St. Francis of Assisi Parish

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1 December 5, Second Sunday of Advent page 2 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois Second Sunday of Advent

2 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 2 The Face in the Mirror In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea [and] saying, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! Matthew 3:1-2 There are times my children s faults weigh heavily on me. Why does she procrastinate so? Why don t they pick up after themselves? Why doesn t he seem to have a plan for his life? Why can t he control his temper better? But there s a funny thing. It s called a mirror. For, without exception, I can look in the mirror and see every single one of the flaws that irritate me so in others reflected there. Every one! How much of my energy is spent in detecting and correcting the faults of others? During Advent, it s time for me to listen to John the Baptist, to admit my own faults and sins and to repent of them, to let God s mercy fill me so that I might become more merciful in turn. St. John the Baptist, I m listening to your call. Pray for me. LIVING FAITH Amy Welborn RCIA is held at St. Rose Parish in Montrose. This year s candidate, Felicia Weemer, continues to learn more about the Catholic faith. Anyone interested in joining for informational purposes may join us at St. Rose on Sunday mornings at 9:45. B&B is coming soon to St. Francis Parish. Sunday evenings from 8:00-9:30. Be on the look-out for more information coming next week. Hint: it is for adults only! Why Catholic? is over for this session. Lent will complete this year s study of Christ s Life. Anyone wishing to join an existing group or desiring to begin your own group may do so by calling Sr. Pierre at The second ½ is not dependent on the first! Parish Office 203 E. Main St., P.O. Box 730, Teutopolis, IL Office Hours: Mon. -Fri. 9:00 am -4:30 pm Phone...(217) Fax...(217) Parish ... stfrancischurch@mchsi.com Parish website: stfrancischurch.com Submit written bulletin notices by noon Monday. Diocesan website: Feast of the Immaculate Conception December 8th Holy Day of obligation Mass times: Tuesday, December 7th, 7:00 pm Wednesday, December 8th, 6:00am, 8:05am, 7:00pm Ministers Needed! We are in need of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for the 7:00 pm Mass on Dec. 7th and the 7:00 pm Mass on Dec. 8th (Feast of the Immaculate Conception). Please come to the sacristy before Mass and see where you are needed. Thank you for your help! Ministry Sign-ups for Christmas Season There are ministry sign-up sheets for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and New Year s Eve (4:00 pm Mass) and New Year s Day (9:00 am Mass) in the main entrance of Church. If you are commissioned to be in any of the ministries: Usher, Lector, Gift Bearer, or Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, please consider sharing your ministry this Christmas season. Please check in sacristy the day of the Holy Day to see where you are needed. Thank you for sharing your time and ministry! Also, a reminder that those regularly scheduled for December are expected to serve on Sunday, Dec. 26th (7:00, 8:45, and 10:30 am Masses). Those scheduled for ministry duties in January are expected to serve on Sat., Jan.1 (5:30 pm Mass) and on Sun., Jan. 2 (7:00, 8:45, and 10:30 am Masses). National Night of Prayer for Life Please join us in prayer for an end to abortion on Wed., Dec. 8 and Thurs., Dec. 9 at St. Anthony s Hospital Chapel. Prayers begin at 9:00 pm and continue until 1:00 am. Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 midnight. Come pray with us! Holy Humor One lady I read about was planning a romantic evening the day her husband returned from a hunting trip. As he was unpacking his bag, she heard him say, Oh baby, did I miss you! Turning around to embrace him, she saw he was kissing the remote control!

3 December 5, 2010 Second Sunday of Advent page 3 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Liturgy Schedule 2nd Week of Advent December 6-12 St. Nicholas Mass at 6:30 am Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am 7:00 pm Vigil Mass Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Holy Day of Obligation Mass at 6:00 & 8:05 am, 7:00 pm St. Juan Diego Mass at 6:30 am Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am Mass at 5:30 pm 3rd Sunday of Advent Mass at 7:00, 8:45, 10:30 am Parish Calendar Tuesday, December 7 Secular Franciscans meet 6:00 pm, St. Clare Baptism Prep, 7:00 pm, St. Isidore Wednesday, December 8 Children s Choir, 3:30 pm No Jr. High or High School Religion Saturday, December 11 Grade 3 Family Confessions, 9:00-10:00 and 10:30-11:30 pm Rebekah Volk Mass 12:30, Open House following in Grade School Auditorium Confessions, 3:30-4:30 pm CHWC Christmas Cookie Sale after 5:30 pm Mass in St. Clare Hall Sunday, December 12 CHWC Christmas Cookie Sale following all Masses in St. Clare Hall Giving Tree gifts due back today Confession Schedule Saturday, December 11th - 3:30-4:30 pm Liturgy of the Hours with Friars Monday-Friday -- 11:45 am & 4:45 pm Thank You A big thank you to everyone who donated pumpkins, gourds and anything else for the Thanksgiving display. Everything was greatly appreciated. Pray for the Sick Please remember in your prayers those who are sick, especially: : Rebekah Volk, Sr. Clara Esker, Jodi Waymoth, Evelyn Krone, Cathy Green, Nicholas Rhodes, Agnes Kremer, Karlene Frese, Renae Roepke Stewardship of Treasure Sunday Total Fiscal 11/28/2010 Year 313 Adult envelopes $9, $165, Other , TOTAL $10, $177, GOAL $9, $217, Thanksgiving Collection for Catholic Charities - $1, Question of the Week What is the tone of John the Baptizer s message? How does John s message differ from Jesus? Why do you think it is different? Isaiah 11:1-10 Romans 15:4-9 Matthew 3:1-12 Holy Name Mtg. Monday, Dec. 13, 7:30 pm, Museum Meeting Room. All men are invited to attend. Special Collection-Retired Religious As expenses continue to increase and economic difficulties tighten our income, we appreciate more and more the help of the Retirement fund, notes a woman religious. Your tax deductible donation to the Retirement Fund for Religious supports the day-to-day care of thousands of elder sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. Please share in the care and give generously to next week s special collection. Sing Along St. Francis Singers and Friends will be singing at Evergreen Nursing Center, Wednesday, December 8th at 10:30 am. Please note the time change. Homebound Ministers Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound for Sunday, December 12th are: Rita Pals , Eleanor Gebben , Mary Jane Koester , Mary Runde

4 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 4 Art and Environment Committee The schedule for decorating the church for Christmas: Wed., December 15th, 4:00 pm set up trees Wed., December 22nd, 6:00 pm flowers Please notify Mary Flach if you are available to help either or both days at or or marycflach@yahoo.com. BIBLE STUDY continues on the third Thursday of the month. We are ½ way through our Bible overview. Meeting at 10:00 a.m. in St. Clare hall is open to all who desire to know more about God s Word. Second Hand Rose will be closed Monday thru Friday this week for the Fish/CC Christmas Store. No donations will be accepted all week. Store open again on Saturday, 10:00-1:00. Stop by and place your bids on the items up for silent auction. Gift baskets made up of items from the store are wrapped and ready to give! Celebrate the Christmas Season! The officers of the St. Francis CCW invite the women of our parish to our annual CCW Christmas Party. The festivities will be held on Monday, December 13, 2010 beginning with a 6:00 pm dinner held at the Teutopolis Grade School Auditorium. Turkey, homemade noodles, rolls, drinks and table service will be provided. Please bring a covered dish. A $3.00 gift exchange is optional. Join us for an evening of entertainment, delicious food, fun and fellowship. We are excited to have the theatrical talents of the 1st grade class of TGS to entertain us with their Christmas play, Bringing You Christmas Spirit! Christmas Cookie/Candy Sale The Catholic Heart Work Camp Group invites you to check out our homemade cookies and candies the weekend of December 11 & 12 in St. Clare Hall following all Masses. All cookies and candies are sold by the dozen for $5. All proceeds help offset the cost of the Catholic Heart mission trip to Milwaukee next summer. Thanks for letting us spread Christmas cheer and for supporting the youth in the area! GIFT CARDS Looking for gift ideas or going shopping? Gift Cards (Scrip Cards) are on sale after all Masses between now & Christmas and available at Niebrugge Financial throughout the week during business hours or at the parish office on Saturdays from 8-12! Religious Education News Grade School Thanks to the children, families, catechists, all who helped at the Grade 3 Christmas Store for the Missions. The total amount received will be announced in next week s bulletin. The proceeds will go to the home missionaries for the needs of their mission efforts. Grade 3- Family Reconciliation Service is Saturday, December 11 9:00-10:00 for families whose last names begin with letters A to M, and 10:30-11:30 for those whose last names begin with N to Z. Please arrive about 10 minutes ahead of the times listed. A final note of information will be sent home Friday of this week. Grades 6C and 6H will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation this Monday; Grades 6Sc and 6So will be viewing the personal safety videos. Immaculate Conception Mass will take place on Wednesday, December 8, for the children in grades 3 through 6. Grades 1 and 2 will be viewing a video on Mary. Mass supervisors for grades 1 and 2 will please plan to meet the children at their classroom doors and accompany them to the lower East open area. Kdgn./Pre religion classes take place on Sundays during the l0:30 Mass in the grade school cafeteria area. During these Sundays of December the children are preparing a skit and songs for the Epiphany program which takes place on Sunday, January 9. We are looking for full attendance, if possible, on these Sundays. Junior High-There is no class on Wednesday night because of the holy day Mass. If young people are attending the Grade 8 basketball game, we look for them to attend Mass at another time. Reconciliation for both grades take place on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at the Junior High Building. High School Religious Ed No High School Religious ed classes on Wednesday, December 8 for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Please attend Mass with your family. Service Opportunity: Students have been asked to help at the Open House for Rebekah Volk. If you haven t signed up yet but would like to help, please call the high school religious ed office to sign up at ! Youth Notes: Youth Councils meet TODAY, December 5. Both Junior High & High School meet at 6 pm in the Teen Center for a quick meeting & then caroling around town! We ll end up at the teen center at the end for hot chocolate! Come join in the fun of sharing the Christmas Spirit! No Teen Center December 17 & 18 because of Homecoming! Be safe & the people God created you to be!

5 December 5, 2010 Second Sunday of Advent page 5 Family Corner The 2 nd Sunday of Advent means we light two purple candles on our wreath. We get ready for tomorrow, St. Nicholas. Tell the story of St. Nick and how he got transitioned into Santa Claus. Don t know the story? Nicholas was a bishop who lived in southeast Turkey. There are many legends about him but the most well known is: There was a poor man with three daughters desiring to marry. There was no dowry so the poor man lived with three unhappy daughters. Nicholas learned of the man and his plight and decided to help him without his knowing it. One night St. Nicholas took a bag of gold and threw it into an open window into the room where the poor man was sleeping. St. Nicholas then hurried away so the man would not know where the money came from. Not long after, St. Nicholas heard that the eldest daughter of the man got married. So, he tried his trick again for the next daughter. The same thing happened. The second daughter happily married. Some time later, St. Nicholas took a third bag of gold and threw it into the man s house. This time, as he was hurrying away, the poor man caught up with him. The poor man thanked St. Nicholas over and over again for helping him. All during his life, St. Nicholas showed his love for God by helping people. Even today, in Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, on the eve of St. Nicholas feast children put out their empty shoes to receive gifts from St. Nicholas. In England and the United States St. Nicholas has come to be known as Santa Claus. Celebrate St. Nicholas tomorrow by making a list of kind acts that could be done in school and at home. Try to do one hidden act of kindness each day for this week. + pray for a friend +clean your room +go to bed on time without being told +pick up your toys without being told +tell your mom/dad you love them. Area Events Christmas Extravaganza today at the Teutopolis American Legion, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please bring a canned good which will be donated to Catholic Charities Food Pantry. Breakfast with Santa and View the Trees in the Winter Wonderland today at the Thelma Keller Convention Center, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Chili Supper to benefit Pamela Rowlee on Sunday, December 12, 12:00-5:00 pm at the Sacred Heart, Eff. Parish Hall. Pamela has been diagnosed with Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency. An Advent Evensong, Sunday, December 12, 4:00 pm at Holy Cross Church, Wendelin. Performance is dedicated to the memory of Fr. David L. Braun. Thanks from the Volks Since I have a few weeks off from treatment while we wait to see if I qualify for the trial chemo, Mark and I were deciding what we should do to make the most of this time. We tossed around ideas about taking a trip (Mark even said he would take me to Hawaii!), but I really do not feel up to the stress of taking a big trip, especially since we will definitely be taking the children. We talked about taking a few short trips, too, but finally decided on having a great big party! So... mark your calendar.. here is the information: Saturday, December 11 St. Francis of Assisi Church Mass 12:30 pm With Fr. Luke Spannagel (My brother) Teutopolis Grade School Gym Open House 1:30-4:30 pm All of you are invited to the Mass and the open house. Please stay for as long as you can and bring your families! We will have BBQ sandwiches, finger foods, and Christmas cookies. I even heard that Santa might stop by sometime during the day! No guarantees about the Mass, but if you come you might hear some fun stories about me from my brother! Ha! Ha! We are so excited about this opportunity to see all of you and to thank you personally for all of your support and prayers over the last few years. We are looking forward to this wonderful celebration! See you all there! Mark, Rebekah, Kate, and Matthew Morning Walkers Since the weather is cooling, we would once again like to invite members of the community to use the grade school facility for their morning exercise. The East gym door is opened at 5:30 am on all school days. We ask that all walkers exit the building by 7:30 am. If you like to calculate your distances: 3 1/2 times around the halls and stairs equals one mile 3 times around the halls, stairs, and gym equals one mile 21 times around the gym equals one mile Donations for Flowers We are accepting donations for flowers for Christmas and special occasions during Please place your donation in an envelope marked FLOWERS and place it in the collection basket next weekend, or drop it off at the parish office. If the donation is being made in memory of a loved one, please note this on the envelope also. Please Note! If you need to take a missalette home, please take one from the cabinet at the back of church. Please do not take one that has a plastic cover on it. Thank you.

6 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 6 Parish Council Meeting Minutes for November 18, 2010 Present: Fr. Austin, Fr. Ken, Fr. Vernon, Tina Brumleve, Terry Meyer, Steve Witges, Doug Mette, Jack Hardiek, Sandy Fisher, John Bushur, Jodie Pruemer, and Louise Sheehan Absent: Tammy Willenborg and Bruce Buhnerkempe The meeting was opened with prayer. Minutes from the Oct. 28th meeting were reviewed and approved. Finance: Doug Mette October financials were reviewed and approved. Discussed the creation of a cemetery board with 5 members consisting of Fr. Austin, Ron Ruholl, Bernice Matteson, Terry Meyer and Tina Brumleve Continued discussion about Electrical Supplier bids that have been received. The council is obtaining the final bids and will make a decision next week. Building and Grounds: Jack Hardiek The drainage problem at the cemetery was fixed with a French tile. Also, the drainage issue at the Teen Center was repaired. Liturgy: Jodie Pruemer Advent begins Sunday, Nov. 28th. Advent wreath will be in place at side altar. Feast of the Immaculate Conception is Dec. 8th--a Holyday of Obligation--Mass times 7:00P.M.-Dec. 7th and 6:00 A.M., 8:05A.M. and 7:00 P.M.--Dec. 8th Christmas Eve Masses are 5:30 and 10:30 P.M. Christmas Day Masses are 7:00 and 8:45 A.M. No Saturday eve Mass. Dec. 26th Sun.--normal Mass times Jan. 1, 2011 Saturday is the feast of the Solemnity of Mary not an obligation to go to Mass. However, there will be a 4:00 P.M. Mass on Fri. Dec. 31st (New Year's Eve) and on Jan. 1st (New Year's Day) a 9:00 A.M. Mass. Saturday Mass at 5:30 P.M. and normal Mass times on Sun., Jan. 2nd Religious Education: Louise Sheehan Christmas shoe boxes to the needy children of the world esp. Haiti--totaled 121 boxes. $ collected so far for shipping. Total needed is $ (more should be in this week-end). Thanks to all who helped. Children's Church collection envelopes were given to children from Pre-school to High School along with a note from Fr. Austin encouraging them to celebrate Mass on Sunday by using their envelopes as an offering ( a small amount of money or a note saying they helped someone). All adults are encouraged to set an example for our children by using their envelopes--an act of membership in the parish community. Celebration of the Feast of the Epiphany with the children's Nativity program in church followed by a reception in St. Clare Hall will take place Sunday-Jan. 9th. Diocesan Test on Knowledge, Attitude, and Participation will be administered to 8th Gr. students on Dec. 1 and Dec. 15 Sacrament of Reconciliation for 7 and 8 grade students will take place on Wed. Dec. 15 Religion Fee Payments received so far: Gr. School--$8, High School--$2, Pre-school--$ Adult education: RCIA has one candidate who will be introduced to the faith community at St. Rose. this Sunday-Nov. 21st. A one and one-half hour bible study (B&B) will hopefully begin in January. Watch the bulletin for more information. Why Catholic sessions are over for this half of the year. Next session begins prior to Lent. Stewardship: Nothing to report Meeting was closed with prayer. Louise Sheehan, Secretary