As a reminder, we are limited in the number of people who are permitted to attend Mass. Therefore, the best way to connect with Saint Andrew Parish is by gathering with your household and praying through this “Your Sunday Connection” Flocknote. As you scroll through, read and pray along. A homily message from Deacon Mark is included.

Look upon us, O God, Creator and ruler of all things, and, that we may feel the working of your mercy, grant that we may serve you with all our heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Reading 1                         SIR 27:30—28:7

Wrath and anger are hateful things,
yet the sinner hugs them tight.
The vengeful will suffer the LORD’s vengeance,
for he remembers their sins in detail.
Forgive your neighbor’s injustice;
then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven.
Could anyone nourish anger against another
and expect healing from the LORD?
Could anyone refuse mercy to another like himself,
can he seek pardon for his own sins?
If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath,
who will forgive his sins?
Remember your last days, set enmity aside;
remember death and decay, and cease from sin!
Think of the commandments, hate not your neighbor; remember the Most High’s covenant, and overlook faults.

Reading 2                         ROM 14:7-9

Brothers and sisters: None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

Gospel                                             MT 18:21-35

Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive?

As many as seven times?”  Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.  When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.  Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt. At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.’

Moved with compassion the master of that servant let him go and forgave him the loan. When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a much smaller amount.  He seized him and started to choke him, demanding, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused. Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison until he paid back the debt.

Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master and reported the whole affair. His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant!

I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?’ Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back the whole debt.  So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.”

Please click on the video link below to watch the homily for this week.

For the Church, that we may be a model of forgiveness and mercy in a world that shouts out for vengeance and retribution. We pray to the Lord.   LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For world leaders, that they may temper justice with mercy as they enact and enforce the laws of their land. We pray to the Lord.              LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For our grandparents, living and deceased, in thanksgiving for all the blessings we have received from them and for the prominent role they have played in many of our lives. We pray to the Lord.        LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For those seeking forgiveness from those they have wronged and for those who believe that they cannot be forgiven, that they may know God’s unconditional and eternal promise of mercy and forgiveness. We pray to the Lord.   LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For catechists and all those who teach the faith to children, catechumens, and learners of all ages, that their ministry may help both student and teacher grow in knowledge and passion for their faith. We pray to the Lord.     LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For those who are affected by COVID19. That God will help them through this terrible time and for all of our efforts to face this pandemic. We pray to the Lord.        LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For the departed, who remain with us in our prayers and our memories, and for the promise of a joyful reunion, and especially for the deceased of the O’Malley family. We pray to the Lord.               LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

In many places in the world receiving Holy Communion is not possible. Catholics in these areas are encouraged to make “Spiritual Communion.” St.Teresa of Jesus wrote about this practice:

“When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you”

May the working of this heavenly gift, O Lord, we pray, take possession of our minds and bodies, so that its effects, and not our own desires, may always prevail in us. Through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

FALL FLING – Golf Outing

Sign up to play golf as a foursome, threesome, twosome or single along Chicago’s beautiful lakefront!!  The more the merrier! Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Sydney Marovitz Golf Course (3600 North Recreation Drive, Chicago, IL 60613) 1:00pm first tee time followed by scheduled tee times thereafter every 10 minutes. Boxed dinners available to order from GT Prime – delivered to your door. To find out more and the sign up, read more…

REBOOT: Update Your Spirituality

Please click on the button below to see a copy of the Sunday Bulletin.