Retreat Day: Humility and Contemplative Prayer

We hope that you can join us for a Day of Retreat on Humility and Centering Prayer on Saturday, April 5th, from 9 AM to 3:30 PM right here in Father Sweeney Hall. There is still time to reserve your place with us! Please call Elaine Bulanda at (708) 335-2286. Our retreat leader will be the Reverend Doctor Shawn Kafader, who did such a wonderful presentation for us on Centering Prayer a few weeks ago. You will not want to miss this opportunity to deepen your spirituality and broaden your understanding of contemplative prayer. We look forward to seeing you!

Lenten Resolutions

If you are anything like me, you are always searching for more and better ways to keep the season of Lent. I received an E-Mail with the following ten resolutions, each of them based on the teachings of our Holy Father, Pope Francis:

1. Don't Gossip

It's one of our hobbies. For Pope Francis, it's also one of the most evil activities. Francis denounces gossip as “murder.” He feels so strongly about it that in less than a year as pontiff, Francis has preached against gossip in at least 6 different instances. He says when we gossip, we “are doing what Judas did,” and “begin to tear the other person to pieces.” “Every time we judge our brother in our hearts or worse when we speak badly of them with others, we are murdering Christians,” Francis says. “There is no such thing as innocent slander.”

2. Finish your Meals

No leftovers, please. Pope Francis slams a “culture of waste” that neglects the plight of the hungry.Nearly 870 million people suffer from chronic malnutrition. The Pope says: “We should all remember... that throwing food away is like stealing from the tables of the poor, the hungry! I encourage everyone to reflect on the problem of thrown away and wasted food to identify ways and means that, by seriously addressing this issue, are a vehicle of solidarity and sharing with the needy.”

3. Make Time for Others

Tending to 1.2 billion members, Pope Francis should be too busy for anything else. But instead he calls up strangers, or entertains a random biker, or sends a handwritten letter to a Jesuit he has never met. The Jesuit who got the letter, Father James Martin, says “If the Pope can find time to be kind to others, if he can pause to say thank you, if he can take a moment make someone feel appreciated, then so can I. So can we.”

4. Choose the 'More Humble' Purchase

Take it from the head of state who rides a 29-year-old Renault. In July, he warned against luxurious lives that seek “the joy of the world in the latest smartphone, the fastest car.” “Cars are necessary,” he says, “but take a more humble one. Think of how many children die of hunger and dedicate the savings to them.” The Pope preaches against materialism. “Certainly, possessions, money, and power can give a momentary thrill, the illusion of being happy, but they end up possessing us and making us always want to have more, never satisfied. ‘Put on Christ’ in your life, place your trust in him, and you will never be disappointed!” He calls for a “sober and essential lifestyle.”

5. Meet the Poor 'In the Flesh'

Sure, we donate to charity. But this is not enough for Pope Francis. Commitment to the poor, he says, must be “person to person, in the flesh.” “It is not enough to mediate this commitment through institutions, which obviously help because they have a multiplying effect, but that is not enough. They do not excuse us from our establishing personal contact with the needy. The sick must be cared for, even when we find them repulsive and repugnant. Those in prison must be visited.” He calls for long-term commitment. “Hospitality in itself isn't enough. It's not enough to give a sandwich if it isn't accompanied by the possibility of learning to stand on one’s own feet. Charity that does not change the situation of the poor isn't enough.”

6. Stop Judging Others

In the same way he denounces gossip, Pope Francis condemns prejudice. He reminds “intolerant” Catholics to respect atheists. “If we, each doing our own part, if we do good to others, if we meet there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently, little by little, we will make that culture of encounter: we need that so much. We must meet one another doing good.” He also says of gays: “If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?” Francis urges us “to keep watch over ourselves.” “Let us not forget that hatred, envy, and pride defile our lives!”

7. Befriend Those who Disagree

What can we do to our worst critics? In November, Pope Francis surprised Mario Palmaro, a traditionalist who wrote the article, 'The Reason Why We Don't Like This Pope.'” “He just wanted to tell me that he is praying for me,” said Palmaro, who is gravely ill. Francis does this in line with what he calls a “culture of encounter.” He said in July: “When leaders in various fields ask me for advice, my response is always the same: dialogue, dialogue, dialogue. It is the only way for individuals, families, and societies to grow, the only way for the life of peoples to progress, along with the culture of encounter, a culture in which all have something good to give and all can receive something good in return. Others always have something to give me, if we know how to approach them in a spirit of openness and without prejudice.”

8. Make Commitments, such as Marriage

Don't be afraid to say “forever.” Pope Francis advises the youth, for instance, not to fear marriage.The Pope says: “Today, there are those who say that marriage is out of fashion; in a culture of relativism and the ephemeral, many preach the importance of ‘enjoying’ the moment. They say that it is not worth making a life-long commitment, making a definitive decision, ‘forever,’ because we do not know what tomorrow will bring.” “I ask you, instead, to be revolutionaries, to swim against the tide; yes, I am asking you to rebel against this culture that sees everything as temporary and that ultimately believes that you are incapable of responsibility, that you are incapable of true love. I have confidence in you and I pray for you. Have the courage ‘to swim against the tide.’ Have the courage to be happy.”

9. Make it a Habit to 'Ask the Lord'

Bothered about the future? Pray, Pope Francis urges us, especially the youth. “Dear young people,” he says, “some of you may not yet know what you will do with your lives. Ask the Lord, and he will show you the way. The young Samuel kept hearing the voice of the Lord who was calling him, but he did not understand or know what to say, yet with the help of the priest Eli, in the end he answered: 'Speak, Lord, for I am listening' (cf. 1 Sam 3:1-10). You too can ask the Lord: What do you want me to do? What path am I to follow?”

10. Be Happy

The true Christian, says Pope Francis, exudes great joy. He says keeping this joy to ourselves “will make us sick in the end.” So important is joy to him that his first apostolic exhortation is titled "Evangelii Gaudium" (The Joy of the Gospel). “Sometimes these melancholy Christians' faces have more in common with pickled peppers than the joy of having a beautiful life,” Francis said in a homily. “Joy cannot be held at heel: it must be let go. Joy is a pilgrim virtue. It is a gift that walks, walks on the path of life, that walks with Jesus: preaching, proclaiming Jesus, proclaiming joy, lengthens and widens that path.” Francis says, “The Christian sings with joy, and walks, and carries this joy." This joy, he reminds us, should translate to love of neighbor.

As we continue on our Lenten journey, may we do our best to keep these ten resolutions! A joyful Lent to all!

First Holy Communion Ritual of Enrollment

Our First Holy Communion Candidates, their catechists and their families will be celebrating their "Ritual of Enrollment" at our 8:30 AM Mass on Sunday, March 16th. We hope that you will be able to join us for this celebration and stay afterward for our "Coffee And..." in Father Sweeney Hall. Prayer cards with the names of the candidates are available in the Hospitality Area of the church. We encourage everyone to take a card home with you and pray in a special way for your candidate. May God Bless our First Holy Communion Candidates and fill them with HIs Most Holy Spirit as they enter these final weeks of preparation for the reception of our Lord Jesus in the Eucharist!

Nightfever

Nightfever began in Germany after World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne. It began as an idea from two students and has spread to over 90 cities in Europe and North America. And on October 5th of this past year, it came for the first time to Chicago.

The idea behind Nightfever is simple and brilliant at the same time: we want to open the church during the night and invite everyone to a moment of tranquility to find their inner peace. And the effect has been remarkable.

Holy Name Cathedral was opened from 9pm-Midnight on Saturday, October 5th. With the Eucharist exposed on the altar, priests available to talk or hear confessions, and quiet music playing, young adults stood on the streets around the Cathedral and invited people inside to simply light a candle before going on their way for the evening. Everyone was welcomed to stay for as long or as short a time as they liked, and to come and go as they pleased. Over 400 people came into the Cathedral to pray before going on their way. Some lit a candle and left, others stayed for over an hour. Some were not even Christian; others received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time in decades. Hearts were touched and healed and transformed, not only in those who were invited in but also in the volunteers themselves. It was an outstanding experience of Christ’s love for all involved.

As our Saint Anne Liturgy Team discussed our many plans for Lent, it was decided that we would bring Nightfever right here to our own parish family. Every Tuesday evening during Lent, it has been our tradition to gather for a simple meal of soup and bread followed by a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Devotion. In bringing Nightfever to our parish, it is our intention to open our church and begin Eucharistic Adoration at 6 PM, the same time that we are beginning our soup and bread meal. This would allow people to quietly visit the church and enjoy the peace of prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament for however long or short a period of time they would like to stay. Father Ralph will be present in the church for anyone who would like to visit with him, ask him questions about their faith, pray with him, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation or the Anointing of the Sick, or simply receive his blessing. At 7 PM, the prayers of our regular Lenten Holy Hour will begin as usual, but people who are present for Nightfever will of course be welcome to stay or go as their own hearts guide them. Father Ralph will continue to remain available for conversation or for the Sacraments until the very end of our Holy Hour, which concludes with Benediction and Reposition of the Blessed Sacrament at 8 PM.

It is our hope that combining Nightfever with our traditional Lenten Holy Hour will create a new way to welcome people to our church during Lent for prayer, meditation, healing and reconciliation. We will be doing our very best to get the word out about Nightfever and we ask all of you to help us spread the word.

All are welcome to join us for however long or short a time you like. All are invited to sit and rest in the loving presence of our Lord Jesus, to pray, to visit, to be reconciled, to be healed by His amazing grace. Please invite your friends and family to join us. Please come and be at peace in the Eucharistic presence of our Lord Jesus!

RCIA Rite of Election

This Sunday our RCIA candidates, Ahern Hawken and Jordan Hawken, will journey to Holy Name Cathedral and join with catechumens and candidates from the whole Archdiocese of Chicago to publicly give their affirmation of intention to join the Catholic Church. At our 10:30 Mass this weekend we will formally “send” our Catechumens to the Cathedral for their Election. They will inscribe their names in our Book of the Elect which we will take to the Cathedral. In the presence of Bishop Joseph Perry, they will be formally recognized. After this ceremony, the catechumens will be called the “Elect” and will begin a Period of Purification and Enlightenment which is their final, intense preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. Please pray for our Elect as they enter these Lenten Days of final preparation to become fully initiated members of our church.

Ash Wednesday