Historic St. James at Sag Bridge Church 10600 S. Archer Avenue Lemont, Illinois 60439-9344 (Ph) 630.257.7000 (Fx) 630.257.7912 E-mail: stjames1833@att.net Website: www.historicstjames.org Listen to The Winds of Change 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm on WNDZ AM 750. Fr. substitutes every other Wednesday. Visit: windsofchangeshow.com, Fr. e-mail: unlikeothernations@gmail.com Register on Flocknotes to receive important text messages and emails. Text: jamesatsag to 84576 January 24, 2016 Founded in 1833, St. James at Sag Bridge is the sole country parish of the Archdiocese of Chicago, serving a growing community of Catholics who come together to worship God through the celebration of the Eucharist and traditional devotional activities within truly unique and beautiful surroundings. Our faith-filled community strives to bear witness to Jesus Christ by loving and serving one another to bring about the Kingdom of God. Mass Schedule: Weekends: Saturdays: 5:00pm Sundays: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:30am Holy Days: 8:15am & 7:00pm Weekdays: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 8:15am, Fridays: 8:15am & 6:00pm Wednesdays: 7:00pm Confession Schedule: Saturdays: 9:30-10:00am Wednesdays: 6:30pm Baptisms: Sundays after the 11:30am Mass by appointment. At least one parent must be a registered parishioner. Weddings: Minimum eight months in advance. At least one spouse must be a registered parishioner. Marriage preparation by appointment only. Funerals: For families of registered parishioners, or for non-parishioners to be buried in our own cemetery. Sick & Homebound Pastoral Care: Please notify rectory Rectory Office Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu & Fri: 9:30am to 1:00pm Apostolic Disciples: Fr. Thomas, M.A.,S.T.L., Pastor Fr. Ed Gleeson, Pastor Emeritus Deacon John M.Wilkinson, CKM, Minister of Care/RCIA Mike Dillenburg Parish Council Chair Mike Wall, Finance Council Chair Mrs. Pamela Stafford, Cantor Mrs. Pamela Mikrut, Organist Rodney Poynter, Holy Name Society, President JoAnn Starha, Altar & Rosary Mrs. Giovanna Imbarrato, CCD Teacher Mr. Seamus Coughlin CCD Teacher Mrs. Mary Coughlin Lenzen CCD Teacher Mr. Steve Hagen CCD Teacher Mrs. Joyce McNamara-Coughlin, CCD Director.
Page Two January 24, 2016 From the Desk of the Pastor Renew The Fight for Life TTWCI (To Teach Who Christ Is) campaign meeting with Archbishop Cupich. Please consider attending the meeting with the archbishop on Monday, Jan 25 th at 7pm (6:30pm reception) at St Julie Brillart, (159 th & 1 block west of Harlem). We will be trying to build good will among our parishioners to accomplish improvements here at St. James (rehab of the hall) as well as offering financial support for the many poorer parishes and areas of the archdiocese. A time is allotted for questions. President Obama vetoed a bill defunding Planned Parenthood in early January. The president s veto also solidified key abortion mandates Obama Care. Congress passed the defunding bill 240 to 181which contained two critical pro-life measures, making it the first major pro-life piece of legislation ever placed on President Obama s desk. His veto gave a more than half billion dollar taxpayer-funded windfall for Planned Parent and the abortion industry. This financial windfall marks a significant raise for Planned Parenthood over previous years, all supported by you and me the taxpayers. Yet, Planned Parenthood actually significantly decreased the supposed care it provides to women while getting this nifty little taxpayer bump. Planned Parenthood s latest annual report shows that it took in more than $553,700,000 in taxpayer funding. That s a nice 5% increase in taxpayer funding, while providing 11% fewer services. So Planned Parenthood got a significant raise for doing less work. In fact, Planned Parenthood s own report shows a nearly 25% drop in non-reproductive health care services provided to women. That s staggering. Yet, Planned Parenthood has had no trouble exploiting its abortion-centric business model to bilk the taxpayer of millions more dollars. Now, that astounding taxpayer windfall is further insulated with President Obama s veto. It s as devastating as it was obviously predictable. Of course the most pro-abortion President in history was going to veto a bill defunding the organization that proudly proclaims he is their Champion. But in the face of disappointment, and we in the pro-life community have seen our unfair share, should we despair? No. As with most change, it is to be won in increments. It s not something conservatives often understand very well (and something the Left has perfected). The only way to defund Planned Parenthood is to pass a bill and have it signed by the President obviously. This vote was important because it put Members of Congress (and the President for that matter) on record. As Planned Parenthood s approval drastically declines and the American people become more and more aware that Planned Parenthood is not a 3% abortion provider, as it contends, but instead an abortion behemoth a business modeled on making money off of abortion it is more important than ever to keep the pressure up. Now we know who will support funding the abortion giant and who is willing to stop forcing the American taxpayer to send their money to the abortion industry. We also know the legislative mechanism that can get an abortion bill on the President s desk. But this fight isn t over. There will be another vote, likely in just a couple of weeks as the March For Life takes place in Washington, D.C. (the anniversary of Roe v. Wade) a chance to override President Obama s veto. It s a critical opportunity to solidify congressional support to end the practice of forcing the American people to fund the industry of death. Now is not the time to waver or relinquish the fight. Now is the time to renew the fight for life. We ve gotten closer than we have in the last 7 years. That means something. It s momentum, and something to build off of. No fight worth fighting is easily won, and the fight for life is no exception. Jay Sekulow s blog ACLJ Jan 29, Fri, 7pm Jan 30, Sat, 1-3pm Feb 1, Mon, 6pm Unlike Other Nations, Fr. Thomas, M.A.,S.T.L., Pastor KEEP THE DATE Feb 6, Sat 11am Feb 6, Sat, 6pm Feb 6, Sat, 6pm Feb 7, Sun, 3pm Feb 10, Ash Wed Feb 13, Sat, 10am Women s Guild movie night St.James Historical society: Talk on Chicago s origins First Penance practice First Penance service Chesterton Academy banquet Waterleaf CPC Aurora Holy Name s Big Super Bowl Party Masses: 6:30am, 8:15am 7pm Women s Guild meeting Kateri Teckakwitha Burr Ridge Park District Center, 15 W. 400 Harvester Drive, Info: Jeff Carter 312-771- 6855 In church In church (CCD & Cath sch) 630-442-1424 for rsvp 630-360-2256 See members for tickets Sag hall
3rd Ordinary Sunday Page Three PRO LIFE IS PRO WOMEN (Respect Life Articles, www.pro-lifearticles.org) ABORTION AND CHILD ABUSE: Abortion teaches us that violence is an acceptable way to deal with difficult life problems. It teaches us that human beings are only valuable if they meet certain criteria, and it teaches us that the strong have a legal right to kill the weak and defenseless. When the unique value of individual human life is trampled upon, society inevitably suffers. Abortion advocates argue just the opposite. They purport that aborting "unwanted" children will reduce child abuse, neglect, poverty and violence and will generally lead to happier families. However, our experience since 1973 proves that this theory does not work. During that time, over 56 million "unwanted" babies have been denied the right to live, yet we have more crime, more violence, more dead-beat dads, and more gangs. The list goes on. Abortion advocates even argue that abortion is an effective way to prevent crime since it eliminates those who are "most likely" to commit crimes, more specifically the babies of poor mothers. Dianne Glass wrote an article supporting this radical idea. It is hard to believe that in this age, people could argue that human beings should be executed for crimes they may commit in the future and that abortion is the answer to solving poverty. Indeed, it is a truly frightening social policy! Conversely, all the evidence suggests that the violence of abortion begets more violence. The U.S. Department of Justice reported that, "homicide is the only major cause of childhood deaths that has increased over the past three decades." That time frame exactly corresponds with the federal legalization of abortion. In other words, the most severe case of child abuse, homicide leading to death, has steadily increased since abortion became legal. In the final analysis, it is only logical to conclude that societies who are willing to abort children before birth will be far more likely to abuse them after birth. Abortion is child abuse, and it is the most severe form of abuse in existence. THE POPE ON LIFE: Every child who is born brings us God's smile and invites us to recognize that life is his gift, a gift to be welcomed with love and preserved with care, always and at every moment. God entrusts every child who is born to his parents: so how important is the family founded on marriage, the cradle of life and love! The House of Nazareth where the Holy Family lived is the model and school of simplicity, patience and harmony for all Christian families. I pray the Lord that your families too may be welcoming places where these little ones can not only grow in good health but also in faith and love for God. -- Pope Benedict XVI, January 7, 2007 BRIDGING THE GAP---THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF THE "POST-ABORTIVE WOMAN : Is it possible to bridge the deep chasm that separates pro-abortion forces and prolife people? Can we ever see eye to eye? At first glance, it seems unlikely. On one side you have people, including radical feminists, who are only concerned with women s rights: the right of a woman to "control her own body". They speak about women s oppression and of past ills where women were seen as possessions. On the other side you have the pro-life movement, who recognize the sanctity of every human life. How can we possibly ever bring these two sides together? There is someone who has the power to bring these two polar opposites together. That someone is the Post-Abortive Woman. The post-abortive woman is in a unique position. She can not only speak to both sides but more importantly, if they are sincere, both will listen to what she has to say. The post-abortive woman has had an abortion -- maybe even several. She knows the pain, grief and suffering of having aborted her unborn child. Even if pro-choice rhetoric sounds good on paper, she knows from real experience that abortion is not good for women. In some cases, the post-abortive woman may even share her battles with depression, suicidal thoughts, insomnia, anxiety or alcohol and drug abuse. When she talks about the boyfriend who coerced her into aborting her baby, or the lack of support from family, friends and others causing her to flee to the local women s clinic in desperation, both sides should listen and not condemn. They should help the woman heal from her terrible wound. When both sides hear and understand the truth that abortion hurts women, then maybe we can work together to find solutions for women and their babies. When people truly understand that abortion does not free women but in fact enslaves them, both sides can focus on a common goal, the divide can be bridged, the gap can close, and abortion will end. This is why women who have had an abortion can and do play a critical role!
The Sunday collection for the weekend of January 17th was $3,869.00. The number of envelopes was 114. OUR MANY THANKS TO OUR REGISTERED FAMILIES USING ENVELOPES AND THE CASH-AND-CARRY FOLKS. Our CHURCH CLEANERS FOR FRIDAY, 01/29/16 Are Chris, Peg, Bunny, Bronislawa & Volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the rectory office 630.257.7000. VOTIVE OFFERINGS FOR THE WEEK OF 01/24/16 St. James Ladies Guild Special int. Anne & Baby Slowik Speedy Recovery for Julie Jacobek Our two beautiful bouquets of flowers surrounding our altar were made available in celebration of Ruth Kaminski s Birthday by the Mikrut Family. THANK YOU! Please keep Nick Imgrund in your prayers as he continues his service in the United States Navy. Please keep Lucas Gough in your prayers as he continues his service in the United States Air Force. Please keep Kelsey Smith in your prayers as she continues her service in the Peace Corps in Africa. Please keep Stephanie Remar in your prayers as she continues her service in the Diplomatic Corps in Africa.
Monday January 25th 8:15 AM Gail Price Tuesday January 26th 8:15 AM Liane DeSitter Wednesday January 27th 7:00 PM Purgatorial Society Thursday January 28th 8:15 AM Tony Sabick Friday January 29th 8:15AM In memory of Joan Marie Wrobel 6:00 PM Prayerful Wishes Society FOURTH ORDINARY SUNDAY Saturday January 30th - Blessed Virgin Mary 5:00 PM Speedy Recovery for Julie Jacobek Sunday January 31st 8:00 AM Leonard Postregna 9:30 AM Mary & George Bartik 11:30 AM Payton Sullivan SUPER BOWL SUNDAY HOLY NAME S 13TH ANNUAL FAMILY SUPER BOWL PARTY SUNDAY FEBRUARY 7TH Watch the Game on 4 -Big Screen HD T.V.s. Catered Buffet Dinner with Raffle & Prizes Donation is $20.00/per person. Family Plan (2 adults & 2 children) at $50.00. Signup sheet will be in back of Church. Prize Donations are needed (such as giftcards or prizes). For more information see or call Deacon John at the rectory office 630.257.7000. 4th Ordinary Sunday 1/30 & 1/31/2016 Celebrant Altar Servers Lectors 5:00 PM J. Szarzynski T. Szarzynski J. Zabilka C. Zarzycki 8:00 AM J. Beecher J. Beecher Dillenburg C. Slowik 9:30 AM N. Akroush A. Bertucci F. Casiple D. LaSota 11:30 AM Fr. Ed Gleeson G. Estrada N. Gallager J. Jacobek R. Augustyn