St. Louis de Montfort

GOD BLESS OUR FIRST COMMUNICANTS

Sixth Sunday of Easter May 21, 2017

LAYLA BEHAN NATALIE BONICK ANTHONY CRUZ GABRIEL FUDALA THOMAS FUENTES

KLAUDIA JURKOWSKI BENTLEY LASORELLA

ISAAC LOPEZ MIA NEDZA

AVA ONTIVEROS IZABEL ONTIVEROS KARINA PARCHETA AIDE RODRIGUEZ

EMILIA ROL ISABELLA SCHNELL OLIVER SLODYCZKA

DAVID SOWA BLAKE STEFANEK IZABELA SZPAK

ISABEL ULANOWSKI

Fr. Stan’s Utterances Page 2 May and October are the months dedicated to the Blessed Mother of God. In our Catholic traditions, October is dedicated to praying the rosary, and the month of May is dedicated to praying the Litany of Loreto to Mary. I encourage everyone to please pray this prayer everyday throughout the month of May. On the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Our Lord reminds us that loving Him means to observe the commandments. During these Sundays of the Easter Season, the Church takes us back to the Last Supper, giving us a chance to dig deeper into its meaning. Throughout Jesus’ Last Supper discourse, Jesus’ constant refrain is “If you love me, you will keep my commandment.” That commandment is to "love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34).” These are Jesus’ parting words to His closest disciples, the last

flow of love from His Sacred Heart before it is broken and pierced. They are special words. We need to hear them, to let them sink in. Jesus knows that these twelve men are normal, fallen human beings. They are weak and ignorant, stubborn, and headstrong. Yet, He also knows that they truly love Him. They want to be His disciples. They are just like us: flawed, but committed. He earnestly desires to teach them how to live out their commitment to Him, and so He gives them His new commandment, “Love one another, as I have loved you.”

That is the mark of a Christian, a true follower of Jesus Christ. It's not in pretty words, fancy rituals, and complicated prayers. It's in following the example of Christ, who gave His life for us on the cross. To give our lives, leaving behind our comfort zones in order to help our neighbors and build a better world, to be truthful, responsible, honest, pure, and faithful even when it feels like we're being crucified, that's how we follow Christ. This is the path to loving God and living life to the full. It was the path Jesus taught his Apostles, it's the path He teaches us, and it's the path He blazed before us by His passion, death, resurrection and ascension into Heaven. Here is a great example of St. Martin who teaches us what it means to truly follow Jesus and His commandments.

St Martin of Tours lived in the three hundreds (300’s) and became one of the key founders and pillars of Christian civilization. He started the first two monasteries in France, each of which thrived for 1200 years, until the Protestant Reformation destroyed them. He became a bishop and converted thousands of pagans through his preaching and a steady stream of amazing miracles. He put his own life in jeopardy again and again in order to defend the true faith, but his most famous action was his very first Christian deed.

As the son of a Roman military officer, he was forced to join the army when he was fifteen (15). Still a teenager, he was stationed in France, where he heard about the Christian faith. When he was about twenty (20), he reached a turning point. He was coming back into the city after a hard day's patrol. It was winter and bitter cold. As he approached the city gate he saw a starved, half-naked man shivering and begging. People were laughing at and insulting the poor man; no one gave him anything. Martin sensed that Christ wanted him to do something, but all he had was his magnificent military cloak and his armor. He stopped his huge warhorse and dismounted. He removed his heavy cloak and, taking his sword, cut it in half. He wrapped one half around the poor beggar and put the other half back on his own shoulders. Now the onlookers laughed at him. That night, in a dream, he saw our Lord wrapped in that same half cloak he had given away, and heard him say, "Martin, not yet baptized, has covered me with this garment." After that, he retired from the Emperor's army, joined Christ's army, and changed the course of history. St Martin had learned what being a Christian really means: loving one another as Christ has loved us. Now, we need to continue to spread the good news of salvation. What about the other five billion people on earth who do not know Jesus Christ personally, who are searching for someone they can trust, someone who can give them the promise of eternal life? What about our very own neighbors, coworkers, teammates, family members, and classmates? How many of them are keeping up appearances on the outside, but suffering loneliness, frustration, and maybe even hopelessness on the inside? That someone is us. We are Christ's messengers and witnesses. Just as we received the news from someone else, we are each called to pass it on to someone else. As St Peter put it in today's Second Reading: "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope."

Happy Easter again! It is still the Easter Season.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Jesus lives!

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SCHOOL NEWS !! Last weekend, the 2nd grade students received Holy Communion for the very first time. Fr. Stan talked about how important it was for the students to get in the habit of receiving Communion every week. The 4th and 5th grade students recently celebrated, "Poem in a Pocket Day". The students were asked to choose a favorite poem. The students then wore their poems on their shirts for the day. They shared their poems with their classmates and also explained why they picked that poem.

HELP OUR FOOD PANTRY!! PARISH PICNIC FOOD DRIVE! Our food pantry shelves are in need of restocking! Please consider donating some non-perishable food items. There is a large cart in the church vestibule where you can drop off your donations any time.

Items most in need include: Peanut butter ~ ~ Jelly ~ ~ Canned vegetables (all varieties) ~ ~ Tomato ~ Pasta Sauces Thank you to our school students for their generous food drive donations this past week!

Congratulations and Thank you Deacon Bill Sullivan for 40 Years! We are so happy to celebrate with Deacon Bill Sullivan, his fortieth anniversary as a Deacon on Sunday, May 21, 2017. We are all blessed by your laughter and kindness, Deacon Bill, and may God bless you and continue to work through your diaconate ministry. Here is a summary about Deacon Bill Sullivan: The most instrumental person in his life is his wife of fifty-one years, Mary Lou. He

always thought she was behind all of his life changing decisions. Now, as he looks back, he realizes she was in front of him as his guide. Mary Lou started her ministry two years before Bill as one of the first classes of Ministers of Care, here at St. Louis de Montfort. She was the first to bring Holy Communion to Concord Nursing Home and to the private homes of parishioners. She had a burning desire to serve the Lord and passed it on to Bill without him knowing it. Mary Lou was called to eternal life on April 12, 2016. Bill knows she now guides him in a different way, and he is still learning. Deacon Bill started diaconate training in 1975 where he was working in prison ministry at Cook County jail. After he was ordained into the diaconate in 1977, he started working with the terminally ill and their families. Deacon Bill experienced a lot of loss in his life and realized how little he knew. He started reading Dr. Elizabeth Kubler Ross’s books on death and dying and grew from the insights of her writing. For the next two years he brought patients to her seminars. In 1980, Deacon Bill started doing seminars in our parish and other area parishes. The following year, 1981, he did a seminar for Palos Hospital’s first hospice team. Around the year 1982, Deacon Bill and his wife, started Parish Community Services from Catholic Charities. Deacon Bill managed the Ministers of Care from 1982 until he began a new job. From 1997 through 2014 he taught Religious Education, was involved in hospital ministry and continued his work with the terminally ill. He is very happy to have be invited back to continue his ministry caring for our parishioners. Deacon bill is currently active with baptisms, hospital ministry, funeral and wake services, in addition to being a part of mass celebration. Speaking for the entire St. Louis de Montfort Parish family, thank you and congratulations. We all wish you a very happy and blessed 40th Diaconate Anniversary!

God Bless You, Deacon Bill!

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Jackie Adomovicz Jesse Anderer George Badke

Jim Ball Richard Bania

Erik Baranowski Irene Baranowski

Lillian Berenis Sr. Bernardine Mikey Bevan Joyce Bitinas

Jesselyn Brucki Michael Cafagna

Diane Chrapkiewicz Pat Chudy

Bill Cochran John Condon Sue Conley

Betty Connolly Donna Dong

Mary Dragozetic Rita Duchowicz Shirley Duran Jack Falsey

John Furmaniak Sr. Dave Gallagher Sandra Gilbert Lorraine Grams

Sam Harnish Dorothy Hayden

Janis Hayden Mary Hinchey

Jackie Hojnacki Theresa Iser Marilyn Jones

Mary Jane Kirchner Mary Kmak

Daniel Kosiek Bill Kutschke Kurt Kutschke Josie Maracic Agnes Mark Rita Mazur

Mary Ann & Bill Meskowski Rosemary Mihelic

Andy Mikal Barbara Minster Judy Mitchell Vencia Munis

Christopher Murphy Teresa Myczek Michael Nolan Debbie Ornat Bill Prusinski

Kelly Robertson Frances Schmidt Joan Schramm

Bridget Schroeder Ruth Ann Smith

Jim Staros Mercedita Suclan

Terry Swierk Walter Tarasevic Dorothy Tinman

Diane Uryasz Jerry Wantroba II

Mary Wantuck Angie Weiss

Cathy Jo Werner Kimberly Willett

Shelley Werner-Torsan Robert & Carol Zucas

REST IN PEACE We pray for our family and friends

that have recently died Michele Alexander

Please keep them and their families in your prayers

We pray for those among us who are suffering from illnesses

ST. JOHN PAUL II

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION ASSOCIATION ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Every Saturday

St. Louis de Montfort Chapel 9:00—10:00 AM Please join us

Knights of Columbus Council 14553

The 2018 Mass book is open if you would like to schedule a mass to remember a loved one, living or deceased. Mass intentions can also be for a private special intention. Please call (708.599.5300) or stop by the Parish Home during business hours (9:00—2:30, Monday through Friday) to schedule a mass or get more information.

Women’s Auxiliary News ! !

Monthly Meetings ~~ All are welcome!

2nd Thursday of each Month 7:00 PM Quinn Hall

May 27 5:00PM May 28 7:30 AM May 28 9:30 AM May 28 11:30 AM J. Miller H. Niemiec M. Murphy M. Farrell J. Werner M. Kocher M. Hurley D. Ott M. Leffers M. Uryasz D. Widmer C. Gotto

Extraordinary J. Kocher M. Gilbert D. Gajda J. Hurckes Ministers of Communion C. Beyer J. Sibick J. Cepek M. Gal

T. Wasik K. Delmagori D. Sichelski G. Pierzynski L. Trail B. Gilbert B. Zakes C. Karnoski

Commentator A. Leiske Cantor B. Zakes C. Gotto

Lector A. Sinde M. Gilbert D. Sichelski L. Noble

As our Easter Season comes to an end we will be transitioning the church décor to Ordinary Time. On Tuesday, June 6th, after morning mass, our decorating committee will be changing the altar decorations. We welcome all

volunteers to help with this project. If you have a couple of hours to share, please consider lending a hand. You can call the parish home and leave your name if you are available. (708.599.5300) Thank you in advance for your time and support of our parish.

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Weekly Activities at St. Louis

Saturday, May 20 6:00 PM - Reception to Celebrate Deacon Sullivan Sunday, May 21 Monday, May 22 9:00 AM— Rosary (CH) Tuesday, May 23 9:00 AM — Rosary (CH) 6:30—9:00 PM—Choir Practice (CH) 7:00 PM—Needle workers (QH) Wednesday, May 24 9:00 AM — Rosary (CH) 9:00 AM—10:00 AM—Parish Pantry Thursday, May 25 9:00 AM— Rosary (CH) 6:30 PM—9:00 PM—Choir Practice (CH) Friday, May 26 9:00 AM—Rosary 9:00 AM—10:00 AM—Parish Pantry Saturday, May 27 9:00 AM—10:00 AM— Adoration 11:30 AM— Sandwich Ministry (QH) Sunday, May 28 1:00— Baptism

Weekly Mass Intentions Saturday, May 20 8:30 AM Communion Service 5:00 PM— + Clem Hojnacki + Bill Donnelly + Kazimiera Dabrowska + Joyce Kurcab Sunday, May 21 Sixth Sunday of Easter 7:30 AM + Mike Mascolino 9:30 AM + Maximmian & Stefania Kocanda + Walter Skupien Diane Skupien 11:30 AM + Magdalene Bryja—9th Anniversary of death +Bronistawa Maryniarczyk + Barbara Galvin—For health Monday, May 22 8:30 AM + Clem Hojnacki Frank & Joan Miller—63rd Wedding Anniversary Tuesday, May 23 8:30 AM + Clem Hojnacki Wednesday, May 24 8:30 AM Communion Service Thursday, May 25 8:30 AM + Clem Hojnacki Friday, May 26 8:30 AM + Clem Hojnacki Saturday, May 27 8:30 AM Communion Service 5:00 PM— + Joyce Kurcab + Jozef Dabrowski + Genowefa Giedroic Sunday, May 28 Seventh Sunday of Easter 7:30 AM + Lynne Segvich + Mary Fenton + Marie Mauge 9:30 AM + Leopold & Anna Ciezczak + Wolter & Diane Skupien + Thelma LaSalvia 11:30 AM + Anna & Walter Krol + Magdalena Bryja + Jay Tarczon

WEEKLY OFFERING May 13/14 $5,950.00

Give Central $ 310.00

Your contributions can be made electronically on Give Central. Visit the website www.givecentral.org to enroll.

Sunday Readings for May 21

First reading: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 Second reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18 Gospel: John 14:15-21

Sunday Readings for May 28

First reading: Acts 1:1-11 Second reading: Ephesians 1:17-23 Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20

The Confirmation photos are available online. To view, go to www.highimpactimaging.com and click on "view your photos".

Click on "events", then on "St. Louis de Montfort Confirmation 2017". Enter your email address and enjoy the photos.

St. Louis de Montfort Religious Education School Year 2017-2018 Registration is Open

We are changing our Religious Education school day from Saturday to Sundays for the 2017-2018 School Year. Please find the

school calendar on our website. Class time is 8:00 am – 9:30 am, all students will then attend 9:30 Mass and sit together as a class. Students will be dismissed after mass. For more information, contact the RE office, 708.599.5781. ext. 18.

Tuition 1 child $225.00 2 children $275.00 3 or more $325.00

Thank you, Mrs. Cheryl Plesha RE Coordinator

Fr. Stanley Stuglik: Pastor Mr. Bill Sullivan: Deacon Fr. Mark Canavan: Pastor Emeritus Mrs. Cindy Cochran: Operations Director Ms. Jan Podolak: Parish Secretary Mrs. Karen Deegan: Director of Music Parish Home: 8808 Ridgeland Ave, Oak Lawn IL Phone: 708-599-5300 Fax: 708-599-2678 Email: parish.office@sldmparish.org Parish Website: www.sldmparish.org Parish Home Office Hours: 9:00 AM— 2:30 PM Monday—Friday Mrs. Melissa Wilson: School Principal Mrs. Cheryl Plesha: Religious Education Coordinator School Address: 8840 Ridgeland Ave, Oak Lawn IL School Phone: 708-599-5781 School Fax: 708-599-5782

MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 7:30 9:30 and 11:30 AM Weekdays 8:30 AM (Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri) 8:30 AM Communion Service (Wed) Saturday 8:30 AM Communion Service Confessions: Saturday 4:00 to 4:30 PM Baptisms: 2nd & 4th Sunday of every month Pre-Baptismal Program: The 1st Tuesday every other month. Arrangements can be made by calling the Rectory. Weddings: Couples should contact the parish priest at least six months in advance of wedding date.

Welcome to St. Louis de Montfort Parish

CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS St. Louis De Montfort Church #000448 8808 S. Ridgeland Avenue Oak Lawn, IL 60453 TELEPHONE 708 599-5300 CONTACT PERSON Jan Podolak EMAIL: parish.office@sldmparish.org SOFTWARE MSPublisher 2013 Adobe Acrobat XI Windows 8 TRANSMISSION TIME Wednesday 11:00 SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION May 21, 2017 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 8 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF CHANGED EMAIL ADDRESS.