Pastoral Staff Pastor Rev. Denis Condon Associate Pastor Rev. Henry Kricek Pastor Emeritus Rev. John Hergenrother Deacon Mr. Dave Brencic, 485-6614 School Principal & Faith Formation Coordinator Ms. AnnMarie Mahay Youth Minister Mrs. Karyn Miller Business Manager Ms. Lynn Waterloo Music Director Mr. Jim Harrold, 201-755-7716 Secretary/Bulletin Editor Ms. Maureen Johnson, 352-7388 Spiritual Companion Mrs. Jane Kucera, 579-1785 Parish Council Chair Mr. John Derus, 352-7388 Rectory 1144 Harrison Ave., 352-7388 FAX 352-0714 School 1125 Harrison, LaGrange Park, 352-2202 Faith Formation 482-8814 Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday Evening: 5:00 p.m.; Sunday: 7:30, 9:30, 11:00 a.m. Weekday: Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. Sacraments and Ministries Reconciliation/Confessions Saturdays 4:00 4:30 p.m. or on request. Baptisms Second Sunday: 12:30 p.m. A baptismal class is necessary prior to scheduling a Baptism. Marriage Contact the rectory six months prior to wedding. Home Communion Visits Contact the Rectory 352-7388 Parish Nurses, 352-4322 Hours as posted in church. New Parishioners Register at the rectory or online Website www.slmparish.org E-mail parishoffice@slmparish.org Bulletin Deadline-Mondays at 10:00am
L ent begins this Wednesday. Aside from a time for us to face up to the reality of our sin both as individuals and as community, Lent offers us an opportunity to open our hearts to hear what God has to say to us. In our world of constant noise - TV, radio, social media, ipads, piped in music, ear buds, etc. - silence has become an alien concept. For some silence has even become scary. We will have an opportunity to examine this with Deacon Allen Tatara on April 4th when he gives his talk How to Listen to God in an Ear-Bud World. But that comes toward the end of Lent. Lent challenges us to explore silence. It s an adventure that can lead some to go where they have never gone before. More than simply an exciting adventure, silence is actually necessary for us humans. Listening to NPR one day I heard an interview with a cyber anthropologist. This anthropologist studies the effects of our use of electronics and how they actually shape us. We can escape this world and live in the electronic world we create by our use of smart phones, ipads and the like. Such a life can shape our personality or even damage our ability to communicate with a live person. I was struck by this scientist stating that we humans need to shut off and disconnect from electronic life. She even stated that silence is necessary for us because only in silence can we hear what our inner self is trying to say to us! Without hearing that inner voice we won t really know who we are. To hear that from a scientist astounded me! I am constantly amazed with hearing scholars and teachers of all kinds of subjects come to conclusions about what is best for us humans, conclusions that already exists within the wisdom of our Church. This need for silence is only one more example. The Church has a centuries old tradition of silence as a conduit to self knowledge and even to hearing the voice of God himself. Countless hermits and monks and nuns have lived lives with large doses of silence as part of their day. Mystics have told us the amazing things silence can teach. Jesuits run 30 day silent retreats for people. Silence plays a role even in the Church s liturgies of prayer and sacraments. Other religious traditions have also claimed silence as the road to self understanding. And Jungian psychology teaches that we need to listen to our inner self to fully become the person we are. Now this cyber anthropologist claims scientific evidence shows us the need for silence. There is nothing new under the sun. If we truly need silence to hear ourselves think, Lent offers us the chance to explore this notion. Cardinal Cupich has called on us to add a significant amount of silence after communion at each Mass. If we have just received the Lord into ourselves, if we are physically united to Jesus, we have the opportunity to stop and listen. If we can become comfortable with the quiet, and slow down or even shut off our minds, we may learn something. If the Lord himself does not speak, we may hear our own inner self speak to us. I admit this silence can be a bit scary. Some might object that they are not interested to hear with their inner self has to say. Why? They re scared. Our inner self will speak truth to us and some of us may be afraid of that. We may hear the truth concerning our actions, how we treat others, how we think of and treat ourselves. We may hear disturbing things, things that will challenge us to change. Sometimes, we don t want to hear that truth; it s too painful. In his book The Road Less Traveled psychotherapist M. Scott Peck has noted that reality is all we have to go on. For reality read truth. If we want to get from point A to point B when traveling, we rely on a road map. If the map is true, we will get there. If the map is not true, we may never arrive at our destination. We need to know the truth about ourselves if we want a descent life. Otherwise, we are living a lie and we will find no peace. God wishes only the best for us. But we can t become the best without listening to the silence. It may be weird; it may be scary. But the truth shall set us free, and silence can show us our way. Father Denis Page 2
Daily Mass-Monday thru Friday at 8:30am Confessions-Saturday from 4:00 to 4:30pm Extended Confessions-April 8, 3:00-4:30pm Rosary-Monday thru Friday at 8:00 am Adoration-Tuesdays from 3-6:30pm and Wednesdays from 7-9pm Bible Study-Tuesdays, 7:00pm,Rectory Way of the Cross-Fridays, 2:15 and 7:00pm Living Stations of the Cross, April 7, 2:15 & 7:00pm Night of Reflection/Soup Supper March 7, 6:00pm, Colonnade Room Lenten Faith Group Wednesdays,7:00pm, March 8, thru April 12, Marillac Rm. SPECIAL LENTEN SERVICES Parish Communal Reconciliation: March 28, 7:00pm Palm Sunday Family Mass: April 9, 9:30am Three-Parish Lenten Mission: March14, 7:00pm,St. Barbara Parish March 21, 7:00pm, Divine Infant Parish March 28, 7;00pm, St. Louise de Marillac Parish Lenten Evening of Reflection On Tuesday, March 7 at 6pm, join us in the Colonnade Room for a soup and salad supper and then allow St. Francis of Assisi to be your guide on a journey deeper into Lent, the Church s springtime. Fr. Larry Janowski, a Franciscan priest, renowned fiction writer and poet, will take us on this spiritual journey. Tickets are $10 and will be sold after all Masses the weekends of February 18/19 and February 25/26. This event is sponsored by the CWO. Women (and men) of the parish are invited. Contact Helene, 485-1844 or Kathy, 227-2304 for information or tickets. LENTEN FAITH GROUP Small group sessions are very important part of the parish s spiritual growth and development process. They provide opportunities for us, to share our faith, listen closely to the Holy Spirit, and to witness that God has called us. Our Faith Group, led by Pat Thorburn, meets during Lent on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, from March 8 thru April 12 in the Marillac Room. We welcome you to be part of our journey. Ash Wednesday Schedule Ashes will be distributed on Ash Wednesday, March 1, at the following times: 6:30 a.m. Service 8:30 a.m. Mass 12:30 p.m. Service 5:15 p.m. Service 7:00 p.m. Mass Lenten Regulations Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of universal fast and abstinence. Fasting is obligatory for all who have completed their 18th year. Fasting allows a person to eat one full meal. Two smaller meals may be taken, not to equal one full meal. Abstinence (from meat) for all who have completed their 14th year. EASTER PALMS If you have last year s palms, they can be burned and used to prepare ashes for the Ash Wednesday service on March 1. Baskets will be in back of church to collect last year s palms. Please bring in your palms by February 28. Page 3
WAY OF THE CROSS During the season of Lent, we try to come to a greater awareness of Jesus love for us. One way to experience this is reliving the events of Jesus passion and death. Praying the Stations of the Cross helps us to prepare for Easter. Come join us at 7 p.m. in Church on Fridays during Lent as we walk the Way of the Cross. LECTOR/EUCHARISTIC SCHEDULES New schedules will be coming out soon for the period April 8 through June 25, 2017. This schedule includes Holy Week and Easter, which occurs Sunday, April 16. If there is an Easter Mass or Holy Week Mass/Service you would like to be scheduled for, please call or sign up on the sheets posted in the Gathering Room. Note: Easter Mass times are: Sat. 8:00pm-Vigil, Sun. 7:00, 8:30, 10:15, and 12 noon. Also, notify us of any dates during this period, including East, that you are unavailable; otherwise, you will be randomly selected. Contact either Rick or Barb at 708/352-8145 or at steprc@comcast.net. The deadline is Wednesday, March 8. EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS NEEDED St. Louise currently needs additional Eucharistic Ministers at all Masses. Only one training session is needed, and can be scheduled at your convenience. Once training is completed, choose the Mass at which you would like to serve. New schedules for the spring months will soon be created; so this is the perfect time to join the ministry. If interested in becoming a Eucharistic Minister, contact Rick or Barb Stepina at 708/352-8145 or at steprc@comcast.net. ASP DONUTNUT SALE!! THE ASP ARE SELLING KRISPY KREME DONUTS THIS WEEKEND. ALL MONEY RAISED FROM THE DONUT SALE GOES TOWARDS THE TRIP OUR TEENS AND ADULTS WILL TAKE TO MAKE HOMES SAFER, WARMER AND DRYER FOR PEOPLE IN KENTUCKY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT. Page 4
RUMMAGE SALE TREASURES! BAKE SALE COOKIES CAKES RUMMAGE & BAKE SALE SATURDAY, APRIL 11 8 a.m. to 1p.m., Colonnade Room Time to rid your house of clutter that has lost its usefulness. books, jewelry, clothing, toys, working appliances, seasonal/religious items, linens, small furniture, etc. bring them over! Drop Off: Friday, April 10 between 2 & 7 p.m. Unsold items are donated to St. Vincent de Paul Info: Sue 485-2000 or Bernie 485-9174 Sponsored by the Catholic Women s Organization Page 5
THANK YOU! to all the volunteers who helped at the Greater Chicago Food Depository in February: Justin and Connie Herman, Lucille Hilger, Kinda Karalis, Bob Lifka, Eleanor Russ, Paul, Anne, Chris, and Emily Szymczak. We packaged over 6,00 lbs of sweet potatoes -Steven Lifka Page 6
Monday, February 27 6:30pm Boy Scouts-C 6:30pm Play Pract.-Pc Tuesday, February 28 3:00pm Adoration 5:00pm Athletics-PC 7:00pm Bible Study-R Wednesday, March 1 Ash Wednesday 7:00pm Adoration 5:00pm Faith Formation Thursday, March 2 4:30pm SPRED-M/T 5:00pm Athletics-PC 6:30pm Cub Scouts-C Friday, March 3 2;45&7pm Teen Clubs-PC/C 5:00pm Fish Fry-C 7:00pm Blue/Gold s/up-c Saturday, March 4 9:00am Athletics-PC 11:00am Blue/Gold-C 7:00pm B.S Lock-In-PC/C Sunday, March 5 10:45am Faith Formation 2:00pm Bingo-C 12:00pm Athletics-PC 4:00pm Play Pract.-PC 6:00pm BEDS-C 8:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous-R High School Teen Club: No High School Teen Club until Friday, March 3 from 7:30-10pm. Open gym begins at 8:00. Must have current high school ID and a contact form signed by a parent. Contact form is on line at slmteenclub.weebly.com. Grade School Teen Club: Teen Club for seventh and eighth graders from St. Louise School or Faith Formation is Friday, March 3, from 2:45 to 4:45pm. Drop off and pick up at Colonnade parking lot doors. Youth Ministry Board Meeting: Friday, March 17, 6:30-8:00pm in Teen Room. Dinner provided. Agenda: Spring Lock-in, service project ideas, finalize trivia night. Bible Breakfast: Youth are needed to lead Bible Breakfast on Sunday morning, February 26, following 9:30 Mass. Contact Karyn Miller if you are available. Free pancakes! Coming-Watch for more information ~Jr. High Trivia Night! May 5-Details to follow ~Holy Fire-October 20 & 21, 2017 ~National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), ~Nov. 16-18, 2017, Indianapolis, IN. BIBLE BREAKFAST This Sunday s Gospel tells us not to worry about the future; God will be there for us. Following the 9:30 Mass, come and enjoy the Men s Club delicious breakfast while discussing how these words can impact our lives today. Good food, good friends, and the Good Book! BOOSTER CLUB WINNERS The December 2016 January 2017 drawings for Booster Club have been completed. The winning numbers area: December: F 57 January: W 11 Thank you to all who support this school fundraiser. NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO? Life gets hard sometimes. Things go wrong, people disappoint us, decisions have to be made. There is someone we can always trust to listen to us and help us. He is always waiting for us to share our concerns with him. Visit Jesus during adoration on Tuesdays from 3:00 to 6:30 or Wednesdays from 7:00 to 9, even if it is only for a few minutes. It is amazing what answers may come. Just the sense of peace is worth it. Page 7
February 27-March 5 Monday 8:30 - Robert Harty Tuesday 8:30 - Tony & Rose Napolitan Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, St. John of God, 8:30 - People of the Parish Thursday 8:30 - Bill & Pat Purl Friday, St. Katherine Drexel 8:30 - Leslie Russ, Sr. Saturday 5:00 - Ernest & Maria Pokojny Sunday 7:30 - Phyllis Lyons, Eric Paitl 9:30 - James Sullivan, John & Lois Brom 11:00 - Joseph Suchan, Jr. Altar Servers Mon. Wed., Fri., Feb. 27, Mar. 1, 3 8:30 - N. Spielman, J. Steger Ash Wed.Mar. 1 7:00-Z. Mazurkiewicz, D. Hanson, M. Hanson Tues,Thur., Feb. 28, Mar. 2 8:30 - H. Mahay, K. Keen Sat., Mar. 4 5:00 - T. Bosshart, K. Keegan Sun., Mar. 5 7:30 - H. Mahay, J. Thomas 9:30 - E. Kimmelman-Wyles, A. Roussin, N. Spielman 11:00 - J. Steger, I. Rios, A. Porras Nora Beth Neumann Benjamin Brody Ekman Presiders March 4 March 5 Confessions - Fr. Henry 7:30 - Fr. Henry 5:00 - Fr. Henry 9:30 - Fr. Denis 11:00 - Fr. Denis Readers March 4 March 5 5:00 - P. Hamerschmitt 7:30-E. Keegan 9:30-M.A. Donlon 11:00-C. Lemkau/Mi. Miller Eucharistic Ministers March 4 5:00 - M. Gyorke, S. Cipolletta, M. Gibson, S. Czarnik, T. Nedvar, T. Popernik, Deacon Dave March 5 7:30 - B. Strnad, W.&K. Prokop, A. Porras 9:30 - L. Korenchan, S. Driscoll, D. Parcel, M. Sinde, M. Powderly, J. Reynolds, G. Witkowski 11:00 - S. Lifka, P. Cavaliere, A. Czerwien, J. Hanson, A. Janacek, R. Kappeler, C. Korabik WEEKLY OFFERTORY February 19, 2017 Sunday Collection, this Week: This Year $ 7,400 Last Year $ 8,500 Sunday Collection, Year-to-Date: This Year $ 304,400 Last Year $ 310,200 Year-to-Date Collection Budget $ 317,800 Envelopes Returned, this Week: This Year 307 Last Year 364 Page 8