The Feast of the Ascension… This weekend we celebrate the Feast of our Lord’s As-cension into heaven. We hear at Mass a wonderful Gospel passage of Jesus commissioning the disciples, and us in their footsteps, to “Get on with it!”—to go out to the ends of the world and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel. How faithful the Church has been in doing so. From a backwater area of the Roman Empire, the faith has grown and blos-somed on every continent, in every age. And the faith is alive and being spread in our own age and our own locale. Each and every Saturday evening and Sunday morning people see a parade of over 2,000 people trecking off to our church to worship God. Each year scores of men and women volunteer to be catechists in our parish Religious Education program, passing the great gift of faith on to hundreds of the next generation. Regularly our parish gathers to build communal bonds, and celebrate our ties as a parish—the next notable occa-sion being the August 3rd Parish Picnic. Monthly parish volunteers go out to assist at food pantries and homeless shelters, bring Communion to the homebound, and visit people confined to hospitals and nursing homes. In these practical ways of worship, teaching and compassionate outreach, our faith is being practiced and spread. We are in simple and noble ways “carrying on” the faith. We are truly celebrating the Ascension of the Lord. Mass of Thanksgiving… Next Sunday, the Feast of Pentecost and the birthday of the Church, June 8th, our parish will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at the 11:30 AM Mass, where our newly ordained deacon, Dennis Cristofaro, will exercise his liturgical role as a deacon. There will be a coffee and cake reception in the downstairs Church Hall following Mass. Parish Picnic Committee Meeting… Just as I did for planning our successful St. Patrick’s-St. Joseph’s Days Party, I am holding a meeting to plan our August 3rd Parish Picnic. This will be the first brainstorm-ing for ideas meeting. We will meet in the parish office on Wednesday, June 11th at 7:00 PM. All are welcome—new bright ideas will be most appreciated. Graduation Mass… Our parish is proud of all our Eighth Grade graduates, those who have been educated in our wonderful local public schools, and those in our regional Catholic Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School. On Saturday, June 14th [the night before Father’s Day], we have invited all of our parish graduates to attend the 5 PM Mass so that we can congratulate them, celebrate their graduation from Grade School, and bless them as they transition to their high school years. The graduates will sit throughout the church with their families, and after Communion, be asked to come forward for recognition and a special blessing. We wish them well at this great moment of accomplishment in their lives. Religious Education Program Catechists… Our parish Religious Education Program has a few opportunities for parishioners to sign up to serve as catechists in our 2014-2015 program. We have a few openings in Grade 2, 4 and 7, and one opening each in Grade 6 and Grade 8.

Catechists work as a grade-level team in training and planning for classes, and our new DRE Susan Matthews will be a great resource to all grade-level teams. You will not be handed a book, a class list, and wished good luck. You will be trained and will work with others. For further information please contact Elaine Pawlak, our current CRE, at the RE office at 708-403-0137. This is a wonder-fully rewarding ministry within our parish community as we pass the faith on to the next generation. Out with the Old, and In with the New… At this time of year we offer thanks and gratitude for all the fine men and women who during the last year served as officers of our fine parish clubs and organizations. With-out the hard work, patience, dedication, and leadership of these club’s officers, we would not enjoy the benefits of these parish organizations. Our Women’s Club, Men’s Club, and Seniors of Seton offer our parish many benefits. These groups build a strong sense of camaraderie and fellowship within our community, they offer a happy respite from the harsh reali-ties of winter madness, and they raise a few dollars that on occasion the pastor can put to good use for the benefit of the community. I personally am very grateful for all that these groups do for our parish: from the various events that they sponsor, to the elbow grease that they provide for various parish projects. And I am also very grateful to the men and women who headed these groups this past year. It is never easy to head an organization, to watch toddlers, or to herd cats. Yet, these men and women leaders have served our parish well, and had very good people to both work with, and to form into a functioning team. You all deserve to take a bow!

Our outgoing 2013-2014 Officers: Men’s Club: Greg Skrzypiec, President; Ted Wolski, Vice President; Larry Stolinski, Treasurer; Steve Juska, Secretary; David Ryan, Sergeant at Arms. Women’s Club: AJ Kunde, President; Maryola Ward, Vice President; Mary Harrison, Secretary; Lynn Miller, Treasurer; Marjorie Broderick, Membership. Seniors of Seton: Doug Benker, President; Sharon Oskielunas, First Vice-President; Phyllis Noxon, Second Vice President; Ceil Matul, Treasurer; and Marge Broderick, Secretary. Thanks to you all!

Our incoming 2014-2015 Officers: Men’s Club: Pat Zarnowski, President; Mark Lippe, Vice President; Tom Wojcik, Treasurer; Steve Juska, Secretary; Mike Murphy, Sergeant at Arms. Women’s Club: Lynn Miller, President; Marjorie Broderick, Vice President; Annette Grogan, Secretary; Marilyn Reipsa, Treasurer. Seniors of Seton: Ceil Matul, President; Mary Kunkel, First Vice-President; Anna Talley, Second Vice-President; Joy Jordan, Secretary; Doug Benker, Treasurer. Welcome aboard!

Keep Smiling...

CORCORAN’S CORNER

We remember the sick, infirm, and those recommended to our prayers, that they may experience the healing power of Christ: John Schaffer Joyce McKernan Rachel Castro Dan Rukowski Richard Gaskey Richard Tropp Robert Sakanis Mary Jane Pangallo For our deceased: Karleen Vanek “Heavenly Father, accept the prayers which we offer for them.”

PLEASE PRAY FOR

ASCENSION OF THE LORD Page Three

Sat., May 31 (5pm) Mary Ann Gastonguay; Lawrence Hanlon; John Houtsma Sunday, June 1 (7:15am) Parishioners (8:30am) Charlene Hooker; Elizabeth Martin (10am) Dennis Gildea; Kenneth Graves; Thomas Frawley; Ann Bonarek; Jeanne Wokurka; Pedro and Elvira Gelera 54th Wedding Anniversary (11:30am) Catherine Piszczor; Martin Keane Mon., June 2 (9am) Joseph Anthony Pardo; Catherine Piszczor Joseph Pardo; Dominic Russo Tues., June 3 (9am) Jack Yanahan; Jack Martin; Anne McDonough; Living and Deceased Members of Seniors of Seton Wed., June 4 (9am) Ann Conway; August and Mary Ewald; Velma Marberry Thurs., June 5 (9am) Mary K. Peters; Edwin and Anne Rybczyk; Kenneth Sullivan; Dennis Gildea Fri., June 6 (9am) Joseph O’Sullivan

Anthony and Lauren Smith (Child: Allie Smith)

WELCOME

May 31, 2014

MASS INTENTIONS

STEWARDSHIP

EASTER TO DATE: $119,898.34

COLLECTION FOR 5-25-14:

$18,477.31 KIDS COLLECTION FOR 5-25-14:

$34.85 Thank you for your generosity.

Congratulations to these parents on the baptism of their child on 5-25-14: Bryce Charles, child of Michael and Holly Mazzia Aanya Brenley, child of Michael and Ajitha Diaz Thomas Patrick IV, child of Thomas III and Tania Gaffney Gabriel Alexander, child of Thomas and Tania Gaffney Ryder Rhone, child of Mark Williams and Dale Victoria Grybauskas Nora Elizabeth, child of William and Erin Dubois Blaize Phillip, child of Gerald and Kierstin Evans

BAPTISMS

Please pray for the following couples as they prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony: Elizabeth Ciaccio and Christopher Doughty; 5-31-14 Melissa Grant and Kevin Taylor; 6-7-14

WEDDINGS

This Sunday, June 1st, we welcome Fr. Bernie Phelan, who will celebrate

at our 11:30am Mass...

A Heartfelt Welcome to Fr. Bernie...

Fr. Bernie Phelan (of London, England) is visiting our parish this weekend. His prior visits have been in 2002, 2006, 2011, and most recently June of 2013. Many may recall Fr. Bernie resided at our church rectory from 1992 to June 1994 (during his studies at Loyola University in Chicago) and helped Fr. O’Mara with weekend Masses. Our Pastor Emeritus, Fr. William O’Mara, first met Fr. Bernie in 1986 while they studied at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkley, California. He received his Masters in Pastoral Studies (and other diplomas) in the United States before returning to Uganda and Kenya, Africa. While there, he set up new missions for Mill Hill Missionaries, and later was named Vicar General of the Dioceses of Soroti and Chancellor Director of Catechetics. Fr. Bernie has spent 47 years ministering all over the world including teaching at the Missionary Institute of London. He is currently Regional Representative, a job largely of human resource management, throughout England, Scotland, and Wales and works to collaborate with other congregations.

Page Four ASCENSION OF THE LORD May 31, 2014

Congratulations to Dennis M. Cristofaro who was ordained on May 18th to the Order of Deacon at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago by Francis Cardinal George, OML Dennis has journeyed through four years of preparation for this day, attending aca-demic classes, formation programs, engaging in extensive theological reflection sessions, retreats, regular Spiritual Direction, as well as being involved in many liturgical practica and pastoral field 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 500 active deacons in the Archdiocese, as well as 50 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, officiate 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, filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom ... " to care for the widows and administer the daily distri-bution of food in the early Christian community. Thus from the earliest days 'of the Church, deacons were involved in service to the bishop as administrators and caring for the poor (spiritually, emotionally, physically), the alienated, and those who, for various reasons, find 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 baptized to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ. And since most deacons work full-time outside the Church, deacons in their work-place (and in the world) are sacramental signs and icons of Christ visible in the community.

Mass of Thanksgiving in celebration of our newly ordained Deacon Dennis Cristofaro

Sunday, June 8th 11:30 AM Mass

All are invited to a cake and coffee reception

immediately following Mass in the downstairs Church Hall

Be Still… A Call To Centering PrayerBe Still… A Call To Centering PrayerBe Still… A Call To Centering Prayer Wednesday, June 11th at 7pmWednesday, June 11th at 7pmWednesday, June 11th at 7pm

You are invited to join in an hour of quiet timeYou are invited to join in an hour of quiet timeYou are invited to join in an hour of quiet time and learn about Centering Prayer. The groupand learn about Centering Prayer. The groupand learn about Centering Prayer. The group meets the second Wednesday of each monthmeets the second Wednesday of each monthmeets the second Wednesday of each month in the Cornerstone building located on the in the Cornerstone building located on the in the Cornerstone building located on the corner of 167th St. and 94th Ave. Questions?corner of 167th St. and 94th Ave. Questions?corner of 167th St. and 94th Ave. Questions? Please call Marge at 708Please call Marge at 708Please call Marge at 708---460460460---5357.5357.5357.

Jesus summons us to spread the faith through the grace of baptism.

Where are you being called to share your gifts?

— Matthew 28:16-20

IF YOU THINK GOD IS CALLING YOU TO BE A PRIEST, visit www.ChicagoPriest.com or con-tact Fr. Francis Bitterman at 312-534-8298 or fbitterman@archchicago.org. FOR INFORMATION ON RELIGIOUS LIFE contact Sr. Elyse Ramirez, OP at 312-534-5240 or eramirez@archchicago.org, and for the Per-manent Diaconate program contact Deacon Bob Puhala at 847-837-4562 or bpuhala@usml.edu.

Vocation Prayer Ministry St. Elizabeth Seton Church has a special ministry where a volunteer takes the Vocation Cross to their home for one week to pray for an increase in Vocations and for those discerning priesthood or religious life. For more informa-tion or to register for a week, please call the parish office at 708-403-0101.

Parish Vocation News

Page Five ASCENSION OF THE LORD April 28, 2013 September 29, 2013 April 28, 2013 May 31, 2014

Upcoming Sacred Space

Reflection Group Dates:

Monday, June 2nd

9:30am in the Cornerstone

Tuesday, June 3rd

7pm in the Cornerstone

15%

ASCENSION OF THE LORD May 31, 2014 Page Six

Page Seven ASCENSION OF THE LORD April 28, 2013 September 29, 2013 April 28, 2013 May 31, 2014

Honoring Mary

IT IS A CATHOLIC TRADITION TO HONOR MARY in the month of May. She is the first disciple and the very first to say “yes” to Christ. At St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, we choose a special Thursday morning Mass in May for a Marian Celebration. We sing special Marian songs and place vases at the feet of Mary where she waits with arms outstretched to receive the procession of the faithful and accept the multitudes of flowers shared from their backyard gardens or store-bought bouquets.

Students share how parents modeled faith Earlier this spring, the Catholic New World and the Office for Catholic Schools announced an essay contest for seniors in Catholic High Schools, asking them to write about how their parents model faith. This year’s first place winner was Molly Ziegler of Hoffman Estates of St. Viator High School who received $1,000. Here is her winning essay:

Throughout my entire life, my parents have grounded me in in the Catholic faith. Catholicism provides a solid foundation for our family life, all thanks to their determination to make Christ’s presence real in the world. When I was younger, my parents acted as a bridge from Jesus to me. I could not completely grasp the idea of God incarnate, but as I watched my parents follow Jesus’ example of kindness and compassion, this concept grew clearer to me with age. I would wake up every Sunday as my dad came home from playing piano at early Mass. We all enjoyed breakfast together, and my mom and I would leave to attend a later Mass. My mom handed me the check each week, and I was lucky enough to place the envelope in the collection basket. Then Monday, I’d board the bus to St. Hubert Catholic School and wave to my dad who would walk me to the bus stop each morning. These small actions of kindness not only brought to life Jesus’ message of living for one another, but also revealed to me the importance of incorporating faith into every aspect of my life. The more years I gained, the less I needed a bridge to reach Jesus. My parents’ Christian examples brought me closer to Jesus, made Him real for me, and allowed me to directly form my own relationship with Him. While I now understand Jesus and consider myself close to Him, I still struggle to follow His example in my daily life. This is again where I can look to my parents for help. My dad teaches history at a junior high school and also directs the musicals. I love hearing his stories about the creative projects he assigns the kids and how seeing them happy is so fulfilling to him. He uses his special gifts of knowledge, music, and creativity to bring light to others and to make himself feel complete. My mom works as Human Resources Manager at a large insurance company. This job perfectly suits her. She conducts interviews for new workers and deals with office issues. She does this all with such grace, patience and compassion. I admire how my parents play to their strengths to do their jobs in the best way possible. My parents remind me daily, simply with their actions, that everyone is blessed with unique gifts from God that allow them to make Jesus’ presence real in the world. And to me, this is the essence of faith. I simply have to discover what God placed me here to do and, with my parents’ support, I’ll be able to do this in Jesus’ name.

Social Action Ministry Meeting This Week! Wednesday, June 4th at 9:30am in the Parish Conference Room.

All are welcome!

Durable Power of Attorney On Tuesday, June 10th from 11am-Noon, the Little Co. of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers invite adults, 18-over, to attend an educational class, designed specifically to help individuals make informed decisions regarding their future healthcare needs. This educational opportunity will focus on the Illinois Statutory Short form — Power of Attorney for Health Care. Reservations are not required and there is no fee. Forms will be provided to you in order that you may discuss your wishes with your physician and family members empowering you to make an informed decision regarding your end of life healthcare. Class held on the hospital campus, 2800 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park, 8th floor, RM. 8501 (Pastoral Care Dept.). If you are unable to attend but would like to have a copy of the Dura-ble Power of Attorney for Health Care form, call 708-229-5480 and a copy of the form will be mailed to you.

Alcoholics Anonymous If you have a problem with alcohol and feel a sincere desire to stop drinking, you are welcome to attend a meeting of Al-coholics Anonymous (A.A.) in the Seton Church Hall on Thursdays from 7:30-8:45pm. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover. The only requirement is a sincere desire to stop drinking.

Mid-life Singles (mid-30s-50s): REFLECT Many never-married, divorced, or widowed people in mid-life (mid-30s to 50s) feel alone, out-of-place and wonder-ing what this phase of life means for them. Since 2004, our weekend retreats have offered mid-life singles the chance to experience healing, a sense of belonging, and a renewed relationship with the Lord through planned talks, a reconciliation service, Holy Mass, and caring fellowship. Register today for a life-changing REFLECT weekend re-treat at the Cardinal Stritch Retreat House, Mundelein on June 20-22, 2014. Cost: $185 for meals/single room. Call 312-532-8286 or email reflect.chicagoland@gmail.com or visit their website at www.ReflectRetreat.com.

Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass The Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass will be held on Sunday, Sept.14, 2014 at 2:45pm at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., Chicago. Couples married in 1964 interested in attending this celebration should contact their parish to register. For more information please call the Archdiocese of Chicago Marriage and Family Ministries at 312-534-8351 or visit their website at: www.marriageandfamilyministries.org.

Families Anonymous If your life has gone astray due to living with someone who has a substance abuse problem, attend Families Anonymous on Mondays, 7-8:30pm at Palos Hospital, 123rd and 80th Ave., Palos Heights (Ambulatory Center, Room 1). For more information please call Warren at 708-429-2507 or Theresa at 708-269-9853.

Page Eight ASCENSION OF THE LORD May 31, 2014

Helpful Outreach for People seeking Employment (HOPE) Employment Ministry

The HOPE Employment Support Ministry is open to everyone: All of our services, to both job seekers and employers, are free of charge. Our monthly meetings consist of networking, resume review, guest speakers and open forums.

Need a resume tuned up? Send your resume to ajunkans@aol.com and then come to the next meeting to receive feedback and discuss suggestions.

Employers and HOPE Alumni: We ask that you please share job openings with us. Send your staffing needs to tom.mcmahon@mcmahonjobs.com, and they will be distributed to those who attend our monthly meetings.

The HOPE Employment Support Ministry has expanded. Employment Support Ministry also meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at Our Lady Of The Woods Church, 10731 W. 131st St., Orland Park.

Need more information? Please call Bob Cornejo at (708) 642-2314, Mary Lou Sipple at (708) 738-5905 or Ken Krausz at (708) 214-9741. Follow us at www.linkedin.com.

B E C A U S E E V E R Y O N E C A N U S E A L I T T L E H O P E !

The HOPE Employment Support Ministry will meet on Tuesday, June 3 at 7pm

in the downstairs St. Elizabeth Seton Church Hall.

Page Nine ASCENSION OF THE LORD April 28, 2013 September 29, 2013 April 28, 2013 May 31, 2014

By: Melissa Musick Nussbaum

I T PROBABLY WOULDN'T SURPRISE YOU TO LEARN THAT MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TREAT BELIEVERS FROM EVERY TRADITION. It might surprise you to hear Dr. Abraham Nussbaum, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado Medical School and Director of the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit at Denver Health — and also, in the interest of full disclosure, my son — reflect that in his 2 1/2 years directing the unit he recalls only one pastor visiting a patient. ONE.

I remember as a child hearing the Bible story about Jesus

healing the 10 lepers…

I WAS LESS INTERESTED in the healing itself than in the idea of sick people forced to live away from their families and friends, away from their homes and neighborhoods, cast out beyond the gates of the city. This, I understood, was a story from long ago and far away. EXCEPT THAT IT IS NOT. The mentally ill are lepers. They are Lazarus, lying on our doorsteps. We step over them. And we supply the ancient soundtrack, "Unclean! Unclean!" I serve on the board of my local Catholic Charities. Our Marian House Soup Kitchen and drop-in center is located downtown, just across the street from the cathedral. Many of those we serve are mentally ill. Every year the cry goes up to move the facility to some place far away from downtown shops and restaurants. Every year the cry goes up

to relocate our Lazaruses so that our way is unhindered, our view is unspoiled, and our fantasies remain intact. So I've been interested in Dr. Nussbaum's work, a work he does with many others of like mind, to find a different way to treat and live with the mentally ill. His attention is drawn to the many Mennonites, who, as conscientious objectors during World War II, worked as attendants in American mental asylums. Menno Simons, the Anabaptist father of the Mennonites, was a Norbertine priest before he left the order and the Catholic Church. But Nussbaum believes that Simons, and his followers, may help lead the Church back into right relationship with our brothers and sisters who suffer from mental illness. Nussbaum begins with the difficult history of the historic peace churches, among them the Mennonites, during World War I. Five hundred conscientious objectors were court-martialed, with 142 of them sentenced to life in prison. Seventeen of the convicted were hanged. And though people hoped that war would be the one "to end all wars," the Mennonites expected another, and began to plan their response. They determined that they would serve when called, but not to bear arms or go on the field of battle or participate in munitions manufacturing. As Nussbaum puts it, "They respect and recognize the role of the state, even to waging war, but insist the state has no role in the church, which is to do justice in the face of violence." (Continued on next page)

The Mentally Ill Are Our Lepers NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER — MARCH 28, 2014

It probably wouldn't surprise you to learn that the largest mental health facilities in the country are in our largest cities: Chicago, Houston,

Los Angeles and New York. It might surprise you to learn

that these mental health facilities... are county jails.

There were some 12,000 religious nonviolent resisters during World War II who performed al-ternative compulsory service in the Civilian Public Service. Forty percent of them were Mennonites. There were around 200,000 Mennonites in the U.S. in 1940, and 4,665 of them went into the Civil-ian Public Service and 1,500 of them ultimately completed their service in state psychiatric hospi-tals and asylums. Their wives often accompanied them, so that approximately one percent of all the Mennonites in the country performed direct ser-vice work with the mentally ill during World War II. They lived on the grounds of the asylums. The men worked six days a week. They received no pay, no vacations or benefits and the GI Bill was denied to them. Many were not released from ser-vice until after the war's end, the last in 1947.

N USSBAUM DESCRIBES THE TYPICAL JOB of an attendant in a 1940s era asylum. "There were as few as one attendant for every 1,000 patients. The attendants carried blackjacks to maintain order and used restraints towards the same end: keeping order." Mennonite resisters, then, were sent into another kind of battlefield, in which violent means were employed and encouraged in the name of health. The Mennonite workers went untrained into the wards with only this charge, "Keep the wards clean and keep the patients from hurting themselves." But how could they discharge their duty without using violence? It's here that Nussbaum reflects on the call these Mennonites answered. "It was not," he says, "to mental health care, but to give witness to the king-dom of God. Their witness was the same wherever they lived or worked; it was to the hospitality of God."

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THEY FACED was the every-day use of restraints on patients. The Mennonites refused them. The patient load didn't get smaller. The patients didn't become less ill or less agitated. One of the Mennonite ward attendants died from head injuries he received when a patient assaulted him. Nothing in the situation changed except the people who were given the restraints and put them aside, saying no to coercive force. They began to talk among themselves and with the other ward attendants, trying to find a better way to care for patients. They sent out a call into

the larger Mennonite community, asking for others to come and help. Many of their brothers and sis-ters answered the call. Nussbaum says it caused changes that can still be seen and felt in the care of the hospitalized mentally ill today.

But what of the mentally ill warehoused in prisons?

WHERE DO WE FIND thousands of Mennonites who will live and work in county jails? It seems too large a problem, calling for, in that phrase beloved of politicians, a sweeping overhaul of the system. Nussbaum says I misunderstand. Our task isn't world transformation, he says, but the small daily signs signaling the kingdom. We shouldn't be look-ing to the Mennonites, he says. We should be look-ing to ourselves. A

ND THEN HE ASKS, "Can you imagine if one percent of all Roman Catholics were in-volved in direct care of the mentally ill? Not at the policy level, but just at the human level, do-ing what needs to be done to keep people fed and clean and connected." I think of John in his prison cell, asking if Jesus was the one for whom they had been waiting…

JESUS SENDS JOHN THIS WORD: "The blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor have the Good News proclaimed to them." Rome is still in power, and Herod is still on the throne. Both Jesus and John will be killed at their hands. No institutional change there. But a break-ing in, a breaking out, here and there, of wholeness and healing, of life. I ASK MY SON WHAT HE HOPES TO SEE in his own unit. He talks of a common table, where the staff and the patients sit down and eat together. "That," he says, "might reduce assaults." He says the Men-nonites "looked to Christian history to find a way." He knows the Catholic way begins with a table. And outside his unit? He hopes change begins with priests and pastors and Stephen ministers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion visit-ing their neighbors, friends and parishioners when they are ill with mental problems, just as they do when those same people have heart problems.

"It is, after all," he says, "a corporal work of mercy."

National Catholic Reporter: ncronline.org: Copyright © The National Catholic Reporter Publishing Co., 115 E. Armour Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64111

May 31, 2014 ASCENSION OF THE LORD April 28, 2013 September 29, 2013 April 28, 2013 Page Ten

May 31, 2014 ASCENSION OF THE LORD Page Eleven

UPCOMING EVENTSUPCOMING EVENTSUPCOMING EVENTS

WHO CAN JOIN? ALL TEENS EIGHTH GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL SENIORSWHO CAN JOIN? ALL TEENS EIGHTH GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL SENIORSWHO CAN JOIN? ALL TEENS EIGHTH GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

Mission Trip Mandatory Meetings for all those attending the mission trip to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

Wednesdays, June 18, 25, and July 2 (if necessary), 6:30-7:30pm, Cornerstone.

All forms and final payment should be turned in at this time (please have medical forms signed and notarized). We made $525 on our first car wash with only half of you there; we need a full turn-out for our next car wash on Saturday, June 28 (plan on being there from 8:30am-12:30pm).

QUESTIONS? Contact Bruce Hall, Adult Co-Leader at 708-403-7834.

Visit Branches on Facebook for updates/added events!

Branches Mission Trip

OnlyOnlyOnly

$7$7$7 carcarcar $10$10$10 vanvanvan

Saturday, June 28 9:00am-12 Noon

Fundraiser to benefit our Branches Teen Group

Mission Trip this summer

ASCENSION OF THE LORD May 31, 2014 Page Twelve

May 31, 2014 ASCENSION OF THE LORD Page Thirteen

UPCOMING EVENT

Seniors of Seton

JUNE 3RD MEETING The following members were elected to serve as the 2014-2015 officers.

President Cecilia Matul 1st Vice President Mary Kunkel 2nd Vice President Anna Talley Treasurer Doug Benker Secretary Joyce Jordan

They will be installed at the June election/luncheon where you can meet them over lunch. You will not be able to buy the Discounted Golden Books after June 15th. The 2015 Golden Opportunities Book will be available at a later date. Food drop-offs for the needy will be accepted at the next meeting for those who forgot last month.

SENIOR UNITY MASS Thursday, June 5 at 10am, Holy Family Church, 1080 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago. Catholic Charities 41st Senior Unity Mass. All seniors are invited to this FREE event that includes a social and box luncheon after Mass. Only 350 lunches available, first-come, first-serve basis. Please RSVP, ASAP. Parking is available. Contact Christine at cnatarelli@catholiccharities.net or call 312-655-7010.

S

SAINT OF THE WEEK

BLESSED FRANZ JAEGERSTAETTER

CALLED TO SERVE HIS COUNTRY AS A NAZI SOLIDER, FRANZ EVENTUALLY REFUSED, AND THIS HUSBAND AND FA-

THER OF THREE DAUGHTERS (ROSALIE, MARIE AND ALOISIA) WAS EXECUTED BECAUSE OF IT. Born in St. Radegund in Upper Austria, Franz lost his father during World War I and was adopted after Heinrich Jaegerstaetter married Rosalia Huber. As a young man, he loved to ride motorcycles and was the natural leader of a gang whose members were arrested in 1934 for brawling. For three years he worked in the mines and then became a farmer, married Franziska and lived his faith quietly. In 1938 he publicly opposed the German Anschluss (annexation) of Austria. He was drafted into the Austrian army, trained for seven months and then received a defer-ment. In 1940 he was called up again but allowed to return home at the request of the town’s mayor. He was in active service between October 1940 and April 1941 but was again deferred. His pastor, other priests and the bishop of Linz urged him not to refuse to serve if drafted. In February 1943 he was called up again and reported to army officials in Enns, Austria. When he refused to take the oath of loyalty to Hitler, he was imprisoned in Linz. Later he volunteered to serve in the medical corps but was not assigned there. During Holy Week he wrote to his wife: “Easter is com-ing and, if it should be God’s will that we can never again in this world celebrate Easter together in our intimate family circle, we can still look ahead in the happy confidence that, when the eternal Easter morning dawns, no one in our fam-ily circle shall be missing--so we can then be permitted to rejoice together forever.” In May he was transferred to a prison in Berlin. Challenged by his attorney that other Catholics were serving in the army, Franz responded, “I can only act on my own conscience. I do not judge anyone. I can only judge myself.” He continued, “I have considered my family. I have prayed and put myself and my family in God’s hands. I know that, if I do what I think God wants me to do, he will take care of my family.” On August 8, 1943, he wrote: “Dear wife and mother, I thank you once more from my heart for everything that you have done for me in my lifetime, for all the sacrifices that you have borne for me. I beg you to forgive me if I have hurt or offended you, just as I have forgiven everything. My heartfelt greetings for my dear children. I will surely beg the dear God, if I am permitted to enter heaven soon, that he will set aside a little place in heaven for all of you.” Franz was beheaded and cremated the following day. In 1946 his ashes were reburied in St. Radegund near a memo-rial inscribed with his name and the names of almost 60 village men who died during their military service. He was beatified in Linz on Occtober 26, 2007. His “spiritual testa-ment” is now in Rome’s St. Bartholomew Church as part of a shrine to 20th-century martyrs for their faith.

Available in the church office until June 15th

Only $10!

Golden Opportunities Books Half-Price-$10!

Golden Opportunities Coupon books offer local restaurants offering discounts of 50% off or 2-for-1. In addition, great savings at movies, grocery stores, sporting events, and more! Many coupons valid once a month!

Cash or check accepted to: Seniors of

Seton (SOS).

LAST CALL!

Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on His followers, following His resurrection. That Holy Spirit, the Church’s very breath, is still breathed on us and into us now.

NEXT WEEK: CAESAR’S FINAL AND THE CHURCH’S FIRST BREATH

Jesus breathes upon the disciples to give them the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is in imita-tion of how God created Adam. God breathed

His Spirit into Adam and he came to life. Like-wise, the disciples receive the Holy Spirit from Jesus and are given new life in Him. This gift is associated with the forgiveness of our sins. The Spirit is God’s love and is so filled with mercy that it brings us pardon.

“Caesar’s last breath” is an example commonly used in chemistry classrooms to explain molecular diffusion. The average human breath, including the last breath exhaled by a dying Julius Caesar, contains 1,022 molecules of air and the world as a whole contains 1,044 molecules of air.

Presuming a number of things, such a relatively even diffusion of air molecules over time, we find that there is a 98.2 percent chance that at least one of the molecules of air in your lungs came from Caesar’s last breath. Presumably, therefore, there is also a 98.2 percent chance that at least one of the molecules of air in your lungs came from that breath that Christ breathed out upon the disciples in the Upper Room when He said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Those odds are very good — but that is not the basis for our belief that we have received Christ’s Spirit. God doesn’t really leave such things to chance; the Spirit’s work, mysterious as it is, is not really like the random diffusion of our bodies, because the Spirit of Christ has drawn us into His mystical body. As Paul reminds us in our second reading, “in One Spirit we were all baptized into One body.” All the baptized have been drawn into the body of Christ, and now live in that place where the Holy Spirit dwells, the Spirit that fills and gives life to Christ’s body. And this body of Christ into which we have been drawn exhales us out into the world, to live as Christ’s followers and so to be His witnesses.

REFLECTION

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak (Acts 2:1-11). Pentecost was already a Jewish pilgrimage festival, explaining the crowds from all over the world who were there when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and Mary. The fact that they are from all the coun-tries is a foreshadowing that the Gospel spread to all those nations. The strong wind is reminiscent of the Spirit of the Lord that hovered over the waters on the first day of Creation. A new Creation in which the people

of God were being made into the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. The tongues of fire were a fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel that the Spirit would come upon God’s people. We are no longer filled with loneliness and alien-ation and fear. There was a healing of the confusion of languages in the fact that the apostles could speak in their own language and everyone could understand them.

The Corinth community had misunderstand-ings concerning the role of the Holy Spirit. They considered the gifts they had received to be signs of power, making them better than others. St. Paul attempts to correct their arro-gance by teaching that gifts are given for the common service, not for one’s own profit. Each person has been given special gifts that

complement the gifts given to others. We need each other to be complete. The gifts of the Holy Spirit should bring us closer to-gether, not create divisions. Before our bap-tism, we were divided from each other and forced to live as competitors and even ene-mies. Now we are One body in Christ and we seek to build up that body in love.

In One Spirit we were all baptized into One Body (1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13).

FIRST READING

SECOND READING

As the Father sent Me, so I send you: Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:19-23). GOSPEL

Page Fourteen ASCENSION OF THE LORD May 31, 2014

Reflections for PENTECOST June 8, 2014

God our Father, send us Your Spirit

so that we might truly be

living members of the body of Christ,

Your Son. Amen.

Readings for the Week June 2-June 6: Mon.: Acts 19:1-8; Jn 16:29-33 Tues.: Acts 20:17-27; Jn 17:1-11a Wed.: Acts 20:28-38; Jn 17:11b-19 Thurs.: Acts 22:30; 23:6-11; Jn 17:20-26 Fri.: Acts 25:13b-21; Jn 21:15-19 Sat. Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Jn 21:20-25

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May 31, 2014 ASCENSION OF THE LORD Page Seventeen

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May 31, 2014 ASCENSION OF THE LORD Page Nineteen

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May 31, 2014 ASCENSION OF THE LORD Page Twenty One

Pastoral Staff Rev. William T. Corcoran, Ph.D, Pastor Rev. Stanislaw Kuca, Associate Pastor Rev. William Gubbins, Resident Priest Rev. William T. O’Mara, Pastor Emeritus Margie Guadagno, Pastoral Associate Deacon: Frank (Betty) Gildea Deacon: Joseph (Nancy) Bishop

Liturgy Staff Claudia Nolan, Director of Liturgy Music Staff Linda McKeague, Director of Music

Parish Office Staff Donna Stolinski, Business Manager Darlene Raila, Parish Publications Joan Nemec, Morning Receptionist Karen Mirecki, Afternoon Receptionist

Religious Education Staff Elaine Pawlak, Coordinator Diana Barracca, Administration

Branches Youth Program Bruce Hall, Coordinator Rick Vlaming, Coordinator Rick Wojcik, Coordinator

Athletics Bob Myjak, Director

Maintenance Staff Raymond Yanowsky, Director of Maintenance Carlos Juarez, CJB Maintenance Coordinator Frank Siwiec, Staff Marie Makuch, Staff Joseph Shake, Staff Mark Siwiec, Staff

REGULAR MASS SCHEDULE

Monday-Friday 9:00 am Saturday 5:00 pm

Sunday 7:15, 8:30, 10:00, 11:30am

St. Elizabeth Seton Church 9300 W. 167th Street Orland Hills, IL 60487

Parish Office: 708-403-0101 WEBSITE: WWW.STESETON.COM Religious Education: 708-403-0137

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY-WEDNESDAY: 8:30AM-8:30PM, THURSDAY-FRIDAY: 8:30AM-4:30PM SATURDAY: 1PM-6PM SUNDAY: 8AM-1PM

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School 708-403-6525 Principal, Mary Iannucilli Administrative Assistant, Cindy Labriola Devlin

6/7 & 6/8 5:00PM 7:15AM 8:30AM 10:00AM 11:30AM

GREETERS R. Coe S. Klean W. Krol J. Schuman R. Sharp L. Stolinski M. Taska

C. Chor L. McGhee S. McGhee D. Skrzypiec B. Tenuta A. Shemanske B. Shemanske G. Staszewski P. Staszewski

K. Fox M. Fox D. Gurka M. Gurka P. Gurka M. Gurka J. Klomes J. Klomes L. Klomes M. Klomes A. McCoy D. Minnick G. Staszewski P. Staszewski

R. Chehy P. Havlin B. Krueger S. Lorenz N. Lorenz J. Moran D. Weber

R. Andrews M. Broderick M. Gniady K. Ivancich B. Ivancich S. Klean M. McMahon B. Wojewnik

LECTORS B. DeJonge T. Wojcik

D. Houha D. Roti E. Espina

P. DeWilkins R. Velcich

A. McKanna C. Steckhan

ALTAR SERVERS

K. Zufan J. Pala J. Zufan

C. Murphy L. Murphy S. Cuba

M. Scott L. Krueger TJ Quinlan

F. Velcich S. Walsh K. Soltys

A. Gaspardo S. Gaspardo B. Kaslewicz

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

T. Hanlon M. O’Connor M. Paluch M. Miller J. Paluch J. Murphy J. Harris B. DeJonge D. Pott A. Sharp AJ Kunde R. Piorkowski

J. Janiak C. Nolan D. Ceglarski D. Nykiel L. Skrzypiec M. Fundator

V. Patrizi V. Patrizi T. Leeson T. Krull J. Kelly K. Kelly L. Lopina M. Galka F. Scellato E. Pawlak C. Kirk C. Hayward

D. Pacholski J. Federico T. Federico S. Rosinski S. Weishaar J. Mysker L. Gent J. Nemec J. Krusenoski R. Grill R. Laud J. Kokotan-Krauss J. Eisenberg

T. Wolski M. Schmidt M. Morajda K. James M. O’Connor B. McMahon S. Villegas J. Mitchel J. Holmquist K. Hall

Attention All Ministers!

Ministers schedules available at: www.steseton.com Then visit: Music and Liturgy

ST. ELIZABETH SETON PARISH INFORMATION

Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Saturday, between 4:15-4:45pm.

Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated twice monthly at 1pm. Reserve your time by calling the Pastoral Center early. We are limited to six children per Sunday. Baptismal Couples preparing for the birth of their child should contact the Pastoral Center to register for a one night seminar, focusing on a parent’s role in faith development. This session is mandatory prior to the Baptism. Anointing of the Sick is available in the Church every Monday after the 9am Mass. For those who are ill or fac-ing hospitalization, it is appropriate to receive the sacrament once every six months. Call 708-403-0101 for information. Ministry of Care is available to give Communion to the housebound, to visit and pray for hospitalized and/or to arrange for the Anointing of the Sick. Please call the Pastoral Center for assistance. In the Hospital? Because of HIPAA Privacy regulations hospitals can no longer contact the parish regarding your hospitalization. It is the responsibility of you or a family member to notify our parish. We desire to offer whatever spiri-tual support we can. Please call the Pastoral Center. Sacrament of Marriage Couples planning to marry are asked to make arrangements six months in advance.

Wedding Workshops are offered throughout the year. They provide engaged couples with guidelines and suggestions for the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage. The workshop covers topics ranging from readings and music to flowers and video taping.

Adult Choir sings at all 10am Sunday Masses, as well as at a number of special liturgies.

Moving? Please call the office at 708-403-0101.