Pastor's Corner
Since Father Dennis’ appointment as the new pastor of Holy Family parish in Shorewood takes effect this Wednesday, February 1st, this weekend is his final weekend with us. It is certainly a weekend of mixed emotions. I have known Father Dennis since his seminary days. His final year at Mundelein Seminary overlapped my first year on the faculty of Mundelein Seminary. He was a regular part of our Joliet Diocesan seminarian prayer times and social gatherings at Mundelein. And for me, knowing that Father Dennis was already here at St. Isidore’s when I came as pastor in August 2010 made for a much easier transition. He served as parish Administrator during the three month period between Father Jerry’s departure and my arrival. He did an excellent job in keeping things afloat during the weeks and months of that difficult time. On a positive side, I am happy for him as he is able to take the next step in his journey as a priest and lead a parish community. One the other side, he will be greatly missed here at St. Isidore’s. I have asked him to share some parting thoughts with us at the closing of each Mass. We will also have an opportunity to express our personal good wishes at a Farewell Reception on Sunday afternoon from 2- 4pm in the Ministry Center.
With a goodbye comes an opportunity to say “Welcome!” Father Ron Hilt has been assigned as our new Parochial Vicar, effective this Wednesday, February 1st. He will have an opportunity to introduce himself at each of our Masses next weekend. Please be sure to extend a warm, St. Isidore welcome to him next weekend.
We begin our annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week today. The theme this year is “Faith, Academics and Service.” We have a long and proud history of Catholic education here at our parish. This is a good time to celebrate our mission of passing on our faith tradition from one generation to the next. The St. Isidore Grade School community begins this week today at the 8:30am Mass where their school choir will serve the larger parish community and lead us in prayer. They will continue their celebration at their school Mass on Wednesday at 8:15am in the Church. Various additional activities are planned for each day throughout the week. We offer our prayers and thanks for our teachers, administrators, staff and all who share in the ministry of Catholic education.
On Thursday, February 2nd, we celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. According to the Law of Moses (Exodus 13:12-16), firstborn males were to be dedicated to the Lord. At the time of Jesus, this was done by a ceremony in the Temple, forty days after birth. The Gospel for the day gives us the details of Jesus’ presentation. Since the Mass normally begins with the blessing of candles, the feast is also known as “Candlemas Day.” Blessed candles for home use will be available in the church following our regular Wednesday morning Masses.
Friday, February 3rd is the memorial of St. Blasé. He was a bishop in Armenia and believed to have been martyred in the persecutions in the early 4th century. He is associated with the healing of throats. Traditionally, we celebrate this memorial with the blessing of throats. We will be happy to offer this blessing at the end of our Thursday Masses.
Looking ahead, we have a few wonderful opportunity for coming together during these cold winter months. Our St. Isidore Dinner Dance and Silent Auction will be on Saturday, February 25th at the Abington Banquets on Butterfield Road in Glen Ellyn. It promises to be a wonderful mid-winter evening spent with fellow parishioners. Additional information is available elsewhere in the bulletin.
Once we conclude our celebration of the holidays, January can be a very long month. Fortunately, our above-average temperatures have kept our spirits up. Thankfully, we begin the month of February on Wednesday. With next Sunday’s Super Bowl shining the spotlight on the east coast, it is time for us to catch up with the Blackhawks and the Bulls. And Lent and Easter are not too far down the road. As always, may God continue to bless us with all that we need, and more.
Father Jim Murphy
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