The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 14, 2010

SAINT ISAAC JOGUES PARISH 8149 Golf Road ~ Niles, IL 60714 847/967-1060 ~ Fax # 847/967-1070 Website: http://sij-parish.com

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From the Pastor

THE LUNAR NEW YEAR:

“Hold That Tiger... Seek Harmony!”

Today is not only the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, it is Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras week and the Lunar New Year. Of course, they are all worth celebrating. But most of us know very little about the Lunar New Year. In China, Korea, and Vietnam, the New Year is a Spring Festival based on the waxing and waning of the moon. After December 21, the Winter Solstice, it is the second “New Moon” that determines when the celebration of the New Year begins. It always falls between January 20 and February 20. The Lunar New Year celebration has been influenced by the philosophy of Confucius, the mysticism of Lao Tzu, and many things far more “primal.” It is of great importance to many Asians. For them, New Year can be a threshold to new life and a personal “bridge” to span generations. It is a holy time to honor ancestors and revere age and experience. The New Year Festival renews and reinforces family ties. In that, it offers society a greater hope for harmony, solidarity and peace.

To the casual observer, the Lunar New Year combines colorful pageantry and folklore. The choreography of lions and dragons is liberally punctuated with the cacophony of firecrackers. To the more analytical, the festival seems almost obsessed with wealth. The Cantonese greeting. “Gong Hay Fat Choy!” means “Wishing you a prosperous New Year celebration!” Children, who honor their elders, receive red envelopes with “good luck money” and sweetmeats inside. Even

on the level of myth, Tsao Wang, the “Kitchen God,” receives a ritual “bribe.” His lips are rubbed with honey to sweeten his yearly report to heaven about the family that has honored him.

Despite lapses into susperstition, the Lunar New Year has a more serious side. There is feasting and merriment, but there is also a concern for justice and filial piety. Far from frivolous, the New Year demands that houses be spring cleaned, accounts settled, and businesses temporarily suspended before feasting can begin.

Chinese New Year Feast

Feasting is a tribute to family and an honor for guests. No expense is spared. Banquets are exquisite, often luxurious. Shark fin, bird' s nest soup, succulent pork, carp and seafood, longevity noodles, pyramids of mandarin oranges, rice cakes, and “eight treasure pudding” typify glorious Asian gastronomy!

Chinese Ancestral Altar The venerable custom of honoring ancestors is a prime focus of Lunar New Year. At the family ancestral “altar,” tablets with the names of deceased relatives are presented with incense, flowers, rice cakes, meat, fish and wine.

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Thus, there is a strong symbolic connection between the dead and the living-- the “sharing”of a meal.

Twelve Asian Zodiac Signs

Astrology too plays a significant role. There are twelve animals associated with the Asian Zodiac and the New Year. Each animal takes its turn, giving a year its special attributes or flaws. This year is The Year of the Tiger. What kind of year can we expect? Astrological commentator, Theodora Lau, offers some reason for concern. “This definitely is an explosive year. It usually begins with a bang and ends with a whimper. A year earmarked for war, disagreement and, disasters of all kinds. But it will also be a big, bold year. Nothing will be done on a small, timid scale. Everything, good and bad, will be

carried to extremes … Just one brief word of advice for this unpredictable year. “Hang on to your sense of humor and let things sizzle out” With due respect for Ms. Lau’s forecast, let me add, “Keep your sense of humor … and PRAY!” If there is such a thing as a “bad year,” The Year of the Tiger seems to qualify. However, there is a Christian approach even to a potentially bad year. It is reflected in a Catholic Lunar New Year Prayer from Hong Kong: At the beginning of this year, we assemble to show our great love for the Lord of Heaven. Recalling reverently the faith of God's Holy peop1e, may we learn to walk in the way of wisdom and compassion. Respectfully and diligently, we offer ourselves completely in all that we do. May our families be blessed with harmony that holds our circle of love together. May the same gift of harmony encourage us to enlarge our circle of love by inviting others in! - Fr. Luczak

*************************************************************** SPIRITUAL LIFE

ALTAR SERVERS DINNER AND MEETING Altar Servers will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday in the Holy Family Room for dinner and a meeting. A new weekend schedule will be handed out and the schedule for Holy Week and Easter Sunday. See you there! ASH WEDNESDAY Ash Wednesday is this week as we prepare to enter Lent, the springtime of the Church. Masses will be at 8 a.m. & 7 p.m. A Liturgy of the Word will be celebrated at Noon and 4 p.m. Ashes will be distributed during all four services. It is a day of fast and abstinence. Please see the Lent booklet for guidelines.

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THIS WEEK’S LENT SCHEDULE: February 17-21 Ash Wednesday – Masses at 8 a.m. & 7 p.m. Liturgies of the Word at Noon & 4 p.m. Thursday – Holy Hour & Benediction, 7 p.m.; Labyrinth Walk, 7-9 p.m. Friday – Labyrinth Walk, 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., HFR Divine Mercy Chaplet & Stations of the Cross, 3 & 7 p.m., Church Weekend. – First Sunday of Lent. Alms recipient is Esperanza International. Gorzkie Zale, “The Bitter Laments” Polish/English Service, 3 p.m., Church GORZKIE ZALE Gorzkie Zale, “The Bitter Laments”, will be held at 3 p.m. in Church next Sunday. The Polish/English Service will be led by Fr. Jason Torba and will include music by members of The Lira Singers. The service will include hymns which consider the Passion & Death of Our Lord, lamentations which express sorrow for sins, and sympathetic conversations of the soul with Mary. All are welcome!

Our Parish Mission, “Holy and Chosen Ones: The Universal Call to Holiness will begin February 28, at 3 p.m. with Fr. James Presta who will speak about the call to holiness we each have received and what it means to be a saint today in the context of Evening Prayer. A potluck dinner will follow in the Holy Family Room. The next three evenings, Monday, March 1-Wednesday, March 3, at 7 p.m. speakers will tell us of three saints and how their call to holiness impacts our lives. They will talk about the life, spirituality, joys and struggles

of St. Terese of Lisieux, the Little Flower (Fr. Louis Cameli); St. Maximilian Kolbe (Friar Anthony Lajato, OFM Conv.) and one of the Church’s newly canonized saints, St. Jeanne Jugan ( Ms. Joan Thiry) These four sessions will be videotaped and will be shown at 9:30 a.m. the next day, March 1-4. Babysitting will be available. Free will offerings will be accepted at each session. On Wednesday, March 3, we will also gratefully accept boxes of tissues and bottles of lotion for residents of the Little Sisters of the Poor home in Chicago. Mark your calendar and plan to give yourself this special time of prayer, inspiration, reflection, and growth as you prepare to renew your baptismal promises at Easter. For more information please call the RE Office, 847/966-1180.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Joel 2:12-18

Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17

II Corinthians 5:20-6:2

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

READINGS FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT

Deuteronomy 26:4-10

Psalm 91:1-2, 10-15

Romans 10:8-13

Luke 4:1-13

EDUCATION

RE NEWS Please continue to pray for our Confirmation Year II Candidates as they prepare to complete their initiation in May through the Sacrament of Confirmation. Your encouragement, help and example are gifts to our young people and their families. Thank you!

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*The RE youth and faculty invite their families and interested parishioners to their pre-Lent prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Monday night. Mrs. Faso’s Confirmation Year I Class will help lead our prayer. The students will also receive their Operation Rice Bowl materials. This is our Lent almsgiving project this year. BIBLE STUDY Bible Study will not meet on Ash Wednesday. When we resume on February 24th, 9:30 a.m., in Rm. 6 (enter from Holy Family Room), we will begin an overview study of Church history. All are welcome! For information call the RE Office, 847/966-1180.

****************************************************************************** HUMAN CONCERNS

Ministers of Care Lent Evening of Reflection Our Ministers of Care will meet Thurs., Feb 18 at 6:30PM in the Holy Family Room for a brief ministry update & the do-it-yourself Evening of Reflection that follows at 7PM. As a way of entering into the spirit of Lent, all are encouraged to participate. Ministers may attend the Holy Hour, walk the Labyrinth or do both.

Wrapped in His Love: Our Prayer Shawl Ministry Parishioners with crochet or knitting skills & members of Wrapped in His Love are invited to gather Thurs., Feb 18 at 10AM in Room 6. We meet the 3rd Thursday each month for devotion, friendship & to create shawls in which prayers are woven for the ill & grieving. All that’s required is your time, skill, prayers & needles (long #13 or larger) or hook (M, N or P). Yarn & instructions are provided. Need supplies? Call Pat at 967-1094.

Come Walk with Us

All are invited to the Labyrinth Walk Fri., Feb 19 from 8:30AM to 8:30PM in the Holy Family Room. Spend time in movement & prayer. Discover a tool that can enhance your spiritual journey. The displayed canvas is a replica of the design found on the floor of Chartres Cathedral. In Medieval times, pilgrims, unable to venture to the Holy Land to follow Christ’s path, paced instead the circuit set in stone. Walking it symbolized their spiritual journey to Jerusalem. Modern pilgrims walk labyrinths to meditate, pray, find release, discover answers, or connect with God. Ministers of Care will act as guides. Only stocking feet or protected shoes are allowed on the walk. Coverings are provided.

February is American Heart Month

Last week you read that discovering your risk for heart or vascular disease might be as easy as a blood test, scan or measurement (BMI, waist circumference, BP). Today learn about other factors that can put you at risk. Why read on? Because heart disease in all its forms is the No. 1 killer of US men & women! Certain risks are beyond our control. Included among these are gender, increasing age, heredity, ethnicity, & personal history of heart attack or stroke. Though not modifiable, such factors can tip one off to being vigilant & adopting healthy behaviors. Other risks are modifiable, that is, within our ability to change, manage or treat. Among them are alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, diet, stress, diabetes, high blood pressure & high cholesterol &/ or triglycerides. See your doctor about how to lower your risks! Next week: Kids & Heart Health Pat Kellen, Parish Nurse, Advocate health Care/ St. Isaac Jogues

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PARISH LIFE

2011 The 2011 Mass Book will be opening on Thursday, February 18, 2010. Anyone wishing to reserve Masses for loved ones or special in-tentions may do so. Please note: we will take only one intention for each liturgy. We sug-gest a $10.00 stipend for each Mass. According to the Code of Canon Law 948: Separate Masses must be applied for the inten-tions of those for whom an individual offering, even if small, has been made and accepted. What is normative in the practice of the Church is that there be separate individual Masses offered for individual intentions. Therefore, the practice of combining individ-ual intentions on a regular basis has ceased at St. Isaac Jogues Parish.

How Do YOU Spend YOUR Thursday Evenings?

Visits to the Blessed Sacrament and Eucharistic Benediction were the secret yearnings of the saints. St. Catherine of Genoa said, "The time I have spent before the tabernacle is the best time of my life." The saints knew where Jesus was, and they desired no more than the privilege of keeping inseparable watch with Him, both in their affections and by their bodily presence before the Blessed Sacrament.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT THURSDAY EVENINGS

7:00 - 8:00 P.M.

Coupon Booklets for Carson’s

Community Day on February 27, 2010 will be sold in the Holy Family Room for

$5.00 each. Inside the booklet is a $10.00 off coupon. You get double your

money back. We appreciate your support to St. Isaac Jogues Church.

Human Concerns

STRUGGLING WITH FEELINGS ABOUT PREGNANCY?

We can help. We respect confidence.

Call HOPELINE—(847) 823-HOPE

THE PROPER ORDER

Love people… and use things.

- Anonymous

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St. Isaac Jogues Men’s Club

The St. Isaac Jogues Men’s Club will hold their February meeting Thursday the 18th at 6:30 p.m. in the Church Hall. The Lisowski brothers, Ed and Frank, will be the chefs. Their dinner will feature Polish cuisine.

All men of the parish are invited. Come and met new friends.

Preparation for

Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary

February 20th begins the 33 days of preparatory prayers that continue through March 25th. Each day of prayer, representing one year in the life of Christ, is to be done privately

in our own homes using the consecration prepara-tion books, available in the Church vestibule. After these 33 days of prayers, all are invited to make or renew their Consecration together on:

The Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord

Thursday, March 25, 2010 7:00 PM Holy Mass

Preceded by Confession 6:00 PM Rosary 6:15 PM

Our Lady of Ransom Church 8300 N. Greenwood, Niles

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ST. JOSEPH TABLE

The Saint Joseph Table gives glory to God, honors St. Joseph and assists those in need. This beautiful tradition, which began centuries ago in Italy as an expression of gratitude for the intercession and help of St. Joseph in a time of crisis, is Sunday, March 7th, beginning with the Noon Mass. The Saint Joseph Table will be blessed after the 5 p.m. Mass on March 6th, followed by the serving of sweets and coffee, and after the Noon Mass on March 7th, followed by the serving of traditional foods, 1:30 -4:30 p.m. There is no cost to eat, but donations received that day will be given to our St. Vincent DePaul Society to help those in need. If you have not yet had a chance to contact us about donating food, money or time for the preparation of the St. Joseph Table, we encourage you to stop in the Holy Family Room to sign up or call one of the following people this week. General information or questions: Santa DiFranco, 847/966-1802 or Dee Stanton, 847/966-1180 To help on Saturday or Sunday: Barb Dary, 847/966-5659 Egg dishes: Jean Minelli, 847/966-9845 Vegetable dishes/other foods or needed items (like Nesco Roasters): Dee Stanton (above) Fruit: Pat Zygmunt, 847/998-8928

Cakes: Irene Baron 847/967-6149

The next planning meeting is Tuesday, February 16th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Holy Family Room. All are welcome! St. Joseph, pray for us!

Strange Love

We are never Going to be

Completely on our own Never to be left alone

Away from The maddening crowd The bumps and bruises

The uncomfortable feeling Of being secretly watched Talked about in whispers

And pulled into The strange kisses and ways

Of lovers and friends Even folks of your own kind

Blood is no thicker Than water

When it comes to love And the need to be loved back It’s not a hide-and-seek game

That grownups play More like children than children

It’s not like watching a movie Whose happy or sad ending

Twists and turns Have been known from the start

Love is a mystery Blessed are those who love

With inadequate love

- Deacon Rod

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St. John Brebeuf School New Student Registration

And Open House

St. John Brebeuf School will accept new student registrations for Preschool, Kindergarten and grades one to eight for the 2010-2011 school year on Sunday, February 28th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The school is located at 8301 N. Harlem Avenue in Niles. Open House will be held in the preschool and kindergarten classrooms. Families will be able to visit the classrooms, learn about the curriculum and talk with the teachers. The school is expanding the Early Childhood program for the coming year. There will be two sessions of Prekindergarten for children who will be four years old before September 1, 2010. The five day session will meet in the morning with the option of staying in the PreK Extended Day program until 3:15 PM. The three day session will on Wed., Thurs. and Friday afternoons. Preschool for children who will be three years old by September 1, 2010, will meet three mornings a week on Mon., Tues. and Wed. each week. The school offers full-day or half-day Kindergarten classes for children who will be five years old by September 1, 2010. Parent/guardians need to bring copies of the child’s/children’s birth and baptismal certificates, registration fees and a copy of the latest report card for children in grades one to eight. Please call the school, 847-966-3266, or visit our website, www.sjbschool.org more information.

Prayer, fasting, and alms giving: these disciplines, prescribed by Jesus himself in the Sermon on the Mount, along with strict instructions not to flaunt them in public to win recognition and praise (Matthew 6:1-18),have been embraced by all the saints at the beginning of every Lent for almost two thousand years. But mention Lent, and many react with a grimace or slight shudder-even now, years after official obligations have been reduced .to a minimum! No wonder the Eastern Rite's "Lenten Announcement" sounds surprising: "Let us receive with joy, 0 faithful people, the divinely inspired announcement of Lent! The Lenten Spring shines forth! Begin the fast with joy! Let us fast from passions as well as food, taking pleasure in the good works of the Spirit, and accomplishing them in love!" Saint John Chrysostom, whose feast is September 13,elaborates: "Do you fast? Give proof by your works. If you see a poor person, take pity. An enemy, be reconciled. A friend gaining honor, don't be jealous." A positive approach! May the saints help us keep such a Lent! -Peter Scagnelli, © J.S.Paluch Co.

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Sunday: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time; Valentine's Day; Monday: Presidents' Day Wednesday: Ash Wednesday; Fast and Abstinence; Almsgiving Friday: Abstinence

Life isn’t tied in a bow, but it’s still a gift.

Sunday, February 14 7:30 am Anthony J. Angello 9:00 am For the Living & Deceased Members of St. Isaac Jogues & their Families; Virginia Luczak 10:30 am Walter Gall 12:00 pm Anna Krauss Monday, February 15 8:00 am Purgatorial Society; Margaret O’Keefe Tuesday, February 16 8:00 am Jim McNally Wednesday, February 17 — Ash Wednesday 8:00 am Dorothy Knaack 7:00 pm Coronacion Castro Thursday, February 18 8:00 am K. J. Mathai Friday, February 19 8:00 am Frank McNally Saturday, February 20 8:00 am Communion Service-No Intentions 5:00 pm Genevieve & Martin Zajac Sunday, February 21 7:30 am Russ & Marge DiPrima 9:00 am Gerard Dreyfuss 10:30 am For the Living & Deceased Members of St. Isaac Jogues & their Families; Beatrice Walz 12:00 pm Caridad Mikulec Sacristy Committee Diana Korman, Kathy Zacharia

Reconciliation Fr. Luczak

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Liturgies next weekend February 20-21

Presider

5:00 pm Fr. Janas/Deacon Paul 7:30 am Fr. McGlynn/Deacon Rod 9:00 am Fr. Luczak/Deacon Rod 10:30 am Fr Kennedy/Deacon Paul 12:00 pm Fr. Stagaman/Deacon Paul

Altar Servers

5:00 pm Roshan Muringothu, Rino Muringothu, Nelson Perumpel 7:30 am Christian Manaois, Christy Manaois, Alisa Biju 9:00 am Rachel Nieva, Sam Ratner, Anya Piska 10:30 am Pamela Lerias, Caroline Jaroslawski, Paul-Bernard Jaroslawski 12:00 pm Christina Jimmychan, Sabin Thomas Kevin Thomas Ash Wednesday — February 17 7:00 pm Christy Thomas, Justin Thomas, Jasmine Herrera

Relatives & Friends Please remember the sick and hospitalized:

Dan Anfuso, Bob Arns, Shirley Arns, John Arns, Jr., Andre Baros, Noah Baros, Linda Bennett, Shawn Bong,

Genevieve Conway, Mary Cornwell, Ed D’Souza, Edward Gaske, Shirley Klein, Maria Ladd,

Gailmarie Mattison, Laura Maya, Lillian McCloud, Marilyn Michaels, Mariel Mentink, Jean Necek,

Susan Nowak, Tammy Heffernan Propst, Tony Romito, Gerry Sanariz, Linda Bong Sanchez, Paul Sitkowski, Clariza St. George, John Terzakis,

Pat Terzakis, Alec Upshaw, Megan Zimniewicz Upshaw, Chuck Watson, Mary Zimniewicz.

REST IN PEACE

Richard Kossak

“Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours. Blessed are you who are hungry, for you will be satisfied.”

- Luke 6:20-21a

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PASTOR: Rev. Andrew Luczak ASSOCIATE PASTOR: Rev. Camillus Janas, O.F.M PASTORAL STAFF: Deacon Bob Kerls, Parish Business Administrator Mrs. Dolores Stanton, Director of Religious Education Mrs. Patricia Kellen, Parish Nurse Ms. Lisa Hall, Music Director DEACON COMMUNITY: Deacon & Mrs. Robert C. O’Keefe Deacon Rod Ranola Deacon & Mrs. Paul M. Stanton WEEKEND LITURGY PRESIDERS: Rev. Ron Kalas Rev. Bernard Kennedy, O.F.M. Rev. Philip McGlynn, O.S.M. Rev. David Stagaman, S.J. Eucharistic Celebrations: Sunday: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30, & 12:00 Noon Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM Saturday: 8:00 AM & 5:00 PM Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday, 11:00 - 12:00 Noon or anytime by request.

Sacrament of Matrimony: Must be registered for six months prior to setting the wedding date with an addi-tional six months for necessary preparation. Note: The following wedding times can be scheduled: Friday at 5:00 p.m.; Saturday at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.; Sunday at 3:00 p.m. (Ceremony only) Sacrament of Baptism: Second and fourth Sunday of each month at 1:30 PM. Baptism Preparation Session must be completed before Baptism. Contact the Parish Office as soon as possible for details. Parish Office Website: http://sij-parish.com E-mail: office@sij-parish.com 8149 Golf Road, Niles, IL. 60714. . . . . . . 967-1060 Mrs. Janet Piovosi (Parish Secretary) Mrs. Emilie Casacchia (Data Processor) Mrs. Marlene Garber (Data Processor) Mrs. Jane Piper (Bulletin Editor) Religious Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 966-1180 Staff Secretary Parish Nurse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 967-1094 Music Ministry. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 967-1091 Parish Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 965-1091 Ministry Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 965-6911 Parish School: St. John Brebeuf School. . . . . . . . . 966-3266 Principal: Mrs. Margaret Whitman

ADDING NAMES TO THE PARISH SICK LIST It has always been the policy of St. Isaac Jogues to offer our parish community an opportunity to pray for those parish-ioners who are ill and in need of our prayers. We have tried to keep close track of these names for our Bulletin as they are made available to us. However, now we face an important privacy issue, very much like the issues faced by hospitals, health institutions, and certainly by other parishes. We cannot (by law) publicly let our parish community know the health status of any of our members without their permission. We appreciate the fact that often friends, neighbors, and acquaintances wish to do something special for a person who is ill, and ask to place their name on the list to be prayed for. While their intentions are surely good, we simply can no longer accept names in this manner. We will institute a new process regarding calling in names for the Bulletin list. Names for the sick list placed in the Bulletin have to be called in by the person who is ill, or by a member of their family. At the time they call in the name, they will be asked whether they are the sick person him/ herself, or a member of their family, and if they give permission for the name to be placed on the list. They will be asked for the cor-rect spelling of the sick person's name. If a family member, they will be required to give their name for our records. Thank you for your patience regarding this new process. We wish to do all we can to offer our parish community the opportunity to offer prayers for those who are ill — but we must also be cognizant of the fact that all members of our con-gregation are entitled to their privacy in this regard.

CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS ST. ISAAC JOGUES #512032 8149 Golf Road Niles, IL 60714 TELEPHONE 847 967-1060 CONTACT PERSON Jane/Janet SOFTWARE MS Publisher 2003 Adobe Acrobat 8.0 Windows XP Professional PRINTER Canon IR 3035 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 12 SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION February 14, 2010 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS THANK YOU!