St. Mary Immaculate Parish S. Rt. 59 Plainfield IL Parish Office School Office Religious Ed. Office Youth Ministry Office

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1 St. Mary Immaculate Parish S. Rt. 59 Plainfield IL Parish Office School Office Religious Ed. Office Youth Ministry Office Website: Standard Mass Times For Holy Day or civic holiday Mass time changes, please check the bulletin or call the Parish Office. Weekend Masses Saturday 4:00 PM Sunday - (Church) 7:30 AM 9:00 AM 10:45 AM 12:15 PM 6:00 PM Sunday - (Cana Hall) 9:01 AM Spanish Masses Saturday - (Church) Sunday - (Cana Hall) Polish Masses Sunday - (Cana Hall) Weekday Masses Monday - Saturday Sacrament of Reconciliation English Saturday Sunday Spanish Saturday Polish Sunday 5:30 PM 12:15 PM 10:30 AM 7:30 AM Begins at 2:00 PM 8:30-10:30 AM 4:00-5:15 PM 10:00 AM Or by appointment with the priests. Chapel Hours Continuous exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament from Sunday 7:00 PM through Friday 9:00 PM except on First Fridays when exposition continues overnight to Saturday 7:00 AM. First Sunday of Lent February 17, 2013

2 What s Inside Reflections from Fr. David... 3 Our Family in Faith Recurring Meetings Prayer Cross Flocknote Newly Baptized & New Parishioners Spirit and Truth Save the Date John Lovitsch Ordination Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Lenten Schedule of Events Inspiring Catholic CDs The Desert - Ernie Basile Lenten Regulations Parish Mission Manna 2013 Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal Liturgy & Worship First Saturday Devotion Healing Service with Anointing Liturgical Minister Schedule Weekly Schedules Music Schedule Greeters Ministry Meeting Evangelization and Communication Catholics Returning Home Fellowship & Social Events SMI Seniors Luncheon and Meeting St. Patrick s Day Party WOWs Family Life Marriage Encounter Vocations Vocation Office Events Sacredness of Life Days for Life Campaign Men & Women Knights of Columbus Lenten Friday Fish Fry Schedule Intercessions for Life Word of Life/Palabra de Vida Legacy Girls Spring Plant Sale Ladies Auxiliary Call for Desserts Bishop Blanchette Scholarship CCW West Will Deanery Meeting Christian Service & Pastoral Care Food Pantry Needs Daybreak Update Easter Basket Ministry Aunt Martha Youth Service Center Education & Formation Confirmation Corner SMI School Immigration Day LifeTeen Men s Catechism Circle Spaghetti Dinner Thank You Diversity & Unity Great Dates Hispanic Ministry Events Community & Potpourri The Upper Room Crisis Hotline Weekly Calendar Contact Information Mass Intentions Monday February 18, :30 a.m. Anthony & Helen Asselborn (Ed & Arlene Kauzlarich) Tuesday February 19, :30 a.m. Laverne Sebby (Marg Gruben) Wednesday February 20, :30 a.m. Helen Gierich Anniversary of Death (Friends) Thursday February 21, :30 a.m. Maureen Bedore (Soviak Family) Friday February 22, :30 a.m. Edward & Catherine Selke (Warren & Rose Marie Selke) Saturday February 23, :30 a.m. Bernard Klimek (Friends) 4:00 p.m. Edward Anderson (Warren & Rose Marie Selke) 5:30 p.m. (Spanish) Catalina Rueda Meza (Niece) Sunday February 24, :30 a.m. Anna Mae Testin (Edward P. Larkin) 9:00 a.m. Jim Siegel (Lorraine & Bob Lewis) 9:01 a.m. (Cana Hall) Jorge Dominguez Birthday Remembrance (Mother Lorena Ortiz) 10:30 a.m. (Polish-Cana) For The People 10:45 a.m. Arlowa Bruebach (Family) 12:15 p.m. Agnes Kiwak (John Kiwak) 12:15 p.m. (Spanish-Cana) Marie Isabel Murillo (Rivera Family) 6:00 p.m. Jacqueline M. Plac (Obradovich Family) Offerings Weekly Offering February 9/10 $37,872 The goal of our Lenten journey is to renew and deepen our relationship with God. May we seek to grow stronger spiritually by resisting temptation and by repenting of our sins. As we turn away from sin, we will come to love the Lord more fully. That love will flow from us into all aspects of our lives and subsequently affect the lives of others. Readings for the Week Sunday Dt 26:4-10; Ps 91:1-2, 10-15; Rom 10:8-13; Lk 4:1-13 Monday Lv 19:1-2, 11-18; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mt 25:31-46 Tuesday Is 55:10-11; Ps 34:4-7, 16-19; Mt 6:7-15 Wednesday Jon 3:1-10; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19; Lk 11:29-32 Thursday Est C:12, 14-16, 23-25; Ps 138:1-3, 7c-8; Mt 7:7-12 Friday 1 Pt 5:1-4; Ps 23:1-3a, 4-6; Mt 16:13-19 Saturday Dt 26:16-19; Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8; Mt 5:43-48 Sunday Gn 15:5-12, 17-18; Ps 27:1, 7-9, 13-14; Phil 3: :1 [3: :1]; Lk 9:28b-36 Page 2 One Family in Faith Making Christ Known February 17, 2013

3 "As you know, I have decided to renounce the ministry that the Lord gave to me on April 19, I did this in full liberty for the good of the church." These are words which our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI shared with the whole Church this past Ash Wednesday. The news of his resignation stunned the world. But it is now clear from various reports that the Holy Father who is nearly 86 years old has been increasingly conscious of his own physical frailty, especially after his trip last summer to Mexico and Cuba. In Mexico he had a fall that apparently left him badly shaken. In addition, the fatigue that he experienced after arriving back in Rome following that journey seems to have convinced him to begin to put into place the retirement plans he had been hinting about for years. Have you ever seen photo displays of U. S. Presidents that show in their faces the physical toll and apparent acceleration of the aging process that occurs in those who occupy that office? President Obama, who began his first term as a young and vigorous statesman, now has a lot of gray hair four years hence at the start of his second term. Presidents are leaders of a nation of some 300 million people, although they are often referred to as the leader of the free world. Popes lead a Church of 1.3 billion Catholics and their job description has them concerned not only for peace on earth but also the eternal salvation for people throughout the world! Pope Benedict, you might be surprised to learn, is older than Pope John Paul II was when he died! Some folks are speculating that the Holy Father should be following the example of his predecessor and carry on with his papal ministry in spite of his physical limitations. This is where Benedict XVI s reference to the good of the Church is particularly revealing. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was one of John Paul II s major partners during his papacy. And while he joined the world in marveling at the faith and courage of our late Holy Father who gave witness to faith, hope and love in the midst of weakness and suffering, he also knew that John Paul s inability to attend to many of the daily responsibilities that the pope has in administering Reflections from Fr. David Thank you & God bless you! the Church had a negative impact on the Church s life. From the time that he became Pope in April, 2005, Benedict XVI shared with the world his sense of urgency for himself and the Church in giving faithful witness to the truth of Jesus Christ in our increasingly godless, secular world. The tasks that face all Christians from the Pope to every faithful believer is vitally important and is the holy work that God gives us all to do. And that is why our Holy Father seems to be very much at peace in retiring. Someone who has the strength to do so must now occupy the Throne of Peter. With humility, faith, hope and profound love for Jesus, our beloved Holy Father trusts the Holy Spirit. He is living the words spoke of Jesus by John the Baptist: He must increase so I must decrease. Pope Benedict s decision is as great an act of sacrifice as the public suffering of John Paul II. Here is our Pastor and Shepherd s spiritual advice to his flock as we begin this holy season: In this time of Lent, in the Year of the faith, we renew our commitment to the process of conversion, to overcoming the tendency to close in on ourselves and instead, to making room for God, looking at our daily reality with His eyes. The alternative between being wrapped up in our egoism and being open to the love of God and others, we could say corresponds to the alternatives to the temptations of Jesus: the alternative, that is, between human power and love of the Cross, between a redemption seen only in material well-being and redemption as the work of God, to whom we give primacy in our lives. Conversion means not closing in on ourselves in the pursuit of success, prestige, position, but making sure that each and every day, in the small things, truth, faith in God and love become most important..." In these days which have not been easy for me, I have felt almost physically the power of prayer your prayers which the love of the Church has given me. Continue to pray for me, for the Church and for the future Pope." Holy Father, we will pray for you! Thank you and God bless you! February 17, 2013 One Family in Faith Making Christ Known Page 3

4 Our Family in Faith Recurring Meetings* Liturgy & Worship: First Saturday Devotion - 1 st Saturday of every month after the 7:30 am Mass Choirs Adult Choir - Wednesdays at 7:00 pm from the weekend after Labor Day through Pentecost Youth Choir - Tuesdays at 6:45 pm from Sep. 11 through Pentecost Handbell Choir - Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. from the weekend after Labor Day through Pentecost Spanish Adult Choir - Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Spanish Teen Choir - Saturdays at 1:00 pm Parish Outreach in Challenging Times: Employment Ministry - every 2 nd & 4 th Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm Fellowship & Social Events: New Parishioner Welcoming/Registration - every Sunday at 10:15 am W.O.W.S. (Widows/Widowers/Singles) - 4th Saturday of every month at 2:00 pm; Nov. is 3rd Saturday; Dec. no meeting Sacredness of Life: Reverence for Life - 4 th Wednesday of every month, Sep. through May, at 7:00 pm Men & Women: Brothers in Christ - every Saturday at 7:00 am Columbian Squires - 2 nd Sunday of every month at 11:30 am Council of Catholic Women (CCW) - 1 st Thursday of the month, Sep-Dec & Feb-May from 1:00 to 3:00 pm Knights of Columbus Business Meeting - 2 nd Thursday of every month at 7:30 pm Knights of Columbus Social Meeting - 4 th Thursday of the month, Jan. through May & Sep through Oct., at 7:30 pm Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary Meeting - 2 nd Thursday of every month, Jan. through May & Sep to Oct., at 7:30 pm Women of Grace - every Tuesday at 8:30 am Christian Service, Pastoral Care & Social Justice: Blood Pressure Screening - 3 rd Sunday of every month, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, Sept. to May St. Anne s Sewing Circle - 2nd Saturday of every month, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Education & Formation: Charismatic Prayer Group - every Tuesday at 7:00 pm Lay Apostles Prayer Group - 2 nd Tuesday of every month at 12:30 pm or 2 nd Saturday at 9:00 am LIFETEEN High School Youth Ministry - every Sunday at 7:00 pm * Occasionally meeting days or times may change. Please watch the bulletin for special announcements. If you do not see your regular weekly or monthly ministry meeting listed here, please contact the bulletin editor at bulletin@smip.org with the day, time and frequency of meeting. Thank you. Please remember the sick and the confined of our parish community, especially Ken Ahlberg, Vicky Alarcon, Guillermo Aldana, Dolores Aleksand, Victoria Amaya, John Anderson, Pat Anderson, Lina Arango, John Arduino, Magan Jane Arnold, Robert Backode, Rodualdo Abigail Barajas, John Bayler, Dorothy Bayler, James Beutjer, Amy Bishop, Freda Blahut, Mary Pat Bouck, Frances Bridges, Thomas Brogan, David Brown, Rita Brown, Isabella Brya, Brenda Bustamante, Edwin Cabat, Manuel Cadre, Jeff Calascibetta, John Cannella, Carlos Cedillo, Eliazar Cervantez, Olga Cervantez, Frank Cesario, Rich Cherney, Bernard Chesner, Jullian Colletti, Catherine Conniff, Luz Contreras, Yolanda Contreras, Alondra Corral, Ramon Correa, Patrick Croy, Sam Cumbo, Katherine Cummings, Pat Cunningham, Madeline Currey, Pamela Curry, Mike D Arcy, Lynette Dattomo, Andrew Dawid, Jan DeLara, Frank Denneau, Lillian Denneau, Dan Dowling, Helen Drag, Margaret Eckhorn, Kathleen Ellis, Lewis Ellis, Aaron Erickson, Kathy Erickson, Deborah Fadden, Hayley Fairchild, Thomas Felbinger, John Fernandes, Jay Fiday, Sue Flynn, Brittany Foreman, JoAnne Forrester, Margaret Frechette, Alex Freund, Avelina Galvez, Brenda Gillespie, Guadalupe Godinez, Yair Gomez, Carlos Gonzalez, Barb Goodwin, Angela Gotia-Daugherty, Amy Green, Hannah Grispo, Margaret Gruben, Amada Guerrero, Hilda Guzman, Daniel Haley, Joe Harmon, Josephine Hayes, Alejandra Hernandez, Khaim Hernandez, Patti Hinders, Ken Hood, Pat Hood, Edward Houston, Gloria Francisco Huerta, Lucy Hurst, Blanca Ibarra, William Daniel Janowick, Elmer Javier, Nancee Jenkins, Betty Jeropke, Gerald Jeropke, Jeanne Jeropke, Karen Johnson, Fernando Juarez, Helen Jungels, Cheryl Kardas, Derek Khan, Carmela Kline, William Klinger, Aden Knar, Charles Kramer, Kyle Krawiec, Evelyn Kukla, Charles Lawson, Lewis Liss, Zachary Loeffler, Scott Lohman, Teresa Lopez, Fr. David Lord, Maribeth Lumb, Maria Teresa Olvera Mancera, Anna Mandjar, Finyarti Mandjar, Wandy Mandjar, Matteo Marasco, Enedelia Martinez, Linda Maskauskas, RitaMaksimik, Jacqueline Mayr, Jean McCoy, Dawn McErlean, Scott McKenzie, Steve McKenzie, Frank Mellen, Sandi Mendel, Gregory Mendoza, Eleanor Meschino, Carol Michalak, Thomas Miller, Elena Aurora Mireles, Martina Mogan, Anna Monroe, Antonio Montes de Oca, Kevin Moore, Genie Murphy, Kieran Murray, Vincent Nares, Thomas Nguyen, Delores Novak, Dorothy Odigie, Rhonda Ogdan, Fabian Oleas, Lupita Olivares, Martha Ortega, John Ostenberg, John O Sullivan, Marcos Padilla, Janet Palmisano, Marlene Pascente, Nick Pasha, Brian Patterson, Violet Peart, Betsy Petrovic, Drew Petrovic, Andrew Pikuza, Virginia Pina, Jim Prendergast, Henry Prosser, Michael Quinn, Michael Rafter, George Rapp, Joretta Raymond, Rochelle Reyna, Jim Rife, Kayla Riha, Alma Rosa Rios, Bill Roach, Billy Roach, Lorraine Rogers, Kimberly Rogers, Virginia Roman, Carol Rupchock, Bruce Rutledge, Victoria Salamonski, Eliza Salcedo, Angela Schade, Wil Schinderle, Matthew Schultze, John Schulze, Alan Schwaighart, Elaine Scordato, Rose Marie Selke, Bernie Seville, Ralph Sewall, Nancy Shea, David Sniegowski, Michael Sommese, Jose Soto, Joseph Spillone Sr., Alexandria Stojanov, Rich Stremp, Michelle Strickland, Amanda Tang, Maria Antonia Gomez de la Tasa, Robbie Tesmond, Jack Thompson, Bruce Trevillian II, Scott Turczynski, Sue Vandercar, Leslie Velarde, Teresa Velasco, Catherine Verthein, Armin VonderHeydt, Mike Walker, Phyllis Wallace, Mary Ann Walls, Jonathan Weiger, Charles Weyer, Robert Weyer, Dorothy Whitmer, Patty Wielgos, David Willett, Ethan Woodhams, Rita Yahnke, Tracey Yeager, Chela Zabala, Kathy Zambo, Catherine Zivec. If you would like to add or remove a name from the prayer cross, please contact our parish nurse, Pat Mander, at ext Are you Connected? If you haven t signed up for Flocknote, our new parish communication tool, please go to the parish website at and click on the Connect with our Parish link, and follow the instructions to sign up. You can also just type smip.org/flocknote into your browser. Thank you to the 1,451+ parishioners who have signed up as of this printing! Page 4 One Family in Faith Making Christ Known February 17, 2013

5 Our Family in Faith Congratulations to the Newly Baptized GAVIN OLIVER CARROLL Son of Nathan & Jaclyn (Pyles) Carroll ABIGAIL MAE HUSSONG Daughter of Nicklaus & Maureen (Nicholson) Hussong MASON PAUL MESCALL Son of Ronald & Kristin (Klapperich) Mescall ELLA MARIE PERSON Daughter of Eric & Jenna (Cisek) Person Matthew Ambrose Plainfield, IL Welcome to our New Parishioners Carolyn & Jarrod Fish Plainfield, IL Fernando Landa Plainfield, IL Joey & Barbara Arenas Plainfield, IL Judy Chin Chicago, IL Timothy Gorski Plainfield, IL Mary Lynn Haun Plainfield, IL Rafael & Kimberly Ortiz Plainfield, IL Timothy Sheehan, Jr. Plainfield, IL 9 new households have registered at St. Mary Immaculate since February 10, households are currently registered with St. Mary Immaculate Parish. 2 families have moved/left St. Mary Immaculate Parish in the same amount of time. Calling all Young Adults! There is a new young adult ministry group here at St. Mary Immaculate called Spirit and Truth! The group gatherings will include a speaker, Eucharistic Adoration, worship music, food and fellowship! The group will meet every Friday night from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. ALL young adults between the ages of 18 and 39 are welcome. It is a great opportunity to meet new people and grow in faith! For more information please contact Katrin by at spiritandtruthsmip@gmail.com. The Rev. Mr. John M. Lovitsch kindly requests that you save the date for his Ordination to the Sacred Order of the Priesthood Saturday, May 18th, 2013 Arrive by 9:30am through the imposition of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit by His Excellency, The Most Reverend R. Daniel Conlon, the fifth Bishop of Joliet-in-Illinois Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus 604 N. Raynor Avenue Joliet, Illinois First Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving Pentecost Sunday, May 19th, 2013 at 12:15pm St. Mary Immaculate Parish S. Route 59 Plainfield, Illinois Receptions will follow each Mass. All are invited. February 17, 2013 One Family in Faith Making Christ Known Page 5

6 Our Family in Faith Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Scheduled for March 19 To thank all of our Parish and School Volunteers for their dedication and hard work, the Parish invites St. Mary s volunteers and their families to enjoy dinner as the guest of the Parish on March 19 (St. Joseph's Day). Dinner will be served from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Gym and Cana Hall. Reservations are required by Monday, March 11. Please RSVP via: 1) to AppreciationRSVP@smip.org; 2) phone to , ext. 886; or 3) reservation form found in the Commons in the wall racks. Please provide your family name, the number of adults and children who will be attending and your phone number. This is a green event, no tickets will be printed. For more information /call Eve Govea at egovea@smip.org or call , ext On March 19, Saint Joseph's Day, we celebrate St. Joseph as the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father to Jesus. St. Joseph is also known to have been a hard working carpenter, hence the title St. Joseph the Worker, patron saint of workers. Lenten Schedule of Events Spirit and Truth Young Adult Group Every Friday 7:00 pm-9:00 pm Waldorf Room Fish Fry - Knights of Columbus Every Friday in Lent 2/15 3/22 4:30-7:30 pm Gym Catholics Returning Home (Six consecutive Mondays in Lent) 2/18 3/25 7:30 pm-9:00 pm North Wing Room A Lenten Parish Mission Featuring With the Sparough Family Mission Team 2/24 Mission after 6:00 Mass Church 2/25 7:00 pm Mission & Reconciliation Church 2/26 7:00 pm Mission Church First Saturday Devotion 3/2 8:15 am Church Good Shepherd Ladies Auxiliary Plant Sale 3/2 4:30 pm-5:30 pm Commons 3/3 8:00 am-1:30p m Commons Healing Prayer Service With Anointing of the Sick 3/3 1:30 pm Church St. Anne s Sewing Circle 3/9 9:00 am Small Meeting Room Employment Ministry Meeting 3/12, 3/26 6:30 pm Faith Sharing Room Military Ministry Hour of Silent Prayer 3/15 6:00 pm Adoration Chapel St. Pat's Day Party 3/16 5:00 pm-10:00 pm Gym Bethlehem Gifts-Olive Wood Carvings 3/9, 16 3:00 pm-7:00 pm Commons 3/10, 17 7:00 am-2:00 pm Commons Men's Catechism Circle 3/18 7:00 pm Parish Library St. Joseph s Day - Volunteer Appreciation Fest 3/19 5:00 pm-8:00 pm Gym Lenten Services Lenten Parish Reconciliation Service 2/21 7:00 pm-9:00 pm Church 2/25 7:00 pm-9:00 pm Church with Parish Mission Each Friday in Lent Reconciliation 2/15 3/22 6:00 pm Church Stations of the Cross 2/15 3/22 (English) 7:00 pm Church, Narthex 2/15 3/22 (Polish) 7:00 pm Cana Hall 2/15 3/22 (Spanish) 7:30 pm Church, Narthex Inspiring Catholic CDs A Great Idea for Lent Check out the wide range of CDs displayed in the Commons., including the new CDs we have for the Lenten season! At just $3.00 each, they are a great way to learn more about our faith, the Mass, the Sacraments and more. Just drop your donation into the box provided. Page 6 One Family in Faith Making Christ Known February 17, 2013

7 Our Family in Faith The Desert by Ernie Basile Imagine yourself entering a forest. There you'll find many forms of life - trees, vines, wild flowers, insects, birds. You will also see signs of death - fallen trees and decaying wood, rotting leaves, decomposing matter. Look more closely, however, and you will see life and death. Dying matter is giving birth to new life. Bacteria is present, microorganisms are at work, molecules are being reorganized. Death alone is not found anywhere, only a transformation of life forms. Nature shows us that death is not the opposite of life - the opposite of death is birth. Today we find Jesus not in a forest, but in a barren desert, alone, hungry, tempted. Why is He there? He has been led by the Spirit. The Spirit invites us to join Him there in that lonely, scorched, lifeless place. But the desert is not necessarily a place. It is something you endure. Like Jesus, you hold your ground until the devil goes away. And so we, too can survive the desert, if we but hold our ground. Lent, Do you now find yourself in your own desert? Is the demon of loneliness, worry, illness, separation, loss, testing you? Or perhaps simply the humdrum routine of ordinary life that brings its own burdens in the days of February? Jesus invites us not to flee from our desert, but to stand our ground, not to be afraid, and we will survive. And if we survive, we come out a different person. Yes, it is the desert, and perhaps only the desert, that truly transforms us. But life in many ways is more like the forest. Death giving birth to new life. The paschal mystery. His story, our story does not end in the desert, nor on Good Friday.. "Complete surrender to the will of God is the essence of spirituality...the only thing we have to do to achieve the height of holiness is to do only what you are already doing, and endure what you are already enduring, and to realize that all you may count as trivial or worthless is what can make you holy". (Jean-Pierre de Caussade in the spiritual classic Abandonment to Divine Providence). Reflection "God comes to us disguised as our life" - Paula D'Arcy - Where in your life are you able to see God' s presence? - Is there a desert in your life at this time? - Can you say "yes" to what He is asking? Lenten Regulations 1. Everyone 14 years of age or over is bound to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all the Fridays of Lent. 2. Everyone 18 years of age and under 59 years of age is bound to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. 3. On these two days of fast and abstinence, only one full meatless meal is allowed. Two other meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one s needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices are allowed. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige. 4. To disregard completely the law of fast and abstinence is seriously sinful. 5. Lent is the principal season of penance in the Christian year. All of the faithful are strongly urged to develop and follow a program of voluntary self-denial (in addition to following the Lenten regulations), serious prayer, and a performance of works of charity and mercy. February 17, 2013 One Family in Faith Making Christ Known Page 7

8 Our Family in Faith Parish Mission with The Sparough Family Mission Team Join the joy of renewing your faith at our Parish Mission given by the Sparough Family Mission Team: Fr Michael, Tom, Tricia, and Maribel. The Sparoughs are entertaining evangelists who use their performing skills to bring the gospel message of Jesus alive. The mission, Wise Fools and Happy Stewards, is a call to follow Jesus into the heart of the gospel. During our three day mission, these "birds of a feather" will lead us through dramatizations of stories and gospel scenes, spiritual analogies illustrated by juggling, guided imagery prayer, clowning, engaging preaching, uplifting songs, and rituals of blessing. This mission is for the whole family, designed to challenge, delight and re-ignite the flame of God's love in our hearts, to help set our captive hearts free. Priests will be available on Monday evening to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Sunday, Feb. 24, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Discipleship: Following the Master of Folly Monday, Feb. 25, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Reconciliation: Holding on and Letting Go Tuesday, Feb. 26, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Mission: The Challenge Juggle Shop with Manna Today! Enter the February Raffle with your $250 Purchase Congratulations to Jen Hoerdeman, winner of a $25 Manna Gift Certificate in our January Raffle! Use Manna to increase your support to St. Mary Immaculate with just the money you are already planning to spend! Buy prepaid gift cards for use where you usually shop. Over 200 Gift Card Options. Over 50 popular cards are in stock and available for purchase everyday. Hundreds more are available by special order. Check out the full list on Even when you re not sure exactly where you re going to be shopping, you can use Manna with our VISA gift cards. Our $50 VISA cards, available by special order only, have no activation fee and no monthly fee for the first six months. Rebate Changes. Effective 1/1/2013, rebates of 3% may be earned on purchases of cards offering 4% or more. This ensures that, after the 1% fee charged by our supplier, the parish does not incur costs for any particular card or subsidize any purchase. This change affects only the purchase of Wal-Mart cards, which at 3.5%, no longer earn rebates for the purchaser. Thank you for your understanding. February Raffle! All through February, with each increment of $250 of Manna purchased (in a single transaction), you get one raffle entry ticket. The drawing will be held in March and the winner will receive a $25 Manna gift card of their choice. Stop by today for your chance to win! Monday - Friday Parish Office 8:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Saturday Commons 4:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sunday Commons 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Have questions about Manna? Stop by during hours above, visit or contact Janice Gregoire, Parish Administrator & Business Manager, at ext. 851 or manna@smip.org. Page 8 One Family in Faith Making Christ Known February 17, 2013

9 Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal 2013 Please Make A Generous Gift Our Family in Faith Last week, you were asked to review the Annual Appeal tabloid that you received with your bulletin. The Annual Appeal campaign is much different than a one-time special collection. It is a pledge campaign where you can make a gift payable over 10 months. A significant gift to the Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal will touch the lives of many others in a very positive way. The Annual Appeal provides a significant portion of the budget of the Diocese of Joliet. Most dioceses in the country conduct an appeal, once a year, to help with the costs of providing services and programs to their parishes and people. The Diocese of Joliet is no exception. As you review the work enabled by your contribution to the CMAA, please reflect on God s gifts to you. He has given you all that you have. Your gifts to our parish, to the diocese, and to the work of the church throughout the world should be given in gratitude for the continuing gifts that God gives you. He never forgets you. Sometimes it is difficult to envision how one pledge can help an organization the size of our diocese, how it can make a real difference. But each pledge does make a difference because all parishes participate in the campaign, and the gifts of many enable our diocese to deliver needed education, ministry, and services. Our combined gifts not only signify our gratitude to God, they glorify Him by enabling the work of our diocese. If you received your pledge form in the mail, you may have completed it and mailed it back or brought it to Mass. For those of you who did not receive a mailing or have not had time to respond to it, we are conducting our in-pew pledge process at all Masses this weekend. After our parish exceeds its CMAA goal of $187,666 in paid pledges, 50% of any additional funds are returned for use in our parish. Thank you for your prayerful consideration and generous response. Liturgy and Worship First Saturday Devotion on March 2 after 7:30 a.m. Mass The devotion of First Saturdays, as requested by Our Lady of Fatima, carries with it the assurance of the graces necessary for salvation at the hour of death. However, to derive profit from such a great promise of Our Lady, the devotion must be properly understood and duly performed. The requirements as stipulated by Our Lady are, on the first Saturdays of five consecutive months: Confession, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for fifteen minutes meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, and to do all these things in the spirit of reparation to my Immaculate Heart. Please join us for 7:30 a.m. Mass. The recitation of the Rosary will immediately follow in the Church. Healing Service With Anointing of the Sick Join us Sunday, March 3 at 1:30 p.m., immediately following the 12:15 p.m. Mass, in the Church for a Healing Prayer Service. After a short scripture reading and prayer, each individual will be offered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. A Healing Service is held on the first Sunday of every month at 1:30 p.m. February 17, 2013 One Family in Faith Making Christ Known Page 9

10 Liturgy and Worship (continued) DAY, TIME, & LOCATION Saturday 4:00 p.m. Church Saturday 5:30 p.m. Spanish Church Sunday 7:30 a.m. Church Sunday 9:00 a.m. Church Sunday 9:01 a.m. Cana Hall Sunday 10:45 a.m. Church Sunday 12:15 p.m. Church Sunday 12:15 p.m. Spanish Cana Hall Sunday 6:00 p.m. Church Liturgical Minister Schedule for February 23 and 24, 2013 MASS COORDINATOR Medy Knurek John Knurek LECTORS Doris Trattner Paul Fay Miguel Rodriguez Irving Trujillo Delia Ocampt Vincent Costanzo Fred Kunst Sydney Abshear Tony Cipriano Patricia Cipriano Cathy Cushing Vince Buchman Geri Buchman Joanne Kelly Sr. Villegas Irene Murphy Rosemary Tack Cindy Sweeney Cathy Cushing Gwen Ralph Ariel Monsivais Mark Skorusa Gary Wilder Lydia Jimenez Maria Capetillo Sergio Salas Wojciech Mardula Robert Hildebranski Hospitality 7:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - McKanna Confirmation Group EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST Sally DiSera Marsha Dugan James Dugan Marie Fortin Margaret Hartwig Medy Knurek Patricia Valencia Moises Valencia John Knurek Barbara Laverdiere Evelyn Marcus Daniel Russo Dolores Russo Gladys Vargas Kevin Brown Renee Klobucar Vincent Costanzo Casimir Kowalczyk Michael Glavac Fred Kunst Kathleen Glavac Rachel Wolverton Anton Glavac Mike Wolverton Robert Goettert Michelle Cerrillos Silvestre Sulit John Del Carlo Salve Sulit Jonah Deffenbaugh Cindy Sweeney Rick Howat Rosemary Tack Janet Howat Karen Severino Dolores Percy Bob Clark Karen Melendez Tammy Nolte Tom Barkauskas Don Bennett Patty Bennett Geri Buchman Yvonne Cloonan Robert Cozzi Sandra Franczyk Corazon Garcia Barb Hall Joanne Kelly Fidencio Vidana Madeline Elmusa Omar Elmusa Maria Urriola Scott Hatzer Kelly Hatzer Susie Holman Kristin King Elizabeth Foskaris Carolyn Lemke Delores McAnally Maribel Monasky Michele Phelps Shari Lord Carolyn Simpson Tom Spalding Estela Rodriguez Isolda Teodoro Mario Delgado Irene Murphy Tricia Niewoehner Patricia Peterson Weekly Schedules Fellowship Sunday, February 24, 2013 Welcome Gathering Event R. Tack and N. Rusnak ALTAR SERVERS James O'Bryan Ryan Pintoy Jeffery Remlinger Kaeli Ross Matthew Profeta Brandon Profeta Benjamin Schuneman Meghan Howat Matthew Sweeney Claire Sweeney Cathryn Tack Mandy Gruber Maira Jarot Danielle Oldenburg Nicholas Barone Olivia DelMissier Joshua Lemke Matt Roerig Tatiana Alejandro Joseph Winter Rene Villanueva Marie Lockowicz Lauren Glynn Sammy Niewoehner Marinell Edran Gianna Sobieski Sydnie Weis GREETERS Brenda Selinger Geraldine McCarney Jean Fiaoni Mary (Jane) Koerner Cathy Kowalczyk Arlene Kunst Dorathy O'Sullivan Evelyn Godfrey Veronica Kuhn Alice Mayr Marissa Corral Rosemary Tack Tom Lilley Nancy Lilley Jack Eckhorn Ann Eckhorn Don/Heather Bennett Shirley Wodzin- Hasek Rosemary Jedd Toni/Alexis Savic volunteer needed volunteer needed Dora Reardon volunteer needed volunteer needed volunteer needed Laundry Monday, February 25, 2013 Altar Linens D. Jansen Page 10 One Family in Faith Making Christ Known February 17, 2013

11 Liturgy and Worship (continued) Music Schedule Saturday, Feb. 23, :00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Spanish Mass M. Maksimik A. Salvaggione Spanish Ensemble Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 (continued) 10:30 a.m. (Cana) Polish Mass 10:45 a.m. K. Frost P. Schorp M. Slayman Sunday, Feb. 24, :30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:01 a.m. (Cana) S. Klak A. Salvaggione S. & D. Bosch C. Papp-Carrington M. Slayman B. & C. Perine A. Salvaggione 12:15 p.m. 12:15 p.m. (Cana) Spanish Mass 6:00 p.m. K. Brady J. Harmon Spanish Ensemble Incorruptibles K. Frost J. Auld Greeters Ministry Meeting February 19 7:00 p.m. - Harvester Room Our annual meeting provides an opportunity to hear updated procedures, meet current and new members, and to (re)commit yourself for the year Oftentimes we work alone in our ministry, therefore, we would like as many Greeters as possible to join us as we come together in prayer. Afterward, time will be provided to discuss any questions you may have, and get you started or help you continue your journey of faith. Please plan to attend 7:00 p.m. evening session in the Harvester Room which should last less than 30 minutes. You may reach Ann or Jack at or aeckhorn7@comcast.net and jeckhorn7@comcast.net. Evangelization and Communication A Gateway Back Home Catholics Returning Home helps Catholics reconnect with their faith, and their relationship with Christ. There is no obligation or cost. Catholics Returning Home is a: Supportive, non-judgmental group where you can freely explore your concerns and questions. Small community including others thinking about returning, recently returned Catholics and clergy. Safe haven in which private issues are identified and dealt with privately, with compassion. Warm environment where you will be welcomed. A 6 week series beginning Monday, February 18, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the North Wing Room A. The themes below represent a typical flow. The group surveys the questions and issues they want to explore. Sessions 2 through 5 topics are adjusted to ensure that everyone s needs are addressed. February 18 Welcome, Overview of Series February 25 Presentation on Inactive Catholics March 4 The Church Today: Changes Since Vatican II March 11 The Mass March 18 Explanation of the Sacrament of Reconciliation March 25 The Creed; What Catholics Believe Pre-registration is requested. For more information call the group s facilitator, Deacon Tom O Connell, at Or call the Parish at or visit Deacon Tom O Connell February 17, 2013 One Family in Faith Making Christ Known Page 11

12 Fellowship and Social Events SMI Senior Luncheon and Meeting February 27 Please join us for a Mass at 11:00 a.m., followed by our meeting at 11:30 and our luncheon at 12 noon. Chicken will be provided. Please bring a dish to pass. Our spring outing is Wednesday, April 17. We will be going to the Renaissance Center in Joliet for a buffet luncheon, a visit to the Joliet Area Historical Museum and a journey back in time with an afternoon with Robert E. Lee. The cost is $28 and is due at our February meeting. Last year, Carson's Community Days were held in April; this year the event is March 1 & 2. Because of the early date this year, we must sell the booklets at our February meeting. The cost is $5 and your purchase of the booklet is your reservation to our pizza party. This is our only fund raiser so if you could sell an extra booklet to a friend or family member it would help us our out tremendously. If you cannot attend the February meeting but would like a booklet we have them available now. If you have any questions or would like a booklet in advance, please call Pat at , Jane at or Judy at It is recommended that you arrive at least 5 or 10 minutes before Mass starts. Guests are always welcome at our meetings. St. Patrick s Day Party Saturday, March 16 Doors Open at 5:00 p.m. in the St Mary Immaculate Parish Gym. The Menu is a Corned Beef Dinner for $10.00 featuring Jack and Pat s Famous Corned Beef, cabbage, vegetables and roll. Pizza & Chips for the kids is $3.00. Save Your Spot Today - Order in Advance! Send your order and check/cash to the Parish Office Attn: SMI Men s Club. To go or Carry Out orders must be ordered and paid for in advance! **Please place your order in advance to help us order enough food.** The number of walk ups will be limited! Many thanks to the Keigher Dance Academy for providing the great entertainment! Contact Jeff Laurinaitis: (jeff@rkon.com) or Dan Neushwander: (circty@yahoo.com) with questions. Featuring: Irish dancing from the Keigher Dance Academy Corned Beef, Beer, & Wine Games for the Kids Bake Sale WOWS Meeting on Saturday, February 23 at 2:30 p.m. The next meeting for the WOWS Widows/Widowers and Singles will be on Saturday, February 23, at 2:30 p.m. in the Faith Sharing Room For more information, please contact Germaine Lobas at Family Life Today is the first Sunday of Lent and in the Gospel we see how Jesus was tempted by Satan in the desert. Are there times in your life or marriage relationship when you feel like you are in a spiritual desert? Turn to God and let the Holy Spirit fill you and your marriage relationship with his life-giving grace. Attend the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend on April 12-14, Contact Tim & Pat Doyle at For more information visit our website at wwmejoliet.org. Page 12 One Family in Faith Making Christ Known February 17, 2013

13 Vocations Mundelein Seminary Retreat Mundelein Seminary is offering an Exploring Priesthood Weekend from April 12 to April 14 for men who are juniors in college and older. Participants have a chance to experience seminary life, speak to current seminarians, and pray with the seminary community. There is no cost for the weekend. If interested, please contact Fr. Burke at vocations@dioceseofjoliet.org or Jeremiah Day Boys in grades 7-10 are invited to Mundelein Seminary on Saturday, April 20. This day will provide the young men a chance to visit a seminary and experience the life of a seminarian. For more information, contact the Vocation Office by phone or noral@dioceseofjoliet.org. Sacredness of Life Reverence for Life - 40 Days for Life Campaign Please join us for a 40 Days for Life campaign to be held outside the Planned Parentood Clinic at 3051 East New York Street, Aurora, from February 13 to March 24. It is a peaceful prayer vigil from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day for 40 days. Come for an hour of prayer or fasting to pray for the babies, mothers, fathers and workers impacted by the abortion industry. For more information, call Bill Gallagher at or Joe Basar at Knights of Columbus and Ladies Auxiliary Good Shepherd Council #5573 Men and Women 2013 Friday Fish Fry Friday Fish Fries are scheduled for February 22, March 1, 8, 15, & 22 with dinners served from 4:30 until 7:30 p.m. in the Gym of St. Mary Immaculate Parish School. Phone orders for take-out accepted from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. at ext Please pick up by 7:45 p.m. Se Habla Español. Menu Shrimp Dinner - 6 pc $9.25 Combo -1 pc Icelandic Cod & 3 pc Shrimp $8.75 Extra Large Icelandic Cod Dinner -3 pc $9.75 Large Icelandic Cod Dinner -2 pc $7.75 Small Icelandic Cod Dinner -1 pc $5.25 NEW! Taco Platter - 3 Fish Tacos $7.75 The Famous Icelandic Cod Fish Sandwich $5.25 Deacon Jim s Grilled Cheese Sandwich $3.00 Cheese Pizza by the Slice $2.50 Featuring The Ladies Auxiliary Dessert Table. Dinners and Sandwiches include Baked Potato or Deacon Tom s Fries and a pickle. You can choose Oven-Baked Cod or Fried Cod Dinners. We cook with Peanut Oil for 0 TRANS FATS. The Knights request that all who attend please bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the Plainfield Food Pantry. We hope that together we can raise at least 2,000 lbs. of food this Lent. Check It Out! February 17, 2013 One Family in Faith Making Christ Known Page 13

14 Men and Women (continued) Knights of Columbus Good Shepherd Council #5573 For our parish family: that during this holy season of Lent, may each of us examine our flaws with honesty and humbly seek God s mercy and healing grace in Confession. We pray to the Lord. Por nuestra familia parroquial: para que durante este tiempo santo de la Cuaresma, cada uno de nosotros pueda examinar nuestras faltas con honestidad y con paciencia buscar la misericordia y gracia sanadora de Dios en la confesión. Roguemos al Señor. Word of Life I want you to know I went to Confession tonight [as you suggested in answering my letter to HopeAfterAbortion]. I was terrified. Needlessly. The priest who heard my confession was not disgusted by me, or angry with me. He was gentle, kind, and loving. Of course, this made me cry. Hard. He was patient. He absolved me of my sins. Told me I was worthy of all God s kingdom. So not what I expected. This website planted a seed of hope in my heart that I could really be forgiven. God took it from there. ~Message to from a post-abortive woman Palabra de Vida Quiero que sepas que anoche me confesé [como sugeriste en respuesta a mi carta a HopeAfterAbortion]. Estaba aterrorizada. Innecesariamente. El sacerdote que me confesó no estaba indignado conmigo, o enojado conmigo. Era dulce, amable y cariñoso. Por supuesto, esto me hizo llorar. Fuerte. Él era paciente. Me absolvió mis pecados. Me dijo que era digna de todo el Reino de Dios. No lo que yo esperaba. Este sitio digital plantó una semilla de esperanza en mi corazón de que podía ser perdonada de verdad. Dios hizo el resto. ~Mensaje a de una mujer que abortó K of C Good Shepherd Council #5573 Presents A Tribute to the Andrews Sisters Boogie Woogie and Beyond, Andrews Sister s hits and Jukebox Gems. A musical journey with toe-tappin hits of the 30 s & 40 s to the flat-out fun music of the 50 s & 60 s. Saturday, April 13 Giovan s Restaurant, 1804 N Larkin Ave., Crest Hill Family Style Dinner: 6:00-7:00 p.m. Showtime: 7:00-9:00 p.m. Tickets: $35.00 includes Dinner and Show Seating is limited Order your Tickets Early. Order forms and tickets are available after Sunday masses in the Commons from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on February 17 and 24 and on March 17. Tickets will be available at all K of C Fish Fries on Fridays in Lent from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Ticket order forms are also available at the Commons Desk. Ticket orders are filled in order of receipt. For more information call or visit Page 14 One Family in Faith Making Christ Known February 17, 2013

15 Men and Women (continued) Spring Plant Sale The Ladies Auxiliary is having a spring plant sale just in time to beautify your garden. Orders will be taken starting at the first Fish Fry at St. Mary Immaculate Parish on February 15 and every Friday through March 22nd. We will also take orders in the St. Mary Immaculate Commons after Masses the weekend of March 2/3. The last day for orders is Holy Saturday, March 30. Each order for $25 or more will get one free raffle entry. Five prizes (plants of course) will be awarded. We offer 5 varieties of plants sold in flats for $19.00 per flat (Petunias, Marigold, Impatiens, Dusty Miller and Alyssum) in a wide variety of colors. You can also choose from 3 varieties sold in 4" pots for $5.00 per pot (Zonal Geraniums, Ivy Geraniums and Salvia), and 2 plant varieties (Ivy Geraniums and Impatiens) sold in hanging baskets for $28.00 each. We will have gift certificates available if you wish to give plants as a gift. Payment is due when the order is taken, no refunds. Please make checks payable to KofC #5573. Flats are sold whole. We cannot mix flowers within flats. These quality plants are coming from Lizzie's Garden in Naperville. An ideal time for planting, the plants will be picked up on Friday, May 17 behind the Knights of Columbus House at South Rt. 59 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please park in the northwest corner of the SMI parking lot. To order or for information, please call Grace Blaszak, or gmblaszak@gmail.com. So start thinking It s Springtime. Knights of Columbus and Ladies Auxiliary Good Shepherd Council #5573 Ladies Auxiliary Call for Desserts Attention bakers, we need your help to provide delicious desserts every Friday evening of our Fish Fry. Please bring your items ( in disposable containers) to the gym after 3:30 p.m. Donations of baked goods may also be left at the kitchen window clearly marked "Fish Fry." We ask that you do not bring items that need refrigeration. Contact Grace Blaszak at or gblaszak@sbcglobal.net; or Diane Ziemba at , for more information or questions. Bishop Blanchette Scholarship Fund Are you aware that the Joliet Diocesan Council of Catholic Women offers a scholarship? The Bishop Blanchette Scholarship Fund was established in 1982 as a living memorial to honor our late Bishop Romeo Blanchette. Scholarships in his name are made available each year to students seeking assistance to attend Catholic high schools in the Joliet diocese. This fund is supported by donations. Students are nominated by their parishes. Scholarship awards are made on the basis of scholastic achievement and financial need, as well as a statement from candidates in which they express their reasons for wanting a Catholic education. For an application, please call/stop by the SMI school office during regular school office hours. Due date is March 15. Call the JDCCW office at for more information. West Will Deanery Council of Catholic Women February Frolic Saturday, February 23 - Women of Faith 11:30 a.m. Registration 12:00 p.m. Luncheon and Entertainment Broken Arrow Golf Club W. Broken Arrow Drive, Lockport Please RSVP by February 13 $20.00 per person - no payment at the door Questions? Joanne Pawlowski (815) Please bring an item for our Baby Shower. All items will be donated to local Pro- Life agencies helping women CHOOSE LIFE for their babies. February 17, 2013 One Family in Faith Making Christ Known Page 15

16 Christian Service, Pastoral Care, and Social Justice The Plainfield Area Interfaith Food Pantry is in need of CANNED VEGETABLES, TUNA, CANNED MEATS, JELLO and PUDDING For more information visit or call Thank you for your continued support. Daybreak Update What is Daybreak? Daybreak is a homeless shelter located in downtown Joliet. The evening meals for the residents are provided solely by contributions prepared and served from the congregations of local churches and community organizations. This ministry at St. Mary s has committed to supplying the dinner six times per year along with the provisions for breakfast the following day. We need you! Since this is meant to be a parish ministry, we ask that everyone watch the weekly bulletin for the dates and times for each dinner. Please sign up to donate to the hungry. It truly is a way to make a difference. March meal: Our next meal is Tuesday March 5. The pick up time is 5:30 6:00 p.m. in front of the church. We will be serving a meatloaf dinner including mashed potatoes, vegetable casseroles and salad. The sign -up poster will be in the commons after all masses beginning the weekend of February 16 and 17 through March 5. Please check the poster in the commons for details. If cooking is not for you, consider donating one of following: fresh fruit, salad, dessert, 2-liter bottles of soda, orange juice or fruit juice, dry cereal, hot cereal, eggs, bacon, tea, and coffee. Thank you! Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this ministry by cooking, donating, or serving. Our meals are successful as a result of your generosity. Questions? Feel free to contact Donna Giancarlo at or Linda Polnik at Easter Basket Ministry Needs your Help This is a great opportunity to give as an individual, family or Religious Education class. Show our children and grandkids how we can give to others and make a difference. Every year our Parish at St Mary Immaculate has been very generous donating treats to make Easter Baskets for those in need. Our Parish donated 300 bags last year to Morning Star Mission, Daybreak Shelter and the Plainfield Food Pantry. Our confirmation students, mentors and parents do a great job sorting and make the Easter Bags. Without their help this would not be possible. Sign up is located in the commons. Items needed books, coloring books, stuffed animal or bunny, small toys, bubbles, tooth brush, tooth paste, wrapped candy. Any family or group that would like to put together their own Easter Bag. I can provide the Easter Bag and grass. Please call Laura Bringas at Thank-you and have a Blessed Lent. Thank You from Aunt Martha s Youth Service Center December 21, 2012 Dear St. Mary Immaculate Parishioners, Thank You! How very caring and generous of the of St. Mary Immaculate Parish members to contribute to the Holiday Gift Express for children, youth and families served through Aunt Martha s Youth Service Centers Joliet Services. Your contribution helps us to ensure all of our most needy children have a bright Christmas. Sharing your best with children is the essence of holiday giving. Thank you for providing a special love through your kindness. May you feel the peace that comes through caring! Gratefully, Nina Albrecht Project Manager Development Page 16 One Family in Faith Making Christ Known February 17, 2013

17 Confirmation Corner Penny Giunta, Confirmation Director x878 A reminder to our families about some upcoming events: Education and Formation Monday, February 18 Sacramental Makeup Retreat This retreat is only for those students who have not yet received First Communion and have preregistered. The Jr. High group will meet from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Please arrive at 9:20 a.m. and check in at the commons. Students should bring a lunch, including a beverage, and 1 cup of one of the following: cereal, M&Ms, tiny marshmallows, Reese s pieces or other small snack item (no nuts please). All other materials will be provided. The High School retreat is only for those students in Fr. David s class who have not yet received First Communion and have pre-registered. It will be from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Students should check in at the commons and only bring a lunch and beverage. If your child has not received First Communion and you have not registered for this retreat, please contact the Confirmation Office immediately. Sunday, February 24-Tuesday, February 26 Parish Mission All Year I and Year II students and High School students in Fr. David s group are expected to attend the Mission from 7:00-9:00 p.m. with their families. Reconciliation will be offered on Monday during the Mission. Thursday, February 28 Year II Chastity Talk All Year II students are required to attend this presentation with their parents from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in Cana Hall. Absentees will have a makeup assignment to complete. Immigration Day at St. Mary Immaculate School On Wednesday, January 30, SMI school students and faculty reenacted an immigrant s arrival to Ellis Island. During the morning-long program, students were divided into families of all different ethnic backgrounds. Each family then worked their way through each of the immigration stations at Ellis Island. Students also played (and dressed) the part of various Immigration Officials. Classrooms were transformed into the different immigration stations along their journey starting with 1. The passage, their ship coming over and simulated seasickness; 2. Arrival; 3. Baggage Room; 4. Waiting room -- to wait to register students also signed a banner with their handprint; 5. Registry; 6. Medical; 7. Legal; 8. Detainees; 9. Separation, where they purchased train tickets to travel to their final destination. Each room/station offered students different activities and questions. A concluding ceremony took place in the school gym to proclaim the Oath of Citizenship, sing God Bless America and receive a red, white and blue popsicle treat. Thanks go to 8th grade Social Studies teacher, Joan Hamer, who has long wanted to simulate the experience of immigrants at Ellis Island at SMI. Thanks also to 4th grade teachers Carol Longton and Renee Streicher. They teach about immigration as part of their curriculum and jumped into the project. Immigration Day was one of the St. Mary Immaculate School activities during the 2013 Catholic Schools Week celebration. Registration for the School Year is Now Open. For more information on how St. Mary Immaculate School provides an outstanding Catholic education in both faith and academics for Pre-school students age 3 through Junior High School 8th grade. Call or visit February 17, 2013 One Family in Faith Making Christ Known Page 17