July 19, 2020 Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our Lady of the Woods Parish Orland Park, IL

10731 West 131st Street Orland Park, IL 60462

(708) 361 4754 Fax (708) 361-5965

parishoffice@ourladyofthewoods.org web site—www.ourladyofthewoods.org Under the protection of the

Mother of God, we are a faith community called by the Father,

energized by the Son, and moved by the Spirit to unite in

witnessing and proclaiming the Good News. We share in friend-ship, gather in worship, and do proclaim our desire to minister,

welcome, celebrate, and extend His Kingdom.

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Dear Parishioners, What I would like to share today is an image from scripture that I think speaks to us in these uncer-tain days. I hope you find it helpful.

We all live our lives based on certain assumptions. Frequently we take these assumptions for granted. For example, we assume when we get up in the morning that our home is secure, that we will have hot water when we shower, that there is food for breakfast and that our auto will start without difficulty. We make these assumptions because they are true each day. Yet all of us have had experiences that challenge this. We might step into the show-er and find there is no hot water because the hot water heater in the basement sprung a leak. We may find the car isn’t starting because the seven-year-old battery has finally given out. Then we must adjust to the inconvenience. That can be frustrating. Perhaps we experience even greater challenges. I remember the day my sister told me she had cancer. I re-member the exact spot where she told me. On that day, my world changed. It became far more fragile. My family was on a journey whose outcome we could not foresee with perfect clarity. Most of you have had similar experi-ences: Health issues, unforeseen job loss, fire in our homes. Our hidden assumptions devolve before us. This is what has been happening to us these past few months. In February the economy was strong. Vacations were being planned. Graduation parties were scheduled. Retirement was imminent. We assumed our plans would happen. And then they didn’t! This virus has disrupted the world. 600,000 individuals have died in this world. 3 million have been hospitalized to date. The measures to ensure a reduction in human contact have taken a toll on economies, industries, national and regional relationships and more. The normal ways religious faith is practiced have been marginalized. Each of us have experienced this in some way. The result is the assumptions that give us both comfort and a sense of control have been upended. We cannot assume what school will be like for our children. We do not know when we will be able to worship together as we used to. If our children have been in sports or activities, we do not know when they will resume and in what form. And we do not know when or how this will end. I keep hearing the frustration of the people. It seeps out in comments, in anger, in sadness. We are facing as-pects of our lives we cannot control. Please know I experience this as well. I hope for Masses to resume as they were. I worry about how we will offer Religious Education safely and holistically. When can youth activities re-sume? I fret over the logistics of keeping everyone safe who come to Our Lady of the Woods. We are in this to-gether! Our faith is most helpful in these situations. In particular, the Scriptures can teach us how to live through this. Let us reflect on two stories. The first is from the Old Testament and the Second is from the Gospel. In the Old Testament we read the story of Abram, who is considered our Father in faith. Abraham also built his life on particular assumptions. He assumed he would always live in the land of Ur (Which is now northern Iraq). He assumed he would have no children with his wife Sarah, to whom he had been married for many years. He assumed, since he was in old age, that life was largely settled. He assumed wrong. Abram would be asked to leave his homeland. He would be promised a son, even though he did not see how this was possible. He even had his name changed. All his assumptions proved wrong. Yet he remained faithful be-cause he believed God was worthy of the promise. He would not see the future, but he could trust. He was worthy of the trust and while he did not live to see the result, his descendants became more numerous than the stars in the sky. The Gospel tells us to have that same faith. Jesus promised his disciples, “I will be with you always, even to the end of the ages” Matthew 28:10. Jesus is worthy of the belief. One of the earliest images of the church was the boat. This was because during times of uncertainty such as division, plagues, and persecution, they took comfort in the story of Jesus in the boat with his disciples. As the storms raged he seemed to be asleep but he was there to calm the sea and the wind. They took that as a metaphor for a church and a community tossed about by circumstances not easily controlled. Christ is with us. He is our surety. This does not mean we will not have challenges. It does not mean we are immune from illness. It does mean that he is with us. “I will be with you always, even to the end of the ages.” In Christ

Father Mike

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Welcome Back to Church!!!

We have missed you!

In order for us to disinfect between Masses and keep our church safe for our parish family we

will be changing our Mass times temporarily. Our new Mass times will be: Saturday, 5:00pm Sunday, 7:45am*, 9:30am and 11:15am* and 6:00pm

Please see our website for updates and to sign up to attend Mass. We have to limit to 130, masks must be worn and we must observe social distancing.

Thank you for helping us to create a safe environment for our parish family. *Please note new times

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Weekend of July 12, 2020

God Bless All for your continued generosity to our Parish.

Actual Budget Difference

Week $18,066 $22,000 ($3,934)

Year $52,753 $66,000 ($13,247)

If your family or someone close to you

is in need, please contact us at (708) 606-5360.

A representative will return your call as soon as

possible to arrange a confidential

conversation. Confidentiality and compassion are the

cornerstones of our Ministry.

Even though Masses have been suspended, we still have our daily

operation costs at the church and office.

Please consider continuing your weekly donations via online giving

by visiting

You can easily set up an account to make recurring gifts, or you can

make a one-time donation through Give Central. Under payment

type, you can choose either a Debit/Credit Card or Bank Account. Thank you for your generosity!

https://ourladyofthewoods.org/

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Our Deceased: Thomas McDonald

Ronald Shereyk

“Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord.”

BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY Our Ministry Team is here to help you

during this difficult time: Michelle Hilliard—708-361-4754

“Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

Matthew 5:4

Alice Paciga, Ellen Schutzius, Bill Durante, Andrew Schutzius, Bill Owens, Teresa Cender, Rosemarie Noga, Helen Evertowski, Kenneth Vanek, Anne Shanahan, Vicki Wiley, Erin Wiley, Veronica Cullen, Natalie Costa, Holly Fedor, Claire Cichon, Joey Oberholzer, Leianna Tanedo, Linda Curtin, Liam Brown, Mark Monahan, Joe Bruno, Daniel Ray, Catherine Boyle, Don Sloan, Lori Bickham, Robin Moll, Marie Sansone, Lorraine Griffin, Amy Belluomini, Andrea Brongiel, Zenon Wiercimak, Kris Kahn, Linda Lucas, Bernadette Scalise, Marie Day, John Wozniak, Carol Colby, Greg Zander, Ruby McCullough, Neil Brinkman, Bronislawa Krzysiak, Richard Macarol, Anthony Scalise, Jack Faber, Rich Hook, Ronald Brannon, Jo DeGroot, Robert Strejc, Brian Raimondi, Jerold Wojcki, Lynn Pacetti, John Donaldson, Pat Grieco, Janet Har-garten, Kate Kelly Sladek, Patricia DeValk, Cathy Onak, Gabri-ella Griffin, Florence Rafac, Brodie McIntosh, Mary Segars-Koscielny, Michael Koscielny, Walter Atkenson, Genevieve Atkenson, Maeve McKeough, Mildred O’Connell

Those needing good health: We wish you comfort and peace

Let us Pray Please join Our Lady of the Woods Parish as we

continue to pray for those who have or are serving in the military. We pray for those who protect our country,

for their safety, and well-being, especially,

Adam Rodrigues Captain John Brooker CPL John P. Cherry

CPL Brandon D. Gabry

LCPL Steve Olson Lt. John Spannuth

Sgt. David A. Delach Colonel Jim Wall

Brian Allen Bryan Lampinen

Sgt. John P. Micham Sgt. Jesus M. Flores

Lt.. Benjamin Feithen SPC Dylan Conover

Sean Girouard CPL Rowen N. Barker

1Lt. Jack McGuire 2Lt. Patrich McGuire

Ian Altieri Battalion Chief Douglas

Mayer

Peter Michael Czerwien, Navy Robert Owens Larry Stolinski

Captain Tom Buller Sgt. Greg Danko

Mario Danko PFC Tim Radcliffe

Sgt. David Darwent Gavril Robert Micham Danielle Batton

CPT Brendan Girouard SPC Matthew E. Lodwich

CSM Joseph Cistaro PFC Rebecca Buhs

Major Nicholas Kamon LT Christa Kamon AB Kevin Schwenn AB Sean Schwenn CPT Allen Dagys

Commander Justin T. Halligan Sgt. Gavril

Please continue to check our website,

www.ourladyofthewoods.org, for links to Fr. Mike Foley’s weekly letter, his weekly video update and the Sunday Mass. We will also be posting any other updates that we receive from the Archdiocese of Chicago.

We Welcome to the Family of God

Finn Valentine Hogan

Timothy Samuel Maul

Vincent Joseph Pellini

Jack Robert Sullivan

DO Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. —Theodore Roosevelt

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Please help Our Lady of the Woods Parish when you shop on Amazon. Amazon Smile is the same Amazon that you know. Just go to

smile.amazon.com and sign into your Amazon account and search “Our Lady of the Woods Parish”. A portion of your purchase will help support Our Lady of the Woods!! Thank you for using amazon smile!

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“Come and See”

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

7:00 PM

Would you like to:

Increase your faith?

Deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ?

Better serve your parish community?

Please join us for an

informative virtual meeting

on the Lay Leadership Program

of the Institute for Pastoral Leadership

at the University of St. Mary of the Lake

Contact mshaffer@usml.edu to join this online meeting and open the

doors to your future in Jesus Christ.

Join the Zoom meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86458013080?pwd=Q0JBbEhsZ2o3M212MDRwdXhXRzZWZz09

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SATURDAY, July 18 5:00PM—Nelson & Studin Families, Carmen Pinto SUNDAY, July 19

8:00AM—People of Our Lady of the Woods, Patricia Rowley 9:30AM—Steven O’Flaherty, Dolores Bergen 11:00AM—Edward Mills, Kathleen Evers

6:00PM—Paulina Wojnarowicz MONDAY, July 20

6:30AM—Joseph Kleinbrook 8:30AM—Jack Roche TUESDAY, July 21

6:30AM—Martin Moody 8:30AM—Michael Carroll WEDNESDAY, July 22

6:30AM—Robert Franco 8:30AM—Mary Agnes Smith THURSDAY, July 23

6:30AM—Ronald Santilli 8:30AM—Ken Primozic, Irene Garneski FRIDAY, July 24

6:30AM—Barry Wawrzyn 8:30AM—Lisa Murphy SATURDAY, July 25

8:30AM—Mary Ellen McIlwee 5:00PM— Judy Lancaster, Don DeFranza SUNDAY, July 26

8:00AM—People of Our Lady of the Woods, Patricia Rowley 9:30AM—Robert Murphy, Denis Ryan 11:00AM—MaryLou McCurrie, James McDonnell

6:00PM—Jack Roche

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — You taught your people that those who are just must likewise be kind (Wisdom 12:13, 16-19). Psalm — Lord, you are good and forgiving (Psalm 86). Second Reading — The Spirit comes to aid us in our weakness (Romans 8:26-27). Gospel — Jesus proposes parables to the crowds, teaching them of the reign of God (Matthew 13:24-43 [24-30]). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Mi 6:1-4, 6-8; Ps 50:5-6, 8-9, 16bc- 17, 21, 23; Mt 12:38-42 Tuesday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 85:2-8; Mt 12:46-50 Wednesday: Sg 3:1-4b or 2 Cor 5:14-17; Ps 63:2-6, 8-9; Jn 20:1-2, 11-18 Thursday: Jer 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13; Ps 36:6-7ab, 8 -11; Mt 13:10-17 Friday: Jer 3:14-17; Jer 31:10-12abcd, 13; Mt 13:18-23 Saturday: 2 Cor 4:7-15; Ps 126:1bc-6; Mt 20:20-28 Sunday: 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12; Ps 119:57, 72, 76- 77, 127-130; Rom 8:28-30; Mt 13:44 -52 [44-46]

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Monday: St. Apollinaris Tuesday: St. Lawrence of Brindisi Wednesday: St. Mary Magdalene Thursday: St. Bridget Friday: St. Sharbel Makhlūf Saturday: St. James