Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.

Transcription

1 5 2 8 L a t h r o p A v e n u e R i v e r F o r e s t, I l l i n o i s w w w. s t l u k e p a r i s h. o r g Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me. ~Mark 9:37 S e p t e m b e r 2 3, T w e n t y - F i f t h S u n d a y i n O r d i n a r y T i m e

2 MASS INTENTIONS Monday, September 24 6:30 am Rev. John Harvey 8:00 am William Riordan Tuesday, September 25 6:30 am Jimmy Dooley 8:00 am Bob Grimes Wednesday, September 26 - Ss. Cosmas and Damian 6:30 am Thomas F. and Helen Dittrich Kenney 8:15 am Patricia Heubner Thursday, September 27 - St. Vincent de Paul 6:30 am Margaret E Meyer 8:00 am Maureen Barnicle Friday, September 28 - St. Wenceslaus, Ss. Lawrence Ruiz and Companions 6:30 am John Scheibal 8:00 am The Clark and Daley Families Saturday, September 29 - Ss. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels 8:00 am Rev. John Fahey 5:00 pm Michael J. Dooley Sunday, September 30 7:30 am Becky Noble 9:00 am Special Intention for Dr. Robert March, MD 11:00 am The People of St. Luke Parish 2:00 pm Tommy Quoc Dang/Thoa Bui Wedding MINISTERS OF THE LITURGY Monday-Friday, September :00 am Servers M Hendricks, A Weiler Saturday, September 29 5:00 pm Servers A Comoda, C Gancer, B Hardy Lectors F Auteri, O Dowling Euch Min V Atkins, G Hardy, C Madden, J Meek, J Megall, M O Donoghue, MB Smedinghoff Ushers C Cox, J Fisher, M Nelson, R Nixon Sunday, September 30 7:30 am Servers I Flores, A Iammartino, O Tsitovich Lectors K Bevan, L Binder Euch Min D Hopkinson, J Sullivan, M Sullivan Ushers B Hickman, J Langton, C Maroon, M Oller 9:00 am Servers B Kerstetter, M Scelfo, M Scelfo Lectors CJ Kerstetter, S Price Euch Min L Amison, LM Froelich, M Martinez, R Norton, D Piper, W Piper, C Saunders Ushers B Aquilino, L Driscoll, P Driscoll, J Nowicki 11:00 am Servers M Carr, J O Connor, C Vlerick Lectors N O Malley, M Brown Euch Min J Courtney, B Elwood, M Karasis, J Keefe, D Kurtenbach, J Mannix, 1 Needed Ushers J McInerney, 3 Needed 2 Cover Art: This image is a detail of the baptistery window at the Church of St. Mary and St. Michael in County Wexford, Ireland, that was created by Franz Mayer & Co. at the turn of the last century. The image is used here with permission of Andreas F. Borchert/Wikimedia Commons. WELCOME TO ST. LUKE River Forest, IL FROM THE PASTOR With the start of Fall this past Friday, it seems like we can finally say that school and most of our parish programs are now in full swing. Here is a brief update. 125 th Campaign Work On The Church This week will kick off work on the exterior of our stained glass windows. Tuckpointing will strengthen and shore up the outside surfaces of the church above and around our beautiful stained glass windows. Then the old gray protective glass which has seen better days will be replaced with clear protective glass, which just might allow a bit more light into our church, too. Be careful and look out for the mechanized lift from which the masons and glass technicians will be working around the church, beginning on the east side of the building. This project is part of the work left over from our 125 th Capital Campaign, with more work expected inside our church throughout the spring and summer of October 1-2 Summit For Renew My Church Parish teams from across the Archdiocese will be gathering for a two-day meeting at which we will be discussing the re-vitalization of parishes through the process of evangelization, i.e., the interiorization of the Gospel in the hearts of all of us. Our parish team will be composed of four parishioners, two deacons, and two teachers from St. Luke School. Please pray for the efforts of all those involved in this huge project that we hope will bring new life and hope into the local Catholic Church. Religious Education Begins We welcome all students to our Religious Education Program, which begins this Wednesday, September 26. Although we are off to a much later start, our classes will continue throughout the month of May next year so that we can fulfill the requirements of the Archdiocese for the number of weekly sessions we must have. There are just under 30 total days of religious education. It doesn t sound like many, does it? Still every class counts every opportunity to make the most of each session so that our children can grow in the love and knowledge and in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Opportunities abound by which they can grow in holiness as they are nurtured by Sunday Mass and through the sacraments, through God s Word in the scriptures, and by the love we demonstrate for God and neighbor through the works we all do. Please pray for our students and the wonderful, devoted catechists who will be working with them along their journey of faith. ~Fr. Szmyd

3 Our special collection at all of the Masses today will go specifically towards the costs of forming new priests for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Your support is needed to help those now in studies at St. Joseph College Seminary and St. Mary of the Lake Seminary at Mundelein. The archdiocese currently has 64 candidates discerning God s call to the priesthood in our seminary programs, according to Cardinal Blase Cupich. Your support enables these men to receive the education and spiritual formation necessary to become centered in prayer, with an active intellectual life, and a sincere, heartfelt love for God s people. Thank you for your generosity today. But please continue to support vocations in our Church. Pray daily for vocations. Encourage the young people around you to consider a vocation to religious life. Parish support is a key factor in fostering a seminarian s vocation, notes Cardinal Cupich, as well as creating the sense within a community that vocations are a priority. It depends upon the active participation of every one of us. On Sunday, October 7, St. Luke invites all members of the legal profession to attend a special Red Mass, which honors their work on behalf of our community. Our regular Mass at 11:00 am will feature special prayers and blessings for lawyers, judges, paralegals, law school faculty and students, and government officials. It is open to all regardless of their religious affiliation. This liturgy dates back to the Middle Ages and draws its name from the red vestments that represent the fire of the Holy Spirit as well as the scarlet robes worn by judges in that early period. This liturgy is traditionally celebrated at the opening of the judicial year. The Red Mass includes special prayers requesting the gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel and fortitude from the Holy Spirit for all those who seek justice in the legal proceedings of our day. It also includes prayers for the intercession of St. Thomas More, the British Chancellor who defended the authority of the Catholic Church against King Henry VIII and was martyred in the 1500s. He is the patron of lawyers, civil servants, and politicians. SEPTEMBER 23, 2018 Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 3

4 SCRIPTURE READINGS For Masses the week of September Mon: Prv 3:27-34/Ps 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5 [1]/Lk 8:16-18 Tue: Prv 21:1-6, 10-13/Ps 119:1, 27, 30, 34, 35, 44 [35]/ Lk 8:19-21 Wed: Prv 30:5-9/Ps 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163 [105]/Lk 9:1-6 Thu: Eccl 1:2-11/Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17bc [1]/Lk 9:7-9 Fri: Eccl 3:1-11/Ps 144:1b and 2abc, 3-4 [1]/Lk 9:18-22 Sat: Dn 7:9-10, or Rv 12:7-12a/Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5 [1]/Jn 1:47-51 Next Sunday: Nm 11:25-29/Ps 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14 [9a]/ Jas 5:1-6/Mk 9:38-43, 45, PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK Monica Affleck, Honor Brennan, David Carlson, Terry Coffey, Richard Farrell, Richard Gamache, Sr. Michelle Germanson OP, Robert Gorman, Kathleen Haney, Robert Hurley, Frank Kurr, Sr. Colleen Nolan OP, Kevin Nolan, Paul Novak, Fr. Paul Reicher, Catherine Scheidemantel, Patti Sheehan, Jim Stanton, and Tom Trankina 4 AND FOR OUR DECEASED Dolores Kolf, Robert McGee, and Mary McGirr STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all. ~Mark 9:35 Jesus teaches us that we are called to serve one another. Sacrifice is not a word that many people like to hear. We think it means that we must give up something that we want. However, the literal meaning of sacrifice is to make holy, from the words sacer ( sacred ) and facere ( to make ). In other words, we make our lives holy by sharing our gifts in the service of God. Our Weekly Offerings Week-to-Date Month-to-Date Year-to-Date Envelopes $ 6,594 $ 29,001 $ 93,177 Electronic 2,210 16,510 54,580 Total Giving $ 8,804 $ 45,511 $ 147,757 Budgeted 13,530 40, ,360 Variance +/(-) $ ( 4,726) $ 4,921 $ ( 14,603) (For Fiscal Year July 1, 2018 June 30, 2019) We greatly appreciate the sacrifices you make to support the mission and ministry of St. Luke Church. Thank you for your generosity! Here s a convenient way to support St. Luke Parish with payments from your bank or credit card account using your computer or smart phone. Try it today at GiveCentral.org. WELCOME TO ST. LUKE River Forest, IL St. Luke Parish School s Walk-a-Thon is a school-wide event, which involves students of all ages walking up to six miles to raise funds for their Catholic education. Tuition only covers 83% of the cost to educate each student, so the difference must be made up by those who generously support our fund-raising efforts. Each student is expected to raise $150 via sponsorship from friends and relatives. Funds are also raised through business sponsorships. Each year we ask businesses in our community to underwrite the basic costs of the event. The success of this year s BearCatPaLooza Walk-a-Thon depends on the generosity of the entire St. Luke Parish community, including you. There are two simple ways that you can help: Sponsor a student: St. Luke students of all ages will be collecting pledges, so please donate what you can Become a sponsor: For a $250 sponsorship, your name will be included in all pre-event publicity, including a banner hung prominently at the school s main entrance. Your name will be listed as a sponsor on our website. This year s Walk-a-Thon is scheduled for October 5. If you would like to contribute or have any questions, please contact Sheila Price, Director of Stewardship and Development, at or by at sprice@stlukeparish.org. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! To ensure the safety of our children, all volunteers participating in activities that involve youths in our school or parish must comply with all Archdiocese requirements before you are able to volunteer. This includes attending a VIRTUS training, which will be offered at St. Luke this Tuesday, September 25, at 6:00 pm in Waldron Hall. Pre-registration is required. Visit the VIRTUS website at tinyurl.com/virtus2018 for more information and to register. If you cannot attend this session, you can register at another parish as your schedule permits.

5 Our Bocce players had a lot of fun this summer with great fellowship. It was nice to end on a social note with lunch at Francesca s in Forest Park (below). Think about joining us next year! Meanwhile our Walking Group continues every Friday through October 19. Meet us at the church handicapped ramp after the 8:00 Mass and walk as far as you like. Classes begin this Wednesday for students enrolled in Religious Education. Grades 1-4 meet from 3:30-4:30 pm and Grades 5-8 meet from 6:30-7:30 pm. All classes are held in St. Luke School. Students should enter and will be dismissed from the main school door on Ashland Avenue (Door #1). Afternoon catechists are needed for grades 2, 3, and 4. One evening catechist is needed for 7th grade. Please prayerfully consider sharing your faith with the young people of our parish, and contact Mary Beth Smedinghoff to volunteer at or religiouseducation@stlukeparish.org. This week is the start for all of our 8th graders on the path to the Sacrament of Confirmation. They are reminded to come with their parents to Waldron Hall tomorrow (Monday) night at 7:00 pm to learn about their roles in preparing for this sacrament. THE THREE T s Is Your Time Spent As Well As You d Like? There are exactly 168 hours in a week, and each of us has been graced with an equal amount of time. So when was the last time you sat down and looked at how yours are being spent? Stewardship of Time is not only about volunteering our hours by serving or participating in ministries or community events; it s also about spending time with God. How can we spend time with God, you ask? Well, here are a few ways: pray daily, attend Mass on a regular basis, attend a St. Luke community event, read the Bible, and pray for those in need. Whatever way you choose to steward the gift of time that God gave you, prayerfully consider how you are choosing to give some of that time back to God. In honor of St. Francis of Assisi s feast (October 4) we will have our traditional Blessing of Pets on Saturday, October 6, at 1:00 pm by the St. Francis shrine. Then at the 5:00 Mass, we will have a special blessing for runners who will be competing in the 41st annual Chicago Marathon. All marathoners are invited. We also will be joined at that Mass by St. Luke School s Class of 58 for the start of their 60th Reunion celebration. Please spread the word if you know of anyone who graduated that year. RSVP to Sheila Price at or sprice@tlukeparish.com. Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park will host renowned African-American theologian Rev. Dr. Willie James Jennings to speak next Saturday, September 29, on Race, Place and Discipleship. Advance tickets are $20-$35 to hear the Yale University Divinity School professor s talk. For more details, visit GraceOakPark.org and click on the Events tab. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and in anticipation of that the Archdiocese s Domestic Violence Outreach is hosting its 3rd Annual Domestic Violence Survivors Mass at 5:15 pm on Saturday, September 29, at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. All are welcome and encouraged to attend! SEPTEMBER 23, 2018 Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 5

6 6 The St. Luke Athletic Committee congratulates this week s winner of the 500 Club drawing: Tommy Dwyer Thank you to all who have purchased memberships in the Club, the proceeds of which go directly to fund St. Luke Parish School s athletic programs. We joyfully welcome the following children who were recently baptized into our Church and St. Luke community: Jacob Ryan Gore, son of Stephen and Katarcyna Gore Tobias James Herrera, son of Feberico and Frances (Amurao) Herrera Alexandra Mary Kincanon, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Robertson) Kincanon Mia Marcela Mercado, daughter of Franco and Becky (Perez) Mercado Charles Edwin Nesemann, son of Marcus and Kathryn (Piper) Nesemann Hunter Valeriano Ortiz, son of Julio and Fabiola (Torres) Ortiz Julia Kathryn Sankovitch, daughter of Matthew and Kathryn (Schieffer) Sankovitch Michael James Scudiero, son of Anthony and Jamie (Theodoropoulos) Scudiero Josie Tala Vicente, daughter of Joey and Laurie (Canning) Vicente Mass Schedule Saturday (Vigil) 5:00 pm, and Sunday 7:30, 9:00, and 11:00 am Weekdays: Monday-Friday 6:30 & 8:00 am (except 8:15 am on Wednesdays during the school year), Saturday 8:00 am Confessions The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is offered after 6:30 and 8:00 am weekday Masses and by appointment. Call the rectory to schedule a time. Adoration and Benediction Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament occurs every first Saturday after the 8:00 am Mass and rosary. Rectory Office Hours Monday through Friday 9:00 am-12:00 Noon and 1:00-4:00 pm and by appointment (Call ). Interested in Learning More About the Catholic Faith? Anyone wishing to complete their sacraments or learn more about the Catholic faith may inquire about our adult faith formation program (RCIA) by calling the rectory for more information. WELCOME TO ST. LUKE River Forest, IL Rev. John Szmyd, Pastor jszmyd@stlukeparish.org Rev. Steven Bauer, Associate Pastor sbauer@stlukeparish.org Rev. Leroy Wickowski (Retired) lwickowski@stlukeparish.org Rev. Mr. John Baier johnbaier@isp.com Rev. Mr. Terry Norton reneeterrynorton@gmail.com Rev. Mr. Bob Slobig bobslobig@comcast.net Rev. Mr. Paul Faherty (retired) 528 Lathrop Avenue, River Forest stlukeparish@stlukeparish.org Carol Karlowski, Office Assistant ckarlowski@stlukeparish.org Daniel Szymanski, Director of Operations dszymanski@stlukeparish.org Sheila Price, Director of Stewardship & Development sprice@stlukeparish.org Arlene Michna, Music Director amichna@stlukeparish.org Bradley Collins, Communications Coordinator bcollins@stlukeparish.org Ashland Avenue, River Forest Bob Ballenger, Interim Co-Principal bballenger@stlukeparish.org Kris Gritzmacher, Interim Co-Principal kgritzmacher@stlukeparish.org Joanie Schwarzbeck, Administrative Assistant jschwarzbeck@stlukeparish.org 519 Ashland Avenue, River Forest religiouseducation@stlukeparish.org Mary Beth Smedinghoff, Religious Ed Secretary 533 Ashland Avenue, River Forest Sr. Pat Farrell, OP pfarrell@stlukeparish.org New Parishioners If you re new to the community or just new to our church, please stop by the rectory to introduce yourself and register so we can welcome you into the full life of our parish. Communion Visits and Ministry of Care A parish priest or Minister of Care will be happy to visit those who are sick or homebound. Please call the rectory to make arrangements. Baptism Baptisms take place on the first and third Sundays of each month, except during Lent. Preparation meetings are held on the first Monday of every month for the parents of children who will be baptized. Arrangements can be made by calling the rectory. Marriage Couples wishing to be married should call the rectory to set up an appointment with one of the parish priests at least six months in advance of the desired wedding date. Anointing of the Sick Elderly parishioners, those in poor health or who are anticipating surgery can call the rectory to arrange to receive the sacrament of anointing.

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