Third Sunday of Easter April 6, 2008

P a s t o r a l S t a f f

PASTOR Reverend Kenneth J. Fischer

ASSOCIATE PASTOR Reverend Leroy A. Wickowski

P a r i s h I n f o

RECTORY Phone: 708-771-8250 528 Lathrop, River Forest 60305-1835 Sue Gamache, Office Mgr., ext. 12

SCHOOL Barbara Rasinski, Principal Phone: 708-366-8587 519 Ashland, River Forest 60305-1824

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Debi DeMario: 708-771-5959 519 Ashland, River Forest 60305-1824

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

YOUTH MINISTRY Jeff Simms: 708-771-8250 ext. 22

PARISH BUSINESS MANAGER Glenn Wagner: 708-771-8250 ext. 21

M a s s e s

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

R e c o n c i l i a t i o n

MONDAY-FRIDAY After 6:30 & 8:00 am Masses

SATURDAY After 8:00 am Mass, and by appointment

P a r i s h W e b s i t e www.stlukeparish.org

St. Luke Parish

we still take that road for market days and festivals and the way is mined with memories of that time when grieving and dismayed we met a stranger who brought light to our confusion and tarried to break bread with us I don’t know why we were chosen we weren’t the brightest or the most devoted followers but there he was at our table and we were his

since then we look closely at each stranger smile at every passer by because you never know and often there are glimpses of the one we seek it makes for a slower less efficient journey but when the day is overcast our way a jumble we see in those around our table proof that our redeemer lives E.M.Jeep

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 6, 2008 ♦ Third Sunday of Easter

Readings Readings for the Week of April 6, 2008

Sunday: Acts 2:14, 22-33/ 1 Pt 1:17-21/Lk 24:13-35 Monday: Acts 6:8-15/Jn 6:22-29 Tuesday: Acts 7:51—8:1a/Jn 6:30-35 Wednesday: Acts 8:1b-8/Jn 6:35-40 Thursday: Acts 8:26-40/Jn 6:44-51 Friday: Acts 9:1-20/Jn 6:52-59 Saturday: Acts 9:31-42/Jn 6:60-69 Next Sunday: Acts 2:1, 4a, 36-41/1 Pt 2:20b-25/ Jn 10:1-10

500 Club

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

March 30, 2008 Ruth Knapp

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

Mass Intentions

Monday, April 7, 2008 6:30 am † Margaret Hillard 8:00 am † Bill Weitzel

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 6:30 am † The Blessed Sacrament Ministries 8:00 am † Mary Margaret Dahlstrom

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

6:30 am † Liz Kennedy 8:00 am † James W. Quinn Thursday, April 10, 2008

6:30 am † Frances Barrett 8:00 am † Virginia Spraitz Friday, April 11, 2008

6:30 am † Katherine K. Flynn 8:00 am † Edward Feeley

Saturday, April 12, 2008 8:00 am † René Renteria

Altar Servers

Monday - Friday, April 7-11 8:00 am Mon-Fri: M Hanrahan, W O’Brien

Weekend Liturgies

Saturday, April 12, 2008 5:30 - Mass Intention: † Joan O’Malley Servers M Dressel, S Huston; Cross Bearer: N Pohlman Readers Joe Bobak, Caity McQuade Euch Min Y Bobak, B Peterson, J Megall, K Smith, T Dressel, E Dressel, N Dillon*

Sunday, April 13, 2008 7:30 - Mass Intention: † Dr. Robert Lee Muldoon Servers J Jacobs, N Giacoma; Cross Bearer: J Giacoma Readers Dave Erfort, Noel Moore Euch Min J Lynch, A Roche, T Jacobs*

9:00 - Mass Intention: † Hildegarde Saracco Servers L Francisco, K R Harrington; Cross Bearer: L Irvin Readers Elizabeth Jeep, Dottie Chemler Euch Min D Dubois, D Brennan, S Krusinski, A Ramirez, L Froelich, T Graefe, J Tinkham*

10:30 - Mass Intention: † Cecilia Miller Servers C Kelty, M Vainisi; Cross Bearer: J Walsh Readers Doug Kurtenbach, Sheila Price Euch Min J Clark, J Clark, C Downs, B Miller, S Butler, M A Kelty, M Klein*

12:00 - Mass Intention: The People of St. Luke Parish Servers P Wade, P Clifford; Cross Bearer: T Smith Readers Edwin Ramos, Diana Sanborn Euch Min L Hogan, D Slepicka, K Callahan, M Redinger, S Hardin*

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: Margaret Latchford

Stewardship 2008 Easter Collection Easter Collection Goal …………………………..…$80,000.00 Easter Collection ……………………………………….64,914.00

From the weekend of March 30, 2008 Weekly Collection Goal ……………………………$17,058.82 Actual Weekly Collection ……………………. ……..33,760.81

2007-2008 Fiscal Year to Date Weekly Collection Goal …………………..………. 665,293.98 Actual Weekly Collection ………………………... 651,518.46 Deficit to Date …………………………………….…..$13,775.52

Gather in Prayer and Service

3 ST. LUKE Gather Us In April 6, 2008 ♦ Third Sunday of Easter

A Word from Fr. Ken about . . .

Conscience and Citizenship Every four years, corresponding to the presidential election cycle, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops publishes a document that addresses the major challenges facing our country and individual Catholics. This year’s document is entitled: Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility. As Catholics we are called upon to make sound moral choices in every area

of our lives, both the personal and the public or political. “In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation” [No. 13]. We look to Sacred Scripture and the teaching of the Church to help us in this endeavor. We also utilize our reason and experience in reaching wise and moral decisions. The Church helps us to understand and apply the Scriptures, and it also articulates its rich social teaching. Keep in mind the proper role of the Church:

• The Church does not tell us how to vote. • The Church does not tell us for whom to vote. • The Church does not belong to nor does it endorse any political party. • The Church does help us to inform our consciences with Catholic/Christian values

so that we can make good moral decisions in accord with God’s truth. • The Church transcends the familiar categories of Democratic/Republican,

Conservative/Liberal, etc. It is non-partisan. • The Church does call us to active and responsible involvement in the

public/political areas of our lives. In the following weeks leading up to the November election, we will publish in the parish bulletin excerpts from the Bishops’ document on Faithful Citizenship. These excerpts address urgent moral issues, such as abortion, euthanasia, human cloning, destruction of human embryos for research, marriage and family life, just wages, religious freedom, poverty, racism, immigration, genocide, torture, the death penalty, and war. The underlying principle of the Church’s teaching is upholding and protecting the dignity of the human person. You are invited and encouraged to read each excerpt and discuss it with your family and friends. Copies of the entire Faithful Citizenship document are available in the racks at the church exits. The complete document is also posted on the Bishops’ website: www.faithfulcitizenship.org. “. . . the responsibility to make choices in political life rests with each individual in light of a properly formed conscience, and that participation goes well beyond casting a vote in a particular election.”

—Faithful Citizenship [No. 7]

ST. LUKE Gather Us In April 6, 2008 ♦ Third Sunday of Easter 4

Gatherings from the Parish and the Community

Called by Name Our parish will be offering Called by Name, a vocation awareness program, the weekend of April 12-13. This program offers an opportunity for us to pray for vocations; to recognize the gifts and potential for leadership and service in the men and women of our parish; and finally, to call forth and encourage these members to share the gifts God has given them through a vocation to the priesthood and religious life. Perhaps you know a man or woman who would, in your opinion, have the qualities to become a priest or religious sister.

On Called by Name weekend (April 12-13) you will be asked to recommend this person (18 years old and older) by filling out a Nomination Form and placing it in the collection basket. 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). Nominated men and women will be invited to attend informational gatherings designed to help them explore the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood and religious life.

God may be asking you to help your fellow parishioners to recognize His call in their lives—please begin praying today!

2008 Mass Intention Book

There are still openings for weekday Masses in the 2008 Mass Intention Book. There are blank forms in the back of the church that you can fill out and submit with your requests. Your request with payment may be mailed, dropped in the collection basket, or slipped through the mail slot in the front door of the rectory.

Please list the dates and Mass times you are requesting, the name(s) of the person(s) for whom the Mass is requested and if they are living or deceased. Be sure to list your name, address and phone number in case we have a question. All requests will be taken in the order received. Requests will not be taken by phone. Five Masses per person will be scheduled initially. Remaining requests will be scheduled on a rotating basis to allow everyone an opportunity to get the dates of their choice.

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.

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.

Another Search Committee Gets Under Way Stewardship and Development have become more important in recent years, both spiritually and financially. At this time we are planning to significantly expand our efforts at stewardship and development here at St. Luke’s. In order to do this we are creating a new staff position of Director of Stewardship and Development which will serve the needs not only of our school but of the entire parish and all its ministries. A job description is being finalized, and Father Ken has formed a Search Committee to assist him in finding the right person to fill this very important new position. The committee members are Gwen Tonino (from the Parish Finance Council), Julie Jacobs (from the Parish Pastoral Council), Jim Smith (from the Parish School Board), and Glenn Wagner (Parish Business Manager).

We are listing this position on the Archdiocesan website. We also ask you, our parishioners, to let us know of anyone who may be seeking such a position. We will be receiving résumés and interviewing candidates in the next few weeks and hope to hire someone to begin on July 1. Please pray that our search will lead us to the right person to take on these important responsibilities.

Easter Collection Reminder

Many thanks to all who made a special gift to St. Luke Parish in our Easter collection. To date we have received $64,914. Our budgeted goal is $80,000. We realize that quite a few people were out of town this Easter. Your Easter donation is still needed. Please send it to the rectory or place it in the regular collection basket next weekend.

Thank you for your support.

Gatherings from the Parish and Community

Youth Ministry Prime Timers

5 ST. LUKE Gather Us In April 6, 2008 ♦ Third Sunday of Easter

Worth Seeing/Hearing The Siena Center of Dominican University presents The Common Good: Will We Ever Hear About It in a Campaign? with guest speaker E.J. Dionne, columnist for the Washington Post, senior fellow at The Brookings Institution and professor at Georgetown University. Mr. Dionne is the author or co-author of over a dozen books, including Souled Out: Faith and Politics After the Religious Right and Why Americans Hate Politics. He will reflect on what the common good means to politicians, political observers, and ordinary citizens. His talk will share reflections from decades of observing the national political scene and his recent work on religion and American politics. The event will be held Tuesday, April 15, 7:30 PM, at Dominican University’s Lund Auditorium, 7900 Division Street, River Forest. Cost is $10. Sister Helen Prejean will speak at St. Eulalia Catholic Church, 1851 S. 9th Avenue in Maywood on Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at 7:00 PM . Sr. Helen joined the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille in 1957 and began her prison ministry in 1981 when she dedicated her life to the poor of New Orleans. Sister Helen turned her experiences into a book that was nominated for a 1993 Pulitzer Prize. Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States was number one on the New York Times Best Seller List for 31 weeks. In January 1996, the book was developed into a movie starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn.

Sister Helen continues her prison ministry today, speaking and educating many on her life experiences and the injustices of the underserved in the prison system. To learn more about Sr. Helen’s ministry, go to http://www.prejean.org.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Our third historical church visit was an outstanding success. Twenty-six Prime Timers carpooled to Chinatown and visited St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church. We also had a side trip to a Buddhist Temple along the way. After a delicious lunch at the Three Happiness Restaurant, we went to the Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows. Several of the Prime Timers remembered visiting this church and making novenas there. Despite the weather, we all had a great time.

On the weekend of April 26-27 we will have a health fair. It will be held in the Convent after all the Masses. It will include testing for Diabetes, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol. There will be no charge for these tests. It is sponsored by Golden Heart Home Health, Inc. There will also be refreshments and a raffle. Please stop by and take advantage of this free opportunity.

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.

SLYME Tonight: at 7pm We are going to be having SLYME again tonight. Come join us in the Youth Room at 7pm. Newcomers always welcome.

Cover art: kopi af Carl Bloch: Kristus i Emmaus Ulsted Kirke, Altertavle, Aalborg Stift Photo by: Gunnar Bach Pedersen

The 21st Annual Haitian Appeal

A final reminder about our annual appeal to help the young people of the orphanage of St. Francis of Assisi at Croix des Bouquets in Haiti. The needs of these impoverished children are great.

Please mail your contribution to Paul Faherty, 1500 Monroe Ave, River Forest. Make checks payable to St. Luke Sharing Committee.

Thanks to all who have participated and please remember these children and those who dedicate their lives to them in your prayers.

—Peace and Justice Committee

Gatherings from the Next Generation

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

Jack Valenti and Godmother, Katie Okrzsik, share in the special

Holy Thursday celebration.

Second grader, John Michael Dawson, washes the feet of brother, Carter,

as his father, Michael Dawson looks on.

Mrs. Maggi Hamilton leads the second graders in a Holy Thursday reflection.

Second Grade News from St. Luke School

The students of 2A and 2B had a very busy month in March!

Under the direction of their teachers, Ms. Kitti McSorley and Ms. Dorothy Wyrzykowski, they celebrated St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day with a morning of activities. Mashed potato contests (the 2nd grade boys won this renowned competition), and Irish and step dancing were complemented by Grandma Cortina’s homemade meatballs and the tarantella. It was a wonderful celebration of the cultures of two of our best known saints.

On Holy Thursday, these same students invited special guests for a foot washing ceremony. They spent some quiet time in prayer and listened to a beautiful reflection led by Mrs. Maggi Hamilton. There were so many tender loving smiles and hugs. What a beautiful way to begin the Easter season!

Irish Step Dancers: (l to r) Cecilia Heineke, Molly Wade and Mae Lees

Mrs. Colleen Rooney and the student Potato Judges: (l to r) Ellie Rauh, Lindsey Sloan,

Allie Nelson and Ciara Hopkinson

Gatherings from the Parish and the Community 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, 2008, at jjacoby@archchicago.org or 312-751-7991.

What Is Needed to Feed the Hungry? From the list below, please select an item to bring to St. Luke next Sunday. Donations can be left in the back of Church:

Canned meals: Chicken ~ Stews ~ Pasta with Meat ~ Tuna etc.; Canned Soups/Crackers; Peanut Butter/Jelly; Pancake Mix/Syrup; Spaghetti/Spaghetti Sauce ~ Rice ~ Beans ~ Canned Vegetables ~ Fruits; ~ Coffee ~ Tea ~ Cocoa Mix ~ Canned/Powdered Milk ~ Juices: Canned or Box; Cereals: Hot (mix) or Cold

Your thoughtfulness does make a real difference to those who would otherwise remain hungry. Thank you.

Feed the

Hungry

Ignatian Volunteer Corps Retired? Eager to “give something back”?

Ignatian Volunteer Corps is accepting new members (age 50+) to work with the materially poor and marginalized in the greater Chicago area two days a week, and to reflect and pray on that experience in the Jesuit tradition, beginning September 2008.

For further information, contact George Sullivan, 773-975-6871 or chicago@ivcusa.org. Contact Ignatian Volunteer Corps National office at (toll-free) 888-831-4686 or visit the website at www.ivcusa.org.