St. Raymonds

Call to Ministry 2008

One of the greatest joys that I find in being a priest…is the privilege of presiding at infant baptisms on Sunday afternoon. Throughout this Easter season, we have been reminding ourselves of the day our baptism in the Risen Christ, through our weekly water sprinkling ritual and the renewal of our baptismal promises.

However the most moving part of the celebration of Baptism for me, is that point in the service, when parents stand on these steps, holding their newly baptized children forward for all to see…as their foreheads are anointed and sealed…with sweet smelling chrism oil…and these words of commission are proclaimed: You have become a new creation and are now anointed as Jesus was anointed – as a priest, a prophet and a child of royal dignity. This sacred call and commissioning-sealed in this anointing…is a part of the Baptism celebration that we often forget. Yet in my mind–it is the key to who we are called to become as we grow in age, wisdom and grace.

For each one of us, friends, on the day of our own Baptism, we were also anointed, sealed and commissioned to be a priest, a prophet and a child of royal dignity. It’s not just Mick, Rodolfo, Nhat or me that Jesus has called and anointed to be priests–it is each and every one of us–as God’s people–as disciples of the Lord.

We heard this so clearly named by St. Peter in our second reading last week: You are a chosen race, a community of priests, a consecrated nation, people that have been chosen…as God’s own…to proclaim the wonders of God to all people.

Friends, our entire faith community, be we young, older or in between…are called to embrace and exercise our shared priesthood generously –to serve and love–heal, minister and to attend to the needs of one another and people beyond ourselves in persona Christi–in the person of Christ–as we build up God’s life among us and in the world at large.

In our Gospel today, on this feast of the Ascension, the very last words of farewell…spoken by Jesus to these very ordinary men and women who were his friends and disciples, were: Go – Go and make disciples of all people …teaching others to observe my commandments of love … and remember that I will be with you always.

The word Go is an action word–a word of energy…a word of motivation–for Jesus wanted his disciples to move into action, both then and now.

Who is to make disciples? All of us…all of us are sent forth to exercise our shared priesthood–as we bring the Good News of Gospel Love to all people.

Not that we do it on our own…but it is the Spirit…that lives and dwells within each one of us…who sends us forth into the world. We go to places that Jesus could never go.

We meet people Jesus would have never met–but Jesus meets them through us. We are the ones–who as priestly people–carry on the mission and work of Jesus. We are to plant the seeds of Christ into the lives of people…inviting them to be part of us…and then to continue becoming a parish of good and healthy soil…where God’s love, care and goodness bring others to new life.

In my 27 years of priesthood, I have always found that as God’s people, you have an authenticity and a credibility to move and inspire one another, in ways that we as ecclesial ministers are unable to do so.

I think of my last 12 years as your pastor here at Saint Raymond …the very best years of my life…whenever one of you offers a reflection on Mothers or Fathers Day … whenever one of you gives a witness on a CRHP weekend…whenever one of you stands up here to invite this faith community to take part in a particular parish mission, action or venture…whenever our teens share their growing faith perspective in a shared homily at our Saturday monthly teen mass…whenever our children offer an incredible spiritual insight during our monthly family mass…what is your response…applause–applause–applause…and rightly so…for it is the living witness of one another…that enables our faith community and our worship to sparkle with the vibrant life of God.

Trust me–Sundays are just the tip of the iceberg…in regards to the good works and service, faith sharing, inspiration and commitment…that takes place here at Saint Raymond on a daily basis–through the investment of so many people in our many ministry groups and renewal activities.

Why do we do the things we do? Because we know that they are good, right and true. Christ is good. The Christian life is good. Gospel values are good. Knowing and experiencing God is good for a person’s life and health. For when we embrace the Christian life fully, the seed of Christ grows and we become people who are more loving and wise. We have better marriages, better kids, and better self images. Life is far richer … when you know Christ and are an active and involved part of a family of faith – that helps you to know the Lord and walk more intimately with him on life’s journey. One cannot walk the journey of faith alone. I don’t care what anyone says – we need one another if we are to remain strong and true people of the Gospel.

This weekend I am preaching at all the Masses … not to ask you to increase your Sunday contributions or to invest your resources in a capital campaign … No! I am inviting you to share something far more valuable–your heart, your faith and your time.

At the end of today’s Mass, a member of our Leadership committee here at Saint Raymond will speak to you for a few minutes – as our ushers will pass out this Manual of Discernment and Decision.

This booklet contains our new Parish Mission statement, descriptions of the many ministry groups and organizations of our five parish commissions, and the reasons why we invest our resources and engage our time and talent in the buildup of God’s reign among us. I would ask you to read this Manual of Discernment and Decision carefully and thoughtfully.

On Saturday and Sunday, May 17th and 18th, our Parish Leadership Council is hosting a Ministry Festival in the Parish Life Center after all the Masses. Representatives from all the commissions and many ministry groups will be present to answer any questions you may have regarding a particular ministry commitment or about a particular organization or group. I would ask you to attend this festival – in fact hospitality after all the masses – much like during the Pre-Gala – will be held in the Parish Life Center on that weekend. The good news … you don’t need to bring your wallet or checkbook – just an open heart and a living faith.

Saint Raymond cannot exist as a vibrant and life giving parish without you. This is your parish. And if we want this parish to continue to be vibrant and strong everyone has to share their gifts and get involved.

Today we have been reminded that we are a chosen people … a community of priests … people who are God’s own …who have been anointed and commissioned by Jesus to GO and reach out to others, to share our faith, along with our many gifts and talents in the service of our parish community and by our faith filled witness in the larger world.

As we gather around the table of the Lord to be fed this day, let us pray that all of us … will leave church today, reminded and empowered to be the priests – that we were anointed to be on the day of our baptism – and more determined than ever to be the servants that Jesus asks us to be. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the many marvelous, compassionate and generous that so many offer our parish community by your ministry and volunteerism … May the Lord who has begun this good work in you – bring it to fulfillment.

Ministry Book
Gifted Inventory Insert
Ministry Sign-Up Sheet

Being Married and Staying Engaged
Friday, May 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Speakers: Kevin and Crystal Sullivan
Topic: Intentional Marriage

The St. Raymond Marriage Enrichment Committee sponsors Seven Great Dates to Energize Your Marriage. These evenings include a short presentation on key, marriage-enriching themes such as: communication, conflict, encouragement, creative love life, balancing roles of parent and partner. After the presentation, the couples leave for their own private dates. Hopefully the presentation will have sparked what might become a memory-making evening. Whether newlywed or newly retired, quiver full or empty nest, parents of toddlers or parents of teens, all types of marriages benefit from the investment in great dates. These Date Nights are offered on Friday evenings, once a month for seven months during the year. Couples need not be present for each Date Night. Babysitting is available on a first come first serve basis. Please call the Parish Ministry Center to make your reservation for babysitting. For further information please contact either Dave and Dina Petricca (847-253-7698), Joe and August Link (847-577-5234), Peter and Denise Schliesmann (847) 259-7590, Jerry and Shary Thiel (847) 255-6246 or Fr. Bernie Pietrzak (847-253-8600, x135). In order to make a reservation or request babysitting, please call the Parish Ministry Center at 847-253-8600.

The Gospel According to John
Facilitated by Sr. Dee Peppard
Wednesday Evenings
7:30 --9:00 PM
April 16, 23, 30 and May 7 Community Room

The Gospel according to John is very different than tht of Matthew, Mark or Luke--and consequently it has been called a "maverick gospel." It has also been called a "spiritual gospel." Because it has such a unique "take" on the Jesus tradition, you and I are invited to encounter the text in a very different way. John is quite clear in telling us the purpose of this gospel: it is written "that you may believe... and that believing you may have life in (Jesus') name." Please join us for these Wednesday evenings as we reflect on a n overview of this Gospel--and encounter some of its wonderful and memorable characters. As we reflect on the fourth Gospel, we will pay attention to the many ways it affirms and challenges us today. The message of scripture is enduring and forever new. For more information, please contact Sr. Dee Peppard at 847-253-8600 x151.

MAC--Men In Action and Contemplation

Last year during the Lenten Season, close to seventy men became a part of a small reflection and dialogue group that met faithfully during the season of Lent until the Feast of Pentecost. Using the Lectionary based, pocket sized booklet written for men by Father Mark Link, each man committed to spending 10 minutes a day in reflection and then meeting either every week or every two weeks with five to seven other men to talk about the fruit of their daily reflection time. If you are interested in participating in MAC, please contact the Parish Ministry Center at 847-253-8600.

read more...

Coming This Summer! Vacation Bible School

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have various rooms turned into a safari, or western ranch, or under sea kingdom, or even a town that Jesus visited? We can do this and have so much fun while we transform the building and inspire the children to a closer relationship with God. All this is done through, song, worship, games, crafts, drama, and snacks with YOUR hands making it happen. We will begin planning in January and will need a core team to begin. Many hands make it easy. We will need coordinators, an art team, music team, drama team, snack team, group leader organizer, decorating team, computer people to organize mailings and group lists, a group to work with registrations, another to help with schedules. Almost everything is outlined in the theme manual, but you can be creative too. We also need to decide what week is best for our families to participate. Once we have the core team formed, we will seek small group leaders who will be with the children and other helpers to work on various committees. It is a wonderful experience for everyone connected with it. We hope to have registration at the end of March. If you would like more information, please call Denise Klimas at 847-253-8600 x 150.

SAVE THE DATE--Spring Gala 2008
"Spirit of Giving"
April 25, 2008
Hyatt Regency Schaumburg

Annual Parish Picnic
Saturday, July 12, 2008

Volunteers are needed to help with our Annual Parish Picnic this year. We are especially in need of someone to either coordinate or co-cordinate this event. New coordinators would be mentored by previous picnic chairpersons. If you would like to get involved in any way, please contact Roberta Nichols at the Parish Ministry Office at 847-253-8600 x121.