At the 10:30 Mass this Sunday, February 9, our parish will celebrate Fr. James "Jim" Halstead, OSA, and his life, love, ministry, and dedication. Cards (no gifts) are welcome; they can be dropped off at the Mass or sent to the parish office (Fr. Jim Halstead c/o St. John XXIII Parish, 806 Ridge Ave, Evanston, IL 60202), where they will be collected and delivered to Fr. Jim. We are also creating a video montage as a tribute to Fr. Jim. If you would like to contribute a short video of no more than two minutes, please click HERE and follow the instructions on the website. The deadline to submit a video is February 15. Recently, Fr. Jim (JH) sat with parishioner Sara Burson (SB), shared memories of his childhood, his life as an Augustinian, and his ministry at St. John XXIII Parish and the legacy St. Nicholas Parish. SB: Is there anything you would like to share about your childhood? JH: I spent my early childhood in Flint, Michigan, an industrial town. Later, we moved to Grand Blanc which, at that time, was a small town outside Flint, 90 minutes north of Detroit. I had a lot of fun in a sheltered childhood with my two sisters, protected by my loving parents. We spent summers in the northern part of the lower peninsula of Michigan, where I discovered the majesty, grandeur, and mystery of nature. The sky was pitch black at night, with all the stars visible. Being a bit of a nerd, I wondered, “What is light and what is darkness?” My imagination was sparked by Lake George as well as the sky. I remember watching the fish and wondering, “What is the consciousness of a fish?” Those summers spent out of the city and in nature were magnificent. SB: What drew you to the priesthood? And why the Augustinians? Most Catholic boys growing up in the 1950s and 60s considered the priesthood. I lost interest in middle and high school. I struggled to reconcile what I was learning in science and religion classes and what I was questioning privately. But I was always intrigued by ritual. The Tridentine Latin Mass was mystifying—in a good way. During my 1966 high school retreat, I went to Confession. My penance was to consider becoming an Augustinian. And so I did. When the Augustinians invited me to enter their novitiate after high school, I said OK. Why? Not so much because I was drawn to it, but it meant I didn’t have to figure out what other path to take! I didn’t particularly like school, so college held little appeal. Nor did I want to go to Vietnam. A year on the farm in the Augustinian novitiate was a way to “kick the can down the road.” And since the vocation director did the application paperwork, going to the novitiate was the easiest thing to do. SB. So you could say you sort of backed into the priesthood? JH: Yes (laughter) SB: Some of your education was in Belgium. Why? Do all Augustinians study there? JH: I did undergraduate work and first graduate studies in Chicago at the Catholic Theological Union (CTU). (Strange--decades later I chaired the Board of Trustees of CTU.) Unbeknownst to me, my teachers at CTU told my religious superior to have me pursue a doctorate. They hoped I would return to teach at CTU. I was ordained in 1976. I thoroughly enjoyed parish life for the next four years at two St. Clare of Montefalco parishes, one in Chicago, the other in Detroit. In year three I was told to find a doctoral school and apply. I reluctantly obeyed. From 1980-1986, I studied religion and theology at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. I earned three degrees: an STL (License in Sacred Theology), PhD in Religious Studies, and an STD (Doctor of Sacred Theology). I chose Leuven for three reasons: 1) The theologians I studied and most admired at CTU were all trained in Europe; 2) Wanderlust lingered from my boyhood fascination with Europe and Flemish architecture; and 3) I wanted to experience the world and education outside of the United States. In Leuven, I finally resolved the conflict between science and religion that had bothered me earlier. Critical thought and theology, science and religion, medicine and religion, modern life and traditional religion—they can all work together. To earn money and pay for my education while in Europe, I served as a priest for hire, doing sacramental work at American Air Force and Army bases in southwest Germany. I also served as interim pastor at an international parish in The Hague, The Parish of Our Saviour (British spelling). Combining academia during the week and pastoral life on the weekend led me to a preaching style characterized by respect for Scripture and tradition, careful thought, and a rhetoric that invited Catholics to discuss issues. Reflection on my own maturation and four years in parish work taught me that trying to dictate a specific way of thinking, praying, and acting was hopeless. An example: while at The Hague, Americans installed nuclear-tipped cruise missiles in Europe. We all assumed targets included population centers as well as military installations. The American bishops had written a pastoral letter on nuclear weapons. The Dutch were in the streets, demonstrating. Parishioners in the international parish were military leaders, diplomats, civilian contractors, jurists of the World Court, spies, some business persons, and international students. I preached about cruise missiles with nuclear warheads, the bishops’ letter, and our various responses. I didn’t argue in favor or against installation or targeting. I wanted conversation. I wanted all of us to acknowledge and address the multiple moral dilemmas the missiles presented in the light of the Gospels. Interestingly, Americans in the parish tended to have their hackles up and shied away from the discussions. Europeans and Asians wanted to talk. SB: What came next? JH: I returned to the States in January 1987, and taught part-time at the Institute for Pastoral Studies at Loyola University while looking for a full-time job. In 1988, DePaul University posted a position in Ritual Studies. Although that was not really my area, DePaul hired me. I began in the fall of 1988 and remained on the faculty until my retirement in June 2019. In retirement, I returned to part-time teaching until illness forced my permanent retirement in December 2023. SB: What brought you to St. Nicholas/St John XXIII? JH: In 1972, while at CTU, I first met Bob Oldershaw, then associate pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. I witnessed him leading a parish in singing. I had never seen anything like this before. This was Vatican II! Fr. Bob was putting into action what I was learning at CTU. In 1993, Bob was looking for weekend presiders. The music director Diana Kodner recommended me. (We had worked together at Loyola.) I started at St. Nick’s in August 1993. SB: When did you move into the rectory at St. Nicholas and how long did you live there? JH: I finished my term as Prior at the St. John Stone Friary in Hyde Park in the summer of 1995 and needed to move out so the new Prior could take over. Coincidentally, Fr. Jim Kastigar had just left St. Nicholas for another assignment. Fr. Bob was alone in the rectory and invited me to join him. I moved in that fall and stayed until January 1, 2000, when I took the opportunity to have financial responsibility and independence. Entering religious life at age 18, I missed a few things growing up. In mid-life, I felt a need to be on my own financially--managing a mortgage, paying my own bills, and dealing with taxes. To be honest, the Provincial thought I was a little crazy, but he rolled his eyes and approved my proposal. I bought a two-flat with a fellow Augustinian priest, which we fixed up and where I lived for 12 years. I thrived there and stayed until the priest in the other apartment left the priesthood. I rented out his apartment for a time, but I learned that I did not like being a landlord! So I sold the building and moved to my current hermitage. I love eremitic life--and being a renter. SB: What involvement did you have in our parish? What are some highlights from your time with us? JH: I celebrated sacraments. I presided at weddings and funerals, heard confessions, anointed the sick, and regularly celebrated Sunday Mass. Weekday life in the classroom and weekend parish work enriched each other. During the week, I read and taught about religion, religious traditions, and religious communities. On the weekend, I got to experience it. In my early times at St. Nick's and after the church was renovated, I recall spending time in the choir loft observing Fr. Bob, watching how he did liturgy. Bob can improvise, dance, clap, recite poetry, and walk into a baptismal font. I can’t. I knew I had to find my own way, but I learned by observing him. I loved working with wonderful, talented, and committed liturgical musicians. Preaching at Sunday Mass was both terrifying and enriching. I remember thinking, “I have to preach to these people, people who are deeply invested in religious life and Catholic liturgy.” I came to appreciate deeply the role of the assembly. Theoretically, when the People of God gather for Eucharist, especially at the altar during the Eucharistic prayer, we embody, incarnate, the Risen Christ. The community at St. Nicholas/St. Mary enfleshed that theory and helped me develop my sense of what the priesthood should be and is. I do not do “priest-craft.” I have a role, presbyter/presider, and lead within a Eucharistic Assembly. I/the priest don’t know everything, nor do I/we need to. Nor do I/we need to do everything. I/we need to trust people and believe they will come through.
Another story: by Fall 2018, I had been a member of St. Nicholas Parish for 25 years. A man came to Confession. He was weary. (Years with a wife in dialysis wears a guy out.) He said his wife needed a kidney. No family member could donate. As we sat in the Reconciliation Room, I felt something (immediately? -- like the first disciples?). Kidney donation was a no-brainer. A 25-year involvement in this community moved me to share a kidney. In this crazy, polarized, often selfish, sometimes mean-spirited, sinful world, here was I—an old, white man—donating a kidney to a Filipino woman married to a black man who is Buddhist and a regular at St. Nick's. This is St. Nicholas/St. John XXIII Parish!!! (That was 6 years ago. I am just now beginning to understand that time and enjoy the unique bond I share with that family.)
Last December, Gaudete Sunday, I felt the trust and support of the community when I presided at my last Sunday Mass. That Sunday morning I felt especially weak. I had difficulty moving, shaving, and showering. I was not able to stand at the Table/Altar or hold the Eucharistic Elements. Knowing the St. John XXIII community on St. Nicholas Campus, I trusted they would accept and embrace my presiding while sitting in a chair, and would also accept and trust Chris Murphy holding the bread and wine during the Institution Narrative and the Great Amen. Rubrically, a bit irregular. In the situation and with my limits, proper. This is St. John XXIII Parish. SB: What now? JH: I have one public responsibility remaining. Until June 2026, I am Treasurer of the Augustinian Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel. Like Martha in the Gospel, I have been very busy since 1976—teaching, serving the Augustinian Midwest Province, and helping at St. Nicks/St. John XXIII. It has all been very satisfying. The challenge for me right now is to be more like Mary. As I read cards, letters and notes from the past—wrapped in the prayer shawl I was given a couple years ago—I am challenged to embrace the appreciation, affection, and love many people have for me. At this stage in my life, I think the Divine One wants me to learn that I am forgiven and loved. ALS gives me time to reflect. My work/ministry was respected and appreciated, and I am valued and loved. Looking for the presider schedule? It's moved! You can now see the presider schedule for the whole month of January at stjohn23evanston.org/presider-schedule. There's also a link that will permanently live at the top of the Mass Schedule page. The presider schedule calendar will be updated monthly.
Note: If you're looking at the schedule on a computer, please note that each week is a VERTICAL COLUMN, as opposed to a horizontal row as on a traditional calendar. This design helps keep the schedule easily readable on mobile devices while working with the constraints of our website setup. And yes, if you're on a using a mobile device, that does mean that some amount of scrolling will be involved to reach the later weeks in the month. Apologies! This was the best system we could come up with for the time being--it may improve in the future. Looking for the presider schedule? It's moved! You can now see the presider schedule for the whole month of January at stjohn23evanston.org/presider-schedule. There's also a link that will permanently live at the top of the Mass Schedule page. The presider schedule calendar will be updated monthly.
Note: If you're looking at the schedule on a computer, please note that each week is a VERTICAL COLUMN, as opposed to a horizontal row as on a traditional calendar. This design helps keep the schedule easily readable on mobile devices while working with the constraints of our website setup. And yes, if you're on a using a mobile device, that does mean that some amount of scrolling will be involved to reach the later weeks in the month. Apologies! This was the best system we could come up with for the time being--it may improve in the future. We are celebrating the Baptism of the Lord.
There will be a second collection for the Church in Latin America at all Masses. The 5 p.m. Vigil Mass will be Ace Gangoso's final Mass as the music director for the St. Nicholas Campus. All are invited to a reception after the Mass to thank Ace and wish him well in all that comes next. Presiders: St. Nicholas Saturday, January 11, 2025 3:30 p.m. (Confession) – Fr. Jean-Philippe 5:00 p.m. – Fr. Jean-Philippe (Blessing and Farewell to Ace Gangoso) Sunday, January 12, 2025 8:30 a.m. – Fr. Jose Manuel 10:30 a.m. – Fr. Jean-Philippe 12:30 p.m. – Fr. Dan Hartnett St. Mary Sunday, January 12, 2025 8:00 a.m. – Fr. Godwin Kornu 10:00 a.m. – Fr. Mark Scalese We are celebrating the Epiphany of the Lord.
Presiders: St. Nicholas Saturday, January 4, 2025 3:30 p.m. (Confession) – Fr. Dan Hartnett 5:00 p.m. – Fr. Dan Hartnett Sunday, January 5, 2025 8:30 a.m. – Fr. Jose Manuel 10:30 a.m. – Fr. Mark Scalese 12:30 p.m. – Fr. Dan Hartnett St. Mary Sunday, January 5, 2025 8:00 a.m. – Fr. Jean-Philippe 10:00 a.m. – Fr. Godwin Kornu 12:00 p.m. (French) – Jean-Philippe We are celebrating the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
Presiders: St. Nicholas Saturday, December 28, 2024 3:30 p.m. (Confession) – Fr. Jean-Philippe 5:00 p.m. – Fr. Jean-Philippe (Kwanzaa Celebration; reception to follow in Oldershaw Hall) Sunday, December 29, 2024 8:30 a.m. – Fr. Jean-Philippe 10:30 a.m. – Fr. Bob Oldershaw / *Deacon Chris Murphy 12:30 p.m. – Fr. Dan Hartnett St. Mary Sunday, December 29, 2024 8:00 a.m. – Fr. Jean-Philippe 10:00 a.m. – Fr. Dawit Wubishet *Deacon Preaching And they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace. A Reflection
by Charlie Koop, Parishioner Oftentimes when we think of Advent, we liken it to Lent. After all, both are preparation times for a major feast. But if we look at the scripture readings for the Sundays of Advent, there is an overriding theme that makes Advent quite distinct: the theme of expectation. In this year’s readings, we hear… First Sunday: Jeremiah says, “The days are coming when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah… In those days Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem shall dwell secure.” Second Sunday: Baruch writes, “Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever.” Third Sunday: Zephaniah says, “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart… The Lord, your God is in your midst.” And finally, today we hear from Micah: “He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock… for now his greatness shall reach the ends of the earth; he shall be peace.” This yearning, this longing for God’s presence, prepares and reminds us that on Christmas, we will celebrate God breaking through into our earthly lives in a brand new and unprecedented way. In the mystery and miracle of the Incarnation, God will walk with us, shed tears with us, struggle with temptation with us. God will grow, learn, love, and be among us as never before. Starting as an infant, God will experience and understand being human in a new and direct way. This is the fulfillment that the expectation of Advent and the gift of Christmas bring us. Let us rejoice! Charlie and his wife Barbara have been parishioners for over 40 years, active in areas of liturgy and education. We are celebrating the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
Presiders: St. Nicholas Saturday, December 21, 2024 3:30 p.m. (Confession) – Fr. Jean-Philippe 5:00 p.m. – Fr. Jean-Philippe Sunday, December 22, 2024 8:30 a.m. – Fr. Jean-Philippe 10:30 a.m. – Fr. Mark Scalese 12:30 p.m. – Fr. Bob Oldershaw / *Deacon Jaime Rojas St. Mary Sunday, December 22, 2024 8:00 a.m. – Fr. Jose Manuel 10:00 a.m. – Fr. Godwin Kornu *Deacon Preaching Who are these people? by Barb Soricelli December 2024 Let's begin by borrowing from a poem written by Fr. Joe Veneroso, MM, that appeared in Maryknoll Magazine not too long ago. We as Christians, who believe that all of creation including every human person is worthy of respect and dignity, will resonate with the last words of this poem. Who are these Jesus... Help us to recognize they are you and they are us.
We believe that these sentiments reflect what motivates those of us at St. John XXIII parish in Evanston to minister to the current influx of asylum seekers in our country currently. Over 1 ½ years ago the Chicago archdiocese requested that our parish accompany a Haitian family of 4 (parents and 2 boys ages 4 & 5) given we had a significant Haitian community in our parish. The parish responded generously. We applied for and received a grant from Catholic Charities. We responded to this request with a flood of parish volunteers, monetary donations, finding apartments, assisting in setting up households, stocking food pantry, finding employment once work permits were received, navigating applications for benefits, legal issues, asylum applications and so many other innumerable ways to assist them in their journey towards independence in their new country. We have done this for three families. It has not been easy! Lots of challenges attempting to provide case management. We’ve been learning a lot! However, the joy of being of service far outweighs the difficulties. Fortunately, our parish’s Peace and Justice committee had considerable experience with how to organize this effort. Support groups for each family we are accompanying were quickly formed; two pronged groups for each of the families we are accompanying. The first, for those who could not sustain a long term volunteer commitment but could swing into action to find apartments, set up households stock food pantries etc. The second, for keeping up contact with the family and one another through home visits, face-to-face meetings, zooms, and WhatsApp groups to coordinate ongoing efforts as described above. We committed to doing this for one year but have found that the delay in receiving work permits necessitates extending this time commitment. As relationships developed with families, we more and more realized that perhaps their agendas were not exactly ours. We had budgeted for public transportation cards to assist them; they were intent on getting cars as soon as possible! A much more expensive proposition but understandable since it often facilitated getting work. Our expectation was that any money they would earn by working and begging, (which they were encouraged to do by the shelter personnel) would go towards paying rent and other basic needs as much as they were able. They were more focused on sending money to help their extended families who were in dire need because of conditions back home. We are learning much about unconditional love and respecting the agency of the other! The money from our Catholic Charites grant will soon run out but we have a considerable amount that has been given by individual donors. We are now in the process of discerning how best to spend this money assisting asylum seekers. There are several faith-based groups in the Chicago area doing this work. We want to explore partnerships. Also, we are part of Interfaith Action of Evanston with whom we would like to explore partnering. The City of Evanston was contemplating opening a shelter but would only move forward if existing church groups who are already helping asylum seekers would also be involved in the endeavor. What will happen in January 2025 is on everyone’s minds. We pray to remain hopeful and trusting in God’s steadfast love and to act accordingly, alert to what needs to be done! We are continuously grateful to all who have contributed to this effort. If you would like to volunteer as part of a support group as we move forward, please contact: Sally Arden ([email protected]), Margaret Feit Clarke ([email protected]), or Barb Soricelli ([email protected]) Learn more on our Migrant Matters page. Update on the Parish Pastoral Plan (PPP): Priority Planning and Implementation Process
Shelley Benson December 2024 The PPP steering teams have been working hard this fall and we’re making great progress on developing strategies and actions for the seven priorities of our pastoral plan for St. John XXIII parish. Here is a recap of the three workshop focuses so far. Workshop I – September 14 “Getting Started” This workshop we brought all the steering teams together for the first time to do a deep dive into the PPP priorities. We started with reviewing the PPP timeline, the role of the steering teams, what makes a high-performing team, and creating agreements on how to work effectively together. The assignment for the coming weeks was to do some ‘best practice research’, keeping in mind parish, people, and resources for their research. They also were to select a chair and a co-chair for their team. Workshop II – October 12 “Strategies and Feedback” The steering teams reconvened for our second workshop to share the ‘best practice research’ they had done. Each team had chance to share with the full group 2-3 things that could be possible strategies for their priority. We introduced the definition of strategy and actions, and their next assignment was to pick their top strategies and work out a plan. Workshop III – November 16 “Strategy, Feedback, Overlap” This workshop we grouped the priority teams. The groupings were 1) A Culture of Stewardship and Fostering Parish Unity, 2) Youth Engagement, Catechetical Advisory Board (CAB), and Faith Formation for Children, 3) Faith Formation for Adults and Discipleship and Evangelization. We had members of the Liturgical Life team split up so they could represent at all the tables. Each steering team shared their top strategies and action steps, and the other team could offer feedback. They could also determine if there was overlap or redundancies and find ways to collaborate on some of the action steps. It was very exciting to see the teams working together and there is a real sense of visioning and unity taking place. Workshop IV is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2025. We are also scheduling listening sessions in January/February and will invite all parishioners to hear the draft priority strategies and actions. We will be looking for your feedback to ensure we’re moving in the right direction. We continue to ask for your prayers for the Parish Pastoral Plan's priority steering teams! |
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