Dear Parishioners,

Advent begins this Sunday! It is a time to pray and work to embrace the four “cardinal” virtues: Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Fortitude. Book of Wisdom 8:7 asserts, “If one loves justice, the fruits of her works are virtues; for she teaches moderation and    prudence, justice, and fortitude, and nothing in life is more useful than these.”  

The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality gives some thoughtful definitions of which I have shortened and paraphrased.  These four virtues have been termed “cardinal” (from the  Latin root cardo, “hinge”) because all other virtues have been seen as dependent on what they embrace: the ability to discern (prudence), respect for the rights of others (justice), courage in the face of challenges and frustrations (fortitude), and moderation of bodily appetites (temperance). 

Temperance encourages one to treat sensual instincts not at ends in themselves but as a means to an end, the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God. It challenges our modern society’s notions - that if it feels good, then do it! One chooses to temper or channel the sources of power that lie under one’s control, not because the human appetite for pleasure is intrinsically evil, but rather when left unchecked, it can block us from being open to experience that life has another and deeper source—God. 

 Father Mike Meany

Father Knotek will speak on the Advent Parish Mission on November 26th-27th. He will speak at all the Masses that weekend and then lead the mission reflection on Monday and Tuesday evenings, November 28th-29th at 7:00 p.m. Please invite family and friends to enter into this sacred time.

THANK YOU TO Mr. Joe Kunnengode and the St. Patricia Knights Council 282! St. Patricia SPRED has dreams for the future.

The most generous gift of $1,069.65 was presented to us on November 7^th at the Knights Dinner on the evening of their 125^th Anniversary celebration at Camelot Banquets in Hickory Hills. That is a lot of pizza and popcorn for our Special Friends and so much more. These mere words of thanks do not express our gratitude for being able to treat our Special Friends and support their needs.

Request your Letter ID today! Wait until Dec. 1 to make your donation and take advantage of the 1-for-1 Matching Program. Please view bit.ly/TCSSteps to find further detailed instructions on completing your donation. As a reminder, under the Invest in Kids Act, corporate donors are not permitted to direct their donation to a specific school.

Have Questions? Need Help? Please contact Julie Villegas-Suarez at 708-598-8200 ext 31 or [email protected]

Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 3rd! St. Patricia will be hosting our annual Festival of Lights, featuring a special visitor from the North Pole, hot cocoa and cookies, games, and fun for the whole family! We can't wait to celebrate the season, please invite family members and friends to join you! The event will directly follow Saturday 4:00 pm Mass and will take place in the Parish Center.

Jackpot is over $2,8500.00 and climbing! Will you find the Queen? 👑❤️

Our online store for St. Patricia RE Spiritwear is officially open! We are offering short sleeved t-shirts, long sleeved t-shirts, sweatshirts, hooded sweatshirts, quarter zip cadet jackets, and jogger sweatpants! You can even request to have your name printed on the back of the t-shirts and sweatshirts for an extra $3!

The online store will be open from now until Sunday, December 18th, so please place your order soon. Orders will be fulfilled in January.