Bulletin February 19, 2012
My Friends

There is so much to thank you for. Our participation in the Annual Catholic Appeal has showed that we truly care about the Archdiocese of Chicago. We have responded generously to our Archbishop’s call to imitate Christ. Thank you for sustaining the Catholic Church beyond our parish. For those who have not had an opportunity to support this great endeavor, I ask you to take a pledge envelope which can be found in the lobby of the Church. It is essential that all of us participate in the Annual Catholic Appeal.  Read more...
Bulletin February 12, 2012
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I write to you concerning a most serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith.

The U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services announced on Jan. 20 that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as part of their policies.
 Read more...
Bulletin February 5, 2012
My Friends,

I am writing to ask you to generously support the Annual Catholic Appeal. Each winter, Cardinal George writes to former contributors and new parish members asking for financial support for this fund that maintains ministries, programs and services benefiting all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Chicago and throughout the world.
 Read more...
Bulletin - Jan 29, 2012
Last Wednesday, we celebrated the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, the
apostle. When I was reflecting that day, I realized that many people are
always looking for perfect solutions, perfect decisions, and a perfect world.
They know it all. They do everything right. They seemingly live a blameless
life.
One can only imagine what it might have been like to meet Saint Paul personally.
When someone has the title of Saint in front of their name, we
might think of them as always doing the right thing, as well as being a faithful
follower of Christ. Perhaps we would imagine that they always had a
pleasant personality and were tolerant of everybody’s shortcomings  Read more...
Bulletin - Jan. 21, 2012
It is easy to get the wrong idea about God. We often project on God an image
that we learned not from God, but from our own insecurities. We know
God doesn’t like sin; we know we are sinners – and so we live in fear. We
can think that he is ready to smite us.
This comes from our rebellion. We rejected God and became enslaved to
sin. That is why, in baptism, we have to make three promises to reject Satan,
his empty words and works. In baptism, we are leaving his family and
joining God’s. The Old and New Testaments are the story of God’s efforts to
teach us that he is love, not anger, as Satan told us, and how we are to love
in our new family.
God does this today by speaking directly to us. In the first letter of John it is
written: “If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses
him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let
us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.”  Read more...
Bulletin - Jan 15, 2012
Last month we distributed the Catholic Art Calendars 2012 “Rejoice in My Love.” Each month of the New Year, we will be enjoying fine art, great paintings, and we might learn about the artists, as well. The month of January focuses on Spanish Baroque painter, Bartolome Estaban Murrillo. Born in 1617 in Seville, he was the youngest son in a family of fourteen. He died in 1682. His featured painting in the calendar is "The Return of the Prodigal Son." As you look at it you can sense the tenderness and compas-sion of the Father. What is also profound is the prayer below the painting:
"Forgive me Father, wash my soul clean, My insensitivities to others, forgive, My prejudices and fear, forgive, My narrowness of vision, resentments, and pettiness, forgive, Draw me into fuller life and deeper love."  Read more...
Bulletin - Jan. 8, 2012
I am very delighted to welcome Jackie Del Re as a new member of our parish staff. As of January 5, 2012, she is the Coordinator of High School and Young Adults Faith Formation. Gifted with many talents and pastoral experience, she will be a great asset to our Church family. She is no stranger to us. She comes from the very dedicated and devoted family of Arky Mastrangelo we are so blessed with. She has been involved in Religious Education and many other ministries. We also know her from her angelic voice when she cantors during the Mass. In addition, she has extensive vocal singing skills from famous Broadway musicals. As she is introduced this weekend to our congregation, let us give her a round of applause and congratulate her. We are a welcoming community. Let us extend kindness and appreciation to her.  Read more...
Bulletin - Jan 1, 2012
My Friends,

In the joy of the Christmas season, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. The Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord was a powerful spiritual experience. This year it went on a grand scale. Under the creative leadership of our music director, Michele Nanto, we had a great combination of choirs, musicians, cantors. Through each Mass I felt closer to the presence of the newborn King, the Infant Jesus. I am very grateful to Michele and all of you. By the way, I still hear the tune of Brother Sun and Sister Moon.  Read more...