Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time August 24, 2014

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time August 24, 2014 Pastor: Fr. Gene Dyer Weekend Associate: Fr. Luke Kleczka, SDS Pastor Emeritus: Fr. Gerald Rogala Deacons: John X. Rottman, Robert Cnota, Steven Wagner and Michael McManus Business Manager Mr. Joe Wojtowicz School Principal: Mr. Dan Gargano Music Director: Mr. Aaron Dixon Religious Education Coordinator: Mr. Ron Mazzoni 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 Adoration: Wed. 1:00 p.m. with Benediction at 3:00 p.m. Confessions: Saturday 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. Spowiedþ: Niedziela po polsku 11:00 do 11:25 a.m. Office Hours and Addresses: Church: 6725 W. Devon Ave. Chicago, IL 60631 Parish Office: 6333 N. Newcastle Ave. Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9:30am - 7:30pm (773) 792-3077, FAX: (773) 792-3820 e-mail: parish@saintthecla.org School: 6323 N. Newcastle Ave., (773) 763-3380 Visit us on the web at: www.saintthecla.org

Weekly Parish Information 2 Mass Intentions Mon. Aug. 25th, 8:30am +Daniel R. Bennett Tue. Aug. 26th, 8:30am +Joseph Bednarz Wed. Aug. 27th, 8:30am +Nick & Mary Scalabroni Thur. Aug. 28th, 8:30am +Robert Hall Fri. Aug. 29th, 8:30am Sat. Aug. 30th, 8:30am 5:00pm Sun. Aug. 31st, 8:00am 10:00am (collective intentions) +Joanne Kwidd +John Sadler +Daniel E. & Lillian Bennett +John Plaza +Erlinda Cozzini (collective intentions) +Robert & Joan Musker +John & Helen Pierzchala +Mitchell Kielar +Bernice Borucki 11:30 a.m. Mass in Polish +Janina Jamróz - w 2-gà rocznicê ºmierci, O zdrowie i Boýe b³ogos³awieñtwo dla Anny i Miros³awa, +denotes deceased, SI - denotes special intention Chicago 950AM, Chicago West 930AM, NW Indiana 1270AM (Listen online at www.relevantradio.com) TODAY S READINGS First Reading - Eliakim is destined by God to be a father to those who live in Jerusalem (Isaiah 22:19-23). Psalm - Lord, your love is eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands (Psalm 138). Second Reading - How deep are the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! (Romans 11:33-36). Gospel - Jesus asked the disciples, Who do you say that I am? Peter replied, You are the Christ (Matthew 16:13-20). READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 2 Thes 1:1-5, 11-12; Ps 96:1-5; Mt 23:13-22 Tuesday: 2 Thes 2:1-3a, 14-17; Ps 96:10-13; Mt 23:23-26 Wednesday: 2 Thes 3:6-10, 16-18; Ps 124:1-2, 4-5; Mt 23:27-32 Thursday: 1 Cor 1:1-9; Ps 145:2-7; Mt 24:42-51 Friday: 1 Cor 1:17-25; Ps 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11; Mk 6:17-29 Saturday: 1 Cor 1:26-31; Ps 33:12-13, 18-21; Mt 25:14-30 Sunday: Jer 20:7-9; Ps 63:2-6, 8-9; Rom 12:1-2; Mt 16:21-27 Parish Calendar for this week Sunday Aug. 24th- Blood Pressure Screening - after 8:00am and 10:00am Mass - library in the back of church Adult Choir interest meeting - 4pm Church Children s Choir interest meeting - 4:30pm Church School Choir interest meeting - 5pm Church Monday Aug. 25th- Opening Day of School - 1:30pm dismissal Tuesday Aug. 26th- School early dismissal - 1:30pm Preschool 3 orientation - 8:30am Preschool 4 orientation - 9:00am Kindergarten orientation - 9:30am Knights of Columbus Officers meeting - 7:30pm - Parish Office Dining Room Wednesday Aug. 27th- Half day for preschool and kindergarten Before and After care begins Eucharistic Adoration - Church - 1:00pm - 3:00pm Benediction - 3:00 Thursday Aug. 28th- Full day of school Healthy Kids lunch begins Al-Anon meeting - 9:30am 11:00am - St. Joseph the Worker, Queen of Peace ipad Orientation for 5th grade and parents - multi-purpose room Saturday Aug. 30th- Waldemar Mazur & Joanna Sztark Wedding - 2:00pm 50-Year Reunion for the Class of '64 Members of this class are planning a 50-year reunion to be held Sept. 27th. If you have any information that could help locate these missing classmates for this fall reunion, please send an email to saintthecla64@gmail.com. Thank you so much for your help! Kathleen R. Clancy Maureen Corcoran Kathleen E. Dispenza (Loftus) David R. Donahue Susan M. Friel Brian W. Gingle Patricia A. Gleboff (Memon) Jeannette A. Hansen Thomas J. Hudson Daniel P. Kelly Christine C. Kubala (Morenz) Ann B. Mack (Swanson) Donna M. Meyer (Wollert) Patricia D. O'Connor (Haye) Karen C. Ochab (Krey/Cynthia) Theresa A. Radzik Linda M. Rost (Christiani) James R. Pryzbil Vincent J. Scopa Gary R. Slawik Barbara E. Thompson Robert M. Van Voorhees

Adult Religious Education Starts Monday, September 8th 7 to 8pm in church. This year s topic the Sacraments All are invited to attend these sessions on the first Monday of the month unless noted otherwise. We will use a workbook The Sacraments, Source of Our Life in Christ. The first meeting will offer an overview and include information on ordering the books. Each session concludes with prayer and personal adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Enter the door on the parking lot side closest to the sanctuary.,,błogosławieni ci, którzy słuchaja słowa Bożego i zachowują je wiernie. (Łk 11,28) Zapraszamy na rozważanie niedzielnych czytań liturgicznych,w każdy piątek o godzinie 6:30 p.m.,w budynku parafialnym(z wyjątkiem pierwszego piątku miesiąca). Więcej informacji u Anny 312-953-3857 Compass Blood Pressure Screening Volunteers will offer blood pressure screenings this weekend after the 5 p.m., 8 a.m. and 10 a.m Masses. High blood pressure is known as a Silent Killer since very often the individual experiences no symptoms. Regularly monitoring blood pressure is short and simple so stop in the back of Church after Mass. Remember, it is a quick way to care for our health! Our Beloved Dead Henia Johnson Ronald Schwartz Adoration: Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. with Chaplet & Benediction at 3:00 p.m. All Parish Volunteers Lectors, ministers of Holy Communion, catechists, coaches, Scout leaders, Ministers of Care, classroom aids, room moms, lunch workers etc. all need to fill out the annual Child Abuse Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) Form. These forms are available in the Parish Office; on line on the parish website; and the form is on page of today s bulletin. To continue serving as a volunteer the Archdiocese requires that the forms be completed by September 1, 2014. NOTE: School volunteers return the form to the school office. Parish volunteers return them to the parish office. We will mail the forms for you. Thank you. Stewardship - Thoughts on Giving Lord, what do You want me to do today with all the gifts You have given me? Then be sure to listen for His response throughout each day. As baptized disciples of Jesus Christ we continue to support the parish first and foremost through our prayers and through our giving back to God in return for all His blessings given to us. There are four ways of giving to God. 1. Planned giving: Money is designated in the household budget for the Lord. 2. Priority giving: Give to God first before all other expenses. 3. Percentage giving: A percentage is given instead of a dollar amount. 4. Progressive giving: The percentage is increased at a regular interval. These four ways of giving are not based solely on the need for money; but more importantly on our need to give. Waldemar Mazur & Joanna Sztark Joseph Krajewski & Sharon Canale Weekly Contributions: A note from the Finance Council We need to maintain the momentum of the great financial progress we made in the last fiscal year. Have you missed a weekly donation that you can catch up on? Thank you for giving this your consideration. August 17th, 2014 Total Collection......$6,338.01 Maintenance Fund...$102.00 Children s Envelopes....$2.39 Parking Lot Fund...$273.00 Sharing Parish...$29.00 Assumption $1,314.00 Summer Mission..$2,950.00 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. 3

Year of Sacraments/Rok Sakramentow Life can wear us down. Our spirits can sag. We may feel caught in habits - sometimes sinful ones - that erode our confidence and hope. Our perspectives narrow and generosity becomes more and more of a stretch for us. Come to me, Jesus says, all you who find life wearisome and who carry heavy burdens. Come, he says to us today, to the sacraments that renew you. Come to Penance, confess your sins, and receive forgiveness. Be relieved of the burden and find the courage and strength to live in a new way. Come to the Eucharist and find in the absolutely generous self-sacrificing love of Jesus my body for you, my blood for you a way to widen your love and feed your generosity. The sacraments remember and make present the saving work of Jesus. They also offer us a breathtaking map of our renewed future that seemed to have eluded us. Możemy być zmęczeni życiem. Nasz duch może osłabnąć. Możemy uzależnić się od przyzwyczajeń - czasem grzesznych - ograniczających nasze zaufanie i nadzieję. Nasze horyzonty mogą się zawęzić, a hojność być dla nas coraz bardziej i bardziej ciężarem. Przyjdźcie do Mnie - mówi Jezus - wszyscy, dla których życie stało się trudem i którzy dźwigacie ciężkie brzemiona. Przyjdź - On mówi dziś do nas - po sakramenty, które cię odnowią. Przyjdź do spowiedzi, wyznaj swoje grzechy i otrzymaj rozgrzeszenie. Zostań uwolniony od brzemienia, znajdź odwagę i siłę, aby żyć w nowy sposób. Przyjdź na Mszę św. i znajdź w ofierze Jezusa, złożonej z samego siebie w absolutnej hojności - moje ciało oddane za was, moja krew przelana za was - drogę poszerzania swojej miłości i motywację do swojej hojności. Sakramenty upamiętniają i urzeczywistniają odkupieńcze dzieło Jezusa. Wytyczają również, zapierający dech w piersiach, szlak naszej odnowionej przyszłości, którą być może uważaliśmy za zaprzepaszczoną lub, o której myśleliśmy, że na zawsze nam się wymknęła. 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. More information can be found at www.hopeafterabortion.com or by calling 1-888-456-HOPE. Contact Us Option Line is a 24/7 Call center for those experiencing needing help finding a Pregnancy Help Center in their area. Phone: 800-712-HELP (4357) 4

THE WOMEN'S CENTER 5116 North Cicero Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630 (773)794-1313 BRANCH OFFICES: 9730 S. Western, Ste. 318, Evergreen Park, IL and 2720 S. River Rd., Suite 234, Des Plaines, IL Pro-Life Women who think they are pregnant and are in difficult situations, come to us for help, an ultrasound and counseling. We are privately funded and each year our counselors help approximately 4,000 women and their families. In our almost 30 years of service we have enabled over 37,000 mothers to give birth to their babies and provided them material and emotional help. VALIANT WOMAN, our mobile ultrasound van, is in need of on-site prayer warriors to accompany our efforts in reaching out to women throughout the city. For more information please call Sandy at 708-425-0707. Plan to attend our 5K Bike-Hike for Life on Saturday, October 4 th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. We ll be at two locations: Chicago s northwest side at Caldwell Woods (Milwaukee and Devon Avenues) and in Palos Heights at Arrowhead Lake (131 st and Harlem Avenue). This year s event will include a Pet Walk and Blessing to commemorate the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. For information, phone Janet at 773-685-2531 or visit our website at www.womens-center.org. We need a strong Thursday Furniture Room volunteer(s) from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. to help distribute baby furniture. We also have an excellent opportunity for individuals or friends to volunteer together. People are needed to clean baby bottles for reuse in our spare change fundraising, anytime Monday thru Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. These volunteer jobs are at our Chicago office. Baby diapers in sizes 1, 4, 5 and 6, crib linens, good condition maternity clothing and baby and children s clothing up to size 14 are needed for our Resource Room. These must be delivered to us unless accompanied by baby furniture. To volunteer your help or donate, call Jackie at 773-794-8807 or email jkeenan@womens-center.org. We are happy to pass on your used baby equipment to mothers who cannot afford to buy it. We have a need for 6 infant car seats/ carriers, 4 fixed side cribs, 2 crib mattresses, crib sheets, 3 toddler beds, 3 double strollers, 4 bouncers, 3 swings, 4 baby bathtubs and 1 changing table. If your neighbors have a garage sale, or if you attend one, please ask the sellers to donate items to us because our need is great at this time. A receipt for all donations for tax purposes is available. It will be a great help if you can deliver these to us. For our address, or if a pick-up by a volunteer is required, please call 773-794-1313. Biuletyn «The Women s Center» na sierpień 2014 Kobiety, które przypuszczają że są w ciąży i znajdują się w trudnej sytuacji życiowej, przychodzą do nas po pomoc, badanie ultradźwiękowe (ultrasound) i fachową konsultację. Nasz Ośrodek utrzymuje się z prywatnych funduszy i każdego roku nasi doradcy pomagają przeciętnie 4,000 kobiet oraz ich rodzinom. W ciągu 37 lat naszej posługi umożliwiliśmy ponad 37,000 matek urodzić ich dziecko i zapewnić im materialną i emocjonalną pomoc. Nasza nowa akcja - samochód (Van Valiant Woman) z wyposażeniem ultrasonograficznym, potrzebuje wsparcia modlirewnego większej ilości osób, aby mógł wypełnić swoje zadanie dotarcia do większej liczby kobiet w mieście. Po więcej informacji prosimy dzwonic do Sandy na numer 708-425-0707. Uczyńcie postanowienie uczestnictwa w naszym marszu (5-K) i rajdzie rowerowym dla Życia w sobotę 4 października od godz. 8:00 rano do 12:00 w południe. Impreze odbędzie się w dwóch miejscach: Chicago - północno-zachodnia strona miasta - Caldwell Woods [Milwaukee i Devon Ave.] oraz Palos Heights przy Arrowhead Lake [131 Str. i Harlem Ave.]. W tym roku będziemy mieć dodatkowo błogosławieństwo naszych domowych zwierząt z racji przypadającego wspomnienia św. Franciszka z Asyżu. Będzie to spacer z naszymi ulubieńcami. Po informacje prosimy dzwonic do Janet na numer 773-685-2531 albo odwiedzić naszą stronę internetową www.womens-center.org. Potrzebujemy silnego wolontariusza do naszego Magazynu Mebli w czwartki od godziny 10:00 rano do 1:00 po południu do pomocy przy wydawaniu dziecięcych mebli. Mamy też doskonałą okazję dla pojedyńczych osób lub przyjaciół chcących pracować wspólnie. Potrzebni są wolontariusze do przygotowania dziecięcych buteleczek do następnego użycia w naszej akcji zbiórki drobnych pieniędzy na cele Women s Center. Praca w dowolnych godzinach od od poniedziałku do piątku pomiędzy 10:00 rano a 5:00 po południu w biurze w Chicago przy Cicero [5116 N. Cicero]. Potrzebne są pieluszki w rozmiarze 1, 4 i 5; pościel dziecięca, odzież na okres ciąży w dobrym stanie, ubranka dla niemowląt i starszych dzieci do rozmiaru 14 do naszego Magazynu Odzieży. Rzeczy te starajcie się dostarczyć sami, chyba że macie także do oddania mebelki. Aby zgłosić swoją pomoc lub aby ofiarować dary prosimy dzwonić do Jackie na numer 773-794-8807 lub drogą elektroniczną jkeenan@womens-center.org. Cieszymy się, że możemy podarować Wasze używane rzeczy dziecięce matkom, których nie stać na ich kupno. Potrzebne są: 6 krzesełek do samochodu dla niemowląt; 4 łóżeczka otwierane z jednej strony; 2 materacyki; prześcieradełka; 3 łóżeczka dla starszych dzieci; 3 podwójne wózeczki; urządzenia do skakania dla dziecka [tzw. bouncers]; 3 huśtawki; 4 wanienki do kąpieli i 1 stoliczek do przewijania. ]. Jeśli wasi sąsiedzi organizują wyprzedaż garażową prosimy zapytajcie o podarowanie rzeczy dla nas, bo jesteśmy w tej chwili w wielkiej potrzebie. Możemy dostarczyć pokwitowanie do rozliczenia podatkowego. Będzie to dla nas wielkim ułatwieniem, jeśli sami te rzeczy do nas dostarczycie. Aby uzyskać adres, lub aby zgłosić by ktoś odebrał mebelki prosimy do nas dzwonić na numer 773-794-1313. 5

Keep in mind... Prayer List, US Military United States Air Force: SrA Michael J. Archam, A1C Heather Bosh, SrA Nicole Coreil A1C Scott Frisco A1C Shane Garrison, SSgt. Adam Krey, Lt. Andrew May, 2ndLt. Peter A. Schroeder, SSgt. James E. Stay SSgt. Sentara Stay SSgt. Matt Tredwell United States Army: MAJ. Terence W. Bacon, SGT. Sean Doherty, SGT. Rachel Hall, CPT. Gina Marie Healy, SGT. Robert Lach, CPT. Jared Lampe, WO. Steven Larmay, SPC. Thomas J. Lyons III, PFC. Raymond Rau, SPC Thomas Rohl, 1LT. Michael Spiwak United States Marines: 2ndLt. Philip E. Blais, 2ndLt. Kevin Bowler, PFC Michael T. Brennan, Pvt. James Dinela, LCpl. Kyle Elmer, SSgt. Benjamin Juhasz, LCpl. Nathaniel J. Juncer, Maj. Michael C. Mroszczak, Cpl. Brian Pasterczyk, Capt. Craig V. Platt, LCpl. Jose Rivera, MSgt. Richard L. Sroka, SSgt. James E. Stonehouse United States Navy: SN E-3 Joseph J. Daly CAPT. Steven Stancy We keep those who are serving in the military in our prayers. Please print the name of your loved one and drop it in the collection basket or return it to the Parish Office. Their names will remain on the list until you notify us of their return. Also notify us if their rank changes. 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 Frank Bednarczyk Frank Bednarz Gino Belcaster John Belcaster Christina Bennett Rosemary Besyk David Bergthal Stella Bieniek Frank Bieniek Robert Blachowiak Franciszek Bosak Marian Brown Laurence Brueck Krzysztof Bylica Herlinda Castellanos Irena Chmielowski Susan Christ Therese Ciborowski Eileen Cobb Kevin Connolly Eileen Conway Mike Curtin John Dooley Sophie Dembek Jackie Dubiel Donald Edsey Kenneth Ellinger Genevieve Erazmus Kristen Formanski Nicolette Garrigan Frank Gibbons Joan Giuntoli Loretta Golubski Ann Gosciniak Ireta Gross Patrick Hall Gerald Halvey Dorothy Hennessey Frank Herbig Gerald Halvey Teresa Jozefczak Tommy Kernan Wladyslawa Kielar Beverly Kisiel Rita Koch Mary Kozlowski Tillie Kroll Stephanie Krupa Sophie Lally Anita Lapiszko Mary Lavalle Arlene Lewandowski Elizabeth Link Joan Lomasney Martin McCaffrey Edward McGinniss Eileen McGovern Lorraine McMahon Edward McManis Imleda Mizones Lillian Morris Gerrick Mueller Katharina Mueller Kim Murphy Julie Muza Therese Neiman Catherine Neumann Kathleen Numec Danuta Okrzesik John Orloff Patricia O Toole Bob Paige Susan Peterson Kevin Peterson Giselle Piekarski Estella Plaza Caroline Plodzien Thomas Podgorny Roman Poniatowski Raymond Prybil Joe Pulizzano Eileen F. Redding Virginia Rozmarynowski Stanley Sadej Nancy Samp Anthony Sansone Mary Sarlo Peter Schroeder Eugenia Siemianowski Janina Sikora Laura Smith Janina Sroka Helena Starzynska Judith Wolff-Stenzel Dorothy Struck Bill Sturch Helen Surdey Dorothy Taylor Janis Taylor Patricia Timm Cecilia Walega Christine Wasowski Mary Widelka Anthony Wiorski Irene Wlezien Edward Wnek Julia Wojtanowski Paul Wyncott Julia Zeler Rose Zemba Święty Michale Archaniele! Wspomagaj nas w walce, a przeciw niegodziwości i zasadzkom złego ducha bądź naszą obroną. Oby go Bóg pogromić raczył, pokornie o to prosimy, a Ty, Wodzu niebieskich zastępów, szatana i inne złe duchy, które na zgubę dusz ludzkich po tym świecie krążą, mocą Bożą strąć do piekła. Amen. Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. 6

CANTS Form Note: return the above form to the school or parish office. 7

St. Thecla School Marketing Volunteer/Intern- Job Description St. Thecla School 2014 2015 School Year Objective: St. Thecla is looking for a college level marketing intern or parish volunteer that will be responsible for assisting the school in the development and implementation of its marketing, student recruitment, and public relations plans. This will be accomplished through developing, maintaining and expanding marketing channels/methodologies to the local community. Reports to: Principal/Pastor/School Advisory Council Primary Responsibilities (including, but not limited to): - Identify all local influence centers (daycares, preschools, community centers, etc.) to determine referral sources for student recruitment - Assist with development per blueprint and marketing strategy - Assist with marketing meetings - Creates and implements a monthly marketing and public relations calendar - Assist with customizing and then disseminating press releases - Flexible work schedule, consisting of 10 15 hours a week Candidate should possess strong computer, writing and communication skills. Candidate should also be familiar with social media platforms and believe in quality Catholic education. St. Thecla can work with your college/university to see if this internship is eligible for class credit. This hands-on, internship provides a great opportunity for a candidate to create a portfolio of marketing experience. Interested applicants, please submit resume to Dan Gargano, School Principal at dgargano@saintthecla.org. Stewardship St. Thecla Electronic Giving Is electronic giving right for you? If so, please consider enrolling in ParishPay today. More than 100 St. Thecla parish households are now participating and taking advantage of the benefits of electronic giving! It s easy to set up a recurring electronic debit (ACH) from your checking or savings account. You choose to have your account debited on the 5th or the 20th of each month. Or you can choose to have your monthly donation split evenly between two monthly debits. All Holy Day and Special Collection options such as Parish Maintenance, School Support and the Parking Lot fund are available with ParishPay as well. Donation elections can be changed at any time and you will receive e-mail notifications of all of your account activity. Benefits of electronic giving: Electronic giving is an easy, convenient and secure way to donate to and support St. Thecla parish. Eliminate the scrambled search for your checkbook and donation envelopes moments before mass is to begin. Easily view and print a statement of your donations or change your donations at any time. Ensure that your weekly donation gets to St. Thecla even when you don t (for example, when bad weather or a vacation causes you to miss a St. Thecla weekend or Holy Day Mass). Go green eliminate paper envelopes and checks and set up secure, automatic, recurring (ACH) bank transfers from your checking or savings account. St. Thecla saves money on envelope and postage costs. Still not sure if electronic giving is right for you? Try a simple one-time donation through ParishPay to find out. A note from the Finance Council We need to maintain the momentum of the great financial progress we made in the last fiscal year. Have you missed a donation that you can catch up on? Are you able to increase your Sunday contribution this year if you haven t done so already? Thank you for giving this your consideration. Please consistently use your weekly contribution envelopes or consider enrolling in our electronic giving option today. See our parish website www.saintthecla.org for a link to ParishPay, our electronic giving partner. Sign up for electronic giving by visiting https://parishpay.com or by calling 1-866- parish-1 We are thankful for your continued generosity and we appreciate your active support for this gift of our parish! 8

Dear Parishioners, I am pleased to announce preparations are underway for the development of the choral program here at St. Thecla. Opportunities include choirs for children (school and religious ed. students 3rd to 8th grades), the parish school Mass (3rd to 8th grades) and the weekend liturgies (high school age and above). Interest meetings will take place this Sunday afternoon at the following times. Choir (high school age and above): Sunday, August 24th, 4 PM Children's Choir: Sunday, August 24th, 430 PM School Choir: Sunday, August 24th 5 PM If you are unable to attend please schedule a meeting with me. Parish Music In view of our parish s 90th anniversary I am composing a hymn in honor of our patron, St. Thecla. A historical background of why and how she was chosen to be our patron would be most helpful to me. Her biography is printed below. If you can help please contact me. In Christ, Aaron Dixon 773-792 3077 Ext. 203 or via email: adixon@saintthecla.org Saint Thecla was a student of St. Paul who decided to become a disciple of and for Jesus Christ. Thecla was born to a rich family in Iconium, a town in Asia Minor. She was expected to marry, and marry into wealth as her mother picked a young man out for her. His name was Thamyris who was gainfully employed, and could offer Thecla a secure life. This was important in those days as an unmarried woman could find herself without support or money. Marriage assured a stable place in society; with children to carry on the family name. But something happened to Thecla that made her turn away forever from her mother's dream. The apostle Paul, who had been in Antioch, traveled to Iconium and began teaching at a house near Thecla's. She sat in her open window for three days and nights, listening as Paul spoke about the blessings of giving everything to God. Hearing this Thecla decided not to marry; instead she devoted her life to Jesus Christ. (Note: In the catacombs Thecla s name is on the list of St. Paul s disciples.) Thamyris (her fiancé at this point) was furious, and complained to the local governor that Paul was a bad influence. His influence and prominence resulted in Paul s arrest and imprisonment. Late at night, Thecla secretly went to the prison, bribed the guards, and stayed to hear Paul's teachings. When her family found her, they turned her and Paul over to the authorities. Paul was driven from the city, and Thecla was sentenced to death. Her mother was so angry at her daughter's disobedient "madness" that she refused to intervene. Once again the city governor tried to convince Thecla to marry Thamyris; she said no and his hurt pride made him consent to her death sentence. While in prison the Christians asked the guard if they could bring Thecla viaticum a Latin word that referred to food for a long journey. So the guards took the request to mean a last meal for the long trip into death and let them visit her. The viaticum was actually Holy Communion. (The Church ever since uses the word Viaticum in reference to Holy Communion that is brought to the dying.) As she was led to the lions to be mauled the animals sensed something in her that caused them to simply sit next to her in a protective way; so the officials let her go. There were other attempts to martyr her but God caused a way for her to escape. She retreated to a rocky desert cave in the mountains near the town of Ma'aloula, Syria. Through her prayer she converted many and gathered other monastic women around her. She counseled people and healed the sick, never asking for money. Her feast day is September 23rd; but the universal feast on that day is for St. Padre Pio, so we celebrate St. Thecla on September 24th. Troparion* You were enlightened by the words of Paul, O Bride of God, Thecla, And your faith was confirmed by Peter, O Chosen One of God. You became the first sufferer and martyr among women, By entering into the flames as into a place of gladness. For when you accepted the Cross of Christ, The demonic powers were frightened away. O all-praised One, intercede before Christ God that our souls may be saved. *A troparion in Byzantine and in the religious music of Eastern Orthodox Christianity is a short hymn of one stanza, or one of a series of stanzas. 9

General information Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office to arrange a Baptism. Baptismal Prep Class: Will be confirmed at time of Registration of the Baptism. Marriages: The Pastoral Guidelines for Marriage Preparation for the Archdiocese of Chicago ask that a minimum of 4 months be set aside for personal preparation for marriage. Couples should refrain from setting a firm date or making any other arrangements until after they have met with a parish priest or deacon to discuss marriage plans. Please note that Weddings do not take place during Lent. Bulletin Deadline: All articles must be e-mailed or dropped off at the Parish Office by 10:00 a.m. on Fridays (8 days prior to publication date). Holidays subject to longer lead times. Please e-mail articles to parish@saintthecla.org. Note - articles subject to editing. For more information call the office at (773) 792-3077. website: www.saintthecla.org How to Become a Catholic: Adults or teenagers interested in receiving the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, or Eucharist) or those who are interested in the Catholic Faith should call the Parish Office for more information about the R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). Homebound/Communion Visitations: St. Thecla Church has several ministers of care who can regularly take communion to those in need. Please call the Parish Office to arrange for communion for yourself or a homebound loved one. THANK YOU, BULLETIN ADVERTISERS This bulletin is subsidized completely by those companies whose advertisements appear on the last two pages. If you have the opportunity, you may thank them in the name of our parish by using their products or services. Should you desire to participate as a sponsor of our bulletin, you may contact J.S. Paluch Company at 1-800-566-6170. To register as a parishioner; call the Parish Office for more information at 773-792-3077.

Welcome back students, teachers and staff! This Monday (1:30pm dismissal) school begins for the 2014-15 year. I am grateful to be the pastor of a school with great students, teachers, staff and parents. My prayers and best wishes to Mr. Gargano our principal and the entire school family. Mr. Gargano has designated Fit in Mind, Body, and Soul as the overall theme and we ve chosen Do you want to become a saint? as the reflection question for our students spiritual formation in the Catholic faith. St. Thecla has graduated many students who have gone on to become very successful in their chosen paths of life and we are enthused and ready to continue this tradition. Thecla s is the quintessential small neighborhood school and your ongoing support makes this happen. The school and parish started in 1925 and the first 8th grade graduates were the Class of 1927. Reflect on the following. Class of 1927-1st class to graduate Class of 2014-87th class to graduate Class of 2015-88th class that will graduate; current 8th graders Class of 2022-95th class; current 1st graders Jumping ahead to the Class of 2023-96th class; current Kindergarten Class of 2024-97th class; current Pre-K 4yr. old Class of 2025-98th class; current Pre-K 3yr. old Class of 2026-99th class; current infants who are 2yrs. old Class of 2027-100th class; current infants who are a year old! Yes, a great tradition of Catholic Education must continue! Let s get the word out and invite new parents and with their infants to Thecla Tots as well as encouraging new and current neighbors to consider sending their children to our school. Mr. Gargano and staff are always ready to welcome them and schedule a visit/tour. All the best, and always my prayers for you; -Fr. Gene Where will you be 100 years from now? The eyes of the world see no further than this life; but the eyes of a Christian see into eternity. - St. John Vianney St. Thecla parish started in 1925 and next year we will have our 90 th anniversary! 12