Rosaries for Healing

SALE APRIL 14th & 15th DO YOU NEED A GIFT FOR BAPTISM, FIRST COMMUNION, CONFIRMATION, MOTHERS DAY BIRTHDAY OR ANNIVERSARY
THIS IS THE LAST SALE UNTIL THE FALL Items include: Rosaries, bracelets, necklaces, crosses, watches for men and women AND MUCH MORE! Price range for this sale will be 50 to $70 Stop by and purchase a special gift for that special person in your life.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY will be here March 24 & 25 to accept your donations of clothing and other household items. Pick up a large white bag in the Narthex after all Masses on March 17& 18th. Accepting all clothing, shoes, linens, blankets, coats, kitchen items.. For furniture pick up please call 630-231-4658 and we will send a truck to your home for large items. Thank you for helping us help others.

February 26, 2012

First Sunday Of Lent 1214 Hamilton Street, Lockport, IL 60441
Phone 815 838-2592 Fax 815 838-2401 E-mail church@saint-dennis.org Web - http://www.saint-dennis.org WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Saturday 4:30 pm Sunday 7:30 am, 9:15 am, 11:00 am Daily Monday thru Friday 7:15 am (Changes to daily Mass may occur. View page 2 for all changes.) Glory & Praise Tuesday 7:00 pm

Hand-Carved Olive Wood Gifts from the Holy Land

Proceeds benefit Catholic schools in the Holy Land. There are more than 600 Christian families living in Bethlehem and are completely dependent on carving olive wood figurines for their livelihood. The recent clashes in the Middle East have stopped the tourism industry in Bethlehem, causing most of these families serious harm in earning their living and forcing many of them to leave their homeland. Emptying the land of Christ from Christians can have tragic consequences on the Holy sites. Issam from Star of Bethlehem Group came to the United States with a mission to help those families by selling their beautiful religious hand crafts. The cost of goods goes to benefit the Christian carvers to keep them working in the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, the profit from sales goes directly to the needy Catholic schools and clinics in the Holy Land. Star of Bethlehem is approved by many Bishops, and from the Diocese of Jerusalem. Sale dates are March 10th & 11th. MENS DISCERNMENT GROUP Men 17 and older are welcome to our Mens Discernment Group to discuss relevant topics to discern a priestly vocation. These meetings will take place at the John Paul II House, 430 N. Center St., Joliet. Sunday, March 4, 2 to 4 pm Please RSVP to Fr. Burke at vocations@dioceseofjoliet.org or ((815 8344004). But if you don't have time to RSVP, please come anyway.

Our Mission Statement St. Dennis is a welcoming, Spirit-led, Catholic Community called to be disciples of Christ, servants of those in need and celebrators of Gods love.
Dear Family, Lent is a time for personal renewal and restoration. We are in the process of restoring our church. Part of the restoration is to scrape away the old paint and repair and patch cracks in order to put on a new coat of paint upon the walls and ceiling of St. Dennis Church. We are called in Lent to scrape away the layers of sin in our lives, the lack of forgiveness towards others, the sloth and laziness of our prayer life and to put upon us a fresh coat of the Holy Spirit. We do this by greater prayer and fasting in these holy forty days. We do this by loving as Jesus loved; selflessly, sacrificially and not thinking of ourselves but thinking of others such as a family member, spouse, neighbor, parishioner, someone who is ill or someone who is forgotten. One of the greatest compliments that we receive as a parish is that we are very loving to one another and all who come to our church. These next forty days I ask that you love with all of your heart and strength to those you meet and to those you live with. Spend quiet time each day loving Jesus. I wish each of you a holy and powerful Lent. In the Lords Love, Fr. Jim Curtin

SACRAMENTS
Reconciliation: Sat. 3:30-4:15 pm or Appt. Baptism Please call 815 838-2592 ext.123 to register and complete a Baptismal Request form. Marriage Please call 815 838-2592 ext.123 to Register, at least six months in advance.

All special orders ready when you need them!

A Loving Memorial Blood Drive honoring Nicolette Bellos Saturday, March 24, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. at Dr. David Taylor Chiropractic Office Lichtenwalter Building, 350 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL 60431 Appointments by request 815-741-9550 All donations go to the University Of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago to replenish their blood bank .

Parish Office Hours

8:30 am 4:00 pm PASTORAL STAFF
Pastor Rev. James Curtin Associate Pastor Rev. Thomson Panakal Pastoral Associates Deacon Rob Weierman Sr. Joanne Vallero, CSJ Jackie Bedore Music Director Patti Johnson

Are you a Married Couple willing to share your experience with an engaged couple? Deacon Rob Weierman needs your help. If you are willing to meet with our 2012 engaged couples to discuss your faith walk experience, marriage and family please contact the Parish Office asap at 815-838-2592 x 0. Couples who assist in preparing engaged couples for the sacrament of marriage will discuss the FOCCUS pre-marriage inventory with a follow-up visit between the sponsor couple and those preparing for marriage. FOCCUS is an acronym meaning Facilitating Open Couple Communication Understanding and Study. Thank you for considering helping this important ministry.

We Welcome New Parishioners

If you would like to join St. Dennis Parish or learn more about us, please contact the parish office at 815 838-2592 x 123 or stop in to pick up a new parishioner packet. We would like to welcome you to our parish family!

Healing Prayer
Lorrie Murphy 708 301-5107 murphyfisch@comcast.net

St. Dennis Gift Card Program

Stop by the gift card table and check out our new vendors Groupon, Berkots and many more..Need gift cards during the week? Gift cards are available on Thursday mornings in the Parish Center from 8 to 9 a.m. and Friday mornings in the school library from 8 to 9 a.m. If you have questions or to place a special order, contact scripinfo@comcast.net or (815) 836-0661.

OPERATION ANDREW DINNERS - dinners with Bishop Conlon are open to all men high school age or older. The evening begins at 6pm and ends by 8pm. You will have dinner with Bishop Conlon and Fr. Burke, hear a vocation story, ask questions and meet other young men interested in knowing more about the priesthood. We will have three different locations in the Diocese of Joliet so all interested can attend one of these dinners. Please RSVP to Fr. Burke at vocations@dioceseofjoliet.org or ((815 834-4004) if you are interested in coming Tues, March 6, 2012 St. Martin of Tours Parish, Kankakee or Wed, March 28, 2012 St. Daniel the Prophet Parish, Wheaton

Bulletin Editor
Kim Cast castaways@ameritech.net

MONTHLY REMINDERS
SundayCatechesis 9:15am, 5:15pm, 2nd & 4th Sun.-Baptism 1 pm MondaysCatechesis of GS 4:30pm, Catholicism 7 pm TuesdayFinancial peace University 6:30 pm 2nd Tues.Catholic Council of Women 12 pm - Sept., Dec., March & May WednesdayCatechesis of GS, 6pm, Thursday All Choir Practices, Bible Study 10 am, Third Thursday Senior Luncheon First FridayHoly Hour 3:30pm SaturdayRCIA, 3:30pm
1201 Washington St. Lockport, IL 60441 815 838-4494 E-mailschool@saint-dennis.org PrincipalLisa Smith

Bulletin Information Center Deadline to submit info for the bulletin is 4 pm Friday one week before you want it to appear. Please send all information by email to castaways@ameritech.net PLEASE NOTE: In subject area, type St. Dennis Bulletin. All info must now be in MS Word or Publisher document as an attachment. Thank you, Kim Cast

Mass Intentions
Saturday, February 25 4:30pm Helen Kijowski by Adele Devine, Leon
Spangler, Birthday Remembrance by Dolores & family

February 26, 2012

Thursday, March 1 7:15 am Frank Lamparski by wife Lorraine, David

Eichhorn by loving family

SAVE THE DATE

STEWARDSHIP OF TREASURE
Glory & Praise All are welcome to join us on Tuesdays at 7 pm. Feb 28 Mass with Fr. Curtin Attention First Communion & Reconciliation Candidates: Future meetings are March 2, March 23 and Rehearsal is May 5 in the church. 1st Reconciliation & 1st Communion will be May 11 & 12th. Please contact Christen Morris at 838-2592 x 114 if you have questions. Youth Group Stations of the Cross Practice on Sun., Mar. 4th , 2 - 4:30 pm in church followed by meeting 4:306:30 pm in Stalzer Room/. Open Gym until 7 pm. Word Alive Bible Study Thurs. 10-11:30 am in Stalzer Room. Our next sessions are March 1, 8, 22, 29 . Open to

Sunday, February 26
First Sunday of Lent

Friday, March 2 7:15 am Elizabeth Johnson by Christine Brilowski 3:00 pm Stations of the Cross 3:30 pm Holy Hour & Adoration of Blessed Sacrament Saturday, March 3 4:30pm Tom Marchio by Carol & Jerry Richards Sunday, March 4
Second Sunday of Lent

7:30am St. Dennis Parish Family 9:15am Kenneth Mrumlinski, Anniversary of Death by
Miles & Bernadine Patchik, Tom Marchio by Dave & Judy Martis & family, Gloria Nowak by sister Mary Bell 11:00 am Linda Gescuk by family

Feb. 18/19 Collection (345 envelopes*) ..... $ 10,024 Weekly Auto Debit (96) ..... 2,732 Monthly Auto Debit-weekly aver. (128) ...... 3,248 Total ..... $16,004 * $701 loose cash Weekly Operating Expenses . $ 19,217 THANK YOU!!! GOD BLESS YOU!!! Please consider using auto debit in which your contribution is automatically withdrawn on a regular basis. Call Kathy at 815 838-2592 ext. 121 to enroll. PARISH CENTER DEBT... $ 39,096 2011 Contribution Statements are available. Please contact the parish office at 815-838-2592 or secretary@saint-dennis.org, please let us know if you would like your statement e-mailed, mailed or ready for pick-up in the parish office. Giving the Glory to God Renovation: (as of 2/20) Total Pledged: $190,970 Number of families: 205 Payments received: $84,159 Next weeks second collection is for debt reduction.

Monday, February 27 7:15am Donna Tierney by Jim & family, Mary & Stan
Jungles by family 12:30 pm Rosary 7:00 pm Catholicism: Word on Fire in Narthex

7:30am Elaine Steinke, Birthday Remembrance by

Sandy & Danny Mullins 9:15am Elaine Steinke, Birthday Remembrance by Georgene Bankroff, Deceased members of the Theodore Kelm family by Mr. & Mrs. Melvin Kelm 11:00 am Nicolette Bellos, Birthday Remembrance by family, James Frelichowski by your friends at Palos Hospital Outpatient, Elaine Steinke by Thea Keegan, In Thanksgiving and Blessings for the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Bill and Wilma King

all adults who wish to gather for a time of prayer, input and discussion. For more info or to register, call Sr. Joanne at 815 838 2592 X 110.
Holy Hour & Eucharistic Adoration Join us Friday, March 2 for Holy Hour from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. and the great blessing of the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 4:30 pm until 10 pm. The Blessed Sacrament, exposed in the Monstrance, brings Jesus very close to us. All are welcome to come and pray. Mens Annual Silent Retreat. Come to the quiet. Is your life full, complicated and stressful? Make the time to attend the Mens Silent Retreat and experience a new relationship with the Lord. The Retreat is March 2-4, 2012. For more information contact: Jerry Miglorini at 815 838 3013 or Tom Gorski at 815 838 4105 Hand-Carved Olive Wood Gifts from the Holy Land Sale dates are March 10th & 11th in the Narthex.. ST. DENNIS COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN MEETING Tuesday, March 13th at Noon, Fracaro Hall Corned Beef Luncheon, $8.00 Please bring scissors to cut crosses for Haiti project RSVP (for food count) to Colleen/Kym by March 9th ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY will be here March 24 & 25 ST. DENNIS ROSARY MINISTRY SALE APRIL 14th & 15th

Tuesday, February 28 7:15am Robert C. Dower by John & Linda Walsh 7:00 pm Glory & Praise Mass in the Church Fr.
Jim Curtin

Wednesday, February 29 7:15 am Tom Marchio by Mike & Cathy Pauly 8:15 am All School Mass; Charles L. Borio by family,
Gene Demsko, Birthday Remembrance by family

Pilgrim Virgin Statue

The Pilgrim Virgin Our Lady of Fatima statue has been at St. Dennis for over 15 years. The intent of this devotion is for the statue to travel from home to home 1 week at a time. This devotion will bring blessings to all who participate. The sign-up book is by her statue in the Narthex. Please sign up for a week. We can change the world through her holy and blessed intercession.

This Week the Flame of Faith will burn in Memory of .

Leon Spangler, Birthday Remembrance by Dolores & family Jacqueline (Jackie) Murphy by Joann Murphy FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT Lent is a season for repentance. Our relationship with God offers us a refuge from the temptations of sin and a gateway to salvation. As Stewards, our deeds and prayer glorify God, whose mercy is never ending. Through Jesus, we recognize that suffering is a part of our journey of faith.

Giving Glory to God Church Restoration Project

For those who are interested, there are additional items available to memorialize and dedicate. Some examples are the altar, tabernacle, lectern, carpeting, marble flooring, reconciliation room, lighting of clock tower and steeple cross, Pastors, Deacons and Servers chairs and St. Joseph statue these items range in cost from $3,000 to $50,000. Please call the parish office if you are interested in making a donation or memorial . Feel free to speak with Fr. Jim if you have any questions. Stations of the Cross: Fridays at 3 p.m. Please visit our website at www.saint-dennis.org for the Lenten Calendar and updates in the Parish.

BAPTISMS
Zachary Christopher Madej Liam Allen Henry Logan Joseph Pirc

Please pray for those who have entered into Eternal Life especially Edith Loeschen

HELP NEEDED We are seeking volunteers to help with the projector for weekend Masses. This ministry is open for anyone in 5th grade and up. If you are interested please contact Alice Matteucci (708) 906-5814 or you can email alicematteucci@comcast.net. Training will be provided.

Please pray for those who are sick or suffering especially

Mary Bolattino, Ray Karstens, John Bucksa, Mary Beth Perkne, Rich Drexler, Eva Garvey, Sherry Lewandowski, Mary Galick, Lisa Berglund Fran Fallon, Marilyn Vonch, Fr. Thomson

Readings-- Today: Gn 9: 8-15, 1 Pt 3:18-22, Mk 1: 12-15 Mon: Lv 19: 1-2, 11-18, Mt 25:31-46 Tues: Is 55:10-11, Mt 6:7-15 Wed: Jon 3:1-10, Lk 11:29-32 Thurs: Est C: 12, 1416, 23-25, Mt 7:7-12 Fri: Ez 18:21-28. Mt 5:20-26 Sat: Dt 26:16-19, Mt 5:43-48 Sun: Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18 Rom 8:31b-34, Mk 9:2-10