So, how is your Lenten season going so far this year? On the First Sunday of Lent, I wrote about my attempt to make this year's celebration a more positive experience by using a simple phrase as a mantra: Change the focus. It is an attempt to look at the season with a different lens - one with a more positive focus. Rather than focused on the giving up, I've attempted to focus on the blessings.

So, a mid-Lent update: it is going OK. I remind myself frequently to focus on the blessings that life, and Lent, have tossed my way, even when things aren't going exactly according to my plans.

This past week, the joint parish mission we held with Saint Benedict provided me with a boost. I hope you were able to attend and engage with the speaker, Angela Scaperlanda Buján, who spoke about resilience. As she defined it, resilience isn't about bouncing back after an unexpected difficulty, but about bouncing forward. We may long for the past, for particularly good times with friends and situations that no longer exist, but being resilient isn't about trying to re-create the past. Instead, resilience is about creating a new future. We're all resilient in many different dimensions, each of them working together to foster our growth. This experience fit beautifully into my Lenten objective, because it reinforced the notion of change the focus to look not at the storms of life, but how resilient we are at recovering from them.

This idea of resilience is a message of hope. According to her research, we all have wells of strength that we sometimes don't recognize in ourselves. And it is our strong core, buttressed by our faith, that is a key to our ability to continue to grow even in the face of disappointment and disillusionment.

So, if like me you're trying to change the focus so that you're more aware of your blessings, add resilience to the list. Ponder the ways that you are resilient, that you have inner strength, and cherish them. That's a gift from God.

And our good and gracious God will always provide the strength we need in times when things don't quite go according to our plans.

Peace!

-Deacon Mark

Religious Items from the Holy Land

We are excited that we will be hosting Blest Art, a retailer of sacred items from the Holy Land on April 5 & 6, 2025 in the back of our church. They will be selling hand-carved nativity sets, statues, crosses, rosaries, and many other pieces of beautiful olive wood art. These are ideal gifts for loved ones at Easter, First Communion, and upcoming graduations. They gladly accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards. Thank you for supporting them!

Parish Fish Fry - April 11, 2025

The second of two Lenten Fish Fry's will be Friday, April 11, 2025 from 5 to 8pm. All orders are served with fries and coleslaw. The event is BYOB, but soda and cake are available for purchase. Make plans to bring your friends and family to this wonderful parish tradition. Enjoy live music, a balloon artist, and the comradery of your friends and neighbors! Pre purchase your meal now at https://standrew.org/gather/upcoming-events/lenten-fish-fry/

REBOOT: Update Your Spirituality

Our popular spirituality program for adults returns this Spring. REBOOT: Update Your Spirituality will be held on Wednesday nights for 6 weeks starting Wednesday, April 23, 2025. If you need to start learning, need a booster, or just a refresher on the Catholic Church's trove of spiritual treasure, join us for this 6 weeks faith-enrichment program. To find out more and to register visit www.standrew.org/reboot

Saint Andrew Parish Children's Garage Sale

Save the date for this year's Children's Garage Sale on Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 8am - 12pm. This event will be held in the Saint Andrew Gymnasium at 1658 West Addison (corner of Addison and Paulina). Donation days and times will be released shortly but likely will be the two weeks leading up to the event. Start cleaning out your closets, garages, attics and storage units now!

If you'd like to be volunteer or help coordinate this event please reach out to Julie Richards at julie@standrew.org.

Please make plans to join us for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery and our holiest time of the year.

Holy Week Schedule

PALM SUNDAY

Saturday, April 12, 2025

4:00 pm Blessing of Palms & Mass

Sunday, April 13, 2025

9:00 am - Procession of Palms & Mass

11:00 am & 5:00 pm Palm Sunday Masses

TRIDUUM & EASTER

Thursday, April 17, 2025

7:00 pm - Mass of the Last Supper

8:00 pm to 11:00 pm - Adoration in the chapel

Friday, April 18, 2025

3:00 pm - The Lord’s Passion

Saturday, April 19, 2025

11:00 am - Blessing of Easter Baskets - main church

8:30 pm - The Easter Vigil

Sunday, April 20, 2025

9:00 am and 11:00 am Easter Sunday Masses

No 5:00 pm Mass on Easter Sunday

Mass Schedule

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 6, 2025

+Thomas Diganci, +Michelle Frank, +Tom Hellman, +Heidi Rosado and +Thomas Gaughan

Sunday, April 13, 2025

+William and Annabel Drury, + Cynthia Soto and +Cecilia Vinzons

Live Stream:

Watch our live stream of Sunday Mass at www.standrew.org/sundaymass

Religious Education News

The new year for Religious Education for the 2024-25 year is under way for grades K through 8. Please visit www.standrew.org/re to learn more about the program for the upcoming year and to register. Our next session is this weekend, Sunday, April 6 at 10:00am for just our students. We look forward to seeing you then!

School News

Discover the Difference with Saint Andrew School!

Are you seeking a nurturing and enriching educational environment for your child? Look no further than Saint Andrew School, where Catholic Education comes to life through faith, excellence, and community. Our dedicated faculty inspires students to achieve their full potential academically, spiritually, and socially. At Saint Andrew, we blend rigorous academics with character-building values, fostering a sense of purpose and belonging. Experience our vibrant campus, where every student is known, loved, and challenged to grow. Choose Saint Andrew School today and invest in a brighter future for your child. Enroll now and join our family! Upcoming tours include April 8 at 9am and April 16 at 6pm. Sign up for a tour here: schedule a tour New student applications for the 25-26 can be found here: New Student Application

Stewardship and Finance Report

December, 2024 Offering:

Envelope Collection - $13,189

Automated Giving - $28,091

Loose Cash - $5,257

Total Offertory - $46,537

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 - $1,915,569

Interest on Income - $40,296

Total Income - $1,955,865

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 - $6,340

Revised 01/06/2025

Volunteer

Current Volunteer Opportunities:

We are actively looking for individuals to be a part of the ministry of lectoring and distribution of Holy Communion. Please contact mark@standrew.org if you are interested in these important ministries.

Next up is Wearin' the Green! Saint Andrew's largest fundraiser and parish celebration is on Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 6pm - 11:30pm. If you'd like to help volunteer for this event, please reach out to Julie Richards at julie@standrew.org.

Saint Andrew Lenten Fish Fry! Saint Andrew will host two Lenten Fish Fry's. Friday, March 7, 2025 and Friday, April 11, 2025 from 5pm-8pm. If you are able to volunteer for these great events, please reach out to Julie Richards at julie@standrew.org.

Parish Staff

Parish Staff:

Pastor: Rev. Sergio Romo

Associate Pastor: Rev. Zhao Melchior Huaimin

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, Veronica Salazar

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

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Pastoral Letter by Deacon Mark Purdome