Morsels and Tidbits

INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW - What are you doing tonight (Sunday)? Why not spend some time watching a very moving, live production of the Passion of Christ. The talented Prayer-Theatrical Group “Wieczernik” is with us again this year. The performance – offered in English – begins at 6 pm in church.

COMMUNITIES COMING TOGETHER - Just a reminder - this year, we are combining our Parish Mission with that of St. William’s Parish and St. Cyprian’s Parish.

The theme of the mission is found in the words of St. Paul: In Him we live and move and have our being.

The presenter, Father Britto Berchmans, currently the pastor of St. Paul of the Cross Parish in Park Ridge, is an engaging speaker and much sought after retreat leader.

Each evening has a specific focus:

Monday, March 8th at 7 pm - Why Go Catholic? Living out our Baptismal Call

Tuesday, March 9th at 7 pm - Who Do You Say I Am? Our Personal Relationship to Jesus Christ

Light refreshments will be served each evening following the mission. Please join us for two evenings of inspiration and prayer. I hope to see you there.

Please note: The combined mission will be held at St. William’s Parish. Transportation to St. William’s from St. Celestine’s is available on a first come, first served basis. Please contact the Pastoral Center for more information about transportation.

“A JUST AND RIGHTEOUS MAN” - These words are frequently used to describe St. Joseph, the spouse of Mary and the protector of the Universal Church. For many years, the Italian Catholic Federation of our parish has honored St. Joseph by hosting a traditional St. Joseph Table. This year is no exception. Be sure to mark your calendars for Sunday, March 14th from 12 Noon to 2 pm. Please note the particulars elsewhere in the bulletin.

DID YOU KNOW? - The pretzel is a very ancient bakery item, which traditionally was eaten only during Lent. It appeared each year on Ash Wednesday and disappeared on Good Friday. It goes back at least to the fifth century. There is a Roman manuscript in the Vatican Library dating from that period which shows a Lenten pretzel. As to the shape – it is made in the form of two arms crossed in prayer. The word bracellae, “little arms,” became in German Bretzel, then Pretzel. The early Christians ate no dairy products in Lent, so the pretzel was made only of flour, salt, and water. It was as simple as it could be.

In prayer,
Fr. Jeffrey