Mon. Oct. 17
8:00 Marie Schramm
by Lou & Shirley Grimm
Tues. Oct. 18
8:00 Julius Lo Cicero
by Fred & Jean Willey
Wed Oct. 19
8:00 Sr. Philip Jasper
by Sr. Lou & Sr. Catherine
Thur. Oct. 20
8:00 Communion Service
Fri Oct. 21
8:00 Communion Service
Sat. Oct 22
8:00 Purgatorial Society
5:30 Julius LoCicero
by Marilyn Manion
Sun. Oct 23 the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
8:00 Special Intentions
by The Craig Family
11:00 Crystal V. Knight
by the Knight Family

THANK YOU
Thank you to all whom contributed to the collection on the weekend of Oct. 8th and Oct. 9th. The amount collected was $1,231.95.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK
Lauralee Dove
Ann Knight
Rita Schreiber
Len Murphy
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

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.

If you wish to put someone on the sick list or remove a someone's name please call the parish office. Thank you.

DATES TO REMEMBER
Oct. 17 Women's Guild Meeting
Oct. 28 Guild Card & Bunco Party (7 PM)
Oct. 25 SGM Players (7 PM)
Oct. 30 Ministry Meeting (9 AM)

OUR CONDOLENCES
The St. Gerard Majella Parish Family wishes to express it's condolences to the family of Lou Grimm. Mr. Grimm was buried from our church on Monday. He and his family have been longtime members of the parish. He and his loving wife Shirley were the first couple to be married at St. Gerard. Please keep him and his entire family in your prayers.

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. The fee will remain at $30.00 per child.

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 9:30 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.
Greeters, ushers, and all other church ministries are also invited to attend this meeting.
Please note that the time listed in last weeks bulletin was wrong. The meeting will start at 9:30 AM. Thank you.

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.

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 or by calling Rita Cole. 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.

"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.
For more information call (708) 333-8379.

FREE CONCERT
The evangelization Team of Ascension-St. Susanna Parish invites you to a musical with The Ngoma Group featuring a program of African, spiritual gospel songs on Sunday, October 16th from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. The church is located at 153rd Street and Myrtle Avenue in Harvey, IL. Admission is free. Join us for a program of joyous song and praise.

ST THOMAS MORE HOLIDAY BAZAAR
St. Thomas More parish located at 81st and California in Chicago will be holding a Holiday Bazaar on November 20th from 8 AM to 4PM. They are seeking exhibitors for the event. Space is limited, so if you would like a spot please contact Phyllis Spizzirri at (708) 952-0681 by November 4th if you want a spot or more information. If there is no answer, please leave your name and phone number and your call will be returned. There will also be bottled water, tea, coffee, food and soft drinks catered by Barlano's restaurant.

LIVE-IN EXPERIENCE VOCATIONAL RETREATS
Attention prayerful single men and women! St. Procopius Abbey, Gethsemani Abbey, (for men) and Poor Claire Annunciation Monastery, St. Joseph, St. Joseph Passionist (for women) and Franciscan Friars are now offering "Live-in Experience" vocational retreats. Learn about these exciting vocations first hand. Pray and work with the monks and nuns and enjoy vocational talks. There is no cost but space is limited. These retreats are popular so make your reservations soon. Call toll free (800) 221-1807.

"IN THE HUDDLE WITH BISHOP PERRY"
Dads, sons, single guys don't miss this local event! "In the Huddle with Bishop Perry as a Catholic man, What's God asking of me?"
Check out the Event lineup: food, beverages, and guest speakers: Bishop Joseph N. Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, Rev. Paul Campbell, LC, Chaplain East Lake Academy.
This event is being presented by Catholic Men of Chicago Southland (CMCS) on Sunday, October 23, 2005, 4:00 - 6:00 PM at St. Lawerence O'Toole Parish, 4101 St. Lawerence Ave, Matteson, IL. The cost is $10.00 per man, $7.00 each for two or more. For reservations call Frank (708) 935-1897. Limited seating.

WHAT'S YOUR CATHOLIC IQ?
The answers to last week's questions are: 1. (a); 2. (d); 3. (a); 4. (a); 5. (b).

This weeks questions are:
1. A Doctor of the Church is (a) a saint who was a physician; (b) a saint who was a professor; (c) a a person with a Ph.D. who teaches at a Catholic university; (d) a saint designated as wise, holy, & learned, and a source of sound teaching; (e) none of the above.
2. A narthex is (a) the head of the Swiss Guard; (b) an observation tower at the pope's summer retreat: (c) the pope's personal assistant; (d) the vestibule to a church; (e) none of the above.
3. The Old Testament book called Ecclesiasticus in some translations is known as (a) Sirach; (b) Psalms; (c) Jeremiah; (d) Esther; (e) none of the above.
4. "Good News" is a literal translation of (a) epistle; (b) revelation; (c) gospel; (d) exodus; (e) none of the above.
5. The one Gospel that differs from the other three is (a) Matthew; (b) Mark; (c) Luke; (d) John; (e) none of the above.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Today's readings focus our attention on priorities. The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God is the Lord, and that there is no other. Saint Paul draws our attention to the fact that we are loved by God who chose us in Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus argues with the Pharisees, He readily admits that there are other priorities in life, like paying taxes, but it is God who should be "number one" in our attitudes and actions.
Jesus teaches about a sacred invitation that God sends to us every minute of our lives. In everything we do, all day long, God persistently invites us to share in the feast of joy and eternal life already prepared for us. Living a life focused on ourselves and our own interest is to ignore or disregard God's invitation. Living a life of service and charity is to accept God's invitation.
Loving God, help us to be kind and patient and merciful - for that's how we show that we accept your sacred invitation. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.