Religious Education
Good afternoon, RE Families! In case you have not already heard, Cardinal Cupich and the Archdiocese of Chicago have asked for the suspension of all Masses, school classes and events, faith formation sessions and activities for the time being. The following link will bring you to his full statement. https://www.archchicago.org/en/statement/-/article/2020/03/13/statement-of-the-archdiocese-of-chicago-on-the-suspension-of-public-celebration-of-mass-the-temporary-closure-of-archdiocesan-schools-the-pastoral-cen Cardinal Cupich has also posted a thoughtful video statement (about 7 minutes) on assorted social media platforms; we recommend that you hear his message of concern, compassion, and hope. It is our prayer that the social distancing recommendations from our public health organizations will help to curb the spread of COVID-19. Please remember that following the advice of these professionals is as much for the greater community as it is for ourselves; we are all in this together.
We have posted a few statements on the parish response to the Archdiocesan request on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/StGeorgeReligiousEd/ We will not be in the office, and all RE sessions will be cancelled until further notice. While you may still call and leave a message on the RE phone line (708-532-8211), we may take a while to respond to your inquiry. For a quicker response, you may email us at religioused@stgeorge60477.org. If you have an emergency need requiring one of our priests, you may call (708-532-2243) and follow the prompts to reach one of the priests. Either Fr. Ken or Fr. Tom will be carrying the emergency phone and will respond accordingly; our parish secretary will be checking messages on the 2243 line on a regular basis as well. It is our current understanding that Holy Family Chapel will remain open for the time being. Updates will be posted at www.stgeorge60477.org as necessary.
The following link is from the Village of Tinley Park, who has indicated their intent to continue to post updates and recommendations with the latest information on COVID-19 and our local response. https://www.tinleypark.org/government/departments/emergency_management/covid-19.php
May God bless us as we embark upon this journey of hope and health!
St. George Religious Education
March 27, 2020
Dear First Communion Families:
With hearts both heavy and full of hope, we write to you today. Out of an abundance of caution and in light of the continuing spread of COVID-19, St. George Parish has decided to reschedule our First Communion Mass. There will NOT be a First Holy Communion Mass on Sunday, April 26th, at 11:30. As we attempt to follow the guidelines of the Archdiocese and comply with the best recommendations from the CDC and the State of Illinois, we are not certain at this point when we will again be able to celebrate the Mass publicly together with our faith community.
Even when we do get the clearance to hold public Masses, we propose that our First Communion celebration be held separately – for the safety of our children and that of so many older grandparents, godparents, and family members who would be in attendance. To further reduce the risks to those present, we hope to create a safer and less crowded environment by having two separate ceremonies apart from our regularly scheduled Sunday Masses. While this is counter to what Eucharist signifies for us – our Family of Faith gathering at the table of the Lord – it promotes best practices in consideration of the health of our children and families as well as the health of older parishioners who regularly attend our Sunday Masses.
Fr. Fleck has consulted with pastoral staff to offer the following dates. We ask you to choose the date and time that works best for your family and relatives who would be traveling from out of town. *Our goal at this point will be to have Masses at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 6th. In the event that neither of these times works for your family, you may choose to celebrate at a Sunday Mass of your choice* and be seated up front with family and friends, in which case we would allow child and parents to receive Communion first. *These dates obviously cannot be set until the curfew on Masses has been lifted. While this is an inconvenience for all because travel plans and reservations will have to be altered, we believe it is the right thing to do. It is our hope that businesses will understand and support these changes.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 offers, “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.” What we are experiencing currently is an unprecedented time of crisis for all of humanity. Choosing life means working cooperatively with one another and taking every precaution. Doing so, we will look back on these dark days as a lesson in life and love. If, however, we act without regard for others – hoarding, gathering in large numbers, disregarding elderly family or neighbors – then, it will be a tragedy in history. Choose life! Let us write a history (and pass along memories for our children) that shows our love for God and concern for our fellow man. Heeding this, I ask you to take time as a family to pray openly each day. Choose a special time. Light a candle. Have a crucifix or Bible present. It will reassure our children. It will strengthen our faith. It will calm our fears and allow us to see the light of Christ. It will leave us open for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to guide us to build the future together.
Wishing you peace of heart and health of mind and body,
Fr. Ken Fleck, Pastor
Angela Kvasnica, Coordinator of Religious Education
St. George Parish
27 de marzo de 2020
Queridas Familias de la Primera Comunión:
Con los corazones pesados y llenos de esperanza, hoy os escribimos. Por una abundancia de cautela y a la luz de la continua difusión de COVID-19, la Parroquia de San Jorge ha decidido reprogramar nuestra Misa de Primera Comunión. NO habrá una Misa de la Primera Comunión el domingo 26 de abril, a las 11:30. Al intentar seguir las directrices de la Arquidiócesis y cumplir con las mejores recomendaciones de los CDC y el estado de Illinois, no estamos seguros en este momento en que podremos celebrar de nuevo la Misa públicamente junto con nuestra comunidad de fe.
Incluso cuando tenemos la autorización para celebrar misas públicas, proponemos que nuestra celebración de la Primera Comunión se celebre por separado, por la seguridad de nuestros hijos y la de tantos abuelos mayores, padrinos y familiares que asistirían. Para reducir aún más los riesgos para los presentes, esperamos crear un ambiente más seguro y menos concurrido al tener dos ceremonias separadas aparte de nuestras misas dominicales programadas regularmente. Si bien esto es contrario a lo que la Eucaristía significa para nosotros – nuestra Familia de Fe reunida en la mesa del Señor – promueve las mejores prácticas en consideración de la salud de nuestros hijos y familias, así como la salud de los feligreses mayores que asisten regularmente a nuestros Misas dominicales.
El P. Fleck ha consultado con el personal pastoral para ofrecer las siguientes fechas. Le pedimos que elija la fecha y hora que mejor funcione para su familia y parientes que estarían viajando desde fuera de la ciudad. *Nuestro objetivo en este punto será tener misas a las 10:00 a.m. y 12:00 p.m. del sábado 6 de junio. En el caso de que ninguno de estos tiempos funcione para su familia, puede optar por celebrar en una misa dominical de su elección* y sentarse al frente con la familia y los amigos, en cuyo caso permitiríamos que los niños y los padres reciban primero la Comunión. *Estas fechas obviamente no se pueden establecer hasta que se haya levantado el toque de queda en misas. Si bien esto es un inconveniente para todos porque los planes de viaje y las reservas tendrán que ser alterados, creemos que es lo correcto. Esperamos que las empresas comprendan y apoyen estos cambios.
Deuteronomio 30:19-20 ofrece: "He puesto ante ustedes la vida y la muerte, la bendición y la maldición. Escoge la vida, entonces, para que tus descendientes vivan, amando al Señor, a tu Dios, alabando su voz y aferrándote a él." Lo que estamos experimentando actualmente es un tiempo sin precedentes de crisis para toda la humanidad. Elegir la vida significa trabajar cooperativamente unos con otros y tomar todas las precauciones. Al hacerlo, echaremos la vista atrás en estos días oscuros como una lección de vida y amor. Sin embargo, si actuamos sin tener en cuenta a los demás – acaparar, reunirnos en grandes cantidades, sin tener en cuenta a familiares o vecinos ancianos– entonces, será una tragedia en la historia. ¡Elige la vida! Escribamos una historia (y pasemos recuerdos para nuestros hijos) que muestre nuestro amor y preocupación por nuestro prójimo. Haciendo esto, les pido que tomen tiempo como familia para orar abiertamente cada día. Elija un momento especial. Enciende una vela. Tenga un crucifijo o un regalo bíblico. Tranquilizará a nuestros hijos. Fortalecerá nuestra fe. Calmará nuestros temores y nos permitirá ver la luz de Cristo. Nos dejará abiertos a la sabiduría del Espíritu Santo para guiarnos a construir juntos el futuro.
Deseándole paz de corazón y salud de mente y cuerpo,
P. Ken Fleck, Pastor
Angela Kvasnica, Coordinadorde de Educación Religiosa
Parroquia de San Jorge religioused@stgeorge60477.org
REGULAR CLASSES: Wednesdays, 6:00 TO 7:30 pm
NO CLASSES: November 27, 2019, December 25, 2019, January 1, 2020, and March 25, 2020
VIRTUS TRAINING DATES: Wednesday, September 25, 2019, at 6:00 pm
Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at 6:00 pm
2nd Grade Parent Meeting: September 11, 2019, at 6:15 pm
Religious Education begins September 18, 2019, with 6:00 pm Orientation/Info
Night and Prayer.
Regular classes begin following week (September 25, 2019) at 6:00 pm.
8th Grade MANDATORY Commitment Mass: September 14, 2019, at 4:00 pm (with
sponsor and/or parent)
8th Grade MANDATORY Speaker/Event (after Mass): September 14, 2019, at 5:00 pm (Student & Sponsor; parents may also attend.)
7th Grade MANDATORY Confirmation Student/Parent Meeting/Commitment:
October 2, 2019, at 6:15 pm
Family Mass: October 6, 2019, at 11:30 am (Family Service Activity available at Family First Sunday.)
Family Mass: November 24, 2019, at 11:30 am (Port Ministries Collection and Service
Activity afterwards.)
1ST RECONCILIATION: December 14, 2019, at 9:30 am
Parish/Religious Ed Advent Reconciliation Services: December 11, 2019 at 6:15 pm
8th Grade MANDATORY Student/Sponsor Mass: January 5, 2020, at 11:30 am with
retreat following.
Catechetical Resource Day: January 26, 2020, at St. Julie Billiart Parish
Family Mass: February 2, 2020, at 11:30 am
Confirmation Reconciliation: February 19, 2020 (during Religious Ed)
Ash Wednesday: February 26, 2020, 6:15 pm Mass, Youth Ministry Collection
Confirmation Rehearsal MANDATORY: February 27, 2020 at 6:15 pm
CONFIRMATION: February 29, 2020, at 6:00 pm, Bishop Andrew Wypych
Operation Rice Bowl Sunday and Family First Sunday: March 1, 2020
2nd Grade MANDATORY First Communion Retreat: March 7, 2020, 12:30pm to 2:00 pm
Parish/Religious Ed Lenten Reconciliation Services: March 18, 2020
Rel. Ed. Family Night: Living Stations Dress Rehearsal: April 8, 2020, in Church at
6:00 pm
Last Day of Classes/Family Evening: April 15, 2020
First Communion Rehearsal: Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at 6:15 pm
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: April 26, 2020 at 11:30 am (First Communion photos & set-up beforehand in PLC)
To help defray tuition for Religious Education class, Confirmation retreat & First Communion sacrament fees, the parish offers the P.A.R.T. program. You can purchase PART certificates after Masses on Sunday or in the Parish office during the week. This is a fundraiser for the school and you.
The discount of 50% of the profits from each card you buy goes into your account quarterly. The amount in your account can be set aside for tuition this year or next or another educational institution of your choice.
If you have any questions about this program, just give us a call at 708-532-8211.
2019-2020 PARENT MEETINGS AND SACRAMENT DATES
SACRAMENT OF FIRST RECONCILIATION:*
1st Reconciliation Parent Meeting:
Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at 6:15 pm
Sacrament of 1st Reconciliation:
Saturday, December 14, 2019, 9:30 am
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION:*
1st Communion Parent Meeting: Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at 6:15 pm
1st Communion Student/Parent Retreat and Mass: Saturday, March 7, 2020,
12:30 pm to 2:00 pm
1st Communion Rehearsal: Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at 6:15 pm
1st Communion Mass: Sunday, April 26, 2020, at 11:30 am
CONFIRMATION:
7th Grade/First Year Preparation:
7th Grade/First Year Preparation Service Activity: November 24, 2019, after 11:30 am Mass
7th Grade MANDATORY Confirmation Student/Parent Meeting/Commitment: October 2, 2019, at 6:15 pm
Spirit/Service/Youth Day: Pending
8th Grade/Second Year Preparation:
8th Grade MANDATORY Commitment Mass: September 14, 2019, at 4:00 pm (with sponsor and/or parent)
8th Grade MANDATORY/ Speaker/Event (after Mass): September 14, 2019, at 5:00 pm (student and sponsor; parents may also attend.)
Spirit/Service/Youth Day: Pending
Confirmation Rehearsal: Thursday, February 27, 2020, at 6:15 pm
Confirmation: Saturday, February 29, 2020, at 6:00 pm
Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to receiving their sacrament.
ADDITIONAL DATES ACCORDING TO INFORMATION AT PARENT MEETINGS.
Service opportunities will be shared as information comes in.
*Parents of students making First Holy Communion must attend all
First Reconciliation events as well.
The following videos (Mass - The Heart of the Matter; A New Mission for a Missionary People) came about as a part of a synod held within the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. All are encouraged to explore that site to gain a new energy to renew their faith. This link will bring you to these videos and to the overall website. Please free free to explore and share with family and friends.
http://www.archmil.org/Synod2014/Videos.htm
SUMMER HOURS (MAY - AUGUST):
Monday - Thursday: 8 AM to 1 PM
SCHOOL YEAR HOURS (SEPTEMBER - APRIL):
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 8 AM to 1 PM
Wednesday: 4 PM to 8 PM
Angela Kvasnica
Coordinator of Religious Ed.
6670 W. 176th St.
(In the Fr. Don Cahill Center)
Tinley Park, IL 60477
(708) 532-8211
Fax: (708) 532-3372
E-mail: religioused@stgeorge60477.org
