Author: SKDPMedia Page 2 of 16
Third Sunday of Easter
Mass for the Third Sunday of Easter will again be live-streamed on the St. Katharine Drexel parish’s
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/StKatharineDrexelParishChgo/live
beginning at
10:15 a.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2020
If you have an account with Facebook, please join us. If you do not have a Facebook account but would like to participate in the Mass, please “click on” the following link which will take you directly to our Facebook page where you can view the Mass: https://www.facebook.com/
If you do not have internet accessibility, you may participate in the Mass at 10:15 a.m. via teleconference.
Call the following number:
1 (978) 990-5000 and enter the access code: 883420.
Should you get a busy signal or experience technical difficulties, please continue dialing in until you get connected.
Last Sunday, we experienced some technical difficulties with the live-streaming. My hope is that this Sunday, everything will flow smoothly. Thank you for your thoughtful comments about our services and for your financial support during these weeks of exile. Know that God is doing a good work among us!
Let us continue to pray for one another, especially those on our sick list. Please also remember Charlotte Martin (RIP) and her sister, Toni Flippin, who mourns her, as well as Mae Ruth Stewart, (RIP), a former member of St. Joachim Parish, who joined our new parish following the mergers. May the Lord give them both eternal rest and comfort the members of their families during their time of bereavement. Know that I pray for you daily!
Sincerely yours in the Risen Christ,
Fr. Paul Whittington, O.P.
Divine Mercy Sunday
https://www.facebook.com/StKatharineDrexelParishChgo/live
The Catholic Church throughout the world continues to celebrate the Octave of Easter. The Easter celebration concludes on Sunday, April 19, the Second Sunday of Easter, also referred to as Divine Mercy Sunday. The Scriptures for Sunday are: Acts 2: 42-47; 1 Peter 1: 3-9; and John 20: 19-31. (Please read and reflect on them in advance if you have a chance.)
My purpose in writing is to remind you that the Mass for Sunday, April 19, will again be live-streamed on the parish’s Facebook page, St. Katharine Drexel Parish of Chicago at 10:15 a.m. You must have Facebook in order to comment during the Mass.
If you do not have internet accessibility, you may participate via teleconference by calling our toll-free number. The number is: 1 – (978) 990-5000. The access code is: 883420. Should you get a busy signal or a message saying there are technical difficulties, please continue dialing back until you get connected.
I look forward to this opportunity to once again connect with you! Thank you for the words of encouragement or expressions of gratitude for bringing the Word of God home to you through our media ministry. I am delighted that we were able to reach so many at Easter! Please continue to share with your family and friends that St. Katharine Drexel is alive and well!
May God continue to bless each of you as we “shelter-in-place”! In your prayers, please remember all who are ill from the COVID-19 virus, those who are struggling with other illnesses, all healthcare workers and medical technicians, all first responders, foodcare workers, truck drivers and all who are assisting us through this crisis. Let us remember those who have lost their jobs and are experiencing difficulty paying bills; let us pray for our young people, especially students who are adjusting to a new way of learning and being; let us pray for the faithful departed, especially our loved ones and friends and all who mourn their loss, and finally, let us pray for all who feel alone and/or abandoned, especially those whom society make us think are unimportant. May they experience the abiding presence of God this day.
Let us pray: Our Father and our God, we thank you for this day for the many blessings that You have given us. Hear the prayers that we offer in your Name. Bless us and all whom we commend to You. We know that you are aware of what is already on our hearts and minds. We lift these our prayers to You. Give us peace, compassion and an understanding heart so that we may have the courage to face all people and situations that come our way. We bless and praise You for You are God all by Yourself! We make this prayer in your Name. Amen.
Have a blessed weekend!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Paul Whittington, O.P.
He Is Risen, Celebrate the Savior
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings from St. Katharine Drexel Parish! I hope you are doing well.
I am inviting you to join me on Sunday, April 5, Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord for a Prayer Teleconference beginning at 10:15 a.m. Since we are unable to gather for Sunday Mass, I want us to gather on one accord and pray as a faith community. I am asking you to help me get the word out so that as many parishioners as possible may join us. Please invite your family to participate in our prayer as well. I believe in these difficult times we all need prayer and are looking for God to speak to us in some small way. We can get up to 1000 people on the call, so I am going to convene only one teleconference rather than the two that I had mentioned in earlier emails to parish leaders and my faith sharing group.
The dial-in number is: (978) 990 – 5000.
The access code is: 883420.
Should you get a busy signal when dialing in, please continue to call back until you are able to join the call!
The times in which we are living may be frightening, but God is calling us to remain faith-filled and committed to him. Please don’t be led to despair and lose hope. God is still on the throne! God has not forgotten us!
As we begin Holy Week this Sunday, let us not forget the great sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf so that we might have eternal life. In preparation for the prayer service, I ask that you read the scriptures for Palm Sunday found on pages 62-66 of At Home with the Word.” If you do not have a copy of the book or a Missalette, the Scriptures are: Isaiah 50: 4-7; Philippians 2: 6-11; and Matthew 26: 14 – 27: 66.
I look forward to our time together. May God bless each of you! Have a blessed and safe weekend!
Peace,
Fr. Paul Whittington, O.P.
An Important Message From
Pastor Fr. Paul Whittington
Sunday March 22nd, 2020
Dear Deacons, Parish Leaders and Parishioners,
First, I want to say that I miss you terribly! I hope you and your families are well. I’ve been thinking of and praying for you. May God continue to cover you in these trying times! Remember! This period of time in which we’re living is temporary. We’ll get through this eventually! Know that God is able! I look forward to the day when our worshipping community will be able to resume. Until then, let us continue to pray for one another.
Secondly, as I’m sure you know by now, Holy Week and Easter services will not be celebrated at the parish this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Archdiocese will be streaming the liturgies of Holy Week from Holy Name Cathedral for those who wish to view them online. I’m sure further information will be forthcoming from the Vicar General. If/when I receive it, I will share it with you.
In a previous communication, I shared that the rectory chapel would be available for private prayer Monday through Friday. Unfortunately, this is no longer available as a result of the Governor’s “shelter-in-place” mandate that is effective through April 7. All churches, chapels, schools and other parish buildings must be locked until the order is lifted. In addition, funerals and wakes must be postponed. As I say this, two of our parishioners have made their transition in the last 24 hours. The families will have to work out details with funeral homes. I do not wish to share the family names without the loved ones’ permission. There may be a backlog of funerals once this is all over. Also, the parish office will be closed until April 7 due to the Governor’s mandate. You may still call the rectory with any emergencies!
On another note, I had a wonderful teleconference with members of KPC Ladies Auxiliary Court # 181 this afternoon. I am looking into the possibility of obtaining a free teleconference number so that I may keep in contact with you during this time. We will have the opportunity to have prayer, emergency meetings, etc., given this capability. I’ll keep you posted!
Finally, without our in-person gatherings for worship each weekend, we are unable to collect tithes/offerings. I am asking, if you’re able, to mail in your offering to the parish or drop it in the mail slot at the rectory. We have to continue to pay bills. Please do not mail any contributions to the Archdiocese! It is often difficult for us to get these contributions when we need them for parish use. I am grateful, as always, for your financial support of the parish!
This Lent is for many of us quite challenging: physically, mentally, emotionally, and, for some, spiritually. And yet, I remain confident that “eye has not seen nor ear heard what God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2: 9). As we prepare ourselves for the celebration of Easter, I pray that you remain joyful and hopeful. The news that we hear or read daily can leave us feeling anxious, depressed, fearful and so on, but I believe that God is preparing each of us for something greater. We are going to be bolder, stronger, more faith-filled and committed than ever after this pandemic is over. I am believing God in this! I encourage you to “hang in there”! Remain prayed up and don’t forget to look after and remain connected to your family and parish family! May God bless each of you!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Paul Whittington, O.P.
St. Katharine Drexel Parish Week At-A-Glance
Beginning Saturday, March 14, 2020, all weekend and daily Masses at our parish and throughout the Archdiocese will be suspended until further notice.
This was mandated by Cardinal Cupich out of an abundance of caution due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition, the church building will be closed to all activities, meetings, etc. until further notice.
Please inform your organization members and fellow parishioners. There are no exceptions!
The Cardinal has asked that churches remain open for private prayer.
Since I cannot monitor the church from my office, the rectory chapel will be available for private prayer, M-F from 9 a.m. until Noon.
My hope is that we will be able to resume the celebration of Mass and all parish activities in the near future.” – Father Paul Whittington
Masses will be live-streamed from Holy Name Cathedral. Visit Archdiocese Live Stream here!
Second Sunday of Lent 2020
Pastor’s Notes
- On Sunday, March 15th, we will celebrate the women of our parish at the 8:00 and 11 a.m. Masses. Sister Anita Baird, DHM, will be the speaker. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let us thank God for the many women who have made great contributions to our society and church.
- Please read my letter regarding the liturgical practices that we will follow going forward due to public health concerns amidst the spread of Coronavirus/COVID-19. It is important that we all exercise good hygienic practices while at church and elsewhere. These practices will remain in place until the Archdiocese says it is safe for parishes to resume their customary rituals. Please remember to pray for all who have been affected by the Coronavirus and especially the families who loved ones died due to the disease. I ask your understanding and cooperation during this time. May God keep us all healthy and safe from all danger!
First Sunday of Lent
Pastor’s Notes
- We welcome Bishop Perry to our parish today! I am grateful to Bishop Perry for his support of our parish and for all of his efforts on behalf of the people of African descent on the south side. We appreciate you, Bishop, and wish you well in your ministry to the People of God.
- Thanks to the Ladies Auxiliary and the Junior Daughters of the Knights of Peter Claver, Court # 181 for such a wonderful celebration last Sunday at Georgios Banquets. Congratulations once again to the men from our parish who were honored and to all parishioners who supported them by purchasing tickets or making a donation to support the event. It was good to be with all of you!
- On Sunday, March 15th, we will celebrate the women of our parish at the 8:00 and 11 a.m. Masses. Sister Anita Baird, DHM, will be the speaker. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let us thank God for the many women who have made great contributions to our society and church.
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Celebrate Black History Month
Honor, Remember, Inspire
Pastor’s Notes
- The season of Lent is quickly approaching with Ash Wednesday on February 26th. Mass with distribution of ashes will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m. with our school children and at 7:00 p.m. Ashes will not be available outside of these times. If you cannot make it here for Mass, please consider going to a church near you. Remember! Ash Wednesday if a day of fast and abstinence. Please see the Lenten guidelines in today’s bulletin.
- Next Sunday, March 1st, there is only one Mass at 10 a.m. Bishop Joseph Perry is the celebrant and homilist for the day. Following the Mass, we will gather for a reception in the Parish Hall to celebrate Mrs. Loma Dagley’s 100th birthday and Sr. Evelyn who will be leaving our community to minister in the Philippines. Please join us for Mass and the reception!
- The SKD Inspirational Choir will be singing at St. Benedict the African Parish, (corner of 66th St. and Stewart), on Monday, March 2nd at 7:00 p.m. for their “On Time God” revival. Sr. Jane Nesmith, SBS, is the revival preacher. Please come out and support our choir and worship with our sister parish in Englewood.
