June 7, 2009 - St. Matthias Parish

St. Matthias
2310 W. Ainslie St.
Chicago, Illinois 60625
773-506-2191
St. Matthias
&
Transfiguration of the Lord
Transfiguration of Our Lord
2609 W. Carmen Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60625
773-561-7953
The Most Holy Trinity
June 7, 2009
Welcome to St. Matthias & Transfiguration of Our Lord Churches
If you are new to our church or just visiting, please stop and introduce yourself. We are pleased to have you share
in this celebration of the Eucharist. If you do not have a spiritual home, or your church is not a home to you, we invite you to become part of our parish family. Our church is open to anyone looking for a spiritual home. You may
begin the registration process at St. Matthias by giving us your name and contact information on the envelopes in
the pews of the church. Please check “Joining the Parish” and place the envelope in the collection basket or stop
by either St. Matthias or Transfiguration rectory for more information.
Our Mission Statement
Misión de la Iglesia
Two Parishes—One Faith Community; English-Spanish-Tagalog
Dos parroquias - Una sola Fe. Ingles-Español- Tagalog
We are a Catholic community of two parishes. We commit ourselves to celebrate our diversity, to give thanks for
and preserve our rich traditions, to share our resources and to build a more collaborative faith community. For detailed instructions refer to John 6:1-13
Somos una comunidad Católica de dos parroquias. Nos comprometimos a celebrar nuestra diversidad, para dar
gracias y preservar nuestra rica tradición para compartir nuestros recursos y construir de manera más colaborativa
nuestra fe comunitaria. Para mas detallada instrucción lea Juan 6:1-13
www.stmatthiastransfiguration.com
ST. MATTHIAS
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
OF
June 7-14, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Most Holy Trinity
7:30 am +Emily Lamberty (Petrenko Family)
Corazon & Julian Sampang
Lillian Smolen
In Thanksgiving (Sawit Family)
9:30 am Maria Sutor (Daughter & Family)
11:30 am Our Catechists
Monday, June 8
7:30 am +Arsenio Baylon (Jorge & Aurora Cortes)
+Catherine Gage Marino (Charles Marino)
Marie Sutor (Daughter & Family)
Tuesday, June 9-St. Ephrem
7:30 am Marie Sutor (Daughter & Family)
Wednesday, June 10
7:30 am Joe Heber (Family)
+Julia Carey (D. Doetsch)
Thursday, June 11-St. Barnabas
7 :30 am Joseph, Charlotte & James Muth (Family)
+Astroluna Castro (Family)
+Paul Brichetto (Marie & Family)
Friday, June 12
8:30 am George & Theresa Chussler (Family)
Saturday, June 13-St. Anthony of Padua
8:00 am Margaret Aha (Family)
5:00 pm +Willian Victor (Mr. & Mrs. Illarde)
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
7:30 am +John Gleason (Maryann Illarde)
9:30 am In Thanksgiving (Sawit Family)
Marie Sutor (Robert Phillips)
11:30 am Parishioners
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
2 Cor 1:1-7; Mt 5:1-12
2 Cor 1:18-22; Mt 5:13-16
2 Cor 3:4-11; Mt 5:17-19
Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3; Mt 5:20-26
2 Cor 4:7-15; Mt 5:27-32
2 Cor 5:14-21; Mt 5:33-37
Ex 24:3-8; Ps 116; Heb 9:11-15
Mk 14:12-16, 22-26
TRANSFIGURATION
MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK
OF
June 7-14, 2009
Sunday, June 7
Most Holy Trinity
8:00 am-For All Our Parishioners
9:30 am-+Alejandro Morales (Family)
11:00 am-+Bolivar Ramon (Wife & Children)
12:30 pm-+Antonia Vergara (Family)
Monday, June 8
8:15 am-+Joan Salzman (Ledesma Family)
Tuesday, June 9-St. Ephrem
8:15 am-+Leonard Babiarz (Helen Butzen)
+Emilia Ciesla
(Colburn Family)
+Juanito Moncado (Nanay Aning)
Wednesday, June 10
8:15 am-Special Int. Cecilio Borromeo
(Recovery) (Family)
Thursday, June 11-St. Barnabas
8:15 am-+Joan Salzman (Gloria and Budz Bagadiong)
Friday, June 12
8:15 am-+Cynthia Romero (Boy and Rowena Abad)
+Roy Babiarz (Helen Butzen)
+Michael Simon (Wedding Ann) (Wife, Jean)
Saturday, June 13
8:15 am-+Antonio Badillo (Birthday) (Nanay Aning)
5:00 pm-+Edward Superson (Anniversary) (Family)
Sunday, June 14
8:00 am-For All Our Parishioners
9:30 am-+Deena Jacobs (Cely Diaz)
+ Saturnino Lasam (Mel & Jerry Tumang)
11:00 am– Special Int. Father Terry M. Keehan
(Farewell Celebration Reception
will follow in the Church Hall)
+Rev. Iscla Rovira (Parishioners)
12:30 pm-+For All the Poor Souls in Purgatory
COWARDLY
To know what is right and not to do it is the worst
cowardice.
—Confucius
TRUE RICHES
They are rich enough who are poor in Christ.
—St. Jerome
HONESTY
The most important person to be honest with is
myself.
—Anonymous
St. Matthias Transfiguration Parishes
Who we are and how to contact Us
St. Matthias
2310 W. Ainslie St.
Chicago, Illinois 60625
773-506-2191
Fax: 506-2418
Transfiguration of Our Lord
2609 W. Carmen Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60625
773-561-7953
Fax: 561-7635
Web Site: www.stmatthiastransfiguration.com
Pastor: Rev. Terence Keehan
Manager of Finance: Marian Amling
DRE: Karyn McGovern, 334-6622
Bulletin Editor: Joan Hunt
St. Matthias
Transfiguration School
4910 N. Claremont Ave
Chicago, IL. 60625
Sandria DeSapio Principal
784-0999
Fax: 784-3601
WEEKEND MASS
SCHEDULE
ST MATTHIAS
Saturday 5:00 PM
Sunday 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 M ,
Senior Priest
and 6:30 PM at St. Benedict,
Associate Pastor
Rev. Francis Cimarrusti
Rev. Americo Dalbello Filho 2215 W. Irving Park Rd
Associate Pastor
DAILY MASS SCHEDULE
Parochial Vicar
Rev. John Sanaghan
Monday-Thursday: 7:30 AM
Rev. John Rudnik
Pastor Emeritus
Friday: 8:30 AM
Permanent Deacon
Rev. Thomas McHugh
Saturday: 8:00 AM
Roland Merced
Music Director
HOLY DAY MASS
Secretary
Jennifer Reckamp
SCHEDULE
Elizabeth Ledesma
Spred Chairperson
7:00, 8:30 AM, 12 Noon & 7:00
Music Directors
Joan Hunt
PM
Amora Saenz
Ravenswood Young Adults
SACRAMENTAL
Maria Caparroso
[email protected]
INFORMATION
Director of Development
RECONCILIATION
Terry Tuohy
Saturday 3:45-4:30 PM or
Secretary
By Appointment
Grayce O’Toole
BAPTISM
Reach Out
Second and fourth Sunday of
Peg Wills
the month, 12:30 PM
PRE-BAPTISM SESSIONS
Email Addresses
Third
Sunday of the Month
Bulletin Submissions
10:30
AM
(Parents Only)
[email protected]
St. Matthias
[email protected]
Transfiguration
[email protected]
DRE
[email protected]
OTHER DEVOTIONS
OTHER DEVOTIONS
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Novena
Wednesday 6:30 PM
First Friday Holy Hour 7:00
PM
First Saturday
Novena to Our Lady of
Penafrancia 6:00 PM and
Misang Filipino Mass
7:00 PM
New Creation
Charismatic
Monday 7:00 PM
Legion of Mary
Monday 6:00 PM
Spanish Charismatic
Wednesday 7:00 PM
Nazarene Novena
Friday 7:00 PM
Vigil Adoration
Third Saturday
6:00-9:00 PM
Divine Mercy Novena
Sunday2:00 PM
Franciscan
Vocation Center
N. Claremont
Chicago, IL 60625
Br. Jack Carnaghi O.F.M.
606-2769
WEEKEND MASS
SCHEDULE
TRANSFIGURATION
Saturday 5:00PM
Sunday 8:00, 9:30 &
11:00 AM (Spanish),
& 12:30 PM ;
5:00 PM (Tagalog)
DAILY MASS SCHEDULE
Monday-Saturday:
8:15 AM
HOLY DAY MASS
SCHEDULE
7:00 PM (Vigil )
8:15 AM
SACRAMENTAL
INFORMATION
RECONCILIATION
Saturday 3:30-4:00 PM or by
Appointment
BAPTISM
Spanish: First Saturday 9:30
AM; English: Last
Saturday 12 Noon
PRE-BAPTISM SESSIONS
Spanish– Thursday preceding
the first Saturday scheduled for
Baptism; English-Thursday
preceding the Fourth Saturday
scheduled for Baptism
(Parents Only)
BOTH PARISHES
MARRIAGES
Arrangements should be made 4-8 months before the date.
Please make arrangements with the church before confirming
details for a reception.
ANOINTING THE SICK
Please contact either rectory
.SICK CALLS
Please contact either rectory
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE
ST. MATTHIAS
TRANSFIGURATION
June 13-14, 2009
Saturday
Lectors:
Eucharistic Ministers:
June 13-14, 2009
Altar Servers:
5:00 pm
P Jones
D Yassan, L Finland,
Sr. Vincentius, P. Kubistal
F Bautista, K Conrad, T Chavez
Sunday
Lectors:
Eucharistic Minister
Altar Servers:
7:30 am
M. Nicklas
C. Miller, M Illarde, T Tud
T & K Camorlinga, M Carillo
Lectors:
Eucharistic Ministers:
Children’s Liturgy:
Altar Servers:
Lectors:
Eucharistic Ministers:
Altar Servers:
9:30 am
P Adds
D Rubino, K. Jemine, A Stuckel,
L Amodia
No CLW
P Tuttle, J Benitez, K Conrad
11:30 am
E Gillespie
M Pacione, T Tuohy, H Galicia,
C Marino
J & D Kawaguchi, N Gillespie
Please Remember in Your Prayers those who are ill:
Stewardship of Treasury-St. Matthias
Total weekly collection (5/31/09)
Weekly budgeted amount
Deficit vs. goal this week
$
$
$
Fiscal Year to Date
Budget Year To Date
Actual vs Budget
$ 257,179
$ 288,000
$ -30,821
3,833
6,000
-2,167
Stewardship of Treasury-Transfiguration
(May 31, 2009)
Total weekly collection
$
2,480
Weekly budgeted amount
2,800
Deficit vs. goal this week
- 320
Fiscal Year to Date
Budget Year To Date
Actual vs Budget
$
Saturday
5:00 pm
Lectors: M. Co, N. Santos
Eucharistic Ministers: N. Santos
Altar Servers: N. Santos
Sunday
8:00 am
Lectors: Mk & Mn Aguja
Eucharistic Ministers: C. Buquiz
Altar Servers: Mk Aguja
9:30 am
Lectors: B. Flores, L. Taan
Eucharistic Ministers: B. Dever
Children’s Liturgy: No CLW
Altar Servers: K. & D. Degillo,
11:00 am
Lectors: J. Garcia, A. Villatoro, L. Morales, P. Barba
Eucharistic Ministers: J. Arevalo
Altar Servers: E. Garcia, J. Bernal, V. Bernal, C. Bernal
12:30 pm
Lectors O. Carlos, L. Velasquez
Eucharistic Ministers: G. Bagadiong
Altar Servers: L. Pahati, A. Perez,
127,507
134,400
6,893
Please consider an increase per week in your
regular Sunday donation to help meet expenses.
Dimas Amaro
Sr. Clothaire
Ken Crocco
Sr. Jeanette Cyr
Benjamin Dutary
Betty Dolezal
Catherine Donahue
Bob Fiedler
Daniel Fornalewski Jr
Andrew Garcia
Michael Gallagher
Susan Hawel
Alaro Hernandez
Lorraine Hetland
Parricia Hellwig
Margaret Kelleher
Wanda Mattoon
Colette Mikrut
Stanley Mikrut
Luz Ong
Myrna Ordiales
Colleen Randolph
Jeremiah Reyes
Hildegard Schniedermeier
William Sullivan
Yolanda Taba
Elpidio Tomembang
Felliz Tomembang
M/M Norman Torres
Joly Valdez
Rebecca Vergara
Ted Yabuta
Brittany Yedla
Patricia Ziga
and . . .please do not forget our men and women serving in
the military, including: Anthony Talley, Douglas Chambers, Julius Cavira, Michael Gibbons ,Christopher Lahown, Karen Ellarde McCuaig, Daniel Grisius , Sonny
Pesek, Adrian Acebo, John Smeeton and William K. Sullivan
ST. MATTHIAS/TRANSFIGURATION
SCHOOL NEWS
Lil’ Mustangs Summer Camp
Children ages 3 to 8 are invited to join us for Lil’ Mustangs Summer Camp June 8 to July 3. Have fun with
art, Spanish, physical education and drama. See www.values4life.com (attachments) for a flyer or call Deb
Bukovy for more information.
Scholarship for New Students
St. Matthias Transfiguration School is offering a $900 scholarship to new students in Kindergarten through 8th
Grade. Made possible through Big Shoulders and a generous patron, please take advantage of this offer for
your children. Additional financial assistance is also available to needy families. At St. Matthias Transfiguration School you will find excellent teachers, a nurturing environment and values for life. We have openings in
Prekindergarten through 8th grade. Call for more information or a tour today, 773-784-0999.
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF OUR FAITH
Today is a day simply to ponder the fact that in baptism we were claimed by God, Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit. The first reading from Deuteronomy prompts us to fix in our hearts the truth that God is the Lord of
both heaven and earth and there is no other god. Saint Paul reminds us that, because we received the Spirit of
adoption in baptism, we are now children of God. In the Gospel Jesus charges us with the responsibility to
make other disciples.
These realities make today’s solemnity a day of praise, adoration, and responsibility. It is a fitting day to thank
God for the absolutely free gift of faith that we were given in baptism. It is also a day to ask God for strength
to take on the responsibility of sharing that faith with others.
TRANSFIGURATION NEWS
BAPTISMS
Jasmin Dora Leyva
Kassandra Navarro Pulido
Diane Valdez
Denise Valdez
Evangeline Lopez
Isaly Melendrez
Adan Gasca
Luis Lopez Suarez
+JOAN SALZMAN
mother of
Audrey Bickel
PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND
FATHER TERRY’S FAREWELL PARTY
Sunday, June 14th—Spanish Group
after his 11 a.m. Mass
Sunday, June 21st– English Group
after his 12:30 p.m. Mass
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!!!
2009 MASS BOOK
We still have many openings for 2009
Mass Book. We can remember our relatives
in a Christian way by prayer and Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
You can still take your request for masses
to the rectory office. The best time to come
is Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
SECOND COLLECTION
June 14
- Retirement Fund
for the Priests
June 28
- Peter Pence
SPECIAL THANKS to:
……………Marilyn
and Nestor Espiritu for
donating the flowers (roses, etc) outside
the church.
………..Spanish Group for donating the
palm plants inside the church.
ST. MATTHIAS NEWS
“AND THE GREATEST GIFT IS LOVE”
Husbands and wives, the most precious gift that you
give to each other is your love. Why not renew your
love with the experience of a Worldwide Marriage
Encounter Weekend? The Weekend provides couples with good marriages the opportunity to look at
their relationship and give thanks for the gift of each
other in an atmosphere of privacy. The next dates are
September 11-13, November 6-8, or December 4-6.
For information or reservations, consult our website
at www.mechicago-gary.org or call Kris and Jim at
1-800-442-3554. For Spanish weekends, call Oscar
& Luz at 847-675-2119
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION
One of the great treasures of the Eastern tradition is the icon of the Holy Trinity by the Russian
iconographer Andrei Rublev in the 1400s. The Trinity is symbolized by the three travelers to the tent of
Abraham and Sarah. They are seated at a table blessing a cup of wine, under the oak of Mamre. If you
look closely, you will see a sacrificed calf in the
chalice, reminding the viewer of the cross. The table,
prepared for eating and tilted toward the viewer, is
an invitation to the Eucharist. From left to right, each
figure is keyed to a person of the Trinity. Like all
icons, this image is theology in art. The persons are
equal in proportion and dignity, they all carry staffs
to symbolize their power, and are shown with golden
wings and halos. Today, the best place to see
Rublev’s work is the Holy Trinity Cathedral, at the
heart of the vast Holy Trinity monastery about an
hour from Moscow. After decades of persecution, it
is now once again a living monastery, a world heritage site, and the spiritual home of Russian Orthodoxy. A Google visit is highly recommended today!
SACRAMENTS
BAPTISM
Julia Rose Borgert
Britten & Arianna Borgert
Jasmine A. Hernandez
Jocelyn A. Hernandez
Mario & Elizabeth Hernandez
Melissa I. Carranza
Julio & Erika Carranza
Aaron Nicholas Jaramillo
Juan & Jasmina Jaramillo
ST. BENEDICT HONOR ROLL
3RD QUARTER
Gendell P. Fernandez
Michael J. Garcia
Lynnae N. Racette
Go . . . and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19
Vayan . . . y enseñen a todas las naciones,
bautizándolas en el nombre del Padre
y del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo.
— Mateo 28:19
. . .Carta Del Padre Terry
A La Gente Maravillosa de San Matías y Transfiguración,
Celebramos la Trinidad este domingo. Las escrituras nos dan una base sólida para nuestra creencia que
tenemos UN Dios que se manifestó en tres personas,
El Padre que nos creo, El Hijo Jesucristo que nos
salvo y el Espíritu Santo que nos redime.
Nuestra Primer Lectura de Deuteronomio nos dice
que Moisés nos hace muchas preguntas que nos dan
perspicacia sobre el UNICO Dios que nos guía. A la
larga Moisés reconoce que este UNICO Dios nos ha
dado tierra y una vida larga sobre ella. Esto es fundamental con el contracto que ese mismo Dios hizo
con la gente mientras viajaban de la esclavitud en
Egipto hacia la libertad en la tierra prometida. La
segunda lectura de los Romanos se refiere a la esclavitud y al espíritu que llamamos Dios Padre y clarifica nuestra conexión familiar con UN Dios que nos
guía y ama. El Evangelio de Mateo es uno de los
primeros en hacer referencia a la formula del Padre,
Hijo, y Espíritu Santo que expresa la creencia en la
Trinidad y también en las palabras que decimos
cuando bautizamos o le damos la bienvenida a
miembros nuevos de nuestra fe. También habla sobre la permanencia de nuestra relación con Dios que
dice, “Y contemplen que siempre estoy con ustedes,
hasta la eternidad.”
RCIA es un programa para adultos que están interesados en ser Católicos. También es para adultos que
han sido Bautizados como Católicos pero no han recibido ningún otro Sacramento. El programa empieza en septiembre pero aun están a tiempo para animar a cualquier persona que conozca que pueda estar
interesada en ser Católica y que llamen a cualquiera
de las dos rectorías o que nos pueden dar su número
y nosotros los llamamos.
Mientras comienza el mes de junio estoy pendiente
de las últimas 4 semanas de mi tiempo con ustedes
aquí en San Matías y Transfiguración. Los extrañare
mucho y pido sus oraciones mientras hago la transición a la Parroquia La Sagrada Familia en Inverness.
Habrán algunos eventos de despedida, incluyendo:
Misa de Despedida en Español en Transfiguración el domingo, 14 de junio a las 11 AM, Misa de
Despedida en Ingles en Transfiguración el domingo 21 de junio. Habrá una recepción después de
ambas Misas. Las Misas de Despedida en San
Matías serán el sábado, 27 de junio a las 5 PM y el
domingo, 28 de junio a las 11:30. También habrá
recepciones después de ambas Misas en el césped de
la rectoría. Celebrare mis primeras Misas oficiales
en La Sagrada Familia el sábado y domingo, 11 y 12
de julio, y será instalado como el tercer pastor de la
parroquia el domingo, 9 de agosto a las 11 AM.
Estaré dando mas detalles sobre los eventos mencionados en las próximas semanas. Cuando pienso en
irme de esta comunidad, vecindario, y a todos ustedes que he llegado a querer tanto siento varias emociones. Por favor sepan cuanto aprecio haber tenido
el privilegio de ser sacerdote con ustedes y agradecimiento profundo que tengo por haber tenido tantas
experiencias de fe tan importantes con ustedes durante los últimos diez años y medio en San Matías y trece años en Transfiguración. Fui sacerdote de apoyo
en Transfiguración antes de venir a San Matías y mucha de esa participación me llevo hacia la solicitud
del Obispo Conway que considero ser el Pastor de
ambas Parroquias. Creo que logramos varias cosas
importantes durante los últimos diez años pero también creo que hay mucho que todavía hay que hacer.
Cuando me mude a La Sagrada Familia seré el único
sacerdote de tiempo completo para 4,000 familias.
Somos afortunados en tener 3 sacerdotes de tiempo
completo y 3 sacerdotes viviendo en las 2 rectorías
para un combinado de 1500 familias. Por favor consideren que estos 2 sacerdotes son retirados. Esto
nos anima a examinar como podemos servir y como
el ministerio se logra. Tenemos que seguir apoyando
a los ministerios del laico como modo de hacer el
trabajo de Dios y traer el Reino de Dios.
. . .a Letter from Father Terry
To the Great People of St. Matthias and Transfiguration
We celebrate Trinity Sunday this weekend. The
scriptures tell us of a solid foundation for our belief
that we have ONE God who is manifested in three
persons, The Father who created us, The Son Jesus
Christ who saved us and the Holy Spirit who redeems us.
Our First Reading from Deuteronomy tells us that
Moses asks many questions that give us insight into
the ONE God that guides us. Ultimately Moses acknowledges that this ONE God has given us land and
a long life on it. This is foundational to the covenant
that that same God made with the people as they
journeyed from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the
promised land. The second reading from Romans
refers to that slavery and to the spirit in which we
call God Father and clarify our familial connectedness with that ONE God who guides and loves us.
The Gospel from Matthew is one of the first references to the formula of Father, Son and Holy Spirit
that articulates the belief in the Trinity and also the
words that we say when baptizing or welcoming new
members into the faith. It also speaks of the permanence of our relationship with that God who says,
“And behold I am with you always, until the end of
the age.”
RCIA is a program for adults who are interested in
becoming Catholic. It is also for adults who have
been Baptized Catholic but have not received any
other Sacraments. The program begins in September
but it is not too early to encourage anyone you know
who might be interested in becoming Catholic to call
either rectory or give us their number and we will
call them.
As June begins I am also very aware of the final 4
weeks of my time with you here at St. Matthias and
Transfiguration. I will miss you all very much and I
ask for your prayers as I make the transition to Holy
Family Parish in Inverness. There will be a few
goodbye events including: Farewell Spanish Mass
at Transfiguration on Sunday, June 14, 11am,
Farewell Mass in English at Transfiguration, Sunday, June 21. There will be receptions in the Hall
following both of these Masses. The Farewell
Masses at St. Matthias Saturday, June 27, 5 pm
and Sunday, June 28 11:30. There will also be receptions that follow both of those Masses on the
lawn of the rectory. I will celebrate my official first
Masses at Holy Family on Saturday and Sunday, July
11 and 12 and I will be installed as the third pastor of
the parish on Sunday, August 9, 11 am.
I will be sharing more details with you in the coming
weeks regarding the above events. I have already
experienced a lot of emotion as I think about leaving
this community, this neighborhood and all of you
whom I have grown to love so much. Please know
how much I appreciate the privilege of being a priest
with you and the profound gratitude that I have for
sharing such significant experiences of faith with you
these past ten and a half years at St. Matthias and
thirteen years at Transfiguration. I was involved as a
support priest at Transfiguration before I came to St.
Matthias and much of that involvement led to the
request by Bishop Conway that I consider being the
Pastor of both Parishes. I believe that we have accomplished some important things in the past ten
years but I also believe that there is much more to be
done. As I move to Holy Family I will be the only
full-time priest there for a parish of 4,000 families.
We are fortunate to have 3 fulltime priests and 3
other priests living at the 2 rectories for a combined
number of 1500 families. Please consider that 2 of
those priests are retired. These factors encourage us
to examine how we serve and how ministry is accomplished. We must continue to support lay ministry as a way to do God’s work and bring about the
Kingdom.
THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
Unity and Relationship
The notion of the Trinity, or God as three-in-one, is sometimes off-putting. We begin to ponder the meaning of
Trinity, only to quickly assign it to that amorphous realm we call “mystery.” Well, it’s true that the notion of
the Trinity is a mystery, but it is mystery in which we are continually involved. None of us is a loner. We are
all immersed in the mysterious—that not quite molecular, but very real—realm called relationship. So, too, is
God. Today’s liturgy celebrates that unique unity, that splendid relationship, and invites us to join in.
FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 4:32–34, 39–40 RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Psalm 33:4–5, 6, 9, 18–19, 20, 22
SECOND READING: Romans 8:14–17 GOSPEL: Matthew 28:16–20
Comment
In the first reading, Moses challenges the Israelites to judge whether any other people has been as blessed as
they. He recounts the many benefits bestowed upon them and then urges the people to acknowledge these
boons by accepting and following God’s commands. Moses’ retelling of God’s gracious deeds reminds the
people that God has loved—and loves—them in the concrete. It also points out God’s initiative in, and passion
for, encounter with the people, for alliance and union with them. Accepting God’s precepts becomes tantamount to accepting God and to becoming God’s own.
The second reading also focuses on the subject of union with God. Paul reminds us that if we allow ourselves
to be “led” by the Spirit, we are God’s children and beneficiaries of the promises made by Christ. To achieve
this unity, we need only give the Spirit room in us.
The Gospel demonstrates that if the Triune God is obsessed by anything, it is the preoccupation of bringing all
peoples—all “nations”—into the unity of discipleship. Jesus’ command to baptize is a command to unify, an
invitation to all people to belong to and to exist in the life-giving and life-sustaining relationship that is God.
Reflection
God lives in—God is—God has to be—relationship. Why? A non-relational God would repel, not attract.
Likewise, only a relational God can be a God of love, a God who unites and gives peace. All other gods are but
demands and reprisals. We are made in God’s image, made to be relational and to live lives of relationship.
We are given the ability to do both by Jesus, who, in his release of the Spirit, granted us the ability to become
related to God, to call God “Father.” So empowered by the mighty initiative of God’s uniting and peace-giving
love, we can also relate to other people, can love them, and can image the God in whose image we are created.
Because we are so driven to relationship, we are also driven to be liked. We want to identify with and to be
identified with a group of others. Unfortunately, we do not always possess the resources or the skills necessary
to manage the complicated relationships in which our enthusiasm to be liked involves us. Too often, we are
willing to pay too high a price for popularity. Too often our ambition to be liked is driven not by the motor of
self-confidence, but by the engine of fear. What results, then, is not relationship and unity, but estrangement
and division.
Instead of easily empathizing with outsiders and effortlessly opening ourselves to relationship with God, we
often try to guarantee our belonging or relationship with God and others by making clear who is not “in” on
the relationship, who is not a friend. We begin labeling others—“liberal,” “conservative,” “true believer,”
“heretic.” We equate our ideas and ideals, our beliefs and morals, with the faith and its practice. And in so doing, we create division, not unity.
This division has been and remains the great scandal of Christianity. It is a refusal to take seriously both Jesus’
call for unity and his authority to bring it about. It is a refusal to allow ourselves to be “led” by the Spirit. And
it is a refusal to recognize that we are all children of the same Father.
BAPTISMS THIS WEEK
A Little St. Matthias & Transfiguration Family Heritage
At St. Matthias
1890
(102 years ago)
Martin Matgen
Theodore Grobschmidt
1989
(20 years ago)
Virginia Turner
Loren Comia
1934
(75 years ago)
Jeanette Peters
2000
(9 years ago)
Ryley Krull
Kelly Ward
1959
(50 years ago)
None This Week
At Transfiguration
1934
(75 years Ago)
1989
(20 years ago)
None This Week
None This Week
1959
(50 years ago)
2000
(9 years ago)
Michael Joseph Wright
Michael Edward Kazanis
Czarina Rozelle Bautista
Yannell Drew Berberino
St. Matthias Church
#512173
SUNDAY DATE OF BULLETIN June 7, 2009
512173. 0607
ADDRESS:
2310 W. Ainslie Street
Chicago, IL 60625
PHONE:
773 506-2191
CONTACT PERSONS:
Joan Hunt
SOFTWARE:
MSPublisher 2000
Adobe Acrobat 5.0
PRINTER:
HP950C
NUMBER OF PAGES SENT: 12
Page 1 through Page 12, Page 1 is Front Cover of Bulletin
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Combined Bulletin for St. Matthias/Transfiguration of Our Lord