Christ the King

The liturgical year concludes with the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Pope Pius XI instituted this feast in 1925. In 1969, Pope Paul VI moved it to the last Sunday in Ordinary Time. Paul VI wanted to emphasize the end times and the beginning of the second Advent. This is why the Church again reminds us of the second coming at the beginning of the Advent season. This day, we celebrate Christ as the Lord of all creation. Christ is the ruler of the universe; everything is under his dominion, things seen and unseen. Earthly kingdoms and governments have a beginning and an end, but Christ’s kingdom is everlasting, his kingdom has no boundaries, his kingdom is all powerful. Amidst all the trials and tribulations of the world, the Solemnity of Christ the King gives us the hope of a kingdom of peace and justice. Christ ought to be the King of all things.

Catholics acknowledge the supremacy of Christ over all people and nations. Jesus Christ is not only king of the world, but also an eternal king glorified by all the saints in heaven. Christians are supposed to honor Christ as the king of our lives, families, communities, nations, and all creation. If we let Christ reign in our lives, everything in us will follow his rule. Christ does not rule with an iron fist, but rather his rule is based on justice, love, mercy, and peace. Christ needs to be the king of our families. Christ should be at the center of family life because Christ gives our families guidance and purpose. Nowadays Christ is often forgotten by communities and nations. He threatens those who love worldly power for the wrong reasons. Christ’s power does not oppress people but frees them to love and serve others. Christ is the perfect king. If we let him be the king of our lives, families, communities, nations, and all creation, he will bring everything to fulfilment. As we conclude Ordinary Time, let us enthrone Christ as our king and the king of the Universe.

Thanksgiving
We have been enjoying a beautiful fall season. For farmers the fall means harvest time which also means gratitude for what the earth has yielded to us. This Thursday we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day. There are so many things we are thankful for. Although challenging, this year has been full of blessings. Thanksgiving helps us to reflect on what we have received from God. Parishioners traditionally come to church on Thanksgiving Day since the celebration of the Eucharist is the most appropriate form of thanksgiving. In fact, Eucharist means thanksgiving.

When we come to Church, we recognize how good God is. In the Eucharist, we realize that only in God do we find everything we need. Preface V of Ordinary Time speaks of the God who creates and provides: “For you laid the foundations of the world and have arranged the changing of times and seasons; you formed man in your own image and set humanity over the whole world in all its wonder, to rule in your name over all you have made and forever praise you in your mighty works, through Christ our Lord.” As we get together with family and friends for the traditional thanksgiving dinner, let us not forget the many blessings we have receive from God. I am thankful for St. Catherine Labouré, which is such a wonderful faith-filled community. What are you thankful for?

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
A variety of churches and faith groups make their homes in Glenview. Driving around town we notice several places of worship. We are witnesses to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which acknowledges that people have the right to practice their own religions. People gather in churches, synagogues, mosques, and other houses of worship to freely practice their faith. This diversity of beliefs gives us a wider understanding of the quest for God. Although different, we can live together peacefully in the same town. We follow Jesus’ command to love our neighbor.

The clergy from the many religious institutions in Glenview have formed the Glenview Clergy Association. This group has many objectives. For instance, we gather throughout the year to reflect on the importance of our beliefs; we meet with leaders of different organizations in town; we connect our communities in service to others. Each year, the Glenview Clergy Association organizes an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service. This event is hosted by a different faith community every year. Last year, it was hosted by the Glenview New Church; this year it will take place at the Glenview Community Church on Glenview Road and next year, it will be at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. St. Catherine Labouré will host this event in a few more years. Thanksgiving is a good time to come together across religions and acknowledge the many gifts we have all received from God.

Peace
Fr. Lara

Live the Liturgy
Our king hangs on a cross. Onlookers saw this as the final defeat of a fool who many saw as an insurrectionist. They laughed at him and challenged his kingship by looking for proof: Save yourself! Historically, earthly kings are influential figures wielding significant power over the quality of their subjects’ lives. Where is Jesus’ power? Slowly fading away, he’s a failure in many eyes. Brokenness and vulnerability are often seen as failures. Something went wrong and exposed us, revealing our fragile and sometimes incorrect selves to others. Yet, what appears at first to be shameful is really a golden key to life. It is only when vulnerable that we learn how to love genuinely. Marking what seems the end of a failed mission, Jesus Christ our King hangs before us as the vulnerable, wounded key to God’s infinite love and life. The kingdoms of this world pass away. Jesus hangs as our king of a world that never ends. When we are vulnerable and broken in death, we fall into the fullness of Christ and are made one with him. This is more than any earthly king can promise and is the salvation we seek.

Honor Our Military

Please take time to give thanks for those who have served and are serving in our military and to pray for the safety of those who may currently be in harm’s way. In a special way, we thank and pray for these parishioners and relatives of parishioners.

He Who Sacrificed His Life
†CHRISTOPHER ZIMNY

Those Still Serving
JAY MARTIN, Nephew of Becky and Tom Brennan
JESSICA CAMERON, Niece of the Cameron Family
JOHN PODCZASKI, Grandson of Genevieve Podczaski
STEVEN TUMBARELLO, Son of Sylvia & Vince Tumbarello
CRAIG BEHRENDT, Grand-nephew of Sister Mary Helen
DANIEL BELZER, Nephew of Dave & Bev Belzer
MICHAEL KELLY, Nephew of Kevin and Kathy Kelly
EUGENE WALL, Nephew of Suzanne Lessner
NAILL SWIDER, Grand-nephew of Alice Swider
BRYAN DUFF, Son of Julie Duff
RYAN BLOCHBERGER, Nephew of Mae Grady
TIMOTHY DWORKIN, Grandson of Barbara Bouska
ALEXIS GONZALES, Great-niece of Eden & Lyle Gonzales-Nemzin
JACK MAHON, JR., Son of Jack, Sr. & Eileen Mahon
MICHAEL FOLEY
JOHN FOLEY
PETER MULLER
DANIEL FRAYNA
JOSEPH GULLO
SANG HOON LEE
ANTHONY PALMERO
MORRIS COREY MCMAHON, SON OF CHRIS & JULIE MCMAHON
RYAN FONTILLAS

To add or remove someone, please send the person’s name and relationship (optional) to sclbulletin@mail.com

Please Pray for Ukraine

For our sisters and brothers involved in or affected by the war and devastation in Ukraine-- the deceased, the injured, the frightened, the displaced, the fighters, the protesters, the leaders. May God give them solace, healing, comfort, and hearts and minds directed toward peace.
Donations can be made here:

Knights of Columbus: https://www.kofc.org/secure/en/donate/ukraine.html

Caritas: https://www.caritas.org/

Ukrainian Catholic Archdiocese of Philidelphia: https://ukrarcheparchy.us

"May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war" - Pope Francis