FORGIVENESS Forgiveness work is one of the most important tasks of our spiritual journey. For most of us the older we get to be, the more important this task becomes. Many people have told me they do not know how they can ever forgive the injustice that was done to them. The hurt and memory is too much. I believe forgiveness is a process. I would like to share five stages of forgiveness. 1. Face your pain. We cannot believe what has occurred. It is a stage of denial. It is like a runner who sprains an ankle and keeps on running. At first they do not feel the pain. Sooner or later it catches up. We need to admit what happened to us. 2. Anger. When someone wrongs us it is only natural to feel hurt. Unless the hurt is quickly healed, it develops into anger. We need to get the anger out. It is like having an upset stomach. Throwing up is part of the cure. How do we do that? Write a letter to the one who offended you. Tell them exactly what they did and how it caused pain in you. Do not send the letter. Later you can tear it up. This is about your need to get out the anger, not about them. Alternatively picture them sitting in an empty chair and tell them off out loud. You will feel better. 3. Conditional forgiveness. This is when you say that you could forgive them is they apologize, or you can make them feel what you feel. You may forgive, but you will never forget! Maybe you can even pray for them. This is progress. Congratulation, but you are not there yet. 4. The Pity Party. Feel sorry for yourself. There is no going back to the way things were. Another word for this is depression: anger turned it on itself. You may stay stuck here and need some help moving on. 5. Total forgiveness. You accept the other as they are. This is when you get sick and tired of being sick and tired. You let go of all the hurt and pain. You do not want to be angry or depressed any longer. You let go and let God. You totally forgive. Try clenching your fists really tight. How long can you keep your fist tightly clenched? After a while you open your hands and it feels so good. You are know forgiving the way God forgives. Some of you may recognize this as an adaption of Dr. Kubler-Ross s five stages of death and dying. When you advance to the acceptance stage, the hurt and anger dies. There is the new life of forgiveness. Congratulations! You may need some spiritual direction to help you through these stages. And please remember forgiveness does not mean reconciliation. This is another topic for another week. For people who have been physically or sexual abused, I would never even suggest reconciliation. But forgiveness is necessary for your own peace of mind. This does not mean you may not remember. And it need not include reconciliation. But it does mean accepting and forgiving. Fr. Mike Ahlstrom A Prayer for Forgiveness Lord, so often I pray forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us So easy to say, Lord, but so difficult to do! Please help me to forgive. Let me begin by forgiving myself. Help me work through the stages of forgiveness, so I can come to the peace you want for me. Bless whoever is the object of my anger and pain. Grant me the grace of forgiveness in the name of Jesus. Amen.
OUR NEW ASSOCIATE PASTOR: FR. JIM BEATH Our new associate pastor Fr. James D. Beath comes to us from fresh from a six month sabbatical after his assignment to St. Albert the Great Parish in Burbank, IL. He grew up in St. Benedict Parish on the north side of Chicago and attended St. Benedict Grammar School. He then entered the seminary in 1967. Fr. Jim went to Quigley North, Niles College of Loyola University, and St. Mary of the Lake Seminary. He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Loyola University and master of divinity from the University of St. Mary of the Lake. He was ordained a priest on May 9, 1979. His assignments have ranged from the north to the south and from the east and to the west of the archdiocese over a period of 39 years. PLEASE MAKE YOUR GIFT TO THE 2018 ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL Come, Follow Me Many families in our parish will be receiving the Annual Catholic Appeal request mailing from Cardinal Cupich. On behalf of those served by the ministries and services funded by the ACA, we thank you for your gifts. Please return your response as soon as possible. The ACA offers a wonderful opportunity to answer Jesus call to Come, Follow Me. In addition to providing for ministries and services throughout the Archdiocese, the Appeal also funds services that are of great help to ministries here in our Parish. As we contemplate God s many gifts to us, we should also reflect on our gratitude for these gifts. Your financial support for the work of our Parish, our Archdiocese, and the Church throughout the world is, in fact, one way to express this gratitude. Please give generously to the 2018 Annual Catholic Appeal. When our parish reaches its goal in paid pledges, 100% of the additional funds received will be returned to us for use in our Parish. HOLY HOUR THIS FRIDAY AT 7:30PM Our Holy Hour for January will be held this Friday, January 19, at 7:30pm. We will use this time to pray for the mothers, fathers, and families that have been the victims of the abortion industry since abortion was legalized on January 22, 1973. We will pray for the conversion of those involved in the abortion industry. We will also pray that abortion will be abolished in our country and the world. Please join us in prayer. THE RECTORY OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED THIS MONDAY, JANUARY 15TH, IN OBSERVANCE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SUPPORT THE COLLECTION FOR THE CHURCH IN LATIN AMERICA This weekend is the Collection for the Church in Latin America. Many people in Latin America and Caribbean do not have access to church programs and ministries because of rural terrain and a lack of ministers. Your generosity makes it possible for them to share in the life of the Church and grow closer to Christ. Please be generous to the second collection! To learn more about the collection, please visit www.usccb.org/latin-america.
DI PARISH 70TH ANNIVERSARY PHOTO ALBUM Our album will have four tabs: Our Pastoral Staff Our People Our Primary Lay Leadership Our Educators We will be opening up the following additional photo dates: Monday Jan 22 Saturday Jan 27 ALL ARE WELCOME! If you are a current or former parishioner, current or former student of Divine Infant, current or former student of our Religious Education program, or if you have raised your children Catholicwe invite you to have your picture taken for our 70 th Anniversary Picture Album. Photo shoots will take place during the first week of December. If you know someone who doesn t always make it Mass, invite them. What a great excuse to invite out-of-town family members! Sign up for your time at the back of church today, on-line or at the rectory. When signing up, please include your name, the number being photographed, your phone # and your e-mail address. Photographs will be held in the north end of Langan Hall. Please use the Hull school parking lot and enter via the northwest door (#10) of Langan Hall. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time. You can still sign up by calling the rectory or on-line: How to sign up on-line for our 70th Anniversary Photo Album Go to website: https://booknow-lifetouch.appointment-plus.com/ y7zg8zme/ Select number in group Select Day (January 22 or 27 th ) you want. Book time you want. First time through: Select new user Enter First Name Last Name Phone WHY SIGN UP FOR THE 70 th ANNIVERSARY PHOTO ALBUM To get a free, professional 8x10 photo To get a free parish album with faces identified by names. To potentially get a free parish album every year. To potentially get a free Neighborhood album (including DP, St. Barbara s and St. Louise) every year. To make money for the parish. Though no one is obligated to buy anything, some families will want to buy pictures. Out of the photographer s gross revenue, 5% is coming back to DI. Understand that none of your contact information will be included in the album. RESOURCE CENTER Parishioner looking for someone to shovel snow this winter. Please call Richard 708-415-9940. Caretaker needed, 5 days per week (Mon-Fri), 3 hours per day from 3:30-6:30 pm. Cooking and kitchen cleaning required. $12.00 per hour. Please call 708-526-1693. HOSPITALITY SUNDAY Next Sunday, January 21st after the 9:30am mass. All bakers welcome and appreciated.
YORKTOWN CENTER SCHOOL BUCKS PROGRAM Welcome back to school!! Cold, dreary day? Nothing to do? Need to spend some Christmas cash and gift cards??? Come on out to Yorktown Center where you will find something for everyone and help our school out in the process. How it Works.. After shopping and dining, family and friends of our school can show their Yorktown Center receipts at the Guest Services desk to accumulate points. Shoppers will specify which participating school (Divine Infant Jesus in Westchester) to allocate points to. For every dollar spent at Yorktown Center, that school will receive one point. At the end of the school year, the top 5 school with the most points will receive prizes that range from $1,000 to $10,000!!! Our program is active now and shoppers many begin submitting receipts immediately. In addition, we will also have the chance to earn bonus points at certain retailers each month: January 13-15th Double points.all STORES & RESTAURANTS!!! January 21-27th.Shop at Amazing Lash Studio for TRIPLE POINTS!! ALSO.Don t forget to show your AMC ticket receipts from AMC Yorktown for 75 points per ticket. Let s work together to make Divine Infant Jesus School a big winner this year!!!! MESSAGE FROM MINISTRY OF CONSOLATION Because of a change of circumstances at the workplace and on the home front, I will no longer be able to coordinate the Ministry of Consolation. I will be stepping down as Coordinator, effective January 28. If anyone would like to work in this volunteer ministry, please contact me at (708) 865-8071, ext. 304 or Toni Podock, ext. 201, during the month of January. If you have a loving heart and concern for those who have lost a loved one, bereavement ministry can offer many rewards in return for the kindness and prayer you will offer Divine Infant parishioners. I will be willing to help get you started and have all materials you would need, organized at the rectory. Toni, our rectory secretary, will also help you. Please consider helping the bereaved of our parish. I am grateful I have been able to make the loss of a loved one less painful for grieving family and friends. It has truly been a labor of love for me to work in the Ministry of Consolation. Many blessings to you all and I will keep you in my prayers. Dr. Claudia Maria Dado, M.A.L. Coordinator, Ministry of Consolation WESTCHESTER BLOOD PROGRAM On January 20, the Westchester Blood Program will kick off its 44 th year of saving lives by collecting blood donations. On that Saturday, the blood drive will open at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. in the MacInerney Center of Divine Providence School. Last year, the WBP collected 428 units of blood -- including red cells and plasma -- for distribution to hospitals throughout the Chicago area. That is more than enough to serve the needs of 750 patients. Since its birth in 1974, the program has taken in 25,826 units. It remains the most productive community blood group in northern Illinois. Last year, it was recognized by three respected organizations: the Westchester Village Board of Trustees, the Illinois State Senate and the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers. In reality, those honors belong to its many dedicated and generous donors and the dozens of volunteers who make up the back bone of the organization. The procedure of donating blood takes only about 30 minutes and, afterward, it leaves the donor with a emotional burst of satisfaction that he/she just saved someone s life.
LITURGY FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY, January 13 5:00 pm Concetta Perno; David Kaiser SUNDAY, January 14 7:30 Thomas Smith; Rick Yurkovich 9:30 Jeannette Simek; Carmella Troczynski; John Zaura; Barbara Biller; Fr. Fred Tomzik 11:30 Roger Pona; Dolores DeFazio; Thanksgiving prayer for a gift received and St. Anthony; People of the Parish MONDAY, January 15 8:00 Stephen Siwek; Epitaccio Baltazar TUESDAY, January 16 8:00 Eeeles Family; Josephine Scittine; Richard & Richie Andrysiak WEDNESDAY, January 17 8:00 Walter & Mary Wanick; Patrick & Michael Morrissey THURSDAY, January 18 8:00 John Langevin FRIDAY, January 19 8:00 LaVon Flannery SATURDAY, January 20 8:00 John McLeod 5:00 pm Pearl Volka & C. Earl Blankenship; Al & Lucille Fogg SUNDAY, January 21 7:30 Thomas Smith 9:30 Fr. Fred Tomzik 11:30 Jane Ulsafer-VanLanen; Jose Jimenez; People of the Parish PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH Charles Anderson Dorothy Asher Ed Backer Jerry Benesh Arlene Buszkiewicz Carl Celestino, Sr. Margaret Cullen Donald Doucet Joseph Gurzejk Marie Gurzejk Ron Huefner Arlene Kalisiak Jean Lidzbienski Rena Lizzadro John Lytle Gordon Macpherson Johnny Mulligan Janine Nywood Frank Pedota, Sr. Dave Peloza Lisa Peloza Kathy Reed Thomas Sloan Paul Sodayko Edward Valle 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. WEEKDAY SERVERS MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY 8:00 Bridget Boyle THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY 8:00 Rachel Shuflit NEXT WEEKEND S MINISTERS CELEBRANT COMMUNION MINISTERS LECTORS SERVERS SAT. 5:00 Fr. Tom J. Maczak L. McCarthy B. Boyle S. Maczak A. Garbacz J. Stiso SUN. 7:30 Fr. Tom M. Vent W. Rogalski A. Groppe M. Yurkovich A. Natanek P. Lopez SUN. 9:30 Fr. Joyce M. Giannelli J. Williams E. Caday S. Johnston N. Brejcha S. Houston SUN. 11:30 Fr. Jim V. Husak Teens P. Cullum J. Shimizu A. Israel
MONDAY, JANUARY 15 NO RE Classes TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 CH 3:00 pm Chimes WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17 CH 3:00 pm Altar Server Practice THURSDAY, JANUARY 18 LH 7:00 pm Dispa FRIDAY, JANUARY 19 CH 7:30 pm Holy Hour SUNDAY, JANUARY 21 CH Hospitality after 9:30 am Mass MONDAY, JANUARY 22 RE Classes LH 2:00 pm Photo Album Pictures CH 3:00 pm Altar Server Practice TUESDAY, JANUARY 23 CH 3:00 pm Chimes WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24 CH 3:00 pm Altar Server Practice THURSDAY, JANUARY 25 PR 7:00 pm St. Vincent de Paul Meeting 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! SUNDAY OFFERING January 7, 2018 - This week s collection $8,666 When you are away for a weekend, we hope you will remember your offering to Divine Infant. Thank you. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 1 Sm 15:16-23; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mk 2:18-22 Tuesday: 1 Sm 16:1-13; Ps 89:20-22, 27-28; Mk 2:23-28 Wednesday: 1 Sm 17:32-33, 37, 40-51; Ps 144:1b, 2, 9-10; Mk 3:1-6 Thursday: 1 Sm 18:6-9; 19:1-7; Ps 56:2-3, 9-13; Mk 3:7-12 Friday: 1 Sm 24:3-21; Ps 57:2-4, 6, 11; Mk 3:13-19 Saturday: 2 Sm 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27; Ps 80:2-3, 5-7; Mk 3:20-21 Sunday: Jon 3:1-5, 10; Ps 25:4-9; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20 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! 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 take an envelope in the back of the Church. The envelope contains information about our parish. If you have any questions, call (708) 865-8071. Welcome to Divine Infant. We look forward to seeing you again!
Multicultural Taste of St. Barbara Saturday, January 20, 2018 from 6-9pm St. Barbara Parish Center 4015 Prairie Ave., Brookfield, IL Food and drink tickets available at the door Sample food from around the world prepared by our Parishioners and help raise funds for St. Barbara at this family friendly event. Bring the family for food, drink, raffles & fun! COPING WITH GRIEF A General Grief Group for Adults Meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month (beginning January 15, 2018) 6:30 8:00 pm, 1/2 hour presentation, 1 hour sharing time. Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Main Campus at York and Roosevelt Roads East Entrance Lower Level the Maple Conference Room. Facilitated by: Chaplain Don Dahlheimer, M.Div., LCSW, LMFT Manager of Spiritual Care Open to any adult who has experience the death of someone they have loved. No cost. Those interested in the group may enter the group at anytime. For more information call 331-221-0451. 1/15/18: Introduction to Group What s a grief support group about anyway? 2/5/18: A Look at the Literature What are they saying about grief? 2/19/18: When Grief Gets Complicated When do I need to be concerned? 3/5/18: When the Feelings are Intense How do you spell relief? 3/19/18: Grieving Styles Why does everyone grieve differently? 4/2/18: Understanding the Six Needs of Mourning Doing what needs to be done. 4/16/18: Grief and Spirituality My God, why have you forsaken me? 5/7/18: Finding Closure Without Forgetting How do I say goodbye? 5/21/18: How to Survive Holiday Times The big ones and the everyday ones 6/4/18: Making the Best of Bad Time How to ride the grief wave 6/18/18: Support Groups & Memorializing Remembering those we love Area Support Groups WEHAKEE CAMP FOR GIRLS WeHaKee Camp for Girls - the only Catholic Girls camp in the nation - invites interested families to our OPEN HOUSES SATURDAY, JANUARY 20TH/Riverside Scout Cabin, Riverside 1-3pm & SUNDAY, JANUARY 21ST/Sheraton Northbrook 12-2pm. Camp WeHaKee - a ministry of the Sinsinawa Dominicans since 1923 - is a camp community immersed in faith, tradition and values. Located in the beautiful lake country of northwest Wisconsin, it offers an exploratory experience in a safe, fun and supportive atmosphere. Swimming, boating, horseback riding, gymnastics, pottery, water skiing - nearly 40 activities help girls become strong, independent young women. Contact directors Maggie & Bob Braun at 1-800-582-2267 or Info@WeHaKeeCampforGirls.com for details. Or visit us virtually at www.wehakeecampforgirls.com. Oh we offer Family Camp & Mother/Daughter Camp, too!
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) 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 Bereavement Ministry: Dr. Claudia Dado, MAL (ext. 304) Catechumenate: Dr. Claudia Dado, MAL (ext. 304) 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 Elsie Masterson 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 January 14, 2018 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS