Sat. June 10
8:00 Purgatorial Society
5:30 Lillian Coughlin
by Norm & Rita Cole
Sun. June 11
8:00 Joan Roskos
by Hallie D'Amore
11:00 Bob Mensching
by Joanne Mensching & Family

THANK YOU
Thank you to all whom contributed to the collection on the weekend of May 27th & May 28th. The weekly amount collected was $327.00. The collection for Ascension Sunday was $551.00.

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
Nora 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
Judy Jones
Loretta & John
Szewczyowski
Jackie Weirbicki
Art Rankin
Lee Palys
Theresa Bauer

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.

A MESSAGE FROM FR. JOE
I would like to thank everyone for helping me celebrate the 30th Anniversary of my ministry as a priest. It was so very nice to see the faces of so many friends and parishioners at the Mass and the reception. All your prayers and good wishes, made the day one I will always hold in my heart. You are in my prayers and I send you my blessings.
Fr. Joe

AN INVITATION
To our St. Gerard Parish Friends,
We invite you to enjoy our "Backyard Park" located at 3536 West 161st Street, on Sunday, June 11 from 12 (Noon) to 3 PM.
Just come and enjoy a taste of peace, beauty and even some ice cream.
Sr. Catherine and Sr. Lou

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
The parish office will open from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM during the summer. You can leave a voice mail at any hour. In case of emergencies, please call Ascension at (708) 333-0931.

THEOLOGY ON TAP
Theology on Tap is group of young adults (those in their 20's and 30's) working together in an effort and reaching out to each other in a renewal of their faith. The theme of their 26th season is: Serving Young Adults the finest in Speakers, Conversation 7 Theology on the weeks of July 9, 16, 23, and 30 on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings. These events will be hosted by parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Diocese of Joliet, the Diocese of Rockford, the Diocese of Gray and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
There will be a Mass and picnic with Francis Cardinal George on Sunday, August 6th. The Mass will be at 3:00 Pm at Holy Name and followed by a Lawn Party from 4:30 - 7:30 at the Cardinal's Residence.

NATIONAL HUNGAR AWARENESS DAY
One in six children in Illinois goes to bed hungry. On June 6th get involved. There are many things you can do to help. Call Catholic Charities at (708) 333-8379 for more information.
On June 6th Catholic Charities and 5/3 Bank will be working together to collect food for the hungry and the homeless.
Catholic Charities is asking for volunteer help so that they can open their food pantry an additional day each week. They are looking for people to do volunteer work as clerical, clothing room, food pantry, or any other kind of helper.
Lastly, Habitat for Humanity Chicago is planning to build four (three bedroom) homes in Harvey this summer. If you know of someone who could benefit from this program, please encourage them to apply. Contact Catholic Charities for more information.

GUIDE TO CATHOLIC CHICAGO
A special insert in the pages of The Catholic New World Newspaper fro June 11, 2006 invites its readers to tour the Chicago land area and experience the history, soaring architecture, prayerful shrines, places of learning and inspiration, and the diverse ethnic communities that have made the Chicago Archdiocese a unique tapestry of faith.
For more information call Audrey Kizys at (312) 665-7082.

THANK YOU
Sr. Catherine and Sr. Lou would like to thank the parish for purchasing a new refrigerator for the convent. The one that was replaced served us well for 22 years. There were also some plumbing problems that needed to be fixed.
Dear Parishioners,
Everything over here is in tip top shape. Hope for your sake it stays that
way. Our new fridge is so neat and convenient and the sink drain works like a
charm.
Many, many thanks. We truly appreciate your kindness to us!
Love,
Sr. Catherine and Sr. Lou

BROKEN WINDOWS
We have had to repair several church windows lately due to vandalism. The church would greatly appreciate any information that can be provided to us as to whom is responsible for these mishaps. Not only is the cost to repair the windows a strain on our meager finances, it is very difficult to find glass that matches what has already been used in the other windows. The parish would like to thank an anonymous donor who paid half the cost of the glass for the repair of the windows so far. We must still purchase matching glass when we find a place that sells it. In the mean time we are adding extra protection to the windows by installing a plexiglass outer layer and then the window glass.
A special thanks to our maintenance man, Ysaul, for going above and beyond the call of duty to get the windows repaired.

HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICES
Dear Rev. Altman,
Please extend our gratitude to the ladies of St. Gerard's Women's Guild for the very generous donation in support of the programs at Hope Community Services.
You can be assured that the funds will be used wisely to assist low income families in our community who are faced with unanticipated emergencies that threaten them with hunger, eviction, foreclosure, or the loss of essential utilities.
Thank you again, and please call upon us should anyone in your parish be in need of our help.
Best wishes,
Anne Brady (Executive Director)

DATES TO REMEMBER
August 5, 6, 11, & 13 Murder Mystery Dinner

TAIZE PRAYER
We are pleased to announce the continuation of Taize prayer at St. Michael church. On every second Sunday of the month, we will be hosting a monthly prayer gathering in the style of the Taize community of France. We hope you will join us for this beautiful prayer experience of music, meditation, and fellowship.

KNIGHTS OF PETER CLAVER
The Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary of Ascension-St. Susanna will host a Luncheon on Sunday, June 25, 2006 recognizing Emerging Leaders (young adults 18 to 35) for their dedication to and hard work in their Church and community, to bring change. The Luncheon, "Our 2006 Shining Stars" will be held at the Ascension-St. Susanna Parish Hall (153rd & Vine Ave., Harvey) from 3:00 - 6:00 PM. Tickets are $35.00 per person.
For ticket information, please contact any of the following: Frankie Cameron (708) 672-8409, Elaine Johnson (708) 333-3240, or Grace Dawson (708) 596-5099.
Thank you for helping us to encourage and support our young adults.

WHAT'S YOUR CATHOLIC IQ?
The answers to last week's questions are: 1. (d); 2. (c)
This week's question is:
1. The second glorious mystery is the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. Which of the following events did Jesus promise as the next step in the Divine plan? It is recorded in the Bible as following Jesus' Ascension. (a) the physical building of the first place of worship; (b) the disciples immediately rushed to preach the word of God publicly; (c) the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles; (d) the conversion of Saint Paul.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
The Holy Spirit draws us together in overwhelming gladness on this sacred day, Pentecost. More than ninety days ago, on Ash Wednesday, we began our journey of conversion from darkness to light, from death to new life. On Pentecost our journey is completed.
In fire and wind, the Spirit of the Lord descended with God's sevenfold gifts of wisdom and understanding, right judgment and courage, knowledge and reverence and wonder. With joy we renew again and again the covenant of baptism.
Let us pray that the Spirit will take hold in us and strengthen us on our mission to bring food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, and justice to those who are oppressed.
Loving God,
hear our prayer,
and, through the power of the Holy Spirit,
inspire us to respond to the needs of the poor.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.