1120 DOUGLAS AVENUE FLOSSMOOR, ILLINOIS 60422 (708) 799-5400 www.ijpparish.org

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TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 2 AUGUST 30, 2020

From our Pastor

We live during challenging times.

The pandemic has had a great impact not only on our

physical but, also, mental and financial wellbeing. Do

we assist in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 by

following the common-sense guidelines or are we put-

ting ourselves and others in “harm ways”?

The pandemic that no one was prepared for and no

nation is immune to has been met with diverse re-

sponses. Some governments acted quicker and imple-

mented more restrictive guidelines than others. Howev-

er, the responses have been the same. In every nation

some people embraced the guidelines. Others refused

to follow them stating various reasons such as oppres-

sions, violation of personal freedoms or lack of proof

that the restrictions were working. Some people

praised their government

leaders while others criti-

cized them and refused to

adhere to all the rules.

A number of countries

including Poland reacted

very swiftly. However,

many of the measures to

stop the spread of the pandemic were very restrictive

in nature. Poland was among the first European coun-

tries that banned all travel, suspended all commercial

flights and closed its borders. Immediately, it was im-

possible to travel not only overseas and within Europe

but also from town to town. “Stay at home” order was

quickly implemented followed by closing of schools,

offices, stores, restaurants, theatres, churches, parks

and everything else. When the “stay at home” order

expired, facial mask wearing and social distancing

norms were implemented. Even family members were

not allowed to walk next to each other. Visits to grocery

stores were allowed by only one family member.

It seems that a number of the restrictions have re-

duced and slowed down the spread of the pandemic

and made it more manageable. However, in the view of

many, some of the measures were dubious and

seemed to be too far reaching and too repressive.

Nearly a half of the nation found the intentions of the

lawmakers to be questionable. This was obvious in the

recent presidential elections that divided the country

to 51 and 49 percent.

I’m not sharing with you how the Polish lawmakers

have handled the pandemic to assess the response

nor to praise or criticize them. The purpose is to point

out to you something else. It happened that while the

people were ordered to follow the guidelines, there

were instances when some of the lawmakers who cre-

ated them kept breaking them in the open.

Having different standards and expectations for others

than for ourselves is not reserved just to lawmakers

and the pandemic. It seems to be a part of our daily

lives. Quite too often people have higher expectations

for their spouse, friends, bosses, employees, class-

mates, teachers, etc., than for themselves.

This was not so with Jesus. Even though the Gospel

reminds us that Jesus challenged his followers to carry

their crosses, first He picked up and carried His. It is

important to note that Jesus carried the cross for our

sins. Consequently, He had all the reasons to tell us

what to do without Him-

self doing it. Yet, He

gave us an example and

showed us that God

would never make us do

anything that He Himself

is not willing to do.

My friends, the Gospel challenges us to reflect on our

own lives and our attitudes toward others.

Do we expect more from others than of ourselves? We

may say NO but let our actions speak for themselves.

Perhaps, we expect others to be decent and friendly

and give more of themselves while we do the exact

opposite whether we like to admit it or not. Perhaps,

we await someone to become more forgiving and less

difficult while we ourselves refuse to forgive and be-

come more charitable. Perhaps, we expect people to

stop being judgmental about us but we ourselves don’t

waste time to make comments and to condemn others.

Let our actions speak for themselves. Let our faith be

demonstrated in our behaviors and attitudes.

As someone said it, “What we do is what we believe; eve-

rything else is just religious talk that is worth nothing.”

Blessings,

Fr. Jack

“Jesus said to his disciples,

Whoever wishes to come after me must deny

himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” MT 16:24

“If you want to change the world, first change yourself,

then tell others how you did it.

Never demand that people change. Inspire them to change

using your own change as an example instead.”

Dan Pearce

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 3 AUGUST 30, 2020

7:00 am Mass Due to low attendance, we are discontinuing the

7:00 am Mass after this weekend, August 30th.

We will resume our regular weekend schedule on

September 5th & 6th. Thank you.

The call of Christianity is a call to Holiness. Many times we as Catholic Christians don't feel this sense of Holiness in our lives.

The third week of August I certainly felt this sense of Holiness at our Parish.

I was able to confer the Sacrament of Con-firmation for three different groups that gathered at our Parish and this was fol-lowed by a beautiful Mass for those making their First Communion. Members of our RCIA program and students from our school and religious education program celebrated these two enriching Sacraments. In a world filled with conflict and darkness, those con-firmed and those receiving this first com-munion, were called to be the light.

I received a letter today from Ely, Minneso-ta. In this modern world of communication, you never know who is listening. I participat-ed in a memorial for a person that was mur-dered. I did not know it was being live streamed. The brother was watching from his home in Minnesota. He stated, "Your words were deeply healing and you spoke so reverently of my brother...you spoke of our mother...you touched the hearts of each and every one of us that knew and loved my brother."

It is nice to receive thanks, but it is more important just to be nice!

Keep the faith, stay safe and share your love,

Father Ron

It’s hard to believe but the summer season is almost over. Even as the pandemic surges into the sixth month, much of our focus is directed towards academia, getting ready for back to school.

My granddaughters are excited to return to high school and college, but our two year old grandson, as intelligent as he may appear, still has a few more years to wait.

The other day, as he sat on my lap, I decided to test him, so I asked him if he knew who Jesus was. His answer was pretty accurate for a two year old. He said, “God’s little boy and he lives up in the sky, in heaven and if I’m good, I’m going there too.” A simple an-swer to a simple question for a toddler but what about you and I?

Do we really know who Jesus is—in our lives today? This is not an easy question. The best questions never are and the answer we give is not based on what we learned in religion class or even on what other people’s experi-ence has been. We need to answer this for ourselves based on our own experience of God in our lives.

There will be many changes ahead in our lives and many occasions when we will hear the voice of God asking. “Who do you say I am—here, now, at this point in your life?” Our answers will shift but at the heart of them will always be the core revelation, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Be-cause in all the shifting realities in our lives, this is the one constant.

Deacon Jim

Fr. Ron / Deacon Jim

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 4 AUGUST 30, 2020

Confirmation / First Communion / RCIA

What a wonderful week Religious Education had! We

were finally able to Confirm our recently graduated 8th

Graders in two ceremonies. One on Tuesday,

August 18th and the other Thursday, August 20th with

Monsignor Velo, (uncle of Sean Haggerty). Please

continue to pray for our newly Confirmed:

Our Rite of Christian Initiation Elect came into Full

Communion with the Roman Catholic Church at Infant

Jesus of Prague on Saturday, August 22, 2020. Please

continue to pray for our new converts as they continue

their faith journey.

Kenneth Copeland

Myia Higgins

Jessica Johnson

Ayva Beal

Stella Brush

Lydia Casillas

Addison Collins

Leo D'Astici

Joshua Davis

Madison Davis

Tinbit Dogisso

Derek Edwards

Chito Emechebe

Isabella Figueroa

Sean Haggerty

Kennedy Hamilton

Maura Hanley

Arielle Hilton

Simon Howard

Natalie Ibarra

Andrea Kearns

Jack Keigher

Anya Ledesma

Colin Lewis

Daniel Mahorney

Nick Mascolino

Marley Melone

Thomas Mick

Raquel Mote

Alexander Murray

Destiny Ndubuisi-Obi

Logan Nelson

Henry Ormsby

Oliver Paredes

Julian Perdomo

Violet Quirke

Luke Romans

Jaden Shillingford

Christian Smith

Jeremiah Sykes

Aubrey Testroet

Nancy Valdivia

Amy Ward

Xavier White

Jalen Williams

Ben Zamkin

Ella Zeman

On Sunday, August 23rd our 2nd grade students

received their First Holy Communion. Please hold

these young ones in your hearts and prayers:

Minah Bobb

Jordan Boese

Riley Curran

Liliana Davia

Rose Doherty

Liam Kinsella

Jaiden Logan

Emelii Matthys

Oluwafisayo Olaniyan

Nora Wachtel

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 5 AUGUST 30, 2020

Each week we would like to have parishioners

reading Scripture to us. Please contact Darla

Draus at ddraus@ijpparish.org if you are inter-

ested in participating.

This Week’s Readings & Gospel

1st Reading (read by Ava Evbuoma)

Responsorial (read by Ava Evbuoma)

2nd Reading (read by Ava Evbuoma)

Gospel (read by Ava Evbuoma)

"O Spirit All Embracing"

sung by Regina Ceragioli

Justin DeAngelo, piano

IJP

Music

Ministry

Corner

Ministry of Care / Stewardship / Readings / Music

Many thanks to all of our Ministers of Care who have

served our Infant Jesus of Prague community. Thank

you all for giving so much of yourselves to bring the

Holy Eucharist to those who can no longer attend

church. This ministry had been previously suspended

due to Covid-19. We are now able to restart it if the

guidelines set forth by the Archdiocese are fol-

lowed. These will be further outlined in next week’s

bulletin. The most important of these is there is no

longer direct access to the tabernacle. The Ministers

of Care must approach a Priest or Sacristan and re-

quest the Holy Eucharist. This is to ensure the safety,

not only of our Ministers, but also to the people we

serve. To ensure that these guidelines are followed,

the key will be removed immediately after Mass.

Thank you in advance for your understanding.

- Darla Draus

Weekly Budgeted Goal $10,500

Masses $2,877

Mailed Envelopes $4,235

Give Central $2,442

TOTAL $9,554

OUR COLLECTIONS August 22 & 23, 2020

Come see Regina at the 5:00 pm Mass.

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 6 AUGUST 30, 2020

Our Prayers

If you would like to send in a

prayer request, please email

chope@ijpparish.org or call the

Parish Office at 708/799-5400

and leave a message. Your prayer

requests are important to us.

Louis Chermak

Harriet Carlson

Adrianna DeLuca

Mary Anita Repel

Richard Carlson

Judy Mason

Lili Max

Greg Pease

Chuck Janel

Cindy Chiappori

Ericka Schingoethe

Janine Boyle

Janet Hernandez

Veronica Deer

Carol L. Ehret

Lee Taylor

James Garcia

Anne Lintner

Anne Speitel

Marty Domansky

Niels Lauersen

Eileen Schumann

Patrick Patterson

Pat Curran

Michaelle Garraud

Toni Repking

Judy Mitrick

Kenneth Convall

Anne Fink

David Sinwelski

Sue Miller

Tony Zalewski

George Zalewski

Kathy Leitelt

Gertrude Malum

Matt Schury

Ludovic Aristil

William Zalewski

Barry Collins

James Flassig

Maria Aguilar

Petra Martinez

Sally Zarlengo

Joanne Weaver

Camille Hogueisson

Please pray for our sick... MASS INTENTIONS

Monday August 31 9:00 am Lillian Licheniak Charlene Altman Tuesday September 1 9:00 am Beth Zorn Wednesday September 2 9:00 am Bill Miller Thursday September 3 9:00 am Noreen Oosterbaan Friday September 4 9:00 am Sasha (Be grateful for family) James Halm Saturday September 5 9:00 am Eileen Grady 5:00 pm Special Intention Sunday September 6 9:00 am Richard & Mary Jane Draus Moira McGinley 11: 00 am Noreen Oosterbaan

OUR ARMED FORCES We pray for those in the military or the support forces over-

seas. May the peace of God’s presence and our concern for

them give them strength, and may they return safely.

Jeffrey A. Smith, Captain, U.S. Army

Gabriel Becker, Sergeant U.S. Army

Gregory Owens, MA3, U.S. Navy

Lt. Colonel David Kuenzlie, U.S. Air Force

Justin W. Wiscons, Petty Officer - U.S. Navy

Lance Corporal David High, U.S. Marines

Michael T. Becker, Senior Airman, USAF

John Ryan, Captain, Air Corps

Mark Ryan, First LT. U.S. Marines

Timothy Mullen, LT, U.S. Coast Guard

Alex Case PV2 U.S. Army

Christopher Rodriguez, Captain, U.S. Army

Trevor Cummins, Private, U.S. Army

Staff Sergeant Jake Bustos, U.S. Army

Staff Sergeant Bill Senew, U.S. Marines

Scott F. Wiscons, Seaman - U.S. Navy

Ryan F. Danielian, Private, U.S. Army

Joshua S. Mitchell, Specialist U.S. Army

Airman Joseph E. Swanson, U.S. Navy

DC1 Alexander M Bednarek, U.S. Navy

James Becker, Lance Corporal, U.S. Marines

David Rebec, SFC, U.S. Army

Senior Airman, MacArthur Engstrand, USAF

MCSN Casey J. Hopkins, U.S. Navy

Connor Haugen, LT U.S. Army

Please pray for our newly Baptized

Katalina Elena Copeland

August 30, 2020

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 7 AUGUST 30, 2020

Readings / Prayer

CORONAVIRUS PRAYER

Lord Jesus Christ, you travelled through towns and

villages curing every disease and illness. At your

command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid

now, in the midst of the global spread of the corona-

virus, that we may experience your healing love.

Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they re-

gain their strength and health through quality medi-

cal care.

Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from

working together and neighbors from helping one

another. Heal us from our pride, which can make us

claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no bor-

ders. Lord Jesus Christ healer of all, stay by our side

in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.

Be with those who have died from this virus. May

they be at rest with You in Your eternal peace. Be

with the families of those who are sick or have died.

As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness

and despair. May they know Your peace.

Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all

medical professionals who seek to heal and help

those affected and who put themselves at risk in

the process. May they know Your protection and

peace.

Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the

foresight to act with charity and true concern for the

well-being of the people they are meant to serve.

Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solu-

tions that will help prepare for or prevent future out-

breaks. May they know Your peace, as they work

together to achieve it on earth.

Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by

many people suffering from this illness or only a

few, Lord Jesus Christ stay with us as we endure

and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of anxiety,

give us Your peace. Lord Jesus Christ, heal us.

AMEN.

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading — The name of the LORD has become like

fire burning in Jeremiah’s heart (Jeremiah 20:7-9).

Psalm — My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God

(Psalm 63).

Second Reading — Be transformed; renew your mind;

discern what is good (Romans 12:1-2).

Gospel — Those who lose their lives for Jesus’ sake will

find them (Matthew 16:21-27).

The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for

Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English

in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: 1 Cor 2:1-5; Ps 119:97-102; Lk 4:16-30

Tuesday: 1 Cor 2:10b-16; Ps 145:8-14; Lk 4:31-37

Wednesday: 1 Cor 3:1-9; Ps 33:12-15, 20-21;

Lk 4:38-44

Thursday: 1 Cor 3:18-23; Ps 24:1bc-4ab, 5-6;

Lk 5:1-11

Friday: 1 Cor 4:1-5; Ps 37:3-6, 27-28, 39-40;

Lk 5:33-39

Saturday: 1 Cor 4:6b-15; Ps 145:17-21; Lk 6:1-5

Sunday: Ez 33:7-9; Ps 95:1-2, 6-9; Rom 13:8-10;

Mt 18:15-20

TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 8 AUGUST 30, 2020

Parish Registration: Please call the Parish Office at

708-799-5400 for registration information.

Accessibility: Assistive listening devices are

available for parishioners who have difficulty hearing

during liturgies. Contact Joanne Meyer of the Open

Hearts/Minds/Doors Committee at 708-922-9455.

Bulletin Submissions: Articles are due by 10 am on

Wednesdays (10 days prior to publication date).

Electronic submissions required, e -mai l

bulletin@ijpparish.org Please include “Bulletin” in

the e-mail subject line.

PHONE & WEBSITE:

Phone: 708-799-5400

Fax: 708-799-5462

www.ijpparish.org

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,

9:30 am to 2:30 pm

Closed Friday

Infant Jesus of Prague Parish 1120 Douglas Avenue Flossmoor, Illinois 60422

SACRAMENTS

Reconciliation: Saturday 4:00 to 4:30 pm

Baptism: Baptisms are scheduled on the first and third

Sunday of the month at the 11:00 am Mass. The entire

Rite of Baptism is celebrated during the Mass. Please

call the Parish Office at least four weeks in advance.

Prior to the Baptism, both parents would need to attend a

Baptismal Preparation Class. At least one parent needs

to be a registered parishioner.

Marriage: Arrangements are to be made through one of

the priests at least six months prior to your wedding date.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): For unbap-

tized persons or baptized persons interested in learning

more about the Catholic faith and the process of

becoming a Catholic. Please call Darla Draus at 708-799-

5400, x209.

Sick Calls: Call the Parish Office at 708-799-5400 to

arrange for a hospital visit or for Communion to the sick

or homebound.

MASSES:

Saturday: 5:00 pm

Sunday: 9:00, 11:00 am

Monday-Saturday: 9:00 am

ST. VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY

708-799-5400 x350

IJP FAITH FORMATION

1101 Douglas Avenue Flossmoor, IL 60422

Cathy Hughes, Faith Formation Coordinator

chughes@ijpschool.org - 708-799-5200 x339

Diane Klupchak, Faith Formation Office Coordinator

re@ijpparish.org - 708-249-6307

IJP SCHOOL 1101 Douglas Avenue Flossmoor, IL 60422

Phone: 708-799-5200 Fax: 708-799-5293

Mrs. Charlotte Kelly, Principal

ckelly@ijpschool.org

PARISH STAFF

Fr. Jack Jura, Pastor

Fr. Ron Kondziolka, Associate Pastor

frron@ijpparish.org

Peggy Dull, Director of Operations pdull@ijpparish.org

Deb Bohne, Bereavement Ministry Coordinator

dbohne@ijpschool.org

Justin DeAngelo, Music Coordinator jdeangelo@ijpparish.org

Darla Draus, Ministry Coordinator ddraus@ijpparish.org

Cindy Hope, Parish Secretary chope@ijpparish.org

Trish Ladner, Youth Minister tladner@ijpparish.org

PERMANENT DEACON Deacon Jim Janicek jimdeacon@msn.com

PASTOR EMERITUS Fr. Michael A. Hack, J.C.D.