This Sunday, we observe the Ascension of the Lord, which takes place on Thursday, Forty days after the Resurrection. The Ascension of the Lord is a Christian mystery. A mystery in this sense is we cannot fully grasp all of its meaning.

What the Ascension is not! The Ascension is not Jesus disappearing from the planet and floating out in the universe somewhere we call heaven where He remains to this day - with us, but at a distance. The simplistic interpretation of the description reinforces this mistaken understanding we find in the New Testament.

What the Ascension is! The Acts of Apostles recounts the moment: "When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight" (Acts 1:9). Understanding the Old Testament images will help us know the meaning of the Ascension.

The first image of being "lifted up" refers to the revelation of God beginning a new age in human history for the world (see the Book of Daniel regarding the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man). The second reference is the "cloud." The cloud references the way the Divine Presence reveals itself (see the Book of Exodus when the cloud leads the Israelites during the day and a column of fire by night, the Temple where the cloud came to rest when God was present, etc.).

The Apostles are testifying that the revelation of Jesus risen from the dead was about his glorified risen body and the new way in which He fulfills the great signs of the Old Testament. The two signs were a new age for the world and a new revelation of God's presence.

Christ is the heart of the matter for this new time in history and this new revelation of God's presence. The

Acts of the Apostles signifies this when it says that Jesus was "taken up to heaven." Christ did not disappear to some far-off realm of existence, but He reveals Himself, here on earth, in a new and surprising way. The new way will change the world and change how we experience the divine presence here on earth.

The new way is the Church instituted by Jesus and formed of Apostles, disciples, and the faithful. The Church is the new age of history and the place where God's presence dwells. The Sacraments most profoundly the Eucharist, the Bible, and the Church's teachings lead us deeper into God's presence.

The Ascension teaches us that Jesus dwells with His Church in new and powerful ways and leads her on the mission to save souls for the Kingdom of Heaven. Be part of the mission!!

In the Risen Lord, Fr. Browning

FATHER BROWNING... THOUGHTS, SCRIPTURE, AND MORE.

MAY 16 , 2021 THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD

St. Thomas More Catholic Church

www.stthomasmorechurch.org

Inside p2 Prayer

Requests

Q. & A. p3

Easter

Flowers

p4 Bonfire with

Brenda

p5

St. Vincent de Paul Are you in need?

In the name of Jesus, we strive to comfort, feed, clothe,

and assist those in need. We serve in person, keeping all

things confidential and preserving dignity.

Please call our answering machine

at 847.628.5170.

Do you feel called to serve?

We meet the second and fourth Tuesday

of each month at 7pm alternating

between St. Laurence and St. Thomas

respectively. For more information,

please contact conference president

Doug at StThomasMoreElginSVDP@gmail.com.

To donate, visit https://www.kindest.com/donate/society-of-saint-vincent-depaul

Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SVDPSTM

Prayer Requests Join us in praying for members of our community who are sick or

ailing. To add or remove a name on our prayer list, please call

the parish office 847.888.1682. To keep our prayer list current,

names will remain on the list for 3 months. After that time, please

contact the parish office to renew names.

All Souls in Purgatory All affected by COVID-19 Jessica Abell Brad Abell Mike Beran Angel Alejandro

Cobarrubias Blanco Fr. Manuel Campos Fr. Fredy Casallas Arie Connell Jay Connell Maria Clementina Carreon Maria Carrera Ana Cristina Ibañez Cobarrubias Jamie Dumanski Fr. John Ekwoanya Fr Eduardo Garcia Ferrer Maria Esperanza Robles Flores Cathy Gabriel Daniel Serrano Gaeta Maria de Jesus Gaeta Fr. Jose Galvez. Evelyn Fatima del Real

Garcia Dianna Giardino Daniel Goggin Marlly Angelica Gomez Fr. Edgardo Hernandez Esau Huizar Horacio Huizar Isaac Huizar Salvador Huizar Kerwin Family Joan Knott

Amy Lara Leticia Lara Allison Marie Lazzar Christopher David

del Carmen Lazzar Delores Lazzar Nadia Lazzar Rhonda Long Berta Alicia Mariscal Magdalena Muro Martinez Matilde Muro Martinez Emanuel Aguilera Muro Gloria Neitzel Alonso Fabian Navarro

Ortega Fr. Agustin Pelayo Deacon Bob Plazewski Charles Pruter Yuliana Valeria del Real Lutie Regan Gregoria Garcia Robles Janet Roman Manuel Roman Diane Schumacher Brisa Serrano Gracie Springer Helen Stasukaitis Katie Sumano Gabriel Tomlinson Fr. Urban Osuji Carol White David White Heather Wydra Joseph Zarcone

2 | FOLLOW US ON ACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM

Reconciliation: Confessions are heard every Tuesday 5:30pm until all heard, and Saturday 1:00pm until all heard.

Baptism: Children of all ages and adults are welcome to the sacrament of Baptism. Baptism for children is celebrated on the first and third Sundays of each month at 1:00pm. Parents need to be registered members and should be faithful in attending Mass. Participation in a baptismal preparation class is required. Please call Sharon Hall at the parish office to make arrangements. Adults seeking Baptism should contact Fr. Browning at rbrowning@stthomasmorechurch.org.

Matrimony: Baptized Catholics are called to be married in the Catholic Church. Arrangements should be made at least six months in advance.

If you were married outside of the Catholic Church and would like to have your marriage blessed, we would be happy to guide you in that process.

Call the parish office to make an appointment with a priest to begin all marriage preparation.

Anointing of the Sick: The anointing of the sick is administered to bring spiritual and physical strength during an illness, for those having surgery, and for those near death. Call the parish office to make arrangements to receive this sacrament.

SACRAMENTS For a more in-depth look at the sacraments,

please visit our parish website

www.stthomasmorechurch.org.

Pastor Reverend Ryan Browning rbrowning@stthomasmorechurch.org www.fatherbrowning.com

Deacons Jack Roder David Deitz

Parish Office - 847.888.1682 Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm

School Office - 847.742.3959 www.stmcentral.org

Religious Ed. Office - 847.888.4887

Parish Staff Visit our website for a staff listing www.stthomasmorechurch.org/staff

VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.STTHOMASMORECHURCH.ORG | 3

Bereavement Ministry Trained volunteers are available to provide spiritual support and comfort to all parishioners mourning a death loss. Please call the parish office at 847.888.1682.

Life Matters Any woman who is pregnant and in need can turn for

help to the pro-life movement. Never feel alone, call

Project Rachel at 800.593.2273 The Life Center at

847.622.1235 or Corbella Clinic at 847.697.0200.

The Catholic Church includes hundreds of

religious communities. The priests, religious

brothers, religious sisters, and nuns of these

communities (which are often referred to as

“religious orders”) are committed to particular

spiritual traditions and often to a particular charism

(such as teaching, healthcare, social work, or pastoral care).

To help identify a person as a member of a particular religious

community, the custom developed of including post-nominal letters that provide

a sort of shorthand for the name of the community that

the priest, brother, sister or nun is part of. So, for example

OSB after a person’s name would indicate that they are

a member of the Order of St. Benedict (the Benedictines),

just as SJ would indicate that a priest or brother is a

member of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) or RSM

would show that a woman is a Sister of Mercy.

Other common examples include:

DC = Daughters of Charity

FSC = The Brothers of the Christian Schools

/Christian Brothers

OCist = The Order of Cistercians

OCD = Order of Discalced Carmelites

OFM = The Order of Friars Minor (the Franciscans)

OFM Cap = The Capuchin Franciscans

OP = The Order of Preachers (Dominicans)

OSF=Franciscan Sisters

SC = Sisters of Charity

SDS = Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorian Priests

and Brothers and Salvatorian Sisters)

SSND = School Sisters of Notre Dame

SVD = Society of the Divine Word (Divine Word Missionaries)

Q WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE

LETTERS THAT PROFESSED RELIGIOUS

HAVE AFTER THEIR NAMES?

A:

Sunday Ascension: Acts 1:1-11/Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9 [6]/Eph 1:17-23 or Eph 4:1-13 or 4:1-7, 11-13/Mk 16:15-20 Seventh Sunday of Easter: Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26/Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20 [19a]/1 Jn 4:11 16 /Jn 17:11b-19 Monday Acts 19:1-8/Ps 68:2-3ab, 4-5acd, 6-7ab [33a] /Jn 16:29-33 Tuesday Acts 20:17-27/Ps 68:10-11, 20-21 [33a]/Jn 17:1-11a Wednesday Acts 20:28-38/Ps 68: 29-30, 33-35a, 35bc-36ab [33a]/Jn 17:11b-19 Thursday Acts 22:30; 23:6-11/Ps 16:1-2a and 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11 [1]/Jn 17:20-26 Friday Acts 25:13b-21/Ps 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20ab [19a] /Jn 21:15-19 Saturday Morning: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31/Ps 11:4, 5 and 7 [7b] /Jn 21:20-25 Next Sunday

Vigil: Gn 11:1-9 or Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b or Ez 37:1-14 or Jl 3:1-5/Ps 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-28, 29, 30 [cf. 30] /Rom 8:22-27/Jn 7:37-39 Extended Vigil: Gn 11:1-9/Ps 33:10-11, 12-13, 14-15 /Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b/Dn 3:52, 52, 53, 55, 56 or Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11/Ez 37:1-14/Ps 107:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 /Jl 3:1-5/Ps 104:1-2, 24, 35, 27-28, 29, 30 [cf. 30] /Rom 8:22-27/Jn 7:37-39 Day: Acts 2:1-11/Ps 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 [cf. 30]/1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13 or Gal 5:16-25/Jn 20:19-23 or Jn 15:26-27; 16:12-15

4 | VISIT WWW.FLOCKNOTE.COM/STTHOMASMORE37 OR TEXT “STMELGIN” TO 84576

First Reading: Then they gave lots to them,

and the lot fell upon Matthias,

and he was counted with the

eleven apostles. (Acts1:26)

Psalm: The Lord has set his throne

in heaven. (Ps 103) Or Alleluia.

Second Reading: Beloved, if God so loved us,

we also must love one another.

(1 Jn 4:11)

Gospel: “Holy Father, keep them in

your name that you have given me,

so that they may be one just as we are

one.” (Jn 17:11b)

Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass ©2001, 1998, 1970 CCD.

The English translation of Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass

© 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation.

All rights reserved. ©LPi

Abitna Family

Al Ameskamp

Arline Asdel

Fred Asdel

Jim Aydt

Namerto Basilgo

Nick Bbzezniak

Bowler Family

Phillis Boyer

Daniel Brkljack

Dorothy Brkljack

Steve Brkljack

John Brodendi

Cosme Cadiz

Ruperta Cadiz

Jeanette Capasso

Sam Capasso

Caprile Family

Tim Clayton

Helen Clayton

Joseph Cortesi

Phyllis Cortesi

Carl Cortesi

Mamerta Cuartero

Rodrigo Cuartero

Francisco Cuartero

Francisco Rey Cuartero

Cuigelli Family

John Cullian, Sr.

Curley Family

Maynard Decker

Ann Decker

Nerio Dela Merced

Florence Dela Merced

Edmund Dela Merced

Steve Denega

Joesfina Diaz

Jeremiah J. Duggan

Helen C. Duggan

Fr. Patrick Durkin

Evans Family

Hans Finsterwalder

John Finsterwalder

Stasi Finsterwalder

Paul Finsterwalder

Marie Finsterwalder

Flaherty Family

Stanley Francuz

Stephanie Francuz

Terry Frantz

Daniel Frantz

Helen Fredericks

Cliff Fredericks

Edward Fusek

Joe Gargiulo

Lucy Gargiulo

William Gasiciel

Stella Gasiciel

Jerry Gilbert

Gregoria Gutierrez

Pat Hagelgans

Carolyn Hansen

Joe Hansen

Fred Hansen

Otto Hansen

Theresa Hansen

Bruce Heiser

Ann Holtman

Mel Janczak

Evelyn Kabis

Kadula Family

Mrs. Eufemia E. Kalaxy

Dennis Kanok

Cary Kanok

Laverne Kazale

Joseph Kazale

Thomas Mark Kazale

Patricia Keferlis

Mary Ann Kijak

Fred Kijak

Gary Kist

Ken Kline, Jr.

Ken Kline, Sr.

Henry Kmiec

Jack Knott

Ann Knott

Bud Knott

Mary Ann Knott

Charlotte Knott

Eleanor Knott

Fr. Bill Knott

Leo Kolodziej

Ruth Kolodziej

Henryka Krasowski

Mieczyslaw Krasowski

Evelyn Kubis

Guillermo Lara

Annette Lewis

Gene Lisula

James Litavez

Aurelia Lorenzo

Mariano Lucchetto

Gregory Maher

Helen Morrissey

Frank Martell

Esperanza Martell

Martinez Family

Bill Masters

Marge Masters

McGann Family

Beth Miller

Gary Mitchell

Anne Mitrenga

Ted Mitrenga

Sharon Mittelstardt

Adolph Mozdzen

Steve Mozdzen

My Savior's Death of the Cross

Nickalson Family

Clint Nickerson

Edmundo Palanca

Richard Palcowski

Mary Palcowski

Joseph Palcowski

Rick Palcowski

Amando Payumo

Adelaida Payumo

Edward Pienkos

Stella Pienkos

Ponce Family

Quintanilla Family

Ambrocio Rafael

Jim Rakowski

Berniece Rakowski

John Sabek

Ann Sabek

Santiago Family

Stanely Sciblo

Estelle Sciblo

Ruby Seisser

Kenneth Seisser

Ralph Seisser

Ralph G. Seisser, Jr.

Vito Susca

Angela Susca

Joseph Susca

Thomas Symon

John Urquhart

Washer Family

August Wegert

Marg Wegert

Donald H. Wille

Frank Ybarra

Tadwiga Zareba

Kazimierz Zareba

Stephanie Zorn

Lauren

Harvey

Mary Lou

Thank you to all who donated toward our Easter Flowers.

Donations were made in memory of the following:

CALL OUR PARISH OFFICE ANYTIME AT 847.888.1682 | 5

Attention all men! Please join

us this summer for this exciting

program. The program will be

presented in a Zoom format.

When: Saturdays May 15-July 24

Time: Rosary at 7:00AM with

program immediately following

Register online at

stthomasmorechurch.org

Memorial Day Mass Dear St. Thomas More Parish,

We at Catholic Cemeteries are sorry to inform you that

we will be cancelling this year’s

Memorial Day Mass at the

cemetery. We understand

the history and the importance

of this Mass; however, due to

the pandemic, and after much

discussion, we believe that the

safety of everyone is the first and fore-

most importance. We will be keeping

you all in our prayers.

Sincerely,

Catholic Cemeteries

Mt. Olivet Cemetery -- Aurora

Resurrection Cemetery -- Geneva

Mt. Hope Cemetery -- Elgin

Baby Bottle

Boomerang Baby Bottle Boomerang May 15th/16th.

The Corbella Clinic asks for your support and

prayers as they help women who are facing

an unplanned pregnancy to move beyond

that feeling of crisis

and choose life for

their unborn child. The

Knights of Columbus

are passing out baby

bottles this weekend.

By taking a bottle

and returning it the

following weekend

with your donation of

coins/ bills or a check you will be making a

difference in the life of a child and a mother

in need.

6 | CALENDARS & SCHEDULES

Mass Intentions for the Week If you would like to have a Mass said for someone, call the parish office

to schedule. The contribution for reserving the intention of a Mass is $10.00.

monday MAY

8:30 am Ruth Roti (sp. Int.), Minhhue Vo

tuesday MAY

8:30 am Nicholas & Mary Joyce Ventocilla (sp. Int.)

Stephen Lange

wednesday MAY

8:30 am Richard Hochstatter, Missy Craig

thursday MAY

8:30 am Harry J. Schulz (sp. Int.), Lynne M. Prendergast

friday MAY

8:30 am Mary Blake, Rev. Jonathan P. Bakkelund (sp. Int. 10th Anniv.)

saturday MAY

5:00 pm People of STM, Maynard & Ann Decker

sunday MAY

8:00 am Ambrocio Rafael, Hugh O’Connor

10:00 am Stephen Lange, Missy Craig

12:00 pm Jim Rakowski, Jr., Ida & Francis Cox and Ella Chafee

Weekend for May 22nd & 23rd.

PRESIDERS 5:00 pm Fr. Linster 8:00 am Fr. Linster

10:00 am Fr. Browning 12:00 pm Fr. Browning

Presiders

MAY 16 - MAY 22 TOM & ALICE, NANCY

& JOE (SP. INT.)

MAY 23 - MAY 29 PETER PETTENUZZO

MAY 23RD BULLETIN MAY 30TH BULLETIN

Materials Due:

May 10, 2021

Materials Due:

May 17, 2021

Bulletin Deadlines

The parish office is open by appointment only, please contact us.

Masses are limited to 30% capacity.

Confessions are Tuesday at 5:30 pm, Friday at 12:00pm

and Saturday at 1:00 pm in the church.

FLOCKNOTE

Let’s keep in touch!

Text “stmelgin” to 84576 or visit flocknote.com/stthomasmore37

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connected to our community! facebook.com/St Thomas More

Catholic Church

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