PREPARE... Heart... Life... Family... Community... The Carpenter. December 3, st Sunday of Advent

Transcription

1 The Carpenter December 3, st Sunday of Advent PREPARE... Community for the Kingdom St. Joseph Catholic Church Responding to Cardinal Cupich s Renew My Church Community for the Kingdom Get involved today! Community-for-the-Kingdom i n y o u r Heart... Life... Family... Community... St. Joseph Catholic Church Libertyville, Illinois 1

2 PREPARE... PREPARE A PLACE FOR JESUS IN YOUR HEART So much of the emptiness that continually resurfaces throughout our lifetime can be likened to our heart Heart... Crying Out For the Kingdom of God. The emptiness is our acknowledgment that something is indeed missing from our life. Life... The way the world celebrates the holiday of Christmas makes it difficult for us to remember that the Family... Christmas the Church celebrates is NOT Jesus birthday. The Church celebrates the extraordinary reality Community... that the divinity of God and our own humanity came together in the person of Jesus Christ. It celebrates the fact that God so loved the world that He sent His Only Begotten Son into the world so that we might know, firsthand, how to live so as to attain the Kingdom of God while we still live. The Church celebrates Jesus eternal presence. Thus, we know with certainty that we are never alone in life or in death. Jesus endlessly invites each of us to Come and See (John 1:39). The very first prayer prayed by the entire Church on this 1st Sunday of Advent asks that we might have the resolve to run forth to meet Christ. So, lift up your soul and open your heart to everything Jesus wants to gift you with this season. Be watchful. Be alert. Draw close to Jesus and see what He offers you. Don t delay. The sad reality is that most of us live our faith as if we were spiritually asleep. We go about our lives filling ourselves with all the things we won t need for life in the Kingdom. We produce fruit for today and fruit for our old age, but often produce little to secure our place in the heavenly Kingdom. The proof is in the state of the world. It is always easier for us to do things for ourselves and our own but are we doing anything for the salvation of the world? How will you change the way you live now, so that God s peace and God s justice can become the reality for all? i n y o u r Parish Advent Events Calendar 2017, St. Joseph Catholic Church Also accessible at Now through Sunday, December 17 Knights of Columbus selling Christmas Trees at Marytown on Saturday & Sunday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and on weekdays from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, December 3-1st Sunday of Advent Children s Liturgy of the Word at 9:00 a.m. Mass RCIA Dismissal at 10:45 a.m. Mass Giving Tree Tags available in the Church Wednesday, December 6 Women s Guild House Walk (10 a.m.-8 p.m.), Boutique (9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Koenig Center) Thursday, December 7 Holy Hour for Vocations, 3:00-4:00 p.m., Church Friday, December 8 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, A Holy Day of Obligation: Masses at 6:30 & 8:30 a.m. (School to attend), Noon and 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 9 Reconciliation, 11:00 a.m.-noon, Church Saturday, December 9 & Sunday, December 10 Christmas Giving Tree Distribution Weekend in the School Gym. Please return gifts to the Gym Foyer on Saturday between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday before 12:00 Noon. Sunday, December 10 2nd Sunday of Advent Children s Liturgy of the Word at 9:00 a.m. Mass RCIA Dismissal at 10:45 a.m. Mass Tuesday, December 12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 8:30 a.m. (school to attend) Thursday, December 14 Holy Hour for Vocations, 3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m., Church Saturday, December 16 Extended Advent Reconciliation, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. in Church Religious Ed Advent Bake Sale, after 5:00 Mass in Gym Foyer Sunday, December 17-3rd Sunday of Advent Religious Ed Advent Bake Sale, after all Masses in Gym Foyer Children s Liturgy of the Word at 9:00 a.m. Mass RCIA Dismissal at 10:45 a.m. Mass Teen Mass at 5:00 p.m. 2 Tuesday, December 22 School Christmas Mass at the regular 8:30 a.m. Mass Saturday, December 23 5 p.m. Mass for the 4th Sunday of Advent (Please note: Catholics are obligated to attend Mass on both the 4th Sunday of Advent and Christmas) Sunday, December 24-4th Sunday of Advent Mass Schedule 7:15 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Koenig Center. No 12:30 p.m. Mass. Church will be closed until 2:30 p.m. for Christmas Preparation Sunday, December 24 Solemnity of Christmas Liturgies on Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. in Church (Contemporary Choir) with Children s Christmas Pageant, 4:00 p.m. in Koenig Center (Family Mass/ Children s Choir), 4:15 p.m. in Gym (Cantor with Traditional Music), 6:30 p.m. in Church (Teen Choir/Contemporary Music), 10:30 p.m. in Church (Traditional Choir). Carols for the City presented in Church at 3:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Monday, December 25 Solemnity of Christmas: Caroling begins 30 minutes before the start of each Mass, except for 7:15 Mass (caroling begins at 7:00). Mass Times: 7:15 a.m. (Traditional), 9:00 a.m. (Contemporary/ Handbell Choir), 10:45 a.m. (Traditional/Men s Choir), 10:45 a.m. Koenig Center (overflow), 12:30 p.m. (Contemporary Music). Masses with Contemporary Music with members of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. Traditional Music at 10:30 p.m. and 10:45 a.m. with members of the St. Joseph Jubilee Orchestra. No 5:00 p.m. Mass on Christmas Day - Feast of the Holy Family - Regular Weekend Mass schedule Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - 8:30 a.m. Mass only; not a day of obligation - Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord - Regular Weekend Mass schedule - Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Regular weekday Mass schedule

3 A Thankful Spirit Creates a Compassionate Community Cardinal Cupich s Renew My Church Community for the Kingdom Community for the Kingdom St. Joseph Catholic Church Community for the Kingdom groups is on- as of October 19, 2017 Our faith is lived in schools and parishes, soup kitchens and counseling centers, on street corners and in churches, where people of all backgrounds in every neighborhood of the Archdiocese of Chicago are served. Your gift to the Annual Catholic Appeal helps to sustain Catholic schools, religious education, ministerial formation, and initiatives for life, peace and justice. Through its support of Catholic Relief Services, the Appeal serves people worldwide whose lives are devastated by natural disasters, illnesses, wars and famines, without regard for religious affiliation. 90 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to the critical work of the schools, parishes, agencies and ministries of the Archdiocese of Chicago. To learn more and to donate, visit If you have questions, please contact Anna Roeser at or via at aroeser@stjoseph-libertyville.org. Retirement Fund for Religious Please give to those who have given a lifetime. To donate: National Religious Retirement Office 3211 Fourth Street NE Washington DC Make check payable to Retirement Fund for Religious. Or give at your local parish. Photo (from left): Sister Gloria Rodríguez, MGSpS, 80; Father Albert Bunsic, OCD, 81; Sister Alfonsina Sanchez, OCD, 96; Sister Mary Ann Hanson, SND, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Photographer: Jim Judkis.

4 Community Building All Seniors are Invited to Attend SOUNDS OF THE SEASON Saturday, December 16 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Join us for a concert at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church by The Agape Ringers, Chicago s premier handbell ensemble. Since their founding in 1992, they ve played over 315 concerts across North America, Puerto Rico, and England. You can learn more about the ensemble at their website, and on Facebook and YouTube by searching for The Agape Ringers. COST: $50 per person. Includes transportation to and from the event, lunch, and tickets to the performance. Checks should be made payable to St. Joseph Church. Please stop by the St. Joseph Parish Office to register or register online at: org/location/181/events-list-basic/category/814. Registration closes on December 8. Please contact Diane Dreis at Please join us in welcoming the following new parish members: Patricia Alpiner and Welcome to our community of faith! Senior Corner ST. JOSEPH PARISH SPONSORED semble concert in Elmhurst. Cost is $50. Includes performance, lunch, and bus. Purchase tickets at the Parish Office. Information: call Diane Dreis at St. Joseph Room in Parish Office. information, contact Cheryl Craig at ccraig3@swbell.net or LIBERTYVILLE SENIOR COUNCIL and SENIOR CENTER ACTIVITIES Information about Libertyville Senior Events along with exercise, cards, woodcarving, line dancing and more are identified in the Senior Update on tables in the narthex. Irish Set Dancing, similar to American Square Dancing, involves eight people dancing in a square or circle. It originated in Irish homes years back where Irish folk gathered to play music, tell stories and sing folk songs. It is great fun and a super aerobic workout. Our group at St. Joseph s that meets every Wednesday evening in St. Joseph School at 8:00 p.m. It is open to everyone and if you d like to join us call Nuala at or nualakav@sbcglobal.net. Slainte! 4

5 Community Building DOORWAYS TO CHRISTMAS - - Mothers with Young Children is excited to announce Merchant Morning on February 22 from 9:15 to 11:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph Formation Center. We are welcoming parishioners to promote their business, sell goods, mingle, and support MYC. This is a great opportunity! We are requesting that a small percentage of the proceeds vendors earn are donated to MYC. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, please Justine Lutz (Justine.lutz@me.com) or Kate Robinson (katerobinson4@gmail.com). Join us for our MYC Christmas Party on Thursday, December 14. The party will begin at 8:00 p.m. We will be doing a small gift exchange for those interested in participating. Please bring a wrapped gift of something that is your favorite thing ($15-$20 value). We kindly ask you to bring an appetizer, dessert or drink to share. We look forward to seeing you there! To learn more and to RSVP to this event, please stjoesmyc@gmail.com MYC is currently collecting wipes for Twice as Nice (twiceasnicemc.org). Twice As Nice Mother & Child is a 501(c)(3) organization located in Gurnee that strives to ensure that mothers and children have their most basic needs met. They provide help and hope to families in crisis by offering gently used items and other assistance FREE OF CHARGE. Please stjoesmyc@gmail.com to learn where to drop the items off. If you or someone you know would like to join MYC, please contact us at stjoesmyc@gmail.com. Membership is free and you can be as involved as you like. We d love to have you! Ss. Mary and Martha Circle: Our Circle gathers together to read the scriptures for the coming weekend mass. We are not a group of scripture scholars. We share how the message affects and is relevant in our everyday lives. We welcome you to join us for all sessions or drop in when you can. Gathering dates: Wednesdays, 1:30 to 3:00, St. Joseph Room in the Parish Office, December 6, 13. Contact for more information: Lpopeck4@comcast.net St. Rose Quilt Circle: Do you have an interest in sewing and quilting? Are you interested in sharing ideas and techniques? Are you looking for fellowship? Join us on Monday, December 4 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in the Formation Center Room D. Whatever your skill level, come and create, learn and laugh with us! For further information, contact Cheryl Craig at ccraig3@swbell.net or

6 Community Building 4U +PTFQI $BUIPMJD $IVSDI T JT 'FCSVBSZ 3FHJTUSBUJPO CFHJOT.POEBZ %FDFNCFS PO UIF QBSJTI XFCTJUF If you want fun and a lot of laughs on a cold winter evening, then St. Joseph s annual Trivia Night is for you! Thinking about coming? )FSF T XIBU ZPV OFFE UP LOPXy t 3FHJTUSBUJPO PQFOT.POEBZ %FDFNCFS 4QFDJĕD JOGPSNBUJPO SFHBSEJOH SFHJTtration will be available in the December 17 and 24 Carpenters. Please note: due to space constraints, capacity is limited. To reserve your spot, please register early. Trivia Night Details: t 4U +PTFQI (ZN EPPST PQFO BU Q N QMBZ CFHJOT BU Q N t 8F QMBZ JO UFBNT PG QMBZFST 8IFO ZPV SFHJTUFS ZPV DBO SFHJTUFS GPS ZPVS FOUJSF UFBN t *G ZPV EPO U IBWF QMBZFST XF DBO NBUDI ZPV VQ XJUI PUIFST UP DPNQMFUF ZPVS UFBN PG t $PTU JT QFS UFBN PS QFS JOEJWJEVBM QMBZFS ćfsf XJMM CF DBTI QSJ[FT t.vtu CF ZFBST PS PMEFS UP BUUFOE Other fun facts: t &BDI UFBN QJDLT B UIFNF t %FDPSBUF ZPVS UBCMF BOE ZPVSTFMWFT DPTUVNFT BT NVDI PS BT MJUUMF BT ZPV XBOU t #SJOH :PVS 0XO 1BSUZ o ZPV CSJOH ZPVS PXO GPPE BOE CFWFSBHFT UP FOKPZ UISPVHIPVU UIF FWFOJOH 2VFTUJPOT $POUBDU UIF 5SJWJB /JHIU 5FBN WJB FNBJM BU TUKPTFQIUSJWJB!HNBJM DPN Youth 6

7 Youth Appalachian Mission Trip Faith Formation Attention: all men The Men s Council of St. Joseph Parish invites you to join us this Advent for the 5th Edition of Saturday Morning Live, facilitated by Dr. Kevin Murphy. Get your heart back in shape for the Season of Christmas! Make this season more where it really counts. Take some time out on Saturday mornings! Join us at SML for Advent. Refresh, reimagine, and engage with tidings of comfort and joy. Coffee, donuts and fellowship, all for a one-time fee of $10 (pay at the door). Just sign up on the parish website or call and we ll save a place for you. Walk-ins are welcome. We hope to see you! Preparing for Christmas? What better way to fully participate in Advent than to spend time in the presence of our Lord contemplating the real gift of Christmas, the Christ Child. Join the Vocations Ministers for an hour of Eucharistic Adoration every Thursday afternoon from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. in our church. Pray for your special intentions or pray for an increase in religious vocations. Spend some of your time in the true spirit of the season thanking God for all that he has provided. Prayer for Vocations: Almighty Father, we beg you for an increase in religious vocations and holy marriages in our parish. Help us to be generous in our response to your call. Choose from our homes those who are needed for your work and strengthen us with the courage to say yes and to follow you. Help us as a parish and as families to recognize and foster vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, lay ministry or whatever path you are calling us to follow. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

8 Faith Formation St. Joseph Parishioners Looking to get into the Advent spirit? Where: School Gym foyer When: After all Masses and during Sunday religious education classes, Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, December 17, 2017 What to bring: Make your best baked goods recipe (cookies, candies, pies, rolls, etc.) Drop them off with the Faith Formation Team between Wednesday, December 13 and Friday, December 15, 2017 Sales benefit the Guardian Angel Scholarship Fund Want to help? Visit the ivolunteer link to sign up: Information: Religious Education News We are in need of a Grade 1 Catechist for our Tuesday Traditional Religious Education session, which meets from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. All training and lesson plans are provided. Safe Environment paperwork required. For more information, please contact Cheryl Haluczak: or chaluczak@stjoseph-libertyville.org. Dates to Know: Faith Weaving sessions, 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. in the Koenig Center a holy day of obligation; 7:00 p.m. Mass is part of Friday Faith Weaving session. Prayer & Worship Central to the Christmas Season is the giving and receiving of gifts. Gifts speak to the love that we have for one another. We are a gift to others. Others are or have been a gift to us. This Christmas Season, as a way to remember those who have been a gift to us, you are invited to contribute towards the flowers that will grace our worship space during the Christmas Season. This might be in memory of a deceased loved one, someone who encouraged you in faith, or a friend or relative who gifted you with their guidance or their encouragement. Through these memorials the Christmas flow- ers will not just be decoration but a true garden of gifts representing those who have blessed our lives. Envelopes for this can be found on the tables in the back of church and are in your envelope packets. Simply fill one out with your contribution and drop it in the collection basket or send it to the parish office. During the Christmas Season the names of those remembered in our Gift Garden will be published in the Carpenter. May the beauty of our worship space this Christmas Season truly reflect the beauty of those lives that have touched our hearts and blessed our lives!

9 Prayer & Worship Ron Vanasdlen, Director of Music, is pleased to announce that Mrs. Stephanie Nece (pronounced niece) is the new Children s Choir Director for St. Joseph Parish. She recently moved to the area and joined the parish with her husband, David, and infant son, Joseph. Previously, Stephanie was the music and fine arts teacher at St. John Brebeuf School in Niles. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Theatre and Dance from Viterbo University, and a Master of Education degree from Loyola University Chicago. Stephanie teaches private piano lessons at her home music studio, as well as dance classes at the Mundelein Park District. She is also on artistic staff at Big Deal Productions theatre company in Buffalo Grove. Stephanie is so grateful for the opportunity to serve through the St. Joseph Music Ministry and to get to know more of the families and children of our parish. Our Music Ministry is rehearsing for the Christmas Masses. If you would like to sing in any of our choirs, please the Director of Music Ron Vanasdlen at rvanasdlen@stjoseph-libertyville.org for more information. The schedule of Christmas liturgies can be found on page 2 of this Carpenter. The Advent wreath is part of our long-standing Catholic tradition. The Catholic Church has designated the four weeks preceding Christmas as Advent a time to prepare for the Lord Jesus and his coming as our King and Savior. At St. Joseph Catholic Church, we are inviting parishioners and their families to participate in lighting the Advent wreath at the beginning of Mass. The Advent wreath will be lit on the four Sundays of Advent and consists of three purple candles lit on the penitential Sundays and one pink candle for Gaudete (Rejoice)Sunday, the third Advent week, and its lighter color reflects the anticipated joy of Christmas. Please arrive at least minutes before your scheduled Mass. The liturgy coordinator will guide you through the steps in lighting the candles prior to the Mass. Register through ivolunteer using the below link. This opportunity will be reserved for the first family that registers. If your schedule changes, please notify us so we can offer the spot to another family. Schedules Sunday Masses 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 7:15, 9:00, 10:45 a.m. (10:45 in Church and in Koenig Center), 12:30, 5:00 p.m. Prearranged Baptisms at 1:45 p.m. Saturday Masses 8:30 a.m. (Second Saturdays-Sacrament of Healing at Mass) 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. or as scheduled. Holy Day Masses: 6:30, 8:30 a.m., Noon, 7:00 p.m. Reconciliation Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon or by appointment. Baptisms, daughter of Kathleen (Finley) and Connor Fox, daughter of Alison (Dobey) and Brent Schoenbach In Memory Please pray for the souls of: Lillian Keil Bertha Heredia 9 Mass Intentions Monday December 4 6:30 John Thumel and Ed & Evelyn Lobus 8:30 Antal Gacs and Bob Miller Tuesday December 5 6:30 Thanksgiving for Ablog Family, well-being 8:30 Margaret Hunn and Richard San Roman 6:30 John Thumel and Pat Smuck, well-being 8:30 Mary R. Lockowitz and Lois Cray Thursday December 7 6:30 Rosalene Kelly and Pamela Houcek 8:30 Matthew Finegan and Gloria Joy Stelmack 6:30 Merry Bauer and Family of Roland V. Massimino 8:30 Helen & Thomas Drew and Bernard Drew, Sr. Mass also at 12:00 Noon and 7:00 p.m. Saturday December 9 8:30 Edward Bontikowski and Allen McCormick Sunday All parishioners Presiders/Deacons Saturday, December 9 5:00 Fr. Luboyera Deacon kashmar Sunday, December 10 7:15 Fr. Trout Deacon Mudd 9:00 Fr. Luboyera Deacon Mudd 10:45 Fr. Trout Deacon Tiemeier 10:45 KC Fr. Le 12:30 Fr. Hennessey Deacon Tiemeier 5:00 Fr. Le

10 Prayer & Worship Please Pray for the Sick Philip Whiting Pat Frejek Jack Schumacher Sean Kolber Kelvin Neubecker Carol Michalski Nicole Morales Mary Foresta Alejandro Benavides Fernando Benavides Maria E. Coton Kevin Scanlan Cliff Young Peter Sylvester Aidan Kirkpatrick Diane LaCrosse Bridget Shiel After 4 weeks, please notify the parish office if your loved one is still in need of our prayers. Please join other parishioners in church at 7:55 a.m. Monday through Saturday to pray Our Lady s Rosary. All of the pictures from the display in the Narthex will be removed on November 28 and available for pick-up in the St. Joseph Room at the Parish Office. Thank you for bringing the photos of your loved ones for the display, and thank you for picking them up now. - The St. Joseph Bereavement Ministry. There is more to Advent than a countdown to Christmas. Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus. This Advent season, St. Joseph Catholic Church will keep the manger empty until Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, we are inviting children and families from the church to place baby Jesus in the manger at the beginning of Mass. Please arrive minutes early to review the details with the Liturgy coordinator prior to the Mass. Register through ivolunteer using this link. This opportunity will be reserved for the first family that registers. If your schedule changes, please notify us so we can offer the spot to another family. Children in grades 1-5 are invited to join us for Children s Liturgy of the Word Ministry this Advent Season. We will meet every Sunday at the 9:00 a.m. Mass, starting December 3 and ending on December 17. There will be no CLW on Christmas Eve. CLW is an opportunity to experience the Gospel using age-appropriate readings, songs, skits, and activities. Father dismisses the children during the 9:00 mass, and we proceed to the Koenig Center for our session. Parents are invited to come along with their child(ren). Are you a student looking to fulfill volunteer hours? We welcome you to join us and assist as CLW facilitators. We look forward to your participation! for more information. Social Justice & Service Thank you for your generous donation of $5,360 collected on World Mission Sunday on October 22. This collection is a unique, global effort for the entire Church to provide for the building up of over one thousand local churches in Asia and Africa, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America and Europe. Through the work of these churches, and their witness to Christ, the poor receive assistance and experience God s love and mercy, His hope and peace. Thank you for your continuous support!

11 Social Justice & Service The gifts are due back to the Gym Foyer on Saturday, December 9 (3:00-5:00 p.m) and before 12:00 Noon on Sunday, December 10. Please wrap the gift (unless the tag specifies unwrapped) and securely tape the gift tag to each item. The gifts will be sorted and ready for the families and agencies to pick up by 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 10. Thank you for your generosity and support to families and agencies. Please check today to see if there are gift tags still available on the walls of the Church. If you d like to help next Sunday, please check Get Involved and then ivolunteer on the St. Joseph Home Page to see if there are openings to volunteer for. Any questions, please contact Mary Causey at or mcausey@stjoseph-libertyville.org. The refugee families that our parish supports are involved in the LOOM organization sponsored by Catholic Charities. (See ad to the left). The December 10 event is a Market and Fundraiser all in one! Come out and enjoy a Sunday with LOOM. Get all your holiday gift needs while supporting the refugee women artisans of LOOM. Tickets include drinks and appetizers but most importantly, your purchase helps support the organization. To purchase tickets, go to or visit: Loss of a job and the challenge of finding new employment is one of the most difficult transitions many of us will face. At times of high stress, whatever the cause, we have an extra need to find and draw strength from our relationships with others and God to restore our spiritual strength. To help us with this challenge, Deacon David Tiemeier will present at the next meeting of the Employment Ministry. David will explore identifying those things that bring you joy, and using that joy to enhance your attitude and presence in the job search. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from and connect with people who are here to help you! The meeting will take place from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Formation Center (112 N. Milwaukee, Libertyville 60048), Room C. Please enter from the rear of the building. All are welcome! The St. Joseph Employment Ministry assists the unemployed and under-employed in the pursuit of personally and professionally fulfilling work, at any level or type of work. Anyone with a job to fill or an interest in assisting job-seekers is also invited to attend. Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. If you have questions, please contact John Jennings at jfjennings@comcast.net. Employers are invited to post open positions with us by sending an to: StJosephEmploymentMinistry@yahoogroups.com. When we encounter Christ, experience his love, and deepen our relationship with him, we become more aware of our own worth and that of others. (USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, How to Build a Culture of Life) Please stop by Marytown at 1600 East Park Avenue (Route 176 west of Libertyville and east of Mundelein) to buy your Christmas Tree and Wreath from the Knights of Columbus! giving, Christmas and Easter. The tree lot is open until December 17. Hours of Operation: Weekdays from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Weekends from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 11

12 Accountability Stay Connected! We have options for everyone! Website: facebook.com/stjosephlibertyville Newsletter: sign up here Sign up to receive occasional s from St. Joe s. We currently send an out twice a month. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come. (Mark 13:33) We all take things for granted. In particular, we take time for granted. Our lives are so busy, many of us are planning our time our days, weeks, months, even years in advance. Remember, our time on earth is a gift. None of us knows how long we will be here. Start today and begin thanking God for each and every day. Take time in silence, every day, and listen to what God is saying to you. Bulletin Submissions Submit Carpenter articles to Marie Tuohy (marietuohy@sbcglobal.net) after approval by your Pastoral Staff Lead. Articles must be received by Noon on the Monday before issue date. New Parishioners Welcome! Please stop or call the parish office weekdays from 9:00 to 4:00 p.m. or download registration form on-line at www. stjoseph-libertyville.org. Announcements at Mass Due to Jasmine Sosa at jsosa@stjosephlibertyville.org & Deacon George Kashmar at gkashmar@stjoseph-libertyville.org by noon on Mondays. Guideline: 1-2 sentences. Accessibility If you have a disability and require special accommodations at a parish event, please call the parish office. Stewardship of Treasure Current Year Last Year Weekend Offering $26,303 $478,296 $29,971 $472,077 Electronic Giving $32,553 $322,852 $35,181 $301,391 Budget for Collection $41,000 $820,000 St. Joseph Parish is grateful to those who give generously on the weekends and monthly through our automatic contribution program. Thank you to those who regularly and generously give of their treasure as well as those who give of their time and talent to support the work our parish does in the name of Jesus Christ. Learn more at Ministry of Care, Sacrament of the Sick The Sacrament of the Sick is celebrated at 8:30 a.m. Mass on the 2nd Saturday of each month, or by arrangement. Contact the parish office if seriously ill, hospitalized, or homebound. A Minister of Care is available to bring Communion. Guide to Funeral Planning Please call the parish office for assistance from a Bereavement Minister and a funeral planning guide. Stay Connected Website: Facebook: facebook.com/stjosephlibertyville Instagram: Instagram.com/stjosephlibertyville/ Matrimony Congratulations! Please contact the parish office as soon as you are engaged. 6 months is usually required for marriage preparation. Infant Baptism As an expectant parent, you are invited to the Pre-Baptismal Session 3 months prior to birth; 6:00 p.m. the 2nd Monday of every other month. Next session: November 13 at 6:00 p.m. in church. Baptism for School- Aged Children Preparation classes for parents and children begin in September. Call for information and registration. Sacrament of Penance Celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings or by arrangement. The Parish Office and Ministry Center at 121 E. Maple Avenue is open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m.-noon on Saturday. The front door of the P.O.M. Center has a keypad for entry into its vestibule area. Anyone hosting a scheduled meeting in the evening or on a weekend is asked to pick up the key for the space they need before 4:30 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.) or by 12:00 Noon on Saturday (for weekend meetings) if you cannot make it by 4:30 (M-F) or by Noon Saturday, please call the office, , before 4:30 (M-F) or Noon Saturday to reserve your key and to get the access code for the vestibule, where the key will be kept. You must return the key immediately after your event by putting it in the same box you obtained it from, NOT in the slot to the left of the door. Accessible Washrooms, west side of narthex Hearing Loop for persons with hearing aids east end of narthex Ramped north entrances to narthex Pew Accessibility on east Accessible parking spaces north of church stjoseph-libertyville.org. 12

13 St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Office hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Rev. John Trout, Pastor Rev. Joseph Nhat Le, Associate Pastor jtrout@stjoseph-libertyville.org nle@stjoseph-libertyville.org Rev. Martin Luboyera, Associate Pastor Rev. John Hennessey, Pastor Emeritus mluboyera@stjoseph-libertyville.org jhennessey@stjoseph-libertyville.org Deacons George Kashmar, Dennis Mudd, David Tiemeier Mrs. Mary Causey, Director of Social Justice and Service , mcausey@stjoseph-libertyville.org Mrs. Ann Harmon, Parish Office Manager , aharmon@stjoseph-libertyville.org Mr. Dan Harris, Facilities Manager , dharris@stjoseph-libertyville.org Deacon George Kashmar, Pastoral Director of Ministries , gkashmar@stjoseph-libertyville.org Mrs. Kelly McMahon, Director of Technology , kmcmahon@stjoseph-libertyville.org Pastoral Staff Mrs. Anne Phoenix, Principal, St. Joseph School , aphoenix@stjoseph-libertyville.org Ms. Katie Ploch, Youth Minister , kploch@stjoseph-libertyville.org Mr. David Retseck, Director of Faith Formation , dretseck@stjoseph-libertyville.org Mrs. Anna Roeser, Director of Administration , aroeser@stjoseph-libertyville.org Mr. Ron Vanasdlen, MAM, Director of Music , rvanasdlen@stjoseph-libertyville.org Parish Pastoral Council the PPC at info@stjoseph-libertyville.org. Your questions and suggestions are welcome. Members of the Parish Pastoral Council: Fr. John Trout, Michael Knight, Jon Monroe, Mike Mulligan, Kathleen O Connor (Chair), Megan Pavelske. Gerry Salzman, Brian Savage Parish Finance Council Fr. John Trout, Jim Groth, Sheila Johnson, Ryan Kasten, Bob Killackey, Tom Sear (Chair)

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16 Breaking Open the Word 1. Proclaim God s Word. Choose someone to read the Scripture. After reading, there is silence from the group in reverence. 2. Invite Response. Invite individuals to respond to a word, phrase or passage that strikes them in some way. 3. Praise God. After a period of response, close by leading the group in praise of God by praying together the Glory Be. Next Sunday s Gospel Leader: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark Response: Glory to You, O Lord The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. John was clothed in camel s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey. And this is what he proclaimed: One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. The Gospel of the Lord. Reflection In this week s Gospel, Jesus encourages us to always be prepared to give account for the choices we have made during our time on earth. In next week s Gospel, the story of John the Baptist provides us with an even more active approach to our Advent preparation, which will be to not only reflect on the coming of the Christ child but on our own Judgment Day. In John s ministry, we see him modeling Isaiah s exhortation to prepare the way of the Lord. Likewise, our task of making straight the highway for God in the wasteland of our own lives should conjure up opportunities of how to remove the barriers and obstacles which keep us from seeing Christ more clearly. We should look for ways to root out the temptations we encounter which keep us from experiencing Jesus presence in our daily lives. John the Baptist s desire was that his followers would be in the best position possible to recognize the greater one who was to follow and who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit. Our goal for Advent is to prepare our hearts and souls as a most worthy place for Christ to enter in and transform our lives. For this reason, the Church encourages us to take advantage of the sacrament of Reconciliation, which fills us with the grace to seek Christ more actively and to give Him more space in our lives. It is through those graces that Isaiah tells us what God will do in us: every valley [shall] be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low, the rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. We should remember as we prepare to make straight a pathway for the Lord that we are working on the very road on which we will ourselves walk. Why would we not seek to make that path as smooth and straight as possible, with Jesus walking at our side each step of our journey? For further reflection on Christ s mission and its importance to all, see The Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs , and ; and on preparation for the coming of Christ, paragraphs Reflection Questions 1. The Scriptures encourage us to keep our line of sight to God as clear and direct as possible. What helps me to see God actively present in my life? What keeps me from straightening my pathway to holiness? Do I truly desire to find more space for God in my life? 2. The Scriptures over the past several weeks have encouraged us to be prepared and vigilant. The second reading next week (2 Peter 3:8-14) reminds us that we need to actively conduct ourselves in holiness and devotion. What do I do that might not be considered holy? How do I fail to show devotion and actively practice my faith? 3. As we prepare during this Advent season, we seek to clear away the sins of both commission and omission. In what ways have I failed to adequately heed the cry of the poor, the needy and the vulnerable in my family and my community? What specifically might I do to heed those cries this Advent and throughout the upcoming Church year? Readings for the Week Monday: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-9; Mt 8:5-11 St. John Damascene Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24 St. Nicholas Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, St. Ambrose Friday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Ps 147:1-6; Mt 9:35 10:1, 5a, 6-8 St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin Sunday: Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps 85:9-14; 2 Pt 3:8-14; Mk 1:1-8 16