St. Mary of Gostyn Catholic Church · thinking they are seeing a ghost. Peter wants to show Jesus his great faith. He starts to walk on the water himself, but he begins to sink. ...

St. Mary of Gostyn Catholic Church August 9, 2020

Be Not Afraid

Jesus retires to a quiet spot to pray. His disciples return to the boat and set out on a very rough sea. At the fourth watch of the night, the disciples see Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water. They are terrified, thinking they are seeing a ghost. Peter wants to show Jesus his great faith. He starts to walk on the water himself, but he begins to sink.

Peter hears Jesus telling him and his friends to have faith and not to be afraid. It is a message Jesus has delivered over and over. What a wonderful gift to give your children: faith that can overcome any fear! Unfortunately, you can’t gift wrap it or let them swallow it like a vitamin. What you can hand on to your children, though, is the story of faith, giving them a glorious sense of power and worth by making sure they understand their part in that story. If I had to tell this story in a hundred words or less, this is what I would say:

When God made the world he had a plan—everything and everyone together in peace and harmony. Right from the beginning, we messed up, but God stayed with us. He sent prophets to call us back. Finally, God sent

his own son, Jesus, who lived the plan with every breath he took. Jesus shared his life with everyone he touched. He died and rose again to share that life with us. We are God’s children, and God will give us whatever we need so that we can work together to make the plan of God happen.

That’s who we are. We have God with us and in us. We’ve got important things to do. We have to take the love and life Jesus shares with us to everyone we meet. We are part of God’s plan. Sometimes it can be scary to step out, but when we remember who we are, we won’t let fear stop us.

PERSONAL RESPONSE

How can you make your home environment look more closely like the plan of God?

What do you want to remember from last week?

What are you looking forward to next week?

What are your concerns? Bringing Home the Gospel. Published by the Pastoral Center

Around the Parish

August 9, 2020 Page 3

Saint Vincent DePaul Food Pantry JULY 2020 REPORT Thank You St Mary’s for your continuing generosity to the food pantry. This month St Mary’s provided food for 344 Individuals within 134 Families. So far, this year we have fed 2,017 Individuals within 782 Families. We continue our outreach ministry serving five homeless shelters in Chicago three days a week. . Special thanks to Greg Pua and Ray Sieracki for keeping our pantry going during this Pandemic. We had five new families sign up at the food pantry this month.

Thank you for the parishioners who stepped forward to help staff the food pantry and our outreach ministry during the pandemic. Parishioners helping are Julie Romenesko and family, Annie, Brian Gaughan and family, and Sally Smyrski. Others have stepped forward and we thank them but we are trying to limit the number of people working in the pantry avoiding the risk of the virus.

PANTRY DONATIONS ARE ACCEPTED ON WEDNESDAY’S BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8 to 11am.

Pantry item most in need is paper towels.

FRIENDS OF THE PANTRY DONATIONS

1. If you shop at Trader Joe’s, Thank them for their continuing generosity.

2. Thank you Jim/Lois Murawski for your large food donation.

3. Thank you Ron/Linda Cuchna for your large food donation.

4. Special thanks to the parishioners stepping forward to fill the void left by those sheltering in place.

5. Thank you Charlotte Scholeen for your large weekly donations.

Don't forget Amazon Shoppers! You can donate to St. Mary's SVDP Conference at no cost to you by going to smile.amazon.com and selecting St. Vincent de Paul - St. Mary of Gostyn. A percentage of your purchase is automati-cally donated to SVDP with every Amazon order you place. Thank you for your support! July Adage: A smart person knows what to say. A wise person knows whether to say it or not.

Thank you, St Mary’s, from all of us at Saint Vincent DePaul, we could not accomplish all we do without your support, and God bless you. Please keep us in your prayers.

Parishioners experiencing financial hardship are most welcome at our Food Pantry. The pantry is open every Wednesday from 8:00 to 11:00am.

ST. MARY’S BAPTISM HOST MINISTRY IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS

Are you looking for a way to be of service to the St. Mary Parish Community? St. Mary’s Baptism Host ministry is looking for some new members. Members are asked to assist the celebrant at the group baptisms that are held on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month and to lead the Baptism Preparation class on the first Thursday evening of the month for parents. The class requires ministry hosts to lead a discussion about baptism and present a video that explains the meaning and the ceremonial parts of Baptism. Your commitment would only be 5 – 6 hours a year split between either the group baptisms or the class; each would take is about an hour of your time. Currently the members assist approximately 6 times a year, a combina-tion of Sunday afternoon baptisms or leading the class Training and mentoring would be provided. It is a great way to serve your parish community. Please contact Rosie Wolf at 630-852-9087 or Deacon Steve DeSitter at 630-327-7221 if you would like more information.

Friday, August 14th Drive-by Food-drive

5:00-6:00 PM

See listing below for most needed items at PADS. Also collecting paper goods (paper towels, TP, etc) for

St. Vincent DePaul food pantry.

Complete No Contact - simply drive up and items will be unloaded from your trunk.

1. Food: (single servings) • Water Bottles • Cereal •Chips Crackers • Crystal Light • Easy Mac, Mashed Potatoes Fruit Cups • Gatorade, Juice Boxes • Granola Bars • Instant Coffee, cream and sugar • Instant Oatmeal, Rice • Jerky, Meat Sticks • Microwave Meals (just add water) • Peanut Butter, Jelly

2. Pop-Top Cans– Ravioli, Spaghetti, Soup • Fruit, Vegeta bles • Pudding, Jell-O • Raisins • Ramen • Trail mix • Tuna/Chicken Salad kits

3. Toiletries: • Body Wash (full size) • Facial Tissues (travel and full size) • Hand Sanitizer (all sizes) • Shampoo (full size)

4. Supplies: • Hot/Cold Disposable Cups • Microwave Safe Bowls • Napkins • Paper Plates, Bowls • Paper Towels • Plastic Silverware • Toilet Paper • Trash Bags Ziplock Bags

5. Gift Cards for Basic Needs: ($10, $20, $30) •Walmart, Jewel, Aldi, Walgreens

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PLEASE NOTE THERE IS ONLY ONE MASS PER WEEKDAY

MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2020 6:00 PM - Marcia Kozicki req. Jim & June Burke Larry Huene req. Anne Huene TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020 9:00 AM - Kelly McHugh Walters req. Mother & Family WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020 9:00 AM - Virginia Mates req. Mike & Val Bava Charles Chambers req. Chris Chambers THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 9:00 AM - Michael Prasse req. Sanderson Family FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2020 9:00 AM - Joseph Kowalkowski req. Family Stella Caccamo req. Fran Belcastro SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020 10:00 AM - The Assumption of Mary into Heaven 4:00 PM - Special Intention req. Hebreard Family Joseph Corrigan req. Donna SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2020 8:00 AM - Martha Brennan Weinfurter req. Fierstein Family 10:00 AM - People of the Parish 12:00 PM - Living Intention for Hugh & Maureen Toner & Family req. Hugh & Maureen 6:00 PM - Lucy Schmudde req. Frank & Diane Czopek

Stewardship

Our Catholic Faith with Fr. Keith: The Blessed Mother has a unique role in salvation history. She was chosen by God to bear the Christ child in her womb. With Saint Joseph, she raised Jesus as He grew in age and wisdom. During the Passion of Christ, she stayed by her Son’s side as He died on the Cross. And, after the Resurrection, she was with the apostles and disciples in the Upper Room at Pente-cost. As Catholics, we commemorate many events in the life of Mary as a way to honor her in filial devotion. This week, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when she was taken up body and soul into Heaven. This has been celebrated since at least the Fifth Century. There is some theological difference between the Western and Eastern Churches about this event in her life. Western theologians have long held that she was assumed into Heaven after death, whereas, Eastern mystics believe she merely fell asleep to this life, which is why this Feast is sometimes referred to as the Dormition of Mary. Either way, there has been almost universal belief in her bodily presence in Heaven since the time of the Church Fathers. Interestingly, it was not until recent decades that Pope Pius XII dogmatically defined this Feast in 1950, declaring “We proclaim and define it to be a dogma revealed by God that the immaculate Mother of God, Mary ever virgin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven” (Munificentissimus Deus, 44). We honor the Blessed Mother in this way by sharing in the ancient belief that she would be worthy for bodily presence in Heaven because she was born full of grace, that is, born without sin. Certainly, Jesus felt such love and affection for His Mother that He desired her to be with Him in Heaven and experience the Beatific Vision with both body and soul. We do not worship her as equal with God, but we do reverence her very unique role in Salvation History. Today, we ask for her intercession that she might present our needs and prayers to her Son.

A CALL TO STEWARDSHIP

Weekly Collection 08/02/2020 $25,891.83

Weekly Goal (Fiscal Year 2020/2021) $28,500.00

Goals to Date Sunday Goal to Date $142,500.00 Collections to Date Sunday Collection to Date $138,579.82 Total (Short of) Goals to Date $(3,920.18)

Thank you for your continued support and generosity. We are very grateful!

The Assumption of Mary into Heaven

Saturday, August 15, 2020

Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM

Not a Holy Day of Obligation this year.

Prayer Requests

Kevin Braasch Michael Martel Natalya Brechlin John Svoboda Christopher Fountain Nathan Kijowski Bob Lang Zachary Frana

Pray for our Military Let us pray for all of our military personnel, especially the men and women of our parish who are serving

in harm’s way:

Timothy Randazzo Kyle Ng Christopher Randazzo Joe McSweeney Maggie Benhart Kevin Hanlon Brendan Vrtis

The following persons have requested prayers from our parish community:

Karli Brown Carmela Martini Donna Wiencek George Hejny P.J. O’Connor Mark Gowgiel

Spencer Mehr Hugh Toner Anna Bandur Mehaffey Family John Sommer Helen Davy

August 9, 2020 Page 5

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

Have you thought about becoming Catholic? Do you know someone in your family or friends who would interested in joining the Church?

God surprises us in the direction our life goes, whether we know it or not. He made us for Him-self, but we often wander in life. The purpose and meaning we all seek is fulfilled by God. He has a particular and individual affection for you. This particular desire for you is not only in this life but also to prepare us for the next.

In a unique way, God makes Himself both accessible and available to you in the Sacraments of the Church. They are the doorway to grace, and, hopefully, salvation.

If you are interested, then please join us for an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 8th at 7:00pm in the Activity Center. We will intro-duce the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), a seven month process of formation in the Catholic faith. Please contact Fr. Keith ([email protected]) indicating your presence at this event no later than Friday, September 4th.

Adult Faith

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Advance registra on needed to access Zoom call: www.stmarygosthnorg or [email protected]

It’s never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet connected device. With thousands of

books, audio talks, movies, documentaries and studies, there’s something for every member of the family

to grow closer to Christ and His Church.

Sign up at Formed.org

Under St. Mary of Gostyn Downers Grove No cost to join

Dive into the beauty of the Faith!

August 2, 2020 Page 9

NEW PARISHIONERS: We are happy to welcome new members to our community, and encourage you to register either in person at the Parish Office, or register online through our website, www.stmarygostyn.org.

BAPTISMS: St. Mary of Gostyn offers baptismal preparation sessions on a monthly basis. If this is your first child, you will need to participate in a baptismal preparation session before you can receive a date for your baby’s Baptism. Parents are the first and primary educators in the practice of the Faith. Godparents play an important role in the faith life of your child. While considering godparents for your child, be aware that at least one must be a baptized and confirmed Catholic who is active in his/her faith. Please call the parish office at 630-969-1063 to register for a preparation class and to schedule a baptismal date.

BECOMING A CATHOLIC: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process of welcoming and preparing adults for the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation - for full membership in the Catholic Church. Unbaptized adults, adults baptized in another Christian faith, and baptized Catholics with little or no formal religious education are invited to participate. Please call the Parish Office for further information.

ANNULMENTS: We are available to help anyone who is in need of information about how to apply for an annulment. Please contact the Parish Office at (630)969-1063.

SACRAMENT of ANOINTING: The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is available at regularly scheduled liturgies throughout the year, or by appointment. You may ask the presiding priest before any Mass for an anointing. Communal Anointing Masses are held on the 1st Saturday of the month in August, December and April at the 8:00 AM Mass. The Eucharist will also be brought to those who are ill, upon request. Please notify the Parish Office if members of your family are in the hospital or homebound.

FUNERALS: Arrangements are usually made by the Funeral Home or by a family member. A member of our Bereavement team will meet with you to plan the Funeral Liturgy. Eulogies can be given at the Wake Service, Interment at the Cemetery or at the Funeral Luncheon, but not at the Mass of Christian Burial.

MARRIAGES: Arrangements should be made at least six months in advance to provide ample time for preparation of this sacrament.

PRAYER GROUPS: Monday evening Rosary at 6:30 PM in the Church; Tuesday evenings at 6:00 PM in the Parish Center chapel.

RECONCILIATION: Confessions are heard Saturday, 8:30 to 9:30 AM in church. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also available by appointment. Please call the Parish Office (630-969-1063) to arrange to have your confession heard by a priest.

St. Mary of Gostyn Parish