Mon. Sept. 19
8:00 Julius LoCicero
by Mrs. Robert Cusak
Tues. Sept. 20
8:00 Living & Deceased Members of the
Grimm, & Tragnitz Families
By Lou & Shirley Grimm
Wed Sept. 21
8:00 Julius LoCicero
by the Parish Family
Thur. Sept 22
8:00 Communion Service
Fri Sept. 23
8:00 All the Hurricane Victims

Sat. Sept. 24
8:00 Purgatorial Society
5:30 Nebo & Della Lenkart
by Dinga Family
Sun. Sept. 25 the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
8:00 Special Intentions
by the Craig Family
11:00 Emil Lednicky
by Mary Lednicky & Family

THANK YOU
Thank you to all whom contributed to the collection on the weekend of Sept. 10th and Sept. 11th. The amount collected was $1,044.00.

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
Laura Dove
Osie Dompier
Eileen Desidero
Bernadine Smith
DoDo Dove
Terry El
Eugene Orris
Margaret Lee
Bunny DuBois
Brittany Dubs
Lillian Coughlin
Dorothy Loeffler
C. Campbell
Marge Straub
Shaun Deneen
E. Thielmann
Della Herrod
B. Chambers
Bob Sitniewski
Bill O'Connor
Catherine Schote

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
Sept. 18 Registration for Rel. Ed. Classes (9-10 AM)
Sept. 19 Women's Guild Meeting (7:00 PM)
Sept. 25 First Day of CCD Classes (9 - 10:30 AM)
Sept. 27 SGM Players Meeting (7:00 PM)

A LETTER FROM THE CARDINAL
Dear Friends in Christ,
A second collection will be taken up during the September 24 and 25 liturgies in the Archdiocese of Chicago to help support our two prize-winning Archdiocesan newspapers, The Catholic New World and the Spanish-language Chicago Catolico. Despite their success in helping me proclaim the Gospel and teach the Catholic faith, these essential publications need more than revenue from subscriptions and advertising to assure their place in the mission of the Archdiocese.
We all know that Catholics need to be both informed and affirmed in their faith in a world often at odds with the Church teachings. Reporting news and events from a faith perspective is not something the secular media always does well. The Catholic New World and Chicago Catolico provide the Catholic perspective on news and events- around the world and right here in Lake and Cook counties.
As Archbishop, I teach the Catholic faith. Through my regular columns, those of my brother bishops and the columns and articles of some of the top Catholic writers today, you will learn about stories and events from a perspective that is not available in any other media. By looking at a world beyond church and a church beyond your world, your own faith will be strengthened.
The cost is low, in hope that as many families as possible will subscribe. If you already subscribe, please accept my thanks. If not, I ask you to do so by calling (312) 655-7777. In either case, your donation in the second collection, whatever amount will help me continue to publish these exemplary Catholic newspapers.
May God bless you and those you love,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.
Archbishop of Chicago

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES
Religious Education classes will begin on Sept. 25, from 9:00 - 10:30AM each Sunday. Registration for classes will be on Sept. 18, 2005 in the parish office. If you can not register at that time please call, (708) 331-8400 and arrange a time to register your child. All children that are not attending Catholic Schools should attend CCD classes. The fee will remain at $30.00 per child. If you do not have the fee, register your child anyway. We all understand that there are times in one's life when finances are tight. No child will be denied a religious education because of funds.

HOLY NAME SOCIETY
The Holy Name Society is again selling the Entertainment Coupon Books. This year it is $25.00 a book and contains more discounts. See Norm Cole, Lee Palys, or DoDo Dove for and edition or more information.

AN EVENING AT THE THEATER
The members of the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver, Council and Court 251, are extending an invitation to "An Evening at the ETA Theater," 7558 S. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, on Friday, September 23, 2005 at 8:00 PM. The play will be Louie & Ophelia, about "a man and a woman, who fearlessly step into the arena again, for another chance at love." Tickets are only $20. For tickets and more information please contact Lady Isabell K. Boulware (708) 596-9522 or Knight Edward Taylor (708) 333-74882.

RCIA
St. Gerard Majella and Ascension-St. Susanna Parishes would like to issue an invitation to any and all adults interested in being instructed in the Catholic faith. RCIA classes will begin in November. Anyone interested in becoming Catholic, making a sacrament (such as First communion or Confirmation), or perhaps looking for a way to return to the faith can contact the parish office (708) 331-8400 any week day afternoon. We will be glad to assist you in meeting any of these needs. You can also contact the office if you have any questions or wish to register.

ARCHDIOCESAN PARISH SHARING MASS
All invited to attend the annual Archdiocesan Parish Sharing Mass. The joyful liturgy will reflect the multicultural, multiracial sharing that exists in the Archdiocese. The Mass will be Saturday, Oct. 2. Gathering music will begin at 2:45. The Most Rev. Gustavo Garcia-Siller will preside.
For more details contact the Office for Peace and Justice at (312) 751-8390.

MINISTRY MEETING
All ministers of the Eucharist or commentators are asked to attend a "Ministry Meeting" on October 30, 2005 at 9:00 AM in the Gathering Center at Church. If you are not a reader or Eucharistic Minister, but would like to become one, please attend this meeting also. We encourage everyone to consider becoming a member of one of these vital church ministries. The rewards are great and the time it takes to participate is minimal.

HURRICANE KATRINA
It is very gratifying to see the way our parish has responded to the Hurricane Relief drive. The recovery process from the terrible ordeal will take many months and probably years. St. Gerard would like to especially help members of our parish family. If any of your loved ones were directly affected by the hurricane and are in need of help, please call the parish office and let us know. We would like to extend our help to local families as much as possible.

SOCIAL SECURITY
The benefits that Social Security provides help more than 1.8 million residents in Illinois. It helps keep 569,000 older Illinoisans out of poverty.
To help local residents understand more about the history of the program, how it functions and future prospects, State Representative, Will Davis, will be hosting a regional meeting of the "Illinois House Speaker's Summit on Social Security and its' Future" on Monday, September 19th from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM at the South Suburban College Kindig Performing Arts Center, 15800 South State Street, South Holland. For more information call (708) 799-7300.

FREE TODDLER SCREENING
St. James Community Health Center in Chicago Heights is offering free infant/toddler screening on Friday, September 9, 2005 from 12:00-4:00 PM. The screening which takes 30minutes will determine if your child is developing at an age appropriate level. The screening done by early intervention professionals is for children aged of birth to 35 months. Appointments are strongly suggested and can be made by calling (708) 748-1833.

MARIAN CATHOLIC
Marian Catholic High School's annual Oktoberfest Arts and Crafts Show will be held at Marian on Sunday, October 9th from 10-4. Free Admission. For more information call Sharon @ (708) 474-2682.

MEN'S CHOIR CONCERT
Our sister parish, Ascension/St. Susanna's Men's Choir will hold a concert on Sunday, September 25th at 3:00 PM in the church. There will be a featured soloist. All are invited to attend. What a nice way to share time with our friends at Ascension.

WHAT'S YOUR CATHOLIC IQ?
There are no questions this week.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Each of us comes to church seeking to strengthen our relationship with the living God, who is generous in forgiving. It is difficult to grasp just how deep the mercy of the Lord is.
The first words of the first reading this weekend are "Seek the Lord while He may be found; call Him while He is near". In the proclamation of the word we find the Lord. His justice and compassion reaches out to all people. As we reflect on this week's Gospel, let us be aware of God's boundless love and generosity.

Dear Lord,
Let us offer praise for the gifts of mercy and kindness made present in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.