St. Ailbe, St. Felicitas, and St. Joachim Catholic Church Community of Chicago

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me”

– Mark 9:37

• The Angelic Choir will rehearse Sunday, September 23rd.
• September 27: Healing Service, 7:00 p.m. at St. Ailbe Parish. (Fr. Jim Marchionda, O.P. and Sr. Ann Willits, O.P. will conduct a healing service for all parish sites as we release and let go of the pain, hurt, feelings of loss, etc., as we continue our transition as a new faith community – This is not a sacramental anointing service!)
• October is fast approaching so be mindful that the October counts begin the weekend of October 6th and 7th. Please make sure that you are present in Church, so that you can be counted.

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Catechetical Sunday: Enlisting Witnesses for Jesus Christ

• The Angelic Choir will rehearse Sundays, September 16th and 23rd.
• September 27: Healing Service, 7:00 p.m. at St. Ailbe Parish. (Fr. Jim Marchionda, O.P. and Sr. Ann Willits, O.P. will conduct a healing service for all parish sites as we release and let go of the pain, hurt, feelings of loss, etc., as we continue our transition as a new faith community – This is not a sacramental anointing service!)
• Thank you to all who supported the KPC Inter-Council Luncheon honoring Bishop Joseph Perry on his 20th anniversary of Episcopal Ordination. The winner of the 50/50 raffle was Mardell Moffett who came away with $250.00. The proceeds from the luncheon, $3,343.93, were donated to the Cause for Canonization of Fr. Augustus Tolton. Thank you to Norma Mullon and her committee for their hard work. It was an enjoyable event!

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and spitting, touched his tongue: then he looked up to heaven and groaned and said to him, “Ephphartha!” — that is, “Be opened!”

– Mark 7:32-34

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Happy Labor Day!

Pastor’s Notes

• Mass scheduled for Monday, September 2, will be held at St. Ailbe Church at 8:30 a.m.
• Family Fun Day will be Sunday, September 30th from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., St. Ailbe Parking Lot. Fun for the entire family!

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus then said to the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Master to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

– John 6:67 – 69

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus said to them, “I Am the Bread of Life,” whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. – John 6:35

Pastor’s Notes

Wednesday, August 15th is the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a holy day of obligation. Masses will only be celebrated at St. Ailbe Church at 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Please spread the word!

The Black Catholic Deacons of Chicago are hosting a Sunrise Mass to pray for non-violence in our hearts, families, schools and streets on Saturday, August 25th at Oakwood Beach, 41st St. and Lakeshore Drive, beginning at 6:30 a.m. In the event of heavy rain, the Mass will be moved to Holy Angels Church at 615 East Oakwood Blvd., Chicago, IL. All are invited to participate!

Please bring your own lawn chairs for seating during the Mass.

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

When they had their fill, He said to his Disciples, “Gather the fragments leftover, so that nothing will be wasted.” – John 6:12

Pastor’s Note:

Daily Mass will not be celebrated in the St. Ailbe rectory chapel from July 30 through August 2. The priests and two of the deacon couples will be in New Orleans, La., attending the Joint Conference of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, the National Black Catholic Sisters Conference, the National Association of African American Catholic Deacons, and the National Black Catholic Seminarians Association. Daily Mass will resume on Friday, August 3 at its usual time.

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.

-Mark 6:30 – 31

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

An Altar and A Plow

When we reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we can understand the concerns of the disciples. They have just heard Jesus say, “The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh,” and “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.”

When Jesus talks about the bread of life, he is speaking about more than sacrifice. “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life,” Jesus wants to lead us into a life of love and generosity and service. This is the life that the apostle Paul describes when he challenges Christians “to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.” The life that really is life is not just sacrifice, but service.

An ancient Roman coin pictures an ox standing beneath an altar and a plow. The alter symbolizes a sacrificial death, while the plow stands for a life of service. Along with these images the caption “Ready for Either.” That makes you think, doesn’t it? Ready for either … what? Ready for either sacrifice or service behind a plow. Such a slogan is appropriate for any Christian who wants to follow the words of Jesus about spirit and life. Spirit speaking Christians should always be prepared for either sacrifice or service.