If you will be out of town during August, do remember that Tuesday, August 15^th, is the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary into heaven.     It is a Holyday of Obligation in our country.      All Catholic Christians are required to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist in honor of this Mystery of Faith.

When you arrive anywhere, please take time to find out where and when Mass will be celebrated on the Day or the Vigil.

The Conejo Valley Shelter for Abused Women is in desperate need of funds.    The name and the address of the shelter cannot be published, in order to protect the residents.    All must be done to keep the residents' abusive partners from learning their whereabouts.

Please give all funds to our Parish Office and we will forward your donations to the shelter.

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":   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.     The marketplace can also use gift certificates for the theatre, movies, department or specialty stores, sporting events, vacation homes, etc.   We also need 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 expenses of the Oktoberfest.

.     Platinum Sponsor:   $200.  Gold Sponsor:  $100.00 .      Silver Sponsor: $50.00

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.

The first weekend of every month is our Respect Life Awareness Weekend.     That's next weekend!

Although many in the current women's rights movements have made legalized abortion on demand one of the main items on their agenda, it is interesting to note that the founders of the women's movement in this nation were principled and courageous foes of abortion.    In fact, the founders insisted that abortion is killing of innocent babies and that it denigrates the sacredness of human life.

For instance, Susan B. Anthony called abortion "child murder".    Elizabeth Cady Stanton described abortion as "infantcide".

Of course, abortion is only one aspect of respecting human life, as His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, reminds us.    Respecting Life means defending life against all that harms any life:  war, famine, capital punishment, murder, suicide, euthanasia, enslavement, domestic violence, etc.   His Holiness during this Jubilee Year is emphasizing the mass usage of capital punishment, and he invites us to join him in working to remove capital punishment from our nation and all nations.     Life is sacred from womb to tomb.      As His Holiness notes, and the as Revised Catholic Catechism states, capital punishment should be used only in the most notorious of situations.     And as Pope John Paul II reminds us again and again, he knows of no current situation anywhere in the world that calls-out for capital punishment.

His Holiness also asks us to work to prevent euthanasia.     No matter what our pain, no one may authorize his/her life be ended unnaturally.     No one has to undergo extra- ordinary measures to stay alive.     But no one can end his/her life either.

Stop by our Respect Life Table and look over the material.     Remember there are cassettes and videos you can borrow and take home.

Remember our "Crib Project"!      We monthly gather items for newborn babies and small infants:   cribs, high chairs, disposable diapers, blankets, toys, baby clothes, bottles and powdered formula, baby hygienic care items such as powders, soaps, etc.