August 16, 2015 Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Parish Office: 773.486.4300 Masses: Parish Fax: 773.252.5346 Monday-Thursday: 7:00 a.m. Friday: 8:30 a.m. School Office: 773.486.1334 Saturday (Vigil): 5:00 p.m. School Fax: 773.486.1782 Sunday: 8:15 a.m., 9:45 a.m., www.stjohnberchmans.org 11:30 a.m. (Spanish), & 6:30 p.m. 2517 Logan Boulevard Chicago, IL 60647 Reconciliation (Confession): Saturday: 4:00 p.m. Weekdays: by Appointment F IR S T D A Y O F S C H O O L - W E DN ES DA Y, A UG US T 19 Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time August 16, 2015 Wayne’s World Day 5 - On the road again! communication with the malades was near impossible, it was awesome to connect with them and see their faces light up as they touched the walls of The Grotto. Today We woke up early this morning to pack and to was an incredible day and I can’t wait for the next couple of days in Lourdes. get ready for the next leg of our pilgrimage. Our - Mass, principally celebrated by the parish priest (I Henry B. (17) Saint Francis Xavier, Wilmette concelebrated) was in French at the parish church Day 7 - A little rain - a good (and holy) time! Notre Dame de Flots. The church overlooks the Saturday morning brought an early rise and about a half inch of rain. That did Manche and it sits high above the sea. not stop us - or the nearly 200 pilgrims from Belley-Ars from accomplishing We celebrated the feast of the Transfiguration of the the original plan for Saturday of the pilgrimage week. They were scheduled Lord. I told the American pilgrims that one of the best lines in all of Scripture for an outdoor Mass at 8:30; they determinedly made it to the grotto for can be found in today’s Gospel. When Peter was busying himself talking Mass and the Chicago pilgrims went to Saint Joan of Arc Chapel for ours. about erecting tents on the top of the mountain, bumbling as usual but trying Thankfully ours was inside! to be helpful, a voice came from the clouds, stopping him in his tracks: “This We had our annual “little drink of friendship” in the large common area of the is my beloved son. Listen to him.” It’s tough to listen when we are always place where our malades stay. They are ever so grateful for our help, and the “busy” or when we always have some type of device demanding our attention. President of the Hospitalite told us so. He really wants to deepen the bond of That’s one of the reasons why I prohibit the use of headphones during the friendship between the two dioceses. He invited us to come to his home and day on this trip and only allow minimal use of devices of communication. We suggested that some of the young (and not so young) members of his diocese need to give ourselves the time and the opportunities to listen to the Lord. would love to come to Chicago. Joy filled the room. Today was very special as it marked the first time that most of us experienced the We went back to Saint Rose for lunch, then went back and spent the wonders of Lourdes. I didn’t know what to expect, but the mere two hours that we afternoon transporting our friends to various sites in the shrine. During our spent at the shrine today was incredible and like nothing I had ever seen before. I down time, some of the pilgrims went to confession, some adored the Lord am filled with excitement as the main part of our trip is approaching, and I hope in the Blessed Sacrament and others waited with their malades. Our final to continue to see God in a variety of ways through everyone here at Lourdes!! afternoon service was to transport the malades to the Blessed Sacrament -Austin D. (17) Saint Paul of the Cross Procession. For many of the Chicago pilgrims it was the first time to see I have been waiting and imagining what Lourdes will be like for months and finally a monstrance and experience a Eucharistic procession and benediction. seeing it was amazing. The procession was fantastic and amazing to see so many Our Lord is truly present in Holy Communion and the monstrance allows people from so many places come together to worship God. - Kerry F. (17) Our the faith to see and worship Christ truly present. The malades were moved Lady of Perpetual Help and grateful for this opportunity. Afterwards we returned to Saint Rose for dinner. Day 6 - Greetings from Lourdes! This morning we started the day off by meeting our malades to take them to church Today we ventured back to the shrine for a morning of orientation and at the grotto.While they were at church we also had mass at St. Joan of Arc. This was formation. I registered our group and scheduled a few events. Managing the really significant to me because that is where I went to grade school and that is my time and pace of the shrine is a full time job. With so many groups, finding parish too. Later we gathered with all the malades to sing, exchange gifts, eat, and the space to accommodate each’s needs requires patience and understanding. talk. I loved seeing the excited smiles on all of their faces when we gave them their We compromised. gifts. One of the malades even gave me one of her bracelets. I am truly blessed to The footsteps of Saint Bernadette always touch the hearts of the pilgrims. We be able to be here and want to have a great last three days! -Mckenzie B. (17) walked from the grotto to the place where Bernadette was born, and where Saint Isaac Jogues her father worked as a miller. Not spacious by our comfortable standards, it served as a palatial home for her and her family. We continued to the place Day 8 - Greetings from Lourdes! where the family lived during the time of the apparitions. The Cachot, a one Today was just magnificent! We had the opportunity to dip in the baths, and Clare room home with only two beds and bit of furniture crowded the family to be and I lead the songs for all those waiting for the baths. The day continued and sure. They still in their poverty loved God and cared for one another. we got to walk in the procession with our malades. It was just an excellent day! Today we saw the malades for the first time. Some of them even remembered me from -Ellie R. (17) Saint Luke last year! They were so enthusiastic and it was incredibly overwhelming. I could feel Today, we woke up bright and early to grab our Malades and go to the International so much love and power in the relationships I formed with them. I’m so grateful Mass. I actually got to experience the mass from the choir, which was incredible and blessed to have the opportunity to be here and I can’t wait to experience more. because each song was sung in 5-6 different languages. After heading back for -Grace R. (17) Saint Joan of Arc lunch, we walked over to the baths to be dipped. After waiting in line, singing, We started off the day walking in the footsteps of St. Bernadette and had mass in and praying, each of us were dipped in what was arguably the coldest water I have St. Anne’s chapel. Then we went to the grotto. It was incredible seeing the original ever felt. Definitely a great day!! -Reilly M. (17) Saint Francis Xavier, spring of holy water and how moving it was for us and our malades. Although Wilmette 2 August 16, 2015 Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Parish Announcements CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST During the month of August, the giving tree will remain in the vestibule, but these ornaments will contain a different kind of wish: the wish for an education. The education of its youth is a primary mission of Catholic Parishes, so let us come together as a community to support our parish school and religious education program. Gifts can be returned in the Women of Faith Circle collection basket, at the school or parish office or via credit card at www. Tuesday, August 18th 7-9 pm givecentral.org. There are several different levels of sponsoring a child, and any gift you are able to give will provide hope for the future for one SJB School Chapel of our many students who need the financial help. Refreshments will be served. Please come and bring a friend. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION REGISTRATION This Month’s Topic: “Sharing our Stories” Welcome to the Religious Education program at St. John Berchmans. We are looking forward to helping your child grow in faith and the Questions? Kathy 720-291-8904 ¿Preguntas? Joyana 773-213-3163 knowledge of God’s love. This year’s program begins on Saturday, “Have you ever tried to find your way to a place you have never Sept. 12. Classes meet on Saturday mornings from 9 to 10:30 a.m. All been before with no directions, no map, and no clear description of children must be registered for class each year. Children receiving the the destination? Come, rediscover the great Spiritual North Star: sacraments begin preparation in 1st Grade for First Communion and in Holiness.” -Matthew Kelly 7th Grade for Confirmation.