Sunday, February 28, 2021—Second Sunday of Fr. John’s Column

Today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Lent. We have two

great Scriptural stories

presented in the liturgy this weekend. The first is the story of Abraham and the sacrifice of his son, and second is the Transfiguration of the Lord. God’s request of Abraham is a story of faith. The scripture writer labels it a test. As

Christians who follow Christ, we don’t

often think of God as a tester. We see God as loving and forgiving, but in the Jewish Scriptures it is not unusual to see God checking on people’s faith. So Abraham is asked to sacrifice his son. Abraham is willing to do it if God is asking, but because he is willing God relents and blesses him for his faith. I think this story is a foreshadowing of God’s love for his

people and God’s willingness to sacrifice

his own son for our sake. The Transfiguration Story to me is a proof story. So in case you didn’t believe after ’ , and you didn’t believe after his time in the desert, God gives us the Transfiguration. On top of a (Continued on page 3)

On the Inside...

• Calendar ...... Page 2 • Food Drive ...... Page 3 • RMChurch Mtg ...... Page 3 During Lent, the Paschal Candle will be lit at all • Bible Study ...... Page 4 Masses in memory of those who died from Covid-19. • School ...... Page 5 The lighted candle reminds us that in our grief and • Liturgy ...... Page 6 in our darkest moments, the Risen Christ is among • Lent Regulations ...... Page 7 • us to bring us light and hope. Palm Cross Sale ...... Page 7 Page 2 Second Sunday of Lent February 28, 2021 Masses for the Week This Week at St. Agnes

MONDAY, MARCH 1 SATURDAY, MARCH 6 Have a safe week! 4:00 PM William Gavenda by Anne Marie & Robert TUESDAY, MARCH 2 4:00 PM William Long by Odessa Simich 6:30 PM Religious Ed (On-Line) 4:00 PM John Ciaccio by Paulette WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 SUNDAY, MARCH 7 7:00 PM Bible Study (On-Line) 8:30 AM Dorothy Narcisi by Rita & Jeff Hajkowicz THURSDAY, MARCH 4 10:00 AM Families & Friends of St. Agnes Be a kind neighbor. FRIDAY, MARCH 5 Stations of the Cross (always) on our web page: www.saintagnes.us RESERVE YOUR SEAT TO COME SATURDAY, MARCH 6 TO ! 4 o’clock Mass is live streamed and then available on Please go to www.saintagnes.us and register online for the you tube at any time. upcoming weekend Mass. You may also call the parish office at SUNDAY, MARCH 7 709-2694 and leave your name, phone number and Mass choice: Happy Sunday friends! Sat @ 4 pm (English), Sun @ 8:30 (English) or 10 am (Spanish).

Saturday 4 o’clock Mass is livestreamed (www.saintagnes.us) and then available on you tube.

Please see the website saintagnes.us to find a worship aid for remote Mass attendance. The worship aid will contain the words for the Apostle’s Creed, the and, when available, the words and music for the songs. The worship aid for the Sunday Mass will be avail- able from Saturday morning until Sunday night. Worship aids for special/holiday Masses will be available the day before the day of the Mass.

Saint Agnes Parish and Catholic School Mission...to welcome, nurture, and serve the St. Agnes Parish Information people and children of God— generation to generation, guiding souls and growing minds.

PARISH: 1501Chicago Road RCIA/MARRIAGE PREP: : Chicago Heights, IL 60411 Carol Brothers ...... 708-709-2699 Sundays at 11:30 p.m. Rev. John Siemianowski, RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Please call the Parish Office at least one Rev. Tom Kasputis, Associate Pastor Teri Klopp…………………708-754-0713 month before the date of the Baptism to make arrangements. register to Rev. Erasto Nyoni, Associate Pastor MINISTRY OF CARE COORDINATOR: attend class which is held the first Rev. William T. O’Mara, Call Parish Office ...... 708-709-2694 Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. Resident Assistant PARISH OFFICE: SCHOOL OFFICE: MARRIAGES: Kay Ashby ……………...708-709-2694 Matthew Lungaro, Principal Engaged couples should make Web Site……...www.saintagnes.us Karen Hamilton ...... 708-756-2333 arrangements with the pastor at least six Email…………[email protected] months before the wedding date. No : SCHEDULE OF MASSES: arrangements should be made before the Dave & Carol Brothers….708-755-7252 Sundays:………...8:30 a.m. (English) desired date has been confirmed after an initial interview has taken place. PASTORAL ASSOCIATE/ 10:00 a.m. (Spanish)

DIRECTOR OF LITURGY: Saturdays……….4:00 p.m. (English) ADORATION CHAPEL: Margie Wegrzyn………...708-709-2696 The Adoration Chapel is open MON, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC: Holy Days………As scheduled TUES, WED, FRI, SAT & SUN from 8 Carl R. Opat……………..219-678-8726 AM to 8 PM. Please call Cecelia Leal- 708-709-2694 CONFESSIONS: Camacho 254-3755 or Juan Rangel DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT: By appointment, call………….709-2694 (Spanish) 362-4161 to sign up or for info. Karen Zerante…………... 708-709-2092 YOU MUST SIGN UP TO ATTEND. February 28, 2021 Second Sunday of Lent Page 3 Lenten (Drive-Thru) Food Collection Fr. John’s Column Continued

?Stone or Bread? (Continued from page 1) “Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread?” (Mt. 7:9) mountain Jesus is shown to be God in the midst of his Of course we would not offer stone. And because we are fed disciples. The Disciples themselves don’t know what to spiritually in the Eucharist with the bread of life, we are do with the information. They ask Jesus if they should set called to reach out to our hungry neighbors with bread for some tents up for the heavenly visitors. Before he can their physical lives. answer God answers, “This is my Son, my beloved. So then, in the spirit of charity : Listen to him.” No need for tents or booths, because God is going to be with them and take up residence in them. God has done the same for us. We are filled with God’s light, just as Jesus was, and we are called to spread that light in the world. We have been waiting for about a month for When? Saturday. March 20— 1:30 to 3:30 pm the Renew My decisions. The Grouping Teams finished their work in mid-December and then What? Drive-thru food collection to benefit the pantry at it went to the Archdiocese for review and decision. Respond Now People have been asking me what the decision will be. I honestly can tell all of you, I do not know. I know Where? Parking lot to St. Agnes Church and School the Archdiocese had questions about the Grouping

Teams recommendations for the eight parishes in our How? Volunteers will come to your car to your do- nations of non-perishable food. We should all observe mask- grouping and have been looking for answers to those ing and distancing. You do not need to enter the building. questions. As we have throughout the process, we all need to trust in the work of the . I do want Why? For many reasons, we have always had hungry to invite everyone to save March 10, at 6:30 PM for a neighbors in our surrounding communities. Loss of health, Microsoft Team Parish Meeting that will be hosted by jobs, and income during the pandemic has added to the num- Perry and Fr. Jason Malave, the head of ber of those struggling to put food on their tables. Renew My Church. This meeting will be for all of the COVID-19 means hunger. parishioners of the eight parishes in our grouping. We have not received the computer invitation yet, but it Please note: If you are registered to attend the March 20 and th 21 weekend masses, you may bring your food donations will be in the bulletin on Sunday March 7 and on the when you arrive for mass. web pages of both St. Agnes and St. Kieran prior to the meeting. Obviously you will need a computer or Finally: This is the only time and way we will be accept- other electronic device to join this meeting. As always ing donations of food during Lent. we have to look forward to where the Holy Spirit will Your generosity will be a blessing to our hungry neighbors. be leading us. Registration for St. Agnes School is continuing. Throughout the pandemic we have maintained our enrollment numbers and look forward to next year being even better! I encourage you to enroll now because we have a limited amount of help we can give through scholarships and grants. This is one time when the early ANNUAL CATHOLIC bird really does get the worm! Give Mrs. Hamilton a call APPEAL at 708-756-2333.

RENEW MY CHURCH PARISH GROUPING/PARISH MEETING

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10 6:30 PM GO TO ANNUALCATHOLICAPPEAL.COM TO This meeting will be via Zoom. The “invitation” info will DONATE ONLINE, MAIL IN, OR DROP IN be available in next weekend’s bulletin and on our WEEKEND COLLECTION. webpage: www.saintagnes.us Thank you for your support! See Father’s bulletin (above) for a little more info! Page 4 Second Sunday of Lent February 28, 2021 Readings for the Week Fr. Tom’s Thoughts

TODAY’S READINGS Would any person really want to be First Reading — The sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith considered a hero? I suppose being (Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18). remembered by future generations in a Psalm — I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living positive way would be nice. But there (Psalm 116). is always a price to pay. Being a hero, Second Reading — If God is for us, who can be against us? by definition, always means going up (Romans 8:31b-34). against the extreme situations and lim- — Jesus was transfigured before them, and his clothes its of being a became dazzling white (Mark 9:2-10). human being - often in areas that we The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. would prefer not to go. Abraham is READINGS FOR THE WEEK held up as a ‘hero of faith’ because his Monday: Dn 9:4b-10; Ps 79:8, 9, 11, 13; Lk 6:36-38 belief in God’s love enabled him to obey God always and not Tuesday: Is 1:10, 16-20; Ps 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23; Mt 23:1-12 just at the convenient or pleasant times, even if that obedience Wednesday: Jer 18:18-20; Ps 31:5-6, 14-16; Mt 20:17-28 meant the kind of suffering we witness in our first reading this Thursday: Jer 17:5-10; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 16:19-31 weekend. Friday: Gn 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Ps 105:16-21; Jesus knew the price he would be asked to pay. The Mt 21:33-43, 45-46 glory of the Resurrection cannot be found through anything Saturday: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps 103:1-4, 9-12; but the ultimate test of suffering. Peter and the other apostles Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 were all too willing to talk Jesus out of this hard road. “Let’s Sunday: Ex 20:1-17 [1-3, 7-8, 12-17]; Ps 19:8-11; just pitch camp here where it is good and safe”, they say. 1 Cor 1:22-25; Jn 2:13-25 Then God speaks and says. “I love. That’s all you need to Alternate readings (Year A): Ex 17:3-7; believe in order to get through life. Jesus knows this. Listen to Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; Rom 5:1-2, 5-8; him!” Jn 4:5-42 [5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42] Being a true disciple of Jesus means that we embrace the Good Fridays of our lives with the same faith in the love of God that Jesus has. It is only then that we can share in the joy Rice Bowl of the Resurrection and be considered heroes of faith. Father Tom K. BETTER MEALS IN MADAGASCAR

In Madagascar, half of all children are undernourished. That Bible Study means 50% of kids won’t grow to reach their full potential. But communities are changing this by focusing on improving Journey of Stones: A Bible Study (via Zoom) health and nutrition. What role has food played in your life? Wednesdays: Thru March 24 How can you help those who lack access to enough nutritious 7:00-8:00pm food. Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more.

Drawing on the rich imagery of rocks and stones in Scripture, we will reflect on the Scriptures for the purpose of nurturing our faith and changing our hearts as we journey through Sick or Homebound? Lent. Please join us. Are you homebound because of illness, disability, or age? Are you residing in a nurs- Contact Margie Wegrzyn at [email protected] ing home? We would like to keep you connected to the parish family by visiting you to sign up or for more information. and bringing you the Eucharist. We are the Ministers of Care of St. Agnes parish, prepared and commissioned through an Archdiocesan program to serve you in these situations, be they temporary or long-term. But we cannot respond to your need unless you make us March 3 Rejected Stones aware of it. Hospitals and nursing homes do not notify us about your admission or dis- charge. Privacy laws restrict them from doing so. So please let us know of your need, or the Bible Text: Matthew 21:33-46 need of a family member, by calling the parish office. AT THIS TIME, THERE ARE NO VISITS TO NURSING HOMES. OUR AND MINISTERS OF CARE ARE March 10 A Rock and a Hard Place PRAYING FOR YOU ALL. PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM.. Bible Text: John 8:2-11

With Kind Thoughts March 17 Stones Cry Out Bible Text: Luke 19:28-40 With thanks for the little acts of kindness that make the days fly by… to Mother Nature for a mild week...to “Good Samari- March 24 The Stone Still Rolls tans” helping each other out during the very snowy and freezing Bible Text: Mark 16:1-8 days—thank you...and the list continues... February 28, 2021 Second Sunday of Lent Page 5

SCHOOL NEWS

A Few Notes from the Principal…

Lord, Jesus, as the Holy Season of Lent begins, I come to you for help. There are so many more things I need to know and even more that I need to understand. Cleanse my heart as you wash away my sins with Your Holy and Precious Blood that You shed for me on the cross. Send Your Holy Spirit upon me to open my mind and my understanding so that I can begin to grasp the magnificence of Your love for me. Amen.

Health & Safety Travel Reminder: First of all, THANKS to all the parents who are following all the safety guidelines. We’re having a great year and I want to keep it going! Second, if you go on a vacation out of state, you need to contact the office so that we can go over your quarantine dates. This could end up being a very serious health issue for other people. Without violat- ing anyone’s personal information, I know for a fact that there are school employees, their family members, and student families who have underlying health issues who could end up in a grave situation if they get infected with COVID. We are doing our part with so many precautions and procedures. We need you to do your part so as to keep everyone as safe as possible. If you are travel- ing out of state, please call the office and we’ll give you your 10-14 day quarantine dates. If you have any questions about this Archdiocesan protocol, please call the office. Spanish Speaking Parents : If you need to ask a question, please know that there’s an app called ‘What’s App’ that can help you communicate with other Spanish-speaking school parents. Please call Ms. Francisca Rangel at (708) 705-5222 and she will get you set up on the app. REGISTRATION FOR THE 2021-22 SCHOOL YEAR HAS BEGUN. PLEASE CALL KAREN HAMILTON @ 756-2333 FOR INFORMATION. JOIN OUR SCHOOL FAMILY!

SO MUCH SNOW!!

STAY CREATIVE ST. AGNES!

STAY SUCCESSFUL ST. AGNES! (Keys to Success) Page 6 Second Sunday of Lent February 28, 2021

February 28, 2021 Second Sunday of Lent Page 7

Lenten Regulations PALM CROSSES Abstinence from meats is to be observed by all Catholics 14 years old and older on all Fridays of Lent. Fasting is to be observed on , 24” X 15” Palm Crosses and encouraged for . The special Paschal fast with two lilies and a bow and abstinence are prescribed for all Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. Those who are bound by this $15.00 each may take only one full meal. Two smaller meals are permit- ted if necessary to maintain strength according to one’s needs, but eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. By the threefold discipline of fasting, almsgiving and prayer The St. Agnes/St. Kieran Religious Education the Church keeps Lent from Ash Wednesday until the even- Office is sponsoring an Easter Palm Cross Sale. ing of Holy Thursday. All of the faithful and the catechu- mens should undertake serious practice of these three tradi- Please indicate your bow color choice and the tions. number of crosses you wish to purchase:

_____ White _____ Purple

_____ Total number of crosses ordered X $15.00

$______TOTAL DUE BY MONDAY, MARCH 15

Stations of the Cross Pray along with the Stations of the Cross at St. Agnes by Name: ______going to our webpage (www.saintagnes.us) or going to you tube. Phone: ______RETURN TO GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART...

Please place your order into the collection Do You Want to Fast this Lent? basket at either St. Kieran or St. Agnes, in an In the words of Pope Francis………... envelope marked “Palm Crosses,” or mail/ deliver your order to either Parish Office. • Fast from hurting words and say kind words. Checks must be made payable to St. Agnes. • Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude. • Fast from anger and be filled with patience. Palm Crosses will be available for pick at St. • Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope. Kieran Church on Thursday, March 25, from • Fast from worries and have trust in God. 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the northeast doors of the • Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity. church. Pick-up will be drive thru, so you will not • Fast from pressures and be prayerful. need to leave your car. • Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy.

• Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others. • Fast from grudges and be reconciled. Call Teri Klopp at 708/754-0713 with questions. • Fast from words and be silent so you can listen. • Breakfast Fine Selections - Party Planning JOHN ZARLENGO John Martello Specialty Shop Italian Sausage ASPHALT PAVING Your • Lunch 708-341-4424 “We Invite Comparison” Livia & Parishioners ad [email protected] 708-481-3232 • Catering Licensed Bonded Insured Phil Faso Free Estimates Electrical • Basements • Bathrooms D & D Foods could Window Replacement • Plumbing 708-755-1118 Custom Decks • Foundation Repair 443 Ashland 1023 Halsted St., Chicago Heights be in this 1016 Dixie Hwy Glass Block Windows • Kitchens 708-755-1520 Siding • Tuckpointing Chicago Hts IL “Each man’s life touches so many other lives” space! Chicago Heights, IL Parishioner (708) 754-0320 (It’s A Wonderful Life)

Sunrise Villa Olympia Fields 3633 Breakers Drive, Olympia Fields, IL 60461 INDEPENDENT LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING Contact us to schedule a tour today: (708) 747-3333 www.SunriseVillaOlympiaFields.com FREE PANOZZO BROS. HOME Consults & Since 1926 Second 530 W. 14th St. (Rte.30), Chicago Heights Opinions Hi-Way Insurance 708-481-9230 www.panozzobros.com General & Cosmetic Dentistry Agency Periodontics/Gum Treatment • Implants - Partials & Dentures If You Live Alone You Need MDMedAlert! Gentle Professional Cleanings • State-of-the-Art Technology 24 Hour Protection at HOME and AWAY! Serving the Community ✔ 19815 Governors Highway, Flossmoor Ambulance Solutions as Low as 95 a month 708-794-4252 • SouthlandSmiles.com ✔Police ✔Fire $19. for 60 years ✔Friends/Family FREE Shipping FREE Activation NO Long Term Contracts This Button SAVES Lives! Complete Insurance Service As Shown GPS, CALL Lowest Price Guaranteed! NOW! 800.809.3352 GPS Tracking w/Fall Detection Louis F. Palanca Nationwide, No Land Line Needed MDMedAlert EASY Set-up, NO Contract (708) 754-0220 1027 Dixie Hwy. Safe-Guarding America’s Seniors Nationwide! 24/7 365 Monitoring in the USA Say Good-bye to Clogged Gutters! • LeafGuard® ✂ Please Cut Out This “Thank You Ad” and Present It INTEREST Receive a $25 Darden card with is guaranteed The Next Time You Patronize One of Our Advertisers FREE FREE in-home estimate never to clog or All participants who attend an estimated 60-90 minute in-home product consultation will receive we’ll clean it for a $25 gift card. Retail value is $25.Offer sponsored by LeafGuard Holdings Inc. Limit one per FINANCING household. Company procures, sells, and installs seamless gutter protection. This offer is valid FREE* for homeowners over 18 years of age. If married or involved with a life partner, both cohabitating AVAILABLE persons must attend and complete presentation together. Participants must have a photo ID, be • Seamless, one-piece system keeps out able to understand English, and be legally able to enter into a contract. The following persons are Please Ask For Details not eligible for this offer: employees of Company or affiliated companies or entities, their leaves, pine needles, and debris immediate family members, previous participants in a Company in-home consultation within the past 12 months and all current and former Company customers. Gift may not be extended, • Eliminates the risk of falling off a ladder to transferred, or substituted except that Company may substitute a gift of equal or greater value if it deems it necessary. Gift card will be mailed to the participant via first class United States Mail clean clogged gutters or e-mailed within 30 days of receipt of the promotion form. Not valid in conjunction with any • Durable, all-weather tested system not a other promotion or discount of any kind. Offer not sponsored or promoted by Darden and is subject to change without notice prior to reservation. Expires 03/31/21. flimsy attachment

*Guaranteed not to clog for as Call today for your FREE estimate and in-home demonstration long as you own your home, or Thank you for advertising in our church bulletin. we’ll clean your gutters for free. I am patronizing your business because of it! CALL NOW 708-462-6373 Get it. And forget it.® Ed the Plumber Catholic Cruises and Tours and The Apostleship Enjoy Great Food While of the Sea of the United States of America Dining in a Country Take your FAITH ON A JOURNEY. Atmosphere Ed the Carpenter Call us today at 860-399-1785 or email Medical Alert System Breakfast & Lunch Served Daily

(CST 2117990-70) [email protected] 847.492.1444 6am - 3pm $29.95/Mo. billed quarterly www.CatholicCruisesandTours.com Best Work • Best Rates FRIDAY NIGHT FISH FRY 4pm - 9pm • One Free Month ALL YOU CAN EAT WE DO ALL OUR OWN WORK • No Long-Term Contract Lake Perch, Ocean Perch, Cod, Alaskan Since 1965 • Price Guarantee Whitefish, Shrimp or Chicken Lic# 055-026066 • Easy Self Installation 9 E. Main Street • Glenwood, IL PARISHIONER DISCOUNT Call Today! Toll Free 1.877.801.8608 708.757.7171 STEGER MEMORIAL CHAPEL Consider Remembering IN YOUR LOCAL Located in Steger Since 1964 Your Parish in Your Will. WHY ADVERTISE CHURCH BULLETIN? GREAT COVERAGE - 97% of all households attending church take at least one 3045 Chicago Rd., Steger, IL For further information, church bulletin home every Sunday. 708-755-6100 • www.smitsfh.com please call the Parish Office. GREAT VALUE - 70% of all households are aware of and look at the advertising in the church bulletin and 68% of households surveyed when making a choice between The Most Complete businesses are inclined to choose the one who advertised in the church bulletin. Online National Learn More About Advertising In Your Parish Bulletin Directory of Call us at 1-800-621-5197 Check It Out Today! Catholic Parishes Email: [email protected]

Get this weekly bulletin delivered by email - for FREE! Sign up here: www.jspaluch.com/subscribe Courtesy of J.S. Paluch Company, Inc.

512077 St Agnes Church www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-566-6170