St. Mary Parish DeKalb, IL March 17, 2019

S T . M A R Y P A R I S H • D E K A L B , I L • W W W . S T M A R Y D E K A L B . O R G P A G E 2

The Ministry of Care Needs You!!! This ministry involves bringing Holy Communion to home-bound, facility bound, or hospitalized people. It is a life-changing experience, to be a part of these lives. The privilege of serving them is rewarding. And never say, “Oh, I couldn’t do that!” Don’t underestimate God’s gifts!

We need a person, to offer communion at Kishwaukee Hospital every other Thursday. This service takes about one hour or so. The time of day is flexible, according to the minister’s schedule.

If you are interested in serving, or you have questions and con-cerns, PLEASE call the church office for information. Training and mentoring provided. Please continue to pray for our parishioners who cannot join us at Mass, and for their families and care providers.

Office 302 Fisk Avenue · DeKalb, IL 60115 Phone: 815.758.5432 Fax: 815.758.2487 / Website: stmarydekalb.org

Office Hours

Monday thru Thursday: 9:00 AM - Noon & 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Friday: Closed

Liturgies

Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 PM in English

Sunday Masses: 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM in English

Spanish Mass: Sunday 4:00 PM

Vietnamese Mass: 2nd Sunday 1:30 PM

Weekday Masses: Mon.-Fri. 7 AM and Sat. 8 AM in English

Vigil/Holy Day Masses: See page 5

Area Care Facilities: See page 5 for dates & Mass times

Reconciliation:

English: Tue, Thu, Fri. 7:35-8:00 AM

& Sat.8:35-9:15 AM & 3:30-4:15 PM

Spanish: Tue. 6:00-8:30 PM

Pastoral Staff Pastor: Rev. Dean Russell, 815.758.5432 frrussell@stmarydekalb.org Principal: Roseann Feldmann, 815.756.7905 Cemetery: 815.758-5432 Director of Music: Joe Harmon, ext. 106 Choir Director: Caleb Gray Director of Religious Education: Annalisa McMaster, ext. 110

Support Staff Business Manager: Jim Glemkowski, ext. 102 Financial Assistant: Susan Klefstad, ext. 105 Parish Secretary: Linda Jackiw, ext.103 Ministry Secretary: Mona O'Bryan, ext. 107 Receptionist: Carrie Anderson, ext. 100

Contact Information Parish Office: 302 Fisk Avenue - 815.758.5432

Faith Formation / Rel. Ed. / Youth Ministry: 815.758.5432

School: 210 Gurler Road - 815.756.7905

E-mail: mail@stmarydekalb.org

Website: stmarydekalb.org

Hispanic Ministry

Rev. Darwin Flores, 815.758.1377

Hispanic Secretary: Susana Garcia, ext. 113

Vietnamese Ministry

Rev. Anthony Vu Khac Long, 815.312.9661

Bulletin Deadline

Monday - 8:00 AM (FOR CONSIDERATION)

Send requests to: bulletin@stmarydekalb.org

From the Desk of Pope Francis — (from his Homily at World Youth Day in Panama)

“Now this is not something from a long time ago; it is current. Many people do not tolerate this attitude of Jesus; they don’t like it. First by complaining under their breath and then by shouting, they make known their dis-pleasure, seeking to discredit Jesus’ way of acting and that of all those who are with him. They do not accept, and they reject this option of draw-ing near to others and giving them another chance. These people condemn once and for all, they discredit once and for all and forget that in God’s eyes they are disqualified and need tenderness, need love and understanding but do not wish to accept it. Where people’s lives are concerned, it seems easier to attach signs and labels that petrify and stigmatize not only to people’s past but also their present and future. We put labels on people: “this one is like that,” “this one did that thing, and that’s it,” “and he has to bear this for the rest of his days. That’s how people are who mutter - the gossips - they are like this. And labels ultimately serve only to divide: good people over here and bad ones over there; the righteous over here and sinners over there. And this Jesus does not accept; this is the culture of adjective; we delight in “adjectivizing” people, it gives us delight: “What is your name? My name is ‘good.’” No, that is an adjective. “What is your name?” Go to the person’s name: Who are you? What do you do? What dreams do you have? What does your heart feel? Gossips are not interested in this; they are quickly looking for a label to knock someone down off their pedestal. This culture of the adjective that discredits people. Think about that so as not to fall into what society so easily offers us.

T H E S E C O N D S U N D A Y O F L E N T P A G E 3

Readings for the Week of March 17, 2019

Sunday: Is 43:16-21/Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 [3]/Phil 3:8-14/ Jn 8:1-11 Monday: Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62/ Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 [4ab]/Jn 8:12-20 Tuesday: Nm 21:4-9/Ps 102:2-3, 16-18, 19-21 [2]/Jn 8:21-30 Wednesday: Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95/Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 [52b]/Jn 8:31-42 Thursday: Gn 17:3-9/Ps 105:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 [8a]/Jn 8:51-59 Friday: Jer 20:10-13/Ps 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7 [cf. 7]/ Jn 10:31-42 Saturday: Ez 37:21-28/Jer 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13 [cf. 10d]/Jn 11:45-56 Next Sunday: Lk 19:28-40/Is 50:4-7/Ps 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 [2a]/Phil 2:6-11/Lk 22:14--23:56 or 23:1-49

© Liturgical Publications, Inc.

2019 Lancer Raffle Ticket Winners

03/11 - James Phillips - $20.00

03/12 - Brianne Rehak - $20.00

03/13 - Maria Graham - $20.00

03/14 - Dave Somers - $20.00

03/15 - Matthew Barnes - $20.00

03/16 - Scott Rocush - $20.00

03/17 - Karey Johnson - $100.00

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ST MARY SCHOOL!

Sunday Offertory $ 10,721.01 School $ 410.00 Capital Improvements $ 100.00 Ash Wednesday $ 75.00 National Appeal $ 125.00 International Appeal $ 1,195.00 Good Friday $ 10.00 Flowers $ 873.00 Carpet $ 100.00

Thank You for Your Contributions!

Our Weekly Offering Week Ending 03/01/2019

36TH WEEK OF FISCAL YEAR 2018 - 2019

“Fatherhood has its origins in God, and so we pray to you, Father Almighty, for those men who

have adopted a child. Give them a mind receptive to your guidance, a patient voice, and a

loving heart.”

USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities “Novena to St. Joseph:

For Those on the Path of Adoption” www.usccb.org/adoption-novena

Lent is a call not just to “give up something” but more important to “give something for the poor.” Wherever you live in the parish, there are poor families within walking

distance of your home. When in need, they ring the rectory bell. They are, in effect, ringing your

doorbell. Is there a family you know who needs

assistance? Please call the Society of St. Vincent de Paul so that together we can help the suffering and poor.

Thank you for your continued support of St. Mary Church through your advertisement in our bulletin.

The first reading this weekend shows God giving a promise to Abraham, who at the time was named Abram. This was the promise: "Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so shall your descendants be." God gave him a promise, that He (God) will make Abraham's descendants as numerous as the stars. That seems almost to be too big of a promise. But here we are, descendants of Abraham. Some would object but if you follow the genealogy of Matthew it was from Abraham's line that Jesus was born and if we are members of His body, then we too can claim to be his descendants. The amazing thing that this passage shows us, besides that, is this: before the hardships in life, God will often, if we listen, give to us a promise. He promises Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars then when Abraham has ONE SON, God asks him to sacrifice that son. Contradictory some would say, but it was a test, not just of Abraham's faith, but of his ac-cepting of God's promise. He didn't arbitrarily trust God- He trusted in the promise that God made to Him. So when we go through lent or go through life or if we are trying to discern our vocation in life and we get overwhelmed by the thought of the pain or difficulty that lies ahead, stop and ask God for a prom-ise. I think it is why so many men and women discerning reli-gious life, know not how hard it is going to be, but God gives them, at the time they are thinking about the Priesthood or Religious Life a little bit of the joy of the life to be lived. It is a simple but profound promise of the goodness of God.

Vocations Corner Asking God for a Promise

Rev. Sean Grismer, Assistant Vocations Director

S T . M A R Y P A R I S H • D E K A L B , I L • W W W .

Peter, James, and John wanted to build a “booth” for Jesus and just stay on the mountain where His

transfiguration took place. But the Son of God, the Chosen One, knew that He must instead keep moving toward His crucifixion. We, too, must rise from worship

and do what we can to hasten the coming of the kingdom.

Join us on this Monday, Mar.18th, beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the church (during the Hour of Mercy) as we pray the stations of the cross for the souls in Purgatory. We will start with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, prayed for the souls in purgatory, followed by “The Way of the Cross for the Holy Souls in Purgatory,” by Susan Tassone (extra books are available.)

All are welcome!

Upcoming R.C.I.A. Meetings Mar. 28, and Apr. 11 at 7:00 pm Parish Office - Presentation Room

Prayerfully consider giving us a call at 815.758-5432.

Be transformed by Jesus’ love. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends are Apr il 26-28 in Brookfield, WI or June 28-30 in Rockford, IL. Visit

our website at: alifetimeoflove.org or call (888) 574-5653.

Para un fin de semana en espanol por favor llamen a Candelario y Emilia al 815-375-4250. Las fechas son las siguientes:

26-28 de abril, 9-11 de Agosto y 1-3 de noviembre.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Rockford/Madison/Milwaukee Ministry

The power of prayer We pray for St. Mary parishioners, relatives, and friends who are suffering from illness, also for those who are homebound, hospitalized, or confined to a care facility, especially:

If you know of a person in our parish who is homebound and would like to receive a card of encouragement, or to have a name added to or removed from the prayer list, call the parish office at

815.758.5432.

Marianne Anderson, Giana Anderson, Jane Anderson, Matt Anderson, Rich Antczak, Jackie Balon, Joseph Barrile, Matt Bechtel, Pat Beck, Maryilene Blondel, Patricia Budzinski,

Debbie Coffland, Ben Coniglio, Mario Delgado, Joe Diedrich, Quan Do, Horst Erker, Bobbie Fitch, Beth Fixmer, Missy

Flores, Chris Haight, Rita Hammett, Eric Hanson, Kathleen Hiatt, Ruth Higgins, Margaret Holder, Peggy Hoyt, Joann Schoo Irving, Col. Thomas Z. James, Joan Judkins, Patsy Kelahan, Rev. Richard Kramer, Carolyn Kustron, Ginger

Lange, Catherine Lipps, Henrietta Lobner, Brayden MacNeille, JoAnn MaKarrall, Bob Marcheschi, Matt Marcheschi, Timothy McMillan, Louis Mustari, Mary

O’Brien, Tom O’Brien, Carolyn Owen, Betty Ramsdell, Joel Rivera, Jeff Salazar, Marlene Salazar, Richard Salazar, Erick Schroeder, Bill Sorensen, Jim Theisen, Ray Theisen,

Justin Valdez, Jerry Vasko, Abel Viland, Dolores Wieczorek, Richard Wiseman, David Young

Aurora Central Catholic High School 1255 North Edgelawn Drive

Aurora, Illinois 60506 www.auroracentral.com

7th GRADE STEP-UP DAY TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2019

8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

All 7th grade students are invited to participate in a 7th Grade Step-Up Day at Aurora Central Catholic High School. Step-Up Day is a unique experience for 7th grade students to interact with ACC stu-dents at a Student Panel, attend an all-school Mass and embark on their very own block schedule. While Aurora Area Catholic Grade Schools are invited as a class, students from Religious Education programs and Public Schools are encouraged to attend. For more information or to register, please call Mackenzie Livingston at (630) 907-0095 ext. 109 or email mlivingston@auroracentral.com. Thank you!

Are you looking for books to read during Lent? Stop by the St. Mary’s Parish Library

The Library is open Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and any time the Ministry Center is open for parish activities. The Library is located on the lower level of the Ministry Center, near the coat racks. Come and use our library and check out books or videos/DVDs.

FRIDAY FISH FRY

Hosted by: St. Catherine of Genoa Catholic Church

340 S. Stott St., Genoa, IL Fridays March 8th thru April 12th

4:30 PM - 7:30 PM All You Can Eat - Free will offering.

Excellent Fresh Fish (wild caught Alaskan Pollock) Coleslaw / Baked Potato / Roll / Cookies

Coffee / Lemonade

Wednesday, March 20: Dining Out at Marco’s Pizza

Have you heard there's a (relatively) new pizza place in town? It's Marco's Pizza and people have been raving about their delicious pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. St. Mary School will be hosting a Dining Out with Marco's on Wednesday, March 20. Mark your calendar!

Councils and Committees

Pastoral Council Kevin Fuss, Chairperson 815-758-5432 ext. 100 Ging Smith 815-756-2177

Ana Vargas Witthoff 815-787-0285 Barbara Halverson 815-756-9453 Matt Fleming

Finance Council 815-758-5432 ext. 104

Buildings & Grounds Committee 815-758-5432 ext. 102

Cemetery Committee 815-758-5432 ext. 102

Funeral Committee Thomas Specht 815-758-5432 ext. 100

Ministry of Care Rick Fleming 815-758-5432 ext. 100

Respect Life Committee 815-758-5432 ext. 100

St. Vincent de Paul Society (Second & Fourth Monday of month) 815-761-0430

School Committee Greg Kubitz, Chairperson 815-756-7905

Stewardship Commission 815-758-5432 ext. 102

M a r c h 1 7 , 2 0 1 9 P A G E 5

Locations: (B) Bethany Room, (CA) Cafeteria, (CHP) Chapel, (CH) Church,

(E) Emmaus Room, (G) Gym, (LRC) Library Resource Center, (MARI) Marian

Room, (MC) Ministry Center, (PCN) Parish Center North, (PWR) Parish Work

Room, (PR) Presentation Room, (SAR) St. Anne Room, (SJM) St. James Room

(Private), (SJ) St. John Room, (SJOA) St. Joachim Room, (SJOS) St. Joseph

Room, (SL) St. Luke Room, (SM) St. Mark Room, (SMR) St. Matthew Room,

(YC) Youth Center

Sunday, March 24

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT 9:45 AM - 11:15 AM Religious Education (MC) 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Hispanic AA Group Meeting (PCN) 1:30 PM Vietnamese Mass (CH) 2:45 PM - 5:00 PM Vietnamese Ministry Social time (C) 3:00 PM Hispanic Reconciliation (CH) 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Hispanic Religious Education (MC) Masses in English 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM (CH) Mass in Spanish 4:00 PM

This week’s schedule… Sunday, March 17

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT 9:45 AM - 11:15 AM Religious Education (MC,C,G) 10:00 AM - 4:45 PM Catholic Daughters Quarter Auction (C) 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Hispanic AA Group Meeting (PCN) 3:00 PM Hispanic Reconciliation (CH) 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Hispanic Religious Education (MC) Masses in English 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM (CH) Mass in Spanish 4:00 PM

Monday, March 18 7:00 AM Mass in English (CH) NO Scheduled Reconciliation in English (CH) 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Truck Delivery/Drop (C)

3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Prayer for Souls in Purgatory (CH) 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Stock (C) 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Hispanic Ministry Choir Rehearsal (SAR) 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Lenten Adult Study: “No Greater Love” (E) 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Hispanic AA Group (PCN) 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Hispanic Cursillo - Grupo de Amistad (SJOS)

Tuesday, March 19 7:00 AM Mass in English (CH) 7:35 AM Reconciliation in English (CH) 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Truck Delivery/Drop (C)

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Mom’s Book Club (SAR) 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Pantry (C) 5:30 PM Hispanic Reconciliation (CH) 6:30 PM Hispanic Mass (CH) 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Teen Tuesday Game Night (G,YC) 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Hispanic Cursillo - Grupo de Amistad (SAR) 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Hispanic Prayer Group (CH)

Wednesday, March 20 7:00 AM Mass in English (CH) NO Scheduled Reconciliation in English (CH) 9:00 AM Mass (School) 2:00 PM Mass (DeKalb County Health Care) 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Hispanic AA Group (PCN)

24 Hour Exposition (CH) Wednesday 7:30 AM until Thursday 6:50 AM

Thursday, March 21 7:00 AM Mass in English (CH) 7:35 AM Reconciliation in English (CH) 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Women’s Bible Study (SJOS) 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Youth Choir Rehearsal (CH) 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Alive in His Love Prayer Group (CHP) 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Knights of Columbus Meeting (C) 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Bear Den Cub Scout Meeting (SAR) 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Hispanic Prayer Group-Choir Rehearsal (SMR) 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Liturgical Choir Rehearsal (CH)

Friday, March 22 7:00 AM Mass in English (CH) 7:35 AM Reconciliation in English (CH) 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Hispanic Stations of the Cross (CH) 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Lenten Soup and Speaker 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Stations of the Cross (CH)

Saturday, March 23 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Hispanic A.A. Group Meeting (PCN) Reconciliation in English 8:35-9:15 AM & 3:30-4:15 PM (CH) Masses in English 8:00 AM & 4:30 PM (CH)

Parishioners are invited to give an offering for Mass Intentions in the name of a deceased loved one, for the intentions of someone in need, or in thanksgiving for a blessing

received from the Lord. In accordance with Church law, only one intention per mass will be accepted for an offering of $10.00. For more information, please call the Parish Office at 815.758-5432.

S T . M A R Y P A R I S H • D E K A L B , I L • W W W .

Mass Intentions Monday, March 18 (St. Cyril of Jerusalem)

7:00 AM Greg & Suzy Wallin

Tuesday, March 19 (St. Joseph)

7:00 AM † Jim Wuchte

6:30 PM † Daniel Ortiz (Spanish Mass)

Wednesday, March 20 (Lenten Weekday)

7:00 AM † William A. McDermott

9:00 AM † Poor Souls (School)

2:00 PM † Poor Souls (DeKalb Co. Healthcare)

Thursday, March 21 (Lenten Weekday)

7:00 AM † Poor Souls

Friday, March 22 (Lenten Weekday)

7:00 AM † Poor Souls

Saturday, March 23 (St. Tubibius of Mogrovejo)

8:00 AM † Gus Hertle, Sr.

4:30 PM † Sharon Conlin

(Third Sunday of Lent)

8:30 AM † Josephine Monat

10:30 AM Living & Deceased Members of St. Mary

4:00 PM † Isadro Gonzales & Martha Garcia (Spanish Mass)

Cantor Schedule

March 30/31 4:30 PM Alice Smith

8:30 AM Teresa Fuller

10:30 AM Tammy Farrell

March 23/24 4:30 PM Youth Choir

8:30 AM Sarah Taylor

10:30 AM Michael Hynek

LITURGICAL ROLES

Lectors 4:30 PM Jean Petesch

8:30 AM Bryan Johnson

10:30 AM Corky Thomas

Ushers 4:30 PM Dave Roliardi, Craig Vitkus, Richard Antczak

8:30 AM Chuck Albertson, Dan Cliffe, Doug Davis,

John Sauter, Donald Moizo

10:30 AM Duane Rapp, Dan Thompson, Jim Zenz, Mark

Farris, Nicholas Singer, Lance Farris, Michelle

Mershon, Andrew Miller, Rick Sullivan,

Toby Woodruff

4:30 PM

Captain Steve Riippi

Chapel Mary Beth Jilek

Cup 1 NO CUP

Cup 2 NO CUP

8:30 AM

Captain Michael Hynek

Chapel Noah Smith

Cup 1 Barb Ball

Cup 2 Jim Walter

10:30 AM

Captain Lori Kedzie

Chapel Brenda Hoiness

Cup 1 Tom Kedzie

Cup 2 Teri Lorek

Please notify the Parish Office if you or some-one you know will be hospitalized or confined at home and would like to receive the Anointing of the Sick.

In Need of a Minister of Care Visit? Perhaps you or a loved one is unable to attend Mass, perhaps due to a surgery, chronic illness, or difficulty in mobili-ty… It is important that each parishioner knows they are a part of our community, even when not able to actively participate. Each of us is in need of Christ’s presence in our lives… Ministers of Care bring the Eucharist to the homebound and offer prayer. Also, if you or a loved one is admitted to Kish Hospital, please make sure the patient’s name is given to the hospital on admission and it will be added to the list for communion visits. Call the church office if you or a loved one is in need of the Eucharist being brought to the home. Please continue to pray for the sick and homebound.

ST. PATRICK

Feast Day – March 17

St. Patrick is one of the world’s most

popular saints. He was born in

Roman Britain and when he was

about fourteen he was captured by

Irish pirates and taken to Ireland as

a slave to herd and tend sheep. At

that time, Ireland was a land of

Druids and pagans but Patrick

turned to God and wrote his memoir, The Confession.

He stated that he said as many as a hundred prayers

a day. His captivity lasted until he was twenty, when

he escaped after having a dream from God in which

he was told to leave Ireland by the coast. There he

found some sailors who took him back to Britain and

he was reunited with his family. He studied for the

priesthood and was ordained by St. Germanus, whom

he had studied under for years. He was later ordained

a bishop and sent to take the Gospel to Ireland. He

arrived in Ireland on March 25, 433. He was able to

convert many people, eventually thousands, including

the chieftain of one of the druid tribes. He began

building churches across the country and often used

shamrocks to explain the Holy Trinity. He preached

and converted all of Ireland for 40 years. He worked

many miracles and wrote of his love for God. After

years of living in poverty, traveling and enduring much

suffering, he died on March 17, 461 in Saul, where he

built his first Irish church.

MARCH 17, 2019 ~ THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT

Where are you at 3:00 PM?

3:00 is the Hour of Mercy. It is the hour Our Lord expired on the cross. He revealed to St. Faustina, “...This is the hour of great mercy for the whole world...In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion.” #1320 Diary of St. Faustina

Everyone is welcome to stop in the church during the 3:00 hour! Often there are people praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Soup and Stations Every Friday during Lent March 8 through April 12

6:00 PM - Soup & Bread are served 6:30 PM - Speaker March 22nd-Fr. Ken Anderson March 29th-Fr. Russell April 5th * See below April 12th-Hispanic Community 7:00 PM - Stations of the Cross in Church

*We will meet at 5:30 PM for dinner at Faranda’s (302 Grove St). Part of the cost of the meal will be donated to St. Vincent de Paul. Please RSVP with the office so enough seating can be reserved. After the meal please join us at church for the stations.

Wednesday, April 10th

Mercy Corner

Acts of Mercy – in preparation for the Feast of Divine Mercy In addition to the practice of prayer, fasting and almsgiving we are encouraged to do during Lent, we are also encouraged to practice acts of mercy, in preparation for the Feast of Divine Mercy Sunday. The idea is to make the prayer, fasting and alms-giving and acts of mercy a part of our everyday life, not just dur-ing Lent.

As a refresher, the Acts of Mercy are as follows: Corporal Works of Mercy

Feed the hungry Give drink to the thirsty Clothe the naked Shelter the homeless Comfort the sick Visit the imprisoned Bury the dead

The Spiritual Works of Mercy Instruct the ignorant Counsel the doubtful Admonish sinners Bear wrongs patiently Forgive offenses willingly Comfort the afflicted Pray for the living and the dead

Welcome New Members

Peter & Theresa Meier

Pablo Malaga & Alma Lugo Brian, Pablo & Maydel

MASS ETIQUETTE

No Food and/or Drink in the Church. The exceptions would be a drink for small children and water for those who are ill. Please take your water bottle with you when you leave. Bringing a snack into church (exception: small children) is not appropriate, because we want to set the church apart as a place of prayer and reflection.

Don’t chew gum in church. It breaks your fast. The Church law is that one fasts for at least 1 hour before receiving Holy Communion.

Bow before receiving Holy Communion. Show your respect with a bow of the head. This is an ancient practice that has continued until this day.

LENTEN MISSION St. James Church, 221 West Kirke Gate, Lee,

Illinois Given by Fr. Louis Guardiola of the Fathers of Mercy

March 30 - April 4 5 Nights + 5 topics + Dynamic Speaker =

Extraordinary Opportunity for Faith Enrichment

3/30-3/31 (during Homily): Four Last Things 4/1 at 7:00 PM: Confession: The Sacrament of the Prodigal Son 4/2 at 7:00 PM: The Holy Eucharist: Sacrifice, Holy Communion, and the Real Presence Sacrament 4/3 at 7:00 PM: The Eucharist Culture of the External Life VS The Anti-Eucharist Culture of Death; The Eucharist Solution 4/4 at 7:00 PM: Our Lady Mother of God, The Church, The Church, The Holy Eucharist and our Salvation

MERCY MOMENT March 17 – “As a gift to humanity, which sometimes seems bewildered and overwhelmed by the power of evil, selfishness, and fear, the Risen Lord offers His love that pardons, reconciles, and reopens hearts to love. It is a love that converts hearts and gives peace. How much the world needs to understand and accept Divine Mercy! Lord, who reveals the Father’s love by Your death and Resurrection, we believe in You and confidently repeat to You today: Jesus, I trust in You, have mercy upon us and upon the whole world.” (St. Pope John Paul II, Divine Mercy Sunday, April 3, 2005) March 18 – “O Lord, my God, You are all the good I have…. Remember Your mercies, and fill my heart with Your grace, You who do not want Your works to be for nothing. How can I live with myself in this unhappy life unless Your mercy and grace comfort me? Do not turn Your face from me, do not delay coming to me, do not take away the comfort of Your love, lest my soul be like a parched land, thirsty for You….” (Thomas a’ Kempis, THE IMITATION OF CHRIST) March 19 – [Jesus told Faustina] “Souls who spread the honor of My mercy I shield through their entire lives as a tender mother her infant, and at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Sav-ior. At that last hour, a soul has nothing with which to defend itself except My mercy. Happy is the soul that during its lifetime immersed itself in the Fountain of Mercy, because justice will have no hold on it.” (Faustina, 1075) March 20 – “Mercy is the central nucleus of the Gospel message; it is the very name of God, the face with which He revealed Himself in the Old Covenant and fully in Jesus Christ, the incarnation of creative and redemptive Love. May this merciful love also shine on the face of the Church and show itself through the sacraments, in particular that of Reconciliation, and in works of charity, both communitar-ian and individual. May all that the Church says and does manifest the mercy God feels for man.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Regina Caeli address, March 30, 2008) March 21 – “How happy I am to see myself imperfect and in need of God’s mercy.” (St. Therese of Lisieux) March 22 – “Let souls who are striving for perfection particularly adore My mercy, because the abundance of graces which I grant them flows from My mercy. I desire that these souls distinguish themselves by boundless trust in My mercy. I myself will attend to the sanctification of such souls. I will provide them with everything they will need to attain sanctity…. Souls that trust boundlessly are a great comfort to Me, because I pour all the treasures of My graces into them. I rejoice that they ask for much, because it is my desire to give much, very much.” (Jesus to Faustina, 1578) March 23 – “Bless the Lord, my soul: all my being, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts, Who pardons all your sins, and heals all your ills, Who redeems your life from the pit, and crowns you with mercy and compassion, Who fills your days with good things, so your youth is renewed like the eagle’s…. Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger, abounding in mercy. He will not always accuse, and nurses no lasting anger; He has not dealt with us as our sins merit, nor requited us as our wrongs deserve. For as the heavens tower over the earth, so his mercy towers over those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows how we are formed, remembers that we are dust…. But the Lord’s mercy is from age to age, toward those who fear Him….” (Psalm 103: 1-5, 8-14, 17)

With the spiritual pillars of Lent at our disposal, we are on a 40-day journey, a journey to encounter with ourselves, our neighbors and our God. Through prayer, we encounter Christ, present in the faces of every member of our human family, so often still walking that

long road to Calvary. Through fasting, we encounter our own obstacles, those things about ourselves that prevent us from loving God and neighbor. Through almsgiving, we encounter our less fortunate brothers and sisters around us, asking what can we give up so that others might have life to the fullest. What will you encounter this Lent?

CRS Rice Bowl is one way Catholics can enhance their Lenten fasting practice - by giving up meals and donating the cost of those meals to Catholic Relief Services in order to help those who do not have enough to eat. Incorporating the pillars of prayer, fasting and alms giving, Catholics have created a Lenten ‘Rice Bowl Effect’ that changes lives around the world

PLEASE PICK UP YOUR RICE BOWL Available at both entrances to the Church. Thank You!

Registration is now open for Sycamore St. Mary’s annual Russell Hustle 5K trail run/2K fun run/walk, at Russell Woods in Genoa, IL on Saturday April 13, 2019. Money raised supports our school scholarship fund. T-shirt guaranteed if registered by 3/21. Group discounts available for 5K--register by 3/31. T-shirt only option also available.

Register at www.raceroster.com, and search Russell Hustle. Sponsorship opportunities available.

ROSARY HIGH SCHOOL 901 N. Edgelawn Drive, Aurora, Illinois

A Catholic, College-Prep High School for Young Women

EXPLORE DAYS For Seventh Grade Girls

April 18 8:15 - 10:30 am

For more information go to www.rosaryhs.com/explore

SAVE THE DATE-TUESDAY, March 19th 5:00-7:00 pm. St. Joseph Table Celebration

Newman Center Knox Room, 512 Normal Rd., DeKalb The dinner will serve as a fundraiser for St. Mary School 8th

grade for their Washington, DC trip. Free will donation.

See bulletin insert for more information.

For the latest, up-to-date information about our parish, please “Like” our facebook page! You can

find it at www.facebook.com/StMarydeKalbIl/ or check out our website: http://

stmarydekalb.org