Mon. Sept. 26
8:00 Dominic Pocius
by Dinga Family
Tues. Sept. 27
8:00 Joan Berls
by Bob Berls
Wed Sept. 28
8:00 Ann Gilbert
by Mr. Bob Gilbert
Thur. Sept 29
8:00 Communion Service
Fri Sept. 30
8:00 Julius LoCicero
by Geraldine Dudeck

Sat. Oct 1
8:00 Purgatorial Society
5:30 Aileen Perry
by Marilyn Manion
Sun. Oct 2 the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
8:00 Margaret & Le Ray Griffin
by Maureen & Erin Brady
11:00 Palmer Family: Harry, Helen & Harriette
by Dave Palmer

THANK YOU
Thank you to all whom contributed to the collection on the weekend of Sept. 17th and Sept. 18th. The amount collected was $944.00.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK
Lauralee Dove
Ann Knight
Rita Schreiber
Lou Grimm
Corine Murphy
Ann Dytrych
Bill O'Connor
Adeline Deneen
Betty Nemecek
Helen Blaha
Betty Paschal
Ann Mysliwiec
Linda Jones
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
Catherine Schote-
Bob Sitniewski

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. 25 First Day of CCD Classes (9 - 10:30 AM)
Sept. 27 SGM Players Meeting (7 PM)
Oct. 3 Parish Council Meeting
Oct. 17 Women's Guild Meeting
Oct. 28 Guild Card & Bunco Party (7 PM)

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES
Religious Education classes will begin on Sept. 25, from 9:00 - 10:30AM each Sunday. You can 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.

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.

GERARDIAN GUILD HALLOWEEN PARTY
The Gerardian Guild will be hosting a Halloween card and Bunco party on Friday, October 28, at 7PM in Shevlin Hall. The tickets are $5.00 per person and the party is open to all. Tickets can be purchased at the door. The wearing of costumes is optional, but there will be no costume contest.
If you would like to donate a gift to be used as a door prize at the party please contact Rita Cole at (708) 333-5188.

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.

FREE TODDLER SCREENING
St. James Community Health Center in Chicago Heights is offering free infant/toddler screening on Friday, January 13, 2005 from 12:00-4:00 PM. The screening, which takes 30 minutes, 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.

LEGION OF MARY
All active and praying members of the Legion of Mary, past and present and members of your parish: on Sunday, September 25, 2005, the Legion of Mary will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Chicago Regional Senatus with Opening Prayers and Rosary at 2:30 PM, Mass at 3:00 PM at St. Helen Catholic Church 2315 W. Augusta Blvd., Chicago, IL.
The correspondent to Chicago from the headquarters of the Legion in Ireland will be the speaker in the hall after Mass. We hope to see you as we mark this special day. Refreshments will be served.
For more information please call Peter Skocik (630) 359-5400.

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.

OUR CONDOLENCES
The parish family would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of Henry Wilson who was buried from our church on September 21, 2005. Please keep Henry and his family in your prayers.

WHAT'S YOUR CATHOLIC IQ?
The questions this week are:

1. Spread of devotion to the Rosary is traditionally associated with (a) St. Augustine and the Augustinians; (b) St. Dominic and the Dominicans; (c) St. Ignatius and the Jesuits; (d) St. Thomas Aquinas; (e) none of the above.
2. Grace is (a) the same as free will; (b) one of the corporal works of mercy; (c) the help God gives us to respond to His call; (d) the name of the angel who appeared to Joseph in a dream; (e none of the above.
3. On February 14, the Church celebrates the feast day of (a) St. Cyril and his brother St. Methodius; (b) St. Benedict and his sister St. Scholastica; (c) St. Peter and St. Paul; (d) St. Valentine; (e) none of the above.
4. Regarding the Bible, the word "inspiration" describes (a) canon laws that pertain to the Old Testament; (b) canon laws that pertain to the New Testament; (c) diverse types of literature contained in Scripture; (d) the influence of the Holy Spirit on the people who wrote the books of the Bible; (e) none of the above; (f) all of the above.
5. The Angelus is a devotion honoring (a) the Incarnation; (b) the Resurrection; (c) the angels; (d) creation; (e) none of the above; (f) all of the above.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
We come together to seek the ways of the Lord, whose compassion and love are showered upon us. The Lord Jesus, who obediently accepted death on a cross, shows mercy to all - even the worst sinners.
The central message of the readings for this weekend is proclaimed most readily in the second reading. Saint Paul tells us: "Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus." As we open our hearts to receive God's word, let us remember that the heart of even the most serious sinner can be deeply touched by God's mercy and forgiveness.

Dear god of mercy and love,
Hear the prayer of your people. When we stray, bring us back to you. When we are tempted to find fulfillment elsewhere, lead us to return to your presence. You call us to live in love and act in justice, be merciful when we falter and grant us strength to persevere in all that is good.
Amen.