Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
"Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus, but when he saw how strong the wind was, he became frightened and, beginning to sink, he cried out "Lord, save me!" Matthew 14:29-30
Announcements
Tuesday, August 15, 2022 is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. Saint Andrew Parish will celebrate with Mass at 6:30pm in the main church.
The Sunday evening Mass has now a part of our community's opportunities for Sunday worship. Please join us at 5:00pm on Sunday evenings in addition to our scheduled times of 4:00pm on Saturdays and 9:00am and 11:00am on Sundays.
Pastoral Letter by Fr. Emmanuel Madu
"Faith is a corresponding consequence of growth in the awareness of God's presence."
OVERCOMING OUR FEARS
Fear is a phenomenon associated with human beings. It is something we should deal with. The fears of death, failure, loss of something precious, and other kinds of fear pose a threat to our happiness and lives. Awareness of God’s presence is one sure way of dealing with fear. In 2020, during the pandemic, I was in a parish where I carried out my usual pastoral assignments. On a certain day, as I concluded my evening prayer, I received a call from a family friend who resides in Boston, Massachusetts. It was not a pleasant news. Her hoarse-sounding voice whispered to me over the phone, “Fr. I tested positive for covid”. I could feel the weight of her frustration, devastation, and despondency. What came to my mind immediately was the scriptural verse from the Gospel of Matthew in today’s liturgy where Jesus said to his disciples, “Have no fear”. In other words, “do not be afraid”. I calmly told her to be fearless, and that she would be fine. To the glory of God, she survived the pandemic. The first thing to deal with whenever we feel we are in danger is our fear.
Fear eats up our inner strength and exposes our weaknesses. Fear destroys our survival instinct. Even in the face of an apparent calamity and life-threatening incident, fear can only cripple our defenses and in some cases make us succumb without minimal resistance. Fear is neither good for our bodily health nor for our spiritual well-being.
As God’s children, we are not supposed to fear anything or anyone but God alone. Moses, the spiritual leader of Israel was well aware of this truth when he told the Israelites who were on their way out from Egypt but obstructed by the sea, to “Fear not, stand firm and see what the Lord will do for you today” (Exodus 14:13). Jesus, the ‘new Moses’, says, “do not be afraid of those who can only kill the body but have no power over the soul” (Matthew 10:28). In his epistle, Paul reminds Timothy and all of us that we have not received a spirit of fear but of power” (2Timothy 1:17). This is good news for all of us and ought not to be forgotten anytime any day. It does not matter what you are currently experiencing or what your situation is. Do not be afraid, says the Lord your Savior.
In a world, where our peace is intermittently disrupted by threats of wars and bad news of loss of faith, moral decadence, religious crises, crises of family life, and uncertainties of all sorts, that calm and sweet voice of the Lord speaks to us so consolingly in our hearts, “Do not be afraid”. But this voice is not heard by everybody. It is recognized only by those who are aware of God’s presence in and around them—those whose lives reflect this awareness. Dear friends, let us pause a moment and reflect on the level of our awareness of God’s presence in our lives. How does that shape our daily thoughts, words, actions, and inactions? Awareness of God’s presence helps us overcome all fears. Jesus the Lord proved to his disciples that as God he has power over nature. He walked on the sea, healed the sick, raised the dead, and above all, rose from the dead. He is the one who accompanies us on our journey in life and the one who guarantees our safety. Our wealth, human connections, and other material possessions may provide temporary security but only the Lord provides the safety that endures forever. Hence, the need to make him our companion always, a companion whose presence we need to be constantly aware of.
Daily meditation on the word of God and daily prayer and regular reception of the Holy Eucharist are proven and time-tested ways of growing in the awareness of God’s presence as Catholics. That way, fears can be calmed or eliminated, especially the fear of evil and adversity. Faith is a corresponding consequence of growth in the awareness of God’s presence. This faith is nurtured by paying attention to God’s Word and being less distracted by the urgings of our world which can only get us sinking into the waters of disillusionment and being consumed by our fears. May our fears not consume us, rather may we overcome them by our constant awareness of God’s presence and by the grace of God who saves us.
Registration Open for Fall Swing!
Join us for the 21st Annual Saint Andrew Parish Fall Swing on
Saturday, September 30th, 2023
The Party: Enjoy dinner and open bar from 7pm - midnight at The Piggery located on Irving Park Road and Ashland Avenue. All adults of the Parish and School (ages 21+) are invited for food, drink, sign up party auction, paddle raffle and more! Open bar will be available from 7pm-10pm (cash bar from 10pm-midnight).
Pre-Party Golf: Scramble format for 80 golfers teeing off at 3:30pm at Sydney Marovitz Golf Course along Chicago's beautiful lakefront. Golfers will enjoy a complimentary ride from the golf course to The Piggery!!!
The Details: Cost for EARLY BIRD Golf & Dinner $225 per person and EARLY BIRD Dinner only $125 per person. Starting September 8th, prices will increase to $250 per person for Golf and Dinner and $150 for Dinner only.
Visit the registration website to purchase your ticket for the first fall fundraiser!
Back to School Blessing
SAVE-THE-DATE for the "Blessing of Backpacks" and other school gear which will take place at the end of every Mass on Saturday & Sunday August 26 & 27. Students at every level are invited to bring a school item (backpack, pencil case, books, or other) to be blessed for the upcoming school. The blessing serves as our collective prayer for all students to have a wonderful academic year in the many institutions our parishioners attend - Saint Andrew School, CPS, high school, college, etc.
Volunteer
Current Volunteer Opportunities:
Are you interested in helping with one of Saint Andrew School's best events? The Book and Bake Sale (October) is looking for a co-chair. Please contact Sarah Casavechia if you are interested. SarahCasavechia@gosaintandrew.com
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, August 13, 2023
+Brendan Holmes
Sunday, August 13, 2023
+John and Virginia Kaufman and + Fernando Vinzons, Jr.
Live Stream:
Watch our live stream of Sunday Mass at www.standrew.org/sundaymass
School News
You scream, I scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM! Please join us for the ice cream social on August 21.
New families are invited to meet with our school administration and parent ambassadors in our gym at 2:30pm
All families are invited to see our classrooms and meet our teachers in school from 3:00-3:30pm
Ice cream is served on the Paulina turf lot 3:30-4:00pm
Used uniform swap at 3:00-4:00pm
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 23-24 school year are now open! 23-24 SAS Application - https://stand-il.client.renweb.com/oa/?memberid=15758
Religious Education News
We are swiftly preparing for 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 and to register. Our first session will be Sunday, September 10 at 10:00am in the auditorium and is for both parents and students. We look forward to seeing you then!
Stewardship and Finance Report
July Offering:
Envelope Collection - $6,368
Automated Giving - $16,262
Loose Cash - $3,248
Total Offertory - $25,878
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 - $1,909,407
Interest on Income - $39,931
Total Income - $1,949,337
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
Total Expense - $1,026,432
BALANCE - $922,906
Revised 4/4/2023
Parish Staff
Parish Staff:
Pastor: Rev. Sergio Romo
Associate Pastor: Rev. Silvanus Kidaha
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