MARCH 29, 2015 ● PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION

Reflecting on God’s Word Someone once told me that people come to church on Palm Sunday because they get something. But I like to think that palm says something they recognize as true. “He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness,” writes Paul, quoting the words of an early Christian hymn. “He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross,” follow soon after (Philippians 2:7, 8). Emptying and humbling are the two key words embracing the trajecto-ry of the life of Jesus Christ, the Son of God: from incar-nation to passion and death. He poured himself out for us and for our salvation, cer-tainly suffering physically—from the beating, the scourging, the crowning with thorns, being struck with a reed, spat upon, prodded, pushed, and stumbling up the hill to Golgotha. Then he was stretched out on a cross-beam, nailed to it, and lifted up, his body suspended be-tween heaven and earth. Finally, he suffocated, unable to raise himself to take in more air. There was also the inner suffering of abandonment, of seeing his disciples run off, of realizing that all those who had cried “Hosanna” a few days earlier had either been silent or had cried out, “Crucify him.” Only the women had remained with him. Today, when we take home a piece of palm, it invites us to prepare to renew our baptismal promises on Easter. Then we can add our voices to that solitary voice almost two millennia ago, saying, “Truly, this is the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39).

—James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R. Copyright © 2014, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 42:1-7; Ps 27:1-3, 13-14; Jn 12:1-11 Tuesday: Is 49:1-6; Ps 71:1-6, 15, 17; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 Wednesday: Is 50:4-9a; Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34; Mt 26:14-25 Thursday: Lord’s Supper: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14; Ps 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Jn 13:1-15 Friday: Is 52:13 — 53:12; Ps 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-17, 25; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Jn 18:1 — 19:42 Saturday: a) Gn 1:1 — 2:2 [1:1, 26-31a]; Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 13-14, 24, 35; or Ps 33:4-7, 12-13, 20-22; b) Gn 22:1-18 [1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18]; Ps 16: 5, 8-11;

c) Ex 14:15 — 15:1; Ex 15:1-6, 17-18; d) Is 54:5-14; Ps 30:2, 4-6, 11-13; e) Is 55:1-11; Is 12:2-6; f) Bar 3:9-15, 32 — 4:4; Ps 19:8-11; g) Ez 36:16-17a, 18-28; Ps 42:3, 5; 43:3-4 or Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 or Ps 51:12-15, 18-19; h) Rom 6:3-11; i) Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Mk 16:1-7 Sunday: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; Jn 20:1-9 or Mk 16:1-7 or (at an afternoon or evening Mass) Lk 24:13-35

Mass Times

Good Friday 4:00PM

Easter, Vigil 7:30PM

Sunrise Easter Mass

6:30AM

Easter Morning 8:30AM

Easter Mass

10:30AM

Easter Mass 12:30PM

Presider Fr. Payne Fr. Jacob Fr. Payne

Fr. Payne Fr. Presta Fr. Jacob Fr. Payne

Deacon Deacon Bob Deacon Gary Deacon Mike Deacon Matthew

Deacon Bob Deacon Gary Deacon Mike Deacon Mathew

Liturgical Ministers April 2, 3, 4 & 5, 2015

Holy Thursday 7:30PM

Fr. Jacob Fr. Payne

Deacon Matthew Deacon Mike

Lectors J. Matousek C. Hendricks

K. Lenzen D. Kennebeck F. Daugs

K. Crotty K. Lenzen B. Slack S. Bosshart D. Prezell

P. Coughlin D. Fuller

M. Hendricks C. Hendricks

J. Matousek M. Arata

B. Slack E. McPherson

Eucharistic Ministers

The schedule will be posted in the Work-ing Sacristy by March 28. Please check for your as-signment.

The schedule will be posted in the Work-ing Sacristy by March 28. Please check for your as-signment.

The schedule will be posted in the Working Sacristy by March 28. Please check for your assignment. We will need addi-tional E.M.’s on Easter. When you attend Mass, please check in and help fill the positions.

The schedule will be posted in the Working Sacristy by March 28. Please check for your assignment. We will need additional E.M.’s on Easter. When you attend Mass, please check in and help fill the positions.

The schedule will be posted in the Working Sacristy by March 28. Please check for your assignment. We will need additional E.M.’s on Easter. When you attend Mass, please check in and help fill the positions..

The schedule will be posted in the Working Sacristy by March 28. Please check for your assignment. We will need additional E.M.’s on Easter. When you attend Mass, please check in and help fill the positions.

The schedule will be posted in the Working Sacristy by March 28. Please check for your as-signment. We will need addi-tional E.M.’s on Easter. When you attend Mass, please check in and help fill the positions.

Mass Intentions Monday, March 30 8:00AM †Harreitt Crotty req. The Crotty Family Tuesday, March 31 8:00AM †Peter Marcheschi req. Mary Marcheschi Wednesday, April 1 8:00AM Helen Horton req. Meridy Niederkorn †Richard Jakitis req. Merle Jakitis, Wife & Family †Gene Pasciak, Sr. req. The Pasciak Family †Maria Gorka req. Anthony & Josephine Luberda Thursday, April 2 8:00AM Morning Prayer Friday, April 3 8:00AM Morning Prayer Saturday, April 4 9:00AM Morning Prayer Sunday, April 5, Easter 6:30AM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation

9:30AMFor the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation 10:30AMFor the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation

12:30PMFor the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation

The Week Ahead Monday, March 30 8:00AM Daily Mass 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 6:15PM Good Friday Rehearsal 7:00PM Holy Thursday Rehearsal Tuesday, March 31 8:00AM Daily Mass 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 9:00AM Mary’s Circle 6:15PM Easter Schedule Rehearsal 7:00PM Easter Vigil Rehearsal Wednesday, April 1 8:00AM Morning Prayer 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 6:00PM PADS Thursday, April 2 8:00AM Morning Prayer 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 7:30PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper Friday, April 3—Good Friday Parish Office Closed 8:00AM Morning Prayer 8:30AM Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet 4:00PM Celebration of the Passion of the Lord 7:30PM Stations of the Cross lead by Youth Ministry Saturday, April 4 9:00AM Morning Prayer with Blessing of Easter Foods 9:45AM Easter Egg Hunt 7:30PM The Easter Vigil, the First Mass of Easter Sunday, April 5—Easter 6:30AM 8:30AM 10:30AM

Pray for all who suffer illness, pain and grief

and for the repose of all who have recently died:

Alice Donahue, Tom Finerty

Dear Parishioners,

We begin this Solemn Holy Week with the reading of the Passion of our Lord Jesus as it is found in the Gospel according to Mark. In this account we hear in graphic detail the events and suffering that Jesus en-dured for us. While we know his death is not the end and that that His Resurrection will soon be celebrat-ed, we also know the hatred and violence that Jesus experienced continues in our time. The sufferings Christ endured are very real. If the stories of our own lives were to be told or writ-ten, they would most likely include many of the things that were most meaningful to us: the things that gave us life, the things for which we had ‘passion.’ These stories would tell of the obstacles and forces we overcame and they would tell of our successes. The stories of all of our lives also include our sufferings, for to be alive means that we are all wounded in some way, and the more years we spend here on earth, the more scars we show for it. The Passion of Jesus reveals Christ’s huge capacity for love. We remember that Jesus encountered raw hatred and violence, and a people who lived in fear, for they did not yet realize their true dignity. Perhaps the real challenge to us, as we enter into the holiest week of the Christian year, is to discover ourselves in this story. What does this story have to do with you and me? When we look at Jesus’ life, we see that there are no neat summaries. In spite of more than 2000 years of trying to capture the final truth of Jesus, or attempts to make him strictly a fact of history, the power of his Passion and death remains transformative for us . Why would someone who could have had anything he wanted choose to seek out ordinary people? Why would he have compassion for the outcast, those who were different, those who were trapped in their

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Parish Transforma on Weekend April 11 -12

Enjoy hospitality and meet the Parish Transfor-

ma on Team a er all weekend Masses and learn more about the Parish Transforma on journey.

What was Parish Transforma on?

What is the Ac on Plan? What is coming next?

How can you get involved?

own destructive behaviors? Why did he have contempt for those who used their power to destroy others? What wondrous love he has for us, a love that brings us to the heart of the sacred liturgies we celebrate during Holy Week. In the details of his life and death, may we get a glimpse of the details of our own lives that, through the power of Christ’s death and resurrection, are being re-newed and transformed into his likeness. May you have a blessed Holy Week. The Parish Transformation team identified two primary areas of focus for Saint Mary Parish. The first centered on “Communio” creating and nurturing a spirit of commun-ion that fosters great participation and engagement. How to measure and accomplish this will require some creativ-ity and openness to new ideas and possibly even new ministries. The second centered on the “Call to Holiness” expanding ways in which Saint Mary Parish supports each person during their faith journey so that all can say their own “yes” to God’s call for their lives. Let us pray for one another,

Fr. Jerry

Pray the Daily Rosary Please join other parishioners in the Eucharistic Chapel following the 8:00 AM Mass Monday through Thursday.

Pray the Divine Mercy Novena & Chaplet The Divine Mercy Novena & Chaplet is prayed in the Eucharistic Chapel on Fridays immediately following the 8:00 AM Mass .

The Family Rosary Join us for Family Rosary Saturday Devotion, requested by Our Lady of Fatima, every First Saturday of the month at 4:30 PM.

Help Needed for Easter Food Baskets The St. Vincent de Paul Society and Sharing Parish Ministry are

collecting food for area needy families and for the Holy Family Food Pantry. They will then prepare and deliver food baskets this Easter season. Additional food items are needed to fill the baskets. Can you help? There will be a collection area in the narthex for items beginning March 7th through Sunday March 22, 2015 Needed Items Please check the expiration date on all food items. Hams Pre-packaged dinners Canned Tuna Pancake Mix & Syrup Bread – rolls Breakfast Cereal Peanut Butter & Jelly Crackers, Cookies, Popcorn Juice boxes Flour, sugar, or other kitchen staples Rice & flavored rice Canned Fruit, Vegetables, Soup Pasta products & Sauce Potatoes, onions– 5-pound bags If you’d like us to do the shopping for you, place any local store gift cards, (Jewel, Aldi, Target, or Goodwill) cash or check in the Alms for the Needy SVDP box. The box is located on the wall, next to the south entrance of the sanctuary. You may also give it to a SVDP member or hand it in at the Parish Office. Please make your check payable to St Vincent de Paul and indicate “Food Drive” on the memo line. Contact Jan Sinkovek at 847-561-8877 for more information.

EASTER EGG HUNT All parish children ages 10 and younger are invited to our parish Easter Egg Hunt. Saturday April 4, 9:45 AM in Diantha Hall following the blessing of Easter baskets in the big church.

Bring your family to the church for Morning Prayer and the Blessing of Easter Baskets at 9:00 AM and then come to the egg hunt in Diantha Hall (in the field if weather permits).

• Children should bring their own baskets. Special prizes will be

awarded to the top 3 interesting and creative baskets.

• The cost per child participating $5.00 for treats to fill the eggs

• Confirmation Candidates are needed to help hide eggs Saturday

morning at 8:30 AM

• Email Sue Matousek at SMatous@stmota.org with any questions

or if you would like to help out

Easter Egg Hunt Sign Up

Please return to St. Mary School or the parish office by April 2nd Name: __________________________________________________ _____ Total number of children participating

_____ Number of children age 5 and under

_____ Number of children age 6-10

_____ $5.00 donation

St. Mary’s Moms All Moms and Children welcome! Please join us! There are fun activities for everyone!

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, April 8, 2015 9:30AM—11:00AM

Meeting Room 1 (off narthex in main church) Guest Speaker: Jennifer Kolber

Email us for more information at: stmarysmoms1@gmail.com or visit us on-line at: www.stmaryfc.org (under REP/Youth/Family)

SUFFERING Jesus did not come to do away with suffering

or remove it. He came to fill it with his presence. —Paul Claudel

Deacon Deliberations by Deacon Gary Kupsak

“Can We Be More Like Them?” As I was shivering through another two sweater evening last week (I looked like the Pillsbury “Dough Boy” with the sweaters, sweat shirts and pants that I had on) I was watching one of those weekly news programs such as 60 Minutes or 20 20 (I don’t remember which it was) looking for a heartwarming, any kind of warming story when CBS updated a story that first aired in 2009. It appears that back then a retired circus elephant named Tarra was sent to an animal reserve in Tennessee to live out what is usually a pretty long life. Problem was that Tarra did not want to interact with any of the other animals in the sanctuary. For months and months Tarra would rebuke any kind of socialization by other animals and retreat to a solitary place where the elephant would act like a Gabor sister and indicate, “I vant to be alone.” That is until a stray mixed breed dog named Bella showed up and the elephant and the dog became inseparable. The two of them did everything together, ate, played, chased a ball around their enclo-sure, and explored the far reaches of the sanctuary. You never saw one without the other. In 2012, when Tarra the elephant became sick and needed major surgery, Bella the dog sat guard outside the enclo-sure for three weeks until the elephant was back on its feet and they were back to chasing a ball around their playpen. Normally that type of a story would have passed and maybe if you visited the animal sanctuary you may have remembered, but for most it would be gone from our memories. But just last week Bella died, or should I say that the folks at the sanctuary thought that Bella was killed by coyotes. Terra, not having his friend for several hours became very anxious and fidgety. The elephant went our looking for the dog. When the dog’s body was found by the elephant, the elephant gently lifted the dead dog and carried it back to their enclosure where she placed it in their bedding. Handler’s thought the elephant was crying. I hope that this story makes us think about how we treat the people around us. I pray that this story reminds us that our Savior Jesus Christ, who out of love for all mankind will soon suffer, die and be resurrected, wants all of us to love each other, look out for each other, and help those who may not be able to help themselves. A parishion-er’s young daughter once asked me, “Do dogs go to heaven like grandpa did?” I told her that God loves all living creatures, including dogs, and that I’m sure that good dogs, cats, gerbils and goldfish all go where God loves all creatures. Isn’t that what Pope Francis recent-ly proclaimed? I pray that a warm wintery thought may be found in the second greatest commandment whereby God asks us to love our neighbor like we love ourselves or something like Tarra loved Bella. May the peace and love of our merciful Jesus keep you in his warm em-brace.

www.stmaryfc.org

Featured CD for March

The Lamb’s Supper by

Dr. Scott Hahn

Based on his best-selling book, Dr. Scott Hahn reveals the early Chris-tians' key to understanding the Mass: the Book of Revelation. With its bizarre imagery, mystic visions of Heaven, and end-times prophecies, it mirrors the sacrifice and celebration of the Holy Eucharist. See the Mass with new eyes, pray the Liturgy with a renewed heart, and enter into the Mass more fully and enthusiastically.

Feature CDs can be found at the wooden kiosk in the narthex.

Please remember a $3 donation per CD is suggested to allow the parish to continue the program and offer new material.

Holy Week Schedule

Daily Masses Monday, March 30, 8:00 AM Tuesday, March 31, 8:00 AM Wednesday, April 1, 8:00 AM Triduum Rehearsals Monday, March 30, 6:00 PM—Good Friday

7:15 PM—Holy Thursday Tuesday, March 31, 6:00 PM—Easter Sunday

7:15 PM—Easter Vigil SACRED PASCHAL TRIDUUM Holy Thursday, April 2 8:00 AM, Morning Prayer 7:30 PM, Mass of the Lord’s Supper Good Friday, April 3 8:00 AM, Morning Prayer 4:00 PM, Celebration of the Passion of the Lord 7:30 PM, Stations of the Cross lead by Youth Ministry Holy Saturday, April 4 9:00 AM, Morning Prayer with Blessing of Easter Foods 7:30 The Easter Vigil, the First Mass of Easter EASTER SUNDAY, April 5 Masses at 6:30, 8:30 & 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM

MISSION POST

Please pray for our missionaries who return from Belize this week, after building a new home for a needy family.

Help at the Pacific Garden Mission St. Mary's Mission Team invites you to minister to the homeless at the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago on Sunday April 12 and May 17. Share the love of Christ with those without food and shelter. Our group makes beds, serves

lunch and tidies up. A sign-up sheet is in the narthex. All ages are welcome. Meet in the narthex on April 12 or May 17 before 11:15 to carpool to the Mission or meet us there before 12:30. Contact Kathy Payette carrier-pigeon@att.net or Jim Robinson jw_robinson@sbcglobal.net if you plan to join us, or if you need more information.

Save the Date for SonRock Kids Camp VBS! Vacation Bible School Registration starts April 1st !

We are looking forward to working with your children this June 15th-19th! Please watch the bulletin and parish website for more details soon. Contact Tara Wojcik at tarawojcik@gmail.com or 847-837-1528 with any questions.

VBS Needs Your Talent! Do you enjoy sharing your love of God with others? That is all you need to be a part of the VBS planning team! We will provide the sup-port you need and would love to see some new faces on this ministry team. Currently we are in need of some music leaders (the music and actions are easy and fun!), a 3 year old preschool coordinator (we have a book packed with ideas!), and some people who would love to turn St. Mary school into a campground with our decorations group! Please ask for more details: Tara Wojcik tarwojcik@gmail.com or 847-837-1528

St. Mary of the Annunciation School 22277 W. Erhart Road, Mundelein, IL 60060 (847) 223-4021 stmaryfc.org/school

St. Mary School Open Houses

Reservations are suggested but not required.

Thursday, April 23 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 21

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

• Take a school tour • Visit the classrooms

• See student work

St. Mary School Open Houses

Reservations are suggested but not required.

Thursday, April 23 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 21

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

• Take a school tour • Visit the classrooms

• See student work

Get Your Copy of the Parish Sesquicentennial Cookbook Copies of the parish cookbook are still for sale! Stop by the parish office during regular office hours to purchase your copy. They are $25 each.

Cookbook includes: • 676 recipes from parishioners and their families

• Highlights some of the parish ministries (with photos)

• 3-ring binder style ● Book stand FREE e-book version included (see inside cookbook for details) Recipes include over 60 appetizers, 70 soups/salads, 80 side dish-es, 190 main dishes, 120 desserts and 70 cookies/candy!

Prophetic Anointing The solemnity of today’s readings invites us into silent contempla-tion of the mystery of our redemption. There are so many levels on which to understand the events of the Passion. The woman who anoints Jesus acts prophetically in a way that the other disciples do not yet grasp. Anointing is for priests, prophets, and kings, and also for the preparation of the dead. It is for healing and for holiness. Her ac-tion acknowledges the imminent events of the passion and death of the Lord, and points toward his resurrection and triumph over evil and death. He is priest and victim, prophet and God, King and Lord. All these things are acknowledged in her prophetic anointing. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month Child Abuse comes in many forms: physical, sexual, emotional, and neglect (which includes medical ne-glect). Child abuse can happen anywhere; it occurs among all socioeconomic backgrounds, all races,

ages, and genders. To give an idea of the extent of this problem Illi-nois Department of Children and Family Services reported that in 2011 there were 2,643 Lake County children reported as abused and/or neglected; some of these children were involved in multiple reports. What Can You Do?

Know the signs and symptoms of abuse visit www.childabuse.com for information

Be available – if a parent seems distressed or conveys that they are struggling, offer support and a listening ear. Re-ducing stress goes a long way toward preventing the abuse and neglect of children.

Be available to a child or children you know. Simple acts such as speaking, smiling, and asking about their interests can help build a relationship. This gives a child a resource or place to go if, in fact, they are experiencing some form of abuse.

Act. If you witness abuse or a child discloses abuse to you, report to the proper authorities. Abuse by a parent, caregiv-er, or someone residing in the home can be reported to the Department of Children and Family Services’ hotline at 1-800-25ABUSE (1-800-252-2873). Abuse that does not meet the criteria above should be reported to local law en-forcement.

Give your time and resources to organizations that support and serve children and families in your community.

For more information or additional resources, visit www.bluekidslakecounty.org

Holy Thursday Collection Our parish traditionally gives the offertory collection taken on Holy Thursday to a charitable cause. This year’s collection will be given to the Archdiocese’s HIV Ministry, which provides assistance to people who are living with HIV and AIDS, including case management, coun-seling and supportive services, basic food supplies, outreach, education and referral.

Good Friday Collection: A Pontifical Collection Every year on Good Friday, a collection is taken up in every Catho-lic church to support the people and places of the Holy Land. Christians of the Holy Land rely heavily on the help that comes to them during this special moment of the year. The Franciscans of the Custody of the Holy Land have the unique responsibility of caring for the Holy Places as well as caring for the Christians living in the Holy Land. It is important that we care for the Christians living in the Holy Land in order to maintain a Christian presence in a land that is filled with a majority Jewish and Islamic population. The Good Friday Collection is applied to these programs below. Faith, Memory & Culture – The Holy Places Holy Land Franciscans staff and maintain the Holy places and shrines. This enables those who live in the Holy Land and those who visit to deepen their faith and their spiritual and cultural connection to Salvation history. Social & Charitable Activities In order to assist Christians to remain in the Holy Land, including the poor and young couples, the Custody builds thousands of residential units. Additionally, they build senior care facilities. Medical assistance is provided for the needy. Educational & Scientific Activities The Franciscans operate and support schools open to all, regardless of religion or nationality. They provide scholarships for students to prepare them to get jobs and remain in the Holy Land as part of living Catholic communities. Funds are distributed to young men studying to become Franciscan priests or brothers. Finally, Franciscan archaeologists pur-sue ongoing research at the Holy Places discovering historical artifacts. Pastoral Activities The Franciscans provide pastoral care in 29 parishes in the Holy Land offering Worship, Christian Formation, youth and family programs. Liturgical, Ecumenical and Communications Programs The Franciscan Media Center tells the story of the Holy Land through multimedia distributed throughout the world in more than seven lan-guages. The friars organize Liturgical Celebrations for the local Chris-tians and Pilgrims and share with other Christian communities in the Holy Land in ongoing Ecumenical cooperation. The Holy Land Franciscans are counting on your financial help to assist them in providing presence, care and service.

we need to see that we are also called to take up our crosses and follow the way of forgiveness and self-giving love demonstrated by our Savior. We are not called to be passive observers but active partici-pants in the work of salvation. Too often we are just like the fickle crowd in Jerusalem – cheering on Sunday and abandoning, betraying, & taunting on Friday. In the rock musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” the Palm Sunday crowds sing “Christ, you know I love you. Did you see I waved? I believe in you and God, so tell me that I’m saved.” We think a “wave” is all that’s necessary, that all we need to do is give a no-risk, non-committal verbal acknowledgement of Jesus and His Gospel. The cross tells us differently. We must be willing to commit and sacrifice, to transform our vices into virtues, to dedicate our entire lives to following Christ. Without the cross, there can be no Resurrection. That is the message of Palm Sunday. That is the message we carry into Holy Week. Please join us for the liturgies of the sacred Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil. These are really one continuous cele-bration of a single episode which won for us our eternal salvation. What could be more important than that?! May this coming week renew the intensity and depth of your faith and of your relationship with the Lord. If you wish to contact me, please leave a note in the parish office or send an email to deaconhwf99@yahoo.com.

(Continued from page 8)

F isch–ing Lines by Deacon Howard Fischer

All throughout Mark’s Gospel, disciples, bystanders, the mi-raculously cured, and even demons are commanded by Je-

sus to keep silent about the wonders they have experienced. Why? Because one cannot truly understand who Jesus is until one has experienced his suffering, death and Resurrection. With-out this event that we call the Paschal Mystery, Jesus might simp-ly be seen as a teacher, prophet and/or miracle healer. Only with

his sacrifice on the cross and his Resurrection from the dead do we encounter the truth that Jesus is the only Son of God. Thus, it is no coincidence that the Passion narrative takes up 25% of Mark, Matthew and Luke, and one-third of John’s gospel. The challenge with the stories of Scripture is that we are so familiar with them that we almost instantly switch into auto-pilot mode and no longer truly listen with fresh ears and open hearts. Perhaps this is most true with the Passion narratives. We gloss over the unpleas-antness of the torture and execution of the Son of God because it is unbearable to conceive...and because it is unbearable to admit that we are culpable. Perhaps Mel Gibson's movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” struck such a chord with audiences because it forced us in a visual and graphic way to grapple with the reality of the crucifixion and its meaning in–and for–our lives. I was forced to examine my own habit of glossing over the stark, unpleasant reality of the Passion on my trip to the Holy Land 16 months ago. Walking through the Garden of Gethsemane I could feel Jesus’ anguish. Standing in the cold, dank prison chamber beneath

Caiaphas’ house (where Jesus would have been lowered on chains through a small hole into a dungeon cell hewn in the rock awaiting his trial with Pilate) I could not ignore the terror and dread and sense of abandonment Jesus surely would have felt. Kneeling at the crest of Calvary I was reduced to silent tears by the beyond-all-limits love of our God and Savior. Another profound challenge of the Passion narratives is that we need to find ourselves in the story. There are so many characters from which to choose! Author Alice Camille offers an interesting in-sight: “It’s become a Holy Week practice to wonder what each of us might have done differently, given the chance. Am I Peter, am I Judas, am I the anonymous one who runs away? At bottom, though, we’re all real-ly Barabbas: the sinner for whom the Just One’s life was traded away.” I must admit that of all the characters in the Passion I have never ever thought of identifying with Barabbas. Yet, Alice is right. As much as we may resemble many of the other characters who appear in the narrative, we are all ultimately Barabbas! We are the completely unworthy, unreliable, guilty-as-can-be sinner who has been ransomed by the completely blameless One who offers himself up in the act of ultimate love. Until we embrace this insight with our whole being, we are not truly grasping the immense, transforming totality of the Jesus Event. And once we have actually taken the Paschal Mystery to heart,

(Continued on page 7)

Archdiocese of Chicago, Vicariate I, Deaneries ABC & DEF Ministry Commissions Present:

HUNGERING AND THIRSTING FOR JUSTICE Jesus includes hunger and thirst for justice as one of the Beatitudes. What does that mean? How can we awaken this hunger in others? Please join us for an interactive workshop. Recommended Audience: Coordinators and members of parish social justice/human concerns ministries.

SPEAKER: Jude Huntz Jude Huntz is the Director of the Office of Peace and Justice for the Archdiocese. He is a graduate of Canisius College, the University of Dallas and Loyola University of Chicago. He has been a suc-cessful, award-winning school teacher before moving to parish min-istry, diocesan ministry and national leadership positions in the dioc-esan social justice ministry. When: Tuesday, April 21, 2015 & Thursday April 29, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Where: Holy Family Parish (April 21) 2515 W. Palatine Road Inverness, Illinois ST. Joseph Parish Formation Center (April 29) Mil Park Strip Shopping Center Milwaukee Avenue Libertyville, Illinois Mil Park Shopping Center is in downtown Libertyville, one block south of the church. Parking and entrance for the Center is at the back of the building off Hurlburt Street. This is the same event offered on two different dates. Registration for Holy Family site: Sue Geegan (sgeegan@holyfamilyparish.org) or 847-907-3443. Registration for St. Joseph site: Dennis Brown (dgbrown52@aol.com) or 847-542-6024

Easter Sunday Mass

6:30, 8:30, 10:30 AM 12:30 PM

What Should I Put in My Easter Basket? The contents of Easter baskets vary with each ethnicity, but some of the richest come to us from the Slavic countries, especially Poland and Bohemia. Rich in symbolism, colors and aromas, families usually place representative items from their Easter dinner

menu in the basket, seeking blessing of their first meal after the Len-ten fast. On Holy Saturday morning they bring the basket to church to be blessed. Along with what you might already place in your Easter basket, here are some suggestions. • The basket itself is symbolic of Christ’s tomb. • The traditional linen lining and cover, sometimes richly embroidered,

represents the shroud in which Jesus was wrapped. • Greens of some sort, traditionally boxwood, are symbolic of the

return of spring and new life. • Flowers, most often paper so that they will last longer, also repre-

sent new life. • A candle represents Jesus, the Light of the World. • Colored and decorated eggs represent new life. • Cured meats are a staple of the Easter meal. These may have been

specially prepared earlier in Lent (or even earlier) just for this meal. For those who observed a strict Lenten abstinence from meat, this was a particularly special treat. Sausage plays a distinctive role: the links symbolize the chains of death broken by Christ’s resurrection.

• Horseradish is more than a condiment, it reminds us of the bitter-ness of the Passion, particularly the vinegar and wine given to Christ on the cross.

• Salt preserves from corruption and gives flavor to life. • Sweets are a promise of eternal life. • Bread symbolizes Jesus, the Bread of Life. • Lamb, often in the form of molded butter, represents the Lamb of

God who takes away the sins of the world.

Blessing of Easter Baskets Holy Saturday, April 4, 9:00 AM

Big Church at the conclusion of Morning Prayer

Which Three Days Are The Three Days? There’s a lot of talk in church now about “the Three Days,” or in Latin, the “Triduum.” These are our most holy of days. They make up our most important single celebration of the year: Easter. But exactly which three days make up the Triduum?

At first this sounds like a stupid question such as, “What color was Napoleon’s white horse?” or “Who’s buried in Grant’s tomb?” Actually, it’s a trick question. Most would say that the Three Days are Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. And that’s wrong! (How could Easter Sunday not be one of the Three Days?!)

The three days of the Triduum are counted using the Jewish way of keeping time: from sunset to sun-set. So the first day of the Triduum is from sunset on Holy Thurs-day until sunset on Good Friday. The second day is from sunset on Good Friday until sunset on Holy Saturday. The third day is from sun-set Holy Saturday (the great Easter Vigil) to sunset Easter Sunday (Paschal Vespers).

Does this make any difference—or is it only good Catholic trivia? Here’s the differ-ence that it makes. We tend to think of the

Three Days as commemorating separate, distinct events: On Holy Thursday we remember the Last Supper, on Good Friday we recall the passion and on Holy Saturday the resurrection. But in our liturgy, the church thinks about the Last Supper not as the last thing that hap-pened on Holy Thursday, but as the first thing to happen on Good Friday. What new insights into the eucharist do you have when you think of it as the first act of Christ’s passion? What new understanding of Sabbath—the day of rest—do you have when you reflect on the

fact that Jesus slept in death from sunset Friday and all through the Jewish Sabbath, Saturday? And how might we spend

our Saturday nights if we understood them to truly be the beginning of Sunday—not just during the Triduum, but year round? What does it mean when the deacon or cantor sings at the Vigil that be-cause of the resurrection, this night is brighter than

any day? These Three Days are a single moment. We walk (or crawl)

into this moment on Thursday night and walk (or dance) out on Easter day. In between, there’s a flood of stories and songs, rites and rest, fasting and feasting. The Three Days are time out of time, the center of our year and of our life.

Copyright © 2001 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60622-1101; 1-800-933-1800; www.ltp.org. Text by David Philippart and Gabe Huck. Art by Luba Lukova. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Sacrament of Penance Saturdays 4:00—4:40 PM, and by appointment

Baptisms Ordinarily during the Mass on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month and after the Mass on the other Sundays, outside of Lent. Parents are required to participate in a Baptismal Preparation class before scheduling a Baptism.

Adult Initiation Adults who wish to become Roman Catholics are enrolled in a formation process that includes prayer, dialogue, instruction, and introduction to the Church’s life and values, rituals and tradition. Call the parish office for more information.

Marriage St. Mary Parish rejoices with parishioners who are preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony. The Church requires at least four months’ time before the marriage for adequate preparation. A parish wedding information packet is available at the parish office.

Ministry of Care Ministers of Care visit the homes of the sick, homebound, or hospitalized and bring Holy Communion to them. Call the parish office when a pastoral visit is desired. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered by the parish priest upon request.

New parishioners We welcome new members who wish to worship with us and support the parish’s work and mission. Please call the parish office to schedule a time to register. A complete listing of parish services and organizations is available at the parish office.

Mass

Saturday 5:00 PM

Sunday 7:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:30 AM

Weekday Monday—Friday

8:00 AM

PARISH NUMBER 847-223-0010

Parish Emergency

After Hours 847-813-7324

22333 W. Erhart Road •Mundelein, Illinois 60060 •WWW.STMARYFC.ORG Email: parish@stmota.org Parish Fax number 847-223-5960 Pre K-5 School: 847-223-4021 Frassati Catholic Academy (Grades 6–8) 847-487-5600

Religious Education Program (REP) Emergency Number 847-239-2725 Parish Office Hours Monday—Friday 8:30AM—4:00PM

Rev. Jerome Jacob Ext. 213 Pastor FrJerry@stmota.org

Rev. Nate Payne Ext. 212 Associate Pastor npayne@stmota.org

Deacons Mike O’Malley, Gary Kupsak Robert Poletto, Mike Alandy

Mr. Fred Vipond Ext. 216 Director of Music & Liturgy FVipond@stmota.org

Ms. Patricia Strang Ext. 310 Principal, St. Mary School pstrang@stmota.org

Dr. Diane Vida 847-487-5600 Principal, Frassati Academy

Ms. Sue Matousek Ext. 218 Director of Religious Education SMatous@stmota.org

Mr. Benjamin Valle Ext. 230 Coordinator of Youth Ministry BValle@stmota.org

Dcn. Howard Fischer Ext. 215 Director of Parish Operations HFischer@stmota.org

Ms. Penny Elwood Ext. 217 Bookkeeper/Accountant Bookkeeper@stmota.org

Ms. Victoria Hansen Ext. 200 Administrative Assistant parish@stmota.org

Mr. Richard Plage Ext. 210 Site Manager rplage@stmota.org Mr. William Zerwer Maintenance

Rev. James Presta Weekend Associate

Parish Staff