St. Louis de Montfort Oak Lawn, Illinois

August 28, 2016 22nd Sunday Ordinary Time

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Jesus calls us to be humble and modest. Jesus’ instructions to the leading Pharisee and to his guests that day are not what they really wanted to hear when they first invited Jesus. Jesus uses supper time as a means for teaching time; teaching human beings who are proud and full of pride to be humble. Humility is a gift that God gives. He is calling the guests to imitate Him in a life that is modest and praiseworthy, and not be seek-ers of vainglory as they are demonstrating at this banquet. However it’s important to understand what humili-ty really means. Humility means seeing ourselves through God’s eyes. When St Theresa of Avila asked Christ what true humility meant, Jesus replied: “To know what you can do, and what I can do.”

The first reading today, from the Book of Sirach, exhorts us: “Child, conduct your affairs with humility… Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.” Jesus reprises this idea in the gospel, and declares that “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus is calling us to see ourselves as God sees us: sinners infinitely loved by God, and in desperate need of His mercy. We can do nothing without Him.

Is this not the message of Jesus’ parable in today’s gospel, and indeed of all the holy gospels, and indeed the essence of our Christian lives? “Take the lowest place,” Jesus states. Exalt not yourself in the sight of God, who sits at your table in your own homes, whose presence is everywhere, and is a guest far greater than ourselves in our own private homes. Give your place to the poor, provide for them out of your means, as Jesus has done, and then you will know the glorious vision of heaven where He dwells.

The Pharisees and the invited guests are all blind to the presence of Jesus because of their pride and desire for esteem because they cannot see the guest of honor in their midst, They observe him carefully, ready to judge Him immediately, but it is He who sees them and seeks to instruct them in their ignorance. The Lord is most out of place here among the proud. The proud have no need of Jesus and his ways of life and teachings. It is their way or the highway, and they do not want to change because everyone else is doing it too! This is the world we live in and that is it. Yet, not when the true light comes into the world. Jesus is looking around for the lowly ones, but finds none.

Humility frees us to maximize our God-given talents, because it frees us from being afraid of what other people will think. The history of art and music is full of examples of this. The true artists worked hard to develop their creative gifts, re-gardless of the praise or recognition of critics. Many great works in the classical music repertoire, for example, were never even recognized until long after the composer's death. Bach's great Mass in B Minor, one of the most magnificent musical settings for the Mass of all time, was never even performed during his lifetime. Bach was a Protestant, but since the Mass was Catholic, the work was not permitted to be played in his Protestant church. However, the music of that Mass required a small orchestra, and at that time, using orchestras was forbidden in Catholic churches. Likewise, Bach's "Goldberg's Variations" is the most success-ful of all his works in concert performance today. However, the kind of concert in which it can be performed did not exist until a hundred years after his death.

Beethoven had a similar experience. In his lifetime the modern piano was developed. The first great works to become the staple of serious public piano performances were his thirty-two piano sonatas, but only two of these were actually played in concert during Beethoven's lifetime. If Bach and Beethoven had focused their efforts on getting "the place of honor" in the public eye instead of focusing on being true to their calling, these immortal works of art would never have come into existence. (Historical information taken from Charles Rosen's review of The Oxford History of Western Music, by Richard Taruskin, The New York Review of Books, February 23, 2006, p. 43, courtesy of delanceyplace.com).

Humility doesn't stifle the human spirit, but sets it free. Following the spiritual law of humility leads to interior peace, joy, wisdom, and a greater share in God's glory, this is what Christ wants for us. The more we grow in humility, the more we will experience those things. So how can we grow in humility? There are two things every single one of us can do in order to grow in humility. Two things that we can do today, tomorrow, and every day this week. The first is to pray. Every time we pray we acknowledge God's greatness and our dependence on Him. Every time we pray, we are exercising the virtue of humili-ty, whether it's a short prayer or a long prayer, a good prayer or distracted prayer. If we want to get humble, let's pray more, let's reactivate our commitment to a decent life of prayer. Prayer is the perfect workout for strengthening humility.

Second, we can stop talking so much about ourselves. Our fallen nature is always pushing us to be the center of our conversations, but our Christian nature is always reaching out to take an interest in our neighbors. This week, let's give our Christian nature a hand. Choose one relationship, and this week, make a concerted effort to be more interested in knowing what the other person is going through than in telling them what you're going through, and this is not to be confused with gos-sip.

I continue to thank all of you for your continued hospitality and warmth you are showing me and each other. Please spread the good word of our wonderful parish and it is very nice to see more and more people coming back to worship God. Many of us are saying how great it is to see our parishioner families returning back.

St Louis de Montfort, pray for us! Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, pray for us! Have a great week and enjoy life with a great smile! Pray always!

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FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK!! The 2016~2017 is off to a great start! So glad to see all the smiling faces as we get back into the swing of things. We have so much to look forward to this year. New beginnings for many of us, continuing suc-cesses for others, challenges and triumphs for all of us as the strong family of St. Louis de Montfort.

I’d like to remind everyone to sign up for the school website, if you have not already done so. This is a very important means of communication between school and parents. Our school “Newsflash” will automatically be sent to all registered emails. Emergency school closings, calendar events and many other important topics will be communicated. FALL SOCCER We have been invited to participate in the Kindergarten—Grade 4 Fall Soccer League run by Most Holy Redeemer School, located in Evergreen Park. There are some guidelines we must follow to participate:

∗ We will need coaches for each team, coaches must be VIRTUS compliant ∗ Teams MUST be a blend of each grade (for example teams must have both 1st & 2nd

grade) ∗ Teams MUST have at least 4 girls playing in the game ∗ If we are unable to field a co-ed team, we cannot play ∗ Weeknight games are played at 6 PM; weekend games will be at 9 or 10:30 AM (Some

weekend games are played at Queen of Martyrs at 11:30) ∗ Kindergarten games will be played Wednesday, Friday or Saturday. ∗ First & Second grade games will be played Tuesday, Thursday and/or Saturday. ∗ Third & Fourth grade games will be played Wednesday, Friday and/or Saturday.

If your student is interested in playing, please contact the school office by August 29th. Thank you, Mrs. Wilson

ARE YOU A CRAFTER? St. Louis de Montfort Family School Association (FSA)

is seeking Crafters / Vendors for the annual

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR! Saturday, November 5th, 9:00 AM—2:00 PM in Quinn Hall

If you would like to reserve a table or get more information send an email:

stlouisfsa@yahoo.com or contact one of our Craft Fair Coordinators: Kris—630.697.4073 or Donna—815.307.2062

CRAFTS...VENDORS...RAFFLES...BAKE SALE

Registration forms with complete details are

available in the Church vestibule.

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THE MUSIC MINISTRY NEEDS YOU !!

We are asking members of the community, high school age and older, to consider a short term choir commitment for the purpose of singing for Fr. Stan’s Installation Mass which will take place at 11:30 on Sunday, October 9th. All former choir members and any new people are welcome. Your only requirement is to want to sing with a group to make this Liturgy as uplifting and special as possible for Fr. Stan and our Parish family. Rehearsals are tentatively scheduled to begin at the end of August. We are also still looking for volunteers for cantors and choir members for our weekly masses.

Please contact Karen Deegan at 708-715-8024 or karendeegan824@yahoo.com with any questions and to accept our invitation to be part of this important ministry.

If you like football, you’ll LOVE Football Mania. There is a new chance to win every week of the season!

The 8 highest-scoring and 3 lowest-scoring cards all win prizes each week. 2 grand prizes will also be awarded at the end of the season.

The cost is just $20 per ticket. Tickets must be purchased & activated by

September 7th in time for the start of the professional football season which begins on September 8th! Sell them to your friends and co-workers too!

Call 708-599-5781 for tickets.

Last year the payout from all cards sold at St Louis de Montfort was $1,700.00. Don’t miss out on your chance to join the winners.

Football Mania is back! It was a big last season!! Get your tickets now!!!

St. Louis de Montfort Religious Education There is still time to Register for the 2016-2017 Religious Education Program. You will find registration forms at the Parish Home and in the back of the Church. Tuition Sacramental Fee

1 Child $250.00 Grade 2 (First Communion) $ 40.00 2 Children $325.00 Grade 8 (Confirmation) $ 65.00 3 Children $375.00 Sunday, September 11, 2016 Class – Mass – Open House The school year will begin with the children going to their classroom at 9:00 am in the school. The teachers and students will proceed to church together for the 9:30 Mass. The Open House will be in the Religious Education Office for parents and students following the Mass. Saturday, September 17, 2016 Class: 9:00 am The first full day of class. The calendar for the 2016-2017 R.E. program is being finalized and will be available on the Parish website. If your child is making a sacrament during the 2016-2017 school year you need to provide a copy of the child’s baptismal certificate along with their Registration form.

THERE WILL BE NO REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED AT THE OPEN HOUSE. If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Plesha @ 708-599-5781 ext. 18.

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Jackie Adomovicz Jesse Anderer Barbara Augle George Badke

Jim Ball Erik Baranowski Irene Baranowski

Lillian Berenis Sr. Bernardine Mikey Bevan Joyce Bitinas

Jesselyn Brucki Donna Chlebek

Diane Chrapkiewicz Pat Chudy

Betty Connolly Donna Dong

Mary Dragozetic Rita Duchowicz

John Furmaniak Sr. Dave Gallagher Sandra Gilbert Lorraine Grams Dolores Grisko

Dorothy Hayden Janis Hayden Mary Hinchey

Mary Jane Kirchner Daniel Kosiek Theresa Iser

Kurt Kutschke Marilyn Jones

Thelma LaSalvia Josie Maracic Agnes Mark Rita Mazur

Mary Ann & Bill Meskowski

Rosemary Mihelic Barbara Minster

Judy Mitchell Vencia Munis

Christopher Murphy Teresa Myczek

Sr. Therese O’Donnell Debbie Ornat Kari Raspanti

Kelly Robertson John Rosinski

Bridget Schroeder Ruth Ann Smith

Jim Staros Mercedita Suclan

Terry Swierk Jay Tarczon

Dorothy Tinman Diane Uryasz Irene Valuckis Mary Wantuck

Cathy Jo Werner Robert & Carol Zucas

We pray for those among us who are suffering from illnesses

REST IN PEACE We pray for our family and friends

that have recently died.

Frank Bilo

Please keep them and their families in your prayers.

VISIT OUR NEW PARISH WEBSITE

sldmparish.org

It is up and operational. If you have any questions or ideas of what you’d like to see included, please feel free to contact the parish office or click the link “Contact the Webmaster” at the bottom of the site. You can also view our weekly bulletins from the website.

Parish.office@sldmparish.org

The many parish ministries are listed on the website. If you have time and talent to share, please check out the various op-portunities. Call for additional information or to join one or more groups. We are always looking for new members, fresh ideas and an opportunity to be more engaged in our parish and faith.

KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS WOMEN’S AUXILIARY

Council #14553

With the start of a new school year the Women’s Auxil-iary is collecting new socks & underwear for needy chil-dren in our area. If you would like to donate, please purchase items for the age group of pre-school through 8th Grade.

Your donations can be placed in boxes designated in the church and school vestibule until Sunday, Sept. 11th

Thank you for your support and generosity!

Sept 3 5:00PM Sept 4 7:30 AM Sept 4 9:30 AM Sept 4 11:30 AM T. Lechert K. Delmagori M. Murphy M. Farrell C. Beyer I. Ramirez M. Hurley M. Gal J. Miller M. Uryasz D. Sichelski D. Ott

Extraordinary M. Navedo M. Kocher G. Pierzynski C. Karnoski Ministers of Communion C. Sorensen M. Gilbert D. Widmer N. Rodl

J. Werner L. Gilbert J. Mitchell K. Tarczon J. Kocher B. Gilbert D. Gajda C. Gotto

Commentator L. Trail M. Gilbert R. Trusk C. Karnoski Lector M. Leffers E. Tierney D. Sichelski J. Hurckes

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WEEKLY OFFERING

Week of August 20/21 $5,104.00 Give Central $ 170.00 Goal $9,200.00

PLEASE Be sure to mark the amount of your offering on your envelope in order to get credit for your contributions. Visit www.givecentral.org to sign up for electronic giving.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Weekly Activities at St. Louis

Saturday, August 27 9:00 AM—Rosary—(CH) 9:00—10:00 AM Adoration Sunday, August 28 1:00 PM— Baptism Monday, August 29 9:00 AM— Rosary (CH) Tuesday, August 30 7:00 PM — Needleworkers (QH) Wednesday, August 31 9:00 AM — Rosary (CH) 9:00 AM—10:00 AM—Parish Pantry Thursday, September 1 9:00 AM— Rosary (CH) Friday, September 2 9:00 AM— Rosary (CH) 9:00 AM—10:00 AM—Parish Pantry Saturday, September 3 9:00 AM — Rosary—(CH) 9:00—10:00 AM— Adoration Sunday, September 4

Weekly Mass Intentions

Saturday, August 27 5:00 PM - +For Souls in Purgatory +Joan Halloran + Joe Zalapi Sunday, August 28, 22nd Sun Ordinary Time 7:30 AM — +David Fenton & Sons +Mary Staros 9:30 AM — +Diane & Wolter Skupien +Louis S Lenzi +Clem Hojnacki 11:30 AM — People of the Parish Monday, August 29 8:30 AM— +Carmella Sansone Tuesday, August 30 8:30 AM — +Clem Hojnacki +Mike Karnoski Wednesday, August 31 8:30 AM — Communion Service Thursday, September 1 8:30 AM — Friday, September 2 8:30 AM — Saturday, September 3 8:30 AM — Communion Service 5:00 PM — +Jan Tchorzewski +Joseph Zalapi +Frank Bilo Sunday, September 4, 23rd Sun Ordinary Time 7:30 AM — Edward Grunaur Greg Renfree +Michael Bodey 9:30 AM — +Clem Hojnacki +Leopold & Anna Ciezczak +John Zimirowski 11:30 AM —+Edward Gut Gloria & James Pierzynski—40th Wedding Anniversary

Sunday Readings for August 28th

First reading: Sirach 3:17-18, 20 Second reading: Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-14

Sunday Readings for September 4

First reading: Wisdom 9:13-18b Second reading: Philemon 9-10, 12-17 Gospel: Luke 14:25-33

We pray for God’s blessings on recently Baptized

children and their families.

Olive Sylvia King daughter of Thomas & Ashton

Chandler Jay Drish son of John & Alexis

Avery Thomas Hanson son of Tyler & Kaylee

Damien Peter Arendarcik son of Peter & Lisa

Aubriana Lalaina Roman daughter of William & Roberta

Fr. Stanley Stuglik, Pastor Mr. Bill Sullivan: Deacon Fr. Mark Canavan: Pastor Emeritus Mr. Steve McEllin: Director Parish Operations Ms. Jan Podolak: Parish Secretary Mrs. Karen Deegan: Director of Music Parish Home: 8808 Ridgeland Ave, Oak Lawn IL Phone: 708-599-5300 Fax: 708-599-2678 Email: parish.office@sldm.org Parish Website: www.sldmparish.org Parish Home Office Hours: 9:00 AM— 2:30 PM Monday—Friday 5:00 PM — 8:00 PM Wednesday & Thursday 10:00 AM— 4:00 PM Saturday Mrs. Melissa Wilson: School Principal Mrs. Cheryl Plesha: Director of Religious Education School Address: 8840 Ridgeland Ave, Oak Lawn IL School Phone: 708-599-5781

MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 AM Weekdays 8:30 AM (Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri) 8:30 AM Communion Service (Wed) Saturday 8:30 AM Communion Service Confessions: Saturday 4:00 to 4:30 PM Baptisms: 2nd & 4th Sunday of every month Pre-Baptismal Program: The 1st Tuesday every other month. Arrangements can be made by calling the Rectory. Weddings: Couples should contact the parish priest at least six months in advance of wedding date.

Welcome to St. Louis de Montfort Parish

CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS St. Louis De Montfort Church #000448 8808 S. Ridgeland Avenue Oak Lawn, IL 60453 TELEPHONE 708 599-5300 CONTACT PERSON Jan Podolak EMAIL: parish.office@sldmparish.org SOFTWARE MSPublisher 2013 Adobe Acrobat XI Windows 8 TRANSMISSION TIME Wednesday 11:00 SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION August 28, 2016 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 8 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS