Notes from Fr. John

St. Kieran Catholic Church

Fourth Sunday of Easter May 3, 2020

He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.

— 1 Peter 2:24a

T oday we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Easter. In the Gospel Jesus begins his discourse on the “Good Shepherd”. He uses the example of sheep and those who

care for them. The story is about relationship. Over the lifetime of the sheep, they get to know their shepherd. They recognize their voice and their actions. When the shepherd is around the sheep, they feel comfortable, safe, and protected. Jesus tells his followers that he is the good shepherd. He tells us that if we follow him, we will be safe and protected. At a time when nothing seems safe it is good to hear these words once again. They remind us that our lives are bigger than the present moment in which we find ourselves. Yes, our lives seem unsure. Many are battling illness, job loss, food shortages and fear. Yet hearing this Gospel reminds us once again that we have been here before and we have survived. Our Good Shepherd Jesus Christ has always gotten us through our difficulties. It doesn’t mean that our present crosses are to be downplayed, rather we know that God is with us helping us with these burdens. If we look back in our lives, long or short, we realize that God has helped us shoulder our burdens. God will continue to do so now. As we begin the month of May we are reminded of St. Joseph the patron saint of work. For many of us it is a time without work. What often defines us has now been taken away. We always

that our work gives us dignity, whether it is simple say that our work gives us dignity, whether it is simple or complex, or whether it is manual or office. Now we need to look at what work occupies us during the pandemic. In many ways are work now is relational. We are home with family, and children 24/7. We need to check in on neighbors and relatives while remaining safe. We need to save lives by staying home. This is the work that occupies us now and gives us dignity. Take care of your families and keep in touch with them. This past week we would have celebrated First Communion and Confirmation. We are used to fasting in Lent, but now we actually are fasting from our sacraments. A fast call us to put our minds and heart in a different place. It is useful in helping us prepare for what is to come. So now we fast from the sacraments. We long for when we will be able to once again receive what has nourished us and strengthened us all our lives. This waiting is especially hard for those who prepared to receive the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil, or those hoping to receive their First Communion or Confirmation. But the reality is it is hard for all of us. We are all ready to get back to what gives us life. We want to again be fed by the Good Shepherd. I again want to thank everyone who is help-ing us all stay in touch. Thanks to everyone who are helping with our weekly masses and thanks to all the school faculty who keep our children connected. My motto is that we are always stronger together. Stay strong.

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading — All peoples called by God will receive the gift of the Spirit if they repent and are baptized (Acts 2:14a, 36-41). Psalm — The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want (Psalm 23). Second Reading — Once we were like straying sheep; but now we have been returned to the shepherd, our guardian (1 Peter 2:20b-25). Gospel — The shepherd leads the sheep out into pastures of abundant life (John 10:1-10). 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: Acts 11:1-18; Ps 42:2-3; 43:3, 4; Jn 10:11-18 Tuesday: Acts 11:19-26; Ps 87:1b-7; Jn 10:22-30 Wednesday: Acts 12:24 — 13:5a; Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Jn 12:44-50 Thursday: Acts 13:13-25; Ps 89:2-3, 21-22, 25, 27; Jn 13:16-20 Friday: Acts 13:26-33; Ps 2:6-11ab; Jn 14:1-6 Saturday: Acts 13:44-52; Ps 98:1-4; Jn 14:7-14 Sunday: Acts 6:1-7; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19; 1 Pt 2:4-9; Jn 14:1-12

Page 2 May 3, 2020

Notes from Fr. Tom

This Easter Sunday is usually called 'Good Shepherd Sunday'. But if we listen to today's Gospel, we hear Jesus calling himself 'the gate'. I really don't know sheep. But I do know gates and doors because I have had the concrete experience of having stepped through them. I do not mean gates and doors in any architectural sense, but rather those points of ending and new beginning, the rhythm and flow and movement that has been my life and I'm sure yours as well.

If we believe that Jesus is Lord, we have to pass through many gates, many dying and risings all through our lifetimes. Passing through means letting the door close behind to something that might be comfortable and secure and familiar and facing the new opportunity to grow, to learn, to disco-ver true life. I have come to know that I only have the courage to pass through to the new if I am shepherded and guided by the memory of how I have been loved and believe that love will continue for me wherever I go. The steps of our Easter faith involve not just remembering Jesus as history but seeing our path to true life laid out before us through Him. We experience the dying of Good Friday when life calls us to let go of our youth, our strength, our control, our vision of what we thought our lives would be like. Easter comes to us as we come to trust love and pass through to become love ourselves. Fr. Tom K P.S. For those who have been praying the rosary these days, Pope Francis has suggested this prayer. O Mary, You shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who, at the foot of the cross, were united with Jesus’ suffering, and persevered in your faith. “Protectress of the Roman people”, you know our needs, and we know that you will provide, so that, as at Cana in Galilee, joy and celebration may return after this time of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the will of the Father and to do what Jesus tells us. For he took upon himself our suffering, and burdened himself with our sorrows to bring us, through the cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen. We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God; Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from every danger, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

Fourth Sunday of Easter Page 3

Archdiocese of Chicago

V ! Just go to www.stkieranchurch.org

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Parish News & Events

Page 4 May 3, 2020

The St. Kieran Women’s Club wishes good health, happiness, and blessings to the following members who are celebrating a birthday in the

month of May

Crystal Cady Joan Hanley

Laverne Komers Rosemary Maher

Mary Dolores Rosner Millicent Stocker

Happy Birthday and God bless You!

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!!

Father John, the Pastoral Staff, and I wish to thank all of our parishioners who so generously continue to give their weekly and monthly dona-tion amounts during this time when our church remains temporarily closed. Through your thoughtfulness, we have been able to maintain our payments of our monthly bills, both locally and to the Archdiocese, and to cover our payroll for the employees of the parish. I am over-whelmed with your dedication and support of our parish family. God Bless you all!

Sandy Vasek

Sunday Collection $ 13,801.00

Building Fund $ 232.00

Easter Collection $ 7,755.00

(Includes Holy Thursday and Good Friday donations)

April Collection

ST. KIERAN PARISH MASS BOOK CALENDAR YEAR 2020

The Parish Mass Book is open for Mass intentions for calendar year 2020. Masses are open for the following days and times: Daily Mass (Tues. through Fri.) 8 AM; Saturday Anticipated Mass 5 PM; Sunday Masses 8 AM & 10 AM. INDIVIDUAL MASSES MAY NOT BE SCHEDULED ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: October 31/November 02, 2020 November 26, 2020 December 24/25, 2020 December 31, 2020/Jan 01, 2021 Stipend for each Mass is $10. Please complete the form below and send via mail to the Rectory Office at 724 W. 195thSt., Chicago Heights, IL 60411. A confirmation letter will be sent to you; allow two weeks for confirmation. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MASS REQUEST FORM FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2020

Person Requesting Mass(es): ________________________________________________________________ Street Address, City, ZIP: ____________________________________________________________________ Telephone Number: ________________________________________________________________________ (1) Mass Intention Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Requested By: _________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ First Choice Date/Time Second Choice Date/Time Person Requesting Mass(es): ________________________________________________________________ Street Address, City, ZIP: ____________________________________________________________________ Telephone Number: ________________________________________________________________________ (1) Mass Intention Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Requested By: _________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ First Choice Date/Time Second Choice Date/Time Person Requesting Mass(es): ________________________________________________________________ Street Address, City, ZIP: ____________________________________________________________________ Telephone Number: ________________________________________________________________________ (1) Mass Intention Name: ___________________________________________________________________ Requested By: _________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ First Choice Date/Time Second Choice Date/Time

Fourth Sunday of Easter Page 5

Robert Dwyer

Page 6 May 3, 2020

Monday, May 4– Weekday 8:00 a.m. • No intention Tuesday, May 5 – Cinco de Mayo 8:00 a.m. • Anthony Iacobucci, req. by Dick & Debbie Linde Wednesday, May 6 – Weekday 8:00 a.m. • Mary Bailey, req. by John & Carole Foerster Thursday, May 7 – National Day of Prayer 8:00 a.m. • Pro Populo Friday, May 8 – Weekday

8:00 a.m. • Olga Vasek and Geri Seehousen req. by Emil & Sandy Vasek Saturday, May 9 – Weekend 5:00 p.m. • For the parishioners of St. Kieran Church Sunday, May 10 – Fifth Sunday of Easter; Mother’s Day 8:00 a.m. • For the parishioners of 10:00 a.m. St. Kieran Church

All activities, events, and liturgies have been

suspended until further notice. Please contact our website, www.stkieranchurch.org

for updates as they become available.

... and all who are ill or injured, in a hospital or a nursing home, as well as their relatives and caregivers.

There are dates available throughout 2020 to purchase flowers

dedicated to a loved one for the Holy Family Shrine

in the Church.

Our Troops

Air Force E-3 Conor Fitzgerald

Major Anthony O"Shea

Army PFC Roman Ambriz E5 Patrick Atwater Pavel (P.J.) Borak

Sgt. Brenden Flanagan Sgt. James R. Hibbs Sgt. Lucas Johnson

PFC Lee James Roché CWO Thomas J. Seehausen

Coast Guard Luke Stocker

Marine Corps SSgt. John Henry

LCpl. Joseph Johnson Sgt. Patrick Russell SSgt. Nathan Taylor

National Guard Captain Paul LaBelle

Navy Raymond J. Martinez

Rachel Steinmetz

Peace Corps Hannah Basham

Kim Alexander Dennis Bandera

Bob DeBoer Jan DeBoer

Philip Cameli Janel Compton

Joanne Corrigan Jack DeLaney Kathie Diette Chris Dymek Ava Emroll

Laurie Emroll Bob Flaws

John Formentini Marlene Gaughan Keri Gelsosomo Kimberly Giles

Thomas Haggerty Dominick Hamilton

Belinda James Larry Janaszak Lucy Janaszak

Daniel Klauck Rose Klauck Nick LoBue Nelly Mena

Jeannine Montgomerie Chloe Ochoa

Bernice Pappalardo Carol PeBenito

Kenneth Peterson Jerry Plucienik

Jerry Piunti Mary Prisco-Rodriguez

Ramón L. Santiago Sally Sklar Ray Smith

Sandi Smith Gayle Tama Bess Vallese

Nancy VanHoutegan Sister Joy Weideman

Police & Fire Departments, and All First Responders

Prayer list is being updated. To add a name to our Pray for the Sick/Injured or Our Troops List, please contact the rectory office.

St. Kieran Catholic Church 724 West 195 Street, Chicago Heights IL 60411

Visit our Website at www.stkieranchurch.org

Parish Mission Statement:

St. Kieran Parish is a Catholic community within the Archdiocese of Chicago. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, nourished by Scripture and Sacrament, we are called by Christ to become disciples and stewards. Through worship, fellowship, catechesis, and service to all God’s children, we embrace our Lord’s challenge to live as family and be his witnesses, beginning here in Chicago Heights.

Parish Staff: Rev. John Siemianowski, Pastor Deacon David Dutko Rev. Thomas Kasputis, Associate Pastor Deacon Emil Vasek Rev. William O’Mara, Resident Associate

Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturdays at 5 PM; Sundays at 8 AM and 10 AM

Weekday Masses are celebrated Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 a.m. Communion Services are celebrated on Mondays at 8:00 a.m.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated on Saturdays at 4:00 p.m.

Rectory Office, 708/755-0074: Hours of Operation: 9 AM to 3 PM (Monday—Thursday)

Sandy Vasek, Office Manager, stk-business@comcast.net Sheila Porrata, Bulletin Editor, stk-bulletineditor@comcast.net

Emily Hernandez, Parish Secretary, stk-parishsecretary@comcast.net

Religious Education Office, located at St. Agnes, 708/754-0713 Teri Klopp, Coordinator, stk-reoffice@comcast.net

Director of Music: Mrs. Joanne Rossbach, 708/755-0074

Parish Ministries: Knights of Columbus: David Nozar, 708/267-8253

Parish Council: Keith Betton, Kevin Deenihan, Sue Habegger, Tony Narcisi, Dave Nozar, Terry Shelley, and Joe Sopron. Contact us at stk-ppc@outlook.com

St Kieran Women's Club: Teri Klopp, 708/912-3773, email: stkieranwomensclub@gmail.com

SACRAMENTAL/IMPORTANT INFORMATION

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: Contact the Rectory Office to make arrangements. Regular Baptismal Sundays are the first and third Sundays of the month at 11:30 a.m.

SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY: Contact the Rectory Office at least six month prior to date of marriage.

SACRAMENT OF EUCHARIST TO THE HOMEBOUND: Please contact the Rectory Office to set-up visits.

ORDER OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION: For adults who wish to know more about the Roman Catholic faith, please contact the Rectory Office and the Director of Religious Education will contact you.

NEW PARISHIONERS: To become a member, please contact the Rectory Office for a registration form.

BULLETIN/PARISH CALENDAR: Bulletin information should be submitted by email to the Bulletin Editor. Contact the Office Manager for arrangements to use parish facilities.

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