Mon. Oct. 3
8:00 Julius LoCicero
by Kevin & Melanie Fagan
Tues. Oct. 4
8:00 Henry Wilson
by St. Gerard Majella Parish
Wed Oct. 5
8:00 All the Sick in the Parish
Thur. Oct. 6
8:00 Communion Service
Fri Oct. 7
8:00 Julius LoCicero
by Frank & Lorraine Kula

Sat. Oct 8
8:00 Purgatorial Society
5:30 Linda Cecsarini
by Gloria Dompier
Sun. Oct 2 the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
8:00 Special Intentions
by the Craig Family
11:00 Joseph Anthony Bauer
by Linda Thusing

THANK YOU
Thank you to all whom contributed to the collection on the weekend of Sept. 24th and Sept. 25th. The amount collected was $996.00.

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
Bob Sitniewski
C. Schlote

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
Oct. 3 Parish Council Meeting
Oct. 17 Women's Guild Meeting
Oct. 28 Guild Card & Bunco Party (7 PM)
Oct. 30 Ministry Meeting (9 AM)

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES
Religious Education classes will be from 9:00 - 10:30AM each Sunday. You can register at that time please call, (708) 331-8400 and arrange a time. 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 per book and contains additional discounts. See Norm Cole, Lee Palys, or DoDo Dove for an 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.

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 Women's 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.
Everyone had a great time last year. You'll want to be there this year. Everyone who attends is asked to bring a "treat" to share with others.
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.

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.

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.

THE WOMEN'S CENTER
October has been designated "Respect Life" month. The Women's Center is a pregnancy resource center which helps women in difficult pregnancies. We provide practical help including counseling, friendship, food, clothing, baby furniture, referral services, etc. as needed.
They are selling beautiful pro-life themed Christmas cards. Call (773) 794-4771 for an informational flyer and ordering information.
They are in need of disposable diapers, children's and women's clothing, bedding, dishes, cleaning supplies, paper goods, toiletries, baby seats, and baby furniture. If you are able to donate any of the above mentioned items, you can call (773) 794-1313 to arrange pick up or delivery of the items. They will also provide you with a tax receipt for donated items.

TAIZE PRAYER
You are invited to gather to pray that respect for all life, will bring peace and unity to the world. St. Michael Church (14327 S. Highland Ave. Orland Park) will host a Taize prayer (Chant - Scripture - Silence) service on Sunday, October 9th at 7:30 in the Chapel. All are invited to join them.

ST. MARY OF CZESTOCHOWA SCHOOL
St. Mary of Czestochowa School, Cicero, IL. is looking for contact information of as many of its alumni as possible. An event to be held on Thursday, December 8, 2005, will be a blessing and re-dedication in honor of the centennial of the present school building. (Archbishop Quigley first dedicated it in December of 1905). Alumni are welcome to join us for Mass at 8 AM, followed by the Blessing and Rededication and then join us for brunch in the school hall.
If you would like to attend or for more information please contact Mr. Theis at (708) 656-5010; fax (708) 656-4043; email elem.stmaryczestochowa@archchicago.org; or mail at St. Mary of Czestochowa School, 3001 S. 49th Ave., Cicero, IL. 60804.

"COME AND SEE"
A "Come and See" reflection Weekend, sponsored by the Sisters of the Presentation, is being offered October 29-30, 2005. This reflection weekend will be held at the Sisters of the Presentation motherhouse in Dubuque, IA. Catholic women, college age and older, who are interested in exploring the option of religious life are invited to participate in this weekend.
For further information contact: Sr. Carmen at (563) 588-2008.

WHAT'S YOUR CATHOLIC IQ?
The questions this week are: 1. (b); 2. (c); 3. (a); (4. (d); 5. (a).
1. Jews call the first five books of the Old Testament (a) the Apocalypse; (b) the Torah; (c) Intertestamental Literature; (d) the Wisdom Writings; (e) none of the above.
2. The U. S. bishops (as well as the late Pope John Paul II) (a) rejected the death penalty; (b) support the death penalty; (c) take no position on the death penalty; (d) insist that each state decide its own policy regarding the death penalty; (e none of the above.
3. The Gospel writer whose symbol is the winged bull (ox) is (a) Matthew; (b) Mark; (c) Luke; (d) John; (e) none of the above.
4. The patron saint of television is (a) St. Catherine of Palma; (b) St. Aelred; (c) St. Otto; (d) St. Claire of Assisi; (e) none of the above.
5. The Book of Genesis tells about Abraham, Isaac, and (a) Ruth and Boaz; (b) Moses and the Passover; (c) Jacob and his twelve sons; (d) Joshua and the settling of the Promised Land; (e) none of the above; (f) all of the above.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
The image of the vineyard is at the heart of today's scriptures. We gather in this place, this vineyard, where God speaks to our hearts. Like a careful vine - grower, God tills the soil of our lives, preparing us to experience the flowering vines of life, love, and compassion.
There are many similarities between the First Reading, from Isaiah 5:1-7, and the Gospel. Jesus' listeners would recognize the images He used because they come from the Scriptures that the Jewish people had heard before.
Jesus shows that what He teaches about the Kingdom continues what the prophets proclaimed over and over to the Hebrews throughout their long history as a people. God has taken care to create a vineyard which is the world we live in and everything in the universe. W are the tenants in the vineyard. In the vineyard of our daily lives, simple things - like praying for others, serving those in need, and taking care of the earth - bring about a full harvest for the owner of the vineyard, who is God.
Merciful God, Help us to be good tenants in your vineyard. Move our harts with the love of your Holy Spirit, so that our lives will bear a fruitful harvest in the world. Amen.