Liturgy of the Eucharist: Eucharistic Prayer Part II Part IX in the Parish Liturgy Series

Transcription

1 Liturgy of the Eucharist: Eucharistic Prayer Part II Part IX in the Parish Liturgy Series NOVEMBER 13, RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME The Mystery of Faith After the consecration the priest announces: The mystery of faith. This brief invitation parallels the announcement the reader gives after proclaiming the scriptures: The Word of the Lord or the words of the communion minister who says, The Body of Christ. It s just enough of a cue to elicit our response. We have been accustomed to four choices of Memorial Acclamations. There are only three acclamations in the revised Roman Missal. The one we may be most familiar with Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again! is not found in the Latin Roman Missal and so it was deemed appropriate to delete this acclamation. There is a good reason for its elimination. The style and intention of the congregation s response is a direct prayer to the Lord. Christ has died! Christ is Risen is a response about the Christ s saving death and resurrection but it is not directly addressed to the Lord. The three prescribed responses in the new translation better convey the richness and depth of the Paschal Mystery and are more explicitly linked to scripture. For example in the second acclamation we will sing: When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again. This acclamation is a direct reference from St. Paul s words to the Corinthian community found in 1 Corinthians 11;26. The response to the Mystery of Faith is intended to be the congregation s response and so the priest is not expected to sing the acclamation with the congregation, just as he s not expected to make the communicant s response when he says, The Body of Christ. All three acclamations get to the heart of what we do when we celebrate the Mass. We call to mind the saving Death and Resurrection of Christ in such a way that the effects of that mystery are as real and present for us today as they were when Christ died on Calvary and appeared to his Apostles three days later. The congregation s participation at this high point of the Mass teaches us that all the baptized are celebrants of the liturgy. As the Catechism tells us: It is the whole community, the Body of Christ united with its Head, that celebrates (CCC 1140). The Preface dialogue, our acclamation of the mystery of faith and our great Amen at the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer remind us that we are not passive spectators of the liturgy but active celebrants. Reaping the full benefits of the Mass will depend on how well we predispose ourselves to what God offers us through the sacrifice of Christ. When we come to Mass it s not just a matter of our saying prayers to God, but opening our hearts to the action of Christ in the Mass who saves us through this Eucharistic Sacrifice. Reflect on the words of the Eucharistic Prayer: We offer you his Body and Blood, the sacrifice acceptable to you which brings salvation to the whole world (Eucharistic prayer IV). Listen attentively to what is achieved in the celebration of the Mass: Grant that we, who are nourished by the Body and Blood of your Son and filled with the Holy Spirit, may become one body, one spirit in Christ (Eucharistic Prayer III). As we participate in the Eucharistic Prayer with full attention and the desire to be intimately included in what is being prayed, the words and action of the Mass begin to shape and form us as God s holy Church. You can hear that desire in phrases like: Bring your Church, O Lord, to perfect faith and charity may your Church stand as a living witness to truth and freedom, to peace and justice, that all people may be raised up to a new hope (Eucharistic Prayer IV). Our intention at Mass is not only to seek God s favor upon us in the present but to prepare us for the glory that awaits us. One of the most beautiful passages in the revised Missal found in the Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation I is intended to uplift our spirits and set our hearts on what is yet to come: Help us to work together for the coming of your Kingdom, until the hour when we stand before you, Saints among the Saints in the halls of heaven, with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, the blessed Apostles and all the Saints, and with our deceased brothers and sisters, whom we humbly commend to your mercy. This is just a sampling of the richness we will hear in the revised translation of the Missal. As we learn to take these prayers to heart our participation in the Sacrifice of Christ will most assuredly grow stronger and be more fruitful for our lives and the life of the Church. 2011, R. Lewinski Getting Ready for the Changes at Mass Reflect upon your participation in the Eucharistic Prayer. How do you see yourself as a fully active and conscious participant? Take the three acclamations of faith that we sing after the consecration and pray them several times daily, taking one acclamation a week. Talk with your family about how you can make the Great Amen a resounding response to what the Lord does for us in the celebration of the Eucharistic Mystery.

2 Liturgical Ministers November 19 and 20, 2011 Mass Times Lectors Eucharistic Ministers 5:00 PM 7:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:30 AM J. Powell T. Powell Deacon D. Harmon S. Harmon J. Sinkovec J. ballwanz M. Marciniak P. Sullivan C. Sullivan C. Kasamis M.K. Titus K. Lenzen Deacon D. Prezell E. Tauscher K.Aspegren M. Tekampe P. Tekampe L. Zucco M.Sikorski L. Ippolito J. Johnson C. Lutzow Deacon B. Aden R. Fisher J. Fisher J. Murphy M. Stumpf H. Stumpf B. Consdorf W. Pohl M. Pohl K. Pieniazkiewecz M. Turner E. McPherson Deacon O. Santo- Trinidad A. Thompson C. Thompson S. Poletto M. Schofield T. Schofield A. Ellis M. Crutcher Mass Intentions Monday, November 14 8:00AM Paul Hertel req. Richard Behm & Family Tuesday, November 15, St. Albert the Great, bishop and doctor of the Church 8:00AM St. Mary Senior Club members living and deceased Wednesday, November 16, Saint Margaret of Scotland; Saint Gertrude, virgin 8:00AM Mike & Sherry Schmidt req. The Gene Schmidt family Edward Billick req. Genevieve Billick 9:15AM Joe Prest req. Michael & Claudia Fisher Thursday, November 17, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, religious 8:00AM Helen Poletto req. The Poletto family Friday, November 18, The Dedication of the basilicas of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Rome, apostles, Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, virgin 8:00AM Intentions of Roger Fisher family Saturday, November 19 5:00PM Dan & Carol Sladek 51st Wedding Anniversary Albert Hakala req. Justine Schwartz Joseph & Mary Frankowski, Sr. req. The Pasciak family Elmer Berquist req. The family Auda Prosperi req. Penny Elwood Tom Steiner req. Betty Steiner Sunday, November 20 7:30AM David R. Sweeney Barbara Kast req. Lou & Sheila Bosshart 9:30AM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation 11:30AM Special Intentions for Beauvis family Roy & Dorothy Behm req. The Ambrus family Rosalie Waszak req. John & Kathy Waszak Isabelle Dudley req. Pat Dallao Week Ahead Sunday, November 13 Hosptiality St. Mary s Moms Craft Event 9:30AM Childcare 9:30AM Liturgy of the Word for Children 2:00PM First Reconciliation Meeting Monday, November 14 8:30AM Eucharistic Adoration Meeting 12:00PM St. Mary Senior Club Meeting 6:30PM Pastoral Council Meeting Tuesday, November 15 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 9:30AM Mary s Circle 5:30PM REP (A) 7:00PM Teen Drop-In 7:00PM St. Vincent DePaul Meeting 7:00PM SPRED Meeting Wednesday, November 16 9:15AM Mass 6:00PM P.A.D.S. 6:30PM Altar Server Training 7:00PM Adult Choir Rehearsal 7:00PM Catechist Meeting Thursday, November 17 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 8:30AM Cursillo Meeting 9:20AM Mary s Circle 7:00PM Preview of Robert Barron Catholicism series 8:00PM Family Mass Choir Rehearsal Friday, November 18 4:00PM Challenge Girls Meeting Saturday, November 19 9:30AM REP 5:00PM Childcare 5:00PM Liturgy of the Word for Children Sunday, November 20 Christ the King 9:30AM Childcare 9:30AM Liturgy of the Word for Children 5:00PM Vespers Eucharistic Days cütç yéüaaa All who suffer illness, especially those whose names are written in the parish Book of Prayers, those recently added to the list of the sick, and for those who have recently died. Stewardship Report Sunday Collection November 6, 2011 $ 19, Last Year: $ 23, Budgeted Weekly Collection $ 18, Difference: $ (4,129.82) Difference $ 1, Current Fiscal Year-to-Date $ 332, Last Year: $ 329, Budgeted Sunday Collections To-Date $ 343, Difference: $ 2, Difference $ (11,885.94)

3 From the Pastor s Desk Hopefully you were able to hear Mr. Howard Fischer, our Director of Parish Operations, present the Parish Financial Report at Mass last weekend. As Mr. Fischer indicated, we can be grateful for the generous stewards who continue to sustain the mission and ministry of St. Mary Parish. We run a tight ship and do our best to find ways to cut expenses. But when prices go up and parish donations go down, we run into difficulties. One of the dilemmas we face is that fewer Catholics come to Mass these days. Another dilemma is parishioners who don t make it to Mass at St. Mary every Sunday and don t make up the contributions from the Sundays they missed. Some may think their envelope in the collection basket doesn t matter much. But it does. Mr. Fischer has proposed that we all try to add $4 to our weekly offering. It may not sound like much, but if everyone even did just that much it would make a big difference. The economy is poor and there are a lot of people out of work; but there are more people working than not. It s been years since we ve made any organized attempt to increase our offertory collection. So perhaps we can each make a personal review and see if it s time to increase our weekly stewardship commitment. Let it be a heartfelt gift to the Lord for all that we have received from his hands. In the meantime, thank you for the sacrifices you make. And see what you can do to bring a friend or neighbor back to Church. Roman Missal it s just two weeks now until we begin to use the revised Roman Missal at all our Masses from this point forward. We ve tried to provide some basic catechesis on the revised Missal, published articles in the bulletin, held an adult education night on the Missal, and even started to practice the prayers and responses including some of the music. All we need now is patience and practice. After a few weeks the sound of the revised texts will come as second nature to us. The best thing we can do to prepare for the revised Missal now is to make sure we have the right disposition to welcome the change and try our very best to enter into the spirit of the liturgy. It s our prayer book as a Church community. Over time the beauty of the prayers with their deep and rich meaning will undoubtedly shape and form our spirituality. Singing some of the texts can help us learn them faster. Even if you don t think of yourself as a good singer, sing anyway and see how the texts might open in a new way for you through the music. Next weekend, as part of our Eucharistic Days, we will have a display table where you can see the new Missal close up. We ll display some other items as well from our liturgical treasury. Eucharistic Days Each year we set aside two days for adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament. These days of Adoration offer us a wonderful opportunity as a parish family to rally around the Eucharist, our source of unity. We all need to take time to slow down, be still and allow the Lord to work on our lives as he sees fit. In a fast paced society, we need the silence and solitude these Eucharistic Days provide. In a recent class conversation with eighth graders at Frassati Catholic Academy students told me that they feel they are always being pushed into the future with little opportunity to relish the present. They shared with me how difficult it is to reflect upon their own experience when they are being rushed to the next thing. Some sadly admitted that they don t even know how to reflect upon their own experiences. What better way to get into the practice of reflecting on our human experience than placing ourselves before the real presence of Christ in the Most Blessed Sacrament and submitting our lives to the scrutiny of Jesus way? It s a great opportunity for parents to bring their children before the Blessed Sacrament and begin to teach them the spiritual art of reviewing one s life in the light of the Gospel. This is not the same thing as an unhealthy self-introspection. It differs in that it s not navel gazing on our egos, but surrendering our life experience to the Lord in prayerful dialogue. We are a diverse community and we connect to the parish in many different ways. But the Eucharist is at the heart of our lives together. It s the Eucharist that makes us family and holds together in solidarity of faith. Let these Eucharistic Days then be a time of spiritual renewal for us individually and communally. Faith and Culture The U.S. motto is In God we trust. That motto was questioned once again in Washington as being inappropriate for a country that upholds a separation between Church and State. It was judged that the motto was not a religious phrase, but rather just ceremonial deism. So In God we trust will remain for now on your dollar bill. But it s scary to think how secular thinking is spreading across the land. Here s another: Catholic University of America in Washington, DC is being sued by a student who claims to be offended that every time he walks into a classroom he has to look at a crucifix. These two examples are just the tip of the iceberg. That s why I contend that Catholic Schools today are more important than ever, if we are going to raise the next generation with a commitment to God-given values, a sense of morality, a grounding in the transcendent and a mind and heart with a conscience. The Catholic family is the first teacher in the ways of faith, of course. But it s becoming increasingly more difficult once a child walks out the door of the family home for them not to be adversely influenced by secular culture. The purpose of the Catholic School is to reinforce the Christian values taught at home and to nurture a love for the Gospel as truth and life. In the lived community of a Catholic School a child is given the opportunity to know that there is a God who loves him or her and who is the source of true happiness and peace. The cross that Catholic students see facing them in a classroom is a poignant reminder that Someone loved them unto death and saved them from the falsehood and foolishness that leads nowhere. Consider making the sacrifice of enrolling your child in a Catholic School or providing financial aid for a child who wants to attend a Catholic School but can t afford to do so. Fr. Ron Lewinski

4 St. Mary s Moms Bake Sale November 12-13, 2011 After all masses Calling All Bakers! Do you like to bake? We need YOUR help! To register as a baker please visit: (Baked goods may be dropped off Fri-Sun, Nov ) For more information or to sign up please contact: Meredith Cunningham mrsmeredith@msn.com, (847) *Funds raised will be used for St. Mary s Moms programming and toward charitable contributions to Catholic Charities and the Abundant Hope campaign. **Service hours can be credited, please call for details. Parish Family Celebration Friday-Sunday, November 11-13, 2011 ~ A Community-Building Event ~ A fun way to celebrate our parish Friday, November 11, 2011 Family Movie Night*: 6-8pm Diantha Hall Saturday- Sunday, Nov , 2011 After all masses in the narthex: Bake Sale,Book Sale,Card Sale Crafts for All* Hospitality Weekend REMINDERS: Saturday Morning: Market Day Pie Pick-up Sunday Afternoon, November 13, :30-5:30 pm: Family Celebration in church For more information, please contact: Meredith Cunningham mrsmeredith@msn.com, (847) *free-will offerings will benefit St. Mary s School, Abundant Hope, and Journey Youth Ministry. CRAFTS FOR ALL Fun & Easy Crafts for EVERYONE! Come join us to make these wonderful craft projects and share some time together. Even if you do not have time to stay, you may take the supplies and instructions home with you! Crafts: Treasure Jar, Thankfulness Wreath, Ring of Prayers, Picture Frame Cost: FREE* When: November 12 13; After all Masses Where: Church Meeting Room 1&2 *(Any Free-Will offerings will be donated to the Teen Ministry Trip.) CARDS FOR A CAUSE Benefiting the Abundant Hope Campaign A Great Gift Idea! Handcrafted greeting cards with coordinating envelopes for every occasion! They are beautifully embellished, individually wrapped and come with a keepsake box. A GREAT VALUE all around. These make a thoughtful gift for teachers, family and friends! Be sure to buy a box for yourself as well you ll be glad you did! Styles: Children s or Adults card sets; 30 cards per box Cost: $30.00 per box* When: November 12 13; after all Masses Where: Narthex *$13.00 profit from the sale of each box will be donated to the Abundant Hope Campaign.) HOSPITALITY WEEKEND: Share the Community Spirit Refreshments will be served in the narthex after all masses, Nov All are welcome to share in the gracious spirit of this ministry and encouraged to take time to say hello to your fellow parishioners.

5 F isch ing Lines by Deacon Howard Fischer In my last column I began a discussion of stewardship. I also discussed the parish s financial status at all of the masses last weekend. Stewardship is one topic that is guaranteed to get large numbers of people to grumble and roll their eyes. If you haven t stopped reading already, ask yourself why you feel at least a twinge of Ugh! at the mere thought of discussing stewardship and Church finances. Perhaps it is because the discussion requires us to examine tough realities and to reconsider how we are doing things in our own lives. While some tend to think of stewardship as merely a code word for money, it really is a mindset and a lifestyle built on heartfelt gratitude. If we are authentic disciples, we really have no option but to generously give back to our God and to share with our sisters and brothers. We need to give choice portions (not just scraps) of our time and talent and, yes, of our monetary treasure. For some reason, many people recoil strongly at even the hint of discussing money in connection with religion. I'm not sure that I understand this reaction. First, money is not something dirty that is somehow incompatible with holy stuff. Money represents the tangible fruits of our labors and the use of our God-given talents. As such, money completely belongs in any discussion about what we must offer to God and others out of gratitude for what we ourselves have received. Secondly, our lives cannot be sectioned off into those parts where we allow God to be engaged and those parts where we deny him access. Everything we have, every dimension of our lives (including our financial activity) must be measured against our relationship with God. Nothing is off limits. Money is undeniably a potent force in our world and in our personal lives. We pour the majority of our waking hours into earning it, saving it, investing it, and spending it. Why, then, should it be a taboo to discuss finances in the context of our communal existence as the People of God?! The fact is that we are a giant family and we need resources to function. We need money to pay for lights and heat and salaries for our employees. We all want the services (and more) that are provided by our parish and the diocese. There are no free lunches. If we are to function and thrive and engage in works of charity, evangelization and faith formation, we must nurture the financial well-being of our extended Church family, just as we watch over our personal finances and save for our children s educations. We Catholics need to do a better job of stepping up to these responsibilities. On average, U.S. Catholic households donate only about 1.2% of their income to the Church. (This would be about $438 per year; some surveys put the average as low as $160 per year.) Protestants donate at twice this level or greater. At St. Mary, only around 30% of our parishioners donate weekly in a discernible manner. If we profess that our relationship with God and our membership in His family are truly important, then we need to put our money (literally and figuratively) where our mouths are. While a number of us are suffering under severe financial burdens or unemployment during these difficult economic times, many others of us can do more to support the practical operations of the parish. We need to see this as a primary obligation, not just something we toss spare pocket change at. It is not someone else s job; it is ours! If you are not already doing so and are not enduring severe hardship, I would ask that you prayerfully consider whether you can afford to donate $10 week or more. Most of us spend this kind of money on all sorts of non-essentials every week, but it would produce Congratulations, Mike Alandy! Congratulations to parishioner Mike Alandy, a candidate for the permanent diaconate. On 6 November, Bishop Raymond Goedert presided at the Rite of Institution into the Ministry of Reader and welcomed him into that ministry at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein. He is one of 10 men who took part in the liturgy and became instituted Readers. At the institution liturgy, Bishop Goedert charged the candidates to be faithful in handing on the Word of God so that it may grow strong in the hearts of His people. Additionally, being an instituted Reader also means taking on a special office within the Christian community. Besides proclaiming the word in the liturgical assembly, an instituted reader is responsible for: instructing children and adults in the faith, preparing them to receive the sacraments worthily, and bringing the message of salvation to those who have not yet received it. This is an awesome responsibility. But it is part of the continuing discernment process as Mike moves forward on his journey in formation and listens to God s plan for him as he prepares to be ordained as a deacon. During formation this year, Mike is attending academic classes in Scripture, Theology and Church History. In addition to practicum ministerial experiences, Mike participates in various formation sessions and retreat designed for future ministers of the Church. Presently, there are about 500 active deacons in the Archdiocese of Chicago, with 52 men currently in the English-speaking Deacon Formation Program. Please keep Mike and his wife, Marivie, in your prayers along with all the candidates who were instituted as Readers, their wives and families, that they might continue to answer generously God s call to serve His Church. Help Us with Our History Do you know the history of the crucifix in the center of our parish cemetery? We can find no written record of how it came to be erected and when. We ve heard that it may be connected to former pastor Fr. Burke, but that is the extent of our knowledge. If you can help us fill in this piece of our parish history we would be most appreciative. You may the parish office: parish@stmota.org; or drop off the information at the parish office. Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary a holy day of obligation Thursday, December 8, 2011 Masses at 8:00 & 9:15 AM, 7:00 PM (Continued on page 6)

6 Adult Formation Book Sale! November 12/13 and November 19/20 Looking for great spiritual reading? The Adult Faith Formation Ministry will sponsor a book sale on the weekends of November 12/13 and November 19/20 after all Masses with special focus this season on the topics of Eucharist and Prayer. Pick out a special holiday gift for someone you love. Baby Sitting Nights in Diantha Hall Hey parents! Looking for a babysitter so you can go out on a Saturday night? On Saturday December 17th, our youth ministry, Journey, will host a babysitting fundraiser in Diantha Hall from 6-9 PM. Teens and a few adults will be on hand to play games, sports, color, read, and watch movies with your children while you enjoy some time together. Any children older than 6 months are welcome. Please bring a diaper bag labeled with your child s name if they are not yet toilet trained. Snacks will be provided, but we recommend your child eat dinner before they come. We are accepting free-will offerings to raise funds for our summer mission trip to Milwaukee, WI. To sign up: Contact Ryan Rehkamp at x.217 or RRehkamp@stmota,org. Please include the names and ages of your kids. If you would like to volunteer: Junior high, high school teens, and adults are needed no matter how experienced or inexperienced you are. Please just let me know which night(s) you plan to help babysit. WENDY S FUNDRAISER Another way you can help support our teens on mission! Tuesday November 15th, 5-8 PM 15% of all sales (including drive-thru) during those hours on that day will be returned to our youth ministry. Be sure to Invite your family, friends, classmates, and neighbors. Located on Route 176 in Mundelein (by Dominick s). SPRED Meeting on Tuesday This Week SPRED, the Special Religious Development Agency of the Archdiocese of Chicago, welcomes people with developmental disabilities or learning challenges. SPRED S mission is to help parishes form small communities where people can grow in faith and enter into full participation in the sacramental life of the parish. St Mary is in the process of establishing a SPRED program, but volunteers are needed so we can welcome our new Friends with special needs. Volunteers are prepared to offer respect, hospitality, meaningful experiences of faith formation and prayer grounded in love to those who may otherwise be left out. We will hold our next information meeting on Tuesday, November 15 at 7:00 pm in the Hospitality Room of the new church. Please join us if you are interested in finding out more about SPRED either for a family member or as a volunteer. Contact Julia Hess at or Julia.spredcrw@sbcglobal.net or visit the SPRED website at Thanksgiving Day Mass 9:00 AM November 24 A free-will collection of non-perishable food items will be taken to supplement local food pantries. The offertory collection on Thanksgiving Day will be given to Amate House The next Senior Club Meeting will be Monday, November 14, 2011, at noon in the church meeting rooms. We will have a speaker at this meeting. Kumar Natesaiyer, from the Hindu Mandir. Come and enjoy the afternoon with good friends and a lunch Have any questions, please call Joyce Ladewig at Featured CD for November Why I Am Catholic When I Could Be Anything Else by Patrick Madrid For those who aren t Catholic, it may not be apparent why one should embrace the Catholic Faith. Best-selling author Patrick Madrid, director of the Envoy Institute of Belmont Abbey College, gives compelling biblical and historical reasons for why he is a lifelong Catholic. He shares valuable insights into the beauty of the Catholic Church and its claim to contain the fullness of the deposit of faith given by Christ. Please remember a $3 donation per CD is suggested to allow the parish to continue the program and offer new material. (Continued from page 5) a major benefit for our parish family. Increasing our donations even by $4 per week would be a tremendous benefit for the financial health of our parish, adding nearly $100,000 to our income. For all those who are contributing your time, talent and treasure, we are indeed very grateful and thank you for your generosity. All of us need to consider how we can improve on the status quo in our lives so that we grow in generosity and gratitude. Hopefully we can overcome our Ugh! twinge and respond gratefully to God and to the needs of His People by being generous with our time, talent, and treasure. If you wish to contact me, just leave a note in the Parish Office or send an to deaconhwf99@yahoo.com.

7 Parish Visited by Midieval Saints St. Mary of the Annunciation School students celebrated All Saints Day on Tuesday, November 1 by dressing as saints from the Medieval era. The day began with Holy Day Mass and was followed by a parade of saints, a banquet feast, horse races and jousting competitions. Last week the student body voted to crown fifth graders king and queen and to elect a pope for the day. Medieval Times was the theme for a month-long cross curriculum project that had students building castles and catapults, studying life in the Middle Ages, learning about saints and creating tapestries, shields and dioramas. Principal Eileen Sullivan said, By doing this crosscurriculum project, our students are engaged in their learning at a deeper level. History and religion come alive in a new way that leaves a lasting impact on our children. Plus, we are equipping them with the skill set and Second graders Madison Werner and Emily Kaminsky, dressed as saints, sing during All Saints Day Mass at St. Mary of the Annunciation School. moral compass that they will need to be future leaders in our world today. Sister Mary Paul McCaughey, OP, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago, remarked, It is a joy to see the integrity of faith, music, learning, and community outreach at St. Mary of the Annunciation! Congratulations to you, your teachers, and your students for the ingenuity and hard work towards academic excellence with this inquiry unit for the 21 st century learning. Exposition and Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in honor of Christ the King Sunday, November 20 12:30 5:00 p.m.: new church open for adoration 5:15 p.m.: Sunday adoration concludes with vespers Sunday, November 20 and Monday, November 21 Monday, November 21 8:00 a.m.: Weekday Mass 8:30 a.m.: Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament resumes 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.: new church open for adoration 5:00 p.m.: Exposition and Adoration concludes with vespers Coming Soon! Catholicism by Fr. Robert Barron Preview Screening and Introduction Thursday, November 17 th 7:00-8:30 p.m. Fr. Robert Barron, acclaimed author, theologian and priest for the Chicago Archdiocese, has prepared this amazing journey around the world and deep into the Catholic faith. Filmed in 50 locations in 15 countries, this film series is the most vivid illustrated teaching tool ever created about Catholicism. Four episodes are scheduled to air on WTTW in Chicago, but you can see them all at St. Mary! Come 11/17 to preview an episode, materials and study options. DVD screenings and optional study sessions will begin the week of November 28 th. Check the parish website or bulletin for registration details and complete screening schedule. Questions about screenings at St. Mary jenpepping@sbcglobal.net More information about the series Fifth graders Olivia Coutre, Morgan Smola, Sydney Schuda, Annie Burkhalter, Sydney Szalinski and Eileen Arata chant grace before the banquet feast.. Photos by Darrell Harmon - permission granted to use Seize the Moment Photography See page 8 for more information and registration form.

8 Need a Weekend Off? Journey will take its 3 rd annual weekend retreat for high school teens from Saturday January 14 th to Monday January 16 th. If you or your high school teen has never been on a retreat, this is a great opportunity to discover the Surprise that God has in store for you. Take a weekend to deepen your faith and reconnect with God. Please Contact Ryan Rehkamp at rrehkamp@stomta.org or at ext 230 for more details. Please RSVP by January 1. This promises to be a weekend that will help develop and deepen your faith by exploring different forms of prayer, reflection and personal development! Chopping for Life Mundelein Seminary s Chop for life program is selling split wood to raise money for a women s crisis pregnancy center in Chicago. Anyone interested in purchasing wood should bslezak@usml.edu or call Only while supplies last! God Bless, Brian Slezak Retrouvaille of Northern Illinois The three most common reasons given for divorce are lack of commitment, too much conflict and arguing, and infidelity. (With This Ring: A National Survey on Marriage in America, 2005) You don t have to become a statistic! Are you frustrated or angry with each other? Do you argue? Or have you just stopped talking to each other? If talking about it only makes the situation worse, Retrouvaille can help you rebuild your marriage. Do not lose hope! Awakening is only a phone call away. For more information, call (800) Your call Advent Mass & Reflection for Women Thursday, December 1, :30 PM With creator and host Fr. Robert Barron, you will learn what Catholics believe and why, while being immersed in the art, architecture, literature, beliefs, and practices of the Catholic tradition. Filmed in 50 locations throughout 15 countries, the Catholicism DVD series is on-location and in the streets illustrating the splendor of the global Church. The Adult Formation Study Series expands and reinforces the content of the DVDs with extensive commentary and questions for understanding and application. Each episode screened three times at the parish. Optional study/discussion sessions follow each screening. Sessions begin November 30 th. Study materials and workbooks written by Fr. Barron will be used during the study session but are not required to attend. Cost of study set is $34.95 for the entire 10 week series. Morning, evening and Saturday sessions available. Please check session schedule in narthex or at You are not required to attend the same session each week. There is no cost to attend the screenings or discussion sessions. Please register however to help the parish plan for the sessions. You may register by returning form to parish office or online at Please specify if you would like to reserve the optional study materials. Pick up study materials at the parish prior to first session. Name Please specify preferred screening time. You are not required to attend the same session each week. REGISTRATION FORM Telephone address address will be used to correspond during the series. Morning Session I do NOT want the optional study materials. Evening Session Saturday Session I would like to reserve a copy of the study materials, commentary and workbook. Cost for the entire 10 week series is $ (Write checks to St. Mary).

9 Mass Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 7:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:30 AM Weekday Monday Friday 8:00 AM PARISH EMERGENCEY Parish Staff Rev. Ronald J. Lewinski Ext. 213 Pastor Dean, Vicariate I-A Rev. Nate Payne Ext. 212 Associate Pastor Deacon Mike O Malley Deacon Gary Kupsak Deacon Robert Poletto Mr. Fred Vipond Ext. 216 Director of Music & Liturgy Ms. Eileen Sullivan Ext. 310 School Principal Ms. Sue Matousek Ext. 218 Director of Religious Education Mr. Ryan Rehkamp Ext. 230 Coordinator of Youth Ministry Mr. Howard Fischer Ext. 215 Director of Parish Operations Penny Elwood Ext. 217 Bookkeeper/Accountant Ms. Victoria Hansen Ext. 200 Administrative Assistant Mr. Richard Plage Ext. 210 Mr. William Zerwer Maintenance Dustin Zubert Pastoral Council President Marcelo Corpuz School Board President Rev. Patrick O Malley Rev. James Presta Weekend Associates W. ERHART ROAD MUNDELEIN, ILLINOIS PARISH NUMBER PARISH@STMOTA.ORG PARISH FAX NUMBER: School: RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM EMERGENCY NUMBER Sacrament of Penance Baptisms Adult Initiation Marriage Ministry of Care New parishioners Saturdays 4:00 4:40 PM, and by appointment Ordinarily during the Mass on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month and after the Mass on the other Sundays, outside of Lent Adults who wish to become Roman Catholics are enrolled in a formation process that includes prayer, dialogue, instruction, and introduction to the Church s life and values, rituals and tradition. Call the parish office for more information. St. Mary Parish rejoices with parishioners who are preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony. The Church requires at least four months time before the marriage for adequate preparation. A parish wedding information packet is available at the parish office. Ministers of Care visit the homes of the sick, homebound, or hospitalized and bring Holy Communion to them. Call the parish office when a pastoral visit is desired. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered by the parish priest upon request. We welcome new members who wish to worship with us and support the parish s work and mission. Please call the parish office to schedule a time to register. A complete listing of parish services and organizations is available at the parish office.