St. Luke Parish Fourth Sunday of Easter

April 13, 2008

R I V E R F O R E S T | I L L I N O I S

This Week’s Gatherings

2 ST. LUKE Gather Us In April 13, 2008 ♦ Fourth Sunday of Easter

Readings Readings for the Week of April 13, 2008

Sunday: Acts 2:1, 4a, 36-41/ 1 Pt 2:20b-25/Jn 10:1-10 Monday: Acts 11:1-18/Jn 10:11-18 Tuesday: Acts 11:19-26/Jn 10:22-30 Wednesday: Acts 12:24--13:5a/Jn 12:44-50 Thursday: Acts 13:13-25/Jn 13:16-20 Friday: Acts 13:26-33/Jn 14:1-6 Saturday: Acts 13:44-52/Jn 14:7-14 Next Sunday: Acts 6:1-7/1 Pt 2:4-9/Jn 14:1-12

500 Club

The St. Luke Athletic Committee would like to congratulate the following winner of the 500 Club drawing:

April 6, 2008 Jen Riggs

Thank you to all who have purchased memberships in the club, the proceeds of which go directly to fund the school’s athletic programs.

Stewardship From the weekend of April 8, 2008

Weekly Collection Goal ................................... $17,058.82 Actual Weekly Collection ...................................13,793.00

2007-2008 Fiscal Year to Date

Weekly Collection Goal ................................... 682,352.80 Actual Weekly Collection ................................ 665,311.46 Deficit to Date ................................................ $17,041.34

Mass Intentions

Monday, April 14, 2008 6:30 am † Fr. John J. Fahey 8:00 am † Hazel and John Donoghue

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 6:30 am The Blessed Sacrament Ministries 8:00 am † Jean and Robert Cahill

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 6:30 am Special Intention 8:00 am † Madonna Weldon

Thursday, April 17, 2008 6:30 am Special Intention 8:00 am † Sarah Kelly

Friday, April 18, 2008 6:30 am Special Intention 8:00 am † Judy Helsel

Saturday, April 19, 2008 8:00 am † Sheila Planek

Altar Servers

Monday - Friday, April 14-April 18 8:00 am Mon-Fri: A Birmingham, M Vainisi

Weekend Liturgies

Saturday, April 19, 2008 5:30 - Mass Intention: † Miland San Filippo Servers L Frank, J Badger; Cross Bearer: M Parrilli Readers Laura Hogan, Kevin Burns Euch Min M Burns, G Frank, M Shalloo, B Altier, B Altier, M Bresnahan, A Joseph*

Sunday, April 20, 2008 7:30 - Mass Intention: The People of St. Luke Parish Servers M Nowicki, P Yerkes; Cross Bearer: K Collins Readers Terry Roche, John Lynch Euch Min J Sullivan, M Sullivan, I Toupin*

9:00 - Mass Intention: † The Crowley and Cusack Families Servers M Heineke, O Skelding; Cross Bearer: C Montroy Readers Marcee Gavula, Bob Samko Euch Min M Martinez, J O’Hara, C Saunders, B Nickels, T Graefe, J Rauschenberg, P Meyer*

10:30 - Mass Intention: † Mary Tonino Servers G Zito, J Walsh; Cross Bearer: M Hanrahan Readers Noreen O’Malley, Doug Kurtenbach Euch Min E Kurtenbach, A Lutz, D Ross, L Ramos, J Winikates, L Winikates, B Miller*

12:00 - Mass Intention: † Anne Fanning Moran Servers K Malone;(unfilled); Cross Bearer: (unfilled) Readers Amy Marhoefer, Nan Brouilette Euch Min M Redinger, T Harnett, F Zarate, D Slepicka, A Willoughby*

Please Pray for Our Sick: Robert Bachner, Cindy Berg, Michaela Brothman, Nancy Bultinek, Donna Campbell, Pat Carey, Kevin Connolly, Joseph Dahlstrom, Joseph Dooley, Dan Hardin, Joseph Hennessy, Jr., Janet Hunter, Michael Kinnare, Baby Kathleen Lannon, Baby Meredith Lannon, Stephen McCardell, Baby John Mear, Linda Miller, Steve Posley, Julia Radde, Miriam Reedy, Melissa Romano, Gianna Romano, Joshua Serpico, Drena Swietek, Yesenia Valdes and Baby Cora Rose Welker

and for Our Deceased.

Gather in Prayer and Service

3 ST. LUKE Gather Us In April 13, 2008 ♦ Fourth Sunday of Easter

Pope Benedict XVI to Visit U. S. This Week

History will once again be made this week as Pope Benedict XVI makes a pastoral visit to the United States and to the United Nations. The Papal Visit includes Washington, DC on Tuesday-Thursday, April 15-17, and New York City on Friday-Sunday, April 18-20. This will include a visit to the United Nations initiated by U. N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.

Christ our Hope is the theme of this visit, a sure sign that the themes of his November 2007 encyclical, Saved in Hope (Spe Salvi) will be a focus of his homilies and addresses. (Last week’s bulletin included the current issue of “Catholic Update” which summarizes this encyclical.)

Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George will be quite visible during the entire visit in his role as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Extensive television coverage will be available on the EWTN cable channel. You may also want to pick up one of the brochures available in the vestibule pamphlet rack, entitled Pope Benedict XVI, which explains the history and role of the papacy.

As our nation is blessed by the presence of our Holy Father this week, let us keep him in our prayers in a special way. And let us pray for our Universal Pastor not only this week but regularly and often.

~

A Prayer for the Pope

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to Your shepherd, the Pope,

a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love.

By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ,

build Your Church into a sacrament of unity, love, and peace for all the world. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

Gatherings from the Parish and the Community

Called by Name

Today is Called by Name Sunday. If you were unable to nominate a person (age 18 and older) at Mass this weekend, please clip out the Nomination Form and place it in the collection basket next weekend, April 20. The men and women nominated will then be invited to attend informational gatherings designed to help them explore the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood and religious life. Please encourage women under age 18 to contact Sr. Peter Mary Hettling (phettling@archchicago.org) and men under age 18 to contact Fr. Peter Snieg (psnieg@luc.edu).

Please continue to pray for vocations, and in a specific way, for the success of the Called by Name program in our parish and throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago.

4 ST. LUKE Gather Us In April 13, 2008 ♦ Fourth Sunday of Easter

Why Does the Church Teach about Issues Affecting Public Policy?

The Church’s obligation to participate in shaping the moral character of society is a requirement of our faith, a part of the mission given to us by Jesus Christ. Faith helps us see more clearly the truth about human life and dignity that we also understand through human reason. As people of both faith and reason, Catholics are called to bring truth to political life and to practice Christ’s commandment to “love one another” (Jn 13:34). According to Pope Benedict XVI, “charity must animate the entire lives of the lay faithful and therefore also their political activity, lived as ‘social charity’” (Encyclical Deus Caritas Est, no. 29).

The United States Constitution protects the right of individual believers and religious bodies to participate and speak out without government interference, favoritism, or discrimination. Civil law should recognize and protect the Church’s right and responsibility to participate in society without abandoning our central moral convictions. Our nation’s tradition of pluralism is enhanced, not threatened, when religious groups and people of faith bring their convictions into public life. The Catholic community brings to the political dialogue a consistent moral framework and broad experience serving those in need.

—exceprt from Faithful Citizenship summary

Prayer for Vocations

God, Our Father, thank you for your son, Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who leads us to fullness of life.

By our baptism, we are called by name to continue the mission of Jesus.

Give us the grace to listen with an open heart to the voice of Jesus and to respond generously with a joyful spirit.

Strengthen the men and women you called to serve through marriage, the single life, the diaconate, priesthood, and consecrated life. Guide all who are discerning their Christian vocation.

In gratitude we offer this prayer through Jesus and the Holy Spirit, united with you forever. Amen.

©2007 NCCV www.nccv-vocations.org

Called by Name

After prayerful consideration, I believe this person (age 18 or older) has the qualities needed in a potential priest, brother or sister. Perhaps Jesus is calling him or her to this path of discipleship.

name

address

city zip

phone approx age

his or her email

how do you know this person?

your signature & phone number (optional)

I recommend this person for: [ ] priest [ ] brother [ ] sister

Holy Hour Next Saturday The third Saturday of each month is the day for our monthly Holy Hour with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, rosary and Benediction.

Please join us this coming Saturday, April 19, from 8:30-9:30 AM for this hour of prayer and devotion.

School Board Transitions to New Model April 2008 Dear St. Luke Family/Parishioner, The continuing vitality and excellence of St. Luke Parish School is an important issue facing our parish, the River Forest community and the Archdiocese of Chicago. By providing for the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional and social development of our children, St. Luke Parish School lays a foundation for their success in high school, college and the adult world. It has been this way since the school was founded in 1921, and our challenge is to continue this mission through the years ahead. Just this year, the graduating class of 2008 produced two Lawless Scholarship winners from Fenwick and three girls admitted to Trinity High School’s prestigious International Baccalaureate program. To maintain Catholic school vitality, the Archdiocese of Chicago is mandating that all elementary schools in its purview change their form of governance from the current parish-elected school board to what it calls a Board of Specified Jurisdiction (BSJ). Your school board is planning to adopt this new form of governance for the 2008-2009 school year. The BSJ structure is similar to the boards that are responsible for Catholic colleges, universities and high schools, as well as Catholic health care systems. As those institutions grew and became more complex, the Catholic orders that ran them realized that they needed expertise beyond their own to successfully compete with secular institutions. So it is with Catholic elementary schools. While the parents who have served on the St. Luke school board over the years have worked very hard and devoted considerable time to school issues, the Archdiocese feels that it is time to move to a type of governance that will allow the parish to deal more directly with the issues facing the school. The biggest change between the current school board and a BSJ is that members of the BSJ will be appointed by Father Fischer, rather than elected by parishioners. The idea behind this is to allow Father Fischer to recruit and appoint members to the board that have a special expertise in areas where St. Luke Parish School is facing issues. For example, the school board has been working diligently over the years to reverse the slide in enrollment. Increasing enrollment involves marketing, development, recruitment and public relations, among other things. A BSJ would allow Father Fischer to seek out parishioners, parents, alumni/parents of alumni, and leaders within the River Forest civic, business and professional communities who are experts in these areas to help address the issue of enrollment.

(cont’d on p. 6)

Archdiocese of Chicago mandates change in form of governance to Board of Specified Jurisdiction (BSJ).

SLS Board plans to adopt new form of governance for

the 2008-2009 school year.

Biggest change is that members of BSJ

will be appointed, rather than elected

to provide for special expertise.

5 ST. LUKE Gather Us In April 13, 2008 ♦ Fourth Sunday of Easter

According to bylaws developed by the Archdiocese:

The board will consist of a minimum of 11 and no more than 21 members (no more than 25% of the board may be parents of current students);

Each Board member will be appointed to a 3-year term; board members may be reappointed to a second term and are limited to two consecutive terms;

The board will meet bimonthly with an annual meeting taking place in June of each year.

There will be seven standing committees chaired by Board members who are appointed by the chairperson of the board. Members of the committees may be drawn from outside the Board. The seven standing committees are:

• Executive Committee (made up of the Board chair, vice chair, secretary and the school principal)

• Mission Effectiveness Committee • Policy and Planning Committee • Buildings and Grounds Committee • Finance Committee • Committee on Members • Development Committee

It is expected that these committees will meet in the off months to address goals they are charged with. The committee chairs will bring the recommendations to the Board for consideration. I’m sure that you have many questions. For more information, we suggest that you visit the Archdiocese of Chicago web site at http://schools.archchicago.org/public/genesis.htm to learn more about Boards of Specified Jurisdiction. Of course, you are welcome to call members of the school board, Principal Barb Rasinski, or Father Fischer with questions or interest in serving as a board member or on one of the standing committees. Sincerely,

Father Fischer Barbara Rasinski Bill Heineke Maria Nowicki Debbie Watts Owen Beacom Jim Smith Tagger O’Brien Amy Reardon Sherry McAllister Paul Brennan

Board to work under bylaws

developed by the Archdiocese

More information is available online or

by contacting current school

board members, principal or

pastor.

6 ST. LUKE Gather Us In April 13, 2008 ♦ Fourth Sunday of Easter

St. Luke Parish, 528 Lathrop Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305 Phone: 708-771-8250 Fax: 708-771-8809 Website: www.stlukeparish.org

Pastoral Staff Reverend Kenneth J. Fischer, Pastor

Reverend Leroy A. Wickowski, Associate Pastor

Youth Ministry Jeff Simms, Youth Coordinator, 708-771-8250 ext. 22

Rectory 528 Lathrop Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305 Phone: 708-771-8250 Susan Gamache, Parish Secretary/Office Manager, ext. 12 Jean Cortiletti, Receptionist, ext. 10 Glenn Wagner, Business Manager, ext. 21

Music Director Arlene Michna 708-771-8250 ext. 26 Assistant Music Director Sr. Maureen Sauer: 708-771-8250 ext. 14 Contemporary Choir Director Lornetta Hooks 708-771-8250 ext. 14

Deacons Deacon Paul Faherty Deacon John O’Neill

Deacon Terrance Norton Deacon Robert Slobig

St. Luke School 529 Ashland, River Forest 60305 Phone: 708-366-8587 Barbara Rasinski, Principal, ext. 11 JoAnne Kennelly, Development Director, ext 14

Religious Education 519 Ashland, River Forest 60305 Phone: 708-771-5959 Debi DeMario, Director of Religious Education Class Schedule: Kindergarten to 4th Grade on Wed. 3:40 to 5:00PM 5th to 8th Grade on Wed. 6:30 to 8:00 PM

Weekly Bulletin Articles Bulletin articles must be submitted to the rectory by the end of the day on Monday prior to the Sunday you want your article to appear in the bulletin. You may e-mail your article to stlukeparish@earthlink.net

Convent 533 Ashland, River Forest 60305 To share ideas about the Convent property with Convent Committee: www.stlukeconventideas@earthlink.net

Masses SATURDAY: 5:30 PM

SUNDAY: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 AM & 12:00 Noon

WEEKDAYS: Monday-Friday 6:30 and 8:00 AM Saturday 8:00 AM

Reconciliation MONDAY-FRIDAY: After 6:30 & 8:00 AM Masses

SATURDAY: After 8:00 AM Mass and by appointment

New Parishioner Registration To become a member of St. Luke Parish, please phone the rectory at 708-771-8250 to request a registration packet. It takes only minutes to complete the information form. You can return it to the rectory by mail or drop it off in person and meet the parish staff.

Anointing of the Sick If you or someone you love is ill and would like to be anointed, you can arrange for an anointing by calling the rectory (708-771-8250). Due to confidentiality rules, hospitals cannot request this; you must make the request. Also, please call the rectory to request in-Mass intercessions for those who are ill and to request Mass intentions.

Ministers of Care To have Holy Eucharist brought to someone who is homebound or in a nearby hospital or nursing home, please contact Sheila Murray (708-366-5596).

Marriages Please phone the rectory (771-8250) to make an appointment with one of the priests at least four months before your desired marriage date to prepare for and schedule your wedding.

Baptisms

First Sunday of the Month, 2:00 PM Third Sunday of the Month, 12:00 Noon Mass Please call the rectory to arrange for the baptism and obtain information about the Baptism Preparation Class, held on the first Monday of each month at 7:30 PM.

Becoming a Catholic If you are interested in becoming a Catholic, were not baptized as an infant, or did not receive a sacrament when you were younger, please call Deacon Bob Slobig and Julia Mannix at 771-6430 to set up a time to discuss how RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation) might be part of your future.

Welcome to St. Luke Church

If you are new to our church or just visiting, please stop and introduce yourself. We are happy to have you share in today’s celebration of the Eucharist. If you do not have a church home, we invite you to become a part of our parish family.

Our church is open to anyone looking for a spiritual home.

To register as a parishioner, please call the rectory at 708-771-8250 on any weekday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

As a means of expressing the commitment we have made to protect children, the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Children Matter Network (www.childrenmatternetwork.org) is joining other church groups and child protection and civil agencies by engaging in activities that will keep the protection of children at the forefront in our parishes, schools, and organizations.

Let us ask God’s blessing that we may keep joy and trust alive in the children entrusted to our care. Thank you for all that you do to protect children.

Support Group for Family Caregivers

Rekindling the Flame is a new ministry of Grace Episcopal Church for the support and sustenance of Family Caregivers. A monthly gathering will include an interfaith Prayer Service followed by a time of discussion, networking and sharing of experiences.

The group meets on the third Sunday of each month, including April 20, at 2:30 PM, at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake Street, Oak Park.

For more information, go to www.graceoakpark.org. The email address is rekindlingtheflame@sbcglobal.net. Or you may call 708-386-8036 ext. 36.

Gatherings from the Parish and the Community

Prime Timers

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Tomorrow, April 14, is our Bridge Day. We meet in the Convent at Noon and play until 3:00 PM. We welcome new players at any level.

The big project the Prime Timers are sponsoring in April is a Health Fair. Golden Heart Home Health Inc. will provide testing for Diabetes, Blood Pressure and Cholesterol. There will be no charge for these tests. They will provide the tests in the Convent on the weekend of April 26 and 27 after all the Masses. There will also be refreshments and a raffle. Please stop by and take advantage of this free opportunity.

Commemorative Bricks Available Over the past several years parishioners and alumni have purchased bricks with their individual inscriptions. They have been used as anniversary, first communion and graduation gifts and as memorials and thank yous. The pathway is truly a warm and nostalgic place located on Ashland Avenue in front of the school. Take a look!

The 4x8 bricks are $125.00 and the 8x8 bricks are $250.00. For more information, contact JoAnne Kennelly at 366-8587 x14 or jokennelly@aol.com.

Holy Thursday Collection for the Poor

Thanks to all who contributed to the Holy Thursday Collection for the Poor. Your generosity came to a total of $2,388. As previously announced, one-half of this money ($1,194) has been sent to the Alexian Brothers Bonaventure House—a residential program for persons with AIDS in Chicago. And the other half has gone to our parish’s Needy Persons Fund, which we use to assist parishioners and needy persons in our area.

Thank you for this generosity.

Benefit for “The Learning Center” Enjoy the music and magic of Spring Soul on Saturday, April 26, from 4:00-7:00 PM at The Learning Center, 2153 S. Millard Ave, Chicago. A donation of $60 is requested. Proceeds will help our brothers and sisters in North Lawndale as they pursue their G.E.D. or study English as a Second Language. For tickets or more information, contact Paul and Clare Faherty (771-5986) pfaherty00@aol.com, or Bob and Mary Kay Nickels (366-1937) bobnickels@sbcglobal.net.

St. Luke School Announces 50th Reunion The class of 1958 has formed a small committee to begin planning their 50th reunion. If you know of the whereabouts of any members from that class, please let them know of this coming event and send their information to me. We’d like to locate everyone from that class, if possible.

JoAnne Kennelly (708-366-8587 x14) or by email at jokennelly@aol.com.

Gatherings from the Next Generation

Please Join Us . . .

Wednesday, April 16

our students and faculty will be celebrating a

Mass for First Communicants and Confirmandi

at 9:15 AM in the Church.

Everyone is welcome to attend!

9 ST. LUKE Gather Us In April 13, 2008 ♦ Fourth Sunday of Easter

St. Luke School Board Agenda Waldron Hall - A Tuesday, April 15, 2008

6:30 PM Executive Session 7:00 PM Board Meeting

I Call to Order B. Heineke Opening Prayer B. Heineke II Routine Matters A. Approval of Minutes B. Approval of Agenda C. Pastor’s Report Fr. Fischer D. Principal’s Report Mrs. Rasinski III Old Business A. Board of Specified Jurisdiction Mrs. Rasinski a. Board actions for implementation b. Response to letter B. Summary of Preschool Survey Findings S. McAllister C. 2008-09 School Budget O. Beacom D. Dinner Dance Report J. Kennelly IV New Business A. Policy 124 Fr. Fischer B. Committee Reports a. Finance O. Beacom b. Public Relations D. Watts c. Technology O. Beacom d. Development J. Smith e. Recruitment M. Nowicki f. Long-Range Planning D. Watts V Information A. Visitor Comments B. FSA C. Athletic Committee VI Closing Prayer A. Reardon

VII Adjournment

Students Prepare for Confirmation and First Communion

Our 8th graders are making their final preparations to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Tuesday, April 22. Bishop George Rassas will come to St. Luke’s to administer the sacrament to them.

And our 2nd graders are preparing to receive their First Holy Communion on the weekend of May 3-4.

Let us keep all of these young people in our prayers as they prepare to experience God’s special love through these sacraments.

St. Luke Religious Education news

Mrs. Krusinski’s Second Grade

Getting Ready for Easter

The Last Supper

Foot Washing

St. Luke Confirmation Preparation: Pneuma Retreat

Gatherings from the Next Generation

Pneuma Retreat

This past weekend the Pneuma Retreat was held in the Convent for the second year.

Thank you to all who worked so hard on the team,

the participants, the parents

and all who prayed for us!

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The retreat is optional for Confirmation candidates who are looking for a deeper experience of faith.

Pneuma is an overnight retreat that consists of talks, small group discussion, skits, prayer, games and food.

It is led by adults and high school students.

It is a fun, energetic experience that helps participants reflect on their faith

and the sacrament of Confirmation.

Gatherings from the Parish and the Community

Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass

The annual Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass will be held on Sunday, September 7, at 2:30 PM at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., Chicago.

Couples married in 1958 who are interested in attending this celebration are asked to register by calling the parish office (771-8250).

For further information, call the Family Ministries Office at 312-751-8351 or visit the website: www.familyministries.org.

Justice Day 2008 Join us and explore your hunger to heal our earth, community and human spirit. Keynote speaker will be Fr. Al Frisch, SJ, author and scientist in the hills of Appalachia. Sr. Mary Southard, CSJ, will begin the day with a reflection on Eucharist. Learn the global impact of our food purchasing habits and United States policies on poverty levels and the environment. Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller will celebrate Mass. The Earth Day afternoon will include (optional) experiential learning with local Catholic Campaign for Human Development community organizations that model sustainability.

Saturday, April 19, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, 1852 W. 22nd Pl, Chicago Cost of $15 includes lunch.

For more information and registration, please contact Joyana Jacoby, Office for Peace and Justice by April 11, at jjacoby@archchicago.org or 312-751-7991.