The Spirit

Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church

September 4, 2016

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

ST. TERESA OF CALCUTTA (Canonization of Blessed Mother Teresa ~ September 4, 2016 )

“Our life of poverty is as necessary as the work itself. Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God better because of them.”

― Mother Teresa

September 4, 2016 Mass Intentions 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: “Let the children come to me…” Lk 18:16 Baptisms are ordinarily celebrated on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at 1:30 p.m. in the Church. A preparation meeting is required. Please call the Ministry Center to arrange. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: God’s mercy is ever near. Confessions are heard every Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to Noon in the Church and by appointment. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE: Congratulations! Weddings are ordinarily celebrated on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Please be sure to consult a priest before setting the date for your wedding.

CARING FOR THE SICK: If you or a loved one are ill and would like prayers or to receive the Sacrament of Anointing, Holy Communion, or a visit, please do not hesitate to call the Ministry Center. A communal celebration of the Sacrament of Anointing follows the 8:15 a.m. Mass on the first Saturday of the month. FIRST FRIDAYS: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place throughout the day, ending with Holy Hour and Benediction from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

MINISTRIES

CHAIRPERSONS Mrs. Deborah Bosco — Parish Pastoral Council Mr. Steve Dolan — Parish Finance Committee Mrs. Nancy Stranczek — Ministry of Care Mrs. Gigi Bialko — Bereavement Ms. Reneda Mittman — Lectors Mr. & Mrs. Jack Eichstaedt — Communion Ministers Mr. Andy Thelen — Ministry Scheduler Mr. Vince Milito — Ushers Mrs. Terry Uselmann — St. Matthew Circle Ms. Heidi Mergenthaler & Mrs. Julie Galluzzi & Ms. Marilyn Kirschten— Wedding Ministry Coordinators

EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION SUNDAY MASSES: 5:00 pm (Saturday) 7:30, 9:00, 10:45 am, 12:15, 5:00pm Weekday: 6:30 & 8:15 am; Saturday 8:15 am Holy Day: 6:30, 8:15 am, 7:00 pm RECONCILIATION: Saturday, 11:00 am - 12 noon and individually as requested. HOPELINE: For Pregnant Women 847-823-HOPE

PARISH DIRECTORY

CHURCH: 8300 N. Greenwood, Niles, IL 60714 PARISH OFFICE - Ministry Center, 8624 W. Normal Phone: 847-823-2550 Fax: 847-823-4291 www.olransom.org

Rev. Christopher M. Gustafson — Pastor Rev. Paul Reczek, O.F.M. — Sunday Celebrant Rev. Mr. Charlie O’Donnell — Deacon Rev. Mr. James Frugé — Deacon Mrs. Cathy Williams — Office Manager Mr. Richard Gargul — Business Manager Mr. Rob Sadlowski — Music Director Mr. Jim Potthast—Youth Minister Mr. Bob DiSandro — Maintenance Engineer Mrs. Kathleen Sass — Bulletin Typist

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM Mrs. Maureen Valvassori — Director 847-696-2994 Email: o.ransom@att.net

NEW PARISHIONERS: Welcome to the Parish! We are glad you are here. Please come to the Ministry Center to register or call: 847-823-2550.

Monday, September 5 (Labor Day; St. Theresa of Calcutta, Religious) 9:00 a.m. — Biagio Gattuso Tuesday, September 6 6:30 a.m. — Purgatorial Society 8:15 a.m. — Barbara Winiecki; Joe Paglini; Giovanni & Nicasia LaCorte; V.A. Chacko Mark Curran Wednesday, September 7 6:30 a.m. — Rose & Dan Scandiff 8:15 a.m. — Michael & Maria Scardino

Thursday, Sept. 8 (The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary) 6:30 a.m. — Emily Loret Bedran 8:15 a.m. — Silvio & Rita Giannelli

Friday, September 9 6:30 a.m. — Judy Zittman 8:15 a.m. — Special Int. of Patricia & Wally Gruszka Saturday, September 10 8:15 a.m. — William Scholly; Robert Larson; Stanislaw Kopacz; Anastasia Arpon; Emmanuel Arenas; Mary Ann DiVito; Mathew Achu 3:00 p.m. — Wedding: Alyssa Milazzo & Michael DeScantis 5:00 p.m. — Frank & Gertrude Mozgowiec; 50th Wedding Anniv.—Pat & Bob Gattuso Sunday, Sept. 11 (Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time) 7:30 a.m. — For the People of OLR 9:00 a.m. — George Norek 10:45 a.m. — Roberta Merkel 12:15 p.m. — Joseph & Francesca Clementa 5:00 p.m. — Harvey Kindt

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From the desk of the Pastor ...

A Saint for our Times A few months prior to my Ordination to the Priesthood I had the incredible experience of sharing a morning Mass and a private audience with Pope John Paul II. Being in his holy presence, receiving his handshake, looking into his smiling eyes, I knew that I was in the presence of a living saint. As he moved down the line to meet others gathered in his library, still held in awe, I recall having the thought that there was no other living person I could think of that I really wanted to meet before I died (president, athlete, music artist, etc.) — except one — Mother Teresa. That never happened this side of eternity. I hope it will on the other side.

This Sunday Mother Teresa will be officially proclaimed a saint by the Church, something that many of us who marveled at her indomitable, faith-filled spirit poured out in love for the “poorest of the poor” knew already. I remember being transfixed as this tiny, sari-clad nun, spoke defiantly to the President of the United States (then, President Clinton), and later to the United Nations, about the plight of the poor and the horrific injustice in our nation of abortion. Of course, what spoke more eloquently than any words that came from her mouth were the deeds we beheld as she went to the gutter of the world and gave loving care to the sick, diseased, poor, abandoned people day after day after day.

It was very surprising for most of us to learn from letters compiled by her spiritual director and published as Mother Teresa: Be My Light, that she struggled spiritually for years and years. After founding the Missionaries of Charity, she suffered very real doubts even about God’s existence. She rarely if ever felt again the consolations that we presumed fueled her faithful service and tireless spirit. This, to me, is even more telling about her incredible holiness. We tend to think the saints always have an easy communion with the Lord while at prayer and in their work. There is much evidence to the contrary. St. John of the Cross described the experience of God’s absence as the "dark night of the soul.” Pope Benedict, XVI, (then Joseph Ratzinger) in his book Introduction to Christianity speaks of all of us being constantly inhabited by both faith and doubt.

As we recognize and honor Saint Mother Teresa this Sunday, let us pray that we might embrace a deeper love for the most vulnerable, the “poorest of the poor,” the unborn child — and that we persevere in our prayer and service, surrendering our wills and efforts to the Lord, remembering her words that, “The Lord doesn’t call us to be successful. He calls us to be faithful.”

Have a blessed week,

Hello! My name is Andy Duran and I am happy to be a part of the many great things happening at Our Lady of Ransom Parish. I began my career in youth ministry – working alongside Fr. Chris at St. Mary’s in Lake Forest. Over the years, I have worked in various roles with youth and in the Church, including running a program called the Peacebuilders Initiative at Catholic Theological Union and directing a ministry for the Diocese of St. Augustine in northern Florida. Currently, my full-time job is as the Executive Director of LEAD, a growing drug prevention non-profit based in Lake Forest, but offering support and services for youth and families all over the country.

Here at Our Lady of Ransom, I have been charged with developing a renewed online presence. Specifically, I will be working on building a new website and social media presence that will not only

help you know about all the great things happening in the parish, but even more importantly, will help you to share your faith with one another. We will be instituting a regular email blast, online videos, creative ways for you to connect with staff and ministries, and much more. If you have any suggestions or would like to share your time and talents in this important evangelization effort, please let me know. I can be reached at aduran@olransom.org.

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Date/Time Commentator Lector

Communion Ministers Cantors Servers

Saturday, September 10 5:00 p.m.

Steve Dolan Reneda Mittman

Joe & Gigi Bialko, Joan Del Medico, Marilyn Kirschten, Lydia LaScola, Carol Mozgowiec, Mary Mundt, David Nellessen, Andy Thelen

Mia Wilson

Sunday, September 11 7:30 a.m.

Daniel Ramirez Jannard Remo

George Colgan, Rosanne Dulski, Patricia Lucas, Eleanor Mueller, Dennis Ramirez, Phyllis Ranalli, Terry Uselmann

9:00 a.m. Eleanor Laraia Kelly Satorre

Fred & Gerry Batliner, Carol Bergeron, Filomena Randazzo, Joey Randazzo, Mel & Kathleen Sass, Norm Stranczek, (sub needed)

Matthew Cordero Juliana Parisi

10:45 a.m. George Kedra Barbara Kopec

Josephine Bax, Rick Fox, Nancy Hedrick, Nancy Jensen, Mike Merchut, Jerry Merkel, (subs needed)

Emily Schroeder Frank Kedzior

12:15 p.m.

Jonelle Castillo Ben Paolelli

Maria Mauro, Maria Galluzzi, Chris Paolelli, Joe Paolelli, Matt Paolelli, Gloria Scardino, Judith Vee, Matilde Yates

Joshua Luce Renee Pantaleon

5:00 p.m.

Jim Croteau Lydia LaScola

R. Scott Flick, (sub needed), (sub needed), (sub needed) Cecilia Hernandez Victor Hernandez

Liturgical Ministers for Next Week’s Liturgies

III - Alyssa Milazzo & Michael DeSantis

WEDDING BANNS

Monday, September 5

LABOR DAY

Mass at 9:00 a.m.

In observance of Labor Day the Ministry Center office will be closed

on Monday, September 5 and re-open Tuesday at 8:45am

Emergency calls will be facilitated by our Answering Service.

R. C. I. A. Have you ever considered becoming Catholic?

Our RCIA program begins in September.

If you have questions about this process, please contact Fr. Chris or one of our deacons at 847-823-2550.

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A BASIC MINISTRY OF CARE TRAINING COURSE will be offered this Fall, 2016. The five-week training will take place on Wednesday evenings from September 28 though October 26 at Presence St. Benedict Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 6930 West Touhy, Niles. (For those unable to attend the training on Wednesday evenings, a separate training series will be held on Tuesday evenings.) A Minister of Care at Our Lady of Ransom visits our parishioners who are hospitalized, or in nursing homes, or confined to their homes and brings Communion to them.

For any questions you may have about the OLR Ministry of Care Program please call the parish office at 847-823-2550 and leave your name and phone number. Our Ministry of Care Coordinator will contact you with more information and the process for registration. Space is limited and participants need to be registered no later than September 19. Thank you!

BRIDGE PLAYERS NEEDED !!

Bridge Players are needed — 4th Tuesday of the month,

starting September 27 in Paluch Hall at 12:00 noon

for additional information, or to sign up, please call Nancy Stuercke at 847-825-4056.

OLR DAY OF SERVICE Saturday - September 24 -- 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.

All ages welcome!

Serve God’s people by: ♦ Visiting the elderly in local nursing homes

♦ Beautifying the parish grounds ♦ Making lunches for the homeless and hungry

♦ Organizing donations for local agencies ♦ And more!

Afterward, join fellow volunteers for pizza, reflection and discussion.

Call the Ministry Center to get more information and sign up to help.

ATTENTION BOWLERS

Our Queen’s Ransom Bowling League is in need of bowlers — men and women — for our Wednesday 12:30 p.m.

league at Classic Bowl starting September 14. We are a fun group — hope you an join us! Call Sue Lysy at 847-825-2602 for additional information.

“Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” Mother Teresa

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St. Vincent de Paul is sponsoring an event to benefit their Thrift Stores. These stores greatly help people who are looking for basic needs at a reasonable price. A container will be availa-ble in the OLR parking lot on Saturday, September 17 from 10:00am to 4:00pm, and on Sun-day, September 18 from 1:30 to 4:30pm. Volunteers will be available to accept donations of gently used clothing, shoes, linens, small working appliances, kitchen and household items and furniture. NO ELECTRONICS SUCH AS COMPUTERS OR TELEVISIONS, BABY EQUIPMENT OR TOYS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Any questions, call Norm at 847-699-7129. Thank you. St. Vincent de Paul Society

A few weeks ago, on August 15, the Young Adults Group volunteered at the “Feed My Starving Children” center in Libertyville, Illinois. The organization satisfies the needs of hungry children found throughout the world in various countries. On this particular occasion, the Young Adults Group was packing food for famished children found in areas throughout Cuba. The group packed 7 boxes of food. Each box of food is said to provide 216 meals on average. At 7 boxes and 216 meals each, the group packed over 1,500 meals!

If you are between the ages of 20-39, come out to join us at our next meeting on Friday, September 9 at 7:00pm where we will be making plans to host Donut Sunday.

P R A Y F O R T H E S I C K

SACRIFICIAL GIVING

We pray for all the sick at every Mass and in our private prayers. Persons who have a change in their health (traumatic event, surgery, critical stage of disease, etc.) will be mentioned by name (if they or a family member request) at Sunday Masses. Thereafter, for one month the name will be published in the bulletin and then placed on our website: olransom. org.

R E S T I N P E A C E

Please continue to pray for the following people

who have recently died:

Alan Biachi

Joseph Makowski Martha Shipp

Theresa Dorjath

OLR MILITARY God keep you safe!

A.I.C. Michael Gonzales Sgt. Vito Deiure Gunny Sgt. Paul J. Vee, USMC Lt. 1st Class Jared Kandell Staff Sgt. Michael Osterlund PFC Darren Keifer PO2 Patrick Wurster II Staff Sgt. Anthony LaScola, USMC Cpl. Brian Michael Bell BM3 Kristin Kaufmann Specialist Conrad Sewinski ENFR Joshua Torres 1st Lt. Joseph John Gullo, USAF Cpl. Giselle Obcemea Gayapa, USMC PFC Ezekiel M. Trimble PFC Edrian Fernandez, USAFC Cpt. Jason Lovallo 2nd Lt. Timothy F. Eddy, Jr. 1st Lt. Catie LaScola, USMC

If you know of any Our Lady of Ransom parishioners who are serving in the military and would like to include them in our prayer intentions, please call the Ministry Center (847-823-2550.)

Our response to God’s command to take care of the community

with the gifts, talents and resources God entrusts to us.

STEWARDSHIP OF RESOURCES

Sunday Collections August 28 ….……........$ 12,146

(Week 9) July electronic…...……$ 8,071 Year-to-date ……...…..$ 120,592

We are grateful.

“Lord, for your faithful people, life is changed not ended.”

--Rite of Christian Burial

Tony Gargano (3) Beth Dix (3) Matt Beraidi (3) Albert Vistan (2) Michael Wrona (2) Effie Bekas (1)

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A PRAYER FOR LABOR DAY On this weekend, when we rest from our usual labors, loving Father, we pray for all who shoulder the tasks of human labor — in the market-place, in factories and offices, in the professions, and in family living. We thank you, Lord, for the gift and opportunity of work; may our efforts always be sure of heart, for the good of others and the glory of your name. We lift up to you all who long for just employment and those who work to defend the rights and needs of workers everywhere. May those of us who are now retired always remember that we still make a valuable contribution to our Church and our world by our prayers and deeds of charity. May our working and our resting all give praise to you until the day we share together in eternal rest with all our departed in your Kingdom as you live and reign Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen

From: Our Lady of Ransom Parish Niles,IL 847-823-2550 Contact: Cathy Williams Bulletin #000161

Date: August 28, 2016 8 PAGES PLUS COVER SHEET Publisher 2007 Printer HP Laser Jet CP3525