FROM THE DESK OF THE PASTOR WOULD YOU?

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2 Page Two September 11, 2005 FROM THE DESK OF THE PASTOR GIVEN A CHOICE WHO WOULD YOU PICK TO JUDGE YOU? IVEN A C This is the day you die. Your whole life flashes in front of your eyes. Then you are standing at the entrance gate to heaven. Incredibly St. Peter gives you a choice that you never expected to have. You can pick the one you want to judge you! Now you have to make the decision. Who will it be? It has to be someone who really likes you a lot, someone who is really going to give you a break. A spouse, a sibling, a parent, a child, a close personal friend, someone who owes you money? Wait a minute! What about all those arguments you had with those people? Maybe they are all holding a grudge. Better play it safe. Choose one of the saints who are already in heaven. Wait a minute! All of the saints were much better behaved in their lives than you were. Their judgment may be too harsh. Who then? Well, Jesus answered that question in the parable of today s Gospel. Peter approached Jesus and asked Him: Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times? Jesus answered: I say to you, not seven times but seventyseven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said: Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full. Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the lean. Given a choice who would you pick to judge you? Now you know the answer! It won t be Grandpa or your Aunt Matilda. It will be the king in the parable, God the Father, who loves you more than any of the others. He will be your choice to judge you. Who else can be so trusted? Your credit card company? Forget it. In order to wipe out the debt of our sin God the Father gave His Son up to death for us and for our salvation. We must never forget this supreme act of generosity. We must listen attentively to the words of consecration over the wine. Speaking through the priest Jesus the Christ says to us at every Mass This is the cup of My Blood. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. And forgiven are our sins, wiped out, cancelled when we fulfill God s condition, that is, to be forgiving toward each other as the Father is to us. Later in the Mass we all proclaim: Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Keep in mind, however, that there is another part of the same parable. As it turns out the lucky servant in question wasn t real big on forgiving the trespasses of others. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount. He seized him and started to choke him, demanding: Pay back what you owe. Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him: Be patient with me, and I will pay you back. But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt. The king was both generous and just. When word reached the royal palace about the outrageous actions of the ungrateful servant, the king totally reversed his original decision and severely punished the man for his lack of justice. Our King, God the Father, is also generous and just. God the Son explained it this way in the parable: So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart. Unlike the unjust servant, we have all been given a warning. No matter how hard our hearts may have been, all of our sins can be forgiven by participating in the Sacrament of Penance. Getting to Confession on a regular basis prepares us for that day of judgment. God Bless Our Parish Father Ed Gleeson, Pastor

3 Twenty-Fourth Ordinary Sunday Page Three FLOWERS The two large bouquets adorning the main altar were made available through the kindness of DONNA SLOSOWSKI in thanksgiving for good health. The collection for St. James on the weekend of September 4th was $3, Maintenance was $1, The number of September 4th Offertory Envelopes handed in last weekend September 3 & 4 was 149. The amount of money coming out of those envelopes was $2, which averages out to $16.25 per envelope. Our many thanks to the149 contributing families. BLESS YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED AND VALUED SUPPORT. TRAINING FOR NEW LECTORS Every year the Vicariate V Ministry Commission offers sessions for ministry training and development. Registration is free. A training session for New Lectors will be held here at St. James at Sag Bridge Church on Tuesdays, October 11 & 18 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. This two-session workshop provides new lectors with initial training that includes theology of the Word, attention to liturgical language, and the power of proclaiming the Word. Participants have the opportunity to gain practical skills through demonstration and participation. (*Participants are asked to bring a Bible for use at the training sessions). Our speaker/ instructor is Mary Ann Spina, a Pastoral Associate at Holy Cross Parish in Deerfield. She is also Vice- Chair of the board of Directors of Mayslake Ministries and a consultant in theological reflection for the University of the South. You must register to participate are least one week prior. Please contact Rita Burns at Sacred Heart Church in Palos Hills at ext. 5 or her at burns4re@aol.com. REMINDER: Next Sunday, September 18th is Catechist Sunday. All parents and students of our Religious Education program are STRONGLY encouraged to attend the 11:30am Mass this day, to be blessed along with all their teachers and RE staff. All classes will be held as usual from 9:45 to 11:15am. LETTER FROM THE CATHOLIC MISSION OFFICE August 25, 2005 Dear Members of St. James Sag Bridge Parish, Through the Summer Mission Appeal this year our Archdiocese is welcoming 118 missionaries representing the church throughout the world. l1 missionaries come from Africa, 11 from India, 8 from other parts of Eastern Asia. There are 10 mission speakers from our neighbors in the Caribbean, 7 from South America and 3 from Eastern Europe and Russia. 34 of the missionaries represent dioceses, 42 speak about the work of men s missionary religious congregations, 32 are religious missionaries sisters, and 7 belong to lay missionary programs. On behalf of all these people I want to thank your parish for your collection and donation of $1, for Dominican Sisters-Springfield. These funds will accomplish wonderful things in areas where the church is struggling to become strong and self-reliant. But what you give has a second equally important benefit because it supports the spirits of our sisters and brothers in these difficult and sometimes isolated environments. Last year 34 missionaries were martyred as they went about their ministries. Many more get worn down amid constant tensions, dangers, and tragedies. Receiving something tangible from Catholics far away builds a sense of connection in the body of Christ. Only in eternity will you know what a great help you have been. Sincerely, Sr. Maria Burke, SSpS Director, Catholic Mission Office

4 Page Four September 11, 2005 EMMAUS EXPERIENCE A Mystagogical PARISH MISSION for the Year of the Eucharist. Sunday, September 18 through Thursday, September 22, 2005 Father George Knab of Oblate Preaching Ministries will again come to St. James parish to conduct our parish mission entitled Emmaus Experience. It is a 4-day parish mission that focuses on the Eucharist as a sacred action and a sacred presence, a mystery of faith and light. This mission includes a reconciliation service, celebration of the Mass and the Rite of Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 GATHERING IN CHRIST (Introductory Rite) 7:00PM God s love in Christ calls us to faith, conversion and baptism, which draws us together into a worshipping community. Sin is at work in our lives and the world around us. In His love God saves us from sin and gives us a new life through Christ in the Holy Spirit. A water rite renews us in baptismal grace. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 THE WORD THAT FORMS CHRIST 8:15am MASS Father Knab celebrates Mass and preaches in church. Following Mass we will rejoin in the rectory basement for The Greatest Commandment talk and enjoy light refreshments and camaraderie. 7:00pm Liturgy of the Word (No Mass) God s word shapes the community personally and corporately into Christ. A rite of reconciliation prepares for the Sacrament of Penance. God forgives the sinner, and renews everyone in holiness. This is a penitential celebration, and the Sacrament of Penance is offered tonight as well as tomorrow. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 THE ACTION THAT IS CHRIST 8:15am (No Mass) Father Knab leads us in morning prayer followed by a talk, The Second Greatest Commandment where you will be able to write down any questions you have. Refreshment in rectory basement immediately following. 10:00am to 4:00pm CONFESSIONS Father Knab will be available in church at the beginning of each hour to hear confessions throughout the day. 7:00pm MASS The shape of Christian life is Jesus fourfold action: taking, blessing, breaking and giving that He left as a memorial of His sacrifice. Mass is celebrated as the climax of the mission. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for an optional Holy Hour. The Rosary will be recited during this time. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 DISMISSAL TO BRING CHRIST (The Concluding Rite) 8:15am MASS Father Knab presides and preaches at Mass. Immediately following in rectory basement will be a Question and Answer session and light refreshments. 6:00pm ADORATION The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for an optional Holy Hour. 7:00pm BENEDICTION (No Mass) This service is conducted in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and concluded with Benediction and the announcement of the plenary indulgence. We as a community are sent forth from the Sacred Presence to enlighten and transform the world around us. Thursday, September 22 8:15am MASS Father Knab concelebrates Mass alongside Father Puchenski.

5 LETTER FROM CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN AND AGING Dear Deacon John, My prayerful greetings! My name is Luciana Bayta, 72 years old and married to Paulino. We are blessed with 10 children. All are married except my eldest son and youngest son. My children support us in our daily needs. My husband is bedridden because of old age and blindness. I take care of him. My eldest son helps me in nursing to him. My family was very happy for choosing me your sponsored friend. We are very grateful. We welcome you to our family. Thank you very much. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you. Your new friend, Luciana Bayta writing for her is Angelica, granddaughter ARCHDIOCESE OF IMPLEMENT NEW CHILD SAFETY PROGRAM In an effort to protect our children, the parishes and schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago are proud to implement a new child safety program called the Child Lures Prevention program. This is a proactive child-safety initiative that explores the techniques used by predators to lure children into dangerous situations. It teaches children how to recognize behavior and protect themselves. NBC-5 is airing a two-week special series, Smart Choices, Safe Kids, introducing this child protection program, beginning Monday, September 12 th at 6pm. We encourage parents to sit down with their children and watch the new series. The Archdiocese of Chicago will be utilizing this program in our parishes and schools this fall. Watch for further information in the weeks ahead on how you can help your children protect themselves. It just could be the most important information you ever receive. For more information about this program or any of the other initiatives undertaken by the Archdiocese to keep children safe, please contact the Archdiocesan Office for the Protection of Children and Youth at or by Twenty-Fourth Ordinary Sunday Page Five LETTER FROM CATHOLIC CHARITIES Dear St. James Altar & Rosary Sodality, On behalf of Catholic Charities and the St. Blasé Food Pantry, we wish to thank your organization and members for your generous gift of food and paper products collected for our emergency needs. The food will be used for people in our community most in need. Thank you again. Sincerely, Sister Noemi MINISTRIES TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES Sponsored by Vicariate V Ministry Commission Certification for (new) MINISTERS OF CARE Sept. 15 Oct. 20, 7:30pm, St. Michael Parish Training for (new) EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Sept. 19 & 22, 7:00pm, St. Elizabeth Seton Oct. 3 & 6, 7:00pm Incarnation Parish Ministry of USHERS & GREETERS Oct. 6, 7:30pm, St. Francis of Assisi VISION & VOICES OF VATICAN II Sept. 17, 9:00am, St. Xavier University Please contact Rita Burns at Sacred Heart Church in Palos Hills at ext. 5 or her at burns4re@aol.com. BOOSTER CLUB ALL THESE PEOPLE WERE WIN- NERS IN THE ST. JAMES BOOSTER CLUB: Jim Sarros, Michael Wall, Mark McLain, Tom Zwinak, William & Therese Blinstrub, Marty Fleckenstein, Patricia Ryan, Noreen Ryan, John Wilkinson, Robert Lawler, James Campione, Doug McCullough, Tom Backofen, Henry Dziekan, Edward Quinn, Tom Nicholson, Rudolph Napolitan, Bernice Raj, Stan Balazia, Tom Kulawiak, Charlie Hughes, Padraic Walsh, Beth DiVirgilio, Mary Wagner, Lisa Dullard. Kayt Miller, Theresa Noska, Mary Berry, Carol & Jack Jagger, Noreen Salmon, Barbara Charles, Rev. Edw. Gleeson, and Steve Hagen. YOU CAN BE A WINNER TOO! NEW BOOSTER CLUB membership is good for one year and cost only $20. New membership is being sold NOW! You have 36 new chances to win (from Oct. 05 to Sept. 06). 1st prize is $100, 2nd prize is $50 and 3rd prize is $25. You do not have to be a parishioner to win.

6 Page Six September 11, 2005 St. James Altar & Rosary sponsored FOOD & COAT DRIVE September 24 & 25 Non-perishable foods will be collected---dry, canned or boxed foods only. Good items are soups, juices, coffee, tea, vegetables, fruit, cereals, sauces, noodles, flour, cake mixes, etc. Your donations will be collected in Sag Hall before and after all Masses on Saturday & Sunday, September 24 & 25. NEEDED: WINTER Coats, boots, hats, gloves & heavy winter sweaters This year s Food & Coat Drive will be donated to Catholic Charities and will benefit the hungry and homeless right here in our own backyard St. Blasé where they have a Food Pantry, prepare and serve meals weekly and provide clothing to the poor. SPECIAL HUNGER AWARENESS COLLECTION SEPTEMBER 24 & 25 A special collection will be taken up at all weekend Masses on September 24 & 25 also in support of Catholic Charities. In addition to holding the Food & Coat Drive the St. James ALTAR & ROSARY SODALITY is asking YOU as a parishioner to also contribute to this special HUNGER AWARENESS COLLECTION to be taken up at all weekend Masses on September 24 & 25. For every $ raised the ALTAR & ROSARY will be able to sponsor one meal program for the hungry and homeless at the Catholic Charities St. Blasé Emergency Food Center on a Wednesday night. The ALTAR & ROSARY women will actually set up and serve the meal on the sponsored night. So please give generously so we can provide more than one meal!

7 Twenty-Fourth Ordinary Sunday Page Seven VOTIVE CANDLES When you enter a Catholic church, you might see a shrine, small side chapels or side altars with statues or icons and votive candles. The word votive comes from the Latin votum meaning vow, and these candles when lit, are used to symbolize our prayers, vows of prayer, or simply our honoring God or one of His Saints. They are lit outside of Mass and usually for a specific intention. It's a very Catholic thing to say to someone that you will "light a candle for them," meaning that you will pray for them and ritually symbolize those prayers by the lighting of votives. Another common reason to light votive candles is out of gratitude to God for answered prayers. Burning votive candles are visible evidence of the prayers that have been offered there. Votive offering for the week of September 4th Henry Napolitan Marie Horbaczewski Mary A. Berger Rubio Stach & Pearman Families Clarence Zima Helen Zima James Tarra Nelson Family Votive offering for the week of Septembewr 11th Nelson Family Ronald Zima Harry R. Berger Zubek Family Lamb Family Hilan Family Karnoscak Family Kelly Family Monday Tuesday Wednesday 7:00PM Thursday Friday 4:30PM September 12 Holy Name of Mary Living & Deceased Parishioners September 13 St. John Chrysostom Harry E. Wilkinson September 14 Weekday Mary & Ted Wesolowski Purgatorial Society September 15 OUR LADY OF SORROWS Lorie Vallortigara September 16 St. Cornelius Neal Van Cleave & Family WEDDING: Brian Doherty & Lynette Rimkus CHANGE OF DATES The special collection for the New World will be taken up at all Masses next weekend September 17th & 18th. The second collection for September 24th & 25th will be the Hunger Awareness collection. Saturday September 17 Vigil: 25th Ordinary Sunday 4:30 to 5:15PM CONFESSIONS 5:30PM Peter Oosterbaan Sunday September 18 TWENTY-FIFTH ORDINARY SUNAY 8:30AM Elizabeth Zilinkas 10:00AM int. of Donna Slosowski thanksgiving for blessings 11:30AM Harry E. Wilkinson September 17 & 18 5:30 PM 8:30AM 10:00 AM 11:30 AM Celebrant Father Gleeson Father Knab Father Knab Father Gleeson Altar Servers K. Janociak M. Christakas N. Christakas P. Tisuk S. Gorniak K. Smuda B. Ahearn M. Walsh M. Wall C. Arra E. Czyzewicz R. Rubinelli Lector N. Konieczny J. Jagger B. Lewis D. Lasica LEM L. Backofen M. Dillenburg Deacon John Deacon John Ushers P. Walsh C. Hughes E. Liczwek N. Nowaczyk R. Lawler T. Lang F. Pearman H. Grutza M. Lavery I. Lewis J. Newcomer J. Pajkos B. Czaja R. Poynter D. Butalla J. Neadly