Third Sunday of Easter
"Peace be with you." Luke 24:36
Announcements
The parish office's hours are 8:00am to 7:00pm Monday thru Friday, from 9:00am to 3:00pm on Saturdays, and from 9:00am to noon on Sundays.
Holy Water bottles have been filled from the Easter font and are available for parishioners to pick up. There is one bottle for every household. They can be found in the back of church. Please take one when in the church this weekend.
Pastoral Letter by Deacon Mark Purdome
"Will you join me in this post-eclipse world?"
At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon -Mark 15:33
On Palm Sunday, we listened to the passion of Jesus as recorded by Saint Mark. As a dramatic show of the import of the crucifixion of Jesus, Mark (along with Matthew and Luke) record a three-hour-long total eclipse of the sun.
Since we're only a couple weeks out from Easter, did that passage come to mind when you witnessed the eclipse last Monday? Were you expecting a cataclysmic event, or simply an awesome show of the amazing universe that God created?
It turns out that I happened to be at O'Hare airport waiting on a flight to visit our oldest child who lives in Nova Scotia, Canada. I can tell you that the airport is no a great place to actually view an eclipse - there are a lot of windows, but none (at least in the terminal I was in) that offered any kind of a view. But we could see the ramp workers with their cardboard glasses staring upward, and the day grew dimmer, so we knew the eclipse was happening.
So my experience of the eclipse was a little different. But it was fascinating for a different reason: strangers from all nationalities and all walks of life were freely talking with each other, sharing stories, offering their views about the eclipse, and generally getting along. This was a pleasant surprise on a busy Monday afternoon at the airport, when it is more likely to be run over by a luggage cart than to have a conversation with a man in a turban standing at a window.
And in our oft-divided society where it is often hard to come up with things we celebrate in common, the awe and majesty of this event connected people from Latin America to Canada, regardless of your views on the economy, immigration, or the criminal justice system. Isn't that incredible?
I remember a time when we came together as a country to work for the common good. I may not have completely agreed with the solutions, but I did believe the people proposing them were sincere; they wanted a better country for all. These days, we've gotten so divisive and skeptical of people's motives that it has become hard to believe that we are one people, working for one ultimate solution: the realization of God's kingdom on earth.
Perhaps we can use the eclipse as a tool to remember that, in the end, we're all seeking the same thing. I want to live in a world where we recognize the dignity of everyone, even if we don't always agree on the methods. I want to live in a world where people are willing to compromise so we can all thrive. I want to live in a world where we remember our common bonds and aren't driven by fear-mongering and division.
Will you join me in this post-eclipse world?
Deacon Mark
Easter Parish Mission with Saint Benedict Parish
Our annual Joint Parish Mission with Saint Benedict Parish will be a three-night event starting on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at Saint Benedict Parish from 3:30pm to 5:00pm and followed by two nights of sharing on April 22 and 23 at Mrs. Murphy and Son's Irish Bistro at 7:00pm. Entitled "Stories of Hope" we will hear witness testimony of how God is touching the lives of fellow parishioners and begetting hope in the midst of our daily challenges. The Parish Mission will feature guest speaker Dr. Leonard DeLorenzo, Ph.D from Notre Dame University. Make your plans to join for our annual formation event.
Support the Easter Appeal
At Easter, parishioners and visitors are asked by Fr. Sergio to make a significant contribution to the mission of the parish through the Annual Easter Appeal. Proclaiming the message of Easter is made possible because of the generosity of so many such as yourself during this appeal. Please take a moment to read Fr. Sergio's Easter letter (https://standrew.org/post/easter-appeal-2024/) and to make a contribution that corresponds with your ability to give. Make your contribution now. https://www.givecentral.org/customizable-online-giving/299/event/6049
Bring the Children!
Children are always welcome at Saint Andrew! We especially make plans for children's participation at the 9:00am Mass. This Sunday, April 14, 2024, we will have the Liturgy of the Word for Children. The program is meant for Kindergartners through 4th grade. Shortly after Mass begins, children will process up to the priest and meet with a volunteer in the Saint Andrew Chapel. The children will return during the preparation of the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Next week, Sunday, April 21, there will be a Family Mass with our youth choir and youth participation at the Mass followed by Coffee and Donuts in the gymnasium. Come and bring the whole family!
Volunteer
Current Volunteer Opportunities:
Be a part of Saint Andrew's Spring event schedule by volunteering your time, talent and treasures.
Saint Andrew Parish Children's Garage Sale 2024 - Saint Andrew hosts an annual Children's Garage Sale. This years sale will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 8am - 11:30am. We are looking for volunteers to help in many capacities. Please contact Julie Richards if you are interested julie@standrew.org
Mass Schedule
RETURNING TO THE CUP
A set of videos have been produced by the Saint Andrew Parish staff to remind parishioners about the reasons we offer the receipt of the Precious Blood at Mass and how we receive it with the appropriate reverence. Please take the time to view these videos at www.standrew.org/returning-to-the-cup
Weekend Mass Schedule:
Vigil - 4:00pm Mass
Sunday - 9:00am,11:00am and 5:00pm Mass
Confessions:
Confessions are heard in the main church at 3:00pm on Saturdays or by appointment.
Call 773-525-3016 or write info@standrew.org
Readings for the Week:
Mass readings are available on the U. S. Bishop's website
at https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar
Mass Intentions:
Sunday, April 14, 2024
+Daniel Dragovich, +Carol Gluedkert, + Ezekiel Gonzalez, +Joan Lewandowski,
+SteveMahadeo and +Cecilia Vinzons
Sunday, April 21, 2024
+Clarence Solar, Jr., +Rick Coster, Sr., +Jim Sturm, +John Blommer, +Sam Konkin,
+Paul Ziedonis, +Nicola Colucci, +Marge Gaughan and +Ezekiel Gonzalez
Live Stream:
Watch our live stream of Sunday Mass at www.standrew.org/sundaymass
School News
Applications are now open for 24-25! Do you have a friend or neighbor that is considering applying to the best school in Chicago? Sign up for a tour here: schedule a tour New student applications for the 24-25 can be found here: New Student Application
Religious Education News
We have begun Religious Education for the 2023-24 year for grades K through 8. Please visit www.standrew.org/re to learn more about the program for the upcoming year if you still need to register. We will have our in person student classes on Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 10:00am in the school building. Please contact David Heimann at david@standrew.org if you have additional questions.
Stewardship and Finance Report
February 2024 Offering:
Envelope Collection - $6,275
Automated Giving - $20,6224
Loose Cash - $3,829
Total Offertory - $30,726
Monthly Budgeted Expenses: $38,500
Annual Catholic Appeal
Many families in our parish have received the Annual Catholic Appeal mailing from Cardinal Cupich. On behalf of those served by the ministries, parishes and schools who receive funding from the Appeal, we thank you for your gifts. Please return your response as soon as possible. You may also make a pledge or donation directly through the Archdiocesan website at https://giving.archchicago.org/annual-catholic-appeal/about
Enrich - Expand - Grow Capital Campaign
Income - $1,913,342
Interest on Income - $40,260
Total Income - $1,953,601
Consulting Operating Expense - $215,000
Archdiocesan Contribution - $246,000
Church Lighting (Actual) - $250,517
Church Lighting (Consultant) - $10,480
Church Windows (Actual) - $157,120
School Addition (Architect Fees) - $34,530
Annex (Demolition) - $55,795
Annex (Utilities Disconnect) - $18,210
Annex (Environmental Remediation) - $38,780
Church Boiler - $313,845
School Boilers - $609,248
Total Expense - $1,949,525
BALANCE - $4.077
Revised 1/12/2024
Parish Staff
Parish Staff:
Pastor: Rev. Sergio Romo
Resident Priest: Rev. Emmanuel Madu
Pastoral Associate: David Heimann
Deacon: Mark Purdome
Business Manager: Esperanza Benavides
Fundraising/Development: Julie Richards
Office Manager: Christina O’Malley
Receptionists: Terry Ryan, Christine Chua, Mercedes Jairala
Engineer: Alfred Benkiser
Contact parish staff by phone at 773-525-3016,
electronically at http://standrew.org/get-in-touch/,
or by email at info@standrew.org
School Administration:
Principal: Sarah Casavechia
Assistant Principal: Shanna Eley
Reception: Trini Mahadeo
Admissions: Anne Japsen
Contact School Administration by phone at 773-248-2500
