Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Whoever watches for Wisdom at dawn shall not be disappointed, for they shall find her sitting at their gate." Wisdom 6:14

Announcements

The parish office's will be closed on Thursday, November 23, 2023 and Friday, November 24, 2023 in observation of the Thanksgiving Day holiday.


Please join us for Mass at 9:00am on Thursday, November 23, 2023 to celebrate Thanksgiving. 


The Sunday evening Mass is 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 Deacon Mark Purdome

"Make a commitment to turn stewardship into a way of life" 

Stewardship.

Just the word might make us fearful, feeling that it is just an opportunity for a guilt trip about giving. And while discussion around the financial viability of the parish is vital, the notion of stewardship, especially as it has been developed by the Church in recent years, is much more about a spiritual practice than a guilt trip.

Stewardship also isn't a once-a-year activity. While we'll be talking about stewardship this weekend and next, it is actually a way of life rather than an event. It is a way of living each day in gratitude for all the blessings that God has given to us, and a recognition that we do not own these gifts. All that we have, all that we are, and all that we are becoming belongs to God, and it is our job to use those gifts wisely.

In 1992, the U.S. Bishops wrote a pastoral letter on stewardship. It describes a steward as someone who:

The concept of "steward" is based in scripture, but the word is actually quite rare in the Old Testament. Some scripture scholars suggest that a better term would be "trustee", because it puts us in mind of someone who takes care of something belonging to someone else. There's a standard of care implied, that we're willing to do our best, and there's also an implication that we are reliable and steadfast (or trustworthy) in taking on the task. I think this describes the many ways that we strive to be worthy trustees of the wealth of God's gifts.

The bishop's pastoral letter, for example, calls out these types of stewardship: Stewards of Creation, caring for and cultivating the world around us; Stewards of Vocation, to respond to God's personal vocation for each one of us; and Stewards of the Church, cooperating with God in our redemption by proclaiming and teaching, serving and sanctifying. 

Please take some time during the next week to consider stewardship, being a trustee, of the incredible gifts that God has given us. And then make a commitment to turn stewardship into a way of life.

Stewardship Appeal

This weekend at all the Masses, we begin our annual Stewardship Appeal. We are asking for every parish to consider the year ahead and the commitment of TIME, TALENT, and TREASURE that they can make in  Responding to Love. 


More than a one time push for a project involving finances or an urgent need to balance a budget, every parishioner is asked to think long term about the gifts you have and the parish you want to see at Saint Andrew. Through Thanksgiving, this campaign appeal will remain our focus of our parish's conversation as we ask every household to participate. You can find out more and make your commitment at https://standrew.org/give/stewardship-2024


Update - Renew My Church Covenant

An update on the progress of our Covenant with St. Andrew and St. Benedict Parishes: 

As a continuation of the work of Renew My Church, first envisioned by Cardinal Cupich in 2016, our parishes have remained open as independent parishes and were directed to engage in a strong commitment, to support one another in ministry.  

Progress has been made on creating a covenant agreement that will influence the relationship between St Andrew and St Benedict. The agreement, called "Better Together," was completed by team members from both parishes and we are ready to find creative ways to implement it.  

 

Our initial work focuses on three important areas: 

·   Relationship building: Parishioners of St. Benedict and St. Andrew parishes will come to know each other's needs and strengths so they will recognize their co-responsibility to each other.  

·   Communication and Evangelization: Inter-parish communications will increase so that the parishes form paths to better collaboration, sharing of pastoral insights and outreach to non-churched individuals. We are also committed to cohesively communicating the needs and progress of the Covenant Implementation Team.  

·   Leadership Development: We will create and implement a strategy for leadership development that will affirm existing leadership, invite new leadership, and ensure parishioners recognize their gifts for leadership in the church.  

As the Covenant Implementation Team begins meeting, we ask for support in these ways: 

Let us all use our time and talents to contribute to the ministry we are being called to share. 

"Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there."  - MT 18:20 


Fr. Silvanus Announcement

Fr. Silvanus will be transitioning back to Tanzania for continued service in his diocese. The parish will recognize Fr. Silvanus' service and offer our prayers for his ministerial transition at all the Masses the weekend of November 25 & 26. A reception with cake and refreshments in his honor will take place after teh 9:00am Mass in the gymnasium. Please take the time to read Fr. Silvanus's letter to the parish on the occasion of this transition and be sure to thank him for his four years of service to Saint Andrew Parish. 

Volunteer

Current Volunteer Opportunities: 


Be a part of Saint Andrew's fall/winter event line up schedule:

The Giving Tree Project - partnership with Saint Andrew Parish and Saint Mary of the Lake and Saint Thomas of Canterbury

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, November 12, 2023

+ Fernando Vinzons, Jr.


Sunday, November 19, 2023

+ Deceased Members of the, Cassidy, Drury, Hood, and Kaufman Families

+Craig Doss


Live Stream:

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

School News

Tell your friends about our wonderful school! Have them join us for an in-person school tour and experience what makes our Blue Ribbon School so special at our prospective families tour.  We have TWO options in November:  Tuesday, November 14 at 9am or Thursday, November 16th at 6pm. schedule a tour


It's coming back! Baby Bulldogs will be back in January. Registration forms will be available after Thanksgiving.  HOWEVER, there will be a free Christmas Baby Bulldogs Special Edition. Tell your friends and neighbors to come join us on Thursday, December 7 from 9:20am-10:05am in the gym. No registration is necessary for this day.  This is a great opportunity to try out Baby Bulldogs and have some great fun with your infants and toddlers and their caregivers. 



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 next parent meeting and student classes on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 10:00am in the school building for students and in the auditorium for parents. Students are now assigned to complete chapters 2, 3, & 4 at home before the next meeting. Please contact David Heimann at david@standrew.org if you have additional questions. 

Stewardship and Finance Report

October Offering: 

Envelope Collection - $9,196

Automated Giving - $20,457

Loose Cash - $4,170

Total Offertory - $33,823

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 - $1,910,840

Interest on Income - $40,253

Total Income - $1,951,093

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 Boilers - $313,845

School Boilers - $609,248

Total Expense - $1,949,525

BALANCE - $1,568

Revised 9/01/2023

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


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