St. Francis of Assisi Parish

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1 January 4, Epiphany of the Lord page 2 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois 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: Ember Beddingfield, Victim Assistance Coordinator.. (217) Sacramental Celebrations Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday: 3:30-4:30 pm Thursday before First Friday: 3:30-4:30 pm Anytime by appointment Sacrament of Matrimony: Arrangements must be made a minimum of 6 months in advance with the Pastor. Sacrament of Baptism: Baptism Prep. class is required before baptism. Please call office to pre-register. Parish Pastoral Team Fr. John Eaton, OFM, Pastor Fr. Ken Rosswog, OFM, Associate Pastor Fr. Thinh Tran, OFM, Associate Pastor Maria Wargolet, Director of Music Ministry Theresa Draper, Coordinator of Music Ministry Anita Broom, Bookkeeper Bernice Matteson, Part-time Secretary Jane Miller, Part-time Secretary Ron Ruholl, Maintenance Religious Education: Sr. A. Pierre Wilken, OSF, Director of Faith Formation: Sr. Ann Siemer, SSND, Gr. Sch./Jr. Hi. DRE: /3015 Lisa Siemer, Youth Director & Sr. High CRE: Carlene Rauch, Part-time Rel. Ed. Secretary: Parish Council: Dan Beckman Carrie Copple Mick Deters Sandy Gillespie Bernie Hartke Duane Kremer Tony Pals Mike Tipton Denise Will Epiphany of the Lord January 4, 2015 They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. - Mt 2:10-11 Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass 2001, 1998, 1970 CCD Weekday Liturgy: See inside schedule Weekend Liturgy: Saturday 5:30 pm; Sunday 7:00, 8:45, & 10:30 am Holy Days Liturgy: Eve 7:00 pm; Day 6:00 am, 8:05 am, 12:10 pm & 5:30 pm OUR WARM WELCOME TO ALL! We welcome all who come and worship with us. If you wish to join our parish family, or have a change in your contact information, kindly complete this form. You can return it to the Rectory, place it in the collection, or give it to a Priest. Name Cell/Phone Number Address Please make the above changes to my parish record. Interested in information about annulments/validation I wish to find out more about the Catholic faith. Information on having my children baptized I would like to speak with a Priest. Please pray for:

2 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 2 Reflection for the Epiphany of the Lord Our Daily Epiphanies You shall be radiant at what you see...isaiah 60:5 Two people can experience the same event very differently. One might see God s hand at work while another may not. For example, one will curse his bad luck upon having a car accident, while the other will give thanks that God saved him from serious injury. In the end, some will have experienced their lives as a succession of little miracles, and they will count themselves blessed. Others will judge that life has been unfair and cheated them. The difference is typically in the eye of the beholder. If we have eyes to see the daily epiphanies in our lives, we will end up with grateful and joyful hearts. If we do not, we can easily become angry and dissatisfied. Let s begin this day with a prayer: Lord, give me the eyes today and every day to see your generous and merciful hand at work. May every day be for us an epiphany of the Lord. LIVING FAITH Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti Parents, here is an idea for the New Year: Teach your children to pray. It may seem easy to take a common prayer like the Our Father or Hail Mary and repeat, repeat, repeat until your children know it but what about teaching gratitude. At dinnertime, ask your children to share one thing they are thankful for so they develop that sense of gratitude. Another easy way to teach prayer is to read the Bible together. Read, especially, those stories you grew up with: Noah, Moses, Jonah, Ruth, etc. These are exciting to children. Don t just use a children s Bible either. Exposure to a grown-up version is even more tantalizing for young minds. RCIA resumes this week on Tuesday, January 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Museum Meeting Room. This week s topic is Mary, the Mother of God. If you wish to join us, please feel free to come. If you are interested in the Catholic Church or just want some information regarding what we do and why, please call S. Pierre at ext Mass Intentions Monday, January 5, 6:30: Marie Martin Monday, January 5, 12:10: Charlotte Ruholl Tuesday, January 6, 6:30: Giu-Se-Thu Dau Tuesday, January 6, 8:05: Harry Thoele death anniv. Wednesday, January 7, 6:30: AID Wednesday, January 7, 8:05: Francis Wente Thursday, January 8, 6:30: Kenneth Hoelscher Thursday, January 8, 12:10: Ambrose Ruholl Friday, January 9, 6:30: Fr. Victor Kingery, O.F.M. Friday, January 9, 8:05: August & Marian Schultz Fam. Saturday, January 10, 8:00: Rel. Ed. Teachers and Volunteers Saturday, January 10, 5:30: Marie Martin Sunday, January 11, 7:00: Harry & Theresa Kremer Sunday, January 11, 8:45: Jim Bloemer Sunday, January 11, 10:30: Pro Populo A great New Year s Resolution for your consideration: Taking a greater interest in your spiritual life. We are blessed in this area with trained spiritual directors: Liz Schmidt, Pati Jansen, S. Pierre who can assist you on your journey. Opportunities for bible study are being presented in both Effingham and T-town parishes. Make 2015 a year of deepening your faith. Make a resolution to listen to 91.3 FM WGMR Catholic radio in the New Year. Tune in to daily Holy Mass, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Rosary. Plus programs such as: Catholic Answers Live, Open Line, the Journey Home, and more. For a program schedule and a free CD, call Babies Blessed If you have had a baby in this past year, we invite you to bring that little one to church for a special blessing. This blessing will take place following the 10:30 Mass on Sunday, January 11th.

3 January 4, 2015 page 3 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Liturgy Schedule January 5 11 St. John Neumann Mass at 6:30 am & 12:10 pm St. André Bessette Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am St. Raymond of Penyafort Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am Mass at 6:30 am & 12:10 pm Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am Mass at 5:30 pm Baptism of the Lord Mass at 7:00, 8:45, 10:30 am Confession Schedule Saturday, - 3:30-4:30 pm Liturgy of the Hours with Friars Monday-Friday -- 11:45 am & 4:45 pm Pray for the Sick Please remember in your prayers: Eddie Siemer, Cheryl Ann Huber, Anna Habing, Jack Hardiek, Paula Spencer, Lucille Worman, Agnes Kremer, Pauline Gobczynski, Devin Mette, David Pruemer, Harold Hardiek, Ray Lohman, Margaret Pruemer, Will Niccum, Joe Ruholl, Kay Schwartz, Tom Rhodes, Rosie Myers, Maggie Overbeck Stewardship of Treasure Sunday Total Fiscal 12/28/2014 Year 282 Adult envelopes 15, , Other , TOTAL 15, , Christmas Day: 23, Catholic Children s Home 4, THANK YOU! Parish Calendar Tuesday, Jan. 6 Secular Franciscans meet, 6:00 pm, St. Clare Hall RCIA, 7:00 pm, Museum Mtg. Room Wednesday, Jan. 7 Children s Choir, 3:30 pm Jr. Hi. Religion, 7:20 pm Rosary, 8:00 pm, Chapel Thursday, Jan. 8 Baptism prep, 7:00 pm, St. Clare Hall Adult Choir, 7:00 pm Friday, Jan. 9 Men s & Ladies sodalities Christmas party, KC Hall Saturday, Jan. 10 Confessions, 3:30 pm Sunday, Jan. 11 Blessing of babies born in 2014, following 10:30 Mass Special Collection. Next weekend, we will take up a second collection for Catholic Times, our local diocesan newspaper. Please use the envelope in your set. Shealynn Marie Flora Daughter of Chris Flora and Ashley (Green) Martin Caden John Flora Son of Chris Flora and Ashley (Green) Martin Jayda Ruth Ann Martin Daughter of Robert and Ashley (Green) Martin James Francis Pruemer Son of Jacob and Katherine (Slemer) Pruemer Collin Michael Nice Son of Brandon and Bethanie (Wente) Nice Welcome to our faith family! Homebound Ministers Eucharistic ministers of Holy Communion to the homebound for Sunday, January 11 are: Rita Pals and Jason Breer

4 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 4 Q. Besides the Wise Men, what is significant about the Epiphany? A. Epiphany means "manifestation" or public display. The feast is usually celebrated January 6. In the US, it is celebrated on the Sunday nearest to January 6. It originates from a story unique to Matthew (2:1-12). Magi from the East come to offer homage to the newborn King, presenting him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This part of Matthew's infancy narrative differs from Luke's account of the birth of Jesus. In Luke there are no Magi, star, nor gifts. Luke has Jesus being born in a stable after Mary and Joseph's long travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Matthew seems to have the family living in a house in Bethlehem, where the Magi find them. Why these differences? They stem from the needs and concerns of the audience the authors were addressing, as well as the theological stance of each author. Knowing the original intention helps get at the correct interpretation of the text. Since Matthew was writing primarily to a Jewish community, his concern was to show that Jesus did not come just for Jews, but for Gentiles as well. From his very birth, Jesus not only manifests himself to Jews, but also to Gentiles who are prominently included in the manifestation, symbolized by the Magi and their journey. This is the most significant aspect of the feast of Epiphany. How do you manifest Jesus to all with whom you come into contact? One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying. St. Joan of Arc Saint André Bessette Canada s first male native-born saint. St. André was born Alfred Bessette in Quebec, Canada, the eighth of twelve children. He was so frail when he was born that the cure baptized him conditionally the following day. He was from a working-class family. His father was a carpenter and lumberman, and his mother saw to the education of her children. Tragically, his father lost his life in an accident when Alfred was only nine years old. His mother found herself widowed at age 40 with ten children to care for. She died of tuberculosis within three years. Alfred was orphaned at the age of twelve. His poor health and chronic stomach pains made it impossible for him to keep a job. Eventually the pastor of his parish noticed his strong devotion to God and his generosity, and sent him to the Congregation of the Holy Cross in Montreal, with a note saying, I am sending you a saint. Alfred was rejected by the order because of his frail health, but the Archbishop of Montreal intervened on his behalf and in 1872, Alfred was accepted into the Congregation. He received the name Brother André and was known by that name the rest of his life. Since he could not read and was in poor health, he was given the job of answering the door, along with other humble duties. Some time later, Brother André joked, at the end of my novitiate, my superiors showed me the door, and I stayed there for forty years. Brother André had a strong devotion to St. Joseph, and recommended this saint s devotion to all who were afflicted in any way. In 1904, he asked the archbishop s permission to build a chapel dedicated to St. Joseph. He gave him permission to build what he had the money for. Since Brother had only a few hundred dollars, the first shrine was only a small wood shelter on top of the mountain near a statue of St. Joseph. Soon miracles began to occur because of this holy man. People claimed they were cured through the prayers of the good Brother and Saint Joseph. Eventually the trickle of people that came to the door became a flood of people. I do not cure, he said. St. Joseph cures. In the end, he needed four secretaries to handle the 80,000 letters he received each year. Br. André always gave credit to God for the miracles through the prayers of St. Joseph. Toward the end of his life, construction started on a basilica dedicated to St. Joseph, but he died before he saw it to completion. This basilica is now known as St. Joseph s Oratory. Brother André died in 1937 at the age of 91. A million people filed past his coffin. His remains lie in the church he helped build, St. Joseph s Oratory in Montreal, QC, Canada. He was beatified in 1982 and canonized a saint by Pope Benedict on October 17, His feast day is January 6th. Saint André, pray for us.

5 January 4, 2015 page 5 Men s Friday Morning Discussion Group. There was a lot of positive feedback on the program for men called Crossing the Goal. Now that our Fall series on The Our Father is complete, we will be starting a new, free 8 week series on Spiritual Combat, starting on January 9th in the St. Anthony Parish Center. ABOUT THIS SERIES: Join former NFL wide receiver Danny Abromowicz and his Crossing the Goal co-hosts Peter Herbeck, Brian Patrick and Curtis Martin as they tackle tough issues regarding men and their faith. Abromowicz and his co-hosts look into spiritual warfare and how we are to fight - and win - this battle. This program includes discussions on Satan, our spiritual weapons we possess, how to discipline our bodies, who our external and internal enemies are, how this battle begins with the mind and how victory ultimately is the Lord s. We meet at 6 am on Fridays with a continental breakfast, then we watch the video, Spiritual Combat, have small table discussions, and are out the door by 7:30. The attendance has been men from a number of surrounding parishes. All are welcome. Bring a friend. A Thank You from ARC. Dear St. Francis Church Family, We wanted to thank you for all the Christmas presents you gave to the residents of our group homes. It was such an awesome experience to watch their eyes light up with joy as they opened all your thoughtful gifts. Because of your kindness and generosity through the Giving Tree project, 45 people who would have not had gifts to open, enjoyed a sweet Christmas experience. Because of contributors such as yourself, we are able to annually serve over 3,000 individuals here at ARC Community Support Systems. We work very hard to provide quality, person-centered programs for those in our care and your donation helps make that possible. If you are ever in the area and would like to stop by we would welcome the opportunity to show you around. Sincerely, Mike Poe Executive Director Rosary Vigil. Effingham Planned Parenthood Tuesdays (weather permitting) from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Fr. Frank Pavone recently visited a mass gravesite in Los Angeles which contains the bodies of 16,433 babies killed by abortion. It now has a headstone, and the babies will be named. We need God s help, so please join us in peaceful prayer. Questions, call Peg Mihlbachler at Teutopolis Community Blood Drive. Tuesday, January 6, 1:30 to 6:30 pm. Drive held in the Teutopolis KC Hall. To schedule an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org (Sponsor code: Teutopolis Community) Bring photo I.D. Giving blood doesn t require much time. About an hour should do it. You can help save up to three lives in about an hour. The need is ongoing, but the supply is not. Please give blood today. Columbarium Project. Donations continue to come in for our columbarium project. To date we have received $17,620. Our goal is $54,000. As part of our fundraising effort, we are now pre-selling niches. Ordinarily, the niches will sell for the same price as a grave (currently $500). From now until February 1, we will offer the niches for $400 a $100 discount. One side of the columbarium will have single niches and one side will have double niches suitable for spouses or for a parent and child.

6 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 6 Holy Humor Here I am, Lord. A New Year. A fresh awakening. Ready to serve you with all my strength. Ready to wrestle with Satan. Ready to serve others and fight for right. Ready to win the lottery 1992 Ed Sullivan A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22 Mirth is God s medicine. Everybody ought to bathe in it. Grim care, moroseness, anxiety all this rust of life ought to be scoured off by the oil of mirth. Henry Ward Beecher...Being holy means living in the profound communion with the God of joy, having a heart free from sin and from the sadness of the world. Saint Pope John Paul II Ten Simple Rules for a Brighter World 1. Speak to people there s nothing as cheerful as a word or greeting! 2. Smile it takes 66 muscles to frown, only 16 to smile. 3. Call people by name it s sweet music to one s ears to hear the sound of one s name. 4. Be friendly and helpful if you want friends, be friendly. 5. Be sincerely cordial show that what you say and do gives you genuine pleasure. 6. Be considerate of the feelings of others no one likes to be spoken to rudely. 7. Be thoughtful of the opinions of others we all need to be heard. 8. Be genuinely interested in people we can find something to like about everyone if we try. 9. Be generous with praise, cautious with criticism praise lifts, criticism lowers. 10. Be alert to render service what we do for others counts! Prayer for the New Year Dear Lord, at the beginning of this New Year, I remember that you are a God of beginnings and endings. You created the world, with all its eternal patterns. Winter begins in frost, and ends in Spring's thaw. Spring begins in new, green life, ending in Summer's heat. Summer begins in sunshine, and ends in Autumn's breezes. And Autumn's color leads to the white of Winter again. As another year ends and begins in our lives, help us to remember that you have made a world of cycles. When fortune turns to trials, or hardship turns to joy, help me take delight in the life I've received from you. Remind me that I will one day pass from this world and enter a new life like those who've gone before me. Amen. Source: Louis Puckett