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FEBRUARY 2012
St Luke Women's Club Newsletter
In This Issue
Lenten Supper Project
Misericordia Candy Days
Sounds Like Fun
Parish Happenings
12 Ways to Embrace Your Heart
Pinterest-ing Facts
Tip of the Month
In Our Prayers
Our Deepest Sympathies

 

 

 

FAMILIES IN NEED OF MEALS

 

If you or know of another parish family who is in need of meals due to illness or any other reason.

Please Contact:

Molly Hague 366 6778

[email protected]

 

 


As a reminder - we have several recurring parts of the newsletters for you to keep in mind.  

 

Sounds Like Fun?

Do you have a talent or hobby and looking for others.  Let us know and we can try to get others interested in forming a group. 

Knitters/bridge players bowling/runners/walkers

roller derby/dinner swapping?? 

Please contact:  

Noreen Leavy 708 404 0556 [email protected]

 

 

Meals For Families 

in Need 

If you or know of any parish families that need help with meals due to family illness or other reasons  

Please contact:  

Molly Hague 708-366-6778 [email protected] 

  

PLEASE NOTE:  

In order for you to be notified of   families that will need meal service, YOU WILL NEED TO SIGN UP TO Lotsa Helping Hands e-mail list.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP   

 

 

Member News

Do you have some exciting news to share with all of us - perhaps a new member of the family or wedding, or celebrating a milestone anniversary or birthday?  We would love to share in the joy with you - so please let us know.

Please contact:  

Katie Planek 708 848 6547 [email protected]

 

 

In Our Prayers

In this section of the newsletter we will recognize special intentions of any nature that we receive.  We will also recognize and offers prayers for the recently departed St Luke parishioners.

Please contact:  

Kathleen Parrilli 708 366 5710 [email protected]

 

 

Our Deepest Sympathies

This area of newsletter will be reserved for any St Luke Women's Club member who has recently lost a loved one who is not a parishioner of St Luke. All too many times we hear of a close loved one long after the services have taken place. We want you to know that you have our support and in our prayers during this time, so please don't hesitate to let us know especially if there are local services being held. 

Please Contact:  

Amy Hart Tomaso 708 488 0551 [email protected]

 

 

 



100 Healthy Snacks
In honor of Healthy 
Heart Month
(Courtesy of Sixsistersstuff.com)


1. Frozen Grapes (I used to eat these in college all the time- they are amazing)
2. String Cheese
3. Banana
4. Frozen Banana (peel it first, stick in the freezer overnight- it's like a yummy popsicle)
5. Low-fat Yogurt
6. Sugar-free or fat-free pudding
7. Apple dipped in Peanut Butter (or spread peanut butter on top of apple slice and top with pecans . . . so good!)
8. 100-calorie bag of popcorn
9. Applesauce
10. Raw veggies with hummus (my new favorite!)
11. Almonds
12. Apple
13. Skinny S'more (two graham crackers with one roasted marshmallow and one small square dark chocolate)
14. Smoked Beef Jerky (about 1 oz- look for low-sodium!)
15. Chocolate Milk
16. Hard Boiled Egg
17. Sunflower Seeds
18. Cottage Cheese
19. Sliced Cantelope
20. Raisins
21. Pita Bread and Hummus
22. Rice Cakes
23. Sugar-free Jello
24. Dried Fruits
25. Frozen Yoplait Whips Yogurt (these seriously taste like ice cream when they are frozen!)
26. Air-Popped Popcorn
27. Pistachios
28. Clementines (we call them Cuties or Clemmies)
29. Fruit Smoothie (or 
- it's actually delicious!)
30. Handful of olives
31. Pickles
32. Handful of blueberries with 2 tablespoons fat-free Cool-Whip
33. Ants on a Log (celery with peanut butter and raisins)
34. 1 cup mixed berry salad (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and/or blackberries) tossed with one tablespoon fresh-squeezed orange juice.
35. Peanut Butter and Bananas on whole wheat bread
36. Trail Mix (make your own! Throw in dried fruit, sunflower seeds, nuts, low-sugar cereals, and even the occasional piece of candy for something sweet.)
37. Orange Slices
38. Cherry Tomatoes
39. Graham Crackers
40. Small Green Salad with light dressing
41. Mango smoothie (frozen mango, mango Greek Yogurt, and a small amount of orange juice)
42. Kabobs (thread low-fat meat, low-fat cheese, pineapple and cherry tomatoes onto a stick- my kids love anything on a stick!)
43. Half of a  Cinnamon-Raisin topped with peanut butter and banana slices
44. Grilled Pineapple (throw them on the grill or a skillet on med. heat for two minutes or until golden)
45. Baked Apples (one tennis ball-sized apple, cored, filled with 1 teaspoon brown sugar and cinnamon, and baked until tender)
46. Animal Crackers
47. Strawberries dipped in fat-free Cool Whip
48. Low-fat tortilla topped with egg salad, shredded carrots and cucumber slices
49. Parfait (build your own with Greek yogurt or plain yogurt, fruit, and granola) 
50. Bowl of bran flakes with 1/2 cup skim milk and berries
51. Guacamole with veggies
52. Triscuit's Thin Crisps dipped in cottage cheese or hummus
53. Cashews
54. Pretzels
55. Sun Chips (portion control! Read the serving amount on the side!)
56. Cheesy Breaded Tomatoes: Two roasted plum tomatoes sliced and topped with 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
57. Sugar Snap Peas
58. Steamed Veggies (steam non-starchy vegetables in a microwave safe bag and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of parmesan cheese or 1/4 cup pasta sauce)
59. Apricots
60. Laughing Cow Light Cheese Wedges
61. Any 100 calorie pack
62. Snack/Granola bar (around 150 calories or less, like Kellogg's All-Bran, Kashi TLC Trail Mix, or Fiber one Bar)
63. Baked chips (about 7-10) with salsa
64. Soy Chips
65. Protein Bar
66. Sweet Potato Fries (one light-bulb sized sweet potato sliced, tossed with 1 teaspoon olive oil, and baked at 400� for 10 minutes)
67. Wrap (I like a slice of turkey, swiss cheese, baby spinach leaves, and cranberry relish wrapped up in a tortilla)
68. Pumpkin Seeds (2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds, sprayed with oil (just a spritz!) and baked at for 400� for 15 minutes or until brown. Sprinkle a tiny amount of salt on top)
69. Bean Salad
70. Broccoli Florets
71. Peaches and Cottage Cheese
72. Chopped Red Peppers (dipped in fat free ranch)
73. V8 Vegetable Juice
74. Tuna with Triscuit crackers
75. Cooked and Cubed Chicken Breast
76. Homemade Popsicles (puree watermelon, strawberries, mango, banana, etc and freeze in popsicle molds)
77. Dates with almond butter or rolled in coconut
78. Quesadilla (whole wheat (or corn) tortillas w/cheese (or not) melted in microwave - adding on tomatoes, beans, corn, olives, avocado or guacamole or whatever sounds good)
79. Watermelon
80. Cubed Apples and Cubed Cheese (this was my husband's favorite after-school snack when he was little)
81. Craisins (I love to eat these with almonds- it's a good combo)
82. Goldfish Crackers
83. Edamame
84. Cheesy Roasted Asparagus (four spears (spritzed with olive-oil spray) and topped with 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, baked for 10 minutes at 400�)
85. Turkey Roll-Ups (Four slices smoked turkey rolled up and dipped in 2 teaspoons honey mustard)
86. Strawberry Salad (1 cup raw spinach with � cup sliced strawberries and 1 tablespoon balsamic)
87. Oatmeal
88. Banana Smoothie (� cup sliced banana, � cup nonfat vanilla yogurt, and a handful of ice blended until smooth)
89. Lime Sherbet (1/2 cup serving) with sliced kiwi
90. Apple Chips (dehydrated apples- they are so good!)
91. Black Beans (mix 1/4 cup black beans with 1 tablespoon salsa and 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt for an added twist!)
92. Lettuce wrap (try two slices honey-baked ham with 2 teaspoons honey mustard rolled in a lettuce leaf)
93. Pecans (try five pecans roasted with 2 teaspoons maple syrup and 1 teaspoon cinnamon)
94. Chocolate Covered Strawberries (dip 5 strawberries in 2 squares of dark chocolate- that is still good for you, right?!)
95. Honeyed Yogurt (� cup nonfat Greek yogurt with a dash of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon honey)
96. Blackberries (so good mixed with plain yogurt)
97. Frozen Mangos
98. Tropical Juice Smoothie
 (� cup pineapple juice, orange juice, and apple juice, blended with ice)
 with fresh fruit 
 
What is Leap Year?
 
 
 
 
Leap Years are needed to keep our calendar in alignment with the Earth's revolutions around the sun. It takes the Earth approximately 365.242199 days (a tropical year) to circle once around the Sun. If we didn't add a day on February 29 nearly every 4 years, we would lose almost six hours every year. After only 100 years, our calendar would be off by approximately 24 days! 
 
 
 

 

Dear Women of St. Luke Parish,

Happy February - the month of love!  Hoping everyone had a nice holiday season and finally recovered.  We skipped our newsletter in the month of January because it was hard with the holidays and just didn't have a ton of new news, but we are back and have a bunch to report.


You should have already received the invite to our next event at Elan Salon and Spa this upcoming Sunday.  It should be a fun and relaxing early evening.  You can partake in the discounted salon services or just come for the fun.  We will have a martini and tea bar available.  RSVPs were due yesterday - please click below to see the invite and respond if you haven't done so already:


Thank you to parishioner Rita Johnston and her staff for their generosity.  We are looking forward to a great evening.

We also have committed to two upcoming service opportunites and will need volunteers.  The St. Luke Lenten Meal Project spearheaded by the Peace and Justice Committee and Misericordia Candy Days.  Both projects need a bit of explanation, so please check the boxes below for more information on each.

Looking ahead - we are still thinking of ideas for the parish wide May Crowning.  If you have attended one or have any ideas, please get in touch with one of us.  

We are also looking into a golf league at Indian Boundary Golf Course and should have some details soon.  This will most likely be one night a week beginning mid May and run 10 weeks.  

And we already heard from a couple of you on the Garden Walk which we will be on Saturday, June 16, 2012.  We are looking for people to volunteer their garden for a couple of hours. The walk may be from 10am-2pm and will be held in outside gardens only.  Ticket holders can start and end at any garden - so it's a very loose schedule.  Ideally we would love to get some homes in the same area so it is walkable.  There's a chance we may have an open reception with refreshments at St. Luke or another location close to gardens that makes sense. If interested in volunteering your garden - please contact Noreen Leavy - [email protected] or 708 404 0556.
 
We would also like to extend our best wishes to board member Pat Devereux and her husband Clarke.  They are being honored this year at the St. Luke School and Parish Annual Dinner Dance held at the Oak Park Country Club on Saturday, February 25th.  Hats off to the both of them and their family!  It should be a wonderful celebration and event.
 
All of our newsletters and current information and invites are archived on the St. Luke Parish website (click here for St. Luke Parish Women's Club page).  It takes some digging to get to Women's Club page, but we are there. And generally speaking, anything you see in the newsletter in bright blue and underlined can be clicked on for further information. 

In February we celebrate Valentine's Day, Black History Month, Heart Healthy Month, and it marks the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday (02/22/12) among many other notable dates and events.  Wishing you the best on celebrating whatever you may in the month of February and hoping you take time to give yourself a little LOVE.

Thank you for your continued support.

Warm Regards,

Molly Hague
Noreen Leavy
Kathleen Parrilli
Amy Hart Tomaso
Pat Devereux
Katie Planek

 
Lenten Supper Project
Friday - March 9, 2012
The Peace and Justice Committee is spearheading a new idea this year.  They have asked several group ministries to participate in the Lenten Supper Project. The idea is simple.  A different ministry group will provide a meatless meal in Waldron Hall immediately after the weekly Friday evening Stations of the Cross during Lent.  In order to accommodate timing -
they have changed Stations of the Cross to begin at 6:00pm this year on all Fridays.  It normally takes about 45 minutes to get through all the stations.

We thought this was a wonderful idea and have committed to Friday, March 9, 2012.  We need your help! 

We will need VOLUNTEERS for the following:
 
2 people to bring - bread for 25
2 people to bring - fresh fruit tray for 25
2 people to bring - cut up veggie tray for 25
6 people to bring - main dish of Cheesy Spinach Pasta Casserole (recipe below)
8 people to help Set Up, Serve and Clean Up (6:15 to 8:30pm)
 
If you volunteer to bring food please drop off in Waldron Hall between 5:45pm-6:15pm on Friday, March 9th.  
 
CONTACT NOREEN LEAVY to sign up: 
[email protected] or 708 404 0556.
 
WE MAY NEED TO TWEEK QUANTITIES - WE WILL LET YOU KNOW ONE WEEK BEFORE SHOULD IT CHANGE.
 
If you are able to volunteer or not, please consider coming to the Stations of the Cross that evening.


1 (12 oz.) pck. medium seashell pasta
1 (10 oz.) pck. frozen chopped spinach, thawed
2 eggs
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 c. bread crumbs
39 oz. tomato sauce
1 (8 oz.) pck. shredded cheddar cheese
1 (8 oz.) pck. shredded mozzarella

Directions:

PRE HEAT OVEN TO 350 degrees 
  1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 10 min. or till al dente. Drain.
  2. Bring 1/2 c. water to boil in saucepan and cook spinach 4-6 min., until tender.
  3. Place pasta in a medium bowl.  In a small bowl whisk together eggs and oil.  Toss the pasta with the cooked spinach, egg mixture and bread crumbs.
  4. Cover the bottom of baking dish with 1/3 tomato sauce.  Pour 1/2 of pasta mixture into baking dish and cover with another 1/3 tomato sauce.   Sprinkle with 1/2 of the cheddar cheese and 1/2 of the mozzarella.  Layer with remaining pasta mixture and top with remaining sauce.  Sprinkle the rest of the cheddar and mozzarella cheese.
  5. Bake 45 min. til bubbly and lightly brown.


Misericordia Candy Days
Friday, April 27 &
Saturday, April 28

SLWC Member Cynthia Maroon approached our group to see if we were interested in helping with Misericordia Candy Days. We felt this was a great fit for our group and wanted to support it for a number of different reasons. Cynthia and her family have long time ties to St. Luke (32 years!). Additionally, Misericordia also holds a special place in their hearts. Cynthia's son, Jon, has called Misericordia his "home" for nearly 28 years. Misericordia provides "a continum of care and a network of services for people with developmental disabilities". Misericordia began it's mission in 1921 and is part of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. The home and campus is located on the northside of Chicago. We're sure you know at least one person connected to Misericordia, so it's a great cause to support. To get more information about Misericordia please click below.

 

Click here for more information on Misericordia Homes  

 

Misericordia Candy Days will be Friday, April 27 from 6am-6pm and Saturday, April 28th from 8am-4pm.  You would be asked to volunteer by standing at local locations and soliciting monetary donations and handing out candy to generous donors.  There are no age limitations, so if you want to do this with your children you can (they tend to collect the most amount of money!). 

 

Contact Cynthia Maroon to give her more information on your availability or have more questions. A Location Coordinator will then get in touch with you to firm up your location and time.

 

Cynthia Maroon - [email protected] or 708 366 8133

 

*If you are a regular volunteer who has done this in the past and have not heard from a Location Coordinator by mid-March please contact Cynthia*

 

Thanks Cynthia for suggesting a terrific idea!!

 

Sounds Like Fun

Ann Marie Swatos is looking for women intersted in getting together for a scrapbooking session/s.  If you are interested please get in touch with her to arrange the details:
 
[email protected] or 708-366-5598 


________________________________________________ 
 
 
 
Could be fun if you got a group of people to go... 
 
Maiden Street - School of Irish Dance

 Irish Dancing! It's not just for children anymore!!!

 

Beginner adult Irish Dancing classes.

 

Join us Tuesdays from 7pm to 9pm

At

Molly Malone's Irish Pub

7652 Madison Street 2nd Floor

Forest Park, IL 60130

 

Class Fees - $20.00 per session

 

2012 Class Schedule

                       1/31/12                     6/26/12

                       2/28/12                     7/31/12

                       3/27/12                     8/28/12

                       4/24/12                    9/25/12

                       5/29/12                     10/30/12

 

 

Please call Sarah Dolan for further details (773) 354-4837 or email [email protected]

 

 

Parish Happenings

St. Luke Annual Dinner Dance and Auction 
Saturday, February 25 at the Oak Park Country Club 
 
 
Have you sent in your reply card for the Dinner Dance? RSVPs are
requested by February 17--so make sure you send in your reply soon! Join Pat and Clarke Devereux, this year's honorees, in a night of
delicious food, lively conversation and exciting auction action!

 
 
 
The listing of current Live Auction (click here)
 items is available for preview on the school website-start your bidding strategy plans now!  Silent auction items are still needed: if you have a donation in mind, contact Karen Stelmach at 708-771-7781 or 
[email protected] or Colleen Weiler at 708-710-8714.  
 
 
Have you heard about this year's essay contest? Open to current St. Luke students and alumni, tell us in 500 words or less why you love St. Luke School-or describe your favorite school day! See complete 
details (click here) on the school website. Essays are due on Valentines Day!
 
 
You'll have an opportunity to buy Dinner Dance raffle tickets after Masses during the weekends of February 11-12 and February 18-19.  Your $10 ticket purchase will help the students and school, and gets you a step closer to winning cash prizes of $2,500, $1,000 or $500! 
 
Your support of our parish school is appreciated! 
 



            
    
Upcoming Lenten masses/services

 
Ash Wednesday
Masses
6:30am/8:00am/7:00pm

 

Prayer Service/Distribution of Ashes
9:15am/4:00pm

Stations of the Cross - 6:00pm
(Please note time change)
Fridays during Lent 
beginning Friday, February 24
followed by Lenten Supper in Waldron Hall

Parish Mission
Sunday, March 11
Monday, March 12
Tuesday, March 13
*7:30pm - 9pm each night*
St. Luke Church

***We target to get our newsletter out between the 5th and 10th of the month.  If you have parish related information you would like us to post, please make sure you get it to us in time***

 

12 Ways to Embrace Your Heart
(Courtesy of EmbraceYourHeart.com)

Post image for 12 Ways to Embrace Your Heart

Are you putting your heart as your #1 priority?

To celebrate Heart Month 2012 - here are 12 ways you can Embrace Your Heart. Share them with a woman you love and ask her to take care of #1 (her heart)!

  • Wake Up! The majority of women don't know their own personal risk of heart disease. Take the time of get your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar checked and have a conversation about your family history, weight, and lifestyle with a medical professional.
  • Know The Signs: Women's symptoms of heart attack can be very subtle. Any unusual pain in your jaw, neck, shoulder, torso - really anywhere from the top of your head to your hips - can be a symptom of heart attack.  Uncomfortable pressure, burning or squeezing in your chest, shortness of breath, dizziness, cold sweat, and nausea can all be symptoms as well.  Play it safe - call 911 and get help right away.
  • Call A Friend: Stress increases your risk of heart disease - one easy way to reduce stress is to talk to a friend.  Women who maintain positive relationships with other women reduce their risk by 30%! Girl talk is good for your heart!
  • Pet A Friend: Another great stress reducer is to pet a dog or cat.  Yes, our furry friends are good for the heart too!
  • Indulge! Adult life can be so serious - take time to indulge in something you enjoy - especially if it makes you laugh!  Don't feel guilty about watching that crazy reality show - if it distracts you and allows you to relax, enjoy!
  • Power NapMost women do not get the recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night.  A 20-minute nap can do wonders to reduce stress and refresh your body and mind.
  • Move Your Bootie! Sitting all day has negative health consequences - get up every hour or two and spend 3 to 5 minutes moving around.  Take a quick walk, stretch, dance around - do something to get your blood pumping.  You'll return ready to retain more information and be more productive.  More Move Your Bootie tips.
  • Drink Water: Perhaps the most overlooked quick health tip - drinking 60 to 80 ounces of water each day.  You need water to maintain healthy blood pressure, regulate body temperature, and keep your body (especially your digestive system) working properly.
  • Learn CPR: It's easy to learn - anyone can be a hero! Watch our CPR Video.
  • Have A Carrot: Most women don't eat enough veggies and fruits.  Keep baby carrots handy, pack an apple or orange for a snack, or enjoy a salad for lunch.  All great ways to pack in more healthy nutrients. Get more nutrition tips here.
  • Don't Smoke: Smoking puts heart disease into overdrive in women. Women who smoke get heart disease 12 to 15 years earlier than women who don't.
  • Join the Fight!Become an advocate for Women and Heart Disease. Lend your voice to make a difference find out how here.

Happy Heart Month - make sure you take time to ask someone you love to take care of her heart!

 

Pinterest - ing Facts
Pinterest.com is the latest social media website sweeping the nation.  It seems to be appealing to all types of women - and spans across the board of interests from craft ideas, kids stuff, style, artwork, recipes, household cleaning tips, party planning and a whole bunch more.

It's a bit hard to explain in writing, but in a nutshell you create your own pinboards of interest.  You can look at other's boards and gather ideas for your boards. It keeps all your good internet finds and ideas in one place and organized, so it can be easily accessible at all times.

To find out more about Pinterest consider going straight to the website and poke around - click here for Pinterest website.  You need to be invited to sign up but you shouldn't have a problem finding someone who is already signed up.

There was also a good article in Chicago Tribune this Sunday which explains it too click here.

Have fun pinning!!
Tip of the Month
The winter seems to be the season of fundraising events.  How many times have you sat at your table jammed pack with glasses, plates and silverware not knowing which side is your glass or bread plate?  Well here's a little tip to help you out.
Just form circles with your thumb and pointy finger and put in front of you and you have your answers: 
b (for bread) on the left and d (for drink) on the right.

Thanks to Marigayle Harrington for the tip! 
 
In Our Prayers

Please keep the following special intentions in prayer:

 

  • Mrs. Linda Norris and Family - Several women and families came together to show love and support to the Norris family last week. Candles were provided by SLWC and women and friends formed a candle honor guard and procession at David Norris's funeral mass. David is the husband of Linda Norris, St. Luke School Junior Kindergarten teacher.  Our deepest sympathies to the family. Thank you to all who participated in the honor guard - it was a beautiful tribute.  And thank you to SLWC members Jennifer Riggs and Jessie Wiktor for helping with the coordination.
  • Deborah Hopkinson as she recovers from hip surgery.  Deborah is recovering nicely but will be off her feet for awhile.  SLWC is providing meals for her and the family on Thursdays.  If interested in helping please sign up for the Lots A Helping hands calendar click here.
  • Special prayers and blessings to all who are preparing to receive their sacraments this spring, especially our First Communicant recipients who celebrated their Rite of Enrollment mass this past month.
  • Prayers for equality among all races and cultures and countries throughout the world.
  • For all the special intentions we hold in our hearts.

 

Our heartfelt condolences to all who have recently lost a beloved family member or friend of St. Luke Parish.

 

May the souls of Annette Palucci, Albert J. Arado, 

Rev. Mariano Vita, Marjorie N. Sullivan, Jerome Contro, Noreen T. Carr, David J. Norris, Joseph Schroeder, and Loretta Dillon rest in peace.  

 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

 

 

Our Deepest Sympathies

Our deepest sympathies go out to our SLWC members who have recently lost a loved one.  Please keep them and their families in your prayers.

 

Robert Oliver Kabat Jr. - Karin Bratta's brother

 

Mr. Raymond F. LeFevour - Cara Smith's Father

 

 

About St Luke Women's Club
THANK YOU FOR
SUPPORTING SLWC!  

 
Molly Hague:  Co-President
[email protected] or 708 366 6778
Noreen Leavy:  Co-President
[email protected] or 708 404 0556
Kathleen Parrilli:  Co-Vice President
[email protected] or 708 366 5710
Amy Hart Tomaso:  Co-Vice President
[email protected] or 708 488 0551
Pat Devereux:  Senior Officer
Katie Planek:  Communications
[email protected] or 708 848 6547

St Luke Women's Club
528 Lathrop
River Forest, Illinois 60305