Reflecting on God s Word. Weekend Mass Times: Sat. 5:00pm Sun. 7:30, 9:30,11:30am

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1 JUNE 24, 2018 NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST Living God's Word God of all creation, from the beginning creation sang as you brought the world from chaos into light. Throughout the story of Israel, men and women raised their voices in praise. In Jesus you sang your song of love to us. May our voices join the joyful song with all the angels and saints. Copyright (c) 2012, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. Readings for the Week Monday: 2 Kgs 17:5-8, 13-15a, 18; Ps 60:3-5, 12-13; Mt 7:1-5 Tuesday: 2 Kgs 19:9b-11, 14-21, 31-35a, 36; Ps 48:2-4, 10-11; Mt 7:6, Wednesday: 2 Kgs 22:8-13; 23:1-3; Ps 119:33-37, 40; Mt 7:15-20 Thursday: 2 Kgs 24:8-17; Ps 79:1b-5, 8, 9; Mt 7:21-29 Friday: Vigil: Acts 3:1-10; Ps 19:2-5; Gal 1:11-20; Jn 21:15-19 Day: Acts 12:1-11; Ps 34:2-9; 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18; Mt 16:13-19 Saturday: Lam 2:2, 10-14, 18-19; Ps 74:1b-7, 20-21; Mt 8:15-17 Sunday: Wis 1:13-15; 2:23-24; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; 2 Cor 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mk 5:21-43 [5:21-24, 35b-43] Reflecting on God s Word Lukeʹs infancy narrative would make a wonderful opera. One song leads to another, beginning with Elizabethʹs joyful greeting to Mary, then Maryʹs Magnificat, followed by Zechariahʹs song at Johnʹs birth, climaxing with the angelsʹ hymn at Christʹs birth, and gently closing with old Simeonʹs canticle in the temple. Today we focus on the event that motivated Zechariahʹs great song of praise, the birth of John the Baptist. To appreciate this story we must remember the events leading up to what we hear in the Gospel. The archangel Gabriel had appeared to the priest Zechariah as he was offering incense in the temple, telling him that he and his long-barren wife, Elizabeth, would finally have their prayers answered with a son who would do great things for God. Quite taken aback, Zechariah asked how he could know this to be true. Wrong question! For doubting, he was made mute. Just as Elizabeth gave birth to a son, Zechariah gave birth to a song, one of the most beautiful in scripture, recognizing ʺthe Lord, the God of Israel who has visited and brought redemption to his people,ʺ and hailing his infant child as one who would be called ʺthe prophet of the Most High, going before the Lord to prepare his wayʺ (see Luke 1:68-79). John, of course, would go into the desert to sing his own song: ʺPrepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.ʺ And, in the fullness of time, Jesus, Godʹs love song to the world, came, and the singing still goes on. --James A. Wallace, C.SS.R. Copyright (c) 2012, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. Weekend Mass Times: Sat. 5:00pm Sun. 7:30, 9:30,11:30am

2 Mass Times 5:00PM 7:30AM 9:30AM 11:30AM Presiders Fr. Kiepura Fr. Jacob Fr. Alexander Fr. Alexander Deacons Deacon Mike Deacon AL Deacon Gary Deacon Bob Lectors Eucharistic Ministers J. Powell T. Powell LITURGICAL MINISTERS JUNE 30, 2018 & JULY 1, 2018 Deacon S. Dalton W. Pohl M. Pohl C. Fisher L. Green D. Harmon S. Harmon J. Murphy G. Russ P. Coughlin Deacon L. Bosshart C. Cline M. Escano R. Hegerle M. Skiorski M.Manning M. Manning J. Weiler C. Lutzow A. Samano Deacon C. Perrelle J. Fosselman S. Gunther C. Lutzow D. Slater H. Stumpf K. Arata E. Arata K. Pannhausen J. Rutledge K. Crotty S.E. Poletto Deacon E. McPherson S. Matousek S. Ropke C. Sims D. Weiler S. Job N. Martin E. Martin Mass Intentions Monday, June 25 8:00AM Living Mike & Sherry Schmidt req. Gene Schmidt Norman Bohne req. Helen Hintz Tuesday, June 26 8:00AM Stephanie Cwiklik req. Mary Marcheschi Rita Schmidt req. Husband Gene Wednesday, June 27, St. Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop & Doctor of the Church 8:00AM Al Hakala req. Wife Sophie & Family Richard Podgorski req. Mother Regina Thursday, June 28, Saint Irenacus, Bishop 8:00AM Salvatore & Michelina Panetteri req. Family Calvin Metcalf req. Victoria Hansen Robert Senour req. Jorge, Mylene & Katherine Benjamin Friday, June 29, Saint Peter & Paul, Apostles 8:00AM Gertrude Ewald req. Husband Joe & Family Saturday, June 30 5:00PM In Thanksgiving Mike Nabasny req. Rita Nabasny Gertrued Ewald req. Joe & Terry May Sr. Mary Yore req Geri Grahm Sophie Hakala req. The Family Marty Lavin req. Penny Sheppard & Kathie Lackie Sunday, July 1 7:30AM Chester F. Biel, Jr. req. Wife Patricia & Family Jaime Bosshart req. Mr. & Mrs. Pieniazkiewicz Jerome J. Jacob, Sr. req. Lino & Donna Cordoba John Lenzen req. Niece Kathy Lenzen 9:30AM Brad Hansen, Sr. req Wife Carol & Family Gloria Jean Flagg-Houseworth req. Lodovico Ori Richard Podgorski req. Anna Scott Jim & Sophia Kirn req. Daughter Nancy & Jeff Uhler Al & Sophie Hakala req. The Family 11:30AM 50th Wedding Anniversary Melchiorre & Concetta Lima req. Son Mike & Family For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation The Week Ahead Sunday, June 24 9:30AM Childcare 9:30AM Liturgy of the Word for Children 12:30PM RCIA Inquiry 6:00PM Ignite HS Youth Group Monday, June 25 8:00AM Mass 8:30AM Pray the Rosary Tuesday, June 26 8:00AM Mass 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 9:00AM Lectio Davina Bible Study 9:30AM Senior Mary s Circle 5:30PM Edge MS Youth Group 7:00PM Military Ministry Meeting Wednesday, June 27 8:00AM Mass 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 3:30PM Human Concerns Commission Meeting 7:00PM Country Fest Meeting Thursday, June 28 8:00AM Mass 8:30AM Pray the Rosary Friday, June 29 8:00AM Mass 8:30AM Divine Mercy Chaplet Saturday, June 30 5:00PM Liturgy of the Word for Children Sunday, July 1 9:30AM Childcare 9:30AM Liturgy of the Word for Children WEDDING BANNS Robyn Connolly & Eric Behm II

3 from J acob s W ell Dear Friends in the Lord, During the cycle of the Christian calendar there are three birthday festivals: John the Baptist, Mary the Mother of Jesus, and Jesus. Every year, around the summer solstice, when the days of light begin to shorten, the Church marks the birth of John the Baptist. Like Christmas, this is a fixed feast, meaning its observance is always on the same date. This feast is six months prior to the feast of Christmas, in accord with the scriptures. It is a blessing for us to be able to celebrate this feast on a Sunday this year so we may praise God for this other holy family. It is also a blessing for us to welcome Bishop Rassas to be with us this weekend and to bless the small memorial garden and Good Shepherd headstone to honor our beloved Father Ron Lewinski. We also offer a warm welcome to members of Fr. Ron s family who have joined us for this memorial blessing. It is hard to believe that July 19 th will mark one year since his sudden passing. Fr. Ron Lewinski was recognized as a pioneer in the implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and served on the USCCB committee as a member of the RCIA task force. He was an international speaker and teacher on Christian Initiation, liturgy and pastoral issues. I first met Fr. Ron in 1990 while he was serving as the director of the Office for Divine Worship and as I was preparing for ordination to the priesthood. His passion for the Sacred Liturgy and the RCIA inspired me greatly as a young priest. I considered Fr. Ron a trusted friend and mentor. I also credit him with my assignment as the current pastor or Saint Mary. I miss his wisdom, dry sense of humor and the practical guidance he offered along the way. I know that he greatly loved the people of Saint Mary of the Annunciation and that he felt privileged to be entrusted with the building of new church building. Fr. Ron stressed often the importance of living out our Baptismal commitment. In fact, his nick name was Ron the Baptist. He wrote a short book on Christian Initiation shortly before his death. The following excerpt clearly articulates his deep conviction of what Baptism requires. While the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist is a climatic point in becoming a Catholic Christian, it is not the end of the journey. Becoming a Christian means becoming a committed disciple and sharing in the mission of Jesus. We are not adopted by God to live apart from the world, as if faith was intended to remove us from the world we live in. Faith and Baptism are personal, but not private possessions. Through faith and Baptism and regular participation in the Eucharist we are formed, and sent into the world as Christ s missionary disciples. We are not preparing Christians to live their lives in the Church sacristy but in the world of work and family, a society of trade and commerce, a world filled with many conflicting values, both good and evil. To live one s faith in the world, one must be prepared to face the world with hope and to do one s part in the transformation of society into the Kingdom of God. An Introduction to the RCIA: The Vision of Christian Initiation I pray that as a parish community we will always strive to truly live our Baptismal faith in our time. We pray that he is indeed always watching over us. Let us pray for one another, Fr Jerry

4 Have you or someone you know thought about... deepening your relationship with Jesus searching for a spiritual home seeking a community in which to worship and get involved considering being baptized was baptized as an infant and wondering how to make your First Communion or Confirmation If so, St. Mary's is offering one-hour information sessions on how we can help you in your search through the Catholic faith. There are four Sunday sessions coming up. June 24th at 10:30 am July 15th at 12:30 pm July 29th at 10:30 am August 19th at 12:30 pm All sessions are held in the hospitality room of the big church. For information please contact the RCIA Coordinator at rciastmoa@gmail.com or phone the parish office at (847) Please share this information with people you know who may be interested. Memorial Flowers The floral arrangement in front of the altar this weekend is given by Ernie Sims in memory of his wife, Sheila Sims, on the 10th anniversary of her death. Pray for all who suffer illness, pain and grief: Raymond Cerny, Dorothy Miholic and for the repose of all who have recently died: Rita Hendricks, Sue Lindsay Pray the Daily Rosary Please join other parishioners in the Eucharistic Chapel following the 8:00 AM Mass Monday through Thursday. Pray the Divine Mercy Novena & Chaplet The Divine Mercy Novena & Chaplet is prayed in the Eucharistic Chapel on Fridays immediately following the 8:00 AM Mass.and 3:00 PM during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The Family Rosary Join us for Family Rosary Saturday Devotion, requested by Our Lady of Fatima, every First Saturday of the month at 4:30 PM. Silent Auction The Country Fest Committee is currently looking for donations for the silent auction. Some ideas of items to donate are concert, theater or sporting event tickets and baskets filled with baby items, coffee, game night, or gardening supplies. If you have an idea for an item that you would like to donate, please contact Katie Aspegren at or ksaspegren@gmail.com. Thank you for your support of Country Fest 2018! Join the Senior Circle Senior Circle group needs new members. We recite the Rosary every meeting, enjoy scripture reading and fellowship. We meet every Tuesday at 9:30 AM for approximately two hours. We have been together for nine years and enjoy the atmosphere of the church to discuss what matters. If you are interested please contact Victoria at the church office at Stewardship Report Sunday Collection June 17, 2018 $ 20, Budgeted Weekly Collection $ 21, Difference $ (830.02) Current Fiscal Year-to-Date* $ 1,128, Budgeted Sunday Collections To-Date $ 1,108, Difference $ 20, Difference vs. Last Year $ 16, *Note: YTD amount reflects updates by bank to postings and adjustments. Featured CD for Summer Who Am I to Judge: Responding to Relativism with Logic and Love by Edward Sri Discussing moral issues with family and friends can be a challenge in a culture that strongly promotes the idea that there is no objective truth. Speaking from a wealth of personal experience, renowned author and theologian Dr. Edward Sri provides 5 keys to enable Christians to oppose with logic and love what Pope Benedict XVI called the dictatorship of relativism. He also clarifies the proper understanding of what it means to judge, and the importance of making good judgments. Feature CDs can be found at the wooden kiosk in the narthex. Please remember a $3 donation per CD is suggested to allow the parish to continue the program and offer new material.

5 Deacon Deliberations by Deacon Gary Kupsak Who Was John the Baptist? Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist. What can we learn from the life of this holy man? Although his name implies that he baptized people (which he did), John s life on earth was more than just baptizing. John s adult life was characterized by devotion and surrender to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. John was the predecessor of the modern-day evangelist as he unashamedly shared the good news of Jesus. He was a role model to those of us who wish to share our faith with others. Have you shared your faith with others lately? I m blessed with some friends, who although they are not Catholic, are true Christians who are more than willing to share their faith, to talk about how God, his only begotten Son and the Holy Spirit s impact our lives (from the beauty of a warm Summer day, to being blessed with good enough health to be regularly having lunch with friends). But sometimes the sharing of the good news of Jesus comes out of nowhere, yes-out of nowhere. A few weeks ago, I was obtaining some quotes on having a rather large painting project done at my home. I entered my project on Home Advisor.com and received inquiries from three contractors. They all came out to the house to give me an estimate. As I walked through the house with one of the contractors, he must have noticed a crucifix or two in our home and asked me if I knew what the name of his company (JIF Home Projects) stood for. I told him I did not, and he unashamedly shared with me that the JIF stood for Jesus Is Love. He went on to say that he noticed that our home must be a Christian home by the symbols of faith throughout, and proudly announced that he was a member of an Evangelical church in Grayslake and found great joy in finding others of faith with whom he came in contact. I told him I was a permanent deacon in the Catholic Church, and that I shared his love of God, and was glad he was comfortable enough with his faith to publicly announce it. He mentioned that his pastor had asked him to deliver a reflection on the Great Commissioning (Matthew 28:16-20) at an upcoming service, and it just so happened that at that time I was preparing a homily for Holy Trinity Sunday that focused on our Commissioning and our responsibility to make disciples of all nations, In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In our tiny corner of the world, that s exactly what we were doing, doing as John the Baptist had done over 2,000 years ago, sharing the Good News of Jesus. Let s all pray that we may be able to unashamedly share the good news of Jesus as we pray, O God, you raised up St. John the Baptist to prepare humankind for Christ. Fill us, your people, with the joy of possessing His grace, and direct the minds of all the faithful in the way of peace and salvation. Grant that as St. John was martyred for truth and justice, so we may eagerly profess our faith in You, and lead others to the Way, the Truth and Eternal Life. Amen. Who was St. John the Baptist? He was the model for evangelizers like Bishop Fulton Sheen, Thomas Merton, Billy Graham and for you and for me. My dear friends in Christ, let s go about our lives, spreading the Good News by word and deed. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Live Auction Is Coming to Country Fest Live auctions have a long history, dating back to as early as 500B.C. During the Roman Empire, following a military victory, Roman soldiers would drive a spear into the ground where the spoils of war were left to be auctioned off. One of the most historically notable auctions occurred in 193 A.D. when the entire Roman Empire was put on the auction block by the Praetorian Guard! Didius Julianus outbid everyone else to gain the empire for the price of 6,250 drachmas, generating a lot of excitement and leading to a civil war! Of course, things have calmed down a bit with live auctions in modern times, but here at St Mary s we re hoping to create as much excitement when the Live Auction comes to Country Fest on Sunday, August 5. And while there won t be an empire auctioned off, there will be an empire of fun bidding on such items as a week stay at a luxury condo in Marco Island, Florida, Cubs tickets, special Mundelein fire truck rides, a Richmond Hunt Club Outing and a fancy dinner at the rectory with Fr Jerry, just to name a few! Stay tuned to this space for more information on our Country Fest Live Auction! In an effort to honor our parish forebears, plans are underway to have a special professional auctioneer with distinguished ancestral roots to St Mary s perform as our bid-caller for the event! And don t forget, there will also be a Silent Auction, too, as in the past. You will be able to bid on Champagne and Wine Baskets, baby clothing and toy baskets, a Bill s Pizza Basket, family photo sessions and more! Auctions! Another reason to enter Country Fest 2018, Sunday August 5 into your calendar and add a bunch of exclamation marks to ensure you and your family, friends and neighbors join your fellow parishioners to make it a special day and celebrate together!

6 IGNITE Youth Group IGNITE is our high school youth group that usually meets on the second and fourth Sunday s of the month. In June we will meet on the 24th. All high school teens are welcome to join us! These nights include a discussion on our faith, games and snacks. The theme for upcoming night is Christ: God and man. EDGE Youth Group EDGE is our middle school youth group that will usually meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday s of the month and will run all summer long! Our next night will be on June 26th. All middle schoolers are welcome to join us! These nights include a teaching on our faith, discussion, games and snacks. There is no need to register, just show up in Diantha Hall! Steubenville Youth Conference Do you feel distant from God? FEAR NOT! We have a FANTASTIC OPPOR- TUNITY for YOU!! Join St. Mary Youth Ministry this July at a Steubenville Youth Conference at Carthage College in Wisconsin. The weekend consists of many fantastic speakers, small group sessions, and a live band for praise and worship. This is a chance to have God reveal himself to you. If interested please contact Grant in the parish office! Six Flags Trip Join Youth Ministry as we head to Six Flags Great America for a day filled with tons of fun! We are going on Thursday, July 26 th, 2018 from 9am-7pm. The cost of this event is $50 which includes entrance into the park and also transportation to and from. The cost of $50 is dependent upon at least 15 participants. Registration forms can be found online or in the youth ministry office and are due no later than Wednesday, July 18. Books for a Better Life St. Mary s Vacation Bible School met the week of June 18 and as an outreach activity we collected books for Bernie s Book Bank in Lake Bluff. Bernie s Book Bank collects, processes, and distributes quality new and gently used books to significantly increase book ownership among at-risk infants, toddlers and school age children throughout Chicagoland. Help us reach our goal of 2,000 books! Clean out those book shelves and closets or buy new books to fill the bins in the narthex and in the school gym during VBS. Reading is the single most important skill a child needs in order to contribute and function competently in our society. (Brian Floriani, Founder of BBB) To find out more about this amazing organization, go to Sisters of Charity Invite Young Adult Women Young Adult Single Catholic Women, You Are Invited! This summer Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity offer special discernment opportunities at Holy Family Convent on Silver Lake in N.E. Wisconsin. Check out our series of 7 Retreats and Spiritual Events designed for you. Or we ll be glad to explore visiting you for a discerning conversation. Visit for information, or text/call Sr. Julie Ann at Chicago Cubs Game Join Youth Ministry as we head to Miller Park in Milwaukee to watch our beloved Cubs battle the Brewers. The game is at 1:10pm on Labor Day, September 3. We will have a short tailgate before the game where lunch will be provided. The total cost is $60 and is dependent upon at least 25 participants. Registration forms can be found online or in the youth ministry office and are due no later than Wednesday, August 22. St. Mary of As long as any one has the means of doing good to his neighbors, and does not do so, he shall be reckoned a stranger to the love of the Lord. - Irenaeus of Lyons You may also register by calling the parish office,

7 F isch ing Lines by Deacon Howard Fischer Today we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist. Through the centuries John has been honored by Christians as the greatest of the prophets. Jesus says of him, I solemnly assure you, history has not known a man born of woman greater than John the Baptizer. (Mt. 11:11) Yet we actually know very little about him. He left no writings and there is no Book of John the Baptist in the Bible. The little we know from the brief accounts in the Gospels is that John was a firebrand and an eccentric, even by the standards of his time. (How else would one describe someone who wore camel's hair garments and ate locusts and wild honey?) Yet John was so alive with the fire of the Spirit that he fearlessly proclaimed the Kingdom of God and rebuked the moral corruption of his society and the ruling powers even though it cost him his life. You and I are called to be John the Baptist in this time, in this age. No, we are not called to live in the wild, wear animal pelts, and eat insects. But all of us are called to give bold witness to Jesus, to stand up for the values of the Gospel and speak out against corruption and moral corrosion, often disguised as strength or tolerance or greatness. By words, deeds and our very lifestyles, others should realize that we live in the joy of knowing that Jesus is Lord and that we abide by the truth of his teaching. You and I need to be the voices crying out Make straight the way of the Lord! and ensuring that laws and policies of our government and institutions promote universal moral values, justice and compassion. To be John the Baptist we need to join our voices to those of our bishops in calling for ethical and compassionate treatment of children, asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants. This is the commitment we embraced via our Baptism. This we must do with sacrificial love and not self-righteous judgment. Like John, giving witness to Christ and the Gospel may often require us to take unpopular stances versus the prevailing so-called wisdom of the world around us. We are certain to face much criticism and opposition, but our faith must shape our understanding of human life, relationships, sexuality, economics and politics. Our culture seems to say that Truth is individual and relative: If it makes me feel good and content with myself, that s all that matters. This attitude is not consistent with the Gospel, however. John the Baptist would be having a field day ranting about our self-absorption and arrogance. As we proclaim Gospel truth we must do so in a holistic and balanced way. Anyone who delivers a feel-good message that speaks of God s love without also talking about God s demanding expectations is not a true prophet. But neither can we speak of God s expectations without speaking about his love, mercy and forgiveness. Jesus did not condone or excuse the actions of the woman caught in adultery ( Go and sin no more. John 8:11), but neither did he condemn her. The effort of giving witness to the Gospel in our modern world needs to include a hard look at our own lives and our own need for conversion. We need to change our hearts, thoughts and actions so that we do a better job of embodying the Gospel we proclaim. This self-examination will make us uncomfortable because we have to admit and address the fact that not everything about us is OK. Recognizing that we are less than perfect and that we therefore need to change should lead us to speak and act with love and compassion, not with venom and judgment. It is particularly appropriate that we dedicate a memorial to Fr. Ron Lewinski on this feast day. Throughout his decades of priestly service to the Church, Fr. Ron was devoted to the sacraments of initiation and was recognized around the world as an expert on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). His passion earned him the nickname Ron the Baptist. Fr. Ron was a close and dear friend of mine for more than 30 years. It is hard to believe that only a year ago Maryann and I were with Ron on the trip of a lifetime to Italy. He was an integral part of our lives and of our family. We, like so many others, feel his loss every day. St. Mary of the Annunciation was greatly blessed to have his vision and leadership for 18 years. Ron s dream for St. Mary s extended far beyond any building. His prime hope was to see our parish be a greenhouse for disciples. As we honor his memory this weekend, let us re-dedicate ourselves to the living ministry of God s Kingdom to which Fr. Ron dedicated his priesthood. Let us grow as disciples who, as modern-day Baptists, proclaim the truth, love and mercy of God by word and example. If you wish to contact me, please send an to deaconhwf99@yahoo.com. Joyful Again Retreat for Widowed Women and Men For those who are looking for a way to navigate through life s challenges and hoping to once more find joy in living. June 23 & 24: St. Julie Parish, Tinley Park July 21 & 22: Holy Family Parish, Inverness August 11 & 12, Mary Queen, Elmurst joyfulagain7211@gmail.com Web: Phone: Joyful Again Widowed Ministry, Space is limited Recording Secretary Needed for Finance Council The St. Mary of the Annunciation Finance Council is looking for a volunteer to serve as a Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary is not a member of the Council but rather serves to write brief notes/minutes for each meeting and to assist the Chairperson with other internal communications. This note-taking function does not require extensive financial expertise, although some familiarity with finance concepts and terminology would be helpful. The Council meets monthly, typically on the 3rd Tuesday. If you are interested in interviewing for this role or would like more information, please contact Howard Fischer, the Director of Parish Operations, in the Parish Office or at hfischer@stmota.org.

8 Treasures from Our Tradition It s midsummer day! We have the advantage of celebrating one of the great hidden treasures of our liturgical calendar on a Sunday this year. There are only three nativity feasts on our calendar: for the Lord, the Blessed Mother (September 8), and today s birth of the Baptist. Today s date is anchored by the Annunciation (March 25), when Mary learns not only of her own child s advent, but of Elizabeth s child. We are exactly half a year away from Christmas Eve. There are strong traditions around this feast. Just as the winter solstice provides a rich vocabulary for Christmas, so does the abundance of light at midsummer inform this celebration. Just as at Christmas, a religious festival spills over into culture. As summer light reaches its peak, the sundrenched zones of northern Europe see people staying up all night, lighting St. John s fires in the long summer twilight. Bonfires seem to be the unifying force in all these celebrations, kindled along the shores of the St. Lawrence in Quebec and Montreal, with harbor illuminations in France. You may be most interested in the custom in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the Baptist s own city. People there will leap into the sea between midnight and dawn to honor John. Why not find your way to a pool, a lake, or a sandy beach today and plunge in to recall your baptism? It s a tradition! Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. We are deeply grateful for the commitment and generosity of everyone who has been contributing to the To Teach Who Christ Is capital campaign over these many months! We look forward to fulfilling the Archdiocesan portion of the campaign in the next few months and then being able to complete the elimination our parish debt Pledges Goal Pledges Pledges Made Payments This Month Total Payments Received Balance Remaining Campaign Allocations Archdiocesan Formation St. Mary Debt St. Mary Capital Projects Total: Amount $2,350,000 $2,698, $ 27,012 $1,486,366 $1,236,587 Target $ 642,000 $1,200,000 $ 508,000 $2,350, % of goal 55% of pledge$ To-Date $594,546 $891,820 $0 $1,486,366 Target% 93% 74% 0% 1. Campaign payments are divided 60% to St. Mary and 40% to the Archdiocese until the Archdiocesan Education and Formation target is reached. After that target is met, 100% of the funds come to St. Mary. 2. The Archdiocese will match our debt on a 3-to-1 basis. The $1.2 million from St. Mary plus the $3.6 million from the Archdiocese will eliminate our $4.8 million construction debt. 3. St. Mary Capital Projects to be funded by the campaign once the Archdiocesan Debt Retirement targets have been met are: the repaving of our parking lots and remodeling the little church basement for use by PADS and parish groups.

9 When I was hungry you gave me to eat Have you ever thought, there must be something more my family and I could do to show our love for those who are less fortunate? WELL HERE S YOUR CHANCE!!! The St. Mary of the Annunciation Soup Kitchen Ministry is looking to expand its membership. Individuals, couples, entire families (children over 12 years old) are invited to help, acquire, prepare, and serve meals at the Holy Family Soup Kitchen in Waukegan on selected Saturday afternoons during the upcoming year. You would end up serving about two-three times per year from 4:00 7:00 p.m. No experience necessary, and although you may be asked to contribute a few dollars to cover the food we acquire, or make a batch of cookies, you are the valuable commodity we need to expand our ministry. So if you ve thought How can I really live the Gospel, you can do it at the Holy Family Soup Kitchen. Consider joining our ministry and being part of the above pictured serving line. Contact Deacon Gary Kupsak at kupcop@comcast.net or (847) for more information. You and your family just may have the time of your life. A Civilization Worthy of Man's Dignity A Reflection from Saint John Paul II's Letter "To the Elderly" Third in a series of articles: Honoring older people involves a threefold duty: welcoming them, helping them and making good use of their qualities.... There must be a growing conviction that a fully human civilization shows respect and love for the elderly, so that despite their diminishing strength they feel a vital part of society.... The burden of age is lighter for those who feel respected and loved by the young." Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, May our love for one another be like your love upon the Cross: sacrificial and total, and faithful until the end. May our love for one another be like your rising from the dead: life giving and glorious and reflective of your love for us. Bless all families, Lord, and bless the parents and grandparents who sacrificed so much to provide a better life for their children and grandchildren. May they live to see their children's children and glory with them in the wonders of your love. For you are Lord, for ever and ever. Amen. Reprinted (excerpted) from Respect Life Program, copyright All rights reserved. The St. Mary Prayer Shawl Ministry is a ministry of prayer and care for those among us who are burdened by serious illness. Volunteers create shawls to be given to parishioners and others near and far who are suffering and are in need of a tangible reminder of our prayers for them. Shawls and lapghans are started, worked on and finished with prayer and blessed. Each shawl brings to the recipient the warmth, love and concern that through prayers, has been absorbed into every stitch. Prayer shawls are made to give to those who are ill, grieving or lonely. They may also be given to celebrate a joyous occasion. Anyone may give or receive a prayer shawl. If you or someone you know would like to receive a prayer shawl, please contact Diane Mulroe in the parish office. HUMAN CONCERNS COMMISSION: The mission of the Human Concerns Commission is to promote the word and manifest the love of Jesus Christ by helping those who are in need, following the principle that whatever you do to the least of my people, you do unto me. YOUR VOICE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Advocacy is one of the most effective ways to ease human suffering. When an unjust policy or system is changed because of our advocacy efforts, millions of people win. Join us as we seek to confront global poverty through the power of our voices! In 2009, the USCCB and Catholic Relief Services launched a new advocacy initiative called Catholics Confront Global Poverty, or CCGP, to engage Catholics and others of good will in the United States in shaping U.S. policies that affect our brothers and sisters who are poor and vulnerable through prayer, education and advocacy. Working together amplifies our voice and influence in the halls of power! Today, CCGP has tens of thousands of advocates around the United States that are committed to global solidarity and justice. As an initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief Services, it represents the official voice of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States on policy issues related to easing human suffering worldwide. Our members receive special alerts about important action in Congress, invitations for upcoming events such as conferences and workshops, and access to the latest news and resources via weekly updates and quarterly newsletters. CATHOLCS CONFRONT GLOBAL POV- ERTY/CRS.ORG Human Concern Commission Members: Carey Marciniak, Chairperson; Deacon Gary Kupsak, Kathleen DeCaire- Aden, Kris Crotty, Linda Green, Tom Hanley, Mary Lou Loomis, Sue Poletto, Dan Prezell, Kristi Smith, Jan Swanson, Romaine Van Zeyl, Nydia Welles, Diane Mulroe, Staff Liaison Join us for meetings 4th Wednesdays 3:30pm

10 John the Baptist Since June 24 falls on a Sunday this year, the Church has the opportunity for a more intense celebration of the birth of John the Baptist, who is often described as the last of the Old Testament prophets and the bridge between Judaism and Christianity. More commonly, John is known as the precursor of our Lord Jesus Christ. All the Gospels report John s basic message: Repent, the kingdom is near at hand. One greater than I is coming. Though he was a wandering preacher who dressed in camel skins and ate grasshoppers, John s legacy is one of true royalty. His origins are similar to those foretold by God through the prophet Isaiah: You are my servant, he said to me, Israel through whom I show my glory (Isaiah 49:3). John s humility I am not he was surpassed only by that of his Lord Jesus, the humble servant who followed. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. Worldwide Marriage Encounter Put Spring into your marriage! The Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend is a chance to look deeply into your relationship with each other and with God. It offers married couples an opportunity to learn a technique of loving communication that you can use for the rest of your lives. Sign up today to attend one of the upcoming Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend July in Madison, WI or Sept 7-9 in Geneva, IL. Early registration is highly recommended. For more information visit our website at: alifetimeoflove.org or call (888) Para un fin de semana en Espanol por favor llamen a Andres y Maria al What if each Catholic prayed for ten minutes and read five pages of a great book every day? What if every Catholic did one thing each week to intentionally share God s message with others? Come and discover how four life-changing habits can point you towards discovering incredible possibilities for your life. You will leave the event with a personal plan to help you become the best version of yourself. Please join Dynamic Catholic and speaker Dr. Allen Hunt: Saturday, October 13 th, :00 AM 1:00 PM St. Gilbert Parish Visit DynamicCatholic.com/Grayslake or call for tickets. Who should attend? The event is appropriate for ages 12+; youth are encouraged to attend! Husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends, single or married, young or old, Catholic or non-catholic: you are invited. Living Our Faith A Vacation with God Greetings as summer starts! They re off! Announcers at horse races say those words with unbridled enthusiasm; those of us who are parents proclaim them with relief (hooray for lighter schedules and less racing around) and dread (cries of I m bored! and a new level of clutter will surround us). While our children, not to mention our teachers, need a signi icant break from their academic endeavors, there is no reason to think that somehow because our formal religious education programs are complete for the school year that our children s catechesis is on hold. Catholicism is a profoundly embodied and ritually symbolic expression of Christianity. This season, a time where we are outside and enjoying creation even more fully, offers countless experiences that can tie our sacred stories with the sacramental. A star- illed sky overhead becomes a moment to talk about the covenant with Abraham, and to re lect on the countless descendants predicted. A roaring camp- ire reminds us of the pillar of ire and the burning bush, and provides us a time to talk about the new ire of the Easter Vigil and the lighting of the baptismal candle. Water fun can include time to talk about why water is so refreshing and so essential in life, tying in the meaning of the waters of Baptism. Time in the car on a trip ( Are we there yet?!? ) offers an opening to talk about a people who wandered forty years, a God who sojourned forty days in a desert, followers who walked a road dejected and without hope until he visited them and they remembered him. May you ind many moments that bridge today with the faith that went before us as you enjoy your summer. And remember that Jesus loved eating with people: be sure s mores are included! A roaring camp ire reminds us of the pillar of ire and the burning bush. Text by Trish Sullivan Vanni. Art by Kathy Sullivan Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 3949 South Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609; ; Pastoral Liturgy magazine, May/June 2014,

11 Mass Parish Staff Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 7:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:30 AM Weekday Monday Friday 8:00 AM PARISH NUMBER Parish Emergency Parish Fax Rev. Jerome Jacob Ext. 213 Pastor Rev. Matthew Alexander, STL Ext. 212 Associate Pastor Deacons Mike Alandy, Gary Kupsak, Robert Poletto, Alan Sedivy Mr. Fred Vipond Ext. 234 Director of Music & Liturgy Ms. Sue Matousek Ext. 218 Director of Religious Education Ms. Diane Mulroe Ext. 216 Director of Human Concerns Mr. Grant Bright Ext. 230 Coordinator of Youth Ministry Dcn. Howard Fischer Ext. 215 Director of Parish Operations Ms. Tammy Kleckner Ext. 310 Principal, FCA Ms. Penny Elwood Ext. 217 Bookkeeper/Accountant Ms. Victoria Hansen Ext. 200 Administrative Assistant Mr. Robert Kilkenny Ext. 304 Facilities Manager Mr. James Shaffer Maintenance Rev. Ken Kiepura Rev. Ed Pelrine Weekend Associates W. Erhart Road Mundelein, Illinois Frassati Catholic Academy: Mundelein Campus: Wauconda Campus: Religious Education Program (REP) Emergency Number Parish Office Hours Monday Friday 8:30AM 4:00PM Pastoral Council Mary Lou Loomis Joaquin Valdes Cassandra Dye Kathy Lenzen Pete Coughlin Dan Prezell Sheila Dalton Carey Marciniak Marivie Alandy Sandra Fioretti-Frank Jon Matousek* Linda Green Finance Council Larry Molloy Denise Fuller Joe Tylka Tom Zengeler Roger Fisher Patrick Tracy Karl Kompare Carl Calabrese *ex-officio, secretary Sacrament of Penance Baptisms Adult Initiation Marriage Ministry of Care New parishioners Saturdays 4:00 4:40 PM, and by appointment Ordinarily during the Mass on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month and after the Mass on the other Sundays, outside of Lent. Parents are required to participate in a Baptismal Preparation class before scheduling a Baptism. Adults who wish to become Roman Catholics are enrolled in a formation process that includes prayer, dialogue, instruction, and introduction to the Church s life and values, rituals and tradition. Call the parish office for more information. St. Mary Parish rejoices with parishioners who are preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony. The Church requires at least four months time before the marriage for adequate preparation. A parish wedding information packet is available at the parish office. Ministers of Care visit the homes of the sick, homebound, or hospitalized and bring Holy Communion to them. Call the parish office when a pastoral visit is desired. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered by the parish priest upon request. We welcome new members who wish to worship with us and support the parish s work and mission. New Parishioner Welcome session is offered on the 2nd Sunday of the month. Time of registration is 10:45AM 11:25AM. If you are unable to make the Welcoming Session, please call the parish office to schedule time to register.