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1

“Secrets

to a happy life” by Pope Francis

In addition to regular worship

of God at Mass, here are 5 of

the 10 ideas or “secrets” that Pope Francis recently shared as the basis for a

life well lived, a life filled with happiness.

Be giving of yourself to others. “People need to be open and generous

toward others.”

Proceed calmly in life “Move through life with a kind, humble and

above all, calm attitude.”

Have a healthy sense of leisure “The simple pleasures of art, literature

and playing with children has been lost. Enjoy mealtimes together and

enjoy the little things of Life.”

Sunday is a holy day of rest “Don’t overschedule. Enjoy family time.”

Stop being negative “Talking badly about others indicates low self-

esteem.”

Fall 2014

PPillarsillars

St. PetronilleSt. Petronille

ofof

Our Quarterly Parish Journal

To see the Popes other points, go to

“Catholic News Service - 10 Secrets of Happiness”

2

Reflections from our Pastor

“We ARE St. Petronille!”

In this issue of “Pillars of St. Petronille” we see some of the wide

range of ministries which go on

within and beyond our parish. There

is so much happening as we fulfill

our mission as God’s people. This

issue provides a sample. As our

Mission Statement proclaims: “We

strive to grow in awareness of

Jesus’ presence in ourselves and in

each other, and so we respond to

His call to pray, to serve, to forgive

and to teach His Word to all

people”

Later this fall, we will be

making available a full report of the

state of our parish, including financial statements and status.

In the meantime, may we all continue to follow Christ in all

we do!

Many blessings,

P.S. Please note: we changed our weekend Mass times this past July.

Please join us as we celebrate Holy Mass at the following times each

weekend:

Saturday at 5:00 pm (Vigil)

Sunday at 7:30 am; 9:30 am; 11:30 am and 5:00 pm

The 5:00 pm Sunday Mass is each week and is increasingly popular.

Editor: Jim Anderson. Copy and Layout Editor: Paula Barnett

15

Sr. Clarissa and the Oikos Sisters continue to live their lives serving God’s

poor. Their mission work has expanded due to the successful fundraising

efforts of The Poor Household of God, only made possible by the Holy

Spirit’s guidance and blessings.

The Sisters now go into the distant villages spreading God’s love and care

to the villagers. A piglet program, feeding program for undernourished

children, a vegetable garden for the individual homes plus educational

support has been established. This past year

they began an immersion program where

they spend 3 days in villages heavily

damaged by Typhoon Haiyan. They sleep in

tents, cook food for the people, share in their

struggles, pray and grieve with them while

also assessing their needs. They then return

with needed resources to help them begin to

rebuild and heal. One of the mountain top

villages consisting of 74 homes tell how all

the villagers ran to the chapel when the

typhoon came. They all laid on the dirt floor

of the chapel and prayed. Every one of their

homes were either destroyed or severely

damaged except for one building, the

chapel! Not a person was harmed - a true

testament of their faith. If you would like more information about the Oikos

Sisters, please contact

Mary Jane Trinkus 630-858-3758 and visit

www.PoorHouseholdofGod.org

Editors Note: Sister Clarissa has visited us many times and we have responded

generously in the past.

Opening a door of hope to the poor in the Philippines

by Mary Jane Trinkus

14

A True Story

In the year 2000 a seventeen year old Catholic boy was invited by a close

friend to sign up for a weekly hour of Eucharistic Adoration. He resisted

at first, but eventually agreed to try it, at least for a few months. After the

first three weeks he was ready to quit, finding it too boring. His friend

encouraged him to “hang in there” for at least two full months. The young

man relented, thinking that it would look bad if he quit so soon.

By the end of the second month something had changed. As the young man

put it: “it was so quiet in the Adoration Chapel that I could hear the voice

of God speaking to me.” As the months went by he heard, ever more

strongly, God calling him to the priesthood. That call, along with a

powerful experience of ministry on a youth

mission trip, led him to seminary and,

eventually, to ordination to the Catholic

priesthood. Today, fourteen years later,

that young man is 31 year old Fr. David Schalk, a priest and pastor of the

Diocese of Columbus.

It is said that “silence is golden.” There are times in all of our lives when

we long for quiet time. That is part of the draw of hiking, fishing and bird-

watching, for example. We feel refreshed and renewed from our times of

silence. It is good for our soul to rest in quietness. In a supernatural sense

we all need, as Fr. David Schalk experienced, the chance to hear the quiet

voice of God deep within. Few of us will be called to the priesthood. All

of us are called, however, to listen to the voice of God calling us to our own

unique service and ministry.

Our Church and our beautiful Chapel are open daily from 6am to 4pm.

Come make a visit. Come to the quiet. As the Psalmist said 3,000 years

ago, sharing the voice of the Lord:

“Be still, and know I am God” - Psalm 46:11

“Come to the Quiet”

Learning to listen for the still, small voice of God

by Jim Anderson

“Be still, and know I am God”

- Psalm 46:11

3

St. Petronille Catholic School

As we begin this academic year, I would like to take this

opportunity to introduce myself. I am Maureen Aspell, the new Principal

for St. Petronille School. Although

this is my first year at St. Petronille, it

is my eleventh year as a principal and

my twenty-eighth year as a Catholic

school educator. I have been truly

blessed to find a career in which I can

do the work I love while sharing and

growing my faith life. My experiences

as a Catholic school educator have far

exceeded my expectations.

I believe a quality Catholic

education is the most important gift we

can give our children in order to lay

the solid foundation for a successful

Christ centered life. As I learned more

about the mission and faith based

exemplary educational opportunities provided at St. Petronille School, I

knew my philosophy of education would be wholly supported and this

would be the place I where I could continue to share my faith and talents

as Catholic educator. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this wonderful

parish community. Thank you for your contributions to our parish and

may God continue to bless you and your families.

Welcome Ms. Aspell!!

We offer all our best wishes, support and prayers as you join us as our

School Principal.

A personal introduction to our new Principal

“A good school provides a rounded education for the whole person

and a good Catholic school, over and above this, should help its stu-

dents become saints.”

Pope Benedict XVI; 2010

Ms. Maureen Aspell

4

#5. You’ll meet new people and

become part of a vibrant faith

community.

#4. You’ll be energized.

#3. You’ll be saving lives.

#2. You’ll be putting your own faith

into action.

#1. It’s the right thing to do!

Jesus is calling you to be a

catechist and a disciple!

We need volunteer catechists (teachers) for Religious Education. Grades 1-

8 begin Wed., Oct. 1. Preschool and Kindergarten begin Sun., Oct. 16. We

need catechists for the following grades:

Wed. 4:15pm and 6pm: Grades 1 through 5

Wed. 7:30pm: Grades 6, 7/8 iPray, 7 and 8 Mini-courses

Sun., 9:45am-11:05am: Preschool ages 3 and 4, Kindergarten

Sun., 8:30am and 10am Masses: Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Once a month: Confirmation

We also need prayer partners, special needs buddies, classroom

helpers, nursery helpers, parking lot helpers, and more for the upcoming

RE year. All materials and training are provided. Catechists and other

volunteers receive a deduction in their family’s tuition and Heavenly

rewards! Diocesan Safe Environment requirements must be met. Please call

Susan with questions or to volunteer at 630-858-3796 x4109.

[*By catechist Joe Paprocki.]

Top 5 Reasons

to Become a Catechist*

by Susan Tutaj

13

“Holy Eucharist: the center of our Faith life”

“The Eucharist is the life of the people. The Eucharist gives them a center of life.

All can come together without barriers in order to celebrate the feast days of the

Church. It gives them a law of life – Love – of which it is the source. It creates for

the people a common bond, a Christian kinship.”

St. Peter Julian Eymard (1811-1868)

The Ministry of Care is an outreach of Christian Service, headed

by Karen O’Brien. If you are interested in volunteering or finding out

more about this ministry, please contact Karen at 469-0404 x2108 or at

obrienk@stpetschurch.org

90th Anniversary

1925-2015

A story from our early years

When St. Petronille Church was founded in 1925, Catholics were not

especially welcome in DuPage County. Despite that fact, the 60 founding

families and our founding pastor, Fr. Fasnacht, persevered in opening the

Church and, in 1926, opened the School. One of the founding families, the

Hottinger family, had a son named William. Bill, as he is most commonly

known, was born 9/7/19 and entered St. Petronille School as a second

grader when the doors first opened. Bill recalls going with two truckloads

of his classmates and Fr. Fasnacht all over Glen Ellyn. The trucks were

provided by Mr. Yackley. This was all very spontaneous. Wherever they

could find a crowd they would hop out and, together, the kids would

cheer:

“One, two, three, four!

Who are WE for?

Petronille, Petronille,

Rah, rah, rah!”

As Bill put it recently, Fr. Fasnacht wanted the community to know: “the

Catholics have arrived!” And so they had!

Thanks, Bill, for sharing your enthusiasm, and HAPPY 95TH

BIRTHDAY!

It should be noted that Bill is the father of Fr. Paul Hottinger, a priest of

this diocese for over 30 years. Bill and his late wife Barbara: true “pillars

of St. Petronille!”

12

St. Petronille is unique in many ways, not least of which is the

commissioning of Ministers of Care to the homebound at many Masses.

The Church, the Body of Christ, consists of all believers as a living

community. When we are privileged to gather for Mass (as many Catholics

around the world wish they could) we do well to remember that the

homebound or those in nursing homes also desire to receive the blessings of

Christ.

There are dozens of St.

Petronille parishioners who carry

the Blessed Sacrament to those

unable to attend Mass. Here are a

few of their experiences.

Marcy Farrell has been

serving as this kind of a minister

for 25 years. As she puts it: “what

could be better than to take

communion to those desiring it?”

She shares a common experience

among these ministers; namely,

that in giving they truly receive.

She also adds that she has enjoyed getting to know many people this way.

Another long time parishioner who requests anonymity relates: “I

feel that I am the recipient of God’s blessing by giving such a beautiful

gift” He felt called to this ministry many years ago after hearing the

famous quote that “only a life lived for others is a life worth living.”

Susie Schemmel sums up her experience in bringing the gift of

God’s presence to others by saying it is a true blessing and always a happy

time to be a messenger of God to those she visits.

Vince and Donna McMahon, who have been parishioners for a very

long time, have felt blessed by this ministry. Marcy Farrell, has brought

them communion for years, first in their home and now at Brighton Gardens

in Wheaton. Their day is brightened and their faith renewed.

Ministry of Care:

“Sharing God’s Presence”

by Jim Anderson

Continued on page 13

5

For many teens, the summer is

prime time to kick back and enjoy the

free time. What’s not to like about

video games, sleeping in late, and just

hanging out at home? For some very

motivated young teens, the summer is

the perfect time to reach out and serve

others. This past June, 60 middle school

youth participated in the annual summer

service lock-in called Living Out Loud (LOL). These energetic young

people spent their time serving God’s

people and sharing their gifts of time,

talent and treasure. Time was spent

feeding the hungry, visiting the elderly

and the disabled, caring for Creation and

sharing God’s love with everyone they

encountered. Additionally, monetary

donations or gifts were provided to all

of their service sites. This wasn’t done

alone though! Adult volunteers made

this all possible. Over 60 caring adults volunteered their time to feed,

chaperone and drive these young

people to the various service sites!

Can’t forget about

Vacation Bible School! This year

80 youth (middle school thru high

school) and some dedicated adult

volunteers, made it possible for 140

children to experience Jesus’ one-

of-a-kind love at Weird Animals

Vacation Bible School. But VBS is

more than just fun songs, games

and activities. Kids learn to care about each other. During the week, VBS

participants collected $260.21 to help Catholic Relief Services provide

clean drinking water for all of God’s children around the world.

Youth Share God’s Love with Others

by Valerie Della Penna

6

Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God

like a child will not enter it.

(Luke 18:17)

Christ came to save us, but how hard it is for us to let him. Our

rational minds--perhaps a better term would be our rationalizing minds--

might regard all this talk about accepting the kingdom of God like a child to

be a very nice sentiment, but not really practical. Does Our Lord really

expect us to be like children, yet still get on with our lives? What does he

want us to let go of to be able to accept the kingdom of God like a child?

The Stations of the Cross in our own Mary Chapel suggest an

answer. The Chapel was planned to "accommodate mothers with infants

and pre-school age children [and] every Station was designed with

youngsters, to tell the Passion story to children" (History 153). The simply

carved wood plaques are like illustrations from a children's book and

present modern children as witnesses to Jesus' Passion. The directness of

the children's reactions in these Stations shatters our grown-up illusion of

control. They contain truths that arrest us. They remind us of our proper

relationship as children of God.

The simplicity of the language prevents us from keeping a

comfortable emotional distance. In the third Station, the child sees Jesus on

his knees under the heavy burden on his shoulders and confesses, "Jesus,

I'm sorry." How different this is from simply stating "Jesus falls the first

time." This is a cry from the heart, a sudden realization that our sins matter,

that they hurt God, who is all goodness. This is key, because it is the child's

conviction of a God who is all good that makes the cry one of hope, as well

as one of sorrow. Our good and loving God has taken our sins upon himself

out of love, and waits only for the simple confession every child learns. The

child confesses with the expectation of being forgiven. If we take Jesus at

his word, then we accept the kingdom of God with the faith of the child

who really believes in the promise of forgiveness.

The Mary Chapel Stations

of the Cross

Inviting our truest response to the story of Christ's Passion

by Lisa Ayres

11

“Dear young people,

The Church needs you, your enthusiasm, your creativity and the

joy that is so characteristic of you.

Remember that when Jesus sent his disciples on mission, he

promised: “I am with you always.” (Mt. 28:20) And that is also true for

us. Jesus does not leave us alone. He never leaves you alone. He is

always with you.”

Pope Francis; Message to World Youth Day, Rio, 2013

WYD 2013 RIO

WYD 2016 Krakow: Be there!

10

Attending World Youth

Day celebrations has been a part of

St. Pet’s Youth Ministry since the

2000 trip to Rome. We have taken

over 100 of our teens and young

adults on these Pilgrimages over the

years. Traveling to Rome, Assisi,

Paris, Cologne, Toronto and

Sydney, our young people have had

a chance to meet people from all

over the world who share the same

faith! They have had Mass under the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, slept

out in rain, heat and cold on vigil nights, walked many miles through small

German towns where people served us homemade bratwurst and other

German dishes. We have explored castles, visited the four major Basilicas

in Rome, traveled to the Blue Mountains in Australia and danced at the foot

of the CN Tower in Toronto with people from all over the world. We even

did Paris in a day, a very long day! This trip to Krakow will connect

us with the 3rd Pope of recent years: John Paul, II, Pope Benedict the 16th

and now Pope Francis! We will visit many of the holy sites near Krakow,

including Olomouce, Czestochowa, Wadowice, home town of Pope John

Paul II, Prague and Auschwitz to visit the infamous Nazi concentration

camp. We will attend the World Youth Day festivals and events and be a

part of the pilgrimage walk to the site of the closing Mass with Pope

Francis. Following an evening vigil with the Pope, we will sleep out under

the stars!

If you are interested in learning more, please contact the Youth

Ministry Office. I know it’s almost 2 years out, but deposits are due by late

September as the trips fill up fast. Your teen must be 16 by July 23 of 2016

and as always young adults and adults as chaperones are always needed!

High School Teens and Young Adults World Youth Day 2016

13 Days ! Krakow, Poland

With St. Petronille Youth Ministry organized by Catholic Pilgrim

Office July 23– August 4, 2016 - $3,498.00

Interested? Contact the Youth Ministry Office soon!

World Youth Day 2016

July 23-August4, 2016 Krakow, Poland

7

Third Station in the Mary

Chapel. St. Petronille

Church, Glen Ellyn

Children aren't immune from cares, worries and responsibilities, but the

great gifts of childhood are a trusting, loving heart, and an immense

capacity for hope. Walking the way of the cross through the stations in the

Mary Chapel can remind us that we will always be children of God. He

invites us to let go of our reserve, to accept his love with an open heart and

to believe in his promise to bring us home to his kingdom at last.

Can we let go of our reserve?

Walking the way of the cross

in the Mary Chapel reminds

us that we will always be

children of God.

8

“A humbling experience, pushed to

your limits…” “Simple Living…”

“A stronger sense of faith…”

“Serve others and God will send

you a rainbow.” “Thanks for being

the change I wish to see in the

world.”

“Humility, teamwork, home,

happiness, flexibility, beauty of

nature, God’s plan, giving back…”

These are just a few of the many

ways our group members described the experience of our two summer

mission trips.

This June a group of adults and teens headed for Fremont,

Michigan to help with flood relief. Living

together in a small community center, the

group came together to work, pray, play

and sing. We were blessed with a great

staff from National Relief Network whose

enthusiasm for helping families flooded out

this spring was contagious. Our

hardworking teens and adults cut a tree out

of a river, cleaned out homes damaged by

the Muskegon River that flooded, replaced

drywall, cleaned basements, and even spent

a “rain-out” day in the high school and

grade school moving furniture and cleaning

classrooms. My favorite part was the

impromptu concert we initiated, complete

with our favorite “oldies”, as we cleaned

the Fremont High School Library! Leave

it up to this group to sing their way

through any task. We came together

every night to pray and reflect on the day

and I cannot begin to tell you how much

Youth Ministry Mission Trips 2014

by Mary Miller

9

faith, compassion and acceptance was expressed by our young people!

In July we boarded the train for Browning , Montana facing 30 plus

hours in travel before arriving just in time to enjoy North American Indian

Days that takes place in Browning each July. In between the work we did at

the school – painting, organizing, cleaning, doing a mailing, and tearing

apart the kitchen for the

upcoming remodel (eating

was an adventure), we spent

time at the fairgrounds

watching the dancing, eating

fry bread, and immersing

ourselves in the colorful

culture happening all around

us. Again we had a group of

teens and adults who came

together at night to share

their faith and learn about the

Blackfeet Indians and their

traditions and beliefs. We had Martha and

Rebecca, two high school students, who

shared their knowledge and Marty Martin

who came to show us artifacts and teach us

the history of the Blackfeet people. A walk to

the Buffalo Jumps at sunset, miles of hiking

in Glacier, and several animal sightings (bear, moose and deer) added to the

experience as we enjoyed the beauty of God’s creations in the mountains.

As the tribal chiefs, the Bishop of Helena, Fr. Ed and many of the elders

processed in carrying the “Word” as Mass began on Sunday the teens

realized they were in for a very different Mass experience! The homily, the

music and the collection in Pendleton blankets kept them truly involved in

the Liturgy! Parish support of mission trips for our youth is of the utmost

importance as it is an opportunity for them to see and experience the

difficulty of natural disasters, the beauty of the diversity that is part of our

country and our faith and to learn about themselves. Please continue to

support us in the coming years!

“The way Jesus shows you is not easy. Rather, it is like a path winding

up a mountain. Do not lose heart! The steeper the road, the faster it ris-

es toward ever wider horizons.”

St. John Paul II Message to Youth; 1996