St. Louis de Montfort Oak Lawn, Illinois Third Sunday of Lent March 19, 2017
Fr. Stan s Utterances Page 2 For the Third Sunday of Lent we pause briefly on our pilgrimage toward Jerusalem in order to contemplate Our Lord s encounter with the Samaritan Woman. It s a good opportunity to recall our own encounters with the Lord. Ultimately we are thirsting for God and His love, and Lent is a time to return to the well in order to satisfy that thirst again, accepting no substitutes. In today s First Reading the Israelites are thirsty and fed up. They rebel against Moses, who is afraid they ll kill him, and almost rebel against the Lord. They question whether God is even there. That shows the thirst they really have: for God. His presence, His attention, His aid. They don t perceive His presence, just their need, and their hearts have become hardened by their experiences and frustration. Sometimes we thirst for something more, but we seek to quench our thirst in the wrong way. That is a recipe for dissatisfaction and a hardened heart. In today s Second Reading Paul reminds us that our true thirst goes beyond just seeking the fulfillment of material needs. The Holy Spirit pours God s love into our hearts. It is God s love that satisfies our true thirst. When we re filled with His love and His grace, we re at peace. No grumbling. Everyone thirsts for love, but not everyone realizes that the love for which they thirst is the love of God. Yet, if there is an issue the problem is us, not Him: Our Lord offered His love for us even when he had no idea or desire for His love, while we were still enemies due to sin. In today s Gospel the Samaritan woman epitomizes someone who was looking for love in all the wrong places. Yet love came to meet her unexpectedly. The Samaritan woman knew the religious traditions of her people, so she had an idea of the importance of God in her life, yet something had not clicked. She knew her religion, but she also experienced rebellion in her heart against God s will regarding marriage, which is why she starts to give Our Lord some attitude. Where does this Jew, and a Jewish man no less, get off talking to her and asking for a drink? Today s Psalm reminds us that if today we hear the voice of the Lord we must not harden our hearts like the Israelites did. The Samaritan woman s experiences have hardened her. In today s Gospel we see two thirsts seeking each other out. Each one seeks the other in order to satisfy its thirst. The Lord has a great thirst for our faith and our love. The Samaritan woman has a thirst for real love. Our Lord today knows He is dealing with a hardened heart frustrated after a long time looking for love in all the wrong places. Therefore, He knows when to be tactful, addressing her true thirst, but also blunt, telling her the mistaken ways she tried to quench her thirst. He comes to meet her at her level. The Lord often avoids the Messianic titles of His time because his contemporaries see the Messiah as someone simply social and political, but when the Samaritan woman asks Him if he is the Messiah, he responds without hesitation: I am He, the one speaking with you. The Samaritan woman has found that for which she was truly thirsting, and has to share the news. In the words of Pope Benedict XVI: It is impossible to give a brief explanation of the wealth of this Gospel passage. One must read and meditate on it personally, identifying oneself with that woman who, one day like so many other days, went to draw water from the well and found Jesus there, sitting next to it, tired from the journey in the midday heat (Angelus, 2/24/2008). Through meditating on this passage you can open your heart so that the Holy Spirit can refill it with God s love: like the Samaritan woman, let us also open our hearts to listen trustingly to God's Word in order to encounter Jesus who reveals his love to us and tells us: I who speak to you am He (Jn 4: 26), the Messiah, your Savior (Angelus, 2/24/2008). Wells are not meant to be used just once. Like the kitchen faucet, we go to them over and over, because our thirst for God is continuous in this life. If we neglect that thirst, our spiritual life will shrivel up. Lent is the time to drink again in prayer, fasting, almsgiving, Holy Scripture Reading, Stations of the Cross visitations, praying the Sorrowful Mysteries everyday during Lent, etc. More time must be spent with God! 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!
Page 3 WE PRAY FOR GOD S BLESSINGS ON OUR 2ND GRADE STUDENTS WHO MADE THEIR FIRST RECONCILIATION LAYLA BEHAN NATALIE BONICK ANTHONY CRUZ GABRIEL FUDALA THOMAS FUENTES KLAUDIA JURKOWSKI BENTLEY LASORELLA ISAAC LOPEZ MIA NEDZA AVA ONTIVEROS IZABEL ONTIVEROS KARINA PARCHETA AIDE RODRIGUEZ EMILIA ROL ISABELLA SCHNELL OLIVER SLODYCZKA DAVID SOWA BLAKE STEFANEK IZABELA SZPAK ISABEL ULANOWSKI On March 13th our 2nd grade students received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Father Stan spoke to 2nd grade after an all school Mass on March 9th about what they would experience during the celebration of the sacrament. Father Stan spoke about how the sacrament heals us and cleans our souls. Congratulations to the Second Graders! 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 FSA ~ SCHOOL NEWS On March 22nd FSA has arranged for a Bear Down on Bullies Assembly. This is a program sponsored by the Chicago Bears to make children aware of Bullying! This Thursday, March 23rd, our Jr. High students will be taking a field trip to Springfield Illinois. Please pray for good weather and a safe trip for our students. FSA is heavily involved in the parish picnic planning. We ask that all school families support our efforts and the event. It will be a great opportunity for the children to share a fun day with the friends they have made here. It will also serve as a thank you to the parish for the faith and values our children have gained from St. Louis de Montfort school. We are in need of many volunteers, sign up sheets will be sent out soon. Your participation will help us make this a success.
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Jackie Adomovicz Jesse Anderer George Badke Jim Ball Richard Bania Erik Baranowski Irene Baranowski Lillian Berenis Sr. Bernardine Mikey Bevan Joyce Bitinas Jesselyn Brucki Michael Cafagna 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 5 Mar. 25 5:00PM Mar. 26 7:30 AM Mar. 26 9:30 AM Mar. 26 11:30 AM J. Miller H. Niemiec M. Murphy K. Tarczon J. Werner M. Kocher A. Weiss D. Ott M. Leffers M. Uryasz D. Widmer C. Gotto Extraordinary J. Kocher M. Gilbert D. Gajda J. Hurckes Ministers of Communion D. Sichelski J. Sibick J. Cepek M. Gal T. Wasik K. Delmagori V. Munis M. Farrell L. Trail B. Gilbert J. Mitchell C. Karnoski Commentator D. Sichelski M. Gilbert D. Widmer J. Mallady Lector A. Sinde E. Tierney P. Weiss L. Noble Lenten Reconciliation and Stations of the Cross A Lenten Reconciliation Service will be held this Monday evening, March 20th at 7:00 PM. Stations of the Cross will be held on Fridays during lent at 7:00 PM. On Good Friday, April 14th, Stations of the Cross will be at 3:00 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. DO YOU WANT TO FAST THIS LENT? In the words of Pope Francis + Fast from hurting words and say kind words. + Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude. + Fast from anger and be filled with patience. + Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope. + Fast from worries and have trust in God. + Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity. + Fast from pressures and be prayerful. + Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy. +Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others + Fast from grudges and be reconciled. + Fast from words and be silent so you can listen. REST IN PEACE We pray for our family and friends that have recently died 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 Kelly Robertson Frances Schmidt Joan Schramm Bridget Schroeder Ruth Ann Smith Jim Staros Mercedita Suclan Terry Swierk Jay Tarczon Walter Tarasevic Dorothy Tinman Diane Uryasz Jerry Wantroba II Mary Wantuck Angie Weiss Cathy Jo Werner Kimberly Willett Bud Wirisbinski Shelley Werner-Torsan Robert & Carol Zucas
Weekly Mass Intentions Saturday, March 18 8:30 AM Communion Service 5:00 PM + Vera & Rostan Family +Bill Donnelly +Joyce Kurcab Sunday, March 19, Third Sunday of Lent 7:30 AM + Joseph Zalapi + Alice Puriski +Deceased members of Bodey Family 9:30 AM + Leopold & Anna Ciezczak + Jan Babicz 11:30 AM + Ludwika & Jan Bryniarski +Jozef Podczerwinski +John J McNamara +Christopher Joseph Kunst Monday, March 20 8:30 AM In Thanksgiving for prayers answered 7:00 PM Lenten Reconciliation Service Tuesday, March 21 8:30 AM People of the Parish Wednesday, March 22 8:30 AM Communion Service Thursday, March 23 8:30 AM +Joyce Kurcab Friday, March 24 8:30 AM In Thanksgiving for prayers answered 7:00 PM Stations of the Cross Saturday, March 25 8:30 AM Communion Service 5:00 PM +Joyce Kurcab +Emily Swiecicki Sunday, March 26, Fourth Sunday of Lent 7:30 AM +Frank W Perrino + Edward Kaminski 9:30 AM + Wolter & Diane Skupien + Fr. Bill Quinn 11:30 AM + Stanley Truty 13 year anniversary of death +Louis Moskal +JoAnn DeUnger Weekly Activities at St. Louis Page 6 Saturday, March 18 9:00 AM Rosary (CH) 6:00 PM St. Josephs Table Dinner ~ Dance (QH) Sunday, March 19 Monday, March 20 9:00 AM Rosary (CH) 7:00 PM - Lenten Reconciliation Service Tuesday, March 21 9:00 AM Rosary (CH) 7:00 PM Needle workers (QH) 7:00 PM Parish Picnic Planning Meeting (QH) Wednesday, March 22 9:30 AM Rosary (CH) 9:00 AM 10:00 AM Parish Pantry Thursday, March 23 9:00 AM Rosary (CH) Friday, March 24 9:00 AM Rosary (CH) 9:00 AM 10:00 AM Parish Pantry 7:00 PM Stations of the Cross Saturday, March 25 12:00 PM 4:00 PM Adoration 6:00 PM Spring Family Dance (QH) Sunday, March 26 2:30 PM Baptism +Dave Beranek Sunday Readings for March 19 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 Knights of Columbus Council 14553 First reading: Exodus 17:3-7 Second reading: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 Gospel: John 4:5-42 Sunday Readings for March 26 IN SUPPORT OF OUR AREA HIGH SCHOOLS St. Laurence Annual Final Four Extravaganza An Evening of Baskets & Bucks Saturday, April 1st 4:00 Midnight $60 pp (in advance) For more info call 708.458.6900, ext. 237 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mother McAuley Comedy Night Saturday, April 1st Doors open 6:30 Showtime 8:00 pm Tickets $25 each or 6 for $125 (includes light appetizers) For more info call Casey Pytel 708.478.0710 First reading: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a Second reading: Ephesians 5:8-14 Gospel: John 9:1-41 WEEKLY OFFERING Due to early submission of the bulletin, March 11 & 12th details are not available. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
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: 708-599-5300 Fax: 708-599-2678 Email: parish.office@sldmparish.org Parish Website: www.sldmparish.org 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: 708-599-5781 School Fax: 708-599-5782 Weddings: Couples should contact the parish priest at least six months in advance of wedding date.
CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS St. Louis De Montfort Church #000448 8808 S. Ridgeland Avenue Oak Lawn, IL 60453 TELEPHONE 708 599-5300 CONTACT PERSON Jan Podolak EMAIL: parish.office@sldmparish.org SOFTWARE MSPublisher 2013 Adobe Acrobat XI Windows 8 TRANSMISSION TIME Wednesday 11:00 SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION March 19, 2017 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 8 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS