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2 Page Two The Mary, Nativity the Holy of the Mother Lord (Christmas) of God December January 25, 1, MONDAY, January 2, St. Basil the Great; St. Gregory Nazianzen 8:30am Frank Mendez, Special Intention TUESDAY, January 3, The Most Holy Name of Jesus 8:30am Finoy Lukose, Joseph J. Koziarz WEDNESDAY, January 4, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 8:30am Edward F. Stecker, Marie Stecker THURSDAY, January 5, St. John Neumann 8:30am Michael & Raymond Sullivan Walter & Mary Sullivan FRIDAY, January 6, St. Andre Bessette 8:30am Ann Nowak, Nettie & Joseph Waitas SATURDAY, January 7, St. Raymond of Penyafort 8:30am George J. Herrmann, Sue Swope 5:00pm People of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish SUNDAY, January 8, The Epiphany of the Lord 8:00am Anne Kowalski, Sr. Cornelia Harrison BVM 10:00am Loretta Kubica, Mykola Lushniak Mary & Jim Fergus 12:00pm Paula Luszniak, Bernice Tokarz William Vincent Killoran, Christy Mullane Baptism Dominick Robert Roy, Son of Nicholas Roy and Laura McKean CARE FOR THE SICK There are times that the parish is unaware that one of its members may be ill at home, in the hospital or in a nursing home. If this applies to anyone in your family, neighborhood, or circle of friends, and you would like them to receive communion or to be included in prayers, please call the rectory at Our Sympathy and Prayers for all who have died, especially, Lawrence H. Zurawski. Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God The Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God celebrates and affirms that Jesus, though born of a human mother, truly is divine. This dogma of the Church was proclaimed at the Council of Ephesus in 431 and reaffirmed at the Council of Chalcedon in 451, the last of the patristic ecumenical councils recognized by virtually all Christian denominations. The controversy was intense as many devout people tried to protect the transcendence of the one true God, asking how could the eternal God be born of a creature. These Councils affirmed that God s ways are beyond our human comprehension and that he revealed his plan of salvation to us through Jesus Christ. Jesus, uniquely, is both fully human and fully divine. We cannot comprehend how this is so, but we believe that it is true and Jesus is the true source of our salvation. In the Book of Numbers God tells Moses that he will bless his people and will let his face shine upon them (Jesus will be the true face of God whose light shines upon us). St. Paul tells us that Jesus is the Son of God, born of a woman through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the gospel the shepherds visit the Holy Family at the manger, telling Joseph and Mary that the Angel of the Lord revealed that their baby son is the Savior of the World. Numbers 6:22-27 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21 Want to get more involved in St. Robert Bellarmine? Looking for a way to meet new folks? Have an hour here or there that you are willing to share with your parish? Looking to give a little bit back in service? There are plenty of ways that St. Robert Bellarmine Parish could use your help. We have a new volunteer coordinator and a new way of connecting people interested in helping out with the needs in our community. Some volunteer positions are one hour a month, some are weekly, and some are available for you to do right in your own home. Take a moment to fill out a Volunteer Interest form. You can find these at the back of the church in the vestibule, on our parish website, or call Chrissy Zaker-our parish volunteer coordinator at the rectory to learn more about how you can help. Volunteers make a huge difference in the life of our parish.

3 December January 1, 25, The Mary, Nativity the Holy of the Mother Lord (Christmas) of God Page Three From the Pastor s Desk Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. Oddly, though, this feast has nothing to do with the Blessed Mother. The Holy Day celebrates the theological affirmation that Jesus is God himself born of the Virgin Mary, a continuation of the wonder of Christmas. Actually wonder does not do justice to Christmas. It is awesome in the truest sense of the word: astounding, staggering, mind-blowing, unimaginable, never to be repeated. There are not enough superlatives to describe the Christ event. The mind and heart of God is always greater than our human knowledge or imagination can grasp. We know that Jesus is God. We even take it for granted. I seriously doubt if any of us really has any understanding of what it truly means. It certainly was a surprise to the people of Jesus time, especially to the people of Israel. The Israelites were expecting a Messiah to be born of King David s House, chosen and favored by God, but human like all of us. Judaism believes that God is so other, transcendent, far beyond the human imagination. It was impossible for them to believe that this God would or could actually become human. They believed that to see God was to die. God s appearances to Abraham and the patriarchs were in human form, believed to be angels. Moses spoke with God and saw God s glory, but could not look upon God s face. Even Elijah only saw God s back as he walked past him. How, then, could the divine glory be a human baby that looked no differently than anyone else? It was not only impossible, it was unimaginable. Christianity also believes in the utter transcendence of God. The early Church struggled with how Jesus could be one with this God. The controversy culminated in the early 5th century when the Patriarch of Constantinople referred to Mary as the Christ- bearer (mother of the Messiah, a purely human description). He raised a firestorm of criticism that resulted in the Council of Ephesus declaring that Mary was not simply the Christ-bearer, but truly the Mother of God: that God, while remaining divine, somehow also took on our human nature. Jesus is the divine God but also fully human. Twenty years later the Council of Chalcedon re-affirmed this, explaining that there is only one God, one divine person, who, in the person of Jesus has two natures, human and divine. Humanly speaking, this makes no sense. St. Paul calls this a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks. Though we know that it is true, we really cannot understand it. Nevertheless it is the most important fact of our existence. God has joined our human family so that we can see the face of God. Not only can we see the face of God, but we will have life because of it. The Christmas season invites us to truly reflect on the implications of this truth of our faith. I suspect that if we really ever came close to a personal realization of the presence of God and truly saw his face, our lives would never be the same again. I want to thank everyone who helped make our Christmas celebrations so beautiful and joyful. To the many, many volunteers who decorated the church and the hall for our liturgies and parties, to the many parish organizations who hosted events, to the teachers, catechists and staff who have dedicated themselves to the faith formation of our children and parish community, and of course, to all our people who attended our celebrations and those whose donations make it possible for our parish to be such a vibrant community of family and faith. It is truly a pleasure to be your pastor. School resumes this Wednesday. Please remember to be very careful in the parking lots. The Parish Pastoral Council will be on retreat this Saturday morning to pray for and discern the direction of the parish. They have been working on a parish mission statement and will be working with the responses that our parishioners have provided regarding the strengths and needs of our parish community. The Christmas season extends for another week. Next Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany (The Three Kings). Epiphany is the Twelfth Day of Christmas, traditionally the day when the Christmas decorations are taken down. The following day, January 9, is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which ends the liturgical season of Christmas. Unlike the secular culture, which has a big build-up for Christmas and a big let-down on December 26, as Catholics we keep the joy of the Christmas alive in our hearts and homes for almost three weeks. Please don t give in to the culture; keep the spirit and the joy alive. The winter is long and cold enough as it is. There will be a special mass with our SPRED Group next Sunday at 10 a.m. I hope that you all had a Blessed Christmas. I wish you all a Happy, Healthy New Year. Sincerely, Fr. Neil

4 Page Four The Mary, Nativity the of Holy the Mother Lord (Christmas) of God December January 25, 1, SCHOOL NEWS As part of the Archdiocese s celebration of Catholic Schools Week, St. Robert Bellarmine School will hold an Open House on Sunday, January 29, 2012 from 1-3pm, after 12 o clock mass. Visitors can learn about programs, meet the principal, talk with other parents, tour the school, meet teachers in their classrooms, and view student work. St. Robert Bellarmine School is located at 6036 W. Eastwood Avenue in Chicago. To attend the open house, enter through the gym doors located directly off the church parking lot at the corner of Austin and Eastwood Avenues. Information about programs and curriculum, as well as other open house times, can be found on the school website: srb-chicago.org New Program Latin and Greek Roots Challenge To build on its strong Language Arts core, St. Robert Bellarmine School will introduce the Latin and Greek Roots Challenge to students in K-8 in January The program is designed to introduce students to the roots which are the building blocks of the English language in a creative, collaborative and fun way. It instills the discipline to deconstruct words into their component roots, thereby building a stronger foundation for academic success. More information is available on the K-8 Curriculum page of the school website (srbchicago.org) and will also be available at the January 29, 2012 Open House. Khalil J. Hadad iiii of Troop 815, St. Pascal achieved Eagle Scout rank this month. Son of Khalil Haddad and Adriana Haddad. Grandson of Enzo Mion. Congratulations Khalil on your great achievement! Teen Group Gathering and Open Gym Sunday Nights from 5-7 p.m. Start the New Year Off With a Commitment to Prayer We are offering a chance for parishioners and school families to sign up for a weekly reflection. Theses reflections are prepared for our candidates receiving their sacraments at Easter Vigil. But they are appropriate for anyone who wants a reminder to pause and reflect. They have simple reflections on the Sunday scriptures as well as suggestions for ways to reflect on God in our daily life. If you would like to be on the list, please a note to srbvolunteers@yahoo.com. Religious Education FAMILY NIGHT RAFFLE TICKETS Are your pockets empty now that the holiday bills have arrived? Are you thinking about purchasing a cheaper brand of peanut butter? Don t let a shortage of funds get you down. After all masses on the weekends of Jan. 7-8 and Jan , religious education representatives will be selling raffle tickets. This split the pot raffle benefits our religious education program and YOU the lucky purchaser. For only $5.00, you will receive a ticket that will be entered into the raffle drawing on Jan. 20 th at the Religious Education Family Night. Think of all the things you could do with 25%, 15% or even 10% of the pot. Winners need not be present. Thank you in advance for your support. For details, call the religious education office at

5 December January 1, 25, The Mary, Nativity the Holy of the Mother Lord (Christmas) of God Page Five January 19th, 2012 at 7 p. m. in Church What is your image of God? What are some of the images of God found in our scriptures? How can exploring these images help us deepen our relationship to God? This is an evening to explore scriptures and our own perspectives on God. This is an evening to ask questions and explore new insights to help strengthen us on our journey of faith. If you want to explore the images we use when we pray to God, or strengthen how you enter into a relationship with God, this evening will give you some tools and a chance to share with others ideas on how to make prayer a part of your life. Volunteers will read stories to children in the Cry Room. This is part of the Conversations on Faith series - an opportunity to gather with others in the St. Robert Bellarmine Community to share an evening of reflection and growth. All are welcome.

6 Page Six The Mary, Nativity the Holy of the Mother Lord (Christmas) of God TURKEY SHOOT 2011 December January 25,1,2011

7 December January 1, 25, The Mary, Nativity the Holy of the Mother Lord (Christmas) of God Page Seven Remember to Pray for the protection & safety of all our family and friends serving in the Armed Forces. Edward Bell (Army) Gy. Sgt. Timothy R. Hogan (Marines) Capt. Patrick J. Collins (Army) Raymond Weernink (Navy) Capt. Christopher Engelhardt (Air Force) Sgt. Scott Pekar (Marines) Captain Dan Allen (Army) Brig. Gen. Tau aika Uta atu (Tongan Defense) Sgt. Joseph Konieczny (Army Mike Janson (Navy) Ln. Corporal Kurt Williams (Marines) Specialist Sean Cheker (Army) Bernard Brennan, (Marines) First Lieutenant Brian G. Lutz (Army) Pvt. 1 Michael Barry (Army) Martin Durcan (Navy) Pvt. 2 Michael Rosenthal (Army) Matthew Pohlheber (Marines) Ewa Dabrowski (Navy) Pvt. Colleen McDonald (Army) Corp. Armando Bolivar (Marines) Capt. Daniel C. Ouper (Air Force) Capt. Kevin P. O Grady (Air Force) Capt. Albert Eiffes (Air Force) EM3 Abraham Ubi (Navy) Airman Daniel Roger Cimon (Air Force) Pvt. 3 Samuel Stanciel Weekly Schedule Monday, January 1 New Year s Day Masses: 8 a.m., 10 a.m. & 12 Noon Wednesday, January p.m. Contemporary Ensemble (C) 7 p.m. SPRED Mass Practice (KH) Thursday, January 5 7 p.m. RCIA Faith-Sharing (R) 7-9 p.m. Choir (Choir Room) Saturday, January 7 8:30-1 p.m. PPC Retreat (KH) After 5 p.m. Mass... Religious Education Raffle Ticket Sale (C) Sunday, January 8 After All Masses Religious Education Raffle Ticket Sale (C) 9 a.m. 12:30 SPRED (KH) 10 a.m. SPRED Mass 4-7 p.m. Teen Group (G) Monday: 1 Jn 2:22-28; Jn 1:19-28 Tuesday: 1 Jn 2:29 3:6; Jn 1:29-34 Wednesday: 1 Jn 3:7-10; Jn 1:35-42 Thursday: 1 Jn 3:11-21; Jn 1:43-51 Friday: 1 Jn 5:5-13; Mk 1:7-11 Saturday: 1 Jn 5:14-21; Jn 2:1-11 Sunday: Is 60:1-6; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2: $500 Nico Soriano 624 $200 Evelyn Wachal 1494 $100 Howard Williamson 404 $100 Leonard & Marianne Scallion 1228 $ 50 Erin Fergus 654 $ 50 Jessica Andras 553 $ 30 Esther Goritz 5 $ 30 Maureen Ryan 768 $ 30 Joseph Thiel Jr. 978 $ 30 Jane E. Hearrin 301 $ 30 Nick Puralewski 298 $ 30 Barbara Friese 129 $ 30 Megan Carr 510 $ 30 Christina & Jo Mich 920 $ 30 Jayne Swiatek 392 $ 30 Pauline Scollard 199 $ 30 Meyering Family 477 $ 30 Edgar Magdalene 739 $ 30 Marian Mirocha 40 $ 30 Benages Family JANUARY 7/8, 2012 MASS PRESIDER SERVERS LECTORS AUXILIARY MINISTERS 5:00pm Fr. Neil Fackler Trevor Heinlein, Emily Kadus, Michael Silva Kathy Caminiti Sr. Bridget, Lee Puttrich, Dolores Mancuso, Jim Ryan, Mary Ryan, Ed Stecker, Lorraine Samansky 8:00am Fr. Scott Donahue Charles Bell, James Brosnan, Kevin Brosnan Theresa Psioda Moskal Sr. Ann., Sr. Mary Lou, Margaret Callaghan, Patricia Harrison, Dory Ahern, Esther Clarke, Walter Felckowski 10:00am Fr. Neil Fackler Anthony Gibula, Nick Lindahl, Melanie Persangi Maria Delgado Leon Witek, Adolfo Benages, Isabel Benages 12 Noon Fr. Scott Donahue Brandon Greifelt, Jack O Brien Gerard O ahu Soriano Michael Brennan Pat McGrath, Mary Ellen McGrath, Maureen Blake

8 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Solemnity of Mary Masses: 8 a.m., 10 a.m. & 12N p.m. Novena (C) 4 School Resumes 7-9 p.m. Contemporary Ensemble (C) 7 p.m. SPRED Mass Practice (KH) 5 7 p.m. RCIA Faith- Sharing (R) 7-9 p.m. Choir (Choir Room) 6 7 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. PPC Retreat (KH) After 5 p.m. Mass Religious Education Raffle Ticket Sale (C) 8 Epiphany After All Masses Religious Education Raffle Ticket Sale (C) 9-12:30 SPRED (KH) 10 a.m. SPRED Mass 4-7 p.m. Teen Group (Gym) 9 Baptism of the Lord 3:15-4:15 p.m. Children s Choir (C) 7-9 p.m. Sport s Board Mtg. (KH) 10 7 p.m. Liturgy Board Mtg. (MR) 7 p.m. Novena (C) p.m. Contemporary Ensemble (C) 7-10 p.m. SPRED Prep. (KH) p.m. Choir (Music Room) p.m. Religious Education Baptism Class (SMR) 14 9:30 a.m.-12 Noon Religious Education (S) 15 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time After All Masses...Religious Education Raffle Ticket Sale (C) 16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day No School 17 7 p.m. Novena (C) Adoration (C) 5 p.m. Benediction (C) 6-10 p.m. SPRED Mtg. (KH) 7-9 p.m. Contemporary Ensemble (C) 19 12:30-2 p.m. DARE Graduation (KH) 7 p.m. RCIA (Images of God) (C) 7-9 p.m. Choir (MR) p.m. Religious Education Baptism Class (SMR) 7-9 p.m. Religious Education Family Nite (KH) rd Sunday in Ordinary Time After All Masses Coffee and (C) 10 a.m. Family Mass Sports Blessing 4-7 p.m. Teen Group (G) 23 3:15-4 p.m. Children s Choir (C) 7-8:30 p.m. School Board Mtg. (MR) 24 7 p.m. Novena (C) p.m. contemporary Ensemble (C) p.m. Choir p.m. Religious Education Baptism Class (SMR) 28 9:30 a.m.-12noon Religious Education After All Masses V.I.P. Ticket Sales (V) 29 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2nd Collection-Energy Needs 1-3 p.m. Catholic School Week Open House (S) After All Masses...V.I.P. Ticket Sales (V) 30 9:30 a.m. School Mass (C) 3:15-4:15 p.m. Children s Choir (C) 7-9 p.m. 1st Communion parent Mtg. (KH) 31 7 p.m. Novena 7 p.m. Finance Committee (R)

9 Mass Schedule Weekdays - Monday - Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Weekends - Saturday Evening at 5:00 p.m., Sundays at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 12:00 noon Holy Days - 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Parish Office & Rectory Rev. Neil E. Fackler, Pastor Rev. Scott Donahue, Resident Rev. Michael A. Goergen, Pastor Emeritus Tony Delgado, Deacon James Schiltz, Deacon Virginia Underwood, Secretary Christina Zaker, Adult Education Kathy Goetz, Business Manager 4646 North Austin Avenue Chicago, Illinois Tel. 773/ Fax 773/ Website: Religious Education Office Marilyn Krawczyk, Coordinator Joyce Schoenecker, Admin. Asst West Eastwood Avenue Tel. 773/ St. Robert Bellarmine School Carrie Mijal, Principal Chris Wilson, Secretary 6036 West Eastwood Avenue Tel. 773/ Office of Music Director Jean Tuohy 6036 West Eastwood Avenue Tel. 773/ Bulletin Beverly O Connor, Bulletin Editor Deadline: Friday 12 Noon one week in advance Submit articles either by in person at the rectory, fax or at srbbulletineditor@hotmail.com Pulpit Announcement Deadline Friday by 7:30 p.m. in the rectory. Rectory Office Hours Monday - Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Closed from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. for lunch) Saturday - 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday - 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Weddings Arrangements to be made with a priest or deacon at least six months in advance. Please contact the rectory for date and time availability before making other arrangements. Baptisms Celebrated the second and fourth Sunday at 1:15 p.m. Parents need to register at the rectory office. Please note: there are no baptisms scheduled during the season of Lent. Preparation Class is on the last Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the rectory. Confessions/Reconciliations Saturdays 4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. or by appointment. Anointing of the Sick 1st Saturday of the month after the 8:30 a.m. mass. Eucharistic Adoration & Benediction Third Wednesday of every month. Adoration begins after 8:30 a.m. mass. Benediction at 5 p.m. Please sign up at the rectory office. New Parishioners Welcome to Saint Robert s! Please register at the rectory office. Novena Mother of Perpetual Help Novena is offered on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the church. Recitation of the Rosary Monday through Saturday at 8:00 a.m.