Tea Tara Abraham, Natalie Cecilia Baiocchi, Christine Christina Cook, Angelina Juliana D’Amico, Dominic David Detente,

Lilliana Kateri Dziagwa, Sam Paul Fletcher, Jacob Sebastian Garvey, Layla Frances Gaughan, Maria Anne Giampietro,

Emily Elizabeth Graham, Luke John Graham, David Michael Hanson, Jeremy James Heer, Justin Francis Herman,

Gerald Anthony Hopkins, Kyle Anthony Jarvis, Suzana Catherine Jukic, Daniel Patrick Keegan, Seth Gregory Keeling, Andrew Phillip Kraus,

Lidija Cecilija Kutlesa, Julia Bernadette Laera, Veronika Catherine Lieb, Stephen Peter Mikulecky

James George Mizura, Emily Maria Nicolai, Sean Michael Nolan, John Anthony Panek, Aimee Olivia Paradee,

Erin Elizabeth Parcel, Cody John Pavlicek, Ariana Joan Porras, Austin Anthony Race, Dana Lucy Reynolds, Vanessa Catherine Rizo,

Alyssa Aria Rodriguez, Erik Linus Roedel, Thomas Luke Russell, Autumn Charlotte Schwer, Robert Alexander Sinnott, Donovan Anthony Swanson, Charles Thomas Sweeney,

Claire Patricia Swiatek, Dominick Nicholas Tosti, Molly Therese Tracy, Karen Guadalupe Valdez, Casey Casimir Vileta,

Gabriella Kateri Watylyk, Kyle Thomas Weinert, Laura Catherine Yarka

“So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matt 5:48

H ow interestingly timely this message in our readings and Gospel this morning is. For those of us who are all wrapped up in watching the Olympics, perfection in any one of 15 different sporting events is awarded to the best of the best in the forms of Bronze, Silver, or Gold medals. The athletes from over 89 countries are pouring themselves out, giving their all, and then some for a chance to stand on the medals

platform and represent themselves and their country. In watching a number of the competitions, even in my younger healthier years, I’m not sure my body, mind, or spirit could handle the necessary training regimen or other setbacks that these men and women have had to endure to fulfill this moment. Once arriving, I can understand their will and desire to push on, even under great distress, and determination to compete. Whether it was their first Olympics or last, these athletes sought perfection and some may say chased a dream, others may say that they followed their hearts and goals. They believed in themselves even if others didn’t or may have criticized them for their intentions. Isn’t that what our readings this weekend are suggesting? To give of ourselves, to be open to all and be non-judgmental of others, and to set our priorities and live our life accordingly? God is asking each of us to place Him first in our life and to trust and love Him above everything else. Although I cannot speak of the Olympic athletes on their faith life, I believe we can all say by their attitudes and actions that besides faith, they had set their priorities and committed themselves to athletic perfection. I also found it most interesting, especially in the individual sports how competitors would congratulate or extend a hand or shoulder to their competitors. There was no wall of judgment but of a larger family, realizing that there was only room for the best three to advance. That, I believe, showed them living by their faith life. Our parish community also experienced the readings expressed this weekend. On Saturday, Bishop Raymond Goedert extended his prayers and blessings on 51 students of our School and Religious Education program who vowed their commitment to God our Father and his Holy Spirit by receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is a weekend of celebration as this newest group of young adults has called upon God to receive them and bestow on our Confirmandi the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to help lead and guide them along life’s journey. By opening their hearts and minds to God’s calling, these students are being asked to place God first in their life and to love others, and in doing so, be perfect in God’s eyes. Loving one another unconditionally is not easy or always rewarding. Just like the Olympic athletes, there will be times of challenge and struggle and questions as to if they are doing the right things. God never said it was going to be easy, but showed us that it was doable. We just need to train ourselves into accepting, trusting, and doing. Personally following my own Sacrament of Confirmation, I am seeking daily the gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, and Fortitude in dealing with my Oral Cancer treatment. Just like the Olympic athletes, there have been many challenges, ups, and downs, but I am persevering in God’s will for me. As Joseph Cardinal Bernardin wrote in his book, “The Gift of Peace”, he found it easier to pray when he was healthy and feeling good, yet the prayers are most needed when you are not feeling well. I thank you for helping me along my journey, especially in times of my need when I am not feeling my best and prayer and contemplation is most difficult on my own. Your strength and dedication is greatly appreciated. May the peace of Christ, which is beyond all understanding, be with you and your family. Deacon Kevin Reynolds

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Monday, February 24 6:00 p.m. Play Practice-PC 6:30 p.m. Troop Meeting-C Tuesday, February 25 5:00 p.m. Sports-PC Wednesday, February 26 2:30 p.m. Girl Scouts-M 5:00 p.m. Sports-PC 7:00 p.m. Adoration-CH 7:00 p.m. Spirit & Truth-R 7:00 p.m. BSJ Meeting-M 5:00 & 6:30 p.m. Religious Education Thursday, February 27 4:00 p.m. SPRED-R 5:00 p.m. Sports-PC 7:00 p.m. First Eucharist Meeting-C Friday, February 28 2:45 & 7:30 p.m. Teen Clubs-PC/C Famine Overnight PC/C/M Saturday, March 1 Famine Continues PC/C/M Sunday, March 2 8:00-11:00 a.m. Pancake Breakfast-C All Masses ASP Donut Sale-Fundraiser 4:00 p.m. Play Practice-PC 4:00 p.m. Sports-PC 6:00 p.m. BEDS-C 8:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous-R

PANTHER BEAT

Preschoolers celebrate the 100th Day of School…

…and Valentine’s Day!

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Olive oil looms large in the vocabulary of baptism. There are other oils in the pantry closet, from grapeseed to safflower to canola, but only olives yield the proper meanings. Olives don’t just happen; they are cultivated, nurtured, and fussed over; they are a sign of human and divine cooperation. Olives can thrive in poor soil, but they cannot survive without human ingenuity. Abundant patience is needed as sediment sinks to the bottom of storage barrels and pure oil rises to the surface. Oil is a byproduct of peace: war keeps harvesters, planters, and pruners within city walls and turns millers into soldiers. To obtain oil from olives you need vast measures of hope, patience, faith, and ingenuity. Olive oil is a sign of God’s bounty and the way we collaborate with God. It is creation at its finest. ©J. S. Paluch Co.

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TODAY Sunday, February 23

2:00 p.m.~Doors Open at Noon Raffles...Pull Tabs…

Refreshments &

$2100 CASH PRIZES

Congratulations to St. Louise School alumni who made the First Semester Honor Roll at their high schools.

St. Ignatius High School First Honors: Andrea Guzman, Brianna Guzman, Alyssa Korabik, Andrew Korabik, Allison Wasielewski Honors with Distinction: Ashley Sablich

Nazareth Academy A Honor Roll: Kimberly Curtis, Rebecca Letcher, Brittany Schneider, Robert Schneider, Christine Turek, Robert Turek B Honor Roll: Gina Crisanti, Luke Gerald Trinity High School, First Honors: Chelsea Doyle

Suburban Catholic Singles Group March Events

Sunday, March 5: SCSG 5th Anniversary-11 a.m. Mass, St. Cletus, 700 W. 55th, LaGrange. Followed by lunch-12:30 p.m., Salerno Pincente Ristorante, 9301 63rd, Hodgkins. Saturday, March 15: St. Patrick’s Day Celebration,

Chequers, 100 W. Burlington, LaGrange-6 p.m. After dinner, meet at Palmer Place, 56 S. LaGrange Rd. Contact: singlesadmin@gmail.com

40 Days for Life is a threefold campaign of continuous prayer and fasting, a peaceful vigil outside an abortion clinic for 40 days. “Our presence on the sidewalks is powerful in two critical ways - we are the last sign of hope for the mother and baby when they arrive (at the clinic), but also the first sign of

mercy to the women as they leave. We can’t prevent all women from having abortions, but we can present the opportunity to turn around at the last moment, and just as importantly, for those women who do go through with their abortion, offer the opportunity to find the mercy of God at a time they feel beyond mercy.” Shawn Carney “40 Days for Life” Book. The next campaign is from March 5 to April 13 at the Access Health Clinic at 1700 75th St., Downers Grove. Contact 40DaysDG@gmail.com for more info. Thousands of babies lives have been saved by this peaceful, prayerful vigil.

FASHION SHOW The Women’s Organization is planning their Fashion Show on March 23 at the Discovery Center in Brookfield Zoo. Ladies of the parish and friends are welcome.

Tables accommodate up to 10. Tickets available after Masses on March 2 & 9 or call Mary at 354-8398. Tickets are $37 adults and $17 children 14 and under. March 10 is ticket deadline. NO EXCEPTIONS!

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The Holy Name Society-Men’s Club will hold a Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, March 2 from 8:00 to 11:00 in the Colonnade Room. All-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage,

fresh fruit & beverages. Donation: $5 per person, six years and older with a max of $20 per family unit (includes grandparents.) Don’t miss out!! Mark it down!

SPRING FLING!!

CRAFTERS WANTED For our First Annual

Spring Fling at St. Louise Saturday, May 10th

Contact Nancy Toribio at 708/704-9352 or tribetribe@comcast.net.

LECTOR/EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS SCHEDULES

New schedules will soon be out from the period April 5 through June 29. This schedule includes Holy Week and Easter. Note that Easter Sunday does not occur until April 20, and we will be one month into the new schedule before this occurs. If there is an Easter Mass or Holy Week Mass/service you would like to be scheduled for, call or sign up on the sheets posted in the Gathering Room. Note: Easter Mass times are: Sat. 8:00 p.m.-Vigil; Sunday 7:00, 8:30, 10:15 a.m. and 12:00 noon. Notify us of any dates, during this period, including Easter, you are unavailable. Otherwise, you will be randomly selected. Contact Rick or Barb at 352-8145 or at steprc@comcast.net. Deadline is Thursday, March 6.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS NEEDED St. Louise needs additional Eucharistic Ministers at all Masses. Only one training session is needed, scheduled at your convenience. Once training is completed, choose the Mass at which you would like to serve. New schedules for the spring months will soon be created. Anyone interested in becoming a Eucharistic Minister, contact Barb or Rick at above numbers.

8th Grade: No Teen Club on Feb. 28 (Famine). No open gym in March due to play and Vegas night. Teen Room open March 7 and 28. Parent volunteers needed. Email Karyn Miller to sign up: kmillerwlm@yahoo.com. High School: February 28, 7:30-10:00. Earlier ending time due to Famine. No open gym in March due to play and Vegas night. Teen Room open March 7 and 28.

Youth Board--not for teens only! Still looking for teens and adults (especially adults) to serve on board along with the current Teen Club Board. This board will assess current youth programs and involvement and plan activities. Contact Karyn Miller if interested. Teen Room open March 7 and 28

30-Hour Famine Students around the world unite to do the 30 Hour Famine to raise awareness of hungry children around the world. To participate in the Famine of February 28-March 1, pick up a permission form at the rectory or Teen Club. Thank you to all who generously donated to our Famine fund last weekend. We have nearly reached our goal, and will, hopefully, surpass it as students return individual pledges. To make a donation on line, go to http://tinurl.com/slymfamine, taking you directly to the fundraising page. Donations marked “30 Hour Famine” can be also dropped off at the school or rectory.

ASP FUNDRAISER March 1/2 is ASP weekend. Help support the teens’ July trip to Appalachia by buying donuts and iPAD raffle tickets after Masses next weekend.

February 24 - March 2 Monday 8:30 - Parishioners Tuesday 8:30 - Lewis Russo Wednesday 8:30 - Donald Siuda Thursday 8:30 - Walter & Esther Bednarz Friday 8:30 - Tony & Henrietta Sinsky, Tony & Rose Napolitan Saturday 5:00 - Felix Francis Sunday 7:30 - Madelyne Lynch 9:30 - Victor & Zdenka Zezelic, Joe Abbati 11:00 - Maria de Lourdes & Robert Mitre

Presiders March 1 March 2 Confessions - Fr. Denis 7:30 - Fr. Denis 5:00 - Fr. Denis 9:30 - Fr. Henry 11:00 - Fr. Henry

Readers March 1 March 2 5:00 -P. Hammerschmitt 7:30 - P. Szymczak 9:30 - M.A. Donlon 11:00 - L. Mate/D. Porras

Eucharistic Ministers March 1 5:00 - J. Chenelle, C. Hammerschmitt, D.&J. Kucera, K. Kappmeyer, P. Thorburn, S. Young

March 2 7:30 - W.&K. Prokop, K. Holzmeister, F. Johanek, M.A. Vavra, E. Wagner, M.A. Walstrom 9:30 - B. Garvey, D.&M. Polaski, R. Jevorutsky, M. Sinde D. Juday, L. Korenchan, K. Krajniak, D. Parcel 11:00 - S. Lifka, C. Korabik, A. Korabik, R. Kappeler, S. Buckley, P. Cavaliere, J. Discipio, T. Hilger, B. Koll

Altar Servers Mon. - Wed., February 24, 25, 26 8:30 - M. Hanson, E. Graham Thurs. - Fri., February 27, 28 8:30 - K. Keen, K. Weinert Sat., February 29 5:00 - M. Adams, K. Jarvis, M. Melone Sun., March 1 7:30 - J. Hopkins, G. Watylyk, De. Keen 9:30 - F. Garcia, L. Kutlesa, K. Kutlesa 11:00 - D. Hanson, M. Hanson, T. Swanson

Altar Women Feb.24 - M. Vavra, Feb. 25 - B. Strnad,

Feb. 27 - F. Johanek, Feb. 28 - J. Chenelle

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WEEKLY OFFERTORY February 16, 2014

Sunday Collection, This Week: This Year $8,300 Last Year $8,300 Sunday Collection, Year-to-Date: This Year $ 322,800 Last Year $ 350,100 Year-to-Date Collection Budget $ 342,600 Envelopes Returned, This Week: This Year 355 Last Year 399

Our sympathy to the family of

Marie Raymond

Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy. Leviticus 19: 2b