St. Monica Parish September 12, 2010

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

SAINT MONICA PARISH Church Location: Corner of Foster and Nottingham Avenues

Office Address: 5136 N. Nottingham Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60656 Telephone: 773-763-1661 Fax: 773-763-4917 Parish Website: www.stmonicachicago.com

Bulletin Article Requests—E-mail to bulletin@stmonicachicago.com

Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday at 4:00 p.m.

Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 12:00 Noon. Polish at 1:30 p.m.

Weekday Mass Schedule Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m.

Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet Prayed weekdays after the 8:00 a.m. Eucharist.

Eucharistic Adoration Held on the first Friday of each month, beginning at 1:00 p.m. and concluding with Benediction at 7:00 p.m. (some exceptions due to Holy Days and liturgical celebrations).

SACRAMENTS:

Anointing of the Sick The special grace of this Sacrament offers the Lord’s healing strength, peace and courage to anyone who is seriously or chronically ill, hospitalized or about to undergo surgery. Please contact the Parish Office if you wish to have someone anointed.

Baptism The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated twice a month, the first Saturday of the month at 11:00 a.m. and the third Sunday of the month at 3:30 p.m. (some exceptions due to Holy Days and liturgical celebrations). Please call the Parish Office to register for the program and to set a date for the Baptism.

Marriage Archdiocese of Chicago guidelines for marriage preparation ask that a minimum of six months be set aside for preparation for marriage. No firm date for a wedding will be set until the conclusion of the couple’s first meeting with the parish minister. At least one of the engaged persons (or their parents) must be a registered and active parishioner of St. Monica. No Sunday weddings are scheduled.

Ministry to the Sick/Homebound If you or a family member are in a local hospital or are homebound and would like to have a visit from a priest, please call the Parish Office to make arrangements. Ministers of Care are also available to bring Communion to those who are confined at home and are unable to attend Mass, either temporarily or on a continual basis. Please call the Parish Office to schedule a visit.

Reconciliation (Confession) Saturday from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m. (English and Polish) Individual confessions available by appointment.

Parish Staff

Rev. Fred Tomzik Pastor Rev. Andrew Izyk Associate Pastor Rev. James O’Brien Pastor Emeritus St. Eugene Parish (In Residence) Rev. William Holbrook In Residence Mr. Ken Jenney Deacon Mr. Ron Gronek Deacon Mr. Jon Callahan Director of Music & Liturgy

Mrs. Sabina Debski Parish Secretary Mr. Richard Grabowiecki Maintenance Engineer Mrs. Mary Haj Bulletin Editor/Facility Scheduling Mrs. Christine Perenchio Dir. of Religious Education Mrs. Dorothy Spencer Director of Finance Mrs. Gwenn Suvada Business Office Coordinator

St. Monica Academy 5115 N. Mont Clare, Chicago, Illinois 60656

Telephone: 773-631-7880 Fax: 773-631-3266

Website: www.stmonicaacademy.org

Academy Staff

Mr. Raymond Coleman Principal Mr. Christopher Haruska Assistant Principal Mrs. Judy Nowak Secretary

Church Etiquette The presiding priest should be the last one entering the church, and the first one to be leaving the church. If you are arriving late for Mass, please choose an appropriate time to enter the church, such as when everyone is standing, but not during the readings or prayers. Please know that it is better to be present at Mass, even if you are a little late, than not to be present at all.

Please be respectful and courteous when entering church by turning off ALL cell phones and beepers. Church is a place of worship and should be treated with reverence. Thank You.

St. Monica’s is fully handicap accessible. Dedicated in 1988, St. Monica Church was the first in the Archdiocese of Chicago to be fully accessible to people with disabilities. There are no steps, all doors have levers instead of knobs, and

the sanctuary is ramped.

September 12, 2010 Page 3

From the Pastor’s Desk

Parish News . . . September 12, 2010 As I look at the date of this weekend’s bulletin, I have a flash back to the morning of September 11, 2001. If you older than ten or eleven, you remember this date and can answer the question “where were you when you heard?” It is a date and an event that will live in our hearts and minds forever. We will never (hopefully) forget. I do sometimes wonder though if we have forgotten how our lives have changed since that day. Do we remember that day and how we’ve changed? The current controversy over the placement of a mosque in New York highlights some the changes that have occurred in our society. We seem to have become a different people. Yesterday, we celebrated or observed the anniversary of one of the greatest tragedies on American soil in modern times. As I look back over these past nine years, I wonder if we as a people have changed. Have we become better and stronger, are we still the same or have we become less? Oh, yes now we have take off our shoes at airports. We have to leave nail clippers in the checked baggage. We have to endure security checks and security breaches. We have show ID’s in places where we never had to before. We worry a bit more. But have we changed? In weeks after 9/11, our churches experienced a brief (but modest) increase in attendance. (It was nowhere near the seasonal attendance increase for Christmas or Easter.) For many months, American flags waved over almost every home. We remembered “ground zero”, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania. We supported and honored our first responders (fire, police, medics, etc.) We call one another to support our troops. But, have we changed? Before September 11, 2001, we seemed to be more concerned with our own personal issues, my personal rights and personal space than we did about my neighbors. We seemed to fight for my individuality rather than the common good. We seemed to not care about another’s right to life and what was best for everyone. We had the attitude that as long as it doesn’t affect me, it’s ok. Apathy reigned supreme. On September 11, 2010, are we any different? Have we changed? There have been changes all right. We found new reasons to turn away from our faith, our Church and our God. (Now, I have a good reason to sleep in on Sunday Mornings.) It’s ok to venture away from the sanctity of marriage. We decided that God has no place in the public arena. We’ve become so entrenched in our own personal political beliefs that we find no room for disagreement about government policies about war, terrorism and domestic issues. You either accept it all or you are the enemy. The world seems to have become more black and white and you are with us or against us because there is no room for discussion. We, at times, seem more divided than united. WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) seems to no longer apart of our language and our relationships with others. Change as we all know can be good, bad or even neutral. Christ calls us to see change as the opportunity to grow, to become stronger, and to become more of who we should be as Christ’s disciples. 9/11 could have started to unite us and change us if we let it. 9/11 could have been the opportunity for us a nation to become the people God calls us to be. It’s not too late. As we once again observe this tragic anniversary, let each individual look into their hearts to find the light that is Christ calling us to change, to grow. Instead of each person seeking individuality, let each person seek to unite, to become concerned for each other, and to serve Christ in one another. If we see 9/11 as opportunity and an invitation to change, we achieve victory. If we see 9/11 as a catalyst to become involved, we become disciples. We see resurrection. Fr. Fred Tomzik

Following Our Faith . . . Parish News . . . GRATITUDE FOR GOD’S CALL

If you were to write a letter to a friend or colleague, would you make a shopping list of your flaws? Might we all not, instead, chat about the events of life, our achievements, perhaps how our stock, or that of our children or others we know, has risen a bit? In his letter to Timothy, Paul reinforces the lessons of the scriptures of the past few Sundays: how we must humble ourselves, how our strength is in God alone, how we can be strong or exalted only in Christ. The fact that we are still standing in the presence of the Lord despite all our shortcomings is a sign of divine patience. Paul writes to Timothy that gratitude is his response to God’s mercy, to God’s grace and love poured out in Christ Jesus. Paul is grateful that God considered him trustworthy to be appointed to his vocation, his ministry to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ everywhere. In this, we are shown that our own response to God for whatever vocation God has for chosen us is to be gratitude. And that gratitude ought to refuel us to continue the mission of spreading the Good News everywhere. © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.

THE FORGIVING FATHER

Prodigal is a word we don’t use much in ordinary conversation, but it is firmly attached in our minds to Jesus’ story about a father and his two sons. Jewish law in Jesus’ time allowed a first-born son to inherit two-thirds of his father’s property. Any younger son or sons got the remaining third. Normally, this division took place after the father’s death, but in today’s Gospel the younger son cannot wait, demands his portion and leaves, with no promise ever to return. After a short spell of reckless extravagance, the money is gone and the son is reduced to the lowest of the low—herding pigs. He plucks up his courage and decides to return home, fully expecting a cool reception. He plans to confess his guilt and ask his father to accept him back as a servant, because he is unworthy to be called a son. We all know how the story turns out—the father running down the road to meet the young man, clothing him in finery and ordering a huge feast. The older son greets this turn of events with hostility, even though he is guaranteed a place in his father’s heart and a fine inheritance for the future. Apparently he harbors resentment not only toward his wayward brother, but also toward his father. The father knows how to forgive and, sadly, the older son does not. And the father not only forgives, he forgets. Whatever the younger son did matters not at all compared to who he is—the beloved child. Every time we revisit this story we have the opportunity to reflect and ask ourselves whether we ever act like the younger son or the older son, or if we strive to act the way that God does toward us, as the forgiving father.

Copyright © 2009, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

September 12, 2010 Page 4

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS MEMBER MEETING

The Knights will host their monthly meeting for member on September 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Office (not in Beyenka Hall). Please make a note of the location change.

ST. VINCENT DEPAUL FOOD DRIVE

Next Sunday, the St. Vincent DePaul Society will be conducting the monthly parish food drive. Donations

may be brought during all Masses. If you should be unable to donate food items at this time, you may want to consider making a cash donation to the St. Vincent DePaul Poor Box. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Several of our recipients are on special diets, and donations of low-sodium and low-fat canned food products are in great need. It would also be greatly appreciated if you could check the expiration date on items donated. We do not always have a request for these items right away, and a longer expiration date would be better. Also, keep in mind when donating food that we do not have refrigeration space and therefore cannot accept any perishable items.

We would also appreciate donations of personal hygiene, household and paper products, such as soap, tissue, shampoo, toothpaste, paper towels, detergents, etc. You may wish to donate items such as these instead of food.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the people of St. Monica for their generosity and continued support of this program.

ST. MONICA BOY SCOUT TROOP 943 CAR WASH

Saturday, September 25, 2010 (Weather Permitting) 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

School parking lot on Carmen & Nottingham Avenues.

Cars: $6.00 Vans: $8.00 SUVs: $10.00

THANK YOU for your support of our Boy Scout Troop and our activities.

September 12, 2010 Page 5

You are cordially invited to join in the celebration of the

Installation of Rev. Fred Tomzik, Sixth Pastor of St. Monica Parish, on

Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 4:00 P.M. Mass

Most Reverend Bishop Kane will be the presider at this

special occasion.

Reception will be held in the Church Foyer immediately following the Mass.

(Please note change of location — reception will not be held in Beyenka Hall)

Parish News . . .

Attention All High School Students!

The St. Monica Knights of Columbus Council will have an

opportunity for you to earn community service hours, which are required by a majority of local high schools, by helping in our annual Tootsie Roll Drive. You may help on September 17th, 18th or 19th for the drive. All students who serve will be working with a member of our council and will be stationed at an off-street location. To volunteer or receive more information, please call Greg Repta, Grand Knight, at 630-825-5753.

St. Monica Holy Name Men’s Club Bowling League is looking for men who are interested in joining our team, either as an individual or as a team of four bowlers. We bowl on Wednesdays at 7:45 p.m. at the Brunswick Zone Bowling Alley located at 3111 River Road in River Grove (just south of Belmont). It’s a beautiful bowling alley, and our league members are great guys. If you are interested in joining or have any questions, please call Andy D’Alessandro at 708-345-6126 for further information.

WANT TO ‘STRIKE’ SOME FUN? “WHERE THE LIGHT SHINES”

Would you like to learn more about your faith? What is the importance of the Eucharist?

Please join us for “Where the LIGHT Shines” on Tuesday, September 28th at 7:00 p.m. in the Church. Msgr. Kenneth Velo (former Secretary and Aide to Cardinal Joseph Bernardin) will be the guest for this event. He is one of the top speakers in our Archdiocese. Msgr. Velo brings his charm, wit, humility and a wealth of knowledge to his presentations. We invite you attend this special speaking engagement, which is sponsored by the Evangelization Committee and the Knights of Columbus. Come join us and bring a friend. This event is open to all ages.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity!

Refreshments will be served in the foyer immediately following.

WORD OF LIFE - BULLETIN BRIEFS

How we care for an unexpected child, a parent suffering from cognitive impairment, or an infant

with a disability does not reflect the degree of their humanity, but our own. We are as dependent on them

as they are on us. There can be no compromise with the standard Jesus set and continually calls us to:

The measure of love is to love without measure.

~ USCCB Respect Life Program flyer (2010)

In Our Thoughts and Prayers. . .

Our Heartfelt Condolences To The Family Of

Giuseppe Randazzo

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him O Lord...

We would like to pray for all of our loved ones who are serving in the armed forces. If you would like to submit a name for the list, please fill out the form below and drop it off in the parish mailbox or the Sunday collection basket.

Name____________________________________________ Branch of Service: ___________________________

September 12, 2010 Page 6

MONDAY, September 13, 2010 8:00 a.m.— Anne Kopka (God’s blessings)

TUESDAY, September 14, 2010 8:00 a.m. — Lucy & Ziggy Chomko (Blessings on their 53rd Wedding Anniversary)

WEDNESDAY, September 15, 2010 8:00 a.m.— Edward & Anna Maria Pezanowski (Special blessings) + Jeff & James Novak + Stanley Tucci

THURSDAY, September 16, 2010 8:00 a.m. — Al & Louise Bruno (Celebrating their 60th Wedding Anniversary) + Harry & Elaine Taraszka (60th Wedding Anniversary)

FRIDAY, September 17, 2010 8:00 a.m. — + Michael J. Glynn (Birthday) + Louise Salerno

SATURDAY, September 18, 2010 4:00 p.m. — + John & Victoria Swienton + Bernice Chabowski + Scolastica Bratta

SUNDAY, September 19, 2010 7:30 a.m. — + Dominic Sarni (Anniversary) + Joseph & Mabel Krasniewski

9:00 a.m. — + Ted Szulczynski + Victoria Krautter (Anniversary) + Bortolo Tasca + Harry Boulahanis (20th Anniversary) 10:30 a.m.—+ Mary Pawlowski + Rodney Mabrito + Joseph Ryan

12:00 p.m.—+ Artemio Constantino + Dorina G. Pineda

POLISH MASS

1:30 p.m.—Piotr Sarna (Celebrating 90th Birthday) + Stefania & Jan Orlowski

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. We ask

this in Jesus’ name. Amen

United States

Air Force Brian Ostermann Anthony Villalpando

United States Air Force Reserve

Josh Breckon Anthony Pieske

United States Army

James Ambriz Kurt Beyer Nick Brodin

Andrew Dennison Michael G. Dobija Justin Elazegui

Walter Fernandez Lorraine Gunther

United States Army, cont’d

Brett Haj Brandon Jackson Andrew Kupinski Marllon Lucero Erik Malenock

Mickey Peterson Brian Scoles Jake Teele

Christopher Walsh Michael Zadlo

United States Army Reserve Jason Adamczyk

Keith Maslon Sean O’Grady

United States Coast Guard

Christine Ambriz

United States Marines

Vincent Bertucci Lukas Czynczyk Dominic Davila

United States Marines, cont’d David Domel, Jr.

Erik Haj Martin Lange Mathew Lynn Steven Meyer

Kevin Rasmussen Scott Ruckrich

Christopher Ryan Nathan Schoemer

Mathew Walsh

United States Navy

Joel Altenhoff Justin Chovanec

Christopher Karas Clay Presny Riley Schoen

Steven Stancy Richard Whitman

Nick Whitman

United States Navy Reserve Mark J. Kula

Special Prayers For Those Who Are In Need

Marilyn Bell, Sara Bosco, Jo Buscemi, Mary Buscemi, Tom Chambers, Ron Ciezki, Vito D’Alessandro, Helen Kalas, Fred Lasare, Allison Malecki, Frank Mendrick, Laura Merczak, Jeff Perenchio, Zofia Pieprznik, Joe Scelsi, Tim Sheehan, Denise Slaski, Ida Traczyk, Ruanne Vasquez, and all the sick and aged of our parish.

STEWARDSHIP Thank you to all who help the parish’s finances with their weekly donations. Your support is greatly appreciated.

September 4 & 5, 2010

September 12, 2010 Page 7

Please join the St. Monica family in welcoming the following new members to our parish community:

Mr. & Mrs. Michael Garbacz & Family Ms. Jill Gorlach & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Alfredo Leon & Family Mr. & Mrs. Alekander Sienkiewicz

Each week at our Sunday Eucharistic celebration, we see both new and familiar faces. To those familiar faces, it is always a pleasure to see you. To the new parishioners, we warmly welcome you, and we encourage you to register with the parish.

Please contact Sabina Debski, Parish Secretary, at (773) 763-1661, so she can take your registration information. You may also register on the Internet by visiting our website at www.stmonicachicago.com.

Parish News . . .

III Stanley Idzik and Elizabeth Rola

NEEDED PER SUNDAY $ 10,500.00

Envelope $ 9,857.00

Loose $ 1,587.57

Children $ 18.00

$ 11,462.57

This Week—Thank you $ 962.57

YEAR TO DATE (7-1-10 to 6-30-11)

Required $ 105,000.00

Contributions $ 99,445.34

$ 5,554.66

Outstanding Parish Debt $ 375,353.18

God’s Blessings and Best Wishes to

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph and Christine McDonagh Married on September 4, 2010

~AND ~ Mr. & Mrs. Edward and Anna Maria Pezanowski

who celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary on August 31, 2010

Baptized September 4, 2010

Garrett Martin — Son of Gerard and Kelli (Serek) McGuane

Welcome to our new child of God!

Submitting to the Bulletin?

If you wish to have something published in our bulletin, your submission must be received by 9 a.m. ten days before the intended publication date. Submissions can be sent via e-mail (preferred) to bulletin@stmonicachicago.com or delivered to the Parish Office on CD-ROM. We ask that all submissions be in Microsoft Word 97-2003 format. Handwritten submissions will not be honored.

All submissions are printed at the discretion of the Bulletin Editor and are considered for print based on priority and available space. Submissions are also subject to editing of the Pastor and the Bulletin Editor.

If you have any questions, feel free to call Mary Haj, Bulletin Editor, at 773-763-1661, ext. 122.

PARISH OFFICE HOURS

Regular parish office hours have resumed and are as follows:

Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 Noon & 1:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon & 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Closed from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Sunday: Closed

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FIFTH ANNUAL GALA AND SILENT AUCTION TO BENEFIT ST. MONICA ACADEMY

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2010 6:00 P. M.

PORRETTA’S BANQUETS

3718 N. CENTRAL AVENUE CHICAGO, IL 60634

PLEASE JOIN US FOR AN ELEGANT EVENING

FORMAL DINNER, OPEN BAR, SILENT AUCTION, DANCING AND RAFFLES

GALA TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! $85.00 PER PERSON

Butterfly Raffle Tickets will also be on sale at $5.00 each or 6 for $25.00

Tickets will be available for purchase in the church foyer this weekend, September 18th, 19th & 26th and October 2nd & 3rd.

Please note that no Butterfly Raffle Tickets will be sold after October 10, 2010. Winner need not be present.

For additional information, please contact Sharon Bass, Gala Chairperson, at 847-630-9713.

Julie Brenner, Co-Chairperson

Lettie Salamone, Co-Chairperson

Academy News . . .

Neighborhood News . . .

September 12, 2010 Page 9

AUDITIONS FOR “ANNIE”

St. Eugene’s Parish is pleased to announce auditions for “Annie” and needs lots of children to make this production a success.

Auditions will be held at St. Eugene’s, 7930 W. Foster in Chicago on Sunday, October 3, 2010 from 1:00 to 4;00 p.m. in Ryan Hall (school lunchroom). Rehearsals will be held each Sunday from 1 to 4:00 p.m. in Ryan Hall. Rehearsals will not take place from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. The performances will be held Thursday—Sunday, April 28th—May 1st.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please call Joyce Pemberton at 773-631-7522.

The Foster—Harlem Property Owners Association's Next Meeting:

Thursday, September 16th at 7:00 p.m. St. Monica's Beyenka Hall

5105 N. Mont Clare Ave., Chicago

Guest Speakers:

Republican Brian Doherty and Democrat John Mulroe Illinois State Senate Candidates for the November 2010

General Election will give presentations.

Richard Magnone, Attorney at Law will discuss Estate Planning.

Please join us—we look forward to meeting you!

Supporting

St. Monica Academy

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Barnes & Noble at Village Crossing 5405 Touhy Ave., Skokie, IL

Bookfair ID#10261071

Paper and Aluminum Drive

Friday, September 17, 2010 3:00 – 3:45 p.m.

5115 N. Mont Clare Avenue

Students will be on hand to take papers,

magazines, newspapers, books and aluminum from your vehicle and place

them into our recycling receptacles. Please do not include cardboard or

food cartons.

Help St. Monica Academy save our planet while raising funds for our school.

Liturgical Ministry Schedule

Servers for 8:00 a.m. weekday Mass September 13th—17th are: M. Mendoza and A. Mitchell

New Parishioner Registration/

Parishioner Information Update Form

We warmly welcome you and are very pleased that you have chosen to celebrate Mass with us, here at St. Monica Parish. Your registration is very important, especially when it is time for infant Baptism, school registration, wedding, or funeral. We are often asked to provide letters as affidavits for Baptismal and Confirmation sponsors. We can only do this if you are a registered and active member in our parish. Please fill out the attached form to register with the parish or to make any necessary changes for information currently on file. Return this form to the parish office or call Sabina Debski, Parish Secretary, at (773) 763-1661. You may also register by visiting our Website at www.stmonicachicago.com. Please check one: New parishioner Change of Name/Status Change of Address/Phone Moving, please remove from parish mailing list.

Mr. & Mrs. Miss Ms. Mr. Last Name: ___________________________________________ First Name: ________________________________ Current Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________________________ Zip: ______________________________ Phone Number: ___________________________________ Alternate Number: _______________________________ E-mail Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________

DATE TIME PRESIDER LECTOR EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS SERVERS

September 18th

4:00 p.m. Fr. F. Tomzik N. Madaj C. Lyons M. Paul M. Rolle

J. Dabul M. Dabul M. Dawson

September 19th

7:30 a.m. Fr. A. Izyk H. Bass H. Bass S. Bass

C. Sinfuego E. Skibicki A. Stempien

9:00 a.m. Fr. R. Kalas M. Sheehan A. Bruno B. Hojnacki G. Murawski A. Reisel J. Ronchi K. Ronchi R. Skubski

A. Austin L. Krystyn K. Mack

10:30 a.m. Fr. F. Tomzik D. Tabang J. Hilger S. Hilger K. Knorr R. LaVecchia J. McGinnis

M. Ghiloni G. Moreno J. Moreno

12:00 Noon

Fr. W. Holbrook R. Catalano R. Catalano E. Rubio R.M. Welther

M. Creighton L. Minutillo M. Zacharski

1:30 p.m. Fr. A. Izyk TBA TBA TBA

Children’s Liturgy of the Word will not be held this week.