Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
"The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworth in great ones." Luke 16:10-13
Announcements
Next Sunday, September 25, 2022 there will be a second collection a Masses to support the seminarians of the Archdiocese of Chicago and their ongoing formation. Thank you for your generosity.
This weekend, the Knights of Columbus will sell Tootsie Rolls after Mass for their Annual Intellectual Disabilities Drive. A donation can be made directly at the following link - www.tinyurl.com/KnightsID2022.
Pastoral Letter by Deacon Mark Purdome
“Keep that cornfield in mind."
Bridget and I spent last weekend in southern Illinois hiking in the Shawnee National Forest. It was a welcome long weekend and an opportunity to celebrate our 33rd anniversary!
Driving south, I was struck by two things: Illinois is really, really flat (!), and there is a LOT of corn. Acres and acres and acres of corn, and it was really quite beautiful to watch sun set in the west through the car windows as the highway stretched on.
Since it is close to harvest time, the corn was tall, and as we drove, our perspective on those tall fields would change. For the most part, in our view from the highway, the corn looked almost like a solid wall, nearly impenetrable. But sometimes, as the road would curve, we'd see the same field from a different perspective. Instead of a solid-looking wall, we'd see the clearly defined rows, the path between each row of corn clearly delimited. The farmer had planted seeds with precision, keeping a clear pattern so the corn would have room to grow tall and so that the farmer could use a machine to harvest the crop.
A cornfield is, perhaps, a good metaphor for approaching the problems we see in our own lives. The dishonest steward in today's Gospel saw a solid wall in front of him, the wall of his master's disapproval because he squandered his property, but by changing his perspective a bit, he was able to see a path forward. Just like the difference between looking at the side of a field or the end, the problems we face have different contours when we approach them from a different perspective.
There are different approaches we can use, from reframing the problem using different words, to compartmentalizing it into smaller elements, or to working from the end back toward the beginning. Often, we use the approach of putting our feet into someone else's shoes, and that's what happens in today's Gospel. By looking at the problem from the point of view of the debtors, the dishonest steward quickly saw a path forward: reduce the debt by cutting out his "commission" on the original amount borrowed, and you become a friend of the debtors. His path was clear.
I'm not advocating that we become dishonest in our dealings with others so that we can do them a "favor" later. Instead, I think the important lesson is to look at things from different perspectives. The cornfields down south were a great physical demonstration of how familiar things take on a new look from a different point of view. Can we use that same metaphor in our own lives? Are there walls ahead of us that might benefit from a different frame of reference or a different attitude?
Keep that cornfield in mind.
Celebrate Sunday
Last week, the book Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families 2022-23 by Liturgical Training Press was distributed to families in our school and in our Religious Education program with a letter from Fr. Sergio (read the letter). Additional copies of the book are available in the back of church for families to pick up. They were given as part of our invitation to prepare and integrate fully our Sunday worship. Each week, a faculty member will create a video for everyone to watch and start a conversation about how Jesus is speaking to us today through the Gospel. Take a moment and prepare yourself for Mass by watching this weekend and every weekend - http://standrew.org/celebrating-sundays/. (This link will be the same every week even though the content will change.
It's Time for a Party - Fall Fling
The Saint Andrew Fall Fling is 7 days away on Saturday, September 24, 2022. Following the 9-hole scramble golf outing at 3pm at Sydney Marovitz Golf Course, everyone can join us for dinner and party at The Piggery at 7pm! This is the last week to purchase tickets on-line. Purchase your tickets online. Golf spots are SOLD OUT! Also, take note of the many Sponsorship opportunities too! If you'd like to join this committee, please email Julie Richards at julie@standrew.org.
Volunteer
Current Volunteer Opportunities:
5K Running of the Bulldogs:
Join us for the 14th Annual Saint Andrew Parish Running of the Bulldogs 5K on Sunday, October 23rd at 9:00am. Sunrise Mass will begin at 8:15am followed by the 5K and Kids Fun Run. Registration will open on Tuesday, Sept 20th. See the parish and school websites for more information. Contact Julie Richards at julie@standrew.org for more information.
Fall Fling:
The Fall Fling will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2022 and includes a golf outing and evening party. It's our 20th year of hosting this event!!! Registration is live! Contact julie@standrew.org for more information.
Ministry of Care:
Parishioners are needed to pray with Catholic parishioners who are in local nursing home and assisted living facilities and to bring them Holy Communion. Please contact Deacon Mark at mark@standrew.org.
Mass Schedule
Weekend Mass Schedule:
Vigil - 4:00pm Mass
Sunday - 9:00am and 11:00am Mass
Confessions:
Confessions are heard in the main church at 3:00pm on Saturdays or by appointment. Call 773-525-3016 or write info@standrew.org
Readings for the Week:
Mass readings are available on the U. S. Bishop's website
at https://bible.usccb.org/readings/calendar
Mass intentions:
Sunday, September 18, 2022
+Amanda Fildes, +Theodore Gross, +Kathleen Leonard, +Patrick and Catherine Walsh and +Richard Rush
Sunday, September 25, 2022
+Sophia O'Malley, + Marie Merollo, + Edmond Dougherty and +Dominick Soorzo
Live Stream:
Watch our live stream of Sunday Mass at www.standrew.org/sundaymass
School News
Are you interested in a Catholic Education for your child? The first tour of the school year will be held on Tuesday, October 11 at 9am. Sign up here: tour sign up
Please contact Anne Japsen in Admissions at annejapsen@gosaintandrew.com for more information. Come join us and experience what makes our Blue Ribbon School so special. www.gosaintandrew.com
Religious Education News
We have begun Religious Education for students between grades K and 8th grade. Please visit www.standrew.org/re to learn more about the program and to register.
Sunday of September 18, 2022, classes will be held at 10:00am in the school for grades K-6.
There is a meeting in the auditorium at 4:00pm for parents and students in the 7th grade preparation program for Confirmation today (Sunday, September 18, 2022).
8th graders preparing for Confirmation will meet at 5:30pm in the auditorium today (Sunday, September 18, 2022). This class is for both students of Saint Andrew School and Religious Education.
Stewardship and Finance Report
August Offering:
Envelope Collection - $5,816
Automated Giving - $19,201
Loose Cash - $2,935
Total Offertory - $27,952
Monthly Budgeted Expenses: $38,500
Enrich - Expand - Grow Capital Campaign
Income - $1,894,038
Interest on Income - $37,318
Total Income - $1,929,127
Consulting Operating Expense - $180,000
Archdiocesan Contribution - $196,800
Church Lighting (Actual) - $250,517
Church Lighting (Consultant) - $10,480
Church Windows (Actual) - $157,120
School Addition - $187,310
Total Expense - $982,227
BALANCE - $949,130
Parish Staff
Parish Staff:
Pastor: Rev. Sergio Romo
Associate Pastor: Rev. Silvanus Kidaha
Pastoral Associate: David Heimann
Deacon: Mark Purdome
Deacon: Eric Sorensen
Business Manager: Esperanza Benavides
Fundraising/Development: Julie Richards
Office Manager: Christina O’Malley
Receptionists: Terry Ryan, Christine Chua, Mercedes Jairala
Engineer: Alfred Benkiser
Contact parish staff by phone at 773-525-3016,
electronically at http://standrew.org/get-in-touch/,
or by email at info@standrew.org
School Administration:
Principal: Sarah Casavechia
Assistant Principal: Shanna Eley
Reception: Trini Mahadeo
Admissions: Anne Japsen
Contact School Administration by phone at 773-248-2500
