We are celebrating Ash Wednesday.
Schedule and Presiders: St. Nicholas Wednesday, February 14, 2024 8:15 a.m. – Fr. Jean-Philippe (English Mass) 5:00 p.m. – Fr. Jose Manuel (bilingual Mass) 7:00 p.m. – Fr. Jose Manuel (Spanish Mass) St. Mary Wednesday, February 14, 2024 8:00 a.m. – Fr. Jose Manuel (English) 12:00 p.m. – Fr. Jean-Philippe (English) 7:00 p.m. – Fr. Jean-Philippe (English) We are celebrating the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
This weekend is the Annual Catholic Appeal Commitment Weekend. Presiders: St. Nicholas Saturday, February 10, 2024 4:00 p.m. (Confession) – Fr. Jean-Phlippe 5:00 p.m. – Fr. Jean-Philippe Sunday, February 11, 2024 8:30 a.m. – Fr. Jose Manuel 10:30 a.m. – Fr. Jim Halstead 12:30 p.m. – Fr. Jose Manuel St. Mary Saturday, February 10, 2024 4:00 p.m. (Confession) – Fr. Jose Manuel 5:00 p.m. – Fr. Jose Manuel Sunday, February 11, 2024 8:00 a.m. – Fr. Godwin Kornu 10:00 a.m. – Fr. Jean-Philippe The Reverend William "Bill" J. Flaherty, STL, served as the pastor of St. Nicholas Parish (one of the two legacy parishes that merged to form St. John XXIII Parish) from 1977 - 1988. During his tenure, Fr. Bill was instrumental in the formation of Pope John XXIII School, which was founded through the merging of the St. Nicholas and St. Mary Schools. On January 4, 2024, Fr. Bill passed away at the age of 97. Parishioner Barb Pawlikowski, at the urging of Fr. Bill's successor, Fr. Bob Oldershaw, and in conjunction with other parishioners who knew Fr. Bill, remembers him in the piece below.
Rev. William J. Flaherty, STL A Good and Blessed Man If we want to get the full measure of someone’s life and accomplishments, it has to first have been lived. The January passing of St. Nicholas Parish’s seventh pastor, Reverend William J. Flaherty, at the prodigious age of 97 offers such an occasion for remembrance. In retrospect, it can be said that Fr. Flaherty lived not just a long life, but a Godly life, overflowing with love and joy and kindness. Fr. Bill, as his friends so fondly called him, was a kind, good, and moral man. He had a sense of justice that spurred him beyond words. He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the 1960s and founded the Association of Chicago Priests in the 1970s, which, among other objectives, works to promote peace and justice in the Chicago area and attends to the needs of the poor and alienated. The last quarter of his life was spent at Ss. Faith, Hope & Charity Catholic Church in Winnetka where he continued to perform his ministerial duties. But it was in Evanston, as pastor of St. Nicholas Parish from 1977-88, that he truly made a mark... at least for those lucky enough to have had him living among us for those nearly dozen years. If you ask anyone who knew Fr. Bill, there will most likely be a smile on their face as they remember his personal touch, so often seasoned with an Irish sense of humor and a disarming twinkle. One of his greatest strengths was the way he could empower others. He had a way of persuading a person to volunteer for various parish boards, committees, fundraisers, and outings that brooked no refusal. He made one feel as if the job that awaited was tailored to their particular strengths. So, who could say no? Not many. Getting others, even preoccupied people, engaged in parish life was Fr. Bill’s superpower. Busy people became a bit busier by dint of knowing him. People found themselves drafted into new projects because of their respect and affection for Fr. Bill. He was easy to love and difficult to disappoint. When Fr. Bill wrote an original play for St. Nicholas in 1982 and wanted to produce it for the whole community, he proceeded to draft a cast of actors, stage hands, set designers, a choreographer, and a lyricist from among his parishioners. Many with stars in their eyes, or past experience, were willing volunteers. The rest, with no theatrical know-how and even less talent, were convinced by our pastor that our abilities were bountiful and would carry us along. Somehow they did. And it was thrilling. Fr. Bill had a way of making things fun. Don Brown remembers that first play well. It was a sendup of the upcoming mayoral primary in Chicago. “Fr. Bill asked my wife, Donna, to write original lyrics based on the music from Oliver. He wrote an original script and asked me to play the role of Richie Daley,” said Don. “Fr. Bill just came up with the idea out of whole cloth. He was a true artist.” Fr. Bill also had a way of getting things done. Even the difficult things. When it became clear that our parish school was beginning to struggle financially, as was nearby St. Mary parish school, Fr. Bill and Fr. Donald Cunningham, St. Mary’s pastor, faced the issue of merging head on. In 1985, each pastor chose six parishioners to serve on a transition school board. For the next year-and-a-half, the board worked tirelessly, often past midnight, under the prayerful guidance of both pastors. When egos were bruised or sides were being taken, Fr. Bill and Fr. Don calmed the waters. Of course, even the best of us display a chip or two. With soulful savvy Fr. Bill persuaded Don Brown to take the lead on announcing the school merger to a roomful of overwrought parishioners from both parishes. “Fr. Bill didn’t want to run the meeting. He said he couldn’t take the heat,” Don chuckled. It was a masterful sleight of hand. With just enough good will, the rough waters were navigated; in 1986, Pope John XXIII School successfully opened it doors with a joyous celebration. St. Nicholas was also one the the first parishes in the Archdiocese to allow girls to be altar servers at Mass. As normal as that may seem now, the decision was not without controversy. But, Fr. Bill stood firmly behind the young girls asking to take their rightful places upon the altar. This was many years before the 1994 decision by the Congregation for Divine Worship gave approval for both male and female servers. While in grammar school, Becky Janssens Hegner recalls bending Fr. Bill’s ear several times over the issue of female altar servers. “To his credit, he would allow me to come into his office and plead my case,” said Becky. “When the decision was finally made to allow this, he called and asked me to be the first altar girl at St. Nick’s. By then I’d changed my mind, but I appreciated him reaching out. Even more so now.” Fr. Bill embraced those among us struggling to find our footing. He showed the best quality of our faith without disapproving of those in difficult circumstances. “In August, 1980, I moved to Evanston with my husband and 3-year-old son Tim,” recalled Mary Franklin. “Within days, my husband announced that he was leaving. I was at a loss, and each day was a struggle. I needed to share my feelings with a neutral individual. And Fr. Bill Flaherty seemed to check all the boxes. While he didn't give me a total respite, he listened, and we prayed. I had made a friend for life. Through the years, he watched out for Tim and me. He made me realize that with my faith and strength, both of us would make it. He was the priest that I needed so many times. Tim and I will never forget him.” Rita Swarczewski remembers Fr. Bill as a man of deep faith. He was “an approachable pastor who lovingly brought the parishioners together. He was a happy, caring individual.” When he was leaving St. Nick’s, Rita recalled Fr. Bill was concerned that his successor feel welcome, so he asked Rita to write a letter of welcome to Fr. Bob Oldershaw. “That was Fr. Bill, a truly giving individual.” The list of achievements he guided through St. Nick's was long: the Peace & Justice Committee, Christ Renews His Parish Retreats, Renew Groups (later called Vision Groups), Marriage Enrichment, the Tower Drive (fundraiser to repair the church), the soup kitchen, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Those are only part of a much longer tally. Fr. Bill was a fisherman, a skier, a world traveler, a lover of theater and of milkshakes. He was also an accomplished potter who freely gifted his artworks to others. He was a consummate family man with a large sprawling clan that he loved dearly and who loved him utterly in return. But above all, he was our shepherd who ministered to those of us when we needed a loving, guiding light in an often confused and contradictory world. He was our touchstone. And he is remembered. We are celebrating the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Presiders: St. Nicholas Saturday, January 27, 2024 4:00 p.m. (Confession) – Fr. Jose Manuel 5:00 p.m. – Fr. Jose Manuel / * Ramon Navarro Sunday, January 27, 2024 8:30 a.m. – Fr. Jose Manuel 10:30 a.m. – Fr. Bob Oldershaw (Catholic Schools Mass) 12:30 p.m. – Fr. Jose Manuel / *Jaime Rojas St. Mary Saturday, December January 28, 2024 4:00 p.m. (Confession) – Fr. Mark Scalese 5:00 p.m. – Fr. Mark Scalese Sunday, January 28, 2024 8:00 a.m. – Fr. Mark Scalese 10:00 a.m. – Fr. Jose Manuel / *Ramon Navarro *Deacon Preaching Scroll down for information about the rescheduled English Tiny Retreat on February 10! Sentirte íntimo de Dios es la mayor alegría que puedes tener en tu corazón. El sábado 3 de febrero, de 8:30 a 12:00 en Oldershaw Hall, campus de San Nicolás, tu equipo de retiro te invita a un "Mini Retiro". El tema es la esperanza. Después de una breve presentación de diapositivas sobre San Oscar Romero, tendremos una meditación musical, lectio divina (no se necesita experiencia), meditación guiada y compartir la fe. Todos son bienvenidos. Se agradecerán pequeños donativos para cubrir los gastos del desayuno. Para inscribirse, póngase en contacto con la oficina parroquial (grico@archchicago.org o 847.864.1185) antes del 31 de enero. Dios es la posibilidad de todo lo bueno. Feeling yourself intimate with God is the greatest joy you can have in your heart. On Saturday, February 10, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., we will begin our 2024 Tiny Retreat "season" with a Tiny Retreat in English in Oldershaw Hall on the St. Nicholas campus. We will start with a presentation on St. Oscar Romero, a Salvadoran Archbishop who was martyred while saying Mass. His words on justice, prayer, and the vocation of the Baptized are sure to inspire. Next, we will ease into prayerfulness with a brief music meditation. We will then pray with a Scripture text using the ancient Lectio Divina method — no experience necessary; you'll have an experienced guide! As St. Oscar said, “The strength that must sustain us is prayer.” Finally, we will end with a guided meditation. Participants will have opportunities for faith sharing throughout this short retreat. All are welcome. Donations to cover breakfast expenses are appreciated. To register for this Tiny Retreat, email Sue Garthwaite by February 7. This is the same retreat that was originally scheduled for January 13. Due to the bad weather that weekend, we rescheduled it for Saturday, February 10. If you signed up for the retreat on January 13, Sue will be reaching out to you to confirm your attendance for the rescheduled February 10 retreat date. God is the possibility of everything good. We are celebrating the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Presiders: St. Nicholas Saturday, January 20, 2024 4:00 p.m. (Confession) – Fr. Mark Scalese 5:00 p.m. – Fr. Mark Scalese Sunday, January 21, 2024 8:30 a.m. – Jose Manuel 10:30 a.m. – Fr. Godwin Kornu / *Chris Murphy 12:30 p.m. – Fr. Dan Hartnett St. Mary Saturday, December January 20, 2024 4:00 p.m. (Confession) – Fr. Jose Manuel 5:00 p.m. – Fr. Jose Manuel Sunday, January 21, 2024 8:00 a.m. – Bishop Mark Bartosic 10:00 a.m. – Fr. Jim Halstead *Deacon Preaching Patriarchy and Clericalism
A "Come to the Table" Conversation Sunday, January 28, 2024, after the 10:30 a.m. Mass Oldershaw Hall, St. Nicholas Campus What exactly do we mean when we talk about patriarchy and clericalism? What is the impact of this system on the Catholic church and society at large? Join Equality for Women in the Catholic Church (EWC) for a stimulating "Come to the Table" conversation that seeks to promote awareness, dialogue, and reflection on the role of patriarchy in shaping the church structure and overall Catholic experience. This thought-provoking discussion will unravel the definition and impact of patriarchy within the context of the Catholic Church, shedding light on the dynamics that have shaped power structures and gender roles and contributed to the perpetuation of gender inequalities. Participants will gain insights into the ways in which patriarchal norms influence various aspects of religious or spiritual life, from leadership roles to theological perspectives. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. on January 28 in Oldershaw Hall on the St. Nicholas Campus of St. John XXIII Parish. All are welcome to attend this celebration; invite your friends from other communities and help us spread the word! Contributions to our refreshment table are appreciated. For more information, please email catholicwomensequality@gmail.com. Here are some helpful articles you may (optionally) wish to read prior to our discussion: The Creation of Patriarchy by Beverly M. Burke: https://a.co/0zMFhK5 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327630852_The_Development_of_Clericalism_and_the_Need_for_a_Theology_of_Secularity http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0259-9422201900040009 http://womensordinationcampaign.org/ottawa-2005/2014/2/2/rosemary-radford-ruether https://www.patheos.com/blogs/suspendedinherjar/2020/02/do-catholic-feminists-wish-to-smash-the-churchs-patriarchy/ We are celebrating the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Presiders: St. Nicholas Saturday, January 13, 2024 NO SATURDAY VIGIL AT ST. NICHOLAS All-Parish Mass in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. at St. Mary (Potluck to follow!) Sunday, January 14, 2024 8:30 a.m. – Bishop Mark Bartosic 10:30 a.m. – Fr. Mark Scalese 12:30 p.m. – Fr. Jose Manuel / *Jaime Rojas St. Mary Saturday, January 13, 2024 4:00 p.m. (Confession) – Fr. Jose Manuel 5:00 p.m. – Fr. Jose Manuel (Mass in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.) Sunday, January 14, 2024 8:00 a.m. – Fr. Godwin Kornu 10:00 a.m. – Fr. Godwin Kornu *Deacon Preaching For a few months now, some of our parishioners have been receiving fraudulent emails or even texts from someone claiming to be Fr. Jean-Philippe. The sender's name appears in recipients' inboxes as things like "Rev. Jean-Philippe Lokpo," "Rev. Koudjo K. Lokpo," or "Koudjo K. Jean-Philippe Lokpo," among other variations. The sender's email address is most often an "@gmail.com" address that includes some variation of "reverend" or "church" and a string of numbers. The latest one came from "Rev. Koudjo K. Lokpo" at "revfr.2563@gmail.com." Please note that Fr. Jean-Philippe will ONLY ever email you from his official Archdiocese of Chicago account, kklokpo@archchicago.org. His name will appear in your inbox as "Koudjo K. Lokpo" -- no "Rev.," "Father," or "Jean-Philippe" unless you personally saved his email to your contacts using a name that includes those words. We have not heard of the scammers using Fr. Jose's name yet, but you should treat any email that claims to be from him but does not use his joortiz@archchicago.org email address as fraudulent, too.
If you receive a scam message, take a picture of it and delete it either by clicking "Report" and reporting it as a phishing scam (after which the message will automatically be deleted) or by simply deleting the message. You can report the fraudulent message to the Federal Trade Commission in English at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov or in Spanish at https://reportefraude.ftc.gov. Additionally, you can email the parish at stj23office@archchicago.org and the Archdiocese of Chicago at itservicecenter@archchicago.org to help keep us aware of the situation. More information about this scam at our parish and similar ones across the country can be found after the tips. Tips to Spot This Scam:
Generally, experts warn people to be wary of unsolicited email appeals for financial donations, to treat email attachments with caution, and to be careful about clicking on links in email messages. They say that if you click on a wrong link or realize that you have provided a password, username, or other personal information in response to a scam, you need to change your password immediately and alert the business's, bank's, or organization's IT department of the breach. For more general (but still very helpful!) information on how to spot and avoid scam emails, texts, and phone calls, check out the FTC's How to Avoid a Scam. About This Scam The messages usually begin with a simple greeting like, "Hi" or "Good morning," but often without the recipient's name. They typically ask for a quick response, often give some reason that the "priest" can't answer phone calls right now, and may include requests for to "do me a favor" or to provide help of some kind for a worthy cause, be that purchasing gift cards or wiring money to help the priest himself, a needy parishioner or family, or for gifts for the parish staff. Many times, the specific request to send money or buy gift cards won't come until after the recipient replies to the first email or even the first few emails. The sender may even promise that he (the "priest") or the parish will pay the recipient back for the cost of any gift cards. We are not alone in this -- parishes around the country have been targeted with similar scams since at least 2018. In some dioceses, scammers have even impersonated bishops! In a 2020 interview with the Catholic Standard, Fr. Daniel Carson, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Washington, described the scheme: "Father Carson said these kinds of email scams, where people impersonate the pastor or a Church leader occur periodically, and typically involve the scammer sending an email posing as the priest and saying they need help and asking that person to respond back. If the person responds to the bogus email, that sender might ask them to do something like purchase gift cards and send them the number [on the back of the card]. [The appeals are sometimes also for cash donations or money transfers.] The language in such bogus email appeals constantly changes, but the sender often uses a phony Gmail or Yahoo account with the priest’s name incorporated in it." If you want to see what the full scam can look like in action, read this report based on messages received by an employee of the Archdiocese of Lincoln, Nebraska. Unfortunately, neither we here at St. John XXIII nor the folks at the Archdiocese can do anything to stop fraudulent text messages or emails that come from outside of the "@archchicago.org" domain, like these scam emails sent from "@gmail.com" or "@yahoo.com" addresses. Once again, if you receive a scam message, take a picture of it and delete it either by clicking "Report" and reporting it as a phishing scam (after which the message will automatically be deleted) or by simply deleting the message. You can report the fraudulent message to the Federal Trade Commission in English at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov or in Spanish at https://reportefraude.ftc.gov. Additionally, you can email the parish at stj23office@archchicago.org and the Archdiocese of Chicago at itservicecenter@archchicago.org to help keep us aware of the situation. One Way to Honor MLKIn the long aftermath of slavery, reconstruction, the Jim Crow era and the Civil Rights movement, America continues to wrestle mightily with its understanding of human dignity and inclusion. For some, issues of race and racism remain a particular and everyday focus. For others, not so much.
The annual observance of our national holiday and day of service in Dr. King's honor provides an opportune moment for a broadly shared reflection on his mission, works and words. St. Mary Church has a long-held tradition of remembering Dr. King with Mass followed by a potluck featuring a plethora of culturally diverse foods. However brief, these moments of “socializing in community” serve to renew Martin’s and our Christian call to love one another as we love ourselves. This year, St. John XXIII Parish will celebrate a Mass in honor of Dr. King at an all-parish Saturday Vigil Mass on January 13 at St. Mary Church. After Mass, we will have a potluck dinner in the Gathering Space at the rear of the church; please bring one of your favorite dishes to share! All are welcome. Email Jane or Don Colleton (jccolleton@gmail.com, dpcolleton@gmail.com) for more information about this celebration. There will be NO 5 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass at St. Nicholas on January 13. |
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