WHEN YOU SING TO GOD, YOU PRAY TWICE
I am Mary Butti and a member of the St. Rene Choir. We moved into St. Rene's parish, and our children attended St. Rene school. My husband and I wanted to be involved in St. Rene's activities, and of course I asked about being a member of the church choir. I have been involved in our choirs since 1974. It is so inspirational for me to be a part of our choir, with beautiful and prayerful liturgical music and a wonderful choir director, Frank Glab, and our members. Through the years when you are involved with music, singing, or playing an instrument, that talent stays you the rest of your life. We welcome you to participate more fully by sharing your musical talents with the parish. Thank You. ...God Blessings. ...
St. Vincent de Paul Membership
My name is Jerry Casey and I have lived in St. Rene for the past 23 years. I am proud to say both of my daughters graduated from St. Rene. The education they received here at St. Rene nurtured them into fine adults today.
I was asked to speak to you today to inform and maybe encourage some of you to participate in the Society of St. Vincent De Paul. First of all you may be asking, what is St. Vincent De Paul and what do they do? Well, we are people who try to serve the NEEDY; of our parish. Being blessed to live in a nice middle class neighborhood such as ours; we might over look the fact that there are some of our neighbors who need our help.
How do we do this you might ask??? Good question, I would say it is through prayer and support from everyone.
l am a retired Sergeant of the Chicago Police Department. For 30 years, I worked with the " Richest of the Rich and the Poorest of the Poor" that this great city has to offer. Part of the time I was assigned to the 008th District and worked the Beat of St. Rene. What I learned from that experience would shock you as it did me. I thought poverty and children being left without basic necessities were only happening in the ghetto. How wrong I was then, like when I was a little boy.
How did I become familiar or interested in St. Vincent De Paul Society?? Please be patient with me I would like to give you a little short story:
Growing up as the middle child of ten children; I had opportunity to be the recipient of Hand me downs leftovers. Like most boys growing up in the 50's and 60's, I joined the Cub Scouts. One weekend we were told to be in uniform and help out on, "collection weekend" with the members of St. Vincent De Paul. We were told it was for the poor people of the neighborhood. People were going to drive up into the parish parking lot and drop off bags of clothing and other goods. We were assigned to separate the clothes into categories. Well I got the job to take the shoes and pair them up and put them into some type of order. As I was doing this, a pair of PF flyer gym shoes (Nike Air Jordan of today) fell out of the bag. They were like brand new! ! ! ! ! They didn't have a cardboard and masking tape on the soles like mine had???? They weren't my size, but boy I sure wanted them. There were many items that day; that I wanted to take home and show my mom; what the poor people were getting!!!
Ok, here I am years later driving to church with my wife. I was approaching the decision to retire from the police department and my wife was a little nervous. She started to ask me what I plan on doing when I retire. She knew quite well it was not the time to discuss with me such an issue two blocks away from church as we were going to Mass! Oh well, we pulled into the parking lot and good Ol' Deacon Owen is standing by the St Vincent De Paul trailer with a head band on, sweating profusely! I say to her, Where is his help?" Right then; I answered her question and told her I was going to help him our and volunteer at St. Vincent De Paul.
Divine intervention? I really don't know what that is. I do know though something happened after I told Father Tom and Deacon Owen of my intentions. I retired, and here I was helping out the following collection weekend!!!
The first day I volunteered; Deacon Owen came out to visit after assisting the 5:30 pm Mass. He wanted to know how we were doing with the collection and why we were staying late? We explained a young couple saw us after church and asked if we could stay open a little while longer? They were having a garage sale the next day but decided it was best to donate the items they had to St. Vincent De Paul. Deacon Owen stayed with us a little while. He wanted to meet this couple and thank them personally.
To make a long story short: Deacon met the young couple and thanked
them for their kindness and generosity. During their conversation he felt dizzy and sat down. It just so happened the lady was a nurse and knew immediately something was wrong. She took his vitals and advised her husband to call the paramedics. Unfortunately, Deacon Owen passed away the next day. Was he passing the torch?? I don't know. I do know since becoming a Vincentian.
We are a lot like the Police Department. Just as they need your help, so do we. Even if you decide not to join us, please help us??? Your old clothes just might be like those PF flyer gym shoes I wanted years ago. There are times during the year we ask for food goods to be donated, such as Thanksgiving. There is one thing many of you might not be aware of that you can help with all year. It is donating whatever extra you might have into the poor box located in the back of the church. Please remember all that we collect from the Poor Box is used for our needy clients of St. Rene.
Thank you and God Bless you.
