The Fourth Sunday in Lent
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him
might not perish but might have eternal life." John 3:16
Announcements
The parish office's hours are 8:00am to 7:00pm Monday thru Friday, from 9:00am to 3:00pm on Saturdays, and from 9:00am to noon on Sundays.
The Sunday evening Mass is now a part of our community's opportunities for Sunday worship. Please join us at 5:00pm on Sunday evenings in addition to our scheduled times of 4:00pm on Saturdays and 9:00am and 11:00am on Sundays.
Pastoral Letter by David Heimann, Pastoral Assoc.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish, but might have eternal life."
Why do you do the things you do everyday?
Go to work? Working on a degree? Investing in this or that stock or business?
In the flow chart diagramming any set of these types of questions, the end result is usually the same. We do things because we believe they will make us happy. It is a shortcut in logic that we can usually find in the first few chapters of any introduction to philosophy. Our choices are determined by a disposition toward happiness.
Have you ever stopped to think, "Why does God do the things that God does?" Why create the world? Why give the 10 Commandments? The prophets? Why incarnate as Jesus and participate in our suffering?
Not unlike us, God's actions are aimed at God's purpose, which also seems to be happiness. It pleases God to create, to guide, to give all of God's self away, to all of creation, and especially to us.
The most clear articulation of God's loving purpose is found in this weekend's scripture. The famous phrase from the Gospel of John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life" It is likely that more than once, you've seen "John 3:16" on a sign at a football game or public event. It is a common short-hand tag line of Christianity's mission and purpose.
Whenever I teach the students preparing for Confirmation about this phrase from the Bible, I go one step further to summarize the mission and purpose of Christianity. It basically means, "God wants you to be happy."
When I have the opportunity, I expand on this brief summarization by setting some parameters around what the statement means. No, my ultimate happiness is not found in God giving me a Mercedes Benz. No, my ultimate happiness is not found in being elected to a political office or enjoy the pride of popularity. My happiness, any human being's happiness, is found in our profound and ultimate unity with God. In astonishing mutuality, God's happiness is also found through a profound and ultimate unity with us.
God models a relationship with us of total, self-giving love. That's what the words "For God so love the world..." imply. God is in love with us! We participate in God-likeness when we also fall in love and respond in love to the people and things within God's creation.
So let's continue to use this time of Lent to reflect and ask ourselves, "Why do we do the things we do?" If it isn't out of love and leading us to greater love of God and others, perhaps we can easily diagnose what is keeping us from being happy. And where we can discover how our work, our actions, our possessions, and our relationships are leading us to greater love of God, of self, and of neighbor, perhaps we can invest in these with greater abandon. For being fully ensconced in the activity of love will always result in our complete and lasting happiness - life eternal.
Holy Week Schedule
As we near the celebration of Easter, please join us for the celebration of the sacred feasts recalling the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
PALM SUNDAY
Saturday, March 23, 2024
4:00pm Blessing of Palms & Mass
Sunday, March 24, 2024
9:00am &11:00am Blessing of Palms & Mass
TRIDUUM
Thursday, March 28, 2024
7:00pm - Mass of the Lord's Supper
8:00pm to 11:00pm - Adoration
Friday, March 29, 2024
3:00pm - The Lord’s Passion
Saturday, March 30, 2024
11:00am - Blessing of Easter Baskets
8:00pm - The Easter Vigil
EASTER SUNDAY
Sunday, March 31, 2024
9:00am and 11:00 am Easter Sunday Masses
There will be no 5:00pm Mass on Sunday, March 31.
Holy Thursday Collection
What purpose is our fasting during Lent? Certainly, it is not to promote meaningless suffering. Perhaps it is to grow discipline above material things, but a more purposeful conclusion is that our temperance allows us to give more abundantly to those in need. Traditionally. we gather the financial benefits of our Lenten Fast and collect them at the sacred liturgy on Holy Thursday. This year, the collection will go to Nourishing Hope and their work in the relief of the material needs of those in Chicago experiencing poverty and hunger. Donations can be made during the Holy Thursday service or online. Thank you for your generosity.
Continue the Lenten Journey
Stations of the Cross - During the season of Lent, join us in praying the Stations of the Cross on Thursday evenings (notice the change of days) at 6:30pm in the main church. This thoughtful guided meditation on Jesus' journey to his crucifixion is a powerful reminder of the depth of God's love for us. The first Stations of the Cross will be held on Thursday, February 15, and take place every Thursday through March 21.
Lenten Taize Service - Join us on Tuesday, March 19, 204 at 6:30pm in the main church for our Lenten Taize Prayer Service. This beautiful form of prayer through simple song and ritual lighting of candles is a wonderful way to prepare our hearts for the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ.
Lenten Fish Fry - Save the date for the next Fish at Saint Andrew - Friday, March 22 from 5pm to 8pm. Preorder your tickets at www.standrew.org/fishfry
Easter Mission - Parishes often have a 3-night spiritual enrichment around Easter time. Saint Andrew traditionally does this in partnership with Saint Benedict Parish. This year, the mission will be in the Easter Season starting on Sunday April 21 and last for three nights.
Volunteer
Current Volunteer Opportunities:
Be a part of Saint Andrew's winter event schedule by volunteering your time, talent and treasures.
Saint Andrew Lenten Fish Fry 2024 - Saint Andrew will host 2 Lenten Fish Fry events; Friday, March 8th and Friday, March 22. We are looking for volunteers to help in many capacities. Please contact Julie Richards if you are interested julie@standrew.org
Mass Schedule
RETURNING TO THE CUP
A set of videos have been produced by the Saint Andrew Parish staff to remind parishioners about the reasons we offer the receipt of the Precious Blood at Mass and how we receive it with the appropriate reverence. Please take the time to view these videos at www.standrew.org/returning-to-the-cup
Weekend Mass Schedule:
Vigil - 4:00pm Mass
Sunday - 9:00am,11:00am and 5:00pm 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, March 10, 2024
+Gary Duerkoop and +Marcia Vinzons
Sunday, March 17, 2024
+Felipe Espaldon, +Michael A. Hoban, +William T. Hoban,
+Michael White and +Marcia Vinzons
Live Stream:
Watch our live stream of Sunday Mass at www.standrew.org/sundaymass
School News
Baby Bulldogs Registration- All are Welcome!
It's coming back! Baby Bulldogs will be back in January. This fun program is open to all infants, toddlers and their caregivers in our community. Registration is now open. Baby Bulldogs Winter 2024 Registration.
Applications are now open for 24-25! Do you have a friend or neighbor that is considering applying to the best school in Chicago? Sign up for a tour here: schedule a tour New student applications for the 24-25 can be found here: New Student Application
Religious Education News
We have begun Religious Education for the 2023-24 year for grades K through 8. Please visit www.standrew.org/re to learn more about the program for the upcoming year if you still need to register. We will have our next parent meeting and student classes on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at 10:00am in the school building for students and in the auditorium for parents. Please contact David Heimann at david@standrew.org if you have additional questions.
Stewardship and Finance Report
January 2024 Offering:
Envelope Collection - $7,387
Automated Giving - $24,554
Loose Cash - $3,992
Total Offertory - $35,933
Monthly Budgeted Expenses: $38,500
Annual Catholic Appeal
Many families in our parish have received the Annual Catholic Appeal mailing from Cardinal Cupich. On behalf of those served by the ministries, parishes and schools who receive funding from the Appeal, we thank you for your gifts. Please return your response as soon as possible. You may also make a pledge or donation directly through the Archdiocesan website at https://giving.archchicago.org/annual-catholic-appeal/about
Enrich - Expand - Grow Capital Campaign
Income - $1,913,342
Interest on Income - $40,260
Total Income - $1,953,601
Consulting Operating Expense - $215,000
Archdiocesan Contribution - $246,000
Church Lighting (Actual) - $250,517
Church Lighting (Consultant) - $10,480
Church Windows (Actual) - $157,120
School Addition (Architect Fees) - $34,530
Annex (Demolition) - $55,795
Annex (Utilities Disconnect) - $18,210
Annex (Environmental Remediation) - $38,780
Church Boiler - $313,845
School Boilers - $609,248
Total Expense - $1,949,525
BALANCE - $4.077
Revised 1/12/2024
Parish Staff
Parish Staff:
Pastor: Rev. Sergio Romo
Resident Priest: Rev. Emmanuel Madu
Pastoral Associate: David Heimann
Deacon: Mark Purdome
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