March 2011 Quarterly News from SS.
Cyril & Methodius Catholic Parish
News from the Pews
Signs of New Life
It has been a
long and brutal
winter. If you
are not the type
of person who
By the
embraces Fr. Larry
cold and snow
with joy, then
you probably can’t wait for things to
change and get better.
The hardest part of winter is that
things seem so dead. Darkness fills
most of the day. Shades of grey are
the predominant colors of the world
outside. The sound of roaring snow-
blowers has replaced the innocent,
chirping birds in the early morning.
We eagerly await the first signs of
life to break through what has
By Fr. Larry Lisowski
become hard and frozen. Creation
has its own way of testing us to see
if we really believe that things will
come back to life. We have to be
patient and trust our God of Creation
to do His wonderful magic again.
608 S obi e s ki Str e e t L e m o nt, I L 6 0 4 3 9 (6 3 0 ) 2 5 7 -2 776
Soon we will enter the season of
Lent which allows us to be renewed
spiritually. We begin Lent by being
blessed with a powerful sign of our
Catholic faith. We wear ashes on
ourLisowski
forehead that reminds us of our
mortality. But the dust traced on our
brow in the form of the cross reminds
us of the new life Christ offers to us.
The hopeful words of St. Paul say it
best, “All things do not end in death,
because nothing can separate us from
the love of God.”
For centuries, our Church has
provided us with the spiritual tools
that will lead us to new life. They are
the Lenten practices of prayer, fasting
and almsgiving. Each opens us up to
the Holy Spirit that longs to enter into
our life.
Prayer allows us to be in a holy and
personal conversation with God.
Prayer is more than telling God
what’s on our mind, or presenting a
list of things we need, or expressing
the concerns we wrestle with every
day; prayer more importantly invites
us to pause and listen attentively to
what God has to say to us. This Lent,
I hope you will be able to experience
the grace and new life that often
comes through prayer.
Fasting helps us to see what we can
do without. Our life can quickly
become cluttered and confusing with
all that gets jammed into it. Do we
have room for God? Fasting means
By Fr. Larry Lisowski
something more than just giving
up certain foods — like chocolate
or alcohol. Fasting can also mean
giving up those things that keep us
from being holy — like gossiping,
criticizing or jealousy. Fasting helps
us to imagine the type of person
we would become if these things
were removed from our life. This
Lent, may you experience new life
through fasting.
Whenever we give to charity, we
make a difference. Sharing our gifts
and blessings with those in need
helps bring about the Kingdom of
God. Our world becomes a better
place because of our generosity.
New life is possible because of the
sacrifices we are willing to make
for one another out of love. The
offering of food, clothing or money
is certainly a gift to those in need,
but it also provides spiritual rewards
for the givers themselves.
St. Francis was right on target when
he said, “It is in giving that we
receive, and in dying that we will
find new life.”
May our journey through Lent bring
us new life. May all that has become
spiritually dormant be resurrected
by the powerful love of God. The
good news is that great things will
happen, even if you thought all
was dead and gone. May the ashes
of Lent lead you to the life-giving
Alleluias of Easter! ‡
 Youth Ministry
We’re All in This Together
By
Mike
Lundberg
Don’t skip this
article because
you feel you don’t
have a personal
connection to teenagers. Even if you are
like me and you don’t have children of
your own, or your kids are grown, this
message is still relevant to you.
The fact of the matter is that youth
ministry is everyone’s responsibility.
We are always seeing the negative side
of adolescence; the trashy teen movies,
reports of underage drinking, teen
pregnancy. The list goes on and on.
Here in Lemont, the parishioners of
all three Catholic parishes asked for a
ministry dedicated to teens. Since its
inception in September of 2009, the
program has seen a great response from
teens and their families. The meetings
have been well attended. Our pasta
dinner fundraiser was a great success,
generating over $1,500. And the mission
trip to Tennessee in June is full at 35
teens, with 10 more on a waiting list.
But we can still do more. We need to
make Youth Ministry a priority so that
our kids don’t become a statistic of teen
failures. All of us need to be aware and
supportive of teen activity in our parish,
and that we follow the progress of the
program and help it grow.
2 News from the Pews - March 2011
Trust me, it involves more than
being part of a club and eating pizza.
Although that is part of it, our goal is to
make it both fun and interesting so
that our teens continue to participate.
We offer our teens great opportunities
for service, fellowship, learning and
worship. In short, it is a supportive,
loving, grace-filled, welcoming program
to help foster confidence in faith and
equip our youth with the ability to
practice grace in their life.
To do this, the program has three goals:
1. Empower young people to live as
disciples of Jesus Christ in our
world today.
2. Draw young people to responsible
participation in the life, mission
and work of the Catholic faith
community.
3. Foster the total personal and spiritual
growth of each young person.
We are accomplishing these goals,
but we need your help. It is our
responsibility as Catholics to make sure
teens have somewhere to go to grow
their faith. Here’s how you can help:
1. Pray. You should see what teens have
to face at school; all the temptations
drugs, alcohol, and bad influences.
Pray for them. Pray they stay strong.
Pray for the success of our program.
2. Join in. On Good Friday at 7:00
p.m., the teens will present “The
Living Stations of the Cross” at St.
Alphonsus. Please join us. I promise
you will be moved by the teens'
portrayal of the passion of Christ.
3. Donate. In September we started
a new chair campaign so the kids
wouldn’t have to sit on folding
chairs. While the announcement was
in three bulletins, we’ve only been
able to pay for 16 chairs. They are
$40 each. Thank you to everyone
who did contribute. If you would like
to contribute, send a check made out
to St. Cyril’s with “chairs for teens”
in the memo line. If that is more than
you can afford, perhaps you can
consider purchasing pasta dinner or
car wash tickets. Even a few dollars
lets them know they have your
support and it is greatly appreciated.
We are all in this together and can
create a better future for our kids by
working at it today. My dream, when I
win the lotto, is to build a youth center
here in Lemont that our teens can
call their own. I’m dreaming it now
because “what is not started today is
never finished tomorrow.” ‡
 Bountiful Benefits Come
with Serving on the Parish Council
By Liz Brohan, Parish Council President
It’s hard to believe
how quickly three
years have flown
by. This milestone
means that my
three year service
on the Parish
Council will end
in June, along with co-council members
Joan Johnson and Nina Styrczula. I
know that it will be hard to say goodbye
to this labor of love. That’s why we
thought this was the ideal time to share
some thoughts about what it is like to
serve on the Parish Council. We want
you to know how wonderful it is so that
you will consider serving as well.
“When I first started on the parish
council, I thought that my three-year
stint would take forever. Sadly, that is
not the case,” said Nina. “Being on the
parish council is an amazing experience.
It really opened my eyes to both how
wonderful our parish is and how
complicated it is.”
News from the Pews - March 2011
To give you an idea of the numerous “Since becoming a Council member
parish activities, when you first start in 2008, I have been blessed every day
serving on the Parish Council, you are to see the face of my faith in our priests,
given a packet of information. Within council members and volunteers as
the packet is an organizational chart they devote timeless energy to living
showing all of the different committees out their call in humble service to
and groups that make up St. Cyril’s. God’s people,” continued Joan.
“I was blown away,” continued Nina.
“And I remember thinking that there
really is something here for everyone.
It is amazing how much this parish does
for itself and the community. Plus, my
involvement has enhanced my Sunday
churchgoing experience and I love
every minute of it.”
So if you have ever thought that you
might be interested in doing something
extra at St. Cyril’s, but you are not sure
if there is something for you, clearly
there is. You will not only feel better
about yourself but you will bring joy
Joan also added that she believes
to the parish. There is a committee or
Christ is truly alive and working
group that’s sure to be a perfect fit. You
through these servant leaders who
are never too young or too old or too
support the needs of others in our
busy or too inexperienced. It only takes
parish family and the larger community.
a little bit of time and a little bit
Observing the selfless contributions of
of desire. And Fr. Larry is always
time and talent by so many, regularly
looking for “volunteers.”
nourishes the spirit.
“That’s how I got involved. So thanks “I have been privileged to work hand-
to Fr. Larry for asking me to give up a in-hand with the council members who
little bit of my time. I believe that I got have willingly shared the responsibility
much more out of it than I put into it,” of planning for the future of our parish,”
Nina concluded. Joan added.
Joan concurs with Nina. “Living a So please think about serving on the
meaningful life is so essential to me, Parish Council. And in the meantime
especially in fulfilling my identity as include the Parish Council in your
a Catholic,” said Joan. “So when the daily prayer – the hopes and dreams for
opportunity of membership on the parish life and growth – in petition for
Parish Pastoral Council presented itself, what's yet dreamed – and in gratitude
I approached service with enthusiasm.” for the blessings already known. ‡
3
 Working with St. Joseph
In-Spired Art Corner By Judith Mokelke

The village of the Hebrew term evoke an artisan

Lemont was
officially founded
just eleven short
years before
Father Leopold
Moczygemba
founded the parish of Sts. Cyril and
Methodius. The building of the I & M
Canal and the wealth of the limestone
quarries brought jobs to hardworking
men and their families in the area now
known as Lemont. Our parish was
founded to serve the needs of these
men and their families. In our parish
history, it is mentioned that before the
first church was built, the families were
annually assessed $12, $11, or $10,
depending on their financial status,
to deflect the cost of the building.
(Bachelors making $1 a day in the
quarries were expected to make a more
generous donation.) These hardworking
men had a special devotion to the patron
of all workers, St. Joseph.
The gospels describe St. Joseph as a
carpenter, though some translations of
Mothers’ Club Fundraiser A Howling Success
By Laura Klimczak, Secretary of Mothers’ Club
in wood, a highly skilled craftsman.
As Jesus’ earthly Father, St. Joseph’s
patience and hard work are qualities that
those early Lemont immigrants would
have admired and tried to emulate.
In our church, we have a beautiful
statue depicting St. Joseph. He is shown
as grey-haired, and balding with a
beard – in keeping with Jewish custom.
Although the gospel does not mention
St. Joseph’s age, literature tends to
present him as an older man. His eyes
in the crook of St. Joseph’s left arm.
are downcast; he neither smiles nor
frowns – giving a humble, solemn,
This refers to a non-canonical legend
stoic appearance. His right hand holds
that recalls an account of how
a carpenter's square – used to test or
St. Joseph was chosen as Mary’s
draw right angles. The same hand holds
spouse. The story says that walking
up his clay-colored cloak as it softly
sticks of widowers in Israel were
drapes across him. Although the statue
collected, and Joseph’s alone burst
is plaster and paint, the drapery appears
into flower, identifying him as chosen
wonderfully real. He stands with his
by God to be His Sons earthly father.
weight on his left leg; the outline of his
March 19th is the feast day of
bent right knee is seen in his garment.
St. Joseph. It’s an occasion to reflect
His right foot is angled out in a casual,
relaxed stance or perhaps caugh midway on the importance of work in the life
through a step. A flowered staff is held of an individual, society, and faith. ‡

On Friday, Participants were able to request their
November 12th, favorite tunes to sing and dance to.
Mothers’ Club
Attendees bid generously on items
hosted our “Howl
donated for the silent and live auctions,
at the Moon”
fall fundraiser raising funds for the parish school. The
at SS. Cyril and funds will be used to purchase Social
Methodius. We Studies and Language Arts textbooks,
had over 200 interactive whiteboards and other
people in attendance. Everyone enjoyed necessary items that the school needs
food and beverages from Sweet Baby in order to provide a quality catholic
Ray’s with hospitality provided by St. education to our students. Mothers’
Cyril’s teaching staff. It was a howling Club thanks all who donated items for
good night featuring dueling pianos. bidding as well as those who won them.
4 News from the Pews - March 2011
Mothers’ Club will be sponsoring the
Walk-a-Thon for the children in May.
Mothers' Club sincerely appreciates all
the support we receive from the parish,
school staff, teachers and the volunteers
who participate in special activities. With
everyone’s contributions, we are able to
provide the students of the school extras
that are not covered by tuition. Thank
you again. Come visit us at one of our
Mothers’ Club meetings, held on the
second Tuesday of every month in Fr.
Sivore Hall at 7:00 pm. ‡
 Join our Lenten Recollections and
enjoy a Spiritual Renewal
“In repentance, reconciliation and forgiveness, there is Hope for all families”
By
Lottie
Koziel
This season's
Lenten
recollections will
be led by Father
Boguslaw Jaworowski, Missionary
of the order of The Holy Family in
Poznan, Poland. This marks his third
visit to SS. Cyril and Methodius,
which is scheduled for March 27-30.
It's sure to be another heartfelt and
soul-touching experience.
In Father Jaworowski’s previous
instructions, he focused on teaching,
renewing and healing family members
in an effort to restore unity in families
and bring them back to God’s intended
will and plan. In my past attendances
during our 125th Anniversary and the
Lenten recollections in 2010, I am
reminded of many stories, of Jacob’s
family written in the book of Genesis.
“When his brothers saw that their father
loved him best of all his sons, they
hated him so much that they would not
even greet him.” (Genesis 37:4) The
family of Israel (Jacob) was a mess.
Israel had two wives and two families.
Israel favored Joseph, his first son from
his favorite wife. Therefore, the brothers
in Israel’s other family resented Joseph.
Their hatred for him continued to grow
to the point of avoiding him and never
stopping to greet him. Joseph’s half
brothers intended to kill him with their
own hands (Genesis 37:18). Then they
decided to throw him into a cistern and
let him starve to death (Genesis 37:22).
The brothers went on to sell Joseph into
slavery and then lied to their father by
giving him the impression that Joseph
had been killed by a wild animal.
Joseph’s brothers lived with their lie
News from the Pews - March 2011
for many years. Ultimately, some of
the brothers’ guilty consciences did not
allow them peace, and so they began
blaming each other for breaking their
father’s heart.
Today, many of us can identify and
relate to the chaos suffered in Israel’s
family. So many families have
experienced rejection, hatred, infidelity,
divorce, brokenness, abuse and incest.
As Israel’s family was eventually
reconciled, healed and restored through
forgiveness and repentance, this story
teaches us to have hope for our families
in the same manner. The Lord promised
that He would provide sufficient graces
and blessings through our prayer and
fasting, and repair the ruins of our
homesteads (Is. 58:12). Through the
recollections that are prepared by
Fr. Jaworowski, he instructs us that
each Lent provides us the opportunity
to repair the damage, chaos and broken
hearts within ourselves and amongst
our families. In Jeremiah 29:11-14,
we are also reminded about the Lord’s
promises: “For I know well the plans
I have in mind for you," says the Lord,”
plans for your welfare, not for woe!
Plans to give you a future full of hope.
When you call Me, when you go to
pray to Me, I will listen to you. When
you look for Me, you will find Me.
Yes, when you seek Me with all your
heart, you will find Me with you,”
says the Lord.
The invitation to seek and create a
closer relationship with the Lord is
offered to us daily. However, during
the special Lenten recollections, we
can partake in further strengthening
our daily rituals of prayer, meditation
and reflection with the instruction
specially prepared by Fr. Jaworowski.
Such recollections allow us to explore
more deeply the meaning of our lives,
existence and God's plan for us. So
often we ask ourselves “what is our
purpose,” and so many times we cannot
grasp an answer. Fr. Jaworowski’s
previous teachings touched upon how
society is only as strong as its families.
This may give us pause to wonder about
the society we find ourselves in today.
Further, Pope John Paul II, in his visit
to St. Louis, Missouri, noted in his
homily that when the family structure
dissolves, so will society dissolve as we
understand it.
Fr. Jaworowski’s lectures are very
inspiring and thought-provoking. If
you are looking to strengthen your
relationship with God or find the
purpose of His will in your life, I urge
you to attend the Lenten recollection
this upcoming March. The recollections
are provided for our benefit and take
much time and preparation to arrange.
I guarantee that it will make a
difference in your life and prepare
you for the Holy Season of Easter.
A special thanks to Fr. Larry and
Fr. Marcin for allowing this parish to
continue our annual tradition of hosting
special guests such as Fr. Jaworowski.
The inception of our recollections was
initially established by Fr. Edward
Witusik, the Polish Club founder and
Associate Pastor (S.P. February 2, 1932-
November 26, 1984). I urge everyone
to take advantage of this exceptional
spiritual renewal.
In conclusion, I offer a prayer for all of
our parish families, that they continue
to imitate the lives of the Holy Family
of Nazareth. May all mothers come to
know the patience, love and humility
of Mary; all fathers the gentle concern
and fortitude of Joseph; and all children
the love, obedience and joy of Jesus!
Amen. ‡
5
 Mats for Homeless Weaves the Way
for Lenten Service Project
The parishes in Lemont will work
together on a special Lenten Service
Project. “We will be collecting
clean plastic bags during the months
of February and March to create
portable sleeping mats for homeless
individuals,” said Susan Wallace.
Parishioners can bring bags to church
or school.
The idea was inspired by an article
Ministry of Care's New Caring Leadership
Paula Karcavich
and Theresa
Keppler were the
founding “Mothers”
of the Ministry of
Care. They wanted
to form a ministry
that visited the sick
and homebound, so they talked this over
with the pastor at the time, Father Richard
Jozwiak. He set them up with a parish that
had a similar program already established.
They attended a six-week program,
which included taking communion to the
homebound. So, on Easter Sunday 1991,
the Ministry of Care was formed. Prior
to this, Father Richard and other priests
would visit, but not on a regular basis.
6 News from the Pews - March 2011
The idea came from an article in the
Catholic World News newpaper that
featured a group from St. Mary’s
in Buffalo Grove. It takes 500-700
plastic bags to make one mat that is
approximately 3' by 6'. The bags are
made into "plastic yarn" and crocheted.
Help the environment and the
homelessat the same time. Completed
By Debbie Keppler
They began as a small group of six
ministers and visited three people to
start. The numbers grew slowly and
steadily as word got out. Everyone was
very welcoming and happy to see them.
In the early days, Paula and Thesesa
made the rounds accompanied by Paula’s
granddaughter Sarah. She brought a
smile to everyone they saw! They used
to visit parishioners in the hospital, but
with privacy laws now in effect they are
prevented from obtaining this information.
Theresa passed away almost five years
ago, and Paula continued as the president.
Ninteen years later, Paula has passed
on the torch to Carol Mierendorf and
Lorraine Wood. There are seventeen
mats will be donated both locally and in
the City of Chicago.
Neighbors or parish groups can get
together and make plastic yarn or
crochet a mat. Watch the bulletin for
upcoming sessions. If you have a group
that would like to participate, please
call Susan Wallace at (630) 243-9174
or send email to kattimer@aol.com ‡
ministers today and they visit
approximately forty people each week.
There are five teams that alternate weeks
each month.
The Ministry of Care has three to four
meetings a year. They are also in charge
of the Anointing of the Sick Mass, which
is held in August every year. This includes
the Tri-Parish community and anyone
else in need of healing.
St. Cyril’s is grateful for Paula's initiative
and all the current Ministers of Care for
the wonderful service they do and the
comfort they bring to everyone they visit.
They are truly a blessing to us all. If
someone is homebound and would like to
be visited, call the rectory. ‡
 A Little Sunshine at Daybreak
Established
in 1987 and
assuming
responsibility
from Catholic
Charities in 1993,
the Daybreak
Center located in
Joliet serves approximately 22,000
individuals per year.
Representing our own parish is Jackie
Papiernik, who has managed the soup
kitchen for the three Lemont parishes
since October 2010, but has been
volunteering at the soup kitchen for the
past six years.
When I asked Jackie about her role
at the soup kitchen, she said, “My
role is to make sure there are enough
volunteers to serve the meal and that
there are enough food donations. The
food donations are dropped off at my
home, where they are picked up by one
of the food servers.”
Jackie first became involved with the
Daybreak Center after reading about
it in the bulletin. “I brought my three
oldest girls with me the first time, and
from that point on, they would ask if
we could volunteer to serve every time
we saw it listed in the bulletin. All five
of my children have helped out at the
soup kitchen. I have also brought some
of their friends along, and they too are
always eager to return and help out. It
is such an easy way to help others less
fortunate than we are, and it only takes
a few hours of your time.”
When asked about what she is most
proud of, Jackie responded, “The
enthusiasm my children show each
time, they volunteer. They are really
disappointed when we are unable to
News from the Pews - March 2011
By Karen Dziekan
help out. It teaches them compassion
and empathy for others. We get
back so much more than we give. It
really makes you appreciate all the
blessings in your life.” If there are not
enough volunteers, or a last minute
cancellation, Jackie, along with some
of her children, are servers.
Parishioners can get involved by
donating food or their time as food
servers. Some months Jackie has to
pick up last-minute food items, so
any donation is very much appreciated.
Volunteering at Daybreak is a
rewarding experience. Entire families
can volunteer. She generally needs
at least 8-10 volunteers per meal to
serve 70-90 people per day. Teenagers
looking for service hours are welcome.
Rather than giving up something for
Lent, consider volunteering as part
of your Lenten promise, or making a
food donation.
The following are the programs offered
at the Daybreak Center:
Emergency Shelter and individual
case management
Shepherd’s Table
Permanent Supportive Housing
and case management for chronically
homeless males
Transitional Housing for single-
parent families and chronically
homeless single females
Emergency Services:
Assistance offered for food,
prescriptions, transportation, rent/
mortgage, identification/expenses,
furniture resources, etc.
Homeless Prevention/Rapid
Rehousing
The Daybreak Center is a safe
environment that offers meals seven
days a week. It is located at 611 E. Cass
Avenue in Joliet, Illinois. If you have
any questions or would like to donate
food items or volunteer your time,
contact Jackie at (630) 243-9358.
The Daybreak Center’s Mission
Statement:
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet,
translates God’s reconciling love
into professional human services,
advocates for a just and compassionate
society, and brings together members
of the community, church, business,
health care and government to develop
effective responses to human needs.
We commit to define these needs,
seek solutions, and call forth other
resources so that those we serve are
empowered to achieve for themselves
satisfying and productive lives. ‡
7
 Polish School Celebrates
30 Years
In June of 1979,
Rev. Edward
Witusik, a
LaSalette priest,
was assigned
as an associate
pastor of
SS. Cyril and
Methodius to assist Fr. Jozwiak (then
pastor). Father Witusik was the editor
of Polaniec, the LaSalette Fathers’
Polish magazine. He also wrote a
weekly Polish column for the Chicago
Catholic. Father Jozwiak introduced a
Polish Mass because he was interested
in preserving the culture and heritage
of the Poles. Father Witusik organized
the Polish Club of Lemont for the same
reasons, and it flourishes to this day.
The Polish Club began for Polish-
speaking parishioners and others
wishing to keep in touch with their
Polish heritage and to offer assistance
to those immigrating to the United
States. Their mission is to uphold the
traditions, customs and language of the
Polish School 30th Anniversary Mass, January 23, 2011
8 News from the Pews - March 2011
By Susan Dziekan
Polish people, continue to strengthen
and unite the Polish community
and its Catholic roots, and help new
immigrants adapt to their new home
and country. They encourage and
support the John Paul II Polish School
of Lemont, which is celebrating its
30th Anniversary this year. A special
Mass was celebrated on January 23rd
with a banquet on January 29th.
The school provides encouragement
and support to our Polish-American
students and their families. The
program encompasses speaking,
reading, writing and thinking in the
Polish language, as well as the study of
Polish history and geography. They
believe that experience through Polish
school provides students the potential
to become better people and citizens.
At its inception thirty years ago, there
were less than 100 students enrolled
in the Polish school. Today, there
are approximately 800 between two
locations – the main school in Lemont
holds classes on Saturdays, and a
second school in Romeoville holds
classes on Fridays.
All children above the age of four
are admitted, regardless of their
nationality, race or religion. Children
should be able to slightly communicate
in the Polish language. Classes in
Lemont are held on Saturdays in the
parish school building. High school
classes are four hours long, from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Elementary School
classes are three hours long, from
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The program runs
from September through the end
of May.
The John Paul II Polish Language
School also offers bilingual classes
for children ages 3 and up. The
classes are held each Saturday from
1 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
For further information or registration,
please call (630) 663-9058 or visit the
school website at www.polschool.com.
 New Words — Same Mass
By Joan Johnson

On the first of the new translation of the Mass,

Sunday of Advent,
November 27,
2011, English-
speaking
Roman Catholic
Communities
around the world will begin using the
new English translation of the Roman
Missal.
Take notice of the red book the priest
uses during Mass. This book, called the
Sacramentary (containing the prayers of
the Mass), together with the Lectionary
(containing the Scripture readings),
make up the Roman Missal.
This translation – a culmination of
many years of prayer, consultation and
debate – means that our words of prayer
will now conform more closely to Latin,
the universal language of the Church.
The new translation of the Roman
Missal uses language that is accurate,
reverent and poetic. The recovery of
sacredness in our language of prayer in
worship presents us with an opportunity
to open our hearts to the mysteries
expressed in the text.
This is a new translation, not a new
ritual for celebrating the Eucharist. The
Mass will have the same parts, the same
patterns, and the same flow as it has
had for the past forty years. It is only
the translation of the Latin text that is
changing. But the changes will affect
some of the most recognizable parts
of the liturgy. Some parts of the Mass
will sound just like they used to, but a
considerable amount will sound quite
different. The prayers of the people
will change in about a dozen sections
of the Mass. For example, we will soon
respond, “and with your spirit” to “ The
Lord be with you.”
The new translation corresponds to the
words and sentence structure of the
Latin text. Generally this results in a
good rendering of the original meaning.
At times it produces a rather awkward
text in English that is difficult to deliver
orally, and a challenge to unravel
its meaning. Most of the complex
sentences and loftier style affect the
prayers of the priest rather than those
that belong to the people.
Some may find it hard to adjust to
unfamiliar texts after forty years of
continuous use
of the previous
translation.
Some may be
comparing the
implementation of
the new translation
of the Roman
Missal with
Y2K. Be assured,
shortly after the
implementation
Catholics will be settled back into
a routine. Together with our priests,
we will have adjusted to the new
style of prayer that will sound more
humble than before. We will know
the responses by heart, we will have
learned the melodies composed for
the new texts, and we will even know
how to pronounce “ineffable” and
“consubstantial” and will understand
their meanings.
We will also realize how many things
did not change. Our prayer will still
be accompanied by familiar bodily
expressions such as kneeling, standing,
bowed heads and gestures of peace.
The repertoire of hymns will basically
be the same. The Scripture readings will
go untouched. The music, vestments
and decorations will all still observe
the cycle of seasons. Families will still
bring us the gifts and Father Larry will
still be recruiting liturgical ministers.
The United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops has created a website
www.usccb.org/romanmissal to help
Catholics familiarize themselves with
the new translation. In the weeks to
come we will have many opportunities
to learn more about, prepare for,
and welcome the new translation
of the Mass. ‡

News from the Pews - March 2011 9

 Fond Memories of our
Favorite Friars of St. Mary’s
The Franciscan
Fathers came
to the Lemont
area in 1924,
and have been
helping out the
Lemont Catholic
parishes in many
different ways, especially with religious
services, missions and retreats. Two of
the most frequent, friendly faces that SS.
Cyril & Methodius has been blessed to
have assisting us since the early 1950’s
are Father Athanasius Lovrencic and
Father Blasé Chemazar. Members of
the Slovenian Franciscan Friars of the
Custody of the Holy Cross, they reside at
St. Mary’s Retreat House on Main Street
here in Lemont.
Rev. Athanasius Lovrencic, O.F.M., was
born in Slovenia on October 3, 1922.
After World War II, he studied theology
and was ordained a priest in Trent, Italy,
on December 5, 1948. He came to the
United States shortly after, and has
been going wherever he is called ever
since. His many assignments include
St. Stephen’s (Chicago), St. Therese
(Johnstown, Pennsylvania), St. John
Vianney (Detroit), St. Joseph’s (Joliet) as
pastor, and St. Mary’s here in Lemont as
House Superior and also Guardian.
10
By Nancy Kosek
Father Athanasius is fondly remembered
by the parish school children over
the years as the celebrant of many
school masses. During Rev. Gilewski’s
pastorate, he would prepare couples for
marriage and then either Fr. Athanasius
or Fr. Blasé would perform the
wedding ceremony. They married many
parishioners over the years. Both priests
continue to be amazed to this day when
so many St. Cyril parishioners come up
and say, “You married us.”
Father Blasé Chemazar, O.F.M., was
born in St. Anthony Hospital in Chicago
on June 23, 1928. He entered St. Mary’s
Seminary in Lemont in 1946 and was
ordained on June 13, 1953. Just prior
to ordination, Friars Blasé Chemazar
O.F.M., and Mark Hochevar, O.F.M.,
served as deacon and sub-deacon at St.
Cyril’s Easter Sunday Solemn High
Mass, assisting Father Nosal. Father
Blasé chuckles as he recalls Father
Nosal’s sermon that day about people
getting new things for Easter. To
demonstrate, Father Nosal lifted up
his vestments and showed the
congregation his new shoes.
When Deacon Norb Lesnieski was
studying for the diaconate, Fr. Blasé and
Fr. Gilewski were his co-sponsors and
attended his ordination in 1972. Deacon
News from the Pews - March 2011
Norb recalls their special trips to Holy
Name Cathedral on Holy Thursday to
obtain the Holy Oils from Cardinal Cody.
He also remembers the Holy Name
Society attending retreats run by Fr. Blasé
at St. Mary’s. Fr. Blasé went on to be
the pastor at St. George parish in 1980,
and then at St. Stephen parish (both in
Chicago) until 1989.
$VLJQL¿FDQWHYHQWIRUDOORIWKHORFDO
Franciscan Fathers was the establishment
of the Slovenian Catholic Mission. After
lengthy discussions and preparations,
Joseph Cardinal Bernardin issued a
decree establishing the Mission. Fr.
Blasé, at that time Superior of the
Franciscans, was responsible for setting
up the terms for the care of the mission,
which became effective Oct. 1, 1994.
He ultimately became Major Superior of
St. Mary’s. He also taught at Mt. Assisi
Academy and was their school chaplain.
When Fr. Athanasius and Fr. Blasé began
assisting at St. Cyril’s in 1951 and 1953
respectively, the parish was growing and
broke ground for a new school building
in 1959. Now at 88 and 82 years old
respectively, the Fathers have seen many
more changes over the years.
Father Larry recognizes their sizable
contributions. “This will be a huge loss
for us, because they certainly made
Father Marcin’s and my life a lot easier.”
The community of SS. Cyril &
Methodius is very grateful for their years
of dedicated service celebrating Masses,
hearing confessions, and conducting
weddings and funerals. Living examples
of lives well lived, quietly and modestly,
they are too humble to realize the impact
RIWKHLUVHOÀHVVJLYLQJRQWKHWKRXVDQGV
of people they have touched over the
course of their lifelong ministry. If you
are one of them, please let them know
what a wonderful gift it has been. ‡
 :LDGRPRħFL.OXEX3ROVNLHJR
2JQLVNR.OXEX
By Anna Konarska-Ryttel
Jak co roku ǁƉĂǍĚnjŝĞƌŶŝŬƵ ŽĚďLJųŽƐŝħŽŐŶŝƐŬŽ<ůƵďƵ
WŽůƐŬŝĞŐŽǁ>ĞŵŽŶƚƉƌnjLJƉĂƌĂĨŝŝ_ǁŝħƚĞŐŽ Cyryla i
MetŽĚĞŐŽǁƉŽƐŝĂĚųŽƑĐŝWĂŷƐƚǁĂĞůĞŬ͘
:ĞƐŝĞŶŶĂƉŽŐŽĚĂ͕ƐƉĂĚĂũČĐĞůŝƑĐŝĞnjĚƌnjĞǁ͕
ůĞŬŬŝǁŝĂƚĞƌĞŬƚǁŽƌnjLJųLJŬĂŵĞƌĂůŶČĂƚŵŽƐĨĞƌħ
ŝŶƚĞŐƌƵũČĐČƵĐnjĞƐƚŶŝŬſǁ͘EŝŬƚŶŝĞĐnjƵųƐŝĞƐĂŵŽƚŶLJ͘
KĂǏĚLJnjŶĂůĂnjųŬŽŵƉĂŶĂĚŽĚLJƐƉƵƚLJ i zabawy.
tŽŬſųƌŽnjƉĂůŽŶĞŐŽŽŐŶŝƐŬĂŐƌŽŵĂĚnjŝůŝƐŝħ
ĚŽƌŽƑůŝŝĚnjŝĞĐŝ͘<ĂǏĚLJƐĂŵŽĚnjŝĞůŶŝĞƉŝĞŬųƐŵĂĐnjŶĞ
ƉŽůƐŬŝĞŬŝĞųďĂƐŬŝ͘LJųLJƚĂŬƉLJƐnjŶĞ͕ǏĞǏĂĚŶĞĚnjŝĞĐŬŽ
ŶŝĞŽƉƵƑĐŝųŽƐǁŽũĞũŬŽůĞũŬŝ͘
KoďŝĞƚLJƉƌnjLJŶŝŽƐųLJǁųĂƐŶŽƌħĐnjŶŝĞnjƌŽďŝŽŶĞpyszne
ƉŽƚƌĂǁLJŝƐųŽĚŬŽƑĐŝ͘ŽŐĂƚŽnjĂƐƚĂǁŝŽŶLJƐƚſųƉŽĚ
niebieskim niĞďĞŵƉƌnjLJĐŝČŐĂųŬĂǏĚĞŐŽŬƚŽƚLJůko na
ŶŝĞŐŽƐƉŽũƌnjĂų͘
WĂůČĐĞƐŝħ drzewo trzeszczaųŽ, ďƵĐŚĂũČĐĐnjĞƌǁŽŶLJŵŝ
iskrami ǁƐƚƌŽŶħŶŝĞďĂũĂŬ^ŵŽŬtĂǁĞůƐŬŝ͘dǁŽƌnjČĐ
o zmŝĞƌnjĐŚƵŶŝĞnjĂƉŽŵŶŝĂŶĞǁŝĚŽǁŝƐŬŽ͕ŽŐƌnjĞǁĂũČĐ
ŬĂǏĚĞŐŽŬƚŽƚLJůŬŽƉŽĐnjƵųĐŚųſĚ͘
:ĞĚŶČnjĂƚƌĂŬĐũŝŬĂǏĚĞŐŽŽŐŶŝƐŬĂũĞƐƚŵŝƐƚƌnjŽǁƐŬĂŐƌĂ
na akordeonie Ryszarda Witkowskiego i Aleksa
Wontarczyka na gitarze, njĂĐŚħĐĂũČĐLJĐŚ do
ǁƐƉſůŶĞŐŽƑƉŝĞǁƵ popularnych polskich piosenek,
ƑƉŝĞǁĂŶLJĐŚ przez wszystkie pokolenia na
wycieczkach szkolnych, obozach, jak za dawnych
dobrych czasów.
Property owned by the Zelek family was the ideal backdrop for the annual Polish Club of Lemont BBQ
News from the Pews - March 2011
njŝĞĐŝŚĂƐĂųLJƉŽƌŽnjůĞŐųLJŵƚĞƌĞŶŝĞďĂǁŝČĐƐŝħ
ƉĂƚLJŬĂŵŝ͕ƐŬĂĐnjČĐŶĂƚƌĂŵƉŽůŝŶŝĞ͕ŚƵƑƚĂũČĐƐŝħŶĂ
hamaku, ŐƌĂũČĐǁĨƵƚďŽů͕ǁƐƉŝŶĂũČĐƐŝĞŶĂǁƐnjLJƐƚŬŝĞ
ŵŽǏůŝǁĞƉƌnjĞƐnjŬŽĚLJĚŽƉŽŬŽŶĂŶŝĂ͘
KĚŬƌLJǁĂųLJǁƑƌſĚnjĂŬĂŵĂƌŬſǁĚƌnjĞǁŝnjĂƌŽƑůŝ
ƚĂũĞŵŶŝĐnjĞŐŽŽŐƌŽĚƵƵŬƌLJƚĞƉƌnjĞnjŶĂƚƵƌħƐŬĂƌďLJ͘
:ĞĚŶLJŵnjŶŝĐŚďLJųŶŝĞǁŝĚŽĐnjŶLJ ƐƚƌƵŵLJŬnjŵĂůƵƚŬČ
ǁLJƐƉĂ͘tLJŵĂƌnjŽŶĞŵŝĞũƐĐĞďLJƐŝħƐŬƌLJđƉƌnjĞĚ
ƑǁŝĂƚĞŵ͘
Dla wszystkich ognisko Klubu PŽůƐŬŝĞŐŽďLJųŽmile
ƐƉħĚnjŽŶLJŵŶŝĞĚnjŝĞůŶLJŵƉŽƉŽųudniem.
KĐnjĞŬƵũĞƐŝħŶĂŶŝĞnjǁŝĞůŬČŶŝĞĐŝĞƌƉůŝǁŽƑĐŝČ
ŬĂǏĚĞŐŽƌŽŬƵ͘EŝĞũĞĚŶŽŬƌŽƚŶŝĞƐƚĂųŽƐŝħŽŶŽnjĂĐŚħƚČ
ĚŽųČĐnjĞŶŝĂĚŽƐnjĞƌegów Klubu Polskiego.
ďůŝǏĂƐŝħĚƵǏLJŵŝŬƌŽŬĂŵŝůŝƐƚŽƉĂĚŽǁĂnjĂďĂǁĂ͕ŶĂ
ŬƚſƌČnjĂƉƌĂƐnjĂŵLJnjĐĂųĞŐŽƐĞƌĐĂ͕kaǏĚĞŐŽŬƚŽƚLJůŬŽ
njĞĐŚĐĞƉƌnjLJũƑđ- ŵŽǏŶĂ ƉŽnjŶĂđŵŝųLJĐŚŝĐŝĞŬĂǁLJĐŚ
ůƵĚnjŝ͕ƉŽŐĂǁħĚnjŝđ͕ƉŽƚĂŷĐnjLJđ͕njũĞƑđƐŵĂĐnjŶLJŽďŝĂĚ͘
:ĞƑůŝǁƚLJŵƌŽŬƵŶŝĞǁLJƐƚĂƌĐnjLJĐnjĂƐƵŶĂŶŝČ͕
njĂƉƌŽƐnjĞŶŝĞũĞƐƚĂŬƚƵĂůŶĞŶĂŶĂƐƚħƉŶĞůĂƚĂ͕ŐĚLJǏ
klubowa zabawa to coroczna tradycja naszego
polskiego Klubu. ‡
Anna Konarska -Ryttel
11

7U]\G]LHVWROHFLH
3ROVNLHM6]NRá\
LP-DQD3DZáD,,
Z/HPRQW
By Dr Jolanta Tatara
Dnia 29 stycznia 2011 roku 480
JRĞFLSHGDJRG]\G\UHNFMD
rodzice, uczniowie, przyjaciele
szko³y celebrowali jubileusz
30-lecia Polskiej Szko³y im. Jana
Pawla II w eleganckich salach
%HOZHGHU3U]\E\áRZLHOXJRĞFL
honorowych: Konsul RP - pani
Aleksandra Krystek, Prezydent
PRCUA- Joseph Drobot i v-ce
Prezydent - Anna Sokolowski,
pierwsza dyrektorka szko³y- pani
Krystyna Pokorny i pierwsza
prezes - pani Viki Para, odczytano
list gratulacyjny Ministra
Edukacji Nardowej - pani
Katarzyny Hall do pedagogów
naszej szko³y. Inwokacjê
przedstawi³ ksi¹dz proboszcz
Larry Lisowski. Fakt obchodów
30-lecia szko³y sk³ania nas do
spojrzenia wstecz i oceny
dotychczasowych wydarzeñ.
-HGQRF]HĞQLH]ZLĊNV]ąXZDJą
]DF]\QDP\P\VOHüRSU]\V]áRĞFL
a szczególnie o tych, którzy tê
SU]\V]áRĞüEĊGąWZRU]\ü']LĊNL
wszystkim zaanga¿owanym w
¿ycie szko³y osobom, nasza
szko³a prê¿nie siê rozwija, maj¹c
na wzglêdzie utrzymanie i
pog³êbianie polskiej kultury.
A najwspanialszym dla nas,
pedagogów, podziêkowaniem s¹
XĞPLHFKQLHWHWZDU]HG]LHFL
wychodz¹cych z polskiej szko³y i
chc¹ce do niej powracaæ. ‡
2011 Lenten Schedule
Celebrate the Eucharist Reconciliation
Daily Mass: Saturdays: 4:30-5:00 pm
Monday-Saturday, 7:00 am
Tuesdays: 8:00 pm, Polish
Saturday, April 16th, 3:00-5:00 pm
Tri-Parish Reconciliation, individual
Weekend Masses
confessions in English and Polish,
Monday, April 18th, 4:00-5:30 pm
Saturday evening: 5:30 pm and 6:30-8:00 pm
Sunday: 7:00, 8:30 (Polish),
10:30, 12:00, 1:30 pm (Polish), Stations of the Cross
Wednesdays in English at 7:30 pm
5:00 pm (St. Patrick’s)
Fridays in Polish at 7:00 pm
Polish Lenten Mission
Living Stations of the Cross
Begins Sunday, March 27th at
St. Cyril School 4th Graders,
all Polish Masses April 11th, 6:30 pm
Monday, March 28th: 11:30 am Tri-Parish Youth Ministry,
and 7:00 pm Mass Good Friday, April 22nd, 7:00 pm
Tuesday, March 29th: at St. Alphonsus Church
10:45 am Confession,
11:30 am Mass, 7:00 pm Novena Adult Soup & Scripture Mondays
and Confessions, 8:00 pm Mass Mondays March 14th, 21st, 28th,
April 4th, and 11th at 6:30 pm
Wednesday, March 30th: 10:45 am
at the Rectory. Enrich your
Confessions, 11:30 am Mass, 6:00 pm
Lenten expierience each week
Confessions, 7:00 pm Mass
by discussing the readings of the
coming Sunday liturgy.
News from the Pews
Quarterly publication for the
SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish community.
Send correspondence to:
News from the Pews
c/o SS. Cyril & Methodius Rectory
608 Sobieski Street
Lemont, IL 60439
(630) 257-2776
Publisher: Fr. Larry Lisowski
Editor: Debbie Keppler
Editing/Proofing: Kay Manning
Renata Teper
Layout/Design: Colman Brohan Davis Marketing
E-mail Address (Editor): rectory@stcyril.org
Parish Website: www.stcyril.org
The next issue of News from the Pews comes out
in Summer 2011.
All Parish Ministries are encouraged to submit articles
to share in the happenings of parish life.