Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 28, 2012

6725 W. Devon Ave. Chicago, IL. 60631 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 28, 2012 Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. (Mass in Polish) Monday through Saturday: 8:30 a.m. Holy Days: Please see the bulletin Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy: Tue. - Sat. following 8:30 a.m. Mass Confessions: 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 pm Sat. or by appointment St. Thecla Staff: Pastor: Rev. Gene Dyer Associate Pastor: Rev. Artur Marat Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Gerald Rogala Deacons: John X. Rottman, Robert Cnota, Steven Wagner and Michael McManus Choir Director: Mrs. Ewa Kowcz-Fair Business Manager/Minister of Care: Mrs. Joan Czerlanis School Principal: Mr. Dan Gargano Religious Education Coordinator: Mr. Ron Mazzoni Parish Admin. Asst./Bulletin Editor: Mrs. Anna Piech School Secretary: Mrs. Bea Sansone Office Hours and Addresses: Parish Office: 6333 N. Newcastle Ave. Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (773) 792-3077, e-mail: parish@saintthecla.org School: 6323 N. Newcastle, (773) 763-3380 http://www.saintthecla.org/ A VISION FOR ST. THECLA Be it known to all who enter here that Christ is the reason for this parish. He is the unseen but ever-present teacher as well as the source of our inspiration.

Weekly Parish Information Mon. Oct. 29th, 8:30 a.m. Tue. Oct. 30th, 8:30 a.m. Wed. Oct. 31st, 8:30 a.m. Thu. Nov. 1st, 8:30 a.m. Fri. Nov. 2nd, 8:30 a.m. Sat. Nov. 3rd, 8:30 a.m. Mass Intentions +Richard Nickels +William Siemianowski +Walter & Joan Leja 7:00 p.m. Vigil Mass in English For the Parishioners 10:00 a.m. Mass in Polish 12:00 noon Mass in English 6:30 p.m. +Jolanta Tekien For the Purgatorial Society 3:00 p.m. Bi-lingual prayers (English/ Polish) and procession at St. Adalbert Cemetery 6:30 p.m. Mass in Polish +William Siemianowski 5:00 p.m. +Earl Gauger Mass of Rememberance Sun. Nov. 4th, 8:00 a.m. +Edward Saraniec 10:00 a.m. (Collective intentions) +Elizabeth Bednarz, +Norman Vedner, +Marion Barabas, +Walter & Irene Mastalarz, +Aleksander Kielar, +Guy A. Grandolfo, +Guy Grandolfo, +Edward Serafin, Deb & Jean Kwidd, +Ruth Kissane, +Michal Kowcz, death anniversary 11:30 a.m. +Henryk Klups + - denotes deceased, SI - denotes special intention Today s Readings First Reading - I will lead the people to brooks of water, on a level road, so that none shall stumble (Jeremiah 31:7-9). Psalm - The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy (Psalm 126). Second Reading - It was not Christ who glorified himself, but rather the one who said to him: You are my son: this day I have begotten you (Hebrews 5:1-6). Gospel - Immediately the blind man received his sight and followed Jesus on the way (Mark 10:46-52). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. Readings for the Week Monday: Eph 4:32 5:8; Lk 13:10-17 Tuesday: Eph 5:21-33 [2a, 25-33]; Lk 13:18-21 Wednesday: Eph 6:1-9; Lk 13:22-30 Thursday: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12a Friday: Wis 3:1-9; Rom 5:5-11 or 6:3-9; Jn 6:37-40, or any readings from no. 668 or from the Lectionary for Ritual Masses (vol. IV), the Masses for the Dead, nos. 1011-1016 Saturday: Phil 1:18b-26; Lk 14:1, 7-11 Sunday: Dt 6:2-6; Ps 18; Heb 7:23-28; Mk 12:28b-34 Parish Calendar for this week Monday - 3:00-6:45 p.m. Practices - school gym 3:10 p.m. Children s Choir Practice - church Tuesday - 3:00-5:45 p.m. Practices - school gym 7:00 p.m. Bears Den mtg. - Queen of Peace Wednesday - 9:00 a.m. Halloween Band Concert - school Eucharistic Adoration 1:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Benediction 6:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. - church 1:45 p.m. Halloween Parade 3:00-5:30 p.m. Practices - school gym Thursday - 8:30 a.m. All Saints Day, All School Mass - church 9:30 a.m. Al-Anon mtg., St. Joseph the Worker Market Day pick-up Friday - 11:30 a.m. Thecla Tots - school gym 3:00 p.m. Practice - school gym 5:00-7:00 p.m. - school gym Saturday - Remember to return Baby Bottles 9:00 a.m. General Anders Polish Language School - school, Parish office dining room, Queen of Peace, St. Joseph the Worker, Cenacle General Anders Polish Language School Open House 10:30 a.m. Bitty Ball - school gym 1:00 p.m. Practice - school gym Sunday - Remember to return Baby Bottles Daylight saving time ends, fall back - remember to turn clocks back 1 hour. Be Imitators of Christ! Annual Catholic Appeal Report By Parish 2012 Annual Catholic Appeal through 10/21/2012 Parish Name St. Thecla Donor Count 159 2012 Goal $32,692.86 Amount Pledged $26,480.00 Amount Paid $24,665.00 Balance Due $1,815.00 Weekly Contributions: October 21, 2012 Total Collection $6,680.00 Maintenance Fund.$65.00 School Fund.$0.00 Children s Envelopes...$3.96 Parking Lot Fund.$111.00 Sharing Parish..$8.00 Propagation of Faith.$1,860.00 Thank you for your generosity to help meet our weekly financial goals. Please remember St. Thecla in your Will. Sign up for Automated Giving by visiting www.parishpay.com or by calling 1-866-parish-1. 2

We remember the faithful departed born to eternal rest. Below are the names of those who were buried from St. Thecla from October 2011 to October 2012. We will read their names at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday November 3rd. Irene Bulawa, Rita C. Miller, Helena Such, John A. Plaza, John M. Bryk, Michal Pazik, Jan Kozera, Mary Schertler, Longina Waak, Mary Siuta, Jolanta Tekien, Harriet Monka, Ronald Hauser, Marion Barabas, Alex Sislow, Ray Restarski, Florence Sufranski, Lorna VanZytveld, Harriet Polzin, Agnes Campise, Therese Mazalewski, Mary Walsh, Florence Goetz, Stephanie V. Wisowaty, Marion Firling, Zofia Dymon, Annette M. Bulsiewicz, Chester Banas, Lorraine Niwa, Stefan Karas, Stanley Such, Helen Wilk, Stanislaw Wolanin, Jozefa Pajerski, Mary Margel, Adam Skorupski, Carlos Tamayo, Izabela Rayski, Ann Green, Anthony Piechuta, Kevin O Donohue, Joseph O Leary, Estelle Tomczyk, Dolores Krajewski, Henryka Gagalski, Rosemary Selby, Jakob Zimmermann, Zofia Wasowski, Janina Pilat, William McNamara, Margaret McCartin, Chester Olendzki, Olga Wise, John Gazinski, Joseph Wegrzyn, Thomas Flahive, Stella R. Smaron All Saints Day Wednesday, October 31st 7:00 p.m. Vigil Mass Fulfills the holy day obligation Thursday, November 1st 8:30 a.m. Mass with St. Thecla students 12:00 noon Mass All Souls Day Friday, November 2 8:30 a.m. Mass 3:00 p.m. Bi-lingual prayers (English/Polish) and procession at St. Adalbert Cemetery (Arrive at front entrance at 2:50 p.m.). The annual Mass of Remembrance is transferred to Saturday November 3rd at 5:00 p.m. so more people are able to attend. The table for pictures will be set up in front of the Holy Family. All are welcome to put a picture on the table - please label the back of the picture with your name. The book to write in the names of the deceased will also be on the table. At this Mass: Deacon Steve will offer a special homily and we will read the names of those who had their funeral here this past year. Wszystkich Świętych czwartek, 1 listopada 10:00 a.m. Msza Św. w jęz. Polskim 6:30 p.m. Msza Św. w jęz. Polskim Wszystkich Wiernych Zmarłych piątek, 2 listopada Modlitwy oraz procesja na Cmentarzu Św. Wojciecha w jęz. Angielskim i Polskim. (Spotykamy się przy głównej bramie, koło pomnika Katyńskiego, o godz. 2:50 p.m.) 6:30 p.m. Msza Św. w jęz. Polskim Msza podczas której będziemy w szczególny sposób pamiętać wszystkich zmarłych z naszej parafii podczas ubiegłego roku, będzie w sobotę, 3-go listopada, o godz. 5 p.m. Z przodu kościoła, przed figurą Świętej Rodziny, będzie postawiony stolik, na którym można umieszczać zdjęcia zmarłych z naszych rodzin. Prosimy o podpisanie zdjęć. Podczas tej Mszy, Diakon Steve wygłosi kazanie. Zostaną odczytane imiona wszystkich tych, których pogrzeb odbył się w naszej parafii ubiegłego roku. Thank You For Remembering The Sick There were over 75 people present on Saturday, October 6, for the Anointing of the Sick in church. They prayed at Mass and received the sacrament of healing. Holy oils were put on their foreheads and the palm of their hands by Fr. Gene and Fr. Artur. Their day was brightened when they received the beautiful and colorful cards, books markers, bouquets, hearts, angels and other treasures that the students made for them. They really enjoyed the words of encouragement and sweet sentiments that were written on their gifts. Many thanks for the thoughtfulness of our students and teachers. Thanks also for the beautiful music, the Ministers of Care and the Women s Council for helping and hosting this event. May God bless you all for your kindness in remembering the elderly and the sick of our parish in such a thoughtful way. Religious Education News November Classes: Sunday, November 4 th 9:15 assemble for class and then attend the Family Mass at 10:00 a.m. Sunday, November 18 th 9:15-11:30 The Seventh Grade Confirmation Meeting for the Class of 2014 will be held on Tuesday, November 13 th at 7:00 p.m. in Church. All seventh graders wishing to make their Confirmation next year and their parents must attend. We are still collecting non-perishable food for the food pantry at our sharing parish, Transfiguration/St. Matthias. Donations may still be brought in on November 4 th. Seventh and eighth graders can volunteer to help load the donations for delivery on Saturday, November 17 th following the 8:30 Mass. We are collecting Baby Bottles for the Women s Center. If you have not returned yours, we will receive them during November. 3

Year of Sunday Mass/Rok Mszy Świętej Niedzielnej October 28, 2012 If you became blind would you ever think about seeing a priest? Christ s priesthood, today s first reading and Gospel passage indicate, cures both physical and spiritual blindness. Think about a time during the Liturgy of the Word when your eyes were opened, providing you with an essential insight which you later put into practice. How did this make you feel? Października 28, 2012 W sytuacji, gdy utraciłbyś/utraciłabyś wzrok, czy pomyślałbyś/ pomyślałabyś o potrzebie widzenia się z księdzem? Kapłaństwo Chrystusowe, jak wskazuje dzisiejsze pierwsze czytanie i Ewangelia, uzdrawia zarówno fizyczną jak i duchową ślepotę. Pomyśl kiedy to, podczas Liturgii Słowa, przejrzałeś/aś na oczy i zrozumiałeś treść Bożego przesłania, którym później żyłeś/aś na codzień. Jak się wtedy czułeś/aś? The priest says, Lift up your hearts. We say, We lift them up to the Lord. In the Mass, we lift or raise up our hearts to God. We lift up our offering to God. And that offering is the self-sacrificing love of Jesus Christ. We join him and, because we are in him, we can lift ourselves up to God. We are part of the one offering, the one sacrifice. We can and sometimes do stay stuck in our daily struggles, temptations, and even sins. In the Mass we break free. In Jesus lifted high on the cross, we lift up our hearts, our very selves. We break free of the gravity of sin and death and doubt. Po słowach kapłana, wypowiadanych w Modlitwie eucharystycznej: W górę serca, odpowiadamy: Wznosimy je do Pana. Podczas Mszy św. wznosimy zarówno nasze serca do Boga jak i naszą ofiarę. Jest nią dobrowolnie złożona miłość Jezusa Chrystusa, którąoddał za nas na krzyżu. Złączeni z Ofiarą Jezusa i jednocześnie włączeni w Kościół Boży, mamy niebywałą okazję i możliwość wznoszenia się do Boga Ojca. A w trakcie składania Ofiary Mszy św. przez kapłana w naszym imieniu,stajemy się dodatkowo częścią tej ofiary. Zdarza się, że możemy tkwić w pułapce naszych codziennych zmagań, pokus i grzechów. Msza św. pozwala nam na zerwanie, z tym zniewalającym nas, stanem ducha. To przez Jezusa, rozpiętego wysoko na ramionach krzyża, możemy wznosić nasze serca i nas samych. Podczas Mszy św. uwalniamy się od grawitacji grzechu i śmierci oraz, od zalewającej nas zewsząd, burzy wątpliwości. October 28 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time In today s Gospel the blind man said to Jesus, "Master, I want to see." Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you." What is your deepest desire? Men 22 to 40 years old are invited to participate in the INSEARCH Priesthood discernment program. If you feel called to the priesthood, INSEARCH will help you gain clarity around the call you feel. We meet every Tuesday night at Quigley Pastoral Center. For more information, contact Fr. Brian Welter at 312-534-8298 or bwelter@archchicago.org. 4 Wedding Banns Timothy Stickel & Alana Perez - II William Whelan & Allison Wasowski - I

Prayer List, US Military United States Air Force: AB Michael J. Archam, A1C Heather Bosh, A1C Shane Garrison, SSgt. Adam Krey, TSgt. Richard L. Larsen, Lt. Andrew May, 2ndLt. Peter A. Schroeder, SSgt. James E. Stay United States Army: MAJ. Terence W. Bacon, SGT. Sean Doherty, SGT. Rachel Hall, CPT. Gina Marie Healy, CPT. Michael J. Kaye, SGT. Robert Lach, CPT. Jared Lampe, WO. Steven Larmay, PFC. Thomas J. Lyons III, PFC. Raymond Rau, SPC Thomas Rohl, 1LT. Michael Spiwak United States Marines: LCpl. Philip E. Blais, 2ndLt. Kevin Bowler, PFC Michael T. Brennan, Pvt. James Dinela, LCpl. Kyle Elmer, SSgt. Benjamin Juhasz, LCpl. Nathaniel J. Juncer, Capt. Michael C. Mroszczak, PFC Brian Pasterczyk, Capt. Craig V. Platt, LCpl. Jose Rivera, MSgt. Richard L. Sroka, SSgt. James E. Stonehouse United States Navy: CAPT. Steven Stancy We are living in a culture of death where the pre-born, elderly, and infirm are seen as disposable, and the pro-death forces profit from their death. It s difficult to understand, but that s what is happening in America. Please pray and work to end abortion and euthanasia. If you know someone who has lost a child or grandchild to abortion, or was in any way responsible for an abortion, and now suffers from remorse or sadness or simply doubts that God can ever forgive them, please let your friend know about the Church s post-abortion ministry, called Project Rachel. The diocesan Project Rachel office makes referrals for confidential counseling by specially-trained priests and lay counselors to help anyone involved in an abortion find forgiveness, peace, and hope once again. More information can be found at www.hopeafterabortion.com or by calling 1-888-456-HOPE. Bring the good news of peace, hope, and salvation to someone who is wounded by abortion and see their lives transformed. Keeping in mind... Sick List - We pray for all those in nursing homes, homebound or who require extended care and those who care for them: Help us with the responsibility of keeping the sick list up to date and accurate. Please call the office when the status of someone s health changes. Joseph Augustin, Charlotte Bartkowicz, Geraldine Barnum, Joseph Bednarz, Gino Belcaster, Rosemary Besyk, David Bergthal, Stella Bieniek, Robert Blachowiak, Franciszek Bosak, Ken & Bernie Buck, Herlinda Castellanos, Eileen Cobb, Susan Christ, John Dooley, Donald Edsey, Kenneth Ellinger, Genevieve Erazmus, William Edwards, Nicolette Garrigan, Leon Gaska, Frank Gibbons, Joan Giuntoli, Ireta Gross, Patrick Hall, Dorothy Hennessey, Adeline Hickok, Regina Horak, Teresa Jozefczak, Joseph Kaye, Theresa Kennedy, Michael Kielbasa, Beverly Kisiel, Rita Koch, Mary Kozlowski, Stephanie Krupa, Norman Kwidd, Sophie Lally, Maria Laskowski, Arlene Lewandowski, Elizabeth Link, Joan Lomasney, Diane Marzano, Martin McCaffrey, Edward McGinniss, Lorraine McMahon, Edward McManis, Dolores Mick, Imleda Mizones, Lillian Morris, Katharina Mueller, Matthias Mueller, Kim Murphy, Julie Muza, Joseph Nalepa, Therese Neiman, Theresa Nitka, Kathleen Numec, Danuta Okrzesik, John Orloff, Patricia O Toole, Zofia Pazik, Giselle Piekarski, Estella Plaza, Caroline Plodzien, Thomas Podgorny, Roman Poniatowski, Raymond Prybil, Dolores Ptasnik, Theodore J. Ptasnik, Joe Pulizzano, Mary Ann Pulizzano, Eleanor Purciarello, Eileen F. Redding, Stephania Rosa, Sylwester Rosa, Virginia Rozmarynowski, Stanley Sadej, Nancy Samp, Mary Sarlo, Eugene Sendlak, Peter Schroeder, Janina Sikora, Laura Smith, Janina Sroka, Helena Starzynska, Judith Wolff-Stenzel, Dorothy Struck, Helen Surdey, Dorothy Taylor, Janis Taylor, Cecilia Walega, Mary Wargo, Christine Wasowski, Mary Widelka, Anthony Wiorski, Irene Wlezien, Edward Wnek, Julia Wojtanowski, Paul Wyncott During this month we are participating in The Baby Bottle Project benefiting The Women s Centers of Greater Chicago land. This non-profit organization directly assists mothers and families experiencing crisis pregnancies by offering emotional, financial, material, and spiritual support through counseling, clothing & monetary provisions, prayer, and other aid. Each year the three locations together have over 5,000 appointments with expecting mothers. By God s Grace, The Women s Centers have saved over 34,000 babies - and their mothers - from abortion since opening in 1984. Please take a bottle home with you today fill it with your spare change, and return it until the end of November. Thank you for helping defend life, and remember to keep all pro-life undertakings in your prayers. Contact Us Option Line is a 24/7 Call center for those needing help finding a Pregnancy Help Center in their area. Phone: 800-712-HELP (4357) 5

Haunted House http://hauntedscenes.com/ Parafia Św. Tekli przedstawia Hairrazor Haunted Scenes, czyli Dom Strachów, włosy staną ci dęba, czy odważysz się? Sala pod kościołem, 6725 W. Devon Ave., Chicago, IL. (773) 792-3077 Wstęp: $10.00 od osoby sobota, 27 października, 7:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. niedziela, 28 października 6:30-10:00 p.m. Uwaga, w piątki i soboty, bilety będą sprzedawane tylko do godz. 10:00 p.m. W niedzielę: Bilety będą sprzedawane tylko do godz. 9:30 p.m. Uwaga: Nie ma możliwosci wstępu z wózkami dziecięcymi. Sala nie jest przystosowana do wstępu dla osób z wózkiem inwalidzkim. Prosimy odwiedzić naszą witrynę: www.hauntedscenes.com Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, October 2012 At this past summer s Olympic Games, many athletes made headlines for shattering world records for speed or for their total number of medals. But one athlete made headlines for both his ability and his disability: Oscar Pistorius, a South African double amputee who runs with the aid of prosthetics. His commitment to excellence won Pistorius the admiration and respect of his fellow athletes, and millions of others worldwide. When asked what his motto was, Pistorius replied, You're not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have. Oscar Pistorius story stands out because of the popularity of the Olympics, but did you know that one in five Americans also has a disability? It is likely that every fifth person with you at Mass today has either a physical, cognitive, or sensory limitation. That is why I have asked parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago to participate in Inclusion Awareness Sunday, sponsored by the organization Pathways.org. As parish communities called to welcome others in Christ s name, it is important that we reflect on the ways in which we can make people of differing abilities feel welcomed and appreciated. Providing everyone with opportunities to participate in worship and in parish life is a demonstration of our own willingness to see Christ in every person and to treat every person with dignity and respect. May God bless all of you and your families. Each day, I remember you and your intentions before the Lord, and I ask that you remember me in your own prayers. Sincerely yours in Christ, Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. Archbishop of Chicago 6

SAVE THE DATE! St. Thecla Texas Hold em Fundraiser Saturday, November 10, 2012 @ 6 p.m. in Falcon Hall, $50 at the door. There will also be a $25 beginners tournament. Price includes: tournament fee, food and 2 drink tickets. First hand dealt promptly @ 7 pm! Must be 21 to play! Please contact Dylan Farmer @ 773-983-2753 or Frank Fay @ 773-562-3520 for information and ticket sales. If one member from each family attends the event, we will have a really good turn-out! Since the first week of February 2012 the focus of my life was centered on my diagnosis of cancer. Along with the love and support of my family, so many kind and faith-filled people accompanied my family during the treatments and surgery. As our summer concluded I am happy to say that my condition is improving and I am able to return to our parish school. I am truly grateful for all your prayer-cards, notes, meals prepared and sent to our home. Fr. Gene offered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick for inner strength. My husband, Deacon John, kept my spirits up as he returned from Sunday Mass with your greetings and well wishes. As you remember me in your prayers, the sessions of the chemo and radiation treatments were more tolerable and my surgery a success. Like many of our parish families who face the challenge of cancer, the support of friends and family makes our battle possible. Your kindness continues to reinforce my healing as I return to St. Thecla School and my normal routine. Along with the support of our school families, my fellow teachers, and our principal Mr. Gargano, I am very happy to be here. My sincere thank you to all of you! - Candace Rottman Stewardship Welcome to our Faith Our newly Baptized Emmett Orion Jeske Fuller son of Gary Fuller and Katherine Jeske Peyton Diane Orsa daughter of William and Stephanie (Ripoli) Orsa Ellesyn Alexandra Trejo daughter of Hector and Madelyne (Chirikos) Trejo Sophia Anne Woznicki daughter of Brian and April (Olson) Woznicki Thoughts on Giving October 28, 2012 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way. (MARK 10:52) Sight is just one of the many gifts that God has given to us. Like all of our basic senses and talents, sight is a gift we often take for granted. We pat ourselves on the back for our accomplishments, forgetting that whatever we do, we do with the gifts that God has given to us. Parish Life Thanksgiving Food Drive Benefits our Sharing Parish Let s share our blessings with other families in need offering our help with donating, collecting and delivering NON- PERISHABLE food items to the families of Transfiguration/St. Matthias Parish Food Pantry. These parishes operate a year round food pantry that directly helps families in need. Please bring the NON-PERISHABLE food items (not out of date) and an empty box to the parish library or ushers room in the back of our church. Confirmation candidates, high school students, Scouts, and all who are able to help with the collection and delivery. Food will be collected from October 8th until Friday November 16th. Food items will be loaded and delivered to our sharing parish Saturday, November 17th 2012 following the 8:30AM morning Mass. Please contact the parish office if you can help thank you! St. Thecla Women s Council News Be sure to mark your calendar for the Women s Council s Craft and Gift Show that takes place on Saturday, November 17 th from 9AM to 4PM. At the present time we need crafters and volunteers to make this show a success. There will also be a Holiday Raffle as part of this year s Craft Show with over 40 great prizes be one of the winners! Chances are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00 and are available at the meeting and after all the Masses in the coming weeks. First prize is $500.00, second prize is $200.00 and there are over 38 more. Watch the Bulletin for more details or call Bernie at (773) 774-6897 or Terri at (773) 631-0215. During the month of October STWC is collecting shoes to benefit Soles 4 Souls. This organization provides shoes for crises relief and micro-enterprises in Africa and Central and South America. Shoes that are slightly used and in good condition, all styles and sizes are appreciated. Boxes are located in the usher s room in the back of church throughout the month of October. Thank you for your kind generosity. Entertainment 2013 Books ($30) are available through us. They make wonderful gifts for that special person on your Christmas or birthday list or even a great money-saving gift for yourself. For more information call Bernie at (773) 774-6897 or see her at the meeting. New members are always welcome to join STWC and be a part of a wonderful parish organization! The Leisure Club meeting scheduled for November 1 st has been cancelled. The next meeting will be November 15 th 7

Our Faith Life Many thanks to the Haunted House Committee for their countless and tireless hours of creativity and effort. As guests were leaving they had words of praise and thanks. Thanks also to those who served in the many volunteer roles as scarers, security, selling tickets and concessions. If you are able please help the committee take down the sets and put them in storage. The no-scare days and Halloween party were sponsored by the school board and donations from the Fr. Ryan Knights of Columbus and the St. Thecla Women s Council. Parish life is made up of many dedicated and caring people. This past week I received a flyer from Fr. Terence Henry, TOR, president of Franciscan University of Steubenville with some interesting concepts. He writes, The age of casual Catholicism is over.the age of heroic Catholicism has begun. The starting point of his idea is a result of the federal government dictating to Catholic hospitals, institutions and universities to go against our religious beliefs and pay for medical procedures and drugs that violate Catholic teaching. His stance: Catholics have to decide where they stand: With the culture? Or with the Church? For us at Franciscan University there is no contest, we always have and always will stand with the Church. Franciscan simply doesn t do casual Catholicism. Here are some thoughts on heroic Catholicism: The way we see it, our job is to form missionaries for the Church and culture. We want to send forth courageous Catholics who will stand against the growing tide of secularism and, through both word and deed, call people back to Christ. Again, we want to form men and women who are Catholics by conviction not Catholics by accident. In reflecting on how we teach the faith to our children from first through eighth grade at St. Thecla (and any Catholic parish in both the parish school and religious education) is this our conviction? Is this the conviction within each household? More to come on this... Renewing traditions. It s great to see our young people who are on cheerleading and the football teams attend Mass together. The Athletic Council is putting the schedule for the winter sports teams. On All Souls Day we will visit St. Adalbert Cemetery and pray the rosary in both English and Polish. Arrive at the front gate at 2:50pm. There is a special envelop to write down the names of your deceased loved ones. I have opportunities to offer special Masses and the intention is offered for all the people you list. Adult faith formation and education: In next week s bulletin I will list the dates for the adult faith formation series which starts Monday night November 5th at 7pm in church. The parishes of St. Cornelius, St. Juliana s, St. Mary of the Woods, St. Tarcissus, and St. Thecla are working on an inter-parish catechetical course for those interested in joining the faith and those looking to renew their knowledge of the Catholic faith. More to come. Priorities: What do I live for, what do I die for? How do I see the gift of my Catholic faith influencing my life and decisions? When my son or daughter leaves the house they carry my family name, how do I expect them to do that? How do I carry the name of St. Thecla parish? Remember every prayer you say is heard by God.is His answer heard by us? Keep the faith in this year of faith. God bless and much love, Fr. Gene St. Thecla Electronic Giving Is electronic giving right for you? If so, please consider enrolling in ParishPay today! ParishPay enrollment forms are available in the church vestibule. See our parish website www.saintthecla.org for a link to Parish- Pay our electronic giving partner. Sign up for electronic giving by visiting https://parishpay.com or by calling 1-866-parish-1. You may contact Mark McHugh of the St. Thecla Finance Council at markcmchugh@yahoo.com or (773) 841-3903 if you have any questions on enrolling in electronic giving for St. Thecla. The Year of Faith has begun! (Oct 2012 Nov 2013) This year commemorates the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. Tune into our weekly, interactive discussions to discover little-known highlights from the Council as well as helpful ideas to deepen your awareness and renewal in faith. Go to www.relevantradio.com, keyword Faith for more information. Chicago 950AM, Chicago West 930AM, NW Indiana 1270AM The door of faith is always open rediscover the joy of believing! Pope Benedict XVI 8

Strona Duszpasterstwa Polskojêzycznego w parafii ªw. Tekli Wypominki Drodzy Parafianie, Zbliża się miesiąc listopad, który jest miesiącem wyjątkowej pamięci o zmarłych. Pytacie mnie o wypominki. Tradycję wypominania naszych zmarłych wynieśliśmy z Polski. W Stanach Zjednoczonych również wypomina się zmarłych, ale trochę w inny sposób. W parafiach wystawia się Księgę Imion Zmarłych, do której parafianie mogą wpisać imiona swoich bliskich zmarłych. Jeżeli ktoś regularnie wpisuje imiona zmarłych do takiej księgi, to w danym roku wpisuje tylko imiona tych, którzy zmarli od ostatniego wpisu. Księga Imion Zmarłych zazwyczaj jest umieszczana przy świecy paschalnej i chrzcielnicy. W naszej parafii również będzie wystawiona taka Księga Imion Zmarłych. Zachęcam wszystkich do wpisywania imion zmarłych do tej księgi. Wracając do wypominków, w naszej parafii, imiona zmarłych będą wypominane w każdą niedzielę miesiąca listopada, począwszy od 4-go listopada, przed Mszą św. w jęz. Polskim o godz. 11:30. W tym roku, w Dzień Zaduszny, to jest 2 listopada, Msza św. odbędzie się o godz. 6:30 p.m. W przedsionku kościoła będą dostępne formularze, na których należy wypisać imiona zmarłych, które chcemy, aby były wypominane. Wypełnione formularze należy przynieść do Kancelarii Parafialnej. Tylko w ten sposób będę miał pewność, że imiona zmarłych będą wyczytane. Proszę, aby imiona zmarłych przynosić przed piątkiem danego tygodnia, abym mógł się przygotować do wypominków. Wypominki przyniesione w niedzielę będą wyczytane dopiero za tydzień. Wypominki będą przyjmowane do 23 listopada, abyśmy mogli zakończyć wypominki w ostatnią niedzielę miesiąca listopada. Uroczystość Wszystkich Świętych przypada w tym roku w czwartek, 1 listopada. Wspomnienie Wszystkich Wiernych Zmarłych przypada na piątek, 2 listopada. Ks. Wojciech Artur Marat Drodzy Bracia i Siostry w Chrystusie, Październik 2012 r. W czasie zakończonych niedawno Igrzysk Olimpijskich wielu sportowców trafiło na czołówki gazet dzięki osiągniętym rekordom szybkości lub łącznej ilości zdobytych medali. Ale jeden z zawodników trafił na pierwsze strony gazet zarówno ze względu na swoją sprawność jak i na niepełnosprawność. Jest to Oscar Pistorius, sportowiec z Południowej Afryki, który po amputacji obydwu dolnych kończyn biega na specjalnych protezach. Jego dążenie do osiagnięcia doskonałości zjednało mu podziw i uznanie kolegówsportowców oraz milionów widzów na całym świecie. Zapytany o swoją dewizę życiową odpowiedział: Nie jesteś niesprawny ze względu na swoje ułomności lecz jesteś sprawny na miarę swoich zdolności. Historia Oscara Pistoriusa zwraca powszechną uwagę ze względu na zainteresowanie, jakim cieszy się Olimpiada, ale czy wiecie że jeden na pięciu mieszkańców Ameryki jest również dotknięty jakimś stopniem niepełnosprawności? Jest bardzo prawdopodobne, że jedna na pięć osób obecnych wsród Was na dzisiejszej Mszy św. doświadcza jakiegoś ograniczenia w sferze fizycznej albo mentalnej lub też cierpi na zaburzenia sensoryczne. Dlatego właśnie zwróciłem się do parafii Archidiecezji Chicago z prośbą o udział parafian w Niedzieli Integracyjnej zorganizowanej pod patronatem organizacji Pathways.org. Jako członkowie wspólnot parafialnych zobowiązani do przyjmowania innych w imię Chrystusa powinniśmy rozważyć, co możemy zrobić, żeby ludzie o różnym stopniu sprawności czuli się zawsze mile widziani i doceniani. Zapewnienie każdemu możliwości pełnego udziału w nabożeństwach i innych praktykach religijnych oraz w życiu parafii jest znakiem naszej gotowości do dostrzegania Chrystusa w każdym człowieku i do traktowania każdej osoby z należną mu godnością i szacunkiem. Niech Bóg błogosławi Wam i Waszym rodzinom. Każdego dnia zwracając się do Pana pamiętam o Was i Waszych intencjach. Proszę, pamiętajcie o mnie w Waszych modlitwach. Szczerze oddany w Chrystusie, Francis Kardynał George, O.M.I. Arcybiskup Chicago Od pierwszego tygodnia lutego 2012 całe moje życie skupiło się wokół diagnozy raka. Wraz z miłością oraz wsparciem mojej rodziny, wielu życzliwych i napełnionych wiarą osób, towarzyszyło mojej rodzinie podczas leczenia oraz operacji. Wraz z tym jak lato dobiegło końca, mogę szczęśliwie powiedzieć że stan mojego zdrowia się poprawia i jestem w stanie powrócić do naszej szkoły parafialnej. Jestem naprawdę wdzięczna za wszystkie wasze modlitwy, kartki, posiłki przygotowane i wysłane do naszego domu. Ks. Gene udzielił Sakramentu Namaszczenia Chorych dla wewnętrznego wzmocnienia. Moj mąż, Diakon Jan (John), podtrzymywał mnie na duchu kiedy powracał z niedzielnej Mszy z życzeniami powrotu do zdrowia od Was. Pamiętając o mnie w Waszych modlitwach, kolejne sesje chemioterapi oraz naświetleń były łatwiejsze do zniesienia, a moja operacja zakończyła się pomyślnie. Tak jak wiele rodzin z naszej parafii, które stają w obliczu wyznania jakim jest choroba nowotworowa, wsparcie przyjaciół oraz rodziny sprawia że nasza walka staje się możliwa, ze mamy siłę do walki z tą chorobą. Wasza życzliwość wzmacnia mój powrót do zdrowia w miarę jak powracam do szkoły Św. Tekli oraz normalnej rutyny. Dzięki wsparciu od rodzin z naszej szkoły, nauczycieli z którymi współpracuję, oraz naszego dyrektora, Pana Gargano, jestem szczęśliwa że mogę tutaj być. Pragnę szczerze Wam wszystkim podziękować - Candace Rottman 9