The Family of Our Lady of Loretto Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 26, 2017
OUR LADY OF LORETTO HOMETOWN - OAK LAWN Page 2 Dear Parish Family, Why do we fast, and why should we fast as we enter into Lent beginning this Ash Wednesday, and even during the rest of the year? There are two fasts that we observe as Catholics. There is the "total fast" that precedes the Eucharist, today it is only one hour. It is a vigil fast as we await the coming of Christ in the Eucharist. The second fast was a fast of abstinence from certain foods, meats, etc This was more an act of self-discipline and self-control. The fast of abstinence was more general and personal, to help oneself be more disciplined or self-controlled. The total fast is still kept today prior to reception of Communion. Following Communion, the total fast ceases because Jesus stated that we don't fast when the bridegroom is here; in other words, what we're keeping vigil for has arrived, the wait is over. But how did fasting become such an important means of preparing for the Eucharist and of learning virtue through self-discipline? Christian fasting is tied to two events in the Bible: the "breaking of the fast" by Adam and Eve; and the "keeping of the fast" by Christ at the beginning of his ministry. Humanity's "fall" away from God and into sin began with eating. God had proclaimed a fast from the fruit of only one tree, the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 2:17), and Adam and Eve broke it. Fasting is here connected with the very mystery of life and death. The tragedy is not that Adam ate food, but that he ate the food for its own sake, and to be independent of God, believing that food had life in itself and thus he could be "like God." And he put his faith in food. This kind of existence seems to be built on the principle that man does indeed live "by bread alone." Christ, however, is the new Adam. At the beginning of his ministry, we read in Matthew s Gospel: "When He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, He became hungry." Hunger is that state in which we realize our dependence on something else when we face the ultimate question: "on what does my life depend?" Satan tempted both Adam and Christ, saying: Eat, for your hunger is proof that you depend entirely on food, that your life is in food. Adam believed and ate. Christ said, "Man does not live by bread alone." (Mt. 4:4) This liberates us from total dependence on food, on matter, on the world. For the Christian, fasting is the only means by which man recovers his true spiritual nature. In order for fasting to be effective, then, the spirit must be a part of it. Sincerely, Fr. Tom
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2017 Page 3 LENTEN OFFERINGS Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption. Ashes will be distributed after the 8:15am Mass, the 3:30pm Service, and the 7pm Mass. Our Lady of Loretto Women s Guild will be hosting their Fabulous Fish Fry and raffle every Friday during Lent, from 4:30-7pm, beginning March 3. The Fish Dinner is $9, and the Shrimp Dinner and Fish/Shrimp Combo Dinners are $10. All dinners include a baked potato or French Fries, cole slaw, dessert and coffee. If you don t like fish pasta, grilled cheese, and other offerings are available. As always, Loretto s Luscious Creations are featured. This year s Fish Fry will be better than ever. Don t miss out!! Reconciliation is offered each Saturday from 4-4:45pm in the Church. If you would like to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to Easter, and are without a ride, please call the Rectory at 708-424-7471 and leave your name and phone number. We are happy to make arrangements for you prior to Easter. Reconciliation opportunities will be offered during Holy Week as well at the Parish Reconciliation Service on Monday, April 10th at 7pm; and on Wednesday, April 12th (following the 8:15am Mass). The Carmelite Spiritual Center, in Darien, IL, is hosting a workshop on Saturday, March 11, from 9am-3pm, entitled Centering Prayer: A Relationship With God. Providing all the benefits of Mindfulness, Eastern, and other meditation practices, Centering Prayer is rooted in the Christian tradition, and may be intuitive for most of us. The cost is $25, and a light breakfast & lunch are included. Visit carmelitespiritualcenter.org for further details. Taizé prayer is a quiet, unhurried form of prayer and meditation. The quiet, candlelit services feature a combination of simple chants sung repeatedly, quiet reflection, Sacred Scripture readings, and prayers of praise, thanksgiving, and intercession. A background of meditative music invites God s presence into our soul. Join us for Taizé prayer in the Church each Wednesday at 7pm, beginning March 8. DON T BE ANXIOUS People have, it seems, a natural penchant for misplaced emphasis on unimportant things. They can easily get caught up with what they re having for dinner or what they will wear. Often it is a tragedy that helps people to refocus on what is really important. What I shall wear is an irrelevant question when I am facing surgery or chemotherapy. What s for dinner is immaterial to those living through grief or unemployment. In today s Gospel, Jesus tells us not to worry. He doesn t say, Don t eat. Don t cook. Don t buy clothes. He says, Don t worry. Jesus asks us not to relinquish our responsibilities but to let go of our anxiety. Anxiety betrays a lack of trust and Jesus reminds us that Your heavenly Father knows all that you need (Matthew 6:32). Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. News and notes St. Christopher s Parish will be holding a Children s Resale on Saturday, March 11, from 8am-1pm, in the school gymnasium, at 14611 S. Keeler, in Midlothian. Spring and summer apparel will be available, as well as shoes, toys, baby items, books and furniture. Further details can be found at stchrisschool.org/resale. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. For members of the Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige.
Page 4 THOSE TO SERVE AT LITURGY ON MARCH 4 & 5 5 PM SAT. 8:30 AM SUN. 11:15 AM SUN. L- G. Chaput J. Coffelt T. Aldworth EM- E. Akroush G. Kapjon K. Gilmartin EM- H. Reinheimer B. Kapjon T. Gilmartin EM- G. Slade L. Gutchewsky G. DiBenedetto EM- M. Dwyer D. Mercer M. Pannaralla Sunday Readings for March 5 First reading: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 Second reading: Romans 5:12-19 Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11 Ann Contorno Joan Dobrowits Debbie Heitz Keith Slansky Frank Roti Mark Ryan Brian Coughlin Kayla Smyth Dean Ojeda Rose Kennedy Marion Youngman Gregory Gasior Peggy Wayne Pray for our Sick Anthony DiCola Jericho Jeffrey DeVivo Mary Bridgeman Bob Bridgeman, Sr. Michele Vogel Karen Javorski James Stewart Helen Morong Mary Kenny Jim Cooney Therese Lederer Bill Showtis Mass Intentions Sunday, February 26 8:30 - Joe Pacourek People of the Parish 11:15 - Stephen Walsh Eileen Kramer Monday, February 27 8:15 - For Those Who Protect Our Country Tuesday, February 28 8:15 - Purgatorial Society Timmy Byrne Wednesday, March 1 Ash Wednesday 8:15 - People of the Parish 3:30 - Prayer Service 7:00 - People of the Parish Thursday, March 2 8:15 - Donald Caprio Timmy Byrne Friday, March 3 8:15 - Jim Knight and Children Saturday, March 4 8:15 - For All Caregivers 5 PM - Robert Farrell Patti Washkevich The Greenan Family Sunday, March 5 8:30 - Joe Pacourek Ron and Dolores Ensminger 11:15 - Stephen D. Walsh John Scourtes Maureen Johnson
Page 5 February 19, 2017 Received: $3225.00 +Direct Deposits: 265.00 $3490.00 (Food Pantry $557.00) Year-to-Date Figure Collected: $151,683.00 Thank you for your support. Sun. 26th Mon. 27th Tues. 28th - the week ahead - RE Classes, 9:30-11:00am Food Pantry 6-6:30pm Scouts, 6:30pm Bible Study after Mass in the Rectory Wed. March 1st ASH WEDNESDAY Ashes distributed after the 8:15am Mass, after the Service at 3:30pm, and after the 7pm Mass How many weeks are there in Lent? If Lent is 40 days, then why are there 46 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter? Thurs. 2nd Fri. 3rd AA Mtg., Rm. 115, 7:30pm Stations of the Cross at 3pm Fish Fry begins at 4:30pm in the Hall Men s Club Board Meeting, 7pm Bulletin articles are due in writing by noon Monday. FOR YOUR INFORMATION: WEEKEND MASSES: WEEKDAY MASSES: 5 p.m. Saturday - 8:30 and 11:15 a.m. Sunday 8:15 a.m. - Monday thru Saturday RECONCILIATION: 4-4:45 p.m. on Saturday BAPTISMS and WEDDINGS: Please call the rectory office for information at 708-424-7471 (8:30 am to 4 pm) RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Classes for Kindergarten thru 8th grade are Sundays, 9:30-11:00 a.m. Reconciliation is received in 2nd grade, First Communion is received in 3rd grade and Confirmation is received in 8th grade. Call the RE office for more information at 708-499-0832. PARISH ORGANIZATIONS Parish Transformation Committee Ministers of Care Women s Guild Bereavement Committee Men s Club PARISH STAFF Rev. Thomas S. Cabala, Pastor Jackie Watt, Parish Office Marianne Powers, Catechetical Leader Patti Washkevich, Bulletin Editor Steve Kittler, Music Director, Parish Office OUR LADY OF LORETTO PARISH Phone: 708-424-7471 8925 South Kostner Ave. - Hometown, Illinois, 60456 www.ourladyloretto.com A Roman Catholic community, embracing the gospel of Christ, as a welcoming, caring, family of faith.
CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS Our Lady of Loretto Parish #685950 8925 S. Kostner Hometown, IL 60456 TELEPHONE 708 424-7471 CONTACT PERSON Patti Washkevich SOFTWARE MSPublisher 2000 Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Windows XP Professional PRINTER Epson Stylus 740 SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION February 26, 2017 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 THROUGH 6 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS