SAINT ISAAC JOGUES PARISH 8149 Golf Road ♦Niles, IL 60714 847/967-1060 ~ Fax # 847/967-1070 Website: http://sij-parish.com Repent, and Believe In the Gospel... Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 10, 2013 Page Two Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 10, 2013 “MEMENTO MORI”: to embrace “Memento Mori” with flair and a grim determination. The Old Testament in- Lent’s Intimations of Mortality spired a genre that introduced the Danse Ma- cabre and chapels of bones like the famous Lent begins like a high gothic romance. I have Capuchin Crypt off Rome’s chief party street, the Via Veneto! always found Ash Wednesday something of a spiritual “shock treatment.” In the famous clocks of central Europe, the “Remember that you are dust, Grim Reaper plays a key role to remind all of and to dust you shall return.” “Memento Mori.” Both Catholics and Puritans seemed to delight in keeping a skull before People seem to prefer this traditional formula to them. Here I think of Evelyn Waugh’s Brides- the more positive: head Revisted skull with its inscription: “Et in Arcadia Ego” . “I too was in Arca- “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” dia.” Both carry the same “Memento Mori” can be converted into the message, really. But hedonist maxim: “Carpe Diem” - - “Seize the there is something in Day.” But, “Eat, drink and be merry” is not what most Catholics that Ash Wednesday is wants the sin scared about, is it? Catholic out of them! It is a author, Muriel Spark, strategy that can also who gave us “The seem effective in Prime of Miss Jean getting people to di- Brodie” wrote a nov- et and exercise. el, Memento Mori in But, I don’t think Jen- 1959. Imagine, if you ny Craig is likely to will, a series of phone run a commercial with the theme: calls to you and your “Kirstie Alley meets the Grim Reaper”! friends. The mes- sage: “Remember The Latin expression, “Memento Mori” is more you must die!” The than a “scare tactic.” It goes back to ancient impact, in Spark’s story is twofold: Rome. A triumphant general, in a victory pa- rade, always had a slave standing behind him. 1. Find out who is making the calls, and why? The slave held a laurel crown above the gen- 2. Then, examine your own life . What eral’s head. A standard feature was for the changes need to be made as you face slave to repeat: “Memento Mori” - - death? “Remember you will die.” It was a reality call . A warning that glory passes, the mighty fall, “Memento Mori” is clearly Ash Wednesday’s and you are not a god! The Christian Tertullian most shocking theme. Is it “sick” or wrong to put it this way: begin the season in the spirit of Ecclesiasticus 7:40? “Look behind you! Remember that you are but a man! Remember that you’ll die!” “In all your works be mindful of your last end and you will never sin.” It did not take Christian writers and artists long Muriel Spark was a remarkably talented writer. Page Three Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 10, 2013 Her depth is found in her view of the supernat- ural. She has said:Yes, I have faith in the su- pernatural, the existence of something bigger than myself. And the Catholic Church seems to sum it up. Besides I like Christianity as a religion. I think it’s awfully good. It’s the best thing there is, as far as I’m concerned. Lent challenges us to remember that we will die. It also arms us with the Good News: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” Lent shows us the skull as an alternative. It also shows us the transfigured face of Christ. We are given a choice - - FEBRUARY 13 LIFE OR DEATH! This week we mark the begin- -Fr. Luczak ning of the holy season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. Masses will be at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Liturgies of the Word will be at 12 Noon and 4 p.m. Ashes will be distributed during all four services. “What we call This is a day of fast and absti- the beginning nence. Only one full meal is permitted by those between is often the the ages of 18-59 on Ash end. And to Wednesday and Good Friday. Two smaller meals may be make an end is eaten for reasons of health, but there is no eating be- to make a tween meals. No meat or beginning. The poultry products on Ash Wednesday, the Fridays of end is where Lent and Good Friday, by we start from.” those ages 14 and older. (T.S. Elliot in Little Gidding) Page Four Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 10, 2013 Each weekend we will collect alms in the boxes at the doors of the Church for a differ- The RE students, catechists and assistants ent organization/ invite you to join them in prayer as they pre- ministry. Our first pare for the beginning of Lent on Monday at weekend’s alms will 7:30 p.m. in church. Mrs. Johansen’s 4th be for Sunday Mass at Grade class will help lead our prayer. The RE Mercy Home, the Parish of the Airwaves Program’s Lent almsgiving will be for Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl Project. which began in 1992. It is a spiritual aid to those unable to leave their homes to attend The Parish Community is asked to continue to Mass because of age or ailment. Several of remember our Candidates in their prayers as our parishioners benefit from this ministry. they draw closer to the celebration of their Filmed at Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, it Confirmation and/or First Communion. Your en- couragement and good example help them as airs on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. on they grow in their love of Christ and the WGN. Please pray for their good work and Church and live as Christ each day. thank you in advance for your generosity. Our Parish Mission, Vatican II: In Spirit GORSKIE ZALE and Truth -- Receiving Gorskie Zale, The Bitter Laments, a Polish/English and Living the Council st Lenten Service will be held in Church next Sunday, in the 21 Century th will begin with Fr. February 17 , at 3:00 p.m. We are happy to again Thomas Baima preaching the homily at all our welcome Fr. Jason Torba, accompanied by some weekend Masses, February 23-24. Presenta- members of The Lira Singers, who will tions by Fr. Baima and a different guest for lead our prayer. The service includes each one will be at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, Febru- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament ary 24 and 7:00 p.m. on Monday and Tues- and Benediction, hymns which consid- day, February 25-26. A video presentation of er the Passion and Death of Our Lord the previous day’s talk will be shown at 9:30 and sorrow for sins, and sympathetic a.m. Monday – Wednesday, February 25-27. conversations of the soul with Mary. Babysitting can be provided, so please call the All are welcome – please come and RE Office if you will use the service, 847/966 experience this prayer tradition. -1180. Please see the Lent Overview distrib- uted today for more information. FRIDAYFRIDAY LENTLENT DEVOTIONSDEVOTIONS The Divine Mercy Chaplet and Stations of the Cross will be prayed at 3:00 & 7:00 p.m. on all the Fridays of Lent beginning this Friday, February 15th. Please note that we will resume the praying of the Patriotic Rosary in April. Page Five Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 10, 2013 CALLING ALL YOUNG ADULTS ST.ST. JOSEPHJOSEPH TABLETABLE 20S & 30S, MARRIED & SINGLE TO JOIN US FOR… Our parish’s St. Joseph Table will be held on Sun- day, March 10th, beginning with Mass at Noon, fol- ENCOUNTERING CHRIST lowed by the blessing of the table and serving of food 1:30-4:30 p.m. This tradition began as an ex- LENTEN FAITH SERIES pression of gratitude for the intercession and help of St. Joseph. While it originated in Sicily, it has en- Young Adults throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago joyed popularity among many peoples. There is no are gathering with peers this Lent for good conver- charge for sharing in the table, but donations re- saƟon about our Catholic faith and the ways God is ceived will go to our parish’s work of helping the at work in our lives. We will also discuss Young poor and needy through our St. Vincent DePaul Adults’ goals, dreams, hungers, concerns, and spir- Ministry. You can help this year’s St. Joseph Table itual needs, as well as our relaƟonship to the larger with your prayers, your time (set up, serving, clean Church. up), and/or your meatless food or monetary dona- tions (to prepare the table and food for all the people The process includes a total of five sessions of faith who will come). To offer your assistance or for sharing based on Scripture, and a gathering with more information please stop in the Holy Family Cardinal George and your peers from throughout Room after Mass TODAY or call Santa DiFranco, the Archdiocese. This is an opportunity to meet oth- 847/966-1802, or Dee Stanton, 847/966-1180. er Young Adults who share your faith, and, as a Please invite your families, friends and neighbors to group, to let your voice be heard. Join us when you come as well! can.