Dear Friends,
During the "stay in place" order in the state of Illinois, we are not permitted to hold public Masses at Saint Andrew Parish. It is still important however that we take time for prayer as we will need God's comfort and strength to assist us in the coming days and weeks ahead.
There are numerous resources which offer video/streaming opportunities to see Mass such as www.thesundaymass.org. We also encourage you to take time, perhaps with your family, perhaps around the table, and share this "Your Sunday Connection" Flocknote which we will send to you every week.
In this weekly Flocknote, you will have a chance to hear a reflection from Fr. Sergio and to stay connected to the Saint Andrew community through prayer. If you have petitions that you would like to include in our weekly prayers, please click on the link found in the Prayers of the Faithful below and let us know. God bless!
Opening Prayer
Oh God, who through your Word, reconciled the human race to yourself in a wonderful way, grant we pray that with prompt devotion and eager faith, the Christian people may hasten toward the solemn celebrations to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.
The Readings
Reading 1 1 SM 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13A
The LORD said to Samuel: “Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons.”
As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought,
“Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.”
But the LORD said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.”
In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any one of these.”
Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.” Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance.
The LORD said,“There—anoint him, for this is the one!” Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.
“Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.”
But the LORD said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the LORD looks into the heart.”
In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any one of these.”
Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.” Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance.
The LORD said,“There—anoint him, for this is the one!” Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.
Reading 2 EPH 5:8-14
Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says:
“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
Gospel Jn 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38
As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him,
“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” — which means Sent —.So he went and washed, and came back able to see. His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”
Some said, “It is, “ but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.”
“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” — which means Sent —.So he went and washed, and came back able to see. His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”
Some said, “It is, “ but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.”
They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God,
because he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said,“How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them.
So they said to the blind man again,“What do you have to say about him,since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” They answered and said to him,
“You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?”
Then they threw him out. When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
because he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said,“How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them.
So they said to the blind man again,“What do you have to say about him,since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” They answered and said to him,
“You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?”
Then they threw him out. When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”
Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.”
He said,“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.
Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.”
He said,“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.
Homily
Please click on the video link below to watch the homily for this week.
Prayers of the Faithful
Parish Offertory
Spiritual Communion
In many places in the world receiving Holy Communion is not possible. Catholics in these areas are encouraged to make "Spiritual Communion." St.Teresa of Jesus wrote about this practice: "When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you"
You can make Spiritual Communion by the bringing this prayer to your heart...
"My Jesus, I believe that you are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though you have already come, I embrace you and unite myself entirely to you; never permit me to be separated from you. Amen."
Closing Prayer
O God, who enlightens everyone who comes into this world, illuminate our hearts, we pray, with the splendor of your grace, that we may always ponder what is worthy and pleasing to your majesty and love you in all sincerity. Through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Announcements
Video Conference Faith Formation Opportunity
You may have heard of our popular faith formation program for adults "REBOOT: Update Your Spiritual Software." Saint Andrew Parish normally holds this program throughout the year but during the COVID-19 shutdown, we are offering the chance to do this six-week program via video-conference (or by phone). We currently expect to offer two groups starting immediately, one on Thursdays from 10:30am to Noon and another group on Sundays from 1:00pm to 2:30pm. Sign up quickly if you would like to participate! Read more...
Please Let Us Know If You Need Assistance
Call the parish office at 773-525-3016 or email at info@standrew.org