The Evangelical Catholic Diocese of the Northwest
November 16th, 2008
The 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
The Church of the Holy Family Parish Newsletter
“A Welcoming Community of Faith Rooted in the Catholic Tradition”
in residence
The Resurrection
Chapel of Atonement
5749 North Kenmore Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60660
Weekend Mass Schedule - Sunday at 3:00 PM
Bishop James Alan Wilkowski
Mailing
Address
Post Office Box 178388
Chicago Illinois 60617-8388
Telephone: 773-721-5383
Guidelines For The
Reception of Communion
We welcome all baptized Christians
to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord.
We encourage anyone who is conscious of
the need of sacramental reconciliation to
receive this sacrament prior to the reception of Communion.
Illinois
Seniors Encouraged to Apply for Illinois Cares Rx
Open Enrollment Season for Medicare Part D Starts Today
CHICAGO – Starting today, seniors and other Medicare recipients throughout the country will be able to change their prescription drug coverage as part of Medicare Part D’s open enrollment season. Our State is encouraging eligible Illinois seniors to make time to review their current coverage and also to apply for Illinois Cares Rx. Illinois Cares Rx provides prescription drug coverage that fills in gaps created by Medicare Part D, and also provides drug coverage to people who do not have Medicare.
Governor Blagojevich signed the “No Senior or Person with Disability Left Behind” law in 2005, creating the Illinois Cares Rx program, the nation’s most comprehensive response to fill in the gaps created by the federal prescription drug program. Illinois Cares Rx has provided extra assistance to thousands of Illinois Cares Rx members and other Medicare beneficiaries.
“During these difficult economic times, families are making sacrifices in order to put food on the table or even to just keep the lights on,” said Governor Blagojevich. “Many seniors and people who have disabilities are forced to go without their medications because they can no longer afford to pay for them. I strongly urge people with disabilities and seniors to find out if they may qualify for Illinois Cares Rx so that they get those medicines and stay healthy.”
During the “open enrollment season,” which starts on November 15 and runs through December 31, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to change their Medicare Part D plans. Illinoisans enrolled in Medicare should review their current plan to determine whether there is another plan that would best address their health and financial needs. Illinois seniors and people who have disabilities can apply for Illinois Cares Rx at any time during the year.
In 2009, the standard federal Medicare Part D prescription drug program will pay 75 percent of prescription drug costs up to $2,700 after a $295 deductible with a regional average of $30.18 per month premium. Beneficiaries are responsible for all of their costs between $2,700 and $6,153.75, with the plan paying 95 percent of costs beyond that top threshold. The gap where a beneficiary has to pay all the drug costs between $2,700 and $6,153.75 is commonly referred to as the “donut hole.” Illinois Cares Rx provides a safety net for seniors and persons with disabilities so that their out-of-pocket costs do not increase when they are in the donut hole.
To receive Illinois Cares Rx benefits, Medicare-eligible members must be in a Medicare Part D plan coordinating with Illinois Cares Rx. Several Medicare Part D stand-alone prescription drug plans are coordinating with Illinois Cares Rx in 2008. There are also a number of Medicare Advantage companies coordinating with Illinois Cares Rx this year. The stand-alone prescription drug plans are available statewide. Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans may be available only in certain areas of the state.
Individuals eligible for the Illinois Cares Rx program may also be eligible for additional wrap-around benefits from the State’s Circuit Breaker program. The Circuit Breaker program provides a property tax relief grant for certain individuals in addition to an annual $54.00 discount on the license plate fee for one vehicle. These benefits, including Illinois Cares Rx, can be accessed by applying on one application.
Individuals applying for Illinois Cares Rx online should have the following
information available: Social Security number(s), amount of property taxes paid
in 2007, amount of rent paid in 2007, and a copy of 2007 federal tax returns.
Individuals can file their 2007 applications through the end of the year.
However, the 2008 application will not be made available until mid January,
2009.
New federal
rules meant to protect consumers against marketing fraud in the sales of
Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans. According to
these new rules, individuals who contact people about any type of private
Medicare coverage:
•
Must be licensed by the state.
•
May not make unsolicited contacts with prospective beneficiaries, such as
door-to-door sales, cold calls or approaching you in a parking lot.
•
Must have an appointment in advance before coming to your home.
•
Must arrange with you in advance the type of products that will be discussed
during a scheduled sales appointment. At the appointment, the salesperson may
not try to sell you other types of insurance coverage other than the type(s)
agreed upon in advance.
•
May not try to sell you non-healthcare related products (like a life insurance
policy or an annuity) during a sales or marketing presentation of a Medicare
prescription drug or Medicare Advantage plan.
•
May not attempt to sell you a plan in certain healthcare settings, such as in a
doctor’s office or in a pharmacy.
•
May not attempt to sell you a plan at an educational event.
•
May not offer you free meals at promotional or sales events.
•
May not offer you gifts or other promotional items whose value is in excess of
$15.
Illinois
seniors and persons with disabilities who want to find out if they are eligible
for or enroll in the Illinois Cares Rx program, need assistance with Medicare
Part D enrollment or who would like to find the nearest SHIP office, should call
the Illinois Department on Aging’s Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966
(888-206-1327 TTY), the Senior Health Insurance Program at 1-800-548-9034 or
visit
http://www.illinoiscaresrx.com.
Newsletter Archive
In case you missed reading our Newsletter
we have created a Newsletter Archive of back issues
of our Parish Newsletters.
You can find this page by going to
The State of Illinois today encouraged seniors and people with disabilities to
take advantage of the early application date for winter heating assistance
through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Starting today,
seniors and those who have disabilities can sign up early to receive help with
their winter heating costs before extreme cold hits Illinois this winter.
“People shouldn’t have to make the impossible choice between paying their
heating bills and feeding their family,” said Governor Blagojevich. “Even though
Labor=2 0Day, the unofficial end of summer, was just this past weekend, it will
not be long before families must start thinking about the cost of heating their
homes. I urge all seniors and people with disabilities who are eligible for
this program to apply now so they can be safe and healthy in the months ahead.”
Through LIHEAP, a state- and federally-funded energy assistance program run by
the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), heating bill
payments are made on behalf of households with incomes of up to 150 % of the
federal poverty level. A single-person household can qualify with a monthly
income of up to $1,300, a two-person household up to $1,750, and a family of
four can earn up to $2,650. Benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf
of eligible households, except for households whose heating costs are included
in their rent.
“The Governor’s program benefits families and seniors across Illinois,” said
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director, Barry Maram.
“Through our local administering agencies, we are aggressively reaching out to
every community to make sure that families know what benefits are available to
help them stay warm and safe during the winter.”
LIHEAP energy grant applica tions are processed through a network of 35
Community Action agencies around the state. These agencies start accepting
applications on a first-come, firstserved basis from the elderly, disabled
persons, and other priority households on September 2. LIHEAP is expected to
make energy assistance payments on behalf of more than 300,000 households this
winter with an anticipated $150 million in state and federal funding. For a
complete listing of LIHEAP’s local administering agencies and additional
information about the program, go to www.liheapillinois.com, or call the
toll-free Keep Warm Illinois hotline at 1877411-WARM.
The Secular Order of Saint Basil
Is God calling you to the
Secular Basilian way of life?
We are individuals
who follow the Gospel
in the manner of St. Basil the Great.
If you think you may have the same calling, please telephone
Daniel Kitchens at 773-293-6157
or
Bishop Wilkowski at 773-721-5383
for information.
The Evangelical Catholic Diocese of the Northwest
presents
Evangelical Catholic Life
Premiering in the Fall of 2008
CAN TV in Chicago
We are happy to announce that the television production training classes have been completed and the Diocese is now certified to begin production on Evangelical Catholic Life. We want to thank Miguel and Chris at CAN TV for their training and patience with all those enrolled in the certification class.
When are first show is in "the can," we will let you know!
We are deeply grateful to Dennis and Diane Wood for underwriting the tuition fees for this venture.
Donate your Car to Holy Family
If you have a car that you would like to donate to Holy Family
Parish
we will gladly welcome this tax deductible donation.
If you have questions about this program
please call 773-721-5383 for information.
We will welcome any car in any condition!
This program is in partnership with our friends at
Planning Your Wedding?
At this time of year many couples are beginning to make plans for their 2007 wedding. If you are considering entering into the Sacrament of Marriage, we urge you to please make contact with a member of the pastoral team to discuss your marriage plans. If you wish more information regarding the pastoral policies and sacramental preparation program of the Evangelical Catholic Church, please visit our web at http://www.evangelicalcatholicchurch.org/marriage.htm For those who have been divorced, please visit http://www.evangelicalcatholicchurch.org/remarriage.htm
Mass Intentions
Holy Family has envelopes available for making arrangements for Mass Intentions. If you wish to have a Mass celebrated for the intention of someone, please fill out the envelope and place it either in the collection plate or give it to Bishop. The suggested donation for Masses is ten dollars. If that amount is difficult to arrange, any donation for the Mass Intention would be gratefully accepted.
Parish Sick List:
Mary Sertich
Alfred Elliott
Dennis Wood
Constance Talbot
Carmella Bellino
Janina Dzierozynski
Sacramental Preparations
For those wishing to enter into the Sacrament of Marriage, our preparation program requires couples and their pastor to arrange for six one-hour meetings to prepare for the Sacrament. So it is important for couples to speak with the parish before any formal announcement of a date is made. Also, keep in mind if an application for a Dissolution of Marriage needs to be made, give yourself enough time to gather all of the documents needed for this.
For those planning for the Sacrament of Baptism, please know that the family and their pastor will need to arrange for two meetings prior to the celebration. Also, your pastor will need to speak with those chosen to be godparents.
If you have any questions, always feel free to call the parish.
FYI: Please review our Recommended Donations/Stipends for Celebration of Sacraments
And One Final Thought
thank you, Rich
Our Bulletin Sponsors
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Robert Perkovich |
JARHEADS
6973 N. Clark Street
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American Veterans
Motorcycle Riders Association |
Century 21 Sussex & Reilly FINE HOMES & ESTATES L.
Nioclas Kelly |
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The Fireside Restaurant 5739 N Ravenswood Ave Enjoy the Fireside Brunch after Mass at Holy Family |
www.travelcounsellors.com/daniel.kitchens
Daniel Kitchens II Travel Counselor daniel.kitchens@travelcounsellors.com
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