Father Mike Ahlstrom Administrator, Divine Infant Jesus

Transcription

1 THE CROWN

2 OUR EBB AND FLOW If you study ocean tides you learn about their ebb and flow. Ebb is when the tide goes out, and flow is when it comes in. We do not have very much tide in Lake Michigan, but we would all like to see some ebb in the Fox River and the Des Plaines River. We pray for the victims of flooding. Today I would like to write about the ebb and flow of our liturgy. Two weeks ago, I wrote about the seven silences called for during Mass. This is part of the ebb. Last week I wrote about moving from place to place in procession, part of our flow. Today I want to write about our ebb and flow in the various parts of the Liturgy. The Entrance Rite. As we enter the vestibule (Narthex in church talk) we leave behind the busy world and prepare to enter sacred space. Originally the Narthex was where penitents were kept until they were reconciled, after doing a period of Penance, and allowed to enter sacred space once more. We begin Mass with a song as the ministers of Mass process to the sanctuary. The priest greets everyone. A Penitential Rite follows to put us at peace with God and one another. Except for Advent and Lent, a Gloria follows on Sundays and feast days. The Opening Rite concludes with a prayer which the priest offers in our name. The Liturgy of the Word. This is the first Major part of our liturgy. God speaks to us, and we hear the good news of all he does for us. On Sundays, the first reading is usually from the Hebrew Scripture and is thematically linked to the Gospel. The second reading is from one of the New Testament letters, not usually linked to the other readings. After the first reading and time for silent reflection, we have a psalm. This usually reflects the theme of the first reading and Gospel. After the second reading and silence, there is a Gospel Acclamation to accompany the procession with the Gospel Book to the Ambo. The Homily follows the Gospel. Basically, the homilist is telling us the what and why for us to be thanking God this day, considering what the Lord has done and how it applies to us in our present circumstances. After the silent reflection, there may be a Creed. Then we have the prayers of intercession for the needs of the Church, the world, the poor, and our local community. The Liturgy of the Eucharist. This begins with the Presentation of Gifts. Bread and wine are brought to the priest, who then prepares the altar table. After he prepares these gifts, the priest invites all to pray. The priest then says the Prayer over the Gifts. The Eucharistic Prayer follows. The priest sums up why we give thanks this day. Part of the prayer is calling the Holy Spirit to change bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ (Epiclesis). The priest then reminds God what Jesus did at the Last Supper (Institution Narrative). Then the priest remembers and offers the dying and rising of Christ (Anamnesis and Offering). The priest goes on to call on the Holy Spirit to come over all of us, prays for the living and the dead, and finally concludes the Prayer with a word of glory (doxology) and we acclaim our great Amen. Next, we have the Communion Rite. We have the Lord s Prayer, a rite of Peace to symbolizes our oneness when we receive Communion, The Breaking of the Eucharistic Bread (Lamb of God), and Communion itself. Our singing as we process to receive Christ symbolizes our unity as the Body of Christ. Time for silent prayer with our Lord follows the singing, and finally a Post Communion prayer The Dismissal Rite. We are now dismissed or sent on our mission. Announcements tell us of what is going on in our church, then we are blessed and sent. Take time to reflect on the ebb and flow of how the rites work together to help you experience God reaching out to enter your life. Our Eucharist is truly the source and summit of our worship. Father Mike Ahlstrom Administrator, Divine Infant Jesus

3 SPIRITUAL DIRECTION Have you ever been in a situation that life presents where you find you just cannot get up and out? Are you experiencing or been left with the experience of a change in your life, i.e. a death of a loved one, loss of a job, change in a relationship, an illness and a third party would be the opening of that path to being up and out while considering your relationship with God? I am presently in a Spiritual Guidance Training Program at the Siena Center in Racine, Wisconsin. As part of that requirements I need to see two people monthly from October 2017-October I am asking if you would allow me to walk with you as I hone my skills as a spiritual guide. Please pray over this and contact me at or me at majcen912@gmail.com. SAINTS ALIVE! Who doesn t have a saint or two that they pray to in time of need? Beginning today, I will showcase five saints each week. To order any of these, please me at duffandstuff@att.net or call me on and I will place your order. This week we offer St. Andrew, St. Anne, St. Anthony, St. Benedict, and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. These colorful saints come in a decorative box with a prayer card and are made by Roman. The statue is 4 tall and range from dollars. They are a great gift-giving item for all occasions. Paula Duff Religious Goods WEDDINGS Brian Gorka & Gurbani Wahi John Saraceno & Amber Alonzo BAPTIZED Yezenia & Giovanni, children of Adolfo and Hazel (Gonzalez) Gutierrez 100 th ANNIVERSARY OF THE APPEARANCES AT FATIMA JOIN US IN PRAYR IN SEPTEMBER On Thursday, July 13, we celebrated the 100 th anniversary of the third apparation of Our Lady at Fatima, Portugal. We prayed the Rosary and said special prayers to enable those present to gain a plenary indulgence on this special day. The Holy Father has offered the possibility of this indulgence on the day of each apparation (the 13 th of each month) until October, the day of the miracle of the sun, when Our Lady last appeared there. We will again offer the opportunity to gain this indulgence in two months on Wednesday, September 13 th. We will meet at 7:15am in Church on that date. We will not meet next month because the 13 th is on a Sunday. Mark your calendar and plan to attend in September. God bless all of you CHASTITY EDUCATION INITIATIVE Barn Picnic for family and friends of all ages Benefiting the Chastity Education Initiative in the Archdiocese When: Sunday, July 30, 2017 from 2-5pm Where: Call to RSVP and for the address 312/ Given by: Joe and Helene Walsh Cost: $20 a person and $50 a family What is the Chastity Education Initiative: Every young person has something unique and vital to contribute to society. Unfortunately, too many young people do not fulfill their potential because of their involvement in high-risk behaviors such as the use of alcohol and other drugs, and premarital sex. We are counting on your help to provide Catholic Schools, youth and young adult groups, parishes, universities and other organizations in the Archdiocese of Chicago with dynamic speakers, Theology of the Body curricula, retreats, rallies and chastity education materials.

4 Order form for Pauline Books and Media RELIGIOUS GOODS BOOK ORDER Circle the books you would like to order below and then me the names and order numbers and I will order them for you. The orders have to be submitted to Pauline Press by July 31, They will not accept any late orders and they did say some of the books listed could already be sold out. However, this is worth trying, for the money they are charging. There are both adult's and children's Catholic books that will be of benefit to you and your children and they are delightful and wholesome. Remember, I can only order through July 31st. Here are the books: Face to Face with Jesus, , $1.79 Time Management - A Catholic Approach, , $1.99 Facing the Apostle: Paul's Image in Art, , $1.59 Catholic Family Fun: A Guide for the Adventurous, Overwhelmed, Creative or Clueless, , $2.39 (Fun title) How to Watch Movies with Kids, , $1.99 Prayers and Devotions, , $1.98 Prayers and Devotions in Spanish, $1.98 Little Books of Saints, Volume 2, , $.99 Volume 3, , $.99 Volume 4, $.99 Volume 5, $.99 Volume 6, , $.99 Beginnings, , $1.99 Starring Francie O'Leary, 7132-X, $1.39 Stepping Stones: The Comic Collection, $1.99 The Stepping Stones Journals, 7129-X $.99 The Anna Mei Series: Anna Mei, Cartoon Girl, $.99 Anna Mei, Escape Artist, 0794-X $.99 Anna Mei, Blessing in Disguise, , $.99 Catholic Quick Reads Celebrate the Season Twelve Short Stories for Advent & Christmas, , $.99 Family Matters: Thirteen Short Stories , $.99 Family Ties: 13 Short Stories, 2688-X, $.99 Friend 2 Friend: 12 Short Stories, 265-5, $.99 Goodness Graces! 10 Short stores about the sacraments $.99 Now You're Cooking! 10 Short stories with recipes, $.99 Spotlight on Saints! A Year of Funny Readers Theater for Today's Catholic Kids, $1.79 Please me at duffandstuff@att.net or call me at before July 31st. Paula Duff, Religious Goods Coordinator

5 NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING It s time! Say Yes to God s plan for married love! National Natural Family Planning Awareness Week July 23-29, 2017 Our lives are full of choices. Some choices are good and some problematic. Honest reflection reveals that some of our choices are grains of wheat and some are tares, or weed seeds. As the parable from today s Gospel impresses upon us: early on, the two different plants look indistinguishable. Sometimes our choices too can seem neutral or inconsequential. Only later, with the benefit of hindsight and wisdom when the field is mature is it possible to see what was sown for good and what was sown for evil. In 1968, when Pope Paul VI promulgated Humanae vitae (his encyclical on God s plan for the transmission of human life), the modern world was under the impression that we would soon run out of the space and food to feed ourselves. Science suggested that humanity needed to curb its growth or face dire consequences. Pope Paul s message was different and he seemed out of step with the world, even with some advice he had received from inside the Church. Pope Paul warned that should humanity go down the path of accepting contraception, four dire consequences would result: 1) increased marital infidelity; 2) a general lowering of morality; 3) husbands objectifying their wives; and 4) governments enacting massive birth control programs on their people. Now that 49 years have passed, as a society can we not see the wisdom of Pope Paul VI s predictions? Many rejections and even offenses to God s plan for married love are now epidemic: 1) After the birth control pill and no-fault divorce were introduced to American society, the divorce rate sky-rocketed, plateaued, then continued to remain high; 2) Cohabitation has emerged as an alternative to marriage with more and more men and woman rejecting marriage; 3) Sexually transmitted infections and diseases have risen to extremely high levels; 4) Pornography is a new plague especially affecting men, youth, and also a growing number of women; 5) Government leaders support forced contraception as has been seen in China s one-child policy; and, here in the USA, the recent HHS mandate forces religious organizations (e.g., the Little Sisters of the Poor) to pay for contraception for their employees. It is time to reembrace our Christ-centered anthropological foundations. As a human community, it is time to honor the reality of how God made us, the blueprint of our humanity. We cannot pretend that our actions related to procreation do not have long-reaching consequences. Decisions to use contraception are not merely of a private matter to be decided between a husband and wife. That is the illusion of the evil one who sows weed seeds in the night. Rather, contraception has long-reaching implications for man and woman, the family, and for society as a whole. It is time to embrace God s plan for marriage by adopting the sound position of Natural Family Planning and rejecting contraception and sterilization. When a family embraces the path that our good God has set for it, they are like the mustard seed and the yeast. Small almost hidden choices bear great fruit that leaven the whole loaf of the People of God, that lead to others taking rest in the shade of healthy branches. If we have made mistaken or misinformed decisions in the past, the Lord is rich in mercy and kindness. As the Psalmist sings, You, O LORD, are good and forgiving Turn toward me, and have pity on me; give your strength to your servant. It is never too late to embrace the path of goodness, truth and freedom. With the Author of Wisdom, we believe that God has the care of all in his capable hands! The Holy Trinity is in charge of all things. And this mastery over all things, enables our God to be lenient to all. Mastery and omnipotence allow for mercy and kindness. If we do not understand the implications of our decisions, we can take the time to learn and appreciate more deeply the teachings of the Church on the human body and God s plan for marriage. In the meanwhile, we can trust that the Holy Spirit will intercede for us. If we have open hearts, if we desire to do God s will, St. Paul assures us that the Spirit will pray on our behalf with inexpressible groanings. The Spirit will aid us in our weakness and intercede for the holy ones according to God s will. (cont.)

6 NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING (CONT.) When presented with the option, it is more prudent and wise to trust the teachings of the Church, built on the deep understanding of who we are created to be, rather than simply embrace the everchanging winds of popular cultural notions. Modern science has a lot to offer and indeed, has given men and women the modern methods of Natural Family Planning. However, when certain applications of science and technology contradict God s design (especially with regard to the value of human life, the nature of human sexuality and marriage, etc.), we must be wise and reject what is false. We must embrace God s plan for married love! So this week, you are invited to more deeply consider that it is time to say, Yes! to God s plan for marriage by taking a deep look at Church teaching on married love and responsible parenthood and the methods of Natural Family Planning. When: July 26, 2017 Time: 1:00-2:00 p.m. Where: Mayfair Recreation, Wakefield, Westchester Join us for an informative presentation by Rahmath Safvi, Pharmacy Manager at Jewel-Osco to learn more about which vaccinations YOU NEED to age well! Registration is not required. For more information, please call Aging Care Connections at or lhussey@agingcareconnections.org. Rev. Joel Wilson Reprinted with permission Taken from USCCB website For any further information on Natural Family Planning, check the Prolife Bulletin Board in the Church vestibule. MAJOR BLOOD DRIVE TURNOUT HELPS EASE SHORTAGE With dozens of hospitals facing a dire shortage of blood for surgeries, more than 100 west suburban citizens turned out on July 15 to face down the crisis. In a room of Divine Providence School, they donated 110 units of whole blood, red cells and plasma earmarked for operating rooms across Chicagoland. Reports that the area s blood supply was down to five days helped to nudge them to sign up to donate at the Westchester Blood Program s annual summer drive. Coming to the rescue, they traveled from more than a dozen suburbs, as far as Lemont and South Elgin and points in between. LifeSource Blood Services, which serves dozens of hospitals, had set a target of 90 units for the drive. Their representatives were happily surprised by the turnout. Welcoming so many donors to a drive in midsummer is next to a miracle, said Carl Panek, chairman of the Blood Program So far this year, the WBP has received just over 300 units for area hospitals. Its next drive will be on Oct. 14 at the Community Center. BE AN ANGEL! Make a difference! The Dominican Literacy Center is in great need of women volunteers for its session, which begins this September. This program offers tutoring in speaking, writing, and reading of English to immigrant women in the Melrose Park area. It is unique in that it offers tutoring on a one-to-one basis (one student with one tutor). A time commitment of 1 and1/2 hours per week is all that is necessary. Classes are held at the Dominican Literacy Center, which is located on the 2 nd. floor at 1503 Rice St (in Sacred Heart Parish, in Melrose Park). Four consecutive and informative training sessions will be held on the evenings of Aug. 15 (Tuesday), Aug.17 (Thursday), Aug.21 (Monday), and Aug.23 (Wednesday). Each training session (held at the Dominican Literacy Center) will begin at 6:30pm. Participants need to attend ALL four sessions. To volunteer, or to find out more information, please call: Sr. Judith Curran or Sr. Beverly Jeanne At (office/answering ma - chine)

7 LITURGY FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY, July 22 5:00 pm Rita Kaiser; Lucille Fogg; Peggy Scolaro; Sr. Jeanice Lohman; Gary McClure SUNDAY, July 23 7:30 Thomas Smith; People of the Parish 9:30 Adele Brongiel; John Brongiel; Ray & Helen Mueller 11:30 Tony Concialdi; Patricia Grammas; Rosemary Padula; John C. Grande MONDAY, July 24 8:00 Richard Andrysiak; Richie Andrysiak, Jr. TUESDAY, July 25 8:00 Jane Ulsafer-VanLanen WEDNESDAY, July 26 8:00 Walter & Mary Wanick THURSDAY, July 27 8:00 Beatrice, Rudolph & Deborah Sandoval FRIDAY, July 28 8:00 All the faithful departed SATURDAY, July 29 8:00 All the faithful departed 5:00 pm Kevin McKenna; Richard McKenna, Mary McKenna; Katherine McKenna; Valerie Brenits SUNDAY, July 30 7:30 Thomas Smith; Emil & Henrietta Bezouska 9:30 Deceased members of St. Vincent de Paul Society; Kevin McKenna 11:30 Patricia Grammas; People of the Parish PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH Charles Anderson Dorothy Asher Jerry Benesh Arlene Buszkiewicz Carl Celestino, Sr. Ron Huefner Carole Jurevich Arlene Kalisiak Jean Lidzbienski Rena Lizzadro Peter Lullo John Lytle Fran Mockler Eleanor Morgan Johnny Mulligan Betty Nilsson Janine Nywood Dave Peloza Lisa Peloza Kathy Reed Jacob Vincent Ceasar Vivo Bridget Walsh John Williams Loving God, give strength to all who struggle with illness. Grant them courage when they are afraid and comfort when they are in pain. Because of government regulations, hospitals and nursing homes are no longer allowed to notify us if you are admitted to either facility. If you or a family member would like to be visited in the hospital or nursing home, please call the rectory at If you or a family member are sick or homebound and would like to be added to our prayer list, visited, receive Holy Communion or be anointed, please call the rectory at WEEKDAY SERVERS MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY 8:00 Kya James THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY 8:00 Gillian Grimes NEXT WEEKEND S MINISTERS CELEBRANT COMMUNION MINISTERS LECTORS SERVERS SAT. 5:00 Fr. Tom J. Maczak A. DiFiore E. Caday S. Maczak L. McCarthy D. Bermudez SUN. 7:30 Fr. Tom J. Saraceno S. Johnston J. Stiso M. Vent E. Delos Reyes P. Lopez SUN. 9:30 Fr. Mike N. Mihel Teens M. Gutierrez G. Swan G. Grimes SUN. 11:30 Fr. Joyce B. Wiersema W. Rogalski M. McGee R. Carnagio D. Kozerski K. James

8 WEDNESDAY, JULY 26 CH 4:00 pm Music Dept. THURSDAY, JULY 27 LH 6:00 pm Knights of Columbus WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2 CH 4:00 pm Music Dept. SATURDAY, AUGUST 5 CH 5:00 pm Knights of Columbus SUNDAY, AUGUST 6 CH All Masses Knights of Columbus CH 12:45 pm Baptismal Prep WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9 CH 4:00 pm Music Dept. FRIDAY, AUGUST 11 CH 7:30 pm Holy Hour WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16 CH 4:00 pm Music Dept. LH 7:00 pm New Parent Meeting PLEASE USE GiveCentral.org FOR ALL YOUR DONATIONS Divine Infant Jesus Parish depends on your generosity in order to carry out its ministry of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and teaching and healing in his name. We do not charge for anything. We rely solely on your Sunday and Holy Day donations. To make it easier for you to give your gifts to Divine Infant, we work with GiveCentral.org. When you sign up with GiveCentral.org, you can make all your Sunday, Holy Day, second collection, and every other donation that you make to the parish. Then you never have to use a parish envelope or put anything in the collection basket ever again! Please visit GiveCentral.org to create your personal and secure donations account. Thank you for your generosity! READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Ex 14:5-18; Ex 15:1bc-6; Mt 12:38-42 Tuesday: 2 Cor 4:7-15; Ps 126:1bc-6; Mt 20:20-28 Wednesday: Ex 16:1-5, 9-15; Ps 78:18-19, 23-28; Jn 20:1-2, Thursday: Ex 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b; Dn 3:52-56; Mt 13:10-17 Friday: Ex 20:1-17; Ps 19:8-11; Mt 13:18-23 Saturday: Ex 24:3-8; Ps 34:2-11; Jn 11:19-27 or Lk 10:38-42 Sunday: 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12; Ps 119:57, 72, 76-77, ; Rom 8:28-30; Mt 13:44-52 [44-46] PROTECTING CHILDREN At Divine Infant Jesus Parish and School, the protection of our children is of utmost importance, and we comply fully with the policies of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. To learn more, go to our website dnn.archchicago.org/divine infant and click on the tab Protecting Children at D.I. or visit archchicago.org and click on the button Protecting Children. If you do not have internet access and would like to learn more, please contact the rectory or call the Office for Protection of Children and Youth at WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE ALL PARISH MAILINGS ELECTRONCIALLY If you would like to receive parish mailings Christmas and Easter letters, statement of annual contributions, and yearly report by , please send an to the parish at d.infant@comcast.net. In the subject line write Parish , and then in the body of the write your name, street address and envelope number if you know it. This will help save the parish money in printing and postage. Thank you! SUNDAY OFFERING July 16, Average weekly expenses $15,655 This week s collection 8,668 Deficit ($ 6,987) When you are away for a weekend, we hope you will remember your offering to Divine Infant. Thank you. WELCOME... We are happy you have chosen to be with us. We hope your experience is warm and welcoming whether you are here to celebrate the Eucharist or spend time in quiet prayer. If you wish to learn more about Divine Infant and/or become a new member of our parish please take an envelope in the back of the Church. The envelope contains information about our parish. If you have any questions, call (708) Welcome to Divine Infant. We look forward to seeing you again!

9 DIVINE INFANT PARISH NEWCASTLE AND CANTERBURY AVENUES WESTCHESTER, ILLINOIS Like us on Facebook REV. MICHAEL AHLSTROM, Administrator (ext. 203) REV. GERALD JOYCE, Pastor Emeritus (ext. 206) REV. THOMAS WINIKATES, Associate (ext. 204) DEACON JAMES SPONDER (ext. 306) MR. LEONARD GRAMAROSSA, School Principal SR. SUSAN MAJCEN, O.P., Director of Religious Education Website: divineinfant.archchicago.org Rectory: 1601 Newcastle Avenue, Fax number: School: 1640 Newcastle Avenue, & Office of Religious Education: Parish Nurse, Ms. Jeannette Barczak, BSN, HTP, Bereavement Ministry: Dr. Claudia Dado, MAL (ext. 304) Catechumenate: Dr. Claudia Dado, MAL (ext. 304) Music Director: Mrs. Janet Reif, (ext. 302) Assc. Mus. Dir: Mrs. Judy Schindler, or (ext 302) Business Manager: Mr. Jerry Priore, (ext. 209) Rectory Secretary: Mrs. Toni Podock, (ext. 201) SUNDAY MASSES: 7:30, 9:30 & SATURDAY EVENING: 5:00 pm WEEKDAY MASSES: 8:00 am SATURDAY MORNING: 8:00 am HOLY DAY MASSES: 6:30, 8:00, and 7:00 pm SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: (Confession) Saturday: In the Reconciliation Room 4:00 to 4:45 pm or by appointment. BAPTISMS: Baptisms are celebrated on the 2nd & 3rd Sundays of the month at 12:45 pm. By Archdiocesan regulation and parish policy, parents are required to attend a Baptismal Preparation session before the Baptism of their child. These sessions will usually be held on the first Sunday afternoon of the month. Call the secretary at the rectory ( ) to register for the session and schedule the Baptism. D.I.V.M. SERVICES: Communion to the sick, food shopping, necessary transportation, emergency meals, transportation to Mass. Resource information also available. If you need help from any of these services, please let us know as much in advance as possible so the chairpersons can make arrangements and the volunteers arrange their schedules. If you are able to volunteer to help provide these services to our parishioners, we can always use more help. Please call the rectory at WEDDINGS: Couples should contact the rectory and speak to a priest shortly after the engagement, but no less than four months before the desired wedding day. No date should be set (especially in reserving a hall) for your wedding until you have spoken to a priest. In this way, you will not be disappointed if the church has been previously reserved for another ceremony. Please keep in mind the times that are available for weddings at Divine Infant: SATURDAYS 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm WEEKDAYS Any reasonable hour

10 CHURCH NAME & NUMBER Divine Infant #9216 ADDRESS 1601 Newcastle, Westchester, Il PHONE CONTACT PERSON SOFTWARE Microsoft Publisher 2003 Windows XP Professional Adobe Acrobat 6.0 PRINTER HP Laserjet 5P NUMBER OF PAGES SENT Cover through 10 SUNDAY DATE OF BULLETIN July 23, 2017 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS