ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME June 17, 2018 THE CROWN

ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME June 17, 2018 THE CROWN

FAVORITE BIBLE PASSAGES People sometimes ask, What is your favorite Bible passage? As I write for one of the last times as your parish priest, I thought I might share some of my all-time favorite passages. I have three of them. Here they are. The Agony in the Garden. Read Matthew 26: 36-46; Mark 14: 32-42; and Luke 22: 39-46. Why does God let bad things happen to good people? Why is there so much suffering, especially when people do not do anything to deserve it? Why do innocent children suffer and even die? Above all, how could God let his beloved son, innocent of all wrongdoing and sin, suffer such a horrible death? I do not know anyone who can give a simple answer to these very good questions. I do know part of the price of being able to experience love, is the possibility of not loving. Sin and evil are when people choose not to love, but to give in to fear or greed. God does not will the evil but permits it as the consequence of not loving. The alternative would be to take away the possibility of love. And there is redemption. Death can be followed by resurrection. There is a much better life. In the garden Jesus struggled and asked his Father to take away the cup of suffering that lay before him in his passion. Father take this cup away from me. But then Jesus continues, Not my will, but yours be done. In the end he trusts his Father and submits to his passion. Thank God he did, for this is what saved us! We too must struggle to find God when bad things are happening to us! Lord, help me to accept your will, even when it means I must suffer. Like Jesus help me say, Not my will, but yours be done. The Prodigal Son I like the Lost and Found parables of Luke 15. There is the Lost Sheep that gets found. Read Luke 15: 1-7. And there is the Lost Coin. Read Luke 15: 8-10. And then, my favorite, the Lost Son. Read Luke 15: 11-32. There is always rejoicing when what was lost is found. Both the shepherd who lost his sheep, and the woman who lost her coin, call in neighbors and friends to rejoice after recovering what was lost. When the father s lost son comes home, the fatted calf is slaughtered so a feast can be had in celebration of the son returning home. Some, like the older son who has been good the whole time, don t get it. It is unfair that the son who is faithful gets nothing, and the son who is disrespectful and given to a shameful lifestyle and squanders his father s money, gets the reward! God s way is not about exacting fairness and giving each what they deserve. Rather it is about mercy and forgiveness. It should be called the story of the prodigal father, because he is so extravagant with his mercy. We do not have to earn or be worthy of God s forgiveness. We do not deserve it. It is simply God s extravagant gift to us. In the story the son is not coming back because he truly has repented, but only because he wants food and shelter. He will even deceive his father by feigning sorrow. We could call it imperfect contrition at the best. And yet when his father runs up to him (something that should be below his dignity as a Jewish father), the son is embraced, and then moved by the compassion and forgiveness he is being offered. I believe this is what converted the son s contrition to a more genuine or perfect form. It is a great story of divine love. I have two olive wood carvings form the Holy Land. One is of Jesus praying the garden of Gethsemane. The other is of the father embracing his lost son. I treasure these as I do the stories they represent. Lord, when I sin help me to accept my Father s forgiveness. Help me celebrate that forgiveness in the sacrament of Penance. Help me extend that same mercy to others who have offended me. The Grain of Wheat Read John 12: 23-28. I have one more scripture passage to share with you that is a favorite of mine. In verse 24 of John12, Jesus says, Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit. Jesus is taking about Paschal (Passover) Mystery. Unless Jesus dies, nothing much will happen. But if he dies much will happen. A seed is nothing of itself. When it is planted into the ground, it dies and stops being a seed. It will become a plant and produce much fruit. The death of Jesus on the cross is the seed being planted into the ground. The new plant is the Resurrection. A new life arises, not only for Jesus, but for us who become his Church. The greatest event (Easter) happens because of the greatest tragedy (Good Friday). Through our life there are many little deaths and resurrections. We plant seeds, and over time, we let go and let God. New life is the result. (CONT.)

This is the story of Divine Infant Jesus Parish and School. Next year something will die as we plant the seed. But something much better will emerge as a combined parish and school for the future. We will keep the best of the old, and something much better will arise. This is Paschal Mystery. It is the heart of our faith! We must let go and plant our seed. Letting go and dying is painful. But we know the Lord will give us a new and better life! Lord, I bless you for the faith community of Divine Infant Jesus. Help them to embrace your Paschal Mystery. May they die and be planted like a grain of wheat. May they become new and bear much fruit! Peace and love always, Father Mike Ahlstrom KENYA COMING TO OUR PARISH On the TV news we see the poorest of the poor attempting to survive in far off countries. Next weekend Carol Fowler and Sue Ozar will bring this reality closer to us and share their mission to rescue the orphaned and abandoned street children in Kenya. A special collection will be taken at all the masses. SACRED HEART ROSARY KEYCHAINS FOR THE MEN OF OUR PARISH This weekend, the Divine Infant Prolife Committee is handing out Sacred Heart Rosary Key chains to the men of the parish as a token of our appreciation for nurturing life. We wish a HAPPY FATHER S DAY to all the wonderful men of Divine Infant! MASS BOOK This year there will be a change in the mass book opening. Since we are unsure of the future of Divine Infant Jesus Church next July, we will only be opening the 2019 Mass book for JANUARY-JUNE 2019. The book will open on Monday, July 9th during regular office hours. For information, call Toni at 865-8071. 70TH ANNIVERSARY ALBUM If you forgot to pick up your 70th Anniversary album you can pick it up at the rectory. To all participating families, Thanks!" GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY MASS SAVE THE DATE Married in 1968? The Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, September 16, 2018 by Cardinal Cupich. The location of the Mass will be announced soon. To register, please contact the rectory or online at pvm.archicago.org We hope to see you there! EARLY BULLETIN SCHEDULE Articles for the June 24th bulletin must be in the office by Monday, June 18th. Articles for the July 1st bulletin must be in the office by Tuesday, June, 26th. Articles for the July 8th bulletin must be in the office by Wednesday, June 27th.

DIVINE INFANT JESUS PARISH IS NOW LISTED AS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION ON AMAZON SMILE! You shop. Amazon gives. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com REGISTRATIONS Divine Infant Jesus School is still accepting registrations for the 2018/2019 school year. For more information, an individual tour or to receive an enrollment packet, please contact the school office at 865-0122. How to Setup Amazon smile? Change Your AmazonSmile Charitable Organization Sign in to smile.amazon.com on your desktop or mobile phone browser. From your desktop, go to Your Account from the navigation at the top of any page, and then select the option to Change your Charity. Select a new charitable organization to support. DISCOVERY CLUB SUPERVISOR NEEDED Discovery Club, Divine Infant s Before and After School Program, will have an open position of a part -time supervisor beginning in August. The morning days and hours would be as follows: Monday through Friday from 6:45 a.m. until 8:00 a.m. The afternoon hours would be 2:00 or 3:00 until 5:00/6:00. The afternoon days to be determined. Both shifts are available, but it is not necessary to take both. Our afternoons are filled with fun activities. The children love to color, do puzzles, play in the gym/outside, and do crafts. We need to be heavily staffed due to our large volume of children under the age of seven. Come join our Divine Infant family. If interested, please call the rectory and leave your name and number with Toni. Her number is 708-865- 8071. You may also email me direct at nsteker@divineinfant.org. Nancy Steker Director

BAPTIZED Summer Rose, daughter of Jeremy Bright and Nicole Larucci Pina Michele, daughter of Julianna Fiore WEEKDAY SERVERS MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY 8:00 Matthew Swan THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY 8:00 Michael Swan AISLE OF GIFTS NEW GIFT BOOTH The new gift booth is looking for items anything brand new never used. We are looking for jewelry, perfumes, clothes, toys, stationary, kitchen and bath items, tools, and crafts. Please look through your cabinets and closets. You can drop it off or we will be glad to pick it up. Call Jeanine Dent 708-681- 1128 or Barbara Calabrese 708-343-3908. Please do not leave items in the vestibule of the church. Thank you. RESOURCE CENTER For rent, 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, second floor apartment on Chaucer $1250.00. Please call 312-720-4623.

LITURGY FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY, June 16 5:00 pm Henry & John Volka; C. Earl Blankenship; Joseph Senato; Bernard Lohman; Anthony & Peggy Scolaro; Gerry Corn; Ray Ricordati SUNDAY, June 17 7:30 Thomas Smith; Jerry J. Russ; The Otto Bezouska Family; Lou D Andria; People of the Parish 9:30 Rick Yurkovich; Tim Cronin; Joe Formanski; William Eckles; Thomas E. Sullivan, Sr.; Bob Breneisen; Bob Grimes; Bob Eisenhart; Peter Reitz; Peter Lullo; Thomas Podock, Sr.; Marcus Beckler 11:30 Thomas W. Parker; John Knisely; Andrea Giannelli; Austin J. Boyle; Derek Gordon, Sr.; Jerry Spahn; Leonard Weigel; Ray Ricordati MONDAY, June 18 8:00 Jim Wilkin; Bernice Kerzicnik TUESDAY, June 19 8:00 Leonard Weigel WEDNESDAY, June 20 8:00 John McLeod; Walter & Mary Wanick; Peter Murphy THURSDAY, June 21 8:00 Bob Feehan FRIDAY, June 22 8:00 Virginia & Charles Wilkin SATURDAY, June 23 8:00 Bob Breneisen 5:00 pm Al & Lucille Fogg; Connie Senato; Anthony Bagnole; People of the Parish SUNDAY, June 24 7:30 Thomas Smith; Deceased members of St. Vincent de Paul Society; Emil & Henrietta Bezouska 9:30 Tony Concialdi; Jim Sheehan 11:30 Fr. Fred Tomzik; Patricia Grammas; Judy Lungo; Mary Pat, Therese & Barney Crosson PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH Charles Anderson Dorothy Asher Ed Backer Irene Bendinelli Jerry Benesh Bill Beuck Arlene Buszkiewicz Carl Celestino, Sr. Anita Contacessi Margaret Cullen Geri D Andria Donald Doucet Donna Huber Ron Huefner Joanne Joyce Arlene Kalisiak Joseph R. Lentino Jean Lidzbienski Rena Lizzadro John Lytle Gordon Macpherson Nick Martino Karen Mulcrone Johnny Mulligan Janine Nywood Dan Onischuk Tammi Patzelt Frank Pedota, Sr. Dave Peloza Lisa Peloza Kathy Reed Michael Scherer Donald Sloan Paul Sodayko Jacob Vincent Bridget Walsh John Williams Loving God, give strength to all who struggle with illness. Grant them courage when they are afraid and comfort when they are in pain. Because of government regulations, hospitals and nursing homes are no longer allowed to notify us if you are admitted to either facility. If you or a family member would like to be visited in the hospital or nursing home, please call the rectory at 865-8071. If you or a family member are sick or homebound and would like to be added to our prayer list, visited, receive Holy Communion or be anointed, please call the rectory at 865-8071. MAY THEY REST IN PEACE Arlene Greco NEXT WEEKEND S MINISTERS CELEBRANT COMMUNION MINISTERS LECTORS SERVERS SAT. 5:00 Fr. Mike B. Chiostri J. Lemkau A. Ortiz S. Kill L. McCarthy E. Caday SUN. 7:30 Fr. Tom D. Smith C. Saflover G. Grimes S. Smith R. Smola J. Hennings SUN. 9:30 Fr. Joyce P. Farmer B. McManus M. Swan M. Giannelli S. Johnston M. Swan SUN. 11:30 Fr. Jim L. Brown Teens J. Calabrese R. Brown S. Urban

SUNDAY, JUNE 17 Father s Day CH 9:30 am Fr. Mike s good-bye mass and hospitality SUNDAY, JUNE 24 CH 4:00 Sara Groppe recital SUNDAY, JULY 1 CH 12:45 pm Baptismal Prep FRIDAY, JULY 6 CH 7:30 pm Holy Hour TUESDAY, JULY 17 PR 7:00 pm Finance Mtg. TUESDAY, JULY 31 PR 6:00 pm School Board FRIDAY, AUGUST 3 CH 7:30 pm Holy Hour SUNDAY, AUGUST 5 CH 12:45 pm Baptismal Prep PLEASE USE GiveCentral.org FOR ALL YOUR DONATIONS Divine Infant Jesus Parish depends on your generosity in order to carry out its ministry of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and teaching and healing in his name. We do not charge for anything. We rely solely on your Sunday and Holy Day donations. To make it easier for you to give your gifts to Divine Infant, we work with GiveCentral.org. When you sign up with GiveCentral.org, you can make all your Sunday, Holy Day, second collection, and every other donation that you make to the parish. Then you never have to use a parish envelope or put anything in the collection basket ever again! Please visit GiveCentral.org to create your personal and secure donations account. Thank you for your generosity! READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 1 Kgs 21:1-16; Ps 5:2-3ab, 4b-7; Mt 5:38-42 Tuesday: 1 Kgs 21:17-29; Ps 51:3-6ab, 11, 16; Mt 5:43-48 Wednesday: 2 Kgs 2:1, 6-14; Ps 31:20, 21, 24; Mt 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday: Sir 48:1-14; Ps 97:1-7; Mt 6:7-15 Friday: 2 Kgs 11:1-4, 9-18, 20; Ps 132:11-14, 17-18; Mt 6:19-23 Saturday: 2 Chr 24:17-25; Ps 89:4-5, 29-34; Mt 6:24-34 Sunday: Vigil: Jer 1:4-10; Ps 71:1-6ab, 15ab, 17; 1 Pt 1:8-12; Lk 1:5-17 Day: Is 49:1-6; Ps 139:1-3, 13-15; Acts 13:22-26; Lk 1:57-66, 80 PROTECTING CHILDREN At Divine Infant Jesus Parish and School, the protection of our children is of utmost importance, and we comply fully with the policies of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. To learn more, go to our website dnn.archchicago.org/divine infant and click on the tab Protecting Children at D.I. or visit archchicago.org and click on the button Protecting Children. If you do not have internet access and would like to learn more, please contact the rectory or call the Office for Protection of Children and Youth at 312 534-5254. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE ALL PARISH MAILINGS ELECTRONICALLY If you would like to receive parish mailings Christmas and Easter letters, statement of annual contributions, and yearly report by email, please send an email to the parish at d.infant@comcast.net. In the subject line write Parish Email, and then in the body of the email write your name, street address and envelope number if you know it. This will help save the parish money in printing and postage. Thank you! SUNDAY OFFERING June 10, 2018 - This week s collection $9.212 When you are away for a weekend, we hope you will remember your offering to Divine Infant. Thank you. WELCOME... We are happy you have chosen to be with us. We hope your experience is warm and welcoming whether you are here to celebrate the Eucharist or spend time in quiet prayer. If you wish to learn more about Divine Infant and/or become a new member of our parish please call the rectory (708) 865-8071. Welcome to Divine Infant. We look forward to seeing you again!

DIVINE INFANT PARISH NEWCASTLE AND CANTERBURY AVENUES WESTCHESTER, ILLINOIS 60154 Like us on Facebook REV. MICHAEL AHLSTROM, Administrator (ext. 203) REV. GERALD JOYCE, Pastor Emeritus (ext. 206) REV. THOMAS WINIKATES, Associate (ext. 204) REV. JAMES BEATH, Associate (ext. 208) DEACON JAMES SPONDER (ext. 306) MR. LEONARD GRAMAROSSA, School Principal SR. SUSAN MAJCEN, O.P., Director of Religious Education Website: divineinfant.archchicago.org Rectory: 1601 Newcastle Avenue, 708 865-8071 Fax number: 708-865-8032 E-mail: d.infant@comcast.net School: 1640 Newcastle Avenue, 865-0122 & 865-0233 E-mail: divineinfant@comcast.net Office of Religious Education: 865-8086 Music Director: Mrs. Janet Reif, (ext. 302) Assc. Mus. Dir: Mrs. Judy Schindler, 383-4288 or (ext 302) Business Manager: Mr. Jerry Priore, (ext. 209) Rectory Secretary: Mrs. Toni Podock, (ext. 201) SUNDAY MASSES: 7:30, 9:30 & 11.30 SATURDAY EVENING: 5:00 pm WEEKDAY MASSES: 8:00 am SATURDAY MORNING: 8:00 am HOLY DAY MASSES: 6:30, 8:00, and 7:00 pm SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: (Confession) Saturday: In the Reconciliation Room 4:00 to 4:45 pm or by appointment. BAPTISMS: Baptisms are celebrated on the 2nd & 3rd Sundays of the month at 12:45 pm. By Archdiocesan regulation and parish policy, parents are required to attend a Baptismal Preparation session before the Baptism of their child. These sessions will usually be held on the first Sunday afternoon of the month. Call the secretary at the rectory (865-8071) to register for the session and schedule the Baptism. D.I.V.M. SERVICES: Communion to the sick, food shopping, necessary transportation, emergency meals, transportation to Mass. Resource information also available. If you need help from any of these services, please let us know as much in advance as possible so the chairpersons can make arrangements and the volunteers arrange their schedules. If you are able to volunteer to help provide these services to our parishioners, we can always use more help. Please call the rectory at 865-8071. WEDDINGS: Couples should contact the rectory and speak to a priest shortly after the engagement, but no less than four months before the desired wedding day. No date should be set (especially in reserving a hall) for your wedding until you have spoken to a priest. In this way, you will not be disappointed if the church has been previously reserved for another ceremony. Please keep in mind the times that are available for weddings at Divine Infant: SATURDAYS 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm WEEKDAYS Any reasonable hour

CHURCH NAME & NUMBER Divine Infant #9216 ADDRESS 1601 Newcastle, Westchester, Il. 60154 PHONE 708-865-8071 E-mail: d.infant@comcast.net CONTACT PERSON SOFTWARE Microsoft Publisher 2003 Windows XP Professional Adobe Acrobat 6.0 PRINTER HP Laserjet 5P NUMBER OF PAGES SENT Cover through 10 SUNDAY DATE OF BULLETIN June 17, 2018 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS