ossm chicago reflections 2014

8/12/2019 OSSM Chicago Reflections 2014

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Andy and Karen at Holy Name Cathedral

Andy Palazzola - Reflection

Saturday morning we went to Assumption Church where we saw Father Joe. They gave

us a tour of the church. We went to each stained glass and he explained the story for

each one. They had breakfast prepared for us. When we were leaving two homeless

teenagers who were very thin looking said, oh you have donuts and Theresa said, yes do

you want them. They were so happy to have something to eat.

We went to Our Lady of Sorrows Church and Father Chris gave us a tour of the church.

We stayed for a concert at the parish. We were going out to get pizza and on the waywe saw a homeless man eating a can of cat food. I thought to myself how Blessed I am..

Next time when I find myself complaining about something, I will have to think of these

homeless people. The next day we went back to Our Lady of Sorrows for Mass. Father

Vidal had a steak dinner for us. This was an awesome trip I want to thank Theresa for

being our guide and driving us around Chicago.


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Janice with Fr. Vidal Martinez,OSM on the left and Fr. ngel M. Ruiz Garnica,OSM(photo) on the right - Our Lady of Sorrows Priory

Janice Erschen - Reflection

September 13 thru the 15th

, my three days in Chicago with the Secular Order Group

We visited three Churches, met friends of Theresas, who is a treasure to all in Chicago,

and we were welcomed by one and all because of her. The Churches we visited in my

opinion, albeit all were architecturally beautiful, are really just churches. What isbrought to the Mass by all who attend, all that is offered by the Priest, Brothers,

Deacons and servers, each in their own way spreading the Good News of the Lord is

what made each Mass special in its own way. The Mass we attended at the Basilica of

Our Lady of Sorrows Parish was like one I have never been a part of nor will ever expect

be a witness to again. When I left the Mass I felt physically and emotionally drained and

uplifted at the same time. Myself selfishly wanted to see the tower that Trump built,

and so I did. I also wanted to see Second City, which brought us the comedic talent of

John Bulshi [sic], Gilda Radner and the wonderful John Candy. There are starts in Heaven

with their names on them. They left such a void in our lives when they all died so young.

I also wanted to see Harpo Studio where Oprah Winfrey broadcasted her televisionshow from for 25 years and so I saw all of them. You might wonder what was the reason

I went with a Secular Order group if what I wanted to see was Second City, but you see, I

needed both in order to keep my heart and soul balanced.


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Karen at Holy Name Cathedral

Karen Palazzola, OSSM - Reflection

This is what comes to mind as the highlights of the Chicago trip for me.

When I came to the discernment process of joining the Secular Servite Community. I had

never heard of St Peregrine even though My grandmother and Aunt had breast cancer

and my Mother-in-Law and Aunt died of pancreatic cancer. I found out there was a

Servite Shrine of St Peregrine located in Chicago. When Fr John Fontana was at our

meeting my heart was opened to learn more about St Peregrine. I started being more

dedicated to attending the first Saturday Healing's. I did not take getting blessed by the

priest with the relic lightly. I truly believe that I could ask for intentions for myself andfamily members and that these intentions would be heard.

When Theresa started talking about planning a trip to visit the St Peregrine Shrine. I was

really excited. I wanted to see the Servite St Peregrine Shrine. I actually liked the Statue

and picture at Ascension better than the Shrine at Our Lady of Sorrows. For some

reason I had pictured a Shrine like the Black Madonna in Eureka or Our Lady of the

Snows in Illinois and not just a picture of St Peregrine. However, when Fr Chris was

speaking about St Peregrine and especially the part about promoting St Peregrine to

others who do not know him. I was thinking yes, We do need to do that since I myself


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did not know of this saint. His next words touched my heart and soul to the core. He

said remember that he is not only the Patron Saint of Cancer and HIV but he can be the

intercessor for other diseases like for heart patients and those with Macular

Degeneration. I was so glad I was sitting down. I felt an immediate reaction to his words.

The tears started to creep up as I got choked up dealing with macular degeneration all

these years and not knowing when or if there would be a next bleed or more loss ofvision. I began to wonder had my desire to learn more about a Servite Saint helped me

to be in remission and helped my doctor come to know of a place that is trying to get

me glasses where I can read and see my computer easier. How did Fr Chris with all the

disease in the world choose the words heart patient and Macular Degeneration? I think

the Holy Spirit put those words in his mouth because I was at a point that the words

would be heard and I would believe.

The church tours were awesome to learn more about each of them. The hospitality

shown to us was overwhelming. Everyone was so gracious and welcoming. It was very

evident that we are part of the larger picture then a group of struggling members trying

to live the Servite Charism in Affton MO. Singing has always been one of my favorite

forms of prayer and the Gospel Concert and the singing at Mass Sunday were

Spectacular. I was very pleased with everything about the weekend. Theresa put a lot of

hard work into planning such a wonderful pilgrimage. Getting to know my fellow Servite

community members better was an added bonus. I even heard my husband say that he

might consider joining us in the future. I have asked on numerous occasions and the

response is always No.

www.secularservites.org

Fr. Vidal Martinez, OSM

National Assistant3121 West Jackson Blvd.

Chicago, IL 60612

p| 773.638.5800 x48

e|[email protected]

www.facebook.com/OssmUSA
http://www.secularservites.org/http://www.secularservites.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/OssmUSAhttp://www.facebook.com/OssmUSAhttp://www.facebook.com/OssmUSAmailto:[email protected]://www.secularservites.org/

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