St. Luke Parish R I V E R F O R E S T I L L I N O I S Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009 we watched through the night as we were taught lighted a new candle blessed water for the font told stories around our little fire remembering creation and covenant love and rescue sang gloria and alleluia with full voice and trumpet but our rejoicing holds just a hint of desperation beneath the alleluias a deep unease a hunger for familiar words of vindication that prove our hopes are not misplaced our Lent not wasted our faith not foolish (in a time of lies and betrayal inglorious way marchers in the street flowers are not quite blooming among the hidden Easter eggs) this year we realize that an empty tomb still leaves unanswered questions faith stretched to breaking point yet once again he joins us in the breaking of bread in the blessing of peace and peace is (in spite of everything) our greatest joy this year E.M.Jeep
This Week s Gatherings Mass Intentions Monday, April 13, 2009 6:30 am James Donahugh 8:00 am Edward Feeley Tuesday, April 14, 2009 6:30 am Katherine Malone 8:00 am Hazel & John Donoghue Wednesday, April 15, 2009 6:30 am Special Intention of Frank Eder 8:00 am Joseph & Ida Gowan Thursday, April 16, 2009 6:30 am May Belle C. Croake 8:00 am Carmen Granja Friday, April 17, 2009 6:30 am The Blessed Sacrament Ministries 8:00 am Sarah Kelly Saturday, April 18, 2009 8:00 am Dr. Edwin J. Liebner Altar Servers Monday - Friday, April 13-17, 2009 8:00 am Mon-Fri: Adult Servers Weekend Liturgies Saturday, April 18, 2009 5:30 - Mass Intention: Charles E. Blackman Servers K Hazen, K Malone; Cross Bearer: J Jacobs Readers Joe Bobak, Mike Burns Euch Min Y Bobak, S Canavan, T Dressel, E Dressel, D Sanborn, M Shalloo, A Valenti Sunday, April 19, 2009 7:30 - Mass Intention: Dr. Edwin J. Liebner Servers D Beacom, C Flynn; Cross Bearer: J Dooley Readers Frank Eder, John Lynch Euch Min A Roche, M Sullivan, J Sullivan 9:00 - Mass Intention: Sheila Planek Servers M Pace, W Planek; Cross Bearer: M Valenti Readers Sheila Price, Ben Simms Euch Min L Froelich, A Joseph, S Krusinski, J Meek, D Murray, T Murray, R Norton 10:30 - Mass Intention: The People of St. Luke Parish Servers M Connelly, M Connelly; Cross Bearer: P Flanagan Readers Noreen O Malley, Bob Samko Euch Min L Brennan, B Coleman, E Dieschbourg, K Klein, C McQuade, A Pavlic, L Ramos 12:00 - Mass Intention: Miland Sanfilippo Servers L Irvin, K Donlin; Cross Bearer: A Donlin Readers Nan Brouilette, Andrew Lutz Euch Min D Dubois, S Dubois, T Harnett, D Medema, M Redinger 2 Readings Readings for the week of April 12, 2009 Sunday: Acts 10:34a, 37-43/Col 3:1-4/ Jn 20:1-9 Monday: Acts 2:14, 22-33/Mt 28:8-15 Tuesday: Acts 2:36-41/Jn 20:11-18 Wednesday: Acts 3:1-10/Lk 24:13-35 Thursday: Acts 3:11-26/Lk 24:35-48 Friday: Acts 4:1-12/Jn 21:1-14 Saturday: Acts 4:13-21/Mk 16:9-15 Next Sunday: Acts 4:32-35/1 Jn 5:1-6/Jn 20:19-31 Please Pray for Our Sick: Robert Bachner, Elizabeth Beckman, Cindy Berg, Michaela Brothman, Donna Campbell, Pat Carey, Kevin Connolly, Joseph Dahlstrom, Joseph Dooley, Angela Devereux Ebzery, Joseph Hennessy, Jr., Janet Hunter, Michael Kinnare, Frank Kurr, Kathleen O Bryan Kurrle, Stephen McCardell, Rosemary McGrail, Baby John Mear, Angie Montroy, Fr. Kevin O Rourke, Steve Possley, Julia Radde, Miriam Reedy, Josephine Sanfilippo, Eric Skala, Kathy Smith, John Sutton, Cheri Wahlen and Baby Cora Rose Welker and for Our Deceased. 500 Club The St. Luke Athletic Committee would like to congratulate the following winners of the 500 Club Drawing: April 5, 2009 Brian and Molly Liston Thank you to all who have purchased memberships in the club, the proceeds of which go directly to fund the school s athletic programs. Easter Sunday Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever. Psalm 118:1 On this day we thank God for His Son, Jesus, who died and arose for us. We celebrate and sing Alleluia. But how do we show our gratitude all year to the Lord who spread out His arms on the cross to save us and show us the way to salvation? Stewardship From the weekend of March 5, 2009 Weekly Collection Goal... $17,100.00 Actual Weekly Collection...16,012.94 2008-2009 Fiscal Year to Date Weekly Collection Goal... 684,000.00 Actual Weekly Collection... 648,825.00 Deficit to Date... $35,175.00
Gather in Prayer and Service We Welcome Our New Members At the beautiful Easter Vigil Service on Saturday night, these candidates became full members of the Catholic Church through the celebration of the Easter sacraments. Jaclyn Cobb Felicia Leung Eric Michelsen Baptized in Christ Through the saving waters of Baptism Jaclyn Cobb, Felicia Leung, Eric Michelsen were born again in the new life of Christ. Deborah Lemar Betsy Mitchell Sarah Reisse Received into Full Communion Already baptized as Christians, Deborah Lemar, Betsy Mitchell, and Sarah Reisse made their Profession of Faith and were formally received into membership in the Catholic Church. Confirmation and Eucharist In addition to Deborah, Betsy and Sarah, Denise Sulday, previously baptized as a Catholic, completed the Sacraments of Initiation by receiving Confirmation and sharing in the Eucharist for the first time. They now enjoy full Communion with us at the table of the Lord. Our entire St. Luke community rejoices with these members, and we extend to them a very warm welcome to our Church family. Denise Sulday 3
Gather as Parish St. Luke Parish Pastoral Staff PASTOR Reverend Kenneth J. Fischer ASSOCIATE PASTOR Reverend Leroy A. Wickowski Parish Info RECTORY Phone: 708-771-8250 528 Lathrop, River Forest 60305-1835 Sue Gamache, Office Mgr., ext. 8912 SCHOOL Barbara Rasinski, Principal Phone: 708-366-8587 519 Ashland, River Forest 60305-1824 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Debi DeMario: 708-771-5959 519 Ashland, River Forest 60305-1824 MUSIC DIRECTOR Arlene Michna: 708-771-8250 ext. 8926 ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR Sr. Maureen Sauer: 708-771-8250 ext. 8914 CONTEMPORARY CHOIR DIRECTOR Lornetta Hooks: 708-771-8250 ext. 8926 YOUTH MINISTRY Amanda Collins: 708-771-8250 ext 8922 PARISH BUSINESS MANAGER Glenn Wagner: 708-771-8250 ext 8921 Masses SATURDAY 5:30 pm SUNDAY 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 am & 12:00 Noon WEEKDAYS Monday-Friday 6:30 and 8:00 am Saturday 8:00 am Reconciliation MONDAY-FRIDAY After 6:30 & 8:00 am Masses SATURDAY After 8:00 am Mass, and by appointment Parish Website www.stlukeparish.org Happy Easter to All! All the members of the St. Luke Parish Staff join me in wishing you and yours the Lord s special blessings on this Easter Day. May the Risen Lord be at the center of our lives to guide us in His way and bring us to the fullness of life in union with Him. May God bless you all. Alleluia! Divine Mercy Sunday Pope John Paul II designated the Second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. This year it is April 19. In a decree dated August 3, 2002, the Apostolic Penitentiary announced that in order to ensure that the faithful would observe this day (Divine Mercy Sunday) with intense devotion, the Supreme Pontiff himself established that this Sunday be enriched by a plenary indulgence... so that the faithful might receive in great abundance the gift of the consolation of the Holy Spirit. In this way, they can foster a growing love for God and for their neighbor, and after they have obtained God s pardon, they in turn might be persuaded to show a prompt pardon to their brothers and sisters. The plenary indulgence is granted under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff) to the faithful who, on the Second Sunday of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday, in any church or chapel, in a spirit that is completely detached from the affection for sin, even a venial sin, take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, exposed or reserved in the tabernacle, recite the Our Father and The Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus (e.g. Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!). On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 19, from 3:00-4:00 PM, we will have a Holy Hour consisting of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the rosary and the Divine Mercy chaplet, and Benediction. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be available during this Holy Hour. Everyone is invited to join in this special prayer and devotion. 4
Gatherings from the Parish and the Community Spring Board to the Future Saturday, April 25 4:00-7:00 PM Celebrate Spring with jazz, magic, and more at St. Luke s Convent 533 Ashland Avenue, River Forest Silent Auction Wine Pull Basket Raffle Hors D Oeuvres Proceeds benefit The Learning Center educating adults in the Blessed Sacrament area. Donation: $65 For more details, call the Fahertys (771-5986) or the Nickels (771-1937). Operation Rice Bowl Easter -- Jesus Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Our Operation Rice Bowl journey has ended but working towards global solidarity does not have to end. Let us continue to pray for all those who work for justice and for those who benefit from the programs of Catholic Relief Services, and continue to learn how to stay connected with our global family through Catholic Relief Services by taking some time on a regular basis to visit www.crs.org. Thank you for taking part in the Lenten journey with Catholic Relief Services Operation Rice Bowl. If you have not already brought your Rice Bowl money to Church, please place it in an envelope clearly marked Operation Rice Bowl and put it in the collection basket next weekend. Thank you. Need Help Dealing with Our Stressful World? Ms. Margaret Lukomski, an experienced and licensed professional therapist, is available to assist people facing marital and family difficulties and other personal issues. Ms. Lukomski, LCPC, is also a certified alcohol and drug counselor. She is at St. Bernardine Church one evening per week; fees for her services are reasonable. To schedule an appointment, please call Catholic Charities Holbrook Counseling Center at 312-655-7725. 22nd Annual Haitian Appeal We are holding the time open in order to give you an opportunity to contribute alms for the benefit of the Haitian poor. We know that many parishioners have been generous to Operation Rice Bowl, however, we feel that the extreme poverty of the Haitian people, the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, compels us to ask that you remember them as well. Checks should be made payable to St. Luke Sharing Committee, and sent to Deacon Paul Faherty, 1500 Monroe Ave, River Forest. --Peace and Justice Committee P.A.D.S. Ministry Needs Your Help! WHAT? Preparing one part of a meal at home, and possibly helping to serve the meal for the PADS (homeless) shelter held at the Euclid Avenue Methodist Church in Oak Park. WHEN? Mother s Day evening, May 10, from 7-8:30 PM. WHO? Anyone, whether you have done this service before or not. St. Luke parishioners perform this fulfilling, enjoyable, hands-on service once a month. REMEMBER! The food preparation is done at home, so it can fit into your schedule! To volunteer, call or email: Diane Daly 708-366-8163 or dianemdaly@yahoo.com. Thanks to all our generous cooks and servers!! Introducing the Cardinal s Network Exciting and dramatic changes to digital and electronic communications are happening almost daily in the Archdiocese of Chicago. The most recent initiative, the Cardinal s Network, has been introduced on the Archdiocesan website. Beginning this month, Cardinal George will occasionally share his thoughts, reflections and prayers electronically with all who subscribe by providing an email address. To join Cardinal George s new communications initiative, visit www.archchicago.org and click on Cardinal s Network in the box on the Home Page. 5
Gatherings from the Parish and the Community A New Envelope Debuts In your April-May packet of Sunday envelopes you ll find a new addition a monthly envelope for Maintenance and Building Improvements. Due to unforeseen expenses during recent months, such as a frozen water pipe ($6,700) and many extra snow removal days, the Parish Finance Committee has recommended to Fr. Ken that this envelope be added. We appreciate your understanding of this need, as well as your generous response. Worth Seeing/Hearing The Siena Center of Dominican University will present Tending Our Garden, Thursday, April 16, 7:30 PM. Michael Howard will help us connect sustainability to our own backyard, our families, and our faith. How can we better mentor our children and serve our communities? What can we learn from our communities leaders, organizations and neighborhoods as we do our part? Howard is a nationally recognized visionary who directs Eden Place, an educationally - oriented park and nature center he built with the help of his community from an illegal dump site in the heart of Southside Chicago. His story is told in Eden Place: From Brownfield to Nature Preserve and in Eden s Lost and Found, part of the PBS series Chicago: City of Big Shoulders with Scott Simon. The event will be held at Dominican University s Priory Campus Auditorium, 7200 Division Street, River Forest. Admission is $10. For tickets, call 708-488-5000 or go to www.dom.edu/sienatickets.com. For more information, call the Siena Center at 708-714-9105. Beginning of Life Issues Struggling with infertility? Consider Naprotechnology. On March 28, members of the St. Luke Respect Life Committee attended a major conference on Bioethics and Infertility focusing on the Dignity of the Human Person, sponsored by the Archdiocese of Chicago s Respect Life Office and Office for Evangelization. Keynote speaker, Dr. Thomas Hilgers, is on staff at Creighton University Medical Center and was founder of the Pope Paul VI Institute for the study of human reproduction. Naprotechnology assists infertile couples by cooperating with the natural procreative mechanisms of a woman s body, treating the root causes blocking fertility and allowing the body to heal itself. Naprotechnology has a three times greater success rate than in vitro fertilization and other artificial reproductive technologies. If you would like more information, please pick up the brochures on Naprotechnology and the Pope Paul VI Center in the racks in the Lake Street vestibule. 6 Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass The annual Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass will be held on Sunday, August 30, at 3:00 PM at St. John Brebeuf Church in Niles. Couples married in 1959 who are interested in attending this celebration are asked to register by calling the parish office (771-8250). For further information, call the Archdiocesan Family Ministries Office at 312-534-8351 or visit their website: www.familyministries.org. Search Committee Under Way Stewardship and Development have become more important in recent years, both spiritually and financially. At this time we are planning to significantly expand our efforts at stewardship and development here at St. Luke s. In order to do this we are creating a new staff position of Director of Stewardship and Development which will serve the needs not only of our school but of the entire parish and all its ministries. A job description has been finalized, and Fr. Ken has formed a Search Committee to assist him in finding the right person to fill this very important position. The committee members are Julie Jacobs, Leo Latz, Gwen Tonino, and Glenn Wagner (Parish Business Manager). We are listing this position on the Archdiocesan website. We also ask you, our parishioners, to let us know of anyone who may be seeking such a position. We will be receiving résumés and interviewing candidates in the next few weeks and hope to hire someone to begin on July 1. Please pray that our search will lead us to the right person to take on these important responsibilities. From the St. Luke Women s Club What?! You Didn t Hear About It? The St. Luke s Women s Club is trying to improve our communications. We don t want you to miss any of our exciting events! So we hope you will take a moment to email one of us and let us know: What s the best way to keep you informed of events? Just an email or would you rather a phone call? Do you have computer skills you d like to put to use? We would love to have your help! Or, would you rather help with an event? Email one of us and let us know: Julie Downey: julie@gagliardorealty.com, Erin Dressel: 708-771-0879, etdres@yahoo.com, Debbie Sloan: sloanstop@aol.com, or Eva Walsh: evaannwalsh@yahoo.com.
Gatherings from the Parish and the Community Prime Timers Tomorrow, April 13, is our Bridge Day. We start at Noon and play until 3:00 PM in the Convent. New players at any level are always welcome. There is still time to call Noreen O Malley (366-7327) to make a reservation for the Prime Timers Spring Fling Luncheon on Thursday, April 16. We will be going to The Epicurean Restaurant in Hillside. It is a lovely Hungarian restaurant with a European flavor. They have a buffet for $9.95 or you can order from an extensive menu. We will carpool from the Convent at 11:45 AM. Please call Noreen by tomorrow, April 13. The Prime Timers will be visiting two historic churches on Wednesday, April 29. We will tour the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, have lunch at a nearby Ukrainian restaurant and visit the lovely St. Stanislaus Kostka Church with its famous iconic monstrance of Our Lady of the Sign, Ark of Mercy. It is a nine-foot hand-carved and painted monstrance featuring Mary atop a gold-leaf decorated ark flanked by two kneeling angels. This intricately detailed and symbol-laden monstrance is believed to be the world s largest and was created by Polish sculptor Stefan Niedorezo. We will carpool from the Convent at 10:00 AM. Please call Ann O Connell (366-5279) to make a reservation by April 26. Support Group for Family Caregivers Rekindling the Flame is a ministry of Grace Episcopal Church for the support and sustenance of Family Caregivers. Gatherings include an interfaith Prayer Service followed by a time of discussion, networking and sharing of experiences. The group will meet on Sunday, April 19, at 2:30 PM at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake Street, Oak Park. For more information, go to www.graceoakpark.org. The email address is rekindlingtheflame@sbcglobal.net. Or you may call 708-386-8036 ext. 36. Welcome to St. Luke Church If you are new to our church or just visiting, please stop and introduce yourself. We are happy to have you share in today s celebration of the Eucharist. If you do not have a church home, we invite you to become a part of our parish family. Our church is open to anyone looking for a spiritual home. To register as a parishioner, please call the rectory at 708-771-8250 on any weekday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Youth Ministry April 19 7-8:30pm in The Convent Sunday nights high school age teens from St Luke gather to catch-up, eat. laugh and talk about our faith. On any given Sunday, you might find yourself playing Night Crossing in The Convent, building a newspaper house, listening to one of your peers share ideas about forgiveness, acting out a modern day Bible story, or talking about your family and friends. Why not check-out SLYME this Sunday? All high school age teens are welcome. SERVICE TRIPS Young Neighbors in Action: We have opened up a few more spots on our June 21-28 Young Neighbors in Action, Detroit trip. Information can be found on the Youth Ministry website. Act now to take advantage of these openings! Teens and adults are invited to join us for this life-changing week. Rebuilding Together: Saturday, April 25 from 8am to 4pm we will be working with Rebuilding Together to do some beautifying and repair work on the Dr Martin Luther King Boys and Girls Club in Chicago. Contact Amanda to sign-up. Up-Coming Trips: Saturday, May 30: Day-trip to Starved Rock State Park Sunday, July 19: Pool Party Want the up-to-date news on what is going on in St Luke Youth Ministry? Contact Amanda to sign-up for the e-mail list. Join the Facebook group SLYME St Luke Youth Ministry Experience or friend Amanda Check out the YM page on www.stlukeparish.org Coordinator of Youth Ministry: Amanda Collins 708-435-8922 acollins@stlukeparish.org 7
Gatherings from the Next Generation St. Luke Religious Education news The Wearin of the Green and Red! How do the second and third graders honor St. Patrick, St. Joseph and the richness of the Irish and Italian cultures? Each year, for the past nine, lots of shenanigans would be goin on in Waldron Hall during mid March.... They even say that leprechauns take up residency in the school in great anticipation of the annual best spuds contest and the arrival of Mrs. Cortina s not-to-be-compared-with any-other-meatball, meatballs!! NO RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES THIS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15. OUR LAST CLASS WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22!! April is Child Abuse Prevention Month As a means of expressing the commitment we have made to protect children, the Archdiocese of Chicago s Children Matter Network (www.childrenmatternetwork.org) is joining other church groups and child protection and civil agencies by engaging in activities that will keep the protection of children at the forefront in our parishes, schools, and organizations. Let us ask God s blessing that we may keep joy and trust alive in the children entrusted to our care. Thank you for all that you do to protect children. The Great Adventure Continues... St. Luke s Bible Study group just completed The Great Adventure Bible Study by Jeff Cavins! Beginning Wednesday, April 22, we will continue our journey with Adventures in Acts: The Spread of the Kingdom. This 20-week study of the Acts of the Apostles tells the story of the earliest days of the Church and shows how Christ s work continues through us in the Church today. We will meet each Wednesday in the Teachers Lounge in the School from 7:00-8:30 PM. Cost for the materials is $30.00. Please call the rectory (771-8250) if you plan to attend, so that we may have the materials available for you. We welcome all great adventurers! Join us! 8
Gatherings from the Community What is a Nun Run? A Nun Run is a 24+ hour experience during which single women ages 18-35 are invited to visit 3-4 different Sisters houses (convents). You will have the opportunity to pray with us, eat with us, share stories and laugh with us. So fasten your seatbelts and plan to join us for a whirlwind weekend that will give you an inside look into Religious Life for women as a Sister! Transportation provided. No fee for the weekend. The Nun Run is April 24-25. Call Sr. Lovina Pammit, OSF, at 815-464-3873 or email Lovina.Pammit@provena.org to receive a brochure and to register. Registration closes April 20. Sponsored by the Office for Religious Chicago Archdiocesan Vocation Association (CAVA) Are You Widowed... and still having difficult moments from time to time? Looking for something to help you move forward with the life that is now yours to lead? Wonder how other widowed people have found a way to get over the hump of being stuck in working through this loss? Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital invites all widowed persons (especially younger widowed) to attend the faith-based, 2-day workshop being held on April 18-19, 2009 at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, 450 W. Highway 22 (Half Day Road), Barrington. Space is limited and early registration encouraged. Suggested donation of $75 includes all meals and workshop. For more information call: 708-354-7211, email: joyfulagain@att.net or visit their website at www.joyfulagain.org.