The eighth grade Confirmandi attended Holy Fire on Saturday, October 19 as their retreat for Confirmation. Arena One formerly known as the UIC Pavillion, was the site of the day long retreat.
Pet Blessing 2019
This time of year, people in various places may notice something odd. A procession of animals, everything from dogs and cats to hamsters and even horses, is led to churches for a special ceremony called the Blessing of Pets. This custom is conducted in remembrance of Saint Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures.
Francis, whose feast day is October 4th, loved the larks flying about his hilltop town. He and his early brothers, staying in a small hovel, allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey.
Francis wrote a Canticle of the Creatures, an ode to God’s living things. “All praise to you, Oh Lord, for all these brother and sister creatures.” And there was testimony in the cause for Saint Clare of Assisi’s canonization that referred to her little cat!
For single householders, a pet can be a true companion. Many people arrive home from work to find a furry friend overjoyed at their return. Many a senior has a lap filled with a purring fellow creature.
The bond between person and pet is like no other relationship, because the communication between fellow creatures is at its most basic. Eye-to-eye, a man and his dog, or a woman and her cat, are two creatures of love.
The Blessing of Pets usually goes like this:
“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired Saint Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”
As the prayer is offered, the pet is gently sprinkled with holy water. Believe it or not, most pets receive this sacramental spritz with dignity, though I must admit I have seen some cats flatten their ears a bit as the drops of water lightly pelt them.
But the owner is happy, and who knows what spiritual benefits may result?
Some people criticize the amount and cost of care given to pets. People are more important, they say. Care for poor people instead of poodles. And certainly our needy fellow humans should not be neglected.
*paraphrased from https://www.franciscanmedia.org/blessing-of-animals/
Youth Trunk or Treat & Haunted House
Trunk or Treat & Haunted House help needed :
We will once again be hosting a haunted house at the St. George trunk or treat on October 24, 2019. Last year’s haunted house was a huge success and they have asked us to host it again! I am looking for volunteers to design, decorate and perform in the haunted house.
This will count for service hours and you will be able to get a chance to have some fun and be creative! We need people for set up on Wednesday October 23 from 7:45pm—9:30pm and for haunted house performers and breakdown on October 24 from 4:45pm—9:30pm. If you are in grades 8—12 and would like to participate please have a permission form filled out and returned to Holly by October 18. Permission slips can be found in the office at St. George, outside the office at St. Julie and at this link.
Youth 2019 Kick-off
The youth of our combined parishes of Saint Julie Billiart and Saint George will have a bonfire Kickoff night at Saint Julie’s on Sunday, October 6, 2019 . Activities begin following the 6PM Mass or 7PM – 9PM
Please join us if you are a teen in grades 8 – 12. We will have hot dogs and s’mores, games and music. Please RSVP by October 1, 2019, [email protected], [email protected] or 708.429.6767 X223 if you are able to join us. We want to have plenty of snacks for everyone. We look forward to seeing you!
Faith Formation Family Masses this weekend!
All Faith Formation students at Saint Julie Billiart and Cardinal Joseph Bernardin and their families are encouraged to join us for Mass this Sunday, September 22 at 9:30am or 11:00am. As we begin another year of Faith Formation, we worship together to ask blessings for another successful year. Please bring a non-perishable food item to share with local food pantries. We encourage all students to walk in the entrance procession. Students should gather in the Narthex ten minutes before Mass begins.