Advent Schedule – 2011

Advent Communal Reconciliation

Tuesday, December 20 – 7:00 P.M.

Christmas Mass Schedule

Christmas Eve – December 24

2:00 P.M. Church Doors Open
3:00 P.M. Mass (Worship Center & Great Hall)
(Due to the large attendance at the 3:00 P.M. Mass, please do not save seats before Mass begins.)
5:00 P.M. Family Mass
9:30 P.M. Carols
10:00 P.M. Mass

Christmas Day – December 25

9:00 A.M. Mass
11:00 A.M. Mass

printable Advent / Christmas Schedule

Holiday Office Hours

All Parish Offices will be closed on:

Friday, December 23
Monday, December 26
Tuesday, December 27
Monday, January 2

The Parish Office hours will be 8:00 A.M. to Noon on Wednesday,
December 28 through Friday, December 30.

The Religious Education hours will be 9:00 A.M. to Noon on Wednesday,
December 28 through Friday, December 30.

Mary, Mother of God

Saturday, December 31 – 5:00 P.M. Mass
Sunday, January 1 – 8:30, 10:00 and 11:30 A.M. Masses

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Advent & Christmas Resources

Christmas Schedule

Visit our 2011-2012 Parish Calendar

Advent letter from Fr. Dick

Dear Friends in Christ,

Today we begin the season of Advent and the first day of a new liturgical year. The word Advent comes from the Latin advenio which means “to come to.” In this season of hope and joyful expectation, we are once again reminded of the coming of Jesus, not only at Christmas, but of His second coming at the end of time. As Advent progresses over these next four weeks, the lights of the Church grow stronger and brighter. For example, you will notice that each week, one more candle on our Advent wreath is lit. Christmas comes for us at the darkest time of the year, and yet the Light of Christ overcomes that darkness.

During Advent, our readings turn to the Old Testament book of the Prophet Isaiah. On this first Sunday of Advent, the prophet speaks in the voice of God and calls the people of Israel to repentance to help prepare them for the coming of His Son. We must keep in mind that the Old Testament people of Israel represent the New Testament Church – so the call to repentance applies to us as well.

You may have noticed that our new liturgical year has been ushered in with the new translation of the Mass. The words that are said during Mass will, from this point forward, sound different than before. The new translation will more accurately convey the dignity, beauty and doctrinal precision of the Latin. It will also provide all English speaking countries with a common translation, and be more faithful to the Latin text of Scripture.

Our Parish has offered over 20 formal presentations on the new translation of the Mass through the Religious Education program, Adult Faith Formation and other venues. My hope is that you have taken advantage of these sessions or will continue to seek out resources in the future that will help you understand the new words of the Mass. I am confident that the new translation of the Mass will help each of us reflect on the meaning of the Mass – particularly what we say and do. In addition, the new translation of the Mass should help us understand Scripture in a new way and see its direct connection to parts of the Mass.


My hope for each of you is that through this Advent season we will rediscover the splendor of the Liturgy that we celebrate each week and grow deeper in our communion with Jesus. I will close with words from St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians:

“May God enlighten your innermost vision that you may know the great hope to which God has called you, the wealth of God’s glorious heritage to be distributed among the members of the Church, and the immeasurable scope of God’s power in us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18)

 

God bless you,

 

October is the month of the Holy Rosary

I-pray-the-rosary-2

Rosary Article from Knight of Columbus magazine
starts on page 4

ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE

PJPII’s apostolic letter on the Year of the Rosary – condensed

Scriptural Rosary

How to Pray the Rosary

More on Luminous Mysteries

Most Holy RosaryRosary for children

Pray the rosary with Fr. Scanlon

Children’s Holy Field Trips *rosary resources”

Year of the Rosary October 16, 2002

Celebratiguadalupe_607_223on of Our Lady of Guadalupe Image at SES July 18, 2003
ROSARY IS BOTH SIMPLE AND PROFOUND, SAYS POPEVATICAN CITY, OCT 10, 1999 (VIS) – At today’s angelus, which he recited from his study window overlooking St. Peter’s Square after his visit to a Roman parish, the Pope recalled that October is the month of the rosary, and he urged the faithful to “turn frequently to this prayer, which once was the daily prayer of Christian families.”He observed that the rosary “unites, in a wonderful way, simplicity and profoundness, the individual and the community aspects. The rosary is in itself a contemplative prayer, and has great strength for intercession.” “There are many intentions we can entrust to Mary,” the Holy Father went on. “In particular I urge you to recite the rosary for the synod of the bishops of Europe, now taking place in he Vatican. I am trying diligently to participate, and I can see with what great pastoral concern the synod fathers are facing the great challenges of the European continent. What is strongly emerging is the need for a renewed and courageous evangelization, a vast missionary action which takes into account the changed situations in Europe, which is increasingly multi-ethnic and multi-cultural.”The Pope then recited the Angelus with the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, after which he remarked that “today is Mental Health Day, promoted by the World Health organization.” He also mentioned that Italy today is celebrating the Day of Social Communications, on the theme ‘Mass Media: A Friendly Presence Next to those Seeking the Father.”ANG/ROSARY/… VIS 991011 (260)

Order a free CD of Rosary/Divine Mercy


Virtual Rosary
exciting info about the rosary and a free download of a virtual rosary program for
your pc!

Rosary Megasite The Rosary as Family Prayer
Printable Rosary for Priests
Marian Resources Blessed Virgin Mary Page (Catholic-Start)
Devotion to Mary The Mary Page
Marian Apologetics Rosary 101
15 Promises to those who pray the Rosary Liturgical Feasts of Mary
History of the Holy Rosary Encyclicals on the Rosary
Mary’s Garden Father Pat’s Mary Page
Marytown Shrine,
Libertyville, IL
Picture Beads Rosary

Rosary Making
Instructions and Supplies


Christian Web Award January 2002

Holy Week Schedule

Holy Thursday – April 21

Morning Prayer: 8:15 A.M.
Liturgy of the Lord‘s Supper: 7:00 P.M.
     (Adoration of the Eucharist will follow in the Day Chapel)
Night Prayer 11:45 P.M.

Good Friday – April 22

Morning Prayer: 8:15 A.M.
Stations of the Cross: 3:00 P.M.
Liturgy of the Lord‘s Passion: 7:00 P.M.

Holy Saturday – April 23Morning Prayer: 8:15 A.M.
Blessing of Easter Food: 1:00 P.M.
Easter Vigil Mass: 8:00 P.M.

Easter Sunday – April 24

8:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
     (Please note Mass time changes)
Incense will not be used at the 8:00 A.M. Mass

Divine Mercy Sunday at SES

Jesus of Divine MercyPlease make plans to attend the Divine Mercy Celebration on May 1 at SES from 3 pm until 5 pm.

NOTE: Sunday Masses for May 1 are at 8 AM, 10 AM and noon.

If we look at how God has revealed Himself in scripture and church tradition, we discover afresh how mercy is essential to understanding His message of love and salvation. With this understanding of God and His revelation to us we can ask for His mercy, be merciful to others, and strive to completely trust in His Son.

All are invited to celebrate this wondrous feast beginning at 3 PM Divine Mercy Sunday (Sunday after Easter) in the Worship Space.
Come and go as you like - this is a very informal afternoon of prayer,  adoration and celebrating God’s rich mercy! You can stay for 5 minutes or for 2 hours.

Come and

  • Sing and pray the chaplet – periods of sacred silence
  • Venerate the image of Jesus of Divine Mercy and a first-class relic of St. Faustina
  • Adore Jesus in the Eucharist
  • Be blessed by Him during Benediction at 5 PM
  • Receive the sacrament of Reconciliation – Individual confessions will be heard during the afternoon 3 PM – 5 PM

Refer to this links for more information about this feastday:

Lenten Links

 Lent 2011

 lent-2011

Pope Benedict’s Message for Lent 2011 Pope Benedict’s Message for Lent 2010
“The justice of God has been manifested through faith in Jesus Christ” (cf. Rm 3, 21-22)
Papal Message for Lent 2009:
Regaining an appreciation for fasting
Year of St. Paul Resources
Papal Message for Lent 2008 Papal Message for Lent 2006
 Pope JPII’s 2004 Lenten message EWTN’s His Pain Like Mine
Pope John Paul II’s 2003 Lenten message EWTN’s Lenten Reflections

                       
Lent A Call to Conversion

Minute Meditation


Ash Wednesday Meditations

Lenten FAQ’s USCCB Lenten Resources
Praying Lent Meditations and Prayer for Lent 
Holy Spirit Interactive: Lent Pages Lenten Retreat
Lenten Resources for Catholic Educators Lenten Resources (Archdiocese of Chicago)
40 Ways to get the most out of Lent Vatican Lenten Resources
On-Line Stations of the Cross:

 

Praying Lent Weekly Reconciliation times in area churches
Cooking Lent Confession 101 – Part 1 new.gif (1044 bytes)
Lenten Recipes Confession 101 – Part 2 new.gif (1044 bytes)
Busted Halo (Lent) Why should I go to confession? Doesn’t God already know that I’m sorry for my sins?new.gif (1044 bytes)
Lenten Feast The Passion meditation
Fr. Pat’s Lenten Links All About Lent by James Akin
More resources for Lent Spirit Home Lent Reflections
Lenten Links and Resources SES Rosary Page
The Season of Lent from American Catholic Preparing for Sunday
Readings & Meditations for Lent Holy Spirit Interactive: Lent Resources
   
Sacred Space Notre Dame’s Daily Prayer Page
Daily Readings Holy Week / Easter resources
Divine Mercy Divine Mercy Sunday

minute1.gif (4053 bytes)
(click the clock for meditation from Catholic.org )

 

LENTEN REGULATIONS AND THE EASTER TRIDUUM

  1.  Everyone 14 years of age or over is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all the  Fridays of Lent.
  2.  Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 years of age is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
  3. On these two days of fast and abstinence, only one full meatless meal is allowed.  Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one’s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal.  Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices are allowed.  When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige.
  4. To disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence is seriously sinful.
  5. Lent is the principal season of penance in the Christian year.  All of the faithful are strongly urged to develop and follow a program of voluntary self-denial (in addition to following the Lenten regulations), serious prayer, and a performance of works of charity and mercy. 

Third Sunday of Lent – Faith Enrichment

As we prepare to celebrate this Sunday’s liturgy, we are almost half way through our Lenten journey. Today, the readings remind us that our Lenten journey is one of repentance and conversion; and they put before us for our reflection the scriptural motif of water.

In the gospel today we will hear a beautiful exchange that takes place between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. We hear how Jesus patiently revealed himself to her, and how this encounter with Christ changed her heart. There is no way that we can encounter Jesus, really encounter him, and not experience conversion.

This Lent is our time to encounter Christ. The image used so often of our Lenten journey is as a pilgrimage through the desert. We enter the desert so that nothing can distract us from being with Christ. And Christ is there in the desert as the living water that sustains us in our thirst. If we truly desire to receive Christ, the giver of living water, the Holy Spirit, which offers us eternal life, we will need to allow our hearts to be changed by him.

Today, now, and as we continue on our Lenten journey, is a time for us to metaphorically go to the well, look into the water and see the reflection of our self and our lives. It is often very hard to do this because doing so may have some serious ramifications, like those we will hear today of the woman at the well. It forces us to confront reality and often challenges us to make a change. As we do this, catechumens, now called Elect, are doing these very same things. They have acknowledged their thirst; they are looking deeply into the waters of Baptism. They are closely examining the reflection of their lives in virtue of the saving waters of grace. But, first, today as we celebrate the first scrutiny with them, they seek protection from evil and join themselves to the family of Christ in a first profession of faith. They have visualized their needs and have placed their trust in the God Who knows and fulfills all these.

How can we receive this living water Christ offers us so that we will never be thirsty again? There are a number of ways:

We can take time each day and pray, whether that be at mass, in the morning when we arise or at night when we lie down. Maybe it will be taking an hour to stay with Jesus in the adoration chapel.

We can read scripture, or take time to use the little black book everyday and try to carry out the words imparted on those pages.

Every time we receive Jesus in Holy Communion we are drinking his living water.

Every time we turn to Jesus for mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation we receive living water from Jesus.

This time of Lent is a special season of grace in the Church which enables us to drink more and more of the living water that Jesus offers us.

All of us are called to continuing conversion throughout our lives, so today and as we continue to move forward through Lent let us really take time to scrutinize our own lives and pray to God for the grace to overcome the power of sin that infects our hearts. Jesus initiates our journey of self-revelation. He holds the truth of our stories with tenderness and compassion. We have no need to fear being vulnerable with Jesus.

This Lent as we reflect on our lives and search for ways we can grow closer to God , let’s find that love of God which has been poured out in our hearts. This love of God can quench our deepest thirsts as well as those of all in our midst. Through this love we, like Moses, can touch the rock of a heart grown bitter and open it. Like Jesus, we can meet people at the well and surprise them by our understanding. We like the Samaritan woman, can admit the unfaithfulness in our lives which leads us to see our real thirst, and to witness to Him who quenches it.

As faithful followers of Christ we know a basic spiritual fact: our souls need Christ to bring us to salvation and eternal life. We can be grateful the church leads us into the desert of Lent in order that we may remember and contemplate that it is Jesus, who provides for us a fountain of love, a way to salvation. It is in Him we come to know just how much God loves us.

So today we pray:

Living Water,
Flow among us and bring us to life.
Pour your love into our hearts
Until our compassion grows
To embrace our deepest conflicts and hardships.

Amen.

Fourth Sunday of Lent – Faith Enrichment

Exactly 3 months ago, The Church celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus – The Light who came into a world darkened by sin. He came to seek that which was lost; to make us children of God. So today, on this 4th Sunday of Lent, we rejoice – and we pause briefly in order to renew our strength and our commitment. As we pause we look within – How am I doing this lent? What is it that causes me to fail – to fall into the occasion of sin? What weak tendency must I strengthen? What virtues must I practice with greater resolution that will help me to grow closer to God and become more loving to others & to my family most of all.

Jesus wants to give all of us new eyes to see the beauty within each other and throughout the world – for God did not send His son to condemn the world, but because – He loved the world! -

But Jesus reminded His disciples in the Transfiguration Gospel we heard 2 weeks ago, that it is impossible to reach this glory without passing through the suffering.

From Bethlehem to Calvary, obedience to the Father’s will was Jesus’ companion. Like Him, let us surrender to God’s call to follow him and accept the hardships of life. Like the Magi and the Apostles at Pentecost, let us follow with faith & generosity.

And so today, we pause – and as Children of God – we renew our committment to pick up our cross – daily – and follow the Lord Jesus. And when we fail – when we fall yet once again – may we humble ourself & trust in His mercy.

Fifth Sunday of Lent Faith Enrichment

April 10, 2011

Today we hear the story of the raising of Lazarus. Mary and Martha are mourning the death of their brother, Lazarus, and Jesus is overwhelmed by their grief. The death of Lazarus foreshadows the death of Jesus. By raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus makes a statement about life. The new life Jesus brings to us is eternal. Do we believe in the resurrection?

This week might be an opportunity for us to experience God in the silence of Lazarus’ tomb. We all need silence in our busy, hectic lives. Some quiet time helps to put the events of our lives into meaningful perspective. Try to incorporate a few minutes of silence this week even if you have to get up a quarter hour earlier. Sit in a restful place, let your thoughts go and be aware of God’s presence. Tell God about your worries and concerns. But most of all, listen to the voice of God. Recall the silence and waiting in the tomb. Maybe we can die to ourselves, address destructive behaviors or habits that bind us in sin and awaken a deeper faith within our hearts. Just don’t expect immediate results. Even the saints experienced failures, rejection, personal limitations and other losses. The difference is that the saints worked through these difficulties and still managed to live close to God and inspired others to do the same.

In the silence of our hearts we can see through those hard times in life. A catastrophe is not the end. Rejection can teach persistence and fortitude. One can be wise without numerous educational degrees. Illness and chronic problems should not prevent us from being productive and generous people. Mother Theresa said “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” This week meet Jesus through faith strengthening and hope giving encounters with other people. Then we will be able to experience God’s true inner peace in the silence of our hearts.

Lent

click to view latest bulletin to see latest parish news

Click  for Lenten Details and Events

 Daily Mass Mon thru Sat  8:15 A.M.
Join us to pray the rosary at 7:45 am before Mass