Tuesday, April 13, 2010: Young Adults Trivia Night

Join the Assumption Young Adults at Trivia Night at State (935 W. Webster) on Tuesday, April 13. Trivia topics include pop culture, geography, politics, history, and more. Teams will have a chance to win prizes like a Nintendo Wii, a digital camera, vacations and $800.00 in cash. Trivia begins at 8:00 p.m. Arrive at 7:00 for $5.95 build-your-own-burger and a seat. Questions/RSVP by April 12 to Christina at chmesco@gmail.com. Assumption Young Adults is for those in their twenties or thirties, single or married.

Sunday, April 11, 2010: Mass and a Movie - Sugar

Our movie series continues with a screening of the 2008 film 'Sugar'. This film follows the path of a hot-shot but dirt-poor pitching prospect from the Dominican Republic as he starts his baseball career in Iowa and deals with culture shock. It invites us to think about the manipulation and exploitation that help feed our appetite for sports as well as the place of sports in our culture. It stars Alegenis Perez Soto. The screening will be followed by a twenty minute guided discussion of the issues raised by the film. The Movie will be shown in the lower church at 6:00pm, following the 5:00 Mass. The movie and refreshments are free, but reservations are requested. To reserve your seat, call the parish office (312-644-0036) or RSVP on-line. -- Click 'here' for more information about the series.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010: Lenten Evenings of Faith - Eucharistic Adoration

Our final event in our Lenten series, Evenings of Faith, is this Wednesday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall.  Sr. Anne Flanagan, F.S.P., who gave last year's popular talk on St. Paul, will give a presentation on Eucharistic Adoration.  Sr. Anne is an editor and author of many books for Pauline Books and Media, including a book introducing children to Eucharistic Adoration.  She will speak on the renewed interest in this traditional Catholic practice of Adoration outside of Mass and how it relates to our active participation in the Mass.

Mass will be celebrated at 6:00 p.m. every Wednesday during Lent.  There is a Lenten meal at 6:30 p.m. followed by the talk from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Reservations are required only for the meal.  Please make your meal reservations by calling the parish office by noon on Monday or by signing the list in the back of church.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010: Lenten Evenings of Faith - Being Loved

People of faith are always being challenged to love others; but how do we gracefully receive the love of another, and how does being loved complete us as a human person? Andrew Lyke, long-time coordinator of Marriage Ministry in the Archdiocese of Chicago, a popular speaker, and a syndicated columnist, will address these and other relationship questions in a presentation entitled “standing in the glow of being loved” Wednesday March 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. This is the fourth in our weekly Lenten series, Evenings of Faith. Mass will be celebrated every Wednesday night during Lent at 6:00 p.m. There will be a Lenten meal at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall, followed by the talk from 7:00--8:00 p.m. Reservations are required only for the meal (a donation of five dollars is suggested for the meal). Please make your dinner reservations by noon on the Monday preceding the presentation. Call the parish office or email lent@assumption-chgo.org.

Sunday, March 14, 2010: Mass and a Movie - Gran Torino

Our movie series continues with a screening of the 2008 film 'Gran Torino'. A bitter and bigoted retired auto-worker (played by Clint Eastwood), mourning the death of his wife and his blue-collar way of life, finds himself being shaken back to life by his new neighbors. This film speaks to issues of racism, generational change, the plight of our rust belt cities, and the economic future of the U.S. The screening will be followed by a twenty minute guided discussion of the issues raised by the film. The Movie will be shown in the lower church at 6:00pm, following the 5:00 Mass. The movie and refreshments are free, but reservations are requested. To reserve your seat, call the parish office (312-644-0036) or RSVP on-line. -- Click 'here' for more information about the series.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010: Lenten Evenings of Faith - Art And Worship

Mentor to many artists and a well-known liturgical designer with a studio in River North (and a member of the Assumption worship community), John David Mooney was one of 250 invited participants at Pope Benedict’s Summit on the Arts in November, 2009. He will give the next presentation in our Evenings of Faith series Wednesday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Mr. Mooney will report on the Rome meeting and will offer visual examples of the role that art has played in the history of Christianity and of its role today.

Mass will be celebrated at 6:00 p.m. every Wednesday evening during Lent. There will be a Lenten meal in the Parish Hall at 6:30 p.m., followed by the talk at 7:00 p.m. Reservations are required only for the meal (a donation of five dollars is suggested for the meal). Please make your meal reservations by noon on the Monday preceding the presentation. Call the parish office or email lent@assumption-chgo.org.

Wednesday, March 03, 2010: Lenten Evenings of Faith - The Resurrection of Jesus

Fr. Joe will give the next presentation in our Lenten Series, Evenings of Faith, at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 3 in the Parish Hall. In a talk entitled “The Resurrection of Jesus,” he will show how each of the four Gospels offers a different perspective on the events of the first Easter. He will then explore how these differences reflect questions faced by the early Christian community in trying to understand the resurrection and how some of these same questions remain with us today.

Mass will be celebrated at 6:00 p.m. every Wednesday evening during Lent. There will be a Lenten meal in the Parish Hall at 6:30 p.m., followed by the talk at 7:00 p. m. Reservations are required only for the meal (a donation of five dollars is suggested for the meal). Please make your meal reservations by noon on the Monday preceding the presentation. Call the parish office or email lent@assumption-chgo.org.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010: Lenten Evenings of Faith - Judaism Today

Fr. John Pawlikowski, O.S.M., a member of the Servite Community at Assumption, Director of Catholic-Jewish Studies at Catholic Theological Union, and author/editor of 15 books, will give the first talk in our Lenten Series Evenings of Faith Wednesday, February 24. Fr. John will examine some of the important beliefs, spiritual principles, and doctrines of the major strands of contemporary Judaism. Mass will be celebrated in Church at 6:00 p.m. There will be a Lenten meal in the Church Hall at 6:30 p.m., followed by the presentation from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Reservations are required only for the meal (a five dollar donation for the meal is suggested). For dinner reservations call the parish office (312-644-0036) or email lent@assumption-chgo.org.

Sunday, February 14, 2010: Mass and a Movie - RocketScience

Our movie series continues with a screening of the 2007 film 'Rocket Science'. A high school student who stutters joins the debate team at the urging of an attractive fellow student in this very original coming of age comedy. It stars Reece Thompson, Anna Kendrick, and Nicholas D'Agosto, and offers a fresh look at the universal struggle to express yourself, accept yourself, and process your experience of first love. The screening will be followed by a twenty minute guided discussion of the issues raised by the film. The Movie will be shown in the lower church at 6:00pm, following the 5:00 Mass. The movie and refreshments are free, but reservations are requested. To reserve your seat, call the parish office (312-644-0036) or RSVP on-line. -- Click 'here' for more information about the series.

Sunday, January 10, 2010: Mass and a Movie - The Visitor

Our movie series continues with a screening of the 2007 film 'The Visitor'. A widowed professor gets involved in the lives of an African immigrant family he finds living in his little used New York apartment. This film, which stars Richard Jenkins, Haaz Lemiman, and Danai Guira, prompts discussion on issues as diverse as finding a purpose in life, appreciating different cultures, and securing justice for illegal immigrants. The screening will be followed by a twenty minute guided discussion of the issues raised by the film. The Movie will be shown in the lower church at 6:00pm, following the 5:00 Mass. The movie and refreshments are free, but reservations are requested. To reserve your seat, call the parish office (312-644-0036) or RSVP on-line. -- Click 'here' for more information about the series.

Sunday, December 13, 2009: Mass and a Movie - Frozen River

Our movie series continues with a screening of the 2008 film 'Frozen River'. Set along the U.S.-Quebec border, this gritty but ultimately uplifting drama recounts the struggles of two single mothers to break free of their desperate financial plight. The film makes us think more deeply about the nature of right and wrong and about adult moral decision making. The film stars Melissa Leo and Misty Upham. The screening will be followed by a twenty minute guided discussion of the issues raised by the film. The Movie will be shown in the lower church at 6:00pm, following the 5:00 Mass. The movie and refreshments are free, but reservations are requested. To reserve your seat, call the parish office (312-644-0036) or RSVP on-line. -- Click 'here' for more information about the series.

Sunday, November 08, 2009: Mass and a Movie - The Squid and the Whale

Our movie series continues with a screening of the 2005 film 'The Squid and the Whale'. This award winning film about a disintegrating family focuses on a couple's two sons who cope with their parents' impending divorce in different ways. This film invites discussion on how family can be both a positive and negative influence and how we find emotional support in times of crisis. It stars Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, and Jesse Eisenberg. The screening will be followed by a twenty minute guided discussion of the issues raised by the film. The Movie will be shown in the lower church at 6:00pm, following the 5:00 Mass. The movie and refreshments are free, but reservations are requested. To reserve your seat, call the parish office (312-644-0036) or RSVP on-line. -- Click 'here' for more information about the series.

Friday, October 16, 2009: Painting Pizza Party!

Assumption Church Hospitality Ministry needs volunteers for painting the Parish Coffee and Bar Room Friday, October 16th from 6:00PM—8:30PM and Saturday, October 17th from 8:30—11:30AM Hospitality Ministry will provide pizza, soda, wine and beer. If you are able to volunteer on these dates please contact Theresa @312-666-9656 or email: ta.orozco@sbcglobal.net

Saturday, October 10, 2009: Blessing of Marathon Runners

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is Sunday October 11. Yes, it makes access to Assumption more difficult on Sunday morning, but the event does a lot of good for those in need. Last year 7,300 charity runners collectively raised $10 million for organizations around the globe. If you or someone you know is participating in the Marathon, bring them or bring yourself to the 5:00pm Mass on Saturday October 10. During Mass we will offer a blessing for runners—praying not only for their safety and stamina during the race, but also that they continue to carry with them a spirit of generosity. This is the third year that Assumption has offered this blessing.

Sunday, August 16, 2009: Parish Homecoming Mass and Picnic

Our second annual Assumption Homecoming Mass and Picnic is Sunday August 16, beginning with the 12:10pm Mass and continuing until 4:00pm with music and picnic fare under the tent set up in front of the church. Please call the parish office (312-644-0036) or email parishoffice@assumption-chgo.org. to let us know that you plan to attend the picnic so that adequate provisions may be made. We are also in need of some bakers (or bakery shoppers) who can provide cakes and cookies for a desert table that afternoon. Please call the parish office if you can help out here too.

Though part of Illinois Street will be closed for the picnic, the parking lot will be open to cars. Additional parking will also be available that day off Franklin Street across from Gene and Georgetti’s. The Parish Feast of the Assumption (August 15) is not observed as a Holyday this year since it falls on Saturday; but we will be celebrating Mary’s Feast at the Homecoming Mass and at all the weekend Masses August 15-16.

Sunday, July 19, 2009: Mass of Installation

Fr. Joe will be officially installed as Pastor of Assumption in a brief ceremony during the 10:30 Mass on Sunday, July 19. Bishop Francis Kane will preside at the Mass and at the installation ceremony.

Click 'here' to view photos of event.

Saturday, June 27, 2009: Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Of Ordination

Twenty-five years ago, on June 16, 1984, I was ordained a Servite priest at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica. In gratitude for God’s graces and gifts and for the many wonderful people I have met in ministry over these twenty-five years, I will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving Saturday June 27 at the 5:00pm liturgy. Since you, the people of Assumption, have been my faith community for the past three years, I would be honored to have you join me in this celebration and in a reception with light hors d’oeuvres in the parish hall following Mass. But, please, no gifts! If you feel compelled to give money or property away that day, please give it to the church or to your favorite charity (They can all use it right now). Let’s just celebrate God’s goodness!

~Fr. Joe

Wednesday, April 01, 2009: Evenings of Faith - We Don't Worship Together

Fr. Sparks, Paulist priest and popular workshop speaker (based at Old St. Mary's in the South Loop), will offer some practical advice for dealing with the stress that can arise in a family when a spouse or loved one chooses not to participate in church life, or finds difficulty accepting our involvement in church, or decides to be active in another religion. -- There will be a Mass at 6:00pm every Wednesday of Lent, followed by a meal in the Parish Hall at 6:30, with the presentation from 7:00 to 8:00pm. Reservations are required only for the meal.

Fr. Dick Sparks, C.S.P. is a Paulist priest ordained in 1978. Currently he serves on the parish staff of Old St. Mary’s Church, the Paulist parish in Chicago. He has served as the pastor of the Newman Center parish at U.Cal. Berkeley and as director of the Paulist Center in Boston. He is a popular speaker and teacher, gifted with the ability to synthesize and make accessible complex moral and ethical topics. Fr. Sparks is an effective preacher and spiritual guide. In addition to local parish work, he spends a portion of his ministry each year on the ethics/morality workshop and retreat circuit around the U.S. and Canada. He is frequently sought to consult with health care systems and ethics committees because of his biomedical ethics expertise.

Fr. Sparks has a Ph.D. in Christian Ethics from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. His dissertation, published as To Treat or Not to Treat: Bioethics and the Handicapped Newborn (1988), received a Catholic Press Association book award. His best known book, Contemporary Christian Morality: Real Questions, Candid Responses (1996), continues to be a mainstay resource in seminary, diaconal, pastoral ministry, RCIA and college courses.

His most recent publication is a chapter, “Making Decisions about End-of-Life Care,” in Ron Hamel (ed.) Making Health Care Decisions: A Catholic Guide (Liguori, Mo: Liguori Press & Catholic Health Association, 2006). Available in a 32 pp. pamphlet from the same publisher.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009: Evenings of Faith - Life and Legends of St. Paul in Art

Sister Anne Flanagan: Much of the artistic tradition depicting the life of Paul depends not only on Scripture, but on little-known Christian legends. Sr. Anne, an author and editor for Pauline Books and Media and a specialist in Pauline spirituality, will help us gain some fresh insights into St. Paul's life, mission, and martyrdom through the lens of some 100 works of art. -- There will be a Mass at 6:00pm every Wednesday of Lent, followed by a meal in the Parish Hall at 6:30, with the presentation from 7:00 to 8:00pm. Reservations are required only for the meal.

A Daughter of St. Paul for over thirty years, Sr. Anne is wildly enthusiastic about our mission of putting communications technology at the service of the Gospel. You can read her online posts on her 'Nun Blog'.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009: Evenings of Faith - Does the Media Lose Faith When Covering a Story?

Local Radio and TV News Reporter and Assumption Parishoner, Mary Francis Bragiel, will describe ethical challenges reporters face covering the news (protecting sources, the people's right to know, when to go public with a story, etc.) and the role her faith plays in how she does her job. She will also discuss media coverage of church-related issues. -- There will be a Mass at 6:00pm every Wednesday of Lent, followed by a meal in the Parish Hall at 6:30, with the presentation from 7:00 to 8:00pm. Reservations are required only for the meal.

Mary Frances Bragiel was raised in Arlington Heights and is a graduate of Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest and George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Before coming to Newsradio 780 in 2005, Mary Frances was reported for television stations in Roanoke, Virginia, and Grand Junction, Colorado.

She's a volunteer in the bakery department of Misericordia Heart of Mercy Home in Chicago and is a member of the Misericordia's Woman's Auxiliary Board.

Mary Frances also volunteers with CARE Chicago, and HELP (Help Ease Local Poverty) which is part of the Jane Addams Hull House Association.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009: Evenings of Faith - Forgiveness: Where Do We Start?

Why is it so hard to forgive? To seek forgiveness? Fr. Novak, the President of De La Salle Institute and a frequent speaker for Theology on Tap for young adults, invites us to see our efforts at forgiveness and reconciliation in light of God's forgiving grace, an approach that can lead us to uncover a deeper purpose to the Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation. -- There will be a Mass at 6:00pm every Wednesday of Lent, followed by a meal in the Parish Hall at 6:30, with the presentation from 7:00 to 8:00pm. Reservations are required only for the meal.

Fr. Paul Novak, O.S.M. was ordained a Servite priest on May 26, 1990 at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica in Chicago. From 1990 to 1992 he served as associate pastor at St. Domitilla Church in Hillside. Fr. Novak was the vocation director for the Order of Friar Servants of Mary (Servites) from 1992 to 1994. In the fall of 1994, Fr. Novak joined the faculty of De La Salle Institute as the campus minister and religion teacher and served there until 2003. Fr. Paul has served as the Assistant Provincial for the Order of Friar Servants of Mary from 2003-06 and as the Provincial for the Order of Friar Servants of Mary since 2006.

Fr. Paul was a nominee for the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Heart of the School Award in 1996, as well as being chosen to the Who’s Who Among American High School Teachers that same year. In 2000, he was lauded as De La Salle’s Lasallian Educator of the Year.

Fr. Paul holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Saint Louis University, a Master’s Degree from the Catholic Theological Union, a Certificate from Villanova University’s Institute of Business Administration and is working on a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration at Dominican University.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009: Evenings of Faith - Opening Some Windows on Islam

Dr. Scott Alexander, Associate Professor of Islam and Director of Catholic-Muslim Studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, will offer the first presentation of our Wednesday evening Lenten series, Evenings of Faith. His talk on March 4 is titled “Opening Some Windows on Islam.” There will be a Mass at 6:00pm every Wednesday of Lent, followed by a meal in the Parish Hall at 6:30, with the presentation from 7:00 to 8:00pm. Reservations are required only for the meal.

Sunday, February 01, 2009: Super Bowl Party

Even without the Chicago Bears on the big screen, the Assumption Super Bowl Party on Sunday February 1 remains one of the “be there” events of the year. Hosted again this year by the Hospitality Committee, the event will feature a big screen TV, liquid refreshments of various kinds, a chili cook-off at half-time (followed by the consumption of said chili), games of chance, and an opportunity to socialize with some of the classiest people in the world. And it’s all free! (Your continued support of the Bake Sale helps keep this event free). The doors to the Parish Hall will open at the time of the kick-off (approximately 5:20pm). Mass will be celebrated in the Church as usual at 5:00, but is expected to be over by 5:35pm that evening. Come to Mass and then to the Party! The Committee’s only request is that you sign-up in advance if you plan to attend.

Monday, November 10, 2008: Fall Fundraiser Italian Festive Dinner and Silent Auction!!!

The annual Italian Festive Dinner and Silent Auction is Monday the 10 November. The Jack Foy Band begins playing at 6:00pm and dinner is served promptly at 7:00pm. Come early to view all of the great items to bid on in the silent auction.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008: Coping with Stress in Today’s World by Fr. Anthony O’Connell, OSM

A distinguished teacher, preacher, and psychotherapist, Dr. O'Connell is a Servite Priest and a licensed Clinical Psychologist as well as a certified Psychoanalyst. Along with his doctorate in Psychology and Psychoanalytic Certification, he holds advanced degrees in "Religion and Personality," and in "Organizational Behavior." He has lectured in Europe, South Africa and Australia. He currently maintains a Private Practice in Psychology in the River North area.

Dr. O'Connell will explain what stress is and why it is a fact of life for every one of us. He will then describe the different attitudes we may take toward stress, drawing on both our spiritual tradition and the insights of psychology.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008: The Night Before Jesus Died by Fr. Joseph Chamblain, OSM

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Fr. Joseph Chamblain was ordained for the Order of Friar Servants of Mary (Servites) in 1984. He has ministered in Servite parishes in central New Jersey, St. Louis, and Chicago, and has served as editor for a number of Servite publications. He has given parish missions and retreats throughout the country. From 1993 to 1999 Fr. Joe was Assistant Provincial of the Eastern Province of Servites. Since 2006 he has been Director of the National Shrine of St. Peregrine, (the cancer saint) at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica on Chicago's westside. He is also on the staff at Assumption Church in downtown Chicago.

This presentation will begin by looking at the meaning of ritual meals in the Jewish tradition. It will then explore what each of the four Gospels has to say about what happened on the Wednesday and Thursday before Jesus of Nazareth was arrested and executed. Although each Gospel offers a different perspective on the events leading up to Good Friday, all of them invite us to see the Last Supper Jesus ate with his followers on Thursday evening as both the culmination of Jesus’ ministry and a sign of what a community gathered in his name is supposed to be. Finally, we will be invited to consider our own experience of "holy communion" and how this worship experience can be enriched by reflecting on the scriptural texts.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008: Personal Faith and Political Engagement of Generation Next by Dr. Molly Andolina

Dr. Andolina has been a member of the Political Science Faculty at DePaul University since Autumn, 2002. Her research fields include American public opinion, civic engagement, generational politics and youth activism.

After graduating from Georgetown University with a Ph.D. in Government in 1997, Dr. Andolina worked for almost two years as a research director for the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. She was a poll analyst for NBC in the 2000, 2002, and 2004 elections. After moving to Chicago in 1999, Dr. Andolina taught at Loyola University before joining DePaul University.

At DePaul she has been involved in a project designed to evaluate and promote the connections that students make between their personal faith and spirituality and their own civic and political engagement. Some of the findings of this project she will reveal in her talk at Assumption Church on February 20.

Among Dr. Andolina’s publications is a 2006 book she co-authored with Scott Keeter, Cliff Zukin, Michael X Delli Carpini, and Krista Jenkins: A New Engagement: Political Participation, Civic Life and the Changing American Citizen (NY: Oxford University Press).

Dr. Andolina's talk will provide a portrait of today's youth generation. She will describe their political and civic activism, their unique blend of issue positions, how their faith and spirituality relate to their politics, and their potential effect on the 2008 presidential election.

For more information about Dr. Andolina and her publications, see her faculty webpage: http://las.depaul.edu/psc/People/FullTimeFaculty/Andolina/

Wednesday, February 13, 2008: Lent: A Season of Waking Up (to life and love), Not Just Giving Up (candy or beer) by Fr. John Fontana, OSM

A native of Chicago, Fr. John was ordained a Servite priest in 1978. He has served in parish ministry in Chicago and St. Louis. From 1980 to 1991 he was in formation work with Servite seminarians. For the last 17 years he has ministered primarily in the field of adult faith formation, giving retreats, workshops, parish missions, and individual spiritual direction. In 2006 Fr. John was elected Assistant Provincial of the United States Province of Servites.

In all of the world’s religions, there are words to describe a kind of spiritual "awakening," "enlightenment," "conversion," "transformation," etc. Unfortunately, this real depth and core of our Christian spiritual lives can tend to be forgotten or ignored, as we overly focus on the surface rules, rituals and content of our beliefs, all of which ought to be helping our deeper spiritual growth. Lent, the Church’s "springtime retreat," is an opportunity to reflect on 'what really matters' in our lives, especially the two human experience which most often "wake us up" to ourselves and God: Love & Pain.