St. Louis de Montfort

Transcription

1 St. Louis de Montfort Oak Lawn, Illinois

2 Fr. Stan s Utterances Page 2 Let us please bring back someone in our family, friends or someone on our neighborhood block back to our church who has not been coming and bring them home closer to God this New Year. Please devote yourselves everyday to Mary via the rosary, praying the Magnificat, Memorare, The Angelus throughout the day or even silently speaking to Mary from our hearts. Today s weekly lesson from the Holy Scriptures is that God is the real and only source of life and happiness. Jesus goes right to the point whether we like to hear it or not. No politics, not saying something just to make people feel better. Jesus speaks and He allows us to choose to take or leave His teachings. There is no middle ground. Jesus specifically states that in our lives, we cannot serve both God and mammon. We choose by our actions whose side we really are on. The voice of the Church or the voice of our friends, work places and the culture and world who take Jesus and His teachings away from the public sphere. The word mammon, translated as "money," comes from the Greek word mamona (ma{n}-moh-nuh). The Greek word refers in a general way to material goods and possessions, the things money can buy. What does Jesus mean by this radical statement? Is He saying that money and material things are evil? No. God created this material world, and so ultimately it is good, full of beauty and God's glory. Jesus worked, supported His mother when Joseph died in Nazareth and took over the family business. Jesus used money and had to make business decisions like all of us. So what does Jesus mean? The key is found in the word serve. Serving someone means expecting a reward from them, putting our trust in them. Jesus is saying that as we go through life, we can put our trust either in God, or in the things of this world. We can look for happiness to come from our relationship with God, or we can look for it in created things. Since there is only one God, and everything else is part of this created world, we really do have no other options. Jesus then describes what life is like when we put our trust in the things of this world: Full of worry and stress about bank accounts, reputations, careers, health, grades, the future...material things are intrinsically unstable; they come and go - as natural disasters, wars, and death constantly remind us. So, when we trust in them, we become unstable too. On the other hand, if we would really listen to Jesus two thousand years later, when we put our trust in God, we are freed from worldly anxiety, and gradually experience deep interior peace, balance, and fruitful and creative work. God is both our all-powerful Lord and our all loving Father. Therefore, it makes sense to trust in Him more than in ourselves and our stuff. Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, Jesus assures us, and all these other things will be given you as well. Let us learn from what St. Paul teaches us who changed from a murderer of Christians to be the Thirteenth Apostle voicing the truth of God. St Paul is writing to the Christians in the port city of Corinth, in Greece. St Paul had spent eighteen months in Corinth, getting that church started. When he moved on to the city of Ephesus, the church in Corinth started to suffer from internal divisions. Some people began criticizing Paul, and strife ensued. Soon afterwards, the Corinthians wrote Paul a letter, asking for guidance on the questions that were dividing them. In response, Paul wrote the New Testament's First Letter to the Corinthians, which contains the passage we just herd in the Second Reading today. The main point of that passage has to do with judgment. The destructive divisions among the Corinthians all stemmed from their arrogant habit of judging each other and their church leaders, Paul included. Paul reminds them that the only person who can be a truly fair judge is God himself, because only God knows all the circumstances and motives involved in someone's actions. Therefore, he writes, do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts... This is the first important characteristic of God's Judgment: it will show forth the whole truth about everything. We can think of it like a huge movie theatre in which the whole human family (past and present) is together, watching a film that reveals the entire truth about God's providence and human history; the big, overarching story as well as every single little story. Nothing will remain hidden; nothing will be forgotten; everyone will know everything. It is in light of this promise that we can put our faith in the beautiful words of God to the prophet Isaiah, which we heard in the First Reading: "Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you." God, our loving Father, is watching over us all the time. He not only sees all our sins, but He also sees all our tears. He promises to forgive our sins, if we confess them and repent. The injustice and suffering and evil of history will not just be left behind; they will be undone, reversed, overcome! This is why the advice Jesus gave us in today's Gospel passage is not just wishful thinking. He told us not to worry about tomorrow, but to seek God's Kingdom today, to follow His commandments, to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves. That is what will matter most on Judgment Day, and so that is what should matter most every day. It is not our job to act as if we were God, trying to create heaven on earth with our wealth and power, or criticizing and judging our neighbors, like the Christians in Corinth. Rather, our job is to let God be God, and to experience the peace of mind that comes from hoping in his mercy and justice. If we seek first God's Kingdom and righteousness, by following in Christ's footsteps, all these other things will be given us besides. St Louis de Montfort, pray for us! Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for us! Also, loving God, please hear our prayers as we gather as your children saddened by the loss of our school. We ask you to help us be a warm and caring community for each other as we anticipate the school s closing and celebrate its many accomplishments of your mission among us. Have a great week and enjoy life! Pray always!

3 Page 3 Special Announcement I would like to take this time to personally thank all of the parishioners of St. Louis de Montfort for your prayers and kind words from the time we were told of our school closure. The warmth and outreach at this parish is truly amazing and heart welcoming. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! After speaking at the Masses about the true financial strains that St. Louis has encountered, I want to thank you all for your increased generosity as we move forward as a spiritual and stronger parish. I would like to thank several people who want to remain anonymous and have contributed substantial amounts of money for our future church renovations. One parishioner has given to God $7,000. Another parishioner has given $2,500 to God. Two families gave $1,000 each to God. Two sisters gave $300 to start a fund to buy a nice statue of Mary for the month of May, to do a May Crowning which will cost several thousands of dollars for a 4 statue alone. Several people gave $500 total to God. This all happened in the last three weeks. This is a total of: $12,300 to be used for church improvements and renovations only and not to pay any debts. May God bless all of you. I am planning to start the renovation of the sanctuary flooring during the early summer month of June by removing the blood stains from the spilled Precious Blood areas from the past, candle wax and very dirty carpet walking areas all over the sanctuary and stairs (that was just recently cleaned last year) with a new gloss oak wood flooring that will cost approximately $25,000. If anyone would like to contribute to continue to help beautify God s home, we would greatly appreciate it. God bless you all! Fr. Stan SCHOOL NEWS!! We will be selling Hoops Mania tickets for $10.00 through the month of February. If you would like to purchase a ticket, please contact the School or Parish Office. All tickets must be purchased and activated by March 3. School families will get $7 credit toward their fundraising commitment for each ticket they sell. As a reminder, every ticket stub has to be returned with purchaser name and phone number and $10 to be activated by the program organizers We will be submitting our last batch of Box Tops on March 20th. If you have been saving them please drop them in the mail box in the church vestibule or bring them to school. The program offers cash rebates for all box tops submitted. We will use the proceeds for the students annual Field Day which celebrates the end of the school year. Please make a note of upcoming events and support our efforts to make this a great year for our students! Tuesday, 2/28, FSA Meeting 7 PM Saturday, 3/25, Spring Family Dance Sunday, 4/2, Easter Bunny Breakfast Please keep our First Communicants and Confirmandi in your prayers as they prepare to receive their Sacraments in the upcoming weeks. All are welcome Spring Family Dance Details are as follows: Where: Quinn Hall When: Saturday, March 25th Time: 6:00 pm 10:00 pm (Dinner served at 6:15 pm) Cost: $8.00 per person or $25.00 per family (children under 2 years old are free) if you pre-register by Friday, 3/17! Tickets at the door on day of the event are $10.00 per person. We are looking for volunteers to help make this a successful event! If you can help. please contact Tess McGillicuddy at tess.mcgillicuddy@gmail.com

4 Jackie Adomovicz Jesse Anderer George Badke Jim Ball Richard Bania Erik Baranowski Irene Baranowski Lillian Berenis Sr. Bernardine Mikey Bevan Joyce Bitinas Jesselyn Brucki Diane Chrapkiewicz Pat Chudy John Condon Sue Conley Betty Connolly Donna Dong Mary Dragozetic Rita Duchowicz Shirley Duran Jack Falsey John Furmaniak Sr. Dave Gallagher Sandra Gilbert Lorraine Grams Sam Harnish Dorothy Hayden Janis Hayden Mary Hinchey Theresa Iser Marilyn Jones Mary Jane Kirchner Mary Kmak Doris Konieczka Daniel Kosiek Page 4 Mar. 4 5:00PM Mar. 5 7:30 AM Mar. 5 9:30 AM Mar. 5 11:30 AM M. Navedo M. Kocher M. Murphy G. Pierzynski J. Werner I. Ramirez J. Mitchell C. Gotto T. Wasik R. Staros S. Kozak M. Farrell Extraordinary J. Kocher H. Niemiec J. Cepek C. Karnoski Ministers of Communion L. Trail J. Sibick M. Hurley N. Rodl C. Sorensen K. Delmagori D. Widmer D. Ott M. Leffers M. Uryasz D. Sichelski M. Gal Commentator L. Trail M. Uryasz D. Sichelski J. Mallady Lector M. Leffers G. Senese B. Zakes A. Sinde VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The Lenten season is fast approaching, Ash Wednesday is on March 1st. With the season, comes a change in our church décor. We welcome ALL volunteers to assist in the decorating of our church. Our decorating team, led by Midge Montoya, will be gathering in church at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 28th. Please consider volunteering! Thank you to Midge and those who offer their time and talent to making our church a beautiful place to worship. ASH WEDNESDAY Mass will be celebrated and ashes distributed on Wednesday, March 1st at 8:30 AM and 7:00 PM. Stations of the cross will be held on Fridays during Lent at 7:00 PM with exception of March 17th, stations will be at 5:30 PM. LENTEN REGULATIONS Abstinence from meats is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years old and older on Ash Wednesday and on all Fridays of Lent. Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday by all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those who are bound by this may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permitted if necessary to maintain strength according to one s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. ST. JOHN PAUL II EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ASSOCIATION ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT PLEASE NOTE LENTEN SCHEDULE Every Saturday March 4th April 8th St. Louis de Montfort Chapel 12:00 Noon 4:00 PM Please join us Knights of Columbus Council REST IN PEACE We pray for our family and friends that have recently died Timothy Dorian Please keep them and their families in your prayers We pray for those among us who are suffering from illnesses Bill Kutschke Kurt Kutschke Joyce Lenzi Josie Maracic Agnes Mark Rita Mazur Mary Ann & Bill Meskowski Rosemary Mihelic Andy Mikal Barbara Minster Judy Mitchell Vencia Munis Christopher Murphy Teresa Myczek Michael Nolan Debbie Ornat Bill Prusinski Kari Raspanti Kelly Robertson Frances Schmidt Joan Schramm Bridget Schroeder Ruth Ann Smith Jim Staros Mercedita Suclan Terry Swierk Jay Tarczon Dorothy Tinman Diane Uryasz Jerry Wantroba II Mary Wantuck Cathy Jo Werner Kimberly Willett Bud Wirisbinski Shelley Werner-Torsan Robert & Carol Zucas

5 Page 5 Weekly Mass Intentions Saturday, February 25 8:30 AM Communion Service 5:00 PM + Louis & Rostan Family +Emanuel Scribano & Family +Lawrence & Margaret Keating +Carol Fox Sunday, February 26, Eighth Sunday Ordinary Time 7:30 AM + Joseph Sirak 9:30 AM + Wolter & Diane Skupien + Amelia McDowall + Dombrowski Family 11:30 AM + John Holowach +Rosemary Ibarra Kim Tomczak For health Monday, February 27 8:30 AM Tuesday, February 28 8:30 AM Wednesday, March 1, Ash Wednesday 8:30 AM Mass and Ashes Distributed 7:00 PM Mass and Ashes Distributed Thursday, March 2 8:30 AM Friday, March 3 8:30 AM People of the Parish Saturday, March 4 8:30 AM Confirmation Retreat 5:00 PM + August (Gus) Robinia Sunday, March 5, First Sunday of Lent 7:30 AM + Anne Sepper 9:30 AM + Kowalski Family + Joe Tauberry 11:30 AM People of the Parish Weekly Activities at St. Louis Sunday, February 26 1:00 PM Baptism Monday, February 27 9:00 AM Rosary (CH) Tuesday, February 28 9:00 AM Rosary (CH) 7:00 PM Needle workers (QH) 7:00 PM FSA Mothers Club Meeting Wednesday, March 1 9:30 AM Rosary (CH) 9:00 AM 10:00 AM Parish Pantry Thursday, March 2 9:00 AM Rosary (CH) Friday, March 3 9:00 AM Rosary (CH) 9:00 AM 10:00 AM Parish Pantry 7:00 PM Stations of the Cross Saturday, March 4 7:00 AM 1:00 PM Confirmation Retreat 9:00 AM Rosary (CH) 12:00 PM 4:00 PM Adoration Sunday, March 5 STUDENTS NEEDING SERVICE HOURS FSA is helping to coordinate 8th grade and high school student volunteers to help serve dinner during the St. Josephs Table dinner on Saturday, March 18th. Students wishing to volunteer can earn service hours. Please contact Donna Liesen for more details From Fr. Stan Effective with March Collections... In light of the financial hardship our parish is experiencing, the decision has been made to discontinue contributions to St. Bride Parish. We ask that you consider making those donations to our Restore and Renew fund. When we are once again financially stable we will resume contributing to our sharing parish. **As a reminder if you are currently making your contributions to St. Brides with Give Central, we ask that you update your contribution elections. Sunday Readings for February 26 First reading: Leviticus 19:1-2, Second reading: 1 Corinthians 3:16-23 Gospel: Matthew 5:38-48 Sunday Readings for March 5 First reading: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 Second reading: Romans 5:12-19 Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11 WEEKLY OFFERING February 18/19 $6, Give Central $ THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

6 Page 6 All Parishioners Parish Picnic Update Our next meeting is scheduled for March 7th at 7:00 PM in Quinn Hall to discuss the Picnic. We had lots of great ideas at our first meetings and are looking for more input and participation! This is a parish event, all proceeds will benefit the parish. Our goal is to unite all parishioners and encourage those that have left the parish to return. Week by week we are getting stronger under the leadership of Fr. Stan. Let s keep the momentum going!! We are looking for donations of gift cards, baskets, and new, unused items suitable for a raffle prize. If you know of area businesses or organizations in the area, or perhaps your employer, that would like to donate please start asking! Donations can be dropped off at the Parish Home during business hours (Monday Friday 9:00 am 2:30 pm). We want this to be a memorable event for all parishioners as well as students, past and present. As with any large event, a lot of planning, volunteer hours and team effort is needed to make it successful. Committee and sign up sheets will be available within the next 2 weeks. Although June may seem a long way off...it s just around the corner. Join us! Mrs. Cheryl Plesha R E Coordinator JOIN US FOR OUR ST. JOSEPHS TABLE DINNER ~ DANCE Where: Quinn Hall When: Saturday, March 18 th Doors open 5:30 ~ Dinner served 6:30 Cost: $25 per person Please pray for our 2 nd grade class, they are preparing for their Reconciliation. You can find their names in a basket located at the back of the church. Please take one name and keep that child in your daily prayers. CONGRATULATIONS MOTHER McAULEY 2nd QUARTER HONOR ROLL STUDENTS Angelia Munoz Juliana Rehnquist Gabriela Smith Food Beverages (cash bar) Desserts Split the Pot Basket Raffles - DJ Meal will be catered by local restaurants Sweet table donations are welcome! PARISH PICNIC JUNE 4th PLANS ARE IN THE WORKS SO SAVE THE DATE AND SPREAD THE WORD!! VOLUNTEER ~~ SHARE IDEAS INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS REACH OUT TO ST. LOUIS ALUMNI IDEAS CURRENTLY WORKING ON: RAFFLES ~~ JUMP HOUSE GAMES FOR YOUNG AND OLD ENTERTAINMENT FOOD ~~ BEVERAGE BURY A TIMECAPSULE SHARING OF ST. LOUIS MEMORIES SCHOOL WALK THRU You can suggestions to parish.office@sldmparish.org Tickets will be available in the vestibule after masses and at the Parish home during business hours Limit of 200 tickets will be sold Mark Your Calendars Women s Auxiliary Upcoming Events Monthly Meetings 2nd Thursday of each Month 7:00 PM Quinn Hall Saturday, April 8th Women s Auxiliary Craft Fair Quinn Hall Watch the bulletin for more information on these events.

7 Welcome to St. Louis de Montfort Parish Fr. Stanley Stuglik: Pastor Mr. Bill Sullivan: Deacon Fr. Mark Canavan: Pastor Emeritus Mrs. Cindy Cochran: Operations Director Ms. Jan Podolak: Parish Secretary Mrs. Karen Deegan: Director of Music Parish Home: 8808 Ridgeland Ave, Oak Lawn IL Phone: Fax: Parish Website: Parish Home Office Hours: 9:00 AM 2:30 PM Monday Friday MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 AM Weekdays 8:30 AM (Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri) 8:30 AM Communion Service (Wed) Saturday 8:30 AM Communion Service Confessions: Saturday 4:00 to 4:30 PM Baptisms: 2nd & 4th Sunday of every month Pre-Baptismal Program: The 1st Tuesday every other month. Arrangements can be made by calling the Rectory. Mrs. Melissa Wilson: School Principal Mrs. Cheryl Plesha: Director of Religious Education School Address: 8840 Ridgeland Ave, Oak Lawn IL School Phone: School Fax: Weddings: Couples should contact the parish priest at least six months in advance of wedding date.

8 CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS St. Louis De Montfort Church # S. Ridgeland Avenue Oak Lawn, IL TELEPHONE CONTACT PERSON Jan Podolak SOFTWARE MSPublisher 2013 Adobe Acrobat XI Windows 8 TRANSMISSION TIME Wednesday 11:00 SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION February 26, 2017 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 8 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS