Cardinal Blasé J. Cupich Archbishop of Chicago Most Reverend Andrew Peter Wypych Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago St. Christopher Parish Information Parish Office— 708-388-8190 4130 W. 147th Street—Midlothian, IL 60445 Fax 708-388-0072 E-Mail: [email protected]Web Site: www.stchrisparish.net Parish Office Hours Monday—Thursday 9:00AM—7:00PM Friday 9:00AM—4:00PM Saturday 9:00AM—1:00PM Sunday 9:00AM—1:00PM Parish Staff Fr. Kris Paluch, Pastor Deacon Robert Powers Denise Blackstone, Business Manager Phil & Amy Switalski, Music Ministry Directors John McNichols, Youth Ministry Coordinator Parish Secretaries Patricia Powers—Bulletin Editor Barbara Novick St. Christopher School—708-385-8776 14611 S. Keeler—Midlothian, Il 60445 Fax: 708-385-8102-Web Site: www.stchrisschool.org School E-Mail address: [email protected]Dr. Michelle Walthers, Principal Doris Kruse & Pam Bricker, School Secretaries Religious Education—708-388-4040 14611 S. Keeler—Rm 21 of the School Religious Ed Web Site: www.stchrisre.com Religious Ed E-Mail: [email protected]Bernadine Smierciak, Director of Religious Education Brenna Baker, Secretary St. Christopher Ministers of Care will bring Communion to the hospitalized and homebound. If you, a family member or a friend is in need of a visit, please contact the Parish Office at 708-388-8190. Convent—4130 W. 147th Street Alumni Web Page—www.stchrisalumni.org Fiesta Email—[email protected]Athletic Association Web Page—stchrissports.com Maintenance—708-371-2082 Charlie Bostrom St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry—708-371-4621 PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD April 5, 2020 MASS SCHEDULE Monday thru Saturday: 8:30AM Saturday: 4:30PM (Vigil) Sunday: 7:30, 9:30, 11:00AM Holy Days: Check Bulletin Calendar for time. ROSARY The Rosary is prayed after 8:30AM Mass every morning Monday through Saturday. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Monday—Saturday 7:25—8:25AM SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Reconciliation Room at Front West Vestibule or by appointment at the Parish Office Saturdays: 4:00PM MARRIAGES Please make wedding arrangements through a Priest or Deacon at least six months prior to the wedding. BAPTISMS Each Sunday of the month at 12:00PM. Arrangements for parents and godparents may be made by phoning the Parish Office—708-388-8190
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Cardinal Blasé J. Cupich Archbishop of Chicago
Most Reverend Andrew Peter Wypych Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago
St. Christopher Parish Information Parish Office— 708-388-8190 4130 W. 147th Street—Midlothian, IL 60445 Fax 708-388-0072 E-Mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.stchrisparish.net Parish Office Hours Monday—Thursday 9:00AM—7:00PM Friday 9:00AM—4:00PM Saturday 9:00AM—1:00PM Sunday 9:00AM—1:00PM Parish Staff Fr. Kris Paluch, Pastor Deacon Robert Powers Denise Blackstone, Business Manager Phil & Amy Switalski, Music Ministry Directors John McNichols, Youth Ministry Coordinator Parish Secretaries Patricia Powers—Bulletin Editor Barbara Novick St. Christopher School—708-385-8776 14611 S. Keeler—Midlothian, Il 60445 Fax: 708-385-8102-Web Site: www.stchrisschool.org School E-Mail address: [email protected] Dr. Michelle Walthers, Principal Doris Kruse & Pam Bricker, School Secretaries Religious Education—708-388-4040 14611 S. Keeler—Rm 21 of the School Religious Ed Web Site: www.stchrisre.com Religious Ed E-Mail: [email protected] Bernadine Smierciak, Director of Religious Education Brenna Baker, Secretary St. Christopher Ministers of Care will bring Communion to the hospitalized and homebound. If you, a family member or a friend is in need of a visit, please contact the Parish Office at 708-388-8190. Convent—4130 W. 147th Street Alumni Web Page—www.stchrisalumni.org Fiesta Email—[email protected] Athletic Association Web Page—stchrissports.com Maintenance—708-371-2082 Charlie Bostrom St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry—708-371-4621
PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD
April 5, 2020
MASS SCHEDULE Monday thru Saturday: 8:30AM Saturday: 4:30PM (Vigil) Sunday: 7:30, 9:30, 11:00AM Holy Days: Check Bulletin Calendar for time. ROSARY The Rosary is prayed after 8:30AM Mass every morning Monday through Saturday. EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Monday—Saturday 7:25—8:25AM SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Reconciliation Room at Front West Vestibule or by appointment at the Parish Office Saturdays: 4:00PM MARRIAGES Please make wedding arrangements through a Priest or Deacon at least six months prior to the wedding. BAPTISMS Each Sunday of the month at 12:00PM. Arrangements for parents and godparents may be made by phoning the Parish Office—708-388-8190
Who would think that we will not be able to begin this Holy Week in
our churches; that we will have to stay in our homes and watch some of the liturgies on TV? If someone mentioned that to you a couple of months ago, you would think that they were out of their mind. It’s amazing how quickly things can change in our lives. Even though we continue to struggle with the coronavirus, we can have a very fruitful and blessed Holy Week. We can carry our personal crosses of suffering and worrying and walk more faithfully in the footsteps of Jesus. The liturgy today is a paradox because the Paschal Mystery is a paradox! Victory comes through apparent defeat; real life comes only through death; glory comes through suffering patiently borne; there is no crown without first the cross.
The Palm Sunday procession, that we will not be able to participate in this year, honors Christ as our King. This means that we accept him as Lord over our lives. But the Gospel of Mass tells of the suffering and death of Jesus! Did those who shouted “Hosanna!” on Palm Sunday also shout “Crucify him!” six days later? Or were they merely silent, allowing evil to triumph?
Jesus is rejected by the leaders of his own people. Although he is crucified by the Romans, the Roman soldiers proclaim that Jesus surely is the Son of God! In meditating on the Passion, put yourself into the picture; identify with the characters. Are we a Judas who puts on a good front, but who is traitor; who has remorse but not contrition; who finally despairs of God's mercy? Are we a Peter who blusters that he is strong, but who denies that he even knows Jesus, yet who later repents and becomes the leader of the apostles? Are we like Pilate who seemingly wanted to do good, but who was half-hearted and weak? Are we like the crowd who may, indeed, have shouted "Hosanna" on Palm Sunday, but who shouted "Crucify him" on Good Friday? Are we like Simon of Cyrene who was forced to carry the cross, but who later became a follower? Are we like the "strong" men, disciples, who fled, or like the "weak" women who followed the Lord even to his crucifixion? As we meditate on the Passion, let us enter into the story ourselves: exactly which of the characters are we? Or are we all of them?
This week we celebrate the Paschal Mystery. It will be a unique experience this year for all of us, because of the quarantine, but let us try to live that mystery in our lives: we must die to self in order to live to God. We must take up the cross if we want to share Christ’s crown of glory. Give yourself a lot of prime time this week with the crucified and risen Lord. Be willing to suffer with Jesus rather than live without Him. Have a blessed, healthy and holy week!
“Notes” from Phil & Amy
“The Whole City Was Shaken” An earthquake tells us that something momentous is happening, but in Jerusalem the people didn’t know yet or realize in seeing Jesus passing through the gates of the Holy City, that they had seen the Lord. At this passing through, with tree branches all over the road and shouted “hosannas” to Jesus, and while on a beast of burden, the very earth quakes. I had already heard (in the early stages of people beginning to realize what was taking place and even the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic) of the pandemic referred to as “tsunami-like” or “way bigger than the devastation of a tornado, earthquake or flood.” We are all shaken and you can’t help but wonder in Jesus’ times and in our time of various views regarding the recognition of God’s presence. In some cases, people are still going about work and activities with a certain ignorance. Still, Holy Week brings us into a week where we shouldn’t just say “Who is this” but rather cry out “Truly, this was the Son of God.” This year as we hear the familiar scriptures again of Jesus being abandoned, betrayed and on his own, it is going to be so very different by not being able to assemble together within our church walls, experience opening rituals at the front of our churches, and even the reality of putting our “elect”, our newest members of the church community on hold. And personally, over the years I have deeply enjoyed proclaiming today’s Passion Sunday Psalm 22: My God, My God, where the psalmist feels abandoned as well and is thinking “Is there no escape” (“a pack of dogs surround me”)? Also there will be an absence of hearing the handbells toll to “Jesus Remember Me” at the conclusion of the Passion Mass, in the past again for me it has always set the tone for entering into Holy Week. But in this year of 2020 in particular something new and noteworthy of the Psalm could be ringing out with the Psalmist’s continuing view: God’s Power and mercy are greater than the forces of the entire world around him. Hopefully we have all been live-streaming in already on Lenten Sunday and Daily Masses, however, now we’re into the rich traditions of Holy Week; this will be unchartered territory for sure yet we can only welcome the opportunity. So much to pray for, so many changing perspectives in our lives that in many ways are bringing us back to the very basics. A perfect Live-Stream Mass example would be the mentioning and reminder that church truly begins with our families and within our own homes. Do whatever you need to do as family to known you are united with the community and surrounding congregations. Place a crucifix if you can by your phone, iPad, laptop, computer or TV and any pictures or items that reflect Mass. Participate fully by including the postures (standing, sitting, kneeling), prayers and responses in our Mass (Our children told us that they would be uncomfortable with us at home Mass unless we would participate in the Mass from our home’s piano bench and music stand!). I have a feeling that in some unknown way this Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord will help prepare us even more prayerfully for the Sacred Paschal Triduum. I am praying extra hard for the Spirit to let us accept and handle the adjustments and uniqueness of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, The Stations, Holy Saturday, The Easter Vigil and Easter this year. There are so many traditions and customs and right now it’s got so many of us in such wonderment. The truth is that we are participating in rituals that originated thousands of years ago, it can be a time to better feel the Mystical Church. We must believe in God, far, far beyond our understanding, in that He is actually helping us all in very personal ways to grow in our relationship with him. Just as a person can be born blind, as an unexpected accident or natural disaster devastate us, the outcome can be one that helps us, helps the world see again the intended beauty of Creation, and the gift of Eternal Life through the Resurrection. A Blessed Holy Week to All, Phil & Amy The Scripture highlights are that of Easter Sunday….The First Reading from Acts 10: To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name. The Responsorial Psalm 118: This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad. The Second Reading from Colossians 3: Look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is. The Gospel from John 20: When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS-PALM SUNDAY
Lent is coming to an end in a few days and we begin Holy Week. This year it looks like we will be celebrating Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday services via our televisions and computers. We will feel a sense of being together not physically but in this new way spiritually. We will miss Fr. Kris being our celebrant and greeting us with a smile as we leave church. We will miss the beautiful music of Phil, Amy and the choirs. We will remember and get through LENT, HOLY WEEK and EASTER 2020 together! A blessed Holy Week to everyone who calls St. Christopher Parish HOME. To our Religious Education families-you probably are reading this on-line. We want you to know that we continue to miss you and together we pray that we will soon be able to get together in real space in our classrooms and in our Church. We have been in contact with you through our weekly Tuesday memos. We hope with your families that you are doing okay and caring for one another. ARE YOU HELPING AROUND THE HOUSE? ARE YOU PLAYING WITH SISTERS AND BROTHERS AND TEACHING THEM? ARE YOU READING AND LEARNING NEW THINGS? ARE YOU PRAYING AND HEARING STORIES ABOUT GOD AND JESUS? ARE YOU GOING OUTSIDE FOR A FEW MINUTES TO SEE THE BEAUTY AROUND US? ARE YOU RELAXING AND MAYBE EVEN WRITING DOWN IN A JOURNAL WHAT YOU ARE DOING? Imagine in a few years when someone asks you what did you do when you were in isolation at home…what will you answer? We are sharing some Religious Education pictures and take time to see our smiling students earlier this year.
Jesus be with me today in everything I do and say.
Cougars Corner
Students E-Learning at Home
During this pandemic, our students are e-learning and studying at home. Johnny, James and Michael are e-learning and studying in their own home. Keep up the great work. We hope to be able to be back in our classrooms with our classmates and teachers soon.
Students E-Learning
at Home
During the coronavirus pandemic, our students, Sophia, Violet and Lily are doing e-learning studies at home.
Our students are working hard keeping up with their studies from home until they can return to their school classrooms. Keep up the good work.
Liturgy Schedule WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2020 4:30PM—Jon Booker, Joseph M. Donato, Eugenia Nawracaj, Regina Stine SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2020 PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD 7:30AM—For the Parish, Regina McFarland, The Ernest Tagler Family 9:30AM—Linda Curtin, Ann Gizowski, Dorothy Muth, Roy O’Connor 11:00AM—Glen Guerrero, Estefania Posada Gonzalez, Rebecca Luna, Harry Brotan MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020 8:30AM—For the Parish TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020 8:30AM—Annette Calder, Daniel Hefel WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2020 8:30AM—For the Parish
THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020 Holy Thursday 7:30PM—Mass of the Lord’s Supper
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 Good Friday 7:30PM—Passion of the Lord SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2020 Holy Saturday 7:30PM—Easter Vigil Mass SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2020 EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD 7:30AM—For the Parish, Charles & Rose Mary McErlean, Theresa Garza 9:30AM—Craig Krygowski, Joe & Ann Gizowski, Marilyn Schroeder 11:00AM—Barbara & John Weber, Jim Schuler, Calistas Ember Novick, Shirley Lardizabal
READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 42:1-7; Ps 27:1-3, 13-14; Jn 12:1-11 Tuesday: Is 49:1-6; Ps 71:1-6, 15, 17; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 Wednesday: Is 50:4-9a; Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34; Mt 26:14-25 Thursday: Chrism Mass: Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9; Ps 89:21-22, 25, 27; Rv 1:5-8; Lk 4:16-21 Lord’s Supper: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; Ps 116:12-13, 15- 16bc, 17-18; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15 Friday: Is 52:13 — 53:12; Ps 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Jn 18:1 — 19:42 Saturday: a) Gn 1:1 — 2:2 [1:1, 26-31a]; Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35; or Ps 33:4-7, 12-13, 20-22; b) Gn 22:1-18 [1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18]; Ps 16: 5, 8-11; c) Ex 14:15 — 15:1; Ex 15:1-6, 17-18; d) Is 54:5-14; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; e) Is 55:1-11; Is 12:2-6; f) Bar 3:9-15, 32 — 4:4; Ps 19:8-11; g) Ez 36:16-17a, 18-28; Ps 42:3, 5; 43:3-4 or Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 or Ps 51:12-15, 18-19; h) Rom 6:3-11; i) Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Mt 28:1-10 Sunday: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; Jn 20:1-9 or Mt 28:1-10 or (at an afternoon or evening Mass) Lk 24:13-35
HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ST. CHRISTOPHER IN THE WEEK AHEAD:
Palm Sunday. reflect on the presence of Christ among the immigrants searching for safety and asylum. Pray that they be welcomed with dignity.
All Masses, school, religious education classes and meetings are cancelled indefinitely. Please continue to support our Church through both your prayers and offerings during this time. Your offer-ing envelopes can be mailed in or dropped off at the Parish Office in the mail slot on the door. Thank you.
Please pray for our sick and their families—Matthew Corse, Karissa Burnson, Robert DuBall Jr, Marie Hager, Mary O’Malley, Charles Glickley, Rebecca Schultz, Fred Massat, Martin O’Kelly, T.J. Valacak, Stevie Kuzmicki, Diane Froio, Jim Long, Jane and Janet Buttron, Marek Rudzki, Mary Boblink,
Deborah Edlund, Tina Schaefer, Linda Henery, Lucille Tryon, Tommy Shambo, Michael Janda, Marge Bostrom, Amie Sikirica, Marilyn Duzmal, Star Mrdak, Jolene Schaefer, Linda Chipan, Jim Sikirica, Irene Bell, Rose Klauba, Jim Schaffrath, Joanne and Chuck Keskel, Evelyn Radcliffe, Patricia Oak, Sharon Mildaus, Florence Demski, Darlene Lempa, Carl Bostrom, Pat Krizik, Tracey Evers, Shirley Purviance, Barb Frigo, Annette Melchor, Jada Kukec, Linda Gallagher, Walter Creek, Alessa Stokes, Grace Borosz, Louis Sanchez, Michele Sue Escobedo, Michele Nichols, Jacob M. Kohler, Yvonne Karczewski, Lucille Bergstrom and Anita Ludes.
THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING OUR COUNTRY
Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior. Amen. Rober t Saffrahn, Christopher Wazny, Stephen Grotkins, Michael Genovese, Jo Cor, Ramond Hansen, Adam Jourdan, Jesse Derxater, Jim Welsh Air Force: Brent Kennedy, Kenneth Keskel, Kevin Dempsey, Michael J. Levine, Michael J. Yucuis, Jr., Michael Smerz, Jr., Airman A1C Kevin K. Archer, Col. Tara Villena, Dante James, Bobby Lewis, Robin Lewis, Staff Sgt. Nicholas F. Rutz, Major Kevin Waicekauskas Army: Sergeant Major Chr istine Dempsey Seldon, Richard Aichele, Jr., Krystal Darge, Jacob Compton, Brian White, Lt. Thomas Peters, Robert Fitzpatrick Jr, Alison Malmborg Navy: Lt. David Burke, Michael Lewis, Cody Lawry, Geoffrey James, Michael Minervini, Lt. Chad Stuewe, Kevin Thomas, Robert Stadtler, Lt. Jeff Sargis, Melissa Gray, Eric Gray, Cindy Schaefer-Kirtland, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Sr. Chief Kevin Lewis, Kevin Hesse, Jr. Marines: Brett Lachine, Bruce Alton, Cpl. Thomas Nowick, Sr., Airman John S. Klimczak III, Joseph A. Dempsey, Reid Peters, Donald Thomas Dreher, Eric Ruge, Amy Horta.
CRS Rice Bowl is Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten faith-in-action program for families and faith communities. Through
CRS Rice Bowl, we deepen our personal experience of Lent and hear stories from our brothers and sisters in need worldwide. We devote our Lenten prayers, fasting and gifts to transform our relationship with God and neighbor. Keep saving your change in your rice bowls.
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