    That booth did not do well for several years, and has been cancelled.

Food Booths, Games Booths, and Rides (more Rides than ever before at St. Jude's --- all that we are permitted by our limited space).

Volunteers are needed:   to chair and to work booths, to help make boutique items, to solicit booth sponsors, to solicit new items and gift certificates from local merchants, to sort books and other donated items, and to also put together baskets for the "Marketplace".    Leave your name and phone number and best time to call you with Parish Office, and someone will definitely quickly get in touch with you.

More info:   please contact Carolyn Chowanec, Chairperson 818    Father Dan or Marie at the Parish Office:   818 - 889 - 1279,

Encuentro 2000 will hold its next Session Wednesday Evening, September 27^th, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.     All are welcome!     The theme for this session is:    "Sharing our Histories in Christ . . . How can we help all members of our parish community to share and contribute their gifts and customs and talents, and so truly make our parish community reflect all its many members."

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 7^th, 8^th and 9^th, we will be joining the Bishops of our nation at the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown LA.      Friday afternoon all participating will be divided up into groups, with each group lead by one of the US Bishops.   If interested in car-pooling, please call Joe Bowman or leave a message at the Pastoral Center.

Encuentro 2000 is the National Celebration of the Jubilee Year by the Catholic Bishops of the United States.     In each parish throughout our country, six participant friendly sessions are being held with the goal of bringing together ministries that make-up our American parishes and improving on how we interrelate.     New parish members are particularly encouraged to attend and get involved.

We meet to discuss and learn, not to challenge nor to judge, nor to try to change others.    Rather, through dialogue, we seek to develop better strategies for our parish to welcome all, celebrate racial, ethnic, cultural, and other group diversities.

All are encouraged to attend.      If you have any questions, please call Joe Bowman at 818 - 889 - 6879 after 6:00 p.m.