Embrace the Grace - Weekly Reflection
 The word religion gets a bad rap these days.
Folks tend to place blame on religion for many wars, or for using the name of God to commit atrocious acts.
There is some truth to the criticism, but let’s look at the origin of the word religion. We can go back to the Latin word religare, which means to bind, or to connect. We can see a hint of the English word ligament. What’s a ligament? A fibrous connective tissue that attaches bone to bone. Hmmm!
Authentic religion is meant to bind – or to connect – divinity and humanity. There has always been a human longing for something or Someone beyond us. In a very intimate way in Christianity, we believe Jesus is the ligament sent to bring together – to wed -- divinity and humanity.
Christ is the mediator between heaven and earth. That’s what the Incarnation is all about. God becoming man in the Person of Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah. Everything Jesus gives us in and through His Church is for our good; to raise us toward divinity. In a most intimate way, God does this by way of the sacraments of the Church – especially the Eucharist.
Sinful humanity will, at times, corrupt religion, but that doesn’t do away with our need for authentic religion; for a ligament to connect a divine bone with a human bone.
Jesus is our connection. Stay connected.
Fr. Bob
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Thinking back to my days of organizing the Special Olympics Softball Throw competition at Northwestern University and my days of coaching Special Olympians, the most heartfelt memory I have is of how the Olympians treated each other and everyone they encountered. I remember the genuine gratitude and joy these individuals shared with each other, the volunteers, myself, and our world. It is this same gratitude and joy that I feel every time we welcome our SPRED Friends into our SPRED Center and our Parish Family.
As a SPRED Catechist, a gift I waited a long time to receive, I am called to walk a journey of faith with our SPRED Friends and catechists. On this faith journey, our SPRED Friends have modeled and taught me what living in Christ's love looks like, and what unconditional love feels like. Yes, I am called to help our Friends feel the love of God, but most days, they remind me of His love for us. My faith and relationship with God have deepened since saying "yes" to joining the SPRED Community. About that gratitude and joy, I mentioned earlier, I walk out of every SPRED evening feeling more gratitude and joy than when I walked in. And, we have a lot of fun! Thank you, all of our SPRED Friends and families, for sharing this journey with me.
- Zoe
We are in need of two volunteers to start our sessions. If you are interested in learning more about SPRED in our Parish or volunteering to become a catechist, please contact Ann Smolucha at ann@smolucha.com or 773-914-1900.
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Part 2: Living the Faith
The next session continues Monday, October 10th at 6 PM at the Chapel at St. René Goupil Church.
The Symbolon series is presented free of charge, and companion materials are provided at each session. All sessions begin promptly at 6 PM.
Session 5: Matrimony & Holy Orders - Monday, Oct. 10
Session 6: A Catholic Moral Vision - Monday, Oct. 17
Session 7: A Love That Lasts - Part 1 - Monday, Oct. 24
Session 8: A Love That Lasts - Part 2 - Monday, Oct. 31
Session 9: Catholic Social Teaching - Part 1 - Monday, Nov. 7
Session 10: Catholic Social Teaching - Part 2 - Monday, Nov. 14
For questions, please contact Fr. Matt at (773) 767-1523, ext. 229, or matthew.compton1@icloud.com.
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Upcoming Dates to Remember:
Next Super Senior Club Meetings at Flannery Hall (All commence at 11:30 AM)
Wednesday, October 12th
Halloween Party - Wednesday, October 26th
Please contact Linda Dobias with any questions. |
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Attention Two Holy Martyrs Parish Lectors:
The October 2022 Lector schedule was emailed to all members with an email on file with the Parish  Office. Copies of October's schedule will also be posted in both sacristies. Please be sure to look over the calendar for October to know when you are scheduled to read at the weekend liturgy. |
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Life Line Screening goes beyond regular checkups to look inside your arteries for signs of plaque build-up. Life Line Screenings will be at St. Symphorosa School on Monday, October 10th.
Visit Life Line Screening to select a designated time slot.
Screenings are generally best suited for people over 50 OR with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, overweight, smoking, and a family history of stroke or cardiovascular disease.
Get your special Community Circle pricing!
Three ways to register and receive the special discount:
1. Call toll-free:1-800-679-5192
2. Online: LLSA.SOCIAL/HS
3. Text: the word "circle" to 797979 |
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The 2022-2023 Faith Formation Calendar is available here and on our website. Families should look at all upcoming events, Family Masses, and class dates. For questions, please contact the Faith Formation Coordinator, Peggy at (773) 767-1523 ext. 226. |
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For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
Romans 14:8
Marion Budziak
Ramiro Garza
Edward Misiewicz
Robert Vasquez
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