Third Sunday of Lent. March 11, Pastoral Staff Rev. Denis Condon

Transcription

1 Third Sunday of Lent March 11, 2012 Pastoral Staff Pastor Rev. Denis Condon Pastor Emeritus Rev. John C. Hergenrother Associate Pastor Rev. Joseph J. Wojcik Deacon Mr. Michael McLynn Deacon Mr. Kevin Reynolds School Principal Ms. Kelly Zawisza Religious Education Coordinator Ms. Anne Watylyk Music Director Mr. Jim Harrold, Secretary/Bulletin Editor Ms. Maureen Johnson, Spiritual Companion Mrs. Jane Kucera, Parish Counselor Ms. Monica Seggio, , ext. 30 Parish Council Chair Dr. Elisabeth Hahn, Rectory 1144 Harrison Ave., FAX School 1125 Harrison, LaGrange Park, Religious Education Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday Evening: 5:00 p.m.; Sunday: 7:30, 9:30, 11:00 a.m. Weekday Masses Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. Sacraments and Ministries Reconciliation/Confessions Saturdays 9:00 9:30 a.m. or on request. Baptisms Second Sunday: 12:15 p.m. A baptismal class is necessary prior to scheduling a Baptism. Marriage Contact the rectory six months prior to wedding. Home Communion Visits Mike McLynn, Parish Nurses, Hours as posted in church. New Parishioners Register at the rectory. Website parishoffice@slmparish.org Bulletin Deadline Monday at 10:00 a.m. Traveling? Call or

2 ast week talking about the verbal snapshots Mark gives us at the opening of his Gospel, I pointed L out the presence of Satan the Tempter. Satan is the proprietor of that horrid land we call hell, a place we hear mentioned, of all places, in the Apostles Creed he [Jesus] descended into hell. This phrase in the Creed has caused some of our community to question why Jesus would go to hell. It just doesn t make sense that the Son of God would go to hell. Why? What does it mean? To understand the phrase he descended into hell we need to take a step back from the Creed and return to the beginning of the Bible to the Book of Genesis. In the Garden of Eden Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent and disobeyed God. That action resulted in their being tossed out of the Garden, the gates slammed shut and a sentry in the form of an angel with a fiery sword placed in front of the gate to assure no one got in. That meant from Adam on, no one, no matter how good they might be, could enter heaven. Heaven was shut tighter than Fort Knox. Consider for a moment who we are talking about when I say no one could enter heaven. That means folks like Noah and the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob along with their families could not enter heaven. Moses and all the good people who followed the covenant made on Mt. Sinai could not enter. Neither could Kings David and Solomon nor any of the prophets. Even John the Baptist and his parents St. Elizabeth and St. Zachary and the Blessed Mother s parents St. Anne and St. Joachim weren t able to enter heaven. Even St. Joseph couldn t get in! The gates were locked and the angel stood firm. The key that finally opened the gates to heaven was the Passion and Death of the Lord. Despite all the rejection, the torture and cruel execution Jesus clung to God. Like Job, Jesus did not let all that happened to him shake his relationship with the Father. He didn t turn from him; he didn t lose faith in him even if he didn t understand why these things were happening. Despite all the temptations to doubt God or to refuse what God sent his way, Jesus remained faithful. That obedience even to death was the key that unlocked the gates of heaven. Remember that once he died Jesus was buried for three days. Ancient theologians wondered where Jesus went. He couldn t have gone to heaven since he didn t do that until the Ascension. Since he hadn t as yet risen from the dead, he wasn t roaming the earth. So where was he? Theologians thought about all those waiting for this moment in history and decided that Jesus must have gone to all those countless good people who had died but could not get into heaven until he had opened the gates by his Passion and Death. He went to the abode of the dead to announce the good news that the angel had exchanged his sword for a welcome sign. When this idea was put into the creed, whoever chose the wording used the phrase he descended into hell. Now why would someone use the term hell to describe the abode of the dead? This makes us ask the question what is hell? For many over the course of centuries hell was the punishment given to those who broke God s commandments. This is a judicial way of looking at our relationship with God. God gave the commandments and, like with any law, you break the commandments and there is punishment to fit the crime. If we look back to the ancient times, punishment for breaking a king s law was rather brutal: torture with whips and red hot iron; scourging with a cat-o -nine tails embedded with bits of metal in the ends; burning alive; crucifixion; beheading; and on and on. So when artists tried to convey the punishment for breaking God s commandments, they drew on their experience of what kings did and depicted some rather gruesome scenes. The most famous of these, I think, is Michelangelo s Final Judgment fresco painted behind the altar in the Sistine Chapel in Rome. Add to this the references in the Gospel of evil people being tossed into Gahanna where the fire is never quenched. and we can understand how we get our image of hell. For today s theologians, including Pope John Paul II, hell is anywhere apart from God. If someone, for whatever reason, chooses not to live with God, God will grant their desire. Sadly, to live apart from God is to live alone in one s own world, estranged from all others. It s love that binds us together; it s love that is the joy of life. To choose to be apart from God is to reject love and to reject love is to live alone. That s hell! While Jesus went among the dead to announce the good news of the opening of heaven, he did not opt for life apart from the Father. Quite the contrary! What he announced to Abraham and Sarah, to Moses, to David, Solomon, the prophets, Elizabeth, Zachary, Anne, Joachim and Joseph was their separation from the Father was over. They could enter into the joy of God. The horror that we think of as hell is a very real alternative. If we choose in this life to live only for ourselves, we could very well find ourselves alone beyond the grave. To hunger for human companionship and love and never be able to have it is as scary as never ending flames of fire. The choice is ours to make. How we live now will determine how we will live later. Fr. Denis March 11, 2012 Page 2

3 Monday, March 12 2:45pm Girl Scouts-M 6:30pm Boy Scouts-C Tuesday, March 13 5pm Sports-PC 7pm Book Review-T 7pm FSA-M Wednesday, March 14 1 & 7pm Prayer Shawl-Ch 5pm Sports-PC 7pm Faith Group Thursday, March 15 2:30pm Children s Choir 4:30pm SPRED-R 5pm Sports-PC 6:30pm Cub Scouts-C 7pm Boy Scouts Committee-M 7pm Choir Friday, March 16 2 & 7pm Stations of the Cross 2:45 & 7:30pm Teen Clubs-PC 5pm Sports-PC Saturday, March 17 7pm 8th grade Lock-In PC/C/M/T Sunday, March 18 8am Pancake Breakfast-C 2pm Piano Recital-Ch 6pm BEDS-C 7:30pm AA-R BULLETIN SCHEDULE CHANGES Due to the approaching Easter holiday, the bulletin deadlines have changed for the following weeks: Articles for the March 25 bulletin are due on March 14 before 10:00 a.m. Articles for the bulletins of April 1 (Palm Sunday) and April 8 (Easter Sunday) are both due on March 16 before 10:00 a.m. NO EXCEPTIONS. Depending on space availability and priority, articles may be edited or reformatted at the discretion of the editor. St. Louise Celebration The students of St. Louise will celebrate the feast of our patroness this week. The Student Council is planning the Mass highlighting the life of St. Louise. Everyone is invited to join in our celebration of her example. Following tradition, the school will gather for a luncheon. In honor of St. Louise s service to the poor, everyone is asked to bring donations for St. Barbara s food pantry. Have You Read a Good Book Lately? Students in grades 5-8 may have a recommendation for you. The Breakfast Book Club met for its first meeting on Jerry Spinelli s Wringer. Students enjoyed breakfast while discussing this award-winning book. There was a lot to say about the main character s dilemma. They will complete the book and meet in a few weeks to discuss the second half of the book. St. Louise Alumni Recognized On March 12, youth from Vicariate IV will be honored at the annual Youth Leadership Awards Banquet. St. Louise parishioners who will be recognized are seniors Peter Mikulecky, James Panek, Kristin Ripoli and Megan Walsen. All are graduates of St. Louise. Peter, Kristin and Megan are being recognized for their contributions to Community Life. Peter has been involved in youth ministry and with the Teen club planning and staffing many events. Kristin and Megan serve as assistant coaches for our volleyball and basketball teams, staff concessions at games and help in numerous ways at bingo. James is being recognized for contributions in the areas of Advocacy and Prayer & Worship. James has been a Bell and Festival Choir member and a Eucharistic Minister. He also serves as the youth representative on the Parish Pastoral Council working as a liaison between the Teen Club and the Council. Congratulations Peter, James, Kristin and Megan for your recognition. We thank you for your service and dedication to St. Louise. March 11, 2012 Page 3

4 HOLY NAME PANCAKE BREAKFAST The Holy Name Society is sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, March 18 from 8:00 until 11:00 a.m. in the Colonnade Room. Menu: all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, orange juice and coffee. SPECIAL: Fathers and Grandfathers are FREE! $5 per person, six and older with a max of $16 per family. Don t miss out on this great breakfast deal! Daily Mass Monday thru Friday at 8:30 a.m. Confessions Saturdays from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. Rosary Monday thru Friday at 8:00 a.m. Stations of the Cross Fridays at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. Living Stations of the Cross Friday, March 30 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY Our Prayer Shawl ministry is going strong here at St. Louise due to the talented efforts of the ladies who prayerfully, and with much care, knit or crochet shawls to be given to those who are ill, grieving, homebound, or in a crisis to just name a few. If you knit or crochet, put your talents to good use. If you wish to learn, we will teach you. Meetings are in the back of church on the second Wednesday of every month at 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. for an hour or two. The next meeting is Wednesday, March 14. Call Jane at or Shirley at for info. SPECIAL LENTEN SERVICES/GROUPS Lenten Book Discussion Tuesdays, 7 p.m., Trinity Rm. Lenten Faith Group Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Trinity Rm. Parish Communal Reconciliation Wednesday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m. CWO Soup Supper/Evening of Reflection Thursday, March 1, 6:00 p.m. Palm Sunday Family Mass Sunday, April 1 at 9:30 a.m. WOULD YOU LIKE TO REDISCOVER YOUR FAITH? Join us as we gather every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Trinity Room for our series of Lenten discussions on the Matthew Kelly book, Rediscovering Catholicism. Even if you have not started reading the book, I invite you to join us. Are you interested in seeking what our faith means to ourselves and community? Our topic is Where to From Here? Questions? Call Deacon Kevin at More information is available at LENTEN FAITH GROUP mall group sessions are a very important S part of the parish s spiritual growth and development process. They provide opportunities for us, the people of God, to share our faith, listen closely to the Holy Spirit and to witness that God has called us. A Faith Group will meet during Lent on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the Trinity Room led by Pat Thorburn. Come when you can every week or as your schedule permits. Everyone (young adults to seniors are welcome.) March 11, 2012 Page 4

5 Blessed John Paul II said, Christ is the light which illumines the way. For many in the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, the aftermath of 70 years of Soviet rule and atheism are still evident every day in the forms of poverty and lack of access to medical and pastoral care. Your donations help strengthen the Church of this region through grants to Catholic organizations that help those in need receive food, shelter, medicine and pastoral care through the light of Christ. Please be generous in the Collection with your donation today. There will be High School and Eighth Grade Teen Clubs on March Hour Famine: May 4-5. Kick-off event April 1. Watch for details. Evening prayer: After 5:00 p.m. Mass March 17 & 24. Palm Sunday Mass Practice: March 23 and 30 during Teen Club and March 31 at 2:00 p.m. Bible Breakfast March 25 after 9:30 a.m. Mass. More details next week. BABY BOTTLES SAVE LIVES After all Masses next weekend, March 17/18, baby bottles will be distributed for Women s Care Center of La Grange, a local crisis pregnancy center. By filling it with change and dollars spent otherwise, you help to save babies from abortion. A wonderful Lenten sacrifice. The Center provides free tests, counseling, baby clothing, and housing/medical referrals all free of charge. The baby bottles will be collected the next week, March 24/25. WAY OF THE CROSS THROUGH DOWNTOWN CHICAGO On Good Friday, April 6th, starting at 9:00 a.m. at Daley Plaza (Dearborn & Washington), there will be a silent procession with songs, meditations and readings from the Passion. Five stops around downtown Chicago will serve as stations. The procession arrives at Holy Name Cathedral around 12 noon for the last meditation. For more information, go to our website at Eighth Grade Lock-In: March Permission forms at rectory or from Ms. Miller. Money and forms due NOW. Other activities: See above. BUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS Just as there are peaceful and turbulent waves in our beautiful oceans, relationships go through seasons of peaceful and rocky weather as well. During the trying and troublesome seasons, it can be difficult to see rays of hope and resolution. Counseling can help and may be the life line your relationship is looking for. Couples counseling can provide a safe space to discuss disagreements, feelings of hurt, disappointment and anger while working together with a counselor to come to a resolution. Couples counseling can also provide skills and techniques on how to protect your relationship against future storms. If your relationship is in need or if you and your partner are interested in learning new skills on how to enhance your relationship, contact Monica Seggio at ext 30 to schedule an appointment. She is available on weekdays and weeknights in a private office at St. Francis Xavier. Sliding scale is available. Many Thanks to the parishioners who volunteered their time to identify and label pictures for the parish archives. March 11, 2012 Page 5

6 March Monday 8:30 - Otto & Mae Weiler, Louis Agresto Tuesday 8:30 - Malcom & June Matheson Wednesday 8:30 - Vocations Thursday 8:30 - Fred Garcia, Parishioners Friday 8:30 - Petrovic & Mehlin families Saturday 5:00 - Wilk, Polniaszek, Kogut & LaGiglia families, June Matheson, Joseph Smuda, Fritz Rochowiak Sunday 7:30 - Joan Zogata 9:30 - Bruno Szudy 11:00 - Ann Norris, Warren Joyce Presiders March 17 March 18 Confessions - Fr. Joe 7:30 - Fr. Joe 5:00 - Fr. Joe 9:30 - Fr. Denis/Dcn. Mike 11:00 - Fr. Denis/Dcn. Mike Readers March 17 March 18 5:00 - P. Hammerschmitt 7:30 - B. Petek 9:30 - B.Prack 11:00 - J. McDevitt Altar Servers Mon. - Wed., March 12, 13, 14 8:30 - D. Valdez, G. Crisanti Thurs. - Fri., March 15, 16 8:30 - A. Copp, C. Diggins Sat., March 17 5:00 - M. DiVittorio, H. Flynn, M. Kraus Sun., March 18 7:30 - A. Haage, A. Menendez, K. Valdez 9:30 - A. Kraus, J. Keen, D. Keen 11:00 - A. Porras, K. Weinert, Br. Schneider Our sympathy to the families of Caroline Dombrowski, Alan Kitzer, and Mary Jindra. In your prayers Remember those who have died between March 12-18: John Puljung, Stanley Kolody, Lee Fiala, Frank Lynch, Dr. George Wroblewski, Elsie Gregor, Robert Klima, Leroy Felcman, Diane Felcman, Fernando Garcia, Marie Petek, William Wade, Mercedes Kucera, William Gordon, Emery Perret Our Lord s Housekeepers March 14 Mangan March 15 E. Siuda March 17 M. Janecek Eucharistic Ministers March 17 5:00 - J. Chenelle, C. Hammerschmitt, D.&J. Kucera, T. Jarvis, N. Stiso, S. Swanson, S. Young March 18 7:30 - E. Wagner, C. Arredia, R. Arredia, J. Heetel, B. Strnad, M.A. Vavra, M. Wahlstrom 9:30 - L. Korenchan, K. Krajniak, S. Krajniak, M. Sinde, J. Krajniak, N. Crisanti, D. Hennet, R. Jevorutsky, L. Waterloo 11:00 - Jo.&Ja. Gaske, J. Gerberi, J. Hanson, C. Korabik, B. Koll, J. Panek, J. Skowronski, J. Zalig Contributions March 4 Sunday Collection $ 14,132 Loose Coin & Currency $ 480 Total Sunday Collection $ 14,613 Capital Improvement Fund $ 2,090 Envelopes Returned 526 March 11, 2012 Page 6

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