St. Mary of Gostyn Catholic Church
God’s Children are Never Neglected
One winter day, in the midst of an ordinary
week at work and home, a woman's dream included a
conversation that went like this:
"Lord, whoever takes
care of me? I feel so empty and worn out. There's
always something to do for someone else. I'm tired
and drained."
And, in a very concerned, grandparent-like
tone, God responded in her heart:
"I'm here. I always
take care of you."
This dream was just the energy the needed to
keep going. A simple but powerful dream helped her
remember that her life as a disciple of Jesus was not
always going to be easy, but that the strength and
courage were but a prayer away.
God's children are never neglected. Although
discipleship carries great responsibility, it also carries
great and everlasting benefits. God is not like the
person who fails to care for his or her possessions.
Children leave their toys out in the rain. We neglect to
service our car. We throw a new coat in a corner. We
let our lawns turn to jungles. But God never neglects
us. God does ask that we carry on Jesus' ministry in
our everyday activities and promises that light will
guide our paths in that ministry.
Spend Time With Him
The stories of discipleship in John’s gospel follow
a pattern. People come to Jesus, are brought to him, or
are introduced to him by someone they know. They
spend time with him for a while. They talk with him,
listen to his teachings, and watch how he lives his life.
Once they have spent some time with him, they go
and bring others to him so that they can meet him.
The cycle continues.
We see this pattern in today’s gospel when
Andrew and another unnamed person spend time with
Jesus after John the Baptist introduced them. Andrew
then found his brother Simon and brought him to
Jesus. The next day, Philip spends time with Jesus, and
then finds Nathanael and invites him to come meet
Jesus. A couple of chapters later the woman at the
well talks with Jesus and goes away to tell her
townspeople they should come to meet him as well.
Maybe there is a lesson in here for us. Maybe the
way we are all called to evangelize-to spread the
Good News-isn’t by preaching with a megaphone on a
street corner, going door-to-door to talk about religion,
or threatening that if people don’t become believers
they won’t be saved. Maybe instead we can follow the
two simple steps taken by the disciples: spend time
with Jesus ourselves, and then invite other people to
come and experience him for themselves.
Questions of the Week
Have you ever thought of yourself as having a
responsibility to share your faith with others? If so,
what does that mean to you?
What is your reaction to this idea of a twostep
process: spending time with Jesus and then
In Sympathy
Prayer Requests
The following persons have requested prayers
from our parish community:
Tom Mendoza
Hugh Toner
Pat Nicarico
Cheryl Buzcky
Kris Grazys
Karli Brown
Carmela Martini
Brandon Beth
Carl Lukowski
Marilyn Krelle
Tom Nicarico
Deacon Karl Huebner
Arthur Stadtler
PJ O’Connor
Donald Feld
Our deepest sympathy to the families of
Alvira Carrozza
Fr. Jude Randall, OSB
Pamela Shee
Pray for our Military
Let us pray for all of our military
personnel, especially the men and
women of our parish who are serving
in harm’s way:
Kevin Braasch
Michael Martel
Natalya Brechlin
John Svoboda
Christopher Fountain
Nathan Kijowski
Bob Lang
Zachary Frana
Peter Gartlan
Timothy Randazzo
Kyle Ng
Christopher Randazzo
Joe McSweeney
Maggie Benhart
Kevin Hanlon
Brendan Vrtis
Ben Gartlan
January 17, 2021 Page 3
A Warm Welcome
We welcome:
Mark & Rae Bukovsky
Anthony Dobbins
Brian & Donna Kahn
Sean & Natali Thomas
Clayton & Emily Wolff
who registered at St. Mary of Gostyn
Parish recently.
Benefits:
Make a difference in the life of a Catholic school student.
Designate your gi to our Parish School
for students who are in need.
Receive a 75% tax credit on your 2021 Illinois tax return.
A $1000 dona on will provide a $1000 scholarship and
you
will get a $750 state tax credit.
Our History with the Program:
37
St. Mary’s students received scholarships for the
2019/20 school year.
$126,897.50
was awarded to our School last year
by donors to the program.
Scholarships were for 50%, 75% or 100%
of total tui on and fees.
Interested in Seeking a Scholarship?
The applica on process is open now.
Visit Empowerillinois.org/Apply to begin the process.
Scholarships will be awarded beginning at the
end of January, so apply now.
Contact our School Office for more informa on about
tui on assistance at 630-968-6155.
MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2021
6:00 PM - Philip Vena req. St. Mary Staff & Parish
Jerome Kawka req. Ed & Sue Belsan
TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2021
9:00 AM - Rita Blaney req. Barb & Jim Holmes
Living Intention for Kathleen Martens req.
Mike & Mary Signer
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021
9:00 AM - Catherine Harrington req. Mike & Mary Signer
Lucy Schmudde req. Ron & Mary Buchler
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021
9:00 AM - Kay Selfridge req. Selfridge Family
Raymond Braatz req. Lucado Family
FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2021
9:00 AM - Mario Giannini req. Family
Eileen Downes req. Kathy Ranft
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2021
4:00 PM - Ruth Marshall req. Deacon Bob & Donna
Miciunas
Frank Bava req. Mike & Val Bava
SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2021
8:00 AM - People of the Parish
10:00 AM - Frank McAleenan req. Ron & Mary Buchler
Dolores Necker req. Fran Belcastro
12:00 PM - Mark Gowgiel req. Ralph & Mary Calistro
6:00 PM - Joseph Kozicki req. Drobney Family
Our Catholic Faith with Fr. Keith:
Living an authentically Catholic life can sometimes be
publicly controversial and personally challenging. There are
many topics in our society which are now considered either
so taboo or settled they no longer are discussed. Even more
frustratingly, some topics have become so politicized that
rancor and division have replaced reason and logic.
Nonethe-less, the Truth is not determined by the caprice of feeling or
impulse of preference. For example, this Friday, January 22nd,
is the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision,
Roe v.
Wade
, which removed legal restrictions on abortion. All
dioceses of the United States observe a “day of prayer for the
full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of
penance for violations to the dignity of the human person
committed through acts of abortion” (GIRM, 373). This is a
sensitive topic for many, if not most people because of the
complex intersection of religious liberty, secular law,
objec-tive moral truth, subjecobjec-tive personal experience, feminism
and human dignity. However you yourself may think or feel
about the right to life we are all called to elevate the
discus-sion around this issue through several deeply meaningful
ways. First, we must respect life at every stage and in every
way. There is no room for inconsistency or equivocation.
Sec-ond, we must be compassionate to all those affected by
abor-tion, including, or, perhaps, most especially, the mothers who
have made such a tragic decision in the past. Third, we must
truthfully acknowledge the precedence of this issue as
antecedent to and not a result of any existing or changing
legal definitions. As President Reagan once quipped, “the
only people I have ever met who are pro-choice are those
already alive.” Indeed, no other rights or laws matter if there
are not people alive to exercise and abide by them. Fourth,
and finally, we must responsibly advocate for greater respect
for life most especially through prayer and public witness.
Inflammatory displays of protest only serve to harden hearts
rather than convert them more fully to the truth. As we give
thanks to God for the gift of human life, we implore His
mercy that we may soon secure for ourselves and our
posterity a more just and peaceful society.
Stewardship
A CALL TO STEWARDSHIP
Weekly Collection 01/10/2021 $32,629.47 Weekly Goal (Fiscal Year 2020/2021) $28,500.00 Goals to Date
Sunday Goal to Date $798,000.00 Christmas Goal to Date $105,000.00 Collections to Date
Sunday Collection to Date $760,848.94 Christmas Collection to Date 122,636.25
Total (Short of) Goals to Date $(19,514.81)
We are overwhelmed by your generosity this Christmas and year-end. Thank you for your support!
Next week, our parish will take up a collection for the
Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa
. Although the Church in
Africa is growing, many still lack access to basic resources and
pastoral care. Many suffer due to high rates of poverty and
unem-ployment, illiteracy, and poor education. The Solidarity Fund
sup-ports pastoral projects that foster lasting peace and reconciliation in
a continent often marked by division and tension.
To learn more, visit www.usccb.org/africa.
Next week we will take up the Collection for the
Church in
Latin America
. For many in Latin America and the
Caribbean, a rising secular culture, difficult rural terrain, and a
shortage of ministers all present obstacles to
practicing the faith. Your support for the collection
provides lay leadership training, catechesis, priestly and
reli-gious formation, and other programs to share our Catholic faith
with those who long to hear the Good News of Christ. To learn
more about how your gifts make a difference, visit
School News
NEW PARISHIONERS: We are happy to welcome new members to our community, and encourage you to register either in person at the Parish Office, or register online through our website,
www.stmarygostyn.org.
BAPTISMS: St. Mary of Gostyn offers baptismal preparation sessions on a
monthly basis. If this is your first child, you will need to participate in a baptismal preparation session before you can receive a date for your baby’s Baptism.
Parents are the first and primary educators in the practice of the Faith. Godparents play an important role in the faith life of your child. While considering godparents for your child, be aware that at least one must be a baptized and confirmed Catholic who is active in his/her faith. Please call the parish office at 630-969-1063 to register for a preparation class and to schedule a baptismal date.
BECOMING A CATHOLIC: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
is a process of welcoming and preparing adults for the Sacraments of Initiation - Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation - for full membership in the Catholic Church. Unbaptized adults, adults baptized in another Christian faith, and baptized Catholics with little or no formal religious education are invited to participate. Please call the Parish Office for further information.
ANNULMENTS: We are available to help anyone who is in need of
information about how to apply for an annulment. Please contact the Parish Office at (630)969-1063.
SACRAMENT of ANOINTING: The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is
available at regularly scheduled liturgies throughout the year, or by appointment. You may ask the presiding priest before any Mass for an anointing. Communal Anointing Masses are held on the 1st Saturday of the month in August, December and April at the 8:00 AM Mass.
The Eucharist will also be brought to those who are ill, upon request. Please notify the Parish Office if members of your family are in the hospital or homebound.
FUNERALS: Arrangements are usually made by the Funeral Home or by a
family member. A member of our Bereavement team will meet with you to plan the Funeral Liturgy. Eulogies can be given at the Wake Service, Interment at the Cemetery or at the Funeral Luncheon, but not at the Mass of Christian Burial.
MARRIAGES: Arrangements should be made at least six months in
advance to provide ample time for preparation of this sacrament.
PRAYER GROUPS: Monday evening Rosary at 6:30 PM in the Church;
Tuesday evenings at 6:00 PM in the Parish Center chapel.
RECONCILIATION: Confessions are heard Saturday, 8:30 to 9:30 AM in
church. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also available by appointment. Please call the Parish Office (630-969-1063) to arrange to have your confession heard by a priest.
