Dear Friends,
Happy Mother’s Day weekend! We hope that everyone has the chance to pause and reflect on the ways we can support the vocation of Motherhood. Our prayers are especially attentive to the mothers who have been lost due to COVID-19 and mothers who are mourning the loss of loved ones during the time COVID-19. All our mothers need support and encouragement during this time. While we didn’t anticipate any of this, Jesus did give us instructions on how to handle it. “Love one another as I have loved you.”
This webpage provides you a way of praying this weekend while sheltering at-home. If you can, you are urged to join us virtually on Sunday morning, May 10, 2020 at 11:00am for Your Sunday Connection… Live! We will hold a Zoom call for all parishioners to watch the pre-recorded homily for Sunday, have a chance to share and connect with one another, and even have virtual time for “coffee and donuts.” Register to join the call by clicking here.
We also encourage you to utilize the video/streaming opportunities to see Mass provided by the Archdiocese of Chicago at https://radiotv.archchicago.org/television/broadcast-masses.
The remainder of this webpage is the “Your Sunday Connection” Flocknote. As you scroll through, read and pray along. A homily message from Fr. Sergio Romo is included.
Opening Prayer
Almighty ever-living God, constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us, that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism may, under your protective care, bear much fruit and come to the joys of life eternal. 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.
The Readings
Reading 1 ACTS 6:1-7
As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
Reading 2 1 PT 2:4-9
Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame. Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith:
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and
A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall.
They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.
A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall.
They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.
You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Gospel JN 14:1-12
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.”
The Homily
Please click on the video link below to watch the homily for this week.
The Prayers of the Faithful
For the Church, that we may find ways to both preach the word and serve our neighbor. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.
For elected leaders, that they may serve with humility all the people in their care. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.
For an end to gun violence in our community and in our nation. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.
For mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, and expectant mothers, that they may know the value of their nurturing presence in the love of their families We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.
For all of us, that we may find comfort in the Lord when our hearts are troubled and extend that comfort to others whose hearts are also troubled. 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 the entire world as we 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: Mauricia Castillo, Ann Danaher, Charlie Sullivan, Carolina Betti, Marjorie Ann Nelson, Leuvina Castllo Jalbuena and Catherine Walsh. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.
Sunday Offertory
Stewardship of Saint Andrew Parish is the responsibility of us all. Consistently throughout the year, we remind parishioners about stewarding the gifts of Time, Talent, and Treasure to support the mission of Saint Andrew Parish.
During this pandemic, there are many urgent needs, among those needs are caring for the financial obligations of Saint Andrew Parish. If you do not regularly contribute electronically ether weekly or monthly, please consider making a Sunday Offering online through Give Central through the link below.
Spiritual Communion
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”
You can make Spiritual Communion by the bringing this prayer to your heart…
“My Jesus, I believe that you are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though you have already come, I embrace you and unite myself entirely to you; never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.”
Closing Prayer
Graciously be present to your people, we pray, O Lord, and lead those you have imbued with heavenly mysteries to pass from former ways to newness of life. Through Christ our Lord. AMEN
Announcements
Family Trivia Night
Join us on Zoom on Saturday May 16, 2020 at from 6pm to 7:30pm for Saint Andrew Family Trivia Night. Questions for all ages will allow us to have fun and laughter while social distancing. Participation will require calling in via Zoom and also having an additional internet enabled device such as a smart phone. Trivia will be played over www.kahoot.it Read more…
Add Your Picture to the Photo Mosaic
Over Easter, parishioners began submitting photos over their household as part of our parish mosaic which you can see here. If you’re not in the photo, here is your chance! We want to complete the photo by May 17, 2020. To submit your photo, read more…