RENEW MY CHURCH UPDATE

Transcription

1 THE CROWN

2 RENEW MY CHURCH UPDATE For some time, we have been in the process of planning our future. Because of very low Mass attendance, and very few men becoming priests, Cardinal Cupich has called us to a process of renewal. He wants us to strive to form active church participation and to increase vocations. This means getting a lot more people to church on Sunday and more men in the seminary. Renew My Church is about forming strong disciples, building community and giving inspiring witness to our faith. In the meantime, we need to acknowledge reality. Parishes that fail to have at least 800 people coming to church on Sunday (we average 621) and schools with less than 240 students (we have 180) will need to consider merging to be more vibrant. The four parishes in our neighborhood are St. Barbara in Brookfield, St. Louise de Marillac in LaGrange Park, Divine Providence and ourselves both in Westchester. We have finished the initial task. Four pastors, three principals and 18 parishioners have met 7 times. We had two Town Hall meetings about this and asked for your input. What I want to do today is bring you up to date. Let me begin with the two scenarios proposed to us, and why we discerned them as unacceptable. Then we will consider some alternatives. Scenario A: 2 newly formed parishes, 4 church buildings remain open for worship. New Parish 1: St. Barbara and St. Louise de Marillac would unite to form one new canonical parish, with both churches remaining as active worship sites of the newly formed parish. St. Louise de Marillac School would cease operating as a full PK-8 school beginning with the school year. New Parish 1 would explore the feasibility of continuing an early childhood program and offering before and after care. New Parish 2: Divine Infant Jesus and Divine Providence would unite to form one new canonical parish, with both churches remaining as active worship sites of the newly formed parish. New Parish 2 would evaluate its ability to support two PK-8 schools at Divine Infant Jesus and Divine Providence. We found this scenario unacceptable because we spent two years exploring a merger of St. Louise School with Divine Infant. However, this proposal would eliminate a school for La Grange Park. There already is no Catholic school in Brookfield, North Riverside, Forest Park, Maywood or Hillside. We want Catholic schools to continue. Scenario B: 1 parish, 4 church buildings remain open for worship All four parishes would unite to form one new canonical parish, with all four churches remaining as active worship sites of the newly formed parish. The newly formed parish would evaluate how to most effectively organize Catholic school structures and programming to support vitality and sustainability. As in Scenario A, the united parish would explore the feasibility of continuing an early childhood program and before and after care at the St. Louise de Marillac School site. St. Louise de Marillac School would cease operating as a full PK-8 school beginning with the school year. The united parish would also evaluate its ability to support two PK-8 schools at Divine Infant Jesus and Divine Providence. This scenario was universally rejected by all the participants. Besides losing a Catholic school in La Grange Park and creating a Catholic school desert for much of the western suburbs, having but one priest for four churches is way too unmanageable. It would be an overwhelming work load even with an associate pastor or two. SCHOOL ALTERNATIVE: Based on two years of research and work, Divine Infant Jesus and St. Louise Schools would both close at the end of the school year. A brand-new school would open as a Regional Catholic School to serve the entire area. This school would be independent of parishes. A pastor from one of the local parishes would be the president of the school and oversee the principal. All parishes that would like to be a part of the school can have a piece of the ownership, but again, the school would operate independently of any one parish. Note: While this idea emerged from past discussions between Divine Infant Jesus and St. Louise, we invite the possibility of expanding this alternative to include Divine Providence School. There was a good deal of support behind this alternative. It had been worked on for two years. It would mean one strong school that would thrive in the future. Alternative 1-2 newly formed parishes, 4 church buildings remain open for worship, one regional school to serve both new parishes. New Parish 1: St. Barbara and St. Louise de Marillac would unite to form one new canonical parish. New Parish 2: Divine Infant Jesus and Divine Providence would form one new canonical parish. Both parishes would form a new regional school to serve both parishes. This is a variation on the School Alternative proposal. In terms of long range planning many of us do not believe independent parish schools will survive. In many parts of the archdiocese mergers have worked quite well and preserved Catholic schools. In my last assignment we had a very successful merger that has lasted for over 25 years. (cont.)

3 Alternative Scenario 2: 2 Parishes each with a school and 1 Mission in collaborative relationship with Divine Providence. 4 worship sites. Parish 1: Divine Infant Jesus & St. Louise de Marillac combine to form one church with two worship sites and a combined school. Parish 2: Divine Providence parish and school lead by pastor, Mission St. Barbara would become a mission connected to Divine Providence lead by administrator. Divine Providence pastor will be mentor of St. Barbara Mission administrator. This is a very creative alternative. It would help St. Louise and Divine Infant achieve what they had hoped for. It would be an internship for a potential pastor. Some would question in the long run whether Divine Providence can sustain the student enrollment by itself to be a thriving school. These proposals, along with an extensive commentary, has been presented to the Archdiocese for review by a special committee. They will then pass on our proposals with their recommendations to Cardinal Cupich. He will then ask the Presbyteral Council for their input. In the Fall Cardinal Cupich, as our Archbishop, will make a final decision about how we will look beginning in the summer of If you are interested in reading the full ten-page report from our four-parish grouping, copies of this will be available in church. Pentecost: the 50 th Day of Easter Today is the 50th and final day of the Easter Season. We remember Jesus and his Father sending us the Holy Spirit to dwell with us and guide the Church for the rest of time. The Holy Spirit is the one guiding Renew My Church. Paschal Mystery is the very heart of our Christian faith. Unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit. (John 12:24) Divine Infant, as we have known it as an independent parish, is dying. But there will be resurrection. I believe with all my heart we will become something greater than we have ever been. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit we will become a new parish that will be faith filled and vital. Our Catholic School will be stronger and better than ever. Yes, there is pain in the dying, just like Jesus in his passion. But after Easter there is no more pain, but only glory. I believe this is the transformation we are called to experience and live! Our New Ministry of Compassion and Consolation Recently six of our parishioners completed their formation as ministers of compassion and consolation. Whenever there is a death in the parish they will reach out to the family with their caring presence. They will also assist with planning the funeral liturgy. They will be present to the family to assist in any way they can. They are being commissioned at our 9:30 Mass this Pentecost Sunday. Let us pray for and congratulate these special ministers: Sister Susan Majcen, O.P.; William and Jeanie Juvancic; Kathleen Xenakis; Margaret Xenakis; Mary Beth Xenakis Easter Duty This is a reminder especially to the home bound. This is the last week to fulfill the Easter Duty. This means receiving Communion at least once during the Lent-Easter season. Confession is also required if there is serious sin. Please let us know of anyone who is unable to come to church and we will go to them. Peace and love always, Father Mike Ahlstrom

4 ULTIMATE MAKEOVER BOOKS STILL AVAILABLE AS LONG AS THEY LAST There are some extra copies of Ultimate Makeover in the vestibule of Church. If anyone wants a copy, please take one. WEDDINGS Christopher Wallace & Carly Barry GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY MASS SAVE THE DATE Married in 1968? The Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, September 16, 2018 by Cardinal Cupich. The location of the Mass will be announced soon. To register, please contact the rectory or online at pvm.archicago.org We hope to see you there! BAPTIZED Mikaela Dora, daughter of Joshua and Sonja (Novovic) Belluomini 70TH ANNIVERSARY ALBUM If you forgot to pick up your 70th Anniversary album you can pick it up at the rectory. To all participating families, Thanks!" CHURCH CLEANING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED We are in need of volunteers to help clean the church (dry mop, dusting, etc.) on Friday mornings. It usually takes 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. You can just show up in church on Friday mornings at 8:30. SAVE THE DATE On Sunday, June 17th at the 9:30am Mass we will have a thank you celebration for Fr. Mike Ahlstrom as he prepares to retire once again. Please plan on attending the 9:30 am Mass that morning and staying after for hospitality in church and thanking Fr. Mike for staying with Divine Infant for the past year.

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6 DIVINE INFANT JESUS PARISH IS NOW LISTED AS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION ON AMAZON SMILE! You shop. Amazon gives. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com How to Setup Amazon smile? Change Your AmazonSmile Charitable Organization Sign in to smile.amazon.com on your desktop or mobile phone browser. From your desktop, go to Your Account from the navigation at the top of any page, and then select the option to Change your Charity. Select a new charitable organization to support. DISCOVERY CLUB SUPERVISOR NEEDED Discovery Club, Divine Infant s Before and After School Program, will have an open position of a part -time supervisor beginning in August. The morning days and hours would be as follows: Monday through Friday from 6:45 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. The afternoon hours would be 2:00 or 3:00 until 5:00/6:00. The afternoon days to be determined. Both shifts are available, but it is not necessary to take both. Our afternoons are filled with fun activities. The children love to color, do puzzles, play in the gym/outside, and do crafts. We need to be heavily staffed due to our large volume of children under the age of seven. Come join our Divine Infant family. If interested, please call the rectory and leave your name and number with Toni. Her number is You may also me direct at nsteker@divineinfant.org. Nancy Steker Director

7 DIVINE INFANT MEN S CLUB 66th ANNUAL PARISH GOLF OUTING DATE: PLACE: TIME: COST: Friday, June 8 th Bloomingdale Golf Club 181 N Glen Ellyn Rd, Bloomingdale, IL :30 Lunch 1:30 Shotgun Start $ each (hot dog check-in, greens fees, cart, & feast on an all you can eat bar-b-que ribs & broasted chicken dinner buffet) THIS IS A COMMUNITY WIDE OUTING AND EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO JOIN US!! RAFFLE PRIZES SPLIT-THE-POT SILENT AUCTION RESERVATIONS: Bob Eisenhart di.mensclub@gmail.com All reservations must be made, and paid for, no later than Saturday, June 2nd. Advertise your company or service to our golfers. Call Patrick Casey at (708) for Tee Sponsorships or make out your $ check payable to "D.I. Men s Club" and mail your company information and artwork to: Divine Infant Men s Club c/o GOLF SPONSOR 1601 Newcastle Avenue Westchester, IL 60154

8 LITURGY FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY, May 19 5:00 pm Joseph Catino; Al & Lucille Fogg; Oscar Brond; Len Weigel; Al & Mary Gamauf 50th Wedding Anniversary SUNDAY, May 20 7:30 Thomas Smith; Rick Yurkovich; The Otto Bezouska Family; People of the Parish 9:30 John McLeod; William Eckles; Eleanor Morgan; Lou D Andria 11:30 Jane Ulsafer-VanLanen; Jerry Spahn; Judy Lungo; Charles Konezney MONDAY, May 21 8:00 Frank & Rita Kaiser TUESDAY, May 22 8:00 Fr. Arthur Olsen, Jr.; Norma Parenti WEDNESDAY, May 23 8:00 Walter & Mary Wanick THURSDAY, May 24 8:00 All the faithful departed FRIDAY, May 25 8:00 All the faithful departed SATURDAY, May 26 8:00 John Brongiel 5:00 pm Deceased members of St. Vincent de Paul Society; Lou Galella; Lou D Andria; Frank Ignatius SUNDAY, May 27 7:30 Thomas Smith; Emil & Henrietta Bezouska; People of the Parish 9:30 Tony Concialdi; Tina Sforza 11:30 Fr. Fred Tomzik; Harold & Lenord Mcvey; Tina (Concetta) Sforza; Leonard Weigel; Mary Pat, Therese & Barney Crosson WEEKDAY SERVERS MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY 8:00 Bridget Boyle THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY 8:00 Rachel Shuflit PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH Charles Anderson Dorothy Asher Ed Backer Mikaela Belluomini Irene Bendinelli Jerry Benesh Bill Beuck Arlene Buszkiewicz Carl Celestino, Sr. Margaret Cullen Geri D Andria Donald Doucet Donna Huber Ron Huefner Joanne Joyce Arlene Kalisiak Joseph R. Lentino Jean Lidzbienski Rena Lizzadro John Lytle Gordon Macpherson Lorraine Martino Nick Martino Karen Mulcrone Johnny Mulligan Drago Novovic Janet Novovic Janine Nywood Dan Onischuk Tammi Patzelt Frank Pedota, Sr. Dave Peloza Lisa Peloza Kathy Reed Michael Scherer Donald Sloan Paul Sodayko Jacob Vincent 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 MAY THEY REST IN PEACE Edward Valle NEXT WEEKEND S MINISTERS CELEBRANT COMMUNION MINISTERS LECTORS SERVERS SAT. 5:00 Fr. Mike D. Nawrocki B. Edmonds C. Nortier G. Pracz D. Edmonds B. Boyle SUN. 7:30 Fr. Tom C. Celestino J. Norton D. Patton J. Ceplecha B. McManus M. Swan SUN. 9:30 Fr. Joyce M. Meyers S. Johnston A. Groppe N. Mihel J. Calcagno O. Wesolowski SUN. 11:30 Fr. Jim L. Brown Teens D. Hernandez R. Brown A. Hernandez

9 SUNDAY, MAY 20 CH Hospitality after 9:30 am Mass PS, PK & Kindergarten open house TUESDAY, MAY 22 CH 3:00 pm Chimes WEDNESDAY, MAY 23 CH 4:00 pm Music Dept. THURSDAY, MAY 24 LH 6:30 pm Sports Banquet FRIDAY, MAY 25 School Picnic TUESDAY, MAY 29 CH 3:00 pm Chimes CR 7:00 pm Finance Meeting WEDNESDAY, MAY 30 PS last day CH 4:00 pm Music Dept. FRIDAY, JUNE 1 LH 9:30 am PK Graduation 8th grade last day CH 7:30 pm Holy Hour 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! SUNDAY OFFERING May 13, This week s collection $11,943 When you are away for a weekend, we hope you will remember your offering to Divine Infant. Thank you. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Jas 3:13-18; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mk 9:14-29 Tuesday: Jas 4:1-10; Ps 55:7-11a, 23; Mk 9:30-37 Wednesday: Jas 4:13-17; Ps 49:2-3, 6-11; Mk 9:38-40 Thursday: Jas 5:1-6; Ps 49:14-20; Mk 9:41-50 Friday: Jas 5:9-12; Ps 103:1-4, 8-9, 11-12; Mk 10:1-12 Saturday: Jas 5:13-20; Ps 141:1-3, 8; Mk 10:13-16 Sunday: Dt 4:32-34, 39-40; Ps 33:4-6, 9, 18-20, 22; Rom 8:14-17; Mt 28:16-20 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 ELECTRONICALLY 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! 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 call the rectory (708) Welcome to Divine Infant. We look forward to seeing you again!

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11 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) REV. JAMES BEATH, Associate (ext. 208) 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: 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

12 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 12 SUNDAY DATE OF BULLETIN May 20, 2018 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS