St. John of the Cross Parish - Sunday, March 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent
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St. John of the Cross Parish
5005 Wolf Road ~ Western Springs 60558 ~ 708-246-4404 ~ www.stjohnofthecross.org
Sunday, March 4, 2018 ~ Third Sunday of Lent
From the Desk of Fr. David
Dear Parishioners,
Last weekend we had a special Lenten gift through the ministry of Jesse Manibusan. I hope you and
your family were able to come to the Sunday afternoon or Monday evening concerts that he gave. He
also gave a concert to the school kids Monday afternoon. It was fun for me to watch the kids respond
and interact with him. They were loud when he wanted them to be loud and they were quiet when he
led them into silence. The children were excited and prayerful at the same time. I’m grateful to Janet
Caschetta and the YC staff for making the arrangements and providing hospitality for Jesse while he
was with us. How wonderful it would be if we adults were as excited and prayerful as the children
were when they were with Jesse.
It’s week three of Lent, which means we are about half way to Easter. Our perception of time is
interesting. For me, this February flew by. It is a very busy time of year for the parish and school. I
was at several funerals. Maybe the snow coming and going helped make the time seem to go by
quickly. (Thank God the sun came back!) I’m sure for others February dragged on, for whatever
reason. Grief, illness, a sense of helplessness and so many other dynamics can make time seem to
go slower and slower, each day, each minute dragging on seemingly forever. Either way, too fast, too
slow, is a perception, for the time was exactly the same, no matter how it was perceived.
The Gospel for this Sunday is not about what happened in an old building a long time ago. It is
about Jesus driving out the conflicted loyalties of our hearts, minds and souls. The demands of today
cannot be ignored, like our responsibilities to spouse and family, work and community. Perhaps,
though, in the quiet of our prayer, we can help organize (purify) the inner and outer demands of faith.
We live in the world believing it is not the only world we live in. How can our faithfulness to the
demands of today helps us focus the energy of our lives more and more on Jesus? The Ignatian
challenge of finding God in all things might be our best reminder. Don’t fail to stop and be aware of
the presence of God all around you. If you go too slow or too fast, you might miss it.
Until the Breaking of the Bread,
Fr. David
SJC welcomes Thomas Awiapo
from Catholic Relief Services at all Masses this
weekend. Thomas will share his own story of
survival and the stories of those brothers and
sisters who are the recipients of our prayers and
support through our Lenten CRS Rice Bowls. His
joyful presence in the US has brought inspiration
and global solidarity to thousands of people
across our country. Take advantage of all the
CRS Rice Bowl resources on our parish website.
St. John of the Cross Parish March 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent Page 2
RCIA
Rite of Sending-Rite of Election
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) is the process for becoming Catholic. This year our
parish has teamed up with our neighbor parish, St. Francis Xavier, to welcome and prepare all those
seeking to become Catholic. Both parish ministry teams have combined resources to accompany our
adult Candidates and Catechumen as they journey to make a faith commitment to Jesus in the
Catholic Church.
Last Sunday, February 25 at the 10:45am Mass our RCIA Candidates: Jilen, Kristi, Andrew,
Gretchen and Jennifer publicly expressed their desire to be in full communion with the Church with the
celebration and reception of the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil. At Mass
the Candidates signed the Book of the Elect and were affirmed by their sponsors and our parish faith
community. Then later in the day the group from both parishes traveled to Holy Name Cathedral to
present the Book of the Elect to Bishop Manz with other Catechumens and Candidates from
throughout the archdiocese.
As our Elect journey through these last weeks of Lent they continue to prepare to celebrate the
sacraments at the Easter Vigil through prayer, scripture study and spiritual direction. Join us as we
keep them in our prayers.
Pictured with their sponsors from the left are Jilen, Kristi, Andrew, (and below) Gretchen and Jennifer.
We stand with you. We pray for you. O holy child of God.
St. John of the Cross Parish March 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent Page 3
Lenten Overview Lent summons us, and enables us,
to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly
and in every aspect of our life.
Pope Francis Message for Lent
March 3-4 Third Sunday of Lent
CRS Rice Bowl Speaker at Homily at all Masses
March 6 Taizé Prayer 7pm
March 8 Lenten Yoga and Meditation 2pm and 7pm
March 9 Stations of the Cross 6pm in church
March 10-11 Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 12 Monday Evening in Lent: Fr. Rich on The Power of Forgiveness 7pm
March 15 The Joy of Striving to be an Authentic Catholic Man 7pm
March 17-18 Fifth Sunday of Lent
Crossroads Easter Basket Service Project
March 20 Parish Reconciliation Service 7pm
March 24 Extended Confession Time after morning Mass
March 24-25 Palm Sunday
Return Rice Bowls to church or Parish Center
March 29 Holy Thursday
March 30 Good Friday
March 31 Easter Vigil
April 1 Easter Sunday
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS
Lenten Reflection by Fr. Rich
Based on the teaching and practicing of St. John Paul II
Monday, March 12
“Forgiveness is above all 7:00pm in Church
a personal choice, a deci-
sion of the heart to go
against the natural in-
stinct to pay back evil
St. John of the Cross Parish March 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent Page 4
Lenten Programs
SAM: The Joy of Striving to be Journey to the Heart:
an Authentic Catholic Man: Gentle Yoga &
March 15 @ 7pm in the LRC in School Christian Meditation
Men of the parish: Do you need help to keep your Every Thursday in Lent
awesome Lenten journey in high gear and prepare from 2-3pm and 7-8pm
yourself for Easter and Divine Mercy* Sunday (the weekend in the Parish Center.
after Easter)?
The Men's Club will host a SAM gathering on Thursday Designed to be an easy, obstacle-free
evening, March 15th at 7pm led by Sean Tierney, MD. Dr. and welcoming respite from the hustle
Tierney will share his personal testimony and an inspirational bustle of life...all you have to do is
talk including a primer to get ready for Divine Mercy Sunday. come. The purpose of yoga is to
Dr. Tierney is a Western Springs cardiologist who has prepare the body for meditation and we
been married 20+ years with 5 children -- and is one of will do that gently, each to their own
the founders of Chesterton Academy of the Holy Family, a capacity, before moving into a period of
Catholic high school in Downers Grove. He is a frequent seated silence and stillness, followed by
contributor on Relevant Radio and most importantly a Child a short introductory teaching on
of God. meditation from the World Community
Come join us for a special weekday edition of Spirituality for Christian Meditation (wccm.org).
Among Men and take home some free books and CDs. Each respite will last 1 hour or less and
*Note: If you are not familiar with Divine Mercy, the message be followed by an optional, informal,
is simple. It is that God loves us – all of us. And, he wants us short time for questions, comments, or
to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins, so that maybe just a few more minutes to
we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it transition back into your day or evening.
flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share His “No experience” through “very
joy. experienced” in yoga and/or meditation
Note from the Men’s Club: On each Friday evening are welcome. This includes the curious,
during Lent members of the SJC Men’s Club will lead the skeptics, the faithful, the nones,
Stations of the Cross people 14 and up (due to need to sit
quietly for meditation), folks from other
in the church starting at 6pm. faith traditions, those passing through,
We are looking for men from our parish to help lead the people with aches and pains or limited
pilgrimage from station to station each week. If you can only range of motion, athletes, artists...in
help out one Friday night…great. If you can participate all six other words, YOU. Come when you can!
Friday nights…wonderful. Whatever you can do would be
greatly appreciated. Do it for yourself -- get involved! This is
a wonderful opportunity to bring your family with you to pray
the Stations. For more information or to let us know your
availability, please email Charlie Thomas at
Special Lenten Opportunities
cdst225@gmail.com. for Reconciliation
Parish Reconciliation Service:
Tuesday, March 20 at 7pm in church
Hear God’s word proclaimed, then take part
in an examination of conscience. 8 priests
We adore you, O Christ and we praise you, from our parish and elsewhere will assist with
because by your holy Cross, individual confession and absolution as you
you have redeemed the world. are ready. Perfect for all ages.
Help us to walk with you Private Confessions:
on your journey to the Cross Saturday, March 24 after the 8am Mass
so that we may rise with you additional priests will be available to hear
confessions. (The sacrament of reconciliation
to new life on Easter. is available every Saturday after the morning
Lord Jesus crucified, Mass, except Holy Saturday.)
have mercy on us.
St. John of the Cross Parish March 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent Page 5
CRS Rice Bowl Almsgiving Care for God's Creation
Catholic social teaching inspires and guides
how we are to live and work in the world. In
this principle, Care for God's Creation, we
remember that God created every plant, every
mountaintop, every animal—everything. And
God said that these things are good. We find
God in these good things, and so we must
take care of creation—for ourselves and for
our entire human family.
Encounter Safiata
The dry and dusty climate of Burkina Faso means farming
can be difficult. It means water can be hard to come by.
And it means Safiata and her family often face hunger.
Even though she had two plots of land to farm, the many
months each year without rain made feeding her 9 children
and 16 grandchildren a real challenge.
That’s why Catholic Relief Services is providing farmers
like Safiata with more land to grow crops—like onions—that
thrive in dry climates. And thanks to a CRS-sponsored
irrigation system, she knows she’ll have access to water Whenever we stumble on life’s roads, you
year-round. That means her crops will grow, and she’ll be are with us. Your love enables us to get
able to sell some at the market. “I pay school fees thanks to
selling the vegetables. The vegetables help solve the
back up and start again. May our Lenten
problems my family faces,” Safiata says. prayer, fasting and almsgiving be an
Moreover, she can prepare for the future. Together with encounter with your mercy. May our
others, Safiata is putting a little of the income she earns experience of your selfless love inspire us
from selling her crops at the market into a community to “go and do likewise,” becoming
savings pool. “If you face difficulties, the community will companions for our neighbors most in
help you,” she says. Those who contribute can borrow need, and for every member of our
money from the fund for emergencies, school fees for their
children, or to build businesses. human family.
God of all people, may we be your hands in caring for all creation.
Our Catholic community in the United States does something amazing each Lent. We come together to practice
prayer, fasting and almsgiving—and by doing so we help lift families and communities out of poverty and put them on
a path toward resilience, prosperity and stability. That’s the CRS Rice Bowl effect. Through this tradition, we have
helped families around the world and in our own backyard by raising our voices and our prayers, and by making
sacrificial gifts. Thank you for your generosity.
Clean drinking water support for Seeds and training support to Health exams and treatment
vulnerable communities help farmers improve harvests support for children
St. John of the Cross Parish March 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent Page 6
Lifelong Learning We come before you, O God,
with open and humble hearts.
Background on the Gospel Give us the vision to seek you in all things,
In today’s Gospel we read about how Jesus overturned the so that our lives may be made
tables of the merchants and the moneychangers in the Temple at
Jerusalem. In order to understand the relevance of Jesus’ action, complete in your joy and
we must learn more about the activities that were going on in the made whole in your compassionate love.
temple area. Worship at the Temple in Jerusalem included animal Hear these prayers we ask of you
sacrifice, and merchants sold animals to worshipers. in the name of Jesus, our Redeemer.
Moneychangers exchanged Roman coins, which bore the image of Amen.
the Roman emperor, for the temple coins that were needed to pay
the temple tax.
Jesus’ action at the Temple in Jerusalem is recorded in all four
Gospels and is often understood to be among the events that led Living the Gospel
to Jesus’ arrest and Crucifixion. The Gospel of John, however, Today we depart from the Gospel of Mark
places this event much earlier in Jesus’ public ministry than do the and read the Gospel of John. The story of
Synoptic Gospels. In John’s Gospel this event occurs at the very Jesus driving out the money changers
beginning of Jesus’ ministry, after his first miracle at the wedding happens during Holy Week in the Synoptic
feast at Cana. Gospels, but early in Jesus’ ministry in
We must read the Gospel of John carefully, especially in its John’s gospel. At the time of Jesus, the
presentation of Jesus’ relationship to Judaism. The Gospel of John temple had become a place of
tends to reflect greater tension and animosity between Jesus and commodification. Oxen, sheep, and doves
the Jewish authorities than the Synoptic Gospels. The Gospel of were sold to be sacrificed. It wasn’t enough
John was the last of the four Gospels to be written, and its for one to bring one’s own animals. They
narrative reflects the growing divide between the Jewish had to pass an inspection, and were “pre-
community and the early Christian community. Thus, greater certified,” so to speak, guaranteed to be
emphasis on the distinction between Christianity and Judaism is without blemish and worthy of sacrifice. It
found in John’s Gospel. does not take much imagination to think
Reflecting upon the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem (A.D. there might have been a markup for this
70), John recalls Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple and uses that quality assurance. For a nice price you
story to interpret this later event. John explains to his audience, an could buy a worthy sacrifice. How quickly
early Christian community, that temple worship would no longer be and easily does religion seem to fall into a
necessary because it was surpassed in the passion, death, and trap of commodification? Similar things
Resurrection of Jesus. With greater frequency than the other have happened in our own church history
Evangelists, John intersperses post-Resurrection reflections of this as well. The selling of indulgences readily
Christian community in his narrative. comes to mind.
After clearing the Temple of the merchants and the The unholy alliance of money and the
moneychangers, John’s Gospel tells us that the people asked for a access to religion that it buys were
sign of Jesus’ authority to do such an audacious act. In response, scandalous then, and should be scandalous
Jesus predicted his death and Resurrection. Throughout John’s today. Jesus responds to this scandal as
Gospel, the language of signs is distinctive. Jesus’ miracles are the Scriptures foretold (Ps 69:9). He is
called signs, and the people look to these signs for proof of his zealous, passionate for his Father’s house,
authority. Here we learn that the sign par excellence will be Jesus’ which has been turned into a bazaar. But
passion, death, and Resurrection. for Jesus, the temple is holy, not worthy of
During Lent we reflect upon the meaning of this sign for us and profanation, neither the Father’s house nor
for our world. We might take this opportunity to consider the quality Jesus’ own self. The example Jesus gives
of our prayer and worship. In our prayers we seek to deepen our us today demands consideration. We must
relationship with the person of Christ. In our worship with the recoil at every instance of commodified
community, we gather to experience anew the passion, death, and religion, or a selling of God’s grace. God’s
Resurrection of Jesus and its significance in our lives. Christ presence is not to be bartered; it is not a
promises to be present with us when we gather for prayer. commodity. God’s grace is freely given to
Loyola Press all. ©Living Liturgy
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 4th Sunday of Lent
2 Kgs 5:1-15ab Dan 3:25, 34-43 Deut 4:1, 5-9 Jer 7:23-28 Hos 14:2-10 Hos 6:1-6 2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23
Pss 42:2, 3; 43:3, 4 Ps 25:4-5ab, 6 Ps 147:12-13, Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 Ps 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10- Ps 51:3-4, 18-19, Ps 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
Luke 4:24-30 and 7bc, 8-9 15-16, 19-20 Luke 11:14-23 11ab, 14 and 17 20-21ab Eph 2:4-10
Matt 18:21-35 Matt 5:17-19 Mark 12:28-34 Luke 18:9-14 John 3:14-21
St. John of the Cross Parish March 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent Page 7
Prayer
Meditate PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY
Form a new heart within. As Jesus sought the quiet of the desert,
This Sunday brings us closer teach us to pray.
As Jesus washed the feet of his disciples,
to the font of renewing our baptismal commitment.
teach us to love.
As Jesus promised paradise to the thief on the cross,
We are deeply aware that teach us to hope.
there is a struggle going on in us. As Jesus called Peter to walk to him across the water,
We turn to God, that teach us to believe.
we might not become discouraged. As the child Jesus sat among the elders in the temple,
We rely on God's compassion and love for us. teach us to seek answers.
We acknowledge who we are As Jesus in the garden opened
- sinners who experience his mind and heart to God's will,
the consequences of our selfishness - teach us to listen.
but we know we are loved and As Jesus reflected on the Law and the prophets,
we desire to be filled with hope. teach us to learn.
We go into this week renewed in our desire As Jesus used parables
to continue our to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom,
prayer, fasting and generosity toward others. teach us to teach.
USCCB
Pray
Let us praise our loving Redeemer,
who gained for us this season of grace, Heavenly Father,
and pray to him, saying: we thank You for
Lord, create a new spirit in us. this time of preparation,
Christ, our life, this time of purification.
through baptism we were buried with you That we may be able to live our lives more
and rose to life with you, fully in You and with You.
- may we walk today in newness of life. We ask You especially
Lord, you have brought blessings to all mankind, for the gift of clarity,
- bring us to share your concern for the good of all. so that we may see
May we work together to build up the earthly city, from Your perspective,
- with our eyes fixed on the city that lasts for ever.
Healer of body and soul, cure the sickness of our that we may adopt Your ways.
spirit, So that we may think and see,
- so that we may grow in holiness speak and act as You would,
through your constant care. so that we may become
Your representatives in this world
Loving Father, that needs Your help so much.
So many times I turn away from you We ask your blessing upon each of us in the
and always you welcome me back. name of the Father,
Your mercy and love gives me confidence and of the Son,
Thank you for the invitation to share, fast and pray and of the Holy Spirit.
so that you can form a new heart within me. Amen.
Your powerful compassion for my weaknesses Rev. Chase Hilgenbrinck from Pray More Lenten Series
leads me to ask for mercy
and await with great hope
the Easter joy you share with us. Creighton
I have come to believe that the deepest movements of our hearts, those times when we are touched by the joys
and sorrows of others, reflect the heart of God. Compassionate God, help me open my heart to the joys and
sorrows of others, and in so doing reflect your heart. Living Lent
St. John of the Cross Parish March 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent Page 8
Lent in the Fast Lane
The fast pace of your life may seem to leave little time and energy for the traditional Lenten practices.
But you can weave moments of spiritual awareness and service into even the busiest of schedules.
The trick is to see Lenten practice as part of, rather than in addition to, each activity of your ordinary
hectic day.
The three foundational practices of Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Here’s how to think about
them in a new way:
Praying Daily
If you make a habit of saying a little prayer whenever someone irritates you, cuts you off in traffic, or
makes life difficult; when someone does you a favor, you experience great and friendly service, or
when something joyful happens to you—you will soon find yourself praying your way through the day.
You will find that this habit makes your life flow smoother, your self more centered, and your Spirit
more aware of God’s presence.
A Different Type of Fasting
There are many ways to fast. Why not fast from criticism, gossip, judging others, or passing on
rumors? Why not abstain from unwarranted fear and anxiety? You can also tell that inner voice inside
your head that criticizes you to abstain from eroding your ability to be the confident, blessed person
God calls you to be. These are beautiful ways to observe the Lenten call to fasting and abstinence.
Give of Yourself
Daily life also offers countless opportunities to give of yourself to others (alms), and most don’t involve
dipping into your wallet. Give encouragement to the doubting, give a word of praise to the insecure,
show kindness to someone who could use a friend, and offer a word of thanks to those whose service
of others often goes unappreciated. Give the gift of your attention to someone who simply wants to be
noticed. Tell your children stories about people whose values you admire when you gather at
mealtime. Don’t be stingy with your smiles—give them freely to everyone you meet. And most
important, give your love to those close to you. Hug them, hold them, and tell them what they mean to
you. In this way you open your heart to God and others.
So no matter how busy your are in life, with some greater awareness and new perspectives you can
consciously pray, fast, and give of yourself this Lent—and you will be ready to celebrate when a joyful
dawn breaks upon you Easter morning. Loyola Press
St. John of the Cross Parish March 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent Page 9
Outreach
“The only thing we take with us when we die is what we have given away.”
Quote from Cardinal Francis George was shared by Seattle Archbishop Peter Sartain on April 23 during the homily at the Cardinal’s funeral Mass.
SJC’s Food Collection in our Church Narthex
Through your incredible generosity, for over 25 years our parish has collected nonperishable food and
household paper products to help those less fortunate. The need for supplemental food for families and
seniors continues to grow as more people are living in poverty, are out of work or are not making as much
as they should be—more families are struggling to cover the basic necessities of modern American living:
food, shelter, health care, clothing and transportation.
Each month our donations are delivered to a different food pantry. Twice a year we deliver food to nearby
neighboring parish food pantries at St. Francis Xavier, St. Cletus and St. Barbara’s in Brookfield. New this
month: In March SJC will deliver our food pantry donations to St. Blase in Summit. Catholic Charities runs
an Emergency Food Pantry in the basement of St. Blase. The parish, run by Polish Albertine Sisters, is
home to Hispanic, African American and Polish people. Over 1000 families receive food each month from
the pantry 3 days per week. In addition, donated bread, vegetables and fruits are distributed on designated
days; about 50 seniors stop in weekly for bags of food on their special day; and once a week the location
provides a catered hot dinner for 60-70 people. The pantry frequently runs out of food to distribute to those
in need.
When you come to Mass please bring one or two food items to share with the St. Blase Food Pantry.
Their greatest needs include: macaroni and cheese, rice, beans, soups—but any food item will be
appreciated. Thank you for your care and generosity to those living in poverty in our area. Pictured below at
the Food Pantry from left to right are: parishioner, Susan Mazur, Sr. Beniamina, Sr. Nicola, Anel Navarro
from Catholic Charities, and Sr. Marta.
St. John of the Cross Parish March 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent Page 10YC: Excellence in Religious Education
Last weekend at Mass and at 3 concerts SJC parishioners were inspired by songwriter, musician, Jesse
Manibusan. Pictured here are families getting ready for the Sunday concert. Watch for more pictures next
week and on our website.
The best legacy children
can receive from parents is faith.
YC
Classes K-6 Sundays 10:15-11:30am March 11, 18, April 8, 15, 22
Classes K-6 Mondays 6:15-7:30pm March 12, 19, April 9, 16, 23
6th Grade Stations Play March 11-12
Jr Hi Sm Groups Home Settings March 11 7th gr in homes /8th gr in pc
April 8 in Homes
Adaptive Catechesis March 11, April 8
FFC Work Due April 30
Registration for next year March 18-19
St. John of the Cross Parish March 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent Page 11Parish School
Parish School Gala
The Parish School Advisory Board together with the Teacher Recognition Trust (TRT) cordially invite you to their Winter Gala, a
celebration of our parish school and teachers on Saturday evening, March 10. The proceeds from this fundraiser will go to the
Teachers Recognition Trust (TRT) and to the school to help offset the cost to provide the excellent Catholic education at St. John of
the Cross Parish School. Your generosity in attending and sponsorships are truly appreciated.
Lemonade War Combines Literacy and Giving
During the month of February St. John of the Cross Parish School embarked on a special
project—an all school book club, “One School, One Book.” Each family received a copy of The
Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies to read
at home over the month. The One School,
One Book program comes to SJC from Read
to Them® a non-profit organization that
promotes family literacy to create a culture of
literacy in every home.
Read to Them educates families and
schools on the benefits and importance of
reading aloud at home. A growing body of
research describes the complex and
permanent effects of reading aloud. Children who are read to learn
to read more easily and become better readers. Literacy skills
provide the basis for a lifetime of learning and productivity.
Led by our school librarian, Sue Michalowski, our One School,
One Book program is in its 4th year at SJC. Students, teachers
and families look forward to participating in this program each
year. In school, the children answer daily trivia questions to
encourage and reward attentive listening. At home, families read
together out loud.
In conjunction with the book we read this year, students and
teachers also participated in their own “Lemonade War.” Each
grade level sponsored a lemonade stand during lunch periods to
raise money for The Chicago Collegiate Charter School’s library.
Fourth Grader Kate Zimmer enjoyed her special lemonade treat,
but even more importantly she liked that it was for a good cause.
“We are raising money for a school that doesn’t have any books.
We are buying lemonade so they can buy their own books.”
St. John of the Cross Parish March 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent Page 12Crossroads Parish News
Easter Basket Service Project The Week Ahead
All parish 3rd and 4th graders and Crossroads teens are invited to Monday, March 5
help with the annual Easter Basket Project on Sunday, March 9:30am Spiritual Journeying
18 from 6-7pm in the Parish Center. Baskets are put together for 10:30am Step 11 Christian Meditation
children living in area homeless shelters and also for kids in the Off 1:00pm Little Rock Scripture Study
the Street Club. We provide the baskets but ask that everyone 2:30pm Adoration
bring small toys and candy to fill them. Be a part of this rewarding YC Classes
7:00pm Boy Scouts
fun event!! Adult helpers needed too. Any questions? Email
7:00pm Fest Planning Meeting
maryjoquirk@comcast.net.
Tuesday, March 6
9:00am Parent Association Meeting
9:05am Tuesdays with Mary Rosary
6:00pm Kairos Work Night
6:00pm RCIA
7:00pm Taize Prayer Service
7:00pm YC Council Meeting
7:30pm Christian Meditation
Wednesday, March 7
9:30am Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Buddy's Place Spring Program Schedule 2:30pm Christian Meditation
8 Week Session Begins April 3rd - Registration is open! 3:30pm St. John of the Cross Study Group
Buddy's Place is a family based children's grief support program for 3:45pm Cherub Choir Rehearsal
families with children ages 4-18 who have experienced the death of a 6:30pm SPRED
someone important in their life, such as a parent, sibling, 7:00pm Bridges Faith Sharing
grandparent, or friend. The Monthly Gatherings and 8 Week Session are 7:00pm Chicago Catholic Scripture School
free to the families who attend. 7:30pm Traditional Choir Rehearsal
Buddy's Place, a program of Pillars Community Health, offers a Thursday, March 8
monthly family support group that meets on the 2nd Monday of every 9:00am Women's Club Flourish
month. All groups meet from 6:15pm - 7:30pm. The dates for the spring 2:00pm Journey to the Heart - Yoga and Meditation
and summer Monthly Gatherings are: Monday, March 12, April 9, May 3:45pm Youth Choir Rehearsal Church/Community
7, June 11, and July 9 (Annual Picnic). 6:00pm Kairos Work Night
The 8 Week Session is a family-based bereavement support group that 7:00pm Divorce & Beyond
provides support and grief education. It meets for 8 consecutive Tuesday 7:00pm Journey to the Heart - Yoga and Meditation
evenings in Western Springs from 6:15pm - 7:30pm. Beginning April 3. 7:30pm Contemporary Ensemble Rehearsal
There is no cost to participate in Buddy's Place however registration is 7:30pm Men's Club SAM Meeting
required. Additional information on Buddy's Place can be found at on Friday, March 9
the Buddy's Place webpage. Families should call Michelle Halm at 9:00am Mom's Club
708.995.3750 or send an email to buddysplace@pchcares.org to 6:00pm Stations of the Cross
7:00pm Student Council Dance
register or for more information.
Saturday, March 10
School Gala Tonight
Save the Date!
7:00am Christian Meditation
Training for New Communion Ministers will take place in church on Sunday, March 11
Sunday, April 29 at 2:30pm. YC Classes
1:30pm Baptisms
Job Search Assistance: Come on Thursday, March 15 from 7-9 pm in the Parish Center to learn more
about using Twitter and other social media tools in your job search. With TweetMyJobs listing over one-and-
a-half-million job tweets in just 30 days, there's no question that Twitter and social media are a must-use
resource for job seekers. Speaker, Falise Platt, has worked with a wide variety of companies providing them
with strategic direction in establishing their social media presence. Falise will explain why you should sign
up, how to sign up and why you'll want to incorporate Twitter and Facebook as part of your search. This
meeting is open to everyone and there is no cost to attend. www.interfaithcareernetwork.org.
Cookie Service Project: Baked or store bought cookies are needed for the Off the Street Club’s Annual
Circle of Friendship Party on March 10. Package 6 cookies on a disposable plate placed in a Ziploc baggy.
Bring to the Parish Center lobby on March 8 or 9 before 5pm. Do not bring cookies that contain nuts or
peanuts.
St. John of the Cross Parish March 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent Page 13OUR ACHE FOR EARTHLY IMMORTALITY
We share the world with more than seven and a frustrating task of assuring for ourselves
half billion people and each of us has the something which only God can give us,
irrepressible, innate sense that we are special and significance and immortality. Ordinary life then
uniquely destined. This isn’t surprising since each never seems enough for us, and we live restless,
one of us is indeed unique and special. But how competitive, driven lives. Why isn’t ordinary life
does one feel special among seven and half billion enough for us? Why do our lives always seem too
others? small and not exciting enough? Why do we
We try to stand out. Generally we don’t succeed, habitually feel dissatisfied at not being special?
and so, as Allan Jones puts it, “We nurse within our Why our need to leave a mark? Why does our
hearts the hope that we are different, that we are own situation often feel so suffocating? Why can’t
special, that we are extraordinary. We long for the we more easily embrace each other as sisters and
assurance that our birth was no accident, that a brothers and rejoice in each other’s gifts and each
god had a hand in our coming to be, that we exist other’s existence? Why the perennial feeling that
by divine fiat. We ache for a cure for the ultimate the other is a rival? Why the need for masks, for
disease of mortality. Our madness comes when the pretense, to project a certain image about
pressure is too great and we fabricate a vital lie to ourselves?
cover up the fact that we are mediocre, accidental, The answer: We do all of these things to try to
mortal. We fail to see the glory of the Good News. set ourselves apart because we are trying to give
The vital lie is unnecessary because all the things ourselves something that only God can give us,
we truly long for have been freely given us.” significance and immortality.
All of us know what those words mean: We Scripture tells us that “faith alone saves.” That
sense that we are extraordinary, precious, and simple line reveals the secret: Only God gives
significant, irrespective of our practical fortunes in eternal life. Preciousness, meaning, significance
life. Deep down we have the feeling that we are and immortality are free gifts from God and we
uniquely loved and specially called to a life of would be a whole lot more restful, peaceful,
meaning and significance. We know too, though humble, grateful, happy, and less competitive if we
more in faith than in feeling, that we are precious could believe that. A humble, ordinary life, shared
not on the basis of what we accomplish but rather with billions of others, would then contain enough
on the basis of having been created and loved by to give us a sense of our preciousness, meaning,
God. and significance.
But this intuition, however deep in our souls, Thomas Merton, on one of his less restless days
invariably wilts in the face of trying to live a life wrote: “It is enough to be, in an ordinary human
that’s unique and special in a world in which billions mode, with one’s hunger and sleep, one’s cold and
of others are also trying to do the same thing. And warmth, rising and going to bed. Putting on
so we can be overwhelmed by a sense of our own blankets and taking them off, making coffee and
mediocrity, anonymity, and mortality and begin to then drinking it. Defrosting the refrigerator,
fear that we’re not precious but are merely another- reading, meditating, working, praying. I live as my
among-many, nobody special, one of billions, living Fathers have lived on this earth, until eventually I
among billions. When we feel like this, we are die. Amen. There is no need to make an assertion
tempted to believe that we are precious and unique of my life, especially so about it as mine, though
only when we accomplish something which doubtless it is not somebody else’s. I must learn to
precisely sets us apart and ensures that we will be live so as to gradually forget program and artifice.”
remembered. For most of us, the task of our lives Ordinary life is enough. There isn’t any need to
then becomes that of guaranteeing our own make an assertion with our lives. Our
preciousness, meaning, and immortality because, preciousness and meaning lie within the
at the end of the day, we believe that this is preciousness and meaning of life itself, not in
contingent upon our own accomplishments, on having to accomplish something special.
creating our own specialness.
And so we struggle to be content with ordinary Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser
lives of anonymity, hidden in God. Rather we try to
stand out, to leave a mark, to accomplish
something extraordinary, and so ensure that we will
be recognized and remembered. Few things
impede our peace and happiness as does this
effort. We set for ourselves the impossible,
St. John of the Cross Parish March 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent Page 14Pray for Our Sick Mass & Reconciliation Schedule & Intentions
Fawwaz Al-Zyoud Monday, March 5 Lenten Weekday
Charlene Behrends 7:45am Irene O’Connor; Muriel Albertson
Kathleen Carpenter Tuesday, March 6 Lenten Weekday
Crystal Deters 7:45am John Kravcik; Judy Burke
Lynn Freking Wednesday, March 7 Lenten Weekday Saints Perpetua and Felicity
Rich Gamache 7:45am Ron Tamer; John Brehm; Our Beloved Dead
Thomas Halm Thursday, March 8 Lenten Weekday St. John of God
Kay Holden 7:45am Bob Moore; John Brehm
Karen Hult Friday, March 9 Lenten Weekday St. Frances of Rome
Virginia Jakubczak 7:45am Lita Porter; Irene Cravens
Cheri Jeffrey Saturday, March 10 Lenten Weekday
Cathy Laskey
8:00am Anna Marie Berland; Helen Marron
Susan Fec Lederer
Erin Lively
~ Confessions after Morning Mass ~
Palma Martorano 5:00pm Joan & John Kravcik; Amedeo & Adina Misantoni
Marty McGuire Sunday, March 11 Fourth Sunday of Lent
Clocks move forward 1 hour. Daylight Savings Time begins today.
Rev. Jerry Mulcahy
7:30am Eileen Runge & Pat Sheridan; Rita Marie Lopez
Olivia Murphy
Kathy Pecis
9:00am Patrick Kinney; Lucille Coughlin
Deacon Pablo Perez 10:45am Mary Bilotta; Randall Hemauer
Geno Pesce 12:15pm Deceased members of the Dwyer & Millette Families
Terry Pepin 5:00pm Mary Scally; Joan Dambra
Frank Pipal
Marie Principe
Joe Pustejovsky Pray for Our Beloved Dead
Beth Scanlan Michael Roache, brother in law of Sheila Hansen, uncle of Katie Leff, Meghan Selz, & Susan Sherlock
Rachael Schopp Raymond Kenny, father of Jayne Mikulski, grandfather of 4
Julie Schurba Joseph Stachniak
Claudine Snow Margaret Callaghan, mother of Timothy, Michael, & Katherine
Maggie Stott John Hartigan, husband of Cecelia
Shawn Sweeney
Don Vollmer Marriage Banns
Sharon Wildman Martha Thullen & Michael Pascarella
Rev. David P. Dowdle, Pastor
Stacie Pelletier & John Hamilton ddowdle@stjohnofthecross.org
Robyn Hund & Christopher Betz Rev. William J. Vollmer, Assoc Pastor
Pray for Our Loved Ones Serving Our Country bvollmer@stjohnofthecross.org
Staff Sgt. Steven Foody, son of Sandra Foody Rev. Rich Milek, Assoc Pastor
Sergeant Sebastian Grabacki, son of David & Jan Grabacki rmilek@stjohnofthecross.org
Sr A Joshua Tischler USAF Pararescue, grandson of Betty & Frank Madler & Mary Tischler Deacon John Schopp, Deacon
Lance Corporal Daniel Pett, nephew of Kathryn Stimetz john.schopp@sbcglobal.net
Capt. James Maicke, grandson of Phil & Mike Maicke Bill Bright, Director of Outreach
Sgt. Robert Marburger, son of David and Kathleen Marburger bbright@stjohnofthecross.org
Janet Caschetta, Director of YC
Staff Sgt. Larry Waszak, grandson of Bruno and Barbara Gacek jcaschetta@stjohnofthecross.org
Petty Officer 3rd Class Mathew Strafaci, grandson of Sandra & Jim Strafaci Kathleen Gorman, Principal
Lance Corporal David Strafaci, grandson of Sandra & Jim Strafaci gorman@sjc.pvt.k12.il.us
Seaman Emily Strafaci, granddaughter of Sandra & Jim Strafaci Katie Hayes, Dir of Crossroads
Sgt. Michael Grabarek, relative of the LeFevour and Schillaci families khayes@stjohnofthecross.org
PFC Michael Frazee, grandson of Kay and John Johnson Jessica Koch, Director of Music
jkoch@stjohnofthecross.org
Spc. Douglas Junius, grandson of Ann Junius and son of Sue Junius MJ Martin, Director of Operations
PFC Kevin Lawinger, grandson of Roe and Bob Lawinger mjmartin@stjohnofthecross.org
Katie Nicholson, Crossroads Coord
knicholson@stjohnofthecross.org
Stay in the Know! Like SJC on Facebook at Steven Weigand, Pastoral Assoc
sweigand@stjohnofthecross.org
https://www.facebook.com/sjcwesternsprings
St. John of the Cross Parish March 4, 2018 Third Sunday of Lent Page 15Lenten Taizé Prayer
Around the Cross
Tuesday, March 6 at 7pm in Church
Taizé prayer, a contemplative, candlelit prayer service, has its roots in the tiny village of
Taizé, located in the eastern part of France. Since 1940, Taizé has been home to an
international ecumenical monastic community whose prayer for peace, reconciliation, and
unity is the center of their life. Today, visitors of all ages from many and diverse countries and
religious traditions go to Taizé in pilgrimage to experience peaceful communion with God and
with one another.
Taizé prayer consists of simple, repetitive music interspersed with scripture readings and
long periods of silence. The repetition of mantra-like musical phrases draws us into deep
meditative prayer, to a space where we invite God’s voice to speak deep within us.
Instruments such as flute, oboe, and cello help to elevate the music and create a truly
prayerful environment.
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