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Because St. Matthias belongs to a united faith community with Transfiguration of Our Lord, we have a new website. Please visit the website below, or wait 5 seconds and you will be transferred there automatically.
www.StMatthiasTransfiguration.com
To the Great People of St. Matthias
and Transfiguration,
We want to congratulate our neighbors at Queen of Angels Parish just to the south at Sunnyside and Western and their new Pastor Fr. Jim Kaczorowski. Fr. Kaczorowski has recently done critically important work for the Archdiocese as the Vicar for Priests. The Vicar for Priests helps in any situation where a priest may need special assistance. We welcome Fr. Kaczorowski to the neighborhood. He will be a great addition.
Some of you may remember Fr. Kaczorowski gave a presentation here at St. Matthias last Lent as a part of our Mission. I will be meeting with him next week to discuss the continuation of many collaborative efforts that Queen of Angels, St. Matthias and Transfiguration parishes have been doing such as the Lenten Mission, RCIA and youth activities.
SCRIP is a great way to help St. Matthias Transfiguration School. SCRIP is a simple process whereby you purchase gift certificates for your favorite stores. The school then gets a percentage of your purchases. It is very easy to do because you can support the school without any additional cost by doing what you normally do, shopping. Please consider using SCRIP. Details are always available at St. Matthias Transfiguration School or either rectory.
It is a privilege to pray for the sick. It is part of our Christian calling to hold up those who are ill in a special, prayerful way. Our Liturgy Committees and parish staffs have been discussing how we might do this in a more prayerful way. Soon we will have BOOKS FOR THE SICK available at BOTH Churches. These books will be prominently displayed and periodically brought forward with the Eucharistic gifts of Bread and Wine during Mass. This will be a more public gesture indicating that we are constantly offering our prayers up to God for many things and people, but particularly those who are sick among us. Currently we have a long list in the bulletin of parishioners and friends from both parishes who are sick. We would like to continue this practice but limit it to those who are seriously ill. If you would like us to pray for a loved one who is critically ill, please call either rectory and give us their first and last name. The name will appear in the bulletin for two weeks. If you would like their name to be included in the bulletin for two more weeks, simply call and remind us. For all who are sick, including those who are seriously ill, please write their names in either BOOK OF THE SICK at either parish.
Fr. Robert Florido, one of the resident priests at Transfiguration, ruptured a tendon in his foot recently. He will have a cast on his foot for six weeks. He may be able to say Mass in a few weeks but he is waiting for results of tests and his mobility has been severely restricted. Fr. Robert will be staying at his sister’s house while he heals and let us all pray that he does so quickly. During Fr. Robert’s absence a good friend of ours Fr. Paul Decena will be presiding at Mass periodically. We thank Fr. Paul for his generosity and for assisting us during his retirement.
The Archdiocese of Chicago has assisted St. Matthias and Transfiguration parishes in providing a recent study of all of our buildings and grounds. A company entitled EMG specializes in assessment of property and grounds. They have done this study for several other parishes in the Archdiocese. The preliminary report has been completed. It includes recommendations for capital repairs and breaks them down into several priorities including work that must be done right away. We are now reviewing the report with our maintenance staff, Jerry Riordan our Business Manager and our parish staffs. You will hear more details of this study in my finance presentation that will take place at all masses at both parishes in the near future.
Para la maravillosa gente de San Matias y Transfiguracion,
Queremos felicitar a nuestro vecinos de la Iglesia de Reina de los Angeles que se encuentran unas calles hacia el sur en Sunnyside y Western y a su nuevo Pastor Padre Jim Kaczorowski. Padre Kaczorowski ha hecho recientemente trabajo importante para la Arquidiosesis como Vicario de los Sacerdotes. El Vicario de los Sacerdotes ayuda a los mismos en cualquier situacion y donde el sacerdote requierq especial asistencia. Le damos la bienvenida en nuestro vecindario al Padre Kaczorowski. El sera uno mas de nosotros. Algunos de ustedes recordaran al Padre Kaczorowski el dio una presentacion aqui en San Matias la cuaresma pasa-da como parte de nuestra mision. Me reunire con el la proxima semana para discutir muchos de los esfuerzos colaborativos que las Iglesias Reina de los Angeles, San Matias y Transfiguracion han estado haciendo como, La Mision de Cuaresma, RCIA y actividades para jovenes.
SCRIP es una magnifica manera para ayudar a la Escuela de San Matias Transfiguracion. SCRIP es un proceso simple por el cual puede comprar sus certificados de regalo de sus tiendas favoritas. La escuela entonces obtiene un porcentaje de sus compras. Es muy simple para hacerlo porque usted puede ayudar a la escuela sin ningun costo adicional por hacer lo que normalmente hace, comprar. Porfavor trate de usar SCRIP. Los detalles siempre estan disponibles en la Escuela de San Matias Transfiguracion o en cualquiera de las rectorias.
Es un privilegio rezar por los enfermos . Es parte de nuestro llamado cristiano para ayudar aquellos quienes estan enfermos rezando mas amplia y especialmente. Nuestro Comite de Liturgia y nuestro personal parroquial han estado discutiendo como podriamos hacer esto de una manera mas amplia. Pronto tendremos LIBROS PARA LOS ENFERMOS disponibles en las DOS Iglesias. Estos libros seran notablemente mostrados y traidos periodicamente con los regalos Eucaristicos el Pan y el Vino durante laMisa. Esto sera una muestra mas publica indicando que nosotros constantemente ofrecemos nuestras oraciones a Dios por mucha gente, muchas cosas, pero particularmente por los que se encuentran entre nosotros y estan enfermos. Actualmente tenemos en nuestro boletin una lista muy larga de feligreses y amigos de las dos parroquias que se encuentran enfermos. Nos gustaria seguir haciendo esto pero limitandonos a aquellos quienes estan gravemente enfermos, porfavor llamen a cualquiera de las dos rectorias y den su nombre y apellido. El nombre aparecera en el boletin por dos semanas. Si desea que que su nombre sea incluido en el boletin por mas de dos semanas , simplemente llame para ecordarnos. Para todos los que estan enfermos, incluyendo a los enfermos graves, porfavor escriba su nombre en cualquiera de los LIBROS DE LOS ENFERMOS en cualquiera de las dos parroquias.
El Padre Robert Florido, uno de nuestros padres residentes en Transfiguracion, recientemente se rompio el tendon de un pie. El tendra enyesado el pie por seis semanas. El tal vez pueda celebrar la misa en algunas semanas pero esta esperando los resultados de unos estudios y su movilidad ha sido seriamente restringida. El Padre Robert estara en la casa de su hermana mientras se alivia y todos nosotros rezamos para que esto sea rapidamente. Durante la ausencia del Padre Robert un buen amigo de nosotros el Padre Paul Decena oficiara la misa periodicamente. Nosotros le agradecemos al Padre Paul por su generosidad y por ayudarnos durante su retiro. La Arquidiosesis de Chicago ha asistido a San Matias y Transfiguracion en proveerle un reciente estudio de todos nuestros edificios y terrenos. Una compania titulada EMG especializada en avaluar propiedades y terrenos. Ellos han hecho este estudio para muchas iglesias en la Arquidiosesis. El reporte preliminar ha sido terminado. Incluye grandes reparaciones y las separa en muchas categorias incluyendo el trabajo que se tiene que hacer inmediatamente. Estamos revisando el reporte con nuestro equipo de mantenimiento,Jerry Riordan nuestro Jefe de Negocios y nuestro personal de la parroquia. Usted tendra mas detalles de este estudio y mi presentacion financiera que tendra lugar en todas las misas en las dos parroquias en un futuro cercano.
Porque me gusta ser Catolico “Me gusta ser Catolico porque amo a la Madre de Jesus, quien es nuestra madre tambien.”- Nadine Yeldig, Beaverton, Oregon.
National Organ Donor Month
The weekend of November 11-13 is National Organ Donor Sabbath designed to encourage people to look at the question of organ donation from a spiritual perspective.
Nationally, over 87,000 are in need. This critical shortage of donated organs means that 15 people die each day waiting.
The act of becoming an organ and tissue donor took on a new meaning with the revelation that Pope Benedict XVI is the first pope on record as being an organ donor. In a 1999 interview, the pope revealed that he had registered years ago to be an organ and tissue donor and always carries his card with him.
Discuss organ and tissue donation with your family, friends and spiritual community and decide what decision is right for you. For more information on organ and tissue donation, please visit www.lifegoeson.com. If you have questions please contact the Organ and Tissue Donor program at (312) 814-8921.
Catholic Relief Services
CRS emergency relief distributions are underway in Pakistan, with supplies being purchased and distributed for 10,000 people – an effort that is soon expected to increase to 50,000. In coordination with its local partner, Caritas Pakistan, CRS has distributed tarps, plastic sheeting, blankets, water cans, kitchen sets and hygiene kits for women. CRS is also purchasing winterized tents for distribution in the immediate weeks as the harsh Himalayan winter quickly approaches.
In India, CRS and its local partner, Caritas India, is conducting assessments of villages in the Kamalkot area. CRS’ initial emergency plans include providing food and utensils, medical support, tents and tarpaulins, blankets and warm clothing, and psycho-social care for 7,000 families living in at least 11 villages, many of which are located away from the main road, where other relief assistance has not yet been provided.
How to help:
To the Great People of
St. Matthias and Transfiguration,
Fr. Tom Lamping is the Associate Pastor at Queen of Angels Parish, our neighbor to the south. I would like to share a poRtion of an article that he wrote in their bulletin recently. Fr. Lamping writes, “The origins of the celebration of Halloween can be traced back to pre-Christian days in Ireland when pagan Celtic tribes celebrated the New Year on November 1. This marked the end of the gathering of the yearly harvest and the coming of Winter. On the day before (October 31) they believed that the dead could cross the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead and mingle among the living for that one day. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each others fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier in the evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.
Meanwhile in Rome, which was the center of Christianity, the early Christians developed the custom of honoring the Saints and Martyrs by giving them a special day in the Church calendar. The saints and martyrs were heroes for the early Christians as they are for us also, and their sufferings were encouragement for other Christians to remain faithful to Christ and his teachings.
By the 800’s, Christianity had spread to the Celtic lands of Ireland, England and Scotland. When the Christian Missionaries taught the faith to the Celts they adapted their festival of the New Year and attempted to give it Christian meaning. These Christian missionaries taught that the dead were our beloved brothers and sisters who were with God in heaven and continue to pray for us. They were not to be feared, but rather to be embraced and honored. The missionaries also taught about the Resurrection of Jesus and those who believe in him and that we would one day be reunited with those who have died and gone before us. To emphasize this even more, Pope Bonafice IV designated November 1, the Celtic New Year, as All Saints Day, the day that we honor all those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. The day before this celebration was called All Hallows Eve. The word “hallow” is an old English word for “holy”. We rarely use the word in our modern speech, except in the word Halloween and in the Lord’s Prayer, when we say, “hallowed be thy name”. The word “saint” comes from the Latin word for “holy”, therefore “Halloween” or “All Hallows Eve” means “the night before the day of the holy ones” or the night before the “Feast of All Saints.”
In modern times we still honor our beloved deceased around this time by celebrating All Souls Day or Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on November 2. Recently here at Transfiguration and St. Matthias we have offered a very prayerful way of remembering those who have died during the past year. That tradition will continue this year as we will have an evening Mass at 7 PM at BOTH Parishes on Wednesday, November 2. We will remember all parishioners who have died but also any family member, relative or friend who has died during the past year. Please give us their names at either rectory, even if their funerals have been celebrated at other churches or places.
Once again we welcome all School Alumni from St. Matthias or Transfiguration this Saturday during the 5 PM Mass at St. Matthias and party following.
I want to extend a very special thanks to Rich Thorsen and Vince Savarino at Community Bank of Ravenswood, 2300 W. Lawrence, for their generous matching of our donations to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Their check has been forwarded to Catholic Charities along with our donations.
Fr. Renee Pareja has been with us at Transfiguration for several months now. Fr. Renee is returning to the Philippines this week and we wish him all the best and thank him for his prayerful presence with us. Salamat Po Fr. Renee!
All Souls Masses of Remembrance
At BOTH Parishes, Wednesday, November 2nd at 7 p.m.
These Masses are for Parishioners, Family members and Friends who have passed away during the past year. Please encourage all who have lost a loved one in the past year to attend, bring a picture of their deceased loved. These masses are for ANYONE who has passed away, not just our parishioners. Encourage friends and neighbors to leave their deceased loved ones name with either rectory so that we can have their names read during the Mass. Please spread the word about this Mass.
Remember Those Who Have Gone Before Us 2004 -2005
May they rest in peace and may the Perpetual Light shine upon them.
A SPECIAL THANKS
For the Summer Collection to:
DONATE YOUR OLD CELLULAR PHONES TO TRANSFIGURATION CHURCH!
Many of our parishioners may have many used or broken cellular phones just taking up space in their homes and offices. Unfortunately, many of these phones will end up in the trash and so please donate it to the church. In return, UNICELL COMM will collect the donated phones, calculate the best monetary value they can offer for those phones, and will present us with a check payable to the church for total cash value of the phones. So drop your old cell phones in the rectory, and help your church. Through this mutually beneficial partnership, we will not only be helping to conserve the environment, but will be raising funds for our church.
It's time for... BOWLING!!!!
The Ravenswood Young Catholic Adults have arranged to have a special bowling night for anyone interested on Monday evenings beginning November 7, 2005, at Lincoln Square Lanes located at 4874 Lincoln Avenue in Chicago (of course). This is above the Ace Hardware at the corner of Western & Lincoln.
Lincoln Square Lanes has once again generously agreed to host us for a mere $4 per game per person & $3 per person for shoe rental. We will be bowling every Monday beginning at 7:30 p.m. through the end of January. All skill levels are invited.
This event is a wonderful way to meet fellow parishioners and strengthen your ties with the community. For more information please contact Kevin McGovern at ktmcgove@yahoo.com or Emily Bernard at emargarebernard@yahoo.com. Or if you do not have access to e-mail, Kevin may be reached at (773) 606-9790. We look forward to bowling with you!!
Christmas Tree Sale!
Make sure to get your tree and/or wreath by pre-orderiing. Order forms are available at the school and in both rectories. Trees and wreaths will be available beginning the weekend after Thanksgiving in the lot behind the school.
