January 13, 2019 The Baptism of The Lord

Transcription

1 January 13, 2019 The Baptism of The Lord PASTORAL TEAM Rev. George Omwando, Pastor Mrs. Sharon Leamy, Principal Mrs. Christine Wedekind, Religious Education Coordinator SUPPORT STAFF Ms. Patricia Pomykalski, Business Manager Mrs. Amanda Pomareda, Office Manager Mrs. Fannie Cooper, School Secretary Sister Marion Cypser, Social Service/Project Coordinator CONTACTING THE PARISH Rectory: 38 N. Austin Blvd.; Oak Park, IL Telephone: Web: Hours: 8:30 AM-8:00 PM Monday, & Thursdays. Tuesday, Wednesday, & Fridays: 8:30 AM 4:30 PM Saturday 9:00 AM 4:30 PM; Sunday 8:30 AM 12:00 PM School - 27 Washington Blvd.; Oak Park, IL Telephone: WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULE Weekday Masses: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday - 8:30am (Please enter the Church by Washington Blvd. 2nd door to the West) NO Thursday Communion Service until Further Notice Weekend Masses: Saturday Morning - 9:00 am Saturday Evening - 5:00 pm Sunday Morning - 8:30 & 10:30 am Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday at 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM; or by appointment. Baptisms Baptism of infants and young children is celebrated on the 2nd and 3rd weekends of the month. Parents are asked to attend a Baptism preparation session/class prior to the ceremony. Please call the rectory to register for the preparation and set a baptismal date. (cont d in pg.2)

2 Page 2 January 13, 2019 Thoughts From our Pastor Rev. George O. Omwando Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Today we celebrate the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ before he began his public ministry. Last week we celebrated the feast of Epiphany when Jesus Christ manifested himself to the whole world. This showed that Jesus was not born to serve one particular group of people only, i.e. the Jews, but to non-jews also. As you can recall, from the Eve of Christmas till today, this season known as Christmastide is characterized with the celebration of remarkable feasts: Christmas, St. Stephen, St. John the Evangelist, the Solemnity of the Motherhood of Mary, the Holy Innocents, and the Epiphany. These feasts are meant to deepen our own understanding of who Christ is and what kind of people he draws to himself. To know someone is to love him or her, and to love someone is to follow him/her. If you do not understand Christ s message or haven t internalize his message of compassion, forgiveness, acceptance, restraining oneself from rush judgments, exclusions etc. I hope that this Christmas season has deepened and will continue to deepen your faith or your own knowledge of Christ. If you do not know Him please seek help from friends, relatives, or anyone that you are comfortable with who can assist in your journey faith. We all need the help of others. In our first reading that is from the book of Prophet Isaiah, we listen to the voice that cries in the desert asking us to prepare the way of the Lord. This voice tells us what needs to be done as we prepare the way for the Lord. This prophetic voice tells us to make straight the wasteland, a highway of the Lord, valleys should be filled, and mountains should be leveled etc. This prophetic voice takes me back to the day when I was growing up in Kenya. As you know, I lived in a small village in Kisii. In the village where I was born, the roads are not paved and are sometimes impassible during heavy rains. But whenever a very important government official was visiting, the roads were cleared and leveled to make the road smooth for easy travelling. On the important day, the official, of course accompanied by other corrupt officials, would enjoy the smooth road. After he or she had gone, erosion would take place during the sporadic heavy rains and the road would resume its normal conditions like before. This was deception of course, or some sort of sycophancy shown to the official. I hope you do understand my point!. However as time goes by, things are changing. The Voice calling in the desert is the voice of John the Baptist. Interesting! John came to prepare the way for Jesus Christ but He himself was not Jesus. I am surprised that John never felt jealous or threatened by the appearance of Jesus and mark you he was doing this in the desert. It is a place I would not like to be. We need more John the Baptists these days more than ever before. St. John the Baptist was preparing for Jesus during that time but what about us today? This message of course is still relevant today as we need to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus Christ any time that he comes. Should He come today, or tomorrow, will he find me or you ready? One way of preparing for the arrival of Jesus is through baptism, regular reception of sacraments and faithfully embracing God s Word. Most of us are baptized and still do receive the sacraments. However we need to lessen the obstacles that are in our hearts, the logs in our eyes, or the unnecessary things that hinder Christ from reaching our hearts. May we let this year to be one of Grace and of Mercy. It is never too late to prepare ourselves for Christ. Let s help also our brothers and sisters in Christ who as we speak are already finding it hard to prepare themselves to meet Christ. May God bless you. Fr. George PARISH MISSION STATEMENT WE THE PARISHIONERS OF ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA-ST. LUCY PARISH, SEEK TO DEEPEN OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH GOD AND TO CELEBRATE GOD S PRESENCE IN WORD AND SACRAMENT. BY ACCEPTING ALL INTO OUR FAMILY WE SEEK UNITY IN CHRIST AND SEEK TO PROCLAIM HIS GOOD NEWS IN THE DISCIPLESHIP OF OUR LIVES. PARISH ORGANIZATIONS: Parish Pastoral Council Madonna Sloan and Joyce Wade, Co-Chairs Parish Finance Council Juan Perez Spiritual Life Commission Faith & Fellowship: Connie Rakitan Liturgy Committee: Cantors: Gail Rohmann Celebration Choir: Gail Rohmann Praise Choir: Julius White Greeters & Ushers: Jim Lewis Ministers of the Eucharist: Jeanne Visteen Ministers of the Word: Jeanne Visteen Servers: Kathy Paoli Ministers of Care: Shelby Boblick Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): Fr. George O. Omwando Women s Ministry: Shelby Boblick Human Concerns Commission Peace & Justice Committee: Mary and Martin Senica Transportation Committee: Tom Farwell Education Commission Baptism Com.: Fr. G. Omwando Bible Study: Russ McCaughey Religious Education of Children: Christine Wedekind St. Catherine/St. Lucy School: School Board Chair: Natasha Lee Parish Development & Services Commission Collection Counters: Carol Kallok Facilities Committee: Kevin Kell, Amanda Pomareda Fundraising Committee: Pat Nelson / Cynthia Weaver (cont d from pg. 1) Weddings - Please contact a parish priest to set a wedding date. Allow at least 6 months for preparation. RCIA The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a sacramental process, celebrated in the midst of this Faith Community. This process assists adults, as well as children over the age of 7, in learning about the Catholic Faith. Through its witness, worship, service, and teaching our Faith Community offers the invitation and support necessary for initiation into the Catholic Church. Ministry to the Sick, Hospitalized and Shut Ins Please notify the Parish Office so that we can visit and minister to your confined loved-ones. Newcomers Please fill out a registration form after Mass, or come by the Rectory Office during the week.

3 Page 3 January 13, 2019 Next Week Weekend s Second Collection is for: The Church in Latin America Through your ongoing support for the Collection for the Church in Latin America, you have helped young people accept the challenge to grow in faith. Your generosity is helping the young people of the Archdiocese of Panama build relationships with one another, with their peers throughout Latin America, and with the rest of the world as they prepare for World Youth Day This is a tremendous event in the life of the Church, and young people are now experiencing it to the fullest. You have given these young people the opportunity to grow as leaders and to develop missionary hearts. Support the collection, and help young people grow as leaders of our Church! For more information about the Collection for the Church in Latin America, visit Certificates are $25 each and will be included in every weekly drawing through October 20st, The prize each week is $25 except for three weeks when the prize is $500. If we sell all 500 certificates, there will be a 4th drawing for $500. Purchase forms are available in the back of church. This is a fun way to support the parish and it is open to everyone, not just members of our parish community. Pass the word. Thank you!!! ~ The Fundraising Committee 500 CLUB WINNER $ January 13, 2019 JACK FLYNN, # 307 Series for Women & Men Starts tomorrow, Monday, January 14th, here at St. Catherine St. Lucy Parish. You will have a chance to deepen your faith, and nourish your spirituality. Hoping you can come! (See our ad on page 7 of this bulletin) Monday, January 14 9:30 AM - Bible Study - RRT 6:30-9:30 PM - F&F Meeting - RD Tuesday, January 15 10:00 AM - Fundraising Meeting - RD 7:30-9:00 PM - Praise Choir MMR Wednesday, January 16 7:00-9:30 PM - F&F Meeting - RD 7:30-9:00 PM - Celebration Choir - CH Thursday, January 17 12:30-3:30 PM - F&F Meeting - RD 2:30-6:00 PM - Day Care - 6:00-8:00 PM - AA - RD Friday, January 18 St. Catherine St. Lucy is Looking to Hire a Music Director St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Parish in Oak Park is seeking to hire a position of a part time with benefits Music Director and Liturgy. The Position is open immediately. The successful musician should be able: To select music for the masses, learn and teach music, play piano and organ (oversee maintenance). Liturgy planning. Bulletins/worship aids for special services: (Triduum, Christmas, etc.), Christmas Gospel (teach music to children, play.) Hiring other musicians when needed, encourage volunteer musicians and Select and teach music at weekly choir rehearsals. Please send resumes and references to Fr. George Omwando, gomwando@gmail.com Save the Date Mondays, January 14 through- Monday, April 1 Conference Series for Women & Men Sunday, February 10-10:00 AM African-American Heritage Celebration followed by a brunch at Maguire Hall Saturday & Sunday February Valentine s Bake Sale

4 Page 4 January 13, 2019 Mon. January 14 8:30 James Woolfolk By: Grace Bishop Tue. January 15 8:30 Luke Podraza By: Joanna Vanni Wed. January 16 8:30 Alice Marshall By: Ministry of Care Fri. January 18 8:30 Rev. John J. Carolan By: Theresa & Mary Durkin Sat. January 19 9:00 Nelida Guidich By: Ministry of Care 5:00 Marie Dyer By: Donna Kanapes Sun. January 20 8:30 FOR THE PEOPLE OF OUR PARISH 8:30 Reynold Vincent By: The Vincent Family 10:30 Margaret M. Kottcamp By: Tom and Pat Nelson Readings for the Week Monday: Heb 1:1-6; Ps 97:1, 2b, 6, 7c, 9; Mk 1:14-20 Tuesday: Heb 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 1:21-28 Wednesday: Heb 2:14-18; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Mk 1:29-39 Thursday: Heb 3:7-14; Ps 95:6-11; Mk 1:40-45 Friday: Heb 4:1-5, 11; Ps 78:3, 4bc, 6c-8; Mk 2:1-12 Saturday: Heb 4:12-16; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mk 2:13-17 Sunday: Is 62:1-5; Ps 96:1-3, 7-10; 1 Cor 12:4-11; Jn 2:1-11 Saints and Special Observances Sunday: Monday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: The Baptism of the Lord First Week in Ordinary Time begins St. Anthony Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins Julian Calendar Theophany (Epiphany); Blessed Virgin Mary Our Parish Stewardship St. Catherine-St. Lucy Church LITURGICAL MINISTERS JANUARY 13, :00 PM 8:30 AM 10:30 AM Altar Servers Michael Giometti Kevin Morgan Ministers of the Word Frank Pond Paul Koko December 16, 2018 $ 3, On-Line GiveCentral $ 6, S U R P L U S $ 2, December 23, 2018 $ 4, On-Line GiveCentral $ 1, D E F I C I T $ -1, December 30, 2018 $ 4, On-Line GiveCentral $ 1, D E F I C I T $ -1, January 6, 2019 $ 5, On-Line GiveCentral $ D E F I C I T $ -1, Online donations can be made to St. Catherine-St. Lucy Parish at Thanks for your continued financial support! Tom Frank Peter Barber Ministers of the Eucharist Chemetha Baker Pat Koko Michelle Coleman Grace Bishop Walter Washington Ginny Jones Marjorie Fields Bill Cragg Gordon Bell Claudia Zinanni Mireille Lozes Bill Holmes Bill Sullivan, Jr. Diana Cameron Pat Long Terry Sullivan Doris Brown Kim McGuire Scarlett Evans

5 Page 5 January 13, st & 2nd Readings for the Upcoming Sunday are offered. Their sole purpose is to help us all of us receive and hear the word of God. JANUARY 20, ND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME First Reading: Isaiah 62: 1-5 The last part of the book of Isaiah contains the words of a prophet who lived after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon six centuries before Christ. Upon their return, they found their temple destroyed and the city of Jerusalem leveled. Still, the prophet sees a wonderful future for them because God loves them so much. Note the beautiful image he uses to describe that love. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Today, and for the next few weeks, our second reading will be from Paul s first letter to the Corinthians. Corinth was a busy cosmopolitan seaport located in the central part of modern day Greece. Here, Paul addresses problems his converts are experiencing as they live a Christian life in this non-christian environment Bequests PLEASE consider remembering our parish in your will or trust. We have been blessed in the past by the generosity of so many parishioners and I am hopeful this will continue into the future. Father George Update Personal Info Please update us with your cell phone number, address, or any other change of status. Please call Amanda apomaredascsloffice@comcast.net Thank you! Bible Study - Mondays 9:30 AM Our Bible Study group meets on Mondays ~ 9:30 11:00 AM in the Rectory. We use the New Collegeville Bible Commentary from Collegeville, Minnesota. We read the scriptures, weekly psalms, and the commentary. Then we discuss it. It is an enlightening experience and totally free. Communion & Anointing of the Sick Please call the Rectory at to let us know if you or a member of your family is in need of the sacrament of anointing of the sick or would like to have Holy Communion brought to your house or nursing home or both. Praying for the Sick In Our Parish Theresa Adcock, Coletta Ali, Mary G. Ballew, Jeanette Cannon, Lillian Czaplicki, Normantha & Larry Evans, Mary Jones, Phillip Jones, Donna Kanapes, Paul Koko, Dee Norman, Mary Ann Parker, Albert Parker, Jr., Carlton Shanks, Nsanda S. Stumps, Kate Shoevlin, and Diane Ward. The name of your close relative will remain on this list for four weeks. After that, you will have to call us again to reinstate it into the list. If you wish to include a name of a sick member of your family here, please call Amanda at the rectory during office hours. Thank you. Remember a Loved One We have weekday Masses available in our 2019 Mass Book. Please come to the Rectory for Masses. Please contact Amanda at the Rectory or by apomaredascsloffice@comcast.net 27 W. Washington Blvd. Oak Park, IL School Scoop 1/14 Progress Reports for students 1/15 Empower Illinois application opens 1/18 Afterschool STEM for grades 1 & 2 1/19 Girls basketball game at 10 am; Arts Fair in the gym at 1 pm Happy 2019! We hope everyone had a beautiful Christmas and rang in a very happy New Year Today s Readings First Reading Isaiah speaks of the Servant whom the Lord upholds; he shall bring forth justice to the nations (Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7) or Isaiah 40:1-5, Psalm The Lord will bless his people with peace (Psalm 29) or Psalm 104. Second Reading Jesus was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit; he went out healing and doing good (Acts 10:34-38) or Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7. Gospel A voice comes from heaven proclaiming Jesus as the beloved Son, with whom God is well pleased (Luke 3:15-16, 21-22). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass. 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

6 Page 6 January 13, 2019 Faith and Fellowship Needs Help If you can give a couple of hours on Wednesday evenings or Thursday afternoons, we would like to invite you to become part of our faithsharing groups. We enjoy a peaceful atmosphere of friendship, prayer and reflection, and warm hospitality. You will nurture your own spiritual life at the same time as helping others. Come and see! Contact Connie Rakitan via faith_fellowship@hotmail.com or give her a call at: SCOUTING Plain and Simple A wonderful Boy Scout Troop (ages 11 18) meets at Brooks Middle School at Washington and Kenilworth in Oak Park every Thursday night from 7:15 9:00 pm. You name it and they do it. Troop 28 is a uniformed unit. National registration is $36, which is paid out of a Troop annual membership fee of $100. We don t engage in any other fundraising or sales for the Troop or Council benefit. In the last 30 years, 26 Scouts have achieved the Eagle Rank from this Troop. Questions: call Tom at Pray For Our Deceased Joanna Vanni May she rest in peace! We lift her up with our prayers while we embrace her family in a prayerful embrace. May the angels lead her into Paradise January 18 25, 2019 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Each year, Christian churches and communities from a different part of the world develop the theme and texts for the Week of Prayer. The 2019 theme is: Justice, Only Justice, You Shall Pursue (cf. Deuteronomy 16:20). Events related to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: January 26, p.m. St. Dorothy Church 450 E. 78th Street Join us and the whole Christian community from Jan in praying for the unity that Christ desires of us. Contact: eia@archchicago.org Give Central allows our parish to provide its parishioners a safe and convenient way to make regular, automatic electronic contributions and can also be used be used for special events and other collections. We understand that most transactions today are done electronically. We want to provide you with that same convenient option at church. You can go directly to our website: to be able to find the link to GiveCentral Dine Out with Friends February TBA Kenyan Dinner May 2019 Lou Malnati's TBA Vocations We invite you to visit Vocations office to learn more about becoming a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Visit the Chicago Archdiocesan Vocation Association. For more information about becoming a deacon for the Archdiocese of Chicago, visit the Institute for Deaconal Studies at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein, Illinois. Rev. Francis Bitterman, Archdiocesan Vocations Office fbitterman@archchicago.org Catholic Charities Legal Assistance Department Catholic Charities Legal Assistance Department has attorneys and volunteer attorneys available to provide advice in numerous areas of law. If you are unsure about your legal rights or lost in the legal system, let us help you. Services include in-depth advice and possible direct representation on many issues, including landlord/tenant issues, family law, consumer and debtor rights, foreclosure, employment issues, orders of protection, power of attorney, and more. CCLA provides free to low-cost legal services to eligible low-income individuals. For help and more information, contact the legal advice line at

7 Page 7 January 13, 2019 A Series for Women and Men Over 9 Mondays, we will view a DVD of a dynamic conference and be nourished by two modern voices as they weave a dynamic presentation of the issues of gender, spirituality, and Divinity awareness. Cynthia Bourgeault and Richard Rohr presented this conference and together their teachings will help all listeners open their inner eyes and ears to insights taught in the Christian Scriptures. Each week s program can be enjoyed independently and requires neither previous nor subsequent attendance. So, come each week or once in a while. We will view a segment of the DVD and then reflect, share and pray. Mon., Jan. 14 Mon., Jan. 21 Mon., Jan. 28 Mon., Feb. 4 Mon., Feb. 11 Mon., March 4 -- Mon., March 11 Mon., March 18 Mon., April 1 -- Mary Magdalene as Guiding Presence (Bourgeault) 66 mins. Apostle to the Apostles (Bourgeault) 35 mins. Non-Dual Wisdom (Rohr) 8 mins. The Sacred as Connection (Rohr) 44 mins. Reclaiming the Path to Romantic Love (Bourgeault) (66 mins.) God as Subject and Object (Rohr) (12 mins.) The Path of Jesus (Bourgeault) (56 mins.) The True Spiritual Path (Rohr) (26 mins.) Beyond the Dance to Union (Rohr) (56 mins.) Passion as a Dangerous Word (Bourgeault) (27 mins.) Anointing (Bourgeault) (24 mins.) Reconciliation Ritual (Bourgeault & Rohr) (14 mins.) Homily (Bourgeault) (15 mins.) Shelby Boblick will lead the reflections. Meetings will take place in the gathering area of St. Catherine St. Lucy Catholic Church, 38 N. Austin Blvd., Oak Park, IL, which is accessible to those with mobility challenges. Assistive listening devices are available. We ll offer duplicate sessions each Monday: one at 1 p.m. and another at 7:30 p.m. Please join at the time that suits you. No need to come at the same time each Monday. Sessions last no longer than 90 minutes. Discussion time will vary depending on the length of the DVD viewing. Questions? Call Shelby Boblick ( ) or St. Catherine-St. Lucy ( ).