ST. MARY CHURCh

DEKALB, ILLINOIS

MARCH 15, 2020

S T . M A R Y P A R I S H • D E K A L B , I L • W W W . S T M A R Y D E K A L B . O R G P A G E 2

T H I R D S U N D A Y O F L E N T P A G E 3

Our Weekly Offering Week Ending 03/06/2020

Sunday Offertory $ 10,791.15 Donations $ 50.00 Guardian Angel $ 56.00 School $ 130.00 Capital Improvements $ 40.00 Ash Wednesday $ 1,052.08 International Appeal $ 2,827.00 National Appeal $ 50.00 Easter Flowers $ 727.00

Thank You for Your Contributions!

37TH WEEK OF FISCAL YEAR 2019 - 2020

Calling ALL Middle School Students to come for

BLAZE (Be set on fire!) What is BLAZE? Blaze is a youth group for middle schoolers led by high school students. Who? Any student currently in 6th, 7th or 8th grade What? Come for food, fun, and friends. Grow in your faith with small groups, talks, and skits. Where? St. Mary Ministry Center Gym/Cafeteria When? 6:00-7:30PM on this Tuesday, March 17th

For more information contact Annalisa at 815-758-5432 x110 or annalisam@stmarydekalb.org

Readings for the Week of March 15, 2020

Sunday: Ex 17:3-7/Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9/Rom 5:1-2, 5-8/ Jn 4:5-42 or 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42 Monday: 2 Kgs 5:1-15b/Ps 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4 [cf. Ps 42:3]/ Lk 4:24-30 Tuesday: Dn 3:25, 34-43/Ps 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9 [6a]/ Mt 18:21-35 Wednesday: Dt 4:1, 5-9/Ps 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20 [12a]/ Mt 5:17-19 Thursday: 2 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16/Ps 89:2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29/ 4:13, 16-18, 22/Mt 1:16, 18-21, 24a or Lk 2:41-51a Friday: Hos 14:2-10/Ps 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14 and 17 [cf. 11 and 9a]/Mk 12:28-34 Saturday: Hos 6:1-6/Ps 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab [cf. Hos 6:6]/ Lk 18:9-14 Next Sunday: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6[1]/ Eph 5:8-14/Jn 9:1-41 or 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38 ©Liturgical Publications, Inc.

2019-2020 Lancer Raffle Ticket Winners

03/09 - Azalea Ruvalcaba - $20.00

03/10 - Azalea Ruvalcaba - $20.00

03/11 - James Phillips - $20.00

03/12 - Bill Manhart - $20.00

03/13 - Stacey Kubitz - $20.00 Donated Back!

03/14 - Alexander Aspera - $20.00

03/15 - Tom Duffy, Sr. - $30.00

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ST MARY SCHOOL

“To celebrate the Gospel of life means to cele-brate the God of life, the God who gives life… In every child which is born and in every person who lives or dies we see the image of God’s glory. We celebrate this glory in every human being, a sign of the living God, an icon of Jesus Christ” (The Gospel of Life 84).

Thank you for your continued support of St. Mary Church through your advertisement in our bulletin.

From the Office of Divine Worship Influenza and the Liturgy

Every time the cold and flu season arrives, we hear public service announcements about how to limit of the spread of disease through normal good hygienic practices. When the community gathers for Mass or other celebrations we come from the real world. We are God’s people and we take part in the heavenly liturgy, but we remain part of the human family in its earthly pilgrimage. We are vulnerable to the troubles that can befall peo-ple along the way, including illness and disease. Both for our own sake and out of care for others, it is helpful to recall some things we can do to foster our community’s health and well being. For all members of the congregation:

Keep tissues or a clean handkerchief available for coughs, sneezes, or sniffles. Dispose of them properly, don’t set them on the pew, the hymnal, etc.

When a sudden cough or sneeze comes upon us, nestle your mouth and nose in your elbow rather than you hands.

Use common sense in keeping your hands clean and avoid contact with your face.

Note about the Sign of Peace: Remember that there is no single gesture required for this sign. This is a time to express our peace in Jesus Christ before we share the communion of His Body and Blood. Be thoughtful as you share, and be considerate of the sen-sitivities of others.

Be mindful and reverent in receiving Holy Communion.

If you are very sick or know that you have an easily com-municable disease you are not bound by the obligation to participate in Mass on Sunday. Stay home and return to church when you are well. For longer illnesses, please contact the parish so that arrangements can be made to have someone visit you with Holy Communion.

S T . M A R Y P A R I S H • D E K A L B , I L • W W W .

Church Decorating Schedule for PALM SUNDAY, HOLY WEEK & EASTER

We would really appreciate your assistance. If you would be interested in helping, please join us on all or any of the dates. Please call Linda at

815.758-5432 ext. 103 with any questions. Thank you!

Saturday, April 4 - 9:30 AM (Set-up for Palm Sunday) Replace banners, prepare & display palms, etc. Sunday, April 5 - 6:00 PM (Take down Palm Sunday) Restore Lenten banners, collect remaining palms, etc. Wednesday, April 8 - 4:00 PM (Holy Thursday Set-up) Set up Chapel of Reposition, remove all purple, set up for washing of feet, etc. Friday, April 10 - 8:00 AM (Good Friday set-up) Holy Thursday takedown, flower delivery & prep. Saturday, April 11 - 8:00 AM (Easter set-up) Change banners, door drapes, drape crucifix in white, prepare vigil candles, take down chapel of repose, flower set-up, etc. Saturday, May 30 - 9:30 AM (Pentecost set-up) Remove Easter decorations, setup Pentecost. Sunday, May 31 - 6:00 PM (Pentecost takedown)

St. Mary Men’s Group Please join us on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month 6:30-8:30 pm in the Emmaus Room of the Ministry Center.

“Acts of the Apostles” by Steve Ray

All men, 16 & older, are welcome. Bring a friend. For more information, please call 815-761-7715.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says: “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish His work.”

Through your almsgiving you are doing the will of the Father and finishing the work of Jesus. Know that your donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Society is multiplied by

donations of others.

YOU are INVITED to JOIN US...Knights of Columbus Council 717

“What does it mean to be a Catholic Man?”

Renew your identity as a Catholic man, husband, father

Resource: Into the Breach by Bishop Thomas Olmstead of Phoenix (booklets provided)

When: 8:30 am Saturdays, starting February 29th for eight Saturdays in a row. - Discussion will be about an hour. Join us for 8 am Mass prior to discussion.

Where: St. Mary Ministry Center (former St. Mary School – St. Anne’s Room)

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AT FB.ME/DEKALBKNIGHTS

12 Hour Rosary Vigil for Life - Monday March 23rd! What is a 12-hour Rosary Vigil? A 12-hour Rosary vigil needs at least 36 people to commit to one 20-minute time slot when they will pray a Rosary. Each person prays one Rosary (any mystery they choose). This means that there will be someone praying the rosary for 12 consecutive hours. What to do? Pick a 20 minute time slot between 8AM and 8PM on Monday, March 23rd, sign your name to the sign-up sheet located at the entrances of the church and then remember to pray at that time. You may pray in the church in front of the Blessed Sacrament, at home, in the car…. You can pray on your own, with your spouse, friend, group or pray as a family! Why? Human life is under attack in our world. The Rosary is a simple yet efficacious way to get involved. We can pray as our Blessed Mother has asked us to. We pray for the unborn, for mothers in crisis pregnancies, the aged to be treated with respect and the victims of euthanasia. Please join us!

Benito Cervantes & Gabriela Gonzalez Britany Cervantes & Christian Axel Cervantes-Gonzalez

Maria Esparza-Riestra Clara (Estrella) & Brisa

Jose Ramirez & Maridel Xique

Tim & Elena Hakes Monica, Joshua & Alex

Jose Hernandez & Irma Castro Luis, Jair, Saray & Amaya

Douglas & Brianne Wackerlin Jessica & Kaylyn

This week’s schedule… Sunday, March 15 9:45 AM - 11:15 AM Religious Ed (MC) 3:00 PM Hispanic Reconciliation (CH) 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Hispanic AA Group Meeting (PCN) 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Hispanic Religious Education (MC) Masses in English 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM (CH) Mass in Spanish 4:00 PM

Monday, March 16 7:00 AM Mass in English (CH) NO Scheduled Reconciliation in English (CH) 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Stations of the Cross for Souls in Purgatory (CH) 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Hispanic Choir Practice (SAR) 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Hispanic AA Group (PCN)

Tuesday, March 17 7:00 AM Mass in English (CH) 7:35 AM Reconciliation in English (CH) 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Mom’s Book Club (SMR) 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Pantry (C) 5:30 PM Hispanic Reconciliation (CH) 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Blaze Nite (G) 6:30 PM Mass in Spanish (CH) 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Teen Tuesday - High School Night (YC) 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Hispanic Prayer Group (CH)

Wednesday, March 18 7:00 AM Mass in English (CH) NO Scheduled Reconciliation in English (CH) 9:00 AM Mass (School) 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM St. Joseph Dinner Decorating (C) 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Hispanic AA Group (PCN)

24 Hour Eucharistic Exposition (CH) Wednesday 7:30 AM until Thursday 6:50 AM

M A R C H 1 5 , 2 0 2 0 P A G E 5

Stewardship When Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a drink of

water, He opened the door for a life-changing relationship with Him. Scripture says her testimony drew many others

to Him as well. We, too, must be ready to respond whenever and wherever the Lord speaks to us and be

prepared for it to change our lives!

Locations: (B) Bethany Room, (C) Cafeteria, (CHP) Chapel, (CH) Church,

(E) Emmaus Room, (G) Gym, (LRC) Library Resource Center, (MARI) Marian

Room, (MC) Ministry Center, (OC) Off Campus, (PCN) Parish Center North,

(PWR) Parish Work Room, (PR) Presentation Room, (SAR) St. Anne Room,

(SJM) St. James Room (Private), (SJ) St. John Room, (SJOA) St. Joachim Room,

(SJOS) St. Joseph Room, (SL) St. Luke Room, (SM) St. Mark Room,

(SMR) St. Matthew Room, (YC) Youth Center

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never

thirst.” Let Jesus fill your thirst for a blessed marriage. Participate in the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend on April 17-19 in Brookfield, WI; June 26-28 in Rockford, IL or

Sept. 11-13 in Geneva, IL. For more info go to: alifetimeoflove.org or call (888) 574-5653.

Para un fin de semana en espanol por favor llamen a Candelario y Emilia al 815-375-4250.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Rockford/Madison/Milwaukee Ministry

For the latest, up-to-date information about our parish, please “Like” our

facebook page! You can find it at www.facebook.com/StMarydeKalbIl/

or check out our website: http://stmarydekalb.org

Thursday, March 19 7:00 AM Mass in English 7:35 AM Reconciliation in English (CH) 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Women’s Bible Study (SJOS) 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM St. Joseph Dinner (C) 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Youth Choir Rehearsal (CH) 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Cub Scout - Weblo 1 Meeting (SAR) 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Alive in His Love Prayer Group (CHP) 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Liturgical Choir Rehearsal (CH) 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM RCIA (PR) 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Hispanic Prayer Group - Choir Rehearsal (SMR)

Friday, March 20 7:00 AM Mass in English (CH) 7:35 AM Reconciliation in English (CH) 5:00 PM Hispanic Stations of the Cross (CH) 7:00 PM Stations of the Cross in English (CH)

Saturday, March 21 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Hispanic Lent Retreat (C/G) 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Knights of Columbus Discussion Group (SAR) 8:35 AM - 9:30 AM Eucharistic Exposition (CH) 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Legion of Mary Children’s Group (SJOS) 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Hispanic AA Group (PCN) Reconciliation in English 8:35-9:15 AM & 3:30-4:15 PM (CH)Masses in English 8:00 AM & 4:30 PM (CH)

Sunday, March 22 No Religious Ed (MC) 1:30 PM Vietnamese Mass (CH) 2:45 PM - 5:30 PM Vietnamese Ministry (C) 3:00 PM Hispanic Reconciliation (CH) 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Hispanic Religious Education (MC) 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Hispanic AA Group Meeting (PCN) Masses in English 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM (CH) Mass in Spanish 4:00 PM (CH)

All are invited to attend:

Stations of the Cross

At 7:00 PM in the Church

Fridays during Lent!

Dates: March 20, March 27, and April 3

The Rockford Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW)

is proud to announce that the speaker at this year’s convention

is Deborah Marqui. Her topic is “Centering Prayer”. All are

invited for the day on Saturday, April 4, 2020 at Cathedral of

St. Peter, 1243 N. Church St., Rockford. Registration check-in

at 9:00. After a short business meeting, there will be 11:00

Mass with Bishop Malloy, followed by a catered lunch, the

speaker and raffle prizes.

Send your $25 registration check payable to RDCCW Convention by March 25, to Jean Nosek, 12719 Legend Lake Dr, Roscoe, IL 61073. For more information contact Jean at

jeannosek@gmail.com; 815-389-3259.

S T . M A R Y P A R I S H • D E K A L B , I L • W W W .

LITURGICAL ROLES

Lectors 4:30 PM Kevin Fuss

8:30 AM Marisa Jeronimo

10:30 AM Juliana Marchese

Ushers 4:30 PM Dave Roliardi, Craig Vitkus, Keith Anderson

8:30 AM Chuck Albertson, Dan Cliffe, Doug Davis,

John Sauter, Donald Moizo

10:30 AM Duane Rapp, Jim Zenz, Mark Farris

Nicholas Singer, Lance Farris, Michelle

Mershon, Andrew Miller, Rick Sullivan,

Toby Woodruff

4:30 PM

Captain Jeannie Petesch

Chapel Kellie Fuss

Cup 1 NO CUP

Cup 2 NO CUP

8:30 AM

Captain Noah Smith

Chapel Helen Traglia

Cup 1 Jacqueline Wilk

Cup 2 Maria Krpan

10:30 AM

Captain Teri Lorek

Chapel Brenda Hoiness

Cup 1 Karen Federici

Cup 2 Lori Kedzie

Cantor Schedule

March 21/22 4:30 PM Youth Choir

8:30 AM Michael Hynek

10:30 AM Cecilia Aspengren

March 28/29 4:30 PM Sandi Bruckner

8:30 AM Alice Smith

10:30 AM Michael Hynek

Monday, March 16 (Lenten Weekday)

7:00 AM † Betty Ramsdell

Tuesday, March 17 (St. Patrick)

7:00 AM † William Berg

Wednesday, March 18 (St. Cyril of Jerusalem)

7:00 AM † Ed & Annie Sullivan

9:00 AM Living & Deceased Members of the

Hoyt Family (School)

Thursday, March 19 (St. Joseph)

7:00 AM † Joseph R. Barrile

Friday, March 20 (Lenten Weekday)

7:00 AM † William A. Marks

Saturday, March 21 (Lenten Weekday)

8:00 AM † Jozefa Kulma

4:30 PM Living & Deceased Members of St. Mary

Fourth Sunday of Lent)

8:30 AM † James Barr

10:30 AM † Janaan Elliott

4:00 PM Martha & Isidro Gonzalez (Spanish Mass)

The power of prayer We pray for St. Mary parishioners, relatives, and friends who are suffering from illness, also for those who are homebound, hospitalized, or confined to a care facility, especially:

Giana Anderson, Matt Anderson, Jackie Balon, Lori Baert, Pat Beck, Patricia Budzinski, Dale Byers, Mary Clarbour, Margaret Cobb,

Debbie Coffland, Ben Coniglio, Donna Dalwam, Joe Diedrich, Horst Erker, Yale Factor, Bobbie Fitch, Beth Fixmer, Missy Flores, Fr. Karl Ganss, Justin French, Judi Glover, Rita Hammett, Eric

Hanson, Kathleen Hiatt, Ruth Higgins, Peggy Hoyt, Joann Schoo Irving, Ana Jackiw, Col. Thomas Z. James, Julie Jones, Joan Judkins,

Patsy Kelahan, Rev. Richard Kramer, Carolyn Kustron, Ginger Lange, Henrietta Lobner, Brayden MacNeille, JoAnn MaKarrall, Bob

Marcheschi, Matt Marcheschi, Timothy McMillan, Mary Lou Murphy, Louis Mustari, Dave Myers, Mary O’Brien, Tom O’Brien,

Orlando Moises Pulido, Carol Reed, Joshua Reynolds, Jr., Joel Rivera, Jeff Salazar, Marlene Salazar, Richard Salazar, Steve Stach,

Jim Theisen, Leah Theisen, Ray Theisen, Justin Valdez, Jerry Vasko, Abel Viland, Robert White, David Young

If you know of a person in our parish who is homebound and would like to receive a card of encouragement, or to have a name added to or removed from the prayer list, call the parish office at

815.758.5432.

ST. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM FEAST DAY - MARCH 18

He was born in the vicinity of Jerusalem about the year 315. Having made progress in the knowledge of the pagan philoso-phers and the Fathers of the Church, but above all in the Sacred Scriptures, he was ordained priest by Maximus, Bish-op of Jerusalem. He instructed the catechumens for several years. About the end of the year 350, he succeeded Maximus in the See of Jerusalem. He entered upon his episcopal office at a time when the Church was distracted by the Arian heresy and he staunchly defended the divinity of Christ. Because of his beliefs, he was expelled from Jerusalem in 357 by Acacius, the Arian Bishop of Caesarea. He went to Tarsus and was reinstated by the Council of Seleucia in 359. In 360, he was again exiled, but was reinstated in 361 at the death of Constantius and the accession of Julian. St. Cyril was expelled a third time from his See in 367 by the Arian Emperor Valens. He returned to Jerusalem in 378 and remained there for the rest of his life. In 381 he assist-ed at the General Council of Constantinople and accepted the amended version of the Nicene Creed. His great ser-mons on the Nicene Creed and the sacraments, which sur-vive even today, reveal his deep faith and an ability to teach the mysteries of Christianity in a way the humblest could understand. He died in 386 and is a Doctor of the Church.

ST. MARY PARISH - DEKALB, IL March 15, 2020

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MERCY MOMENTS

March 15 – “I want to be completely transformed into Your mercy and to be Your living reflection, O Lord. May the greatest of all divine attributes, that of Your unfathomable mercy, pass through my heart and soul to my neighbor. Help me, O Lord, that my eyes may be merciful, so that I may never suspect or judge from appearances, but look for what is beautiful in my neighbors’ souls and come to their rescue. Help me, that my ears may be merciful, so that I may give heed to my neigh-bors’ needs and not be indifferent to their pain and moanings. Help me, O Lord, that my tongue may be merciful, so that I should never speak negatively of my neighbor, but have a word of comfort and for-giveness for all. Help me, O Lord, that my hands may be merciful and filled with good deeds, so that I may do only good to my neighbors and take upon myself the more difficult and toilsome tasks. Help me, that my feet may be merciful, so that I may hurry to assist my neighbor, overcoming my own fatigue and weariness. My true rest is in the service of my neighbor. Help me, O Lord, that my heart may be merciful so that I myself may feel all the sufferings of my neighbor. I will refuse my heart to no one. I will be sincere even with those who, I know, will abuse my kindness. And I will lock myself up in the most merciful Heart of Jesus. I will bear my own suf-fering in silence. May Your mercy, O Lord, rest upon me.” (Faustina, 163) March 16 – “God’s mercy can make even the driest land become a garden, can restore life to dry bones…. Let us be renewed by God’s mercy, let us be loved by Jesus, let us enable the power of His love to transform our lives too; and let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flour-ish.” (Pope Francis’ Easter message, March 31, 2013) March 17 – “Today the Lord said to me, Daughter, when you go to con-fession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flows down upon your soul and ennobles it. Every time you go to confession, immerse yourself entirely in My mercy, with great trust, so that I may pour the bounty of My grace upon your soul. When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I Myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy. Tell souls that from this fount of mercy souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity. The tor-rents of grace inundate humble souls. The proud remain always in pov-erty and misery, because My grace turns away from them to humble souls.” (Faustina, 1602) March 18 – “”If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s cho-sen ones? It is God who acquits us. Who will condemn? It is Christ [Jesus] who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who inter-cedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? …. I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-35, 38-39) March 19 – “You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.” (Faustina, 1319) March 20 – “Jesus [said]: My child, do you fear the God of mercy? My holiness does not prevent Me from being merciful. Behold, for you I have established a throne of mercy on earth – the tabernacle – and from this throne I desire to enter into your heart. I am not surrounded by a retinue of guards. You can come to me at any moment, at any time; I want to speak to you and desire to grant you grace.” (Faustina, 1485) March 21 – “God’s patience has to call forth in us the courage to return to Him, however many mistakes and sins there may be in our life…. It is there, in the wounds of Jesus, that we are truly secure; there we encounter the boundless love of His heart. Thomas understood this. Saint Bernard goes on to ask: But what can I count on? My own merits? No, “My merit is God’s mercy. I am by no means lacking merits as long as He is rich in mercy. If the mercies of the Lord are manifold, I too will abound in merits.” This is im-portant: the courage to trust in Jesus’ mercy, to trust in His patience, to seek refuge always in the wounds of his love.” (Pope Francis, Homily on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 7, 2013)

Mercy Corner

Did you know? What is the difference between that special graces promised by Jesus for devout communicants on Mercy Sunday, and the plenary indulgence for Mercy Sunday devotions that was instituted several years ago by Pope John Paul II? Are they the same thing? Or are they different?

Simply put: They are NOT the same thing!

The main difference, of course, is that an "indulgence" is some-thing offered to the faithful by the Church, as the keeper of the keys of the kingdom, with authority to "bind and loose" (see Mt 16:17-19). The special graces of Mercy Sunday, on the other hand, were promised directly by our Lord, through a prophetic revelation given to St. Faustina (see Diary of St. Faustina, 699). The Church has not officially ruled that this particular promise was an authentic supernatural revelation (and no Catholic is required to believe it as a matter of faith), but the Church has discerned, in various ways, that there is nothing that violates Catholic doctrine in this promise.

Briefly, here are the other main differences between the "special graces" promised by Jesus for Divine Mercy Sunday, and the ple-nary indulgence offered by the Church for special devotions to The Divine Mercy on Mercy Sunday:

1) The special graces that our Lord promised for Mercy Sunday come solely through the reception of Holy Communion on that day, in a state of grace, with trust in The Divine Mercy. Any plena-ry indulgence granted by the Church, on the other hand, involves the fulfillment of a number of conditions, including prayer for the pope's intentions, confession and Holy Eucharist, and the carrying out of the special indulgenced work (in this case: participating in public devotions to The Divine Mercy on Mercy Sunday itself).

2) The special graces promised by our Lord for Mercy Sunday can be received by a soul in a state of grace, but with imperfect love for God, and imperfect contrition for sin—as long as the soul merely trusts in the Mercy of God, and clings to Him because of His promised benefits. A plenary indulgence, however, can only be obtained through the performance of an indulgenced work as an expression of pure love for God. If the intentions of one's indul-genced work are not pure (say, the work is done in part out of fear of hell or purgatory, and loathing for oneself — or the desire to impress one's friends and relatives! — rather than purely out of love for God) then the indulgence obtained will be only partial, not plenary.

During the course of Jesus' revelations to Saint Faustina on the Divine Mercy He asked on numerous occasions that a feast day be dedicated to the Divine Mercy and that this feast be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. The liturgical texts of that day, the 2nd Sunday of Easter, concern the institution of the Sacrament of Pen-ance, the Tribunal of the Divine Mercy, and are thus already suited to the request of Our Lord. This Feast, which had already been granted to the nation of Poland and been celebrated within Vatican City, was granted to the Universal Church by Pope John Paul II on the occasion of the canonization of Sr. Faustina on 30 April 2000. In a decree dated 23 May 2000, the Congregation for Divine Wor-ship and the Discipline of the Sacraments stated that "throughout the world the Second Sunday of Easter will receive the name Di-vine Mercy Sunday, a perennial invitation to the Christian world to face, with confidence in divine benevolence, the difficulties and trials that mankind will experience in the years to come." These papal acts represent the highest endorsement that the Church can give to a private revelation, an act of papal infallibility proclaiming the certain sanctity of the mystic, and the granting of a universal feast, as requested by Our Lord to St. Faustina.

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ST. JOSEPH FEAST DAY DINNER

Pasta, Salad, Bread & Dessert Served Thursday, March 19th 5:30 - 7:30 PM

St. Mary DeKalb Ministry Center Cafeteria 302 Fisk Avenue, DeKalb, IL

In spirit of St. Joseph: This a donation only event.

Donations received benefit St. Mary School 8th Grade Washington, DC trip.

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS

Honor your deceased loved ones with a memorial of Easter flowers to decorate our church.

Name(s) of Deceased

__________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

Name of Donor ______________________________________

Amount of Donation _______________

Please drop in collection basket or mail to the

parish office by Monday, April 6 ALL ARE WELCOME: Students, Alumnae, Prospective Students and their Mothers, Grandmothers, Sisters, and all

Women who impact our lives. Women of Rosary Brunch Sunday, March 22 at 9:45 AM

Gaslite Manor, Aurora, IL RSVP at www.rosaryhs.com/brunch

CHARGER CHALLENGE March 17, 2020 8:30 - 11:30 AM

7th Grade Students AGENDA: Breakfast, Presentation, Mass, Schedule Walk, Challenge ($50 credit toward Freshman registration for each

member of the winning team) Aurora Central Catholic High School

1255 N. Edgelawn Dr., Aurora, IL www.auroracentral.com Rosary Sports Boosters Hosts March Madness Party

Come out and watch the NCAA Elite Eight game while supporting Rosary High School Athletics! Our March Madness Fundraiser is Sunday, March 29, at Ballydoyle in Aurora. Doors open at 1:30 pm. Admission is $40 per person in advance and $50 at the door. Included with your admission: Select Beer, Wine & Pop for 3 hours and and Heavy Appetizers for 2 hours. Silent Auction and Raffles include tickets to sporting events, autographed memorabilia and much

more! Get tickets and board squares online at www.rosaryhs.com/marchmadnessparty. If you can't attend, you can get in on the fun by purchas-ing board squares good for every game in the tour-nament at www.rosaryhs.com/marchmadness.

Home & School Dining Out Please come and support the St. Mary School Dining Out

Day at Portillos (1780 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178) on Monday, March 16 from 5 pm - 8 pm.

Customers must bring in the advertising flyer or show it on your smartphone and 20% of the

proceeds will benefit St Mary School, DeKalb. Thank you for your support!

Lenten Fish Fry at Marmion Academy Marmion Academy’s Fishing Team is having its annual Lenten Fish Fry Fundraiser on Friday, March 20, 2020 from 4:00-7:00 PM. Drive through, pick-up service only at 1000 Butter-field Road in Aurora. Each meal is $12 and includes 3 pieces of Sgt. Dotson’s Famous Fried Catfish, french fries, hush puppies, coleslaw, and a dinner roll. Meals must be purchased in advance at marmion.org/fishfry. All proceeds benefit Marmion’s Fishing Team.

Knights of Columbus Fish Fry Don't miss our Friday night fish fry's during Lent. All you can eat. 5-7:30pm Prices: $14 for adults, $11 for seniors, $9 for children under 12, $1 extra for carry-outs 1336 E Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb

March 20, 2020 at 5 pm Lenten Fish Fry & Stations of the Cross

Join our Vincentian family of members, volunteers and benefactors on March 20, 5 pm at Faranda's in DeKalb for fellowship and great food! Immediately following, we'll head to St. Mary's Church for 7 pm Stations of the Cross. Diners can select our St. Vincent de Paul St.

Mary/Christ the Teacher Conference to receive 10% of their bill from Faranda's every Friday

during Lent! Please RSVP to

Michelle

Emett mickianne1028@comcast.net for the March 20 gathering to insure we have

seating together for everyone in our group!