Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
"Although you have hidden these thnigs from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to little ones." Matthew 11:25
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.
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 David Heimann, Pastoral Assoc.
"May God bless you and awaken the child you still have within."
Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit my spouse's family in Tucson Arizona for a few days of a family reunion. Both of my spouse's siblings have two children and it was a week of museums, swimming, playing, eating, and overall summer freedom with them.
Not having children myself, it was a great time to expose myself to the wild and wonderful child-like dream of a summertime that died for me sometime around college. That's when summers became filled with internships, jobs, decisions, and all the stuff that helped me transition into adulthood. I began to take myself way too seriously and lost something in the process.
As many parents within our community know, the summer allows our children to be who they are with greater freedom. School is important and come August, many parents will be craving the routine of the school day as a medicine for their child's endless energy, but thee is something special about this time of year, especially for children.
Recalling this special time in our children's lives and maybe even in our memories gives us a unique insight into this weekend's scriptures. In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus says, "I give praise to you , Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to little ones."
Jesus reminds us that children have a wisdom that illudes us adults. We've all become so entrenched in the sophic caricature of our own self importance. We spend enormous amounts of energy defending our political beliefs, our choices, and our priorities. Under the curse of shame, we sadly burry ourselves while trying to cover up our mistakes Much of our adult lives are lost in the wasted energy we generate to try to look perfect when we are in fact, not perfect.
Children however give us an insight to the way we were before all the pretense. The most valuable gift of endless summer was, and still is, another person to spend some time with at play. The widened eyes which take in all the beauty of a gloriously long day belongs to children and should be the envy of us adults because we are called by God to live in the eternal present that children naturally posses.
Summer is half over and if you haven't yet had the good fortune to spend some time with a child, there is a thing or two they can still teach you. How the days don't really fly by as quickly as we think they do if we just take a few moments to breathe and take it all in. By emulating who children naturally are, we might find ourselves closer to God's kingdom than we will by trying to force ourselves through heaven's gates.
Make the most of the remainder of summer. May God bless you and awaken the child you still have within.
Thank You Hieu!
During the pandemic, our team of musicians at Saint Andrew was lifted up by the talents of Hieu Nguyen who joined us as a pianist and organist. He has the wonderful opportunity to begin Medical School in Colorado and will be playing for us for his final time this Sunday, July 9, 2023 at the 11:00am Mass. We give him thanks for sharing his talents with us and pray for success on the next step of his journey.
Save the Date for Fall Fun!
Mark Your Calendars! Saint Andrew Parish Fall Fling and the Running of the Bulldogs 5K!
Fall Fling - Saturday, September 30, 2023,
3pm Golf Outing & 7pm Dinner
Running of the Bulldogs 5K - Sunday, October 22, 2023, 9AM
Email Julie Richards at julie@standrew.org to volunteer for these events. Stay tuned for more information closer to both events.
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
COVID RESTRICTIONS LIFTED
The Archdiocese of Chicago has lifted all restrictions related to the celebration of the Mass that were instated during the COVID pandemic. This extends to the Ministry of the Precious Blood and its distribution during Mass. We are beginning preparations to restore this ministry in the coming weeks. Please look for announcements and reminders how how to reverently participate in this ministry. This means we are also in need of additional parishioners to serve in the extra-ordinary ministry of communion. Please volunteer to be trained for this ministry by emailing our parish deacons at liturgy@standrew.org
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, July 9, 2023
+Jean Dougherty, +Bill Clancy, +Scott Elias and +Aurora Vinzons
Sunday, July16, 2023
+Colleen O'Malley
Live Stream:
Watch our live stream of Sunday Mass at www.standrew.org/sundaymass
School News
Now Hiring! Do you want to be part of the best school on the northside of Chicago? Saint Andrew School is currently seeking a qualified math/science Middle School Teacher. Interested candidates should send a current resume to Sarah Casavechia, sarahcasavechia@gosaintandrew.com
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! Existing families, do not forget to register your new preschoolers. Applications are now being accepted. 23-24 SAS Application - https://stand-il.client.renweb.com/oa/?memberid=15758
Religious Education News
Religious Education for 2022-23 grades K through 8 has concluded. Please visit www.standrew.org/re to learn more about the program for the upcoming year and to register. We will begin to offer make-up opportunities for students to complete missed sessions in the coming weeks. Have a wonderful summer vacation!
Stewardship and Finance Report
June Offering:
Envelope Collection - $9,524
Automated Giving - $19,668
Loose Cash - $3,022
Total Offertory - $32,214
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