Dear friends,

We read in John’s Gospel: “When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”
Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” ”And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” John 19:26-27

In this passage Jesus, dying on the Cross, tells “the disciple” to behold his Mother Mary. It seems that Jesus is referring to John, but the actual words are “the disciple.”
In that instant, Mary becomes Mother of all disciples of Jesus, including those in our own time who follow Jesus.
On this “Mother’s Day” celebration we want to honor our “blessed Mother” not with a bouquet of roses, but with the prayer she seems to like most: the “Hail Mary” (or Ave Maria).
The Scriptural basis for the Hail Mary is from the Gospel of Luke [1:26-42] where she is greeted, with these very words, by the Archangel Gabriel.
Her intercessory role in the second part of the prayer is based on her mediation at the wedding feast of Cana, recorded in the Gospel of John [2:1-12].

Mary is our model of Love and Mercy, who intercedes with her Son, Jesus, for us, her children on earth.

Mary serves as the perfect example of motherhood for our modern world.

Mary is our beloved mother and we are blessed, proud and happy to have her!

“HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY” Mother Mary! 

+ "How to Use Your Guitar in Liturgy".

As announced at Mass last Sunday, Lily May and Joe are organizing a special group in our Parish. A guitar “jamming session” with Steve Marion will be held in the church basement on Fri. May 15th from 7:00P.M.- 9:00P.M.  

+ Scholarship Award: 2009

Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, St. Therese parish is able to offer “College Scholarships”.

Application-forms are available at the church entrance. Application deadline: May 24th, 2009.
Please, note that applications, complete with required documents, must be post-marked or hand-delivered by this date to St. Therese Church. They should be sent to the attention of: “The Scholarship Committee”

+ Pope supports Mexicans in Flu Fight
On May 3rd the Pope gave to Mexicans. pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square, a special greeting in Spanish The nation has been at the center of the H1N1 flu epidemic; reports today confirmed that 19 have died there of the new flu strain.
"I wish to express my closeness and assure my prayers for the victims of the influenza that is affecting Mexico and other countries," he said. "Dear Mexican brothers and sisters, stay firm in the Lord. He will help you to overcome this difficulty."
Pope Benedict XVI is following with concern and sadness all that was occurring in the country.
The Pontiff supports the decision made by some bishops to cancel Sunday Masses and relieve the faithful of their Sunday obligation.
The prelates' decision was made in the context of a nationwide shutdown, including the cancellation of classes and the closing of restaurants, in an attempt to keep the epidemic from spreading.

+ Catholic Charities 2009 Appeal:

In these difficult times Catholic Charities has 156 service sites in Cook and Lake Counties where the poor and vulnerable can rebuild their lives.
Calls for help are increasing every month.
Please, give generously to the Catholic Charities Mother’s Day appeal at the time of the second collection.

+ Monies:

Last Sunday                                                               $1,556.80
SMI                                                                             $   694.00