Saint Edmund Parish Echoes
Reaching out from the heart of Oak Park
December 11, 2016
Parish Office
188 S. Oak Park Avenue Oak Park, Illinois 60302; Telephone: 708-848-4417; Fax Line: 708-848-0049
Parish Center Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9am - 8pm, Friday, 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm; Sunday 9:00am - 1pm
Visit the parish web-site at stedmund.org. You may also e-mail us from the web-site.
Follow us on Twitter at: St. Edmunds-Oak Park or @edmunds_oakpark
Parish Administration and Staff
Rev. John McGivern, Pastor
Ms. Peggy Leddy, Pastoral Associate
Mrs. Maria Allori, Development Director
Deacon Thomas Dwyer, Parish Business Manager
Mr. Donald Giannetti, Parish Assistant
Mrs. Kathleen Halfpenny, Director of Music
Mrs. Christine A. Rousakis, Manager, Parish Office
Mr. Al Vargas, Facilities Manager
Rev. John Lucas, In Residence
Rev. Gene Gratkowski, W eekend Presider
Rev. John O’Callaghan, S.J., W eekend Presider
School of Religious Education
200 S. Oak Park Avenue Oak Park, Illinois 60302
School of Religious Education Telephone: 708-848-7220 · RE/Fax Line: 708-386-5616
Visit the parish web-site at stedmund.org. You may also e-mail us from the web-site.
Religious Education Program Administration and Staff
Mrs. Janet Bennick, Coordinator of Religious Education ·
Ms. Kaydee Sproat, Program Secretary
All are welcome. An entrance ramp and push-bar automatic door is located at the eastern entrance of the church.
A Crack in our Pitcher
There’s a much quoted line from Leonard Cohen that
suggests that the place where we are broken is also the
place where our redemption starts: There is a crack in
everything, that’s how the light gets in.
That’s true, a major wound is often the place where wisdom flows into our lives and a weakness that habitually
overpowers us can keep us aware of our need for grace.
But that’s half of the equation. A fault, while keeping us
humble, can also keep us in mediocrity and joylessness.
John of the Cross offers us this image by way of an explanation:
If one small crack in a pitcher goes unrepaired, the damage will be enough to cause all the liquid to leak out. …
Accordingly, one imperfection leads to another, and these
to still more. You will scarcely ever find a person negligent in the conquering of one appetite who will not have
many others flowing from the identical weakness and
imperfection caused by this one appetite. Such persons,
consequently, are ever faltering along the road. We have
witnessed many persons, whom God was favoring with
much progress in detachment and freedom, fall from happiness and stability in their spiritual exercises and end up
losing everything merely because they began to indulge
in some slight attachment to conversation and friendship
under the appearance of good. For by this attachment
they gradually emptied themselves of holy solitude and
the spirit and joy of God. All this happened because they
did not put a stop to their initial satisfaction and sensitive
pleasure, and preserve themselves for God in solitude.
(Ascent to Mount Carmen, Book I, Chapter 11).
Although this passage was written more specifically for
contemplative monks and nuns and a warning against
“attachment to conversation and friendship” will sound
strange and unhealthy to us, there’s part of us that understands exactly what he is saying: Our addictions, our infidelities, and our various falls from grace invariably start
at that exact spot to which he points his finger, namely, in
a certain initial satisfaction and pleasure, a certain flirting
and playing with fire, which, while not sinful in itself,
eventually leads us into an emotional and moral quagmire
that robs us of peace and happiness and, most damaging
of all, forces us to hide things, to lie, and to be less than
healthily transparent.
And even when the fault is not big, it still serves to block
us from deeper growth and deeper happiness. John has an
axiom that says it doesn’t matter in the end whether a bird
is attached to the ground by a heavy chain or a light string
- it can’t fly in either case. Hence, he cautions us strongly
against being comfortable with any of our faults or addictions by rationalizing that this or that fault is not serious
and that we are fundamentally good persons, despite our
weakness. Whether we are held by a heavy chain or a
thin thread, we still can’t fly.
If we grow comfortable with an addiction or fault inside
us, we will find ourselves impoverished too in another
way, it will rob us of real happiness. French philosopher,
Leon Bloy, suggests that ultimately there is only one,
true, human sadness, that of not being a saint! That may
sound like over-pious moralizing, but, just as with the
quote from John of the Cross cited above, there’s a part
of us that understands exactly what Bloy is saying. Our
addictions, our infidelities, and our less-than-healthy indulgences might well bring us some pleasure (though,
soon enough, that pleasure turns into a compulsion) but
these never bring us joy. They bring sadness. Joy is not
the same as pleasure and, indeed, we speak of sad pleasures. There can be a lot of pleasure in our lives even as
our hearts are sad and our consciences are heavy.
True joy is something beyond pleasure and can co-exist
with renunciation and pain. It is dependent rather on honesty, transparency, and gratitude, the real hallmarks of
sanctity. When we are honest in examining our experience we know this truth. If any of us ask ourselves: When
have I bee most truly happy in my life? The honest answer invariably will be: I have been happiest and most at
peace at those times when I have been faithful, honest,
fully transparent, when all the goods were on the table,
and I had nothing to hide, even if I was less than perfect.
Nobody is perfect, but we must never grow comfortable
with our faults and rationalize them because they are not
grievous or because we can keep them hidden. If one
small crack in a pitcher goes unrepaired, the damage will
be enough to cause all the liquid to leak out. The net result will not be that we become bad persons. No. We will
remain as we are, good and solid in our mediocrity. But
greatness will escape us and we will carry with us always
the adult sadness of not being a saint.
Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI
San Antonio, Texas
Advent Reconciliation Service
Monday, December 12 at 7:00pm
Amid the busy-ness that stakes too much claim to our
lives during the season of Advent, we encourage you to
reclaim this season of reflection,
anticipation and hope. Yes,
there is Christmas shopping to
do and holiday parties to attend,
but our holiday plans need also
include our spiritual readiness
for the Lord whom we seek.
To that end, we invite all parishioners to a Reconciliation Service on Monday, December
12 at 7:00pm in the church. Come. There will be several
priests available for the reception of individual confession and absolution.
Please join us for this important opportunity of reconciliation.
3 of Advent
Third Sunday
Christmas Liturgical Calendar
Sunday, December 18___________________________________The Fourth Sunday of Advent
The normal weekend mass schedule applies.
Sunday, December 25
Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord
4:30pm Saturday Vigil: Family Mass
…….. Choral music and carols begin at 4pm.
10:30pm Saturday Vigil………..Lessons and Carols begin at 9:50pm.
Christmas Day
9:00am
11:00am Choral and instrumental music begin at 10:50am.
Please note that there is no evening liturgy on Christmas Day.
Friday, December 30
The Feast of the Holy Family
Though not a holy day, this is an important feast of the Christmas season. Please join us at the 8:30am liturgy.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
The normal weekend mass schedule applies. Please note that there is no Sunday 5:30pm liturgy this weekend.
Sunday, January 8
The Solemnity of the Epiphany of our Lord
Please note that there is no Sunday 5:30pm liturgy this weekend.
Monday, January 9
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Though not a holy day, our 8:30am liturgy is an important celebration.
San Jose Obrero Mission
Our St. Edmund Parish Commitment
San Jose Obrero Mission is an interim housing facility located in the Pilsen neighborhood. Father David Staszak founded SJOM in 1981 as a response to homeless people who were knocking on the doors of the rectory at St. Pius V Church.
They were hungry with no place to stay.
San Jose Obrero Mission works in conjunction with the City of Chicago plan to end homelessness. It provides assistance
to hundreds of men, women, and families with children. Living accommodations, case management, medical care, career
coaching, life skills training, and follow-up services are just some of the services provided by SJOM. The goal is to provide the clients with tools to become independent in a permanent housing situation.
St. Edmund Parish has a decades long relationship with SJOM. The residents receive gifts from our Christmas Giving
Tree. Last year, we knitted 40 scarves for Christmas presents. Our parishioners have participated in cooking for the
SJOM residents for many years. Historically, “Cook’s Night Off” is a Sunday when we have provided a meal.
Last year, a second Sunday St. Edmund cooking team was added.
We invite YOU to be a part of this opportunity to help those in need. A simple meal of soup, sandwiches, fruit and dessert is served on the second Sunday of the month. There is flexibility. Perhaps you can help out just once during the
year? We welcome any help that you can give! If you would be interested in donating food, cooking, or serving please
contact Kathy Barrett at 708-848-4177.
Offertory for Weekend of December 3/4
Budgeted……………………………………...$14,350.00
Weekend collection……………………… ….$16,772.10
Deficit to date…………………………….….– 44,552.55
Retired Religious Collection December 10-11
The special collection for retired religious will be taken
this weekend at all masses.
Let us remember the faithful religious who have made a
difference in so many lives.
4
School of Religious Education
Congratulations to the students who received their First
Reconciliation last Sunday, December 4. Please keep
these students in your prayers as they continue their journey.
Religious Education classes will take place today, Sunday, December 11 and next Sunday, December 18. We
will not meet on Christmas Day, December 25 or New
Year’s Day, January 1.
Giving Tree Drop-off
This Weekend December 10-11
Thank you for your kindness to those in need,
especially during the holiday season.
National Vigil to End Gun Violence
Wednesday, December 14 at Ascension Parish
Attend a local vigil at Ascension Catholic Church, 801 S.
East Avenue, Oak Park on Wednesday, December 14 from 7:30pm - 8pm. Hundreds
of locations nationwide will help to shine a
light on the tragic toll due to gun violence.
We will be collecting non-perishable
healthy snacks to support the community-based outreach
of the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago in Austin. For
more information, contact Celine at:
[email protected].
Sunday
9:00am
10:30am
10:30am
12:30pm
Monday
2:00pm
7:00pm
7:00pm
Wednesday
7:00pm
7:00pm
7:30pm
Friday
9:00am
1:00pm
Saturday
6:30pm
9:30am
Sunday
9:00am
10:30am
10:30am
4:00pm
Week at a Glance
December 11
Giving Tree Gift
Drop-Off
Religious Education
RCIA
Baptisms
December 12
Eucharistic Adoration
Peace and Justice
Reconciliation Service
December 14
Bridge
Cantors
Choir
December 16
Bible Study
Cookie Walk
Set-up
December 17
Holiday Bake Sale/
Gift Bazaar
Centering Prayer
December 18
Holiday Bake Sale/
Gift Bazaar
Religious Education
RCIA
Green Team
N. Transept
School
Parish Office
Church
Church
Murphy Hall
Church
Murphy Hall
Church
Church
Murphy Hall
Murphy Hall
Murphy Hall
N. Transept
Murphy Hall
School
Parish Office
Church
On December 12 we will celebrate as a community the
Feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Pilgrims have journeyed to this sight of Mary's apparition since 1531 when
Our Lady appeared to an Indian, Juan
Diego, on the Hill of Tepeyac in Mexico.
Today this image of Mary is still preserved
on
Juan
Diego's
tilma/
cloak and in this image Mary is pregnant,
carrying the Son of God in her womb,
thus her title: Patroness of the Unborn.
"When Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego
she addressed him as "Juanito" (signifying the weakest of
smallest member of the family) and as "Son" and spoke
of herself as both "Mother" and" Mother of the One, True
Living God." All of this indicates another reason why Our
Lady of Guadalupe should be entrusted with the unborn."
We will gather in the church at 8:15am on Monday, December 12 and pray the prolife joyful mysteries of the
rosary. After the 8:30am mass we will say prayers in
front of the statue of Mary with red roses, the prolife
symbol and a reminder of the roses/ flowers that fell from
the tilma of Juan Diego.
Please join the Respect Life committee afterward in Murphy Hall for a celebration of this feast day with Mexican
pastries and Mexican hot chocolate.
Eucharistic Adoration to End at 5pm
Monday, December 12
Please note that on Monday, December 12 Eucharistic
Adoration will end at 5pm. Eucharistic Adoration will
resume on Monday, December 19.
No Eucharistic Adoration on
Monday, December 26
Please note that Eucharistic Adoration will not take
place on Monday, December 26.
Holiday Bake Sale and Gift Bazaar
December 17-18 in Murphy Hall
A variety of delicious cakes, cookies, pies and
other baked goods will be available for your
holiday gift giving (or for yourself to enjoy)
the weekend of December 17-18 in Murphy
Hall.
Do your Christmas shopping! Beautifully hand
-made knitted and crocheted items
made by our own St. Edmund parishioners and
other friends will also be available.
Be sure to stop in before
all of the goodies are gone!
5
Spiritual Week at St.
Edmund Parish
We Pray for our Sick
Fr. John Paul Andree
Clara Ballard
Susan Becker
Susan Benedict
Janet Bennick
Harold Bonus
Fr. John Carolan
Susan Chicola
Phyllis Cormack
Eternal Rest Grant unto These, O Lord
Florence Dalessandro Mary Redmond
Bobbie Davis
Mary Lynn Dietsche
Mary Evans
Libby Fox
Mamma Giannetti
Gene Liss, Jr.
Emilie Novak
Hannah Paist
Celsa Salinas
Ethel Thomas
Stillman Thomas
Jimmie Weekley
Elizabeth Farrell
Ted Ivarie, br other -in-law of Jim Ihrig
Jim Paternoster, br other of Laur etta Chr istensen
Special Remembrances at Daily Eucharist
Monday
8:30am
7:00pm
December 12 (Our Lady of Guadalupe)
† Cathryn K. Wilson
People of St. Edmund
Tuesday
8:30am
December 13 (Lucy)
† Deceased parishioners
Jackie Glowinski and Miguel Martinez
Wednesday
One in Prayer with Loved Ones in the Military
December 14 (John of the Cross)
† Anthony Angelo
Thursday
8:30am
Upcoming Weddings
Ian Adams, US Navy
Staff Sgt. Jason L. Anderson, US Army
Capt. John Paul Andree, Pilot US Air Force
Sgt. Ramiro D. Banda, US Marine Corps
Gunnery Sgt. Boatman, US Marine Corps
Specialist Brown, US Army
Specialist Christopher Buscher, US Army, SPC
Cpt. Jason Caboot
Aiden Matthew Connelly, US Army, PFC
Sgt. Thomas J. Dutton, 10th Mountain Division
William Edwards, US Army Reservist
Private Kristopher Ellis, US Marine Corps
First Sgt. Daniel S. Greider US Army
Sgt. Michael Hoover, Army Reserve Afghanistan
Major Roselita Labbe, US Air Force
Col. Matt Mangan, US Air Force
Jonathan McLean, US Marine Corps
Kristen Meyer, US Navy
Lance Cpl. Robert Miller, US Marine Corps
Cpt. Steven Nelson
Lt. Col. Edward Nevera, US Air Force
Jose Ortiz US Marine Corps Lance Corporal
Dave Porter, US Army
Col. Gregory P. Puccetti, US Army
Gian Franco Solari, US Air Force
Brian Walsh, First Lieutenant US Army
Kimyatta Wellington, US Navy
December 15
Susan Benedict
(living intention)
Friday
December 16
8:30am † Josephine McCord
Saturday
8:30am
5:30pm
December 17
† Fr. Ed Dufficy
† Fr. Joe Ruiz
Sunday
9:00am
11:00am
5:30pm
December 18 (Fourth Sunday of Advent)
† Maria Garcia, † Elizabeth Farrell
† Margaret Rose Olivet, † Tina Catalano
People of St. Edmund
Readings for the Week
Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab;
Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47,
or any readings from the Common of the
Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712
Tuesday: Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-19, 23;
Mt 21:28-32
Wednesday: Is 45: 6b-8, 18, 21b-25; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14;
Lk 7:18b-23
Thursday: Is 54:1-10; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-12a, 13b;
Lk 7:24-30
Friday:
Is 56:1-3a, 6-8; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 7-8; Jn 5:33-36
Saturday: Gn 49:2, 8-10; Ps 72:1-4ab, 7-8, 17;
Mt 1:1-17
Sunday:
Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-6; Rom 1:1-7; Mt 1:18-24
Monday:
Liturgical Ministers for the Weekend of December 17/18
Mass Time Altar Servers
Lectors
Commentator
Cantors
Extraordinary Ministers
(Saturday)
5:30pm
9:00am
11:00am
5:30pm
R. Porter
M. Thomas
L. Christensen
A. Glanton
L. Porter-Thomas
W. Senger
D. Giannetti, M. Hans, J. McCoy, B. Nelson, J.
Reese, M.J. Reese, S. Shimon
M.L. Dietsche
T. Master
M. Fedota
K. Masters
D. Gregoire
J. Biek, M. Biek, D. Dubowski, L. Johnson, T.
Villafranca, N. Wemhoff
G. Allori
S. Patston
G. Stepanek
M. Stroth
C. Verdun
W. Senger
M. Allori, R. Allori, M. Fitzgerald, G. Johnson,
L.N. Vaillancourt, D. Walsh
J. Patston
J. Cronin
T. Cronin
Thomas Cronin
J. Kula, H. Tayag