Parish Mission Statement We are a diverse Catholic community of genera ons, experiencing the living God and reflec ng our faith in ac on with one

Transcription

1 Saint Robert Bellarmine Parish Mission Statement We are a diverse Catholic community of genera ons, experiencing the living God and reflec ng our faith in ac on with one another. 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time January 27, 2013

2 Page 2 January 27, 2013 Mass Intentions MON. January 28, St. Thomas Aquinas 8:30 am Stephen J. Kralik, Elmer Mertes TUES. January 29, Weekday in Ordinary Time 8:30 am John Galluzzi, Anne Pederson WED. January 30, Weekday in Ordinary Time 8:30 am Judith Day, Robert Klenck (dec. anniv) THURS. January 31, St. John Bosco 8:30 am Jack Puttrich (anniv), Glen Czech, John Rybicki FRI. February 1, Weekday in Ordinary Time 8:30 am Germano Macrito SAT. February 2, The Presentation of the Lord 8:30 am George J. Herrman 5:00 pm Wanda Placek, Rosa Eisenberg, Michael Fuertsch SUN. February 3, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 am Eugene Kozlowski, Frank Mashechko, Joseph Cooke, Aloysius Stankiewicz 10:00 am Leonard Gorski 12:00 pm Ted & Joseph Zalewski, Wiktoria Ignarska, Wladyslawa Miras, Zofia Machowska Weekly Collections January 13, 2013 Sunday Offertory $ 7,038 Latin America $ 1,403 Christmas $ 212 Thank you for your generosity! Considered Electronic Donations? You can give once as a guest or set up an account and give regularly no more envelopes to remember as you walk out the door for church! THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Our first reading is from the Book of Nehemiah. The story takes place immediately after the exile in Babylon. The people have been restored to the Promised Land, but the land is desolate and the Temple has long since been destroyed. Nehemiah, the governor, and Ezra, the chief priest, call an assembly of the people. Ezra reads from the Book of the Law, explaining the Covenant to the people. He tells them not to be sad, but to rejoice. The Lord is with them and will be their strength. The second reading is a continuation of St. Paul s discourse to the Corinthians on the gifts of the Spirit. Whether Jew or Greek, all have been baptized into one body and all have been given to drink of the same Spirit. All the gifts of the Holy Spirit, though different, are to build up the body of the Church. The reading from Luke s gospel relates the beginning of Jesus public ministry. He returns to Nazareth in Galilee to his local synagogue on the Sabbath. Reading from Isaiah s prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus proclaims that, today this scripture passage has been fulfilled in your hearing the Lord has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Nehemiah 8:2-6, Corinthians 12:12-30 Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21 FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord commemorates when, at eight days old, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. The significance of this feast is that in bringing Jesus to the Temple and naming him as his son, Joseph becomes his legal father, making Jesus truly the Son of David and heir to the Messianic Prophecy. The Presentation of the Lord is the Fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary, helping us to remember the great events of salvation history in the Incarnation. The prophet Malachi, announcing the coming of the messenger to prepare the way of the Lord, says that the Messiah will be like a refiner s fire, purifying the children of Levi to restore the kingdom to the favor of the Lord. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews says that Jesus freely accepted his own death according to our human nature, to free humanity from slavery to sin and death. In the Gospel the Holy Spirit sends Simeon into the Temple to take the baby Jesus in his arms, bless him and announce that he has seen the salvation of Israel. The prophetess Anna confirms the message saying that this child is the redemption of Jerusalem. Malachi 3:1-3 Hebrews 2:14-18 John 2:22-40

3 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 3 From the Pastor s Desk Today, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are again reminded of the presence and fidelity of God in our lives. Last week we heard John s version of the beginning of Jesus ministry, with the spectacular miracle of turning the water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana. Luke s version is much less dramatic but equally impressive. Jesus simply states that he is the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecy. In the first reading from Nehemiah the people have returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity to a barren and empty land. Ezra, the high priest, reads from the newly rediscovered Torah (Book of the Laws of Moses). Ezra is the high priest because he is the only priest. With the destruction of the Temple in 587 B.C. and the exile of several generations, the Jewish people are without a priestly caste and without a king (they are still under Persian rule). They need to rebuild. Nehemiah, the local governor, has been given permission from the Persian king to rebuild the temple and re -establish the nation. But the people have forgotten the law and have lost hope. Ezra reads them the Law which is a sign of liberation, leading to life with God. Ezra tells the people to rejoice because God is with them and the Lord himself will be their strength. This is a wonderful vision that contrasts sharply with our own view of the law of God as a burden that restricts our freedom. But Ezra is right. The Law of God does liberate us, bringing freedom from selfishness and self-centeredness that leads us down the path of destruction. Sin binds us, restricting our ability to see and act on the wisdom of God. God s will is always for our highest good. Sin blinds us to this reality. The gospel promise of Isaiah finds its deepest meaning in this spiritual truth. The Messiah (the Anointed One) will deliver God s people. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim liberty to captives, to restore sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free. What Ezra promised, what Isaiah foretold, Jesus now proclaims fulfilled. Jesus is the Messiah, the Anointed One of God, who brings liberty and freedom to the people who have been captivated and oppressed by sin and to restore spiritual sight to those who have been blinded by their own self-will. What a shock that must have been to his listeners. These were people who Jesus grew up with, his own hometown. And he is telling them that the prophecy is fulfilled today in their hearing. If we can only open our hearts to believe the good news and trust in God s wisdom, we too, can be set free and enter into the heavenly kingdom, here in this life as well as in the next. Catholic Schools Week begins today with a special family mass at noon followed by the Open House in the School. All are welcome to stop by, see some of the great work our kids are doing, and to meet the teachers. I am very proud of all the hard work and effort of our students, faculty and staff. One of the highlights of the week will be the children's Talent Show on Thursday, January 31st at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Kernaghan Hall. All are welcome. This Saturday, February 2nd the Girl Scouts will host their annual Family Night. The Girl Scouts are a great organization contributing to the spiritual and civic growth of the girls. I am grateful to all the adult volunteers who make this ministry a success here at St. Robert s. Next weekend the Archdiocese will begin the pledging process for the Annual Catholic Appeal. We will hear a CD of the Cardinal s homily at all masses. There will not be a second collection for the Appeal. The Feast of St. Blase is celebrated annually on February 3rd. Since it falls on a Sunday this year, we will celebrate the normal Sunday in Ordinary Time, but there will be a special Blessing of Throats at all the masses next weekend. On a personal note, I brought my mother home from the Rehabilitation Center last Friday. She is doing well, but will be receiving home nursing care and physical therapy for the next six weeks or so. I may not be as available during that time as I will need to take her to doctor visits and take care of her household needs. Thank you for all your prayers and understanding. Have a great week. Sincerely, Fr. Neil

4 Page 4 January 27, 2013 A Warm Welcome to our New Parishioners The Michaell Morelos Family Jonathan Wayne Kucharski Son of Kenneth and Ruth Kucharski FEAST OF ST. BLASE St. Blase was a fourth century bishop in Armenia, renowned for his personal holiness and dedication to the physical and spiritual health of his people. He was tortured and beheaded for refusing to sacrifice to pagan idols. Legend has it that he cured a young boy choking on a fish bone. Because of this miracle of intercession St. Blase became the patron saint for the healing of throats. Through the intercession of St. Blase, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat and from every other evil. His feast day is February 3rd. Communal blessing of throats will be celebrated next weekend, February 2-3, at all masses. PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT WAYS OF RESPONDING TO TRAGEDY The killing of children and staff at Sandy Hook Elementary continues to affect all of us even if we did not know these children personally. One response from an SRB parishioner was to help out our parish blanket ministry. She made 20 baby blankets for the children baptized in our parish - one in honor of each child lost at Sandy Hook. Such an outpouring of love and prayer is a great inspiration. Thank you for helping each of us to continue to hold those affected by this tragedy in our prayers. St. Mary of Providence 4200 N. Austin Ave. Pasta Fest Sunday February 10 1 pm - 6 pm Food, raffles, music and more! Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for children 4-7, and children under 4 years old are free.

5 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 5 Love Never Fails! 1 Cor 13:8 Please spend some time this week reflecting on the Annual Catholic Appeal brochure that you received with your bulletin. Please remember that the Annual Catholic Appeal campaign is much different than a one-time special collection. It is a pledge campaign where you can make a gift payable in installments. As you review the work enabled by your contribution to the Annual Catholic Appeal, please reflect on God s gifts to you. He has given you all that you have. Your gifts to our parish, to the Archdiocese and to the work of the Church throughout the world are given in gratitude for the continuing gifts that God gives you. Sometimes it is difficult to envision how one pledge can help an organization the size of our Archdiocese, how it can make a real difference. But each pledge does make a difference because all parishes participate in the campaign and the gifts of many enable our Archdiocese to deliver needed ministries and services. Our combined gifts not only signify our gratitude to God, they fund a significant portion of the work of our Archdiocese. After our parish goal of $ 31,330 is reached in cash, 100% of the additional funds come back to our parish to help to fund our needs. If you received your pledge form in the mail, please complete it and mail it back or bring it to Mass next weekend. For those of you that did not receive a mailing or have not had time to respond to it, we will conduct our in-pew pledge process at all Masses next weekend. Thank you for your prayerful consideration and generous response. CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS EDUCATION At Baptism we receive the gift of our faith. The formation of Catholic faith in our children is continued through the nurturing role of parents and teachers. The world offers our children choices that challenge their faith. We answer that challenge through religious education programs and Catholic schools. The Appeal funds grants and scholarships for Catholic schools serving economically disadvantaged communities. It also funds parish ministries that provide religious education to children, youth and adults in economically disadvantaged communities. NEIGHBORS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD Through its support of Catholic Relief Services, the Appeal serves people worldwide, without regard for religious affiliation, whose lives are devastated by natural disasters, illnesses, wars and famines. FAMILY COMMUNITY The Annual Catholic Appeal helps to strengthen families and local communities through capital improvement grants to parishes and schools serving economically challenged neighborhoods in the Archdiocese of Chicago. The Appeal funds recruitment, education and formation of lay ministers and deacons, and the continuing education and on-going formation of priests. LIFE The Respect Life Office, supported by the Annual Catholic Appeal, promotes reverence for the gift of life from conception through natural death. It promotes the cause of life through advocacy and prayer. Respect Life provides educational resources, a speakers bureau and sponsors annual conferences, retreats and rallies for adults and youth.

6 Page 6 January 27, 2013 ST. ROBERT S CHILDREN S CHOIR helps us in our worship by singing at 10:00 Mass once each month during the school year, and at the Christmas Eve Family Mass. It is not too late to join. Rehearsal are Mondays after school, and are open to all children of the parish. If your child is interested, please contact Jean Tuohy at On January 6th, St. Robert s hosted the Über Quartet in a concert of classical repertoire and holiday favorites. The program ended with a rousing sing-a-long, with the entire audience participating. Conversations On Faith What does it mean to be Catholic today? How do we live our faith? Living a Life of Prayer January 30, 2013 at 7 pm in the Church Come together and hear a panel of people share how prayer is a part of their life. Our Panelists include Sr. Ann Fanella, Fr. Thomas Dore, Deacon Eugene Dorgan and Chrissy Zaker. These Religious and lay people strengthen their faith through prayer and will share with us what works for them, how it has sustained them and give us some guidance on how to make prayer a part of our lives as well. If you want a chance to ask some questions and talk with others about how they live their faith, then these Conversations are for you.

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8 Page 8 January 27, 2013 Come One, Come All In celebration of Catholic Schools Week, St. Robert Bellarmine School will host an Open House, Sunday, Jan. 27, from 1-3 p.m. Families are invited to meet with our principal, Mrs. Carrie Mijal, tour the school with a Parent Ambassador, meet teachers in their classrooms, and view student work. For more information contact the school at or visit srb-chicago.org. More Fun in Store The second session of the St. Robert Bellarmine Tiny Tots program will run on Thursdays, a.m., January 31-April 25. There will be no class March 28 or April 4. This program is designed for 2-year-olds with a focus on social development, motor skills, coordination, basic concepts and group activities. Content is directed at the parent/child unit and the interaction between both. Cost is $66 due at time of registration. Participants do not need to be members of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish. For more information contact the school at or visit srb-chicago.org Test Your Luck!!! St. Robert Bellarmine Parents' Association Presents Friday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m to Midnight Saturday, Feb. 9, 6 p.m. to Midnight in Kernaghan Hall. Games include: blackjack, poker, Texas Hold'em, roulette and more! Players can win up to $250 (charity rules apply) $3 entrance fee. Food and drinks available for purchase. Must be 21 to enter. St. Robert Bellarmine Sports Association Presents A Night Out With The Chicago Wolves Saturday, February 16 th 7PM Ticket includes: *Transportation to and from Allstate Arena (Pick-up at SRB parking lot at 5:30pm and drop-off at 10:30pm) *Section 202 *Only 185 tickets available *Free Wolves hat *First come, first served *Priceless family fun!! Orders Due by Mon., Feb. 4th at SRB School Office Name: Student: Room: Phone: # of tickets: X $18 = Total Make checks payable to SRBSA For Info Contact: George Bedon or SRB Sports Association: srbsportsassoc@yahoo.com

9 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 9 On Saturday night the SRB teen group went to Feed My Starving Children. There were 19 of us plus we worked along side other groups from around the city. We packed a rice mixture called Manna Pack Rice which is made to provide the proper amount of nutrition for malnourished people. Our session was packing boxes to send to the Philippines. We packed enough boxes to feed 67 malnourished kids for a year. The experience for me personally was truly life changing, I learned that I need to be more thankful for everything I have especially food, shelter, and clothing because it s those small things that we take for granted. Kids all around the world don't have any of that like most of us do. I hope to go back again soon. Thank you for letting us have this opportunity to serve and learn. SRB Teen group member, Grace Hobaugh

10 Page 10 January 27, 2013 PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY Edwards Bell (Army) GySgt Timothy R. Hogan (Marines) CPT Patrick J. Collins (Army) Raymond Weernink (Navy) BG Tau aika Uta atu (TDS) Sgt Scott Pekar (Marines) CPT Dan Allen (Army) LCpl Kurt Williams (Marines) SGT Joseph Konieczny (Army) Mike Janson (Navy) 1LT Brian G. Lutz (Army) SPC Sean Cheker (Army) Bernard Brennan (Marines) PV2 Michael Rosenthal (Army) Cpl Joseph VonMoser (Marines) Martin Durcan (Navy) PVT Colleen McDonald (Army) Cpl Armando Bolivar (Marines) Ewa Dabrowski (Navy) Capt Kevin P. O Grady (Air Force) Capt Albert Eiffes (Air Force) Capt Daniel C. Ouper (Air Force) Amn Daniel Roger Cimon (Air Force) SPC Samuel Stanciel (Army) EM3 Abraham Ubi (Navy) PVT Michael Barry (Army) SPC David A. Torres (Army) Save the Date! Comedy Nite Apr. 20th Watch for details! VIP Tickets on sale this weekend in the vestibule after all Masses! Are you feeling Lucky? Weekly Schedule Monday, January 28 3:15 pm Children s Choir (MR) 7 pm Community Spirit Garden Meeting (SMR) 7 pm School Board Meeting (MR) Tuesday, January 29 6:30 pm Novena (C) Wednesday, January 30 9:30 am Science Show (KH) 7 pm 10 pm SPRED preparation (KH) 7 pm RCIA (C) Thursday, January 31 1 pm Talent Show 7 pm Choir (C) 7 pm Talent Show (KH) Friday, February 1 Saturday, February 2 6 pm 10 pm Girl Scout Daddy/Daughter Night (KH) VIP Ticket Sales after 5 pm Mass (V) Sunday, February 3 VIP Ticket Sales after all Masses (V) 4 pm- 5:30 pm Teen & Young Adult Lit. Practice (C) Daily Scripture Readings Monday Heb 9:15, / Mk 3:22-30 Tuesday Heb 10:1-10 / Mk 3:31-35 Wednesday Heb 10:11-18 / Mk 4:1-20 Thursday Heb 10:19-25 / Mk 4:21-25 Friday Heb 10:32-39 / Mk 4:26-34 Saturday Mal 3:1-4 / Heb 2:14-18 / Lk 2:22-40 Sunday Jer 1:4-5, / 1 Cor 12:31 13:13 / Lk 4:21-30 February 2 / 3, 2013 Mass Presider Servers Lector Auxiliary Ministers 5:00 PM 8:00 AM 10:00 AM 12:00 PM Fr. Neil Fackler Fr. Neil Fackler Fr. Scott Donahue Fr. Scott Donahue K. Griggs, J. Griggs M. White C. Bell, M. Gallardo H. Heidkamp J. Zaker, J. Zaker N. Lindahl J. Walsh, C. Walsh N. Keathley E. Stecker J. Bauman, K. Bauman, E. Clarke W. Felckowski B. Frere S. Thurber, D. Thurber, N. Hester, A. Ouper, M. Callaghan, Sr. Ann, Sr. Mary Lou M. Zaker, E. Zaker, M. Lindahl, P. Harrison, M. Kmiec, J. Markfull, K. Nelson J. Hearrin B. Davis, J. Pandocchi, E. Radcliffe

11 Saint Robert Bellarmine Church Parish Office & Rectory Rev. Neil E. Fackler, Pastor Rev. Scott Donahue, Resident Rev. Michael A. Goergen, Pastor Emeritus Tony Delgado, Deacon James Schiltz, Deacon Virginia Underwood, Adm. Assist/Office Mgr Dr. Christina Zaker, Adult Education Kathy Goetz, Business Manager 4646 North Austin Avenue Chicago, Illinois Tel. 773/ Fax 773/ Website: Religious Education Office Debi DeMario, Director St. Robert Bellarmine School Carrie Mijal, Principal Chris Wilson, Secretary 6036 West Eastwood Avenue Tel. 773/ Office of Music Director Jean Tuohy 6036 West Eastwood Avenue Tel. 773/ Bulletin Deadline: Thursday 12 Noon 10 days in advance Submit articles via in person at the rectory, or fax Pulpit Announcement Deadline Friday by 7:30 p.m. in the rectory. Mass Schedule Weekdays - Monday - Friday at 8:30 a.m. Weekends - Saturday Morning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday Evening at 5:00 p.m., Sundays at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 12:00 noon Holy Days - 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Rectory Office Hours Monday - Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Closed from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. for lunch) Saturday - 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday - 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Weddings Arrangements to be made with a priest at least six months in advance. Please contact the rectory for date and time availability before making other arrangements. Baptisms Celebrated the second and fourth Sunday at 1:15 p.m. Parents need to register at the rectory office. Baptismal preparation class for first time Parents and Godparents is offered on the last Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the rectory. Please note: there are no baptisms scheduled during the season of Lent. Confessions/Reconciliations Saturdays 4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. or by appointment. Anointing of the Sick 1st Saturday of the month after the 8:30 a.m. mass. Eucharistic Adoration & Benediction Third Wednesday of every month. Adoration begins after 8:30 a.m. mass. Benediction at 5 p.m. Please sign up at the rectory office. Novena Mother of Perpetual Help Novena is offered on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the church. Recitation of the Rosary Monday through Saturday at 8:00 a.m.