FEBRUARY 26 2012

FIRST

SUNDAY IN

LENT

St. Mary School Open House St. Mary School invites you to attend its Open House for prospective new families. Come see our Catholic school in action on Thursday, March 1, 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Families are invited to take a tour and visit classrooms to see what a typical day is like at our Catholic grade school. Ours is a is a preschool through grade five school, offering morning and full-day preschool programs for three and four year olds as well as all day kindergarten. Principal Eileen Sullivan will be happy to answer your questions and discuss what a Catho-lic education has to offer for your child.

For more information, please call 847-223-4021 or visit the website for school information and photo galleries of recent student activities at www.stmaryfc.org/school.

Come see what makes St. Mary of the Annunciation a leader in 21st Century Learning.

Tenth Annual Pasta Party Sunday, March 4th

1:30 to 4:00 p.m.

The Society of St. Vincent De Paul (SVDP) invites you and your family to a wonderful

Sunday dinner while you help the needy. It’s the tenth annual Pasta Dinner Party on Sunday afternoon, March 4. The featured attraction is a delicious dinner from Philly G’s Restaurant. Proceeds from this event will benefit those served by the St Mary Conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVDP). Are you a baker? Donations of home-made desserts on the day of the party would be greatly appreciated. Door Prizes needed: We welcome, gift cards, knick-knacks, re-gifted items (no worries, it’s all going to a worthy cause). Contact Jan Sinkovec for more information 847-543-1983.

Tasty Pasta with Sauce and Meatballs Crisp Garden Salad with Dressing Fresh Italian Bread Scrumptious Dessert

Choice of Coffee or Tea included Beer, Wine, and Pop are available for an additional donation Adults: $10.00 Children 4 to 12: $5.00 Children 3 and under: Free

Thank you to Phil Gilardi Jr. for your generous donation of the dinner and staff. New this year: we are splitting the raffles. Tickets for the cash raffle will be sold in advance. Both cash and door prize tickets will be sold at the event. You don’t have to be present to win either raffle. Stop by the ticket table in the narthex for details. So come with your family and friends to enjoy a delicious & very reasonably priced Sunday dinner. You will help the needy and have no dishes to clean.

Takeout Available

Cash Raffle Door Prizes

Mass Intentions Monday, February 27 8:00AM William Berg req. The Knowles family

Tuesday, February 28

8:00AM †Thomas J. Lacey req. The Lacey family

Wednesday, February 29

8:00AM Mike & Sherry Schmidt req. The Gene Schmidt family

†Gerald Lupori req. The Jones family

9:15AM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation

Thursday, March 1

8:00AM †Barbara Kast req. Carole Grafer

Friday, March 2

8:00AM †Harold & Bernadette Wehrle req. Barbara Witte, daughter

Saturday, March 3

5:00PM †Salvatore Panettieri req. The family

†Michelina Panettieri req. The family

†Josephine Panettieri req. The family

†Dr. Michael T. Kelly req. The Roberts family

Sunday, March 4

7:30AM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation

9:30AM For the soldiers defending our country and for peace

†Sophia Kirn req. The Kirn family

†Katie Mitchell req. The Mitchell & Infanti family

11:30AM †Rosalie Waszak req. John & Kathy Waszak

†Chuck Carlino req. The Carlino Children

Week Ahead Sunday, February 26 9:30AM Childcare 9:30AM Liturgy of the Word for Children Monday, February 27 10:00AM Women Cursillo Meeting 7:00PM Mission Trip Meeting Tuesday, February 28 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 9:00AM Mary’s Circle 5:30PM Religious Education (B) 7:00PM Teen Drop-In Wednesday, February 29 9:15AM Mass 12:00PM Lenten Prayer Service 6:00PM P.A.D.S. 7:00PM Adult Choir Rehearsal 7:00PM Mission Trip Meeting Thursday, March 1 8:30AM Cursillo Movement 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 9:00AM Catholicism Series 7:00PM Catholicism Series Friday, March 2 4:00PM Challenge Girls Meeting 5:00PM Stations of the Cross Saturday, March 3 7:30AM Catholicism Series 9:30AM Religious Education 5:00PM Childcare 5:00PM Liturgy of the Word for Children Sunday, March 4 9:30AM Childcare 9:30AM Liturgy of the Word for Children 1:00PM Baptismal Preparation Session 1:30PM St. Vincent DePaul Pasta Party

Mass Times 5:00 PM 7:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:30 AM

Lectors A. Heinzinger E. Moser

K. Lenzen J. Friello

D. Kennebeck J. Johnson

K. Crotty J. Matousek

Eucharistic Ministers

Deacon M. Engels C. Papak T. Powell J. Powell J. Pepping T. Kennedy E. Markiewicz M. Heinzinger

Deacon M. Stramich L. Zucco K. Aspegren S. Ratajczak M. Sikorski L. Bosshart P. Tekampe M. Tekampe

Deacon B. Consdorf I. Kennebeck J. Philbin M. Stumpf H. Stumpf K. Pann-hausen J. Lyman B. Lyman J. Rutledge M. Rutledge

Deacon M. Crutcher J. Ranchero Z. Dela Cruz L. Dela Cruz E. McPherson D. Ceglarek A. Ellis J. Ferrigan

Liturgical Ministers March 3 and 4,2012

All who suffer illness, especially those whose

names are written in the parish Book of Prayers, those re-cently added to the list of the sick, and for those who have recently died:.

cÜtç yÉÜA AA Margaret Hertel & Philip Soucheray III

Sunday Collection 2/19 $ 17,557.78 Budgeted Weekly Collection $ 18,100.00 Difference $ (542.22) Current Fiscal Year-to-Date $ 651,313.06 Budgeted Sunday Collections To-Date $ 615,400.00 Difference $ 35,913.06

Stewardship Report

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Friday, March 9, 2012 The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for adora-tion on Friday, March 9th after the 8:00am Mass until 10 pm. Adoration takes place in the Eucharis-

tic Chapel. Stop at the prayer table during adoration and pick up medi-tations and prayer cards.

It is appropriate that someone be present at all times when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed. The sign-up book is on the easel in the Narthex. If you sign up and then are unable to keep your time, call the church office at 847-223-0010 24 hours in advance to have your name removed.

All are welcome. Even if you did not sign-up, stop and visit with the Lord during adoration.

Here are a few ideas to consider for your Lenten activities: • Spend at least 10 minutes per day reading and praying with the

Scriptures. There is an excellent issue of “Catholic Update” fea-turing a guide by Matthew Kelly to help you through the season. Check out “Rediscover Lent: Day by Day” at www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU.aspx

• Join us for the Stations of the Cross on the Fridays of Lent at 5:00pm. We also have midday prayer on Wednesdays at noon and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament all day on March 9.

• Volunteer time at PADS, the food pantry or Feed My Starving Children. Or join the St. Vincent de Paul Society. While dona-tions are great, our personal involvement is even more valuable.

• Make Operation Rice Bowl part of your family plans during Lent. Over 35,000 people die from hunger EVERY DAY!! This is a chance to do something about it.

• Sign-up for the four “Catholicism” sessions sponsored by the Adult Formation Ministry for small groups.

• Pick one trait or habit that gets in the way of your relationships with your spouse, children, friends, and/or with God ... and work on it!

• Fast from criticism, negativity, and gossip. Fast from apathy and procrastination.

• Watch a good biblical movie with the entire family, such as Franco Zeffirelli's “Jesus of Nazareth.” For adults, watch a film that will challenge your conscience, such as “Romero” or “Dead Man Walking.”

• If there is a feud in your family, write a note and attempt to heal the division.

• Call or write that someone you've been meaning to get in touch with for ages.

• Give up something you won’t take back after Lent is over. Then devote the time, energy, and money you save to something life-giving.

• Change how you spend your time: spend less time with TV or the internet and more time with your spouse & family. Increase your involvement with the parish and charitable groups.

May our Lenten activities help us to emerge at Easter as a renewed people! If you wish to contact me, just leave a note in the Parish Of-fice or send an email to deaconhwf99@yahoo.com.

F isch–ing Lines by Deacon Howard Fischer

When seasons and holidays roll around each year, it is easy for us to pass the time in “auto-pilot” mode. This is especially

ironic (and counter-productive) with the season of Lent since its very purpose is to jar us out of our normal routines. Rather than maintain the status-quo, Lent is when we need to focus our time and energy on reinvigorating our relationship with God, assessing

how well we are living the Gospel and making whatever changes are needed to get us out of any rut we are in. To accomplish this, the Church has traditionally urged us to re-dedicate ourselves to the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (charity) during the season of Lent - with the idea that these prac-tices will become part of the fabric of our lives beyond these 40 days! If we embark on any Lenten discipline supposing that we sim-ply need to “get through” the next 40 days, we are missing the whole point and deluding ourselves into thinking we are doing a good job. Why prayer, fasting and almsgiving? Just like any relationship we have, our relationship with God cannot grow unless we spend time in conversation. Thus, we need to spend time in prayer. 10 minutes each day will do. We can't do all the talking either; our prayer must include silence and meditation so that there is room for God to speak. We fast in order to remove those habits and activities which divert us from the truly important things in life. The purpose of fasting isn't just to improve our self-discipline and to be less self-absorbed; it's also about using the time, energy and resources we extract from life’s “distractions” to do the work of the Gospel. Thus, fasting flows into almsgiving. Our faith is not complete unless our inner spirituality is lived in outward action. Lent calls us to care for those who are poor and neglected. Our conversion is lacking unless sacrificial giving becomes part of our lifestyle, not just an occasional do-good act.

On January 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reaffirmed a rule that virtually all private health care plans must cover sterilization, abortifacients, and contraception. The exemption provided for "religious employers" was so narrow that it failed to cover the vast majority of faith-based organizations—including Catholic hospi-tals, universities, and charities—that help millions every year. Ironically, not even Jesus and his disciples would have qualified for the exemption, because it excludes those who mainly serve people of another faith.

On February 10, the Obama Administration made this rule final “without change”; delayed enforcement for a year against religious nonprofits that were still not exempted (our charities, hospitals, and colleges); and promised to develop more regulations to “accommodate” them by the end of that additional year. But, as explained below, that promised “accommodation” still forces them to pay for “services” that violate their religious convictions.

The original rule that violated our religious liberty so severely has not been changed, but finalized.

After touting meaningful changes in the mandate, HHS instead finalized the original rule that was first issued in August 2011 “without change.” So the offensive definition of “religious employer”—which excludes our charities, hospitals, and colleges because they serve people of other faiths—is still in place, and those institutions are still subject to the man-date.

HHS has promised some kind of “accommodation,” but only after the election.

HHS said it would take an additional year to develop more regulations to “accommodate” religiously-affiliated charities, schools, and hospitals that still fall outside the “religious employer” exemption. The impact of these additional rules will not be felt until after the election, the only point of public accountability for the Executive Branch. This eliminates an impor-tant incentive for HHS to provide the best protection for religious liberty

The promised “accommodation”—even at its best—would still force our institutions to violate their beliefs.

Under the proposed “accommodation,” if an employee of these religious institutions wants coverage of contraception or sterilization directly from the insurer, the objecting employer is still forced to pay for it as a part of the employer’s insurance plan. Since there is no other source, the funds

to pay for that coverage must come from the premiums of the employer and fellow employees, even those who object in conscience.

There is no exemption for objecting insurers, secular employers, for-profit religious employers, or individuals.

The U.S. bishops defend religious liberty for all, and so have repeatedly identified all the stakeholders in the process whose religious freedom is threatened by the mandate—all employers, insurers, and individuals, not just religious employers. Now, all insurers, including self-insurers, must provide the coverage to any employee who wants it. In turn, all individu-als who pay premiums have no escape from subsidizing that coverage. And only employers that are both non-profit and religious may qualify for the limited “accommodation.”

We urgently need legislation to correct the mandate’s threats to religious liberty and conscience rights. The Respect for Rights of Conscience Act has been introduced in Congress (H.R. 1179, S. 1467) to ensure that those who participate in the market for health insurance “retain the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in health coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions.”

ACTION: Contact your U.S. Representative by e-mail, phone, or FAX letter:

� Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or call your Mem-bers’ local offices.

� Send your email to Congress through www.usccb.org/conscience.

� Additional contact info can be found on Members’ web sites at: www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.

MESSAGE: “Please co-sponsor and support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467). The Obama administration’s deci-sion to mandate coverage of sterilization and contraceptives, including drugs that can cause an abortion, makes passage of this measure espe-cially urgent. Please ensure that the religious liberty and conscience rights of all participants in our nation’s health care system are re-spected.”

WHEN: Now is the time to build co-sponsors and support. Please act today!

Sweeping HHS Mandate Stands, Violating Conscience Rights and Religious Liberty Congress Must Act to Fix the Problem

ONE MORE Baby Sitting Night On Saturday, March 24 our youth ministry, Journey, will host a babysitting fundraiser in Diantha Hall, 6–9 PM. Teens will be on hand to play games & sports, color, read, and watch movies with your children while you enjoy some time together. Children older than one year are welcome. Please bring a diaper bag labeled with your child’s name if they are not yet toilet trained. Snacks will be provided; but, we recommend your child eat

dinner before they come. We are accepting free-will offerings to raise funds for our summer mission trip to Louisville Kentucky. To sign up: Contact Ryan Rehkamp at 847-223-0010 x.217 or RRehkamp@stmota,org. Please include the names and ages of your kids. If you would like to volunteer: Junior high and high school teens are needed no matter how experienced or inexperienced you are. Please just Ryan know that you plan to help babysit.

Wendy’s Gives Back Tuesday, March 20 Another way you can help support our teens on their mis-sion trip to Louisville KY! *We get 15% of all sales (including drive-thru) from 5-8 PM!* Invite your family, friends, class-mates, and neighbors. Located on Route 176 in Mundelein (by Dominick’s).

LENTEN Prayer Activities Stations of the Cross Fridays at 5:00 PM February 24, March 2, 9, 16, 23 March 30: Special Stations followed by Rice Bowl Potluck

Noontime Prayer Short Midday prayer in the Eucharistic Chapel Wednesdays at Noon February 22, 29 March 7, 14, 21, 28

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Friday morning following morning mass until 10:00 PM in the Eucharistic Chapel March 9, 8:30 AM—10:00 PM

Sacrament of Reconciliation Saturdays, 4:00 PM (no confessions on Holy Saturday) Parish Reconciliation Service: March 27, 7:00 PM Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Holy Week after the 8:00 AM Mass.

PALM SUNDAY, March 31 & April 1 5:00 PM Saturday 7:30, 9:30, & 11:30 AM Sunday Blessing and Distribution of palms at all masses

PASCHAL TRIDUUM Holy Thursday, April 5 8:00 AM, Morning Prayer 7:30 PM, Celebrations of the Lord’s Last Supper

Good Friday, April 6 8:00 AM, Morning Prayer 4:00 PM, Celebration of the Passion of the Lord With veneration of the Cross Holy Saturday, April 7 9:00 AM, Morning Prayer with Blessing of Easter Foods

7:30 PM, Easter Vigil Renewal of Baptismal vows First Mass of Easter

EASTER SUNDAY, April 8 6:30, 8:30, & 10:30 AM 12:30 PM Note new times

for Easter Sunday

You’re Invited to Participate in Catholic Relief Services’ Operation Rice Bowl This Lent, our faith community will be joining millions of Catholics across the country by participating inCRS’ Operation Rice Bowl. Your family is invited to pick up a Rice Bowl packet [when/where] and join in this simple yet powerful Lenten practice. Catholic Relief Services’ Operation Rice Bowl invites us to pray with our families and faith communities, fast in solidarity with those who are hungry, learn about our brothers and sisters around the world, and give sacrificial contributions to help those in need. Visit orb.crs.org for additional resources to use at home.

First Week of Lent God’s Covenant In today’s first reading, we hear about God’s covenant with Noah, with his descendants and with all living creatures. During Lent, we are called to deepen and strengthen our baptismal and covenantal relationship with God, which includes our responsibility to care for God’s creation. This week through Operation Rice Bowl, we learn about subsistence farmers in Madagascar. We pray for all who struggle to feed their families on depleted lands, and we fast in solidarity with those who hunger. We give so that CRS can help farmers improve their growing methods and act as good stewards of God’s creation.

Donations Needed for St. Mary's Trivia and Auction Night WE NEED YOUR HELP. Please consider making a donation, such as: handcrafted gifts, gift certificates, tickets for sporting events, theatre, etc. All proceeds raised from this event benefit all children who use the facilities and school of St. Mary's Parish. Your generosity enables us to continue the tradition of quality faith formation and Catholic education. Receipts for your donations are provided. Visit our on-line donation site found on our school website www.stmaryfc.org/school and click on the leprechaun button which will lead you to www.volunteerspot.com. 2.) Watch for an email blast inviting you to sign up on Volunteer Spot for donations. 3.) Call Claudia Fisher (847) 566-7866 or Laura Kuderna (847) 566-1304 with any donations or questions.

Please complete this form and return it to St. Mary School marked Attn: 2012 Auction & Trivia Night Claudia Fisher 847-566-7866 Laura Kuderna 847-566-1304 St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish Home and School Association 22277 West Erhart Road Mundelein, IL 60060 847-223-4021

AUCTION DONATION FORM Auction Night is March 17, 2012

Name

Company Name

Address Phone

Fax

Email

Detailed description of item Item Value or Cash donation amount $ Would you like a tax-deductible receipt? Yes____ No_____ Thank you for your donation. Your name will

be recognized in our event program.

Proceeds from this event benefit all children who use our school and facilities of St. Mary’s Parish. With this event we can continue the quality Catholic Education and faith for formation for future generations. Additionally, it contributes to the school’s operation budget and assists in keeping tuition affordable.

SEEKING SPONSORS FOR OUR EVENT!!!

St. Paddy’s Day Auction & Trivia Night St. Mary School in Diantha Hall

Saturday, March 17th from 6:00pm-11:00pm

Please consider sponsoring our St. Mary children by becoming a “lucky” sponsor of our St. Patrick’s Day event. All proceeds raised from this event benefit all children who use the facili-ties and school of St. Mary Parish.

Pot of Gold Sponsor – $1000 8 tickets (one table) to the event Banner displayed at the event Name shown on Big Screen between Rounds Name listed on our Sponsorship Board Name listed in our auction booklet

Over-the-Rainbow Sponsor - $750 4 tickets to the event Name Shown on Big Screen between Rounds Name listed on our Sponsorship Board Name listed in our auction booklet

Shamrock Sponsor - $250 2 tickets to the event Name listed on our Sponsorship Board Name listed in our auction booklet

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Contact Laura Kuderna (847) 566-1304 or Claudia Fisher (847) 566-7866 for more information. Please respond by March 1st! _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Company/Individual

Name:_____________________________________________

Company/Individual Adress:___________________________

Contact Name:______________________________________

Contact Phone Number:_______________________________

_______ $1000 Pot of Gold Sponsorship

_______ $750 Over-the-Rainbow Sponsorship

_______ $250 Shamrock Sponsorship

Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Peace and Justice Catholic Campaign for Human Development Dear Fr. Lewinski, Parish Staff and Parishioners, The continuous generosity you extend to the Catholic Cam-paign for Human Development collection is deeply appreciated. To date, almost 90% of parishes contributed to this year’s collection. St. Mary of the Annunciation is part of this remarkable generosity, having contributed $3,815. We sincerely thank you for sending your contribu-tion so promptly. Through your donations you participate in projects working with issues of affordable housing, safer neighborhoods, economic development and the improvement of life for the elderly, immigrants and disabled in Cook and Lake Counties. I extend my personal prayers of gratitude to each of you for the support you give to CCHD through the collection and the on-going transformative education about bringing justice to the poor. On behalf of all those whose lives you touch through your kindness may our God of justice bless you abundantly. Gratefully, Carol N. Smith CCHD Directori

St. Mary’s Moms supports ALL MOMS at St. Mary of the An-nunciation Parish!

There are fun activities for everyone!

NEXT MEETING: Wed. March14, 9:15-11am St. Mary’s Moms Chairpersons:

Katie Boscher 847.393.7312 Meredith Cunningham 847.949.2454

NEXT SOCIAL NIGHT:

Special Event – Recipe Exchange

Friday, March 9th, 7:30pm

Hosted at a member’s home. Each attendee should plan to bring a dish or beverage of their

choice to share. Recipes will be collected in advance and a “recipe book” will be available at the Exchange! No matter what,

you do not want to miss this fun and tasty event!!

Call/email for location and further details

St. Mary’s Moms Chairpersons: Katie Boscher 847.393.7312

Meredith Cunningham 847.949.2454

Email us for more information at: stmarysmoms1@gmail.com or visit us on-line at: www.stmaryfc.org under Youth/Family

Sacrament of Penance Saturdays 4:00—4:40 PM, and by appointment

Baptisms Ordinarily during the Mass on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month and after the Mass on the other Sundays, outside of Lent

Adult Initiation Adults who wish to become Roman Catholics are enrolled in a formation process that includes prayer, dialogue, instruction, and introduction to the Church’s life and values, rituals and tradition. Call the parish office for more information.

Marriage St. Mary Parish rejoices with parishioners who are preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony. The Church requires at least four months’ time before the marriage for adequate preparation. A parish wedding information packet is available at the parish office.

Ministry of Care Ministers of Care visit the homes of the sick, homebound, or hospitalized and bring Holy Communion to them. Call the parish office when a pastoral visit is desired. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered by the parish priest upon request.

New parishioners We welcome new members who wish to worship with us and support the parish’s work and mission. Please call the parish office to schedule a time to register. A complete listing of parish services and organizations is available at the parish office.

Mass

Saturday 5:00 PM

Sunday 7:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:30 AM

Weekday Monday—Friday

8:00 AM

PARISH EMERGENCEY 847-813-7324

22333 W. ERHART ROAD •MUNDELEIN, ILLINOIS 60060 PARISH NUMBER 847-223-0010 •WWW.STMARYFC.ORG

EMAIL: PARISH@STMOTA.ORG PARISH FAX NUMBER: 847-223-5960 School: 847-223-4021

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM EMERGENCY NUMBER 847-239-2725

Rev. Ronald J. Lewinski Ext. 213 Pastor

Dean, Vicariate I-A

Rev. Nate Payne Ext. 212 Associate Pastor

Deacon Mike O’Malley Deacon Gary Kupsak Deacon Robert Poletto

Mr. Fred Vipond Ext. 216 Director of Music & Liturgy

Ms. Eileen Sullivan Ext. 310 School Principal

Ms. Sue Matousek Ext. 218 Director of Religious Education

Mr. Ryan Rehkamp Ext. 230 Coordinator of Youth Ministry

Mr. Howard Fischer Ext. 215 Director of Parish Operations Ms. Penny Elwood Ext. 217 Bookkeeper/Accountant

Ms. Victoria Hansen Ext. 200 Administrative Assistant

Mr. Richard Plage Ext. 210 Mr. William Zerwer Maintenance

Dustin Zubert Pastoral Council President

Marcelo Corpuz School Board President

Rev. Patrick O’Malley Rev. James Presta Weekend Associates

Parish Staff