Pillars
Lent 2016
of
St. Petronille
Our Quarterly Parish Journal
Open wide the
DOORS OF MERCY!
&
Want daily spiritual reflections
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inbox?
For Lent:
 Sign up for video clips from Matthew Kelly for the “BEST LENT
EVER” at www.DynamicCatholic.com/Lent
 Sign up for Lenten reflections from Bishop Robert Barron at
www.wordonfire.org
 Sign up for Lenten Moments of Mercy at www.loyolapress.com/
lenten-moments-of-mercy.htm
For Anytime
 The Joliet Diocese’s own Vocations Director Fr. Burke Masters’
“Thoughts for the Day”
 Go to https://frburke23.wordpress.com and enter your email under
“subscribe” in the sidebar.
 “3-Minute Retreats” delivered daily to your email inbox from Loyola
Press. Sign up at www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-dailyonline-prayer.htm
For the Year of Mercy
 Get the app! “365 Days to Mercy” Find it in the Apple App Store or
Android Google Play.
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“This Extraordinary Year [of Mercy] is itself a gift of grace. To pass
through the Holy Door means to rediscover the infinite mercy of the Father
who welcomes everyone and goes out personally to encounter each of
them. It is he who seeks us! It is he who comes to encounter us! This will
be a year in which we grow ever more convinced of God’s mercy. How much
wrong we do to God and his grace when we speak of sins being punished by
his judgment before we speak of their being forgiven by his mercy (cf. Saint
Augustine, De Praedestinatione Sanctorum, 12, 24)! But that is the
truth. We have to put mercy before judgment, and in any event God’s
judgement will always be in the light of his mercy. In passing through the
Holy Door, then, may we feel that we ourselves are part of this mystery of
love, of tenderness. Let us set aside all fear and dread, for these do not befit
men and women who are loved. Instead, let us experience the joy of
encountering that grace which transforms all things.”
Homily of Pope Francis at the Holy Mass and Opening of the Holy Door, Saint Peter’s Square,
8 December 2015, Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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Reflections from our Pastor
“WE are St. Petronille!”
Jesus has come to complete, strengthen and
mend each person as a child of God, despite our
incomplete, fragile, broken, human condition.
Our parish lives the Gospel of Life, and in its
ministries, attends to the needs of others. During times
of age and illness, we reach out to those in need.
Visiting the sick, hospitalized and homebound and
nourishing them with presence, forgiveness, Eucharist
and anointing, we care for the physical, spiritual and
emotional needs of those at all ages and stages of life. At the passing of our
loved ones we extend our condolences at wakes, we offer Masses of
Christian Burial, we accompany families to cemeteries for interment, we
provide funeral lunches and follow up with support for families who have
lost loved ones. We become Christ visible and tangible in times of struggle,
need, sorrow, and grief.
From January 1 to January 27, the following parishioners, relatives
and loved ones have been called by God to LIFE ETERNAL:
Richard Bennett, Richard Bavaro, Marie Chmelik, Carol Gorman,
Mark Tipton, Collette Kenward, Cheryl Barton, Andrew Garwood,
Veronica Liptak, Peter Lee, Nellie Kinsella and Maureen Blankshain.
As we continue to be Family of St. Petronille Parish we continue to
live the SPIRITUAL AND CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY :
 VISITING THE SICK
 COMFORTING THE AFFLICTED
 BURYING THE DEAD
 PRAYING FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
These events remind us that we are Pilgrims on a journey through this life
to LIFE ETERNAL, for life is changed - not ended!
“Come stay with me awhile”
THE UPPER ROOM:
An Evening of Reflection
St. Petronille Parish Life Center
(Door #2)
March 15, 20167:00-9:00 pm
Come join with us in a pilgrimage of prayer,a journey into the power and love of God.
Enrich your Lenten journey by walking with Jesus and his friends
from the Passover supper, to the Garden of Gethsemane,
and through the streets of Jerusalem to the cross.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact the
St. Petronille Faith Formation Office at 630-858-3796x-4000
Editor: Christine Balaty Copy and Layout Editor: Paula Barnett
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Have you ever had a memorable
Lent? More importantly, have you
ever had a life-changing Lent?
What is Lent?
Lent is a 40-day period leading up to Easter, beginning with Ash
Wednesday. (This year, Ash Wednesday is February 10.) Lent is a
known as a penitential season. That means it is an opportunity to
examine your life, give your struggles to God, and invite him to
help you become the-best-version-of-yourself®. In particular, there
is an increased focus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, All these
spiritual exercises help prepare us for the celebration of the passion,
death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Works of Mercy Week
“Hands”
For five busy days during January, we celebrated our parish’s 90th
Anniversary as we lived the Corporal Works of Mercy. During the
week, over 400 additional parishioners helped feed the hungry at
Feed My Starving Children and the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
More helped bring hope to cancer patients with their coloring at
Phil’s Friends, played Bingo at the Convalescent Home and helped
the residents of Autumn Leaves decorate place mats for the local
PADS shelter. We learned that everyone can serve, no matter your
age or ability and that God’s mercy is for everyone!
What Should I Give Up for Lent?
Lent is the perfect time to form new life-giving
habits and abandon old self-destructive habits.
But most of us just give up chocolate. Then, when
Easter arrives, we realize we really haven’t grown
spiritually since the beginning of Lent.
Lent is not just about giving things up, like
chocolate. Lent is about doing something—
something bold to become a better husband or
wife, father or mother, son or daughter, friend, neighbor, etc.
What if this year you did more than just give up something during
Lent? Do something life-changing. Sign up for Dynamic Catholic’s
Best Lent Ever at www.DynamicCatholic.com/Lent
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Mission 2016
St. Petronille Youth Ministry: Year 24!
Service Sunday
“Hands”
Let us celebrate that almost 1,000 pairs of hands
reached out to live the Corporal Works of Mercy during
our recent Service Sunday event! We fed the hungry, gave
drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked, provided shelter for
the homeless, visited the sick, and gave comfort to those
who will bury the dead. Because this was a family
program, we would not have been allowed to visit the
imprisoned, so we collected magazines and bibles that will
be distributed at a local prison. What a great way to
celebrate Pope Francis’ Year of Mercy and our Parish’s 90th Anniversary!
This event kicked off an entire week of off-site service events at which
hundreds of parishioners helped organizations such as Feed My Starving
Children and Phil’s Friends achieve their missions of hope and help.
Many thanks to all who participated in these events! Here are
just a few of the comments we received regarding Service Sunday…and
enjoy the pictures!
January 16: SERVICE SUNDAY
250 Birthday Gifts Wrapped for Needed Children
“I learned how to wrap a gift bow using ribbons and
scissors.” “It was great to do with my children as they
learn how to continue to help our community. We had
fun, too!”
Mats for the Homeless
“It’s a hands-on project in which a
homeless person can have a very useful bed mat. It felt
good knowing that this would benefit a person.”
“Doing good work for others helps us remember how
blessed we are.”
70 Living Works of Mercy Kits Assembled
“A little bit of time can help people in a big way.”
“Remembering Pope’s declaration that this is a year of
mercy.” “Realizing even the smallest acts can result in
changing a person’s life.”
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St. Petronille is going into its 24th
year of mission trips! I am truly amazed
when I think about the places we’ve been
and the lives we’ve touched - wonderful
people who allowed us to stand by them in
crisis. There have easily been a thousand
young people and adults from our parish
who have given their time, energy and
compassion to people affected by chronic poverty, disability, or natural
disasters. We have traveled by bus, van and
train. We have slept on floors, cots, blow-up
mattresses, bunk beds and we even lasted one
whole night in tents on the Blackfeet
Reservation! Our teens have learned to take two
minute showers, cook delicious meals, clean up
after themselves, paint, build, repair, and love
people who feel lost and abandoned.
We will be going to the De La Salle Blackfeet Catholic School for
the week of Spring Break. Easter Sunday we will visit the Little Flower
Parish. Our teens love working in the school and really enjoy the students
and meeting the people who live on the Blackfeet Reservation.
In June we will go to an area of the country which has been
affected by a disaster. We wait to hear where we will
be most needed. In the past we have gone to
Michigan, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Florida, Alabama,
Kentucky and Indiana. Our adult leaders teach our
teens how to drywall, paint, and do all sorts of
repairs on peoples’ homes. Our teens teach the adults
that young people have a very special spirituality and
are dedicated to helping others.
In July we will travel by train (30 hours) to the Reservation again
and work in the school doing much of the summer maintenance. We will
attend North American Indian Days and learn about the culture of the
Blackfeet Nation. What our teens learn about themselves and the spiritual
growth which occurs is the take away. We have a rich tradition of service
here at St. Petronille and the support of the our parishioners has made it
happen. THANK YOU!
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2016 Heritage Festival: Celebrating
Diversity In Our Faith and Cultures
March 13 at 5 pm Sunday Mass followed by dinner and program
featuring a variety of foods, games, displays and speakers.
Hosted by: Youth Ministry World Youth Day
Group and Christian Service
The Catholic Church has become increasingly diverse in cultural,
ethnic and racial make-up. We do not
have to go too far to discover the
diversity in our own community and the
2016 Heritage Festival is hoping to
increase awareness, as we celebrate the
richness in worship, song, prayer, food
and traditions among the different
communities who call St. Petronille
home. The mission of the church, as
always, is the inclusion of ALL God’s people and to promote the life and
dignity of ALL human beings. Join us on March 13 as we begin with
Mass which will include songs and readings in other languages. We will
then enjoy a variety of food prepared by our Refugee families and the
teens attending the 2016 World Youth Day in Poland. We will have
several speakers and displays set up to showcase the art, sewing and other
crafts of the Refugee Families. A special invitation will be going out to
those individuals who are supporting our World Youth Day endeavor and
have bought “Stock” in the WYD Trip.
For more information contact:
Christian Service Office [email protected]
or
Youth Ministry Office [email protected]
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75 Candles of Remembrance
“We enjoyed spending time together and doing
something to cheer up those who have lost a
loved one.” “When we did the prayer service at
the beginning and the blessing at the end.
Prayer always
helps bring
someone closer
to God.”
Over 200 Hats decorated for Pediatric
Cancer Patients
“It would make us more aware of the struggles other people face around
us.”“I really enjoyed letting my creativity take over for such a good cause.”
“I like to see my whole family involved and working for a good cause.”
“Refocus of what’s important—perspective of how fortunate we are.”
Over 500 Valentine’s for Vets Active Military
and the Homebound
“Wonderful day! Would love to see more
opportunities like this again.”
“A blessing and joy to come together as a parish
community to help others.”
“Great for kids to put others
first and that working
together we can make a
difference.” “I hope they do this again next year.”
“I enjoyed spending time with my daughter while
also doing something for someone else.” “I like
drawing and am happy to share with others while
doing God’s work.” “A
loving, creative event to help others that have
protected us and kept us safe. A wonderful family
event to help others.” “It helps our parish grow in
faith by allowing members to mimic Jesus in
helping others.” “Finding a new or rekindled skill/
purpose to serve the Lord.” “It can inspire us to
follow Jesus’ example and teaching to love others
and keep us focused on faith and love.”
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2016 Women’s Retreat “SHINES!”
“It was fabulous, and I loved every minute of it! As
women - mothers, wives, coworkers, friends - we spend
much of our lives helping others shine. I loved the
opportunity to look inward and recognize the spark
that is uniquely ours. The retreat reminded me that we
all can make a difference - in our families,
communities, and world! ~Michelle Andringa
“I came on the retreat alone ... Upon arriving I
randomly met another retreat-goer while checking in. She then proceeded to
introduce me to a few other moms throughout the morning … Throughout the
rest of the day these ladies continued to introduce me to their friends, and so it
goes! Everyone was so welcoming and kind. I feel
like I really have made new friends … I came alone
but did not feel alone by the time I left! I felt like
the retreat was very enlightening and what I took
away was ‘Do the best you can with what you
have’. That’s what God intended.” ~Tracy
McGinnis
“This retreat gave me peace … I have
struggled so much with trying to figure out what our
future is, what the plan is, and how in the world will
I ever be ‘me’ again. I am getting to that place but
still was worrying every day if I was doing
everything the ‘right’ way. Going to the retreat allowed me to hear the message
from God that I have to let go of plans and expectations. I have to appreciate
and take pride in what I can offer my family and friends rather than
focusing on what I perceive as my weaknesses. I think this weekend brought it
into focus that [being a physician] is truly my gift from God, helped me reflect
on the changes I have been able to make in people’s lives, and allowed me to feel
amazed in what I do. Viewing my skills as a gift completely changes how I feel
about myself.” ~Laura Tagle
“The Prayer [Surrender] Bowl – powerful. God winks - so true - and
thank you Lori Gapinski - the comment about softening - so on-target for me and
2016 … The way Wendie spoke seared an image in me so as to ensure I do
follow up … I loved that I saw my
senior neighbor there, and she was
bowling and having a great time …
first time bowling in some 30 years,
she said with a smile on her face ...
[I] loved how Fr. Jim really
engaged with the small group and
spoke to us at Mass. I would say
‘He shined’.” ~Anne Gould
And to see families which are united, families which love, families
which bring up their children, educating them and helping them
to grow, families which build a society of goodness, truth and
beauty…”
“Certainly, in the family there are difficulties. In families we
argue… Families always, always, have crosses. Always. Because the
love of God, the Son of God, also asked us to follow him along this
way. But in families also, the cross is followed by resurrection,
because there too the Son of God leads us. So the family is – if
you excuse the word – a workshop of hope, of the hope of life and
resurrection, since God was the one who opened this path… In
families, there are difficulties, but those difficulties are resolved
by love. Hatred doesn’t resolve any difficulty. Divided hearts do not
resolve difficulties. Only love is capable of resolving difficulty.
Love is a celebration, love is joy, love is perseverance…”
“Children and young people are the future; they are our
strength; they are what keep us moving forward. They are the ones in
whom we put our hope. Grandparents are a family’s memory. They
are the ones who gave us the faith, they passed the faith on to us.
Taking care of grandparents and taking care of children is the
sign of love – I’m not sure if it is the greatest, but for the family I
would say that it is the most promising – because it promises the
future. A people incapable of caring for children and caring for
the elderly is a people without a future, because it lacks the
strength and the memory needed to move forward. The family is
beautiful, but it takes hard work; it brings problems. In the family,
sometimes there is fighting. The husband
argues with the wife; they get upset with
each other, or children get upset with their
parents. May I offer a bit of advice: never
end the day without making peace in the
family. In the family the day cannot end
in fighting. May God bless you. May God
give you strength. May God inspire you to
keep moving forward. Let us care for the
family. Let us defend the family, because
there our future is at stake. Thank you.
God bless you, and please pray for me.”
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The Family Is a Workshop of Hope,
of the Hope of Life and Resurrection
The Words of Pope Francis about Family Address at the Festival of
Families, Philadelphia, PA September 26, 2015
“Before he created the world, God was in love, because
God is love. The love he had
within himself, the love
between the Father and the
Son, in the Holy Spirit, was
so great, so overflowing …
that God could not be selfish.
He had to go out from
himself, in order to have
someone to love outside of
himself. So God created the
world … But the most beautiful thing God made – so the Bible
tells us – was the family…”
“All the love God has in himself, all the beauty God has in
himself, all the truth God has in himself, he entrusts to the
family. A family is truly a family when it is capable of opening its
arms to receive all that love. Of course the Garden of Eden is long
gone; life has its problems; men and women – through the wiles of
the devil – experienced division. And all that love which God gave us
was practically lost. And in no time, the first crime was committed,
the first fratricide. Brother kills brother: war…”
”But let’s go back. When the man and his wife went astray
and walked away from God, God did not leave them alone. Such was
his love. So great was his love that he began to walk with mankind,
he began to walk alongside his people, until the right time came and
then he gave the greatest demonstration of love: his Son. And
where did he send his Son? To a palace, to a city, to an office
building? He sent him to a family. God came into the world in a
family. And he could do this because that family was a family
with a heart open to love, a family whose doors were open…”
“He likes to do that. He goes out from within. But do you
know what he likes best of all? To knock on the doors of families.
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An Invitation from Fr. Jim Dougherty &
Fr. Burke Masters to All Men of the Diocese
Tuesday, February 23 at 6:30pm
at St. Petronille Parish
“Rediscover Christ & Deepen
your Lenten Journey”
Evening Includes:


Adoration of Jesus Christ
 Confession
Man-Feast and Fellowship
 Raffle
 Discussion
www.fisherofmenonline.com
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“Being Church in the Age of Francis”
“Head”
On February 15-17, 2016, St. Petronille is proud
to welcome Fr. Luke Barder home to present this
year’s Lenten Mission. Fr. Luke Barder belongs
to the order of Dominican Friars, a Roman
Catholic religious order of men officially called
the Order of Preachers. Fr. Luke is a native son of
Glen Ellyn and St. Petronille, having grown up in
our parish, and also having been very active in our
Youth Ministry program. All who have heard Fr.
Luke preach can attest to his gift of conveying the message of the Good
News in such an energetic, heartfelt, and relevant way that he touches
many hearts.
The focus of this year’s mission is “Being Church in the Age of
Francis”. Fr. Luke will speak about the ways in which we are a church
family.
 Monday, February 15: “The Family Is The Domestic Church”
 Tuesday, February 16: “Being the Local Church Family” as St.
Petronille Parishioners, Members of the Diocese of Joliet, and
Catholics in the United States of America
 Wednesday, February 17: “Being the Universal Church Family”
as Part of the Global Community of Catholics Shepherded by Pope
Francis
Fr. Luke will speak at all Masses on the
weekend of February 13-14. He will celebrate
Mass at 9:30AM and 5PM teen Mass on Sunday,
February 14. In addition, we are thrilled that Fr.
Luke will be meeting with our youth group
following the 5PM Sunday Mass.
All mission talks will be given in the PLC
this year. Morning talks at 9AM following 8AM
Mass will repeat the same evening at 7PM Please
enter through Door 2 to attend this powerful series of talks given by Fr.
Luke Barder.
Kick Off Your Best Lent Ever by Committing to All Three Talks!
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Lenten Prayer Mondays
“Heart”
Make room for PRAYER! We continue
our celebration of St. Petronille’s 90th
Anniversary with Prayer Mondays during
the season of Lent. Designed to enrich your
Lenten journey, Prayer Mondays are special
nights of prayer developed by your parish
staff. So, join us for one evening, or all five
--there is something for everyone this Lent!
 Mon. Feb 15- Wed. Feb 17—PARISH MISSION (7pm, PLC)
Fr. Luke grew up in St. Petronille, attended the parish school and was very
active member of Youth Ministry. He was ordained in 2014 and is a
member of the Dominican Order. Fr. Luke is a gifted speaker, has a great
sense of humor and will share his spirituality in his talks.

Mon. Feb 22—STATIONS TO CELEBRATE
THE WAY OF GOD’S MERCY (7pm, Church)
Written by Catholic songwriter and composer David Hass, this
contemporary walk finds its inspiration and foundation in the traditional
Stations of the Cross and is in tune with Pope Francis’ Year of Mercy.
Begin your Lenten journey by joining Gavin Coyle, Eric Rasmussen and the
St. Petronille staff as we pray these Stations of Mercy.
 Mon. Feb 29—TAIZE(7pm, Church)
The music of Taize’ emphasizes simple phrases which are usually lines
from Psalms, scripture or from the liturgy. Repeated many times, or
sometime they are sung in canon. Join Eric Rasmussen and the St.
Petronille musicians for this special evening of prayer & music.
 Mon. March 7—Labyrinth and Prayer Stations (7pm Church)
Several forms will be offered this evening as well as the labyrinth. Guided
Reflection and other prayer forms will be offered by parish staff and teens.
 Mon. Mar 21—Rosary (7pm, Church)
Pray the Luminous Mysteries with our community of faith.
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