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 When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. ~ Luke 14:13-14 A u g u s t 2 8, 2 0 1 6 T w e n t y - S e c o n d S u n d a y i n O r d i n a r y T i m e
MASS INTENTIONS Monday, August 29 - Passion of St. John the Baptist 6:30 am Stanislawa Ciomek 8:00 am Pietro DiSalvo Tuesday, August 30 6:30 am Georgianna Sweeney 8:00 am Mary Ann Lescher Wednesday, August 31 6:30 am Mary Ruth Hurley Cullicott 8:00 am Kathleen Mary McKeever Thursday, September 1 6:30 am Margaret Mathy-Christopher 8:00 am Jim Butler Friday, September 2 6:30 am Stanislawa Ciomek 8:00 am Robert C. Atkinson Saturday, September 3 - St. Gregory the Great 8:00 am Mary Ruth Hurley Cullicott 5:00 pm Joseph Romano Sunday, September 4 7:30 am The People of St. Luke Parish 9:00 am The Poor Souls in Purgatory 10:30 am James Louis Winikates 12:00 pm Josephine Sanfilippo MINISTERS OF THE LITURGY Monday-Friday, August 29-September 2 8:00 am Servers J Giuffre, A Delatorre Saturday, September 3 5:00 pm Servers J Wolinski, A Lazos, L Lazos Lectors S Sandow, L Zarate Euch Min J Bresnahan, C Madden, J Megall, T Ogba, L Ortiz-Lazos, A Roche, MB Smedinghoff Sunday, September 4 7:30 am Servers C Vlerick, B Foley, A Ocasio Lectors L Binder, S Goethals Euch Min S Doyle, C Doyle, J Duszynski 9:00 am Servers E Perry, B Greenberg, M Keith Lectors Y Hafner, D Ruggie Euch Min B Hosty, M Hosty, A Ramirez, G Rara, D Slepicka, K Slepicka, KJ Slepicka 10:30 am Servers A Weiler, E Smith, C Stumbris Lectors F Auteri, J Mannix Euch Min L Amison, D Kurtenbach, J O Hara, B Stumbris, J Winikates, L Winikates 12:00 pm Servers L Dugan, E Dillon, E Dugan Lectors K Iammartino, G Lawrence Euch Min J Courtney, K Frank, M Frank, B Huerta, V Perera Monday, September 5, Labor Day 9:00 am Servers M Carr, C Carr, I Flores Lectors M Aspiras, N Brouilette Euch Min K Heiss, B Murray, S Murray Cover Art: The Wedding Feast at Cana, shown here in a 13 th century painting by Duccio di Buoninsegna, is one of the most prominent banquets in the Bible. The artwork is used here with credit to the Web Gallery of Art and the Museo dell Opera del Duomo in Siena via Wikimedia Commons. 2 WELCOME TO ST. LUKE River Forest, IL 60305-1835 FROM THE PASTOR One of the suggestions from the Parish Transformation process this past winter/ spring was to feature a small block every week in the bulletin that would contain a quick fact about some aspect of parish life. Keep an eye out for this new feature in coming weeks! In other news, I also would like to share some Q&A s with you regarding things that seem to be on everyone s mind lately. What about the Block Party? Are we having one? The Block Party, which normally has been scheduled for the 2 nd or 3 rd Saturday of September and run by our Men s Club, was preempted last year by the Installation Mass and reception celebration for a certain new pastor. I hoped our former tradition would continue in subsequent years maybe restructuring it a bit, but keeping it. Because of other scheduled events this year, however, it looks like September is not a good time. What about October? We celebrate the feast of St. Luke, our patron, on October 18. Perhaps the Saturday before that, we could invite everyone to a Lukefest, celebrating and welcoming new families, and even honoring our school alumni as St. Luke School celebrates its 95 th anniversary. If you like this idea and would like to assist in pulling this off, please get in touch with me! Again, it s not about what I want, but what you would like to see happening here to build up our community, welcoming people, and bringing them together. If parish organizations teamed up to organize something, it would mean less work for everyone. What about our annual Ministry Fair? When will that be? This event, also usually scheduled for a Sunday in September, involved people from the many parish ministries and organizations setting up stations on the front plaza where parishioners could get info or sign up to join. It was found that this approach was laborintensive and not particularly effective in increasing people s interest in parish life. The Parish Pastoral Council suggested instead that we invite a volunteer from a featured ministry each week to come and speak at Mass about his or her involvement and then provide more information at the back of church. Hopefully, these suggestions and the invitation we can extend to those who worship here week-in and weekout can empower others to contribute their time and talent to the prayer, life, and outreach of our parish! ~Fr. Szmyd
Historians aren t sure whether St. Augustine uttered that famous phrase about the benefits of singing, but choir members at St. Luke would agree that they feel blessed when they join their voices at Mass. St. Luke is blessed with an active music program whose members enhance our liturgical assemblies with their musical talents. The various ensembles of the Music Ministry also offer the opportunity for their members to form a community in which they genuinely care about and support each other. Each ensemble is always open to new membership, and I invite you to consider participating in one or more of those listed below as we start the new season. Previous musical experience is not necessary for membership in any of the choirs. Whether you love to sing or play an instrument, please contact me for more information if you would like to become involved in this very rewarding ministry. Arlene Michna, Director of Music 708-435-8926 Amichna@stlukeparish.org Chancel Choir: This choir sings at the 10:30 am Mass from September through early June, and practices on Wednesdays from 7:15-9:00 pm. The choir sings in a variety of musical styles, and singers in all vocal ranges are welcome. Contemporary Choir: This choir specializes in music of contemporary composers and sings at the 9:00 am Mass from September through early June. It rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9:00 pm. Cantors: At Masses where there is no choir, cantors lead our congregational singing, and sing the verses of the Psalm and the Gospel Acclamation. Cantors have a group rehearsal once a month on Monday at 7:00 pm. Individual rehearsals are scheduled at the cantor s request. Handbell Choir: This ensemble, made up of 5 th through 8 th grade students, rehearses in the church on Wednesdays from 4:30-5:30 pm. The Handbell Choir often plays for the monthly Family Mass as well as for the 4:00 pm Christmas Eve Mass and the Palm Sunday Vigil. Parish Children s Choirs: Our children s choirs sing once a month at the 9:00 am Family Mass from October through May, as well as at the 4:00 pm Mass on Christmas Eve. The Cherub Choir, grades 1-4, gathers in the Hospitality House on Thursdays for a snack and rehearsal from 3:00-4:15 pm. The Seraphim Choir, grades 5-8, gathers for refreshments and rehearsal on Wednesdays at 3:15 pm. Resurrection Choir: This dedicated group of adult singers ministers at our funeral liturgies and rehearses 30 minutes before the Funeral Mass. AUGUST 28, 2016 Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 3
Almost 50 St. Lukers of all ages sent in their estimates for the height of the stone cross at the top of the church s bell tower (there actually is one on each side). Some guessed the height from the top of the parapet wall to the top of the cross, while others included the base of the cross in their guesses, so we decided to award the top picks from both categories. Sandy Brennan came the closest in the first category, just a half-inch less than the actual 53-inch height. Julie Jacobs came in second with a guess of 54 inches. The base of the cross added another 23 inches, and two others came the closest in the second category: Allan Santos (75 inches) and Janine Smuda (76.75 inches). Fr. John will give all four a tour of the church projects. Each family who entered will receive a copy of The Windows of Saint Luke Church for participating. Thanks to all for some summer fun! All Religious Education families are reminded that Book Pickup for the new 2016-2017 Year is today (Sunday) from 10:00 am to Noon in Waldron Hall. Please come to pick up your children s books, pay tuition and fees, and meet catechists for the coming year. Religious Education classes begin this Wednesday, August 31. K-4 grades will meet from 3:30-4:30 pm and grades 5-8 will meet from 6:30-7:30 pm. All sessions are held in St. Luke School. On Friday, October 7, more than 350 St. Luke School students, faculty, and parents will be walking six miles through River Forest to raise critical funds for our parish school. The St. Luke Walk-a-Thon is the No. 1 opportunity for students to actively support their school and is a beloved tradition among the entire community. We invite parish families and their businesses or employers to be corporate sponsors for the event. Sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels, all with different benefits, including the placement of a logo on the event t-shirts. Please contact Sheila Price at sprice@stlukeparish.org or 708-435-8927 for more information. The deadline is September 16. Thank you for your support! ~Pope Francis 4 The Peace & Justice Summer Reading Group will have its last discussion on The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness tomorrow (Monday) night. You do not need to have attended either of the previous two meetings to participate. This last session will look at chapters 5 and 6, so there's still time to get the book at The Book Table in Oak Park or local libraries and join the discussion! This last session will take place at 7:30 pm at Len and Nancy Vertuno s home, 909 Bonnie Brae (note new location). WELCOME TO ST. LUKE River Forest, IL 60305-1835 The Catholic Charities 16 th Annual Brighter Futures Golf Outing returns to the majestic Oak Park Country Club, 2001 N. Thatcher Avenue in River Grove, on Monday, September 12. This fun event benefits the charity s Homeless Services in the West Region. Registration and access to the outstanding practice facilities at the club begins at 10:30 am. Lunch will be served, followed by a shotgun start at 12:30 pm. After the round of golf, there will be a reception, dinner, and raffle. In addition, all non-golfers are invited to spend the afternoon playing cards or come for a cocktails and dinner package for $125. Register today at goo.gl/vg9yn1 or contact Esmeralda Zepeda at 708-329-4022 for more info.
Maple Meadows Golf Club 272 Addison Road Wood Dale, Illinois 1:00 pm Shotgun Start Join your fellow parishioners for a fun, casual day organized by the St. Luke Men s Club at the Maple Meadows Golf Course. The outing is open to anyone who wishes to attend, and parishioners are encouraged to invite neighbors, friends, and co-workers. Appropriate-age children are also welcome! The fee for the event is $160 per person, which covers EVERYTHING for the whole day: lunch and a welcoming gift, green fees, cart, games, unlimited beverages for the entire day and evening, raffle tickets, and dinner. Discounted tickets are also available for the reception/dinner only for $35.00. Feel free to create your own foursome, or we can match you up with a compatible group. For this event, a good sense of humor is far more important than your driving or putting skill. Register and pay online at http://bit.ly/1hrrssx. Or, for more information, contact Charlie Smith at lukesmensclub@gmail.com or 708-267-4855. Are you, or someone you know, feeling called to join the Catholic Church, to receive sacraments you ve missed, or simply to grow in your understanding of the Catholic Faith? St. Luke Parish has a program designed especially for you to connect with the Catholic Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). This process involves regular meetings over the next eight months, through which the Church welcomes converts into our community and provides baptized Catholics an opportunity to return to more active participation in the Church and to grow in their understanding of the Catholic Faith. If you re ready to take the next step in your faith life, contact the Parish Office at 771-8250 and ask about the RCIA Program. SCRIPTURE READINGS For Masses the week of August 28-September 4 Sunday: Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29/Ps 68:4-7, 10-11/ Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a/Lk 14:1, 7-14 Monday: 1 Cor 2:1-5/Ps 119:97-102/Mk 6:17-29 Tuesday: 1 Cor 2:10b-16/Ps 145:8-14/Lk 4:31-37 Wednesday: 1 Cor 3:1-9/Ps 33:12-15, 20-21/Lk 4:38-44 Thursday: 1 Cor 3:18-23/Ps 24:1-6/Lk 5:1-11 Friday: 1 Cor 4:1-5/Ps 37:3-6, 27-28, 39-40/Lk 5:33-39 Saturday: 1 Cor 4:6b-15/Ps 145:17-21/Lk 6:1-5 Next Sunday: Wis 9:13-18b/Ps 90:3-6, 12-17/Phlm 9-10, 12-17/Lk 14:25-33 Liturgical Publications Inc PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK: Kimberly Bak, Bill Darley, Fred Heiss, James Hickey, Kathy Ann Howard, Stephen Kehoe, Barry Koster, Frank Kurr, John Lennon, John McGrail, Lillian Njoku, Kevin Nolan, Paul Novak, Kelly Petersen, Geraldine Redmond, Fr. Paul Reicher, Clayton Rice, Jonathan Saucedo, Patti Sheehan, Tom Trankina, Ida Tufano, Michael Gerard White, and Ann Marie Wojcik AND FOR OUR DECEASED: Jacqueline Walzer STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. ~Luke 14:13-14 We have a difficult time with the concept of giving without expecting something in return. Even when we give to charity we often want something in return a raffle ticket, a dinner, or a chance to play golf. Yet, as Christian stewards we need to remember that the true reward for our giving awaits us in heaven. Our Weekly Offerings From the weekend of August 21, 2016 Weekly Budget....................$15,000.00 Actual Weekly Giving.............. $10,610.00 2016-2017 Fiscal Year to Date (From 7/1/16) Budget to Date................... $120,000.00 Actual Weekly Giving..............$105,115.00 Difference to Date for Year +/(-)...... $(17,585.00) 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! AUGUST 28, 2016 Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 5
The St. Luke Athletic Committee congratulates this week s winner of the 500 Club drawing: Sean Houlihan Thank you to all who have purchased memberships in the Club, the proceeds of which go directly to fund our parish school s athletic programs. The following people were killed in the city of Chicago between August 13-19: Mikel Maragh, age 26 Winston Delaney, age 50 Abner Garcia, age 23 Louis Carrasquillo, age 30 Alfonso Kyles, age 31 Yanong Woods, age 27 Anthony Nelson, age 21 Chavaris Guider, age 33 Antoine Johnson, age 31 Baby Welch, age 1 month Landrell Brown, age 24 Arshell Dennis, Jr., age 19 Aaron M. Brown, age 21 Kenneth Carrington, age 40 Kirino Fabian, age 19 Vincent Winkfield, age 28 May we keep their families and others touched by violence in our prayers. May we also pray for the perpetrators and the impact the violence will have on their lives as well. 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. Jim Doyle deacondoyle@gmail.com... 262-501-1042 Rev. Mr. Paul Faherty (retired) pfaherty00@aol.com... 771-5986 Rev. Mr. Terry Norton reneeterrynorton@gmail.com... 771-6635 Rev. Mr. Bob Slobig bobslobig@comcast.net... 771-6430 528 Lathrop Avenue, River Forest 60305-1835 stlukeparish@stlukeparish.org... 771-8250 Agnes Komperda, Office Manager akomperda@stlukeparish.org... 435-8912 Glenn Wagner, Parish Business Manager gwagner@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. Mary Ann Mueninghoff, OP... 771-5280 6 Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil (anticipated) Mass 5:00 pm, and Sunday 7:30, 9:00, and 10 : 30 am, and 12:00 noon Weekdays: Monday-Friday, 6:30 & 8:00 am, 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 to 5:00 pm 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. WELCOME TO ST. LUKE River Forest, IL 60305-1835 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.