SAINT ELIZABETH SETON CHURCHSAINT ELIZABETH SETON CHURCHSAINT ELIZABETH SETON CHURCH ORLAND HILLS, ILORLAND HILLS, ILORLAND HILLS, IL

CORCORAN’S CORNER The Starting Bell... Our local U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School for Academic Excellence, the Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School, begins it’s new academic year this coming Tuesday, Aug. 22, with its 8:00 AM “Flag Raising Ceremony”. I always tell our principal, Ms. Mary Iannucilli, that once the school year begins, it is over! Quickly, the hallway décor for the opening of the new school year is replaced by successive pumpkins, turkeys, Christmas Nativity scenes, snow men, Valentine hearts, shamrocks, Easter bunnies, and end of the year flowers. It all goes by so very quickly. I wish success to all this coming year. I also wish all parishioners happiness and success in the upcoming academic year no matter what level of educational endeavor, or whatever grade school, high school, university or trade school that they are attending. I wish all the families of students of all ages well as they are cheerleaders for their student family members this coming year. Developing our personal talents and skills is a big part of our good stewardship. Our parish Religious Education Program begins the week after Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 11, with 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM sessions. And Their Off!... Our Parish Finance Council will meet this coming Tuesday, Aug. 22, at 7:00 PM, in the Parish Office Conference Room. Our Parish Pastoral Council will meet this coming Thursday, Aug. 24, at 7:00 PM, in the Great Room of the school building. Ready, Set, GO!…

Looking Ahead: Our Seniors of Seton Group will resume their meetings on Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 10:00 AM, in the Parish Life Center. Our Parish Men’s Club will resume their meetings on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 7:00 PM, in the Parish Life Center. Our Parish Women’s Club will resume their meetings on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 7:00 PM, in the Parish Life Center.

Our 2017-2018 R.C.I.A. Program… For the past four weeks at all our Masses, I have drawn the congregations attention to our upcoming R.C.I.A. Program. At the time we already had one candidate, and I have had five further inquiries since

then. Thank you for spreading the word! St. Elizabeth Seton, St. George, and St. Stephen Parishes are sponsoring a combined R.C.I.A. [Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults] Program this coming year. This program is aimed at adults who are interested in converting to the Catholic Church, as well as baptized Catholics who never have received the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. We are running a combined three-parish sacramental preparation program, as part of our ongoing development of parish cooperation in the Archdiocese’s “Renew My Church” program. The 2017-2018 R.C.I.A. Program will begin on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, at St. Stephen’s Parish, and run at that site for eight consecutive weeks, moving on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, to St. Elizabeth Seton, and running here for eight weeks, until making a final move to St. George Parish on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018. Classes conclude March 15. All sessions will run on Thursday night from 7-8:30 PM. Various sessions in the program focus on the sacraments, morality, catechetical teachings of our Church, etc. The sessions will be taught by priest and lay ministers of the three parishes. Again, we encourage our parishioners to spread the word about the program to friends, family members, and neighbors. We ask that anyone interested in the program, or anyone who may have questions about the program, to please call and leave your name and phone number at our parish office at 708-403-0101. Gone Fishing… I left last Tuesday, Aug. 8, for 12 days in Cape Cod with my priest classmate, Fr. Bill Tkachuk, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in La Grange, and with other friends of mine from Florida. I am hoping it to be a restful break prior to the beginning of the new academic year at our parish, which begins on Tuesday, Aug. 22, with the reopening of our Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School. I return home this Sunday evening, Aug. 20. Enjoy the waning days of summer!

Keep Smiling!

Page Two TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME August 20, 2017

Page Three

Sat., Aug. 19 (5pm) Josephine Koeller; Theresa Labus Sun., Aug. 20 (7:15am) Robert Allen Jr.; Harry Rutkiewicz (8:30am) Edward Dudek; Mary Ann Mirecki (10am) Betty Suffern; For All Parishioners (11:30am) Edward Rogala; Robert Tomiello Mon., Aug. 21 (9am) Robert Hall; Kathleen Spohn Tues., Aug. 22 (9am) John Koszack; Mary Ann Mirecki Wed., Aug. 23 (9am) Mary Ann Mirecki; Mary Blaschke Thurs., Aug. 24 (9am) Doris Summers; Alfred Schwab Fri., Aug. 25 (9am) Gregory Fusco; Theresa Santiallan Sat., Aug. 26 (5pm) Ann Matule; Michael Panko Sun., Aug. 27 (7:15am) Patrick O’Keeffe; Jose Roberto Carlos (8:30am) Edward Pikul; Roy O’Connor (10am) Frank Gasper; Willard and Estelle Bush (11:30am) For All Parishioners; Patricia Casper

We remember the sick, infirm, and those recommended to our prayers, that they may experience the healing power of Christ: Patrick Doran Rachel Schopp Barb Riegler Larry Birmingham Mary Michelon

And for our deceased: Patricia A. O’Brien Bernadine Harmata Lindy Michelon “Heavenly Father, accept the prayers which we offer for them.”

August 20, 2017 TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Matthew and Sarah Palenik (Child: Niko Palenik) Alexandria Gray (Child: Samantha Fratto)

WELCOME

PLEASE PRAY FOR

MASS INTENTIONS

STEWARDSHIP

COLLECTION FOR 8-13-17: $27,560.85

KIDS COLLECTION: $21.85

Thank you for your generosity.

CARDINAL JOSEPH BERNARDIN

CATHOLIC SCHOOL

We are YOUR Catholic School!

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School is a Nationally-Recognized Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. the Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School is cur-rently accepting applications for enrollment Grades 3PK-8. Contact our Enrollment Director, Cynthia Devlin, at 708-403-6525, x 127 or email cdevlin@cjbschool.org.

To learn more visit us on the web at www.cjbschool.org

Please pray for this couple preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony: Stefani Vizdal and Brad Hommes: 9-8-17 Amanda Grigsby and Gregory Allison; 9-15-17 Jenna Grzebielucha and David Bazarko; 9-22-17 Allison Kosinski and Tyler Magyar; 9-23-17

WEDDINGS

Congratulations to Bob and Rita Prost on the celebration of their 67th Wedding Anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017.

ANNIVERSARIES

It’s time again for the

ever-so-popular...

NEXT WEEKEND

Tootsie Roll Bank Sale August 26/ 27 $2.00 each

The Knights of Columbus Father C.C. Boyle Council 4698 will be at the St. Elizabeth Seton Church entrances after all the Masses on Aug. 27 and 28. The banks are filled with chocolate Tootsie Rolls or Fruit Flavored Tootsie Rolls and are $2.00 each.

The proceeds from the bank sales go to the St. Elizabeth Seton Special Needs Religious Education Program. Thank you in advance

for your continued generosity.

Faith, Doubt, Dark Nights, and Maturity By Reverend Ronald Rolheiser

I n one of his books on contem-plative prayer, Thomas Keating shares with us a line that he

occasionally uses in spiritual direction. People come to him, sharing how they used to have a warm and solid sense of God in their lives but now complain that all that warmth and confidence have disappeared and they’re left strug-gling with belief and struggling to pray as they used to. They feel a deep sense of loss and invariably this is their question: “What’s wrong with me?” Keating’s answer: God is wrong with you! His answer, in essence, says this: Despite your pain, there is some-thing very right with you. You have moved past being a religious neo-phyte, past an initiatory stage of reli-gious growth, which was right for you for its time, and are now being led into a deeper, not lesser, faith. Moreover, that loss of fervor has brought you to a deeper maturity. So, in effect, what you’re asking is this: I used to be quite sure of myself religiously and, no doubt, probably somewhat arrogant and judgmental. I felt I understood God and religion and I looked with some disdain at the world. Then the bottom fell out of my faith and my certainty and I’m now finding myself a lot less sure of myself, considerably more humble, more empa-thetic, and less judgmental.

What’s wrong with me? Asked in this way, the question answers itself. Clearly that person is growing, not regressing.

L ost is a place too! Christina Crawford wrote those words, describing her own painful journey through darkness into a deeper maturity. To be saved, we

have to first realize that we’re lost, and usually some kind of bottom has to fall out of our lives for us to come to that realization. Sometimes there’s no other cure for arrogance and presumption than a painful loss of certi-tude about our own ideas about God, faith, and religion. John of the Cross suggests that a deeper religious faith begins when, as he puts it, we are forced to understand more by not understanding than by understanding. But that can be a very confusing and painful experience that precisely prompts the feeling: What’s wrong with me? A curious, paradoxical dynamic lies behind this: We tend to confuse faith with our capacity on any given day to conjure up a concept of God and imagine God’s existence. Moreover we think our faith is strongest at those times when we have affective and emotive feelings

attached to our imaginations about God. Our faith feels strongest when bolstered by and inflamed by feelings of fervor. Great spiritual writers will tell us that this stage of fervor is a good stage in our faith, but an initiatory one, one more commonly experienced when we are neophytes. Experience tends to support this. In the earlier stages of a religious journey it is com-mon to possess strong, affective im-ages and feelings about God. At this stage, our relationship with God paral-lels the relationship between a couple on their honeymoon. On your honey-moon you have strong emotions and possess a certain certainty about your love, but it’s a place you come home from. A honeymoon is an initiatory stage in love, a valuable gift, but something that disappears after it has done its work. A honeymoon is not a marriage, though often confused with one. It’s the same with faith; strong imaginative images of God are not faith, though they’re often confused with it.

Strong imaginative images and strong feelings about God are, in the end, just that, images. Wonderful, but im-ages nonetheless, icons. An image is not the reality. An icon can be beautiful and helpful and point us in the right direction, but when mistaken for the reality it becomes an idol. For this reason, the great spiritual writers tell us that God at certain moments of our spiritual journey “takes away” our certainty and deprives us of all warm, felt feel-ings in faith. God does this precisely so that we cannot turn our icons into idols, so that we cannot let the experi-ence of faith get in the way of the end of faith itself, namely, an encounter with the reality and person of God.

Mystics such as John of the Cross call this experi-ence of seemingly losing our faith,

“a dark night of the soul.”

This describes the experience where we used to feel God’s presence with a certain warmth and solidity, but now we feel like God is non-existent and we are left in doubt. This is what Jesus experienced on the cross and this is what Mother Teresa wrote about in her journals.

A nd while that darkness can be confusing, it can also be maturing: It can help move us from being arrogant, judgmental, religious neophytes to being

humble, empathic men and women, living inside a cloud of unknowing, understanding more by not understanding than by understanding, helpfully lost in a darkness we cannot manipulate or control, so as to finally be pushed into genuine faith, hope, and charity.

Page Four TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME August 20, 2017

She said, “Please, Lord, for even the dogs

eat the scraps that fall from the table of their masters." Then Jesus said to her in reply, "O woman, great is your faith”

Dear Parishioners, Due to an overwhelming response and capacity limits for the Gubbins Center for Faith Formation (the only location with availability to accommo-date our Thursday ses-sions), we regrettably have to close registration for the Fall Scripture Study program. Thank you to all for your ongoing support of our program. Fr. William Gubbins

August 20, 2017 TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Page Five

CURRENT REGISTRATION FOR FALL SCRIPTURE STUDY HAS CLOSED

DUE TO CAPACITY LIMITATIONS

FALL 2017

Evening School Custodian Position Available

Requirements: General cleaning (dusting, sweeping, mopping) of floors and cleaning washrooms. Must be able to use basic tools (hammer, screwdriver, pliers) to handle light maintenance/repair duties. Must be able to read and understand instructions… adaptability/flexibility to respond to situations and problems as they arise is required. Must take directives well. Pay is $12/hour. Maximum of 25 hours/week. Schedule is 5:30pm-10:30pm. Please email resume to ryanowsky@steseton.com for consideration.

EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

I would like to thank the parishioners of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish for their generous donations to The Courage Program. Thank you for making this drive so successful. Your donations will be delivered to The Cour-age Program shortly. With gratitude, Vincent Zampillo Life Scout BSA Troop 380

Gala of the Arts – September 8 Setting the stage to help people in crisis, Catholic Charities 16th Annual Gala of the Arts returns to the Navy Pier's Grand Ballroom in Chicago on Friday, Sept. 8, featuring an exquisite art show and sale, silent auction, grand raffle, and music by Super Diamond–The Neil Diamond Tribute. This black-tie optional event benefits Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Programs. Reservations are $250 per person or tables of 10 for $2,500. Sponsorship opportunities available. For information/to register, please visit www.catholiccharities.net/gala or contact Rose Marie Lesniak-Mendez at 312-655-7290 or RMLesniakMendez@catholiccharities.net.

Page Six TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME August 20, 2017

ABOUT OUR SECOND COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND Next week, parishes throughout the Archdiocese will participate in a national collection to complete the final major project, the Trinity Dome, on the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC before its 100th anniversary in 2020. Also known as America’s Catholic Church, the National Shrine is the largest church in the United States and is a beacon of our faith to the nearly 1 million who visit it each year and to the millions more who visit and work in our nation’s capital. More information on this project can be found at trinitydome.org and/or nationalshrine.org. Thank you in advance for your support of this initiative through the second collection next week.

Page Seven August 20, 2017 TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Page Eight TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME August 20, 2017

Our Lady of Knock Feast Day Celebration Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest, in-vites all to an Our Lady of Knock Feast Day Celebration on Monday, Aug. 21, at 7:30pm. Benediction, Rosary and Procession to the Grotto. Come and enjoy the evening. Refreshments will be served. Questions? Call 708-687-9323. Visit their website at www.chicagogaelicpark.org.

MOTHER MCAULEY AND BROTHER RICE HIGH SCHOOL TAILGATE PARTY

Saturday, Aug. 26, 5-7pm, McAuley Parking Lot All 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students are invited to join Mother McAuley and Brother Rice for a Tailgate Party during the Brother Rice v Marist Freshman football games. Join in for food, inflatables, and music! Please RSVP at mothermcauley.org.

Housekeeper/Dietary Aide Position Available

LOCATION: Portiuncula Center for Prayer (Franciscan Retreat Center, 9263 W. St. Francis Rd. Frankfort, IL. HOURLY RATE: $11.00 (Flexible role, non-benefitted) JOB: Assist with serving food in serving line. Doing dishes, cleaning, and restocking dining room. Requires ability to carry trays of dishes and run dish machine. Some housekeeping may be required. HOURS: Currently 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM Fridays during school year- other hours may be available as needed. DETAILS: Call Mary Lou Nugent at 815-469-4851 or email Marylou.nugent@presencehealth.org.

August 20, 2017 TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Page Nine

GREETERS NEEDED We have a need for Adult Greeters

at our weekend Masses… What does a greeter do? A greeter helps to provide a sense of hospitality and welcome. Some of the duties of greeter: Coming about 20 minutes early to Mass; welcoming people at the door; giving people the liturgy aid/song sheet; giving registration forms to new parishioners; ushering people forward for communion; passing the offering basket; helping seat people before Mass.

Greeters are scheduled to serve for one month and be off for the next. Children younger than 8th grade can help their parents who are greeters. To volunteer call Claudia Nolan at 708-403-0101.

Newborns In Need Monday, August 21

The Seton Sowers Chapter of Newborns in Need will meet Monday, Aug. 21, at 9:15am, downstairs in the O’Mara Hall meeting room. If you knit, crochet, or sew, we can use your skills to make clothing and blankets for the newborn babies who need to spend hospital time because they are premature or sick. The hospital who receives our donations are very grateful for all you do. If you cannot make items, you can help by donating yarn, fabric, baby toiletries, or supplies. For more information, call Carol Dimer at 708-479-6994.

Who might be interested? Adults who are: not yet baptized; baptized in another Christian denomination or were baptized Catholic but have not yet received the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.

For information call the office at 708-403-0101.

Have you considered exploring the Catholic Faith? Know someone who might be interested?

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Page Ten TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME August 20, 2017

SACRED SPACE AUGUST/SEPTEMBER MEETING UPDATE The Sacred Space reflection members will gather on Monday, Aug. 28, at 9:30am,

in the Fr. Gubbins’ Center for Faith Formation (former Cornerstone). This meeting will take the place of the September 4 meeting which is cancelled due to Labor Day.

“Speak to the earth and she will teach you…” Job 12:7

Earth teach me stillnessEarth teach me stillness

as the grasses are stilled with light.as the grasses are stilled with light.

Earth teach me sufferingEarth teach me suffering

as old stones suffer with memory.as old stones suffer with memory.

Earth teach me humilityEarth teach me humility

as blossoms are humble with beginning. as blossoms are humble with beginning.

Earth teach me caringEarth teach me caring

as the mother who secures her young.as the mother who secures her young.

Earth teach me courageEarth teach me courage

as the tree which stands all alone.as the tree which stands all alone.

Earth teach me limitationEarth teach me limitation

as the ant which crawls on the ground.as the ant which crawls on the ground.

Earth teach me freedomEarth teach me freedom

as the eagle which soars in the sky.as the eagle which soars in the sky.

Earth teach me resignationEarth teach me resignation

as the leaves which die in the fall.as the leaves which die in the fall.

Earth teach me regenerationEarth teach me regeneration

as the seed which rises in the spring.as the seed which rises in the spring.

Earth teach us to forget ourselvesEarth teach us to forget ourselves

as the melted snow forgets its life.as the melted snow forgets its life.

Earth teach me to remember kindnessEarth teach me to remember kindness

as dry fields weep with rain. as dry fields weep with rain.

Ute PrayerUte Prayer

Page Eleven August 20, 2017 TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Gaelic Park, Oak ForestGaelic Park, Oak ForestGaelic Park, Oak Forest Emerald Room

Dinner, Live Auction, Silent Auction and Raffles

Tickets: $80 each

https://support.ibvm.us/gala

Sr. Nancy Kennelly’s

September 24, 2017September 24, 2017September 24, 2017

High School Confirmation Program St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr Parish, 17500 S. 84th Ave., Tinley Park, will begin a High School Confirmation Program on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 4:15pm for teens in Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior years of high school. The program will meet weekly until the Sacrament is conferred upon the teens on March 10, 2018, by Bishop Kane. Topics that will be covered will help teens relate to being a Catholic in our modern society. Students will dis-cuss elements of the Catholic faith and the significance of moral, theological, and scriptural issues that are a part of every committed and confirmed Catholic’s life. There are three Sacraments in which people become full members of the Catholic Church — Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation. Confirmation is an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and completes the good work that was begun in Baptism and that is continually strengthened in receiving the Eucharist. Students are required to do ser-vice projects, attend a retreat in preparation for the Sacra-ment and each student will research and prepare a report on the saint name chosen for his/her confirmation name. Registration form online at www.ststephentinley.com under the Education tab, where the form can be printed and returned to the Religious Education office. Questions? Contact Barbara Black at barbara@ststephentinley.com.

St. Jude Solemn Novena St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr Parish, 17500 S. 84th Ave. Tinley Park, invites you a solemn novena to St. Jude Thaddeus which includes rosary and St. Jude devotions and veneration of arm relic of St. Jude. Mission at 7pm on Monday, Aug. 28/Tuesday, Aug. 29. Mass with St. Jude Oil Blessing on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Presented by the Ministries of the Dominican Shrine of St. Jude. Please visit their website at www.The-Shrine.org.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 Outdoor Slip-N-Slide Kickball

after 6:15pm Mass at St. Stephen

OPEN GYM DROP-IN Every Thursday, 7-8pm, starting in

September for 6th grade and up.

CHURCH BASKETBALL LEAGUE starts in September

for all High School Students

18-39 YOUNG ADULT RETREAT Culver, IN

September 16, 17, 18

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW BIBLE DISCUSSION GROUP

Wednesdays at 7:00pm First date is September 27:

Please RSVP

YOUNG ADULT ADORATION St. Michael’s Parish

Thursday, September 21, 7:00pm

To be added to the email list, ask questions, comments, or rude remarks,

please contact Kyle Groves at kgroves@steseton.com or

call 708-403-0101, x105

August 20, 2017 Page Twelve TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

May the Peace and Joy of Christ

be with you this Christmas

and throughout the New Year

Help Support Our 2018 Parish Mission CHRISTMAS CARD/NOTE CARD FUNDRAISER Speaking of Lent in the Summer and in the midst of the Liturgical Season of Ordinary Time, may seem strange but we have exciting news. We not only are planning for this Mission but we are also fundraising with quality “Greeting Cards” depicting two beautiful sacred liturgical furnishings of St. Elizabeth Seton Church.

BOXED CHRISTMAS CARDS WITH OUR VERY OWN

SCULPTED FIGURINES FROM OUR CHRISTMAS CRECHE

$15.00 each (10 CARDS PER BOX)

ABOUT OUR PLANNED MISSION SPEAKER We will welcome an extraordinary gifted Lenten Mission Speaker, Arthur (Art) Zannoni. Being Italian, Art has a way of telling a story and engaging his audience. He is an award winning free-lance writer, scripture scholar, teacher, theologian, workshop leader and consultant in the areas of biblical studies and Christian–Jewish relations. Art is married and has two adult married children and an 18 yr.-old son and 5 grandchildren. He and his wife Kathy and their youngest son live in the twin cities and they are members of St. Cecilia Parish in St. Paul.

BOXED NOTE CARDS WITH OUR VERY OWN

BAPTISMAL FONT AT OUR EASTER SEASON

$10.00 each (10 CARDS PER BOX)

Christmas and Note Cards are available to view/purchase in the parish office.

Limited quantities for purchase.

Inside of note card is

blank to include your personal

message

Card inscribed with

a beautiful Christmas message

August 20, 2017 TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Page Thirteen

Suffering from the Loss of a Loved One? Little Company of Mary Hospital, 2800 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park, offers two support programs for those grieving the loss of a loved through death:

For Adults: Living When A Loved One Has Died Six consecutive Wednesdays, beginning Oct. 4, 2017, from 6-8:30pm. Support groups formed specific to loss. Registration is required. A seventh gathering called Coping for the Holidays will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, with guest presenter, Fr. Jim Heneghan. For Children: The Heart Connection Eight consecutive Mondays, beginning Sept. 25, 2017 from 6-7:30pm. The program is for children ages 3-21 years of age who have lost a loved one. Program includes dinner (free). Early registration required.

For information or registration, please call the 708-229-4299, Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm.

St. George Bereavement Ministry St. George Bereavement Ministry will begin Group Support Sessions on Monday, Sept. 25, for anyone who has lost a loved one. The sessions will be held each Monday evening for six weeks from 7-8:30pm on the first floor of the Cahill Parish Life Center, 6707 W. 175th St., Tinley Park. If you or someone you know feels that the peer support from this program would be a benefit after the loss of a loved one, you are invited to join them. If you wish to attend or if you require additional information, please contact Mary Hagan at 708-429-6043 or email: mhagan@stegeorge60477.org.

Portiuncula Center for Prayer 9263 W. St. Francis Rd., Frankfort

Mindfulness for Christians: Finding God in the Present Moment

Saturday, Aug. 26, 9:30am-3pm. Fee: $50 Introduction to mindfulness practice in a Christian context. Explore the five senses as gateways by which you can enter into communion with God and find joy, renewal, and greater aliveness. Learn how mindfulness leads to con-templative resting in God in silence, beyond thoughts and concepts. Activities to include forms of meditation (sitting, walking, eating), discussion and small group exercises. Familiarity with meditation or contemplative prayer is rec-ommended. Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting cloth-ing suitable for stretching. Facilitator: Bill Epperly, PhD.

Day of Reflection: Simplicity in Abundance

Monday, Aug. 28, 9:30am-3pm. Fee: $50 This retreat day offers you peaceful, contemplative space and time at LaVerna. The day includes opening prayer, theme, time for individual reflection, lunch, and a closing service. Included is a mindfulness walk that offers oppor-tunities to reflect on maintaining a spirit of simplicity in seasons of copious growth and productivity. Facilitator: Janice Keenan, OSF.

To register: Call 815-464-3880 or info@portforprayer.org

or visit www.portforprayer.org

Page Fourteen TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME August 20, 2017

See you Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017!

Page Fifteen August 20, 2017 TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINT OF THE WEEK Seniors of Seton UPCOMING EVENTS

SAINT LOUIS IX OF FRANCE (1214-1270)

Saint Louis of France took his position seriously as both king and Christian. A true son of the Church, St. Louis

worked for peace and reconciliation within his kingdom and beyond. He was generous with his wealth and his time.

He was named a patron of the Secular Franciscans.

AT HIS CORONATION AS KING OF FRANCE, LOUIS IX BOUND HIMSELF BY OATH TO BEHAVE AS GOD’S ANOINTED, AS THE FATHER OF HIS PEOPLE AND FEUDAL LORD OF THE KING OF PEACE. Other kings had done the same, of course. Louis was different in that he actually interpreted his kingly duties in the light of faith. After the violence of two previous reigns, he brought peace and justice. Louis “took the cross” for a Crusade when he was 30. His army seized Damietta in Egypt but not long after, weakened by dysentery and without support, they were surrounded and captured. Louis obtained the re-lease of the army by giving up the city of Damietta in addition to paying a ransom. He stayed in Syria four years. Louis deserves credit for extending justice in civil administration. His regulations for royal officials be-came the first of a series of reform laws. He replaced trial by battle with a form of examination of witnesses and encouraged the use of written records in court. Louis was always respectful of the papacy, but de-fended royal interests against the popes, and refused to acknowledge Innocent IV’s sentence against Emperor Frederick II. Louis was devoted to his people, founding hospitals, visiting the sick, and like his patron Saint Francis, car-ing even for people with leprosy. He is one of the pa-trons of the Secular Franciscan Order. Louis united France—lords and townsfolk, peasants and priests and knights—by the force of his personality and holiness. For many years the nation was at peace. Every day, Louis had 13 special guests from among the poor to eat with him, and a large number of poor were served meals near his palace. During Advent and Lent, all who presented themselves were given a meal, and Louis often served them in person. He kept lists of needy people, whom he regularly relieved, in every province of his dominion. Disturbed by new Muslim advances in Syria, he led another crusade in 1267, at the age of 41. His crusade was diverted to Tunis for his brother’s sake. The army was decimated by disease within a month, and Louis himself died on foreign soil at the age of 44. He was canonized 27 years later.

WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS! The Saint Elizabeth Seton Parish SENIORS OF SETON is a group of over 200 seniors that gather the first Tuesday of the month for fun meetings and activities throughout the year.

Our dues are only $15 per person per year and you can come as a guest to see what we do and meet new people before joining. The doors open to the Parish Life Center (east of the front church entrance) at 9:30 AM following the 9 AM Mass. The meeting begins at 10 AM followed by entertainment. Membership is open to all ages who want to meet new people and have fun.

SOS MEMBERSHIP REMINDER... Meetings will resume September 5, 2017

A mailing went out to existing members asking them to sign up for the 2017-2018 year. Please return these envelopes promptly.

Golden Opportunities Books Half-Price-$10!

Golden Opportunities Coupon books offer local restaurants offering discounts of 50% off or 2-for-1. In addition, great savings at movies, grocery stores, sporting events, more! Many coupons valid once a month thru 10-1-17! Cash or check payable to Seniors of Seton (SOS). Available in church office.

Page Sixteen TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME August 20, 2017

Reflections for THE TWENTY

FIRST SUNDAY IN

ORDINARY TIME

August 27, 2017

Bind me to yourself, O God, and open the eyes of my mind to your Word, that I

might know your will and have the courage

to live it. Heal the cracks in the rock of my faith, and help all

that I say, do, and proclaim as my belief

in your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

We live in a world filled with locks and keys, with all kinds of devices meant to keep others out. But prayer is a key we are given to open up our lives to God and to others.

NEXT WEEK: OPEN UP!

When Peter says Jesus is “the Christ,” he is saying that Jesus is the Messiah. Peter also says that Jesus is the only-begotten Son of the Father. Peter means rock in Greek. Peter

is the rock or foundation of the Church. The “gates of the netherworld” probably refers to a cave that overlooked the site where all of this occurred. For centuries there had been pagan worship there and it was called the “gates to hell.” Jesus tells Peter that the forces of evil will not prevail over Him and His Church. The keys to the kingdom refer to the authority given to Jesus. In the Old Testament only God had keys: to life, death, and rain. Jesus has God’s authority and he passes it on to Peter. The power to loose and bind was the power that rabbis possessed to make decisions over what was binding in the law. In a sense Jesus is making Peter the chief rabbi of the Church.

Who do you say that Jesus is? Peter’s response is not from flesh and blood, but from “my heav-enly Father” (Mt 16:17). Peter’s rock was a reliance on God that comes from prayer. Peter be-came the rock of the Church, the assembly of God’s people in Christ, and the keys of the king-dom were given to him and the early Church. Similarly, Eliakim was given the keys to the House of David. Keys lock and unlock, open and close. When someone has insight into someone or something, that insight is called key because it unlocks the mind and offers understanding. When someone has a necessary role in a family or organization, one is often referred to as key to that family or organization. Key to our faith is whether or not we are willing to submit our-selves to God, through Christ, in the Spirit. Eliakim was chosen because Shebna thought him-self more essential than the king and God he served and was unwilling to serve them. Peter was chosen because he relied on God and returned to God, submitting his will to God, when he got it wrong or denied knowing Jesus because of fear. Prayer is key to submitting our lives to reliance on God’s will in order to live our faith. In prayer we speak to God, yes; but we must also listen for God’s voice. In prayer we can learn the mind of God, who alone opens our minds and hearts to the wisdom that proclaims Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. Take time to pray. Ask yourself, “Who do your say that Jesus is?” May your words, deeds and attitudes proclaim that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our rock, to whom we give glory now and forever. Amen.

REFLECTION

Eliakim is destined by God to be a father to those who live in Jerusalem (Isaiah 22:19-23). This reading is chosen because it speaks of keys. Shebna, the majordomo of the palace, was told that he would lose his office and that it would be given to Eliakim. Eliakim would receive all of the signs of office, including the robe, sash, and the keys of office. Eliakim

would be given authority to make decisions that were binding. He could open and shut as he saw fit. He would also be a peg in a sure spot, which means that his responsibilities would not be transitory. He would have great security in his office (unlike Shebna).

This reading is a type of hymn to celebrate the profundity of the mystery of God’s plan. The mystery is not something that God is hiding from us. Rather God’s plan is so great and wise that we cannot even begin to understand it fully. This does not mean that

we should not try to understand it — only that we should have the humility to recognize that after we have studied and prayed all of our life we will not even have begun to plumb that mystery. And so we like Saint Paul give praise to the Lord.

How deep are the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! (Romans 11:33-36).

FIRST READING

SECOND READING

Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:13-20). GOSPEL

Readings for the Week August 21-August 26: Mon.: Jgs 2:11-19; Mt 19:16-22 Tues.: Jgs 6:11-24a; Mt 19:23-30 Wed.: Jgs 9:6-15; Mt 20:1-16 Thurs.: Rv 21:9b-14; Jn 1:45-51 Fri.: Ru 1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22; Mt 22:34-40 Sat. Ru 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17; Mt 23:1-12

ST. ELIZABETH SETON PRAYER/OUTREACH MINISTRIES

Social Action Ministry How we serve: Shepherd's Table Soup Kitchen in Joliet; Sharing Parish with St. Procopius Church; Pro Life Ministry includes: COURAGE Program, Mother’s Day Flowers For Life; Life Chain Sunday, Diaper Drive; Respond Now Out-reach; SWIFT (South West Interfaith Team); Environmental Ministry; Speaker nights.

Seton Rosary Group All are invited to join in praying of the Holy Rosary. We meet each Tuesday and Thursday in the church, by our statue of the Mary, following the 9am Mass.

Chaplet of Divine Mercy The Divine Mercy Chaplet is recited every Wednesday morning in the church, following the 9am Mass.

Heart Warmers Meal Ministry Heart Warmers is an outreach program where Seton volun-teers deliver homemade meals to people of our parish com-munity when they are experiencing times with medical, health, new baby, recovery, or grief issues. To schedule re-ceiving a meal or to become a meal provider contact Barb Cristofaro at 708-349-7493 or heartwarmers-ses@att.net.

Prayer Shawl Ministry Shawls are prayerfully created, blessed, and distributed to those who have a need for the spiritual, physical or emo-tional comfort. Knit or crochet in your home and/or at the twice-monthly meetings. To become a knitter or to obtain a shawl, call Sharon Leone at 708-226-4836.

Seton Sowers-Newborns in Need If you knit/crochet/sew, your skills to make clothing/blankets for premature newborn babies at the University of Illinois Hospital. We meet monthly in the O’Mara Hall. Donations of yarn/fabric/baby toiletries/supplies accepted. For information/meeting dates, contact Carol Dimer at 708-479-6994.

HOPE Employment Ministry HOPE is open to everyone. All of our services, to both job seekers and employers, are free. We meet the first Tuesday of each month in O’Mara Hall at 7pm. Our meetings consist of networking, resume review, guest speakers and open fo-rums. Contact Lee Junkans at ajunkans@aol.com.

Alcoholics Anonymous If you have a problem with alcohol and feel a sincere desire to stop drinking, you are welcome to attend a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in the downstairs O’Mara Hall on Thursdays, from 7:30-8:45pm. AA is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover. The only requirement is a sincere desire to stop drinking.

Families Anonymous If your life has gone astray due to living with someone who has a substance abuse problem, attend a Families Anony-mous on Mondays from 7-8:30pm at Palos Hospital, 123rd and 80th Ave., Palos Heights (Ambulatory Care Center, Rm. 1). Call 708-429-2507 or 708-269-9853.

St. Vincent de Paul Society Anyone within parish boundaries in need of assistance from SVDP, may call the parish office at 708-403-0101.

ST. ELIZABETH SETON PARISH INFORMATION

New Parishioners We welcome new members. All are invited to participate in the life and mission of the parish. A complete listing of parish services and organizations is available in the parish office and on our parish website. Please visit the parish office to register or obtain the registration form on the parish website. Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Saturday, between 4:15-4:45pm. Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated twice monthly at 1pm. Reserve your time by calling the parish office Center early. Limited to six children per Sunday. Baptismal Preparation Couples preparing for the birth of their child should contact the Pastoral Center to register for a one night seminar, focusing on a parent’s role in faith development. This session is mandatory prior to the Baptism. Anointing of the Sick is available in the Church every Monday after the 9am Mass. For those who are ill or facing hospitalization, it is appropriate to receive the sacrament once every six months. Call 708-403-0101 for information. Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults Adults, 18 and older, who wish to become Catholic are enrolled in a formation process (RCIA) that includes prayer, dialogue, instruction, and introduction to the Church’s life and values, rituals and traditions. For in-formation call the parish office 708-403-0101. Ministry of Care is available to give Communion to the housebound, to visit and pray for hospitalized and/or to arrange for the Anointing of the Sick. Please call the Pastoral Center for assistance. In the Hospital? Because of HIPAA Privacy regu-lations hospitals can no longer contact the parish re-garding your hospitalization. It is the responsibility of you or a family member to notify our parish. We desire to offer whatever spiritual support we can. Please call the Pastoral Center. Sacrament of Marriage Couples planning to marry are asked to make arrangements six months in advance. Wedding Workshops are offered throughout the year. They provide engaged couples with guidelines and suggestions for the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage. The workshop covers topics ranging from readings and music to flowers and video taping. Adult Choir sings at all 10am Sunday Masses, as well as at a number of special liturgies. Teen Choir sings at the 11:30am Sunday Masses.

Moving? Please call the office at 708-403-0101.

9300 West 167th St., Orland Hills, IL 708-403-0101

www.steseton.com

August 20, 2017 Page Seventeen TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

A FINAL THOUGHT FOR YOUR WEEK

Loving the Other By Ted Wolgamot, Celebration Publications

T oday’s Gospel presents a Jesus we might not recognize,

who says “No,” is dismissive to the point of being rude, and who totally ignores obvious suffering. How can this be? After feeding hungry multitudes and reaching out in compassion to all those in pain, how can it be that Jesus would refuse this woman who is experiencing terrible anguish because her daughter is being tormented by a demon? And yet, that’s what Jesus does. Not once, but twice he refuses the woman’s plea for mercy. He even goes so far as to dismissively say to her: “It is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” So, what’s really going on here? The Gospel of Matthew was written some 50-60 years after the death of Jesus. It emerged from a community of believers struggling to deal with two major concerns: First, the role of “gentiles” or “foreigners,” people of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. What should we do with these people? How should we behave towards them? Second, the role of women in the early church community. Sound familiar? We Christian people, we followers of Jesus are still grappling with both issues to this day.

The matter of how to treat people who are “not one of our own”—immigrants or those racially

different—is ever present in our news cycle.

Historically, this issue alone is still causing controversies within the Church and in countries around the world as well. Who is to be accepted? Who is to be rejected? Who is to be relegated to the back of the bus?

T oday’s Gospel tells the story of Jesus himself struggling with these very questions through an encounter with a woman — a very persistent

woman, who refuses to take “no” for an answer. At first, Jesus demonstrates how uncomfortable he

is with her because she is not Jewish. She is part of another culture, another country, another religion. And so initially, Jesus stays with his “own kind,” and states: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Most everyone can identify with this point of view.

We are uncomfortable, at least initially, with

anyone who is “different.”

J esus is depicted in today’s Gospel reading in much the same way. But, notice one

huge distinction: It is the woman’s faith that make all of the difference and changes Jesus. Ultimately, it’s not her persistence that transforms Jesus. Instead, it’s his amazement at the depth of her love for her daughter and her recognition of the breadth of God’s love for all humans. It’s her belief that God loves all people and will heal all people. The other major issue, that of women, is presented in a subtle, yet equally significant way. Women had no rights at that time — legally nor religiously. Yet, again and again, Jesus broke the rules of

his religion and culture, by listening to women, conversing with them, healing them, and including them among his primary followers. Jesus even went so far as to use women as examples for us all, such as the woman in today’s Gospel who is given the ultimate compliment of teaching Jesus. What Jesus finds remarkable is the woman’s faith.

That’s our lesson from today’s Gospel: It will be our faith that will lead us through all

the heartaches and the demons that torment us. It will be our faith that will overcome all

our many biases and prejudices and give us hearts large enough to welcome everyone.

It will be our faith that will transform us.

Just as it did for Jesus.

August 20, 2017 Page Eighteen TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Lord, may we be your instruments that all nations will praise you.

May we compassionately listen to others and learn

to admire their great faith. Then our neighborhoods,

like our churches, will be a home for all peoples.

Amen.

Follow us on FACEBOOK St. Elizabeth Seton Church-Orland Hills

Page Nineteen August 20, 2017 TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Pastoral Staff Rev. William T. Corcoran, Ph.D, Pastor Rev. John Zurek, Associate Pastor Rev. William Gubbins, Resident Priest Rev. William T. O’Mara, Pastor Emeritus Deacon: Frank Gildea Deacon: Dennis (Barb) Cristofaro Deacon: Joe (Mary) Truesdale

Liturgy Staff Claudia Nolan, Director of Liturgy

Music Staff Linda McKeague, Director of Music

Parish Office Staff Donna Stolinski, Business Manager Darlene Raila, Communications Director Joan Nemec, Morning Receptionist Karen Mirecki, Afternoon Receptionist

Youth/Young Adult Ministry Kyle Groves, Director Bruce Hall, Coordinator

Religious Education Staff Susan Matthews, Director of Religious Education Diana Barracca, Administration Assistant Mary Vlaming, Secretary

Athletics Bob Myjak, Director

Maintenance Staff Raymond Yanowsky, Director of Maintenance Laurie De Mik-Renn, CJB Day Maintenance Supervisor Marie Makuch, Staff Joseph Shake, Staff Dan Kosty, Staff

REGULAR MASS SCHEDULE Monday-Friday:

9:00 am Saturday 5:00 pm Sunday:

7:15, 8:30, 10:00, 11:30am

St. Elizabeth Seton Church 9300 W. 167th Street Orland Hills, IL 60487

Parish Office: 708-403-0101 Religious Education: 708-403-0137 WEBSITE: WWW.STESETON.COM

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY-FRIDAY: 8:30AM-4:30PM SATURDAY: 1PM-6PM SUNDAY: 8:30AM-1PM

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School WEBSITE: WWW.CJBSCHOOL.ORG 708-403-6525 Principal, Mary Iannucilli Administrative Assistant, Cindy Labriola Devlin

8/26 & 8/27 5:00PM 7:15AM 8:30AM 10:00AM 11:30AM

GREETERS R. Coe S. Herman E. Herman S. Klean W. Krol R. Lamparski J. Schuman P. Staszewski

C. Chor R. Dickover G. Lukasiewicz L. McGhee S. McGhee B. Tenuta

K. Fox/ M. Fox D. Gurka/M. Gurka P. Gurka/M. Gurka J. Klomes J. Klomes L. Klomes M. Klomes A. Lloyd A. McCoy D. Minnick

R. Chehy P. Havlin B. Krueger S. Lorenz N. Lorenz J. Moran D. Weber

I. Cox C. Conrad B. Findura M. Gniady K. Ivancich B. Ivancich S. Klean M. McMahon

LECTORS K. McSwain B. DeJonge

W. Dendler E. Espina B. Hall

M. Laska P. DeWilkins

P. Hambrick S. Roethle

ALTAR SERVERS

T. Quinlan A. Boertlein C. Jaeger

B. Paradowski N. Kaslewicz A. Dennis

C. Stroz J. Laxamana G. Misiunas

E. Ryan H. Ryan P. Lynch

L. Kedzierski J. Durkin O. Durkin

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

D. Cristofaro B. Cristofaro C. Innis L. Coe M. O’Connor M. Paluch J. Paluch M. Miller G. Roy L. Jeffrey G. Yakes M. Garcia

M. O’Connor A. Weishaar J. Kelly K. Kelly A. Bramasco N. Sasso K. Nanfeldt J. Janiak

M. Galka T. Krull S. Hall R. Hicks P. Bergamini K. Oliver S. Arcos J. Scellato F. Scellato G. Leone S. Leone T. Cohoon

I. Juska S. Juska K. Petrey R. Grill L. Gent J. Krusenoski E. O’Connor S. Rosinski S. Weishaar T. Federico J. Federico E. Federico

T. Wolski R. Dollah C. Carney K. Hall T. Scorzo J. Holmquist C. Holmquist S. Ivey D. Sigourney M. O’Connor