Third Sunday In Ordinary Time

January 21, 2007 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to

bring glad tidings to the poor. Luke 4:18a

St. Alphonsus Parish Lemont, Illinois

Established 1867

St. Alphonsus Catholic Community Our Mission

Saint Alphonsus Parish is a

Catholic Faith-family rooted in history and growing with

the community. We strive to spread the Good News of the

Kingdom of God by our participation in the areas of

Prayer, Education, Service, Social Activities

and Worship. Empowered by the Holy Spirit

We respond to Christ’s call, “Come Follow Me!”

Thus as families, we are… Welcoming, creating,

Serving, healing, Sharing, reaching out

3rd Sunday In Ordinary Time Page Two January 21, 2007

St. Alphonsus

Catholic Church 210 E. Logan, Lemont

Parish Staff Pastor: Rev. Frank Jenks

Weekend Celebrants: Fr. Robert Rohrich

Fr. Ron Scarlata Fr. Jerry Rodell

Fr. Stanley Orlikiewicz Diaconal Ministry:

Deacon Terry McGuire DRE: Mr. Kevin Cody

School Principal: Mrs. Jacki Chiaramonte

Pastoral Associate Doreen Dabney

Youth Ministry: Diane Herman Office Coordinator: Mrs. Dorothy Lafin

Accountant: Ms. Carol Levas Records Coordinator:

Mrs. Jody Sternat Music Director:

Mr. Joe Martorano, Music Staff

Ms. Barbara Ekholm Ms. Christina Grinius

SPRED: Ms. Carol Levas

Business Hours Monday-Friday—9:00 am-4:00 pm

Phone Numbers Office Center—257-2414

Fax—257-2476 RE Office—257-2371

School Office—783-2220 Youth Ministry—257-0158

Mass Schedules Weekends—Saturday 5:00 pm

Sunday, 7:00, 8:30, 10:00 & 11:30 am 5:00 pm at St. Pat’s

Monday- Friday 7:30 am in the chapel Holy Days—to be announced

Eucharistic Adoration Tuesday—8:00 am—8:00 pm, chapel

Parish Web Site www.st-als.org

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Third Sunday in Ordinary Time “Do Not Be Sad, And Do Not Weep”

"Do not be sad," Nehemiah said, "and do not weep" (9:9). Our days are holy when they are lived in the presence of God. So why do we weep? Not because God is not present to us. That's impossible. We weep be-cause we are not present to God. We lose ourselves in our fears and our wishes that things would be different than they are. The people of Nazareth sat down to listen. Jesus sat with them, and opened up the book of Isaiah. And what passage did he turn to? A message of consolation, the promise of "glad tidings to the poor . . . lib-erty to captives . . . recovery of sight to the blind" and freedom for the oppressed. Then when all eyes were fixed on him, he declared, "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:18, 21). When is that "today"? Is it yet to come? If so, then Jesus was mistaken. Is it already past? If so, then it is not today. "Today" is now, always now.

We Play Our Part...Today Paul tells us that we are "Christ's body." He explains that in the church there are apostles, prophets, and teachers, as well as gifts of mighty deeds, "healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues" (1 Corinthians 12:28). In other words, a lot of different gifts, a lot of differ-ent jobs. In God's work--work like setting captives free and giving sight to the blind--we have our part to play. Our part is not to fall down on our faces and weep because we haven't done more. Our part is to recognize and acknowledge what we have done, see what else we might do, and then walk out into today and do it. God has made this year a "year acceptable to the Lord" and this day a "holy day." God is present to us and we need to be present to God and to God's world. We each have our part to play, our contribution to make. Each of us can make God's world more peaceful, more joyful, healthier, and freer. This year! Today!

Please Pray For Mason Briese Kyle Holley

Vic Markiewicz Mary Jo DeLille

Pat Cronin Eleanore Pruitt Nancy McGuire Loretta Pawloski

Julene Endecavageh

Reconciliation Saturday, 4:00 pm or

by Appointment

Baptisms Baptisms are usually celebrated the second and third Sundays of every month. No Baptisms during Lent.

Marriage Prospective bride and groom must be registered parishioners at least 6 months.

Sick and Homebound Contact the office, 257-2414 to receive

a visit from a Minister of Care.

Parish Registration Everyone 18 years and older

should register for the parish. To register for the parish, please call the

Office Center, 257-2414

Parish Pastoral Council Members Bev Malak Paul Malak

Tom Culcasi Renate Meyer Carol Ricken Ali Tucker

Barbara Laubhan Keith Polk

3rd Sunday In Ordinary Time Page Three January 21, 2007

St. Joseph’s Table We will be holding a St. Joseph’s Table on Sunday, March 18, 2007, after the 11:30 Mass. The Table is filled with a variety of foods, breads and pastries. In conjunction we will also have a spaghetti dinner. All food is blessed and all donations are given to the poor. We are also considering a procession and other possible activities such as honoring a family to represent “The Holy Family.”

There will be a planning meeting for the St. Joseph’s Table Celebration on Thursday, February 1st, 2007 in the Parish Meeting Cen-ter. Whether you enjoy decorating or cooking or you are willing to just lend a helping hand, come join us!!! Questions? Contact Connie Wit-kowski at (630) 257-5025

Blood Drive Heartland Blood Centers will be holding a blood drive on Saturday, February 3rd from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at Lemont United Methodist Church located at 25 W. Custer Street. Please consider donating blood on February 3rd. To schedule an ap-pointment, please call Mary at 630-257-5306. Walk-ins are also wel-come, but appointments are preferred and strongly encouraged. Please give the gift of life and donate blood to those in the community that are in need.

Thank Yous... ...The Worship Commission would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who helped make this past Advent and Christmas season such a beautiful and blessed event. Special thanks to Kim and Mark Mars, Gail August, Tyler Wall, Doreen Dabney, the Remiasz Family and Mike and Eileen Bruno...

...St. Alphonsus Parish, We hope that you had a wonderful and blessed Christmas, and that everything is well at your parish throughout this New Year. On behalf of Epiphany Parish, Food Pantry and the CCD Pro-gram, we thank you for your generosity this past Christmas. It is a wonderful feeling to see the children’s faces glow when they receive their Christmas gifts and the parents smile and say “thank you” for pro-viding gifts for their children. God bless you for everything that you do throughout the year for us. There are no words to describe our gratitude. Respectfully,

Parent Internet Safety Seminar Protect your kids from on-line predators. There will be a free parent internet safety seminar on January 23rd at 7:00 pm at Old Quarry Mid-dle School LRC. The instructor will be William Plahm, retired Cook Country Sheriff’s Police. This is an adult only presentation. Baby sit-ting available—call for reservations, 257-2522.

News and Happenings

Religious Education

Update

St. Alphonsus Church Page Four Lemont, Illinois

Counseling By Fr. Rohrich Counseling services are available by Fr. Bob Rohrich at the DePaul Center, 212 Custer. Appointment times on weekdays are: 10:00 and 11:00 am in the morning and 5:00, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 pm. Father Bob counsels the en-gaged and married, as well as in-dividuals for depression, anxiety, grieving, separation, divorce and other personal problems. The cost is a $10.00 donation for each ses-sion. Please call, 630-257-9235.

Food Anytime! Sometimes we forget that people still need our help. Please remem-ber your food donations for “Let’s Fill Lemont’s Cupboards.” The bins are always in the back and we take the food to the pantries when-ever we have a car full. Please remember—anything you can do-nate is wonderful. If you can just pick up a couple of cans of vege-tables, boxes of mac-n-cheese, a jar of peanut butter, anything, while you are shopping and drop it in the bins in the back of church anytime—we’ll take it from there. Thanks so much for your help!

3rd Sunday In Ordinary Time Page Four January 21, 2007

Progress Reports Progress Reports will be distrib-uted at the sessions held during the week of January 21st. They are designed to provide parents some formal feedback on how their children are doing in the classroom. Please feel free to contact your child’s catechist if you have any questions.

Catechists Celebrate Christmas...Finally

At the very end of the Christmas season, when all of our holiday business subsided, our catechists came together on January 12th to celebrate. They enjoyed a deli-cious catered meal from Mama D’s and Mama P’s (Pam Nugent). Thank you to Pam for all she put into the planning. Thank you to Sr. Anne Marie for her entertain-ment….the good sister knows how to tell a joke! Congratula-tions to veteran catechist, Ruth Schumacher and her husband, John, for winning the grand prize by getting all 20 Catholic IQ questions correct in our friendly competition! It was great meeting the spouses/fiancé whose sacrifice and support of our catechists make it possible for this important ministry to flourish. It was a won-derful and warm evening! Kevin Cody, DRE 630-257-2371 kcody-stals@comcast.net

Pre-Cana Marathon Fr. Bob Rohrich, C.M. invites all engaged couples to a “Pre-Cana Marathon” held in the Ministry Center Gym at Sacred Heart on Monday, February 5th, 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm. No pre-registration is necessary. How-ever, we ask that you come early (6:45pm) so that you may sign in. This is for the engaged pri-marily, but others are also wel-come. Its purpose to serve as a preparation for marriage. A certificate will be given at the conclusion. This session will deal with: How Opposites At-tract? Is It Real Love? The Biggest Marital Problem—Communication. Tests and handouts will be given. A $15 donation is re-quested from each couple.

Senior Kindred Spirits January 23rd will be our next meeting. If the weather becomes inclem-ent for the meetings, everyone will be notified via a phone tree that the meeting will be cancelled. All newcomers are welcome to join our group.

Around St. Al’s

Weekly Offering January 14th & 15th

Weekly Need $11,711.00 Sunday Collection $ 8,641.53 Electronic Funds Transfer $ Surplus (Deficit) $ (3,069.67) Fiscal Year-to-date Surplus (Deficit) $ (1,220.01)

Thank you to all our parishioners who give their share to support our parish.

St. Alphonsus Church Page Five Lemont, Illinois 3rd Sunday In Ordinary Time Page Five January 21, 2007

St. Alphonsus / St. Pat-rick School

Invites You to the inaugural

Winter Gala Live And Silent Auction

Saturday, February 10, 2007

6:00pm-12:00am

Ruffled Feathers, Lemont, IL Tickets: 59.00 per person

Includes: Premium appetizers and Open Bar To Purchase tickets contact:

Shannon Demack 630.243.6478

St. Alphonsus / St. Patrick School Developing strong morals, Catholic faith and great minds

one child at a time.

January always brings thoughts of Catholic Schools Week (1/28-2/2). While all plans are not yet made, many are already in the works. Of course, Sunday, January 28 brings our Open House, both for our school family and for families interested in our school. FSA is sponsoring “Lights, Camera, Ac-tion !” for the children on Wednesday of that week. It is an all day workshop teaching our children about movie making. It sounds like a great day for the kids. Our Science Fair projects will be displayed during Open House, and judged on Tuesday, January 30th. There are some great findings in the research of our 7th and 8th graders that will interest you. If you wish to be a judge call us. The Spelling Bee on Monday also allows our spelling aficionados to display their skills and con-tinue on to regionals. The Book Fair also offers families the oppor-tunity to purchase high interest reading material for the children. On Friday, February 2, parishioners from bother parishes will be invited to join us for 8:10 Mass as we pray for their needs and in thanksgiving for their wonderful support over the years. Teacher Appreciation and Student Apprecia-tion Days are always in the plans for that week. Of course, our regular contingent of “fun-dress” days will be planned by our Student council. And, through all of this excitement, the children con-tinue to work, study and learn. Another exciting plan that is in the final stages is the Winter Gala, our first annual evening of dancing and fun. You wouldn’t believe the Silent auction items that have been planned—sports items, kids’ creations, trips, classroom baskets, a few sur-prises—all planned with families in mind. Do pro-mote this among your friends. It is so important to our budget, but it is even more important in building joy and excitement. It’s a great night our with danc-ing, open bar and lots of premium hors d’oeuvres. Bring your friends and neighbors. They will have a wonderful time! Jacki Chiaramonte Principal

St. Alphonsus Church Page Six Lemont, Illinois

Remember In Your Prayers… Joshua Nelson, USMC,

Middle East; Ryan Meder, USMC, Iraq,

Russell Neal, USA, Fort Campbell;

Scott Bosco, USA, Kuwait; Robert McKinney, USAF,

Afghanistan; Mark Giancarol, USA, Iraq,

Brent Danielson, USMC, Iraq Jim Adamiec, USAF, Okinawa

Erik Brazzale, USA, Iraq Chris Hearne, USN, Virginia

Tabitha Filicicchia, USAF David Borkowski, USN, East Africa

Bryan Altman, USAF and all who serve

our country.

lemontyouthministry.com—mlodziezpolska.org TEEN CENTER is at 205 Cass Ave -

St. Pat’s old School. Every Sunday: LIFE TEEN mass at 5:00 pm at St. Pat’s with Teen LIFE TEEN Musicians (except December 14, 2006)

High School Teens : Youth Ministry Session: 1st & 3rd Sundays 6:00-7:30 pm at Teen Center (except holidays) Port Ministries Bread Truck: 2nd Saturday of the month, 9:30-2:30 pm ‘Movie Night’: 4th Sunday 6-8:00 pm at Teen Center (except holidays)

Jr. High Teens: Jr. High Choir - 2nd Sunday Life Teen Mass at 5:00 pm (except holidays) Youth Group Meeting – 2nd Sunday 6:00-7:30 pm at Teen Center (except holidays)

January 14th— Pizza & New Year’s resolution night! February 11th— Cosmic Bowl March 11th— Jr. High Lent Retreat May 6th— 2nd Annual ‘Smores & More’ Special Events:

High School: February 9-10 Archdiocese All Night Ski Event Chestnut Mountain (Bus will be available!) Jr. High: February 3rd—Ski trip Four Lakes! February 4– S0uper bowl of Caring – Service Opportunity July 30-August 4th—Summer Camp! High School: Senior Retreat: Spring TBD – “Crossing the Road” looking at the next chapter of your life! High School: 24 Hour Food Fast – March 10, 2007 at St. Michaels in Orland Park

3rd Sunday In Ordinary Time Page Six January 21, 2007

Come to a Tri-Parish Bible Study Mining the Lent Scriptures

Come as you are and learn to unpack the Sunday readings and see

what they’re saying to us today. No experience necessary

Two groups are planned

Wednesday mornings (9:30 – 11:00) February 21 – March 28 in the St. Cyril Rectory

Thursday evenings (7:00 – 8:30) February 22 – March 29

in the St. Cyril school library

Call or e-mail to register - Susan Wallace 257-5806 or liturgy@stcyril.com

3rd Sunday In Ordinary Time Page Seven January 21, 2007

Counseling Available If you or a family member is having difficulty deal-ing with the complex and stressful world in which we live, The Holbrook Center of Catholic Charities can help. Whether your trouble is personal, rela-tional or career-related, the Center offers profes-sional assistance that is confidential, convenient and affordable. The therapist at St. Cyril’s is Ms. Karin Fox. Karin has a number of years of counseling experi-ence, and she is looking forward to assisting you. The Holbrook Center also provides services at their Palos Hills office and at other locations. For information or an appointment, please call 312-655-7700 and ask for The Holbrook Center.

3rd Sunday In Ordinary Time Page Eight January 21, 2007

Income Tax Statements Once again we will only be sending tax statements to those parishioner who request them, so if you need your statement for Income Tax purposes, please ei-ther fill out the form below and place it in the collec-tion basket, mail it or bring it to the office, or you may also call the office. Thank you.

St. Alphonsus Donation Please send me a copy of my donations

to St. Alphonsus for 2006

Name ___________________________________ Address _________________________________ Phone ___________________________________ Envelope Number __________________________

Confirmation Retreat While Bears faithful experienced a rare playoff vic-tory in the drizzly cold of Soldier Field, exactly 100 young Confirmation candidates from St. Al’s and St. Pat’s gathered for a warm faith-nurturing experience. Although some expressed regret at having to miss the game, everyone who offered an opinion said the retreat was a good experience and they were happy that they came. Fr. Terry, the retreat master, com-mented that this was a very good group. Keep them in your prayers as they mark their journey toward full membership in the Church with a rite this Sun-day that reflects on their acceptance of the core be-liefs of the Catholic faith….the Creed.

Handicap Parking St. Al’s currently has six handicap parking spaces. These parking spaces should be used by people who have a valid Handicap Park-ing permit. We have many parish-

ioners who attend mass that have a medical condition that prevents them from walking a long distance. Please respect the handicap signs.

Healing Mass Healing masses in honor of St. Peregrine, the Cancer Saint, take place every third Saturday of the month at 11:00 am at the National Shrine of St. Peregrine, Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica. Persons with cancer and others seeking healing are invited to come individually for a blessing with the relic of St. Peregrine at the conclusion of the Mass. Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica is located in Chi-cago at 3121 W. Jackson Blvd., adjacent to the Ei-senhower expressway. There is ample secure park-ing at the rear of the Basilica. For further information, call 773-638-5800 X46.

Adult Afternoon Retreat Take a mini-retreat with catechists and adults from the southwest side of the Archdiocese. It’s designed for catechists but any adult is welcome to join in a beautiful prayer service, listen to keynote speaker Fr. John Paul Cafiero, and take part in your choice of two workshops on Catechesis, Scripture, Sacraments, Theology, Moral Life, Church, and Prayer. The Catechetical Resource Day is sponsored by the SW Suburban Cluster of DRE’s; it is free and includes food! Sunday, January 28th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at St. Julie Billiart Church 7399 W. 159th St., Tinley Park Those who have attended in the past...loved it! Contact Kevin Cody, 257-2371, or kcody-stals@comcast.net to register.

3rd Sunday In Ordinary Time Page Nine January 21, 2007

Lemont Parishes Respect Life Ministry St. Alphonsus, Sts. Cyril and Methodius, St. James, St. Patrick

34 Years of Abortion. . .

January 22nd marks the Solemn Remembrance of 34 Years since Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion nationwide.

What is Roe’s impact on Society? Abortions in the U.S. have risen to well over one million a year, with one-fourth of all pregnancies ending in abortion. Problems that some claimed Roe would alleviate—”unwanted” children, child abuse and abandonment, etc.– have worsened. Many women have been maimed or killed by legal abortion, and abortionists have been protected from legal scrutiny by courts applying Roe. Many more women bear heavy emotional scars from abortion, and increasingly they are making their stories public to warn other women. Far from emancipating women, Roe has helped create the expectation that women will resort to abortion—to “fit” into college and the work-force, and to free men from unwanted parental responsibility. It has blocked progress toward a society that welcomes women with their children.

(USCCB, Publication No. 5-714 Roe v. Wade Questions and Answers, #10)

January 22nd National Day of Penance and Prayer

There is help!

Many mothers facing crisis pregnancies feel abandoned by their families, the fathers of their babies, and their communities. Most feel alone and afraid and for too many, abortion seems the only answer. Abortion should never be the answer. There are many crisis pregnancy centers in the Chi-cagoland area who dedicate their time and resources to helping women. There is also help for women who suffer after abortion.

Pregnant? Need Help?, The Gabriel Project: 877-734-2444 Woman’s Choice Services: 630-261-9564 Women’s Center of Greater Chicagoland: www.womens-center.org 773-794-1313 Project Rachel—A journey of hope and www.hopeafterabortion.com healing after abortion: 888-456-HOPE Rachel’s Vineyard—Retreats for healing www.rachelsvineyard.org

Approximate number of babies killed by surgical

abortion in the United States since January 22nd, 1973:

SpeakOut Illinois 2007

“Horizons of Hope: The End of Roe”

Featuring national speakers in-cluding Bishop Paprocki, Sandy Rios, Dr. Eugene Diamond, Tom

Brejcha, Chris Slattery, Roger Hunt and more!

February 3, 2007, 9am—4pm At Drury Lane in Oakbrook

Terrace Registration $60.00 per person

before Jan. 19 or $70 after. Lunch included. For more infor-

mation call 312-422-9300

Pray Please keep in your prayers all of our Lemont parishioners and teens who will be traveling this weekend to Washington D.C. to participate in the 34th Annual March For Life. EWTN will have live coverage of this event.

Prayer Vigil Monday, January 22nd

9:30am —10:30am Access Health Center

1700 W.75th St. Downers Grove

Please join us on this special day, to peacefully pray for the end of abortion and for all women who suffer due to abortion.

27th Sunday In Ordinary Time Page Ten October 8, 2006 3rd Sunday In Ordinary Time Page Ten January 21, 2007

St. Alphonsus Bulletin is a weekly publication of St. Alphonsus Catholic Community of Lemont, Illinois. All rights reserved. Printing by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc., Schiller Park, Illinois. All items for publication must be at the Parish Center no later than 9:00 am Thursday, ten days prior to publication.

* Communion under both species

3rd Sunday In Ordinary Time Page Eleven January 21, 2007

Mass Intentions

Date Time Presider Lector Ministers & Sacristan Servers Ushers Music

Jan.. 28

7:00 am Fr. Frank Jenks

R. Kaiser

G. Kaiser (S) M. Main

P. Danta G. Bozych B. Erickson J. Counter J. Bannon

None

* 8:30 am Fr. Bob Rohrich

P. Browne M.Roenitz C. Cacciato J. Cacciato C. Kulhman (C) P. Perkey (S/C)

Driscoll Family D. Krzyszkowski

C. Miklos M. Bruno T. Armijo J. Cacciato

Vocal Ensemble & Piano

10:00 am Fr. Bob Rohrich

L. Jankowski J. Brennan B. Litoborski K. Lambrakis (S)

K. Derrig I. Dziak

B. Litoborski T. Dalton M. Soljacich J. Goushas

Parish Choir

11:30 am Fr. Jerry Rodell

B. Kaufman M. Drew (S) K. Cody J. Bannes

C. Bialek S. Stevens

B. Lindauer D. Harkins D. Drew P. Cristin K. Shupe W. Flynn

Vocal Ensemble & Piano

Jan. 27 5:00 pm Fr. Frank Jenks

D. Dabney D. Josephitis (S) J. August N. Rausch

Hoster Family J. August G. August J. Nemeth S. Wall

Vocal Ensemble

Liturgical Ministers Schedule

Saturday, January 20 5:00 pm Jim Belline—Family Janice Lambert—Charles & Faye Walker Sunday, January 21 7:00 am Mary & Jim Zaturski—Barb & Al Molis 8:30 am Barbara Maloney—Pat & Jim Browne 10:00 am Larry Motykowski—Anne Lichtenwalter Vivian & Les Freehauf—Children 11:30 am Patrick Maxwell—Teresa Butler Monday January 22 9:00 am Walter Adams—Ruth Adams Tuesday, January 23 7:30 am Parishioners of St. Alphonsus Wednesday, January 24 7:30 am Parishioners of St. Alphonsus

Thursday, January 25 7:30 am Pauline Zolecki—Esther Jungles Friday, January 26 7:30 am Cerina Mitchell—Jack & Syneta Olson Saturday, January 27 5:00 pm John & Esther Michalek—Family Sunday, January 28 7:00 am Marie McGury—Florence McGury 8:30 am Eugene Czeska—Wife Leonard Indykiewicz—Sister 10:00 am Orville & Mildred Tessem—Linn Eldred William Soosh—Kathleen Lambrakis 11:30 am Casey Galasinski—Family