CORCORAN’S CORNER Lent 2015… This weekend as we celebrate Palm Sunday, we recall Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, followed by his betrayal by one of the twelve apostles, his trial, and death. We walk with the Lord as he completes his life of love. This week we are figuratively “out for a walk”. Going out for a walk, helps us to slow down, pause, catch our breath, get our minds straight again, and observe the world at a more leisurely pace. Walks are good things and can be very revealing. In so many ways we walk with the Lord through this week. We gather to commemorate the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, we walk with Fr. Stan through Orland Hills in a procession of the cross in silence. We listen to the story of our Lord’s Passion on both Palm Sunday and on Good Friday. There is a lot to let sink in. Walking through the week helps us to do this. Lenten Canned Food Drive… The Lenten Canned Food drive for the Orland Park and the Tinley Park food pantries concludes this weekend, March 28th-29th. Parish Lenten Mission… Thanks to Fr. Larry McBrady, who led our Lenten Parish Mission, and to all those who attended a very spiritual week for our parish. Thanks to all who ministered during the Mission by lecturing, singing in the choir, greeting/ushering, and providing hospitality. It all added greatly to the experience. Now... on to Holy Week! Holy Week at St. Elizabeth Seton… We will have morning prayer at 8:30 AM on Monday through Friday of this week. We will have evening prayer on Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the church. We will have morning Mass at 9:00 AM on Monday through Wednesday of this week. This Thursday, Holy Thursday, the Mass Commemorating Our Lord’s Last Supper will be held at 7:00 PM. Adoration in our Adoration Chapel will continue until Midnight. On Good Friday, the Walk With The Cross through Orland Hills will begin at 1:30 PM. People will meet at the east church door, and walk one mile east, and then return to the parish. The Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion will be at 3:00 PM in the church. Living Stations of the Cross, presented by our Teen group, Branches will be at 7:00 PM in the church. The Blessing of the Easter Baskets will be at NOON—SHARP! in the church.

The Easter Vigil will be held at 7:30 PM in the church. Easter Sunday Masses will follow our usual Sunday Mass schedule of 7:15, 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 AM. Have a great, and Holy Week! The upcoming Easter Collection… Each year a great deal of the annual parish income is given at the time of the Christmas and Easter collections. Our parish has wonderful things happening on so many levels, our mission is strong. But it takes a great deal of money to operate our parish buildings and programs. I again ask all our parishioners to be generous to the parish this Easter. Thanks. April First Announcement… I am happy to announce that as of this week, on April First we will have a new way of delivering the weekly bulletin. Besides picking up a copy from a greeter/usher as you leave the church after Mass, or going to the parish website to read an on-line copy, the parish is partnering in a experimental relationship with Amazon.com to have drones deliver bulletins to people who have not attended Mass this past weekend. With advances of technology we can now mine the parish data base, and list those who did not attend Mass this past weekend. We compile the list by comparing those who gave in an offertory contribution envelope with the parish census. Then using a video of people entering and leaving the church, face recognition technology allows a list of missing parishioners to be compiled in seconds. We then download addresses of those who were missing to the drones, who will deliver the bulletins to parishioners homes. It is a way of keeping everyone in touch. The drone company still has a few bugs in the system to work out, in that when the drone fires the bulletins at people’s homes, there is a slight chance of cracking a front door window. Also, since the drone has face recognition technology, it can also fire the bulletin directly at a person if they are working in their yard, or getting into their car. But the bulletins are unlikely to actually knock anyone down, or leave that big of a bruise. So if you hear a whirring sound, it might be wise to look out. Again, this will only happen to people who are not attending weekly Mass. Have a happy April 1st! Keep Smiling,

Page Three

Sat., March 28 (5pm) Estelle Withrow; James Allen Olson Sun., March 29 (7:15am) Parishioners; Purgatorial Society (8:30am) Marion O’Connor; Roy O’Connor (10am) Antony Dick Sarlo; Edward and Virginia Yorke (11:30am) Benedetto and Joanne Sebben; Jim Santucci Mon., March 30 (9am) William and Nora Corcoran; Ray and Corinne Gillis Tues., March 31 (9am) Harry Ulrich; Jennifer Soprych (L) Wed., April 1 (9am) Mary Lastarczyk (L); Katherine Soprych (L) Thurs., April 2 (9am) No Intentions Fri., April 3 No Intentions

MASS INTENTIONS

WELCOME

Robert and Virginia Borvan Natalie Borvan (Children: Aubrey and Nolan Barnes)

We remember the sick, infirm, and those recommended to our prayers, that they may experience the healing power of Christ: Marjorie Kelly Danute Todter Debbie Vogler Jim Lynch Brian Sarniak Irene Kozak And for our deceased: Frank Koziupa Alice Boland Dalhia Benston Bernardine Harmata “Heavenly Father, accept the prayers which we offer for them.”

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Please pray for the following couple as they prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony: Jessika Martinez and Mark Chagnon; 3-28-15 Colette Maida and Brian Creehan; 4-11-15 Maggie Rose Abate and Sean Patrick O’Connor; 4-11-15

WEDDINGS

March 29, 2015 PALM SUNDAY

Thank you for participating

in the CRS Rice Bowl!

PLEASE RETURN YOUR CATHOLIC RELIEF

SERVICES RICE BOWLS IN THE NARTHEX

This past Lent, our parish community chose to fight global poverty through the CRS Rice Bowl. In doing so, we deepened our Catholic faith by exploring the richness of Catholic Social Teaching and are helping to make a difference in the lives of millions of people around the world suffering from poverty and hunger. Please return your Rice Bowl by Easter Sunday, April 5th.

Thank you for your generous support.

FOR YOUR INFORMATIONFOR YOUR INFORMATIONFOR YOUR INFORMATION

The St. Elizabeth Seton Parish Offices will be closed on Good Friday, April 3rd

and will reopen on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. The parish staff wishes all a

blessed and safe Easter holiday!

BAPTISMS

Congratulations to these parents on the baptism of their child on Saturday, March 21, 2015: Noah Jack, child of Brian and Lauren [Barracca] Kelly Congratulations to these parents on the baptism of their child on Sunday, March 22, 2015: Natalie Grace, child of Michael and Beth Rice Angelo Cole, child of Antonio and Charmaine Bernabe Annabelle Lynn, child of Adam and Nicole Patterson

March 29, 2015 Page Four PALM SUNDAY

Journey with the Lord and let your heart hear God’s Words….

By Margie Guadagno St. Elizabeth Seton Pastoral Associate

When the disciples

met Jesus

on the road,

they were

disappointed

and sad.

He walked with them

and listened to

their story.

Then, by opening up

the Scriptures

He gave them hope!

He helped them see

that they were

not abandoned

or left orphaned,

that God

was with them

and would

always be part

of their journey.

The Road To EmmausThe Road To EmmausThe Road To Emmaus The Road To Emmaus The Road To EmmausThe Road To EmmausThe Road To Emmaus

The Reality of Life

I HAVE THE SWEETEST MEMORIES OF THE DAY I GOT MARRIED. I REMEMBER FEELING LIKE A PRINCESS WHO HAD

DOZENS OF HANDMAIDS JUST WAITING FOR A COMMAND TO CARRY OUT! My parents were truly wonderful, my in-laws-to-be were the best ever, and my husband was the ‘Prince’ coming to take me away to a fairy kingdom. And I also remember thinking that all would be well forever and ever! (uh-huh!) That feeling did last for a short while, but very soon, the ordinariness of everyday living crept in. It didn’t ruin my memory of the ‘perfect day,’ but it did begin to put it into perspective. That day was a fairy tale day—it made a nice memory, but it wasn’t real. What was real was cooking dinner, washing clothes, mowing the lawn, painting, wallpapering, and vacuuming. And then the children began coming…nothing brings home the reality of family life quicker than having kids. There are, to be sure, all the absolutely wonderful times of first teeth, first words, first steps. There are the bittersweet moments of the first day of kindergarten…all grown up, but still such a baby, and the scout meetings, the music lessons, the sport event games, the dances, the dating and the graduations. And in between all of these are the upset stomachs, tonsillectomies, stitches, special schooling, detentions, driver’s licenses, tuition payments, all those things that make up family life. Eventually, though, when you are passed the tensions of a family growing

together, a beauty becomes visible. I say ‘becomes visible’ because it was there all along, it was just covered up by all those other things that kept taking center stage. It is the beauty of love having taken root, growing and maturing over the years, sometimes being trampled on, but mostly just being the thing that make it all worthwhile, being the muscle and sinew that holds it all together, being the thing that saves you.

H OLY WEEK, WHICH BEGINS TODAY, AND CARRIES WITH IT THE WHOLE RANGE OF EMOTIONS

THAT MY MARRIED LIFE DOES, ONLY IT’S COMPRESSED INTO JUST SEVEN DAYS. Today is the most joyous of days. Jesus comes to his people who are hungering for the promised Messiah! Everyone follows him just waiting to hear a word from him, ready to do whatever he commands. But in just a few days, Holy Thursday and Good Friday brings everyone smack into the middle of a harsh reality. Not all those anxious, ready, willing and able-bodied followers could face up to the job that was really at hand: that to change the world, they had to change themselves first. They would need to leave their old vision of the Messiah behind and do the job at hand in the ordinariness of their everyday living. It would be hard, it would be painful, and it would be deadly. But, in the end, they would see (as we have) the beauty of God’s love take root and grow and mature. It is, after all, the thing that makes it all worthwhile, the thing that saves them…. and us.

Page Five

EASTER FLOWER MEMORIALS

The Art and Environment Team is asking for donations for flowers to decorate the church for Holy Week. If you use the

Easter Flower envelopes found in regular envelope packets be sure to include the name of your loved one along with your donation. If you already submitted a donation envelope in the memory of a loved one please fill out their name(s) and drop in the collection basket/or Church Office. Names will be printed after Easter. Please PRINT legibly. Name(s):

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

Treats Needed for the RCIA Reception!

To express your gratitude to God for the power of the Spirit in the

lives of our candidates who will make their faith commitment to the Catholic Church on Holy Saturday, you might like to offer a bit of sweets, veggies,

fruit, crackers, cheese, or finger foods. Please bring your donation to the

Church Hall on Holy Saturday, April 4th, between 10-11:30am.

Thank you!

An Important Note About Our R.C.I.A. ...

Lent is a time of prayer and reflection for our Candidates as they prepare during

these final weeks for the Easter sacraments.

R.C.I.A. Letters of Welcome

We, the heartfelt community of St. Elizabeth Seton, are preparing to welcome our three candidates at the Easter Vigil service on Holy Saturday, April 4th at 7:30pm.

I invite YOU to write a little card or a note to EACH of these wonderful people to be given to them at the reception following the Holy Saturday Vigil.

Your letters of welcome may be placed in the collection basket or dropped off in the parish office no later than Holy Thursday!

Thank you for your support!

Margie Guadagno Pastoral Associate

Carly Paragus Candidate to be received

into Full Communion with the Catholic Church

Ronald Rauch Candidate for the Completion of the

Raeann Uthe Candidate for the Completion of the

St. Elizabeth Seton

2015 R.C.I.A.

Rite of Initiation for Adults

CANDIDATES

March 29, 2015 PALM SUNDAY

A quote sometimes attributed to Dorothy Day answers the question of just what Pope Pius XII could have done to stand up to Hitler when the Jews were being rounded up and shipped to concentration camps: “He could have rid-den into Berlin on a donkey.” This quotation, true or not, captures the drama of what Jesus did when he en-tered Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. The city was ruled by Herod, puppet king under the Roman occupation, with the complicity of the temple establishment. Jesus’ sym-bolic ride fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah (9:9) and mocked the triumphal entrance of all conquering gen-erals on white horses. His action was provocative in the extreme, and its symbolism would not have been missed by the authorities. Jesus had no power and far less prestige than any pope in modern times, and such a stunt was the first act in a drama that ended with his crucifixion. Our Palm Sunday liturgy is only theater if it has no effect on our Christian commitment to follow Jesus in our own world, so marked by violent threats to anyone foolish enough to speak truth to power. We have enough examples of prophets killed for challenging the status quo: Gandhi in India; Dietrich Bonhoeffer and

Franz Jägerstätter in Nazi Germany; Stephen Biko in South Africa; Martin Luther King Jr. in the United States; Benigno Aquino of the Philippines; Oscar Ro-mero and the Jesuit martyrs of El Salvador. What social justice issues await new leaders in our own time? This year we read Mark’s Passion, a straightforward account of the final hours of Jesus’ life, from his anoint-ing in Bethany to his entombment. Our faith communi-ties listen to this annual reading of the Passion to set the stage for Holy Week. Lent has brought us through

40 days to this threshold of the core mysteries of our faith, where the full cost of discipleship is revealed. This is the way of the cross. For most of us, our share in the suffering of Christ will be neither public nor dramatic, but accomplished in our daily struggle to be true to our principles and faithful to our promises. For those who live to old age, there will be no lack of sacrifice and pain to join with the suffering of so many in our world, the vast cloud of witnesses who give themselves to their families and communities by fulfill-ing their responsibilities and bearing the common burdens that hold life together for everyone. S ome of the most difficult kinds of suffering are barely visible, but contribute greatly to the network of love that defines us — the patience to accompany the weak without judgment; the courage to support those most excluded by our society: the mentally ill, people in crisis, those set apart, the undocumented, refugees, the imprisoned. Being with Christ is not just imitating his love, but loving him when he is hidden in those who seem unlovable, distant and different, the least of our brothers and sisters. (Matthew 25) By participating in the Palm Sunday procession and listening actively to the reading of the Passion, we are invited once again to review our own place within the real liturgy of the world — the “work of the people” that makes us the church in the modern world, witnesses to Christ, advocates for all those in need. The body of Christ that dies on the cross is all of us. The body of Christ that is raised from the dead to new life is all of us. Our solidarity in suffering becomes our shared resurrection. Welcome to Holy Week.

PALM SUNDAY Solidarity in Suffering

By Pat Marrin

O Lord our Redeemer, may we not only remember your passion, death, and resurrection this Holy Week, but may we enter, heart and soul, into your “Passover” from death to life.

Let the example of your humility guide our faltering steps as we struggle to follow you from Jerusalem to the Upper room, from agony to trial, from crucifixion to burial. Help us to empty

ourselves of our own hurts and wants in order to become vessels of your compassion for others.

March 29, 2015 Page Six PALM SUNDAY

“Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, go into the village opposite you,

and immediately on entering it, you will find a colt tethered on which no one

has every sat. Untie it and bring it here.” Mark 11:2

March 29, 2015 PALM SUNDAY Page Seven

On Good Friday, April 3, we will have a special collection for the Holy Land. Christians around the world are united in a special way during Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. Our hearts, minds and prayers are also especially aware of the Holy Land. Our parish, once a year on Good Friday, April 3rd, is called to support Christians in the Holy Land. Many Christians in the Holy Land depend on the collection for their lives. As a pontifical collection, requestd by Pope Francis, the annual Good Friday Collection offers a direct link for parishioners to be witnesses of peace and to help protect the Holy Places. When you donate on Good Friday, you are supporting Christians in the Holy Land. Franciscans and others in the Holy Land are housing and feeding the poor, providing religious formation and education, maintaining shrines and parishes, and conducting pastoral ministry.

For more information, visit MyFranciscan.org/good-Friday. May God Bless you during this Holy Season!

The Cross has been the symbol of our faith since that day over 2000 years ago.

Join Father Stan Kuca and a group

of Seton parishioners on Good Friday as we carry the Cross in procession

in Orland Hills...

Walk With The

Cross

Good Friday April 3rd 1:30pm

We will gather in the Seton church parking lot at 1:30pm and walk east on167th Street. We will return to the church going west on 167th Street and arrive by 2:45pm for the traditional service of Veneration of the Cross. Veneration of the Cross will begin at 3pm in the Church.

Join us for one or both.

A G O O D F R I D A Y P R O C E S S I O NA G O O D F R I D A Y P R O C E S S I O N

Good Friday is known to all Christians as the day Jesus died on the Cross.

March 29, 2015 Page Eight PALM SUNDAY

Page Nine March 29, 2015 PALM SUNDAY

Page Ten PALM SUNDAY March 29, 2015

We will begin Holy Week with the commemoration of our Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem...

Passion Sunday With a crowd of people waving palm branches, throwing their cloaks down before his donkey and shouting loud hurrahs of “Hosanna to the Lord!”, Jesus entered the city. By the end of the week, however, Jesus had been arrested, condemned to die, and finally, put to death on Golgotha, place of the skull, crucified with some crimi-nals. Although it begins joyfully, the Palm Sunday liturgy continues with the Gospel account of the Passion of our Lord. The very same disciples who ate that Passover meal with Jesus on Thursday night, and pledged their undying loyalty, when put to the test later that evening, would: 1) deny Him; 2) betray Him; 3) manage to make themselves very scarce, when the authorities came to arrest Him and question Him.

Triduum [Three Days] On Thursday of Holy Week, we begin the Triduum, the three central holy days in the tradition of our faith. Even though they are three separate days, in a sense, they are rather three parts of one liturgical celebration: begin-ning Holy Thursday evening and continuing through the end of the Easter Masses. In sign and symbol, we re-member and keep the Vigil of Our Lord’s Passion, Death and Resurrection — we celebrate and participate in the Paschal Mystery.

Symbols (Central to the Triduum liturgies) Scripture — the telling of our Christian history, our story — is a central part of each of the three days. Besides the Scripture stories, some additional symbols also take an important place on each of these days.

What Is Holy Week?

Page Eleven

The Holy Thursday Collection will be given to our St. Vincent DePaul Society to assist those in need within our parish boundaries.

Washing of the Feet Institution of the Lord’s Supper Holy Thursday On Holy Thursday, the two symbols that take central place are: 1) washing of the feet, and, 2) sharing of the Eucharist on the night Jesus commanded: “Do this in remembrance of me.” On Holy Thursday, we hear: the night that Jesus was betrayed, he “rose from the meal and took off his cloak...picked up a towel and tied it around himself...poured water into a basin and he began to wash the disciples’ feet.” Peter resists this action from his Lord, but Jesus’ reply is “if I washed your feet—I who am Teacher and Lord—then you must wash each other’s feet. What I just did was to give you an example, as I have done, so you must do.” This action of foot-washing is commemorated on Holy Thursday—after the homily, all of our priests and our Pastoral Associate, Margie Guadagno, will wash the feet of several parishioners. After the washing, we continue with the memorial meal: the sharing of Jesus’ Passover meal on unity, forgiveness and peace: the Eucharist. The bread and wine that will be eaten on Good Friday are reserved from the Eucharist. This meal is sent to the sick and homebound in our parish that evening. Our Ministers of Care are:

Maria Castro Diane Ceglarski Martha Cisneros Gene Connelly Barb Cristofaro Dennis Cristofaro Debbie Davisson Bev DeJonge

Mary Terese Galka Betty Gildea Frank Gildea Terri Hanlon Paulette Havlin Joann Janiak Barbara Knight Kathleen Kocher

Karen Kosinski Eileen Kramer Teresa McDermott Steve Michalek Claudia Nolan Eric Ondoy Pat Orozco Annie Roti

Dominic Roti Anna Talley Gene Talley Ted Wolski Bozena Wrona

Walk With The Cross Procession, Veneration of the Cross, Prayer of Intercession; Eucharist, Stations of the Cross Good Friday On Good Friday two symbols that take a central place are 1) The Veneration of the Cross, and 2) our offering of Intercessory Prayer for the whole world. On Good Friday, we hear again the reading of the Passion narrative. After the homily, a large cross is brought forward on which hung the Savior of the World. “Come, let us worship.” We offer our prayers of intercession at the foot of the cross, asking that all of our prayers be offered in the name of the One “who lives to make intercession for us: Jesus, Our Lord”. Then we come forward with reverence to Venerate that cross...as we genuflect or bow before it, touch or kiss the Cross, we acknowledge the power of the saving love of Christ that has triumphed over death, redeemed us, and we acknowledge also, our mission as the Body of Christ: to “make up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ”. Jesus Meets His Mother.

March 29, 2015 PALM SUNDAY

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT March 22, 2015 Page Eight Page Twelve FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT March 29, 2015

Fire &Water; Eucharist

Easter Vigil The Easter Vigil cele-bration “Night-watch of the Resurrection” is at the heart of our Christian Year. The actions and symbols of the evening pro-claim who we are as a people of faith. This is the night when we celebrate Christ’s Passover from death to life, and we partici-pate in it by bringing in new life to our Church. The evening begins with a bonfire outside the church, and the lighting of the new Paschal Candle. We enter the church singing: “Christ be our Light” and proclaim: “This is the night when Christ broke the bonds of death.” Our Vigil continues with Scripture readings from Genesis through the procla-mation of the Easter Gospel of the empty tomb. We celebrate Eucharist together and end the evening with a re-ception in the Parish Hall. If someone were to ask what it means to be Catholic, you might tell them, “Come to the Easter Vigil and see”… their experience will perhaps be the best answer one could give to this question!

Easter Sunday The Triduum closes on Easter Sunday evening, at sunset. All day long on Easter Sunday, we continue the Baptismal celebration from the Vigil, by renewing baptismal vows and sprinkling all present with water from the font. The Scripture, prayers, symbols and song of these “three days” expresses and renews the faith we profess as a Catholic Christian people..

Holy Week and Easter Liturgies

Passion (Palm] Sunday) Saturday, March 28th 5:00pm Sunday, March 29th 7:15, 8:30am, 10:00am, 11:30am Masses “The Silence and the Sorrow” Musical Cantata, 3pm Evening Prayer Wednesday, April 1st, 7:00pm Holy Thursday April 2nd, 7pm Eucharist and Washing of Feet Good Friday April 3rd Walk With The Cross Procession, 1:30pm Veneration of Cross; Communion Service, 3:00pm Living Stations of the Cross, 7:00pm (Led by the Youth of the Parish) Holy Saturday April 4th Blessing of the Easter Basket Prayer Service, 12 NOON Individual Reconciliation, 3:45-4:45pm Easter Vigil, 7:30pm New Fire and Water; Eucharist Easter Sunday April 5th 7:15, 8:30am, 10:00am, 11:30am Masses

March 29, 2015 PALM SUNDAY Page Thirteen

N ancy Langert watched the killer put a gun to the back of her husband's head and pull the trigger. Huddled in a corner, Nancy lifted

her arms to her head when the gun swung toward her. Two shots ripped into her pregnant belly. The killer fled. Nancy lived for 15 more minutes, dragging herself to a shelf in the basement of her home and banging on it with a heavy tool. Nobody heard. She dragged herself by the elbows again, over to her husband. Next to his body Nancy used her own blood to leave a dying declaration: the shape of a heart and the letter "u." Love you. Twenty-five years later, Nancy's sister Jeanne Bishop has written a book about the murders, the murderer, and the power of forgiveness. More broadly, Change of Heart: Justice, Mercy, and Making Peace With My Sister's Killer is a faith-based argument against the death penalty. Polls suggests that a solid but shrinking majority of Americans support the death penalty for convicted murders. According to Gallup, the justification most often provided by death-penalty supporters is biblically rooted: "An eye for an eye/they took a life/fits the crime." Bishop's faith was tested by the murders of her sister, her brother-in-law, and their unborn child. "I had built up a steam of anger and indignation at God for allowing this senseless slaughter." She found little comfort in the con-viction of the teenage killer, David Biro, or his sentence of life without parole. "Somehow," writes the criminal defense attorney and activist, "it didn't seem enough." So she forgave Biro, sort of. "It was the kind of forgiveness that wiped him off my hands like dirt. My forgiveness was not for David, who had gone through his arrest and trial without once taking responsibility or expressing remorse. He had not asked for forgiveness; he did not deserve it," she writes. "My forgiveness was for God, for Nancy, and for me." That revelation comes early in in the book because Bishop's real work awaited: Confronting Biro, embracing the true meaning of faith and mercy and grace, and converting her anger into activism against the death penalty and juvenile life-without-parole sentences. Her journey began when she met Minnesota law professor Mark Osler, who had written a book, Jesus on Death Row, challenging the death penalty based on the experience of Christ as a defendant. A former fed-eral prosecutor, Osler is a prominent opponent of the

death penalty and an advocate for clemency and drug-sentencing reform. (Disclosure: Osler is a friend of mine.) Bishop read Osler's book and started working with him on an extraordinary series of mock trials. He prose-cuted Christ, and sought the death penalty. She de-fended Christ, and argued for mercy. The jury and wit-nesses were drawn from audiences around the country, most often in conservative churches where the death penalty is popular.

S lowly, Bishop reached a disturbing conclusion: We are all murderers. We are all responsible for the death of Christ. We all crucified him.

"David Biro had broken into the home of a happy young couple and killed their dreams when he killed them. His acts were evil. What connection could there between him and Jesus, the Prince of Peace?" she writes. "And yet, I knew Osler was right: Jesus was ask-ing me—all of us—to see the face of David Biro in the face of Christ himself." Bishop eventually visited her sister's killer in prison. Biro described the crime and explained to her what he was thinking when he pulled the trigger. "I just wanted to finish it." There is no Hollywood happy ending to her story. Biro has confessed to his crime and apologized. He can-not give Bishop back the lives of her loved ones. Re-storative justice may be too much to ask, even for an activist like Bishop. But there can be mercy. "Christ, after all, was killed unjustly, but offered us—his killers—grace even in that moment," she writes. "Maybe, to follow him, it is restorative mercy we must seek."

B iro was one month short of his 17th birthday when he committed the murders that led to a life-without-parole sentence. "I believed in that sen-

tence when he received it," Bishop told me via email. "I don't anymore. It is merciless: It tells people who commit-ted the crime at a very young age that no matter how sorry they are, how rehabilitated they become, we will never let them out. We will never even take a second look at their sentence. They will die in prison." REFERENCE: National Journal, By Ron Fournier March 18, 2015 http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/of-christ-a-killer-and-opposition-to-the-death-penalty-20150318

OF CHRIST, A KILLER, AND OPPOSITION TO THE DEATH PENALTY

By Ron Fornier Author uses story of sister's murder to make faith-based argument for mercy.

Page Fourteen PALM SUNDAY March 29, 2015

We believe that in raising Jesus from the dead, God did something truly new — both on earth and in heaven. We continue to seek and to live this newness every day.

NEXT WEEK: NEW HEAVENS, NEW EARTH

Recent scholarship concerning the origins of Christianity indicates that from the earliest days of the Christian community its members were making bold claims concerning the iden-tity of Jesus, claiming for Him a role in salva-tion that could only be true of God. An earlier generation of scholars had tended to think that the identification of Jesus with God was something that developed only gradually within Christianity, but this seems not to be

the case. From the outset, Christians apparently sought to affirm the divine status of Jesus. This raised the question of what possibly could have led the first generation of Christians, al-most all of whom were Jewish, to identify Jesus of Nazareth with the God who made a cove-nant with Abraham and his descendants, who freed the Israelites from captivity in Egypt, and who promised through the prophets to bless all the families of nations. The answer in the New Testament is unambiguous. It was the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This was the sign that Jesus had done what only God could do—break the power of sin and death. It is from this event that all of our beliefs about Jesus flow: that He is "God from God, light from light...begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father." All of these phrases are different ways of affirming that the Resurrection has revealed Jesus as the Lord of life and death. The Resurrection tells us something about Jesus, but it also tells us something about the God whom we encounter in the person of Jesus. The God we know in Jesus Christ is a God who is Love, a love that is more powerful than our sin, a love that can triumph over death, a love that seeks to share itself with us so that we too can triumph over sin and death. This is the message of Easter that we are called to share.

We ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead (Acts 10:34a, 37-43). This is from a speech that St. Peter gave when he was called to the house of Cornelius. While proclaiming this "kergyma" (first preach-ing concerning the life and mission of Jesus),

Peter is fulfilling his mission. Jesus commis-sioned him to be a witness and to preach to the nations. He and the disciples were to pro-claim the word of the Lord.

Christ our Passover is sacrificed; therefore let us celebrate (1Corinthians 5:6b-8).

EASTER SUNDAY

April 5, 2015

We thank you, O God, for the gift of New Life that You have

bestowed on us through the

Resurrection of Your Son. Send Your Spirit upon us, that we may

always seek those things that are above.

Amen.

Paul uses Passover symbolism to talk about our choices as Christians. At the beginning of the Passover ceremony, one is to throw out all traces of leavened products (Festival of the Unleavened Bread). We have experienced a

new Passover: the death and resurrection of Jesus. We have passed over from death to life. We must reject all the traces of death that can still be found in our conduct. We must live for and in Jesus, our Lord and our all.

SECOND READING

FIRST READING

REFLECTION

GOSPEL

He had to rise from the dead (John 20:1-9). Mary of Magdala is the only woman to go to the tomb on the morning of the resurrection. She represents the Church, who is seeking Her Savior. She is the first to give witness to the resurrection and is called the protoapostle. She runs to Peter and the beloved disciple and announces that Jesus is no longer in the tomb. They run to the tomb, the beloved disciple arriving first (because he ran with his heart because he deeply loved the Savior),

but waits until Peter can arrive and enter (because love bows to authority, represented by Peter). Peter enters and sees, while the beloved disciple enters, sees, and believes (his heart leads him to faith). The beloved disciple is not named for, at one level, he represents all of us. On Easter Sunday, we all run to the tomb to see and believe and to give witness to the resurrection with our words and our life.

Readings for the Week March 30th-April 3rd: Mon.: Is 42:1-7; Jn 12:1-11 Tues.: Is 49:1-6; Jn 13:21-33, 36-38 Wed.: Is 50:4-9a; Mt 26:14-25 Thurs.: Ex 12:1-8, 11:14; Rv. 1:3-8; Lk 4:16-21 Fri.: Is 52:13—53:12; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; Jn 18:1—19:42

March 29, 2015 PALM SUNDAY Page Fifteen

Meals On Wheels Seeks Drivers If you are interested in volunteering for Meals on Wheels by delivering meals to local shut-ins and elderly people, contact Gary at 708-710-4009 or Liz at 312-909-0302.

Mother McAuley High School 50th Reunion Class of 1965 — Friday, April 24, 2015 in the Mother McAuley Dining Hall and Lounge. 5pm-Mass; 6pm-Cocktails/Appetizers; 7:30pm-Dinner. RSVP to Linda Jandacek at 773-881-6565.

Alcoholics Anonymous If you have a problem with alcohol and feel a sincere desire to stop drinking, you are welcome to attend a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) in the St. Elizabeth Seton Church Hall on Thursdays from 7:30-8:45pm. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover. The only requirement is a sincere desire to stop drinking.

Help For Our Stressful World The Holbrook Counseling Center, a service of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, provides confidential counseling at Saint Stephen Parish in Tinley Park. Michele Nowak, LCPC is the Therapist at St. Stephen. Fees are affordable. Private pay and/or behavioral health insurance accepted. In network BC/BS PPO. For more information please call 312-655-7725.

Families Anonymous If your life has gone astray due to living with someone who has a substance abuse problem, consider attending Families Anonymous on Mondays from 7-8:30pm at Palos Hospital, 123rd and 80th Ave., Palos Heights (Ambulatory Care Center, Rm. 1). Call Warren, 708-429-2507 or Therese at 708-269-9853.

Looking To Put Christ In Your Marriage? Deepen your communication, rekindle your romance and renew your sacrament by attending the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend on April 17-19, 2015 or June 12-14, 2015 or August 7-9, 2015, all at Elk Grove Village, IL. Early registration is highly recommended. For reservations/information, call Jim and Kris at 630-577-0778 or contact http://wwme-chicagoland.org.

REFLECT Catholic Singles Retreat Many never-married, divorced, or widowed people in mid-life (mid-30s to 50s) feel alone, out-of-place (even in church!), and wonder what this phase of life means for them. That’s where the REFLECT Catholic Singles Retreat comes in… since 2004, our weekend retreats have offered mid-life singles the chance to experience healing, a sense of belonging, and a renewed relationship with the Lord through planned talks, a reconciliation service, Holy Mass, and caring fellowship. Our next retreat is set for the weekend of May 1-3, 2015 at the Cardinal Stritch Retreat House in Mundelein, IL (in the northern suburbs). Register today for a life-changing REFLECT weekend retreat. Cost is just $185 for meals and a single room. Take a chance and get involved... you won't regret it! Email: reflect.chicagoland@gmail.com or call 312-532-8286. Visit www.ReflectRetreat.com. Job Opening — St. George Church St. George Parish, 6707 W. 175th Street, Tinley Park, is looking for a Coordinator of their Religious Education program. If you would like more information call 708-532-2243 or send your résumé to: frken@stgeorge60477.org..

Job Opening — Incarnation Church Part-time opening for Parish Business Manager -- Please send your résumé and letters of recommendation to Fr. Arek Falana, Pastor of Incarnation Catholic Parish in Palos Heights, IL. Please call 708-597-3180 or fax resume to 708-597-2452, or contact through email at: fr.arek@incarnationcatholic.com.

Golden Opportunities Coupon books offer local restaurants offering discounts of 50% off or 2-for-1. In addition, great savings at movies, grocery stores, sporting events, and more! Many coupons valid once a month. And… it makes a great gift!

2015 Golden Opportunities Books

NOW ONLY $10.

Available in the

parish office!

Be Still… A Call To Centering Prayer

Wednesday, April 8 7pm

Cornerstone

You are invited to join in an hour of quiet time and learn about Centering Prayer. The group meets the second

Wednesday of each month in the Cornerstone building located on the

corner of 167th St. and 94th Ave. Questions? Call Marge at 708-460-5357.

Makes a great Easter gift!

March 29, 2015 Page Sixteen PALM SUNDAY

IF YOU THINK GOD IS CALLING YOU TO BE A PRIEST, visit www.ChicagoPriest.com or contact Fr. Francis Bitterman at 312-534-8298 or fbitterman@archchicago.org. FOR INFORMATION ON RELIGIOUS LIFE contact Sr. Elyse Ramirez, OP at 312-534-5240 or eramirez@archchicago.org, and for the Permanent Diaconate program contact Deacon Bob Puhala at 847-837-4562 or bpuhala@usml.edu.

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

GRACIOUS AND LOVING GOD, help the men and women of our parishes to hear the call to serve. Our needs are great and our people thirst for Your Presence.

OPEN THE HEARTS OF MANY. Raise up faithful servants of the Gospel—dedicated, holy priests, sisters, brothers and deacons, who will spend themselves for Your people and their needs.

BLESS ALL OF OUR MARRIED COUPLES with a rich faith and children that desire to serve You.

BLESS THOSE WHO ARE SERVING NOW with courage and perseverance.

GRANT THAT MANY WILL BE INSPIRED by their exam-ple and faith. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Parish Vocation News

Page Seventeen

EASTER COLORING CONTEST

Starting March 14th, the St. Elizabeth Seton Women’s Club is sponsoring an Easter Color-ing Contest. Any child age 12 and under is welcome to participate. One winner per age group will win a $10 McDonald’s gift card. Here are the details: — One entry per child. — Include first name and age. — Color the Easter basket. — On a separate sheet of paper, please include parent’s name and phone number (for winner notification) and attach it to finished picture. — Turn finished picture into the parish office. — Entries must be received by March 29th. — Additional copies are available in the parish office. — The age groups are: 4 yrs. and under; 5 & 6 yrs; 7 & 8 yrs.; 9 & 10 yrs.; 11 & 12 yrs. — Winners announced in April 12th bulletin.

My Lenten Sacrifice You are invited to give a monetary gift as a

Lenten sacrifice for families in our community.

For your convenience, SVDP boxes are located at all the entrances of our church. We depend solely on the contributions that are placed in the donation boxes. All monies donated go directly to those in need. We service clients within our parish boundaries with emergency assistance for utilities, rent, security deposits, food, clothing, medical, dental, eye care, and occasionally gasoline to get to a

job site. These needs continue to grow during these stressful economic times and as government and program funds are reduced. As calls come throughout the year we look to your generosity and sense of sharing and justice to offer assistance. It is your goodness that makes our work possible.

May God bless you,

The St. Elizabeth Seton SVDP Society

March 29, 2015 PALM SUNDAY

Page Eighteen PALM SUNDAY March 29, 2015

Page Nineteen March 29, 2015 PALM SUNDAY

SETON YOUTH PROGRAMSETON YOUTH PROGRAMSETON YOUTH PROGRAM

Sunday, March 29 Living Stations Practice 5:30-6:30pm We practice each Sunday in the church and per-form Living Stations on Good Friday, April 3 at 7pm. We still have many parts available, so bring family or friends in Fifth grade through High School. We'll even have a cheese pizza party fol-lowing the performance. Sunday, March 29 6:30-8:30pm Open Gym (tentative) Thursday, April 2 7pm-Midnight Holy Thursday Mass and Church Hopping We'll gather as a group for Holy Thursday Mass and then proceed on our annual church hopping tour, visiting six other churches in the area before enjoying a late night snack at a local restaurant (bring cash). Family, friends, and other interested parishioners are welcome to join us. We'll have maps of our selected route. Friday, April 3 5:30-9pm Living Stations Performance We'll first have one final run-through, put on our costumes, and then give the performance of a life-time in our 21st Annual Living Stations of the Cross re-enactment, featuring Branches and other youth of our parish and music by the Teen Choir. Afterward, stick around for some cheese pizza! Parents, we need you to help in ironing the cos-tumes at 5:30pm. Please bring ironing boards and irons.

Questions?

Call Mr. Bruce Hall at 708-403-7834.

Visit Branches on Facebook for updates/added events!

RECYCLE YOUR BICYCLE!

Working Bikes Collection Sponsored by St. Jude Parish of New Lenox

Peace and Social Justice Ministry Drop Off: 241 West Second Ave, New Lenox, IL Parish Gym, outside near the Southwest Doors

Saturday April 25 and Sunday, April 26, 2015 Saturday, April 25: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Sunday, April 26: 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Countless bicycles are discarded or sit unused in basements or garages in the United States every year. But in a developing country, a bicycle can truly change the life of an individual, their family and their community. Bicycling is, of course, a form of transportation. But bicycles are also used for towing cargo, and even as a source of electricity through the creation of pedal-powered machines! In areas plagued by poverty, high levels of unemployment and lack of reliable, accessible transportation, a bicycle can help provide access to jobs, education, and medical attention. Global Impact: Working Bikes ships thousands of bicycles each year to partners in countries throughout Latin America and Africa including, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Uganda and many others. Local Impact: Working Bikes partners with homeless transition, refugee resettlements and youth empowerment programs here in Chicago to donate bicycles and put them to good use on the streets of our own community.

Working Bikes donates over 6,000 bicycles each year to their international and local partners. So… as you are doing your spring cleaning, please set aside the bikes, bike parts, walkers and non-electric wheelchairs that you would like to get rid of, save them for the bike collection on April 25 and 26, 2015.

For information about Working Bikes visit

WORKINGBIKES.ORG.

For questions regarding our drive, call Cyndi Horn at 815-463-4281.

SAINT OF THE WEEK

BLESSED LUDOVICO

OF CASORIA (1814-1885)

BORN IN CASORIA (NEAR NAPLES), AR-CANGELO PALMENTIERI WAS A CABINET-MAKER BEFORE ENTERING THE FRIARS MINOR IN 1832, TAKING THE NAME LUDOVICO. After his

ordination five years later, he taught chemistry, physics and mathematics to younger members of his province for several years. In 1847 he had a mystical experience which he later described as a cleansing. After that he dedicated his life to the poor and the infirm, establishing a dispensary for the poor, two schools for African children, an institute for the children of nobility, as well as an institution for orphans, the deaf and the speechless, and other institutes for the blind, elderly and for travelers. In addition to an infirmary for friars of his province, he began charitable institutes in Naples, Florence and Assisi. He once said, "Christ’s love has wounded my heart." This love prompted him to great acts of charity. To help continue these works of mercy, in 1859 he established the Gray Brothers, a religious community composed of men who formerly belonged to the Secular Franciscan Order. Three years later he founded the Gray Sisters of St. Elizabeth for the same purpose. Toward the beginning of his final, nine-year illness, Ludovico wrote a spiritual testament which described faith as "light in the darkness, help in sickness, blessing in tribulations, paradise in the crucifixion and life amid death." The local work for his beatification began within five months of Ludovico’s death. He was beatified in 1993.

COMMENT Saintly people are not protected from suffering, but with God’s help they learn how to develop compassion from it. In the face of great suffering, we move either toward compassion or indifference. Saintly men and women show us the path toward compassion.

QUOTE Ludovico’s spiritual testament begins: "The Lord called me to himself with a most tender love, and with an infinite charity he led and directed me along the path of my life."

UPCOMING EVENTS

Seniors of Seton

SOS MEETING APRIL 7, 2015

Doors to the Parish Life Center open at 9:30am.

Who would you take a bullet for? Tim McCarthy, is our guest speaker at our meeting on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. He took a bullet for President Ronald Reagan and is now the Chief of Police in Orland Park. Hear about the duties of the Secret Service from some-

one who has been on the line. SOS ELECTIONS It’s not too late to throw your hat in the ring to become an officer in our club. We could only benefit from new faces and new ideas. Elections will take place at our May meeting.

SOS UPCOMING TRIPS Trip questions please contact

Anna at 708-532-6731.

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015 SHRINE OF CHRIST’S

PASSION TRIP Call Anna to sign up for the trip to the Shrine of Christ’s Passion in St. John, Indiana. Fr. Bill Corcoran will cele-brate a Mass at the Shrine. Bus cost is $10 per person. Bus leaves at 8:30am. Returns early afternoon.

THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015 THE PICKWICK SOCIETY — 10:30 AM

The Pickwick Society will host a luncheon for the Seniors of Seton at 122 Kansas St., Frankfort. Transportation is on your own. See Anna for details.

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 TRIP TO WISCONSIN FOR SHOW/LUNCH

The (The Dancing Horses Theater and Animal Gardens Horse show with Dancing Waters an enchanting Vegas-Style performance including lunch and Bird Show.) Payment of $99/person MUST be made by April 23, 2015.

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015 TRIP TO SHIPSHEWANA

Another trip is planned with Tony and Dave by coach bus for $65/person. Lunch at Miller Farm, stop at Cheese House, Amish Grocery Store and Blue Gate Bakery for Pies-Bread-Shopping. Leave at 9:30AM from St Elizabeth parking lot. Pies and bread must be pre-ordered in advance of trip. See Anna for more details

Page Twenty PALM SUNDAY

March 29, 2015

Pastoral Staff Rev. William T. Corcoran, Ph.D, Pastor Rev. Stanislaw Kuca, Associate Pastor Rev. William Gubbins, Resident Priest Rev. William T. O’Mara, Pastor Emeritus Margie Guadagno, Pastoral Associate Deacon: Frank (Betty) Gildea Deacon: Joseph (Nancy) Bishop Deacon: Dennis (Barbara) Cristofaro

Liturgy Staff Claudia Nolan, Director of Liturgy

Music Staff Linda McKeague, Director of Music

Parish Office Staff Donna Stolinski, Business Manager Darlene Raila, Parish Publications Joan Nemec, Morning Receptionist Karen Mirecki, Afternoon Receptionist

Religious Education Staff Susan Matthews, Director of Religious Education Diana Barracca, Administration Assistant

Branches Youth Program Bruce Hall, Coordinator Rick Vlaming, Coordinator Rick Wojcik, Coordinator

Athletics Bob Myjak, Director

Maintenance Staff Raymond Yanowsky, Director of Maintenance Laurie De Mik-Renn, Staff Marie Makuch, Staff Joseph Shake, CJB Day Maintenance Supervisor Sal Hernandez, CJB Night Maintenance Supervisor

REGULAR MASS SCHEDULE Monday-Friday

9:00 am Saturday 5:00 pm Sunday:

7:15, 8:30, 10:00, 11:30am

St. Elizabeth Seton Church 9300 W. 167th Street Orland Hills, IL 60487

Parish Office: 708-403-0101 WEBSITE: WWW.STESETON.COM Religious Education: 708-403-0137

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY-WEDNESDAY: 8:30AM-8:30PM, THURSDAY-FRIDAY: 8:30AM-4:30PM SATURDAY: 1PM-6PM SUNDAY: 8:30AM-1PM

Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School 708-403-6525 Principal, Mary Iannucilli Administrative Assistant, Cindy Labriola Devlin

March 29, 2015 PALM SUNDAY Page Twenty One

4/4 & 4/5 7:30PM 7:15AM 8:30AM 10:00AM 11:30AM

GREETERS Please see schedule Please see schedule Please see schedule Please see schedule Please see schedule

LECTORS Please see schedule Please see schedule Please see schedule Please see schedule Please see schedule

ALTAR SERVERS

Please see schedule Please see schedule Please see schedule Please see schedule Please see schedule

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

Please see schedule Please see schedule Please see schedule Please see schedule Please see schedule

Attention All Ministers!

Ministers schedules available at: www.steseton.com Then visit: Music and Liturgy

ST. ELIZABETH SETON PARISH INFORMATION

Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered on Saturday, between 4:15-4:45pm.

Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated twice monthly at 1pm. Reserve your time by calling the Pastoral Center early. We are limited to six children per Sunday. Baptismal Couples preparing for the birth of their child should contact the Pastoral Center to register for a one night seminar, focusing on a parent’s role in faith development. This session is mandatory prior to the Baptism. Anointing of the Sick is available in the Church every Monday after the 9am Mass. For those who are ill or fac-ing hospitalization, it is appropriate to receive the sacrament once every six months. Call 708-403-0101 for information. Ministry of Care is available to give Communion to the housebound, to visit and pray for hospitalized and/or to arrange for the Anointing of the Sick. Please call the Pastoral Center for assistance. In the Hospital? Because of HIPAA Privacy regulations hospitals can no longer contact the parish regarding your hospitalization. It is the responsibility of you or a family member to notify our parish. We desire to offer whatever spiri-tual support we can. Please call the Pastoral Center. Sacrament of Marriage Couples planning to marry are asked to make arrangements six months in advance.

Wedding Workshops are offered throughout the year. They provide engaged couples with guidelines and suggestions for the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage. The workshop covers topics ranging from readings and music to flowers and video taping.

Adult Choir sings at all 10am Sunday Masses, as well as at a number of special liturgies.

Moving? Please call the office at 708-403-0101.