5 2 8 L a t h r o p A v e n u e R i v e r F o r e s t, I l l i n o i s w w w. s t l u k e p a r i s h. o r g If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. ~Matthew 18:15 S e p t e m b e r 1 0, 2 0 1 7 2 3 r d S u n d a y i n O r d i n a r y T i m e
MASS INTENTIONS Monday, September 11 6:30 am Kathryn Froelich 8:00 am Joseph Muffoletto Tuesday, September 12 - The Most Holy Name of Mary 6:30 am Patricia Ludwig 8:00 am Robert Canapary Wednesday, September 13 - St. John Chrysostom 6:30 am Rosemary Rogers 8:15 am Margaret Maggie Hanrahan Thursday, September 14 - The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 6:30 am Judith Lake 8:00 am Special Intention Friday, September 15 - Our Lady of Sorrows 6:30 am Edward Szmyd 8:00 am Barbara Ann Jones Saturday, September 16 - Ss. Cornelius and Cyprian 8:00 am Dorothy Tami Barber 1:00 pm Vincent Marino/Amber Serpe Wedding 5:00 pm Donald Buddy Romano Sunday, September 17 7:30 am Jonathan Maroon 9:00 am The People of St. Luke Parish 11:00 am Ted and Judith Lake MINISTERS OF THE LITURGY Saturday, September 16 5:00 pm Servers S Altier, A Perry, E Perry Lectors K Roche, F Auteri Euch Min M Bresnahan, L Hogan, C Madden, J Meek, J Megall, M O Donoghue, A Roche Ushers J Fisher, M Nelson, R Nixon, J Pizzo Sunday, September 17 7:30 am Servers D Devereux, P Gorman, C Leavy Lectors L Binder, J Lynch Euch Min D Hopkinson, J Sullivan, M Sullivan Ushers L Brettman, B Hickman, J Langton, C Maroon, M Oller 9:00 am Servers K Hanley, B Kerstetter, O Tsitovich Lectors S Price, N Brouilette Euch Min L Amison, T Graefe, A Ramirez, D Slepicka, J Winikates, L Winikates, L Zarate Ushers B Aquilino, P Driscoll, K Frank, J Nowicki 11:00 am Servers R Gleason, J Wiktor, J Williams Lectors Y Hafner, M Aspiras Euch Min B Elwood, E Maloney, B Murray, S Murray, J O Hara, L Ortiz-Lazos Ushers K Bruscato, D Carey, C Devereux, J McInerney 2 Cover Art: This scene of Appearance on the Mountain in Galilee is a painting by Italian artist Duccio di Buoninsegna, completed between 1308 and 1311. It s now in the Museo dell Opera del Duomo in the artist s hometown of Siena, Italy. It was made available for use here by Wikimedia Commons. WELCOME TO ST. LUKE River Forest, IL FROM THE PASTOR With the official end of summer, we get back down to business. New and exciting opportunities for learning abound as schools get back in session. The numerous activities and parish meetings in which so many people choose to share their time and talents with our parish begin to convene once again. This week and the next Jesus teaches us about another kind of activity that is a Godly activity, a specialty of the Lord alone when done perfectly the Act of Forgiving another person. You d be surprised how many of us cannot forgive. We remember past moments of anger, conflict, and argument. We hold grudges against those who treated us unkindly. What if God did that? Or better still, what if we never had the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Penance? Now, don t get me wrong people these days aren t exactly busting down the doors of their favorite parish in order to receive the Sacrament, even though this is one of the most positive aspects of our shared Catholic faith: how God can communicate His loving forgiveness and tender mercy to us mediated through His Holy Spirit and the Church. From time to time a good measure of accountability before God helps keep us on the path of faithful discipleship while following the Lord Jesus. It fosters within us a healthy awareness of how we interact with God, self, and neighbor. When was the last time we made a good Confession? One month? Three months? Half a year ago? Five years ago? Longer? Or when was the last time we encouraged our children to go? It is something to keep in mind how we maintain our relationship with the Lord with God s help and to the best of our ability. Our practice of the faith does not end simply with Mass and Communion but the lived experience of striving to become the best version of ourselves as God created us to be. We just don t go to Communion because everyone is going. We do so because we live in relationship with the Lord and one another. Confession opens us up to deeper communion with God. Once we are forgiven, we extend that same level of mercy, hopefully, to others. How many times? Jesus gives us the answer in next week s Gospel. In the meantime, let us pray for one another. Have a good week! ~Fr. Szmyd
Loving God, maker of heaven and earth, protect us in your love and mercy. Send the Spirit of Jesus to be with us, to still our fears and give us confidence. In the stormy waters, Jesus reassured his disciples by his presence, calmed the storm, and strengthened their faith. Give us the courage to face all difficulties and the wisdom to see the ways your Spirit binds us together in mutual assistance. With confidence, we make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, USCCB 2007. Support the flood victims by donating to Catholic Charities USA at Hurricane Harvey Emergency Appeal, 3525 S. Lake Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60653, or online at pvm.archchicago.org/harvey. SEPTEMBER 10, 2017 Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 3
September 17 Please join us next Sunday, September 17, as St. Luke joins with other parishes across the country in celebrating Catechetical Sunday. Starting at the 9:00 Mass, we will commission the catechists for St. Luke Religious Education, Children s Liturgy of the Word, and St. Luke School teachers, recognizing them for the vital role they play in the transmittal of our faith to the next generation! After the Mass all Religious Education families are invited to come help us KICK-OFF the 2017-18 school year in Waldron Hall! We ll have refreshments, book pick up, and the chance to meet your children s catechist! Our parish over the summer warmly received the combination of the 10:30 am and 12:00 Noon Masses into one new time at 11:00. Over the weeks since, the celebrations have been lively, all of the ministries were covered at each of them, and people warmly received this change. Most importantly, your participation in spoken and sung prayer at these 11:00 Masses has been lively and spirited! The time change benefits all of us for these reasons, and it will hopefully allow us to attract even more new parishioners and families to St. Luke. For these reasons, we would like to make this a permanent change for our parish. It seems to make sense at so many levels, especially at bringing a deeper sense of community and energy to our worship. This is always a good thing, being drawn closer to the God who created us, through His Son, and with the Holy Spirit! Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support of this innovation in our worship. Our monthly Youth Mass will be on next Sunday, September 17, at 5:00 pm in the church. Not only are all parish teens invited, but their families, and anyone looking for a more youthful and personal experience of God at Mass. The Mass will be followed by supper for junior high and high school students and fun activities, ending at 7:00 pm. Spread the word! 4 Are you, or someone you know, interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith or in preparing to receive sacraments as an adult? St. Luke s Inquiry Sessions are starting this week. Deacon Robert Slobig coordinates the weekly program, which has inspired so many to be renewed in their faith in Christ Jesus. Please call the Parish Office at 771-8250 for more information. WELCOME TO ST. LUKE River Forest, IL St. Luke is looking to organize a group with other parishes in the area to attend the Light the Night Evening of Prayer and Reflection for Youth on Saturday, October 14. The free event on the campus of Mundelein Seminary will allow participants to interact with seminarians, priests and religious, to learn about Eucharistic Adoration, the Rosary, and Divine Mercy chaplet, and to meet other youths from across the Archdiocese of Chicago. This is a group event, so contact Fr. Steven Bauer at 435-8922 or sbauer@stlukeparish.org if you are interested in attending as a participant or chaperone.
Last weekend s Coffee on the Plaza was all about the kids those in our parish Religious Education Program, which hosted the social time after the 9:00 and 11:00 Masses. Parents and children filled both sides of the tables either helping to serve or enjoying the coffee, juice, and donut holes. Have you made it to a Coffee on the Plaza yet this summer? You ll have one more chance as our Domestic Violence Outreach Ministry hosts the last event of the summer on Sunday, September 24. See you there! SEPTEMBER 10, 2017 Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 5
SCRIPTURE READINGS For Masses the week of September 11-17 Mon: Col 1:24 2:3/Ps 62:6-7, 9/Lk 6:6-11 Tue: Col 2:6-15/Ps 145:1b-2, 8-11/Lk 6:12-19 Wed: Col 3:1-11/Ps 145:2-3, 10-13ab/Lk 6:20-26 Thu: Nm 21:4b-9/Ps 78:1bc-2, 34-38/Phil 2:6-11/Jn 3:13-17 Fri: 1 Tm 1:1-2, 12-14/Ps 16:1b-2a, 5, 7-8, 11/Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35 Sat: 1 Tm 1:15-17/Ps 113:1b-5a, 6-7/Lk 6:43-49 Next Sunday: Sir 27:30 28:7/Ps 103:1-4, 9-12/Rom 14:7-9/ Mt 18:21-35 LPi PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK: Kimberly Bak, Bill Darley, Robert Gorman, Delynn and Richard Henderson, Judith Henderson, Kathy Ann Howard, Stephen Kehoe, Barry Koster, Frank Kurr, Joan Lescher, Michael Mazzone, Connie Meyer, Steve Meyer, Kevin Nolan, Paul Novak, Loretta O Dowd, Kelly Petersen, Geraldine Redmond, Fr. Paul Reicher, Joel Rivera, Jonathan Saucedo, Patti Sheehan, John Tash, and Tom Trankina AND FOR OUR DECEASED. STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE You, son of man, I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel. ~Ezekiel 33:7 Many of us are generous with our gifts. However, how often is our generosity at the minimum level required? We do just enough or give just enough. Remember, the Lord calls us to be generous with all the gifts He has given us, to grow them, and return them with increase. Our Weekly Offerings From the weekend of September 2/3 Weekly Budget.................... $15,000.00 Actual Weekly Giving............... $ 9,347.00 2017-2018 Fiscal Year to Date (From 7/1/17) Budget to Date.................... $150,000.00 Actual Weekly Giving.............. $108,666.00 Difference to Date for Year +/(-)....... $( 41,334.00) We are always very grateful for the sacrifices you make to support the mission, goals, and ministry of St. Luke Church. Thank you for your generosity! The Prime Timers have another exciting new program planned for Wednesday, September 20. Cathaleen Roach, River Forest Township s Senior Outreach Coordinator, will lead us on a fun-filled venture into how we can do our own memoir writing. This free program will lead us through a carefully calibrated memory and writing excursion to help us get started on writing about them. By the end of the session we will have a template to use for further memory writing as well as a sense of what effective and interesting memoir writing is all about. It will also be a way to look over your life and see how God has guided you thru difficult times in unexpected ways. It can bring a new awareness of the people and events that nurtured you and helped you along your life journey. We will meet in the Hospitality House from 10:00 to 11:30 am. Please call Ann O Connell at 366-5279 by Sunday, September 17, to make a reservation. Big ALERT for Prime Timers Bridge Players. Summer is over, and we will resume playing bridge in the Hospitality House tomorrow (Monday) at noon! We play on the second and fourth Mondays of every month from noon to 2:30 pm. Newcomers are welcome at any time. It s official Bocce season is over for the Prime Timers! We enjoyed one more glorious morning of the game on the courts across from Jewel on August 31, and then our group treated ourselves to lunch at Francesca s Restaurant. It was a very enthusiastic group, who seem committed to a third season of Bocce Ball next year. Watch this space for more announcements! Here s a convenient way to support St. Luke Parish with payments from your bank or credit card account using your computer or smart phone. Try it today at GiveCentral.org. 6 WELCOME TO ST. LUKE River Forest, IL
The staff of The Well Spirituality Center looks forward to welcoming everyone to their new home at 1515 Ogden Avenue in LaGrange Park. They re offering some new programs in their new space, including centering prayer, Circle of Women spirituality, and forest therapy walk. To learn more or register, call 708-482-5048 or visit their website at www.csjthewell.org. Please join in welcoming the following individuals and families who registered as new members of St. Luke Parish in August/September: Mrs. Tara Dziengel Annmarie Kerstetter Mr. & Mrs. Daniel and Theresalynn O Connor Ms. Margaret O Toole John Polka Mrs. Kate Rowe ABOUT: It is important to help our children relate personally to the liturgy of the Church, learning to draw from it meaning for their own lives and gradually becoming more engaged in the forms of reflection and prayer that the liturgy offers. Our team of catechists helps children at the 9:00 Mass on Sundays to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word in a way that s prepared especially for them. WHAT WE DO: Adult catechists lead the children in prayer, share readings, lead a conversational homily and a simplified creed, and invite the children to propose intercessions for those in need. There are two groups based on age (3-5, 6-and-above). Catechists choose the age level they want to work with. SKILLS NEEDED: Ability to relate well to children, respect for liturgical prayer, reasonable understanding of the Bible, ability to be flexible yet stay on target during the short time with the children (about 20 minutes). TIME COMMITMENT: Catechists are scheduled about once a month. Preparation usually takes several hours, including prayerful reflection on the scripture and religious season. Catechists receive all necessary training and planning aids. Catechists often talk over their plans with each other and suggest resources. HOW TO SIGN UP: We are actively seeking more volunteers! Parents or adults thinking about becoming a catechist are welcome to attend a session on any Sunday. Contact Elizabeth Jeep at 708-345-2230 for more information. I love hearing from the children. I think I get more from listening to what they hear and pick up on in the Gospel readings than I give them. It has deepened my own understanding of Scripture! ~Catechist Katie Iammartino SEPTEMBER 10, 2017 Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 7
If you enjoyed this summer s Theology on Tap, or even if you missed it, you have a second chance to enjoy a similar program. Six Weeks with the Word of God is a new offering by the Archdiocese of Chicago for young adults that combines study, support, and fun to help attendees find God in their lives and grow in faith as disciples of Jesus Christ. The kickoff event, Making the Leap of Faith: A Talk on Science and the Bible by an Astrophysicist Priest, will be on Monday, September 18, from 7:30 to 9:30 pm at Nacional 27, 325 West Huron Street in Chicago. It includes free drinks and food. Weekly gatherings around Chicago will follow. To learn more and register go to pvm.archchicago.org/ events/six-weeks-with-the-word-of-god. Being widowed is a special loss, especially as the holiday season approaches. The Joyful Again! Ministry is offering a retreat/workshop that s specially designed to help widowed men and women find hope and joy again. There are two upcoming weekends: October 28-29 in Batavia, Illinois November 11-12 in Lemont, Illinois (Overnight included, no commuters) More info and a video on the weekend format is available at www.joyfulagain.org. Space is limited, so register early by calling 708-354-7211. Young adults are also invited to a new event, (re)encounter, a night at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago on Friday, October 20, that will remind you that you are not alone in your faith! Invite your friends, Catholics and non-catholics, for a night filled with live music, laughter, and meaningful conversations. Connect with friends and make new ones. Let our thought-provoking speakers inspire you. And prayerfully worship our God with the community gathered. Doors open at 6:00 pm and the event starts at 6:30. Visit pvm.archchicago.org/events/reencounter to register for this event. The West Side/West Suburban women s discussion series is scheduled to kick off this week with the first talk on St. Clare of Assisi: Holy Madness tomorrow (Monday). Shelby Boblick is the facilitator for the series which is based on three books: Sisters and Prophets by Mary Lou Sleevi, A Passion for Life by Joan Chittister with Robert Lentz, and Chasing the Saints by Donna Pucciani. The group will meet at St. Catherine-St. Lucy Church (38 North Austin Boulevard in Oak Park), which is accessible by ramp, and assistive listening devices are available. There will be duplicate sessions each Monday: at 1:00 pm and at 7:30 pm. Shelby will supply the materials each week, so there is nothing to prepare in advance and it doesn t matter if participants miss one or more weeks. Everyone is welcome to attend either session when their schedule permits. For more info, call Shelby at 630-240-2765. Marriage Encounter 8 WELCOME TO ST. LUKE River Forest, IL
St. Luke School opened the 2017-18 school year with the following remarks from Student Council President John Gleason at the first Mass of the new year: The students of St. Luke extend a warm welcome to our administrators, clergy, faculty and staff, families, and returning and new students at our Opening School Mass of the Holy Spirit. It is important to us to make sure everyone feels included and cared about each day as you walk through the doors of St. Luke! A banner was created by the students for the processional and hung from the pulpit bearing the words We are one Body, One Body in Christ. These words have become the foundation for our school year theme. We hope to make a commitment to live our lives more deeply connected in understanding how we all belong to one another, as we follow the living examples of Jesus Christ. It is our hope that we will become a community where Jesus continues to teach us to live together more fully as the Body of Christ. This year our 6th graders will be studying the Old Testament in Religion class. They began their study with a few moments of prayerful reflection. The students pondered the fact that they would be reading the same scripture words that Jesus Christ himself read. What did young Jesus think and pray about when he read these scriptures? Our students offered the Prayer to the Holy Spirit, asking for guidance in this year of Old Testament study. In considering the Bible as a whole, our students have learned about St. Jerome, who lived around 382 AD. This is the saint who translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek to Latin, the language that most Catholics of his time spoke. Bibles were copied by hand, page by page, by monks who worked in what was called the scriptorium. Our 6th grade students have created some lovely illuminated Bible verses, just as those monks may have done in their scriptorium. Preschool through 8th grade substitute teachers are needed for the new 2017 2018 school year. Our subs implement the plans of the absent teacher and work with enthusiastic students and fellow teachers! Experience as a classroom teacher or substitute teacher is preferred. If you are interested, please call the school at 366-8587 or send an email to Assistant Principal Kara Villacorta at kvillacorta@stlukeparish.org. SEPTEMBER 10, 2017 Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 9
The St. Luke Athletic Committee congratulates this week s winners of the 500 Club drawing: Jake and JoJo Wiktor Thank you to all who have purchased memberships in the Club, the proceeds of which go directly to fund St. Luke Parish School s athletic programs. Were You Married in 1967? If so, congratulations! There still is time to register to celebrate your 50 years together at this year s Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass, which will be held next Sunday, September 17, at 2:45 pm at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. To register or read FAQs for this free event, go online to pvm.archchicago.org/events/golden-wedding or call the Archdiocesan Department for Parish Vitality and Mission at 312-534-8351. Help is right around the corner! 24-Hour Crisis Line: 708-386-4225 www.sarahsinn.org Rev. John Szmyd, Pastor jszmyd@stlukeparish.org... 435-8925 Rev. Steven Bauer, Associate Pastor sbauer@stlukeparish.org... 435-8922 Rev. Leroy Wickowski (Retired) lwickowski@stlukeparish.org... 435-8917 Rev. Mr. John Baier johnbaier@isp.com... 630-655-0088 Rev. Mr. Terry Norton reneeterrynorton@gmail.com... 771-6635 Rev. Mr. Bob Slobig bobslobig@comcast.net... 771-6430 Rev. Mr. Paul Faherty (retired) 528 Lathrop Avenue, River Forest 60305-1835 stlukeparish@stlukeparish.org... 771-8250 Daniel Szymanski, Director of Operations dszymanski@stlukeparish.org... 435-8921 Sheila Price, Director of Stewardship & Development sprice@stlukeparish.org... 435-8927 Arlene Michna, Music Director amichna@stlukeparish.org... 435-8926 Bradley Collins, Communications Coordinator bcollins@stlukeparish.org... 435-8910 519 Ashland Avenue, River Forest 60305-1824 jschwarzbeck@stlukeparish.org... 366-8587 Timothy Wesley, Principal twesley@stlukeparish.org... 366-8587 519 Ashland Avenue, River Forest 60305-1824 religiouseducation@stlukeparish.org... 771-5959 Sr. Colleen Nolan, O.P., Director cnolan@stlukeparish.org... 771-5959 533 Ashland Avenue, River Forest Sr. Pat Farrell, O.P. pfarrell@stlukeparish.org... 771-5280 Summer Mass Schedule Saturday (Vigil) 5:00 pm, and Sunday 7:30, 9:00, and 11:00 am Weekdays: Monday-Friday 6:30 & 8:00 am (except 8:15 am on Wednesdays), Saturday 8:00 am Confessions The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is offered after 6:30 and 8:00 am weekday Masses and by appointment. Call the rectory to schedule a time. Adoration and Benediction Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament occurs every first Saturday after the 8:00 am Mass and rosary. Rectory Office Hours Monday through Friday 9:00 am-12:00 Noon and 1:00-4:00 pm and by appointment (Call 708-771-8250). Interested in Learning More About the Catholic Faith? Anyone wishing to complete their sacraments or learn more about the Catholic faith may inquire about our adult faith formation program (RCIA) by calling the rectory for more information. 10 WELCOME TO ST. LUKE River Forest, IL New Parishioners If you re new to the community or just new to our church, please stop by the rectory to introduce yourself and register so we can welcome you into the full life of our parish. Communion Visits and Ministry of Care A parish priest or Minister of Care will be happy to visit those who are sick or homebound. Please call the rectory to make arrangements. Baptism Baptisms take place on the first and third Sundays of each month. Preparation meetings are held on the first Monday of every month for the parents of children who will be baptized. Arrangements can be made by calling the rectory. Marriage Couples wishing to be married should call the rectory to set up an appointment with one of the parish priests at least six months in advance of the desired wedding date. Anointing of the Sick Elderly parishioners, those in poor health or who are anticipating surgery can call the rectory to arrange to receive the sacrament of anointing.