SAINT ISAAC JOGUES PARISH 8149 Golf Road ~ Niles, IL 60714 847/967-1060 ~ Fax # 847/967-1070 Website: http://sij-parish.com The Conversion of St. Paul January 25, 2009 Page Two The Conversion of St. Paul January 25, 2009 "NEW FACES” … 2009 I was only nine years old when “New Faces of 1952” became a major hit on Broadway. Of the songs, I remember only the funny ones -- like Alice Ghostley's hysterical "Boston Be- guine." Witty Cole Porter was probably pale green with envy when he heard lyrics like “And even the palms seemed to potted…” If he wasn’t “green,” perhaps he was “tickled pink.” Withal, "New Faces" was bright and cheerful and years ahead of its time. Some of its per- formers became famous- - Eartha Kitt, Paul Lynde, Alice Ghostley and last, but in no way least, Mel Brooks! In 1952, those "New Faces" were unknown. They became "stars" not only of an old vaudeville format but a kind of comedy they helped to invent! I like 50's trivia, but that's only a segue to welcoming two “new faces” to our own parish family-- Fr. Camillus Janas, O.F.M. and Deacon Alejandro Flores. In this bulletin, “Fr. Cam" has provided a brief autobiography. For my own part, I am delighted to have an Associate who is as experienced and accomplished in teaching and pastoral ministry as he is. After a long wait-- and persistent prayer-- I am grateful and hopeful. I know Fr. Cam will do much to enrich the life of our parish. Deacon Alejandro Flores will be ordained a priest of the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas in May. Like Fr. Joseph Sia, our deacon from Mundelein Seminary last year, he will preach and minister to St. Isaac Jogues Parish from February through April. Next week, Deacon Flores, will offer his own autobiographical sketch. It's a real sign of life and growth to see "new faces" in old places; for "new faces" mean fresh challenges and visions of a more vital Church. -Fr. Luczak Page Three The Conversion of St. Paul January 25, 2009 Something about the new "boy" on the block - Fr. Camillus (Cam) Janas, O.F.M. I was born in New England, the state of New Hampshire and the city of Man- chester, to wonderful parents, Julia and Albert Janas. Their parents -- my grandparents-- came from Poland. Through them I learned to speak Polish. My parents belonged to a Polish parish, St. Hedwig, by name, and I attended a grammar school staffed by Felician Sisters, who also helped my progress in the Polish language. I was graduated in 1947 and attended a high school staffed by the wonderful Christian Brothers. During the last year of high school I applied to the Franciscans in Pulaski, Wisconsin. Two Franciscans came to the parish every three years to conduct a two-week mission: one week for the men and the other week for the women. I believe that they and the Felicians, who follow a Franciscan Rule of life, had a lot to do with my answering God's call to be a Franciscan priest. I entered the Franciscan novitiate in 1951, the same year I graduated from high school. At that time the novitiate was in Pulaski, WI. Three months later we moved to Lake Geneva, WI to continue our novitiate. After a year I took vows for a three year period and moved to Burlington, WI to begin my college studies. After Burlington --together with my six classmates-I moved to the newly built House of Theology in West Chicago, IL where I completed four years of study of theology. Then, I received my “obedience” to teach at Bishop Neuman High School in Philadelphia. I taught for one year and then was sent to Fordham Uni- versity to work on my Master's degree in Sociology and Anthropology. After two years I returned to Philadelphia to teach in the largest Catholic High School in the world - 6,000 students - and to prepare for administration at a newly built Archbishop Ryan High School. In 1968 I was asked to be the Director of Clerics, who were Franciscans at the college level. After a year, I went to St. Francis College in Joliet to be the school's chaplain and teacher. After two years I became chaplain and teacher at the Felician Sisters' mother house in Lodi, NJ. After four years I went to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Saginaw, MI to be part of team ministry, which consisted of 3 Franciscan priests, the High School Principal, the Religious Ed. Director, the Music Minister and the Youth Director. After nine years I became pastor of Assumption Par- ish in Bridgeport, MI, where I ministered for six years after which I became pastor of a charismatic prayer group in Montrose, MI. In 1996 I became pastor of St. Andrew Parish in Manitowoc, MI. It was a time of merging parishes. I, then, became pastor of St. Boniface Parish together with St. Andrew in the same city. During this time 6 parishes merged into one, now known as St. Francis of Assisi Parish which has three worship sites. It was time to move again--this time to St. Stanislaus Parish, in Cleveland, OH, in which parish I made use of my knowledge of the Polish language. After being there for two and a half years I have come here to St. Isaac Jogues Parish, where I am an associate pastor. I am very happy to be here and look forward in serving the people of the parish and of growing in joyful love of Jesus with the parishion- ers. P.S. I have two sisters and one brother. One sister and brother are married. My other sister is a Felician. Page Four The Conversion of St. Paul January 25, 2009 SPIRITUAL LIFE NEW The first training session for new Altar Servers will be Monday, January 26, at 5:30 p.m. in church. Please be on time. Students who attend RE classes will be finished in time to go to class. For more information please call 847/966-1180. SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMISSION The Spiritual Life Commission meets this Thursday, Jan. 29th, at 7:30 p.m. in the RE Office. PRO-LIFE POSTCARD CAMPAIGN NEXT WEEKEND Next weekend during Mass adults and older youth will have an opportunity to sign pro-life postcards which will be mailed to our two U.S. Senators and each household’s appropriate Representative in the U.S. House. This pro-life campaign is co-sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment and is being conducted in parishes throughout the Archdiocese next weekend, January 31-February 1. After the homily each person who would like to participate will receive a strip of three postcards. You are asked to sign the postcards and then print your name, address, city, state and zip code. If you know whom your House Representative is, you will put that on the appropriate card. Richard Durbin and Roland Burris are the Senators from Illinois. The Ushers will then collect the cards, and volunteers will separate, count, stamp and mail them. Each postcard on the strip of three reads as follows: “Dear Senator/Representative: At this time of serious national challenges, Americans should unite to serve the good of all, born and unborn. The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), the most radical and divisive pro-abortion bill ever introduced in Con- gress, would create a ‘fundamental right’ to abortion that government could not limit but would have to sup- port. FOCA would overturn many existing widely-supported policies, including laws protecting parental in- volvement and conscience rights and those preventing partial-birth abortion and taxpayer funding of abortion. Please oppose FOCA or any similar measure, and retain laws against federal funding and promotion of abor- tion. As your constituent, I would appreciate a written response telling me how you would vote on these mat- ters. Respectfully, ____________________” This postcard signing even gives us as individuals, and as a body, an opportunity to give public witness to our belief in the sanctity of human life. Please pray for the success of this campaign and for the establishment of public policies respectful of the human person. Thank you! Page Five The Conversion of St. Paul January 25, 2009 MINISTRY FAIR Mark your calendars and plan to attend the Parish Ministry Fair being held after all the Masses the week- end of February 7-8 in the Holy Family Room. This is a great way for you to see all the groups and min- istries active here at St. Isaac Jogues Parish and a way for you to explore how you might become in- volved for a first time or try a new ministry or share with others how being involved has aided your faith jour- ney! Hospitality will be served and there will be information and some representatives from the follow- ing organizations and ministries: Baptism Preparation, Bible Study, Parish Schools, Religious Education, SPRED, Spiritual Life Commission, Adult Education/Formation, Altar Servers, Arts & Environment, Bereave- ment, Eucharistic Ministers, Holy Hour, Lectors, Liturgy Board, Liturgy Planners, Music Ministry, Ministry of Praise, RCIA, Sacristans, Sharing Parish, Ushers, Hopeline, Ministers of Care, Parish Nurse Programs, New Beginnings, St. Vincent De Paul Society, Bingo, the Filipino Prayer Group, Men’s Club, Women’s Club, Blood Draw and Finance Committee. Please plan now to stop in, gather some information and perhaps step forward to help St. Isaac Jogues Parish continue the work of our Lord Jesus Christ! ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL: “…DO ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.” (I Corinthians 10:31) Many parishioners either have or soon will receive a mailing from Cardinal George asking that you make a pledge to the 2009 Annual Catholic Appeal.