Sat. July 15
8:00 Purgatorial Service
5:30 Joan Roskos
by Len & Lorraine Murphy
Sun. July 16 Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8:00 Scott Scheckel
by Jean & Fred Willey
11:00 Eileen Roberts
by Audrey Dunomes

THANK YOU
Thank you to all whom contributed to the collection on the weekend of July 1st & July 2nd. The weekly amount collected was $1,299.97.

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
Art Rankin
Eileen Desidero
Bernadine Smith
Chloe Ochoa
Nora El
Eugene Orris
Jackie Weirbicki
Marie Craig
Brittany Dubs
Mr. Graves
Dorothy Loeffler
C. Campbell
Theresa Bauer
Shaun Deneen
E. Thielmann
Della Herrod
Sandra Thomas
Virgil Barron
Dorothy Barron
Judy Jones
Loretta Wiley

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.

THANK YOU
St. Gerard Majella would like to thank our sister parish, Ascension/St. Susanna for their generous donation of $700.00. Our two churches share more than our pastor and associate pastor. We share a strong religious background, faith and a caring concern for each other's needs.

SUMMER PRODUCTION
There is murder in the air! This summer the SGM Players will be hosting a "Murder Mystery Dinner". If you would like to be a part of this event, please contact Linda in the parish office. We need actors, singers, kitchen help, people to sell tickets, promote the production and a million other jobs.

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY
Did you know that an Illinois worker would need to work 2.4 full-time jobs at the minimum wage ($6.50/hour) to afford a two-bedroom apartment at the fair market rent price of $802.00? [2006 Report on Illinois Poverty]
Want to help? Contact the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Breaking the Cycle of Poverty, Archdiocese of Chicago, 155 E. Superior, Chicago, IL. 60611 or call (312) 751-5333, fax (312) 787-1554.

THEOLOGY-ON-TAP
The parish of St. Joseph in Homewood is once again proud to be hosting Theology-on-Tap. Last year marked this exciting program's 25th year. With your help, we can make the next 25 years better!
Theology-on-tap is a special program fro young adult Catholics, married or single, in their 20's and 30's. St. Joseph parish is located at 17951 Dixie Highway, Homewood, IL. Upcoming dates for meetings and the topics to be discussed are as followed: July 9th (Living the Mass: How One Hour a week Can change Your Life by Mr. Joe Paprocki); July 16th (The Spirituality of the Kingdom by Fr. Michael Wanda); July 23rd (The Bible on Relationships: Roadmap for Life by Ms. Judy Chiarelli); and July 30th (The Spirituality of Good Relationship). All are at 7:00 PM and are free. Refreshments will be provided.
` For more information call Anne Marzullo (708) 308-8309.

JOYFUL AGAIN!
If you have been recently widowed and are still struggling with the loss, or if you have been widowed for some time and need something to get you "over the hump" because you seem to be stuck in one spot, this program is designed to help you move on with your life while treasuring your past and its precious memories. The next retreat/workshop will be held at Holy Family Parish, Inverness, IL. All are invited. The Joyful Again! Retreat is for both men and women (all ages) who have been widowed and are still trying to find hope and joy in their lives. The retreat will be on August 12 & 13, 2006. The cost is $75 which includes meals.
For further information call (708) 354-7211.

DATES TO REMEMBER
August 19, 20, 25, & 27th Murder Mystery Dinner

PHONE A FRIEND
Our church is always concerned with the needs of our parishioners. We try to look out them all week long, not just on Sunday. An area of concern for us is our long time parishioners who may be spending many hours during the week without talking to another person. Therefore we would like to develop a new "club" called "Phone a Friend". Everyone can become a member. It's easy. It doesn't matter how old you are, your health status, your income, your ability to get a around. All you need to do is once a week call a few people and see how they are doing. If they need help in any way, you call the office and we will arrange for them to receive assistance.
We think everyone involved (the caller and the one called) will find this an enjoyable experience. If you are interested, please contact the parish office. Please call if you want to receive a phone call or if you want to make the phone calls. We are always interested in helping others. If you are interested in chairing this new club, please call the office.
If you can think of any other ways we can aid our parishioners, please call the office.
Thank you.

ADOPT TROOPS & FAMILIES
This July 4th Catholic Digest is launching a very special program to bring spiritual comfort and support to our military troops and their families and to support the Archdioceses for the Military Services, USA.
You can send a Catholic Digest subscription to a service member or their family to say "Thank you for your Sacrifice". A portion of each subscription will be donated to the Archdiocese for Military Services, USA, to support its mission and ministry as its chaplains reach out to our brave men and women in the armed forces.
For more information, contact Catholic Digest, Adopt Troops & Families, P.O. Box 6015, New London, CT 06320, visit online at www.CatholicDigest.com/military or call (800) 321-0411.

THE WOMEN'S CENTER
The Women's Centers are in the process of adding on-site ultrasound services for their clients. They are seeking professional service volunteers in the following areas: Medical, Legal, Architecture, Construction, Electrical, Plumbing, and Finance. Please call Kathy Michalak, Committee Chairman at (815) 445-1432 for more information.
They are also seeking volunteers on Saturdays at their Des Plaines and Cicero Avenue offices. Call Katie at (773) 794-1313 for more information.
As always there is a continuing need for baby supplies of all types from furniture, to baby shampoo and lotion, to cribs, to car seats to clothing. If you can help, please call (773) 794-1313.
Thank you for your generosity and we can provide tax receipts.

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.
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CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Get a head start on your Christmas shopping at St. Isidore Church's "Christmas in July" triple "B" (breakfast, bake sale, & bazaar). St. Isidore School is located at 12731 S. Wood, Blue Island. The event will be held on July 23, 2006 from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. The all - you- can - eat breakfast cost $5.00 for adults, $2.50 for kids aged 3 to 10 and free for kids under the age of 3. There will be a holiday raffle ($.50 per ticket) with over 20 raffle prizes held at 11:30 AM. All proceeds from the white elephant sale will benefit St. Isidore Church.
There are still crafter spaces available. For more information, please call Sue at (708) 371-4737.

GRAND REUNION CELEBRATION
St. Malachy Parish is planning as All School / All Church Reunion to celebrate their 76th anniversary. They invite all former students, parents, parishioners, priests, nuns, and friends, associated with St. Malachy over the years, to join them in this "Grand Reunion Celebration".
Activities are scheduled for Friday, August 18, through Sunday, August 20, 2006. There will be a welcome reception on Friday evening, a banquet at the Crowne Plaza on Saturday evening, ending with a Mass Celebration and Brunch on Sunday morning. To receive additional information for participation, please contact Fred Jones at (312) 733-1088 or email: fjones1344@aol.com.

WELCOME ABOARD!
Cruise the Islands ... 9-night Hawaiian vacation with Bishop Joseph Perry aboard the Norwegian Cruise line's (NCL) ship: the Pride of Hawaii.
The cruise will begin Saturday, January 6 and last until Monday, January 15, 2007. The cost per person is a BB "balcony" cabin is $2902.60 and a DD "Ocean view" cabin is $2472.13. An individual deposit of $300.00 per person is required to reserve your cabin. Group space is limited. Final payment is due to the Cruise Line 75 days prior to sailing or October 21,2006. Rates are based on double-occupancy. There are higher rates for single occupancy and lower rates for a third and fourth passenger.
Visit www.MyChurchCruise.com and enter the group ID Perry0107, follow the easy to use step-by-step instructions to check out the ship, the itinerary and all the details.
Any extra proceeds from this Hawaii Excursion go to support Zacchaeus House, a shelter fro displaced men, a ministry of the Deacons of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
The phone number for Bishop Perry's office is (708) 339-2474.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES
Catholic Charities is searching for loving foster homes! If you'd consider opening your home and your heart to someone in need of a home, you might plan on attending one of the following foster parenting classes. Everyone is welcome, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or economic circumstances. Information on how to become a Catholic Charities foster parent will be presented at the following meeting: July 11, 2006 at 7 PM, at the Catholic Charities office located at 615 West Lake Street, Chicago, IL.
For more information please call (312) 665-7200.

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

This week's questions are:
1. An area within a monastery or convent which is restricted to its members is called the (a) sacristy; (b) vestry; (c) cloister; (d) priory.
2. The gold container used to display the Blessed Sacrament at Benediction or during a solemn procession is a (a) cruet; (b) corporal; (c) monstrance; (d) ciborium.
3. In Catholic circles the penitential observance of denying oneself meat is officially known as (a) fasting; (b) abstaining; (c) tithing; (d) almsgiving.
4. There are seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. Which of the following is not one of these seven gifts? (a) physical health; (b) wisdom; (c) knowledge; (d) courage.
5. The special box where the Eucharistic Bread is kept between Masses is (a) the Ciborium; (b) the church safe; (c) the PYX; (d) the Tabernacle.

If you have a question we can use, please call the parish office.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
In today's second reading we hear Saint Paul tell us that his life of faith included the endurance of weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints. Paul was able to endure all these things because he was centered in Christ.
Paul believed that it was through boasting of his own weaknesses that the presence of Christ was made more powerful both within him and to those around him. Let us take the words of Saint Paul to heart. When we are tempted to groan or complain about our own "thorns in the flesh", let us remember that it is in weakness that we are made strong. This is a central paradox of the Christian life, one that is difficult to live. May today's scriptures strengthen our faith, even in our weakness.
God of love and everlasting mercy,
hear the prayer of your faithful people.
Strengthen us in our weakness,
and bring us closer to Your Son.
We make our prayer in His name,
who is Lord forever and ever.
Amen.