Parish Announcements

New Volunteer Opportunity
Share your love of St. A's with new parishioners! The St. A's New Parishioner Committee is looking for some individuals and families to sponsor new parish members and families. What's involved? Reach out and ask them to join you at mass or a St. As parish social event or school event such as the St. Patrick's Day party, inform them of parish happenings, and attend a new parishioner welcome brunch or dinner. The obligation is minimal and you'll likely meet a new friend! Ready to help? Questions? Contact Diane Ritchey at dsritchey@gmail.com, 847-866-7910 or Maggie Swider at mtrebbien@hotmail.com, 847-425-1331.

Upcoming Events at St. Athanasius
St. Athanasius School will hold an Open House on Thursday, February 2, from 9:30 to 11:00am (with a Special Presentation at 10:00am). Please visit and consider the benefits of a Catholic education for your children.

The Volunteer Kick-Off Meeting to plan the St. Patrick's Day Party will be held on Thursday, February 2, at 7pm, at Michelle Palumbo’s Home, located at 2225 Pioneer Road. Bring a friend AND bring a dish to share. If you can't attend, but would like to volunteer, please e-mail Michelle at mpalumbo113@aol.com.

Our annual Pancake Breakfast will be held on Sunday, February 5, from 9am to 1pm, in the School Gym. All are welcome.

Our LifeTeen Movie "Night" will be held on Sunday afternoon, February 5, at 2:00pm, in the Teen Room. There will be pizza and popcorn!! It's Super Bowl Sunday, but you will not miss the game. Please join us for an afternoon of food and fun!!

The Women's Club Lenten Morning of Reflection will take place Saturday, February 25, at 9 am in the Hartke Room. This year's speaker will be Mary Ruth Broz, R.S.M. will lead us in “Finding Shelter and Inspiration in the Lives of Women Who Dared.”

Poker Night will be held on Saturday, March 3 (NEW DATE!!), at 6:30pm, in the St. Athanasius Gym. The social time will start at 6:30 pm followed by an optional tutorial session at 7:30 pm. Tournament play begins at 8:00 pm. We look forward to seeing everyone there.

The St. Athanasius St. Patrick's Day Party will be held on Saturday, March 10, from 5pm until 9pm, in the Gym. Contact Michelle Palumbo at mpalumbo113@aol.com if you would like to help plan this event.

The Women's Club Spring Luncheon will be held on Saturday, April 14, at 11:30am at Westmoreland Country Club.

Our annual Rummage Sale will be held on Saturday, April 28, from 8am to 3pm, in the Gym. Drop-off of items will begin Sunday, April 22, at 11am.

LifeTeen Movie "Night" on February 5
SUPER BOWL SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES! Gather your friends and join us for a Superbowl Sunday screening of "The Blindside". Pizza and popcorn will be served - and not an OUNCE of homework will be allowed!

MOVIE STARTS @ 2PM in the Teen Room (yes - the secret room under the school). We will wrap things up in time for 5pm Mass.

Questions? Contact Youth Minister Jim Potthast by phone (847-328-1430, ext. 120) or by email (jpotthast@stathanasius-evanston.org).

THE FINE PRINT:
Pre-Movie Event: Those of you who would like to help plan future LifeTeen events or who would just like to chip in and get things ready for the movie please come at 1pm.

Food: We will serve traditional Superbowl food: Pizza and Popcorn and an assortment of soft beverages!

You Do Have Homework? PIZZA IS BRAIN FOOD!! Come for your favorite part of the Movie, eat and then go finish your homework before kickoff! The Movie will start 2:15 -2:30.

Welcome Father Hernan Cuevas
Fr. Hernan celebrated his first Mass as a priest at St. Athanasius on Sunday, May 22, 2011, after his ordination as a priest on May 21 at Holy Name Cathedral. Fr. Hernan joins St. Athanasius Parish as Associate Pastor.

Childcare is offered during 9:30am Mass
We offer babysitting for young children during our Sunday 9:30am Mass, which has now been relocated to the Kindergarten classroom in the School (as of September 25, 2011). Our childcare provider is Kausar Allahrakha, who has provided child care at St. Athanasius Parish for many years and is certified in CPR and First Aid. Advance reservations are not required.

Childcare will NOT be offered on Christmas Day or on New Year's Day.

If you have any questions about childcare, please call Cynthia Splatt at 847-328-1430, ext. 124.

Parish Staff Contact Information
To contact a staff member dial the main number (847) 328-1430 and enter their extension:

Amling, Marion - Business Manager, Ext. 105 (mamling@stathanasius-evanston.org)
Berg, Judy - School Communications Coordinator, Ext. 107 (jberg@saintas.net)
Bonier, Barbara - Office Manager, Ext. 142 (bbonier@stathanasius-evanston.org)
Carson, Steve - Music Director, Ext. 125 (scarson@stathanasius-evanston.org)
Castagna, Susan - Principal, Ext. 115 (scastagna@saintas.net)
Cuevas, Fr. Hernan - Associate Paster, Ext. 103 (hcuevas@stathanasius-evanston.org)
Goszczynski, Lori - Bereavement and Pastoral Care, (847) 475-6324 (lgoszczynski@stathanasius-evanston.org)
Hotchkiss, Bridget - Coordinator of Religious Education, Ext. 129 (bhotchkiss@stathanasius-evanston.org)
Lauri, Jean - Generations Campaign Administrative Assistant, Ext. 116 (jlauri@stathanasius-evanston.org)
Libera, Fr. Tom - Pastor, Ext. 111 (tlibera@stathanasius-evanston.org)
Lietz, Mary - Assistant Principal, Ext. 123 (mlietz@saintas.net)
School Secretary - Ext. 101
Moore, Janice - Parish Office, Ext. 100 (jmoore@stathanasius-evanston.org)
Moreno, José - Facilities Manager, Ext. 114 (jmoreno@saintas.net)
Potthast, Jim - Youth Minister, Ext. 120 (jpotthast@stathanasius-evanston.org)
Quish, Mary - Assistant Principal, Ext. 122 (mquish@saintas.net)
Sellers, Karen Sonnicksen - Parish Administrator, Ext. 143 (ksellers@stathanasius-evanston.org)
Splatt, Cynthia - Director of Adult Faith Formation & Religious Education, Ext. 124 (csplatt@stathanasius-evanston.org)
Weiler, Sr. Ann - Catholic Chaplain, Evanston Hospital (847) 570-2330

LifeTeen 2012 Service Trip to Wind River Reservation
Our LifeTeen Mission Trip will take place from July 28 to August 5, 2012, at the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.

If you are interested in attending this service trip, or if you have any questions, please contact Jim Potthast at 847-328-1430, ext.120, or jpotthast@stathanasius-evanston.org.

Would you like to receive our eNewsletter?
We've introduced a new way to bring timely information to our parishioners and friends. Our eNewsletter is emailed, about twice each month, with important information regarding upcoming events at St. A's. If you do not now receive the eNewsletter but would like to, please send your email address to news@stathanasius-evanston.org.

Sunday Morning YOGA
On each Sunday morning, from 8:15 to 9:15am, you are invited to begin your Sunday with an hour of yoga before Mass. Lisa Weber, St. A's Mom and Executive Director of Heaven Meets Earth Yoga, along with other certified yoga instructors and members of our St. A's community, will teach yoga poses, meditation, breathing and relaxation out on the lawn. We will meet in the Fitzgerald Chapel.

For more information, contact Lisa at lisayoga@comcast.net or 312-933-3936. Bring a yoga mat or towel and a bottle of water. Namaste!

Upcoming Women's Club Events
Morning of Reflection - Our Lenten Morning of Reflection will take place Saturday, February 25, at 9 am in the Hartke Room. Mary Ruth Broz, R.S.M. will lead us in “Finding Shelter and Inspiration in the Lives of Women Who Dared.” These are women—mystics, saints and companions—whose faith enabled them to live their own truths and leave a legacy of courage for us who would come after. Their lives will provide food for the journey and give us glimpses of the Feminine Face of God.

Spring Luncheon - At our Spring Luncheon on Saturday, April 14, we’ll be entertained by Jenny Riddle, dramatic book reviewer known to reel in her audiences as she depicts the lives of famous and historic people “In Character.” Please plan on joining us on April 14 at 11:30 am at Westmoreland Country Club.

The New English Translation of the Roman Missal
On November 27, the First Sunday of Advent, Catholics in the United States began to use the New Roman Missal for our liturgical celebrations. The Mass will not change in form or content, but some of the words to familiar prayers are different. Many of the changes are in the words spoken by the priest, some in the prayers of the people. We have cards in the pews and video projections of our responses. We have new music composed to accompany some of the new prayers. These changes offer us an opportunity to reflect on the importance of our full, active and conscious participation at Mass.

The Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops has answered some of the most frequently asked questions about these changes. To read the full answers you may visit their web site usccb.org.

What’s new or different about the revised translation?
The style of the translation of the third edition is different. In accord with the rules for translation established by the Holy See, the revised translation follows the style of the original Latin texts more closely, including concrete images, repetition, parallelisms, and rhythm. The English used in the Mass texts is more formal and dignified in style. Where possible, the texts follow the language of Scripture and include many poetic images. In addition, the third edition contains prayers for the celebration of recently canonized saints, additional prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayers, additional Masses and prayers for various needs and intentions, and some updated and revised rubrics (instructions) for the celebration of the Mass.

If my parish likes the old translation better, can we continue using that one?
Now that the Holy See has granted the recognitio to the revised translation, the USCCB has established a date for first use and for mandatory use. No parish may continue to use the current translation after the mandatory use date. Parishes will use the period to help parishioners renew their love for the Sacred Liturgy, to understand the changes, and to develop an appreciation for the revised translation.

RCIA 2012 - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a several-month process for an adult wishing to become a Catholic through the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) or through a Profession of Faith. These rites are celebrated at the Easter Vigil.

If you are interested in seeking information, or in responding to a felt movement of the spirit in your personal faith journey, we invite you to consider participating in this Process. Please call Fr. Hernan Cuevas at 847-328-1430, extension 103, for more information.

2011/2012 Family Program Classes
The Family Program offers religious instruction and sacramental preparation on Sunday mornings, from 10:45 to 12:00noon for children in Kindergarten through 8th Grade, and from 9:30 to 10:30am for preschool children ages 3 and 4. Classes are held from the end of September until the beginning of May.

Our first class for the 2011/2012 School Year was held on Sunday, September 18. Classes meet from 10:45am to 12:00noon.

Each year, current students are mailed a white re-enrollment form with their family information as we have on file. If you did not receive your re-enrollment form, please contact Bridget Hotchkiss (847-328-1430, ext. 129) to request another copy.

A Registration Form for new students can be downloaded through a link on the right side of this web page.

2011/2012 Family Program Tuition Schedule:
Parishioner - One Child $300, plus $225 for each additional child
Non-Parishioner - One Child $450, plus $350 for each additional child

Payment Schedule
$75 Registration Fee was due July 1, 2011.
50% of Tuition was due on September 30, 2011.
Balance of Tuition will be due on January 31, 2012.

There are also Sacramental Fees to cover the cost of the additional books and materials if your child will be preparing to receive a sacrament:
First Communion & First Reconciliation (2nd grade) - $50.00
Confirmation (8th grade - includes retreat) - $60.00

Scholarships are available based on need and a commitment to assist with Family Program activities. To inquire about financial assistance call the Religious Education Office at 847-328-1430, ext. 129. (All information will be kept confidential.)

If you need additional information or have any questions, please feel free to call the Religious Education Office at 847-328-1430 x129.

Our Church Restoration is Complete
Our exterior repairs included grinding and re-pointing the mortar joints, replacing all sealants around the windows and doors, replacing the copper gutters and downspouts, replacing the flat sacristy roofs, refinishing the doors, rebuilding the bell tower parapet walls, and removing and rebuilding the top half of a stone column to inspect the exposed wood column for moisture and decay. The walls of the northeast (Altar Server) sacristy were rebuilt. The stones on the front of the Church were cleaned; the metal window and door frames, and the railings at the entrances were repainted. All five exterior doors of the Church were refinished and reinstalled.

Three of the stained glass windows above the front entrance of the Church were repaired, and the aged Lexan that covered all of the windows above the entrance was replaced with new clear protective glass. In addition, eight window panels along the aisles of the Church and in the Lincoln Street sacristy were also repaired.

Our interior repairs began on February 7, 2011, and were completed in time for our Parish Rededication on May 1, 2011.

WHAT WE DID: When the exterior repairs to our Church were completed late last winter, we had substantially changed the interior atmosphere of the building by sealing it up. We were told then to wait a full year before beginning any interior masonry or plaster repairs. This waiting period allowed us time to compile our “wish list” of what those repairs would include, and to assemble a team of contractors and tradesmen to complete those repairs. Our wish list included repairing all of the damaged interior plaster, repairing, patching or replacing damaged limestone and stones at the arches and around the windows, painting all plaster surfaces, cleaning all exposed interior surfaces and permanent fixtures within the Church, installing new light fixtures, and installing a new sound system and projectors.

COLUMNS: Our repairs began the first week of February, delayed slightly by the Blizzard of 2011. The column at the south east corner of the Church, which had displayed elevated moisture readings throughout the exterior repairs, was opened first and vented to allow sufficient time to dry — we needed as much time as possible to allow it to dry out and to assure that no further moisture was entering the column. Scaffolding remained there throughout the project.

PLASTER: The interior walls were stripped of all damaged plaster and coatings. The proper lime-mortar plaster mix was approved and applied in the areas where most of the damage had occurred – at the north west corner of the church, near the statue of Mary, and at the north east corner of the church, near the piano, where the water had damaged not only the plaster, but also the stone surrounds. The plaster was replaced at the south east corner of the church, and most of the upper half of the wall behind
the altar.

PAINT AND STAIN: The wood ceiling over the altar was refinished and stained. The Stations of the Cross around the interior of the Church were repaired where needed and the frames, which had been cement gray, are now a rich shade of brown. The sanctuary arch over the altar was also painted brown with ribbons of red, which match the frames and background of the Stations of the Cross. The beautiful wheat color of the interior walls, and the lighter shade used in the aisles, were chosen with the guidance of Lisa Rigali, of Daprato Rigali. Lisa is the 5th generation of this family-owned business – in 1937, this same company, then called the Studios of Daprato Statuary Company, designed and installed our tabernacle, marble altars, statues and wrought iron railings.

SOUND: The large “horn” speaker at the top of the arch over the altar was removed, and new speakers were installed at every column, digitally timed to distribute sound evenly to everyone in the Church as though they are all hearing it at once. Existing speakers were relocated to the Choir Loft, and small speakers were installed on the altar as monitors. We will repurpose our existing projector, and have replaced it with two projectors, linked together to project words or pictures on the walls to the left and the right in front of the altar with unobstructed views.

ALTAR SERVER SACRISTY: The walls and ceiling in the Altar Server Sacristy, at the north east corner of the building, were completely replaced.

LIGHTING: The 16 ceiling can light fixtures in the church nave and choir loft were removed and replaced, but the lowering mechanism that allows those fixtures to be dropped when bulbs need to be replaced was retained. New light fixtures were installed over the altar and behind the altar to illuminate the north wall. Lights will illuminate the stained glass windows over the Lincoln Street doors to display their beauty at night. Energy-efficient LED bulbs will replace the existing bulbs in our historic (original) chandeliers. All fixtures in the Church (except those in the aisles and vestibule) are controlled with dimmable switches to conserve electricity.

BELLS! Our Church bells now ring each day, at noon and at 6pm, and before the 9:30am and the 11:30am Masses on Sunday.

EXTRAS: We encountered some work during our interior repairs that was originally not anticipated—the asbestos that covered the pipes in the tunnel that runs under the perimeter of the Church was removed, some additional electric work was encountered due to the age and condition of some of our wiring and conduits, and some additional stones were replaced instead of being repaired based on their condition.

THANK YOU: Our thanks to the generous donors whose contributions, through The Generations Campaign, have made the exterior and interior restoration of our beautiful Church possible. If you would like to contribute, please contact Jean Lauri at 847-328-1430, ext. 116.

A separate project, not included in the Campaign funding, but now being planned, is improving the accessibility of our Church, by renovating the front sidewalk so that it slopes at a slight incline from the public sidewalk up to the granite threshold at the Church front doors, eliminating the two existing steps. We also plan to motorize one of the front doors, so that it operates automatically.

St. Athanasius Parish Service Award
Congratulations to the members of our St. Vincent de Paul Society, chosen as our 2010 Parish Service Award recipients. The St. Vincent de Paul members promptly respond to requests, meet twice each month, pray, laugh together, make house calls and, in many cases, help families or individuals for extended periods of time. They take to heart the 350-year-old advice of St. Vincent de Paul: “Charity must be organized, and well organized to be effective.”

The St. Athanasius Parish Service Award honors parishioners who, through their service to the parish, stand as an example of the kindness and dedication of the people who make up our wonderful Parish. Previous recipients include Mike Bansley (1994), Mary Lietz (1995), Virginia Lindley (1996), Robert and Shari Coats (1997), Elizabeth Adamson (1998), Phil and Jean Peters (1999), Marty, JoAnn and Gail Leoni (2000), John Kelly (2001), John Gallagher (2002), Arnie Jacobson (2003), Art and Pat Schmidt, and Jim and Mary Rooney (2004), Megan Boyle-Schmitz, on behalf of all who served on the three Forward With Faith committees (2005), Toni Reynen (2006), Stan and Lori Goszczynski (2007), Lloyd and Katie Maday (2008), and Harry and Nancy Taylor (2009).

We thank each of these parishioners for their dedication and hard work.

Brief History of St. Athanasius Church and Parish
The first mass held as a Parish was held at Lincolnwood School on March 20, 1921. Masses were held at Lincolnwood School and at Crandon School until the first Church was built. The first mass held at St. Athanasius Church was held in the basement of that first building on December 25, 1922.

Ground was broken for a new Church on July 13, 1936, and our "Old English Gothic-style" Church building was completed in September, 1937. On November 7, 1937, the new Church was dedicated, and we celebrated the 70th anniversary of this dedication on November 4, 2007, with Bishop Kane presiding.

On October 6, 1996, Cardinal Bernardin celebrated mass at St. Athanasius to mark our 75th Anniversary as a parish, and on October 25, 1998, we dedicated our Wilhelm "Opus 147" Pipe Organ.

On April 28, 2009, repairs to the exterior of our Church began, which were completed over the next year. Repairs to the interior of our Church began in February, 2011, and were completed in May, 2011. Our Parish Rededication was held on May 1, 2011, with Bishop Francis Kane presiding.

Donate Through ParishPay
More than 120 families contribute to St. Athanasius through the ParishPay Program, in which offertory donations are automatically withdrawn (once a month) from checking accounts or credit cards. Your participation in this program will help us as we prepare our budget, and also makes giving easier for you. If you would like to sign up for this program, you may do so at www.parishpay.com, or you can download the ParishPay Enrollment Form from this website (under Reports & Forms on the main page), complete it and turn it in to Barbara Bonier at the Parish House. Call Barbara at 847-328-1430 ext. 142 if you have any questions.

Epiphany Home Blessing
The Christmas season, especially the Feast of the Epiphany, is a traditional time to bless homes. The Book of Blessings has an official rite which may be used by a priest, deacon, or lay person. The book of Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers has a short, simple rite that may be led by a family member. Often related to these blessings is a ritual of “chalking” the front door of the home with the numbers of the year separated by the initials, CMB. The letters traditionally refer to the legendary names of the three kings: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. (Scripture neither names them nor says there were three of them.) Another tradition refers to it as the abbreviation of the Latin phrase, Christus Mansionem Benedicat, translated as “May Christ bless this house.” Copies of these blessings may be found in the back of Church.

To chalk the door for Epiphany, one would write in chalk on the outside lintel above the front door (or anywhere on the posts of the doors):
20 + C + M + B +10

Another tradition is to take the first Christmas card received that season which had the image of the Three Kings and tape it above the inside horizontal lintel of the front door. Both rituals are meant to remind the household to gladly welcome everyone who comes to your door and to eagerly seek out Christ every time you leave home.