Sat. Mar. 18
8:00 Purgatorial Society
5:30 Lou Grimm
by Vern Stutzriem
Sun. Mar. 19
8:00 Julie Petraskis Couch
by Erin Brady
11:00 Joseph T. Gill
by Helen, Joe, Antoniette, & Joanne

THANK YOU
Thank you to all whom contributed to the collection on the weekend of March 4th and March 5th. The amount collected was $1.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK
Jack Seniw
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
Chloe Ochoa
Terry El
Eugene Orris
Margaret Lee
Marie Craig
Brittany Dubs
Mr. Graves
Dorothy Loeffler
C. Campbell
Marge Straub
Shaun Deneen
E. Thielmann
Della Herrod
Sandra Thomas
Virgil Barron
Dorothy Barron
Loretta & John 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
Mar. 13 Easter Choir Rehearsal (7 PM)
Mar. 17 Stations of the Cross (7 PM)
Mar. 19 St. Joseph Table (Noon)
Mar. 20 Women's Guild Meeting (7 PM)

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY
The optional memorial of Saint Patrick, March 17, 2006 falls on Friday of the second week of Lent. Because of this Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I. has given a general dispensation from the norm to abstain from meat on this day. Please note that this dispensation is for Friday, March 17, 2006 only.
On this day, Catholics in the Archdiocese of Chicago who choose to make use of this general dispensation are asked to substitute another form of penance for the Lenten Friday abstinence.

EASTER CHOIR
We would like to invite everyone to become a member of our church's Easter Choir. The choir will sing on Holy Thursday and Holy Saturday. Rehearsals will be held on each Tuesday night in the church at 7:00 PM. The rehearsals will begin on March 7, 2006. Being a member of the choir only requires a small amount of time and commitment, yet the rewards are great. We are looking for all kind of voices (big, small, good, so-so, male, female, young and older). Come and join us! You just might find some cookies and hot chocolate in your future.

CALLING TREE
Anyone wishing to add his or her name to the parish calling tree list should contact the parish office any weekday afternoon. We will be glad to notify you of any deaths or important events in the parish. Any person currently on the list is asked to pass along the information they receive to others who may not have been notified.

WOMEN'S GUILD NEWS
St. Gerard Majella Women's Guild and The Blue Army will co-host a St. Joseph Table here on March 19th, after the 11:00 Mass. The 11:00 Mass will also celebrate St. Joseph. Everyone is invited to attend and bring a friend or two with them. There will be no charge, but a free will offering will be accepted.

ACCW SCHOLARSHIP
ACCW is offering a scholarship to a female graduate student, who is continuing her education. You can call the ACCW office at (312) 751-8325 to request a copy of the official form and qualifications. The deadline is March 15th. You must submit an essay of 300 words on "What it Means to be a Catholic Woman Today".

CARMELITE RETREATS
Fr. Bob Colaresi, O. Carm.
7:00- 9:30 PM
Answering God - Finally! - Wednesday, April 5, 2006
Join Fr. Bob Colaresi, O. Carm. At the Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien, IL for this series of programs as he illumines the stories of these "soul brothers" of the Bible and reveals how they provide a guide to being genuinely human and faith-filled. Cost: $15/person per session. Please call the Spiritual Center at (630) 969-4141 to register.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Friday, October 6th through Sunday, October 8th in Chicago at the only international conference of famous converts to the Catholic Church, "Path to Rome" come and hear the stories. Also featured are John Gummer, Anglican convert, member of British Parliament; Bro. Anthony Aarons, former Anglican priest from Jamaica; Alex Jones, ex-Pentecostal pastor, Detroit; and many other great converts. Cardinal Francis George, OMI. Archbishop of Chicago will give the opening prayer and greeting. Join us after the conference for a tour of inspiring Catholic and cultural sites of Chicago and other parts of Illinois. Weekend prices as low as $79 before Sept. 24. To register go to www.pathorome.com or call toll-free (800) 654-7945.

MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND
Worldwide Marriage Encounter's mission is to strengthen the Church by strengthening the Marriage Sacrament. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends are April 28-30, June 2-4, or August 4-6. Consult our website at www.wwmechicago-graay.org or call Kris and Jim at (800) 442-3554.

SENIOR HOUSING
Are you a senior citizen or friend of a senior citizen looking for affordable housing in a community setting?
Look no further. The Bishop Goedert Residence, opening April 1, offers supportive, subsidized housing for seniors on the Hines VA Campus. The residence consists of 70 one-bedroom apartments, common areas featuring a laundry room and game room, and a front desk monitored 24 hours a day. Residents must meet certain income requirements.
For more information or to apply, please call the Housing Development Corporation at (312) 655-7440 or TTY at (312) 948-6992.

ITALY TRIP
Travel to Italy with adults in the Marian Catholic High School community on the journey of a lifetime, May 25-June 8. See the beauty of Italy's major cities from the Lake country to Positano in an educational but relaxed context. All meals, tours, 14 nights superior hotels, airfare from Chicago: $4,095.00. See www.maianchs.com or call Kim at All About Travel (708) 755-1562 for details.

WATERFORD ESTATES
Waterford Estates cordially invites you to attend any of our outstanding entertainment, educational and health programs. These programs are free of charge and all take place at our facility, conveniently located at 17400 S. Kedzie Ave. in Hazel Crest.
Enjoy Regis as he entertains with his guitar in the lounge. His style is vibrant and entertaining with a variety of music. He will be performing on March 14th at 3 PM.
Hear the blues and sit back and relax with Tim Branch on Sax. He will perform on Thursday, Mar. 23rd at 6:30 PM.

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

This week's questions are:
1. The Philadelphia heiress who gave all her money to the poor and founded an order of sisters to help Native Americans and African Americans is (a) Kateri Tekawitha; (b) Francis Xavier Cabrini; (c) Maria Goretti; (d) Katherine Drexel.
2. Pope Benedict XVI was born in (a) Italy; (b) France; (c) Germany; (d) Poland.
3. A prelate is (a) a clergyman who holds rank in the Church; (b) a plate used during communion; (c) the collection basket; (d) a table used for the gifts at Mass.
4. At the "Proclamation of Faith" at Mass, the ending of "Christ has died, Christ is risen," is (a) Lord Jesus Christ, come in glory; (b) You are the Savior
5. During Lent, the "Alleluia" is (a) not used during liturgies; (b) sung only before the Gospel; (c) used only in monasteries; (d) permitted for daily Mass.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
As we gather together on this Second Sunday of Lent, we echo the words of Saint Peter in today's Gospel account of the Transfiguration: "It is good that we are here." This is a place of peace and reconciliation where God transforms our hearts. We in turn can transform our weary world into a place of peace and forgiveness.
As the sacred word is proclaimed let us stand in awe at the remarkable faith of Abraham. Let us not be afraid to echo the words of Abraham: "Here I Am". We can be comforted by God's promise that those who are faithful will one day inherit the light and peace of heaven.

God of faithful love,
Hear the prayer of your people gathered to celebrate this memorial of your everlasting covenant. Bring comfort to those who long to see your face. We ask this through your Son, the transfigured one, who is Lord forever and ever.
Amen.