St. John of the Cross Parish 5005 South Wolf Road ~ Western Springs ~ 708-246-4404 ~ www.stjohnofthecross.org

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time June 28, 2015

Lifelong Learning

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Living the Gospel Faith in who Jesus is and what he can do brings us to act. Jairus approaches Jesus directly, kneels before him, and asks for healing for his daughter. His faith gave him the courage to approach Jesus and raised his expectation that Jesus had the power to heal. Our faith, too, gives us courage and expectation. What do we do with it? Our first challenge is to come to Jesus with open hearts.

The crowd is “utterly astounded” after Jesus raises Jairus’s daughter back to life. The miracle cued them into the new situation. The challenge of this gospel is that we must see a new situation in all of life’s circumstances, precisely because Jesus is present and so absolutely nothing is the same. The challenge is to see the little “miracles” that happen every day in our lives simply because God has as much care for us as Jesus had care for Jairus’s daughter. The Good News of Jesus’ life and mission is that suffering and death are not hopeless situations, but out of them come life. All we need is faith and trust in Jesus. All we need to do is come to him. It is hard to develop a spirituality that is open to the constant in-breaking of God’s life, to the constant Presence of the risen Jesus to us. Our own faith must grow in a way that enables us to see God present and at work in all circumstances of our lives. Even something so ordinary and simple as getting over a cold and feeling good again is a sign of God’s Presence which brings us a healing touch. By recognizing these signs of God’s Presence we are able to see new possibilities for our everyday Gospel living. ©Living Liturgy

May we continue to grow in faith that leads to action .

May we approach Jesus often with faith , courage, and expectation .

Monday Sts. Peter and Paul Acts 12:1-11 Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 2 Tim 4:6-8, 17-18 Matt 16:13-19

Tuesday Gen 19:15-29 Ps 26:2-3, 9-10, 11-12 Matt 8:23-27

Wednesday Gen 21:5, 8-20a Ps 34:7-8, 10-11, 12-13 Matt 8:28-34

Thursday Gen 22:1b-19 Ps 115:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 Matt 9:1-8

Friday St. Thomas, Apostle Eph 2:19-22 Ps 117:1bc, 2 John 20:24-29

Saturday Gen 27:1-5, 15-29 Ps 135:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6 Matt 9:14-17

14th Sunday in Ord. Time Ezek 2:2-5 Ps 123:1-2, 2, 3-4 2 Cor 12:7-10 Mark 6:1-6a

Background on the Gospel For today's Gospel, we continue to read from the Gospel of Mark. Last Sunday we heard about Jesus calming the storm, the first of four miracles that Jesus performs in the vicinity of the Sea of Galilee. Each of these four miracle stories offers us a glimpse at Jesus' power. This week we hear about the third and fourth miracles, skipping the second miracle, the healing of a man from Gerasene who was possessed by a demon. Today's Gospel reports two stories of healing. One story tells us about a father's great love for his dying daughter. The other story tells us about a desperate woman who risks much as she seeks healing from Jesus. In each story, the request for healing is itself a courageous act of faith, and yet very different circumstances are represented by the lives of each suffering person. Jairus is described as a synagogue official, a man of considerable standing in the Jewish community. Distraught over his daughter's poor health, he approaches Jesus and asks him to heal her. Although Mark doesn't provide many details, we can imagine that his daughter has been ill for some time and that her condition is deteriorating. As Jesus leaves with Jairus, Mark describes a second person who seeks healing from Jesus, a woman with a hemorrhage. This woman secretly touches Jesus from behind and is immediately cured. In response, Jesus turns and asks who touched him. Jesus' disciples, always a little clueless in Mark's Gospel, help us envision the scene. The crowds are pushing in on Jesus, and yet he, knowing that power has gone out of him, asks who touched him. The woman could have remained anonymous, yet at Jesus' question she steps forward and acknowledges what she has done. Jesus responds by acknowledging her as a model of faith and sends her away in peace. Loyola Press

“Racism is not merely one sin among many; it is a radical evil that divides the human family and denies the new creation of a redeemed world. To struggle against it demands an equally radical transformation, in our own minds and hearts as well as in the structure of our society.” USCCB Pastoral Letter on Racism

Lord make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. Amen.

In light of the tragic shooting that took place at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC, last week, we stand with all people who struggle for an end to racism and violence, in our families, in our places of worship, in our communities and in our world.

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Prayer

How Are You Doing? The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. Psalm 138:8

From an early age, we get the message that in order to succeed we must be good managers. Whatever the task, it should be done to perfection. Whatever the event, it should go without a glitch. Whether we are making sure our children are well-fed and arriving at school every day in clean clothes, or we are leading a company through a much-needed organization, it is crucial that we juggle all the responsibilities and tend to every detail, while monitoring how everyone is doing. Of course, life rarely works that way. And it doesn’t take long to become overwhelmed with the impossible task of managing life as it is rather than how we expected it to be. Before long, real life is overflowing and unmanageable. We often cope by finding containers for the overflow, developing habits that might temporarily relieve our sense of being overwhelmed. Maybe we work longer hours or develop addictions. Or we redirect our attention to distractions and entertainment, or we begin unloading emotionally on the people around us. Maybe it’s time to ask yourself just how you’re managing. You’re probably doing well much of the time. But you will live out holy purpose only with the help of holy love. Ignatian Prayer

5 Fresh Ideas Prayer is a cherished time to come to know God and to reflect, yet prayer can become rote. Even if we do pray daily we may at times find it fruitless or notice impatience within ourselves. Cultivating prayer routines is very valuable, but sometimes we need to shake up our prayer a bit. Like any relationship that needs rekindling, our relationship with God may need some freshness. Here are five fresh ideas for renewing your prayer.

1. Focusing on a Sense God gave us our five senses. Select one and simply notice how that sense is being engaged. If you pick hearing, you may notice the hum of the refrigerator or the quiet breeze outside. If you choose touch, you may notice the pressure on your body from the chair or an itch on your neck. Pray with one sense, and recognize it as a gift from God.

2. Water Offering One of my favorite kinds of prayer comes from Rachel Naomi Remen’s book My Grandfather’s Blessings: Stories of Strength, Refuge, and Belonging. Remen suggests filling a bowl slowly with water, letting the water represent the various “contents” of your life: your health, your gifts, your weaknesses, your family, your triumphs, your possessions, and your history. Place the bowl in a special place and offer it to God. “All that I have and hold to you, Lord, I return it.” At the end of the day empty the bowl into the earth.

3. Slow Prayer Choose a prayer you know well, like the Our Father, and recite it very slowly. Go one word at a time, without rushing, letting the individual word speak to you. Relish its meaning. Let it touch you. Then move to the next word. It’s okay if you spend the entire prayer time on just a single word!

4. The High-Low Prayer In this shortened form of the Examen, ask yourself what the high point of your day was and why. Then ask yourself what the low point was and why. Share these two moments with God, and engage in a conversation with God about them.

5. The Prayer of Doing Many spiritual directors will tell you that prayer is not about doing. However, why not make something you already do into a prayer? For instance, if you exercise, notice your body movements. Acknowledge how God animates you and gives you life. If you’re cleaning the house, be present to the work as if each action of wiping or organizing glorifies God. If you’re cooking, pay attention to the foods’ colors and smells, and receive them as God’s gift. Just as you may go out with a friend for coffee one week and bowling the next, it’s okay to experiment with various kinds of ways to have an encounter with God, our closest friend. Andy Otto in Ignatian Prayer

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• Those who live a deep faith life and through their example call me to grow in my faith are . . . • Because of my faith, my expectations are . . . My faith moves me to act in these ways . . .

Prayer

Richard Rohr Meditation: The Bible Is Biased Most of political and church history has been controlled and written by people on the Right, because they, more than those on the Left, have the access, the power, and the education to write books and get them published. One of the few subversive texts in history, believe it or not, is the Bible! The Bible is most extraordinary because it repeatedly and invariably legitimizes the people on the bottom, and not the people on the top. The rejected son, the barren woman, the sinner, the leper, or the outsider is always the one chosen of God! Please do not take my word on this, check it out. It is rather obvious, but for some reason the obvious needs to be pointed out to us. In every case, we are presented with some form of powerlessness--and from that situation God creates a new kind of power. This is the constant pattern, hidden in plain sight. So many barren women are mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures that you begin to wonder if there was a problem with the water! Sarah, Abraham's wife, was barren--and old, too--before God blessed her with baby Isaac (Genesis 17:15-19). Rachel, Jacob's wife, was barren before God "opened her womb" and she bore Joseph (Genesis 30:22-24). Barren Hannah poured out her soul before the Lord, and God gave her Samuel (see 1 Samuel 1). Even before Moses, God chose a nobody, Abraham, and made him a somebody. God chose Jacob over Esau, even though Esau is the elder and more earnest son and Jacob is a shifty, even deceitful, character. Election has nothing to do with worthiness but only usability, and in the Bible, usability ironically comes from facing one's own wrongness or littleness, as we see in Mary. God chose Saul to be King out of the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest and weakest tribe in Israel. The pattern does seem to be: "The last will be first, and the first will be last" (Matthew 20:16). One of the more dramatic biblical stories in this regard is the story of David. God chose David, the youngest and least experienced son of Jesse, to be king over the nation. Jesse had not even mentioned him as a possibility, but left him out in the fields (1 Samuel 16). In fact, he was a totally forgotten son, who then finds his power on a new level. Yahweh evened up the odds and David, just a young boy with a slingshot (powerlessness), brought the giant Goliath (power) down (1 Samuel 17). This is the constant pattern of redemptive suffering and trial that finds its final revelation on the cross where Jesus is abject powerlessness, and in this very state he redeems the world! God's bias toward the little ones, the powerless, and those on the bottom has been rediscovered by those who learn to see deeply and with compassion: Francis of Assisi, Thérèse of Lisieux, Mother Teresa, and 12-Step spirituality being well known examples, but even they are usually marginalized by the establishment mind and the Right. Notice the shock when a Pope took the name of a non-establishment saint, "Francis." Gateway to Silence God hears the cry of the poor.

What Is Treasured Sorrow It’s a life experience where there was both grief and joy. It is a life situation where we experience pain, challenges, hurt, and grief. At the same time, we come out of the experience in way that we treasure the experience we have been through because of what we have learned and who we have become. While the experience itself may have been hard to live through, and perhaps we are still living with it, we know that the growth we experienced, the reliance on God we now have, and the new awareness we have about ourselves and life may have taken years if not for the experience. Ignatian Spirituality

Reflecting on Today’s Scripture

Lord of all hopefulness, author of all goodness, hear our prayers. Do not let us surrender our hope to fear, but may your Spirit inspire us to trust always in what is right and good. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

Reflecting on Today’s Scripture

Together we pray for those whose homes

and lives have been shattered by disaster or

catastrophe, that we may respond to their

plight with compassion and generosity.

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“Praise be to you, my Lord.” “LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore” – “Praise be to you, my Lord.” These are the words that open Pope Francis’ encyclical on ecology and care for God’s creation. These words, quoting St. Francis of Assisi’s beautiful canticle, remind us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. Pope Francis addresses Laudato Si’ to “every person on the planet,” for we all share a common home—the earth. He focuses on a number of important themes. A Moral and Spiritual Challenge. The ecological crisis, Pope Francis writes, is a summons to

profound interior conversion—to renew our relationships with God, one another, and the created world.

Care for God’s Creation. God created the world and entrusted it to us as a gift. Now we have the responsibility to care for and protect it and all people, who are part of creation. Protecting human dignity is strongly linked to care for creation.

We are All Connected. We are connected to the rest of the human family, to the created world, and to those who will come after us in future generations.

Impact on the Poor. People in poverty have contributed least to climate change, yet they are disproportionately impacted by it. As a result of excessive use of natural resource by wealthy nations, those who are poor experience pollution, lack of access to clean water, hunger, and more.

Called to Solidarity. We are one human family and have a shared responsibility for others and for creation. Wealthy countries have a responsibility to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources and should help poorer nations develop in sustainable ways.

Technological and economic development must serve human beings and enhance human dignity, instead of creating an economy of exclusion, so that all people have access to what is needed for authentic human development.

Supporting Life, Protecting Creation. Concern for nature is incompatible with failure to protect vulnerable human beings, such as unborn children, people with disabilities, or victims of human trafficking.

A Time to Act. Pope Francis calls for a change in lifestyle and consumption. We can make important changes as individuals, families, and communities, and as civil and political leaders.

Hope and Joy. “Injustice is not invincible” (no. 74) and we act knowing that we seek to live out God’s vision of renewed relationships with God, ourselves, one another, and creation.

How You Can Respond Each of us are called to take concrete steps – from reducing consumption to working for political change – to better care for creation. Here are some ideas. 1. Become more aware of our connectedness. Care for one another and creation includes

understanding that “everything is connected” (no. 91) and that the economy, politics, community involvement, and technology all affect the future of the planet and humankind. How can we become more aware of our connectedness?

2. Changes to lifestyle and consumption habits can make a big difference. For example, get a re-usable water bottle, take shorter showers, walk, bike or take public transportation instead of driving, recycle, compost food waste, and buy energy efficient appliances.

3. Make changes institutionally at your parish, school, or workplace. For example, start recycling and composting, use washable dinnerware in cafeterias, share electronically instead of printing, do an energy audit, and install solar panels.

4. Support local efforts to solve environmental problems. Community groups around the country are working to make city, county, and state-wide changes that can make a big difference. Find out what is going on locally and get involved.

5. Contact your members of Congress to share Pope Francis’ message and urge action to address climate change. Sign up for action alerts with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops at http://cqrcengage.com/catholicbishops/jphd.

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Prayer Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love, teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you. Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made. Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is. God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth, for not one of them is forgotten in your sight. Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live. The poor and the earth are crying out. O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty. Praise be to you! Amen. Excerpted from “A Christian prayer in union with creation,” in Laudato Si’, no. 246

For More Information

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops webpage on Environment and Environmental Justice (www.usccb.org/environment)

Catholic Climate Covenant (www.catholicclimatecovenant.org)

WeAreSaltAndLight.org

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Reflection on Having Faith

The Inscription While exercising in a health club in san Fernando Valley, California, a famous actress noticed a growth on her body. She was shocked and frightened, correctly suspecting it was cancerous. The next day, before going to the doctor, Ann stopped at her church, St. Francis de Sales. Over its door is an inscription that she had noticed many times, but she had never taken the time to read it. Now she did. It read, and I quote: “The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either he will shield you from suffering, or he will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.” These words seemed addressed right to her. She went inside, knelt before the blessed sacrament, and prayed for the grace to take to heart the words she had just read. As she prayed, a deep inner peace and calm came over her. Two weeks later Ann underwent successful surgery for breast cancer. The radiant trust in God and peace of mind that she maintained before and after surgery was widely reported in the news at the time. And she became an instant inspiration to thousands of cancer patients the world over. This story is a beautiful illustration of a person who took to heart the words of Jesus in today’s Gospel. Recall these words. They occur as Jesus is going to Jairus’s house to heal his sick daughter. Someone runs up to Jairus and says, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” Immediately tears fill the eyes of Jairus. But before he can say anything, Jesus turns to him and says, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” It is this same message of faith and trust that Jesus spoke to Ann through the words written over the doorway of her parish church. It is this same message of faith and trust that Jesus speaks to us through the words written in today’s Gospel. Each of us has some problem, some worry, some concern, some cross to bear. Perhaps we might be suffering a health problem that is threatening our peace of mind. Perhaps, like Jairus, we may have someone in our family who is seriously ill. Perhaps, like Jairus’s daughter, we are a young person suffering from some unfortunate situation, like an unhappy home or just plain concerned about our future. Each of us has some problem, some cloud hanging over our head, some cross weighing us down. And to each of us Jesus says, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.” Jesus’ words promise that God, who is a loving, caring Father, will either protect us from suffering or give us the power to bear it when it comes. God may not remove some cross we are carrying, but God will give us the strength to keep carrying it. He may not erase some doubt, but he will give us the courage to keep walking in the dark. What do we do if we find it hard to put faith in God? We should kneel and pray for the grace to trust that God loves us more than we love ourselves; that God is a Father who is always by our side. If we do this with childlike trust, we, too, will experience inner calm and trust. We will experience that God is always at our side, ready to do whatever is best for us. The road of life was bright. It stretched before my sight. The Lord was at my side, to be my friend and my guide. And so I started out. But then the sky turned dark; the road grew rough and steep. Rocks and ruts ripped my feet. My legs grew sore and weak. I scarce could carry on. I turned and cried, My Lord! Why this pain; why this plight? Why the ruts; why the rocks? Where’s the road; where’s the light? I cannot carry on. Then the Lord turned and said, My child, where is your faith? Where’s your belief in me? Love chose this road for you. Just trust and travel on. Used with permission. M. Link

Do not be afraid;

just have faith.

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Outreach News

Pope Francis on What the World Needs The world needs men and women who are not closed in on themselves, but filled with the Holy Spirit. Closing oneself off from the Holy Spirit means not only a lack of freedom; it is a sin. There are many ways one can close oneself off to the Holy Spirit: by selfishness for one’s own gain; by rigid legalism – seen in the attitude of the doctors of the law to whom Jesus referred as “hypocrites”; by neglect of what Jesus taught; by living the Christian life not as service to others but in the pursuit of personal interests; and in so many other ways. The world needs the courage, hope, faith and perseverance of Christ’s followers. The world needs the fruits, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as Saint Paul lists them: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal 5:22). The gift of the Holy Spirit has been bestowed upon the Church and upon each one of us, so that we may live lives of genuine faith and active charity, that we may sow the seeds of reconciliation and peace. Strengthened by the Spirit – who guides, who guides us into the truth, who renews us and the whole earth, and who gives us his fruits – strengthened in the Spirit and by these many gifts, may we be able to battle uncompromisingly against sin, to battle uncompromisingly against corruption, which continues to spread in the world day after day, by devoting ourselves with patient perseverance to the works of justice and peace. 5.24.15 excerpt from Pope Francis homily

Bill Bright, Director of Outreach, and the Outreach Advisory Committee have announced that our parish will begin a new sharing relationship with St. Gall Parish in July. Located on the south side of Chicago near Marquette Park, St. Gall is a vibrant parish community, home to over 2000 families. Rev. Gary Graf, Pastor, is assisted by Rev. Bernardo Lozano, Associate Pastor, and Rev. Kevin Hays, resident. St. Gall, which was founded in 1899, offers Mass in both Spanish and English. Its school has over 300 children and over 900 children are enrolled in religious education (YC). In addition to monthly financial support from our monthly gold sharing parish envelope collection, Bill and Fr. Gary are exploring how our two parishes can connect and enrich students of both schools, youth catechesis and high school programs. St. Gall will also be one of the regular recipients of our narthex food pantry collection. During the coming week, Fr. Gary will be spending time with our parish children at our Vacation Bible School. If you see him around our campus, be sure to say hello!

Graduating 8th graders St. Gall’s sanctuary on Pentecost Fr. Kevin, Fr. Bernardo, and Fr. Gary

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Recently I led a weeklong retreat for some sixty people at a renewal center. Overall, it went very well, though ideally it could have gone better. It could have gone better if, previous to the retreat, I would have had more time to prepare and more time to rest so that I would have arrived at the retreat well-rested, fully-energetic, and able to give this group my total undivided attention for seven days. Of course, that wasn't the case. The days leading up to the retreat were consumed by many pressures in my regular ministry; these were long days that kept me preoccupied and tired. Indeed, in the days leading up to the retreat, I had to do many extra hours of work simply to free myself up to lead this retreat. So I arrived for this retreat partly exhausted and carrying with me still a lot of pressures from my regular duties. In spite of this, the retreat still went pretty well. I had enough energy and focus to make things essentially work. But it wasn't the best I could do ideally, though it was the best I could do given the circumstances. Given that confession, it's fair to ask: Didn't those retreatants have a right to have me arrive for this retreat more-rested, more-prepared, and more-ready to give them my full, undivided attention? Fair enough. They did have that right; except that this was mitigated by the fact that all the people who are daily affected by my regular duties also had that same right. They too had a right to my time, my un-fatigued self, my full energies, and my undivided attention. During that week of retreat, my office also got second best: I was not giving it my ideal best; but only what I could do, given the circumstances. I suspect most time-management experts, and not a few counselors and spiritual directors, would tell me that the reason this tension exists in my life is because of my failure to set clear priorities and be faithful to them, and that this sloppy indecisiveness is unfair to everyone on every side. If I am over-extended, it's a fault in my life, pure and simple, which I have a moral responsibility to correct. But is it really that simple? Are we really meant to have this much control of over our lives? Don't circumstance and need perennially trump that? Aren't the generative years of our lives about much more than ensuring our own health and rest? Even if the purpose of our own self-care is not selfish but intended for the better service of others, isn't that

service itself the final culprit? There are needs all over and our resources are finite, isn't that always a formula for tension? Circumstance conscripts us and, in the words of Jesus, puts a rope around us and takes where we would rather not go, namely, beyond our comfort, beyond always being adequately rested, and beyond always being in control of our own timetable and energies. Admittedly it's dangerous to over-extend yourself, except that it's equally, perhaps more, dangerous to under-extend yourself so as to always have full control of your own energy and commitments and be always well rested and not over-taxed. We can burnout, but we can also rust-out. This, of course, can easily become a rationalization for not setting proper priorities and for letting ourselves be non-reflectively buffeted by circumstance. But the opposite can also be a rationalization used to over-protect our own comfort and rest. That's the tension, and it's meant to be a tension. Sometimes we overextend ourselves and sometime we under-extend ourselves. Most of the people that I admire most in the world suffer from the former, overextension, and, paradoxically, it seems to give them more energy. Jesus, while cautioning proper self-care (Let us go away by ourselves for a while and rest. Mark, 6, 31) also tells us that we should pour ourselves out completely for others without worrying too much about whether this will kill us or not. I had all of this in mind as I struggled while giving a recent retreat, knowing that neither the retreatants nor my office were getting my best energies ... though both got the best that I could give, given the circumstance. And isn't this a good image for the whole of our lives? We have finite energies, finite time, finite attention, and we are constantly swamped by circumstance, need, and pressure. There's always something! And so we are often caught in a major tension as regards our time, energy, and attention. In any given season within our lives, if we are honest, we might have to say: This wasn't the best I might have done ideally, but it's the best that I could do, given the circumstance! Ultimately this is true for our whole lives. It's never ideal, but it's the best we can do, given the circumstance. And that should be more than enough when we stand before our Maker in judgment. Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser, theologian, teacher, and award-winning author, is President of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX.

The Best One Can Do in the Circumstances

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Crossroads YC Program

Calendar of Events June 30 Notre Dame Vision Meeting 6:30 pm July 7 Habitat for Humanity Meeting 6:30 pm

Notre Dame Vision Conference Several Crossroads teens will be attending the Notre Dame Vision Conference next week where they will explore the ways in which they can respond to God’s call with their own gifts. They’ll gain leadership skills while immersing themselves in the spiritually rich environment of the University. Kairos 20 - Last Chance to Register Tuesday is the last day to register for Kairos, a 4 day retreat open to High School Juniors and Seniors being held August 6-9. Visit our website, www.stjohnofthecross.org/crossroads/retreats to register.

Crossroads Registration for the 2015-2016 school year opening soon! Watch the bulletin and website for details.

Pope Francis during the International Congress of Catechists stated: “Catechesis is a pillar of faith education and we need good catechists! The “work” of catechists, is to “be” catechists, because this is something that embraces our whole life. It means leading people to encounter Christ by our words and our lives, by giving witness.” There are 3 things to being a Catechist, and it’s about who you are: 1. Always start anew from Christ 2. Abide in Christ, follow him, imitate him. 3. Go forth and open doors, make new paths

with Christ leading you! He is calling YOU to live your faith and show our youth Christ! Contact the YC Office to discover how you can share your faith at 708-246-6760 or email yc@stjohnofthecross.org.

Do you have an incoming Kindergarten or 1st grade child?

We would love to teach them about God’s love and mercy this year! Kindergarten is optional and first grade is part of the preparation for 1st Holy Eucharist. Please stop by the YC office to register for the Religious Education Program at SJC - Youth Catechesis (YC) -All are welcome! For details: 708-246-6760.

Welcome to YC!!

Let us be 'protectors' of creation, protectors of God's plan

inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment.

Pope Francis

We must continue to build bridges and we must confront racism and violence with a commitment to life, a vision of hope, and a call to action. Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the USCCB

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Parish News

Ignite Wednesday Scripture Study

God’s Word has potential to bring us immense joy, but sometimes it is tough to see how it is relevant and really unlock that potential. Ignite is a weekly small group program for high school and college students where we will share our own experiences to achieve a better understanding of what God is telling us through His Word. Discussions will be Scripture-based where each week we will look at a gospel passage and talk about how it applies to finding joy and direction in our daily lives. Contact Ashley Klesken at aklesken33@aol.com or 708-299-1737 if you are interested in being part of a small group. We will meet every Wednesday evening at 7:30pm over the summer so feel free to come every week or just stop by any week that works with your schedule. I hope you’re ready to make new friends and set your faith on fire!

Peter’s Pence Collection this Weekend This weekend will be the annual Peter’s Pence Collection which provides Pope Francis with the funds he needs to carry out his charitable works around the world. The proceeds benefit the most disadvantaged: victims of war, oppression, and disasters. Join our Holy Father as a witness of charity to those who are suffering. Thank you for your generosity.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

RCIA or the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the way that those interested in the Catholic Church learn about the faith and join our community. The process traces its roots back to the earliest days of Christian communities. The process is for . . .

· Those never baptized who would like to become a Catholic,

· Those baptized in another Christian Church who would like to become Catholic, or

· Those already baptized as a Catholic but who have not received the Sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation.

The RCIA gives people on a faith journey an opportunity to discover not only what the Catholic Church and a life of faith in it is all about, but also an opportunity to explore how Jesus Christ may be calling them into his life in a deeper way. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about becoming Catholic invite them to contact Fr. Bill at 708-246-4404.

St. John of the Cross Parish www.stjohnofthecross.org June 28, 2015 Page 12

Annual Mission Appeal on July 4-5 Next weekend at all Masses Rev. Avitus Kiiguta will speak about his work with children living in Tanzania. There will be a second collection for this mission cause. Thank you for your generosity.

God’s love is free. He asks for nothing in return; all he wants is for his love to be accepted.Pope Francis @Pontifex Jun 23

The SJC Women’s Club thanks all of our wonderful volunteers. We could not have done it without YOU!

St. John of the Cross Parish www.stjohnofthecross.org June 28, 2015 Page 13

It’s amazing how much my first year of marriage has found Sarah and me sharing with others about what the experience has been like. Just recently we gave a talk to some undergraduates about how we integrate prayer into our relationship. One key feature of our prayer, especially at the beginning of our marriage, was a Relationship Examen. Our method takes the spirit of Ignatius’s examination of conscience and applies it to a deep examination of how our relationship is going. Each of us would take turns reflecting on these three questions:

How am I doing in the relationship? Self-reflection is key to the Christian life. And this reflection best starts with Jesus’ command to love God, neighbor, and self. In this case the neighbor would be your friend or partner. How have you been caring for the other person? Where do you notice your struggles to be a good friend? Are you caring for yourself, or do you beat yourself up for your imperfections? Jesus knew that we couldn’t be effective neighbors if we didn’t first take care of ourselves. And how does your relationship with God influence how you are? For Sarah and me, individual prayer only strengthens us as a couple.

How are you doing in the relationship? Here’s a chance to be honest but loving with your friend or partner. Have you felt loved by that person? How has she or he given you joy and contributed to the welfare of the relationship? Do you have any gentle suggestions for him or her to do something different? This is a time I can be honest with Sarah and say, “It would mean a lot if you could offer more words of affirmation to me,” since that’s a primary way I feel loved. Honest relationships have the chance to act as a mirror, in which the other can reveal to you the ways you may have been helping or hindering the relationship.

How is the relationship going in general? The Relationship Examen concludes with a look at the relationship as a whole. Where have we come from and where are we going? Have we enjoyed spending time together? Has the relationship grown and strengthened, or has it become stagnant? And just as Ignatius’s Examen looks hopefully toward the future, we can ask ourselves what our hopes are for our future in relationship with each other. These three questions can also be helpful for examining your relationship with God. How are you giving to the relationship? What has God done for you? What might you need to ask for? Is your spiritual life growing or stagnant? Sarah and I have found that a prayerful examination of our relationship makes it more meaningful and invites us to take a more intentional role in its development. Andy Otto. Ignatianspirituality

St. John of the Cross Parish www.stjohnofthecross.org June 28, 2015 Page 14

Let us pray for married couples,

that the love of Christ

may be the center

of their life together.

Relationship Examen

Mass Intentions Monday, June 29 Solemnity of Sts. Peter & Paul, Apostles 7:45am Thomas Martin; Herb Nilles

Tuesday, June 30 Memorial of the 1st Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church 7:45am Beverly Fair; Dr. Jerry Scanlon

Wednesday, July 1 Memorial of Blessed Junipero Serra, Priest

7:45am Frances Albertson; Our Beloved Dead

Thursday, July 2 Weekday

7:45am Don Spiering; John Doyle

Friday, July 3 Feast of St. Thomas Apostle

7:45am Francesco Brotto; David Myers

Saturday, July 4 Mass for Independence Day; Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

9:00am Mary & Albert Myers; Catherine Boyle No Confessions Today 5:00pm Frank Ursetta; Suzanne Eley

Sunday, July 5 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

7:30am Suzanne Eley; Cecelia Kirshbaum

9:00am Jack Doyle; Thomas Marshall 10:45am George Jakicic; Mary Maska No 12:15 Mass—Summer Schedule

5:00pm John Hogan; Deceased members of Lipinski, Sampson & Italics: Living Intention Mulvaney families

Contact our staff: Rev. David P. Dowdle, Pastor ddowdle@stjohnofthecross.org Rev. Joseph F. McDonnell, Pastor Emeritus Rev. William J. Vollmer, Associate Pastor bvollmer@stjohnofthecross.org Deacon John Schopp, Deacon john.schopp@newhemispheres.com Bill Bright, Director of Outreach bbright@stjohnofthecross.org Janet Caschetta, Director of Youth Catechesis jcaschetta@stjohnofthecross.org

Kathleen Gorman, School Principal gorman@sjc.pvt.k12.il.us Katie Hayes, Dir of Crossroads Teen Ministry khayes@stjohnofthecross.org Jessica Koch, Director of Music jkoch@stjohnofthecross.org MJ Martin, Director of Operations mjmartin@stjohnofthecross.org Megan O’Malley, Parish Reservations momalley@stjohnofthecross.org Elizabeth Russell-Jones, Welcome erussell-jones@stjohnofthecross.org

Kimberly Richards & Thomas Garvey Kristee Genna & James Mann Collette Gilbert & Andrew Short

Wedding Banns

Pray for Our Sick

Tracy Bucciarelli Eileen Crol Marie Daly Bill Fanning Marie Glowa

Sr. Clare Holak Don King Hal McReynolds Marion Pascale Jim Perona

Pray for Our Beloved Dead

The Week Ahead… Monday, June 29, 2015 Vacation Bible School 9:30am Spiritual Journaling 10:30am Step 11 Christian Meditation 2:30pm Adoration Tuesday, June 30, 2015 Vacation Bible School Wednesday, July 01, 2015 Vacation Bible School 7:30pm Ignite Bible Study Thursday, July 02, 2015 Vacation Bible School Friday, July 03, 2015 Parish Office Closed Saturday, July 04, 2015 9:00am Mass (No Confessions Today) 5pm Anticipatory Mass Parish Office Closed Sunday, July 05, 2015 Regular Summer Mass Schedule No Babysitting today 12:00pm Baptisms Parish Office Open 8am-1pm

Gratitude is an acknowledgement of the continual gifting of God.

Marilyn Long, mother of Barrett Long Richard C. Perry, brother of Dorothy Fredian, uncle of Justin Fredian Shirley Kazragis, wife of Walt, mother of Gary, Kimberly, Neal and Allison Catalina Morales, sister of Claro Cruz, sister- in-law of Aurelia Cruz Thomas Bradford, husband of Abby, father of David, Mary, Joanie, Susan, Nancy, Elizabeth, Tommy and Nicholas

Concert Series at Western Springs Christian Reformed Church Sunday, June 28 4pm Classic Solos & Duets: Eric Reyes & Jacob Schweizer Sunday, July 12 4pm Organ Dedication: Elizabeth Naegele Sunday, August 16 4pm Trumpet Solos: David Gauger

St. John of the Cross Parish www.stjohnofthecross.org June 28, 2015 Page 15

DUPLEXELECTRIC

708-387-9400Expert TroubleshootingElectrical Rehab/Repair

Greg Fiflis – Parishionerwww.duplexelectricservice.com

DR. JOSEPH E. KIZIOR, ORTHODONTISTOrthodontics for Children and Adults

Metal or Clear Brackets • Flexible Hours • Most Insurance Accepted4365 Lawn Avenue, Western Springs 708.246.1000

Do You Want Personalized Medicine & Results?Advanced Chiropractic Care

and Functional Medicine• Acupuncture • Nutrient Assessment

BCBS, PPO PROVIDER

We SpeakEnglish, Spanish, Arabic

6715 KINGERY HWY.,WILLOWBROOKwww.bioIDMETRICS.com 773.922.5202

Call Now forFREE Initial

CONSULTATION

Charism Homecare ServicesVisit us online

www.charismhomecare.com630.541.3683

Free In-Home AssessmentAlzheimer’s, ADLs, Personal Care

Lawrence R. LewandowskiCPA/PFS, CFP® 30 YRS. EXP.

INCOME TAX PREPARATIONPERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING

708-860-6532lawlewcpa@comcast.net

INTERIOR / EXTERIOR Fine painting of walls, ceilings & woodwork

Wallcovering removal & installationStaining & varnishing woodwork

Complete painting/staining of exteriorsInstallation of chair & crown moldings,

baseboard & shoe moldings

John Wilsonjwilsonpainting@yahoo.comCell (630) 337-8946Office (708) 246-5604Parishioner

COMPASSIONATE HOME CARE• Meals • Personal Care • Companionship• Light Housekeeping • Laundry • Errands

630.323.7231 www.MaryAndMikeCare.comMichael & Mary Doepke, RN • ParishionersState Licensed

Gregg Communications Systems, Inc.Telephone Equip. Voiceover IP (VoIP)

38 Years in BusinessMary Dine 630-571-7000 www.greggcomm.com

009239 St John of the Cross Church (B)

Quality Work – Reasonable Prices

DEMMISPLUMBING

& SEWERAsk for a

PARISHIONERDISCOUNT

708.420.0806demmisplumbing@yahoo.com

EMERGENCYSERVICE

Lic# 102246

PC MDPC & MAC Sales & Service

Networking • WIFI • Internet(630) 789-3971 Tom

support@pcmd.com www.pcmd.comWE STILL MAKE HOUSE CALLS!

Shop Well Eat Well Live Well4700 Gilbert Ave.

Western Springs, IL708.246.6210

www.MarianosFreshMarket.com

Computer Color Match PaintLawn and Garden

Electrical & Plumbing SuppliesWindow & Screen Repair

Weber and Toro Sales & ServiceMonday-Friday 8am-7pm

Saturday 8am-5:30pmSunday 9am-4pm

835 Burlington Ave.Western Springs 708-246-0892

www.truevalue.com/villagehdw

www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-566-6170

• PATIO • SIDEWALKS • HOMESServices From$99.00

FREE Gutter Cleaning with RHINO Gutter Guard InstallationNever Be Without Power Again –

Whole House Generators, InstallationFully Insured and Bonded

www.salspowerwashingil.com • 708.485.0766

SENIOR

DISCOUNTS

ANNA’S CLEANING SERVICESExperienced Polish GirlsHomes • Condos • Offices

Free EstimatesInsured 773.502.9369

Member FDIC

A way for you to partner with serviceproviders who support your parish through

their sponsorship of the parish bulletin.

www.PALUCHPARTNERS.comMaloney & Company, Ltd.

Certified Public Accountants & ConsultantsSpecializing in Personalized Accounting, Tax and Consulting Services

For Individuals and Family Owned Businesses61 Ogden Avenue, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514

Dan Maloney, Parishioner Email: dan@maloneycpa.com (630) 887-0500

Kitchens • Bathrooms • AdditionsDan MaddenParishioner 246.8898708

CLEANOLOGY CORP.Home & Office

Cleaning Services

www.cleanologycorp.com6th Cleaning FREE W/this ad!

773-505-5658

KEENAN ROOFING AND SOLARIF YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR IS UNBECOMING TO YOU

YOU SHOULD BE COMING TO US!• WINDOWS • SIDING • GUTTERS • SOFFIT • FASCIA

FREE CONSULTATIONSFX Parishioner 708.937.9400

FAMILY DENTISTRYKevin E. Collins, DDS, PC475 W. 55th St., La Grange

Office 354-5575After Hours Emergency – 354-2281

TheCOMMUNITY BANK of WESTERN SPRINGS

A branch of Hinsdale Bank & Trust Company®

1000 Hillgrove Ave., Western Springs, IL 60558 708-246-7100

JOHN C. SKREKO, DDSGENERAL DENTIST Since 1981

CARE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

• Reconstruction• Root Canals • Extractions, Oral Emergency6961 Vine StreetIndian Head Park708-246-1263

REACH CUSTOMERSNEVER REACHED BEFORE

◗ WEB DEVELOPMENT◗ SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY◗ IT CONSULTING◗ IN HOME TECH SUPPORT

STEVE RYANinfo@rytechllc.com

630-537-0556www.rytechllc.com

Denise Pozen Photography“Your Parish Photographer”

To view and order photosfrom SJC events visit

vando.imagequix.com/s9y6e9fand choose the galleryyou would like to view.

Also available for private events708-352-2771

Brian or Sally, coordinators

860.399.1785www.CatholicCruisesAndTours.com

an OfficialTravel Agencyof AOS-USA

WINE TASTINGS • EVENT PLANNING • GIFTS

On York • ½ Block North of Ogden Ave.

3821 S. York Road, Oak Brook • 630-325-6550

Providing Distinguished Service Since 19231025 W. 55th Street, Countryside • (708) 352-6500

www.HJfunerals.comFAMILY

OWNED &OPERATED

VINCENT T. VERSACI, DDS, PCGENERAL DENTISTRY

4471 Lawn Ave., Ste. 200 Western Springs(708) 246-6006

www.VersaciDental.comComplete PsychologicalEvaluation & Treatment

Individual - Marital - FamilyLorraine D. D’Asta, Ph.D.

and AssociatesHINSDALE 655-9040

Pisa PizzaWE DELIVER

708-352-00085440 S. LaGrange Rd., Countrysidewww.pisapizzacountryside.com

pvwealthmgt.com708.246.2366

4365 Lawn AveSte. 5

Western Springs

Dr. Irene D. Combs....is pleased to announce

Carolyn J.Newcome Sparks

has joined our team504 Hillgrove Western Springs

Mon & Wed 9-6 PMTuesday 9-7 PM

Friday 9-5 PM Saturday 8-1 PM

708-286-1100www.combseyecare.com

Comprehensive FamilyEyeCare for ages 3-103!

Most Insurances Accepted

OPEN 7 DAYS

708.246.0380

The Freshest & Finest Meats,Poultry, Seafood, Deli & More

915 Burlington Ave.Western Springs

www.CaseysMarketOnline.com

Serving Up Good Old-Fashioned Customer Service

ALLMAKEAPPLIANCE REPAIR

All Major U.S. Brand Appliances Repaired708-579-5262 6934 Crest Road-Darien

We SinceWelcome 1983Watching

CAMEOENDODONTICS

Practice Limited to Root CanalTherapy and Dental Implants

• Evening and Saturday Hours• Most dental insurances accepted• Parishioner discount

Drs. Munaretto & Sommers, Parishioners• 475 W. 55th Street, Suite 208, LaGrange(708) 579-0488 www.cameoendo.com

Air Conditioned Restaurant & Carry Out-Seating for 200-Delivery ServiceCALL 354-4500 YOUR ORDER WILL BE READY 5525 LA GRANGE RD.

OPEN DAILY11:00 AMDAILY &SUNDAY2:00 PM

FOOD&

LIQUOR

009239 St John of the Cross Church (A)

John F. O’Connell III, D.D.S.

Restorative and Implant

General Dentistry

930 N. York Rd., Suite 120

Hinsdale, IL 60521

(630) 455-1666

KIRSCHBAUM’S BAKERYQuality and Variety

Wedding & Party Cakes825 Burlington Ave.

Western Springs 246-2894

NOTRE DAME FAMILY CENTERRev. James Watzke, Ph.D.

Depression - Anxiety - StressFamily - Separation - Divorce

Sub Abuse - Medicare - EspañolOakbrook Terr. 630.691.1114

www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-566-6170

• Personal Injury• Wrongful Death• Probate• Estate Planning• Guardianship

Parishioner

708.246.4911www.covonelaw.com

Alexandria Z. Meccia, M.D.DERMATOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF LAGRANGE

Parishioner 708.482.32135201 S. Willow Springs Rd.

Suite 430 LaGrange

Parishioner

708-655-7947TrishORealEstate@GMAIL.COMFormer S.J.C. Women’s Club President

Call For Free Market Analysis

8 East HinsdaleHinsdale, Illinois

THOMAS R. KRONE, ESQ.• REAL ESTATE • PROBATE

• BUSINESS LAW630-968-5553 Parishioner

CHOOSE A TRUE LOCAL PLUMBER

708.417.8441Lic.# J16531 - Bonded - Insured

Frank Tramontana, ParishionerWestern Springs Resident

CONBOY’S-WESTCHESTERFUNERAL HOME

Family owned and operated since 1885Parishioner

10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester

708-562-5900www.conboywestchesterfh.com

Peter Conboy

Jean Conboy Hanson

Matthew Conboy

ED THE PLUMBERED THE CARPENTER

Best Work • Best RateSatisfaction Guaranteed AsWe Do All Our Own Work

Lic# 055-026066$$ Parishioner Discount $$

708-652-1444

Hot Foods • Deli • DessertCatering Platters

Delicious Meats & CheesesProduce and GroceriesPolish and Lithuanian

Family Owned Business$5 OFF any purchase of $50 or more

7145 S. Kingery Hwy. Route 83Willowbrook, IL

630.655.2200Mon-Fri 8am-9pm • Sat 8am-8pm • Sun 8am-6pm

708-246-1600921 Burlington Ave., Western Springs

ANN HOGLUNDReal Estate Broker25 Year Parishioner(708) 828-5773 CELLann.hoglund@cbexchange.com

8 E. Hinsdale Ave. • HinsdaleOperated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. www.coldwellbankeronline.com/AnnHoglund

A LENNAR FINANCIAL SERVICE COMPANY

630.842.5473www.EagleHomeMortgage.com/MichaelDusza

630.842.5473www.EagleHomeMortgage.com/MichaelDusza

Committed to Seeing You Home.

Michael J. DuszaLoan Officer (NMLS/MLD #222954)Parishioner

I’m dedicated to makingyour home move financingexperience a pleasant one.

■ Skilled at Educating Customers ■ Variety of ProgramsCall me for a Complimentary Pre Approval

Email: michaeldusza@eaglehm.com

Carol L.KlimaMartin

Attorney At Law, Parishioner• Real Estate • Trusts • Probate Licensed in Illinois & Florida

(708) 246-7570

Bring This Inand Receive

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Open 24/7Call Us! 708.483.6148

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www.AnytimeFitness.com

DENNIS DORRIS - PIANO LESSONS

Professional, Degreed, Performing TeacherPrivate lessons for adults and children

Beginning through advanced levelsComplimentary trial lesson offered

822 Hillgrove Ave. (2nd floor) Western Springsddorris3616@msn.com (773) 610-0644

$25.00 offwith ad

Service* Licensed Plumbers* Guaranteed work

Same Day Service!708-579-33217 Days a WeekLa Grange Office

IL Lic.005017412

WaterHeaters

SumpPumps