Parish Events
| Weekly Calendar | Summer on the Square |
| Monthly Calendar | Lourdes Pilgrimage |
| Ice Cream Social |
Upcoming Events on the Parish Calendar
| Sunday | Mass 8:15, 9:45, 11:15 |
|---|---|
| Monday | Mass 7:00am |
| Tuesday | Mass 7:00am |
| Wednesday | Mass 7:00am |
| Thursday | Mass 7:00am |
| Friday | Mass 8:30am |
| Saturday | Mass 5:00pm |
Loudes Updates from Father Wayne - August 2008
Tuesday, August 5 , 2008
Greetings from Lourdes,
I write at 5PM on Tuesday. Our official archdiocesan pilgrimage at Lourdes began last night at an 8PM Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. We gathered as a whole group after two separate very long days of travel. We traveled via aircraft and auto coach for nearly 20 hours. One would hardly have been able to notice weariness from travel as we sang and prayed. Energy of anticipation and awe filled gratitude filled the Basilica. We celebrated the feast of Saint John Mary Vianney. Cardinal George invited us to pray with and for our parish priests, who can find in that great saint a wonderful example and holy patron.
Many have commented on the diversity of our pilgrimage group. We are young and old, and we represent the ethnic diversity of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Even on our first night together, Christian charity prevailed. Those who have difficulty walking were assisted by the young people in our group. During meals, laughter and joy fills the room. People once strangers are becoming friends.
This Morning Cardinal George celebrated Mass for us and about 1000 other English language pilgrims. We celebrated Mass at the Grotto, the exact spot where Mary appeared to Bernadette 150 years ago this year. He encouraged the faithful to make the best of their time at the holy shrine and to continue to strive to do God's will as Bernadette did. He mentioned the difficulties that our world faces and its need for God's transforming grace. This afternoon, Cardinal George held an informal meeting with the 12 members of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate who serve as the official chaplains of the Shrine of our Lady of Lourdes.
Tonight the Cardinal will preside over the torch light Rosary procession after which we will announce the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord all is well here. We are praying for you all at home. Please pray for us.
Peace,
Fr Wayne
Wednesday, August 6 , 2008
Greetings Everyone!
What a day we have had. Last night's Rosary procession was to be led by the Cardinal, but the storms from Chicago found their way quickly to the South of France. It must be another way God is helping us to feel connected. The torrents came but the procession went on, no torch lights. The mighty weathered the storm and prayed the quickest rosary procession I ever experienced. The Cardinal was, as usual, a great sport about things and prayed the closing prayers and blessed those drenched pilgrims who remained on the esplanade at the end.
This morning the Cardinal celebrated the International Mass in the underground Basilica. An estimated 19,000 people were present as he was introduced in six different languages. The shrine Chaplains noted, each in his native tongue, that the Cardinal was leading the first ever organized official diocesan pilgrimage from a US diocese in the 150 year history of the shrine. The principal prayers of the Mass were said in English. I think it was the first time I ever heard the prayer at the international Mass said in English. Members of our group participated in the Choir. The young people among us worked with the Shrine's youth service. They either participated in the very long offertory procession or in the rite of peace by bringing peace to the Malades present. The Cardinal was invited to dine at the house of the Chaplains, his brother OMIs.
After lunch we gathered for a reconciliation service for just our group, at which the Cardinal presided. We listened to the word of God and to the Cardinal's fine remarks about the Sacrament. The Cardinal and the five other priests in the group offered individual Sacramental Reconciliation to the group. Most availed themselves to the Sacrament.
In the late afternoon we joined Bishop Jacques Perrier, the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, and Bishop Guy Marie Bagnard, the bishop of Belley-Ars, and the Mayor of the town of Lourdes, in a requested twinning celebration. Bishop Bagnard requested a way to fomalize a cooperative relationship that was forged by the work of the youth in their common service to the sick. It was a great afternoon. Cardinal George was given the honor of receiving the Medal of the City of Lourdes. He and the bishops exchanged gifts Representative of their respective dioceses. The kids gave the Malades chicago gifts and the people of Belley-Ars gave t-shirts and hats to the young people of Chicago. Although it was about 100 degrees under the tent people really had fun! I was surprised to be named an Honorary Chaplain of the shrine and given a pectoral Cross to symbolize that honor.
Obviously the people here have welcomed Cardinal George, and the young and old people traveling with him, with open arms. What a place this is!
Tomorrow the young people begin their service work with the people of Belley-Ars in earnest. They have had great practice because many of our travelers from Chicago have found the heat and altitude challenging. And have allowed themselves to be cared for by the youth, who willingly have pushed wheelchairs and pulled chariots for our own malades. Expect all pilgrims to return well spent.
We are praying for you and for the Archdiocese every day.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Dear friends,
What a day today has been in Lourdes! Wow!
The youth if Chicago continued to help the malades of Belley-Ars. We started
our day by transporting their over sixty sick and elderly people for the
French language Mass in the grotto. We waited for their Mass to end and
transported them to the prairie, where they would hear a lecture about the
real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
We then gathered as a whole pilgrim group at the parish church in the upper
town of Lourdes. We celebrated the Mass of the anointing of the sick. About
fifty of our pilgrims were anointed. Father James Hurlbert, the pastor of
Saint Alphonsus Church in the city preached a beautiful homily, reminding us
that Christ suffered for us and that this beautiful place is more than a
magic kingdom but a kingdom of God's healing grace. The Cardinal and the
priests present laid hands on our malades and anointed them with the oil of
the infirm. Two separate malades of our group commented to me tonight that
they actually could feel God's healing power when they felt the Cardinal's
hands on their heads. One even said it helped her to make sense of her own
suffering.
We then had lunch. The Cardinal was invited to dine with Bishop Perrier, the
local ordinary, who is very please to have such a large group here from the
Archdiocese of Chicago.
The adults had much of the afternoon free, while the young people served the
Malades of Belley-Ars. They took them to the grotto for their own personal
time of seeing the source, the spring which sprung 150 years ago, by the
work of Bernadette's hands, under Our Lady's guidance and direction.
As the twinning of the two dioceses continued, Belley-Ars and Chicago led
the Eucharistic procession together. What a moving experience.
I had the honor of assisting Cardinal George as he made the quarter mile
walk from the Tent of the prairie to the underground Basilica. My guess is
that it was not easy for him to walk in the procession. Despite the
difficulty of the long walk and the threatening weather (Chicago seems to
bring rain to processions in Lourdes!)His Eminence carried Our Lord with
utmost reverence. People along they way dropped to their knees as the
Blessed Sacrament, in the hands of our holy Cardinal passed. What profound
reverence they have for out Lord present in the sacred host.
After entering the Basilica and adoring Christ in the Eucharist, Cardinal
George went throughout the church stopping nearly ten times to bless the
various groups of sick people, those from Chicago included. The Cardinal
said " He is here. That's why we are here. And he is present to those who
are ill.". What the Cardinal noted about the procession was that those who
are sick lead the procession. Christ follows the sick and the bishops follow
the Eucharist. Impressive!
The youths spent more time with the people of Belley-ars in the evening.
Those who are charged with the care of the Malades invited our youth to join
theirs in an evening of entertainment for the sick. Joy filled the room and
new friendships were forged.
News just came to me that the grandmother of three cousins on the youth
pilgrimage has died. May Margaret rest in peace.
Prayers for all at home.
Peace,
WFW
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Greetings One and All,
I am sorry it has been a couple of days since I have written. I write on
Sunday afternoon from a bus on a motor way outside of Paris. The kids and
those who are joining them and I just arrived Paris Orly Airport and are
heading for Nevers. I believe that last time I wrote was late in the night
on Thursday.
Friday was a busy day, the last day we would be together as a full
pilgrimage group. On Friday morning, the young people woke up very early to
assist the Malades of our own group. The number of people needing help grew
throughout the week. Pilgrimages are exhausting and Lourdes is very hilly.
So, on our last official day, we dedicated ourselves to the service of one
another.
Cardinal George celebrated our closing Mass in a fitting place, the Rosary
Basilica. In his powerful homily, highlighting the inspirational life of
young Bernadette, he reminded us pilgrims that religion is not just a matter
of personal faith but rather a matter of right relationships that lead us to
God. Bernadette did what Mary told her to do without question. Through that
relationship Mary led Bernadette to God. Bernadette in way echos Mary's
total obedience, doing exactly what was asked of her, no more no less. We
should find in them great examples to follow.
At the end of the Mass, we prayed the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage Prayer as we
have done every day. The Cardinal ask for a special blessing for the married
couples present. Finally he blessed the religious articles people purchased
for loved ones at home.
We then had a group photo taken by a professional photographer, which, by
the way, turned out quite well.
After the photo we walked in procession to our final stop on the jubilee
way, the Cachot. The Cachot, the former town prison, starkly reminded us of
Bernadette's real poverty at the time of the apparitions. We received the
final mark on our medallions and prayed for the Holy Father's intentions.
At lunch, we gathered as an entire. group. The two satellite hotel groups
converged on the main hotel. The Cardinal chose to sit with the young people
for the meal. As we were finishing the meal a dozen or so pilgrims spoke in
witness to their experience of the week. Many pilgrims commented on the
powerful statements of faith shared by those who did, especially the teens.
After lunch the Cardinal prayed the Stations of the Cross with those who
chose to do it on flat ground. He then joined the young people in their
visit to the Cenacle, a community of people who are recovering from alcohol
or drug addiction. After dinner the pilgrims choosing to pray the Stations
wound their way through the Espaluce Hill. It was a moving experience. We
ended the night with a casual social gathering at a nearby hotel. To be
continued....
Peace
wfw
Monday, August 11, 2008
Dear Friends,
Even though it is Monday, I continue the updates from Friday. The last time I wrote, I left off with the party we had to end the official pilgrimage.
After the party, which ended officially on Saturday, shortly after midnight,
half the group rushed to their respective hotels to pack. The first wake up
call was to come at 1:45 AM with a 3:00AM departure from the hotel. Two
other groups left that day in the early hours of the morning. They met again
in Paris at the airport and made the transatlantic flight to Chicago,
accompanied by the Cardinal. From the accounts I received, their pilgrimage
ended without a hitch. Before they left, I asked them to do one thing.
Inspired by the Community of the Cenacle, where every one of the 58 houses
worldwide that comprise the community pray a Rosary for their leader, Sister
Elvira, I asked the Pilgrims to pray an extra Rosary each day this week (at
least) for Cardinal George. An extra Rosary. The prayers of the pilgrims
will hopefully help the Cardinal to lead our Archdiocese.
Those that did not travel on Saturday were comprised of the young people
(who are still here) and the ones traveling on Sunday.
On Saturday, the young people woke up early, again, to assist the travelers
from Belley-Ars get to the Mass with the Sacrament of the Sick. As happens
frequently on pilgrimage, their Mass time changed. So while they waited, the
kids visited the cloister of the Carmelites, famous for their prayer...and
their chocolates!
The whole group expected to have Mass with our twinning diocese, but because
of the time change, I changed the plans for our group. Most received word of
the change and I celebrated Mass for the Adults in the Basilica of the
Immaculate Conception, where we officially started our pilgrimage.
The Belley-Ars Anointing Mass, attended by the Chicago young people, was
celebrated in French. They did not understand much of the Mass. At the time
when the priests lay hands on the Malades, the French and American kids
participated by placing their hands on the shoulders of the sick. It was
very moving. After Mass the kids transported their malades back to the place
where they stay. They said their goodbyes and returned to our hotel for
lunch.
The kids had the afternoon free to visit some of the hundreds of shops that
line the streets of the town. The adults who were getting ready to travel on
early Sunday morning met at 5PM in the Crypt of the Basilica for an
anticipatory Sunday Mass. Father Joseph Allen, OP, the spiritual director
for the travel agency we used, preached a beautiful homily and encouraged us
to live out the message we received in Lourdes. He said the frustrations of
travel had the potential to destroy the good work God had done in us.
Bernadette's example of suffering hardship for the sake of the kingdom could
inspire us to overcome those temptations.
Saturday evening, the kids attended the youth international Mass, which is a
combination of a Mass and a pep rally for the faith! At the end of the Mass
the bishop gave all the young people a holy card that contained the Word of
God. Two simple verses, one on each side, written in about seven different
languages, said "Do whatever he tells you," and "The truth will set you
free.". Those two verses are great for young people to hear. The bishop
encouraged us to take that word back to our homes, wherever it is we live.
The kids met in their groups as they have done every night, praying the
final decade of the Rosary we promised to pray for the Cardinal. They
continued to share faith and their reactions to the activities of the day.
After their small group meetings, they had their own farewell party with
their new friends, the youth of Belley-Ars.
The last thing the young people did, at about one in the morning, was to
make a silent individual visit to the Grotto in the stillness of the night.
They slept for a few hours, and, before any of us knew it, it was time to
depart for the airport.
Sunday was spent mostly in travel. Ultimately we arrived at the peaceful
convent of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers. Sister Teresa warmly welcomed
us showed us around the grounds and enchanted us with her sweet voice and
positive attitude. We had dinner and then our own Sunday Mass. Passing the
offertory gifts, the pilgrims audibly spoke their intentions for the Mass.
Many of those who read this were mentioned. We prayed for you! We ended our
day and slept in the peaceful presence of our Lord, our Lady, and most
tangibley, Saint Bernadette. After Mass we prayed before the incorrupt body
of Saint Bernadette. We prayed the last decade of the Rosary we are praying
each day this week to spiritually support the work of our Cardinal. The
kids met in their groups and almost everyone was fast asleep before
midnight, a first this week!
After our simple breakfast today, we prayed another Mass. At the Mass we
articulated our gratitude to God for the blessings for which we are most
grateful today. Once again, many of you were mentioned.
We had lunch in the town of Nevers, boarded the bus and are heading to Paris
as I write this.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008 (Final Update)
Dear Family and Friends,
As we near the end of our pilgrimage I write with what might be our final
update.
We arrived the convent on Sunday evening. A sunny, warm central France
evening greeted us. The warmth of the late afternoon did not match the
warmth of the welcome we received from Sister Teresa, a retired school
teaching Sister of Charity. She greeted us, show us to our lodging and
waited for us by the replica Grotto to begin our tour. Her tour enlightened,
encouraged and challenged us. In her gentle way, she inspired the kids.
On Monday we had breakfast and Mass at the convent of the Sisters of Charity
of Nevers. I just realized I told you that already!
Continuing... We arrived Paris in the early evening last night. We settled
in to our rooms, had dinner, then hurried to the Metro. I gave a Metro 101
class to the newcomers and lead them to the heart of the old city. It was
so fun to hear the kids as they emerged from the Metro at the Louvre Rivoli
Station and almost literally bumped into the famous museum's imposing
edifice. Wonder and awe, what a gift of the Spirit! I escorted them on a
mini tour until they were distracted by an unusual ride at the amusement
park in the garden.
We reunited at about 12:30AM and rode the Metro, probably one of the last of
the night, back to our hotel.
After an early breakfast this morning we boarded a bus for a guided tour of
the city. Our guide did a fine job highlighting some of the main points of
the city. We ended our tour at Montmartre. We rushed up the seemingly
thousands of stairs to be on time (almost) for our 12:15 Mass in the
Virgin's Chapel at Sacred Heart Church. We felt honored and blessed to be
celebrating Mass in such a beautiful space with such a powerful history.
With a renewed understanding of Christ's presence in the Eucharist, we
reverenced the host displayed for all to see in the monstrance high above
the altar. God is good.
As I write this, the kids are discovering Montmartre and getting a little
lunch. After lunch we will be off to Rue du Bac, to visit the Chapel of the
Miraculous Medal. Be assured of our prayers for you there.
Peace,
Fr. Wayne
Summer on the Square
Our annual Summer on the Square is held each year in June. Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday, June 16, 2007, for our 5th Annual Summer on the Square Block Party. The event was filled with Music, Great Food,
and Children's Activities.
Click here to see pictures from this year
Ice Cream Social
Over the course of the past year, St. John Berchmans has welcomed over 100 new member families through our doors. In honor of the new members, SJB hosed an Ice Cream Social after the 5:00pm Mass on Saturday, September 5. Thank you to the Welcome Committee for hosting such a festive event!
Click here to see pictures from the Ice Cream Social