Easter Sunday
"Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life." Romans 6:4
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 parish office will be closed on Monday, April 1, 2024 in observance of Easter.
Pastoral Letter by Fr. Sergio Romo, Pastor
"We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song."
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and all you love, a Happy Easter filled with joy!
I would also like to to take a moment to explore with you a little about the importance of Easter. If you are like me, the mere aesthetics of Easter resonate deeply, especially the brightness of Easter colors that flood our homes and the correlating Springtime that erupts in fields of daffodils, tulips, and hyacinth across our parks and gardens. I would look forward to cascading lilies in the church and the triumphant music that resounded at Mass. The music seemed to echo within me throughout the week. I have memories of everyone smiling and casting of the dullness and weariness of the winter. Easter was joy!
All of this is true and wonderfully visceral. We feel Easter in our bodies and by simply exploring our memories, we help to awaken Easter capacity to evoke jubilation year over year.
But in this season where we so readily recall Easter's grace, we should cultivate an Easter spirituality to accompany us throughout the year. Easter is more than just bright colors and joyful music. It is more than a reactive elastic response to seasonal dreariness. We believe as a community of faith, that it is the reordering of our life that frees us from sin.
But we may need to put that belief in context. For our ancestors in faith, for Jesus, and for his early followers, sin was not just unseemly actions and disappointing human behavior to which we all fall prey. Sin was less about the local predicaments of selfishness and more about an overall alienation from God. There was a consequence to this disturbance and that was death.
For myself, and for many in our parish, I know that over the last year, death has touched many of our friends and family members. This has brought sorrow and grief and with good reason. The loss of those we love is disorienting and painful.
But even as we attend to the reality the grief of their loss, sometimes tragic, we do not remain in despair. It is Easter which breaks the persistence of death and the corrosion of sin. What begins with Christ rising from the dead extend to all. Those we have lost are not separated from us irrevocably. We can look forward to reunion with them through God's grace, for in Easter, life has been renewed.
This is our reason for celebration! In Easter we have hope. And this hope isn't just for a weekend or even just for the season of Easter (the next seven weeks), it is for us year round. We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song. Let us sing it with joy now, and every day hereafter.
Have a wonderful Easter!
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
Children's Garage Sale - Help Needed
The Children's Garage Sale is Saturday, May 18, 2024. We are looking for someone who can help chair or co-chair the event. The chair/team will help schedule drop off dates and schedule volunteers. The committee overall will help to sort items, clothing, books, set up, and clean up. This is a great way to make an impart for families who need to get rid of used children items, families who need to pick up affordable items, and at the same time support the parish community! Contact Julie at julie@standrew.org to express interest.
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:
Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024
Sunday, April 7, 2024
+Tom Diganci, +Marte Vinzons, +Richard Grego and +Ezekiel Gonzalez
Live Stream:
Watch our live stream of Sunday Mass at www.standrew.org/sundaymass
School News
Bulldog Buddies
Do you have a rising 3-year old PreK student? Come join Bulldog Buddies! This classroom program is for rising PreK students and their caregivers. It will meet Mondays and Fridays from 8-9:30am beginning April 8th. Pass this along to your friends and neighbors. More information and registration can be found here.Bulldog Buddies Information and Registration
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 8, 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
