The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity. EX 34:6

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2 The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity. EX 34:6 These words not only bring comfort, but also bring a challenge to our faith and belief. On a good day it is easy to proclaim how merciful and gracious God is, but on difficult days, weeks, months, we are challenged to see where the mercy is found. I feel very blessed in my faith life to know and believe in the graciousness of our Father, but I must confess that, at times, I wonder where the mercy is. In my prolonged illness, I try to keep the faith and be strong. This mentality has become more challenging as time and circumstances have progressed. So how do I try to make an attitude change on a bad day? Often I pray one of my favorite prayers, The Memorare. I find solace in knowing that in my asking, the most gracious Virgin Mary will intercede for me. I pray before Mary in my sinfulness and sorrowfulness to ask for God s mercy. I feel that she will take my prayer right to God and I feel a sense of peace come about me. The situation that had been troubling me may not have dissipated, but I do feel a calmer aura about me. I know and believe that God has touched me with His grace once again. This belief system ties right into today s Gospel for me, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. JN 3:16 Our belief is in knowing that God s plan, not ours, will bring us eternal life. If we follow the teachings of scripture and be Christ to one another, not only will we feel God s grace and mercy on Earth, but we will be graced to enter the kingdom of Heaven. To tie it altogether, today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. This solemnity challenges each of us in our understanding of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. How can the relationship between the three beings be one God and one God be three beings? The easiest way is to say that we believe this because it is our faith, but divine faith is not an adequate excuse when trying to explain such a beautiful relationship. When I look at the relationships of the Trinity, I consider God our Father, Christ our Son and the Holy Spirit are the love and bonding agents that hold us all together. Now think back to your lifestyle growing up. It could be your mother or father in their love, or your mother and yourself in that bond of love, etc. Now imagine in any one of those situations, one of those parts were missing-be it be the love of one another or its entities- where would the love be? It takes the combination or togetherness and belief of all to create the perfect relationship, just as the Holy Trinity has. In the relationship of our actions and our words with one another, we are all called to witness and share the wonderful gifts that we have received. This latter part touches very deeply to me today especially because of the state of my health. In my multiple doctor appointments, hospital visits and medical attention required, I have had the opportunity to witness and to be a witness of Christ s love for each of us. It wasn t just a one way street that I was doing all of the receiving and someone else was giving all of the treatment. We shared mutually in the common approach to the situation. I wish to send a big thank you to all of those involved in the St. Louise fundraiser on my behalf. Although I did not have the energy to stay all evening and meet everyone, I have received many cards, notes, etc. from people who were there who experienced St. Louise at its finest. Talk about words and actions put to witness! Our family is deeply touched and can only sum up the humblest words, THANK YOU! Peace to you always, Deacon Kevin June 15, 2014 Page 2

3 Monday, June 16 9:00 a.m.- noon Vacation Bible School-C Tuesday, June 17 9:00 a.m.-noon Vacation Bible School-C 7:00 p.m. Ministers of Care-M Wednesday, June 18 9:00 a.m.-noon Vacation Bible School-C 7:00 p.m. Adoration-CH 7:00 p.m. Spirit & Truth-R Thursday, June 19 9:00 a.m.-noon Vacation Bible School-C Friday, June 20 9:00 a.m.-noon Vacation Bible School-C 6:30 p.m. One King-M Saturday, June 21 No Activities Sunday, June 22 Parish Picnic 8:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous-R Reflecting on God s Word an you remember at time when you heard an C acappella choir sing in perfect harmony? Perhaps you have sung in a choir like that. The many voices blend into one voice, the many parts into unified chords, the many notes into a single song. If we can imagine that harmony for an instant, we might hear an echo of the perfect harmony uniting our one God. The three-part harmony in God sings a single song of love. It sings of the merciful, faithful love of the Father who nurtures and protects the weak, beloved human family. It sings of the self-giving love of Jesus that liberates us from slavishly repeating our sins. It sings of the unifying love of the Holy Spirit that binds us together in love and unity and peace. s we imagine that harmonious hymn of praise, we A might also hear a summons to live in the harmony that the Holy Spirit empowers in us. Our God s love is so powerful that it resounds in the Christian community and invites the whole world to sing along in the never-ending hymn of love. ~Virginia Stillwell, Copyright 2012, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. June 15, 2014 Page 3

4 Daddy, I Love You Daddy, I love you For all that you do. I ll kiss you and hug you Cause you love me too. You feed me and need me To teach you to play. So smile cause I love you On this Father s Day -author unknown June 15, 2014 F atherhood calls for many challenges and hardships, which every dad bears with pride and happiness. Your dad has been your first friend who has always been with you, no matter what. He is the one person who has bestowed you with unconditional love and care, without asking for anything in return. When it comes to the relationship you share with your father, there are absolutely no strings attached. He may not show it, but he is always there for you, with his unwavering support and assistance. How often to you take time to whisper a silent prayer to God for this special person in your life? This Father s Day, say a special prayer of love and gratitude for Dad. Page 4

5 Cub Scout Coffee Fundraiser St. Louise Cub Scouts are selling PapaNicholas Breakfast Blend Coffee (ground, regular) after all Masses today. Each 12 oz. bag is $10. Scouts earn commission as well as credit that can be used toward scout camp or scouting supplies. Help support our Pack and get a great last-minute Father s Day gift for Dad. FACE THE TRUTH TOUR The Pro-Life Action League invites you to join the upcoming Face the Truth Tour, an annual pro-life public education initiative that reaches tens of thousands of people with the reality of abortion. From June 11-19, pro-life volunteers will hold signs at major intersections throughout northeast Illinois, depicting the beauty of life in the womb as well as the horrible injustice done to the unborn victims of abortion. The Face the Truth Tour changes hearts and minds, guides post-abortive women and men to healing and peace and saves babies from abortion. For information on this powerful pro-life campaign, including the complete Tour schedule, visit ProLifeAction.org. In our area, the Tour will be in Cicero and Maywood on Wednesday, July 16. Contact Marianne at Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person-among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life. ~Catechism of the Catholic Church High School Teen Club June 20 & 27-7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Remember, this is open to all students who will be in high school in the fall! Splash Action! June 26 at Deep River Water Park. Permission forms available at the rectory; due June 17 with payment of $31 (includes transportation). In the Beginning Was the Word A retreat for confirmed high school students, centered in Ignatian Spirituality! Sponsored by Archdiocese of Chicago Vicariate IV Youth Ministry. When: June 28, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Where: Our Lady Mother of the Church 116 Hilton St., Willow Springs Presenter: Father Damian Mazurkiewicz, SJ Contact Ms. Miller if you would like to go! SAVE THE DATE July 17-20: St. Louise Summerfest July 25, 2014: Summer Lock-In July 31, 2014: Six Flags Great America June 15, 2014 Page 5

6 June Monday 8:30 - Special Intention Tuesday 8:30 - Jim & Irene Bartelson Wednesday 8:30 - Barbara Matusiak Thursday, St. Romuald 8:30 - Leslie Russ, Sr. Friday 8:30 - Petrovic & Mehlin families Saturday 5:00 - Joseph Smuda Sunday 7:30 - Parishioners 9:30 - Emery Perret 11:00 - George Zalac Altar Servers Mon. - Wed., June 16, 17, 18 8:30 - A. Copp, B. Copp Thurs. - Fri., June 19, 20 8:30 - D. Hanson, M. Hanson Sat., June 21 5:00 - M. Sroka, M. Schaffer, J. Hopkins Sun., June 22 7:30 - De. Keen, Da. Keen, K. Keen 9:30 - C. Melone, M. Melone, F. Garcia 11:00 - B. Ripoli, J. Johnson, L. Dunn Altar Women June 18-P. Cavaliere, June 19-E. Siuda Presiders June 21 June 22 Confessions - Fr. Denis 7:30 - Fr. Denis 5:00 - Fr. Denis 9:30 - Fr. Henry 11:00 - Fr. Henry Readers June 21 June 22 5:00 - S. Young 7:30 - E. Keegan 9:30 - M.A. Donlon 11:00 - P. Cuevas/B.Schneider Eucharistic Ministers June 21 5:00 - J. Chenelle, P. Erickson, M. Gyorke, P. Thorburn, P. Hammerschmitt, L. Sroka, R. Williams June 22 7:30 - F. Johanek, R. Voss, M. Voss, B. Petek, E. Wagner, M. Wahlstrom, J. Prorok 9:30 - B. Garvey, S. Czarnik, D. Hennet, R. Jevorutsky, K. Krajniak, B. Kraus, D. Parcel, E. Satala, M. Sinde 11:00 - S. Lifka, R.&L. Valdez, P. Cavaliere, J. Hanson, J. Discipio, T. Hilger, C. Lemkau, R. Kozica WEEKLY OFFERTORY June 8, 2014 Sunday Collection, This Week: This Year $ 9,700 Last Year $ 9,600 Sunday Collection, Year-to-Date: This Year $ 474,700 Last Year $ 505,400 Year-to-Date Collection Budget $ 508,800 Envelopes Returned, This Week: This Year 371 Last Year 407 June 15, 2014 Page 6

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