Saint Isaac Jogues Parish

SAINTSAINT ISAACISAAC JOGUESJOGUES PARISHPARISH 8149 Golf Road, Niles, IL 60714 ♦ 847.967.1060 ♦ Fax: 847.967.1070 ♦ Website: http://sij-parish.com SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER MAY 25, 2014 Page Two Sixth Sunday of Easter May 25, 2014 OF HUMOR AND HOLINESS: theology, he broke away from his academic isolation. He preached on street corners and in marketplaces! His magnetic personality attracted attention, at first, and then scores of converts. His confessor advised him to start a lay confraternity to minister to pilgrims and to spread the Forty Hours devotion. With the encouragement of his confessor, he was also or- dained a priest in 1551. St. Philip Neri had a remarkable charism. Not only did he attract converts, but other priests to aid him in his increasingly popular ministry. Some of these priests would be part of a community of priests who would be known as “Oratorians.” St. Philip founded the Oratorians in 1564. They were formally ap- proved in 1575 by Pope St. Gregory XIII. The pope gave the new group a rundown Church, Santa Maria in Vallicella. It was later demolished. A new St. Philip Neri Church, known as the Chiesa Nuova, was built and became the center of the Oratorian ministry. Heaven has been described as a banquet. If that St. Philip’s approach to ministry was creatively inno- celestial feast is, in any way, like other banquets, I vative. A regular feature of the “Oratory” was a dai- want to be seated next to St. Philip Neri. I have ac- ly afternoon service of four informal talks with ver- tually said that from the pulpit! Why St. Philip Neri? nacular hymns and prayers. The great polyphonic Serious hagiographers may stress his ecstasies and composer, Palestrina, was a follower of St. Philip visions, his miracles and ability to “read minds.” Neri and wrote music for the services. The clergy But, Philip Neri, the founder of the Congregation of and laity both had important roles - something con- the Oratory and confidant of popes, cardinals, kings troversial at that time. as well as commoners, is best loved and remem- bered for his sense of humor. While humor is not But let us return to the humor of St. Philip. He had expected in a holy person, wasn’t it St. Teresa of a mischievous way of deflating overinflated egos. He Avila (a contemporary of St. Philip) who said: “God often did so with a joke. St. Philip loved jokes. He save us from sullen saints”? once shaved off half his beard to make a point. He had a small dog that once belonged to a cardinal. St. Philip Neri lived from 1515-1595. He was a “post The doge either followed him home of was “filched” -Renaissance man” - - not only brilliant and gifted in by Philip. Whenever some pompous young noble- a variety of ways, but charming. A Florentine, by man imposed on Philip for counsel, Philip would give birth, he spent most of his life in Rome. The Rome him something important to do - - walk the dog! he discovered was the same Rome that had so an- gered and scandalized a pious pilgrim named Martin I don’t think anyone ever paid tribute to St. Philip Luther. Corruption and worldliness were only part of Neri better than poet Phyllis McGinley. Her “life” the Roman malaise. Those who hadn’t given up on best describes why I would like to meet him at the the Church were bored by it. There, amid the spir- Heavenly Banquet. itual “ruins of Rome,” a young Philip Neri began a great apostolate. As a child he had been called When Philip Neri walked abroad “Philip the Good.” After a mystical experience, he Beside the Tiber, praising God, embarked on his path to real holiness. First, he They say he was attended home tutored the sons of a wealthy Florentine and lived as By half the younger set of Rome. a virtual recluse. After studying philosophy and Page Three Sixth Sunday of Easter May 25, 2014 Knight, novice, scholar, boisterous boy GRADUATES’ BLESSING They followed after him with joy. To nurse his poor and break his bread Lots of graduations are being held now and into the And hear the funny things he said. first couple weeks of June. Next weekend we invite all our graduates (from Kindergarten and up) to be at Mass where they will be given acknowledgement For Philip Neri (by his birth and blessing. A Florentine) believed in mirth Congratulations to our graduates and their families! Holding that virtue took no harm Which went with laughter arm-in-arm. PENTECOST/CELEBRATION WEEKEND Two books he read with most affection - - The Gospels and a joke collection; The great Solemnity of Pentecost will be celebrated the And sang hosannas set to fiddles weekend of June 7 – 8. We will gather as a community And fed the sick on soup and riddles. of faith to give thanks for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit into our lives and the life of the Church. At the 9 So when the grave rebuke the merry, a.m. Mass we will reflect our rich diversity with peti- Let them remember Philip Neri tions prayed in various languages. The assembly is wel- (Fifteen-fifteen to ninety-five), come to come dressed in traditional clothes of their her- Who was the merriest man alive, itage or to wear colors of their heritage at all the Mass- Then, dying at eighty or a bit, es. During the Masses we will also announce how much Became a saint by Holy Wit. has been pledged to date for the To Teach Who Christ Is Campaign. -Fr. Luczak After all Masses we will celebrate the Church and our parish with cake and beverages. People who have not had a chance to register as parishioners of St. Isaac The Feast of St. Philip Neri is May 26 Jogues will have an opportunity to do so. We will also have a table full of information about our many parish ministries and organizations. Come and learn all that SPECIAL THANKS we have to offer and see if there is a way you might TO THE MEN’S CLUB FOR THEIR share your gifts from the Holy Spirit in service to our GENEROUS $1000 DONATION TO community and beyond! We look forward to having ST. ISAAC JOGUES! you with us! $800,000 $700,000 $600,000 Already 170 donors, over $50,000 $500,000 collected and almost $300,000 in $400,000 pledges! If you haven’t completed your pledge card, there’s still time! Cards & $300,000 envelopes are available in the Holy Family $200,000 Room. Just drop your pledge in the $100,000 collection basket or at the rectory. Page Four Sixth Sunday of Easter May 25, 2014 RE NEWS •Families who have a tuition balance or sacrament fee for the current RE year (2013-2014) are asked to make payment by this Friday, May 30th. If you have a financial concern, please call the RE Office, 847/966-1180, by Friday to discuss options. No one is denied religious education due to financial difficulties. Thank you! •Registration for the 2014-2015 RE Program for Kindergarten through Confirmation Year II (Gr. 8 and older) has begun! Families are strongly encouraged to have their children come each year as no one year suffices in providing what is important for a strong faith foundation. Students preparing for sacraments must attend for the two immediate years prior to receiving each sacrament. If families have children with special needs or who have not received their sacraments, we would be happy to meet with you and discuss options. There is a tuition, book fees and sacrament fees (as applicable). Families with financial concerns are encouraged to talk with us as no child is denied religious education because of finances. All are welcome! •Families currently in the RE Program should register by June 15. Forms were mailed but can also be picked up at the RE Of- fice. After that date you are still welcome but there will be a $25 late fee. Don’t put off this important task! •New families are welcome to register now as well. There is a family form, and a form for each child, to fill out. We also ask that you bring a letter/report from the RE Program or Catholic School they attended before coming to our parish, as well as a copy of each child’s baptismal certificate (and other sacrament dates as applicable). •The Kindergarten class meets on Sundays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. All other classes meet on Mondays, 6:45-8:00 p.m. We begin in late August and finish in mid-May. An Initiation Class is also provided for older children who have not yet received their First Reconciliation or First Communion. •Please contact Dolores Stanton, Director of Religious Education, 847/966-1180 or [email protected] with any questions or concerns you may have. We look forward to the opportunity to help all families raise their children in our Catholic faith! MINISTRY OF CARE READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Acts 16:11-15; Ps 149:1b-6a, 9b; The Ministry of Care Dinner and Meeting is this Jn 15:26 — 16:4a Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Holy Family Room. If Tuesday: Acts 16:22-34; Ps 138:1-3, 7c-8; Jn 16:5-11 you have not yet given your RSVP, please call Wednesday: Acts 17:15, 22 — 18:1; Ps 148:1-2, 11-14; the RE Office by Tuesday.

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