The Baptism of the Lord January 11, 2009

St. Luke Parish R I V E R F O R E S T | I L L I N O I S

Lovely, quiet feast to close the festival like a post-it note reminding us to keep moving from the storyboard sparkle of Christmas into the new world that it proclaims into the baptized world revealed by water and Spirit dear, necessary water takes up the revelation begun by angel songs and a new star in the universe the past is over it says the time before his coming no longer important the present fact is incarnation holiness joined to humanness so says the water all now is new and newly sacred the desert is rich and fruitful the battle won salvation bubbling like a spring for all who share the flesh he has taken gently to himself listen to him the Beloved and learn that you are made whole and holy so says the water

E.M. Jeep

This Week’s Gatherings

2 ST. LUKE Gather Us In January 11, 2009 ♦ The Baptism of the Lord

Readings

Readings for the Week of January 11, 2009

Sunday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7/Acts10:34-38 Monday: Heb 1:1-6/Mk 1:14-20 Tuesday: Heb 2:5-12/Mk 1:21-28 Wednesday: Heb 2:14-18/Mk 1:29-39 Thursday: Heb 3:7-14/Mk 1:40-45 Friday: Heb 4:1-5, 11/Mk 2:1-12 Saturday: Heb 4:12-16/Mk 2:13-17 Next Sunday: 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19/ 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20/Jn 1:35-42

500 Club

The St. Luke Athletic Committee would like to congratulate the following winner of the 500 Club drawing:

Date January 4, 2009 Patricia Donoghue

Thank you to all who have purchased memberships in the club, the proceeds of which go directly to fund the school’s athletic programs.

Stewardship

From the weekend of January 4, 2009 Weekly Collection Goal ................................... $17,100.00 Actual Weekly Collectio n ..................................18,454.00

2008-2009 Fiscal Year to Date Weekly Collection Goal ................................... 461,700.00 Actual Weekly Collection ................................ 432,098.00 Deficit to Date ................................................ $29,602.00

Mass Intentions

Monday, January 12, 2009 6:30 am The Blessed Sacrament Ministries 8:00 am † Jean & Robert Cahill Tuesday, January 13, 2009 6:30 am 8:00 am † The Williams, Karasis, Kurr Families & Roy Wednesday, January 14, 2009 6:30 am 8:00 am † Mary Kay McAllister Thursday, January 15, 2009 6:30 am 8:00 am † Angelina Varco Friday, January 16, 2009 6:30 am † Elizabeth McMahon 8:00 am † Clement J. McDonald, Sr. Saturday, January 17, 2009 8:00 am

Altar Servers

Monday - Friday, January 12-16, 2009 8:00 am J Rauh, M Parrilli

Weekend Liturgies

Saturday, January 17, 2009 5:30 - Mass Intention: † Joe Coburn Servers M Vainisi, J Jacobs; Cross Bearer: C Flynn Readers Dottie Chemler, Laura Hogan Euch Min B Altier, J Bresnahan, S Canavan, C Downs, T Dressel, E Dressel, B Peterson*

Sunday, January 18, 2009 7:30 - Mass Intention: Servers W O’Brien, J Giacoma; Cross Bearer: K Malone Readers Fred Heiss, Tom Smedinghoff Euch Min K Heiss, J Lynch, A Roche*

9:00 - Mass Intention: † Marie Sepanski Servers L Irvin, D Beacom; Cross Bearer: L Tonino Readers Elizabeth Jeep, Luke Meyer Euch Min T Graefe, U Meyer, B Nickels, C Saunders, J Tinkham, L Winikates, J Winikates*

10:30 - Mass Intention: † James Louis Winikates Servers C Kelty, T Smith; Cross Bearer: P Flanagan Readers Noreen O’Malley, Julia Mannix Euch Min J Clark, J Clark, T Harnett, A Lutz, B Murray, L Ramos, M Redinger*

12:00 - Mass Intention: The People of St. Luke Parish Servers M Nowicki, A Birmingham; Cross Bearer: M Horrigan Readers Max Brown, Terry Roche Euch Min M Burns, K Callahan, A Joseph, D Medema, F Zarate*

Please Pray for Our Sick: Robert Bachner, Elizabeth Beckman, Cindy Berg, Michaela Brothman, Donna Campbell, Pat Carey, Kevin Connolly, Carol Cox, Joseph Dahlstrom, Joseph Dooley, Joseph Hennessy, Jr., Janet Hunter, Michael Kinnare, Kathleen O’Bryan Kurrle, Maureen Martin, Stephen McCardell, Rosemary McGrail, Baby John Mear, Angie Montroy, Fr. Kevin O’Rourke, Steve Possley, Julia Radde, Miriam Reedy, Gianna Romano, Melissa Romano, Eric Skala, John Sutton, Cheri Wahlen and Baby Cora Rose Welker

and for Our Deceased.

Baptism of the Lord Thus says the Lord: Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased. —Isaiah 42:1

At our own Baptism, each of us became a servant of the Lord. God has chosen us and equipped us to do special work for Him. Everything that we accomplish in this life is a direct result of all that God has given to us. The question is: Are we accomplishing the things God put us here to do? Are we acting as God’s servant or are we only serving our own needs? Is God pleased with the way we are fulfilling His special plan for us?

Gather in Prayer and Service

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Church in Latin America, while diverse in culture, is grounded in a deep faith that we all share as children of God. This lived faith invites all believers in this part of the world to action—to be disciples of Christ, sent by His Spirit as missionaries and leaders in their communities and beyond.

For the past 45 years, the faithful of the United States have supported the Collection for the Church in Latin America as a visible sign of their compassion and solidarity with the faithful of Latin America and the Caribbean. Proceeds from this annual collection assist in the formation of seminarians, lay ministers, catechists and youth ministers in more than 200 dioceses throughout our southern hemisphere.

On behalf of those who, while lacking financial resources, are blessed in faith and love for Our Lord Jesus Christ, please accept my gratitude for your generous support of this collection. May God continue to bless you and your loved ones.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. Archbishop of Chicago

The Collection for the Church in Latin America will be next weekend, January 17-18. Please use the special envelope in your packet and place it in the regular collection basket next week.

Thank you for sharing with our brothers and sisters of the Americas.

Christmas Collection Exceeds Goal Sincere thanks to everyone who made a generous contribution in the Christmas collection. For the third consecutive year we have exceeded our goal of $100,000. As of January 10 we have reached $105,575.00.

This generous outpouring of support for St. Luke’s is greatly appreciated. The Christmas collection is an important factor in reaching our budgeted income goal each year. Thanks for putting a big smile on your pastor’s face.

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Gatherings from the Parish St. Luke Annual Dinner Dance and Auction

A Roaring Good Time: St. Luke Dinner Dance and Auction —February 28—

Plans are well underway for the 20th Annual St. Luke Dinner Dance and Auction to be held Saturday, February 28, at the Oak Park Country Club.

Here’s how you can help make this fundraising effort a roaring success: Auction items: Have something you’d like to donate for

the Auction? Contact our Auction Chairpersons: Laura Connelly (771-4514), Kathleen Parrilli (366-5710) or Amy Reardon (488-8766). They’d love to hear from you by February 2.

Program book ads: Limited space remains for the Dinner Dance program book. Promote your business, or congratulate our honorees John and Margaret O'Neill. Contact Ann Hagerty (366-6879) to reserve your ad space.

Save the date: You’ve got plans for Saturday, February 28 —so get ready for great food, lively auction action and lots of dancing—just minutes away at the Oak Park Country Club! Watch for your invitation later this month.

The Prime Timers will be playing bridge tomorrow (Monday, January 12) for the first time in the New Year. We start at Noon and play until 3:00 PM in the Convent. Players at any level are welcome. Please join us for our first 2009 event.

Our second event of 2009 will be a Valentine Tea on Friday, February 13, in the Convent from 2:00-4:00 PM. There will be a variety of goodies including scones with clotted cream and finger sandwiches. The cost of the Tea is $15 per person and seating is limited, so reserve early. Please call Beth McBride (708-366-7063) by February 7.

Prime Timers

The Adventure Continues . . . The Great Adventure: A Journey Through the Bible continues this Wednesday, January 14, at 7:00 PM in Waldron Hall. Please bring your study materials and prepare Divided Kingdom — Part 1 for this week’s gathering.

St. Luke Parish

P a s t o r a l S t a f f

PASTOR Reverend Kenneth J. Fischer

ASSOCIATE PASTOR Reverend Leroy A. Wickowski

P a r i s h I n f o

RECTORY Phone: 708-771-8250 528 Lathrop, River Forest 60305-1835 Sue Gamache, Office Mgr., ext. 8912

SCHOOL Barbara Rasinski, Principal Phone: 708-366-8587 519 Ashland, River Forest 60305-1824 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Debi DeMario, Director Phone: 708-771-5959 519 Ashland, River Forest 60305-1824 MUSIC DIRECTOR Arlene Michna: 708-771-8250 ext. 8926

ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR Sr. Maureen Sauer: 708-771-8250 ext. 8914

CONTEMPORARY CHOIR DIRECTOR Lornetta Hooks: 708-771-8250 ext. 8926 YOUTH MINISTRY Amanda Collins: 708-771-8250 ext. 8922 PARISH BUSINESS MANAGER Glenn Wagner: 708-771-8250 ext. 8921

M a s s e s

SATURDAY 5:30 pm

SUNDAY 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 am & 12:00 Noon

WEEKDAYS Monday-Friday 6:30 and 8:00 am Saturday 8:00 am

R e c o n c i l i a t i o n

MONDAY-FRIDAY After 6:30 & 8:00 am Masses

SATURDAY After 8:00 am Mass, and by appointment

P a r i s h W e b s i t e www.stlukeparish.org

Gatherings from the Parish and the Community

Youth Ministry

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All College Students: Welcome home! St Luke Youth Ministry is hosting a spring service trip for college-age young adults. Join us as we work and pray at the Catholic community of Bethlehem Farm in West Virginia from May 17 to 23. Contact Amanda for more information and to sign-up for the trip (708-435-8922 or acollins@stlukeparish.org.) For more information on Bethlehem Farm, check out the youth page on the parish website.

7TH-12TH GRADERS: JOIN US TONIGHT AT 6:30PM IN

WALDRON HALL FOR A SPECIAL J17/SLYME MEETING. FOOD, FUN

AND FAITH. PLEASE JOIN US. 5th and 6th graders, please join us in February for

a special 5-6th grade J17.

March 6-8, 2009 All juniors and seniors are invited to join us for this special spiritual retreat. Discover why so many people say Kairos changed their lives. Registration forms and information can be found on the website or contact Amanda at 708-435-8922.

Service Opportunity High school students: help prepare and serve a meal for

the homeless the evening of Sunday, February 8. Contact Amanda to sign-up: 708-435-8922.

Respect Life

The 4th Annual March for Life in Chicago Please join us on Sunday, January 18, following the 12:30 PM Mass at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State Street, Chicago, as we March for Life down Chicago Avenue to Water Tower Place. Following a prayerful vigil, our speakers, Joe Scheidler and Ann Scheidler, will

address those gathered before we conclude with prayer and singing. Parking is available in the Holy Name Cathedral parking lot. Please join us in this peaceful protest for the unborn. SpeakOut Illinois 2009 The largest annual pro-life convention in the state, Rekindle the Fire, will be held at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center on January 31, and feature inspiring speakers: Fr. Thomas Euteneuer, Dr. Alveda King and Phyllis Schlafly. In addition to a special program for teens, the leading pro-life organizations will help you become more informed and active on the critical life issues of our day.

Cost for registration by January 19 is $50. For directions, registration and more information, visit www.speakoutillinois.org.

Holy Hour for Life After the 8:00 AM Mass next Saturday, January 17, the monthly Holy Hour will be devoted to praying for an end to abortion. January 22 marks the 36th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision (Roe v Wade) that made abortion available on demand in our country. Let us mourn together over the millions of lives that have been lost to government sanctioned “choice”. Please come and pray with us for our country and our leaders that the killing of innocent unborn babies will come to an end in the United States.

Respect Life Speaker: Dr. Alveda C. King Save the Date: Here at St. Luke on Saturday, Jan. 31 — 7:00 PM

in Waldron Hall

“And only where God is seen does life truly begin. Only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is. We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary. There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel, by the encounter with Christ. There is nothing more beautiful than to know Him, and to speak to others of our friendship with Him.” —Pope Benedict XVI

Gatherings from the Next Generation

St. Luke Religious Education news

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Last Chance Hurry! Last chance to order Sally Foster® gift wrap, bath and body products, chocolates, kitchenware, gifts and more. Most products are priced under $20! For orders placed by January 15, 50% of your purchase goes to support Religious Education!

To place an order, go to the parish website at www.stlukeparish.org and click on the Sally Foster® logo on the home page. It’s that easy! Internet orders are shipped directly to you. Shipping is FREE for orders over $70!

Please Join Us . . .

Friday, January 16

Our students and faculty will be celebrating a

Martin Luther King Prayer Service

at 2:15 PM in Church.

Everyone is welcome to attend!

The Nativity Story

The last Religious Education class of 2008 was unforgettable for our children. The 5th-8th grades participated in an Advent Prayer Service in which many of the students assisted. The younger children, Kindergarten-4th grades, all participated in The Nativity Story in church. Approximately 125 characters were on the altar — sheep, shepherds, stars, innkeepers and many others.

We are thankful that Jesus came to earth as a tiny baby. He brought God’s love and forgiveness to the world and to us!

Eucharist Rite of Enrollment The St. Luke Second Grade Eucharist class

will be presented to the community at the 9:00 AM Mass on Sunday, January 11, 2009.

Please keep these children and their families in your prayers as they continue to prepare

to join us at the table of the Lord St. Luke School Family Valentine’s Dance The first St. Luke School Family Valentine’s Dance will be held on Friday, February 13, in the School Gym from 7:00-9:00 PM. This event is meant to be a Daddy/Daughter, Mother/Son Dance.

Cost is $5 per person and tickets can be purchased starting on January 12 from the homeroom teachers. Cash only, please!!

O Come, Let Us Adore Him . . . The Jr. and Sr. Kindergarten students recently participated in a live Nativity. The children chose roles consisting of angels, shepherds, wise men, Mary and Joseph.

Joseph guided Mary who rode a real donkey. The shepherds herded in a live sheep. The angels carried in the Baby Jesus. It was truly a wonderful sight to behold!

Gatherings from the Parish and the Community

Support Group for Family Caregivers Rekindling the Flame is a ministry of Grace Episcopal Church for the support and sustenance of Family Caregivers. A monthly gathering includes an Interfaith Prayer Service followed by a time of discussion, networking and sharing of experiences.

The group meets on the third Sunday of each month. The next meeting is next Sunday, January 18, at 2:30 PM at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake Street, Oak Park.

For more information, go to www.graceoakpark.org. The email address is rekindlingtheflame@sbcglobal.net, or you may call 708-386-8036 ext. 36.

Attention: All Volunteers and Chaperones Working with our Parish Children Per Archdiocesan mandate, and to protect all of our children, anyone who wishes to volunteer in any program involving children—school, religious education, choirs—will need to

complete Virtus training, complete an on-line background check, fill out the CANTS form and return to Glenn Wagner in the Parish Rectory complete the Code of Conduct Acknowledgement form and return to Glenn Wagner in the Parish Rectory.

For the convenience of any volunteer who needs to complete this requirement, a Virtus training session is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, from 7-10 PM in Waldron Hall. To register: go to the archdiocesan website (www.archchicago.org), click on Protecting Children and Virtus Training and locate the correct date and location. You can download copies of forms for the online background check, the CANTS and Code of Conduct Acknowledgement from the school's website (www.school-stlukeparish.org). These forms are also available in the parish rectory office.

If you wish to chaperone a trip, coach a team, or help out in a classroom for even one day—to minister in any way with children in the parish—you must have all of these things completed and on file. It is a one-time-only requirement. You will not need to do this every year. Once you have completed it, you are fully compliant and able to help out as always.