Sat. Jan. 21
8:00 Purgatorial Society
5:30 Joseph T. Gill
by Helen Gill, Joe & Antoinette,
and Joanne
Sun. Jan. 22
8:00 Lou Grimm
by Romona DuBois
11:00 Julius Lo Cicero
by Sanden & Mary Ellen Joren

THANK YOU
Thank you to all whom contributed to the collection on the weekend of Jan. 7th
and Jan 8th . The amount collected was $1,138.27.

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
Mr. Bob Gilbert
Virgil Barron
Dorothy Barron
Chloe Ochoa
Loretta
Szewczyowski

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

DATES TO REMEMBER
No Parish Council or Women's Guild Meeting this month.

THANK YOU
St. Gerard Majella would like to thank the Mi Jack Corporation for their generous donation to our parish. We appreciate their thoughtfulness and will put the funds to good use. The Mi Jack Corporation has always been a great supporter of local churches and the community.

VICARIATE VI JR. HIGH YOUTH DAY
A gathering for Jr. High youth, 7th & 8th graders, the event is an interactive day that highlights Catholic identity and faith. There will be music, games, small group activity and much more. The event will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2006 from noon to 5:00 PM at Seton Academy located at 16100 Seton Road South Holland. The cost of $8.00 includes lunch, program, and symbol.
Those interested in going should contact Linda Thusing in the parish office for more information. The deadline for registration is January 9, 2006.
They are also seeking adults to help with the logistics of the day.

NATIONAL VOCATION AWARNESS WEEK
The observance of National Vocation Awareness Week is celebrated annually in conjunction with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. As we renew our baptismal vows we strengthen our covenant with God. We ask for the Holy Spirit to guide us as we respond to God's call.

RESURRECTION CHOIR
The Resurrection choir will meet on Tuesday, January 17th at 1:00 PM in the church. Thank you.

CASTING CALL
Ascension/St. Susanna has asked the members of St. Gerard Majella to join them in a theatrical adventure. The two churches would like to have a night of theater and dinner in late February.
We are looking to involve all age groups, especially our local teenagers. You would be required to attend to several rehearsals a week and attend the performance. If you don't want to act, there are lots of other opportunities to work on this show (which will be a comedy) or to help with the dinner.
If you are interested, please, call Linda Thusing in the parish office any week day afternoon. Please watch the bulletin for more information.

TAX DONATIONS
If you would like a copy of your yearly donations to the church, please contact the parish office. Please give us time to send this information to you. If you are able to send a self-addressed stamped envelope, it would be appreciated.

WOMEN'S GUILD NEWS
The Women's Guild will be hosting their annual Valentine Luncheon on Saturday, February 11th. The Luncheon will serve food from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Tickets are $5.00 for adults, children ages 4-10 are $3.00. Tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information call Frances Smith (708) 339-0315 or Joan Sitniewski (708) 333-0755. Set up for this event will be Friday, February 10th at 7:00 PM.
It's time to fill the cookie jar. Again the U.S.O. is asking our help. Please be generous in giving to their Annual Cookie Jar drive. Our service women and men are doing a great job in serving our country. The collection will take place on February 11th and 12th after each Mass.
Please watch the bulletin for news about our annual St. Joseph's Table. This year the Women's Guild will be hosting the Blue Army. It has been many years since they have prepared a meal at our church. Everyone is invited to attend this free-will offering event. Please watch the bulletin for more information.

ACCW NEWS
The ACCW is having their Christian Unity Prayer Breakfast with the Church Women United group on January 17th at the Holiday Inn North shore (5300 West Touhy Ave., Skokie, IL.). The event begins at 8:30 AM and tickets are $16.00. For more information call Effie Alexandra @ (708) 339-6831.
The ACCW Vicariate VI will have their annual fund raiser on February 11th. Tickets are $10.00 and you can call Effie Alexandra for information about this event also.

ARCHDIOCESE RESPONDS TO HIGHER ENERGY COST
We are all familiar with the large increases in gasoline, oil, and natural gas prices. Some of the largest increases are a result of the impact of recent hurricanes on production in the Gulf of Mexico. However, even without the hurricanes we have been experiencing rising energy prices as a result of strong worldwide economic growth and limited increases in production. In other words, even after the price spikes that resulted from the hurricanes dissipates, we do not expect prices to fall back to the levels we experienced for the prior five years. We need to adjust our operations to a scenario of higher prices.
One way the Archdiocese is responding to this need is to continue to work with Exelon to reduce the expected increases by locking in additional purchases when prices drop.
No parish could adequately budget for such increases. Each member of the parish is asked to consider this unexpected increase in the church's utility bills when making their weekly contribution. While we appreciate the individual is also experiencing increases in their home bills, any small amount you can donate would be greatly appreciated.
Let us all pray for a mild winter.

WOMEN'S CENTER
The Women's Centers' 22nd Annual Life Banquet will be on Sunday, February 12th at the Crystal Palace in Park Ridge. The speaker will be Fr. John Trigilio, co-host of the EWTN series Web of Faith and Council of Faith. If you have an item or a service to donate for our silent auction, it would be most appreciated.
Phone (773) 794-1313 for information.

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

This week's questions are:
1. Sacraments are unique signs that (a) by the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, make present the grace they signify; (b) were defined as seven by the Council of Trent; (c) begin with baptism; (d) all of the above..
2. The term "Triduum" refers to (a) Jesus' three hours on the cross; (b) Jesus' three days in the tomb; (c) the 72 hours between the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday and the Evening Prayer on Easter; (d) none of the above.
3. Madri Gras, the name the French have given the day before Ash Wednesday, means (a) Jambalaya; (b) glutton's last chance; (c) Pancake Day; (d) "Fat Tuesday".
4. The rule for fasting before receiving Communion is now (a) from midnight before receiving; (b) three hours before receiving; (c) one hour before receiving; (d) there is no rule anymore.
5. The traditional name given to the "good thief" crucified with Jesus is (a) Barabbas; (b) Dismas; (c) Cleophas; (d) Christopher.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Today we stand at the beginning of a short stretch of Ordinary Time. Each year, once the Christmas season is completed, we hear the Gospel story of the call of the first disciples. And each year we hear that call issued to us as well.
In the first reading the Lord calls Samuel, who, does not recognize that it is indeed the Lord who summons him.
As baptized Christians, we might say we have "found" Jesus. What we now look for are ways to live faithfully to Jesus' teachings. We look for opportunities to love in our families, friends, community, and people all over the world. This is what Jesus taught us.
The Gospel recounts the call of the first of Jesus' disciples. Let us be attentive to the call that the Lord has issued to each of us.

Gracious God,
Help us to go through every minute of every day looking for ways to bring the love of your Son, Jesus, and the good news of your salvation into the lives of others.
Amen.