THE GREGORIAN

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 — FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

PARISH/COMMUNITY EVENTS/INFORMATION

OUR PARISH MISSION

St. Gregory the Great

Mission Statement

St. Gregory the Great is a Catholic Church made up of people of many different ages, talents, and cultural backgrounds. We are an urban faith community with a small town feel of welcome and hospitality. Motivated by our baptismal calling, we accept our duty to embody the presence of Jesus Christ in the world and to take up the mission he entrusted to us by our word and example. We glorify God through support and service of our time, talent, and treasure to our church and to the larger community in which we live.

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ST. GREGORY HELPING HANDS The mission of our St. Gregory Helping Hands ministry is to provide parishioners and people living in our neighborhood with emergency financial or material assistance. It will also provide financial support for local organizations that offer assistance to people in need such as Care for Real or the Women’s Center.

PLEASE CONSIDER SIGNING UP FOR GIVE CENTRAL GiveCentral is a method of electronic giving that guarantees us a steady income whether you are able to attend Mass any given weekend or not. It is safe. It is easy to enroll. You can change your level of giving at any time if your financial situation changes. It is also a green way to give that reduces paperwork and saves trees. You can sign up for GiveCentral on the home page of our parish web site at www.stgregory.net, or you can contact John Miaso at the Parish Center (773-561-3546), and she can enroll you or help you with the pro-cess if you have any questions or difficulties.

LIVE STREAMED MASSES The Parish Daily Mass is livestreamed at 8AM Monday-Friday at https://www.facebook.com/SaintItaCatholicChurch. On Sundays, the Parish Mass is livestreamed at 10AM at www.facebook.com/stgregschicago and 10:30 (English) and 12:30 (Spanish) on the St. Ita Facebook page. The Mercy Home Mass for shut-ins is available every Sunday at 9:30a.m. on WGN, channel 9. Bishop Robert Barron is livestreaming daily and Sunday Mass at https://www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass/. Also, continue to pray daily for all those who have been impacted by the Covid-19 virus when you hear our Church bells ringing at 9a.m., noon, 3p.m., 6p.m. and 9p.m. SOUP KITCHEN Thank you to everyone who has been able to donate to the Saint Thomas Soup Kitchen. Donations are still being accepted by our ushers, either before or after Mass. Remember: Hygiene products such as toilet paper, paper towels, portable hand sanitizer, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, tampons, pads and laundry detergent are still needed. As well as canned and other food such as spam, baked beans, canned ravioli/pastas, canned stew, tuna, instant coffee, sugar, creamer, instant oatmeal packets, cases of bottled water, single-serve chips and reusable masks.

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PARISH COMMUNITY/ EVENTS/INFORMATION

LIVE CAST OF DAILY MASS ON FACEBOOK

Monday, 8:00AM (live-cast only from the Friary Chapel)

Tuesday-Friday, 8:00AM (live-cast from St. Ita—registration available for in person attendance) https://www.facebook.com/SaintItaCatholicChurch

Sunday, 10:00AM from St. Gregory the Great Church in

English https://www.facebook.com/stgregschicago

REMEMBER TO REGISTER FOR MASS

Register by calling (773) 561-5456 or online:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044da8a622a7fb6-mass4

Ss Ita, Thomas of Canterbury and Gregory the Great Parish Pastoral Council October 21, 2020, 7pm Zoom Meeting

Present: Soledad Andrade, Kelly Chester, Fr. Bob Cook, Lucy Cordon, Kokou Dagawa, Charles Edobor, Fr. Arturo Felix, Chris Grant, Joyce Knight, Robert Krug, Servi Layug, Michael Magada, Jane McCarthy, Fr. Robert Melnick, Fr. Simon Minyati, Judy Nocek, Lionel Osaghae, Deacon Juan Ramirez, Kerry Reed and Remedios Ryan Not present: Veronica Rodriguez, Vince Singvongsa and Diane Trinh Guest: Christine Boyd Meeting opened at 7:06 p.m. with Fr. Bob’s prayer. Minutes of 9/23/2020 meeting were approved. Fr. Bob introduced new member Chris Grant. He replaces Mark Alznauer who is assisting with the creation of the Cultural Center task force. School Report Principal Christine Boyd reported that STC School and St. Mary of the Lake School parents and staff are very satisfied with the school year so far. There are about 200 students on site at STC; remote learning is handled by SMOL. There will be changes to holiday schedules and activities. The Archdiocese may temporary close schools to in-person learning sometime after Thanksgiving until Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. More than 40 eighth grade students are preparing for high school entrance exams. The Council congratulated Ms. Boyd on receiving the Archdiocese of Chicago Civitate Dei for excellence in leadership in Catholic Education. Operations SGG Parish Center staffing and hours are becoming more concrete. Yasmin Hernandez is working as receptionist at SGG. Deacon Paul Spalla, Sister Mary Jeanne Hayes and Millie Slane are also present during the week. Parish Staffing: Resumes are now being accepted for a full-time Director of Facilities to oversee all three campuses. Church Operations: Mass attendance at SI and SGG has been increasing. STC opened up Nov. 1 for the 8:00 a.m. Vietnamese/Lao Mass. Holiday English mass-es at STC are being considered. School masses have returned. Fr. Arturo and Chris are updating SGG’s live-cast capabilities. The Eritrean Community will begin monthly Masses in SI’s Jubilee Hall. Facilities: SI’s tuck pointing is complete, and work on rectory internal doors is almost finished. Food Pantry construction is well underway, but the pantry will continue COVID-protocol outdoor operations. Damage to the STC rectory roof from August’s tornado was repaired. Upcoming is Wi-Fi installation at SGG. Outreach: Soup Kitchen volunteers continue to prepare and serve carry out meals on Tuesday and Friday nights. Catholic Charities has announced expanded Food Pantry hours and days beginning Nov. 17. In addition to its Tuesday morning hours the pantry will also be open on Tuesday afternoons. The pantry will be open every Friday instead of every other Friday with morning and afternoon hours. Volunteers to help staff the expanded hours are welcome. The pantry continues to operate outdoors on the north side of the STC rectory. Michael, Kokou, Lionel, and the Knights of Columbus and Tastes of Summer crew put up tents outside to protect clients and volunteers from the elements. Heaters have been purchased using grant money. The Clothing Room transfer to Care For Real has been completed. SI and SGG continue their generous donations of personal hygiene products for distribution to Outreach clients. Liturgy and Worship: Live casting options were discussed. Chris reported that viewers are growing for SGG Sunday Mass. There’s parishioner interest in live-casting the SGG Vigil Mass. Several PPC members felt live-streaming growth should be thoughtful and steady. Prayer opportunities outside of Sunday Mass are opening up. With Filipino parishioners backing, First Friday devotions have started again and are live cast. Religious Education and Sacraments Academic Year 2020-21: Classes are at capacity with about 60 students registered for the 2020-21 academic year. Each catechist will provide four to five lesson plans a month and have one monthly in-person session (with social distancing) to answer any questions the parents/students have. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Some of the families have opted to wait until the pandemic is over. For right now, they will do it at home. Parish Life Celebrations in October included the Feast of Saint Francis (Transitus), Pet Blessing and Santa Teresita. This year, Fr. Claudio, who was a SI Associate Pastor, returned to celebrate the Santa Teresita Mass and rosary. Santa Teresita at SI was begun 50 years by parishioner Mercedes Lopez in thanksgiving for her family’s coming to the U.S. from Cuba. Monday, Nov. 2, is All Souls’ Day with SI and SGG Masses. Joe Malham arranged for a Healing Service with Christ the Healer icon at SGG on Sunday Dec. 6 at 2 pm with Bishop Bartosic. Our Lady of Guadalupe will be celebrated on Dec. 12. Simbang Gabi will be at SI on Dec. 18 at 7 pm. (service only, no music or food). Active Zoom communities include SGG’s bingo group. Kelly said they meet every Tuesday. Fr. Bob reported that the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet on Tuesdays at 7 pm. is growing with up to 20 people now. On Wednesdays, the SI choir reconnects. Once a week the Eritrean community prays the rosary in Tigrinya by conference call. Judy said SGG’s Charismatic and the Women’s Scripture groups connect weekly using Zoom. The Knights of Columbus and the St. Rita Domestic Violence Awareness Ministry also remain active via Zoom. Dining Around the Neighborhood will conclude this month with Ranalli's of Andersonville, Hot Woks on Roscoe, and Argyle St.’s Nha Hang Vietnam and Hayen Chicago. On Oct. 30 SGG will hold the International Chamber Artists socially distanced concert followed by Nov. 20 and Dec. 18 concerts. Parish Naming Committee has been announced: Eunice Daniels (SGG); Cecilia Perez (STC); and Bill Sullivan and Soledad Andrade (SI). A task force has been organized to structure the Cultural Center at SGG consisting of Don Haider (chair), Amy Alznauer, Joe Malham and Mark Franzen. While this remains a work in progress, parishioners Bill Sullivan, Mark Alznauer, Jacob Torbeck, as well as Judge Thomas Donnelly and Michael Heinlein (editor of Our Sunday Visitor) are also helping in creating the task force. A GoFundMe.com page has been set up for a mural to be painted on STC School’s wall facing Broadway St. Fr. Bob proposed the theme of the mural, St. Francis of Assisi Canticle of the Sun, to The Lytle House Art Initiative that then created the design. Judy Nocek reported on the Archdiocese PPC survey to determine the effectiveness of the COVID-19 initiatives in its parishes. The Archdiocese is asking how parishes are keeping their ministries active and what new solutions can be adapted. She also said that there’s an Archdiocesan Women's Council, which meets sever-al times a year with Cardinal Cupich to discuss social justice and other issues. Next meeting: Wednesday, November 18 at 7pm Final prayer led by Fr. Arturo Meeting Adjourned at 8:43pm Recorded by Soledad Andrade

PARISH NEWS/INFORMATION

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LIFELINE SCREENING EVENT St Gregory the Great Church is pleased to offer a preventive health event. Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will host their affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings on 9/23/2020. Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked arteries which is a leading cause of stroke; ab-dominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a ruptured aorta; hardening of the arteries in the legs which is a strong predictor of heart disease; atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone density screening, for men and women, used to assess the risk of osteoporosis. Register for a Wellness Package which includes 4 vascular tests and osteoporosis screening from $149 ($139 with our member discount). All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. There are three ways to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced above $129, please call 1-888-653-6441 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle or text the word circle to 797979

MEET THE STAFF DOROTHY JULIAN, DIRECTOR OF STEWARDSHIP

Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, I am the only girl in a family of five children. I ventured all the way to Milwau-kee to attend Marquette University. After graduation, I went to work with IBM, the job which led me back to Chicago. To the north side and eventually into the Lakewood-Balmoral neighborhood. I traded in my Sox cap for a Cubs cap and devoted my time to rehabbing our 100+ year old home and volunteering for a number of neighborhood and community projects and activities at the Church just up the street – St. Ita’s. That led to a job. It has been an honor, a privilege and a blessing to have worked for this parish for nineteen years – as a facilities manager, then the business manager, and now as the director of stewardship. And, I assure you, there has never been a dull moment. I look forward to the opportunities which our “new” parish brings!

YASMIN HERNANDEZ, RECEPTIONIST AT SGG I am Mexican-American. I was born in Evanston, but I’ve lived in Chicago my whole life. My immediate family consists of my parents, two sisters and my dog. I grew up in the Andersonville-Edgewater neighborhood. I attended Helen C. Peirce Elementary and Lane Tech High School. I started working at St. Ita in 2015 as a receptionist. That same year I became a catechist for our religious education program teaching 4th and 5th grade first communion. I am also a youth leader for our youth group Animas Christi. As a result of being a youth leader, in 2016 I received the Vicariate II youth leadership award. Furthermore, I graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2019 with a bachelors degree in Biological Sciences. Recently, I began working at St. Gregory the Great in October. I am eager to meet the communi-ty of St. Gregory and I hope I am able to serve you all to the best of my ability.

DAN LAGACY, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC (SI) I am originally from Kankakee, IL the oldest of six children, and baptized at St. Teresa Catholic Church. The two main threads in my life have been the Church and music and I was playing for Mass not long after beginning my musical studies in violin, piano, and organ. I eventually received a Bachelor degree in music (violin performance) from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and after time in seminary in Denver and at Mundelein completed a Master of Divinity degree from Cath-olic Theological Union in Chicago. Over the years, I have worked part-time in church music and liturgy in the Diocese of Joliet, and several parishes in the Archdioceses of Cincinnati, Denver, and Chicago. I have been Director of Music at St. Ita Parish full time since July of 1998. Beyond the parish, I have served on the auxiliary music staff for the Office for Divine Worship, taught as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary, sang and played for numerous ordinations, and sacramental celebrations, including singing in the Schola Laudis at the Monastery of the Holy Cross. As a violinist, I have been a member of the Northbrook Symphony, since 2001 and performed in various recitals through the years. I am also a member of the American Guild of Organists. I enjoy biking, writing music, and traveling.

DEACON JAIME RIOS Hello, my name is Jaime. I have a Bachelor of Arts graduate with a concentration in Ministry from Dominican University. I also have an M.A. in Pastoral Studies, with a concentration in Family Coun-seling from Loyola University. I love preaching and teaching the Bible and the doctrine of the Catholic Church. I came to Santa Ita two years ago as a Pastoral Associate. Since I have a Ministry called Nueva Alianza Católica, to which I dedicate a lot of time to, since it tries to reach everyone, either by radio or by cybernetic means, in order to evangelize The Church; I was encouraged to serve as Deacon at Santa Ita only part-time. But I am always aware of any needs the community may have from me. I want to tell you that I love and miss all of you very much. May you all receive many blessings.

DEACON RONALD B. STRICKER Deacon Ron comes from a family with 6 other brothers. He attended Notre Dame High School and

Lewis University. He earned his CPA, CFP and EA. He began his journey at Saint Ita as a parishioner and was installed as a permanent deacon in May 12, 2018. His ordination was unique as he is one of

the first Deacons to take a vow of celibacy in many years. While at Saint Ita, he takes part in the Knights of Columbus and Tastes of Summer. And nowadays he is involved with the Rite of Christian

Initiation of Adults, baptism preparation and ministry of care. In his free time, he enjoy joking around, eating pizza and drinking a cold beer.

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PARISH/COMMUNITY/EVENTS/INFORMATION

Date Envelopes Cash/Loose Electronic Giving Total

September 6 $1,302 $3,890 $ $5,192

September 13 $1,650 $1,745 $ $3,395

September 20 $655 $750 $ $1,405

September 27 $2,295 $402 $9.402 $12,099

Holy Days $65 $ $ $65

Total $5,967 $6,787 $9,402 $22,156

Sunday and Holy Day Collection Totals

For Fiscal Year July 1—June 30

September

Over/(Under) Monthly Budget—Year-to-Date $ (4,511)

Year-to-Date Collected as of September 30, 2020 $66,300

Planned Annual Budget for Sunday & Holy Day Collections $320,000

YTD Collected as a percentage of Planned Annual Budget

LIVE CAST OF DAILY MASS ON FACEBOOK Monday, 8:00AM (live-cast only from the Friary Chapel)

Tuesday-Friday, 8:00AM (live-cast from St. Ita—registration available for in person attendance)

https://www.facebook.com/SaintItaCatholicChurch

Sunday, 10:00AM from St. Gregory the Great Church in English

https://www.facebook.com/stgregschicago

REMEMBER TO REGISTER FOR MASS

Register by calling (773) 561-5456 or online: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904044da8a622a7fb6-mass4

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OUR PRAYERS

Liturgical MINISTRIES DECEMBER 12/ DECEMBER 13

Saturday—4:30pm Sunday—10:00am

Presider

Lectors/Commentators Jane Hirt Eleanore Eckstrom

Eucharistic Ministers

Altar Servers

Mass Intentions

SUNDAY, November 29 8:30am— Parishioners 10:00am— +Phil Becker MONDAY, November 30 8:30am— Parishioners TUESDAY, December 1 8:30am— Parishioners WEDNESDAY, December 2 8:30am— Memorial Fund THURSDAY, December 3 8:30am— Parishioners FRIDAY, December 4 8:30am— Parishioners SATURDAY, December 5 8:30am— Parishioners 4:30pm— +Luisa Flores Fr. Paul (Thanksgiving) SUNDAY, December 6 8:30am— Parishioners 10:00am— +Phil Becker

Prayer List

Cassandra C. Morales Jesus Manuel Rosario Rosa Maria Santos Stanley Gnoske Richard Malone Elsa Ardales Eloise Coughlin Ida Christiansen Peter Saldanha Virginia Rodriquez Mary Ellen Joyce Martin Roach Paul Zale Colleen Dwyer Letty Tibudan Marylyn Ahlfeld Katie Fangman Paulie Corbett Debra Melbye Daniel Ahlfeld

In Loving Memory: +Phil Becker Carole & Chris Grant Marc & Jennifer Sammarco Carol Hanson Debra Melbye +Eileen Casey Carole Grant Chris Grant Debra Melbye +Maria Villegas Gotangco Ann Engles Miriam Bernstein Eileen Cabrera

Memorial Fund

Anthony Del Rosario

Our Armed Forces Please pray for

Joel Rivera John Sharonbrock Jim Maloney Mark Dichosa Cresanto Pineda Chris Cano Joan Frost Angel Luis Rosario Dawn Turco Darlene Keane Kameron Reyna Chris Fitzgerald Lenore Thomalla Jerry Barrio, Jr. Martha Schaffrath Paula Marroquin Thomas Ahlfeld Jr. Jennifer Rosal

Greeters

At 6p.m. every Wednesday, we ask that you take a moment to pray for the healing of the Church and its leadership and for the healing of all victims of clergy sexual misconduct.

PARISH CENTER 5545 N. Paulina St., Chicago, IL 60640 773-561-3546 773-728-3827 (fax)—www.stgregory.net Hours: Monday-Friday- 9:00am - 5:00 pm

CONVENTUAL FRANCISCAN FRIARS Fr. Robert Cook, OFM Conv., Pastor Fr. Simon Minyati, OFM Conv., Associate Pastor Fr. Arturo Felix, OFM Conv., Associate Pastor Fr. Robert Melnick, OFM Conv., Resident Priest Bro. Donald Thielsen, OFM Conv., Soup Kitchen Cook

ST. GREGORY THE GREAT STAFF Ms. Cheri Dahlen, Director of Music Mr. John Miaso, Business Manager

SACRISTAN Mr. Dan Creed

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Mr. Joseph Malham, Iconographer, Artist-in-Residence Amy Alznauer, Creative Writer, Artist-in-Residence

SCHOOLS Northside Catholic Academy (NCA) ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Admissions Office: 773-743-6277

PARISH STAFF Pastoral Associates: Rev. Mr. Juan Ramirez, Sister Mary Jeanne Hayes, SND de N Deacons: Rev. Mr. Paul Spalla, Rev. Mr. Ronald B. Stricker, Rev. Mr. Jaime Rios Operations Director: Mr. Stuart Boldry Director of Music (St. Ita): Mr. Daniel Lagacy Director of Stewardship: Mrs. Dorothy W. Julian Parish Administrative Assistant: Ms. Soledad Andrade Coordinator of Religious Education: Mr. Candido Reyna Temporary Director of the Soup Kitchen: Mr. Jim Eder ST. GREGORY CREDIT UNION 1609 W. Gregory St., Chicago, IL 60640 773-561-5493 Sunday 9:30am-12:00pm & Wednesday 7:00pm-9:00pm

ST. GREGORY THE GREAT APP Can be found at St. Gregory the Great, Chicago IL iPhone Users-Text : great1 to 555888 Android Users-Text : great2 to 555888

MASSES Sunday: Saturday Evening—4:30pm, Sunday—10:00am. Parish Daily Mass: Tuesday to Friday at 8:00 AM at St. Ita To register: Please call 312-291-1502 or visit the St Ita Parish website at https://www.saintita.org

SACRAMENTS Baptisms: Please Contact Deacon Juan Ramirez (juramirez@archchicago.org) to schedule class and baptism

Weddings: Arrange with a pastoral staff member at least six months in advance. Participation in marriage preparation is essential.

Parish Confessions: Saturday– 3-5PM at St. Ita or by appointment To register, call 312-291-1502 or visit the St. Ita website at https://www.saintita.org

SERVICES Prayer Requests: If you or a family member or relative is ill and would like to be included on the list of prayer requests, please call the Parish Center. Mass Intentions: You may request a Mass intention for someone who is living or deceased or special occasions such as birth-days, special anniversary, get well wishes. Please call or stop by the Parish Center.

DEVOTIONS Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: 1st Friday of each month, 9:00am-10:00am, except when funerals are scheduled. Novena To Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Wednesdays 6:30pm

TAIZE PRAYER SERVICE The Taizé Prayer Service will focus on seasonal icons. Taizé Prayer Service will be held in Church on Sundays at 4:00pm. CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP The Charismatic Prayer Community meetings are held on Sundays from 5:00-7:00pm in the Baseheart room in the lower level of the gym building.

Parish & School INFORMATION & SERVICES

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