Historic St. James at Sag Bridge Church

Transcription

1 Historic St. James at Sag Bridge Church S. Archer Avenue Lemont, Illinois (Ph) (Fx) Website: Facebook: James At Sag Bridge September 4, 2016 Twenty-Third Ordinary Sunday 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. Listen to The Winds of Change 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm on WNDZ AM 750. Fr. substitutes every other Wednesday. Visit: windsofchangeshow.com, Fr. unlikeothernations@gmail.com Register on Flocknotes to receive important text messages and s. Text: jamesatsag to MASS SCHEDULE: WEEKENDS: Saturdays: 5:00pm Sundays: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:30am HOLY DAYS: 8:15am & 7:00pm WEEKDAYS: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8:15am Fridays 6:00pm Wednesday: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 5:00-7:00pm, w/confessions at 6:15pm & Mass at 7:00pm. CONFESSION SCHEDULE: Saturdays: 9:30-10:00am Wednesdays: 6:30pm BAPTISMS: Sundays after the 11:30am Mass by appointment. At least one parent must be a registered parishioner. WEDDINGS: Minimum eight months in advance. At least one spouse must be a registered parishioner. Marriage preparation by appointment only. FUNERALS: For families of registered parishioners, or for non-parishioners to be buried in our own cemetery. SICK & HOMEBOUND PASTORAL CARE: Please notify rectory RECTORY OFFICE HOURS: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu & Fri: 9:30am to 1:00pm APOSTOLIC DISCIPLES: Fr. Thomas, M.A.,S.T.L., Pastor Fr. Ed Gleeson, Pastor Emeritus Deacon John M. Wilkinson, CKM, Minister of Care/RCIA Deacon Doug Szarzynski, Mike Dillenburg, Parish Council Chair Doug Witter, Finance Council Chair Mrs. Pamela Mikrut, Organist Rodney Poynter, Holy Name Society, President Margaret Ryan, Altar & Rosary Mrs. Giovanna Imbarrato, CCD Teacher Mrs. Mary Coughlin Lenzen CCD Teacher Mr. Steve Hagen CCD Teacher Mrs. Joyce McNamara-Coughlin, CCD Director.

2 Page Two September 4, 2016 From the Desk of Fr. Thomas, M.A., S.T.L., Pastor Be Aware & Be Hopeful You can think me odd, but the Farside, by Gary Larson, is one great source of theological reflection. Here we easily see that naiveté in children can be a cute thing. Unfortunately, in adults, we cannot claim the same excuse. Pray that the Lord opens your eyes. Be aware and be hopeful. LIFE CHAIN, SUNDAY, OCT 2, 2016, 2PM- 3PM, AT THE CORNER OF ARCHER AVE AND WILLOWSPRINGS RD. In 2015, over 1600 cities and towns held Life Chains, and each Chain is posted at LifeChain.net. We are now focusing on National Life Chain Sunday 2016 to be held October 2nd, Lord willing, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm (or the time specified at LifeChain.net by the local Life Chain Committee) in each time zone across the U.S. and Canada. During the Life Chain hour, idle chatter, frivolity, and both verbal and physical responses to motorists are strongly discouraged. LIFE CHAIN is a time for prayerful selfanalysis, repentance, and serious commitment to helping end abortion in our nation. Accordingly, LIFE CHAIN is not chiefly a demonstration, and its witness is not intended for the viewing public only. Instead, its first goal is to minister to its own participants to those who call Christ their Lord and hold prolife messages that declare abortion a grave evil that defames the name and holiness of God (Leviticus 18:21). Indeed the Church that Christ founded has drifted into cold indifference toward the sacredness of human life, and the result has been the mindless surgical killing and mutilation of over 45 million preborn Americans, plus untold millions who have fallen victim to abortive chemicals and medical neglect. A consecrated host becomes living flesh. A statue of Jesus weeps tears and blood. God dictates messages to a woman who bleeds from her hands, feet, and head. Is there solid evidence validating these claims? What does science have to say about these claims? If they really are Signs From God, then what implications do they have for your life? What message is God wanting to convey? Come to the breathtaking presentation, SIGNS FROM GOD-MIRACLES & THEIR MEANING, AT IMMACULATE CONCEPTION ST. GERALD SEPTEMBER 21ST OR 22ND, 7PM. Dynamic speaker Tim Francis will follow the fascinating journey of attorney and author Ron Tesoriero and respected investigative journalist Mike Willesee, in pursuit of answers to these questions. Their story comes alive in powerful narrative and amazing film footage. A delicious way to help the Youth Ministry March for Life trip is to enjoy an Oberweis ice cream treat at the Bolingbrook store. ST. JAMES AT SAG BRIDGE, YOUTH MINISTRY ICE CREAM DAY AT OBERWEIS 860 E. Boughton Rd, Bolingbrook in the Costco parking lot, next to That Burger Joint. You must present this coupon when buying your ice cream. St. James will receive a portion of the proceeds. VALID ON TUESDAY, SEPT 27, AM-10PM CATHOLIC CITIZENS ANNUAL DINNER WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016 Archbishop Timothy Broglio, J.C.D., Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. The subject of the talk: Religious Liberty in the Military Services. The Carlisle, 435 E. Butterfield Rd., Lombard, IL, Cocktails at 6:00pm Dinner at 7:00pm Tickets: $80.00, $ for tables of 10 $40.00 for Clergy & Religious For Info & Reservations: Call Maureen at To purchase tickets online: ST. JAMES IS PLANNING A PILGRIMAGE TO THE BASILICA OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS AT HOLY HILL BY CATHOLIC CHURCH TOURS (An Experience for Every Soul) SATURDAY, OCT 1 ST NEAR MILWAUKEE Departing: St. James at 8:00am in Deluxe Motor Coach. Arrival: 10:00am Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary Tour Co. & Nuns will prepare Lunch 12:30pm Holy Hill Departing: 3:00pm back to St. James Cost is $50.00 & between $10.00 to for Lunch? More details to follow. Deacon John Wilkinson, C.K.M. St. James to sponsor a Healing Mass with Fr. Ubald from Rwanda. Fr. Ubald has been on Relevant Radio & hundreds testify to God s healing work in their lives, body & spirt. Fr. Ubald will be here Monday, Oct 3rd. Mass begins at 7:00pm followed by a period of adoration.

3 Twenty-Third Ordinary Sunday Page Three THE IMPORTANCE OF TRADITION IN THE LITURGY: AD ORIENTAM by Marcos Lopez A few weeks back, His Eminence Robert Cardinal Sarah gave an address in London that focused on the importance of tradition to the Mass. He talked about various topics including sacred music, the place of the vernacular, and the special place of Latin in the liturgy. However, the point that stuck out most was his call for more ad orientam worship in Catholic churches around the world. Cardinal Sarah, and the tradition he promoted, received a wealth of criticism from many, including the Cardinal of London. It seems almost silly for Catholics to criticize Cardinal Sarah, whose job, to which Pope Francis appointed him, is to talk about the liturgy. Ad orientam translated literally, means "to the east". The tradition of facing east during the Mass was prominent even to the earliest Christians. They would wake up in the early morning so that they could watch the sunrise as they commemorated and celebrated the Son of God's death and resurrection. Ad orientam, over time, became the practice of the priest and people facing the same direction during Mass: Toward Christ on the Cross. The former Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger wrote in The Spirit of the Liturgy that "praying toward the east is a tradition that goes back to the beginning. Moreover, it is a fundamental expression of the Christian synthesis of cosmos and history while going out to meet the Lord who comes again. He explains that by both the priest and the people facing toward the east, the focus is put fully on Christ. Ad orientam therefore does not mean that the priest has his "back to the people", but rather that the priest and the people are united and oriented toward Christ. All present look toward the risen Lord who is to come. The other benefit of Mass being celebrated ad orientam is that the priest is not the center of attention. By his orientation, he shows the congregation where they should be looking: toward The Crucified Lord. After the abuse of the reforms set in place by the Second Vatican Council, the practice of the priest facing the people during Mass marginalized and nearly eliminated the ages old tradition of facing toward the east. As a result, the Mass became less and less focused on Christ and became increasingly more focused on the priest, the "celebrant". Chaos within the Church ensued, and discussions began about a "reform of the reform" in order to preserve the long held traditions that most parishes had done away with. Only by the determination and perseverance of a small number of Catholics was the sacred tradition of facing east kept alive, along with the use of Latin and the use of Gregorian chant. Today, and increasing number of Catholics, both laypeople and priests, are beginning to revive these traditions. Slowly but surely, the Mass is regaining its vitality around the world, and leaders like Cardinal Sarah and Cardinal Burke are paving the way for a full revival of the Catholic Liturgy in all its heavenly glory. The world we live in has been plunged into chaos. Now, more than ever, we must turn toward Christ. Let's start on Sundays. EDITOR S NOTE: Here at St. James our church is built on an east west axis. Before Vatican II, the Mass was said on the altar of repose with the priest, his back to the people facing east leading his people. Interestingly enough when a body is brought into our church for a funeral, It is feet first at the bottom of the altar. In other words facing the same direction as the people in the pews facing east. (The exception is for priest and deacons whose head is at the front.) All of the bodies buried in St. James cemetery face east. Following the ancient tradition and belief the risen Lord will come from the east. -- Deacon John CKM -- THE ASSUMPTION OF JOSEPH -- by Dennis P McGeehan August 15th is the date the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates the Assumption of Mary into Heaven Body & Soul. Pope Pius XII declared this a dogmatic teaching of the Church. This teaching makes sense on so many levels that as early as the fourth century it was a popular belief among the faithful that Mary was brought body & soul into heaven upon her death. 1) She said, Yes, let it be done to me according to thy will. 2) She was the true Mother of God, Jesus Christ, the perfect son who loved her more than any son ever loved his Mother. Would He allow His Mother to remain in the tomb when He could do something about it? 3) She was Full of Grace, not subject to the stain of original sin, which results in death. 4) She was faithful to Him even as He hung on the cross. Then she continued His work by teaching the Apostles. The Assumption of Mary makes sense. What about Joseph? Firstly, there is NO dogmatic proclamation about Joseph being assumed into heaven body & soul after his death. Beyond that, we have much to consider. I) Joseph was the true husband of Mary. Mary & Joseph loved each other with a perfect love. II) Joseph was selected by God the Father to be the guardian of Jesus & Mary. He fulfilled this duty completely. III) Jesus, Mary, & Joseph, all three comprise the Holy Family. They are a unit. IV) We read in Matthew 27; vs , The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were opened, & the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. In addition, coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the city & appeared to many. Therefore, we know from the Bible that some have already experienced the reuniting of their souls with their bodies. The Bible doesn t give us names but we can piously speculate & some of the Church Fathers & saints have done so. St. Bernadine of Siena proclaimed that just as Jesus, Mary & Joseph labored on earth together they now reign in splendor in Heaven Body & Soul. St. Francis de Sales declared in a sermon, St. Joseph is, & therefore, in Heaven in body & in soul; of that there is no doubt. St. Leonard of Port Maurice whose preaching on the Immaculate Conception was instrumental in its eventual declaration stated that St. Joseph was granted a special privilege when his body & soul were brought to heaven. For proof, he references the book of Proverbs that states all her (Mary s) household are clothed with double garments. Interpreters say that double garments signify the body & the soul. Consider the fact that Jesus cannot refuse his mother any reasonable request. When she was assumed body & soul into Heaven was she to be greeted by her husband s disembodied soul? If this had occurred, would she not ask her son to reunite Joseph with the body that had served both of them for so many years? St. Augustine & other Church Fathers state it would be improper for St. Joseph s body to lie in the ground until the Second Coming given that no other person was as close to Jesus as Joseph was with the exception of his spouse Mary. If the bodies of unnamed saints were raised at the resurrection, does it not make sense that the body of the man chosen by God the Father to be the guardian of His Son & his Mother would be among them? If the body of St. Joseph remained in the ground, would it not long ago have become the object of veneration like so many other saints? Would not his bones be displayed for the edification of our souls? But no remains are available despite claims of where his tomb is located. The body of Moses, who appeared with Jesus on Mount Tabor in glorified form with Elijah, who was taken directly to Heaven, is missing. Is it missing or is it no longer on earth? Therefore, we are left to use our capabilities & decide for ourselves. We cannot make a firm dogmatic proclamation as that is left to the Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But just as the Assumption of Mary was piously believed by many for centuries before, it was made firm, so too may the faithful pray that Joseph is soon honored with the same dignity.

4 The Sunday collection for the weekend of August 28th was $3, The number of envelopes was 107. OUR MANY THANKS TO OUR REGISTERED FAMILIES USING ENVELOPES AND THE CASH-AND-CARRY FOLKS. Our CHURCH CLEANERS FOR FRIDAY 9/09/16 Are Irene, Barbara, Bronislawa & Volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the rectory office VOTIVE OFFERINGS FOR THE WEEK OF 9/04/16 St. James Ladies Guild Special int. for Healing of Deacon Alfred Coleman May she rest in peace, Donna Lutwyche In memory of Lillian Simanavicius Our beautiful bouquets of flowers surrounding our altar were made available by for the special int. of Guy & Doreen Pearman & In memory of James J. Sendziak THANK YOU! Please keep NICK IMGRUND in your prayers as he continues his service in the United States Navy. Please keep LUCAS GOUGH in your prayers as he continues his service in the United States Air Force. Please keep STEPHANIE REMAR in your prayers as she continues her service in the Diplomatic Corps in Africa.

5 Monday September 5th-St. Teresa of Calcutta 8:15 AM John Nowocin Tuesday September 6th 8:15 AM Guy & Doreen Pearman Wednesday September 7th 7:00 PM Prayerful Wishes Society Thursday September 8th-Nativity of the BVM 8:15 AM James Nurczyk Friday September 9th-St. Peter Claver 6:00 PM Jozef Dziaba TWENTY-FOURTH ORDINARY SUNDAY Saturday September 10th-Blessed Virgin Mary 5:00 PM Barbara & Leon J. Pieprzyca Sunday September 11th-Patriot Day 8:00 AM Special int. for the Beecher Family 9:30 AM Jane Schafer 11:30 AM Michael O Shea 24th Ordinary Sunday 9/010/ & 9/11/16 Celebrant Altar Servers Lectors 5:00 PM Dooley A. Ramirez J.P. Ramirez L. Pieprzyca 8:00 AM Fr. Ed Gleeson? S. Carver F. Casiple Dillenburg C. Slowik 9:30 AM J. & J. LaSota Lawler Lawler D. LaSota 11:30 AM G. & D. Estrada E. & L. Glenn J. Jacobek J. DeRoche