Parish News - Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish

March 8th - Weekly Newsletter

3/9/2023

DMI Survey, Eucharistic Testimonies, and more ...

I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.

Dear Friends,

Happy Wednesday everyone, and Happy International Women's Day!

Stations of the Cross - This FRIDAY, March 3: 6 p.m. ENGLISH Stations at Hedwig; 7 p.m. SPANISH Stations at St. John Berchmans. The full schedule is posted below.

Daylight Saving Time - Don't forget we "Spring Forward" THIS Sunday, don't want to be late to Church!

DMI Survey - This Lent, parishioners of all ages are asked to share their input by participating in a 10-15 minute survey developed by the Catholic Leadership Institute, called the Disciple Maker Index Survey (DMI). The survey is ANONYMOUS and available in multiple languages, including English, Polish and Spanish. The survey runs through the end of the month. See below for more information ...

Lenten Movie Event "The Chosen" - There's still time to join us on Mondays OR Tuesdays during Lent as we watch the TV Series "The Chosen".

10 Hail Mary's for Pope Francis - Cardinal Cupich is calling on the people of the Archdiocese of Chicago to take part in a global effort to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Pope Francis’ election to the papacy by praying the Hail Mary 10 times.

BCAP Food Pantry is in NEED - Just a reminder that donating to the Food Pantry isn't a one time thing. Food and other necessities are CONSTANTLY needed. See below for our most current needs.

Eucharistic Testimonies - When we encounter Jesus Christ, he changes us—sometimes by signs and wonders, at other times by his peace that passes all understanding. During this Eucharistic Revival, we would like to share testimonies of our parishioners and their relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist. This week we spotlight Mari Cardenas, see her testimony below.

MASKS are still OPTIONAL, BUT ... With Covid and the Flu on the rise, please use your best judgement when it comes to your own safety and the safety of others, and do not come to church if you are feeling ill. As always, be kind and respectful to one another if the person choses or not to wear a mask. Remember, we're all in this together!

Parish Forms on the Website - https://www.carloacutisparish.org/parish-forms.html Did you know that many of our forms and requests are on our website? Inquiring about a Baptism ... Need a copy of your Baptismal Certificate ... Want to schedule your wedding? It's all on our website! Simply fill out the form and we'll get back to ya.

Prayers for the Sick - Both in the Sunday Bulletin, and here in the Weekly Newsletter, we list the names of those who are in sick and in need of our prayers. If you would like to add you someone's name to the sick list, please email the Parish Office. Please also email us when it's ok to remove them from the sick list. This helps to ensure our list is up to date.

We hope to see you at one of the Masses this weekend, wear a mask or not, and don't forget to bring a friend or two!! Oh ... and wear something PURPLE!!

God Bless, see you in Church!
Michael White, Director of Music and Liturgy AND Weekly Newsletter Editor

Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish Mission Statement

We are a multicultural, intergenerational Catholic parish community of people who through the help of the Eucharist, are on the journey to learning about, celebrating, serving and proclaiming our faith in the Risen Jesus.

Vision Statement

Our vision is transforming spirits, hearts and minds.

Core Values

We are welcoming, learning, believing, serving, celebrating,
understanding, sharing, diverse, community and focused on quality.

Goals

1). To have vibrant, welcoming liturgies.
2). To be an evangelizing community.
3). To reach out to youth.
4). To provide social justice education and outreach to the poor.

Your input is welcome.
Please send suggestions to Father Paul Sims, C.R. at pasims@ameritech.net.

Client Choice Food Pantry

Please see the updated list of needs...

IN ADDITION TO FOOD ... Because peoples needs are more than just food, we are now collecting the following (new or gently used) items for our Immigrant brothers and sisters. Coats, Winter Clothes, Jeans, Shoes, Blankets, Towels, Sheets, Pots/Pans, and Utensils.

You can drop off any donations to 2517 W. Logan blvd between the hours of 9-3 pm M-F, or on Sundays in the bins at the back of the church.

Click HERE to register online.

Throughout the Season of Lent, Paschal Triduum and Easter, we will be sharing with you reflections to help "Keep the Season".

Saint John of God
Saint of the Day for March 8
(March 8, 1495 – March 8, 1550)

Saint John of God’s Story

Having given up active Christian belief while a soldier, John was 40 before the depth of his sinfulness began to dawn on him. He decided to give the rest of his life to God’s service, and headed at once for Africa where he hoped to free captive Christians and, possibly, be martyred.

He was soon advised that his desire for martyrdom was not spiritually well based, and returned to Spain and the relatively prosaic activity of a religious goods store. Yet he was still not settled. Moved initially by a sermon of Saint John of Avila, he one day engaged in a public beating of himself, begging mercy and wildly repenting for his past life.

Committed to a mental hospital for these actions, John was visited by Saint John, who advised him to be more actively involved in tending to the needs of others rather than in enduring personal hardships. John gained peace of heart, and shortly after left the hospital to begin work among the poor.

He established a house where he wisely tended to the needs of the sick poor, at first doing his own begging. But, excited by the saint’s great work and inspired by his devotion, many people began to back him up with money and provisions. Among them were the archbishop and marquis of Tarifa.

Behind John’s outward acts of total concern and love for Christ’s sick poor was a deep interior prayer life which was reflected in his spirit of humility. These qualities attracted helpers who, 20 years after John’s death, formed the Brothers Hospitallers, now a worldwide religious order.

John became ill after 10 years of service, but tried to disguise his ill health. He began to put the hospital’s administrative work into order and appointed a leader for his helpers. He died under the care of a spiritual friend and admirer, Lady Ana Ossorio.

Reflection

The utter humility of John of God, which led to a totally selfless dedication to others, is most impressive. Here is a man who realized his nothingness in the face of God. The Lord blessed him with the gifts of prudence, patience, courage, enthusiasm, and the ability to influence and inspire others. He saw that in his early life he had turned away from the Lord, and, moved to receive his mercy, John began his new commitment to love others in openness to God’s love.

Saint John of God is the Patron Saint of:

Booksellers
Firefighters
Heart Patients
Hospitals
Nurses
Printers
Sick

~ Franciscan Media

“From the first day of his papacy, when Pope Francis speaks to the faithful he asks that we remember to pray for him,” said Cardinal Cupich. “He has spent the 10 years of his pontificate preaching the Gospel of love and mercy in a world deeply in need of both. Let us respond as he has asked, with prayers.”

Let Pope Francis know you're praying for him by going to this page and lighting a candle.

Eucharist Testimonies

We Missed you last Sunday!
Maria Cardenas

“My life is marked by a series of ongoing conversions. Like St. Paul, it took me a while to see the light. I can see God’s light most clearly when I am in need of his mercy. Below find a few such instances. Thanks for reading.

Early years
My name is Mari Cardenas, I am the middle child of 5. I have an older sister, older brother and a younger sister, younger brother. We all have been raised Catholic throughout our life. I can certainly say that our mother always tried to talk to us about being good to others and to always do the right thing. The one thing I remember her saying to us was that God is always watching what we do and if we were to be bad, he would punish us. I was 17 and totally let go of God and did not make him my priority. I was 17 years old and the last sacrament I received was my 1st Communion.

Young Adult Years
At 24, I knew something was missing in my life, I wasn't feeling satisfied nor happy with my life. I was distracted for some years, working 4 jobs, making money and traveling. I thought that was my joy and happiness. I knew something was missing in my life, I wasn't feeling satisfied nor happy with my life. I decided to look for our neighborhood church. St Johns Berchmans Parish pulled up on my search, I didn't know how to enter the church. I felt so ashamed, I got flashbacks of once upon a time feeling being in love, and felt loved. How was I going to walk in? So I did, I sat all the way in the back pew, hoping no one would be able to notice me. As I sat there I felt as the smallest spec, but the way I was welcomed by the greeters made me feel confound. Father Wayne Watts before mass even started, I watched him greeting everyone as he made his way to the back to meet everyone to start mass, walked by me and said, “Good Morning and welcome,” I had a holy moment. Many Sundays passed by as I attended mass, I happened to miss one Sunday. On the following mass, Father Watts asked that morning before mass, I missed you last week. I introduced myself and he invited me to come for coffee and chat the following Saturday. My life once again changed! I had hope! I shared much with Father Watts. It was so worth it. I remembered Luke 15:31, I was lost and now is found.
Becoming an adult in the Catholic Faith

I was able to sign up to the RCIA, I had decided to get confirmed. I wanted to receive the Holy Spirit in fullness. I love our Catholic Faith. I love the richness of its history and the courage of its Saints. There are so many inspiring stories of men and women who have accomplished great things and embody the spirit of beauty, truth and goodness. When I came to St John Berchmans, the RCIA , they prepared me very effectively for my confirmation into the church. My view on the catholic church as an adult was one of reverence and respect to the altar and taking communion on Sundays. My faith would best be described as filled with fear and awe. After receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit through Confirmation, that reverence and respect turned into peace and understanding of sacrifice. My fears and awe blossomed into love and appreciation.

Fruits of my friendship with Jesus thru prayer.
The journey to becoming a Confirmed Catholic till now, has been extremely fulfilling mentally and emotionally and spiritually. Through much prayer, it gave me a sense of belonging and reaffirmed my faith. I have found God's presence in my life. The Holy Spirit has guided me to the most fulfilling purpose and meaningful way to live my life.

A Couple of years ago, my husband's family received bad news. His sister-in-law was 18 weeks pregnant and was sent home to await for her baby to slip away from her hands. She was told that there was nothing medicine could do for her. After seeing several specialists and several procedures to try to keep her from going into labor, it was useless according to them. I refuse to believe that nothing was going to be done to save this baby. That night I couldn't help praying to God for guidance. My heart was screaming so loud, Mari, you cannot just let go. I made some calls to some physicians asking their opinions about how to save this baby. Til Dr Munoz said she would continue this pregnancy. They turned down our help at first. I felt disappointed and mad too. I am upset at myself for trying to help them. But it wasn't about me. It was about my most inner true belief that I had a mission.
Conviction

For God, there is nothing impossible. I prayed so hard that night, I asked the holy spirit for guidance on how I can help them. A premature birth, a dysfunctional heart, premature lungs and high chance of brain damage. Being in the intensive care unit for over a year. After hearing many nights, “be prepared for everything, your baby girl might not make it tonight.” Many had questions and others had many doubts. I became closer to Jesus, praying everyday in the name of Jesus Chirst. I had surrendered all this family's suffering to our Lord. My relationship with our Lord became more intimate as I grew closer thru daily prayer.

The day I met Montseratt P. was July 27, 2018. She was born @ 26 weeks. When I saw her, I was feeling some sort of way. It was a calling of the Holy Spirit speaking to me thru her. Good example of what I saw in Montse. “This grace of light holding her.”

“Not me, but God.”

Pope Francis is cautioning people not to get accustomed to the war in Ukraine, and is calling for the faithful to keep those suffering "this tragic reality" in our hearts and prayers. "The thought of the people of Ukraine, afflicted by war, should remain vivid in our hearts." Please continue to pray for them.

Online Book of Intentions

Praying for each other's intentions is an important part of our parish life. If you would like the parish to pray for your intention, please write the intention in a sentence or two in this Online "Book of Intentions." These intentions will be remembered in our intercessions at our Sunday masses. Click HERE

Please pray for the Sick of our Parish

Fr. Paul Reicher, Doreen Maneely, Anna Mann, Nicole Vilches, Karel O’Brien,Angela Rivera, Mary Anne Sedey, Linda Klickmann, Barbara Durbin, Danny Olivero, Junior Burgos, Dolores Kryszak, Joseph Price, Teresa Ellison, Tallulah Andresen, Robert Bauer, Antionette Krerowicz, Ana Flores, Apolonio Alarcon, Antonio de Vera, Patricio A. Yanez Guerra, Manglio Bonilla Gail, Jason & Family, Daniel Brady, Cyndi De Lira, Carolyn S. Duckunue, Transito Alvarez, Frances Alequin, Alejandro Carmona, Sophie Hernan, Eleanor Jura, Monika Kloniecka, Joseph Wyse, Verena Tonnesen, Berenice Sosnowski, Nick Jurado, Jackie Schuman, Terry Brady, Salomea Olszewska, Hertha Runowski, Angie Schuman, John Graff, Joseph Murphy, Linda Riske, Margaret Flisiak, Jazzmyne Aguilar, Hailey Marose, Sarah Ellison, Nancy Idaszak, Sally Cox, Daniel Salas, Eleanor Rylko, Nancy, Brian, Jimmy Denges, & Crystal Mohetano.

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March 8th - Weekly Newsletter