Historic St. James at Sag Bridge Church

Transcription

1 Historic St. James at Sag Bridge Church Founded 1833 A Parish of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago South Archer Avenue, Lemont, IL Phone (630) FAX (630) Website: historicstjames.org stjames1833@att.net Founded in 1833, St. James at Sag Bridge is the sole country parish of the Archdiocese of Chicago serving a growing community of Catholics who come together to worship God through the celebration of the Eucharist and traditional devotional activities within truly unique and beautiful surroundings. Our faith filled community strives to bear witness to Jesus Christ by loving and serving one another to bring about the Kingdom of God. AUGUST 10, 2008 NINETEENTH ORDINARY SUNDAY Rev. Edward D. Gleeson, Pastor Mr. John M. Wilkinson, Permanent Deacon Parish Boundaries The Village of Willow Springs Unincorporated Lemont Township Along Archer Avenue and Bell Road, Village of Burr Ridge (Cook County) Mass Schedule Weekends: Saturdays, 5:30 PM. Sundays, 8:30, 10:00, 11:30 AM Holy Days: 8:15 AM and 7:00 PM Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: 8:15 AM Wednesdays: 7:00 PM Confession Schedule Saturdays: 4:30 to 5:15 PM By appointment. Baptisms First Sundays of every month by appointment. Parents must be registered parishioners. Weddings Minimum eight months in advance. At least one partner must be a registered parishioner. Religious Education Classes 1st through 8th Grade Tuesday evenings, September through May Parents must be registered parishioners. Registration In Rectory Office Hours Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Thursdays: 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Parish Ministerial Staff Father Edward Gleeson, Pastor Deacon John Wilkinson, Minister of Care Brian Tishuk, RE Director Pamela Stafford, Music Coordinator Pamela Mikrut, Organist JoAnn Starha, Altar and Rosary President Rodney Poynter, Holy Name President Barbara Tishuk, Our Lady of the Forest President Rectory Support Staff Donna Slosowski, Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper Bernice Raj, Housekeeper/Cook Donald Lasica, Sacristan

2 Page Two August 10, 2008 PETER WAS LIKE THOSE FROM THE DESK OF THE PASTOR 703 TITANIC PASSENGERS IN THE LIFEBOATS HOSE 703 T Water covers about two-thirds of the earth s surface. We cannot live without it. It quenches our thirst and cleanses us. Sometimes, however, we cannot live with water. It is a powerful and mysterious force that can mean death as well as life, especially during times of flooding. In the wee hours of April 15, 1912, the waters of the North Atlantic took the lives of 1,502 R.M.S. Titanic passengers after the great ship grazed an iceberg. The apostles understood water; as fishermen they made their living from it. Water usually meant life. But in this Gospel, with the wind howling above them and with the sea roaring beneath their boat, they also knew that water could mean death. And then something truly amazing happened. Through the storm they saw Jesus walking toward them safely on the lake! Naturally fun-loving Peter wanted to participate in the excitement of it all. Tell me to come to you on the water, he demanded. Peter got his wish as Jesus responded: come. According to Matthew s eyewitness testimony Peter s adventure proved to be a big mistake. Peter got out of the boat and began to walk toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and beginning to sink, he cried out: Lord, save me. Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught Peter, and said to him: O you of little faith, why did you doubt? Peter was like those 703 Titanic passengers in the lifeboats. He was saved not by the rescue ship, Carpathia, but by Jesus. The same lesson applies to all of us Catholics. A lack of faith can sink us all. The Old Testament prophet, Elijah had already experienced that lesson the hard way on the Mount of Horeb according to the First Book of Kings. A strong wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave. The prophet had just witnessed the mighty power of the one true God who, in response to his prayer, had brought down fire from heaven to consume a young bull as a sacrifice. This was after Queen Jezebel s prayer to her pagan gods had proved useless. The queen was really ticked off at the prophet s success, so she swore to kill him. Elijah fled for his life, taking refuge in a cave. There he expected another fantastic sign from God. Instead there was that same soft whisper. Elijah had learned to be content with the way that God had chosen to act. We may want God to act on our behalf in some dramatic manner, to allow us, so the speak, to walk to Him across water. But we are to remain in the unsinkable boat that is the Catholic Church, a Church that cannot go down from a collision with an iceberg or from a great storm. No matter what the approach that those outside of the Church may take, we know that God can always be found in the boat that is the Church. Within the Church God acts in His own way. We no doubt would be thrilled to see our Creator in some brilliant flash of light like the fire which consumed the holocaust offering by Elijah. But the Father s way is simply like that of a tiny whisper. The Lord chooses to speak to us, not in the roar of a strong wind, but in the ordinary sounds of human words through the Sacred Scriptures. The Son chooses to come to us, not in the rumbling of a terrifying earthquake, but under the simple appearances of the bread and wine offered at every Mass. In every circumstance, throughout every need of life, we find Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In order to avoid sinking like St. Peter almost did, we must remain in the boat. We must be faithful apostles in the boat that is the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. God Bless Our Parish, FATHER ED GLEESON, PASTOR

3 Nineteenth Ordinary Sunday Page Three FLOWERS The two large bouquets adorning the main altar were made available through the kindness of MR. & MRS. GEORGE WALSCHLAGER. 175th Anniversary Celebrations LABOR DAY PARISH PICNIC Monday, September 1st, Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller will celebrate our 10:00am Labor Day Mass. Our annual parish picnic will follow. The collection for St. James on the weekend of August 3rd was $ 2, Maintenance was $1, The number of August 3rd Offertory Envelopes handed in the weekend of August 2 and 3 was 139. The amount of money coming out of those envelopes was $ 2, which averages out to $18.92 per envelope. Our many thanks to the 139 contributing families. BLESS YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED AND VALUED SUPPORT. THANK YOU NOTE TO FATHER GLEESON Just a short note to thank you for your warm welcome and hospitality over the weekend (July 19 & 20). It was a real pleasure to visit you and your beautiful parish. Thanks also to Deacon John for his welcome. Wish you all God s blessings. Father Mark Smith, St. Patrick Fathers CANALLERS IN THE CORRIDOR Come and join us following the 11:30 Mass on Sunday, August 24 for the CANALLERS IN THE CORRIDOR. JoAnn Starha of our parish is part of this group. She will present a historical perspective of St. James through the eyes of Johanna Sullivan CANALLERS IN THE CORRIDOR is a volunteer group who promote the story of the Illinois & Michigan Canal era. The Canallers portray real and composite characters of the 1800's. They share stories that reflect the daily lives and extraordinary adventures of a pivotal chapter in the story of the westward expansion. As part of this event there will be a cookout in the St James Cafe on August 24th following all three Sunday Masses. ECCLESIA MEN S CHOIR GREGORIAN CHANT COMES TO ST. JAMES As part of the 175th Anniversary of the founding of St. James at Sag Bridge Church, the St. James Holy Name Society is proud to present the Ecclesia Men s Choir to sing the 11:30 Mass on September 7th. The Ecclesia Men s Choir is a professional liturgical choir from the Chicago area formed to sing the great music of the western and eastern traditions of the Catholic church. Their purpose is to sing for Masses and Divine Liturgies. You will be treated to the Gregorian chant and polyphony some of which dates as far back as the 8th & 9th century. In addition, the Ecclesia Men s Choir will perform a short (30 min.) concert after the conclusion of the 11:30 Mass. This liturgical prayer and concert is presented free of charge, compliments of the Holy Name Society. Following the concert there will be an Open House in all three buildings and on parish grounds. At about 1:30 Father Gleeson will personally provide a cemetery tour. Light refreshments will be served in the café. The gate will be open until 4:00pm. This is the informal part of the celebration. There is no charge for anything. The general public is welcome. 175th ANNIVERSARY MASS & DINNER We will complete our 13-month anniversary celebration at the 11:30am Mass on Sunday, September 28, with Cardinal George as the main celebrant. After the Mass there will be a complete luncheon of steak or salmon or chicken at Courtright s Restaurant in Willow Springs, about a 3-minute drive through the woods down Archer Avenue. This is the formal part of the celebration. Invitation have already been sent to registered parishioners. The response cards are due back by Sunday, August 31st. Additional invitations are available on the ushers table in back of church.

4 Page Four August 10, 2008 I'm a little Tea Cup... There was a couple who took a trip to England to shop in a beautiful antique store to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially teacups. Spotting an exceptional cup, they asked "May we see that? We've never seen a cup quite so beautiful." As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke, "You don't understand. I have not always been a teacup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, Don't do that." "I don't like it!" "Let me alone," but he only smiled, and gently said; Not yet Then WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. "Stop it! I'm getting so dizzy! I'm going to be sick!", I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, quietly; Not yet. He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door. "Help! Get me out of here!" I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head from side to side, Not yet. When I thought I couldn't bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on he shelf, and I began to cool. Oh, that felt so good! "Ah, this is much better," I thought. But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. "Oh, please, Stop it, Stop, I cried. He only shook his head and said. Not yet!. Then suddenly he put me back in to the oven. Only it was not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up. Just then the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited and waited, wondering "What's he going to do to me next?" An hour later he handed me a mirror and said 'Look at yourself.' And I did. I said, That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful!!! Quietly he spoke: 'I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life. If I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't have survived for long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you.' The moral of this story is this: God knows what He's doing for each of us. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us and expose us to just enough pressures of just the right kind that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will. So when life seems hard, and you are being pounded and patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be spinning out of control; when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials; when life seems to "stink", try this. Brew a cup of your favorite tea in your prettiest teacup, sit down and think on this story and then, have a little talk with the Potter. You will not be able to have tea in a tea cup again without thinking of this.

5 This coming Friday, August 15, is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a holyday of obligation for all Catholics. It is also the deadline for registration of all students into our Religious Education program. Now is the time for all Public Schoolers, Catholic Schoolers, and Home Schoolers to come aboard. As of this writing 11 Public School RE families with 14 students have registered. This means that the majority of families are waiting until the last minute! As usual! We welcome Kyle, Thomas, Emily, Megan, Matthew, Tyler, Alex, Danielle, Rebecca, Jarrod, Justin, Bridget, John, and Michael. Where have you gone Joel, Ethan, Anthony, Ahnna, Terry, Kendall, Zack, Jake, Josh, Mary, Ann Marie, John Henry, Rachel, Heather, Anna, Victor, Nichole, Matthew, Nathaniel, Richard, and Seamus? Let s go! Get Mom and Dad to fill out those forms now! Forms and fees need to be submitted by Catholic School families who are making sacraments with us in May of These are 8 th Graders for Confirmations and 2 nd Graders for First Confessions and First Communions. Sean, Hannah, and Daniel are already registered for Confirmation. Sarah isn t sure if she is moving or not. Luke has registered for Confession and Communion. What about you Elizabeth and Regina? Home school students are required Nineteenth Ordinary Sunday RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS Page Five to attend classes during sacramental years only. That means you Juliana and Kristen! Two new families, one Public School and one Catholic School, have approached me about joining us down in Sag Hall. Both have registered in the parish but neither to-date has registered for classes or sacraments. I am anticipating 27 families and 39 students (including 2 home schoolers) for Tuesday classes, 6:30 to 8:00pm. I am also anticipating 8 families and 9 students from Catholic Schools for sacramental preparation for a grand total of 48 kids, two more than last year. I hope that the staff isn t overwhelmed by the numbers! For those of you who don t understand what I mean by the term Catholic Schools, this is a reference to Kingswood Academy (Darien), Noonan Academy (Mokena) and White Pines Academy (Lemont). All three private institutions are recognized as Catholic by both the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Diocese of Joliet. Full time schools for all students will open their doors in the next two weeks or so. This wee bit of a parish begins RE on Tuesday, September 16. Be there! God Bless Our Parish, FATHER ED GLEESON, PASTOR The following individuals were blessed eternally for they received their FIRST GRACE through BAPTISM at St. James at Sag Bridge Church: On June 22, 2008 Gavin Lian son of Shawn & Erin (Hickey) RYAN Carson Anthony son of Brandon & Kari-Ann( Blasen) RYAN On June 22, 2008 Gretchen Barbara daughter of Nathan & Jennifer (Renner) HASELHORST On August 3, 2008 Ayden Thomas son of Katrina BURK We welcome these new Christians into our Catholic Community of St. James. Congratulations to the families.

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7 Nineteenth Ordinary Sunday Page Seven VOTIVE CANDLES Votive offering for the week of August 10th: St. James Altar & Rosary Sodality Special intention for John Stephens In Loving Memory of Richard M. Mesiter Special Intention for Kenneth Kedzior Special intention for Cathy Holmgren Special intention for the Nelson Family Special intention for the Brady Family Special intentions of Mary Panagakor Monday 8:15AM Tuesday 8:15AM August 11 St. Clare Constance Formanek August 12 Weekday Ziolo Aguilar Wednesday 7:00PM August 13 Weekday Purgatorial Society REMEMBER: Friday, August 15 is a HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION the FEAST OF THE ASSUMP- TION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY. Masses that day will be 8:15am and 7:00pm. ST. JAMES BOOSTER CLUB AUGUST WINNERS: 1st Prize: Sheila Yaeger 2nd Prize: Clare Witter 3rd Prize: Linda Bernacchi There is still time to join the Booster Club for only $20.00 and get a chance to win money every month. First prize: $100.00, 2nd prize: $50.00, 3rd prize: $ Proceeds to benefit St. James at Sag Bridge. You still have 6 chances to win. Tickets can be purchased in the rectory. You do not have to be a parishioner to win. Thursday 8:15AM August 14 Dy. Maximilian Kolbe Richard M. Meister Friday August 15 ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 8:15AM int. of Raj Family 7:00PM Louise Guzior Saturday August 16 VIGIL: 20TH ORDINARY SUNDAY 5:30PM Henry & Mary Graf Sunday August 17 TWENTIETH ORDINARY SUNDAY 8:30AM John & Mary Doyle 10:00AM Elizabeth Nelson 11:30AM int. of Richard Guzior Aug. 16 & 17 5:30PM 8:30AM 10:00 AM 11:30 AM Celebrant Father Gleeson Father Gleeson Father Schmidt Father Gleeson Altar Servers M. May D. Veitkus R. Veitkus J.H. Dillenburg A. Dillenburg A. Gorniak Z. Reitz T. Wall J. Reitz K. Smuda E. Witter J. Beecher Lector R. Augustyn C. Stach-Pearman D. Lasica C. Beecher LEM Deacon John M. Dillenburg D. Lasica D. Lasica Ushers J. Starha C. Hughes E. Liczwek M. Hally T. Lang F. Pearman H. Grutza J. Pajkos J. Wall M. Lavery D. Butalla B. Czaja J. Neadly R. Poynter M. Fleckenstein