Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 16, 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. Kevin Reynolds School Principal Ms. Kelly Zawisza Religious Education Coordinator Ms. Anne Watylyk 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. Steve Swanson, Rectory 1144 Harrison Ave., FAX School 1125 Harrison, LaGrange Park, Religious Education Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday Evening: 5:00 p.m.; Sunday: 7:30, 9:30, 11:00 a.m. Weekday Masses Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 16, 2014 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 Deacon Kevin Reynolds, Parish Nurses, Hours as posted in church. New Parishioners Register at the rectory. Website parishoffice@slmparish.org Bulletin Deadline Monday at 10:00 a.m. Traveling? Call or

2 Last week I mentioned Mahatma Gandhi who, since he studied the Gospels so much, was asked why he didn t become a Christian and replied, Because I ve never met one. That criticism stings. I think it may sting because down deep we know Gandhi is right; we don t live the Gospel as we should. We Christians have for a long time been accused of not living the life laid out in the Gospels. We admit that we are a bunch of sinners. But we also claim we are only human (usually meaning either we are too weak to live gospel lives or only special people like Jesus can actually live like that). Truth is Gandhi is partly right and partly wrong. The Gospels raise the bar on living human lives. The Gospels call on us to be champions of everyday life, champions empowered by the grace of God. Somehow we have slipped into a mindset that faith should be an easy thing; it should be simple, requiring little or no hardship. We may even believe we just can t live the life Jesus outlines in the Gospels. He asks too much. And yet, we put huge amounts of time and energy into sports, our kids and our career. If we have the strength for that, why do we think we don t we have the strength to undergo the transformation Jesus calls us to? I think we may have to face the fact that we don t want to. We want all that Jesus promises (forgiveness of sins, the blessings of God in this life and eternal life with God after death) but we don t want to do anything painful to achieve them. We want no fault salvation! This is nothing new. From Adam and Eve to the Hebrews who wandered 40 years in the desert the during the Exodus to the nation of Israel settled in the Holy Land to King David and all the kings who followed him right up to the people to whom St. Paul wrote his letters, we find over and over the choice of the people is to do it my way. Regardless of what God does to get it across to us that, as his People, we are called to live his way, we keep falling back to doing it our way. What God is demanding, what Jesus is calling us to is way too difficult and just not appealing. It s just not the way real life works. This is exactly why we need a redeemer. On the other hand Gandhi missed something. What made Gandhi such a great figure not only to Indians but to the world is he sacrificed of his own life for the sake of the people. Gandhi demanded respect for all people and he was not afraid to seriously challenge his own Hindus to respect the Muslims living in India. Gandhi, like the Lord, was exceptional. And Gandhi, like the Lord, called for everyone else to become just as exceptional as he. What Gandhi missed was that most people are still bound by prejudice and emotion and selfishness. We are sinners. While as individuals we may fall far short of the mark set by the Lord, we as the People of God are fulfilling all the Lord has called us to. The Body of Christ, the People of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit are living out all the Gospels calls us to do. We care for the poor in so many ways. We strive to establish peace not only among nations, but within families. How many religious communities in the universal Church are dedicated to serving the poor? Look at all the women and men who follow Mother Teresa. Or look at the Comboni Fathers right here in the parish. In Chicago, the vast work of Catholic Charities tries to bring peace and aid to those who need it. In our own parish we have people who give their time and energy to provide food to the food pantries, visit the sick and homebound, support those grieving the loss of a loved one, spend time supporting our parish and school through the Parish Pastoral Council and School Board and all the fund raising efforts. Catechists educate our kids in the faith in our Faith Formation programs, folks assist those caring for seriously ill family members, and lots of people make our worship possible (Art & Environment, sacristans, sacred laundry, ushers, money counters, choir members, servers, ladies who clean the sanctuary, etc, etc.). The People of God are serving those in need as the Lord called us to do. Gandhi apparently didn t realize that Christian life is a community effort, not just a personal spirituality. God s power working through the Body of Christ brings about all the Lord called us to do including the conversion of individual hearts. Cardinal Sean O Malley, O.F.M. Cap., of Boston put it well when he said the Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints. We are all spiritually broken. The Church offers healing through the power of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus. God s power flowing though us gives the Body of Christ more power than Gandhi ever had to change the world if only we work with the Lord. Father Denis February 16, 2014 Page 2

3 PANTHER BEAT Monday, February 17 6:00 p.m. Play Practice-PC 6:30 p.m. Troop Meeting-C Tuesday, February 18 2:30 p.m. Girl Scouts-M 5:00 p.m. Sports-PC 7:00 p.m. CWO Meeting-M Wednesday, February 19 2:30 p.m. Girl Scouts-M 5:00 p.m. Sports-PC 7:00 p.m. Adoration-CH 7:00 p.m. Spirit & Truth-R 5:00 & 6:30 p.m. Religious Education Thursday, February 20 4:00 p.m. SPRED-R 5:00 p.m. Sports-PC 7:00 p.m. Cub Scouts-C 7:00 p.m. Scout Committee-C Friday, February 21 2:45 & 7:45 p.m. Teens-PC/C 2:45 p.m. Girl Scouts-C 6:30 p.m. One King-M Confirmation Set Up-PC Saturday, February 22 10:00 a.m. Drama Club-M 1:00 p.m. Confirmation-CH Reception-PC Sunday, February 23 4:00 p.m. Play Practice-PC 2:00 p.m. Bingo-C 4:00 p.m. Sports-PC 6:00 p.m. BEDS-C 8:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous-R FASHION SHOW The Women s Organization is planning their Fashion Show on March 23 at the Discovery Center in Brookfield Zoo. Ladies of the parish and friends are welcome. Tables accommodate up to 10. Tickets available at the brunch this Sunday and after Masses on March 2 & 9 or call Mary at Tickets are $37 adults and $17 children 14 and under. March 10 is ticket deadline. NO EXCEPTIONS! Students Place in Academic Competitions Science Fair Seventh graders conducted an experiment, prepared a research paper that included experiment results, and created display boards for the Academic Fair. Projects were judged by IJAS standards and three projects ranked high enough to move on to the Area Science Fair at the Museum of Science and Industry on March 8. Students whose category projects are moving on are Brendan Diggins-Physics, David Keen-Consumer Science, and Braden Schneider-Chemistry. History Fair 8th Graders participated in the History Fair last month. Students advancing to regional competition at DePaul University on Saturday April 5 are: Research Papers: Kyle Hanus History of Strikes and Their Effect on Illinois Legislation Daniel Keegan Charles Tyson Yerkes: Business Man or Scoundrel? Sean Nolan Roeser s Bakery: A Chicago Landmark Gabriella Watylyk Second City Improv: How it Affects Us Exhibits: Suzana Jukic The Cherry, Illinois Mine Disaster Karen Valdez The Impact of the Awareness of Mexican Folkloric Dance Company on Chicago Academic Bowl On February 6th, 7th Graders Neha Immaneni, David Keen, Braden Schneider and David Sullivan competed in the Nazareth Academy 7th Grade Academic Bowl. They advanced to the semi-finals and finished in 4th Place out of 12 teams. Congratulations to all of our Student Scholars! February 16, 2014 Page 3

4 Deacon Kevin Update My latest surgery at the end of January was successful. I am home from the hospital recovering. For those who have been through this, the road to health after being diagnosed with any major illness, can be quite extensive. I want to thank the parish family of St. Louise de Marillac for all that you have done for myself and my family. The outreach of cards, food, gifts, phone calls, visits, and, most especially, the prayers are very humbling. My hope and prayer is that I continue to heal and will be able to be back and active sharing with you again down the road. My ministry and journey with you hasn t stopped; it has just taken a hard detour. In the meantime, my prayers continue to be for you and your families. Peace, Deacon Kevin and Family Bible Breakfast Not Just for Youth In the Gospel for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jesus says, Do not think that I have come to abolish the law of the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill, Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Discuss the implications of these words in our lives today as we share breakfast in the Marillac Room today following the 9:30 Mass. Discussion will be led by youth, but open to ALL. HOMEBOUND - Illness or Weather Are you or someone you know unable to attend Mass on the weekends due to illness or the inclement winter weather we are experiencing and are interested in receiving communion or praying with a fellow parishioner? Please let us know how we may be able to share in communion with them. Our Ministers of Care at St. Louise visit the homebound and pray with them and share with them the Blessed Sacrament. Visit dates and times can be arranged. Contact the rectory at to let us know who is in need. We will coordinate to make sure that all are ministered to. Divine Providence Trips: ~ Six night bus trip September 25 to Mackinac Island (Grand Hotel), Agawa Canyon, Sault Ste. Marie, Traverse City & Frankenmuth, Michigan. Passport needed. Limited space. ~ May 18: five night trip to Biltmore Estates, tour of Asheville, N.C., Blue Ridge Mountains. Visit St. Lawrence Basilica, Diamond Tours. Bus, hotel and most meals included only $529 per person, double occupancy. Call Marianne at 708/ for either trip. Sunday, February 23 2:00 p.m.~doors Open at Noon Raffles...Pull Tabs Refreshments & $2100 CASH PRIZES February 16, 2014 Page 4

5 SPRING FLING!! CRAFTERS WANTED For our First Annual Spring Fling at St. Louise Saturday, May 10th Contact Nancy Toribio at 708/ or The Holy Name Society-Men s Club will hold a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, March 2 from 8:00 to 11:00 in the Colonnade Room. All-you-caneat pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit & beverages. Donation: $5 per person, six years and older with a max of $20 per family unit (includes grandparents.) Don t miss out!! Mark it down! AN ACT OF VIOLENCE Likewise, if we really believe that abortion is an intimate act of violence - and, of course, it is - then we can t aim at anything less than ending abortion. It doesn t matter that some abortions have always occurred, or that some will always occur. If we really believe that abortion kills a developing, unborn human life, then we can never be satisfied with mere reductions in the body count. ~Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, Why This Work Matters: Human Dignity and the Road Ahead, March 9, 2010 Snowmen fall from heaven one flake at a time February Teen Club Schedule 8th Grade: February 21, 2:45-4:45 p.m. No open gym in March due to play and Vegas night. Parent volunteers needed. Karyn Miller to sign up: kmillerwlm@yahoo.com. High School: February 21, 28, 7:30-10:30. No open gym in March due to play and Vegas night. Teen room will be open March 7 and 28. Youth Board Looking for teens to serve on board along with the current Teen Club Board. Contact Karyn Miller if interested. 30-Hour Famine Every year thousands of students unite to do the 30 Hour Famine to raise awareness and funds to release the feast to hungry children around the world. Our Youth Ministry will participate in the Famine on February 28- March 1. To participate, get a permission form at the rectory or Teen Club. More info: kmillerslm@yahoo.com or at Today our youth will collect at each of the Masses. Please be generous. To make a donation online, go to famine.org/ and click on orange Donate box. It will take you to the donation page, click Find a 2014 Famine Student or Group. Enter ST. LOUISE DE MARILLAC PARISH (all upper case, no period). The event is World Vision 30 Hour Famine-Release the Feast It will take you to fundraising page. Attention: 6th & 7th Graders:Just5Days Just5Days is a five-day experience of service, hands-on learning activities, prayer and liturgy building designed for groups of middle school youth and their adult leaders from Catholic parishes. St. Louise Youth Ministry would like to involve five middle school students in this wonderful program in June. Contact Ms. Miller for info. The Robert Coulter Post 1941, 900 S. LaGrange Rd., is holding a Spaghetti Dinner Friday, February 21 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Adults $9, children 5-10 $4, under 4 are free. Enjoy spaghetti with meat or marinara, salad, bread, dessert and beverage. Proceeds provide resources for the post home. Info: February 16, 2014 Page 5

6 February Monday, Holy Founders of the Servite Order 8:30 - Joseph Smuda Tuesday 8:30 - Felix Francis Wednesday 8:30 - John Keeffe Thursday 8:30 - Robert Harty Friday, 8:30 - Henrietta Sinsky, Carrie Kenney Saturday 1:00 - Sacrament of Confirmation 5:00 - Joseph Lattal Sunday 7:30 - Verona McLaren, Petrovic & Mehlin families 9:30 - Christopher Conmy 11:00 - Henry Kalman, Mary Murphy, 60th Wedding Anniversary of Steve & Rita Rentka Altar Servers Mon. - Wed., February 17, 18, 19 8:30 - S. Nolan, T. Swanson Thurs. - Fri., February 20, 21 8:30 - K. Kutlesa, L. Graham Sat., February 22 5:00 - C. Sventy, G. Sventy, H. Heer Sun., February 23 7:30 - B. Schneider, B. Diggins, B. Copp 9:30 - C. Melone, L. Dziagwa, J. Johnson 11:00 - B. Ripoli, M. Sroka, A. Porras Altar Women Feb. 18-M. Lattyak, Feb.19-P. Cavaliere, Feb. 20-E. Siuda Ella Sophia Blazejewski Avery Kathryn Herrera Aubrey Elaine Letcher Benjamin Anthony Radziwon Presiders February 22 February 23 Confessions - Fr. Henry 7:30 - Fr. Henry 5:00 - Fr. Henry 9:30 - Fr. Denis 11:00 - Fr. Denis Readers February 22 February 23 5:00 - T. Jarvis 7:30 - B. Petek 9:30 - Family Mass 11:00 - B. Schneider/C. Lemkau Eucharistic Ministers February 22 5:00 - R.&B. Stepina, P. Erickson, M. Gyorke, N. Stiso, L. Sroka, R. Williams February 23 7:30 - F. Johanek, M. Voss, R.Voss, J. Prorok, E. Siuda, B. Strnad, M.A. Vavra 9:30 - M.&P. Golden, L. Boyd, S. Czarnik, B. Kraus, D. Hennet, P. Pacholski, L. Waterloo, G. Witkowski 11:00 - J. Skowronski, G.&M. Sapp, R.&L. Valdez, J. Gerberi, J. Hanson, A. Janacek, J. Zalig Our sympathy to the family of Fred Tiscareno WEEKLY OFFERTORY February 9, 2014 Sunday Collection, This Week: This Year $ 8,600 Last Year $ 10,400 Sunday Collection, Year-to-Date: This Year $ 313,800 Last Year $ 341,800 Year-to-Date Collection Budget $ 332,300 Envelopes Returned, This Week: This Year 360 Last Year 424 Christmas Collection $ 51,400 February 16, 2014 Page 6

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