Spring 2016 Newsletter

Rochelle, IL, 815-562-2370

St. Patrick
Catholic Church
Lent, the Path to Easter

We at St. Patrick Parish

invite You to
join us for the
40 Days of Lent
and at the end of Lent,
rejoice with us
at the resurrection
of our Lord!!

From our Pastor, Father Lopez

Rev. Johnson Lopez
Pastor

Estimados hermanos y hermanas en Cristo,

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We have already begun our
Lenten pilgrimage. The Church gives
us forty days of Lent so that we may increase
our time of prayer, become more vigilant with
our acts of charity, and are generous with our
offerings to Gods Church. I would like to call
your attention to a theme which is very much
used during this time of Lent. It is the forty
days, which is emphasized in scripture as a
time for spiritual renewal.

Ya hemos comenzado nuestro peregrinaje

cuaresmal. La Iglesia nos da cuarenta das de
Cuaresma para que podamos aumentar nuestro
tiempo de oracin, a ser ms vigilantes con nuestros
actos de caridad, y ser generosos con nuestras
ofrendas a la Iglesia de Dios. Me gustara llamar su
atencin sobre un tema que es muy utilizado durante
este tiempo de Cuaresma. Se trata de los cuarenta
das, lo que se enfatiza en la escritura como un
tiempo de renovacin espiritual.

In the Old Testament, with reference to

the great flood, we read, For forty days and
forty nights heavy rain poured down on the
earth (Gen 7:12); and regarding Gods
covenant with Israel, we read: But Moses
passed into the midst of the cloud as he went
up on the mountain; and there he stayed for
forty days and forty nights (Ex 24:18). In the
New Testament we read of, Jesus temptations
in the desert: Filled with the Holy Spirit,
Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by
the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be
tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during
those days, and when they were over he was
hungry (LK 4:1-2).

En el Antiguo Testamento, con referencia a la

gran inundacin, leemos: "Durante cuarenta das y
cuarenta noches lluvia pesada cay sobre la
tierra" (Gen 7:12); y en relacin con el pacto de Dios
con Israel, leemos: "Pero Moiss paso por en medio
de la nube, y subi al monte; y all permaneci
durante cuarenta das y cuarenta noches "(Ex 24:18).
En el Nuevo Testamento leemos, las tentaciones de
Jess en el desierto: "Lleno del Espritu Santo, Jess
volvi de Jordn y fue llevado por el Espritu al
desierto por cuarenta das, para ser tentado por el
diablo. No comi nada durante esos das, y al
terminarse los cuarenta das sinti hambre "
(Lc 4, 1-2).

The symbols of night and day make us

think of darkness and light. Lent is precisely
that- a pilgrimage, a transitional moment in our
spiritual lives. God invites us, during these
forty days of Lent, to pass from darkness to
light, from sin to grace, from immoral habits to
the practice of virtue.
Do not let the liturgical Season of Lent
go by like any other day without making a
difference in your spiritual life. Open your life
to Gods grace and allow the Holy Spirit to
guide your Lenten pilgrimage. God Bless you.
Fr. Lopez

Los smbolos de la noche y el da nos hacen

pensar en la oscuridad y la luz. La Cuaresma es
precisamente eso- una peregrinacin, un momento
de transicin en nuestra vida espiritual. Dios nos
invita, en estos cuarenta das de Cuaresma, para
pasar de la oscuridad a la luz, del pecado a la gracia,
de hbitos inmorales hacia la prctica de la virtud.
No deje que el tiempo litrgico de la
Cuaresma pase como cualquier otro da sin hacer una
diferencia en su vida espiritual. Abra su vida a la
gracia de Dios y permita que el Espritu Santo pueda
guiar a su peregrinacin cuaresmal. Dios los
bendiga.
P. Lpez
2

Remember man that you are dust and into dust you shall return.

Theres so much
going on at
St. Patrick Parish.
Check us out!!!

Ven y nete a nosotros en la

prctica devocional que
reconstruye los
acontecimientos de la vida de
nuestro Seor de Su
juicio a Su sepultura.

Hay tantas cosas que

estan pasando
en La Iglesia de San
Patricio.
Bscanos!!!

Come join us in the

devotional practice that
reconstructs the events in
the life of our Lord from
His trial to His
entombment.

Bilingual
Stations
of the Cross
Each Friday
during Lent
at 7:00pm

St. Patrick Youth Group

stpatyouth@gmail.com

Adoration
Thursdays:
8:30am - 7pm
1st Saturdays:
6:00pm until
Sunday 7:00am

Dani McGee - Youth Minister

Great opportunities:

Each January, a pilgrimage to

Washington, D.C. to take part in the
March for Life
Each year, join with Bishop Malloy
at the Diocesan Youth Summit.

The Lenten Fish Fry is sponsored

by St. Patrick Youth and the
Knights of Columbus. Great way to
earn Silver Service Hours.
Speakers on subjects of interest
Short pilgrimages
Bonfires, volleyball, movies outside

We meet the 2nd and 4th Sundays of

the month at 7:00pm in the
Education Center.

Repent and believein the Gospel.

Music Apostolate

Sing Along With the Cantor

It is hard to believe; we have gone Christmas

Caroling to St. Patrick's homebound parishioners
every year since 2003! Weve only had to cancel
twice (due to ice).

We are very fortunate to have cantors to lead the

congregation in singing during the Mass.
Did you know that you, as a member of the
congregation, are also called to sing, praising God in
song? The cantors are not meant to be soloists, rather
they are to lead you in song. So please join in.

This year, we had a total of eleven (both adults

and children) who visited six homes on December
18th. This wonderful ministry means so much to
the people we visit.

If you just can't/wont sing, then please pick up

the St. Michael's Hymnal and follow along with the
words.

We would love to have you go with us next year,

and bring your children. Christmas Carolling is
one of the easiest, most rewarding acts of charity
that you could give to those who are unable to get
out. And its a good example to give to the
children.

A lot of thought is put into the music selections, as

they are chosen according to the readings of the day.
As you are singing or following along, note how the
words of the song relate to the readings.
The page numbers are on the hymn board at the
front of the church. To help you out, the codes for the
hymnals are as follows:
H --- St. Michael's Hymnal
M ---Missalette
P ----St. Patrick (green) Hymnal

We are normally unable to visit out of town

homes because of weather conditions or
transportation reasons. Next year, however, we
plan to visit those who live in the country on a
different day. So get ready - were coming. :-)

HEALTH APOSTOLATE
Blood Drive
Sponsored
by
St. Patrick
Parish
March 7
St. Patricks will hold a Community
Blood Drive on Monday, March 7th
from 1:00pm to 6:00pm. The Rock
River Valley Blood Center van will
be parked in the church parking lot
during that time. To schedule an
appointment to donate, please call the
parish office at 815-562-2370. Its
safe, its simple; and it saves lives.

! !idad"
$%&
#$idad%&
If you know someone who is
a caregiver, you know that it
is one of the hardest duties a
person can undertake. How
pleasing to God it must be to
see someone do this in the
spirit of love.
Health Apostolate cannot
give direct care but we can
help caregivers by listening to
them, praying for them and
praying with them.
4

Si conoces a alguien que da

cuidado a personas enfermas en
casa caregiver , usted sabe que
es una de las tareas ms difciles
que una persona puede llevar a
cabo. Cmo agradable a Dios
debe ser alguien que lo aga con
el espritu de amor. La Salud del
Apostolado no puede dar
atencin directa, pero podemos
ayudar a los cuidadores
escuchandolos, orando por ellos
o con ellos.

Do you like to sing? Join the choir. Practice is Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm.

St. Patrick Annual Friday

Night Fish Fry
Sponsored by St. Patrick Youth
and the Knights of Columbus
February 12, 19, 26, March 4 & 11
.

Menu
Fried and Baked Cod
French Fries, Potatoes with Parsley
Cheese Pizza (Donated by Alfonos Pizza)
Green Beans
Cole Slaw
Bread & Butter
Dessert
Coffee, Iced Tea, Lemonade & Water
Beer and Wine (Additional Cost)

Prices
14+ $8
Senior citizens - (62+) $7
Children (3-13) $5
2 and under free
Beer and wine - additional cost

High School Youth, if you would

like to help at one or more of the
Fish Frys and earn silver chord
hours, please sign up in the
narthex, call the parish office, or
email Dani Garcia at
stpatyouth@gmail.com.

Adults who would like to help

at one or more of the Fish Frys
and earn really great adult
kudos, please sign up in the
narthex, call the parish office,
or email Dani Garcia at
stpatyouth@gmail.com.

www.formed.org

Donacin de sangre
Patrocinado por
La Parroquia San
patricio
el 7 de marzo de, el
ao 2016
Rock River Valley Center trabajar desde su
camioneta en el estacionamiento del Saln
Parroquial. Por favor, consulte el boletn en las
prximas semanas para obtener ms informacin
o llamar a la oficina al 815-562-2370.

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Be Reconciled Day is on March 15th. Confessions will be heard from 830 - 10am and 4 - 8pm.

Religious Education; Working to

Prepare Our Souls for Our Lord
Lent is swiftly upon us; I encourage you, together with
your family, to prepare your soul for Our Lord.
A great place to start is with Confession. Do not be
afraid. Confession is the font of Gods mercy, freely
offered to each of us. While it is certainly difficult to
share with a priest those sins we are ashamed of, the
authority that God has given to His priests to forgive
in His Most Holy Name is incomparable to anything
else. Trust in Gods mercy and the means He has
given us to obtain it.
Another great way to prepare is to pray a daily Rosary.
Yes, it is many times difficult to take 20-30 minutes
of our day for prayer, but the more we do, the more we will desire it. Looking at images of the mysteries
is helpful to avoid becoming distracted while praying. If you have a computer, you can look up images
of (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious) Mysteries of the Rosary. You could even pray with others through
YouTube videos. These are methods that can help tremendously!
Another great way to prepare is to learn more about your faith. Check out our Parish Library; we have
some great materials to help us grow in knowledge. Parents, we also offer some great adult classes.
The bottom line for preparing our soul for our Lordtake out vice and insert virtue. Decrease in
those areas which prevent us from growing in holiness and allow God to increase within us!

Upcoming Religious Education News:

February 10 ................... Ash Wednesday; No RE
February 28, 29 .............. Lenten Mission in the church 7-8:30pm in English
March 1............................ Lenten Mission in the church 7-8:30pm in English No RE
March 8 & 9.................... RE Confessions in the church; No RE for PreK & Kn
March 22 & 23 ............... Holy Week Break;
No RE
March 29 & 30 ............... Easter Break; No RE
April 1 .............................. Registration begins for 2016-2017 school year
April 17 ............................ Confirmation ; No RE
May 3 & 4........................ First Holy Communion Parent Meeting, Learning Center 5:45-6:30
May 14 ............................. First Holy Communion
6

Annual St. Patrick Party, March 17 at 6:30pm in the parish hall

Saint
Patrick
Parish
Outreach

The first objective of SPPO is to grow

in holiness through prayer and action
by witnessing to the love of Christ.
We serve those in need, regardless of
creed, ethnicity, social background,
health, gender or political opinions.
We strive to live out our baptism by
serving others.

In 2015:
3400 volunteer hours
3,804 meals were served
127 home visits, serving 428; $67,832.46 requested; $21,101.16 was given in assistance
Food Pantry: St. Patrick volunteers worked 4 times in the year; that number will increase in 2016
Food Drives: Collected food and monetary donations at St. Patricks for Food Pantry 4 times
Meals on Wheels: St. Patrick volunteers deliver meals every Wednesday.
Gifts to the Homebound: Gifts were given to nursing home parishioners 3 times.

2015:
Total income .......................................................................$21,853.81
Expenses: Monday Supper (includes tables & chairs): ..........4,340.05
Special Needs: gifts to the homebound: ..............................31.60
Needy Assistance: .........................................................21,101.16
Balance Operating Income: ......................................................... $287.00
As you can see, we really do rely on volunteers and your
donations in the 1st Sunday envelope collections, fundraising
support and the giving tree gifts. None of our financing comes
from St. Patrick Church revenue. Thank you for your continued
support, and as always, we are in need of additional volunteers.

Coming Up:
Spring Cleaning Collection - April 23/24
Pro bono ministry is being formed

The Church teaches us that mercy belongs to God. Let us implore Him
to bestow on us the spirit of mercy and compassion, so that we are
filled with it and may never lose it. Only consider how much we
ourselves are in need of mercy.
St. Vincent de Paul
7

Do you know how to palm weave? Join in on March 19th at the parish hall at 9:00am.

What Should I Do
For Lent?
Pope Francis' 10 Tips
by Kevin Cotter | FEBRUARY 9, 2015

Every year Catholics try to answer the age old question: What should I do for Lent? Well, who better to pick as
your Lenten spiritual director than Pope Francis? He has some great ideas for you! Here we selected 10 of his best
tips:
1. Get rid of the lazy addiction to evil
[Lent] is a powerful season, a turning point that can foster change and conversion in each of us. We all need to
improve, to change for the better. Lent helps us and thus we leave behind old habits and the lazy addiction to
the evil that deceives and ensnares us. General Audience, March 5, 2014
2. Do something that hurts
Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and
enrich others by our own poverty. Let us not forget that real poverty hurts: no self-denial is real without this
dimension of penance. I distrust a charity that costs nothing and does not hurt. Lenten Message, 2014
3. Dont remain indifferent
Indifference to our neighbor and to God also represents a real temptation for us Christians. Each year during Lent
we need to hear once more the voice of the prophets who cry out and trouble our conscience. God is not
indifferent to our world; he so loves it that he gave his Son for our salvation. Lenten Message, 2015
4. Pray: Make our hearts like yours!
During this Lent, then, brothers and sisters, let us all ask the Lord: Fac cor nostrum secundum cor tuum: Make
our hearts like yours (Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus). In this way we will receive a heart which is firm and
merciful, attentive and generous, a heart which is not closed, indifferent or prey to the globalization of
indifference. Lenten Message, 2015
5. Take part in the sacraments
Lent is a favorable time for letting Christ serve us so that we in turn may become more like him. This happens
whenever we hear the word of God and receive the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. There we become what
we receive: the Body of Christ. Lenten Message, 2015
6. Prayer
In the face of so many wounds that hurt us and could harden our hearts, we are called to dive into the sea of
prayer, which is the sea of Gods boundless love, to taste his tenderness. Lent is a time of prayer, of more intense
prayer, more prolonged, more assiduous, more able to take on the needs of the brethren; intercessory prayer, to
intercede before God for the many situations of poverty and suffering. Homily, March 5, 2014
7. Fasting
We must be careful not to practice a formal fast, or one which in truth satisfies us because it makes us
feel good about ourselves. Fasting makes sense if it questions our security, and if it also leads to some benefit for
others, if it helps us to cultivate the style of the Good Samaritan, who bends down to his brother in need and takes
care of him. Homily, March 5, 2014
8. Almsgiving
Today gratuitousness is often not part of daily life where8 everything is bought and sold. Everything is calculated

St. Patricks Lenten Friday Fish Fry: February 12, 19, 26, March 4, 11
and measured. Almsgiving helps us to experience giving freely, which leads to freedom from the obsession of
possessing, from the fear of losing what we have, from the sadness of one who does not wish to share his wealth
with others. Homily, March 5, 2014
9. Help the Poor
In the poor and outcast we see Christs face; by loving and helping the poor, we love and serve Christ. Our
efforts are also directed to ending violations of human dignity, discrimination and abuse in the world, for these are
so often the cause of destitution. When power, luxury and money become idols, they take priority over the need
for a fair distribution of wealth. Our consciences thus need to be converted to justice, equality, simplicity and
sharing. Lenten Message, 2014
10. Evangelize
The Lord asks us to be joyous heralds of this message of mercy and hope! It is thrilling to experience the joy of
spreading this good news, sharing the treasure entrusted to us, consoling broken hearts and offering hope to our
brothers and sisters experiencing darkness. Lenten Message, 2014
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Sen

e
S

iors

Join us for Senior Luncheon

nanse a nosotros para un

Almuerzo para personas mayores.

Each third Tuesday, senior citizens within

the parish are treated to a luncheon. And
then, sometimes they play a few games of
cards afterwards. Sometimes they are given
a talk about a subject that is pertanent to
them, or are treated to a special concert.
Come on and join in. Theyre a fun group and
they would love to have you join them.

Free to you
Just register at:

Cada tercer martes las personas de la

tercera edad dentro de la parroquia se sirve
un almuerzo. Y luego, a veces juegan
algunos juegos de cartas despus. A veces
se les da una charla sobre un tema que les
interese a ellos, o se da un concierto especial.
Ven y nete. Somos un grupo divertido y nos
encantara que te unas a ellos.

A family that prays together stays together.

Palm Weaving
March 19th

Annual
St. Patrick
Party

Come to the parish hall at 9:00am

on March 19th to enjoy some
palm weaving. If you dont know
how to palm weave, dont worry;
there are weavers
there that will
teach you. .

Join the parish family on March 17th

as we celebrate our patron saint.
We will begin with Mass at 5:30pm,
and follow it up with our Annual St.
Patrick Party with the full corned beef
dinner in the parish hall at 6:30pm.

Easter Triduum Schedule

Tickets may be purchased at the door.

Holy Thursday, March 24

Divine
Mercy
Sunday
is on
April 3rd April 3
Join us in the Church at 2:00pm for
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament .
Then at 3:00, we will pray the
Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
For those who wish to pray a Divine
Mercy Novena, the first day will be
Saturday, March 26th. We will pray
it publically at 6:30pm just before
the Easter Vigil Mass. We will
continue to pray the Divine Mercy
publically for all nine days until
Divine Mercy Sunday. Days and
times that we will pray follow:

Mass of the Lords Supper (bilingual) ..........6:00pm

(After Mass, the Altar of Repose will remain
open in the Parish hall until midnight.)

Good Friday March 25

Living Stations of the Cross (bilingual) ........1:30pm
Celebration of the Passion w/Communion
Bilingual ....................................................3:00pm
Jesus in the Tomb Procession ........................4:30pm

Holy Saturday March 26

Blessing of Easter Food (Parish Hall) ...........10:00 am
Divine Mercy Novena .....................................6:30pm
Solemn Easter Vigil Mass ..............................7:00 pm

Easter Sunday March 27

Masses ................ 7:30am; 9:00am; & 10:30 (Spanish)

Pentecost Sunday
On Pentecost Sunday, as
promised by Christ, the Holy
Spirit was poured out onto
the apostles and disciples in
the form of tongues of fire.
This event is considered the
birth of the Church.

Easter Sunday, March 27th ...7:00am

March 28 - April 3...................8:30am
Divine Mercy Sunday ..............3:00pm
10

Hang this handy calendar on your refrigerator.

Lent and Easter 2016

Sun

Mon

Tue

February

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

10

11

12

13

8am Mass w/ashes

Noon-Ashes only
4pm Confessions
6pm-Mass Bilingual

8am Mass
8:30am-7pm All day
Adoration
6pm Confession
6:45pm benediction

8am Mass
8:30am
Confessions
7pm Station of the
Cross

8 am Communion
Service
4pm Confession
5pm Vigil Mass

Ash
Wednesday

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

7:30am Mass
9am Mass
10:30 am Mass in
Spanish

8am Mass

8am Mass
3pm Divine Mercy

8am Mass

8am Mass
8:30am-7pm All
day Adoration
6pm Confession
6:45pm Benediction

8am Mass
8:30am
Confessions
7pm Stations of the
Cross

8am Communion
Service
4pm Confession
5pm Vigil Mass

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

7:30am Mass
9am Mass
10:30am Mass in
Spanish

8am Mass

8am Mass
3pm Divine Mercy

8am Mass

8am Mass
830pm-7pm All day
Adoration
6pm Confession
6:45pm Benediction

8am Mass
8:30am
Confessions
7pm Stations of the
Cross

8am NO Communion
Service
4pm Confession
5pm Vigil Mass

28

29

March 1

7:30am Mass
9am Mass
10:30am Mass in
Spanish
7pm Lenten
Mission

8am Mass
5:30pm
Mass
7pm Lenten
Mission

8am Mass
3pm Divine Mercy
5:30pm Mass
7pm Lenten Mission

8am Mass

8am Mass
8:30am-7pm All
day Adoration
6pm Confession
6:45pm Benediction

8am Mass
8:30am
Confessions
7pm Stations of the
Cross

8am NO Communion
Service
4pm Confession
5pm Vigil Mass
6pm All Night
Adoration

10

11

12

7:15am
Benediction
7:30am Mass
9am Mass
10:30am Mass in
Spanish

8am Mass

8am Mass
3pm Divine Mercy

8am Mass

8am Mass
8:30am-7pm All
day Adoration
6pm Confession
6:45pm Benediction

8am Mass
8:30am
Confessions
7pm Stations of the
Cross

8am Communion
Service
4pm Confession
5pm Vigil Mass

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

7:30am Mass
9am Mass
10:30am Mass in
Spanish

8am Mass

8am Mass
3pm Divine Mercy

Be Reconciled
Day
8am Mass

St. Patrick Day

8am Mass
8:30 am
Confessions
7pm Stations of the
Cross

8am Communion
Service
9am palm weaving
4pm Confessions
5pm Vigil Mass

20

21
8am Mass
5pm

Palm Sunday
7:30am Mass
9am Mass
10:30am Mass in
Spanish

Confessions

8:30-10am
Confessions
4-8:00pm
Confessions

8am Mass
8;30am-5pm
Adoration
5:30pm Mass
6:30pm St. Patrick
Day Celebration

22

23

24

25Good Friday

26

8am Mass
3pm Divine Mercy
5pm Confessions

8am Mass
5pm Confessions

Holy Thursday

10am-12pm
Confessions
1:30 Living Stations
of the Cross
3pm bilingual
Passion &
Comunion Svc.
4:30pm Jesus in the
Tomb

Holy Saturday

27
Easter Sunday
7:30 a m Mass
9:00 am Mass
10:30 am Mass in
Spanish

11

6pm Mass Bilingual

Altar of Repose will
remain open till
midnight

10am blessing of food

6:30pm Divine Mercy
Novena
7pm Solemn Easter
Vigil

12
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ROCHELLE, IL
PERMIT NO. 104

ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH

244 Kelley Drive

Rochelle,
Illinois 61068