ONE OF THE FAITHFUL - EDDIE BUNZOL
by Lynne Japp

If you attend the 10:30 a.m. Mass you will recognize the person in the pictures accompanying this article.  He is usher, greeter and Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, Eddie Bunzol.  Eddie stands sentinel at the doors of the church every Sunday that there is not a Bears’ game, always dressed smartly in a suit or jacket.  Eddie is a member of the Knights of Columbus at Assumption and is the coordinator of the Eucharistic Ministers’ schedule.

Fr. Joe often speaks of the faithful members of the parish who, although they no longer live within the parish boundaries, still make the drive to attend Mass at Assumption.  Although Eddie never lived in the neighborhood, his grandmother attended Mass at Assumption when she lived in the Taylor Street neighborhood because it was “The Italian Church.”  In fact, Nonna Bunzol worked at the Assumption school alongside Saint Mother Frances Cabrini.  The family still proudly displays a picture of the two women together.  Many of his aunts’ funerals took place at Assumption.

Eddie raised his four children in Arlington Heights and lives there still.  He didn’t find what he was looking for in the suburban parishes and he was church shopping until his father suggested he try Assumption and it was a fit.  Eddie appreciates the reverence with which Mass is celebrated here and the comfortable familiarity he feels.  Two of his children were married at Assumption.  His wife of 25 years, Shirl, however, doesn’t like the long drive in and back home every weekend so she attends Mass at their home parish, St Edna.  Eddie has eight grandchildren, one of whom, Joey, is sometimes seen helping his grandpa with his ushering duties and looking just as smart as his grandfather in his own sport coat.

We owe Eddie thanks for all he does for Assumption.  He wants parishioners to know that we are always in need of Eucharistic Ministers and Ushers at all the Masses.  Please consider helping out.  (If you are interested in becoming a EM or Usher, or to learn more about it, please contact Eddie at ebunzol@hm-mech.com.)

EASTER TRIDUUM
By Elizabeth Kabacinski

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops explains the Triduum like this:

“The summit of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum—from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday. Though chronologically three days, they are liturgically one day unfolding for us the unity of Christ's Paschal Mystery.  The single celebration of the Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season, and leads to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil.

The liturgical services that take place during the Triduum are:

·         Mass of the Lord's Supper

·         Good Friday of the Lord's Passion

·         Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord”

Have you ever really stopped to think about the fact that everything that happens between Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil is one continuous celebration?

Our 6:00 pm Holy Thursday liturgy at Assumption will include the ceremonial washing of the feet as well as Procession of the Blessed Sacrament. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will continue until midnight that evening. (Some people actually make an effort to visit 7 churches on Holy Thursday.) We leave the church in silence on Holy Thursday and begin the Service in silence on Good Friday. The one celebration continues until the Easter Vigil.

Consequently, there is technically no Mass at all on Good Friday. Instead, we commemorate the Lord’s Passion and revere the cross. Many churches will veil pictures or statues of the saints and some will extinguish all votive candles. There will be no consecration on Good Friday, although you are welcome to receive communion that has been consecrated the previous day.

There are no Masses before sundown on Saturday to commemorate Christ’s descent among the dead. After dark on Saturday (in our case, 7:30pm), the Paschal candle symbolizing Christ’s resurrection is lit from an outdoor fire. People who come to the Easter Vigil celebration will light an individual taper from the Paschal candle and process into a dark and silent church. Eventually, the lights will come on and we will sing the Alleluia for the first time since the beginning of lent.

We hope to see you all during the Triduum!

MINISTRY MUSING

That The Chicago Help Initiative’s Wednesday meal was chosen by Cubs Manager Joe Maddon, and his wife Jaye, to be the charity to host their annual Thanksmas (Thanksgiving/Christmas) dinner for the homeless?  On January 13th, Joe, Jaye, Crane Kenney and other executives and coaches along with a number of Cubs players served the meal that Joe and Jaye prepared themselves to 150 supper guests (meatballs, pasta, salad, bread/butter, milk, dessert of special cakes).  Joe spoke to the crowd and said he wants to make this an annual event in Chicago as he has done in other cities.  Owner Tom Ricketts even stopped by.  It was a wonderful evening and the supper guests were thrilled that the Cubs chose them to share a meal.