Dear friends:

+ Welcome Bishop Garcia!

Our parish rejoices in welcoming you as you lead us today in prayer. Thank you for finding the time to visit us!

As a preparation to this visit, the questions you sent were shared for reflection and discussion.
 

1. As Catholics, what is the source of our hope? Can our parishioners articulate the “reasons for their hope”? If not, how can we help them to more consciously grasp this essential belief?
2. Do our parishioners know what is expected of them in our parish communities? Do they know what they are expected to give? What they are expected to receive? How can we better form, catechize, and orientate our parishioners?
3. How can parishes support the development of lay ecclesial ministers in this vicariate? What steps can be taken to educate the faithful to the significance of lay ecclesial ministry? What are the next steps to bring our parishes into greater collaborative mode?

+ St. Therese School children welcome Bishop Garcia:

The parish wishes to thank the school children, who came today to meet Bishop Garcia, and to learn more about the relationship between our Faith-community and the Archdiocese of Chicago. Good luck, kids, on your homework!

+ Lent

Our bulletin is rich with readings that can help us deepen our knowledge about our Catholic religion. It would be wonderful if, during this Lenten Season, one should find some time and do some “spiritual reading” to be enriched by the ancient “Fathers of the Church”.  

+ A radical threat to Human Life: F.O.C.A.

We are facing the most serious Threat to pro-life ever: the “Freedom of Choice Act”, or FOCA. This bill would create a right to abortion the government could not limit and bring about a national abortion policy far worse than the US Supreme Court: Roe v. Wade decision.

Quite simply put, the enactment of HB 2354 would:

(1) disallow any regulation of abortion procedures or emergency contraceptives in Illinois,

(2) potentially require public funding of these same abortion procedures and emergency contraceptive services,

(3) enact broad immunity protections for those involved in abortion procedures,

(4) mandate “comprehensive” sex education for every public school student in the state, and

(5) drive anyone holding religious or conscience objections to any abortion-related procedure or emergency contraceptive from the Illinois’ health care community by codifying religious discrimination!

Our voices as Christians are needed more than ever!

Please, urge your federal elected officials to oppose FOCA or any similar measure, and to retain laws against the federal funding and promotion of abortion.

NB:
Cards are available at the church entrance.
If you need help finding your representative, visit: http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx?NavLink=1

+ Ministry of Eucharistic Extraordinary Ministers:

The training for those who signed up their names will be held on Sun. March 15th and Sun. March 29th at Church 2:00 PM-3:30PM.

Both sessions are required for certification. For more information contact: Mrs. Carol Patterson

+ “Parish Council Meeting”

It was held on Wed. March 4th in the church basement. Sr. Mary Paul, Superintendent of Catholic Schools and Patricia Welegala were in attendance and explained to participants the “Role and Function of the Board of Specific Jurisdiction” that we are going to adopt for our “St. Therese School” as from July 1, 2009. The minutes will be made available ASAP.

It was very encouraging to see so many participants and to witness their dedication. It was a very successful meeting and a historical beginning of a new era for our school. THANK YOU!

+ “Fish Fry” and “Stations of the Cross”

Fri. March 6th at 6:00 P.M. We had the first “Fish-Fry” and “Stations of the Cross” for this season of Lent. The attendance was very encouraging.

We need:

1. Volunteers to clean, chop, cook, serve, and clean-up on Friday morning.  See the sign-up sheet in the Church basement.
2. Would you consider donating some food (seafood, noodles, pasta, olive-oil, peeled or crushed tomatoes, etc.)? You can deliver it to the rectory during the week.
3. The symbolic “suggested donation” of $7.00 (adults) and $4.00 (kids) barely covers the expenses for the purchase of the raw material. As usual, it is collected as you get your plates. 

+ Monies:

Last Sunday Collection                                                                            $1,475.00
Cardinal Annual Appeal                                                                           $524.00
Hospitality                                                                                                $37.00
Donation towards the “Fish Fry” by Joseph Zito Family                           $50.00       

I wish you all a joyful “Lenten Season”
Fr. Michael