Bulletin: 000868 St. Mary of the Annunciation, Mundelein

April 26, 2020 150 bulletins

Vision: That

all generations

at St. Mary

and in the

surrounding

community

encounter Jesus

and live as

His disciples.

Mission: We are called

to go out

and share

the Good News,

making disciples

who build up the

Kingdom of God

through

meaningful prayer,

effective formation

and loving service.

APRIL 26, 2020 3RD SUNDAY OF EASTER

Weekend Mass Times:

Sat. 5:00pm Sun. 7:30, 9:30,11:30am

www.stmaryfc.org

Facebook: @stmarymundelein Twitter: @stmarymundelein

Instagram: @stmarymundelein

Scripture Insights The readings for the third Sunday of Easter pre-

sent the basic kerygma (proclamation) of the early

Church, that they were all witnesses to the Resur-

rection. The witness of Jesus’ Resurrection united

both Jewish and Gentile Christians in faith.

The First Reading, from the Acts of the Apos-

tles, is the first half of the speech that Peter deliv-

ers after the disciples’ experience of Pentecost.

(Next Sunday we will hear the second half of Pe-

ter’s speech, Acts 2:36–41.) Luke, the author of

Acts, makes two very important points about Je-

sus’ Resurrection in the first part of Peter’s speech.

First, everything about Jesus—from his mighty

works and signs to his Resurrection from the

dead—was accomplished by God. Second, Jesus’

resurrection from the dead fulfills God’s “oath” to

David. According to Luke’s portrayal of Peter’s

preaching, the disciples’ experience of the resur-

rected and ascended Christ had led them to identi-

fy God as the author of every movement of their

story.

In the Second Reading, directed to the Gentile

churches of Asia Minor, Peter knows that the recip-

ients of this letter, as believing Christians, must

break from their past way of thinking in order to

embrace what God has offered them in the Resur-

rection of Jesus. Peter writes, “You were ransomed

from your futile conduct, handed on by your ances-

tors” (1Peter 1:18). As in the speech in Acts, Peter

points to God as the source and foundation of the

gentiles’ faith and hope.

Today’s readings tell us how Peter and the

disciples brought the Good News of the Resurrec-

tion to both Jews and Gentiles. In this season of

Easter, we are also called to tell others the Good

News of what God has done in he Resurrection of

Jesus.

–Sourcebook for Sundays, Seasons, and Weekdays 2020: the Almanac for Pastoral Liturgy ©2019 Archdiocese of Chicago:

Liturgy Training Publications. All rights reserved.

Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus,

I believe that You are present

in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things,

and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment

receive You sacramentally,

come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace You

as if You were already there

and unite myself wholly to You.

Never permit me

to be separated from You. Amen.

Mass Intentions (April 27–May 3) †Lucie Labuda (living) req. Chirley Monahan † Martha Monahan req. Shirley Monahan † Frank `Noga req. Glen & Liz Knuth Rebecca Neal (living) req. Shirley Monahan † Liam Nold req. Kathy Lenzen † Jack Corfsello req. Victoria Hansen † Dennis Gillespie req. Wife & Family † Michael J. Nabasny req. the Family † Betty Tauscher req. Husband Ed & Family † Joe Lenzen req. Frank & Priscilla Diebold † Ralph & † Virginia Diebold req. Dorothy Dorfler † Dorothy Klonder req. her sister Rosemarie 45th Wedding Anniversary of Fermo & Christina Obillo These Intentions would normally be announced at the weekday and weekend Masses. Because we cannot publicly celebrate daily Mass, all of these names will be read at the videotaped Mass posted to the parish YouTube page and linked through the parish website.

Prayer for the Sick

Father of goodness and love,

hear our prayers

for the sick members of our community

and for all who are in need.

Amid mental and physical suffering

may they find consolation

in your healing presence.

Show your mercy as you close wounds,

cure illness, make broken bodies whole

and free downcast spirits.

May these special people

find lasting health and deliverance,

and so join us in thanking you for all your gifts.

We ask this through the Lord Jesus

who healed those who believed.

Amen.

ACT OF CONTRITION

O my God,

I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee:

and I detest my sins most sincerely

because they displease Thee, my God,

Who art so deserving of all my love

for Thy infinite goodness and most amiable perfections:

and I firmly purpose by Thy holy grace

never more to offend Thee. Amen.

Pray for all who suffer illness, pain and grief:

Mike Marciniak, Jan Crawford, Jack Miller, Ragan Goeske, Ruth Robertson, Beth Veitch, Lovat Veitch, MaryJo Gaetano, Gene Gaetano,

Barb Fiske, Katie Walsh Otto, John Martin Dockery, Tad Rutkowski, Ted Molton, Mary Nash Powell, Astrid Cinco

and for the repose of all who have recently died:

Enrico Scala, Fank Noga, Barbara Ambrus, Chuck Pintossi, Mildren Gallagher Bitner, Wanda Onley,

Rita Bigony, Nicholas Molsen, John Naylor, Lori Powers, Santo Nicholas Marassa, Grace Gardner, Billy

Molsen, Deacon Ed Weber, Sheila Rivera, Daniel Cinco

The Parish Office Remains Closed

We are monitoring telephone messages and emails. For most current information, log onto our website or

see our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.

Web: www.stmaryfc.org Facebook: @stmarymundelein

Twitter: @stmarymundelein Instagram: @stmarymundelein

Assist SVdP Provide Food for Clients & More With the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, help with af-fording food and other living expenses is an issue for an increasing number of our neighbors. With the current stay-at-home order, the St Vincent de Paul Society had to suspend the annual Easter food drive and distribution. In lieu of food donations, we are collecting checks to distribute financial aid to our clients and local food pantries. (at Most Blessed Trinity & Santa Maria). If you can support your neighbors at this time, please make your check out to St Vincent de Paul Society with food drive in the memo and send it to: St Vincent de Paul Society Saint Mary of the Annunciation Parish 22333 W. Erhart Rd. Mundelein, IL 60060 Thank you for helping those impacted by this crisis. If you have ques-tions or would like to help in other ways, please email svdpdt@gmail.com.

Dear Parishioners, It seems for so many of us that because of this Coronavirus pandemic so many things that we look forward to and that give our lives meaning have either been canceled or postponed: sports, concerts, graduations, anniversaries, birthday celebrations…and the list goes on and on. Complicat-ing the feelings and emotions that many of us feel is that we do not know when it will be safe to reschedule these events. As a pastor I am especially sensitive to the suspension of the sacramental life of the Church for some unknown time into the future. I sense the disappointment and anxious-ness of many of our faithful. My prayers go out to some wonderful engaged couples who have had to postpose their wedding day, and also to our young people who were to be confirmed this week-end. My prayers also go out to parents who were looking forward to baptizing their children, and welcoming their sons and daughters to the Lord’s table by celebrating their First Holy Commun-ions. In addition, I realize that so many of us are starving for the Eucharist and for the sacrament of Reconciliation, and we long for a return to the communal life of the Church. Let us remember that this is a temporary suspension and cling to the hope of a time when we can joyfully celebrate the Sacraments again. In the midst of all of this it is good for us to remember why as Catholics we celebrate the Sacraments in the first place. We celebrate the Sacraments because Jesus himself instituted them and commanded us to observe them. A Sacrament has been defined as “an outward and visible sign, instituted by Christ to give grace.” Sacraments then are not something we are entitled to, nor are they magic, nor are they merely about making a day extra special. Sacraments are about God’s love for us and desire to be a part of our lives. It would be good for us to also remember that while God works in a special way in and through the Sacraments, he works outside of them too. The grace of God cannot be stopped. When we once again are able to participate in the Sacraments, I pray we do so with a greater sense of gratitude, with hearts that are truly open to God’s gift of grace calling us to New Life. I was reminded of the words of St. Francis de Sales, who was known for his deep faith and gentleness during the divisions brought about by the Protestant reformation: “What then can we do except have patience and not weary of our labors, since they are undertaken for the love of God…?” One of the blessings or unexpected graces of this time of “Sheltering in Faith” has been the number of prayers and reflections that I have been both receiving and sharing. Here is one I recently received from an anonymous source.

A Pandemic Prayer May we who are merely inconvenienced remember those whose lives are at stake.

May we who have low risk factors remember those who are most vulnerable. May those who have the luxury of working from home

remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent. May those who have the flexibility to care for our children when schools are closed

remember those who have to work to provide essential services. May we who have had to cancel a trip remember those who have no safe place to go.

May we who are seeing our investments and retirement plans shrink remember those who have no savings at all.

May those who settle for quarantine at home remember those who have no place to call home.

As fear grips our country and the world, let us choose to love instead of hate. To heal rather than divide.

During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, Let us find ways to be the loving embrace of God to all those who need to be reminded that they are indeed loved.

Let us pray for one another, Fr. Jerry

from

Jacob’s Well

“A Prayer for Our Times” Ever-faithful Companion,  Help us to always find You, God, in all things, especially in this time of uncertainty, as we navigate disruptions to the familiar and heightened anxieties. Make us attentive  to the kernels of hope,  in-breaks of joy, and invitations to stillness that subtly saturate our lives. In these gifts and in all glimpses of grace, may we find sustenance.  Remind us often of our call to community. And, in responding to the need for social distancing, awaken us to the summons to foster creative community. Inspire us to reach beyond the boundaries of isolation. In so doing, help us to link heart and hand with You in caring for the vulnerable and in laboring for a more compassionate and humane world at this time and at all times.

by Cindy Schmersal

Vice President for Mission and Ministry, Rockhurst University

On Wednesday, 25 March,

the Feast of the Annuncia-

tion, Pope Francis he has

invited “the Heads of the

Churches and the leaders

of every Christian commu-

nity, together with all Chris-

tians of the various confes-

sions, to invoke the Al-

mighty, the omnipotent

God, to recite at the same

time the prayer that Jesus,

our Lord, taught us” – the

Our Father. “On that day

on which many Christians

recall the Annunciation to

the Virgin Mary of the Incarnation of the Word”, Pope Francis

prayed, “may the Lord listen to the united prayer of all of His disci-

ples who are preparing themselves to celebrate the victory of the

Risen Christ”.

In addition Cardinal Cupich also asks us to be united in common

prayer as we ring our church bells five times every day.

9:00 AM. Prayer for those infected with the virus and all who

suffer illness: Lord, place your healing hand on those who suffer

illness. Bring them to full health and ease their anxious hearts.

May our prayer and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary

encourage them that they are not alone. We ask this in Jesus’

Name. AMEN. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

12:00 PM. Prayer for health care workers and those attending

to the sick: Lord, we are ennobled by those who put their lives at

risk in caring for the sick. Keep them safe and embolden them

when they are weary. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

3:00 PM. Prayer for first responders and essential workers:

Lord we pray for those who run to danger to keep us safe and

those who serve the common good. Embrace them with your man-

tle of protection and comfort the fears of their families. We ask this

in Jesus’ Name. AMEN. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

6:00 PM. Prayer for people of every nation and their leaders:

Lord, the pandemic opens our eyes to see each other as brothers

and sisters in one human family. We pray for people of every na-

tion and their leaders, asking that they be inspired to seek the

good of all and quell the voices of division. We ask this in Jesus’

Name. AMEN. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

9:00 PM. - Prayer for those who have died today:

Lord, we grieve the passing of our sisters and brothers who have

died this day. We commend them to your tender mercy, confident

that nothing, not even death, will separate us from your love. We

ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.

Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) April 29 Imagine the pope receiving a young woman still in her twenties who addresses him as “my sweet Christ on earth,” then orders: “Get back to Rome where you belong!” Amazingly, Greg-ory XI complied! Yet this was but one astonish-ing incident in the extraordinary life of Cathe-rine of Siena, a truly unique medieval woman.

Youngest of twenty-five children, Catherine refused marriage and be-came a Dominican Tertiary at sixteen, cloistering herself at home in contemplative prayer, austere penances, and mystical experiences, culminating in “spiritual espousal” to Christ. Then, incarnating the Do-minican ideal of “passing on to others the fruits of contemplation,” Catherine left her solitude to care for the poor, nurse the sick, comfort the dying, and bury the dead. Increasingly renowned for converting souls and healing bodies, she was sought after to broker peace during civil wars and Church schisms. All this, and like Jesus, whom she called “my Divine Spouse,” she died at thirty-three! Four hundred let-ters and her spiritual classic The Dialogue inspired Paul VI to name her, together with Teresa of Ávila, the first women Doctors of the Church.

—Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.

St. Catherine of Siena

In some Catholic religious professions and ordinations, when the candidate prostrates themselves during the Litany of Saints, they are covered with a pall, a large black cloth, as a sign of their complete gift of self to God. It reminds the candidate and the community that he or she has died to self in order to give themselves completely to Christ and His Church. As we enter into week five of social distancing it feels as though a pall has been placed over our lives. I was able to make faith-sense out of this pall during the season of Lent, a season of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. But now it is the Easter season, a season of joy, resurrec-tion, and alleluias ringing; we are faced with a paradox. How, while still under the pall of the corona 19 virus, with millions of people sick and dying, millions of people out of work, an economy in free fall due to social distancing, a separation from the sacraments and our communities of faith, can our lives ring with Easter joy? This is a question of faith. While religious or seminarian candidates freely choose to lie under the pall of death to self, we are offered an opportunity to also freely embrace the pall of the corona virus and its social effects. We see this in the self-sacrifice of all the health care workers, first responders, police, fire men and women, bus drivers, mail men and women, food delivery persons and so many others who are providing services for the sick, dying and our com-munities. Families are spending time together in education, recreation, and meals; time that before was often missed due to conflicting schedules. The gift of creativity is being discovered in parents play with their children, in educators teaching methods, and even in our dioceses and parishes to stay connected with their communities. Our Easter joy lies in hope; in the hope of Christ’s resur-rection from the dead; that this life is temporary and transi-tory; our way, truth and life is found in the life eternal won for us by Jesus passion, death, and resurrection. The pall of this virus is our chance to witness to the hope we have in Christ Jesus. As Christians, our hope transcends the trials

of today; the comforts we are denied, the inconveniences of social distancing. We are being offered an opportunity to see past what we presume is normal to a new vision of what it is to live in communion with others. This trial tests the truth of our hope in Christ and His Resurrection. As Saint Paul says in Romans, “we even boast of our afflic-tions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Rom. 5:3-5) How can we demonstrate the Easter hope and joy we have? The ways we can do this are only limited by our imagina-tions. Leave cookies by a neighbor’s front door. Donate to a charity who supports the unemployed. Send notes or emails of hope and encouragement to people you know or even those you only casually know. Ask Christ, in prayer, to help you see what you can do for others and what is pos-sible rather than mourning what you cannot have or do. This will end; the pall will be lifted. The real question is, will we rise with Christ to new life and hope from this ex-perience or will we be unchanged by the experience hoping only in that which we can see and touch. This is the invita-tion being offered us this Easter season. Let us pray for one another as St. Paul prayed for his community, “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom 15:5) Scripture passages taken from the New American Bible (Revised Edi-tion) (NABRE) © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved.

Dr. Catherine Sims is the associate Director of the Institute for Pastoral Leadership at Mundelein Seminary. She is a parishioner of Saint Mary of the Annunciation and coordinates our RCIA process. rciastmota@gmail.com

A Reflection on an Unusual Easter Season by Dr. Catherine Sims

F isch–ing Lines

by Deacon Howard Fischer

Today’s Gospel story is one of my absolute favorites and I have written about it before. It is the story of two disciples walk-ing along the road to the town of Emmaus (pronounced eh-MAY-us) on the afternoon of the first Easter Sunday. They flee Jerusa-lem in the aftermath of Jesus’ execution. Leaving Jerusalem is symbolic of lost faith, lost hope. Along the way, mired in grief and

shattered hopes, and confused over reports of an empty tomb, they encounter a stranger who asks why they are so downcast. They reply, “Have you been living under a rock that you haven’t heard about what happened to Jesus of Nazareth? We thought he was the long-awaited messiah, but he was arrested, tortured and crucified. And now some of our group found his tomb empty this morning!” Shaking his head, the stranger remarks that the disciples are really slow to understand and he proceeds to break open the Scriptures and explains all of the prophecies foreshadowing that the messiah would suffer and die. Intrigued by the insights of their traveling companion, who apparently was journeying beyond Emmaus, the disciples invite the stranger to stay the evening with them and continue the conversation. As they sit down for dinner, the stranger breaks the bread and the disciples immediately recognize that the man at their table is Jesus! At that instant Jesus disappears from their midst. Looking back on their day the two amazed disciples say, “Were not our hearts burning within us as we walked along?!” They immediately get up and head back to Jerusalem to spread the news that they have encountered the Risen Lord. Like the disciples, you and I are often downhearted and burdened by life’s many difficulties as we travel along the road. Life can be hard enough in “normal” times let alone when many are battling illness, isolation, uncertainty and economic hardship caused by a pan-demic. And many others have it far worse than we do. In the midst of all this turmoil in us and around us, today’s Gospel story is even more meaningful. Faced with difficulties and anxiety, you and I must not allow our downcast spirits to blind us to the presence of Jesus in our midst, in circumstances and other people. Jesus shows us clearly that God is not distant or aloof. Rather, the Lord shares our journey and walks beside us. This presence should bring joy and hope even when things around us seem to be falling to pieces. But somehow we can fail to recognize Jesus standing right next to us, just like the disciples fleeing to Emmaus. Perhaps this hap-pens because we don’t expect to see him and thus don’t bother to look beyond the surface of people or events, or even beyond our own selves. If there’s a silver lining to our lockdown (as if slowing the spread of a disease and saving lives is not enough!), perhaps it is that we can now devote more time to reflection and introspection in order to reveal the presence of Jesus who has been standing beside us all along the way. I suggest starting the way Jesus did on the road, by focusing some attention on the Scriptures. Add in a good spiritual book. A little reading and prayer will go a long way…and not just when we’re quar-antined! Then may our hearts start to burn within us! The Easter season not only celebrates the historical event of Jesus’ Resurrection, but also that we have the Risen Lord in our lives here and now! It is not enough for us to personally savor the pres-ence of Jesus in our midst; we must also share the good news with others. Like the two disciples in today’s Gospel, we must immediately get up off our cushions and spread the life, hope and joy that comes

from faith in Jesus. We must live each moment with the burning love that the Lord sparks within our hearts. During this most unusual Easter Season, let us learn to see the Risen Christ in our midst – in word, in the love of others…and one day again, in sacrament. May we allow ourselves to be transformed by his presence and so live with Resurrection faith, hope and joy. If you wish to contact me, send an email to deaconhwf99@yahoo.com.

“Our God is near and asks us to be near to one

another, not to distance ourselves. Right now,

in this pandemic crisis that we are living

through, this nearness asks to be manifested

more, to be made more visible. Perhaps we

cannot draw near physically to others for fear

of contagion; but we can reawaken in our-

selves a habit of drawing near to others

through prayer, mutual help and many other ways of near-

ness. Why do we need to be near one another? Because our God

is near to us.” — Pope Francis

Readings for the Week Monday: Acts 6:8-15; Ps 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30; Jn 6:22-29

Tuesday: Acts 7:51 — 8:1a; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 7b, 8a, 17, 21ab;

Jn 6:30-35

Wednesday: Acts 8:1b-8; Ps 66:1-3a, 4-7a; Jn 6:35-40

Thursday: Acts 8:26-40; Ps 66:8-9, 16-17, 20; Jn 6:44-51

Friday: Acts 9:1-20; Ps 117:1bc, 2; Jn 6:52-59, or, for the memorial,

Gn 1:26 — 2:3 or Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-24; Ps 90:2-4, 12-

14, 16; Mt 13:54-58

Saturday: Acts 9:31-42; Ps 116:12-17; Jn 6:60-69

Sunday: Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Ps 23:1-6; 1 Pt 2:20b-25; Jn 10:1-10

Sacrament of Penance Saturdays 4:00—4:40 PM, and by appointment

Baptisms Ordinarily during the Mass on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month and after the Mass on the other Sundays, outside of Lent. Parents are required to participate in a Baptismal Preparation class before scheduling a Baptism.

Adult Initiation Adults who wish to become Roman Catholics are enrolled in a formation process that includes prayer, dialogue, instruction, and introduction to the Church’s life and values, rituals and tradition. Call the parish office for more information.

Marriage St. Mary Parish rejoices with parishioners who are preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony. The Archdiocese of Chicago requires that a wedding be scheduled at least six months in advance so that the couple may receive necessary preparation. A parish wedding information packet is available at the parish office.

Ministry of Care Ministers of Care visit the homes of the sick, homebound, or hospitalized and bring Holy Communion to them. Call the parish office when a pastoral visit is desired. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered by the parish priest upon request.

New parishioners We welcome new members who wish to worship with us and support the parish’s work and mission. New Parishioner Welcome session is offered on the 2nd Sunday of the month. Time of registration is 10:45AM—11:25AM. If you are unable to make the Welcoming Session, please call the parish office to schedule time to register.

Mass

Saturday 5:00 PM

Sunday 7:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:30 AM

Weekday at 8:00AM Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Thursday, Friday

PARISH NUMBER

847-223-0010

Parish Emergency 224-358-3210

Parish Fax 847-223-5960

22333 W. Erhart Road • Mundelein, Illinois 60060 • WWW.STMARYFC.ORG Email: parish@stmota.org

Frassati Catholic Academy: 847-526-6311

Religious Education Program (REP) Emergency Number 847-239-2725

Parish Office Hours Monday–Friday 8:30AM–4:00PM

Parish Staff

Dcn. Howard Fischer Ext. 215 Director of Parish Operations HFischer@stmota.org

Ms. Tammy Kleckner Principal, Tkleckner@frassaticatholicacademy.org

Ms. Jo Bond-Ostler Bookkeeper/Accountant Bookkeeper@stmota.org

Ms. Victoria Hansen Ext. 200 Administrative Assistant parish@stmota.org

Mr. Robert Kilkenny Ext. 304 Facilities Manager rkilkenny@stmota.org

Mr. James Shaffer Maintenance

Rev. Ken Kiepura Rev. Ed Pelrine Weekend Associates

Rev. Jerome Jacob Ext. 213 Pastor FrJerry@stmota.org

Rev. Don Cambe Ext. 212 Associate Pastor FrDon@stmota.org

Deacons Mike Alandy, Gary Kupsak, Robert Poletto, Alan Sedivy

Mr. Fred Vipond Ext. 234 Director of Music & Liturgy FVipond@stmota.org

Ms. Sue Matousek Ext. 218 Director of Religious Education SMatous@stmota.org

Ms. Diane Mulroe Ext. 216 Director of Human Concerns DMulroe@stmota.org

Mr. Grant Bright Ext. 230 Coordinator of Youth Ministry GBright@stmota.org

Pastoral Council Mary Lou Loomis Joaquin Valdes Cassandra Dye Kathy Lenzen Pete Coughlin Dan Prezell

Sheila Dalton Carey Marciniak Marivie Alandy Jon Matousek Linda Green

Sandra Fioretti-Frank*

Finance Council

Larry Molloy Denise Fuller

Joe Tylka Tom Zengeler Roger Fisher Patrick Tracy

Carl Calabrese Kevin Igielski*

*ex-officio, secretary