Mon. July 25
8:00 All Men & Women in the armed Services
Tues. July 26
8:00 All the Elderly in the Parish
Wed July 27
8:00 People of St. Gerard Majella
Thur. July 28
8:00 Communion Service
Fri July 29
8:00 All those who are Ailing

Sat. July 30
8:00 Purgatorial Society
5:30 Jim Trask
by Norm & Rita Cole and Family
Sun. July 31 Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8:00 Stanley Jurek
by Lou & Shirley Grimm
11:00 Edward Zajac
by Paul Veldhuizen & Family

THANK YOU
Thank you to all whom contributed to the collection on the weekend of July 16th and July 17th. The amount collected was $1,037.00.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK
Linda Jones
Ann Knight
Rita Schreiber
Lou Grimm
Corine Murphy
Ann Dytrych
Julie Laur
Adeline Deneen
Betty Nemecek
Helen Blaha
Betty Paschal
Ann Mysliwiec
Julius LoCicero
Osie Dompier
Eileen Desidero
Bernadine Smith
DoDo Dove
Terry El
Eugene Orris
Margaret Lee
Roselee Gacke
Brittany Dubs
Lillian Coughlin
Dorothy Loeffler
C. Campbell
Marge Straub
Shaun Deneen
E. Thielmann
Della Herrod
Mary Ellen Joren
Bunny DuBois

Anyone who is ill in our parish and would like to receive Holy Communion; call (708) 331-8400. If you can be removed from the sick list at this time, please call the parish office.

DATES TO REMEMBER
Aug 6, 7, 8 12, 13 & 14 SGM Players Summer Show “Story Time”

USEFULNESS OF LIFE
When the choice lies between happiness and usefulness, God always chooses the latter for His children. This is the key to a mystery.
We seek joy, God seeks fruit. We pray for comfort, God sends trail. Not because He is unfeeling, but because He loves us too much to please us by injuring us.
The care-free life is not the cared-for life. The crown shines brightest upon the forehead where pain has plowed her deepest furrows. That life is the loveliest which has been chiseled into beauty by the sharpest tool of sorrow. God is aiming at usefulness, not limited to earth, but reaching to the stars and embracing eternity. God has chosen us, and into His plan are woven both today and tomorrow and the eternal years; and He will not give us the happiness of today if that can only be purchased by the diminished happiness of tomorrow.

THE WOMENS GUILD
The parish would like to thank the Gerardian Women’s Guild for their generous donation of $1,500.00 toward the work of the parish. The women have always been diligent and active supporters of the parish. These women work hard all year in raising funds and promoting the social activities of our church. Thank you again ladies for your unequaled efforts.

CATHOLIC SCHOOL FUND
Did you go to a Catholic School? Then don’t forget the Cardinal’s School Fund, established to help archdiocesan schools face financial challenges.
The tax-deductible fund is seeking critical donations because increasing costs jeopardize the future of many Catholic schools.
For more information, call (312) 751-05250 or visit www.archchicago.org.

THE WOMEN’S GUILD
The Women’s Guild would like to remind everyone that they are still saving pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. This charity helps the families of children who have cancer by providing a place for the families to stay while the children are receiving treatment.
Sr. Catherine would also like to thank everyone for their ongoing support of the women’s shelter she is associated with. The shelter is in continual need of toiletry supplies such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. There seems to be an ever increasing need to help families with young children. The small dent that we make with our donations combined with the generosity of others helps these families during the time of their greatest need.

CHRISTIAN VALUES
Christians today need to have greater conviction about the power of prayer than other people have about the power of money.

DO YOU HAVE DIABETES?
This year, one of every five adults over the age of 65 will develop diabetes. To answer your questions about this illness and to learn the warning signs, risk factors, and much more, request a free pamphlet (Diabetes: Understanding the Disease) by calling (708) 371-0400 ext. 1216.
The pamphlet is compliments of the Crestwood Senior Education Institute.

SENIOR SUPPORT GROUP
The senior support group at St. James Hospital meets every third Monday of the month to discuss topics relevant to seniors. Their welcome session will meet on Monday, July 28, 2005 from 3-4 Pm at St. James Hospital-Chicago Heights Campus (1423 Chicago Road, Chicago Heights, 3rd floor in room 346). Monthly sessions will include: tips for staying independent, the latest inn adaptive equipment, dealing with change and feelings of depression, relaxation and visualization, and other topics the group will pick. The program is free and a light snack will be provided.
Call (708) 756-1000 ext. 6167 for more information.

SIGNS OF HEAT STROKE
Heat stroke is caused by extended exposure to high temperatures, and can be life-threatening. The Illinois Department of Public Health advises that individuals watch for the following signs if hey are going to be outside for any lengthy amount of time on hot humid days:
-headache
-red, dry face
-skin that is hot to the touch
-a body temperature of 105 degrees or higher
-a rapid pulse
-loss of consciousness or
-seizures or an irregular heartbeat.
If you think someone is having a heat stroke, immediately get that person into a cool, shaded area and offer them water. Run a cool bath or put ice packs on the head, neck, and armpits. If the person is delirious or losing consciousness, take him or her to the hospital.

SGM PLAYERS
Tickets for the summer production, “Story Theatre” are now on sale. They may be purchased before each Mass or by calling the parish office, (708) 331-8400.
The production will include a “Spaghetti Dinner” featuring the food from the Country House restaurant on Aug. 7th and a “Lasagna Dinner” featuring the food from Rubinos on Aug. 13th. These meals are always delicious and you don’t want to miss them.
The SGM Players would also like to thank the members of the Women’s Guild and the Holy Name Society for making this show our churches first joint production with the three clubs. It is always wonderful when different organizations join together to achieve a common goal.

BLACK CATHOLIC MEN’S CONFERENCE
The National Black Catholic Men’s Conference will be hosting A Call to Walk Upright II “Faithful To The Vision” on October 7th – 9th, 2005 at Marriott Chicago Southwest at Burr Ridge. For reservations call 1-800-228-9290 or (630)986-4100.

WHAT’S YOUR CATHOLIC IQ?
The answers to last week’s questions were: 1. (a); 2. (c); 3. (c); 4. (c); 5. (b)
1. A flat round piece of unleavened bread sometimes used as Eucharistic Bread is called (a) host; (b) surplice; (c) ciborium; (d) post; (e) none of the above.
2. A book of prayers used during the Mass is called (a) sacramentary; (b) pyx; (c) tabernacle; (d) purificator; (e) none of the above.
3. A square piece of cloth that the priest places beneath the chalice and bread during Mass is called (a) chasuble; (b) corporal; (c) cassock; (d) guadete; (e) none of the above.
4. A special box where the Eucharistic Bread is kept between Masses is called (a) vestibule; (b) sanctuary; (c) tabernacle; (d) sacramentary; (d) none of the above.
5. A book that contains all the scripture readings, including the Gospels is called (a) sanctuary; (b) lectionary; (c) alb; (d) stole; (e) the cry room.

CATHOLIC TRIVIA
Did you know?
Alleluia (or hallelujah) ia s Hebrew word adopted by the Christian Church. Hallel is the greatest expression of praise in Hebrew. Combined with Jah, the shortened form of the name of God, JHVH (meaning “I am”), it becomes Hallelujah. Alleluia is a Latinized spelling.
Amen stems from the Hebrew Ah’men or Ay’men meaning “firm”, “established with certainty”. In the New Testament Amen is frequently attributed to Jesus and is often translated “truly” as in the idiom “truly, truly, I say to you….” In effect Amen means “I do believe”.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Today’s readings are all about searching and finding treasures. What are we searching for?
When the Lord asked Solomon, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you”, Solomon did not ask for riches or a long life, he asked for an understanding heart. This wisdom was the greatest treasure to him. So we need to ask ourselves: What do we ask of God? With humility we need to seek not the things of this world, but treasures that will bring us to eternal life. The real treasure for the believer is life in Jesus Christ. As you continue to conform your life to the life of Christ, be mindful of this community’s care and support.
God’s mercy is a treasure we hold dear. With humble hearts we acknowledge the magnificence of this treasure, which sparkles brighter than the purest gold or the most perfect diamond.