St. Monica Mission Statement

Saint Monica is a welcoming Catholic faith community. Proclaiming the power of the Word of God, we join together in

the celebration of the Eucharist and all Sacraments. We aim to follow Jesus Christ—

To Serve as He Served, To Live as He Lived and To Love as He Loved.

St. Monica Parish October 25, 2009

Thirtieth Sunday In Ordinary Time Priesthood Sunday

SAINT MONICA PARISH Church Location: Corner of Foster and Nottingham Avenues

Office Address: 5136 N. Nottingham Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60656 Telephone: 773-763-1661 Fax: 773-763-4917 Parish Website: www.stmonicachicago.com

Bulletin Article Requests—E-mail to bulletin@stmonicachicago.com

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday at 4:00 p.m.

Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 12:00 Noon. Polish: 1:30 p.m..

WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m.

ROSARY AND DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET Prayed weekdays after the 8:00 a.m. Eucharist.

SACRAMENTS:

RECONCILIATION (Confessions in English and Polish) Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. The priests at St. Monica place a high priority on confessions and will do their best to accommodate individual confessions by appointment.

BAPTISM The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated twice a month, the first Saturday of the month at 11:00 a.m. and the third Sunday of the month at 3:30 p.m. (some exceptions due to Holy Days and liturgical celebrations). Please call the parish office to register for the preparation program and to set a date for the Baptism.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Held on the first Friday of each month, it begins at 1:00 p.m. and ends with Benediction at 7:00 p.m. (some exceptions due to Holy Days and liturgical celebrations).

MARRIAGE The Pastoral Guidelines for Marriage Preparation for the Archdiocese of Chicago ask that a minimum of six months be set aside for personal preparation for marriage. No firm date for a wedding will be set until the conclusion of the couple’s first meeting with the parish minister. At least one of the engaged persons (or their parents) must be a registered and active parishioner of St. Monica. No Sunday weddings are scheduled.

ANNULMENT RESOURCES

The Office of the Marriage Tribunal has updated the approach to annulments and would like to encourage anyone who is divorced to apply. Those who would like to learn more or apply for annulment proceedings are welcome to call the parish office for additional information.

Parish Staff

Rev. Theodore J. Schmitt Pastor Rev. Andrew Izyk Associate Pastor Rev. James O’Brien Pastor Emeritus St. Eugene Parish (In Residence) Rev. William Holbrook In Residence Mr. Ken Jenney Deacon Mr. Ron Gronek Deacon Mr. Jon Callahan Director of Music & Liturgy

Mrs. Sabina Debski Parish Secretary Mr. Richard Grabowiecki Maintenance Supervisor Mrs. Mary Haj Bulletin Editor/Facility Scheduling Mrs. Christine Perenchio Dir. of Religious Education Mrs. Dorothy Spencer Director of Finance Mrs. Gwenn Suvada Business Office Coordinator

St. Monica Academy 5115 N. Mont Clare, Chicago, Illinois 60656

Telephone: 773-631-7880 Fax: 773-631-3266

Website: www.stmonicaacademy.org

Academy Staff

Mr. Raymond Coleman Principal Mr. Christopher Haruska Assistant Principal Mrs. Judy Nowak Secretary

CHURCH ETIQUETTE The presiding priest should be the last one entering the church, and the first one to be leaving the church. If you are arriving late for Mass, please choose an appropriate time to enter the church, such as when everyone is standing, but not during the readings or prayers. Please know that it is better to be present at Mass, even if you are a little late, than not to be present at all.

Please be respectful and courteous when entering church by turning off ALL cell phones and beepers. Church is a place of worship and should be treated with reverence. Thank You.

St. Monica’s is fully handicap accessible. Dedicated in 1988, St. Monica Church was the first in the Archdiocese of Chicago to be fully accessible to people with disabilities. There are no steps, all doors have levers instead of knobs, and

the sanctuary is ramped.

October 25, 2009 Page 3

Following our Faith . . . Windows into Our Faith

The Story of St. Monica Church’s Stained Glass Windows

Part 3 of 7- The Screen Windows 2

By Jennifer Haderspeck Contributor

The colorful stained glass windows that surround St. Monica Church each tell a story. Last time, we learned the biblical meaning behind the stained glass windows leading from the foyer to the baptismal font. This week, we will continue our path along those panels to the confessionals.

The designer’s report fails to explain the intended meaning of a rather conspicuous symbol in these panels, the two people holding a baby. When taking a closer look, the face on the left appears more wizened, while the face on the right appears more youthful. Some have suggested that this may represent Mary and her cousin Elizabeth holding John the Baptist. However, according to the Gospel of Luke, Mary left Elizabeth’s home before John the Baptist was born (Luke 1:56-57). On the other hand, because this symbol is so close to our baptismal font, it makes sense that a designer would choose to place John the Baptist there, because he baptized many in the river Jordan. Others have wondered if the couple might be Mary and Joseph holding Jesus or even St. Anne and Mary with the infant. In the midst of our wonder about this figure, Fr. Ted reminds us that sometimes we cannot fully understand the amazing mind of an artist.

Beyond the mystery image, we encounter the familiar shapes of stars, birds, clouds and water. In the water is a fish, representing the Lord, and a ship, representing His Church.

The final panels of this section depict the stories of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. An orange cross is grounded among cacti and cattails in the earth. A blue bird is perched atop the cattails. A spear to the left of the cross and a sponge soaked in vinegar to the right represent the pain and suffering of the event. However, the dogwood flower behind the cross foreshadows the victory to come.

In the lower portion of the next panel, the colors are dark and red thorns pierce the scene, representing the burial tomb of the Lord. The upper portion of the panel is a scene of happiness as an angel rolls away the stone that sealed the tomb. Amidst flowers and a golden ribbon, the Holy Spirit is present, in the form of a dove, celebrating the triumph and leading us to our place of Reconciliation and life-renewal.

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION

Today is the feast of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, the first representative body of many Catholics who died for their faith between 1535 and 1679 to be beatified or canonized. Almost all of them died at Tyburn, a place of public execution near today’s Marble Arch in Hyde Park, London. The first to suffer were Carthusian monks who refused to swear an oath supporting Henry VIII as supreme head of the Church in England, and the last was Saint Oliver Plunkett, the Primate Archbishop of Ireland. The method of execution was particularly vile, since the condemned were hanged and their living bodies quartered to be displayed around London as a horrific warning. Today, the tree-like gallows provides the design of a religious symbol, the canopy over the altar of the martyrs in Tyburn Convent. There, at the heart of the bustling city, a monastic community of women practices contemplative prayer and “spiritual hospitality” in the Benedictine tradition. Oddly, the community is French in origin; it was expelled from France a century ago when France outlawed contemplative monastic life. England, where the laws against Catholicism had been lifted, invited the community in. In gratitude to their new homeland, and in honor of those who gave their lives for the Catholic faith, the nuns came to Tyburn. In the public crypt, coats of arms stand for each of the 350 martyrs. A Web site visit is possible at www.tyburnconvent.org.uk.

—Rev. James Field, © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.

THE HOPE AND PROMISE OF REDEMPTION The prophet Jeremiah prophesies the end of the Babylonian exile. He describes how the weak and sorrowful people now return with joy. These are the scattered people of God: the blind and the lame, the mothers and pregnant women. They shall be led along an easy road so that no one will stumble. The Lord’s kindness and mercy are on all these weak and broken people. Here and in Psalm 126 we find the most lovely poetic images of God’s love and care for us. “Those that sow in tears/shall reap rejoicing. Although they go forth weeping, /carrying the seed to be sown,/they shall come back rejoicing, /carrying their sheaves” (Psalm 126:5–6). Although God had to punish Israel for their many sins, God never forgot them, scattered as they were, and brings them all back to the land of their ancestors, there to flourish and be joyful again. We can see in this the hope and the promise of our own redemption, gathered from the far corners of the earth into the great banquet of God. © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.

Mark Your Calendars!

February 13, 2010 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Mardi Gras Celebration

Join St. Monica Parish as we host a spectacular Mardi Gras celebration!

St. Monica Academy 5115 N. Mont Clare

Chicago, IL

Fun for the entire family! Games, food, beer garden, music, dancing, and much more!

Cash Raffle*

1st Prize $5,000

2nd Prize ~ $2,500 3rd & 4th Prize ~ $500 each 5th Prize ~ $250 6th thru 10th Prize ~ $100 each

Winner need not be present.

*Total prize money awarded shall be reduced proportionately if less than 500 tickets are sold. *

Raffle tickets will be on sale in the church foyer after every Mass on the following dates:

November 14-15th and December 19-20th.

$50 per ticket. Only 500 tickets will be sold. Proceeds to benefit St. Monica Academy For more information, please contact Traci Barrett, Mardi Gras Event Coordinator, at 773-774-3276.

Parish News . . .

October 25, 2009 Page 5

III Jose Alvarez and Cathy Alvarado

ICF ANNUAL DINNER-DANCE

The St. Monica Italian Catholic Federation invites everyone to its annual dinner-dance fundraiser.

Date: Saturday, November 21st. Time: 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Place: Poretta’s Banquets 3718 N. Central Ave. Chicago, IL

The evening features an open bar, full dinner, dancing and a small raffle.

Proceeds from the evening will support the apostolic works of the ICF in our community.

Tickets are $50 per person.

Space is limited to 100 guests, so please reserve your tickets as soon as possible. For ticket information, please call Greg Lamb at 773-763-2572 or e-mail dlamb7002@sbcglobal.net.

Deadline for reservations is November 1st.

Baptized October 17, 2009 Olivier Luksz– Son of Grzegorz and Marta (Wrzask) Charkiewicz

Baptized October 18, 2009 Callie Mairéad— Daughter of James and Kimberly (Otterson) Basso Timothy George— Son of Kevin and Stephanie (Palek) Church Quinlan Patrick— Son of Rhandimil and Noreen (McSharry) Francisco

Welcome to our new children of God!

From OCTOBER 2009 through NOVEMBER 2009

ORDER A PERSONALIZED

BRICK (4X8) FOR ONLY $1OO.OO

Original price $125.00

Last day of special will be

November 30, 2009 They are a great gift idea to honor a loved one or to commemorate a special event.

Order forms are available in the school or parish office during regular office hours. Thank you for all your support. Aurora Castro Alumni Correspondent

St. Monica Academy is offering an Autumn Special

on the Alumni Bricks!

MONDAY, October 26, 2009 8:00 a.m. —+ Phil Gordon (10th Anniv.) + Ole Meyers & Walter Schiffer (Anniv.)

TUESDAY, October 27, 2009 8:00 a.m. —

WEDNESDAY, October 28, 2009 8:00 a.m. — Special Intention Thanksgiving for successful surgery

THURSDAY, October 29, 2009 8:00 a.m. — God’s guidance and protection for Alpha Company, 198th Infantry Battalion

FRIDAY, October 30, 2009 8:00 a.m. — + Lawrence V. Palm + Mary Amoroso

SATURDAY, October 31, 2009 4:00 p.m. — + Chester & Wanda Walker + Phil Gordon (Birthday) + Mary T. Kay

SUNDAY, November 1, 2009 7:30 a.m. — + Paul Pezanowski + Roman & Lottie Pezanowski + Maria & Frank Schroepher + Anna & Andrew Steinbach 9:00 a.m. —+ Gloria Gazda + Michael Shutak + Francesca Gambino + Calogero & Francesca Parrinello 10:30 a.m.—+ Motyl, Ozarka, & Nix Families + Ted & Michalina Bialek + James Marotta 12:00 p.m.—+ John Lajka + Joseph Metzger + For my friends who have died

POLISH MASS

1:30 p.m.— + Maria & Stanislaw Buch + Stanislaw Ziarko + Dariusz & Lezek Karas + Mieczyslaw Lipa

Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. We

ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen

In Our Thoughts and Prayers...

United States Air Force

Josh Breckon Brian Ostermann

United States Air Force Reserve

Anthony Pieske

United States Army James Ambriz

Kurt Beyer Nick Brodin

Andrew Dennison Michael G. Dobija Justin Elazegui

Walter Fernandez Lorraine Gunther Brandon Jackson Andrew Kupinski Marllon Lucero Erik Malenock Steven Powers

Christopher Walsh

United States Army Reserve Jason Adamczyk

United States Army Reserve, cont’d

Sean O’Grady Michael Vivirito

United States Coast Guard

Christine Ambriz

United States Marines Lukas Czynczyk Dominic Davila

David Domel, Jr. Martin Lange Mathew Lynn Scott Ruckrich

Christopher Ryan Nathan Schoemer

Mathew Walsh

United States Navy Joel Altenhoff

Justin Chovanec Clay Presny

Steven Stancy Richard Whitman, ET5

Nick Whitman, MP

We would like to pray for all of our loved ones who are serving in the armed forces. If you would like to submit a name for the list, please fill out the form below and drop it off in the parish mailbox or the Sunday collection basket.

Name____________________________________________ Branch of Service: ___________________________

October 25, 2009 Page 6

Special Prayers For Those Who Are In Need

Marilyn Belli, Sara Bosco, Jo Buscemi, Mary Buscemi, Rafaela Calabrese, Joseph D. Cid, Vito D’Alessandro, Christina Glynn, Fred Lasare, Allison Malecki, Cheryl Margiewicz, Frank Mendrick, Fr. Cos Militello, Jeff Perenchio, Joe Scelsi, Tim Sheehan, Dagmar Anna Simon, Denise Slaski, Joseph Wnek, Laverne Wurster, and all the sick and aged of our parish.

Our Heartfelt Condolences To The Family Of

Wilbur R. Stewart

Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him O Lord...

STEWARDSHIP Thank you to all who help the parish’s finances with their weekly donations. Your support is greatly appreciated.

REMEMBER ST. MONICA PARISH

At the time of a family member’s death, if you would like memorials to be made to St. Monica Parish, please instruct the funeral home to use the following in the death notice, “In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to St. Monica Parish, 5136 N. Nottingham, Chicago, IL 60656.” Envelopes can be provided by the funeral home.

St. Monica Parish can also offer a wonderful way to leave a legacy and to give a gift that forever perpetuates the Catholic faith. You can name St. Monica Parish as a benefactor in your will or life insurance. Contributions such as these can be directed to specific areas of our ministry, such as school development, facility improvements or for general parish need. After you have accommodated your wishes for your family, you may designate a specific dollar amount or simply allocate a percentage for the parish.

If you would like more information about making a gift through your will or life insurance, please call Dorothy Spencer, St. Monica Parish Finance Office, at 773-763-1661, ext. 130. We will give you details on how to ensure that your contribution is given specifically to our parish according to your wishes.

Thank you for your consideration.

October 25, 2009 Page 7

October 17 & 18, 2009 NEEDED PER SUNDAY $ 10,500.00 ENVELOPE $ 9,364.00 LOOSE $ 1,810.40

PARISH PAY $ 1,525.00 CHILDREN $ 32.00

$ 12,731.40 This Week—Thank you $ 2,231.40

YEAR TO DATE (7-1-09 to 6-30-10)

Required $ 168,000.00 Contributions $ 173,445.63 $ 5,445.63 Outstanding Parish Debt $ 440,662.39

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The LORD has done great things for us;

we are glad indeed. — Psalm 126:3

H1N1 FLU VIRUS— Promoting Health & Safety

Due to concerns about the H1N1 virus, we will no longer offer communion under both species, that is the bread and the wine. Eucharistic Ministers are asked to use the hand sanitizers before and after distributing communion. If you are not feeling well, we ask that at the exchange of peace, you merely nod to your neighbors instead of shaking hands. Also, if you receive the Host on your tongue, please consider receiving it in your hand and then put it into your mouth. Thank you for your understanding as we do our part to keep everyone healthy.

Parish News . . .

CHURCH ROOF FUND The Church Roof Fund Collection is officially under way. To date, we have collected $14,970.50. This

means we only have $45,029.50 to go. With your continued support of this project, we could see a new roof being installed around this time next year. Look for updates with this collection over the next several months.

Thank you for your generosity and continued support!

October 25, 2009 Page 8

IN REMEMBRANCE OF OUR LOVED ONES

All Souls Day will be upon us soon. Throughout the month of October, The Book of the Names of the Dead will be open for you to list loved ones and friends who have died for whom you wish prayers to be offered. This book will be located at the St. Monica Shrine, near the confessionals, and will be available throughout the month of November as well. If you wish to have your loved ones and friends remembered in the All Souls Day Mass, you must fill out an envelope as well and drop it off at the office or in the collection basket on the weekends.

WARM HANDS - WARM HEARTS

The Italian Catholic Federation of St. Monica will, once again, be collecting NEW gloves for the needy. Help us warm their hands while we open our hearts to God. Men’s, women’s, and children’s gloves will be accepted. Afghans, hats, and scarves are also greatly needed. You may bring these items to the Church foyer after all Masses on the weekend of November 7th & 8th.

“What we do for the least of our brothers and sisters we do also for God.”

THE ST. MONICA

ITALIAN CATHOLIC FEDERATION

ALL SOULS DAY MASS

On Monday, November 2nd, we will hold an All Souls Day Mass at 7:00 p.m. During this Mass, we will remember aloud those who have died in the last year. Also we will remember those whose names have been recorded in the Book of the Names of the Dead. As part of this celebration you are asked to bring pictures of any of your deceased loved ones, which will be displayed in the Church. After Mass, you may take them home with you. “DON’T FORGET”

Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 1st. Remember to turn your clocks back one hour!

Also, please remember to check the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

The Breakfast Club will be held on Wednesday, October 28th after

the 8:00 a.m. Mass.

Please join us for a spooktacular time!

Parish News . . .

October Count —What is it? This month, parishes around the country will conduct the “October count,” a measure of attendance at Sunday Mass. We are required by the Archdiocese to comply with this procedure. As we do our part, you may notice people standing in the back of church, or walking around with clipboards. Please know that they are simply assisting us with the Archdiocesan request by counting the attendance at each Mass. Nowadays, the October count has proved especially critical in the life of our Church as bishops use the figures to measure the vitality of church life, to sketch parish boundaries, and even to decide when to close, merge, or form new parishes.

—James Field, © Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co.

TO OUR LADY

Holy Mary, bring help to the miserable, strengthen those who are afraid, comfort those who mourn, pray for the world at large, plead the cause of the clergy, intercede for the devout. May all who pay homage to your holy name experience your powerful help.

—The (old) Breviary

October 25, 2009 Page 9

Academy News . . . St. Monica Academy Environmental Program Receives

$750 Grant from Harlem & Foster Mobil St. Monica Academy has received a $750 grant from the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance Program to support the school’s S.E.E.D.S. (Student Environmental Education and Development Studies) program. Victor Solia of Harlem and Foster Mobil at 5148 N. Harlem Ave., Harwood Heights, Illinois worked with school officials to secure this grant, which is one of 2,400 available to schools across the country served by Exxon or Mobil stations. The grants are made possible by funding from Exxon Mobil Corporation. The ExxonMobil Educational Alliance program is designed to provide Exxon and Mobil retailers with an opportunity to invest in the future of their communities through educational grants to neighborhood schools. ExxonMobil believes that, as members of the community, local retailers are best qualified to work with local educators to help identify schools and programs most in need of support. Owner, Victor Solia met stringent eligibility criteria before applying for and being awarded this grant including having a commitment to provide a superior buying experience for customers. For many years now, Mr. Victor Solia has made it possible for St. Monica Academy to receive this grant, which increased to $750 this year. We appreciate this support each and every year!

Liturgical Ministry Schedule

Servers for 8:00 a.m. weekday Mass November 2nd—6th are: R. Ranft and P. Saad

New Parishioner Registration/ Parishioner Information Update Form

We warmly welcome you and are very pleased that you have chosen to celebrate Mass with us here at St. Monica Parish. Your registration is very important, especially when it is time for infant Baptism, school registration, wedding, or funeral. We are often asked to provide letters as affidavits for Baptismal and Confirmation sponsors. We can only do this if you are a registered and active member in our parish. Please fill out the attached form to register with the parish or to make any necessary changes for information currently on file. Return this form to the parish office or call Sabina Debski, Parish Secretary, at (773) 763-1661. You may also register by visiting our website at www.stmonicachicago.com. Please check one: New parishioner Change of Name/Status Change of Address/Phone Moving, please remove from parish mailing list.

Mr. & Mrs. Miss. Ms. Mr. Last Name: ___________________________________________ First Name: ________________________________ Current Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________________________ Zip ______________________________ Phone Number: ___________________________________ Alternate Number: _______________________________

DATE TIME PRESIDER LECTOR EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS SERVERS

October 31st 4:00 Fr. W. Holbrook E. Podgorski D. Henry T. Lach C. Lyons

C. Sinfuego J. Moreno

November 1st 7:30 Fr. P. McGlynn D. San Buenaventura

M. Starck D. Ostermann

G. Ballesteros M. Janiga C. Loftus

9:00 Fr. A. Izyk M. Rozko B. Hojnacki G. Murawski J. Murawski A. Reisel K. Rzany K. Rzany R. Skubski

C. Gamboa E. Skibicki D. Tabang

12:00

Fr. J. Chrzan M. Birkmann E. Rubio G. Villalpando O. Villalpando

M. Mendoza L. Radom M. Walewender

1:30 Polish

Fr. A. Izyk TBA TBA TBA

10:30 Fr. R. Kalas Deacon Ron Gronek

W. Abraham J. Haderspeck J. Hilger S. Hilger P. Jankiewicz K. Knorr R. LaVecchia J. McGinnis J. Nowak J. Nowak P. Sawal

B. Hilger J. Hilger P. Saad

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Presider: M. Cerjak Reader: R. Rosenbusch Assistant: TBA