News From the Pews, March 1999

Pending his official assignment from the Archdiocese of Chicago, SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish is pleased to introduce our new Associate Pastor, Father Jan (John) Francis Kaplan. Fr. Kaplan is the son of Peter and Bronislawa, born in Janow-Podlaski Poland on May 11, 1944. His parents, two brothers and four sisters live in Poland. As gardeners, Father's parents planted the seeds of prayer and hard work in their children, growing a loving, close family. Together the Kaplan family built a "family Retirement Home" in their town large enough for the entire family.

Father Kaplan served in Poland for ten years following his Ordination there on May 20, 1967. He worked as an Assistant to the Pastor in 6 different parishes of varying size from approximately 5,000 to 10,000 people. He sometimes spent 36 hours per week teaching Religion to children of all ages.

When he was 33 he transferred to the jungles in Argentina, where he served 8 years as Pastor in a territory covering over sixty square miles of "bush country" and where his duties included traveling every week or two to the various areas of his "parish", teaching and performing missionary work. He worked with three Religious Sisters and established a school for boys, and one for girls. Many of his "flock" worked in the forests, and some were farmers. The people were generally extremely poor. In the early 1980's he was called to the western part of Canada where he served for thirteen years in three different small parishes before coming here to the United States. His work in Canada differed significantly from his work in Argentina, naturally, primarily in that the church and parish were organized, and the laypeople were available to help him in the administration of the parish. His plan was to return to work in Poland but an invitation from Fr. Casimer Szatkowski, Administrator of St. Florian Church brought him to the Diocese of Chicago.

Father is well-versed in languages, speaking Polish, Russian, Spanish and English. He enjoys playing the organ and accordion, as well as reading, volleyball and horseback riding. Of the spectator sports, he most enjoys soccer, (perhaps one of the things he misses from his time in Argentina, where it is a huge sport).

While awaiting official assignment from the Archdiocese, Father Sivore invited Fr. Kaplan to serve temporarily for the month of December, and later that month extended an offer for the position of Associate Pastor here at SS. Cyril & Methodius, which he accepted.

Father is prepared spiritually to fulfill his duties here as required. He enjoys the aspect of serving people in both English and Polish, while acknowledging that this is a challenge. He is hopeful that his work with and for our parish family will be mutually rewarding.

We welcome Father and hope he will find his new home here and work to be enriching and fulfilling. The next time you encounter Fr. Kaplan, please take the opportunity to shake his hand and welcome him to our family.

Pastor's Corner

Father Victor Sivore

Getting ready for the season of Lent, Father Donald Senior led us through a three-day Parish Mission, February 1-3, also attended by the members of the parish communities of St. Alphonsus and St. Patrick. Father Senior showed us how Jesus should be the center of our lives and the center of our ministry. He called us to Evangelization, to appreciate the Good News of Jesus in our lives and then to share it with others in our faith community, many of who do not attend Church at all. For one reason or another.

A good time to consider all these facets of our faith is soon approaching. We begin the season of Lend on Wednesday, February 17th, the feast of Ash Wednesday. We will have our foreheads marked with ashes, as a sign of repentance and renewal. For six weeks, we will have the opportunity to examine our lives in a very profound spiritual way. Just who is Jesus in our lives? What is He asking of us? Many questions can be answered, if we put our minds and hearts into it. It may seem a strange greeting, but Happy Lent to all of you!

The second-grade and eighth-grade members of our Parish community will be recognized with special Sacraments being offered them in the next few months. The second graders will receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation on Saturday, March 6 at 11:00 AM. They will also receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion on Saturday, April 24. The eighth graders will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Thursday, March 18 at 7:00 PM. Please remember these young people in your prayers. May we continue to be Lights of Christ to them.

The annual Anointing of the Sick Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 20, at 11:00 AM in our church. We invite the elderly, the infirm, those with a chronic illness to join us for this special Sacrament for them. Please watch the bulletin for details.

On a more secular note, the end of April means the end of the four-year Pledge Drive. I hope all those who made a Pledge over the years will honor them. The Memorial Board is in the process of being created at the present time, and soon will occupy a prominent place in the parish addition. Over the four years, 593 pledges were made totaling $1,104,744. Of that amount, $937,807 has been paid. But we still owe some $600,000 for the building, buying the home and creating a new parking lot in its place, etc. That is why I hope everyone will make good on their pledge and also do their fair share each weekend in the collection (can we give at least one hour's wage to God each week?)

Evangelization 2000

Reaching Out

The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has declared 1999 a year of Catholic Evangelization a year dedicated to reaching out to the "unchurched" and non-practicing members of our Catholic faith. This space is dedicated to those members of our own parish community who, for various reasons, do not maintain a weekly schedule of Mass attendance. Our hope is that we may show these parishioners what they are missing!

People often give various rationales for not attending Mass regularly rationales which they offer as sincere justification. Below, Fr. Sivore responds to some commonly-cited reasons for irregular Mass attendance.

Good for you! I do the same thing. I have often said I pray best when I am in a car. For some reason, I am able to raise my mind and heart to God. But God also asks that we worship Him in common. Setting the third commandment aside for a moment, take a look at all the civilizations that have ever existed in our world through the centuries. You have always found them coming together to worship in common. Many of these civilizations never heard of the third commandment, yet they came together often to worship their God in a very open assembly. God does indeed call us to common worship.

What kind of attitude do we have going into church? What is our disposition? That is a key word in the way we worship. Disposition... Are we properly disposed? Do we walk in and simply say, "Okay, God, make me holy?" But in the same breath, I will admit that it is important for the ministers at the altar to provide a wonderful spiritual experience. It is indeed a two-way street disposition on your part, a meaningful liturgy on our part.

I can understand your pain, though not fully appreciate it, because it is your own personal loss. It would be easy to say the Lord gives, the Lord takes away, but you would be hard-pressed to praise the name of the Lord in this instance. But we must put a positive spin on this matter. Every day of life is a gift. And look how much longer we are living these days as compared to a hundred years ago? Please thank God for the many more years you had with your husband than they did a hundred years ago. And let family and friends come into your life who are willing to share and listen.

Incredible Edibles II

(Our Parish Cookbook)

There is still time to make your favorite recipes famous by sending them in to our Parish Cookbook. Make it a family affairturn in Grandma's favorite soup recipe, Mom's meatloaf, Dad's 3-Alarm Chili, or Junior's chocolate chip cookies. This is a joint effort co-sponsored by Mothers' Club and The Altar & Rosary Society. Print or type your recipes and drop them in the box in the Church vestibule or in the collection basket, or bring them into the rectory. All recipes are due in by April 1, in order for the books to be available for sale in Fall, 1999. If you have any questions, please call Patti Eier at 257-8636.

Let's Give a Hand to the Helping Hand Committee

During the first week-end of each month donations of non-perishable foods and monetary contributions are made during all the Masses to the SS Cyril & Methodius Helping Hands Committee. For over twenty-three years this group has aided hundreds in our Lemont community in need of temporary help. On behalf of this committee, we take this opportunity to say "Thank You" to all of the parishioners who have donated to this program in 1998. Without your unwavering support, we would not be able to carry on this work. With your help, we pledge to continue to extend our Helping Hands to those of our community in need.

Mothers' Club Opened the Windows

By Sharon Flanagan and Suzette Sniegowski

The SS. Cyril and Methodius Mothers' Club would like to wholeheartedly thank all of the parishioners and school families who supported the Fall Dance "Opening Windows to the World." Suzette Sniegowski, President of the Mothers' Club presented a check in the amount of $19,025, (the proceeds of the dance), to Wayne Eier, of the Technology Committee, and Holly Gross, of the Development Committee. Thanks go out to the co-chairs of this successful event, Charlotte Cziperle and Mary Brew for their hard work, long hours and never-ceasing smiles. Others whose help was vital in this event, and to whom we offer our heartfelt thanks are: Dana Blase, Beverly Hunziker, Kelly McGuire, Diane Stark, and their committee members.

In other Mothers' Club news, the profits from "Santa's Secret Workshop" ($971) was donated to the Children of Chernoybl project. In addition, at the Mothers' Club Christmas party many moms donated toiletries to Catholic Charities to be used in their various shelters. Thank you to all who supported these worthwhile charities.

Mothers' Club will be celebrating a Mothers' Club Mass followed by "Breakfast With the Easter Bunny". Mark your calendar now for Sunday, March 21. The Mass will be at 10:00AM with breakfast following immediately at Cog Hill Country Club. Further information will be provided to all of the school families in February. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Sue Sniegowski (Mother's Club President), Wayne Eier (Technology Committee), Holly Gross (Technical Development Committee)

JCCC Foundation Awards $5,000 to "Launch The Lab!"

The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Chicago selected SS. Cyril and Methodius School to receive its annual Student Development and Achievement Grant recently at a reception recently held at Chicago's own Mid-America Club.

"This year, we are impressed by both the caliber and the diversity of the Student development and Achievement Grant recipients," said Shigeaki Tsutsumi, Secretary of the JCCC Foundation.

Since its founding in 1966, the JCCC has taken an active role in Chicago for over 30 years. This award, which recognizes the innovation of our technology program and the dedication of our teachers, was instituted as an essential component to building strong relationships within the community. "Chicago has been very welcoming to Japanese businesses and people. By continuing this program, we would like to return a little of this kindness, express our appreciation and send the message that we hope to be an active supporter of the community for years to come," explained Tsutsumi.

Make Sure Church Traffic Control Isn't a Thankless Job!

Tim O'Meara and his band of Traffic Directors deserve a "thank you" from every one of us. These men and women are out in two-hour stretches in all kinds of weather, and confronted with a variety of temperaments as they endeavor to streamline the traffic flow for churchgoers, religious education students, and Polish School attendees. Please cooperate with them, and let them know you appreciate their efforts.

Manna Mania

By Patti Eier

Thank you to all participated in the MANNA program over the holidays. We went through approximately $195,000 in certificates, with a gross profit of $11,400 during the months of November and December! What an easy way to generate such a large amount of funds for our parish!. Thank you to all participants.

For anyone who does not participate in the program, or is not sure what it is. . . Here's the low-down. We ask that in place of your checks or cash you use these "gift" certificates. THIS DOES NOT COST YOU A PENNY, but does generate a profit for our parish. We also have a Tuition Credit Program and a Saver Program, for any child that will be attending St. Cyril & Methodius School in the future. For details, please feel free to call Patti Eier at 257-8636.

We have acquired a new provider from Lemont. Cupino's Italian Restaurant on State Street has joined our program, offering 10% of sales with Manna Certificates to go back to the parish. Make sure to visit Cupino's for a great lunch or dinner!

Save yourself time and hassles in your gift giving by purchasing Gift Certificates (Manna Certificates). Pay off your credit cards (where applicable) with Manna Certificates. Do all your grocery shopping using Manna Certificates. Even your travel costs, including airline, hotel, meals and gasoline can be paid for with Manna Certificates. Certificates are available at the Rectory every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 AM 3:00 PM. Grocery and gasoline certificates are available after all Sunday Masses.

Beat The Lotto Raffle

By the time this edition of News From the Pews goes to press, THE most important social and fund-raising event of the year at SS. Cyril & Methodius Church, our Ninth Annual BEAT THE LOTTO RAFFLE DRAWING, will have taken place on Saturday, February 6 at our Dinner Dance at Rosewood West. Total prizes are $85,000, including our Grand Prize of $50,000 and 24 additional prizes.

For each $100 ticket sold, $50 goes into the prize pool, with the remaining $50 disbursed among the Parish Sharing Organizations (approximately $40), and to defray raffle expenses, including the Early Bird Drawing and Sellers' Raffle. The Sharing Organizations are: The Parish; The Holy Name Society; The Altar & Rosary Society; The Polish Club and SAM (The School Board, Athletic Commission and Mothers' Club). When you buy or sell these tickets, everybody winsyou get a chance at winning big bucks, and the entire parish benefits from the proceeds.

A hearty "Thank You" to the hard-working Committee members who ensure that this event is such a success: Nancy Johnson, Pat Graczyk, Barb Rogowski, Joan Florynski, Kathi Chiapetta, Christine Budz, Jennifer Krull, Dorothy Knopinski and Dorothy Sopata. You've done a great job!

Altar & Rosary Society News And Notes

By Teri Brezinski

Our Altar & Rosary group was busy this past quarter with the installation of officers for the following year: Lynette Kuplinski, President; Linda Malak, Vice President; Teri Brezinski, Secretary; and Joan Florynski, Treasurer.

We were saddened this past December by the passing of Helen Frass, one of our Honor Rose Members. Her funeral was the first occasion that our members served as Honor Guard Pall Bearers.

During the Fall, funds from our group were given to wash/wax the church vestibule, sacristies and between the pews. We supported our Tree of Love with a gift of $200; a full-page ad for the Mothers' Club Dinner Dance, as well as a Raffle Gift Kitchen Basket valued at $175 were donated to Mothers Club. Additionally, in keeping with our tradition, monetary Christmas gifts from Altar & Rosary were give to our priests, deacon and Honor Rose Members.

At our January 24th meeting, we agreed to pay for the repair of 24 kneelers in the Church, as well as disbursing $3000 to the icon fund and $300 to the SPRED Group. We will send a monetary gift and "Thank You" to Fr. Peter Nowacki for his three years of service and to Deacon Gil Ende for his 17 years of service here at SS. Cyril & Methodius. Lastly, we hosted the January Unity Prayer Reception. Our Pot Luck Supper is planned for late April. Watch the Bulletin for details.

We always welcome new members. Our organization meets quarterly and we guarantee short, efficient meetings ! If interested, please call our President, Lynette Kulpinski at 257-6000. Please feel free to join us at our next meeting on April 25th, immediately following the
7:00 AM Mass.

SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish Visit us on-line at: http://stcyril.org
Pastor		Fr. Victor Sivore
Assosicate Pastor		Fr. Jan Kaplan
Pastor Emeritus		Fr. Richard M. Jozwiak
Deacons		Norbert Lesnieski
Principal		Lillian Buckley
Music Director		Rick Jeffrey
Ministers of Care		Paula Karcavich Theresa Keppler
Director of Religious Education		Joyce Ende

Wishing Father Peter All The Best

Welcome Father Kaplan