Sat. Aug 19
8:00 Victoria Dawson
by Gilbert Family
5:30 Osie Dompier
by George & Marge Petraskis
Sun. Aug. 20 Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Robert Gilbert, Sr.
by Jan Blair
11:00 Ryan Zielinski
by Carol Donnelly

THANK YOU
Thank you to all whom contributed to the collection on the weekend of Aug. 5th & Aug. 6th. The weekly amount collected was $1,605.00.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK
Jack Seniw
Ann Knight
Loretta Wiley
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
Joan Sitniewski

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
August 18 19, 26, & 27th Murder Mystery Dinner
September 17 SGM Parish Fest

SUMMER PRODUCTION
There is murder in the air! This summer the SGM Players will be hosting a "Murder Mystery Dinner". Tickets are now on sell. Dinner Shows will be $15.00 per person and will include a four course meal and a beverage. There will also be a "bar" at which a "Ginger ale Martini", a "Root Beer" or other pop can be purchased. Non-dinner nights tickets are $10.00 and will include table snacks, your first "drink" of the night, and a "Cabaret Show" performed by the youth of the parish ages 3 to 18. The patrons of the speakeasy are encouraged to join in the fun by dressing in "1920's outfits". You don't have to, but it will add to your enjoyment of the evening.
When you purchase your ticket, you will be given a password. Everyone knows if you knock on the door of a speakeasy, they won't let you in without the password. There has to be some way to make sure the place doesn't get raided.
Those who purchase their tickets in advance will be entered in a special drawing. Tickets are limited and as you know dinner shows sell out fast. Don't miss out on the fun, but your tickets early.
Show dates are Friday, August 18th, Saturday, August 19th (Dinner Show), Saturday, August 26th, and Sunday, August 27th (Dinner Show).

A PARISH FEST
Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 17, 2006. We would like to celebrate the feast of our patron saint, Saint Gerard Majella, a month early by holding an outdoor picnic and community get together. Each organization in the parish will sponsor a booth or event for the afternoon. There will be music, food, crafts, dancing, etc. If you would like to host an event or booth, please call Linda or Kevin in the office. So far we have the Holy Name Society manning the bar-b-que grills, the Women's Guild will host a bake sale, the CCD children will run relay races, Sr. Katherine's dance group will be putting on a show, The SGM players will be singing a few old-time songs, there a few craft and information booths spoken for. Watch the bulletin for more information, but in the mean time think of something you would like to contribute or do.

LEARN THE BIBLE
Chicago Catholic Scripture School of the Archdiocese of Chicago offers Catholic biblical scholarship and long-term faith formation. The 2006/2007 class begins on September 23 at Saint Xavier University. Classes will be held on sixteen Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM. The instructors will be Cathy Crino, Leslie Hoppe, and Pauline Viviano. For more information call (312) 243-3700. or email: ckoss@archchicago.org. or www.catechesis-chicago.org.

MARRIAGE BANNS
The banns of marriage are announced for John J. Brefczynski and Diane DuBois for the first time.

CONGRATULATIONS
The parish would like to congratulate Sandra Thomas on being nominated to receive the Fr. Augustus Tolton award for outstanding Black Catholics. Mrs. Thomas has been an active member of St. Gerard Majella for over 30 years. During most of that time she has taught our youngest students in the parish's religious education classes. For the past two years she has found great joy in educating our fifth graders. Mrs. Thomas is very active in the lives of the children not only at our parish but also in our community.

NATIONAL HURRICANE RECOVERY COLLECTION
Bishop William S. Sakylstad, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has announced that the bishops of the 195 US Catholic diocese have approved a special National Collection for Hurricane recovery to be taken up at all Masses. We will have a second collection for this program taken up at all Masses on the weekend of August 19th and 20th.
This collection will provide direct assistance to the Archdiocese of New Orleans and Diocese of Biloxi for the recovery of their churches and other Catholic institutions. Checks may be made payable to the Archdiocese of Chicago, with a notation that the funds are to be directed to Hurricane Recovery.
If you wish to mail your donations please send them to:
Hurricane Recovery
Archdiocese of Chicago
P.O. Box 1979
Chicago, IL. 60690-1979

BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK
Waterford Estates cordially invites you to attend any of the entertainment, educational, or health programs they host. These programs are free of charge and take place at their facility located at 14700 S. Kedzie Ave. in Hazel Crest.
They are offering a free blood pressure check on August 17th at 10:00 AM. On August 22nd at 2:00 PM Ingalls Health Seminar will host a speaker on the effects medications can have on you. On August 28th at 9:00 AM, there will be free cholesterol and blood pressure checks done.

LEARN THE BIBLE
The Chicago Catholic Scripture School of the Archdiocese of Chicago offers Catholic biblical scholarship and long-term faith formation. In two years, you study the foundational books of the Old Testament and the New Testament. In four years, you study every book of the Bible. Classes begin September 23 at St. Xavier University. For more info call (312) 243-3700.

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

This week's questions are all about saints:
1. St. Norbert, a high born Germany, gave up his life of ease after what sign he received from God? (a) he got food poisoning at a tavern; (b) he fell from his horse in a thunder storm; (c) he heard people gossiping about his family; (d) he heard angels singing; (e) none of the above.
2. St. Ephrem of Syria was (a) an ordained deacon; (b) a well-known teacher; (c) took songs heretics used and changed the words to teach the truths about the Catholic faith; (d) was the first to write songs for the liturgy of the church; (e) all of the above.
3. St. Barnabas is closely associated with his work with which other Apostle? (a) St. Jude; (b) St. Paul; (c) St. Mark; (d) St. Peter; (e) none of the above.
4. St. Bernardine became famous for creating the symbol HIS from some of the Greek letters in the name of Jesus. He preached against gambling and convinced an angry card maker to make what instead of playing cards? (a) religious cards with the HIS symbol; (b) birthday greeting cards; (c) religious books; (d).all of the above; (e) none of the above.
5. St. John Leonardi was able to make a big difference in the world. (a) He founded a religious order of men called the Clerks of the Mother of God; (b) published a summary of Catholic doctrine; (c) founded the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD); (d)established a seminary for priests from mission countries which grew into the Society for the Propagation of the Faith; (e) all of the above.

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

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Today we will be hearing the Gospel of Saint John instead of the Gospel of Saint Mark. We asked to think about the great mystery of the Eucharist. Jesus Christ, the bread of life, summons us to embrace him as the "living bread that came down from heaven." Please notice the final line of today's Gospel: "And the bread that I will give is the flesh for the life of the world." In the first reading an angel of the Lord comes to the aid of Elijah, providing him with bread and water. Elijah is strengthened for his continuing journey. Jesus is the bread of life. As we open our hearts to hear the word of God, know that through the word and the Eucharist we will strengthened for our journey of faith. We become what we eat when we receive the Eucharist. It strengthens us as we dedicate ourselves to serving the needs of others.