SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Page Two SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER May 9, 2021 Congratulations and Blessings to our 2020-2021 Saint Elizabeth Seton Church FIRST HOLY COMMUNICANTS MAY 2021 Rev. William T. Corcoran, Pastor Julia Andreani Peregrine Hilbert Genevieve Moloney Nolan Barnes Nathan Janet Peter Oprisko Daniel Benker Savannah Kalafut Luke Piekarz Chelsie Beran Leo Kelly William Riegler Kathryn Blaisdell Brayden Kolinski Braedan Stapleton Connor Blue Paul Kula Caroline Szafranski Caitlin Carmody Aaron Lamas Jonathan Thompson Cecilia Carmody Thomas Lynch Graham Urbaniak Olivia Carmody Heidi Malec Aubrey Utz Ariana Conrad Ergel Manuel Ryder Vahl Luka Djulabic Rylan Marec Luke Wasik Brooke Donegan Kaelyn Marshall Reagan Wittenmeier Michelle Gonzalez Madison McGi inn s Josephine Wolski Henry Greske Matthew Melilli Bernadette Zaker Ethan Hanna Grace Meyers Milania Zawada Cody Herman Kallen Mikrut THANK YOU Thank you to all of the parents, grandparents, family members and friends for encouraging and supporting these children along their faith journey. We are grateful to our priests: Fr. Bill Corcoran, Fr. Bill Gubbins, Fr. John Zurek. To our catechists: Laurie Coe, Elaine Repa, Janet Scellato and Frank Scellato. To our Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School teachers: Kim Sluis and Julie Martin. To our Director of Liturgy, Carlos Bautista and to our Director of Music, Linda McKeague. And to all volunteers who shared their time and talent with the children throughout the year. Diana Barracca, Coordinator of Religious Education Mary Vlaming, Coordinator of Religious Education May 9, 2021 SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Page Three Our heartfelt congratulations to DEACON ROBERT VELCICH on your Ordination to the Order of the Deacon May 8, 2021 On May 8th, Robert Velcich was ordained by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, to the Order of Deacon at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. He is one of 22 men who were ordained as deacons. Robert has journeyed through four years of preparation for this day, attending academic classes, formation programs, engaging in exten- sive theological reϐlection sessions, retreats, regular spiritual direc- tion, as well as being involved in many liturgical practica and pastoral ϐield education experiences, including an eleven-month internship. Ordinations to the (permanent) Diaconate in the Archdiocese of Chicago have taken place since 1972. There are presently nearly 550 active deacons in the Archdiocese, as well as 40 men currently in formation at the Institute for Diaconal Studies, with a new cohort beginning in the fall. The presence of deacons serving in the Archdiocese is widespread, yet still a frequently asked question is, “What or who is a deacon?” Bishops, priests and deacons receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders. The diaconate is a three-fold ministry of Word, Liturgy and Charity that is in service to the bishop. Deacons are ordained to baptize, proclaim the Gospel and preach, assist at the Eucharist, witness marriages, ofϐiciate at wakes and funeral services, etc. These are the ministries most visible in the parish. The less visible aspect of diaconal ministry traditionally has its history in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 6. The Apostles laid hands on “…seven reputable men, ϐilled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom…” to care for the widows and administer the daily distribution of food in the early Christian community. Thus, from the earliest days of the Church, deacons were involved in service to the bishop not only liturgically and through evangelization efforts but as administrators and charged with caring for the poor (spiritually, emotionally, physically), the alienated, and those who, for various reasons, ϐind themselves on the fringes of society. Therefore, deacons also minister in hospitals, prisons, shelters, soup kitchens, and within the various ministries coordinated through organizations such as Catholic Charities and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, modeling the call of diakonia that belongs to all the bap- tized to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ. And since most deacons work full-time outside the Church, deacons in their workplace (and in the world) are sacramental signs and icons of Christ the Servant visible in the community. Please keep in your prayers Robert Velcich, all candidates who were ordained, their wives and families, and all those in formation, that they continue to answer God’s call in their lives. Page Four SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER May 9, 2021 CORCORAN’S CORNER Happy Mother’s Day… milestone in their lives. Catherine served on our Parish Pas- This Sunday, May 9, we celebrate Mother’s Day and toral Council (two terms), was a Deanery Council member, fondly remember and celebrate our moms, grandmothers, serves as Archdiocesan Pastoral Council Chair and is a Re- and other women who have had a good mothering influence new My Church Commission member. Francesca serves as upon us. I always like to see the yellow dandelions bloom. I a cantor, choir member, and as a catechist. Being involved have always thought them a mother’s favorite flower. The in our parish has been a family commitment. smallest child will pluck a dandelion and bring it to their mom as something pretty. Such innocent unfeigned love is a Forty Glorious Years... gift to any mom. This weekend we thank them for how their This coming Thursday, May 13, is the 40th Anniversary love and wisdom have shaped our lives. of my Ordination to the Priesthood. I had planned a celebration for this personal milestone. As a number of my Renew My Church… first cousins are a bit older than I, many of them planned On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at 7:00 PM, the decision on on making another trip over here for the celebration. I had the Orland Park/Tinley Park Renew My Church Grouping even booked a hall for a large family dinner celebration. will be officially announced. To participate in this announce- But now we have lockdown, and little-to-no travel from ment by going online to: www.renewmychurch.org/ Ireland and England, and no large gatherings. I cannot even announcements. You will be able to sign into a Teams have a small coffee and cake reception here. But such is Live Meeting, and hear the decision as it is announced. life. I have had several couples plan and cancel three times I am most appreciative to our parishioners and staff who for their upcoming weddings. In the grand scheme of things participated with parishioners and staff of all seven parishes this is small stuff. All of us will just have to live on for the in giving input for the outcome on this final decision. 50th! (I also am not short-changed. I had a fabulous 25th Anniversary. “Billyfest” went on for 11 days, with 30 cousins May Crowning… coming over from Ireland and England, either arriving early, At all the Masses this weekend, May 9, as May is the or staying after the celebratory weekend.) traditional month of the Blessed Mother and when we honor When I was newly ordained I used to look at priests who her, we will “crown” our Marian statue, Mary Seat of Wis- were celebrating 25 years of priesthood, as not really that dom, by presenting flowers in vases in front of the statue. old. But I saw the men celebrating their 40th year as old. I We have asked First Holy Communicants and Confirmandi was right! Despite feeling older, I also feel very grateful. to be part of this tribute to Mary. We encourage families at Three of my classmates have died, and I have recovered home to make May altars, and to send such photos to us to from a stroke in 2020. I am also very grateful to my immedi- share in our bulletin. ate family for all their continued love through the years. I am also extremely grateful to the staff and parishioners First Holy Communion… I have been privileged to work with in all of my past assign- On Saturday, May 8, at our 5:00 PM Mass, six children ments. I still send “Secretary’s Day” cards to secretaries in from St. Elizabeth Seton Church who attend Cardinal my first, and past assignments. The parish staff and parish- Joseph Bernardin School, celebrated their First Holy ioners truly shape and form their priests, and I have had ex- Communion. Their Second grade CJB School classroom cellent companions and co-workers. For St. Elizabeth Seton had a child test positive for the COVID-19 virus, requiring Parishes Thirtieth Anniversary I placed pictures of all the the entire classroom to quarantine for 14 days (until May 7). pastors in the church Narthex as a way of recognizing all the This situation caused six of our wonderful Second graders people that journeyed with them as together they all built up to miss participating in the May 1 First Holy Communion our parish community. I am currently grateful for the won- ceremony. These six children were invited to be part of the derful team we have: both the professional staff, parish 5:00 PM Mass this weekend. They processed in with the leaders, and those who serve our community in so many celebrant, brought forward the gifts at the Offertory, had ways, and the entire community itself. Our most recent ris- reserved seating for their families, and participated in the ing to the occasion during the COVID-19 ongoing challenge “May crowning” of our Mary, Seat of Wisdom statue. clearly shows this. Missing the ceremony is a disappointment, but we were Finally, I am grateful to God for all the good people he determined to make the best of this situation. CJB School has sent me to live and minster with. Together we have has only had a handful of quarantines. This one hit at a given God good praise, and built up his kingdom where we particularly bad time.