March 18, Fourth Sunday of Lent page 2 St. Francis of Assisi Parish. léâëüx \Çä àxw. to a Farewell Party for Father Austin

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1 March 18, Fourth Sunday of Lent page 2 St. Francis of Assisi Parish léâëüx \Çä àxw to a Farewell Party for Father Austin Saturday, March 24th 6:30 to 8:30 pm Grade School Auditorium Finger foods will be served. Teutopolis, Illinois Teutopolis, Illinois A Retirement Blessing Dear God, the life we re given always moves through changes. We ask your blessings on Father Austin who has retired and who has entered a new stage in his life. Remind us that the end of one stage of life is always the beginning of another. Amen.

2 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 2 A Lenten Reflection Learning Life s Purpose with St. Francis is the topic of an afternoon of recollection sponsored by the St. Francis Fraternity of Secular Franciscans on Sunday, March 25, in the Teutopolis Museum Dining Hall from 12:30 to 4:30 pm. The presenter will be Fr. John Sullivan, OFM. You are invited to join us for this Lenten Reflection. A light supper will follow. If possible bring a simple crucifix for meditation. Please RSVP to reserve handouts at or oremus@altamont.net. Fathers of all ages and experience are invited to a day of motivation, training and challenge to be worthy of the name, Father. Where: Sacred Heart Parish Hall, Effingham When: Saturday, March 31 ~ 10:00am 3:30pm Lunch provided. FREE. Please RSVP: ctejeda@dio.org Newly Registered Families: Fourth Sunday of Lent Living in the Light You are as sick as your secrets, goes the saying among those working to recover from addiction. The premise is that what we cannot bring to light in the presence of another person will eventually make us ill. I have found that to be true personally at least to this extent: When I am able to talk about something distressing me, often something rather embarrassing, that something immediately loses its grip on my mind and heart. Of course, discretion is called for: One can t start telling everyone everything that is troubling or embarrassing. But if you have a secret so dark you are afraid to share it with anyone, its hold on you will grow and grow. Conversely, if you can talk about it with someone you trust, its power will begin to evaporate. No doubt that is one reason they say that confession is good for the soul. Lord, help me to live in your light. LIVING FAITH Mark Neilsen Dominic and Meghan (Gillespie) Deters David and JoAnn (Habing) Ellet and daughter, Hannah Marie Benny and Kelsey (Thoele) Mayfield Stephen and Jill (Holkenbrink) Quandt Prayer Vigil for Life The monthly Prayer Vigil for Life will be held in St. Anthony s Hospital Chapel, on Monday, March 19th. Praying the Rosary will begin at 6:00pm, followed by Mass at 6:30pm. The business meeting will be conducted in the Hospital Board Room near the chapel. Everyone is encouraged to join us in prayer for an end to abortion. BIBLE STUDY will meet the third Thursday of the month. Join us on April 19th at 10:00 a.m. in St. Clare Hall. Our sessions are based on the book, A Father Who Keeps His Promises by Scott Hahn. Come treat yourself to a deeper understanding of God s covenant love, Chapters 5 & 6. B & B Sunday will meet tonight in St. Clare Hall at 8:00 with the topic The Messiah & Early Church This will be our final session until after Easter.

3 March 18, th Sunday of Lent page 3 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Liturgy Schedule 4th Week of Lent March St. Joseph Mass at 6:15 am & 12:10 pm Mass at 6:15 & 8:05 am Mass at 6:15 am No 8:05 am Mass Mass at 6:15 am & 12:10 pm St. Turibius de Mogrovejo Mass at 6:15 & 8:05 am Mass at 5:30 pm 5th Sunday of Lent Mass at 7:00, 8:45, 10:30 am Stations of the Cross Friday, March 23-7:00 pm Confession Schedule Saturday, March 24-3:30-4:30 pm Liturgy of the Hours with Friars Monday-Friday -- 11:45 am & 4:45 pm Parish Calendar Monday, March 19 CCW mtg., 7:00pm, St. Clare Why Catholic Retreat, 6:30pm Church Tuesday, March 20 Secular Franciscans meet, 6:00pm St. Clare, 7:00pm Church Wednesday, March 21 Children s Choir, 3:30-4:30pm Teen Choir, 6:00-7:00pm Thursday, March 22 Finance Council mtg., 6:00pm St. Clare Parish Council Mtg., 7:00pm, St. Clare Adult Choir, 7:00pm Friday, March 23 Rosary, 9:30am Church and St. Clare Stations of the Cross, 7:00pm Saturday, March 24 Confessions, 3:30-4:30pm Parish Farewell for Fr. Austin, 6:30-8:30pm, Grade School Auditorium Sunday, March 25 Pre-Cana Team mtg. after 10:30 Mass, St. Clare Secular Franciscans meet, 11:00am 8:00pm, Museum Dining Room B & B, 8:00-9:30pm, St. Clare Please Note: There will be no 8:05 Mass on Wed., March 14th. The 1st and 2nd grades will be saying the Stations of the Cross. Pray for the Sick Please remember in your prayers those who are sick, especially: Cathy Green, Renae Roepke, Eddie Siemer, Cheryl Ann Huber, Chris Utz, Anna Habing, Kay Schwartz, Dorothy Herboth. Stewardship of Treasure Sunday Total Fiscal 3/11/2012 Year 314 Adult envelopes $7, $321, Other $ $20, TOTAL $8, $342, GOAL $9, $366, Sing Along St. Francis Singers and Friends will be singing at Lakeland Nursing Center on Thursday, March 22nd at 10:30am. God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so everyone who believes in Him might have eternal life. Attention Pre-Cana Team Don t forget about our meeting on Sunday, March 25th in St. Clare Hall immediately following 10:30 Mass. Remember to bring a question for all to discuss regarding your individual presentations. Thank you. Homebound Ministers Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound for Sunday, March 25th are Theresa Funneman and Carlene Rauch

4 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 4 RCIA continues to meet in the museum meeting room on Sunday mornings following the 8:45 mass. We have people just beginning to join the process of becoming Catholic. Anyone thinking of doing so, please come join us at this time. Today s topic: 7 Habits of Successful Catholics Why Catholic? groups continue. No need to belong to a Why Catholic? group to join us for an evening encounter with the Woman at the Well. We begin at 6:30 in Church tomorrow, Monday, March 19 th. Holy Week Ministry Sign-Ups If you are involved in a liturgical ministry (Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, and Ushers) and would like to volunteer your services at any of the Holy Week liturgies listed below, please sign up at the church s main entrance: Holy Thursday, April 5th at 7:00 pm Good Friday, April 6th at 1:00 pm Easter Vigil, April 7th at 8:00 pm Thank you so much for your time and consideration. Your service makes our liturgies special and complete!!! Please remember that if you are on the April schedule for either 7:00, 8:45 or 10:30 am Masses, then you are on for Easter Sunday at those times. If you need to, please find a substitute. Marriage Encounter Weekends The readings today talk about the mercy and love of God. Through the grace of God, the love of a husband and wife are supposed to mirror God s love for us. Allow God to polish up that mirror of your marriage relationship; attend a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend and let God strengthen, renew and rekindle your relationship. Deepen your communication, strengthen your relationship, rekindle your romance and renew your sacrament by attending the next Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend in this area on March 23 to 25. To register or for more information, call or go online to Religious Education News GRADE SCHOOL-Attention, Mass Walkers children in grades 6C and 6H will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Monday, March 19. Children in 3S and 4S will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Thursday, March 22. (6S will receive Reconciliation on Monday, March 26.) NO MASS on Wednesday, March 21 because children in grades 1 and 2 will pray the Stations of the Cross. Grades 3, 4 will be praying Stations on Monday, March 26. Grades 5, 6 will have Stations on Thursday, March 22. Family and parishioners are invited to join the children in this Lenten devotion. PRE/KDGN. Sunday morning classes take place every Sunday from October to April in the Grade School cafeteria area during the l0:30 Mass. JUNIOR HIGH- Classes take place at 7:20 to8:30. Grade 7 students continue their study of the Bible Timeline in their classrooms. Mr. Carlos Tejeda, diocesan Family Life representative, will speak to the Grade 8 students in the cafeteria on the Catholic understanding, attitude, and behavior regarding sexuality, abstinence and marriage. HIGH SCHOOL The Confirmation date has been set for Wednesday, November 28, 6:30 pm. Prayer to St. Joseph To you, O blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our affliction and, having implored the help of your most-holy spouse we now with hearts filled with confidence earnestly beg you to take us under your protection. By that charity wherewith you were united to the Immaculate Virgin Mother of God and by the fatherly love with which you did cherish the Child Jesus we beseech you and we humble pray that you would look down with gracious eye upon that inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased with His Blood and will succor us in our need by your power and strength. Defend, O most watchful guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen offspring of Jesus Christ. Keep us, O most loving father, from all blight of error and corruption. Aid us from on high, most valiant defender in this conflict with the powers of darkness, and as you did once rescue the Child Jesus from the great peril of His life, so now defend God s holy Church from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity. Shield us under your patronage that following your example and strengthened by your help, we may live a holy life, die a happy death, and attain to everlasting happiness in heaven. Amen.

5 March 18, th Sunday of Lent page 5 March is Ministry Sign-up Month It s that time of year again... time to prepare the liturgical ministry schedules and fill religious ed roles. Ministry sign-up forms will be in the pews on the Sunday of March 25th. If you are currently serving in some liturgical capacity, the liturgy committee presumes you are willing to continue. If so, no need to fill out the form. If you do not wish to continue or if you need to change the time(s) or ministry, please call the parish office at b y March 30th. Also, please notify the parish office if your phone number has changed since last year s sign up period. If you are interested in becoming a part of the liturgy celebration by joining a ministry, NOW IS THE TIME!! If you are currently serving in the religious ed program, we presume you will continue in your particular role next year. If not, please indicate on the form. If you are interested in helping with the religious ed program, please call (grade school/jr. high) or (high school). Take the time to look over the form. Fill it out and return it by: dropping it in the Sunday collection basket, bringing it to the parish office, or mailing it to the parish office. If you have any questions about the ministry or which ministry you would like to be a part of, contact the parish office. All forms need to be returned by March 30th. Thank you!!! A Thank You to St. Francis parishioners from the Franciscan Missionary Union for the contribution of $4, Your continued support of our missions and missionaries is very much appreciated. New Message Board A huge thank you to those of you who have generously donated toward our new parish sign. We see the largest benefit of a new sign as relationship building. We would be able to post parish meetings, events, youth activities, Mass schedules (or changes), days of prayer and much more. This parish has a multitude of opportunities for faith growth; we want everyone to know about them. Please think about assisting us with the cost of what will be a valuable asset for our future. Cost of project: $49, Donations: 29, Funds still needed: $19, CCW Men s Breakfast Thank You The officers of the CCW would like to thank all the men of the parish, Fr. Austin and Fr. Ken for attending the breakfast. A huge thank you goes out to all the ladies who cooked, served and cleaned up the breakfast. They cheerfully and efficiently served a delicious breakfast. Special thanks to Zita Niebrugge for use of the sausage frying equipment. Thanks also to the CCW officers and their husbands who helped with set up and clean up. The breakfast was a delicious huge success!!! Our prize winners for the morning were: John Vogt, Roger Renschen, Bob Deters, Ted Brumleve, Bruce Wente, and Charlie Semple. CCW Meeting Monday, March 19th Ladies of the parish are welcome to join us for a CCW meeting on March 19th in St. Clare Hall at 7:00pm. Guest speaker will be Julie Kemme, owner/designer for Over The Edge Accents. She specializes in monograms, inspirational and custom designs for decorative home accent tiles and lighted glass blocks. These are great gift ideas for all occasions: Wedding/Showers/ Baby/Housewarming/Birthdays/Anniversary/Memorials/ First Communion and many more. Join us ladies for a fun filled evening to see some of Julie s unique and custom gift giving ideas. Reminder for those ladies collecting dues for the CCW, we encourage you to have them complete by March 19th. You may return them to any CCW officer or to the parish office. 40 Days For Life Thanks to all who sacrificed and prayed during our parish Eucharistic Day of Prayer this past Thursday. Our prayers are joined with those of churches throughout our deanery, as well as people in over 250 cities in the U.S. where prayer campaigns are being held during this same 40 day period, Feb. 22 Apr. 1. Please include in your prayers during these 40 days all employees of crisis pregnancy centers. Specifically, the Family Life Center in Effingham needs our prayers. They believe all human life is sacred from the time of conception, and provide lay counseling and practical support to women and families facing an unplanned pregnancy. In 2011 they had almost 700 client visits and all services, which include pregnancy tests and limited ultrasound, are provided free of charge. The Family Life Center is on the front lines of the pro-life movement in our region.

6 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 6 4th Sunday of Lent Despite the countless efforts undertaken by road planners and highway departments throughout the country, dangerous conditions still exist on many of the roads that are used for daily travel. Treacherous curves, hazardous hills, and intersections with low visibility can all make driving a perilous endeavor in some areas. Alcohol and distracted driving continue to be major factors in many crashes, but improved vehicle safety and better road design have been credited with lowering the total number of fatalities, a trend that is even more notable given the increase in the number of drivers and vehicle miles driven through the past decade. Still, if one drives along any highway for some distance, there is likely to be a marker at some point memorializing a person who was involved in a fatal accident. These roadside markers often have a cross, something that has become a ubiquitous sign of remembrance after a crash. This emblem marks the spot of the death of a loved one. It is often surrounded with flowers, and may sometimes have other memorabilia attached to it. While a gravestone may mark a loved one's final resting place, a roadside memorial becomes a more public tribute to the one who has been taken in death. But the cross is more than a token of a deadly event. For us, it is the ultimate sign of life, which is why we use it on ourselves over and over again. Before and after prayers, we make the sign of the cross. We use the cross to bless, tracing it on our children's foreheads, making the sign over people and things, signifying a consecration to holiness. That this emblem of death should become a sign of life is the ultimate triumph of the power of Christ's resurrection. John writes in his Gospel that the Son of Man will be lifted up. Jesus is lifted on the cross, and in his death we are lifted to life as he rises on the third day Liturgical Publications Inc Holy Humor...A priest had been invited to give a mission talk about the Catholic use of signs and symbols in worship. As he was leaving the parish after his talk, he got into a serious car accident with a man who was a fallen-away Catholic, who had stopped at the church simply to warm up from the bitter cold outside. Both survived the accident unhurt and crawled out of the wreckage. The man recognized the priest as the presenter and said, Father, I ve been away from the Catholic faith for twenty years and stopped by the church tonight just to warm up. Our survival of this crash must be a sign from God that I am to return to the Church. The priest agreed it was, indeed, from God. My car is completely demolished, but this bottle of wine didn t break. Surely God wants us to drink this wine and celebrate my return. So he handed the bottle to the priest, who took a few big swigs and he handed the bottle back to the man. The man took the bottle, didn t drink at all, put the cap on, and handed it back to the priest. The priest asked, Aren t you going to have any? and the man replied, No...I think I ll just wait for the police. Community Events Fish Buffet at the Teutopolis KC Hall every Friday night. Serving is from 5:00-8:00 pm. Spring Breakfast at St. Isidore Parish, Dieterich, on Sunday, March 18th, at the St. Aloysius Parish Center, Bishop Creek. Serving 7:00 am to 12:00 pm. Longaberger Basket Bingo on Sunday, March 18th, at the Holy Cross Parish Center, Wendelin. Doors open at 12:30 pm; games begin at 1:30 pm. Sponsored by the Family Life Committee. Spring Dinner at St. Francis of Assisi, Hardin, IL on Sunday, March 18th, at St. Norbert School, Hardin, IL. Serving 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Pinterest Party on Wednesday, March 21st, 6:30-8:30 pm at the Effingham K of C Building. Bring a snack, dessert, or craft you created from Pinterest.com. Bring a friend, too. No Fish-Fish Fry on Friday, March 23, 4:30-7:30 pm at Sacred Heart Parish Center, Effingham. Serving pasta or cheese pizza, salad, desserts and drinks. Spring Breakfast at Sacred Heart Church, Lillyville on Sunday, March 25 in the parish hall. Serving 7:00 am to 12:00 noon. Card Party hosted by the Golden Circle Nutrition Program will be held at the Dieterich Civic Center on Sunday, March 25th at 6:00 pm. Pinochle, Solo, Pitch and Dominos will be played. Lunch will be served and prizes awarded all for only $6.00. Come join the fun. Teutopolis Park District will be holding softball clinics in April for Unit 50 students. The sign-up deadline is Monday, April 1, Please check the park district website. The Wooden Shoe Walk 2 will start on April 1st for residents of the park district and Unit 50 school district. You can walk the distance from Busch Stadium to Wrigley field, a total of 317 miles before September 1st, just for fun and prizes. See their website.