St. Thomas More Chicago

Twenty-first Sunday of the Year, August 28th, 2010

Today’s gospel passage is unusual, if we carefully examine what it says. We hear at the start that Jesus told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table….. We are used to parables starting with phrases like, a father had two sons, or a sower went out to some sow seed, or the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a mustard seed. Parables usually are stories or images whose purpose is to illustrate some deeper point.
What we have today, though, is not just a story or an image; Our Lord, looking at the situation before Him, simply turns the reality of what He and the disciples are seeing into an opportunity for teaching an important lesson. When you are invited… to a marriage feast, do not sit down in a place of honor. He teaches by making a story exactly fit the reality before Him. It is an unusual parable, and in that its meaning seems to be clear: don’t be puffed-up and arrogant, but instead show a little bit of humility. The parable teaches the truth, but it hardly presents an original idea: Today’s first reading from the Old Testament book of Sirach (also called the book of Ecclesiasticus, a book not found in Protestant bibles) includes words quite similar to those in today’s gospel. The point, in fact, seems fairly obvious: nobody likes someone who is full of self-importance, and a little bit of mild self-deprecation can help you get on in life.
Humility is not a particularly popular concept today. We are going to spend much of the time between now and November 2nd (Election Day is on All Souls Day this year) listening to and reading about politicians who will tell us that they know how to solve what is wrong with America. The trouble with that is that, since 1968 when I cast my first vote for president (and you may remember the chaos of that year leading up to Election Day; the murders, first of Dr. King, then of Senator Kennedy; the riots in the streets of Chicago during the Democratic Convention), I have heard the same song sung, with not much humility, by practically anyone running for office. Yet, I have to tell you that, in my humble opinion, it seems to me that America’s problems and difficulties have grown ever larger and more serious over the past 40 years. And again, in my humble opinion, those problems and difficulties can be traced to a loss of morality on the part of many Americans. In 1973, the year I was ordained a priest and the year the Roe v. Wade came down from the U. S. Supreme Court, Dr. Karl Menninger published his book Whatever Became of Sin? Dr. Menninger even collaborated with Bishop Sheen to discover a biblical answer to his question; after a time he believed that the lack of a sense of sin could be attributed to demonic influence. That’s an important truth, because the whole history of man is a history of sin and, perhaps even worse than sin, a history of not acknowledging that there is such a thing as sin. In any disorder, recognition is the first step to recovery; it is utterly impossible to deal with a reality whose existence one does not even acknowledge. And that must make the devil dance with glee, to think that, after all these thousands of years of mankind’s history on earth, so many still do not recognize him or his handiwork – so many simply do not, seemingly can not, acknowledge the reality of sin.
The virtue of humility of which Our Lord speaks in His parable demands that each of us admit, not only that sin exists, but that each of us is a sinner. But the devil’s handiwork is well underway. Such large numbers of people, large numbers of Christians, even large numbers of Catholics, just cannot bring themselves to admit the sinful nature of abortion, or embryonic stem cell research, or homosexual marriage, or artificial contraception; even the sinful nature of lying (every one tells “little white lies”), cheating (everyone cheats at something: cards, speeding, taxes, one’s husband or wife), gossiping (it doesn’t really hurt anyone, especially if the one about whom gossip is spread never finds out), stealing (whether what is stolen is money or possessions or another’s good name and reputation – and everyone takes a just a few things from work – stamps, pencils – they’d say “yes, take it” if I asked). Such large numbers of people cannot bring themselves to admit to themselves (it really doesn’t have to be admitted to God, because God knows the truth, being the Truth Itself) that, in committing these actions, they are actually committing sins (and Catholics, at least, should then be not walking but running, or even, if one has to, crawling to Confession). It all goes back to the garden, and Adam and Eve, and the devil appearing as a serpent (a serpent, slithering along the ground; a serpent who must slither because he has no legs; a serpent who without legs, has no knees, and so is incapable of falling to his knees in humility before God); it all begins with the serpent’s temptation “You shall be like gods; you shall be as gods; between you and God there shall be no real difference; you can not do anything wrong; you cannot do evil). Pride eliminates the possibility of admitting to sin; pride excludes humility, because humility will make a genuinely humble man face the ultimate reality and honestly – even happily – admit that God alone is God but that he is not God.
And note especially how Our Lord sums up His parable: “Every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Here Our Lord says “…every one…” who exalts himself will be humbled, but just “…he…” – “…the one…” — just one person — who humbles himself will be exalted. Here is the deeper meaning of the parable. Recall that the parable began by saying “…He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor….” Our Lord does not observe that only some did this, but that “…those who had been invited…were choosing the places of honor…”; everyone did it – everyone was scrambling for the head of the table. So then He concludes “…Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted….”
These words are also the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians, which is read at Mass on Palm Sunday (if you pray The Divine Office, The Liturgy of the Hours, you will have prayed these verses last night at First Vespers): “Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who though He was by nature God, did not consider being equal to God a thing to be clung to, but emptied Himself, taking the nature of a slave and being made like unto men…He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death, even to death on a cross. Therefore God also has exalted Him…and every tongue should proclaim that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father….” “…the one who humbles himself shall be exalted….” This, then, is what makes this parable more than Our Lord’s advice about table etiquette; He tells a parable about the state of humanity, the reality of sin, and genuine humility. All humanity “…exalts itself…” through the sin of pride: that desire of Adam and Eve to be like God, a desire which we have all inherited from Adam and Eve in original sin, replacing genuine humility (Only God is God, and I am not) with pride (Anything I do has to be good, since there is no reality called sin). And the result is what we see around us and what we read in the papers and see on the TV news: secular society believes that the only sin is believing that there is such a thing as sin, and so believing that certain actions are sinful actions; rather now there comes a secular redefining the reality of “sin” (though the word “sin” is never used): it’s what society recognizes as “secular sin” – the denial of the “gospel of political correctness” – and we are becoming ever more familiar every passing day with its “commandments: those opposing homosexual marriage are guilty of the “sin” of homophobia; those opposing abortion are guilty of the “sin” of radical opposition to the right of women to control their own bodies; those who oppose embryonic stem cell research are guilty of the “sin” of selfish opposition to cures for diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Humility submits oneself to God Who is not I; humility submits oneself to God’s law, natural law and supernaturally revealed law; it submits oneself to the Church Our Lord has given us, it submits oneself to the teaching and authority He has left us, lest we stray and find ourselves wrapped up in the confusion of our own sinful desires, the destructive realities we find in the evils of same-sex relations, artificially inhibiting conception of new life within marriage, murdering life in the womb or in the laboratory because what I want for me is more important than what God wants for me.
St. Paul, who knew the trials and the dead end of pride and prideful actions, wrote “…I live now, not I, but Christ lives in me….” To let Christ live in me, through me, using me as He wishes, taking me where I may not wish to go, in all things submitting my will to His will – this is the virtue of humility that is absolutely abhorred by Satan. In just three weeks, Pope Benedict will make an apostolic visit to Great Britain; the highlight of the visit will be the beatification of Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman. The pope’s visit has stirred a lot of controversy in a country that still harbors a good deal of anti-Catholicism, both institutionally and in individuals. Yet the Holy Father goes in humility, which is to say that despite the possible difficulties he may face, he goes to proclaim, not himself, not Benedict, but Our Lord Jesus Christ. In his work The Idea of a University, Cardinal Newman writes about the humility a priest must have in preaching and offering the sacrifice of the Mass:
…In this respect the preacher differs….Clad in his sacerdotal vestments, he sinks what is individual in himself altogether, and is but the representative of Him from whom he derives his commission. His words, his tones, his actions, his presence, lose their personality; one bishop, one priest, is like another; they all chant the same notes, and observe the same genuflexions, as they give one peace and one blessing, as they offer one and the same sacrifice. The Mass must not be said without a Missal under the priest’s eye; nor in any language but that in which it has come down to us from the early hierarchs of the Western Church. But, when it is over, and the celebrant has resigned the vestments proper to it, then he resumes himself, and comes to us in the gifts and associations which attach to his person. He knows his sheep, and they know him….
The priest at the altar stands “in persona Christi,” “…in the person of Christ….” After having done that for more than 37 years, I can tell you that my own realization of just a fragment of that mystery is terribly frightening – and the temptation is always there for me, and, I think, for any priest, to think that “all this is really about me.” But it’s not, it never can be, and thank God for that. And if true for the priest at the altar, it’s also true for every follower of Our Lord as we move through this life toward the life to come. Really, your life is not about you, nor mine me; life, both yours and mine, is about God: knowing Him, loving Him, serving Him in this world in order to be happy with Him forever in heaven. Genuine humility is peace and joy in the sure hope that comes from knowing exactly who we are: we are those who have been exalted by the One Who humbled Himself by death on a cross; so we forever are sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father.

1970 Missal: Twenty-third Sunday Ordinary
The cost of laying a sure foundation and being victorious in the way of discipleship is great. Both require the reprioritization of one’s entire life, including one’s primary relationship and definition of success. The Cross of Christ is always near!

1962 Missal: Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Today’s Gospel shows us Christ’s compass-sion for a widowed mother whose dead son was being carried out for burial. It prefigures another mother, the Church, who weeps unceasingly over the spiritual death of so many of her children.

Holy Hour for Peace
While the Thursday afternoon Adoration and Holy Hour is for Vocations, the new Holy Hour on Wednesday morning is for peace amidst so much violence in our city and area. So join in Adoration from 7:15 to 8:15 on Wednesday mornings. We remember good St. Joseph, the man of peace.

St. Thomas More Food Pantry
We are almost ready to begin the Food Pantry. Thank you for all your donations and please keep them coming! Our plan, revised many times, is to begin small just by a word from you, our dear parishioners. Let us know those who need extra help. Through your gifts, we can now offer it!

Missionaries
We hope to welcome Father Dave Guidime and Father Lievin Ligonge to our Parish in the month of September 2010. Many of you remember them from their previous visits to STM. Of course they will be looking for your help for the charities back in their own diocese. I apologize for all the missionaries who came during the summer. STM is being known for your virtue of generosity and love of others. May Our Lord ,who welcomes sinners ,bless each of you!

Care of the Sick
Please, please, please! Please help us get information on the sick we pray for on Sunday and in the bulletin. The new priests are anxious to bring them Holy Communion and Anointing of the Sick and especially the great Apostolic Blessing!

Looking Ahead
September 8 – Birthday of Mary – Be sure to attend Mass on this day and say a special rosary as a Birthday gift to Our Mother and Queen. Join in the Wednesday Holy Hour in her honor!
September 14 – Exaltation of the Holy Cross Our church has such a beautiful cross for our meditation. We will have a special Solemn High Tridentine Mass on that Tuesday at 7:00 PM and a special holy card of our Cross will be given out.
September 19 – Grandparents Day. All your grandparents and family members are invited to the 10:00 Mass for a blessing and a reception.
Saturday, September 25, We will sponsor a bus to St. John Indiana for a visit to the Shrine of Christ’s passion. Reserve your place now with the Altar and Rosary women for the trip leaving here at 9:30 AM. Cost is only $15 per person!
September 26 – Marriage Day at the 10:00 Mass. Bring the whole family for a blessing and then a reception following.
October 2 – First Saturday – Guardian Angels feast. Why not make First Saturdays a part of your life? Do Our Lady of Fatima’s request!
Thursday, October 7 – Our Lady of the Rosary. This will be a Day of Prayer from 8:30 AM Mass to 6:30 PM and a special Mass for the Feast of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 PM. We pray for the end of abortion in our land. We pray for victory for Pro-life candidates in November and for a change of heart in those who promote abortion and who work at abortion mills. We pray for young woman who are pregnant and for their boyfriends, husbands and family and friends that all will work together to save lives and help women in crises. Our nation can be converted through prayer and penance. We still will have the Noon Mass and the Holy Hour for Vocations from 4:00 to 5:00 PM.
October 19 – First Class of the Catholic Faith Class. Sign up now!
October 23 – German Dinner and October Fest. Buy your tickets soon!
October 26 – Novena to the Poor Souls
November 1 – Feast of All Saints. Latin Mass at Noon.
November 2 – Feast of All Souls – Special Solemn High Tridentine Mass at 7:00 PM Reception in Donlan Hall. We pray for all those who have died in the past year.

SATURDAY: (SEPTEMBER 4TH) TWENTY – THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (VIGIL)
4:30 p.m. Health & blessings to Lorraine C. Dluhy and family (Dluhy Family)

SUNDAY: (SEPTEMBER 5TH) TWENTY – THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
8:00 a.m. Don & Darrell Skinner (Family)
10:00 a.m. Lazarus & Rose Halper (Gery & Sandra Halper)
12:00 p.m. Birthday Blessings for Alyssa Ellis (Grandma & Grandpa Ellis) (Traditional)
3:00 p.m. Wedding – Bernard Mattes Jr. & Diane Fodor
7:00 p.m. Walter Tkaczyk (Family)

MONDAY: (SEPTEMBER 6TH) WEEKDAY
6:30 a.m. Ellen Statkus (Family)
8:30 a.m. Poor Souls in Purgatory (Eileen Grady)
12:00 p.m. Donald Jaskolski (Jim Farrell)

TUESDAY:(SEPTEMBER 7TH) WEEKDAY
6:30 a.m. For the intentions of Susan Cunningham
8:30 a.m. John O’Shea (Family)
12:00 p.m. Patricia Norris (Norris Family)

WEDNESDAY: (SEPTEMBER 8TH) THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
6:30 a.m. For the intentions of Linda Andrejek (Denise Lonigro)
7:15 a.m. until 8:15 a.m. HOLY HOUR FOR PEACE
8:30 a.m. For the intentions of the Luke Family
12:00 p.m. Thanksgiving for Our Lady’s Blessings (Dolores Pogor)

THURSDAY:(SEPTEMBER 9TH) ST. PETER CLAVER, PRIEST
6:30 a.m. For all the parishioners
8:30 a.m. Armando, Theresa and Corinne Fanelli
12:00 p.m. Thomas Nessinger (Dr. B.R. Coglianese)
12:30 until 5:00 p.m.—ADORATION IN CHURCH

FRIDAY: (SEPTEMBER 10TH) WEEKDAY
6:30 a.m. Dolores V. Pogor (Dolores Pogor)
8:30 a.m. Ellen Statkus (Genevieve Jomantas)
12:00 p.m. John Norris (Norris Family)

SATURDAY: (SEPTEMBER 11TH) WEEKDAY
8:30 a.m. Maurice & Margaret McNulty (Family)
12:00 p.m. Health & Blessings for Brendan Hodges (Diane Zervos)(Traditional)

SATURDAY: (SEPTEMBER 11TH) TWENTY -FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (VIGIL)
4:30 p.m. Deceased members of Tyk Family (Graeber Family)

SUNDAY: (SEPTEMBER 12TH) TWENTY – FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
8:00 a.m. Living/deceased of William B. Walsh Family (Family)
10:00 a.m. Birthday Blessings for Marissa Fronczak
12:00 p.m. Bernard Striegel (Tom Striegel & Family) (Traditional)
7:00 p.m. For the intentions of Joe Chesna (Alagno Family)

ALTAR SERVERS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH
4:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH
8:00 a.m. John Lahart, Dan Lahart
10:00 a.m. Alejandro Liceaga, Louie Abramic, Luis &
Xavier Rosales
12:00 p.m. Brendan Hodges, David Nee, James Shine,
Dan Minnich, Joe O’Brien
7:00 p.m. Devin Jones, Ashley Collins, Julian Villegas

Last and final
weekend to buy your ticket after Mass.

Last Will and Testament
If you are contemplating making a will or changing your Will and plan to leave something to charity, please keep our parish in mind. A Bequest to your Parish continues your love and concern for your parish long after your life on earth has been completed.

WEEKLY FINANCIAL REPORT
COLLECTIONS
FY11 Budgeted for week of 8/29/10 $6,057.69
Collected for week of 8/29/10 $4,736.08
Surplus/(Shortfall) ($1,321.61)

Y-T-D Budgeted $54,519.21
Y-T-D Collected $49,876.59
Y-T-D Surplus/(Shortfall) ($4,642.62)

Pray For Our Sick Relatives/Friends
Fr. Dudley Day, Sister Maria-Paulina, Sr. Aquin, Baby Chinna, Ed Anderson, Mary Baker, Marion Barbas, Rosemary Besich, Samuel Bish, Gladys Bobbett, Stella Buch, Clarissa Bredy, Rita Burden, Arlene/Ken Burke, Bridget Byrnes, Cara, Cheryl Byrnes, June Carlson, Marianne/Joseph Carrabotta, Declan Clarke, Annamarie/John Clobuciar, Densey Cole, Abigail Daley, Michael Ellis, Charles Farber, Celeste, Augustine, Paul Fieramosca, Sgt. Bill Fleming, James Fowler, Amber Fronczak, Ruth Fudacz, Dorothy Geary, Marion Gegas, Betty/Roosevelt Gillespie, Bob Goldsmith, Pat Grady, Andrea Griffin, Ian Goldman, Robert Graff, Donna Habel, Sarah Hale, Linda Hand, Patti Hastings, Karen Hawkins, Georgia Herndobler, Brendan Hodges, Danny Host, Chris Humus, Julia Janes, Ronald Jankowski, Lucille Jaskolski, Jimmie, Victor Jonikas, Charlotte Kudia, Kylie, Mary Lathrop, Daniel & Jamie Lautenbach, Mary Lavin, Alex Liceaga, Joan Lickus, Janice/John Luke, Jim Littleton, Florence Klybor, Bernice Korthase, Lona Lane, John Lowery, Samantha Maher, Pat/John Margala, Marissa, Julie Martinez, Molly, Morgan Malone, Jack McDevitt, Bernie Mattes, Charles McCoy, Patricia McCann, Jack McDevitt, William McDonald, Marlene Melican, Rose Mineo, Derek Morg, Florence Mazur, Marge Onions, Frank Nolan, Joseph Palmeri, Dawn/Eddie/Francis Palmisano, Dolores Pogor, Lorraine Regan, Rita Reichelt, Bill Reilly, Jose/Guadalupe Rosales, Sarah, Tim Schell, Philip Sebastian, Irene Shields, Joseph Signore Sr., Mr. Schau, Lauren/Maryann Siniawski, Sheila Slonskis, Brian Smith, Phyllis Spizzirri, Norbert Stascak, Edwin Statkus, Daniel Stepansky, Robert Sterling, Rose Ann Swain, Bonny Surrello, Don Tadda, Johanna Van Arkel, Karen Waddle, Arlene Wall, Ursula White, Kevin Williams, Warren Wright, and Bob Young.

Prayer for Peaceful Rest
Dear Lord Jesus, as I rest in the comfort of your love, I ask to experience your gentle embrace as you tenderly wrap your loving arms around me. I trust your compassionate care will bring peace to my mind, serenity to my heart and renewal to my spirit. In your loving embrace, I ask that you grant me a peaceful night’s rest. Please purify my dreams, cleanse my subconscious and wash my thoughts with the purity of your infinite love. Please minister to my heart, mind, body, soul and spirit as I rest in your compassionate care tonight. Please send forth your protective angels to stand guard over me as I sleep. May your angelic army destroy all curses, hindrances and demonic influences that have been sent against my ability to experience a peaceful night’s rest. I ask that your heavenly host protect me as I stay awake and watch over me as I sleep, that awake I may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace. Amen.

Prayer Support for U. S. Military
STM is asking all the Parishioners to make a special effort to pray for our enlisted. especially:
Vito Barraco
Timothy Carl
Specialist Alex Chesna
PFC Joe Chesna U.S.M.C.
Lance Corporal Ryan Cistaro U.S.M.C.
Pvt. Kyle DalSanto U.S.M.C.
Pvt. Kevin Deering
Mike Diaz
Sergeant Christopher Dinaso
Sgt. Brendan Fassl, U.S.A.
Pvt. Tony Fernandez U.S.M.C.
Sgt. Bill Fleming
Brendan Galvin U.S.M.C.
Pvt. Ryne Kinsella
Zach Lacek
Lt. Patrick McInerney U.S.N.
Jerome Mingledolph Jr.
Nikki Omeara
Sgt. Jeff Palmisano
Sgt. Matthew Palmisano
Daniel Payne
Taylor Peters
P.F.C. Connor Rinehart U.S.M.C.
Lt. Sergio Sandavol
Zolton Waddle
Capt. Brian White – Afghanistan
Austin Whitney
S.S.G. Michelle Wilson
Thank You, Lord, for the men and women of our armed forces. Protect them as they protect us. Defend them as they defend us. Encourage and strengthen their spirit, soul, and body in the execution of their duties and responsibilities. May they be mentally and physically strong when required to face the challenges of combat. Undergird them with Your Holy Spirit and might when they are called upon to endure the hardships of battle.
I pray that nothing would take them by surprise, but that they would be aware of all potential aggression. Enable them to curtail hostile actions before they start. Reveal to military leaders the strategies and plots that enemies would wage. Give leaders wisdom and insight in all decisions. May response to any aggression by enemies of this nation be swift, accurate, and effective.
Father, give our military favor with the governmental agencies of this country. I pray that our Congress would appropriate sufficient funds to keep our nation’s military preeminent and strong in the world.
Thank You, Lord, for providing America with the best trained, equipped, and lead military force in the world today. Fill them with Your saving grace and the gospel of peace that they may be shining witnesses of Your heavenly love. Whenever possible, guide them to find more humane ways to achieve their goals, keeping the number of casualties at a minimum.
In Jesus’ Holy Name, I humbly pray. Amen.

Fr. Flynn’s New Address
Fr. Michael Flynn’s new residence is at St. Daniel the Prophet Church. The address is 5300 S. Natoma Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60638.
The phone number is 773-586-1223.

Book Mass Intentions for 2011
The prayer of St. Augustine (A.D. 430) for his mother, St. Monica, is another important testimony from the early Church about prayer for the dead. He wrote: “Forgive her too, O Lord, if she trespassed against you in the long years of her life after baptism.  Forgive her I beseech, you; do not call her to account. Let your mercy give your judgment an honorable welcome, for your words, are true and you have promised mercy to the merciful” (Confessions, Book 9:13).
Monica is quoted by her saintly son as telling him at the end of her life to lay her body to rest anywhere, but to remember her at the sacrifice of the altar. 

St. Anselm reminds us that “ a single Mass offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand celebrated for the same intention after death.” The Mass heals the living and the dead.

The rectory has a new Mass card just for the spiritual gift of healing.
2011 Mass Intention Book is now opened.

Sunday, September 19,at the 10:00 a.m. Mass St. Thomas More will be celebrating Grandparent’s Day.
STM asks the parishioners to bring their families to celebrate the Mass. We will have a light reception immediately following the Mass.
A free will offering basket will be available for donations.

There will be a day of prayer on Thursday, October 7th, the Feast of the Holy Rosary, for the end of abortion in our land.  We will pray for victory for Pro-Life candidates in November, and we will pray for a change of hearts in those who promote abortion and work in the abortion mills.  We will pray especially for the young women who are pregnant, and for their boyfriends, husbands, family, and friends that all  will work together to save lives and to help these women in crisis.  Our nation can be converted through prayer and penance!
The day of prayer will begin after the 8:30 AM Mass and continue until 6:30 with a Rosary and Benediction,  concluding then with a special 7:00 PM Mass for the Feast of the Holy Rosary.  The noon Mass will still be celebrated as will the Holy Hour for Vocations from 4:00 to 5:00 PM.  All are welcome to come to Mass and to pray during the day of Eucharistic exposition.  We also encourage fasting for an end to abortion on that day.

2010 ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL
2010 Annual Catholic Appeal Pledge Report
“…they left everything and followed Him.” (Luke 5:11)
The monthly pledge billings for the Archdiocesan Annual Catholic Appeal pledges have been mailed. It is very important that these pledges be paid so that our parish will reach and, hopefully, exceed our goal.
Once the pledge payments have exceeded our goal, all of the additional funds are returned to our parish for use in our ministries.
PARISH GOAL: $23,971.00
AMOUNT PLEDGED: $14,656.00
AMOUNT PAID: $11,629.00
REMAINING BALANCE: $3,027.00

Litany to Sanctify Work

The Catechism teaches that “daily work… if…accomplished in the Spirit—indeed even the hardships of life if patiently born, all these become spiritual sacrifices acceptable through Jesus Christ”(CCC 901, quoting Lumen Gentium). In a spirit of sacrifice, we consecrate our workday to the Lord and pray:

R Lord, Protect me.

From the temptation to be listless and lazy. R
From the temptation to complain. R
From the temptation to cheat or to be dishonest with others. R.
From the temptation to gossip. R.
From the temptation to lateness. R.
From the temptation to waste time. R.
From the temptation to be judgmental of my co-workers. R.
From the temptation to procrastinate. R.
From the temptation to be jealous or envious of others. R.
From the temptation to indolence and lethargy. R.
From the temptation to be hyper-critical. R.
From the temptation to engage in idle conversation. R.
From the temptation to be quick to take offense. R.
From the temptation to shift my work unto others. R.
From the temptation of impatience. R.
From the temptation to cut corners or to be sloppy. R.
From the temptation to give in to weariness. R.

R. Lord, please grant it.

For the grace to be a peacemaker. R.
For the grace to witness to you by word and example. R.
For the grace to be energetic and committed. R.
For the grace to be compassionate and forgiving. R.
For the grace to offer up all tedium and drudgery. R.
For the grace to be attentive to those in need. R.
For the grace to be generous in sharing. R.
For the grace to be prudent in dealing with others. R.
For the grace to be kind. R.
For the grace to be understanding. R.
For the grace to fulfill my responsibilities well. R.
For the grace to be patient and persevering. R.
For the grace to put myself in other people’s shoes. R.
For the grace to be dedicated and undistracted. R.
For the grace to be honest and forthright. R.
For the grace to be hard working. R.
For the grace to be free of stress. R.
For the grace of insight to solve problems. R.
For the grace of industriousness. R.
For the grace to resolve conflicts and difficulties. R.
For the grace to put up with hardships. R.
For the grace to esteem the dignity of my co-workers. R.
For the grace to be thankful for the chance to work. R.
For the grace to spread the good news of the Gospel. R.

Our Father…..

Altar Guild Corner
Save the date—Saturday, September 25th.
The Altar Guild will be sponsoring a trip to “The Shrine of Christ’s Passion” in St. John Indiana, (Men are also invited.) The cost per ticket is $15.00. We will leave the St. Thomas More parking lot at 9:30 a.m. The tour is scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. From the Shrine, we will stop at Old Country Buffet where you will be able to purchase lunch.
Get your tickets early as seating on the bus is limited. Call Carol at 773-434-7413 or Dolores at 773-778-3645 for tickets.

Next 40 Days for Life Prayer, Fasting Campaign Against Abortion Largest Yet
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — The next 40 Days for Life campaign involving prayer at abortion centers across the nation will be the largest one yet. The campaigns have been responsible for reinvigorating local pro-life efforts, closing abortion facilities and changing the minds of abortion staffers and women considering abortions.
40 Days for Life is preparing for its largest campaign to date with 238 sites in six countries participating in simultaneous campaigns from September 22 – October 31.
“This fall, an unprecedented number of people of faith will be turning to a higher power to bring an end to the tragedy of abortion through a 40-day program of prayer and fasting, peaceful vigil and community outreach,” said Shawn Carney, director of the campaign.
Carney tells LifeNews.com there are 223 locations in 46 American states and the District of Columbia participating in 40 Days for Life efforts.
With nine locations in six provinces, this campaign will also mark the largest Canadian participation as well. Activists in the nations of Australia, Denmark, Northern Ireland, and — for the first time — England, are joining their pro-life colleagues in North America by holding events, too.
“Many of the people who volunteer to pray at 40 Days for Life’s public vigils have never done anything like this before, and perhaps had never even considered it,” said Carney.