September 14, 2014 The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Transcription

1 September 14, 2014 The Exaltation of the Holy Cross PASTORAL TEAM Rev. George Omwando, Pastor Rev. John J. Carolan, Pastor Emeritus Mr. James Hargadon, Pastoral Associate Mrs. Shelby Boblick, Pastoral Associate Ms. Gail Rohmann, Director of Music Sr. Marion Cypser, RSM, School Principal SUPPORT STAFF Mrs. Amanda Pomareda, Office Manager / Adm. Ass t. Mrs. Fannie Cooper, School Secretary Mr. Michael Cypser, Maintenance CONTACTING THE PARISH Rectory 38 N. Austin Blvd.; Oak Park, IL Telephone: apomaredascsloffice@comcast.net Web: Hours: 8:30 AM-8:00 PM Monday, Tuesday & Thursdays Wednesday & Fridays: 8:30 AM 4:30 PM Saturday 9:00 AM 4:30 PM; Sunday 8:30 AM 12:30 PM School - 27 Washington Blvd.; Oak Park, IL Telephone: Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturday at 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM; or by appointment. Weddings: Please contact a parish priest to set a wedding date. Allow at least 4 months for preparation. Baptisms: Baptism of infants and young children is celebrated on the 1st 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. 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 Office during the week.

2 Page 2 September 14, 2014 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 John McGuire SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMISSION Faith & Fellowship: Connie Rakitan Liturgy Committee: Cantors: Gail Rohmann Celebration Choir: Gail Rohmann Praise Choir: Julius White Greeters & Ushers: Tom Frank Dear Brothers and Sisters, Ministers of the Eucharist: Jeanne Visteen Ministers of the Word: Jeanne Visteen Servers: James Hargadon Ministers of Care: James Hargadon Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: (RCIA): James Hargadon Women s Ministry: Shelby Boblick HUMAN CONCERNS COMMISSION Peace & Justice Committee: Mary Sim & Martin Senica Transportation Committee: Tom Farwell EDUCATION COMMISSION Baptism Committee: James Hargadon Bible Study: Russ McCaughey Religious Education of Children: Christine Wedekind St. Catherine/St. Lucy School: Principal: Sr. Marion Cypser School Board Chair: Gloria Baxter PARISH DEVELOPMENT & SERVICES COMMISSION Collection Counters: Carol Kallok Facilities Committee: Fr. George Omwando, Amanda Pomareda Fundraising Committee: Pat Nelson / Cynthia Weaver Thoughts From the Pastor WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULE Weekday Masses: Monday through Friday - 8:30am Saturday - 9:00am Weekend Masses: Saturday Evening - 5:00pm Sunday Morning - 8:30 & 10:30am 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 I want to thank everyone who was involved directly or indirectly in the planning and execution of our first retreat, geared toward the preparation of our 125th Anniversary Celebration. The Holy Spirit is present where two or three are gathered. I want to thank Sr. Teresita for saying yes to being our retreat master. I want to thank, specifically, some of our neighboring parishes that assisted in the planning of this great event: St. Giles, St. Giles Family Mass Community, Old St. Patrick, St. Luke, St. Edmund and Ascension.Thanks also for the more than 300 retreat participants! The event was spirit-filled and many folks did enjoy the recollection. As we continue to prepare for this special anniversary, we remember to pray for the many parishioners who have made huge sacrifices in the past 125 years. Their tremendous contributions of time, talent and treasure continue to illuminate our Faith daily. We remember the Sisters of Mercy who taught many students that have graduated from our school. Today, some of those students hold key positions in our society. We pray for the souls of the eight pastors who have led this parish in the past that they may continue to pray for us. Dear Brothers and Sisters, this Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is an ancient feast, going back to the dedication of the church of the Holy Sepulche in Jerusalem, in 355 A.D. This church encloses both Golgotha and Jesus tomb and, on this site, St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, found the True Cross. Listen again to these words of our 1st reading from the book of Numbers: With their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses, I don t know about you, but I can relate to this. The life of faith seems like a long trip in the desert, and our faith can suffer. Because of their sin, their faithfulness, God s people were afflicted by venomous snakes. So God instructed Moses: Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live. The bronze serpent, lifted up, points to the Cross of Christ, which defeats death and obtains everlasting life for those who believe. From Jesus being lifted on the Cross and his Resurrection, we are reborn in the Spirit as adopted sons and daughters of the Father; God not only redeems us, but fills us with Divine life that we might share His glory. I wish all of you a happy feast! Fr. George Omwando

3 Page 3 September 14, 2014 BEING LIFTED UP In today s Gospel, Jesus reminds Nicodemus how Moses had lifted up the serpent in the desert. Then Jesus says, So must the Son of Man be lifted up, that all who believe may have eternal life in him. The evangelist clearly saw this lifting up of Jesus to mean his crucifixion. That lifting up of the serpent by Moses is described in today s first reading. The people were attacked by saraph serpents, and many died. God had Moses make an image of the serpent and put it on a pole and lift it up. The people who had been bitten looked at it and recovered. Jesus emptied himself, taking the form of a slave. Lifted up on the cross, he was despised and seemed the most abject of people. But it was in embracing this disgrace and painful death that he became the bearer of eternal life for all of us. His lifting up in shame was also his lifting up in glory and triumph. -Coyright J. S. Paluch Co. This weekend, we welcome Rev. Robert Karris, OFM, who will be speaking to us about their ministry which focuses on the greatest needs of the destitute. Your support will be greatly appreciated. TOOTIE ROLLS September Faith and Fellowship is our parish s outreach for adults who struggle with mental illness. We rely heavily on the Knights of Columbus s Tootsie Roll drive to support this work, and we rely on YOU to help. Can you give an hour or two? Contact Connie Rakitan at or faith_fellowship@hotmail.com THANKS!!! Monday, 9/15 4:00-7:00 PM - Voice Lessons - CH Tuesday, 9/16 9:30 AM - Bible Study - RRT 10:00 AM - Fundraising Meeting - RD 10:00 AM-2:00 PM - Voice Lessons - CH 7:00 PM - Scripture Studies - RD 7:30 PM - Praise Choir - MMR Wednesday, 9/17 10:00 AM Quilting Group - RD 10:00 AM - Staff Meeting - RDR 1:30 PM - Organ Lessons - CH 6:00 PM - Celebration Choir - CH Thursday, 9/18 4:00-7:00 PM - Voice Lessons - CH Friday, 9/19 Saturday, 9/20 9:30 AM - Rosary Group - CH 10:00 AM - Altar Servers Training - CH Save the Date Friday-Saturday, September Tootsie Roll Drive Sun., September 28 Walk-A-Thon & Picnic Saturday & Sunday, October Fair Trade Sale Saturday & Sunday, October All Hallows Eve Bake Sale and 500 Club Drawing November Christmas Bazaar at Maguire Hall 500 CLUB WINNERS! $25.00 September 14, 2014 GRACE SMITH # 325 Have you purchased 500 Club certificates for the year? Some of the proceeds from this fundraiser will go toward the purchase of more tables and chairs for Maguire Hall; the rest goes into the general operating fund of the parish. Certificates are $25 each and your certificate number(s) will be included in a drawing each weekend for one year, even if already selected. The first drawing for the season will take place on October 26th and this first drawing is for $500. Most weekends the drawing is for $25 but there are three $500 drawings during the year. We have 500 certificates for sale. If we sell all of them there will be a fourth drawing for $500. Certificates can be purchased at the rectory or by mail (pick up an order form in the vestibule of the church or at the rectory office). This is a fun way to support the parish and it's open to everyone. Pass the word to your family, friends and neighbors. Many thanks!!! ~The Fundraising Committee

4 Page 4 September 14, 2014 MON. SEPTEMBER 15 9:00 VIRGINIA M. CESARIO BY: DONNA KANAPES TUE. SEPTEMBER 16 8:30 DANIEL GRAYSON BY: A FRIEND WED. SEPTEMBER 17 8:30 ANTHONY C. CLARK BY: DONNA KANAPES & KAMILE KALINA THUR. SEPTEMBER 18 8:30 JACK TOBIN THE TOBIN FAMILY FRI. SEPTEMBER 19 8:30 VIRGINIA MULLIN BY: SUE VANEK SAT. SEPTEMBER 20 9:00 TED RANDALL BY: BERN AND MARIE WHEEL 5:00 JOSEPH PHILLIPS BY: SUE VANEK SUN. SEPTEMBER 21 8:30 MR. & MRS. HARRY B. MICHAELS BY: THE VINCENT FAMILY 10:30 SUSAN OSTA BY: TOM AND PAT NELSON Readings for the Week Monday: 1 Cor 11:17-26, 33; Ps 40:7-10, 17 or Ps 31:2-6, 15-16, 20; Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35 Tuesday: 1 Cor 12:12-14, 27-31a; Ps 100:1-5; Lk 7:11-17 Wednesday: 1 Cor 12:31 13:13; Ps 33:2-5, 12, 22; Lk 7:31-35 Thursday: 1 Cor 15:1-11; Ps 118:1b-2, 16ab-17, 28; Lk 7:36-50 Friday: 1 Cor 15:12-20; Ps 17:1bcd, 6-8b, 15; Lk 8:1-3 Saturday: 1 Cor 15:35-37, 42-49; Ps 56:10c-14; Lk 8:4-15 Sunday: Is 55:6-9; Ps 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18; Phil 1:20c-24, 27a; Mt 20:1-16a Tuesdays 9:30AM here at St. Catherine of Siena St. Lucy s Rectory. Saints and Special Observances Sunday: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross Monday: Our Lady of Sorrows; Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time Tuesday: Ss. Cornelius and Cyprian Wednesday: St. Robert Bellarmine Friday: St. Januarius Saturday: Ss. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions Our Parish Stewardship Weekly Offering: September 7, 2014 $ 8, Weekly Budget $ 7, Amount Over-Budget $ 1, Thanks for your continued financial support! Today s Readings First Reading Whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, they lived (Numbers 21:4b-9). Psalm Do not forget the works of the Lord! (Psalm 78). Second Reading Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped (Philippians 2:6-11). Gospel God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that those who believe might have eternal life (John 3:13-17). 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. Liturgical Ministers September 21, :00 PM 8:30 AM 10:30 AM ALTAR SERVERS Max Stec Evan Bell Mr. Dave Detmer Henry Detmer MINISTERS OF THE WORD Tom Lynch John Murphy Peter Barber Sydney Jackson MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST Jim Hargadon Tom Finch Jack Kernan Pat Koko Thom Schouten Walter Washington Gordon Bell Bill Cragg Annie Rowan Fannie Cooper Christianne Msall Bern Wheel Jeanne Visteen Mary Howard Bill Holmes Jan Kieckhefer Marie Wheel Shelby Boblick

5 Page 5 September 14, 2014 Our Living Word: For Reflection Take time each week to reflect upon the CURRENT Sunday s Scripture. We are fed by the Word so we can live out the Word. SEPTEMBER 14, 2014 THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS When I hear that... cross is a contradiction... I take that to mean... My belief in the Son of God is expressed as... Each week introductions to the 1st and 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. SEPTEMBER 21, TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME First Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9 The prophetic words in this reading were spoken during the Israelites exile in Babylon. Earlier, the prophet had proclaimed that God was looking mercifully upon them and would soon free them. In this passage, the prophet points out that they now have a window of opportunity and should take advantage of God s willingness to forgive. Second Reading: Philippians 1:20-24, 27 For the next four weeks, our second reading will be taken from Paul s letter to the Philippians. When Paul wrote this letter, he was in prison for preaching the Gospel, and he faced the possibility of execution. A person in those circumstances tends to think long thoughts about death, and death is what Paul is wrestling with in this passage. Consider This As a Personal Invitation! You may, or may not, have noticed that our Altar Servers are low in number! We are most grateful to our faithful servers for helping us each week in our worship of our Good Lord. YOU (and your family members!) could add to our numbers by coming to a training session for NEW Altar Servers NEXT Saturday, September 20, 10:00 AM in the church. All families in our Faith Community 4th graders through senior citizens are welcome. Don t be shy! Praying for the Sick In Our Parish Winifred Ballew, Rich Bongeorno II, Brian Bradley, Lillian Czaplicki, Tammy Chitwood, Nikki Glass, Be y Goeb, Terrie Kalina, Virginia Keenan, Paul Koko, Shannon Nauss, Robert Schappert, Kelly Stec, Stephen Toms, and Samuel Wilks. 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. Table Talk for Families ( Families are what you define family to be!) Before you start, these conversations come out of a reading of Scripture. You may want to have a family member read the actual Scripture. This installment is based upon the Gospel of Matthew (18:21-35). Here you go! Consequences 1. What forms does endless forgiveness take in a family or community? 2. Does forgiveness mean the offender should experience no consequences for his or her bad choices? Religion Education News Classes 1-8 start September 10, 2014, Pre-K and Kindergarten start Sept. 27, There is a MANDATORY meeting today, Sunday, Sept. 14 at 5:00 p.m. in the rectory for Confirmation candidates and their parents. Registration for Religious Education for the school year is open. If your child was enrolled in Religious Education last year, they are automatically enrolled this year. Contact Mrs. Christine Wedekind, Rel. Ed. Coordinator at: Christine.wedekind@aol.com or call the rectory and leave a message, and she will return your phone call. Evening Bible Studies The Tuesday evening bible series continues at 7 PM. We meet in the rectory basement meeting room. We are studying the Acts of the Apostles. All welcome and you are encouraged to bring a friend! Liturgical Bits & Bytes Bible Translations As you know, readings from the Bible are used at Mass. We read from a book called the Lectionary. It is not the Bible, but all the readings in it are taken from the Bible. The translation approved for official use in the United States is the New American Bible. Some other English-speaking countries use different translations. The sense of the various translations is the same. However, the Catholic Bishops of a country can choose which translation will work best for their people and use that for their Lectionary. In the same way, countries where English is not spoken choose translations that can be understood by their people. Whatever translation is selected is subject to the particularities of the language used.

6 Page 6 September 14, 2014 Donate On-Line via PayPal To donate towards our 125th Anniversary Celebrations, please visit: 1. On the left tab click on the Donate sign. A window will open. 2. Add your donation amount which is after St. Catherine-St. Lucy 125th Anniv. General Donations. 3. Continue with Pay with Credit. Review Donation and finish by following instructions. Do you Have Large, Attractive Plants in your Home? On October 19th we would like to have greenery throughout the church and the Liturgy Team thought that parish members might be able to help in this area. IF YOU HAVE ATTRACTIVE HOUSE PLANTS you would be willing to allow us to use on that Sunday it would be most appreciated, not only aesthetically but financially too! This would be just another way that members of our Parish Family can feel really involved with the preparations for the Mass that day. We're thinking of plants like ferns, palms, large peace lilies, etc., plants that don't need to be placed on tables to be seen. YOU WOULD NEED to get them here since we don't have trucks to transport them. They would be placed and then you could retrieve them the week following the Mass on October 19th. You are invited to bring them to the church on Saturday, October 18th from 10:00 to 11:00 AM Celebrate! LITURGY Please join us in celebrating 125 years as a parish. All parishioners, alumni & friends are welcome. Sunday, October 19, :30am Mass Celebrated by The Most Reverent Bishop John Manz Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago Reception immediately following Mass in Maguire Hall ALL CHURCH/ALL SCHOOL REUNION School Open House with tours. Architectural tours of the church. 125th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL CHOIR You and/or someone you know have a wonderful opportunity! Read on. You're invited and you're needed to make this 125th celebration festive and beautiful. If you don't have time for a regular commitment to one of our choirs, if you have never sung in a choir, if you haven't sung in a choir since you were in school, if you're not available to rehearse on weeknights, if you'd like to sing with the organ and a brass quartet, if you'd like to help make our 125th Anniversary Mass even more special... then join us for just 4 rehearsals after the 10:30 Mass on September 21st, and 28th and October 5th and 12th to prepare music for this beautiful celebration! Our Praise and Celebration Choirs will form the core of the ensemble, so you'll have plenty of support from experienced singers. Don't let anything stop you from enjoying this experience! If you and/or someone you know are interested in joining us, see Gail Rohmann, or any one of our choir members to let us know. You will be most welcome. We'll count on seeing you on the 21st!" Gail Rohmann, Director of Music Ministry Julius White, Director of Praise Choir

7 Page 7 September 14, 2014 Peace & Justice Committee Meeting There will be a Peace & Justice Committee meeting on Tuesday, September 16th at 7:00pm in the Rectory to discuss events for the year, recap what other parishes in our vicariate are doing, and brainstorm on ideas as to what we should do as a group. The Peace & Justice Committee currently does things such as bringing the Food First donations to local food pantries, Souper Bowl Sunday, Giving Tree, Fair Trade, and Greater Chicago Food Depository volunteering. We are interested in discussing other possible service opportunities and involvement in other advocacy issues. If you too are interested in these or similar issues, please join us on Tuesday. Remember a Loved One The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetime, rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death. (Pope Benedict XV) We have weekday Masses available in our 2014 Mass Book. Please come to the Rectory for Masses. Remember your loved ones or any other special occasion.... And Let It Begin With Me. Great ideas, it has been said, come into the world as gentle as doves. Perhaps then, if we listen attentively, we shall hear amid the uproar of empires and nations a faint flutter of wings, a gentle stirring of life and hope. [Albert Camus] Support Our Bulletin Advertisers! Advertise your Business in our Bulletin Food...Family...Friends...Fun!!!! The 11th Annual St. Catherine - St Lucy Walk & Picnic What: A 5k (6 laps) Walk and Picnic plus games for the kids Where: Taylor Park in Oak Park (Division & Ridgeland North side) When: Sunday September 28th 1-4pm Cost: Donation packets will be available after each mass.-if you don t wish to take a packet, please consider making a donation to someone who will walk. Raffle: In honor of our 125th Anniversary $125 Walgreens gift Card and gift card to Dave and Busters. Tickets sold after Mass ~ EVERYONE IS WELCOME ~ There will be games and face painting for the kids as well as a balloon toss for ALL! Participants will be served BURGERS, DOGS, CHIPS, SODA / H2O, & BROWNIES. Fair Trade The new leaders for Fair Trade sales are, Lisa Azu-Popow and Marge Massarello. The first sale for the fall is weekend of October We encourage you to continue supporting the this Social Justice project by buying coffee, tea and chocolate. The proceeds $$ will go directly to St. Catherine- St. Lucy Parish. COME & SUPPORT OUR PARISH