FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

CORCORAN’S CORNER Today is the Feast of St. Blasé… This Sunday, Feb. 3, is the traditional Feast of St. Blasé. Because this feast falls on a Sunday, it is replaced by the celebration of the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Nevertheless, this weekend, Saturday, Feb. 2 and Sunday, Feb. 3, we will offer a traditional blessing of throats at all of our Masses. Blasé is the patron saint for cures of illness of the throat.

The Archdiocesan Annual Appeal… Thanks to all who pledged in 2018 to the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal. Our goal last year was $70,172.38. The amount that we all donated totaled $70,842.00. We will receive a rebate to our parish of $669.62! Thanks to all who contributed. I am very glad we made and surpassed our goal. Our 2019 goal is: $69.019.08. We will be launching the 2019 Appeal later this month.

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School Open House… Thanks to all who attended the Open House for the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School for Academic Excellence Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School last Sunday. Please continue to spread the word about our excellent regional parish school. When you tell a young family about our school you are being a good neighbor and doing them a big favor.

Don’t Tell Anyone… Our parish Women’s Club will be holding their Annual Pancake Breakfast in the McBrady Center on Sunday, Feb. 10, after all Masses. Our parish anniversary is on St. Valentine’s Day, Feb.14, and this Pancake Breakfast is our traditional way of celebrating this milestone. St. Elizabeth Seton Parish was founded in 1987, so this is our 32nd Anniversary. Plan on attending the breakfast. I have always enjoyed it in the past.

COURAGE… Thanks to all of you who so generously supported our Baby Goods Drive to support the COURAGE Organization in Oak Lawn. This is the type of wheels hitting the pavement support that helps young mothers in need. It is practical and much needed. Each week I filled my car with the goods and dropped them off at St. Germaine Parish in Oak Lawn where the COURAGE organization is housed. It was a happy journey each week where your donations were gratefully received.

Scout Sunday… Our local scout troops will celebrate Scouting Sunday, next Sunday, Feb. 10, at the 10:00 AM Mass. Scouting is a wonderful family activity that teaches strong values and life skills to our parish children. We will celebrate all that scouting contributes to our parish life.

Good Scouts All: New Toothbrush Drive… One of our local Orland Park Girl Scout Troops is sponsoring a New Toothbrush Drive to be held at our parish on two weekends in February: Feb 9/10, and 16/17. More information about this drive and how it helps in the community can be found later in this bulletin.

Our St. Patrick/St. Joseph Party… We begin selling tickets at all of our Masses this weekend, Feb. 2 and Feb. 3, for our St. Patrick-St. Joseph Party to be held on Saturday, March 16, in the McBrady Center. I recommend you start getting your tables together now as in the past these tickets have sold out quickly. You can also call Anna Talley at 708-532-6731, to buy tickets and/or reserve a table. We plan on having “Mass Time” tables (a table for people who attend specific Mass times), as well as tables for Religious Education parents and Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School parents. Christmas Collection… Due to the closing of the parish offices for two days this past week due to extreme weather conditions, we do not have the Christmas collection total by bulletin publishing time. We will publish the results next week.

Keep Smiling,

Page Two February 3, 2019

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME February 3, 2019 Page Three

Sat., Feb. 2 (5pm) Priscilla Kirn; Patricia Biondo Sun., Feb. 3 (7:15am) For All Parishioners; Jacob Fischer (8:30am) Eileen Wolff; Charles Riedlinger (10 am) Estelle and Willard Bush; Kay Moscato (11:30am) Bernard Joy; Clara Polak and Amparo Toranzo Mon., Feb. 4 (9am) Karleen Vanek; Rita Wollak Tues., Feb. 5 (9 am) Antonietta Roti; Maryann Scalise Wednesday, Feb. 6 (9am) Carolyn Vita; Kelly Family (Living) Thurs., Feb. 7 (9 am) Ed and Esther Barton; William Warnock Fri., Feb. 8 (9am) Thomas Hayes; Theresa Labus Sat., Feb. 9 (5pm) Peter Vallort; John Mirecki, Sr. Sun., Feb. 10 (7:15am) Philip Losos; Lilian Johnson (8:30am) For All Parishioners; Charles Lofrano (10 am) John Mirecki, Sr.; Grace E. Beissel (11:30am) Gorecki Family; Patrick O’Sullivan

We remember the sick, infirm, and those recommended to our prayers, that they may experience the healing power of Christ: Bridget Johnson Angeline Santella Roseanne Meyer Kevin Fonte Donald Roberts And for our deceased: George Leone (spouse of Sharon Leone) Rev. George McKenna Rev. Bart Bernabe

“Heavenly Father, accept the prayers which we offer for them.”

STEWARDSHIP

COLLECTION FOR 1-27-19: $15,749.72 KIDS COLLECTION: $ 39.72

Thank you for your generosity.

2018 TAX STATEMENTS FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The 2018 Tax Statements of your annual contributions have been mailed. Included in the envelope with your 2018 Tax Statement you will find our “Pot of Gold” raffle tickets. The “Pot of Gold” raffle is our annual

parish raffle to be drawn at the parish St. Patrick/St. Joseph Party in March. Thank you for your generosity.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Please pray for Aileen Henneberry and Andrew Viola as they prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony on Feb. 23, 2019.

WEDDINGS

MASS INTENTIONS

GIRL SCOUT TOOTHBRUSH

DRIVE Feb. 9-10/16-17 in the Narthex

The Orland Park Girl Scouts 60276 are collecting new and unused (no disposable or electric toothbrushes please) for the homeless and those

in need in our community. GOAL: 1,000 toothbrushes.

DID YOU KNOW? 60% of homeless people suffer from dental pain.

25% of the homeless are children. Two minutes of extra teeth

brushing can make a difference in preventing

tooth decay/gum disease.

Questions? Contact Mary Jaeger, 708-925-8318.

DONATE A TOOTHBRUSH!

Congratulations to Theodore and Sarah [Reidy] Stevens on the baptism of their child, Theodore Joseph, on January 20, 2019.

BAPTISMS

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

R ecently I had lunch with a former student of mine, a very idealistic

young man who teaches religion in a Catholic High School. He shared with me about his strug-gles in trying to teach young peo-ple about God. One of the major problems, as he sees it, is that his students' idea of God invaria-bly contains too much of the no-tion that God is a petty tyrant, that God can easily be offended, that God is threatened by our joys and successes, and espe-cially that somehow we have to earn God’s love by being good. He, for his part, tries to correct these notions by presenting a picture of God as a God whose essential countenance is that of blessing and not of frowning, a God who is an extravagant, un-conditional lover, the father of a prodigal son, who cannot be put off by human infidelity. Among other things, he likes pre-senting Julian of Norwich's picture of God as “sitting in heaven, smiling, completely relaxed, his face looking like a marvelous symphony.” However, when he tries to present this idea of God the response of his students is inevitably something to this effect: “then why be good?”

If God loves us no matter what we do, then why keep the commandments? If we are not to be punished or rewarded for our efforts, then why make sacrifices?”

W hy indeed? Why be good and try to keep the commandments if God loves us anyway? Simply put, we don't try to be good so that God loves

and rewards us. God loves us no matter what we do and heaven is never a reward for a good life. Are these glib statements? No. God's love, as Jesus assures us, is al-ways both unmerited and unconditional, nothing we do can ever make God love us, just as nothing we do can ever stop God from loving us. God loves just as God does everything else, perfectly. God loves everything and every-body perfectly. In fact, part of Christian belief (a dogma in fact), is that God's love is what keeps everything in exis-tence. If God stopped loving anything, it would cease to be. This (as the American theologian, Michael Hines, is fond of pointing out) raises an interesting question: If God loves everything and everyone perfectly, does God then also love Satan? Indeed, does God love Satan as much as he loves Jesus’ mother, Mary? The answer can only be “yes,” God loves Satan as much as God loves Mary. The difference is not in how God loves them, but in how they, each in turn, love God. God loves each of them in the same way, namely, perfectly.

But obviously Mary's response is very different from Satan’s. In that difference we see what cre-ates hell, a certain attitude in the face of love. However notice that in neither case is the love either merited or deflected.

God just loves us, pure and simple. God cannot be offended. God's love cannot be driven away. God does not reward or punish us on the basis of whether we have been good or bad. God simply loves us.

Then why be good? Why keep the commandments? What difference does our response make? Our response makes a big difference, but not in terms of giving God offense,

driving God away, or making God punish or reward us. It makes a difference in how we stand and feel in the face of love. We cannot offend against God, but we can offend against others and ourselves. We can, like Satan, live in bitterness and unhappiness right within love itself and we can deeply hurt others. The spiritual and moral precepts of the faith, all of them, including the ten commandments, are therefore meant to do a couple of things:

F irst, for anyone who is mature in the faith, living out what faith and morality asks of us is in fact a natural response of gratitude for being loved and a

natural expression of sensitivity to others. The desire to be good and to keep the commandments, as Martin Luther once said, follows from genuine faith and love the way smoke follows fire. The intent is never to earn love or reward, but to respond properly to them. This is true in the case of mature love and faith. How-ever, for those of us who are still struggling to be mature, the spiritual and moral precepts of the faith are meant as a discipline—precisely as a discipleship—that helps teach us what it means to be a spiritual and a sensitive human being. Trying to be good still should not be an attempt to somehow earn love or heaven, but rather an acknowl-edgement, a humble one, that one still needs a lot of help in knowing how to live in the face of love.

Why be good if God loves us anyway? For the same reason that an artist doesn't deface a masterpiece and a lover doesn't violate his or her be-loved. Ethics follow naturally when truth, beauty, and love are properly appropriated.

February 3, 2019 Page Four

God’s Unconditional Love By Reverend Ronald Rolheiser

And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

THE INTRODUCTION—“Jesus of the Gospels” by ART ZANNONI- We all love adventure—not only the kind that are displayed on movie and television screens, but the smaller adventure of life: enjoying a sunset, listening to a favorite piece of music, being with a special person, going on vacation. The story of Jesus in the Gospels is quite an adventure. It happened “once upon a time in a far-off land, long, long, ago.” The characters include criminals and priests, men and women, rich and poor, uneducated and educated, sick and healthy. They all seem so ordinary, yet they desire to know and relate to Jesus. Some follow Jesus out of curiosity, others out of commitment; others journey with him as critics. In many ways, the Gospel characters are like all of us. They and we are not quite sure what to make of Jesus and are somewhat confused by an encounter with him. The Jesus whom we discover in the Gospels is both elusive and complex. The Gospel writers cannot agree completely on whether to present him as a carpenter, a rabbi, a storyteller, a party-goer, a miracle worker, a healer, an exorcist, a poet, a mystic, a revolutionary, the Messiah, a prophet, God’s Son. The reason for this is that Jesus, like all persons, remains to some extent a mystery. He defies both definition and easy explanation. Exploring who Jesus is, as portrayed in the Gospels, is the purpose of this book. We will wrestle with both his identity and his teachings. Like an adventure, this will be both exciting and interesting. After all, for almost two thousand years the world and the Church have been trying to respond to the question, “Who do people say Jesus is?” We will join that centuries-old search.

Mark your calendars that our Lenten Mission, led by Art Zannoni, will be Sunday, April 7, Monday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 9. Art Zannoni is the author of both of the books we will be reading and discussing. He is very excited to meet with the people who participate in our final book discussion, on the morning of April 8. So as we read and discuss we can process questions for Art.

We invite you to come Monday mornings beginning February 4. We will meet after morning Mass at 10:00am in the Gubbins Center

(NE Corner of 94th Avenue and 167th St.). Two Books for Study (price TBD). Register for books in the Parish Office.

“Jesus of the Gospels” “Tell Me Your Story”

Feb. 4 Introduction & Chapter 1 Introduction & Chapter 1

Feb. 11 Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Join us Mondays, beginning February 4 10:00 am in the Gubbins Center

LENTEN BOOK DISCUSSION “TELL ME YOUR STORY”

The Parables of Jesus

Teacher, Storyteller,

Friend, Messiah

“JESUS OF THE GOSPELS”

Page Five February 3, 2019

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME February 3, 2019 Page Six

PLEASE REGISTER NOW!

Registration Deadline: Monday, February 18. Materials ready for pickup on Thursday, February 21.

Name _______________________________________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________ City _____________________ Zip ___________

Preferred Contact Phone Number ____________________________________________________________

Email Address _______________________________________________________________________________

Please check one:

Thursday Morning Session (9:40-11am) ________ Thursday Evening Session (7-8:30pm) ________

I prefer the same group ________ I have no preference _______

BOOKS AND MATERIAL ARE $25 (Please make check payable to ST. ELIZABETH SETON CHURCH).

For more information contact Mary Vlaming, 708-997-2066 or Father Gubbins, 708-460-9485.

When we humans think about God, why do we always think about God as a faraway being, someone up in the sky looking down upon us or "someone up there in heaven"?

G OD IS PRESENT RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW and God is very much involved in our daily lives! We call this presence of God the "Indwelling of the Holy Spirit". His presence in us is as close as a heartbeat.

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS will take us on a journey through the Bible from Genesis through all the Prophets of the Old Testament and then through the Gospels, the Acts, and through the Letters of St. Paul, citing every passage about the Holy Spirit and his presence in our human story. Hopefully we will begin to learn and to realize the presence of God in our own lives! This session of our study will take place during the six weeks of Lent. May it give all of us the opportunity to be "touched by the Spirit" during this holy season! — Father Bill Gubbins

TheTheThe HOLY SPIRITHOLY SPIRITHOLY SPIRIT

andandand SPIRITUALSPIRITUALSPIRITUAL

GIFTSGIFTSGIFTS

March 7 March 7 March 7 to to to April 11April 11April 11 Thursday Morning Sessions:Thursday Morning Sessions:Thursday Morning Sessions:

9:409:409:40---11:00 am11:00 am11:00 am Thursday Evening Sessions:Thursday Evening Sessions:Thursday Evening Sessions:

7:007:007:00---8:30 pm8:30 pm8:30 pm

Register now for Seton Scripture Study!Register now for Seton Scripture Study!Register now for Seton Scripture Study!

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

2019 Golden Opportunities Books A 2019 Golden Opportunities allows you to save thousands of dollars at a variety of your favorite LOCAL merchants That include: dining pleasures, Casual dining, entertainment, sports, retail, and more! Still Only $20! Available in the Parish Office and at monthly Seniors of Seton meetings!

Knights of Columbus Comedy Show 2019 St. George O’Connell Hall, 6707 W. 175th St., TP

The Knights of Columbus Comedy Show will host their Annual Comedy Show on Saturday, Feb. 9, in the St. George O’Connell Hall with doors opening at 6pm. The scheduled headliner at this event will be Rocky Laporte. Rocky has performed with Second City, Last Comedian Standing, and has been on the Tonight Show. We anticipate tickets to go fast so start planning for tickets now. Tickets are $40 per person and include the show, dinner and drinks (beer, wine, soda and water). Please note that we cannot allow alcohol to be brought in. You are invited to bring in your own snacks to share with your party. For tickets and information please call Don Clark at 708-532-8653 or 630-461-6541.

Page Seven February 3, 2019

Helpful Outreach for People seeking Employment (HOPE) Employment Ministry

NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 7PM O’Mara Church Hall (lower level of church)

TOPIC: We will be reviewing how the development of an effective elevator speech can lead to a powerful first impression and how development of success stories can contribute to a successful interview.

The HOPE Employment Support Ministry provides job search guidance for the unemployed and those in career transition. Our monthly meetings include speakers who address various job search topics, including self- assessment, networking, resume review, interview skills. HOPE is open to the public, free of charge and we invite job seekers, employers and HOPE Alumni.

Employers and HOPE Alumni: We ask that you please share job openings with us. Send your staffing needs to Fred Zeilner at fredzeilner16@gmail.com, and they will be distrib-uted to those who attend our monthly meetings.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: If you have expertise in the areas of Career Guidance, HR/Recruitment, Staffing, Applicant Tracking Systems, Resumes, Employee Networking or LinkedIn, please consider joining our team as a volunteer or as a guest speaker. Enjoy the satisfaction of providing your expertise in order to prepare job seekers for success. Contact Arnie Skibinski at skibins@comcast.net.

B E C A U S E E V E R Y O N E C A N U S E A L I T T L E H O P E !

NEW DAY AND TIME! You are invited to join in an hour of quiet time and learn about Centering Prayer!

Centering Prayer Monday, Feb. 11, 1 pm

Father Bill Gubbins Center for Faith Formation

The Centering Prayer Group has changed its meeting day and time to the second MONDAY of each month at 1pm in the Gubbins Center for Faith Formation located on the corner of 167th St. and 94th Ave. Questions? Call Marge Quinn at 708-460-5357.

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME February 3, 2019 Page Eight

My Sisters and Brothers in Christ, You may know that Pope Francis has called a meeting in Rome, of the presidents of Bishops’ Conferences and other leaders in the Church from around the world to address the crisis of clerical sex abuse of minors. As I work with others to organize this meeting, I want to tell you that your concerns are close to my heart. I truly appreciate the input I have heard and received from you. I will carry your concerns and insights with me as I go to Rome. At the same time, I know how hard these past few months have been for you. I understand the anger and disappointment many feel as the Church suffers from the scandal of clergy sexual abuse, and the mishandling by some church leaders. Victim-survivors have been courageous in telling their stories. Listening to them, taking measures to protect children and holding everyone accountable is the only response to make. We are and have been doing all of this in the Archdiocese of Chicago, and will continue to provide support for victims, to report every allegation of clerical sexual abuse to civil authorities, and to permanently remove anyone from ministry who is credibly accused. I invite you to learn more about what the Archdiocese does to protect children, heal victims and make sure all priests and church leaders are held accountable, by visiting our website heal.archchicago.org. I’ve also asked pastors to print the website address in your bulletins. Pope Francis understands that abuse in the Church is a global problem that needs a global solution. The Holy Father’s aim in calling the meeting at the end of this month is to make sure that every bishop in the world takes personal responsibility and is held accountable for how he handles these matters. But, the pope also intends to make clear to all bishops the concrete steps for complying with this agenda. Getting this right is the priority. I also want to tell you how sorry I am, for the harm done to victims, but also the harm done to you, the faithful who also have been deeply wounded by all of this. You continue to be in my prayers and I ask for yours, not just for me and the success of the February meeting, but especially for our priests and all who work for the Church faithfully during these very challenging times. They need our support now more than ever. God Bless you all.

For more information please visit: heal.archchicago.org

A MESSAGE FROM CARDINAL BLASE CUPICH

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME February 3, 2019 Page Nine

The purpose of the Shawl Ministry is to prayerfully create shawls for those in our Parish Family and community, as a gift for healing, protection, strength, courage, and celebration. Shawls are crafted, for example, for those undergoing medical treatment, grieving the loss of a loved one, in times of crisis or loneliness, celebrating joyous times, or at any time that a person is experiencing a physical, spiritual, or emotional need for the comfort, hope, peace, love, and prayerful remembrance that a shawl can bring. Each shawl maker begins to knit or crochet with a prayer for the recipient. Each time the work is taken up, the prayerful intention is renewed. Upon completion of the shawl, the group says a final prayer, then a priest or deacon

gives his formal blessing. The shawls are meant to symbolize God’s loving embrace. Shawl recipients continue to be prayed for at each of our meetings, and at the meetings of Prayer Shawl Ministries through- out the world. If you would like to pick up a shawl for yourself or someone you know, please visit our display in the Narthex after all the Masses on February 16 and February 17. Please give us the first name of the eventual shawl recipient so we can inscribe it in our Prayer Intentions Book. There is no charge for the shawls, however, donations are gratefully accepted. Please continue to pray for our ministry, and thank you to all who are already praying for us!

St. Elizabeth Seton Church

Our ladies have been working very hard to provide shawls, so we have an abundance of them! Help us to distribute shawls to someone who may have

a need for them, whether yourself, or someone you know...

Stop by the Narthex after Masses

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16 AND SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17

ONCE AGAIN… A PRAYER SHAWL DISPLAY/DISTRIBUTION!

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Page Ten February 3, 2019

St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr Church Parish Office Job Openings

Saint Stephen Deacon and Martyr Church, 17500 84th Ave., Tinley Park, is now accepting applications for the following

three job positions:

Communications Coordinator (Part-Time) Job Description The objective of this individual will be to assure that St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr Parish is represented as a dynamic Catholic parish, serving its community. This includes developing overall multimedia communications approach, including an interactive parish website and a variety of social media applications to promote spiritual renewal, prayer resources and parish activities. Create the parish bulletin weekly, assuring that it contains all pertinent information on parish services, events, and community programs of interest to the parish. Designs and creates all marketing materials for the parish, its ministries and events. Requirements Three-five years experience/background in Communica-tions Design and Digital Marketing. Bachelor’s Degree in a discipline that lends itself to exceptional communication skills, specifically written communications preferred. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite and Photoshop, Microsoft product including Microsoft Publisher.

Business Director (Part-Time) Job Description Serves liaison to the pastor for parish operational activities and implementation of Best Practices (financial, personnel, facilities). In addition, this role is responsible for key HR and financial activities as defined by the Pastor including, but not limited to, record keeping, budgeting, facilities over-sight, special projects management and financial reporting. Requirements Some college or formal business training or previous work in similar capacity in a parish. Undergraduate degree in business or related degree preferred. Knowledge of budgeting, HR and general project management.

Office Administrator (Full-Time) Job Description This role administers day-to-day office activities of the parish in coordination with the pastor. This includes supervising the work of the front desk staff and volunteers while also supporting the Pastor. The person must be a self starter and be a leader/player that is comfortable getting the work done while also delegating tasks and holding the team responsible. Requirements Some college or formal business/administration and/or managerial training or previous work in similar capacity in a parish. Understanding of parish activities and nuances including the ability to be flexible during busy times and willing to pitch in as needed.

For complete job descriptions including how to apply, visit: ststephentinley.com

Mid-Life Singles RETREAT (Mid-30s to 50s)

Are you looking for a renewed sense of purpose and belonging? Register for a life-changing REFLECT Weekend Retreat at the Joseph and Mary Retreat House in Mundelein, IL on Feb 22-24. Take a chance and get involved. You will not regret it! Cost is $215 for meals and a single room. For further details visit www.ReflectRetreat.com.

Suffering from the Loss of a Loved One?

Little Co. of Mary Hospital, Evergreen Park, offers two sup-port programs for those grieving the loss of a loved one through death. For Adults: Living When A Loved One Has Died Six consecutive Wednesdays, beginning March 27, from 6-8pm. Support groups formed specific to loss. Registration is required with a one time registration fee of $25. For Children: The Heart Connection Eight consecutive Mondays, beginning March 4, from 6-7:30pm. The program is for children ages 3-21 years old who have lost a loved one. Program includes dinner free of charge for parents and children. Early registration is re-quired with a one time $25 registration fee. For further information or registration please call the Pastoral Department, at 708-229-4929. Monday through Friday, 9am-4pm.

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Page Eleven February 3, 2019

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

LIVING the

WORD

LIVING the

WORD

NEXT WEEK’S FOCUS: I AM WHAT I AM

There may be no task more difficult than seeing ourselves for who we truly are, and striving to see ourselves as God sees us. God, who made us, continues to look upon us as good.

FIRST READING Isaiah is called to be a messenger for the Lord and responds, “Send me!” (Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8). Isaiah had a vision at the beginning of his prophetic min-istry. He was in the temple when he experienced the holiness of God. In the Bible, holiness means that God is totally beyond our understanding. He is truly great and awesome. The cry of “holy, holy, holy,” speaks of the in-credible holiness of God. There is no comparative or su-perlative degree in Hebrew. The speaker has to repeat that word two or three times. Hence, the cry means that God is the “holiest of all.” Isaiah is filled with fear and recognizes his sinfulness. When we encounter the holy, we realize how broken and limited we are. This is what fear of God means. It is not terror, it is awe. But God cleanses us of our sin and gives us the courage to do those things that we cannot do on our own.

SECOND READING Paul reminds us of the Gospel he preached through which we are saved, if we believe it (1 Corinthians 15:1-11). This passage speaks of the apparitions after the resur-rection. Jesus appeared to Cephas (Peter) and the Twelve. He appeared to over 500 at one time. This ac-count is not contained in the Gospels, which means that the Gospels do not contain all the details of what hap-pened in those days. Jesus also appears to James and the apostles. Paul speaks of the revelation that was made to

him. He is filled with awe at the fact that God would have chosen him (when he had persecuted the Church).

GOSPEL READING Jesus directs Simon to take his boat into deep water for a miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11). When one is called into the call to do ministry, the one who is called is filled with a sense of awe and fear yet God promises to supply all that person needs to be able to respond. Peter, a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, had been fishing all night and had not caught anything. Jesus uses his boat as a platform to preach to the crowd that had gathered by telling Peter to toss his nets out into the water. The net should have been empty as in the morn-ing, the water surface heats up quickly and fish swim to lower, cooler waters. When Peter pulled his net in it should have been empty but the miraculous catch was something miraculous. Peter reacts to this as a suspen-sion of the rules of nature, recognizing the holiness oc-curring and he was filled with great fear. He knew he was a sinner that did not deserve to be in Jesus’ pres-ence but we are called to service not because we de-serve it, but because God will work in and through us.

REFLECTION These readings might not bring Popeye immediately to mind, but we should recall his saying: “I am what I am.” Simon thought he knew who he was: “I am a sinful man.” So did Isaiah: “I am a man of unclean lips.” And so did Paul: “I am the least of the apostles… but by the grace of God I am what I am and his grace to me has not been ineffective.” Paul experienced a change. He is an apostle, thanks to God’s grace. Simon and Isaiah experienced a change, too. Like Paul, they had a limited vision at first. They thought they knew who they were. Only after an experience of God or God made visible in Jesus did they come to know who they really were: a fisher of people, one sent to speak God’s word, an apostle and preacher of the Gospel. St. Francis de Sales told us to be who we are and be that well. St. Catherine of Siena likewise said to be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire. Often we only see or own part of our real-ity and usually that is our sin and uncleanness. That’s not our full story. Jesus climbs into our proverbial boats. We see that we are called to fish, announce God’s word, and preach with our lives. When you look at only part of your picture, remember Simon, Isaiah, and Paul. Reflect on de Sales’ and Catherine’s words. Pray Psalm 138:7: “Your right hand saves me. The Lord will complete what he has done for me.” And say, “I am what I am,” adding: “I want to serve the Lord.”

February 10, 2019

Scripture Reflections for FIFTH SUNDAY

IN ORDINARY TIME

Page Twelve February 3, 2019

Monday Heb 11:32-40

Mk 5:1-20

Tuesday Heb 12:1-4 Mk 5:21-43

Wednesday Heb 12:4-7,

11-15 Mk 6:1-6

Thursday Heb 12:18-19,

21-24 Mk 6:7-13

Friday Heb 13:1-8 Mk 6:14-29

Saturday Heb 13:15-17,

20-21 Mk 6:30-34

Sunday Is 6:1-2a, 3-8 1 Cor 15:1-11

Lk 5:1-11

READINGS FOR THE WEEK [February 4-10]

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Page Thirteen February 3, 2019

ST. ELIZABETH SETON WOMEN’S CLUB PRESENTS

PANCAKES START FLIPPING AT 8 AM IN THE MCBRADY CENTER

PANCAKE BREAKFAST TICKETS:

ADULTS: $7.00 [ includes Mimosa f or 21-over] SENIORS AND KIDS: $6

CHILDREN UNDER 3: FREE

FANTASTIC RAFFLE PRIZES: [T ickets : $5 each or 5 f or $20]

First Prize: iRobot Roomba Second Prize: $200 VISA Gift Card Third Prize: $100 VISA Gift Card

TICKETS/RAFFLE TICKETS SOLD AFTER ALL MASSES ON FEB. 2/3

Service Hours Available for 8th Grade and High School To volunteer please call AJ at 563-357-7135

8AM TO 1PMS

Sunday

10TH February

31ST ANNIVERSARY

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

All you can eat!

Raffles! Split the pot!

Mimosas! (for

adults)

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME February 3, 2019 Page Fourteen

Please bring a dessert to share for our St. Joseph Sweet Table

Saturday, March 16 7:00 pm-12 Midnight Parish Life Center

$10,000 GRAND PRIZE “POT OF GOLD” RAFFLE

SECOND PRIZE: $1,000 10-$200 PRIZES 10-$100 PRIZES

Raffle: $20 each/6-$100 Available in the Parish Office

DINNER! Corned Beef, Mostaccioli, Bacon

cheddar potatoes, salad, coffee/tea

DANCING & ENTERTAINMENT! Fun, Fun, Fun! DJ, Loren Gent

SHANNON ROVERS!

CASH BAR! No outside alcohol allowed.

1970’s prices: Beer/Wine only $2.00!

$30 per

person

Come on out for a great night of fun!

Dinner tickets sold after Masses THIS weekend, or reserve a spot by calling Anna Talley at 708-532-6731.

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

NEXT MEETING: FEB 5-TUES-10AM

McBrady Center doors open at 9:30am After the meeting, Lucas Livingston, educator and curator from the Art Insti-tute of Chicago and home brewer will share the history of German beer. Prost! Lucas began brewing beer inspired by historic recipes, narratives and traditions. He has spoken on the topics of historical beer and wine at Goose Island Brewpub, Chicago Brewseum, Oriental Institute, Art Institute of Chicago and New York University. He is brewmaster for Morgue-Brewing.com and creator/host of Ancient

Art Podcast.org and an advocate for people with disabilities. Tickets for the March 5 luncheon catered by Winston’s on sale for $8/pp and includes baked chicken, sausage/sauerkraut, green beans and more.

Page Fifteen February 3, 2019

SAINT OF THE WEEK

SAINT BLAISE dc 316

Popularly known as the saint who protects from ailments of the throat, Saint Blaise was a bishop and martyr of the fourth century. We know little else about him, except that he suffered persecution, even after the Edict of Toleration was to have freed the Roman world for worship. WE KNOW MORE ABOUT THE DEVOTION TO SAINT BLAISE by Christians around the world than we know about the saint himself. His feast is observed as a holy day in some Eastern Churches. In 1222, the Council of Oxford prohibited servile labor in England on Blaise’s feast day. The Germans and Slavs hold him in special honor, and for decades many United States Catholics have sought the annual Saint Blaise blessing for their throats. We know that Bishop Blaise was martyred in his episcopal city of Sebastea, Armenia, in 316. The legendary Acts of St. Blaise were written 400 years later. According to them Blaise was a good bishop, working hard to encourage the spiritual and physical health of his people. Although the Edict of Toleration (311), granting freedom of worship in the Roman Empire, was already five years old, persecution still raged in Armenia. Blaise was apparently forced to flee to the back country. There he lived as a hermit in solitude and prayer, but he made friends with the wild animals. One day a group of hunters seeking wild animals for the amphitheater stumbled upon Blaise’s cave. They were first surprised and then frightened. The bishop was kneeling in prayer surrounded by patiently waiting wolves, lions and bears. The legend has it that as the hunters hauled Blaise off to prison, a mother came with her young son who had a fish bone lodged in his throat. At Blaise’s command the child was able to cough up the bone. Agricolaus, governor of Cappadocia, tried to persuade Blaise to sacrifice to pagan idols. The first time Blaise refused, he was beaten. The next time he was suspended from a tree and his flesh torn with iron combs or rakes. Finally, he was beheaded. COMMENT Four centuries give ample opportunity for fiction to creep in with fact. Who can be sure how accurate Blaise’s biographer was? But biographical details are not essential. Blaise is seen as one more example of the power those who have given themselves entirely to Jesus. As Jesus told his apostles at the Last Supper, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you” (John 15:7). With faith we can follow the lead of the Church in asking for Blaise’s protection.

SENIORS OF SETON

UPCOMING TRIP MUSIC FEST IN BRANSON, MO

APRIL 23—APRIL 27—5 DAYS—4 NIGHTS $850 p/p-double occupancy/$1015/pp single occupancy Leaves at 6:30am-April 23 and returns 7:30pm-April 27

Trip includes transportation, hotel, most meals, dinner cruise, time for shopping, stop at a winery stop, several live theater shows including Oak Ridge Boys Show on the last evening in Branson. Flyer with list of all activities available in the parish office or the Feb. 5 meeting. Deposit: $100 due at time of reservation. Balance DUE at the March 5 meet-ing. For questions contact Anna at 532-6731.

Payment is due at time of reservation. Reservation forms and information for all events

available at monthly meetings and in parish office. For reservations/questions contact Anna, 708-532-6731.

VALENTINE WEEK FUNDRAISER ROCK BOTTOM BREWERY—ORLAND PARK

FEB.11, 12, 13, 14 Enjoy an evening out and SOS will receive 20% of all food and non-alcoholic beverages purchased.

Bulletin flyer must be presented to server for credit “TIME TO CREATE” MASON CRAFTS FEB. 27 — WED — 11:30AM-1:30PM

Space limited. Reservation deadline w/full pay Feb 5. Unleash your inner artist and join us for a 2-1/2 hour ceramic class with instruction. Materials provided. Choose your own creation on a platter or a mug. $20/pp. Transportation on own to this Orland Park location.

CHICAGO GAELIC PARK MUSICAL LUNCHEON MARCH 6— WED—12 NOON

$15 pp. Transportation on own. Doors open at 12 Noon. Lunch served at 1pm w/musical entertainment until 4pm. Lunch choices: Corned Beef/Cabbage or Orange Roughy. Reservation w/full payment deadline: Feb. 25. Checks made payable to SOS. Questions? Contact Ceil, 708-460-6004. Flyer available in parish office or Feb. 5 meeting.

UPCOMING EVENTS

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

St. Elizabeth Seton Parish

DINE out to HELP out!

Bring the whole family to Rock Bottom Restaurant in Orland Park on:

Monday, February 11 Tuesday, February 12

Wednesday, February 13 Thursday, February 14

Present this flyer to your server and 20% of all food and non-alcoholic beverages

purchased will be donated to support:

SENIORS OF SETON St. Elizabeth Seton Church

(Includes dine in and to-go orders. Excludes Happy Hour and Late Night Menu pricing.) 16156 S LaGrange | Orland Park | 708-226-0021 | www.rockbottom.com

This is a Craftworks Foundation Event.

February 3, 2019 Page Sixteen

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FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Page Nineteen February 3, 2019

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME February 3, 2019 Page Twenty

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

ST. ELIZABETH SETON PARISH INFORMATION

New Parishioners We welcome new members. All are invited to participate in the life and mission of the parish. A complete listing of parish services and organizations is available in the parish office and on our parish website. Please visit the parish office to register or obtain the registration form on the parish website. Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Saturday, between 4:15-4:45pm. Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated twice monthly at 1pm. Reserve your time by calling the parish office early. Limit of six children per Sunday. Baptismal Preparation Couples preparing for the birth of their child should contact the Pastoral Center to register for a one night seminar, focusing on a parent’s role in faith development. This session is mandatory prior to the Baptism. Anointing of the Sick is available in the Church every Monday after the 9am Mass. For those who are ill or facing hospitalization, it is appropriate to receive the sacrament once every six months. Call 708-403-0101 for information. Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Adults, 18 and older, who wish to become Catholic are enrolled in a formation process (RCIA) that includes prayer, dialogue, instruction, and introduction to the Church’s life and values, rituals and traditions. For in-formation call the parish office 708-403-0101. Ministry of Care is available to give Communion to the housebound, to visit and pray for hospitalized and/or to arrange for the Anointing of the Sick. Please call the Pastoral Center for assistance. In the Hospital? Because of HIPAA Privacy regu-lations hospitals can no longer contact the parish re-garding your hospitalization. It is the responsibility of you or a family member to notify our parish. We desire to offer whatever spiritual support we can. Please call the Pastoral Center. Sacrament of Marriage Couples planning to marry are asked to make arrangements six months in advance. Wedding Workshops are offered throughout the year. They provide engaged couples with guidelines and suggestions for the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage. The workshop covers topics ranging from readings and music to flowers and video taping. Adult Choir sings at all 10am Sunday Masses, as well as at a number of special liturgies. Teen Choir sings at the 11:30am Sunday Masses.

Moving? Please call the office at 708-403-0101.

9300 West 167th St., Orland Hills, IL 708-403-0101

www.steseton.com

February 3, 2019 Page Twenty One

ST. ELIZABETH SETON PRAYER/OUTREACH MINISTRIES

Social Action Ministry How we serve: Soup Kitchen in Joliet; Sharing Parish with St. Procopius Church; Pro Life Ministry: COURAGE Program, Mother’s Day Flowers For Life, Life Chain Sunday, Diaper Drive; Respond Now Outreach; SWIFT (South West Interfaith Team); Environmental Ministry; Speaker nights.

Seton Rosary Group All are invited to pray the Rosary each Tuesday/Thursday in the church, by our statue of the Mary, after 9am Mass.

Chaplet of Divine Mercy Divine Mercy Chaplet each Wednesday following the 9am Mass.

Creation Care Team Ministry A cross-parish Renew My Church initiative taking action to pro-mote positive environmental change through education, individ-ual action and community outreach in the spirit of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si. Second Monday each month, Gubbins Center, 7pm. Call Andy Panelli, 708-301-8038.

Heart Warmers Meal Ministry Heart Warmers is an outreach program where Seton volunteers deliver homemade meals to people of our parish community when they are experiencing times with medical, health, new baby, recovery, or grief issues. To schedule receiving a meal or to become a meal provider contact Barb Cristofaro at 708-349-7493 or heartwarmers-ses@att.net.

Prayer Shawl Ministry Shawls are prayerfully created, blessed, and distributed to those who have a need for the spiritual, physical or emotional comfort. Knit or crochet in your home and/or at the twice-monthly meet-ings. To become a knitter or to obtain a shawl, call Sharon Leone at 708-226-4836.

Seton Sowers-Newborns in Need If you knit/crochet/sew, your skills to make clothing/blankets for premature newborn babies at the University of Illinois Hospital. We meet monthly in the O’Mara Hall. Donations of yarn/fabric/baby toiletries/supplies accepted. For information/meeting dates, contact Carol Dimer at 708-479-6994.

HOPE Employment Ministry

HOPE is open to everyone. All of our services, to both job seek-ers and employers, are free. We meet the first Tuesday of each month in O’Mara Hall at 7pm. Our meetings consist of network-ing, resume review, guest speakers and open forums. Contact Arnie Skibinski at skibins@comcast.net.

Alcoholics Anonymous If you have a problem with alcohol and feel a sincere desire to stop drinking, you are welcome to attend a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in the O’Mara Hall, Thursdays, 7:30-8:45pm. AA is a fellowship of men and women sharing their experience, strength, and hope so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover. The only require-ment is a sincere desire to stop drinking.

Families Anonymous If your life has gone astray due to living with someone who has a substance abuse problem, attend a Families Anonymous on Mondays from 7-8:30pm at Palos Hospital, 123rd and 80th Ave., Palos Heights (Ambulatory Care Center, Rm. 1). Call 708-429-2507 or 708-269-9853.

St. Vincent de Paul Society Anyone within parish boundaries in need of assistance from SVDP, may call the parish office at 708-403-0101.

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

A FINAL THOUGHT FOR YOUR WEEK Fourth Sunday In Ordinary Time

By Marie Benevenuto, Celebration Magazine

“No prophet is accepted in his own native place.”

I think I first heard this saying, adapted from today’s Gospel reading,

from my dad as he jokingly lamented that his family didn’t appreciate his wisdom. Being a prophet certainly seems a nearly thankless task, one likely to get you threatened, imprisoned, maybe even killed. But as we see in today’s first reading, it has some perks as well. God promises Jeremiah something that many of us likely wish we had: invincibility. In Jeremiah, God says, “It is I this day who have made you a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of brass, against the whole land. They will fight against you but not prevail over you, for I am with you to deliver you”(1:18-19). Does this promise apply to us as well? We often hear the earlier part of this reading, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you” (v. 5). It is called to our attention as a testimony to the sanctity of human life from its earliest moments, and to God’s loving care for each of us as individuals before we were even aware of it. When we hear the end of that same verse, “a prophet to the nations I appointed you,” do we sense an equally personal call that applies to each of us?

Are we all appointed prophets?

I f we are, does that mean we are also invincible against those who might oppose us? We know that we aren’t shielded from all harm in this life, even

when we are doing the right thing and even as we proclaim, as in today’s psalm, that God is our strength and salvation. But we also know that God is love and that, ultimately, love is the only thing that is invincible. Today’s reading from 1 Corinthians tells us that while it is good to strive for spiritual gifts like prophecy, speaking in tongues and faith, all of that is meaningless

without love, and all will pass away. Even heroic acts such as giving away all possessions or handing over one’s body are useless if done out of pride rather than love.

When we reflect on our call to prophecy, we must

strive for it to be motivated by love if we want it to be worthwhile at all.

Since it often involves denouncing wrongdoing, calling for change, and telling people what they don’t want to hear, prophecy isn’t the best way to win friends. In the Gospel reading, we see Jesus almost being killed after he tells people from his own native land that prophets were often sent to serve foreigners rather than their own people. While we shouldn’t judge our efforts to speak unpopular and uncomfortable truths by how well they are received, however, we do not have free reign to speak them as unpleasantly as possible, much less to start thinking that those who might oppose or disagree with us are hated enemies that we wish to defeat.

W hether we are speaking to family, friends or co-workers;

posting on social media; writing a letter to the editor; helping with a

political campaign or participating in a protest, can we do so in a way that expresses patience, kindness and a willingness to hear others’ perspectives without taking disagreement as a personal slight? Can we forgive those who don’t extend the same courtesy to us? Can we ensure that we are not acting out of self-interest and endure through setbacks and disappointments?

Whatever piece of the truth we possess, whatever prophetic message we have

is partial and will eventually pass away. The only thing that will endure is love.

Page Twenty Two February 3, 2019

Lord, we take refuge in you. What you ask at times is difficult;

it even seems to take away our prized possessions. Yet, you are our hope,

our trust from our youth. On you we have depended from our mother’s womb.

In following your will, we will see the victory

of your justice and fulfillment of your hope in our lives

and families. Amen.

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

2/9 & 2/10 5:00PM 7:15AM 8:30AM 10:00AM 11:30AM

GREETERS R. Coe S. Hermann E. Herman S. Klean R. Lamparski P. Mars J. Schuman P. Staszewski

C. Chor R. Dickover G. Lukasiewicz L. McGhee S. McGhee B. Tenuta

K. Fox M. Fox D. Gurka M. Gurka P. Gurka M. Gurka J. Klomes J. Klomes A. Lloyd

R. Chehy P. Havlin B. Krueger S. Lorenz N. Lorenz J. Moran D. Weber

I. Cox C. Conrad M. Gniady K. Ivancich S. Klean M. McMahon B. Wojewnik N. Wojtasik

LECTORS M. Hamilton J. Bessette

W. Dendler

G. Shafer T. Shafer

D. O’Connor R. Velcich

G. Rekar M. O’Sullivan

ALTAR SERVERS

A. VanAlst S. Ryan E. Arduino

D. Rediger J. Rediger C. Jaeger

A. Lloyd M. Gregg S. Cuba

I. Floress E. Papciak N. Papciak

L. Becker G. Taupo L. Zumpano

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

T. Hanlon L. Jeffrey M. Gabrione J. Paluch M. Paluch K. Nanfeldt C. Lundgren T. Lundgren A. Sharp T. Doyle M. Ihnat P. Ihnat

F. Mankowski D. Flynn D. Skrzypiec L. Skrzypiec M. O’Connor D. Nykiel N. Sasso V. Patrizi

J. Misiunas B. Kandel J. Austin L. Austin T. Krull K. Oliver S. Arcos E. Pawlak F. Scellato J. Klomes J. Scellato B. Kemp

R. Laud J. Weger R. Ulrich D. Ulrich E. O’Connor A. Weishaar E. Federico L. Gent P. Krueger G. Chehy R. Grill I. Juska S. Juska

M. O’Connor D. Sigourney C. Holmquist J. Holmquist M. Miller T. Scorzo K. James S. Ivey K. Buchanan R. Dollah

SACRISTANS T. Hanlon L. Jeffrey

D. Flynn M. Pawlak E. Pawlak

S. Weishaar A. Weishaar

R. Dollah

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT

WWW.STESETON.COM

Join us on FACEBOOK St. Elizabeth Seton Church-Orland Hills

Page Twenty Three February 3, 2019

Pastoral Staff Rev. William T. Corcoran, Ph.D, Pastor Rev. John Zurek, Associate Pastor Rev. William Gubbins, Resident Priest Rev. William T. O’Mara, Pastor Emeritus Deacon: Frank Gildea Deacon: Dennis (Barb) Cristofaro

Claudia Nolan, Director of Liturgy

Linda McKeague, Director of Music

Parish Office Staff Donna Stolinski, Business Manager Darlene Raila, Communications Director Joan Nemec, Morning Receptionist Karen Mirecki, Afternoon Receptionist

Religious Education Staff Diana Barracca, Administration Mary Vlaming, Catechesis

Youth/Young Adult Ministry Kyle Groves, Director Bruce Hall, Coordinator

Athletics Bob Myjak, Director

Maintenance Staff Raymond Yanowsky, Director of Maintenance Laurie De Mik-Renn, CJB Day Maintenance Supervisor Marie Makuch, Staff Joseph Shake, Staff Dan Kosty, Staff

REGULAR MASS SCHEDULE Monday-Friday: 9:00 am

Saturday: 5:00 pm Sunday:

7:15, 8:30, 10:00, 11:30am

St. Elizabeth Seton Church 9300 W. 167th Street Orland Hills, IL 60487

Parish Office: 708-403-0101 Religious Education: 708-403-0137

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY-FRIDAY: 8:30AM-4:30PM

SATURDAY: 1PM-6PM SUNDAY: 8:30AM-1PM

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School WEBSITE: WWW.CJBSCHOOL.ORG 708-403-6525 Principal, Mary Iannucilli Administrative Assistant, Cindy Labriola Devlin