October 4, 2020 Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Since 1972 this month, October, has been set aside by the US bishops as “Respect Life Month.” It is a time for Catholics to remember in a particular way the dignity and sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. Sadly, there are so many situations in this troubled world when people are not treated with the dignity that they deserve. There are people who suffer through terrorism, war, racism, and extreme poverty. The most tragic and evil assault on innocent human life is abortion. Since Roe vs. Wade, about 60 million “legal” abortions have taken place in this country. In the first recorded murder, when Cain killed his brother Abel, God said to Cain; “Your brother’s blood cries out from the ground to me.” Abortion is a sin that cries out to heaven for justice and the Catholic Church has repeatedly condemned this evil in no uncertain terms: “Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. ‘A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae,’ ‘by the very commission of the offense,’ and subject to the condi- tions provided by Canon Law. The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as the parents and the whole society” (CCC 2272). The Church attaches the added penalty of excommunication to this mortal sin for our own good so that it not seen as a viable option because in abortion an innocent human being is being put to death. Abortion is not the solution because the unborn baby is not the problem. Let us help women in crisis; but not by encourag- ing or even downplaying the demonic choice when women are supported legally and financially in ending their own child’s life. To those who have cooperated in or had an abortion, do not be afraid, make a good confession. The Lord’s mercy is ever present especially for those that need it, Jesus I trust in you. In this country the penalty of excommunication can be removed by the priest in the sacrament of reconciliation where Jesus’ mercy is freely offered and can be freely received. Do not be afraid or despair in the face of this or any sin, “Come now, let us set things right says the Lord: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool” (Is. 1:18). Part of our duty as faithful Catholic disciples of Jesus, is to be pro-life and opposed to the evil choice of abortion that is the only choice “Pro-Choice” fights for. No Catholic should support the evil of abortion per- sonally or publicly. Of course, this is an election year and the bishops have a new voters guide that reminds that "Abortion and euthanasia have become preeminent threats to human life and dignity because they directly attack life it- self, the most fundamental good and the condition for all others.” In 2004 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a document on the Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion, that also has a section about abor- tion/euthanasia and voting that says: A Catholic would be guilty of formal cooperation in evil, and so unworthy to present himself for Holy Communion, if he were to deliberately vote for a candidate precisely because of the candidate’s permissive stand on abortion and/or euthanasia. When a Catholic does not share a candidate’s stand in favor of abortion and/or euthanasia, but votes for that candidate for other reasons, it is considered remote material coopera- tion, which can be permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons. Let us pray for an end to abortion, and vote with a well-formed Cath- olic conscience, with Jesus alone before our eyes. God bless, Fr. Mike The good news of this Gospel is that all we need to do is let God tend us and bring us to produce good fruit. All we need do is be faithful; God will take care of the rest. Please help the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to bring the love and mercy of Jesus to those who feel left out and abandoned. Rosary by the River Oct. 11th at 3PM Caldwell Woods Catholics will be saying the Rosary Coast to Coast on October 11th, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and 103rd anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun. Join thousands of voices around the US at 3PM We will begin to gather at 2:30 in Caldwell Woods off the Harts Road entrance. Follow the map to the starred area. Rosary will begin promptly at 3:00 led by Fr. Grisolano and our seminarian, Marko Culjak. “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am with them. ” SUNDAY COLLECTIONS July 1, 2020 - September 13, 2020 Year-to-date budget $91,776 Year-to-date-actual $79,967 YTD difference $11,809 Year-to-date prior year actual $98,052 Decrease from prior year $18,125 Benjamin David child of Eric Walter child of Brian & Eileen (Schrieber) Rakow Stephen & Carrie Anne (Clancy) Eifrid WOMEN’S CENTER BABY BOTTLE PROJECT This weekend, October 3/4, which is also Respect Life Sunday, our parish is participating in The Baby Bottle Project benefiting The Women’s Centers of Greater Chicagoland. This non-profit organization directly assists mothers and families experiencing crisis preg- nancies by offering emotional, financial, material, and spiritual support through counseling, clothing & monetary pro- visions, prayer, and other aid. By God’s Grace, The Women’s Centers have saved over 40,000 babies—and their mothers—from abortion since opening in 1984. Please take a Baby Bottle home with you from the church, fill it with your spare change, and return it the weekend of October 24/25. This is a simple, but crucial fundraising effort for The Women’s Centers. Please note: the Baby Bottles cost almost $1.00 per bottle and are recycled afterwards so please return upon completion of the project. Thank you for helping defend life and remember to keep all pro-life undertakings in your prayers. If you are making a donation by check, please make it payable to: The Women’s Center. Thank you! You can also go directly to their website at: GoTWC.org or call 773-794-1313 to donate. 6040 W. Ardmore Avenue Chicago, IL 60646 Phone : (773) 763-7080 https://stelizabethtrinityschool.org/ Our students were very busy this past week, working hard, making new friends and enjoying a treat! St. Elizabeth School held a food drive for the Louie G. Food Pantry, and every class had over 80% participation with four classes at 100%. See photos of the food donated, and this was the 2nd pickup! Last Friday we not only had the Kona truck deliver some great treats, thanks to our school board and the Jacobs family, but our 2nd and 8th grade students had some Buddy Time outside getting to know each other. Wonder what this week will bring! PETER’S PENCE COLLECTION Today is the annual Peter’s Pence collection, a worldwide collection that supports the charitable work of Pope Francis. Funds from this collection help vic- tims of war, oppression, and natural disasters. Take this opportunity to join with Pope Francis and be a witness of charity to our suffering brothers and sisters. Please be generous today. If you did not come prepared today you may drop your donation in the offering box next week- end. Blank envelopes are also available on the table in the vestibule. For more information, visit www.usccb.org/peters-pence BLOOD DRIVE The Niles Memorial VFW Post 3579 will be conducting a blood drive. There is a critical need for blood right now and we hope to aid in reducing the deficit. The blood center will also be testing for COVID-19 antibodies this day. The blood drive will be held at: Niles Memorial VFW Post 579 Saturday October 17,2020 - 9:00am-1:00pm 6839 N Milwaukee Ave. Suite 100, Niles Michele Schmidt — Maria Szumski - Carol Williams (Call the rectory office to have your name added to the list) HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY 1. Make the Sign of the Cross. The Five Joyful Mysteries are traditionally 2. Holding the Crucifix, say the Apostles' prayed on Mondays, Saturdays, and, during the Creed. season of Advent, on Sundays: 3. On the first bead, say an Our Father. 1. 1. The Annunciation 4. Say one Hail Mary on each of the next three beads. 2. 2. The Visitation 5. Say the Glory Be: 3. 3. The Nativity 4. 4. The Presentation in the Temple 5. 5. The Finding in the Temple The Five Sorrowful Mysteries are traditional- ly prayed on Tuesdays, Fridays, and, during the season of Lent, on Sundays: 1. 1. The Agony in the Garden 2. 2. The Scourging at the Pillar 3. 3. The Crowning with Thorns 4. 4. The Carrying of the Cross 5. 5. The Crucifixion and Death The Five Glorious Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Wednesdays and, outside the sea- sons of Advent and Lent, on Sundays: 1. 1. The Resurrection 2. 2. The Ascension 3. 3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit 4. 4. The Assumption 5. 5. The Coronation of Mary The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer.