St. Thomas More Church September 27, 2020 Sunday, September 27, 2020 LITURGY SCHEDULE Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (English Mass) Weekend: Saturday Vigil, 4:30 pm Sunday, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm (Tridentine) Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost (Tridentine Mass) Weekday: Monday-Friday, 12:00 pm Saturday, 8:00 am Sunday, October 4, 2020 Reconciliation Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Saturday, 4:00-4:20 pm (English Mass) Sunday, 9:30-9:50 am, 11:30-11:50 am Thursdays, 1:00-2:00 pm Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Also, you may request an appointment with a (Tridentine Mass) priest for confession. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Thursdays, 12:30-2:00 pm Devotions First Friday, 12:00 pm Mass, followed by adoration, DEBT REDUCTION COLLECTION First Friday Prayers and the Rosary. First Saturday, 8:00 am Mass, followed by adora- The Debt Reduction Collection will be taken tion, First Saturday Prayers and the Rosary. next weekend on Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 4th. The Pastor’s Page Both science and history of Church HOW INCENSE AT MASS practice confirm the purifying ability of burning frankincense during religious MIGHT REDUCE services. The Catholic Church has used incense during religious services for mil- AIRBORNE DISEASES lennia. Even before Christianity, Isra- elites used incense in worship, as the Psalmist records, “Let my prayer be incense before you; my uplifted hands an evening offering” (Psalm 141:2). Incense became a central part of the Church’s liturgy, not only because of its symbolism, but also on account of medicinal benefits. For example, in the famous Spanish church of Santiago de Compostela, medieval Christians created a large incense burner called the “Botafumeiro.” According to Atlas Obscura, “the incense…served to mask the smell of tired and unwashed pilgrims who crowded into the pews. It was also believed to have a preventative effect against [the] plague.” Recently various scientific studies have confirmed the surprisingly purifying effects of frankincense. One such study aimed to “test the effectiveness of their in situ application to cleanse microbially-contaminated air within the ambient of an investigated 17th-century church.” The results of the study explained that, “The anti- microbial properties of essential oil derived from frankincense, a compound with well-known traditional use, showed that it possesses a clear potential as a natural antimicrobial agent. Moreover, the results suggest possible application of B. carteri EO vapor and incense fume as occasional air purifiers in sacral ambients, apart from daily church rituals.” An article on the website Healthline claims “that burning myrrh and frankincense incense reduced airborne bacterial counts by 68%.” Another study looked at frankincense essential oil and how it has anti-inflammation and anticancer effects. Furthermore, it has been proven that burning frankincense even has the power to decrease depression. According to the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, “Burning frankincense (resin from the Boswellia plant) activates poorly understood ion channels in the brain to allevi- ate anxiety or depression. This suggests that an entirely new class of depression and anxiety drugs might be right under our noses.” However, too much incense, especially when it is not pure frankincense, but mixed with other substances, can have harmful effects on the respiratory system. This was confirmed in a study that looked at religious practices in Asian countries where incense smoke engulfs an entire building and includes a combination of other burning substances. Some medical professionals in China have even moved to put a “warning label” on incense sticks because of its harmful smoke. This is why incense use in church buildings needs to moni- tored, keeping in mind those who suffer from asthma and other similar respiratory problems. The size of the room, purity of the incense and volume used all play a role in how it affects those present. Many incense manufacturers have been introducing hypoallergenic incense for this reason. Could it be used in churches to fight COVID-19? There are no scientific studies that would provide any direct evidence burning frankincense could kill such viruses. However, it can be said that there are many spiritual and health benefits to using incense during Mass and was used by Christians in the past to fight against vari- ous plagues and epidemics. Page 2 PARISH INFORMATION SUNDAY, September 27 Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Parish Office 2825 West 81st St., Chicago, IL 60652 10:00 am Robert E. Byrne (Family) Living & Deceased of Lahart & Lustig Families Phone 773-436-4444 - Fax 773-778-9087 Email address: [email protected] 12:00 pm For the Intentions of Laura & Edward Mikalunas Visit our official Facebook page at: (Mother) St. Thomas More Chicago Walter F. Rolla, Jr. (Family) Website address: MONDAY, September 28 http://stthomasmorecatholicchurch.org/ St. Wenceslaus, Martyr; St. Lawrence Ruiz & Companions Office Hours 12:00 pm Harry J. O’Sullivan (Adele O’Sullivan) Monday-Thursday - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Len & Gina Reilly (Diane Zervos) Friday-Sunday - Closed TUESDAY, September 29 Sts. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Archangels Rectory 12:00 pm Charles Giblin (Dan & Claire Giblin) Rev. Msgr. Richard Zborowski, Pastor Renzo Rossi (Phil & Irene Smith & Family) Rev. Scott Haynes, Associate Pastor WEDNESDAY, September 30 Business Manager St. Jerome, Priest & Doctor of the Church Pat Lave 12:00 pm Philip O’Neill (Family) Kay Sheehy (Diane Zervos) Director of Music THURSDAY, October 1 Michel Domingue St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Virgin & Doctor of the Church Coordinator of Religious Ed 12:00 pm Kay Sheehy (Altar Guild) Debbie Ksycki For the Intentions of Franciscan Sister Servants of Redemptive Love (Sr. Maria-Paulina) Registration FRIDAY, October 2 New parishioners should register at the parish office. The Holy Guardian Angels Religious Goods Store 12:00 pm Special Intention (Mary Donahue) Eileen Grady (Diane Zervos) Open on the third weekend of the month. SATURDAY, October 3 SACRAMENTS 8:00 am John, Frank & Richard Palmer (Betty Morski) Visitations For the Intentions of Franciscan Sister Servants of Hospital or Homebound; Please contact the Parish Office at Redemptive Love (Sr. Maria-Paulina) 773-436-4444 as soon as possible for Communion, Confes- (Vigil Mass) sion or Anointing of the Sick. 4:30 pm Mike, Anne & Marty Dwyer (Peggy Dwyer) Michael Hederman (Joan & Frank Hederman) Marriage Registered and supporting members should call the parish office. A date should not be set until consulting with the Pastor. Baptism Registered parishioners should contact the parish office. Funeral Registered parishioners should contact the parish office. Bulletin Catholic Charities: General Number 312-655-7000 Please submit all requests for bulletin announcement on Counseling Center 312-655-7725 Mondays by 10:00 am. Catholictherapists.com http://www.purityispossible.com/ Project Rachel (post-abortion healing): 888-456-4673 Suicide Prevention: 800-273-8255 Aid for Women (crisis pregnancy): 312-621-1100 Courage and EnCourage Apostolates: (203) 803-1564 http://www.couragerc.org/ Page 3 PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL FOR THE SICK Crispian Bofinger Carol Colby Tricia Quasthoff Sarah Dalton Walter Quasthoff Diane & Jim Flaherty Len Reilly Mike Lave Pat Sheehy Sandra Halper Phyllis Spizzirri Celeste Phifer Mary Tadda Dolores Pogor Ken Watterson Omnipotent and eternal God, the everlasting Salvation of those who believe, hear us on behalf of Thy sick. WEDDING BANNS Thomas Friske & Ashley Michalowski Christopher Lopez & Bridget Michalowski RELIGIOUS EDUCATION REGISTRATION FOR ALL PARISHIONERS St. Thomas More is now accepting registrations for all parishioners interested in attending Religious Edu- cation for the sacraments of Penance, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Due to COVID re- strictions, classes will be held remotely via ZOOM. Books to be used during classes will be ordered once class participants are determined and will then available for pick up at the church at a date to be de- termined. The cost for religious education is $200 per family, plus $25 per child book fee which must be paid in full at registration. Please contact Lynn Abramic at (708) 296-6840 for further information or to register. FOR ALL WHO SERVE IN THE MILITARY INCLUDING: OUR FINANCES ~ Your Gifts Matter MSG Kevin Daley Cpl. Brian Husum SUNDAY COLLECTION AZ2 Marcellus J. Lane PVT. Andy Oziemkiewicz 9/20/20 $4,069.00 PFC. Luis Rosales LCPL. Xavier Rosales THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! THANK YOU FOR OUR FREEDOM! Page 4 ALTAR GUILD ROSARY All are invited to join the Altar Guild for the recitation of the rosary in the Memorial Garden on Sunday, October 4th at 1:30pm (weather permitting) to honor our Blessed Mother. If inclement weather, we will meet in the church. THE WOMEN’S CENTER BABY BOTTLE PROJECT Beginning on October 4th, during Respect Life month in October, our parish will be participating in The Virtual Baby Bottle Project benefiting The Women’s Centers of Greater Chicagoland. Since we are not handing out baby bottles at this time due to Corona virus concerns, we ask that you write a check to The Women’s Center. Please put it in the collection basket and we will make sure to mail all proceeds to this wonderful organization which assists mothers and families experiencing crisis pregnancies. Or you can go to their website at: GOTWC.org or call 773-794-1313 and make a donation. By God’s Grace, The Women’s Centers have saved over 40,000 babies—and their mothers—from abortion since opening in 1984. If you are making a donation by check, please remember to make it payable to: The Women’s Center. Thank you! WANTED! ALTAR SERVERS Men and boys who are interested to serve at the Altar should contact Fr. Scott Haynes for more information. We are looking for more Altar Servers for both the 10 am English and 12 noon Latin Masses on Sundays.