January 18, 2009 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church 4101 St. Lawrence Ave.

Matteson, IL 60443 708-748-6090 www.slotoole.org slotparishoffice@aol.com

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Our Weekly Offering Budgeted Weekly Goal: $12,000.00 Total Given Last Week: $ 8,846.00 Total Given Electronically: $ 509.00 Total Offering: $ 9,355.00 Total Envelopes Used: 258 Building Fund: $ 214.00

Parish Staff: Rev. Michael J. Novick Rev. Gregory Cholewa, OMI Weekend Assistant Mr. Rossini Alcos Mr. John Rangel Mr. Edward Winter Deacons Ms. Jane Fagan Director of Religious Education Ms. Pat Fointno Director of Music Ms. Cathy Costelow Lay Minister Mrs. Patricia Hofkamp Principal Mrs. Pattie Gallinaro Coordinator of Youth Ministry Mrs. Donna Kay Parish Bookkeeper Mass Schedule: Saturday: 5:00 PM (Sun. vigil) Sunday: 8:00 & 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM Monday — Saturday: 8:30 AM Holy Days: 6:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 7:00 PM Eucharistic Adoration: First Friday’s of the month after 8:30 AM Mass followed by Benediction at 6 PM. Please consult bulletin for changes in this schedule. Sacramental Information: Baptisms: The first and second Sunday of each month at 1:15 PM. NOTE: Expectant parents should phone the Parish Office 2 months before the birth of your baby to arrange for required Baptismal Preparation Classes. Reconciliation: Sat.: 4:00–4:30PM Weddings: Arrangements for Marriage should be made by calling the Parish Office no later than four months prior to the proposed wedding date. Attending Pre-Cana is required. Funerals: Arrangements can be made by a family member by calling the Parish Office.

Liturgical Ministers January 24 & 25, 2009

Extraordinary Ministers

5:00 PM: Chris Bailey, Barb Galloy, Donna Ridder, Jim Ridder, Charles Seputis, Mary Seputis

8:00 AM: Joe Fron, Barbara Hanifin, Rita King, Elaine Malito, Don McKillip, Augustine Witt

10:00 AM: Diane Blais, Russell Blais, Mark Bussey, Mary Slayton, Judy Thorne

12:00 PM: Lajuana Johnson, Annette Powell, Clyde Sana, Lori Sana

Lectors 5:00 PM: Les Easter, Annette Little 8:00 AM: Bob Farrell, Simon Farrell 10:00 AM: Summer Fields, Owen McAteer 12:00 PM: Lucia West Jones, Russell Zack

Greeters 5:00 PM: Pat Kistner, Sharon Twardowski 8:00 AM: Marie Ward 10:00 AM: Rosemary Ryan, Tom Ryan 12:00 PM: Beverly Hochfelder, Stuart Hochfelder

Altar Servers 5:00 PM: Keenan Artis, Christina Franzese, Lawrence Mahone 8:00 AM: Megan Arseneau, Michael Lauer, Kenzie Worsham 10:00 AM: Ethan Butler, Tedarah Johnson, Bailey Williams 12:00 PM: Alyssa Brown, Morgan Greene, Antonio Serrato

We Pray for ~ the recently deceased

Rev. William J. White

and the sick

Jane Fagan, Ray Wright,

John Maloney, Mara Subasic, Maricella Carrillo, Melanie Carrillo, Evalina Jones,

Joyce Blair, Juanita Redd, Donald Bennett, Ashlee Petit, Kathy Cover,

Anne Bogdanowicz

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Life…and life in its fullness! I would like to begin this week by offering my heartfelt thanks for all of the prayers and support at the death of my father. His passing on January 6th was apparently rather peaceful. I like to describe it as “poetically romantic.” Mom was in the room by dad’s bedside—no one else—as he breathed his last. The wake and funeral were massive and, in their own way, very life-giving. As I preached at the funeral, the example I have tried to learn from my father’s life would be to offer life to others, even when it’s inconvenient. Quite honestly, I don’t think that is unique to my father. I believe that is how Jesus lived, didn’t he? Did he not make more than a few trips out of his way to heal the sick? Did he not go out of his way to make others feel better about themselves? He raised Lazarus (AFTER FOUR DAYS). Jesus was all about life. No – Jesus IS all about life. It’s what the whole of Scripture is about, leading us to the vessel of the Cross, and a quick side trip to rest in the tomb for three days. Thereby, Jesus leads us to live with Him in paradise. But there is more for us to celebrate this week. It seems a little difficult to think about celebrating as we move to remember the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision to legalize abortion. We all know the statistics. Millions of babies are killed each year in the womb. That doesn’t include the children who die spontaneously. This is on purpose! That is the hardest thing to take in my mind. There is still so much talk about with the new Freedom of Choice Act legislation on the table in our nation’s capital. The right choice is the one that fights for the right to live – until GOD calls us home. The Archdiocese is participating in a postcard program through the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) on the weekend of January 31/February 1. The hope is that through our faith and perseverance, life at all stages will be shown the respect God intended from the foundation of the world. He made us all to be His highest creation. It’s such a shame that not every person sees it the same. Here is an excerpt from John Paul II’s encyclical Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) “Man is called to a fullness of life which far exceeds the dimensions of his earthly existence, because it consists in sharing the very life of God. The loftiness of this supernatural vocation reveals the greatness and the inestimable value of human life even in its temporal phase. Life in time, in fact, is the fundamental condition, the initial stage and an integral part of the entire unified process of human existence. It is a process which, unexpectedly and undeservedly, is enlightened by the promise and renewed by the gift of divine life, which will reach its full realization in eternity (cf. 1 Jn 3:1-2). At the same time, it is precisely this supernatural calling which highlights the relative character of each individual's earthly life. After all, life on earth is not an "ultimate" but a "penultimate" reality; even so, it remains a sacred reality entrusted to us, to be preserved with a sense of responsibility and brought to perfection in love and in the gift of ourselves to God and to our brothers and sisters.” (EV, 2) Peace, Father Mike Novick

Tickets are now on sale for the 50th

Anniversary Dinner Dance, to be held on

Saturday, February 28 at Odyssey Country Club in

Tinley Park. Gift certificates are also available. Tickets are $60.00 and are available at the

Parish Office Monday—Friday from 9 AM to 5:00 PM, any questions, call the Parish Office at

748-6090. Please purchase your tickets before February 14. Fun begins at 6:30 PM on

Saturday, February 28, 2009. Tickets will also be on sale at

this weekend’s Pancake Breakfast!

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It’s A Guy Thing Stress in the workplace? Downsizing? Layoffs? How can I practice Christian spiritual leadership with my family? Do my actions reflect my Catholic faith? If I were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict me? You are invited to join other Catholic men to learn how we apply our faith at work, with family, and other everyday life experiences. We do so through prayer, faith sharing, the Word of God, and Church teaching. Purpose: Responding to the Catholic Bishop’s call to encourage men to become daily followers of Jesus Christ through the support of small men’s groups at the parish level. Meetings are 1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 7 PM. Next meeting January 21, 2009, in the Parish Office Meeting Room. Questions or information call Deacon John Rangel (708)503-9674 or Dave Brady (708)747-8518.

The 50th Anniversary Committee is still selling The St. Lawrence O’Toole Taste of O’Toole Cookbooks. The cookbooks are available at the Parish Office for $10.00 each.

Lights, Camera, Read! BE A PART OF SOMETHING GREAT!

Help support our School Book Fair! We will have snacks, crafts, contests, special story tellers, and most importantly, kids’ books. The Book Fair is Sunday, January 25, after all the Masses. The money raised at this event goes directly to furnishing the books for each classroom and the library.

REMINDER FOR ALL EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS!

Practical Training for all new Extraordinary Ministers will be held

on January 21, at 7:00 PM, in Church. Any questions, please call the Parish Office at (708)748-6090.

HELP WANTED! St. George Parish in Tinley Park is looking for a part-time bulletin editor, Monday through Wednesday, 9 AM to 4 PM. If you are interested, please call Darlene at (708)532-2243.

Today, January 18, after the 8 and 10 AM Masses. Join us in the Sullivan Center from 8:30 to 11:30 am for pancakes, sausage, juice, milk and coffee. Cost: $5 adults/$3 kids, $20 max family. Hope to see you there!

Here is a terrific way to feed your family and help your Church at the same time! On Sunday, January 25, Jimmy John’s 4537 West 211th Street, Matteson, will donate a portion of the proceeds from any purchase back to our church that any St. Lawrence O’Toole Parishioner makes. Simply take one of the menus at the back of Church, and give it to the cashier when you make a purchase on January 25. Thank you!

PADS THANKS YOU!! Our Christmas at PADS made mothers cry and guests beam with happiness. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who provided gifts, sweatshirts, and caring for our guests. ALSO, Friday, January 30, is a fifth Friday, and we need a team to be with our guests. IF YOU EVERY WANTED TO ‘TRYOUT’ this ministry of caring for the homeless, we

really need your help. You would work with our regular team at 6:30 PM, 11:00 PM, 3:00 AM or 5:00 AM. FAMILIES often come in as a group to help and they are appreciated. FINALLY, we are, again, in need of used comforters, pillow cases, and sheets and (this is a NEW NEED) any exercise mat that you would be willing to part with. The state of the economy has brought more guests to our that than ever, and we need all the help and supplies that you are able to provide. Call Mary Cermak-Vis @ 602-3137 for more information.

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CHAOS ~ Christ Has Awakened Our Spirit

1/18 10 AM Teen Mass & Pancake Breakfast after 8 AM & 10 AM Masses CHAOS meeting tonight 7 PM – 9 PM 1/20 LEAVING FOR PRO LIFE MARCH TO RETURN ON 1/24 PLEASE KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS 1/23 Pads team #5 6:30 PM – 8 PM Ellen & Amy 1/25 CHAOS 7 PM – 9 PM 1/30 Pads Team #6 Summer & Mazi

**ALSO CHECK OUT THE MINISTER ROOM IN THE BACK OF CHURCH!! ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION FOR YOU!!!**

PRO LIFE NEWS On January 20, our St. Lawrence O’Toole Teens, along with our Youth Minister, Pattie Gallinaro and other area Teens, are leaving for the Pro Life March in Washington, D.C. Thank you for your support in helping them raise money to take this trip. Please keep all of them in your prayers. You are invited to a Pro-Life Holy Hour on Monday, January 19 @ 7:00 PM, at St. George Church, 6707 West 175th Street, Tinley Park. We will pray before the Blessed Sacrament for mothers who are considering abortion, for the healing of mothers and families who have suffered the tragedy of abortion, for the conversion of those who promote or provide abortions, and to help atone for the preborn babies who are lost to abortion and the disabled and elderly who are victims or euthanasia. Please come to pray that our nation will be converted to a culture of life. Speak Out Illinois Pro-Life Conference, January 31 from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM @ The Westin Lombard – Yorktown Center, Lombard, IL, Father Thomas Euteneuer – Head of Human Life International will be one of the speakers. The cost, if registered before January 19, is $50.00, after January 19, the cost is $60.00. For more information or to register contact Illinois Right to Life, 65 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601, or call: (312)422-9300 www.speakoutillinois.org

Horizon Hospice & Palliative Care @ 3420 Vollmer Road, (Vollmer Road & Governor’s Highway), Olympia Fields announces an Groundwork—a workshop for the newly bereaved—for adults who have experienced the loss of a loved on during the past

four months., on Saturday, January 24, 2009 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM. This workshop can help you; Understand the grief process; Learn about the “symptoms” of normal grief; Learn coping

strategies; Get answers to your questions about grief and mourning There is no fee for this workshop, but RESERVATIONS are required. Call Theresa Parrish, MSEd, LCPC, Bereavement

Coordinator @ (708)441-8278

January 11, 2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Church in Latin America, while diverse in culture, is grounded in a deep faith that we all share as children of God. This lived faith invites all believers in this part of the world to action – to be disciples of Christ, sent by His Spirit as missionaries and leaders in their communities and beyond. For the past 45 years, the faithful of the United States have supported the Collection for the Church in Latin America as a visible sign of their compassion and solidarity with the faithful of Latin America and the Caribbean. Proceeds from this annual collection assist in the formation of seminarians, lay ministers, catechists and youth ministers in more than 200 dioceses throughout our southern hemisphere. On behalf of those who, while lacking financial resources, are blessed in faith and love for Our Lord Jesus Christ, please ac-cept my gratitude for your generous support of this collection. May God continue to bless you and your loved ones. Sincerely yours in Christ,

Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. Archbishop of Chicago

Post Office Box 109098 Chicago, Illinois 60690 Office of the Archbishop

St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Community is a community of faith longing to know Jesus and working to build God’s Kingdom. We seek to

provide the opportunity for the expression of our people’s gifts and varied cultures, living together in a spirit of Christian joy.

We aspire to be people of prayer, vision, service and invitation.

We invite you to pray with us.

This week at O’Toole Sunday, January 18, 2009 8:00 AM: Mass 8:00 AM: Pancake Breakfast SC/G 10:00 AM: Mass 12:00 PM: Mass 7:00 PM: Teen Group B2 Monday, January 19, 2009 8:30 AM: Mass Tuesday, January 20, 2009 8:30 AM: Mass 9:00 AM: Scripture Study PO/M 7:00 PM: School Advisory Cmte REC Wednesday, January 21, 2009 8:30 AM: Mass 7:00 PM: Lit Minister Formation C 7:00 PM: Catholic Men’s Fellowship PO/M Thursday, January 22, 2009 8:30 AM: Mass 5:30 PM: Irish Dance OH/C 5:30 PM: SPRED PO/K & PO/M 7:00 PM: Music Ministry C Friday, January 23, 2009 8:30 AM: Mass 6:00 PM: PADS O’TOOLE Saturday, January 24, 2009 8:30 AM: Mass 9:00 AM: Adult Faith Formation SC/G 9:00 AM: Rosary 9:15 AM: SvDP SOCIETY OH/PANT 4:00 PM: Reconciliation C 5:00 PM: Mass Sunday, January 25, 2009 8:00 AM: Mass 10:00 AM: Mass 11:00 AM: Open House SC/ALL 12:00 PM: Mass 7:00 PM: Teen Group SC/G & B2

Saints and Special Observances

Sunday: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time; Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins Monday: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Orthodox Theophan (Epiphany) Tuesday: St. Fabian; St. Sebastian; Inauguration Day Wednesday: St. Agnes Thursday: St. Vincent; Day of Penance for Violations to the Dignity of the Human Person Saturday: St. Francis de Sales

Masses for the week Sunday, January 18, 2009 Loretta Regan req. by Mary Cortes, Intentions of Michael J.. Novick & Family req. by Mary & chuck Seputis Monday, January 19, 2009 Victor Petro req. by Andy Petro, Elaine Kraemer req. by Ken Kraemer, Edward Novick req. by Tom & JoAnn Schutzius Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Albert Grohman req. by Family, Edward Novick req. by Joe, Gen & Annette DeMatio Wednesday, January 21, 2009 Intentions of the Celebrant Thursday, January 22, 2009 Edward Novick req. by Joan & Herb Abbott Friday, January 23, 2009 Intentions of the Celebrant Saturday, January 24, 2009 Linda Darabaris req. by Sherri Michaels, Dorothy Kummelehne req. by Harold Kummelehne Masses for Sunday, January 25, 2009 Connie Neville, Frank & Rose Morin

Readings for the Week:

Monday: Heb 5:1-10; Mk 2:18-22 Tuesday: Heb 6:10-20; Mk 2:23-28 Wednesday: Heb 7:1-3, 15-17; Mk 3:1-6 Thursday: Heb 7:25 — 8:6; Mk 3:7-12, or any readings from the Mass “For Peace and Justice,” nos. 887-891 Friday: Heb 8:6-13; Mk 3:13-19 Saturday: Heb 9:2-3, 11-14; Mk 3:20-21 Sunday: Jon 3:1-5, 10; Ps 25; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20 or for the Conversion of St. Paul Acts 22:3-16 or Acts 9:1-22; Ps 117; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 16:15-18