Pastoral Staff Rev. Denis Condon

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1 Pastoral Staff Pastor Rev. Denis Condon Associate Pastor Rev. Henry Kricek Pastor Emeritus Rev. John Hergenrother Deacon Mr. Dave Brencic School Principal & Faith Formation Coordinator Ms. AnnMarie Mahay Youth Minister Mrs. Karyn Miller Business Manager Ms. Lynn Waterloo Music Director Mr. Jim Harrold, Secretary/Bulletin Editor Ms. Maureen Johnson, Spiritual Companion Mrs. Jane Kucera, Parish Council Chair Mr. Dan Flynn, Rectory 1144 Harrison Ave., FAX School 1125 Harrison, LaGrange Park, Faith Formation Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday Evening: 5:00 p.m.; Sunday: 7:30, 9:30, 11:00 a.m. Weekday: Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. Sacraments and Ministries Reconciliation/Confessions Saturdays 4:00 4:30 p.m. or on request. Baptisms Second Sunday: 12:30 p.m. A baptismal class is necessary prior to scheduling a Baptism. Marriage Contact the rectory six months prior to wedding. Home Communion Visits Contact the Rectory Parish Nurses, Hours as posted in church. New Parishioners Register at the rectory or online Website parishoffice@slmparish.org Bulletin Deadline Mondays at 10:00 a.m. Traveling? Call or

2 he Archbishop and our Vicar, Bp. Manz, confer the Christifideles Award on an individual or couple T who have demonstrated commitment to the service of the People of God in their home parish. We have had several people receive this Award over the past years. This year s Award winners were Greg and Sue Ripoli. Most of you know Greg and Sue since they have been serving our parish in different capacities for decades as catechists, School Board members, coaching, founding members of our Summerfest and helping practically anytime they were asked. They have passed this dedication to service on to their children who, like their parents, have been willing to help whenever asked. Though it is a very simple ceremony, the awarding of the Christifideles Award is rather impressive. Parish members from all across the Archdiocese gather at the Cathedral where the Archbishop and all six Auxiliary Bishops process in taking their place in the sanctuary and then Archbishop Cupich opens things with a prayer. A Scripture passage is read about the many gifts bestowed on the Church by the Holy Spirit and Archbishop Cupich preaches. After this each person or couple is called up by name and parish to receive the award from the Archbishop and congratulations from their Vicar. Watching so many people gathered to celebrate and seeing one by one the folks singled out for their service moves me each time I see it. To see the Church of Chicago gathered celebrating the gifts of the Spirit and, by extension, the presence of the Spirit among us, reassures me, and I hope all those present, that we belong to something much larger than just St. Louise. We are part of the Church of Chicago and filled with the Holy Spirit. So many bad things are reported in the media these days that we can become depressed or cynical about life and hope for the future. We need to be concretely reminded from time to time that God really does work in the world and that the Father has not abandoned his children. This simple ceremony reminds me of that each time I participate. God s not into big splashy events. I know that in the Scriptures he seems to be into just that. Just think of the Exodus story with 10 plagues, parting of the Red Sea, tablets of stone, water from a rock, etc., etc. Or the prophet Elijah on Mt. Carmel taking on all the prophets of Baal and proving the power of Yahweh by building an altar and dousing both the sacrifice and wood with enough water to fill a trough he dug all around the altar and then calling on God to consume the offering, which he did along with the wood, the stones and all the water in the trough. We have to admit that s pretty spectacular. But how often did God put on such major displays? Most of the time God quietly spoke to one person or worked behind the scenes. Even with Jesus we find the same thing. While we may think of the miracles, Jesus wasn t the only miracle worker of ancient times. There are reports of others who were also performing miracles. Jesus appeared to the people of his time as an ordinary man - a prophet to some, a blasphemer to others. His death on the cross showed he was human. Granted the resurrection definitely falls into the category of spectacular, but only a handful of specially chosen people experienced the Risen One. The Christifideles Awards gives us a chance to see God working as he wants to work, through others. All our Award winners remind us of our own special place in God s plan. We all have a part in the salvation of the world even if we don t see it. While we seem to be just ordinary people living ordinary lives, we re not. Every baptized person is a temple of the Holy Spirit which means God is working through us in our very ordinary lives. We may not know anything about this until we enter eternal life where it will become clear, but it is happening right now through you. We will be hanging a plaque in the narthex (main entrance) listing all those who have received this Award. I hope all will view this plaque as a reminder that God is working with and through us all. ************************************************************************************************* Thank you to all who have participated in my performance review. I shall receive the results in a few weeks time. I appreciate your taking the time and effort to do this. Father Denis January 31, 2016 Page 2

3 Monday, February 1 6:15pm Play Practice-PC/M 7:00pm Baptismal Class-CH Tuesday, February 2 2:45pm Jr. Girl Scouts-M 6:00pm School Open House 7:00pm FSA-M Wednesday, February 3 2:45pm Children s Choir-CH 5:00pm Athletics-PC 7:00pm Adoration-CH Thursday, February 4 5:00pm Athletics-PC 6:30pm Cub Scouts-C Friday, February 5 6:30-9:00pm Winter Carnival-PC/C/M Saturday, February 6 1:00pm Confirmation/Reception 6:00pm Teen Sports-PC Sunday, February 7 10:30am Faith Formation 12:00pm Athletics-PC 12:30pm Play Practice-Music Rm. 2:00pm Bingo-C 4:00pm Play-Stage 6:00pm B.E.D.S. 8:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous-R CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS CHANGE Parishioners who have donated $200 and over in 2015 will now automatically receive a statement of contribution from St. Louise. It is NOT necessary to call and request a statement. Others who still would like to request a statement, should call the rectory. Donations received after January 1, 2016, will not be included in 2015 donations. Statements will be mailed out after January 10 and everyone should receive their statement by February 1. This is a more efficient and less time-consuming way to process the statements. SCHOLARSHIP AWARD The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women will award a $500 renewable scholarship to a girl graduating from high school and continuing her education at a college or university. For an application and criteria requested, call Rose at The application must be postmarked no later than March 1st. Many Thanks to all who contributed to the Giving Tree for B.E.D.S.The underwear, McDonalds gift cards, gloves, and money were greatly appreciated by our clients. Also, a very big thank you to Troop 111 who organized and donated warm socks for our clients. Special thanks to those who organized the Giving Tree, especially Anne Szymczak and her helpers who gathered and distributed the gifts to the various organizations. Christ s call for charity is very apparent at St. Louise, especially in these hard times. May Christ s peace and blessings be with all of you in the coming year. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION For the first four centuries or so, there seems not to have been a sense of marriage as a church institution. Christians followed civil law, which kept the wedding in a family setting. Bishops wanted people to be good citizens insofar as possible, and so they recognized the government s role in marriage to other Christians was best, and to take it easy on the wild wedding parties. They agreed that marriage was a divine institution, that Christ blessed it especially, and they loved referring to the miracle at the wedding feast of Cana. Still, even when Christianity became the official religion of the empire in 380, marriage remained a family matter. On wedding days, people gathered in the bride s house, where the father would give her hand to her husband, draping a garland of flowers over the couple. There were no official words to say, there was no blessing to be given. Everyone walked in procession to the bride s new home for the concluding of the feast. In the Eastern Empire, it was customary to invite a priest or bishop to give a blessing at the meal or the day before. It was a nice thing to do, completely optional, but had a photo-op feel to it. Before long, it looked as if the priest was joining the couple in marriage and blessing the union. Rev. James Field, Copyright J.S. Paluch Co. January 31, 2016 Page 3

4 FLY ME INTO FASHION Luncheon and Fashion Show March 13, 2016 ~ Noon Chico s 2016 Spring Fashion Trends Children s Fashions by Gymboree Maggiano s, Oak Brook Join us for a Delightful Afternoon Tickets: $39 Ticket Info~Lynette , Denise Sponsored by St. Louise CWO MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT EVENING Whether you ve been married just a couple of years or are celebrating a milestone anniversary, at some point we all need to take time to fine-tune our relationship. Deacon Dave and Jane Brencic, who facilitate Pre-Cana classes at St. Louise, will lead an evening of marriage enrichment at 7:00 p.m., Monday, February 15 in the Marillac Room. Join us as we talk about, discuss, and share important elements in a marriage communication, forgiveness, and love. To register, call LENTEN FAITH GROUP Small group sessions are a very important part of the parish s spiritual growth. They provide opportunities for the people of God to share our faith, listen closely to the Holy Spirit and to witness that God has called us. Our Faith Group, led by Pat Thorburn, will meet during Lent on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the Marillac Room, beginning February 17 through March 23. Come when you can every week or as your schedule permits. Look forward to growing with you. PALMS...We are collecting old palms you may have at home to burn for the ashes to be used on Ash Wednesday, February 10. Place your palms in the baskets located in back of church. NIGHT OF REFLECTION On Tuesday, March 1, the CWO is holding a Night of Reflection. More information in next week s bulletin. SAVE THE DATE! Prayer Shawl Ministry Our Prayer Shawl ministry is going strong here at St. Louise due to the talented efforts of the ladies who prayerfully, and with much care, knit or crochet shawls to be given to those who are ill, grieving, homebound, or in a crisis to just name a few. If you knit or crochet, put your talents to good use. If you wish to learn, we will teach you. Meetings are held in the back of church on the second Wednesday of every month from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 to 8:00pm Join us on Wednesday, February 10, More info: Call Jane, or Shirley, January 31, 2016 Page 4

5 BLESSING OF THROATS Wednesday, February 8 At 8:30 a.m. Mass At 5:00 p.m. service St. Blaise has been invoked on behalf of those who are afflicted with illnesses of the throat. Lenten Regulations We are collecting the old palms you may have at home Ash Wednesday to burn for and Good the Friday ashes are to obligatory be used on days Ash of universal Wednesday, fast and February abstinence. 10. Fasting is obligatory for all who Place have palms completed in the baskets their 18th in year the back and have of church. not yet reached their 60th year. Fasting allows person to eat one full meal. Two smaller meals may be taken, not to equal one full meal. Abstinence (from meat) is obligatory for all who have reached their 14th year. Fridays in Lent are obligatory days of complete abstinence (from meat) for all who have completed their 14th year. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday night) as the paschal fast to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection. February Teen Club Junior High-February 19 from 2:45-4:45 Senior High-February 19 from 7:30-10:30. Open gym begins at 8: Hour Famine There is still time to sign up for this year s 30 Hour Famine on February Help raise awareness and funds for those who go without food, clean drinking water, and other necessities every day. See Ms. Miller for permission and pledge forms. Correction: No Adoration on February 10 due to Ash Wednesday services. Save the Date! February14: Teen Choir - meet in Marillac Room for donuts and rehearsal; sing at 9:30 Mass. February 28: Bible Breakfast following 9:30 Mass. Ash Wednesday Schedule Ashes will be distributed on Ash Wednesday, February 10 at the following times: 6:30 a.m. Service 8:30 a.m. Mass 12:30 p.m. Service 5:15 p.m. Service 7:00 p.m. Mass St. Barbara s Ash Wednesday Schedule 6:30 a.m.-mass 8:00-a.m Mass 12 noon-service 7:00 p.m. Mass Wounded Healers... Those who have suffered the tragedy of abortion are becoming the wounded healers of our society as they witness to God s profound mercy and his unconditional love and to the dignity of every human person born or unborn. -Dr. Joanne Angelo Did You Know that six weeks after conception, a baby s brain is already coordinating movement? BINGO FEB. 7, 2:00 PM Doors Open at Noon Colonnade Room $2100 CASH PRIZES Raffles-Pull-Tabs-Refreshments January 31, 2016 Page 5

6 February 1-7 Monday 8:30 - Don Bartelson Tuesday, The Presentation of the Lord 8:30 - Peace in the World Wednesday, St. Blaise 8:30 - All Unborn Children Thursday 8:30 - People of the Parish Friday, St. Agatha 8:30 - Mary Suchan Saturday 1:00 - Confirmation 5:00 - Maria Robles Sunday 7:30 - Ignatius & Anna Paurazas, Steve Hyzny 9:30 - Carolyn & Clarence Oswald, Ted Bochniarz, Angie DiVenere 11:00 - Eugene C. & Rose Mary F. Vauthier Altar Servers Mon. - Wed., February 1, 2, 3 8:30 - A. Gonzalez, M. Hanson Thurs. - February 4 8:30 - K. Keen, T Bosshart Fri.-February 5 8:30-K. Keen, M. Hopkins Sat., February 6 5:00 - J. Hopkins, M. Hopkins, M. Flynn Sun., February 7 7:30 - E. Kimmelman-Wyles, L. Keen, K. Keen 9:30 - B. Copp, Z. Mazurkiewicz, J. Steger 11:00 - T. Swanson, M. Bosshart, G. Sventy Our Sympathy to the families of Dorothy Gray & Daniel Tyszkiewicz Presiders February 6 February 7 Confessions - Fr. Henry 7:30 - Fr. Henry, Dcn. Dave 5:00 - Fr. Henry 9:30 - Fr. Denis, Dcn. Dave 11:00 - Fr. Denis Readers February 6 February 7 5:00 -P. Hammerschmitt 7:30 - B. Petek 9:30 - J. Derus 11:00 - C. Lemkau, M.Miller Eucharistic Ministers February 6 5:00 - R.&B. Stepina, P. Erickson, T. Jarvis, J. Lisiecki, T. Popernik, C. Sherman February 7 7:30 - W.&K. Prokop, R. Voss, M. Voss, E. Siuda, M. Schaffer, Deacon Dave 9:30 - B.&M. Garvey, D. Juday, B. Kraus, L. Sroka, D. Parcel, Deacon Dave 11:00 - J. Skowronski, G.&M. Sapp, J. Hanson, R. Kozica, A. Janacek, R. Kappeler WEEKLY OFFERTORY January 24, 2016 Sunday Collection This Week $8,600 Last Year $8,100 Sunday Collection, Year-to-Date: This Year $ 274,400 Last Year $ 277,700 Year-to-Date Collection Budget $ 286,000 Envelopes Returned This Week 359 Last Year 360 January 31, 2016 Page 6

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