The Catholic Community of Divine Infant Jesus Church and Divine Providence Church & School

Westchester, IL

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 1, 2021

For additional information regarding our parish, please see page 11 or visit our website: marymotherofdivinegrace.org

Welcome to

Mary, Mother of Divine Grace Parish

The Catholic Community of Divine Infant Jesus Church and Divine Providence Church and School

PARISH CHURCH LOCATIONS

DIVINE PROVIDENCE Church: 2600 Mayfair Ave.

Business Office: 2550 Mayfair Ave. Westchester, IL 60154

(708) 562-3364 Hours: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

Mass Schedule: Monday 8:00 AM

Anticipated Mass Saturday 4:00PM

DIVINE INFANT JESUS Church: Newcastle & Canterbury Avenues Rectory Office: 1601 Newcastle Ave. Westchester, IL 60154 (708) 865-8071 Hours: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM

Mass Schedule: Wednesday & Friday: 8:00 AM Sundays: 10:00 AM

Holy Days of Obligation: As announced in bulletin.

PARISH STAFF

MISSION STATEMENT - Who We Are The mission of the faith community of Mary, Mother of Divine Grace is to inspire spiritual growth by worshiping, teaching and living by example our love of Jesus, His Church and our neighbors.

VISION STATEMENT - Who We Strive to Be The parish of Mary, Mother of Divine Grace will continually serve all people by being good stewards for future generations. We make Christ known by living and teaching our faith.

OUR MISSION and OUR VISION

Clergy and Consecrated Religious

Pastor Reverend Neil Fackler

Residents Reverend Gerald Joyce Reverend Thomas Winikates

Deacons Richard Hudzik James Sponder

Liturgy & Faith Formation Director Deacon James Sponder 708-562-3364 - x13 jsponder@archchicago.org

Religious Education Administrator Sr. Christine Nantaba, IHMR 708-865-8086-DI 708-562-2258-DP cnantaba@archchicago.org

Pastoral Staff Office 708-562-3364

Operations Director Mr. John Maher jmaher@archchicago.org

Secretary /Bookkeeper Mrs. Toni Podock tonilpodock@archchicago.org

Administrative Assistant Ms. Karen Luciano kluciano@archchicago.org

Director of Marketing & Enrollment

Mrs. Linda Hawkins lhawkins@archchicago.org Music Ministry

Divine Providence 2500 Mayfair Ave. School 708- 562-2258

Principal Mrs. Lynn LeTourneau lynn.letourneau@archchicago.org

Secretary Mrs. Chrystal Farmar cfarmar@archchicago.org

Volume 21 EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME August 1, 2021

I had a very relaxing time with friends last week in Atlanta. It is good to be back. The parish is hosting an official welcome for me next weekend. I will celebrate the Saturday 4pm Mass at Divine Providence, followed by an informal reception. And on Sunday, I will celebrate the 10am Mass at Divine Infant Jesus, also followed by a light reception. I will probably share a little more of my personal story so you all can get to know a little about me. I hope to spend the next several years getting to know you and sharing our faith journey together.

When I was growing up, the “Dog Days” of August held the promise of another month of hot, lazy days with nothing to do but be a kid. Labor Day marked the official end of summer and the beginning of a new school year. But for the parish and school staff, the summer ends very shortly. In a week or so, the teachers will come back to set up their classrooms, the school organizations will all resume their activities and the faculty will have several days of planning meetings as we prepare to begin the new school year. The first day of school is Thursday, August 19th, not quite three weeks away. Sister Christine is also preparing for the new year, with catechist development and curriculum review, as well as getting ready for the first day of class on September 13th. Let’s enjoy the Dog Days while we can.

In last week’s Gospel, Jesus fed the large crowd with a few loaves of bread and fish. Today he tells us explicitly that he himself is the bread of life. His promise is that this bread from heaven gives eternal life. For the next several Sundays Jesus will continue to expound on what this means.

We also continue the Old Testament stories of how God provides for his people. Today the Israelites are on an earlier stage of the journey. They have been delivered from slavery in Egypt. On their journey they are tired, hungry and scared. Their trust in God’s deliverance is overshadowed by the pressing needs of their current circumstances. Exodus means “going out”. God has taken them out of captivity and promised to lead them to the Promised Land. Now they are in the middle of the desert where the vision is not clear. So they grumble against God and Moses, complaining that it would be better to live in slavery and have food to eat than be stuck in the desert.

Their story is also our story. At times, all of us are like the Israelites. We know that God has created us in his own image and has invited us on a journey of faith that will lead to the promised land of an intimate relationship with him in this life and for all eternity in heaven. But in the midst of our daily lives, we often feel like we are in the desert, that God has abandoned us and that the future is bleak. How much better it seems at times to turn back, to give in to the values of the world, so that we can be safe and comfortable.

God hears the cries of the Israelites. He promises to feed them, giving them manna to eat. In the Gospel, the crowds ask Jesus to give them the manna, the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. Like the Woman at the Well in the fourth chapter of John’s gospel, the people misunderstand Jesus’ words. Having just performed a miracle to feed them, they want him to give them an unlimited supply of food. Jesus tells them that he is the bread of life and promises that those who believe in him will never hunger or thirst.

Jesus has not yet told them about the Eucharist. We will hear about it explicitly in the gospel over the next two Sundays. What Jesus is doing in today’s Gospel is to invite people into a deeper relationship with God. He is promising spiritual nourishment for those who come to him. Jesus says that we are to work for the food that endures for eternal life. He defines this work as simply believing in the one whom God has sent. The journey through the desert (our spiritual sojourn in this earthly life) is to believe in Christ. It is a call back to the Covenant. The people in the desert are told that the miraculous gift of the manna is the bread that God himself has given them. Instead of turning back toward Egypt (slavery), they are called to trust in God for the strength to continue the journey. Jesus tells the people to trust in him so that they will have the spiritual strength to persevere on the journey to eternal life.

Continued

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St. Paul tells the Ephesians that, believing in Jesus, they are to be “renewed in spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in righteousness and holiness of truth”. In today’s scriptures, the bread of life is the word of God in Christ. To believe in Christ is to act on his word, living the Covenant in righteous thoughts and actions. In Jesus, we will never hunger or thirst because his grace will sustain us. Our journey in the desert is the challenge to walk by faith, to not be overwhelmed by the physical cares of the world.

On Friday, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord (not a Holy Day of Obligation). This wonderful event shows God’s solidarity with the human race and gives us a glimpse of the glory that is promised to us in heaven.

Have a great week.

Sincerely, Fr. Neil

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord

On Friday, we celebrate the Transfiguration of the Lord, when Jesus reveals his glorified body on Mount Tabor to Peter, James and John. This is a foreshadowing of his Ascension into heaven forty days after the Resurrection. On this feast, he descends back into the valley and sets his face to Jerusalem where he knows he will die on the Cross. This feast is a reminder that our salvation is only possible in the death of Christ. Had he simply re-assumed his divine glory and ascended to heaven from Mt. Tabor, our fallen nature would not have been redeemed. Jesus’ solidarity with us shows us that God’s love for us knows no bounds and that he truly is with us.

In the reading from the book of Daniel, the prophet has a vision of the end time when the Ancient One (God) sits on his throne and opens the Book of Judgment. The Son of Man arrives on the clouds of heaven and is given everlasting glory and kingship over all the nations. St. Peter tells us that these are not clever myths, but that he himself was on the mountain and heard the voice of God say that Jesus is his beloved Son. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus is transfigured before their eyes, his face becoming radiant as the sun. This evokes the fading glory of God shining in Moses’ face after being with him on the holy mountain. Jesus’ glory is no fading glory, but his own divine glory shining through his humanity. Jesus tells them not to reveal the vision until he rises from the dead.

Daniel 7: 9-10, 13-14 2 Peter 1: 16-19 Mark 9: 2-10

In the reading from Exodus, the children of Israel are wandering in the desert after their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. They grumble against Moses, complaining about the lack of food, preferring to die in slavery. God hears their complaints and gives them the manna to eat every morning. St. Paul tells the Ephesians that they must put away their former life of sin and be renewed in the spirit, living in the ways of righteousness and truth. In the Gospel, the people look to Jesus for a sign that he comes from God. They tell him that their ancestors ate manna in the desert, bread from heaven to eat; and ask him what can he do to prove that he comes from God. Jesus tells them that Moses gave them manna; but that the true bread of God comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. Jesus says, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will not hunger, and whoever believes in me will not thirst.” Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15 Ephesians 4:17, 20-24 John 6:24-35

EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME with Fr. Neil

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Please be assured all Mass Intentions scheduled will be acknowledged during the week by our

priests as they celebrate Mass in private.

WEEKLY COLLECTIONS

Mary, Mother of Divine Grace Parish Divine Infant Jesus & Divine Providence

July 25, 2021 $7,060.82

WeShare $1,734.00

TOTAL $8,794.82

Please consider giving online at: WeShare

https://marymotherofdivinegrace.churchgiving.com/

Divine Infant Jesus & Divine Providence

Pat Ambrosia Vincent Antonio

Jerry Aquino Joan Barrera

Tony Belmonte Midge Berg

Laura Biagini Tony Biliskov

Diane & John Bozek James Brabec Dan Callahan

Rose Campobasso Gilda Cappetta

Michelle Carnagio Cindy Cerveny

Joseph E. Cistaro Mary Jo Conway Margaret Cullen

Will Engwall Billy Ferraris

Francis Giannopoulous Bob Gibson Marcy Goetz Eileen Gorski

Mary Ann Graziano Nathaniel Gutierrez

Desi Hamilton Adeline Hartman

Christopher Heitz Mariel Hesley

Betty Hornbogen Betty Hyland

Anthony Jandacek Carme Jandacek

Lorraine Jaworek Jim Jolicoeur

Janet Joy Danute Juras

Catherine Keable Lois Kedzior

Mary Ann Kelly Mary Kmet

Sr. Rita Kristoff Jason Kuntz

Ignatius Lagen Ashley Luecken

Thomas Martirano Sam Martyn

Steve Mazzarella Maurice McCarthy

Pam McDaniel Noreen McKenna Barbara McManus

Regie Meade Gabriel Meier Peggy Melville

Jim Muha Mulfinger Family

Michael Nee Mark Nelson

Christine Neuzil Bernice Niemiec Patricia Olson Sandra Orrico

Frank Pedota, Sr. Ralph Perri

Ralph Romano Diana Roselli Rose Principe Gina Santucci

Michael Scherer Geraldine Schneider

Angie Senese Nicole Durczak Sheputis

Don Sloan Steve Spomer Paul Sodayko Grace Thomas

Vito Valerio Parker Van Gelder

Bob Van Lanen Alice Volka

Florence Voves Mary Walsh

Edward & Alice Wasilewski Steven Wiersema

Divine Providence Mass Intentions

Monday, 08/02 8:00am For the Parishioners †James & Ann Hitchcock

Tuesday, 08/03 8:00am †Jeanie Juvancic

Wed., 08/04 8:00am †Marie McHugh

Weekend Masses Sat., 08/07 4:00pm People of the Parish †Holy Souls in Purgatory †Rita Zdun †Edwin Toloczko †The Frank Napolitano Family

Sun., 08/08 *All 8:30am Mass Intentions at Divine Providence have been moved to

10:00am at Divine Infant Jesus*

Divine Infant Jesus Mass Intentions

Thurs., 08/05 8:00am †Milt Serritella

Friday, 08/06 8:00am †Tom Travers

Sat., 08/07 8:00am †Ed Pfeiffer

Weekend Masses Sat., 08/08 *All 5:00pm Mass Intentions at

Divine Infant Jesus have been moved to 4:00pm at Divine Providence*

Sun., 08/09 10:00am †All the Souls in Purgatory †Barbara Coloia †Helen & William Juvancic †Gerry Styler †Cesar Vivo

CONFESSIONS

Saturday, August 7 8:30am - 9:00am

Divine Infant Jesus Church

Please wear a face mask.

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Parish Calendar of Events DP = DIVINE PROVIDENCE / DI = DIVINE INFANT JESUS

Monday, August 2 8:00a Mass - Divine Providence Church

Tuesday, August 3 PPC Meeting 7:00p - DP Ministry Center

Wednesday, August 4 8:00a Mass - Divine Infant Jesus Church

Thursday, August 5

Friday, August 6 8:00a Mass - Divine Infant Jesus Church Adoration/Holy Hour 9:00a - Divine Providence Church

Saturday, August 7 Confessions 8:30a-9:00a - Divine Infant Jesus Church 4:00p Anticipated Mass - Divine Providence Church Welcome Fr. Neil after Mass

Sunday, August 8 10:00a Mass - Divine Infant Jesus Church Welcome Fr. Neil after Mass

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR BROTHERS & SISTERS ACTIVELY

SERVING IN THE MILITARY AROUND THE WORLD.

Lance Corporal Nathaniel J. McDougall Marines

Sergeant Michael Nieves Marines

Corporal Daniel S. Mahony Marines

PFC Ed Lacombe Army

Lt. Col. Michael J. Milas Army

Lt. Col. Paul Milas Army

Master Sgt. Christopher Weeks US Space Force

Major Matthew Kubik US Air Force

Mary, Mother of Divine Grace Parish

celebrates the Baptism of...

Aubrey Lee Daughter of

Adam & Amanda (Antos) Polak Baptized at Divine Infant Jesus Church

July 25, 2021

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of

the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

HOLY HOUR Friday, August 6, 2021

9:00am-10:00am

Divine Providence Church

Please note we are moving Holy Hour

back to Divine Providence Church

beginning August 6, 2021.

Please attend at your own comfort level,

wear a mask if needed and maintain a

comfortable social distance.

“Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that

endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”

-John 6:27

To continue our journey through the Book of Psalms,

I was going to say something about this as being a journey

through our “beloved” Book of Psalms. However, I had to

stop myself and question the use of that word “beloved.”

If the Psalms are indeed beloved, then I would spend more

time with them, trying to understand them, trying to pray

with them. Only then could I, with integrity, talk about the depth and power of the Psalms. This series of

articles is a movement toward my own deeper appreciation of this Scripture. Walk with me, if you are

interested. Let us together come to love the Psalms more deeply.

Here is a next step. Perhaps you will find it useful, as I do, to try to categorize the psalms into different

types, different themes. In this way, we have a mental tool to guide us in understanding at the very

outset of reading or reciting a psalm. We might think, “Oh, Psalm 23—the Lord is my shepherd—that's a

nice, happy psalm.” Well, perhaps Psalm 23 is nice and happy, but we can develop more rigorous

categories than “nice” or “happy.”

We benefit from the centuries of scholars’ and our Church’s reflections on the Psalms. One way of

categorizing the Psalms is to see them as being one of the following types:

• Praise psalms: “Praise the Lord in his sanctuary...” (Ps. 150, e.g.).

• Wisdom psalms: “Happy is he who has regard for the poor and needy...” (Ps. 41, e.g.).

• Royal psalms: “O God with your judgment endow the king...” (Ps. 72, e.g.).

• Thanksgiving psalms: “You changed my mourning into dancing...” (Ps. 30, e.g.).

• Lament psalms: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me...” (Ps. 22, e.g.).

There are other ways to categorize the psalms, but this scheme seems to work reasonably well. The

point is not to have an ironclad system of analysis. The point is to have an easier entrée into how we

might understand and pray with the Psalms. If this five-way system works for you in your faith-life and

prayer-life, use it.

Regardless of which method of categorizing the Psalms we might choose, it is obvious to note that the

psalms were not written with any categories in mind. Rather, the Psalms were written and preserved to

record humanity’s varied interaction with life and with the Divine Life. It is in fact one of the glories of the

psalms that they are are often described as possessing the full range of human emotions—from elation to

bitter sorrow and despair; from anger to love. What I am feeling at the moment can be found somewhere

in a least one of the psalms. The psalm for the day’s Mass might not match what I am feeling, but it is

what someone else is feeling or experiencing. In a gesture of humility and sacrifice, I can then enter into

what someone else needs or feels and suppress my own emotional need for the moment. I will pray for

you in your sorrow, even though I might be feeling on top of the world.

The Psalms therefore not only articulate my voice to God. They also offer me an opportunity to share in

your voice.

Please join us for light refreshments and to welcome Fr. Neil to our parish

after Masses next weekend.

Saturday, August 7 after 4:00pm Mass at Divine Providence Church

Sunday, August 8 after 10:00am Mass at Divine Infant Jesus Church

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Nm 11:4b-15; Ps 81:12-17; Mt 14:13-21 Tuesday: Nm 12:1-13; Ps 51:3-7, 12-13; Mt 14:22-36 or Mt 15:1-2, 10-14 Wednesday: Nm 13:1-2, 25 — 14:1, 26-29a, 34-35; Ps 106:6-7ab, 13-14, 21-23; Mt 15:21-28 Thursday: Nm 20:1-13; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; Mt 16:13-23 Friday: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9; 2 Pt 1:16-19; Mk 9:2-10 Saturday: Dt 6:4-13; Ps 18:2-4, 47, 51; Mt 17:14-20 Sunday: 1 Kgs 19:4-8; Ps 34:2-9; Eph 4:30 — 5:2; Jn 6:41-51

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SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Sunday: Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Monday: St. Eusebius of Vercelli; St. Peter Julian Eymard Wednesday: St. John Vianney Thursday: Dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major Friday: The Transfiguration of the Lord; Hiroshima Memorial Day; First Friday Saturday: St. Sixtus II and Companions; St. Cajetan; First Saturday

MONDAY MEDITATION: NUMBERS 11:4-15

We see nothing before us but this manna. (Numbers 11:6)

Can a miracle ever become ordinary? The answer is probably yes and no. For example, think about today’s

first reading. For more than a year, God had been miraculously raining down manna from heaven to sustain the Israelites during their odyssey in the wilderness (Numbers 11:9). But just about anyone who

eats the same food for days in a row—let alone a year—will tire of it. After all, there are only so many

ways to cook manna! So some of the people eventually lost sight of the miracle of God’s provision. In-

stead, they focused on the monotony of the same ordinary wafer day after day. For them, familiarity bred

frustration, not continual awe. But it didn’t have to be that way. These Israelites could have recognized

their growing discontent as understandable, considering the circumstances, and decided not to give in to it.

Instead of seeing “nothing . . . but this manna,” they could have remembered that God was caring for them

in the arid desert of Sinai (Numbers 11:6). They could have rejoiced that he was still journeying with them.

At least they could have reminded each other what it was like to go hungry! How about you? Do you ever

get tired of the ordinary “miracles” of life? Whether it’s working in the “same old job,” serving in the same

parish, or (fill in the blank), it’s only natural to take the familiar—but grace-filled—for granted. We might

forget that the job was an answer to prayer. Or that we’ve experienced God’s healing presence in our

parish. Provisions from God that once seemed fresh may eventually feel bland. If you follow those thoughts

too far, you may end up confusing the miraculous for the mundane. It doesn’t have to be this way!

Today, take a few moments to thank God for your “manna”—for all the ways he provides for you every

day. If you’ve drifted toward discontentment, turn back to the Lord and tell him how grateful you are—or

at least how grateful you want to be. At the same time, ask him to help you see the deeper truth: God is

always with you, and he is always caring for you.

“Lord, thank you for providing for me! May I never lose sight of your love!”

St. John Vianney ~ Patron of parish priests

Having given his whole life for God and his parishioners, John Vianney died on August 4, 1859. He was 73 years old. His relics can be found in Ars, in the sanctuary dedicated to him, which is visited by some 450,000 pilgrims every year. He was beatified by Pope St Pius X in 1905, and canonized twenty years later by Pope Pius XI. In 1929, the same Pope proclaimed him the “heavenly patron of all parish priests throughout the world.” During the centenary of his death in 1959, Pope St John XXIII dedicated an encyclical to St John Vianney, pointing him out as exemplary model for priests. Fifty years later, Pope Benedict XVI inaugurated a “Year of Priests” on the 150th anniversary of his birthday into heaven, in order “to deepen the commitment of all priests to interior renewal for the sake of a stronger and more incisive witness to the Gospel in today’s world."

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Pregnant? You’re not alone. Women’s Care Center is here to help!

Free Pregnancy testing and ultrasound. Open Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM. Walk-ins are always welcome!

136 N. LaGrange Rd. / 708-352-5000 womenscarecenter.org

Women's Care Center provides free, confidential counseling, support and education for pregnant women. Free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds help determine viability and dates

(prenatal medical care and abortions not provided).

JOAN CURRAN

Mary, Mother of Divine Grace Parishioner

Joan Curran entered the Elmhurst Art Guild Museum’s Show,

“Engaging Frida” this summer. She submitted her oil painting:

“Frida At The Lake”. Joan won Second Prize! She said, “I am

overwhelmed that I won Second Place for my painting.

I am so glad that I was chosen to participate in this judged

show.” There were 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Best of Show, and five

Honorable Mentions. Joan’s painting in the fifth grade won

a Scholarship to the Art Institute in Chicago. After having five

children, Joan started painting in earnest and joining Art

Leagues. Some students from Divine Providence School may

remember her as a Lunch Monitor, where she served for six

years.

Elmhurst Art Museum will host this display until August 22nd.

QUEEN OF ALL NATIONS PARISH

St. Domitilla Church

JOYOUS JUNK RUMMAGE SALE South Hall of School

605 Hillside Ave., Hillside, IL

Friday, August 13 9:00am until 3:00pm Saturday, August 14 9:00am until 3:00pm Sunday, August 15 9:00am until 1:00pm

Tables of kitchenware, glassware, linens, craft supplies, toys, games, books,

seasonal decorations and much more.

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PARISH and SCHOOL INFORMATION

Mary, Mother of Divine Grace Parish Website: marymotherofdivinegrace.org

New to our community? Need to update your information? Registration forms are available on our parish website or call the Business Office at 708-562-3364.

PARISH REGISTRATION

Divine Infant Jesus Church: Saturdays 8:30AM—9:00AM Or call the rectory to set up an appointment

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Baptismal Preparation is required for the first child. Registration is necessary to schedule the baptism.

Divine Infant Jesus Church: 708-865-8071 Divine Providence Church: 708-562-3364

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Please call the Parish Office at the time of your engagement to schedule your wedding. Pre-Cana is required.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE

If you would like a priest, deacon or Minister of Care to visit or if you wish to receive the Sacrament of the Sick, please contact either location.

SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING/Minister of Care

Please see the bulletin and eblasts for updates on dates of Adoration.

ADORATION

Temporarily cancelled.

ST. PEREGRINE DEVOTION

Divine Providence School is a Christ-Centered community fostering the gospel message through education and service. Together with parents, we guide our students toward a life of Christian leadership. Providing a challenging curriculum, we prepare our students to contribute positively to an ever-changing global society. To schedule a tour of the school contact Linda Hawkins at 708-562-3364.

DIVINE PROVIDENCE SCHOOL