S e p t e m b e r 1 5 , 2 0 1 3 T w e n t y - f o u r t h S u n d a y i n O r d i n a r y T i m e

Saint Denis THE COMMUNITY OF

Our St. Denis Mission Statement

We, the Catholic Christian Community of St. Denis, as followers of Jesus Christ,

call ourselves: to create a prayerful environment; to provide for spiritual, educational and

social growth; to promote hospitality; to ensure the evangelization of our faith; and to minister to the

people of our parish, our Ashburn community and our world.

We l c o m e t o

Church: 3456 W. 83rd Place Rectory: 8301 S. St. Louis Ave. Rectory Hours: Mon.-Wed. 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Thurs. & Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Phone: 773-434-3313 Fax: 773-776-3922 E-mail: stdenis@archchicago.org Web site: www.stdenischicago.org

Religious Education Office Hours: Thursday: 9:00 a.m—2:00 p.m. Saturday: 1:00 p.m.—5:30 p.m. Sunday: 8:30 a.m.—2:30 p.m. Phone: 773-322-7542

reledstdenis8301@gmail.com

stdenismanna@gmail.com

stdenismusic@yahoo.com

Pastor: Rev. Ted Ostrowski Music Director Jeff Naber Coordinator of Religious Education Emily Ruskamp Lay Ministry Team Larry Adams Buena Carrion Carole Dansky Patricia Houston Ellen Kilmurry Marilyn Novotny Mary Rummery Ted Schultz

Terri Bearson, Vera Cassata, Dan Curley, Elida Diaz, Donald Erickson,

Concepcion Gallegos, John Klages, Tom Klocek, Dave Krause, William Lynch,

William Mayer, Jack Paha, Jeanne Reidy, Richard Skocz,

Sharon Louise Hotchinson-Stackhouse, Madeline Tatgenhorst, Bryon Weaver,

Natalie Wittmacher

To add a name to this list, a family member needs to call the rec-tory office. After four weeks that person will be taken off the list unless you call the office again. The hospitalized are automatically added to this list when we are aware of their hospitalization.

WE HOLD IN PRAYER THOSE WHO SERVE OUR COUNTRY

Dannielle Carroll, Miguel Cruz Jr., Ryan Danielian, Paul Kennedy, John Klaer, Patrick Leamy,

Stephen Lynch, Michael Miller, Drake O’Connor De Los Rios, Stephen Solon,

Stephen Wisinski, Antonio Worthy Jr.

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THIS AND THAT

Last Sunday’s prayer service for immigration

reform was well attended and a very prayerful

few minutes. A stopped train and the closing of

Kedzie Avenue for public safety reasons de-

layed but did not stop us. Thank you for joining

in this prayer time. Please keep the millions of

immigrants here in this country and our legisla-

tors in your prayers. I am particularly grateful

to Ellen Kilmurry for heading up our parish

efforts to understand and pray for reforms.

Today we acknowledge, bless, and pray for all

involved in our religious education programs.

The regular program serves our children and

the special program serves developmentally dis-

abled adults. Our catechists and helpers this

year are: Michael Haas, Judy Ciszewski, Barb

Gibson, Larry Adams, Carole Dansky, Katie

O’Connor, Lupita Reyes, Nancy Koll, Marian

Wagner, Craig Davis, Katy Ewers, Lorraine

Maldonado, Victor Diaz, Kathy Coughlin,

Norma Haas, Marilyn Novotny, Maria Gon-

zalez, Yesenia Ayala, Paul Asselin, Rita Leary,

and Juvy Groyon. This ministry is foundational

to the mission of the Church. We are called to

share the Good News of Jesus Christ. These

women and men have made a commitment to

do that work through the weeks and months of

the coming year. I thank them today represent-

ing the entire St. Denis community. When you

get a chance, you can thank them too.

Ask a Parish Pastoral Council member about

next Saturday’s Blood Drive. Give blood in our

Hall next Saturday morning, September 21st be-

tween 9AM and noon. As they say, give the gift

of life.

The Ministry Commission of Vicariate V is a

collaborative effort of the parishes in our area.

Fifty eight different events are being offered this

year to you. That’s right. They are offered to

you. The cost? Nothing, it’s all free. Each par-

ish contributes so that no individual parishioner

is charged.

Spirituality, ministry of care, lector and Eu-

charistic minister enrichment, human concerns,

building strong Catholic families, youth minis-

try, and a series of lectures at St. Xavier Univer-

sity are all available to you. Look for the entire

schedule online at www.ministry commis-

sionV5.com. Or if you prefer, you can request

a booklet with the schedule from the parish of-

fice. Either way, it’s no cost to you. Check the

schedule out and register for an event that you

are interested in.

May God bless us all,

Fr. Ted

ATTENTION

ALL PARISH ORGANIZATIONS

In order to create a PARISH CALENDAR, we are ask-

ing the contact person from each organization that uses

space in any parish facility to submit in writing to the

rectory office, or email stdenismanna@gmail.com, the

dates and space you would like to reserve. This list of

dates is due no later than September 22, 2013.

Thank you.

Saturday, September 14, 2013 2:00 p.m. Nuptial Mass of Erin Brennan & Brian Skraba 4:00 p.m. Irene Hunter Sunday, September 15, 2013 8:00 a.m. Pantaleon Quesea 10:30 a.m. Eleonore Leisz 12:30 p.m. Alejandro de la Cruz Monday, September 16, 2013 8:30 a.m. Edward Pacovsky Tuesday, September 17, 2013 8:30 a.m. David Ewers Wednesday, September 18, 2013 8:30 a.m. Helen Neubauer Thursday, September 19, 2013 8:30 a.m. Gloria Anderer Friday, September 20, 2013 8:30 a.m. Ann H. Novak Saturday, September 21, 2013 4:00 p.m. Evelyn Luecke Sunday, September 22, 2013 8:00 a.m. Bienvenido Cruz 10:30 a.m. Alex & Bernice Kissel 12:30 p.m. Jesus y Maria Felicita Beltran

Collection Report August 24 & 25, 2013 ................................. $3592.58

August 31 & September 1, 2013………………..$2888.00

Music / Hymns / Psalm

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September 14 & 15, 2013

Twenty-fourth Sunday in

Ordinary Time

My Soul is Thirsting for You, O Lord,

Thirsting for You My God...

Ent: #314 As We Gather at Your

Table

Prep: #664 Softly and Tenderly

Jesus is Calling

Com: #491 Shepherd Me, O God

Rec: #535 O God Beyond All

Praising

St. Denis welcomes~

Mr. & Mrs. Lopez & Family

We are glad that you have chosen St. Denis as your

Faith Community.

Reborn through water and the Holy Spirit…

Fatima Cervantes

Daughter of Rafael & Yolanda

We welcome Fatima into the Catholic Church and con-

gratulate her parents and godparents.

ST. DENIS FOOD PANTRY/HELPING HANDS

Thank you, again, for your very

generous support for our own pantry with your contri-

butions of food, paper goods, laundry and dish soap

and toiletries. We continue to be overwhelmed by the

ongoing thoughtful generosity of our community. As

difficult financial times affect more struggling families

and individuals, your kindness provides hope and en-

couragement. We wish to thank, too, those who insist

on remaining anonymous but help by supplying gift

cards to local grocery stores. May our gracious God

bless you, all, with the knowledge that you truly make

a difference.

ADULT APPRECIATION PARTY:

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12TH 2013 - 6:00PM

TEEN APPRECIATION PARTY:

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013 - 2:00PM

St. Denis Blood Drive will take place this Saturday,

September 21, 2013 in our parish hall from 9:00 am

until 12:00 noon.

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Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 15, 2013

God’s Mercy Prevails!

At Mt. Sinai, the Lord establishes a covenant with the Israelites. He gives his Commandments, the mandates

for their relationship with him and with one another. This enables them to live in community and aids them in de-

veloping a cohesive nation.

In Moses’ absence, the people disregarded the covenant that they had ratified. They ignored the injunction

against portraying the Lord by creating idols. They fashioned a calf of molten gold, built an altar before it and of-

fered sacrifice. They rejected the Lord and the fundamental commandment.

This transgression was serious. It’s no wonder that the Lord was enraged. The Lord tells Moses that his wrath

will consume the people. Moses reminds the Lord of his promise to Abraham. In his mercy, the Lord relents and

spares his people.

In our reading from the letter to Timothy, St. Paul expresses his gratitude for the Lord’s mercy that he, too, re-

ceived. St. Paul was a Pharisee. His strict observance of Jewish law led him to persecute Christians for their

belief that Jesus was Christ. Despite his sinfulness, he was given abundant grace, faith and conversion. St. Paul

boldly proclaims that Christ came into the world to save sinners. Christ came to save us!

Blind to their own sinfulness, the self-righteous Pharisees readily see the faults and shortcomings of others.

Living in strict observance of the Covenant Code of laws, the Pharisees act on what they believe to be justice and

fairness. They lack love, compassion, mercy and forgiveness.

Jesus seizes a teachable moment. Using parables, he teaches how God acts. Just as the lost sheep and the lost

coin were valuable to their owners, the sinner is precious to God. In his compassion, God searches for the sinner

and rejoices when he is found. God gives multiple “second chances”.

While reflecting on the parable of the “prodigal”, recklessly wasteful son, recall that a second definition for

“prodigal” is profuse in giving or exceedingly abundant. This parable is really about the Prodigal Father, our

heavenly Father and God. God, who is Love, thinks in terms of love. God talks love- - not fair!

Marilyn Novotny

Lay Minister

Please consider helping our SPRED community by

donating to the Knights of Columbus "Campaign for

People with Intellectual Disabilities", also known as

the "Tootsie Roll Drive." St. Denis SPRED catechists

will be collecting after all of the masses the weekend

of Sept. 21-22. All proceeds will support our St. Denis

SPRED friends. Thanks so much for your support!

The St. Denis Women’s Guild will hold its first gen-

eral meeting today, September 15, 2013 following the

10:30 am mass. The meeting will take place in the

rectory meeting room, on the lower level of the rec-

tory. Meeting and greeting all the women of our par-

ish is first on our agenda. September 15, 2013

Minister’s Schedule

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Saturday at 4:00 pm

Sunday at 8:00, 10:30 am, 12:30 pm (Spanish)

WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULE Monday through Friday .......... 8:30 am

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP AND

THE ROSARY 8:10 am on Tuesday.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: Parents are required to

attend a Baptismal Preparation class prior to the baptism

of their child. Call the rectory office for dates and times.

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Arrangements begin by

calling the rectory office for an appointment with our

Pastor. It is our privilege to share your celebration with you.

According to Diocesan policy, preparations are to be made

at least 4 months prior to the desired date.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Individual confes-

sions are heard on Saturdays from 3:00—3:45 pm.

Reconciliation Services are celebrated during the Lenten

and Advent Seasons. Consult the bulletin for specific times

and dates.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK AND COMMUNION TO THE

HOMEBOUND Our priest or Ministers of Care will gladly serve you. Call

the rectory office to make arrangements.

NEW PARISHIONERS You are most welcome and are asked to come to the

rectory office to register. We are pleased to welcome you

to our St. Denis family.

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CATHOLIC? We have an enriching and exciting program called the RCIA

(Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). Contact Fr. Ted at

the rectory office if you would like more information.

HOLY DAY MASS SCHEDULE Consult the bulletin for the specific dates and times.

RECTORY SECRETARY AND BUSINESS HOURS Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION We have an excellent Religious Education Program for our

Public School Children. For more information call the

rectory office.

Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 10:30 am

Lectors: Bob & Pat Houston

Eucharistic Ministers: team D

Altar Servers: R. Groyon, S. Schultz and

D. O’Connor De Los Rios

Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 12:30 pm

Lector:

Altar Servers: E. Jara, I. Martinez and L. Martinez

Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 4:00 pm

Lector: Yvonne Brady

Eucharistic Ministers: team D

Sunday September 22, 2013 at 8:00 am

Lector: Sr. Norine

Eucharistic Ministers: team D