Dear Neighbor,

October 21,  2018
Twenty-Ninth  Sunday in Ordinary Time
 

From the Desk of Fr. Anthony C. Ekanem, MSP:
 

“Faith is strengthened when it is given to others.”
-Pope Saint John Paul 11, Redemptoris Mission # 2
 

At Baptism, each of us is marked by the Lord and entrusted with a special responsibility to tell the world of His message and invitation. We are, indeed, called to serve as His  missionaries.
World Mission Sunday affords all baptized Catholics an opportunity to celebrate their missionary vocation through prayer and sacrifice for the missionary work of the Church.

This year’s World Mission Sunday, October 20, marks the 110 ^th Anniversary of our “mission Independence.” Through 1908, the Church in the United States was the beneficiary of the Faith. In fact, two-thirds of the very first collection of the Propagation of the Faith, in 1892, was sent to the Church in America, making it possible to build churches and schools, educate clergy and religious, provide for the good works of religious communities, and support evangelization here at home. By a 1908 papal decree, the designation “mission territory” was removed from the United States. More than one, hundred years later, as we recall our own mission history, we are called upon to assist both spiritually and financially the more than 1,150 “young churches” in Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands, and Latin America, all of which have the same needs that the United States once had.

With this in mind, I will like to add that The Missionary Society of St. Paul of Nigeria which I belong along with the two priests at St Bartholomew, Yonkers and the Church of St Frances of Rome, Bronx, New York respectively, was founded on World Mission Sunday, October 23, 1977 by Dominic Cardinal Ekandem, with the blessing of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.

The foundation of MSP was in response to the teachings of Jesus to go out and make disciple of all nations (see Mk. 16:15), and the call of the Second Vatican Council on young churches in Africa to share in the missionary work of the universal church as emphasized by Pope Paul V1 in Uganda in 1969. The faith we received from the early missionaries that came to Nigeria, we are now sharing across the world like in Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, Malawi, Nigeria, South Sudan, the Gambia, Liberia, Sierra – Leone, South Africa, Central African Republic and Kenya. We are also in England, Grenada, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Bahamas, Canada and America. We invite you to join us in the work of the missions and go to the mission by giving generously. This will allow this World Mission Sunday to continue to bear fruits of spreading the “Good News” to all corners of the world. 
 

Today is World Mission Sunday.
We celebrate this day by remembering the revitalizing mission at the heart of our Christian faith –to bring the Gospel to all! The collection today for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith ensures the work and service of the Mission Church, as it supports priests, religious and lay leaders who offer the Lord’s  mercy and concrete help to the most vulnerable communities in the Pope’s missions. Thank you for your generosity.
 

Twenty-Ninth  Sunday in Ordinary Time: The passage from Isaiah we hear today-of God’s servant    suffering for the sins of others-we also heard on Good Friday and will hear again next Good Friday. Why do we hear it now nearly halfway in between the two? Perhaps it’s because we can use the reminder of what Jesus has done for us. We can also be reminded of Jesus’ call to serve others. As we celebrate Mass today, let us renew our commitment to bring God’s word into action as we serve those who have the greatest need, especially on this World Mission Sunday.
First Reading: Isaiah 53:10-11 :  If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33: “Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you!”
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16:  Let us confidently approach the throne of grace.
Gospel: Mark 10:35-45: The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many.
 
Collection : Last Sunday, October 14, 2018  was $3,504.00
2nd Collection: Today is for World Mission Sunday.
 
The Holy Rosary in the Month of October:
Saturdays; 4:30 pm : Joyful Mysteries: the Joyful Mysteries direct our mind to the Son of God, Jesus Christ , our Lord and     Savior. Who took human form a human Mother Mary. They also bring to our attention some of the extraordinary events that  preceded, accompanied and followed Christ’s Birth.
 
Sundays; 10:30 am: Glorious Mysteries:  The Glorious Mysteries recall to our mind the ratification of Christ’s sacrifice for the redemption of the world, and our sharing in the fruits of His sacrifice.
 
Today’s Focus: Leaders Who Serve, Servants Who Lead :
A good portion of discipleship is balancing the place of servanthood and leadership in our lives. In some way, each of us is called to do both in our life of faith.

Living and Praying with the world:
Holy God, you love us so much that you sent Jesus to reconcile us to you after we turned away from you. Help us follow his example of sacrificial love, by being servants who lead and leaders who serve.
Eucharistic Ministers : There will be a meeting of all Eucharistic Ministers on Friday,  October 26, 2018 at  7:00 pm in the Main Church
 
 
 
**Parents please be aware that children are to be  at the Parish Hall at 9:20 am and that classes start at 9:30 am : NO ONE WILL BE   ALLOWED INTO THE SCHOOL AFTER 9:30 AM
October 2018:
27th Religious Education Classes –9:20-11:00 am~1st Parent Meeting of Confirmation  candidates at 11:30 am in the School Cafeteria
*RCIA– Classes in English will start on October 22, 2018 at 7:00 pm in the Rectory
 

 Mass Schedule for the week of
 October 21, 2018 to October 28, 2018
Mass are daily at 8:15 and 12:05 in English and in Spanish on  Thursdays at 7:00pm
Below are the Special Intentions for this week
 

 

Sunday, October 21, 2018:
7:30 am–   For the Parishioners
9:00 am–   Joaquim Neto
                   Carmita Navarro
11:00 am– Maria A. Rodrigues
                   Eduardo & Esther Rodrigues
Monday, October 22, 2018:
12:05 pm- Patricia Zambrosky
                   William Zambrosky
Wednesday, October 24, 2018:
12:05 pm -Rev. Fr. Ronald F. Burt, CSP
                   Bob Haggerty
Saturday, October 27, 2018:
5:00 pm– Rose Kunny
                 Tara Pratt & Darian Esposito
7:30 pm In Thanksgiving
Sunday, October 28, 2018:
7:30 am– For the Parishioners
9:00 am-  Joaquim Neto
                 Sr. Ann Marie Lagan
11:00 am– Elizabeth Russ
                   Jenny Brown
         

¨ We are saying the Rosary on  Saturdays  at 4:30 pm before the 5:00pm Mass and on Sundays at 10:30 am before the 11:00 am Mass in the month of October. Anyone interested in purchasing a Rosary Prayer book can go to the Rectory; the cost is $5.00.

Convent of the Holy Spirit
      Office of the Mission Secretary
       319 Waukegan Road
      Northfield, IL 60093
            847-441-0126
          mary.millerssps@hotmail.com

 
The Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (also known as Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters - SSpS), from the American Province House in Northfield (Techny), Illinois, will visit Immaculate Conception / St. Mary Parish on the weekend of August 11-12, 2018.
The Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters are an international missionary congregation serving in over 50 countries of the world, primarily in rural, poor areas and frontier situations; addressing the needs of the people through education, health care, and socio-pastoral ministry. Special attention is given to women and children, trafficking, those affected by HIV-AIDS, inter-religious dialogue, and sharing the “Good News” of God’s love.
Through your prayerful accompaniment and generous financial support, the mission of Christ to “go, teach, and proclaim the Gospel to all people” will continue through the work, ministry, and witness of our Sisters.
We look forward to meeting you and share life and mission with you.
For more information on the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters,
their history and ministry in more than 50 countries of the world,
visit our websites:   www.ssps-usa.org   and    www.worldssps.org
 
Thank you!