St. John of the Cross Parish€¦ · 2014-12-14 · December 14, 2014 “...our mission is to love...

5005 S. Wolf Road Western Springs, IL 60558 ▪ Parish Office: 708-246-4404 ▪ stjohnofthecross.org

St. John of the Cross Parish

Third Sunday of Advent December 14, 2014

“...our mission is to love as Christ loved and to proclaim the Good News…”

from our Parish Mission Statement

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.

Indeed, the Lord is near.

Entrance Antiphon

RCIA Second Collection Today

Prayer for our RCIA Catechumens and Candidates

Almighty God, look upon your servants,

Nicole, Mick, Eric and Ellin,

as they begin the process of being counted

among the members of your Church.

Teach them through this time of preparation

in coming to know Christ, the love of God,

the mysteries of our faith, the way of the Gospel,

the grace of the sacraments and the importance

of their relationship with you and the Church.

Send down upon them and their sponsors

your Spirit of guidance and wisdom

as they journey together in faith.

We thank you for these whom you have called

and we await their joining us around

the table of the Lord.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, assure them

of the prayers and support

of the St. John of the Cross faith community.

Senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests have spent their lives ministering to others, often for little, if any, pay. Their sacrifices now leave their religious communities without adequate savings for retirement and health care. Your gift to the collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious supports the day-to-day care of roughly 35,000 senior religious, providing necessities such as prescription medications and nursing care. Please give to those who have given a lifetime.

St. John of the Cross Parish www.stjohnofthecross.org December 14, 2014

Rite of Dismissal At certain Masses from now through Lent you will see our catechumens and candidates being dismissed from Mass with their catechist. Fr. Paul Turner, one of the leading theologians in the field of the RCIA writes, “Catechumens and candidates are dismissed not just because they are not yet eligible for Communion, but because they are not yet eligible to fulfill the tasks expected of all the faithful throughout the second part of Mass, “The Liturgy of the Eucharist.” The Liturgy of the Word is open to all because through the proclamation of the word by Lectors and the Priest and or Deacon (Gospel only) we are all instructed by God. Through our hearing of the word, we are all called to live it in our lives, thus catechumens and candidates belong with the gathered assembly for this first part of the Mass. Each week our catechumens and candidates will be called forward with their catechist at the end of the Liturgy of the Word, the General Intercessions. As they are sent forth they will spend more time talking and reflecting on the word of God we have just heard proclaimed in the scriptures and in the homily. During this dismissal the catechist will carry with them the Lectionary – the book that contains our scripture proclaimed at Mass.

Catholic Relief Services Typhoon Hagupit Emergency Appeal Catholic Relief Services teams and partners are already traveling to the Philippines, an area hit for the second year in a row with a typhoon. Please keep the Filipino people in your prayers. Donations may be sent to: ATTN: Typhoon Hagupit Emergency Appeal Catholic Relief Services 3525 S. Lake Park Avenue Chicago, IL 60653.

From the Desk of Fr. Bill Vollmer


Our Advent journey continues this weekend as we celebrate Guadete Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent), or as the children of my friends called it “Pink Sunday.” It marked a time held tradition in the life of my friend’s family when they would put up the Christmas tree and decorate the house. To this day, their grown children still refer to the Third Sunday of Advent as Pink Sunday. Guadete is the Latin word for Rejoice. You will notice that the candle being lit and processed in at the beginning of Mass is pink or rose colored, and the celebrant in Mass may wear a rose colored vestment. The origins of Guadete Sunday and the use of rose as its liturgical color go back to a time when Advent was know as St. Martin’s Lent – a Forty day period of fasting in preparation for Christmas. At that time in our history as a Church, Advent was seen as a penitential season. Because of its focus on rejoicing on the coming of Christ, the penitential practices associated with Advent were suspended on Gaudete Sunday so that the joy of our redemption could be celebrated. Though the tradition of Guadete Sunday in the use of a rose candle and vestments, our current liturgical theology holds that Advent is a time of joyful anticipation and preparation for Christ’s coming at the end of time and commemorating his first coming in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. Our parish has much to rejoice about on this Sunday. We rejoice for the caring, thoughtful and loving hearts of so many people who in a spirit of generosity are being Christ for others in their participation in Share Christmas. Today is also the feast day of the patron saint of our parish – St. John of the Cross (December 14). St. John of the Cross was born in Fontiveros, Spain in 1542. His father died when John was young. At the age of 20, John joined the Order of Carmelites. John of the Cross desired to live by the original and stricter rule of the Carmelite Order than he was currently living in the hopes that he might draw closer to God. With St. Teresa of Avila they founded the Discalced Carmelites. Because of this he was seen as rebellious by other Carmelites. To teach him a lesson, the Carmelites had John imprisoned for nine months in the tiniest and darkest of cells. It was during this time that John wrote some of his greatest spiritual poetry such as “The Living Flame of Love” and “The Dark Night of the Soul.” John believed that prayer is a tool that could help people become more loving toward others. Long considered to be one of the greatest poets of the Spanish language, St. John of the Cross died on December 14, 1591. He was canonized a saint on December 27, 1726. All parishioners are invited to a creative presentation on the Life of St. John of the Cross in the Parish Center after the 9:00 a.m. Mass this weekend. Please take the time to attend this presentation to learn more about our parish’s patron saint. Hospitality will follow the event. Rejoicing on this Third Sunday and feast of St. John of the Cross I share with you my favorite quotes of St. John of the Cross.

“At the evening of life you will be examined in love.” “Whoever does not seek the cross of Christ doesn’t seek the glory of Christ.” “Where there is no love, it is for you to bring love.” “Let all find compassion in you.” “The soul’s center is God.” “Well and good if all things change, Lord God, provided we are rooted in you.” “The soul of one who loves God always swims in joy, always keeps holiday, and is always in a mood for singing.”

Fr. Bill

Lifelong Learning


Living the Gospel After saying clearly who he is not (“Christ or Elijah or the Prophet”), John does say who he is: “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert.” “Voice”: the audible revelation of self. “Crying out”: testifying to core convictions. “Desert”: place of barrenness and desolation as well as a place of testing and growth. So who is John? He is the one who testified to the Presence of Jesus. So must we.

Testifying with conviction comes to greater fullness when we ourselves have been tried in the various “deserts” of our daily living. Testing confronts us with choices, and making good choices attunes us to Christ’s Presence to us in so many ways. It’s easy and comfortable to recognize Christ in the expected places and ways. When we enter the peace of a church, for example, we expect to find God. When we sit and pray in our homes, we expect to find God and have our prayers answered. All this is good. However, living the Gospel means that we take up the mission of Christ ourselves, that we ourselves are to be Christ for others. Especially during these final days before Christmas when everyone is so busy, we can forget that our mission is like John’s: to testify to the Light by crying out its Presence in our midst. We do this by how we respond to those around us: take time to listen to the one hurting, visit those who might be for-gotten, do with a little less ourselves so others might have more, take time to pray, remember to give thanks, offer a helping hand, reorganize our priorities, praise the God in others.

©Living Liturgy.

May we grow in our conviction that Christ is the Light of the world and testify to his saving power. May we prepare for Christmas by being voices crying out that Christ is among us.

Readings for the Week

Monday Num 24:2-7, 15-17a Ps 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9 Matt 21:23-27

Tuesday Zeph 3:1-2, 9-13 Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 and 23 Matt 21:28-32

Wednesday Gen 49:2, 8-10 Ps 72:1-2, 3-4ab, 7-8, 17 Matt 1:1-17

Thursday Jer 23:5-8 Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19 Matt 1:18-25

Friday Judg 13:2-7, 24-25a Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17 Luke 1:5-25

Saturday Isa 7:10-14 Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6 Luke 1:26-38

4th Sunday of Advent

2 Sam 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29 Rom 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38

“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord!” The spirit of the Lord God is upon us! We like Isaiah and John the Baptist must bring glad tidings of Jesus to the lowly. Through our baptism and confirmation we received the same calling they did. We too must come out of our own desert and proclaim God’s Word to others. How do we do this? First we can proclaim Christ in our own homes, to our own families. One way is by leading Advent prayers around the dinner table or our Advent wreath. Second, we can proclaim Christ to our relatives and friends. Again, one simple way is to send Christmas greetings. Finally, we can proclaim Christ to friends, relatives, and neighbors who have become inactive in their faith. A simple way to do this is to invite them to go with us to Mass during Advent or on Christmas Day. Here’s an interesting statistic...Two thirds of the thousands of Catholics who return to the faith each year do so because a neighbor, a friend, or a relative invited them to return. We must all reach out and become involved. Today’s scriptures invite us to become an Advent people. They invite us to find Christ in our lives so that we can help others find Christ in their own lives. They are invitations to become a light in the darkness of our world. This is Christ’s own personal message to us in today’s readings. Now it is up to us to do something about it.

Excerpts used with permission. M Link.

Parish Advent Reconciliation Service: Tuesday, December 16 at 7pm


God never tires of forgiving us “How good it feels to come back to him whenever we are lost! Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy. Christ, who told us to forgive one another “seventy times seven” (Mt 18:22) has given us his example: he has forgiven us seventy times seven. Time and time again he bears us on his shoulders. No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love. With a tenderness which never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew. Let us not flee from the resurrection of Jesus, let us never give up, come what will. May nothing inspire more than his life, which impels us onwards!” - Pope Francis

Preparing for Confession with an Advent Examen As you pray this Examen bring the fruits of your reflections to confession. Begin by taking in a deep breath, taking in God’s love, the light of Christ, the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Exhale all your worries, your challenges, and your fears. During this time of Advent let us reflect on what we can do to prepare for the Lord. 1. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you see the day as the newborn baby Jesus sees it. What joy have you found today? Where have you felt God’s love? What have you done today to prepare the way for Jesus being born into this world for you? 2. Now think about your day as if looking at it through the eyes of a child; what do you see? Did something surprise you? Was it something someone said to you or something you are grateful for? What did you recognize as gifts (thinking about the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh brought to Jesus)? Thank God for the gifts he has given to you today. 3. Take a moment to reflect on the times today when God was especially present to you. Recognize your feelings in those moments. How did you prepare your heart for God’s presence in the coming of Jesus? Where did you feel God’s loving arms wrapped around you the way Jesus felt Mary’s arms? How did you prepare yourself to experience God’s love, forgiveness, and hope? 4. Now take a moment to think about the times when God seemed to be hidden. Where did you struggle to see the Messiah in your life—the way some failed to recognize the birth of the Messiah when Jesus was born? When may you have seen the need for love and didn’t respond (maybe like the innkeeper), or the opportunity for forgiveness and you walked away? How was your heart prepared? Ask God to forgive you for anything that moved your heart away from God’s love and recognizing the birth of Jesus in you. And ask God to help you to open your heart and become the person that God created you to be. 5. Finally, prepare for the hope of Jesus Christ in your life. Think about what you are hopeful for, what you are looking forward to during Advent and the Christmas season. Is your hope like that of a child on Christmas morning? What gifts will you share to be hope for someone else? Ask God to bless all in your life as you prepare the way of the Lord, and ask God to be with you today and every day. Used with permission: Ignatianspirituality.com

Our parish communal celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be this Tuesday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. in Church. In this sacrament of healing we experience the gift of God’s boundless love, mercy and compassion. Paul Coutinho S.J. in his book How Big Is Your God?, writes that “Reconciliation is acknowledging the wonderful God whom I have just encountered and acknowledging that I am aware of my own shortcomings and weaknesses, which are obstacles to deepening my relationship with God.” It is God’s love and our response to that love that helps us to see our sinfulness and brings us to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. One of the most comforting things about communal reconciliation is that we can recognize that we are not the only ones that struggle with our shortcomings and weaknesses. Communal reconciliation also touches upon the reality that the effects of sin touch all, but greater than this is that we are all touched profoundly by the love of God. Through this sacrament we are not only renewed and healed, but challenged to extend that same mercy and forgiveness toward those who have hurt us and to forgive ourselves as well. Forgiven by God, we are liberated to be forgivers as the words of the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi say: “It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.” An examen based on the principles of Ignatian Spirituality is included below. At this celebration we will have the opportunity to further prepare ourselves for the sacrament through the proclamation of the Word of God, prayers, song, and a communal examination of conscience. After which, all will have the opportunity to celebrate individual confession with one of the several priests present. After silently praying a communal prayer of penance, individuals may leave. All adults and children are welcome to attend.

Prayer


Richard Rohr Advent Meditation

“Come, Lord Jesus,” the Advent prayer, means that all of Christian history has to live out of a kind of deliberate emptiness or chosen non-fulfillment. Perfect fullness is always to come, and we do not need to demand it now. This keeps the field of life wide open and especially open to grace and to a future created by God rather than us. This is what it means to be “awake,” as the gospel urges us (Matthew 24:42)! We can also use other a words for Advent: aware, alive, attentive, alert, and awake are all appropriate! Advent is above all else a call to full consciousness and a forewarning about the high price of consciousness.

Prayer: Come, Lord Jesus!

Gracious God, hear our prayers. May your Spirit come upon us to transform our lives and our world from barrenness to harvest, from sickness to wholeness, from division to completeness, from death to life. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.

Simple Care This week, plan to make a single phone call. Just one call, to one person you care about. The purpose? To express your appreciation and concern. The person you call could be a family member, someone from church, a person in your neighborhood, a coworker, a friend you don’t see often enough, or someone else you know through a shared interest or organization. You will call to say, essentially two things: I appreciate you and what you’ve done for me or meant to me. I want to know how you’re doing, because I care about what happens in your life. And, to keep it simple, be quite up front about this call. You can begin by saying, “I’m calling because the holidays are coming up, and this time of year reminds me of all the good people in my life, and you’re one of them. I don’t want to take a lot of your time right now because I know everybody’s busy, but I just want you to know that your friendship has been a great gift through the years.” At some point, add something like this: “How are you, anyway? Will this holiday season be a relaxing one for you, or will it be one of those challenging years we all have from time to time?” I guarantee, if you open such a phone discussion, it will probably have an encouraging effect. It doesn’t have to be a long discussion, and if all you manage to do is leave a voicemail message, that will give this person some encouragement too. Yes, it can be even nicer to make a lunch date or coffee break for such a discussion, but that could be difficult to schedule. Keep the goal reachable! By: Vinita Hampton Wright. Used with permission. Ignatian Spirituality

How Does Hope Shape Us? A driving dynamic of Advent is hope. If we had nothing to hope for, there would be no point to this season. The original hope was for a child to be born who would bring justice and peace to the world and who would heal the rift between humanity and God. But that larger hope is filled with smaller ones—daily hopes that can shape us as people. Some hopes will shape our relationships. The Christ Child grew to be a man who embodied forgiveness and generosity. A life of hope sees the good in others, is patient with their shortcomings, and tenaciously envisions them at their best. Some hopes will shape our life work. The promised Messiah proclaimed God’s realm of justice and mercy. No matter what jobs we do or work positions we hold, as hopeful people we maintain fairness and integrity as short-term and long-term goals. We make our work matter for the common good. Some hopes will shape our character. Jesus exemplified hope that cultivates true interior freedom. A hopeful person cannot continue in anxiety, grasping, need for control, and habitual anger. How is hope visible in your life? Where has it faded? By: Vinita Hampton Wright. Used with permission. Ignatian Spirituality

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Parish News & Notes

We, the undersigned, are gathered here today for a historic initiative to inspire spiritual and practical action by all global faiths and people of good will everywhere to eradicate modern slavery across the world by 2020 and for all time. In the eyes of God, each human being is a free person, whether girl, boy, woman or man, and is destined to exist for the good of all in equality and fraternity. Modern slavery, in terms of human trafficking, forced labor and prostitution, organ trafficking, and any relationship that fails to respect the fundamental conviction that all people are equal and have the same freedom and dignity, is a crime against humanity. We pledge ourselves here today to do all in our power, within our faith communities and beyond, to work together for the freedom of all those who are enslaved and trafficked so that their future may be restored. Today we have the opportunity, awareness, wisdom, innovation and technology to achieve this human and moral imperative.

Ecumenical Relationships Development The ministers of the different churches in the

Village are trying to build relationships between

themselves and among their congregations. We

are in the brainstorming phase of planning, trying

to build off the October experience of sharing our

histories. The meeting will be on January 13th

from 3pm—4pm. If you have an interest in

developing relationships with our fellow Christian

brothers and sisters, please contact me. Whether

you can make the meeting or not, I‘d like to find

some parishioners who have a particular passion

for ecumenism. Let’s see what might be possible

to share with one another. Fr. David

The Eucharist in Scripture Little Rock Scripture Study Group Beginning Monday, January 5th from 1pm-3pm for six sessions all are invited to study the biblical foundations of the Eucharist. Eucharist in Scripture emphasizes the importance of meals shared in faithful fellowship as part of our covenant relationship with God. Old Testament meals and promises provide the foundation for gospel meals with Jesus, culminating in the Last Supper as understood by Paul in Matthew, Mark and Luke. “Breaking bread” in Acts and the Bread of Life discourse in John are examined carefully. Class materials fee: $15.


Pope Francis and global religious leaders signed a statement at the Vatican condemning modern slavery on December 2nd. Locally, the Sisters of St. Joseph have highlighted liberating those enslaved by human trafficking as part of their mission. Go to the Sisters website (http://www.csjoseph.org) to find out more information and see how you might support this ministry. Following is the Universal Declaration Against Slavery.

Parish News & Notes


An Advent Gift

Through the wonderful generosity of a parishioner,

St. John of the Cross Parish gave parish families

a special gift last weekend, “The Glory of the

Incarnation,” a cd of homilies by Fr. Bob Barron

that celebrates the great feasts of the Christmas

season. Look for your cd at church exits or in the

parish center office as supplies last.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me to

bring glad tidings to the poor.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Upcoming Programs at The Well in LaGrange 1515 West Ogden csjthewell or call 708-482-5048 Mark your calendar to join us for the next two parish sponsored programs at The Well during the month of January. Both programs are free to our parishioners. Just call the parish center to register.

From Dinosaurs to Star Trek: The Evolution of Hope for a Threatened Planet Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 10am-Noon Speaker: Pat Bombard, BVM Pat holds a Doctor of Ministry from CTU and a MA in Religious Studies from Mundelein. She offers workshops and retreats on emerging trends in spirituality and leadership. Some scientists speculate that an asteroid striking Earth ended the 160 million year reign of the dinosaurs. Today some say human-caused environmental destruction is

the lead cause of Earth’s present great extinction. Do we have any better chance at changing the course of history than the dinosaurs? The answer to that question lies in the path of conscious evolution—a very personal journey from despair to hope that each of us can and must take. Together we will share stories of our learnings on the journey thus far.

On a Clear Winter’s Eve. . . A Circle of Kindred Spirits Consider Slowing Time Monday, January 26, 2015 from 7-9pm Speaker Barbara Mahany Barbara Mahany is an author and journalist with job experience as a reporter/writer at the Tribune and a pediatric oncology nurse at Children’s in Chicago. Her new book: Slowing Time: Seeing the Sacred Outside Your Kitchen Door, was selected as a top 10 religious book by Publishers Weekly.

Barbara Mahany explores Winter, the Season of Deepening. The long dark winter weeks, not long after the Nativity and then Epiphany, invite us to draw deeper inside this Ordinary Time, to begin anew, to spark a winter’s dream, to marvel in the quietude that the New Year brings. Blessings and lessons abound in these snow-blanketed weeks as we commit again to the dream of all who we can be. Together we will partake of that, and sip something warm, besides. Books will be available for purchase and a book signing.

Advent Wreath Prayer for Week 3

Lord God, may we, your people, who

look forward to the birthday of Christ

experience the joy of salvation and

celebrate that feast with love and

thanksgiving. We ask this through

Christ our Lord.

Outreach News


Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you to everyone who took part in Share Christmas, making Christmas special for others! Thank you to those who bought gifts and made donations, to our Manna sales reps, to our sign up volunteers, to those who helped sort, load and deliver the gifts, to our parish elf and Santa, and to our wonderful chairpeople—Bruce Harken, Cathy Laskey, and Lolly Maloney.

Find us ready Lord...not standing still. Find us working and loving and doing your will.

Find us ready Lord...faithful in love and building the kingdom that’s here and above!

More examples of parishioners sharing in the mission of St. John of the Cross Parish . . . Every Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter a generous parishioner donates 100 turkeys which are brought to our sharing parishes and other community centers throughout the city. Pictured to the left is a SJC volunteer helping to distribute the turkeys. Members of our parish choirs donated pillows and blankets to Catholic Charities for the refugee family from the Sudan. YC Catechist, Theresa Reyes, and her 7th grade home group students assist at the Helping Hand Christmas Party last Saturday. Parishioners baked cookies for the party and for the LaGrange Community Nurses Christmas Walk.

Volunteers Needed Prayer to End Violence


Learn more about opportunities

to live out God’s call for all people

to support justice and peace

throughout the world.

www.chicagopeaceandjustice.org

Lord God,

We pray that our voices become

one

with the voices of

all your sons and daughters,

that our common prayer for

peace

may be the beginning of

change

that removes anger and hatred

bringing your limitless

love

and unconditional

forgiveness

into our homes, our schools,

our community, our nation

and our world.

We ask these things

in the name of Jesus,

love incarnate.

Amen.

Volunteers Needed for Christmas Eve & Christmas Day We are looking for parishioners who are willing to help us greet and welcome the many parishioners and visitors who will attend Mass at St. John of the Cross Parish on December 24 and December 25. Through the wonderful generosity of a parishioner, we will also be handing out a special Christmas gift book to every family: Walking with Pope Francis: 30 Days with the Encyclical The Light of Faith to inspire prayer and renewal. If you and members of your family would like to help out at the Christmas Mass you plan to attend, please contact MJ Martin or Elizabeth Russell-Jones today via email. We are putting together a schedule so we have each exit covered. [email protected] or [email protected] This simple gesture of welcome, wishing others a Merry Christmas and sharing a small, prayerful gift is a way to let the light of Jesus shine through you, bringing God to others.

Jesus, my light, shine through me.

School News


Win a Penthouse Suite for 20 at The United Center

Support our Early Childhood Playground

Chicago Bulls vs. Phoenix Suns

February 21, 2015

$100 per ticket Buy your ticket early!

Only 300 sold!

Winner will be notified on January 9, 2015

Sponsored by

The School Advisory Board

Questions or to Purchase Contact: Jennifer Miller 708-246-4454 or

[email protected] Send check payable to SJC

708 51 Street Western Springs, IL 60558

In celebration of Computer Science Education Week, many of our students joined other students across the nation in an “Hour of Code.” The “Hour of Code” is an introduction to computer science designed to teach children the basics of programming. Our Second Grade students held their annual “Breakfast with Baby Jesus.” Each year, the students gather in the chapel for a prayer service and donate baby items to CareNet. The students’ families always provide CareNet with many necessities for their clients and babies that need our help. Not only did the Second Grade hold a prayer service, but they made Christmas cards for the troops. It was a very busy week for these children as they also received the Sacrament of First Reconciliation last Saturday. This Week at SJC

Mon. Dec. 15 Liturgy 9:15am Church

Tues. Dec. 16 Preschool Prayer Svc. 10:15am School

Wed. Dec. 17 Kindergarten Play 9:15am School Gym

Wed. Dec. 17 Preschool Prayer Svc. 10:15am School

Thurs. Dec. 18 Preschool Parties 10:15am School

Fri. Dec. 19 Christmas Parties 9:00am School

YC News Crossroads News


Calendar of Events December 14 Frosh/Soph. Retreat Team Meeting,10:30-noon Update Meeting, Noon-1:30 p.m. December 22 Kairos Christmas Party, 6:00-10:00 p.m.

Summer Work Tours and Conferences All parish high school students are invited to join our summer work tours and conferences. Adults are needed too! Work tours include Habitat for Humanity in WV, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in KY, a local tour to Our Lady of Charity in Cicero, and new this year, NPH in Guatemala. Conference opportunities include the Youth Leadership Conference in Romeoville, Notre Dame Vision Conference, Cultivation Ministries Peer Ministry Retreat in East Troy, WI and the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis. Visit our website, www.stjohnofthecross.org/crossroads/work-tours/ for information and registration forms. Applications for the Guatemalan tour must be postmarked by Monday, December 15! The tour and conference experience is a journey, and not simply a week away. All participants will attend formation meetings where the themes of the experience, Community, Prayer, Service and Simplicity, will be introduced. Save the date for our first meeting, Saturday, February 28 from 1:00-3:00pm.

1 Adult Home Group Leader Needed Our freshman home groups have begun meeting, but one leader is still in need of a partner. Contact our Home Group Coordinators, Terry and Mary Stadler, at [email protected] for details.

Our Crossroads teens working at Our Lady of Charity last summer.

Family Advent Day

1st grade YC students welcomed their parents last weekend to an Advent Family Event. They created beautiful Advent Calendars for their homes and attended a moving Advent Prayer Service with Fr. Bill on Sunday and Deacon John Schopp on Monday. Advent blessings to all of our families.

YC Schedule Classes K-6 10:15-11:30am Sunday, Dec 14 6:15-7:30pm Monday, Dec 15 FFC Noon-1:30 pm Sunday, February 1 Jr Hi Sm Groups 7 & 8 grades Dec 14 in homes Special Needs Sunday, Dec 14

The YC Office will be closed December 22 to January 2! [email protected] * 708-246-6760 www.stjohnofthecross.org/yc

Remember to complete the Family Home Lesson and turn the last page in for credit. The lesson can also be found on the home page of the YC website.

O U R N E E D F O R C O N F E S S I O N

In his book on the Sabbath, Wayne Muller brilliantly juxtaposes two descriptions: “Jules and Olivia are in their fifties, and even though their children are grown, they love to celebrate Shabbos. Every Friday night before the Sabbath meal, they draw a warm bath and, together, take off their clothes and bathe. This is their ritual cleansing, part of their marriage covenant, preparation to receive the Sabbath bride. But more than this, it is also a time for intimacies, and confession. Each unclothed and open to receive the other, they each put a hand to the other’s heart, and ask if there is anything they need to say, any confession, something lingering in the heart that, left unsaid, would hinder a full and joyful Sabbath. On some nights, there is little to say. On other nights, words must be spoken aloud that have lived in secret. Who can imagine what lovers must share, when seeking a pure heart and an honest Sabbath? For thirty years, such honesty comes to this: two beings, warm and close, bathed in love.” “Confession – it is said – is good for the soul. Before mass, Catholics practice confession, a ritual cleansing before receiving the gift of communion. Not to receive punishment or even absolution, but rather to speak what must be brought out from darkness, if we are to receive the light.” (Wayne Muller, Sabbath, Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in our Busy, N.Y., Bantam Books, 1999, p.198) Roman Catholics are familiar with confession, the sacrament of reconciliation. However, in recent years, the practice of confession has suffered, and pretty massively, from neglect. Less and less people are going to confession and, those who do, are going less frequently. Many people aren’t going to confession at all and those who are going are, by and large, going only twice a year, at penitential services just before Christmas and Easter. This is a far cry from a time when most Catholics would go to confession at least once a month or even once a week. There’s a sad irony in this: People are beginning to neglect the practice of confession just when, for the first time, we are learning from the experience of the therapeutic community that, for some things, there is no help, and there can be no help, outside of a searingly honest and detailed telling of our sins, addictions, fantasies, and foibles to another human being. An honest confession is a non-negotiable step in any healing process. What healing programs have

discovered – just when so many of us inside church circles are forgetting it – is that, good as it is, it’s not enough just to be contrite silently in our hearts. Full healing can only take place when we express that contrition not just to God in the secret recesses of the soul, but when we also speak it out, and in detail, to another human being. What’s at issue, as Muller’s brilliant juxtaposition highlights, isn’t, radically, forgiveness itself, or even absolution. Sincerity of heart and touching the Body of Christ inside of family and community, particularly Eucharistic community, as the gospels show us, leads to the forgiveness of our sins. But that alone doesn’t enable us to come to the family table, the Eucharistic table, to our circle of friends, to our communities, and to our marriage beds with hearts that aren’t carrying things that block deeper intimacy and deeper joy. As well, there is a certain grace, a key one needed to come to grips with our addictions and bad habits, that can, as anyone who has ever been addicted to anything knows, only be entered into when we openly and honestly bring into the light what, until then, has lain hidden in the dark, however sincere our contrition about it. We cannot transform our lives by willpower alone, we also need grace and community and both of these, at a point, depend upon the type of transparency that can only come about by honest confession. D.H. Lawrence once wrote a poem he entitled, Healing, that goes this way: I am not a mechanism, an assembly of various sections. And it is not because the mechanism is working wrongly, that I am ill. I am ill because of wounds to the soul, to the deep emotional self and wounds to the soul take a long, long time, only time can help and patience, and a certain difficult repentance, long, difficult repentance, realization of life’s mistake, and the freeing oneself from the endless repetition of the mistake which mankind at large has chosen to sanctify. One of the mistakes that too many of us have chosen to sanctity is the misguided belief that there are things that we do in the dark that need never be brought to the light, that private sincerity alone is enough, and that we can continue to grow in intimacy with our loved ones without, regularly, putting our hands on each other’s hearts and speaking aloud those things that have been lived in secret.

Ron Holheiser, OMI

Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24 7:45am Advent Weekday Mass 4:00pm Church Children’s Choir, Carol Prelude 3:30pm 4:15pm First Floor School Multi-Purpose Room Carol Prelude 4:00pm 4:30pm Second Floor Gym Carol Prelude 4:15pm 6:00pm Church Carol Prelude 5:45pm 10:30pm Church Traditional Choir, Carol Prelude 10:00pm Christmas Day—Thursday, December 25 7:30am Church 9:00am Church Contemporary Ensemble 10:45am Church Traditional Choir 12:30pm Church 5 Alive! Teen & Young Adult Choir This Mass begins 15 minutes later than usual. There will be no 5:00pm Mass on Christmas Day. At each Mass on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, music will be led by a cantor, organ, and/or piano and various instruments in addition to the choirs noted above. Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God New Year’s Eve and Day Wednesday, December 31 5:00pm Thursday, January 1 10:00am Sacrament of Reconciliation Tuesday, December 16 7:00pm Parish Reconciliation Service Saturday, December 20 at 8:30am Individual Reconciliation Holiday Mass Schedule We will have our regular weekend Mass schedule on Saturday and Sunday, December 27-28, the Feast of the Holy Family. Our regular daily Mass will be at 7:45am on weekdays and 8:00am on Saturdays.


Trying to get in touch with us? More info is on our website: www.stjohnofthecross.org Rev. David P. Dowdle, Pastor [email protected] Rev. Joseph F. McDonnell, Pastor Emeritus Contact Fr. Joe through the Parish Office Rev. William J. Vollmer, Associate Pastor [email protected] Deacon John Schopp [email protected] Bill Bright, Director of Outreach Ministries [email protected] Janet Caschetta, Director of Youth Catechesis [email protected] Jim Clauer, Director of Worship [email protected] Laura Dragich, Reservations Coordinator [email protected] Kathleen Gorman, School Principal [email protected] Katie Hayes, Director of Teen Ministry [email protected] Jessica Koch, Director of Music [email protected] MJ Martin, Director of Parish Operations [email protected] Elizabeth Russell-Jones, Welcome Coordinator [email protected]


A Look Ahead…. Monday, December 15, 2014 9:15am School Liturgy 9:30am Spiritual Journaling 10:30am Christian Meditation 2:30pm Adoration 6:15pm YC Classes 7:00pm Boy Scouts Tuesday, December 16, 2014 7:00pm Advent Reconciliation Service Wednesday, December 17, 2014 Noon Ladies Bridge 2:00pm Christian Meditation 7:00pm Chicago Catholic Scripture School 7:00pm RCIA Thursday, December 18, 2014 9:00am Women's Club Flourish 2:15pm Market Day Pick Up 7:30pm Men's Club Board Meeting Friday, December 19, 2014 Saturday, December 20, 2014 7:00am Christian Meditation 8:30am Individual Confessions in Church 8:30am Morning for Christian Meditation Sunday, December 21, 2014 1:30pm Baptism

Extended individual confessions will be offered after the morning Mass on Saturday, Dec. 20 with the opportunity for private or face-to-face confession. Our parish offers the Sacrament of Reconciliation every Saturday throughout the year after the 8am Mass.

Mass Intentions Monday, December 15 7:45 Martin Kauchak; John Libby, Sr. Tuesday, December 16 7:45 Our Beloved Dead, John Joseph Wheelihan Wednesday, December 17 7:45 Coretta Spalo; George Zurowski Thursday, December 18 7:45 Gloria Joslyn; Madeleine Cronin Friday, December 19 7:45 Gloria Oechsel; Gus & Nena Perez Saturday, December 20 8:00 Deceased members of the Williams Family; Deceased members of the Klein & O’Sullivan Families 5:00 Richard Farkenthal; Michael Powers Sunday, December 21 7:30 Stephen Siedlaczek; Eva Guttierez 9:00 Thomas Dobry; Jim McNaughton 10:45 George Jakicic; Robert Pickell 12:15 Deceased members of the Maier & Gora Familes; Peter Shannon 5:00 Joseph D. Kusper; Tepen Chao Italics—Living

Pray for Our Sick

Pray for Our Beloved Dead

Bernice Chwierut, mother of Sharon Zandell Mary Ann Matysik, mother of Peggy Anderson, Meg LaFond, Dan, Michael, and Mark James Houston, father of June Taylor, grandfather of Jake, Ryan, and Danny Benjamin Thomas “Mike” Reidy, husband of Kay, father of Ann Smith, Liz Weldon, Meg Pound, Sarah Heinz, and Kate Dulla, grandfather of 16 Herb Nilles, husband of Jane Rita Gangi, sister of Guy Gangi

Bruno Armalas Rich Dastice Mike Delaney

Larry Klinger Melanie Yates

Lord God, your love and mercy bring joy beyond telling. Let us live always aware and alive to the

happiness you bring. Amen.

Free will offering accepted. Registration requested but not required. [email protected] or 708-246-5108

The Morning of Meditation is sponsored by the Christian Meditation groups at St. John of the Cross Parish.

Information on Christian Meditation is available at wccm-usa.org and wccm.org.

Advent Morning of Meditation

Entering into Silent Prayer: Waiting A DVD presentation by Jean Vanier, philosopher, theologian, author, and founder of the L'Arche Communities

for people with disabilities.

All are invited:

Those who meditate, and those who want to learn to meditate.

Saturday, December 20 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Hospitality 8:30 a.m. Parish Center

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

Now Enrolling!

Programs for infants, tod-dlers, preschool, and kinder-garten prep

Bright Horizons atWestern Springs

4700 Commonwealth Avenue,Western Springs(708) 246-4710www.brighthorizons.com/wscb

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

Office 354-5575After Hours Emergency – 354-2281NOTRE DAME FAMILY CENTERRev. James Watzke, Ph.D.

Depression - Anxiety - StressFamily - Separation - Divorce

Sub Abuse - Medicare - EspañolOakbrook Terr. 630.691.1114

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 [email protected] (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)

PC MDPC & MAC Sales & Service

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

[email protected] www.pcmd.comWE STILL MAKE HOUSE CALLS!

Charism Eldercare ServicesHome Visiting Nurse

www.charism.net630.515.9223

Serving entire Chicagoland area

Law Office ofKevin J. Moore, P.C.

Parishioner• Business Law• Civil Litigation

708.246.15954365 Lawn Ave., Ste 7

Western Springswww.KJMooreLaw.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

Sal’sPowerwashing

Strong Dependable Gutter ProtectionExclusive Rhino Distributor • Fully Insured and Bonded

FREE GUTTER CLEANING WITH INSTALLATIONService and Installation • Whole House Generators

Gutter Cleaning & Installation

Call for Appointment 708-485-0766 www.rhinogutterguard.com

ANNA’S CLEANING SERVICESExperienced Polish GirlsHomes • Condos • Offices

Free EstimatesInsured 773.502.9369

Member FDIC

• Companionship • Medication Reminder • Meal Preparation• Bathing and Dressing Assistance • Transportation and Escort

• Light Housekeeping • And Much More708.482.7424 www.blueskyhomecare.com

Licensed • Insured • Bonded

Maloney & Company, Ltd.Certified Public Accountants & Consultants

Specializing in Personalized Accounting, Tax and Consulting ServicesFor Individuals and Family Owned Businesses

61 Ogden Avenue, Clarendon Hills, IL 60514Dan Maloney, Parishioner Email: [email protected] (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

Jim StilloBroker

Parishioner

More Than 2100 Properties Sold in Past 24 [email protected]

915 55th Street, Suite 102, Western Springs

708-334-9001Selling Your Home?Parishioner Discount

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

Denise Pozen Photography“Your Parish Photographer”

To view and order photosfrom SJC events visit

http://vando.imagequix.com/Use Photographer ID s9y6e9f

and 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

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATEDPROVIDING DISTINGUISHED

SERVICE SINCE 1923COUNTRYSIDE DOWNERS GROVE

1025 W. 55th Street 301-75th Street708-352-6500 630-964-6500

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

Rob’s on the JobHandyman Service

Repairs - Maintenance - AssemblyWe’ll turn your “Honey Do” list into a “Honey Done” list

630-441-0648www.RobsontheJob.com

Insured Bonded

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

• BUSINESS LAW630-968-5553 Parishioner

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)

915 BURLINGTON AVE.WESTERN SPRINGS, IL 60558

708-246-0380Mon.-Fri. 8-6 - Sat. 8-5:30Sundays 10-4 Year Round

www.caseymarketonline.com

ALLMAKEAPPLIANCE REPAIR

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

We SinceWelcome 1983Watching

KIRSCHBAUM’S BAKERYQuality and Variety

Wedding & Party Cakes825 Burlington Ave.

Western Springs 246-2894

ZAWASKI & ZAWASKIReal Estate Appraisers & Consultants, Ltd.------------------------------------

3848 Lawn AvenueWestern Springs, IL 60558

Office: (708) 784-1445 • FAX (708) 784-1446

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

Experienced Trial Lawyerand Estate Planner

My mission is to helpfamilies navigate thelegal system when

they need it and avoidit when they don’t.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

GARAGE DOORSAND OPENERS

Family Owned & Operated Since 1947ALL MAJOR BRANDS

CUSTOM GLASS SECTIONSSALES & SERVICE

FREE IN HOME ESTIMATE708.458.2345 www.AR-BE.com

Ask For Parishioner Discount

Parishioner

[email protected] S.J.C. Women’s Club President

Call For Free Market Analysis

8 East HinsdaleHinsdale, Illinois

CHOOSE A TRUE LOCAL PLUMBER

708.417.8441Lic.# J16531 - Bonded - Insured

Frank Tramontana, ParishionerWestern Springs Resident

CONBOY’S-WESTCHESTERFUNERAL HOME

A Family You Can Rely On...Today and Tomorrow.

10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester

708-562-5900Parishioner

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

Dog Walking • Pet Sitting • Pet Taxi • Errands (Pet Food/Supplies) • One-on-One PlaytimeMember and Insured through Pet Sitters Associates

Kathryn R. Engel, Attorney at LawFamily Law / Divorce / Mediation

Estate Planning / Wills & Trusts / Real [email protected] 630.654.3501 www.kengellaw.com

708-246-1600 921 Burlington Ave., Western Springs

Carol L.KlimaMartin

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

(708) 246-7570

Hot Foods • Deli • DessertCatering Platters

Delicious Meats & CheesesProduce and GroceriesPolish and Lithuanian

Family Owned Business$5 OFF any purchase of $50 or more7145 S. Kingery Hwy. Route 83

Willowbrook, IL630.655.2200

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

John F. O’Connell III, D.D.S.

Restorative and Implant

General Dentistry

930 N. York Rd., Suite 120

Hinsdale, IL 60521

(630) 455-1666COLDWELL BANKER

MARY ELLEN “O’HARA” CONSIDINENee: Caplis

Cell # (773) 704-4250V. Mail (773) 687-5181

[email protected]

$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

St. John of the Cross Parish€¦ · 2014-12-14 · December 14, 2014 “...our mission is to love...

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