Historic St. James at Sag Bridge Church 10600 S. Archer Avenue | Lemont, Illinois 60439-9344 | (Ph) 630.257.7000 | (Fx) 630.257.7912

Email: stjames1833@att.net | Website: www.historicstjames.org Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Saint James At Sag Bridge

October 28, 2018 | Thirtieth Ordinary Sunday

185th Anniversary

Fr. John Irenaeus St. Cyr 1833

“Following in the Footsteps Of Our Pioneers”

Fr. Tom Koys Pastor

Page Two October 28, 2018 – 185th Anniversary

FROM THE DESK OF, FR. THOMAS KOYS, M.A., S.T.L., PASTOR

The picture on the cover of our bulletin this week is an artist’s (Fr. Koys) rendition of the original log cabin church that was built shortly after the first Mass was cele-brated by Fr. Irenaeus St. Cyr in a barn or a bar, in October of 1833. The small log cabin church had to be torn down as Colonel William B. Archer laid his famous Chicago road. For those who missed the presentation on the history of St. James that participants of the 185th Anniversary Riv-er Boat Cruise enjoyed, it will be repeated on Wednesday, Oct 31, after our evening 7:00pm Mass in Sag Hall.

It’s a great blessing to participate in an anniversary. Obvi-ously, it’s a joy when it’s YOUR anniversary, like when it’s your wedding anniversary. But a parish anniversary is different. It’s not really just YOUR anniversary, it’s OUR anniversary, anyone and everyone who has called St. James their spiritual home. As pastor, it’s a special bless-ing to be here during this special time. As many of you already know, my love of history peppers much of my thoughts and sermons. Over the years, I’ve loved getting to know about the history of St. James, like a husband enjoys learning about the his wife’s history. Our history defines who we are in many ways. ou can’t change history, but you can write a new chapter in the story of your life, and knowing your history helps you know how to write that new chapter. In this sense, I must share with you one of the most powerful elements I’ve learned about in the story of St. James. It’s not the wonderful way the Irish canal dig-gers carried stones up our hill to build our church. It’s not the ghost stories that are always told when visitors visit us. It’s not the even the incredible way so many people came together to save St. James after the tornado in 1991. The most powerful and amazing thing I’ve learned about our history is the part that the early Potawatomy Indians played in the life of St. James and Old St. Mary’s down-town. To learn that over 300 Potawatomy Indians partici-pated in Fr. Iraneaus St. Cyr’s, (St. James’ first pastor) first Mass at Old St. Mary’s, was to learn something that com-pletely turned my world upside down. Since Fr. Cyr of-fered the first Masses here, in the “wilderness” of Athens, IL or the town of Sag Bridge, IL. We can rightfully pre-sume that some Potawatomies would have come Mass here.

This point of history turned my world upside down, be-cause I was always taught that the native American Indians

were the untamable, pagan savages that couldn’t be assim-ilated into the infant Christian nation. I learned from watching shows like The Lone Ranger, Bonanza and The Rifleman that haunting phrase, “The only good Indian is a dead Indian”. But knowing the history of St. James, we find just how beautifully many Potawatomies and other “peaceful tribes” like the Hurons or the Ojibwes assimilat-ed to not only the “white man customs” but to Christianity, and Catholicism in particular. Here is an example of what you never learned in school…

“I have made the acquaintance of three of the principal Indian chiefs, all 3 Catholics. They edified me by their great faith. Before sitting down at table whether others were present or not, they prayed for a space of almost 5 minutes, and 3 times every day they came to my room to say their prayers which consisted of a Pater and an Ave, to thank God for having given them life and the means to support life and to pray for their benefactors. I showed them a large crucifix and explained to them with the aid of an interpreter what our Lord had done and suffered to save us from hell and give us heaven. They remained mo-tionless for a while, with their eyes fixed on the crucifix and looking at it with an air of piety and compassion, which showed they had a lively realization of what they saw. Then they broke the silence by prayers which they recited at the foot of the crucifix shedding at the same time, torrents of tears. Non vidi bantam fides in Israel, (I have not seen such great faith in Israel) I could not refrain from weeping with them. They told me they spent every Sunday singing praises of Him who died for the whites and the Indians alike. What a beautiful harvest.”

Altar & Rosary Society All women of the parish are invited to our next monthly meeting on Novem-

ber 19th at 9:30am in Sag Hall. Our guest speaker will be Pat Camalliere,

author of “The Mystery at Sag Bridge.” Plan on attending our Ladies Night Out

(Bunco) on Friday, November 16th.

Pres: Barbara (708.257.9129) V.P: Irene (773.366.2185) Sec: Judi (630.243.9414) Treas: Linda (630.257.8252)

Thirtieth Ordinary Sunday – 185th Anniversary Page Three

WORLD EVENTS FROM THE BEGINNING OF ST. JAMES, 100TH ANNIVERSARY & 150TH

ANNIVERSARY

HISTORICAL FACTS FOR 1833 The town of Chicago is incorporated (population 350). Andrew Jackson is sworn in 2nd term, as President of the United States.

Parliament passes the Slavery Abolition Act for the British Empire.

A total of 18 Presidents of the United States (2 former, 1 current, &15 future) more than any other time peri-od.

Leonid meteor shower is observed all over North America.

HISTORICAL FACTS FOR 1933

Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge begins.

Assassination attempt on President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt, fatally wounds the Mayor of Chica-go, Anton Cermak.

The first alleged sighting of the Loch Ness Monster.

Mt. Rushmore National Memorial is dedicated.

FDR is sworn in as the 32nd President, during the Great Depression, proclaims "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself”.

The 21st Amendment repealing Prohibition.

HISTORICAL FACTS FOR 1983

The Space Shuttle Challenger is launched on its maiden voyage.

Midwestern American states are affected by a severe drought that causes water shortages.

The government of Poland announces the end of martial law.

Global Positioning System (GPS) made available for civilian use.

Solar eclipse of December 4, 1983.

RESIDENT PASTORS Rev. Joseph A. Bollmann 1882-1903 Rev. Paul J. Rosch 1903-1909 Rev. Vincent Brummer 1909-1923 Rev. John N. Weiler 1923-1925 Rev. Peter J. Geraghty 1925-1940 Rev. William R. Leyhane 1940-1951 Rev. Raymond A. Ploszynksi 1951-1970 Rev. George Aschenbrener 1970-1987 Rev. James P. Davitt 1988-1994 Rev. Edwin V. Bohula 1994-2003 Rev. Edward D. Gleeson 2003-2013 Rev. Thomas Koys 2013-to Present PRIEST ORDAINED FROM ST. JAMES Rev Wayne Dziekan 1994 Rev John J. Zurek 2004 DEACONS ORDAINED FROM ST. JAMES Deacon John M Wilkinson 2002 Deacon Douglas Szarzynski 2016

Dear St. James, Just a note to express my appreciation for all your prayers, get well wishes, flowers and surprise visits. My prayers are with all of you as we celebrate our 185TH ANNIVERSARY. I am hoping to join you at Cog Hill. With sincere prayers for the future of St. James is on the top of my list. From the bottom of my heart I cannot thank you enough for all your prayers. My God be with all of you, Mrs. JoAnn Starha

MASS SCHEDULE Holy Day Nov 1st All Saints Day Wednesday, Oct 31st – 7PM Thursday, Nov 1st – 7AM & 7PM

Nov 2nd All Souls Day ___ Friday Nov 2nd – 8:15 & 6 PM

Our weekly Offertory collection from October 21st was $3,177.00. The number of envelopes received was 96. The Propagation of the Faith collection was $986.00.

OUR MANY THANKS TO OUR REGISTERED FAMILIES USING ENVELOPES &

THE CASH-AND-CARRY FOLKS.

Our CHURCH CLEANERS FOR FRIDAY – 10/28/18 Are Diane, Kristine,Bronislawa & volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the

rectory office at 630.257.7000.

VOTIVE OFFERINGS FOR THE WEEK OF 10/28/18 St. James Altar & Rosary Society

Health & Healing for Michael McMillan In Memory of Lillian Simanavicius

In Memory of Zig Simanavicius

Our beautiful bouquets of flowers surrounding our

altar were made available In thanksgiving by

BOB & JOAN SWIGON

Mass Schedule

WEEKENDS: Saturdays: 5:00pm Sundays: 8:30, 10:00 & 11:30am HOLY DAYS: 8:15am & 7:00pm

WEEKDAYS: Mon, Tue, Thu 8:15am & Fri 6:00pm WEDNESDAY: Adoration at 5:00pm & Mass 7:00pm

CONFESSION SCHEDULE: Wednesdays 6:00-7:00pm & Saturdays 9:30-10:15am otherwise by appointment.

BAPTISMS, WEDDINGS & FUNERALS: Contact the rectory office.

SICK & HOMEBOUND PASTORAL CARE: Please notify rectory.

RECTORY OFFICE HOURS: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu & Fri: 9:30am to 1:00pm.

MONDAY, OCT 29TH 8:15 AM For All Couples Preparing for Marriage

TUESDAY, OCT 30TH 8:15 AM Birthday Blessings for Cody Pienkos

WEDNESDAY, OCT 31ST 7:00 PM Cathy A’Hearn

THUSDAY, NOV 1ST – ALL SAINTS 7:00 AM Jan & Matulda Pulit 7:00 PM Mizyn Michal

FRIDAY, NOV 2ND – ALL SOULS & 1ST FRIDAY 8:15 AM All the Poor Souls in Purgatory 6:00 PM Mizyn Michal & 16th Birthday Blessings for Grace Bock Thirty-First Ordinary Sunday SATURDAY, Nov 3rd – 1ST SATURDAY 5:00 PM Mizyn Michal & Mary Hanchar

SUNDAY, NOV 4TH 8:30 AM For All Couples Preparing for Marriage & All the Poor Souls in Purgatory 10:00 AM Mizyn Michal 11:30 AM Stan Strzempek

31ST ORDINARY SUNDAY

11/3 & 11/4/18

Celebrant

Altar

Servers

Lectors

5:00 PM Fr. Tom Koys

J. Jacobek Carver Carver

B. Grandat

8:30 AM Fr. Tom Koys

J. Beecher J. Beecher Dillenburg

C. Slowik

10:00 AM Fr. Tom Koys

N. Akroush J.P. Colarelli M. Colarelli

P. Brunk

11:30 AM Fr. Edward Gleeson

D. Estrada G. Estrada B. Zabilka

S. Kelley