January 12, The Baptism of the Lord page 2 St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Teutopolis, Illinois Teutopolis, Illinois

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1 January 12, The Baptism of the Lord page 2 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois Teutopolis, Illinois

2 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 2 From the Pastor 40 th Annual Fundraising Breakfast. The fight against the spread of abortion in the US can sometimes seem like a losing battle. It s not. Mrs. Loretta Koester offers this information as a sign of hopeful progress: In the past two years, 30 states have passed 135 new laws protecting the unborn child in the womb. In 1992 there were 2,200 abortion mills in the US; today there are 619. The Guttmacher Institute says the drop in the number of people willing to do abortions has been incredibly dramatic. You can support this progress toward greater respect for human life by participating in the 40 th annual Fundraising Breakfast sponsored by the Effingham County Right to Life. The breakfast will be held on Sunday, January 19, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Teutopolis Grade School auditorium. Volunteers are needed to help set up on Saturday and to clean up on Sunday. Also, donations of home-baked breads or rolls would be welcome. As far as the Catholic Church is concerned, the principal focus of her interventions in the public arena is the protection and promotion of the dignity of the person, and she is thereby consciously drawing particular attention to principles which are not negotiable. Among these the following emerge clearly today: protection of life in all its stages, from the first moment of conception until natural death; recognition and promotion of the natural structure of the family - as a union between a man and a woman based on marriage - and its defense from attempts to make it juridically equivalent to radically different forms of union which in reality harm it and contribute to its destabilization, obscuring its particular character and its irreplaceable social role; the protection of the right of parents to educate their children. These principles are not truths of faith, even though they receive further light and confirmation from faith; they are inscribed in human nature itself and therefore they are common to all humanity. (Pope Benedict XVI, Address to members of the European People s Party, March 30, 2006) Bless Those Babies. Today as we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord on January 12, we will offer a special blessing for the babies born in Liturgical Hygiene. Now that we re into the cold and flu season, I would like to offer the following reminders for the good of all: If you have the flu, are running a fever, or have any other contagious illness, please stay home. You are not required to attend Mass if you are sick, and I m sure you don t want to share your sickness with others. If you are in church but have a cold, please consider refraining from receiving from the Cup. Though I don t know of any instances where diseases have been communicated from sharing the Cup, your symptoms might discourage others from receiving. Please recognize that some people may not want to shake hands during the Sign of Peace. They might be protecting you. A bow or a wave will suffice. Carry and use hand sanitizer. Meetings. I ll be heading down to St. Louis on Sunday afternoon in order to participate in the Provincial Council meeting. On my way back, I ll be stopping in East St. Louis at Sr. Thea Bowman School (where my brother, Br. Tom, teaches) to do some music with the 1 st and 2 nd graders. I should be back home by supper time on Wednesday, 1/15. Deacon Ordination. Please pray for our Franciscan brother Macario Torres Torres who will be ordained to the diaconate on Saturday, January 18. I believe that Br. Macario will be assigned to St. Peter Church in the Loop after his ordination. If all goes as planned, Br. Marc will be attending the celebration. Please Note. Due to technical problems, we apologize that our Mass Intention list is not available. 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..

3 January 12, 2014 The Baptism of the Lord page 3 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Liturgy Schedule 1st Week in Ordinary Time January St. Hilary Mass at 6:30 am & 12:10 pm Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am Mass at 6:30 am & 12:10 pm St. Anthony Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am Mass at 8:00 am & 5:30 pm 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass at 7:00, 8:45, 10:30 am Confession Schedule Saturday, January 18-3:30-4:30 pm Liturgy of the Hours with Friars Monday-Friday -- 11:45 am & 4:45 pm Pray for the Sick Please remember in your prayers: Cathy Green, Renae Roepke, Eddie Siemer, Cheryl Ann Huber, Chris Utz, Anna Habing, Jim Koester, Jack Hardiek, Paula Spencer, Lucille Worman, Mack Kitten, Agnes Kremer, Pauline Gobczynski, Devin Mette, David Pruemer, Lucas Heuerman, Harold Hardiek Stewardship of Treasure Sunday Total Fiscal 12/31/2013 Year Year End Contributions $ $243, Loose 0 15, $ $259, Sunday Total Fiscal 1/5/2014 Year Adult envelopes $6, $249, Other $ $15, TOTAL $6, $265, Solemnity of Mary $4, Parish Calendar Monday, January 13 Men s Holy Name mtg., 7:30 pm, Museum Meeting Room Wednesday, January 15 Children s Choir, 3:30-4:30 pm Teen Choir, 6:00-7:00 pm Jr. High Religion, 7:20 pm Thursday, January 16 Adult Choir, 7:00 pm Friday, January 17 Rosary, 9:30 am, Church and St. Clare Ultreya Mass, 7:00 pm Teen Center open Saturday, January 18 Confessions, 3:30-4:30 pm Sunday, January 19 Pre-K classes, 10:30 RCIA, 8:00 am, St. Isidore Right to Life Breakfast Secular Franciscans meet, 2:00 pm, Church Right to Life Breakfast. Effingham County Right to Life will sponsor their 40th annual Whole Hog Sausage & Egg Breakfast on Sunday, January 19, Serving 7:00 am to 12:30 pm in the Teutopolis Grade School Auditorium. Home-baked breads will be featured and carry-outs will be available. A free will offering all you can eat. Volunteers are needed to set-up on Saturday (beginning at 8:30 am) or anytime on Sunday, including clean up. Please call Mrs. Jack Koester at Donations of home baked breads and sweet rolls would be greatly appreciated. Please join us in our crusade to save all lives the unborn, the elderly and the disabled. All proceeds are used for educational purposes Love your children. In them you can see Baby Jesus. Pray for them a lot and every day put them under Holy Mary s protection. ~Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Homebound Ministers Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound for Sunday, January 19th are Lenora Drees and Deb Runde

4 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 4 Service Opportunity. The Effingham County Right to Life invites our parish youth/confirmation candidates to volunteer for shifts at the Right to Life breakfast on January 19. Shifts are 7-9, 9-11 and 11-1, or cleanup 1:00. Call the high school religious ed office at or Loretta Koester at to offer your service! March for Life. Our students and chaperons will be going on the March for Life this coming weekend. The March for Life is a peaceful, prayerful protest against abortion. Please pray for a safe trip and for the sanctity of ALL life! 9 Days For Life: Prayer-Penance-Pilgrimage Pray with the bishops to end abortion! On January 22, 2014 our nation will remember the 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Since that tragic decision, more than 55 million children s lives have been lost to abortion, and the lives of millions of their parents have been shattered. In prayerful recognition, Nine Days of Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage will take place January 18-26, Go to to sign up for daily s, or join by text message text 9DAYS to 99000, or use the app by texting 9DaysApp to 99000, or pick up copies in the back of church. Please keep those attending the March for Life pilgrimage from our parish and area in prayer. Reflection for January 12 Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. Acts 10:34-35 A few years ago, I picked up a new pair of glasses, but when I tried them on, I knew I wasn t seeing correctly. The woman helping me insisted it was the right prescription and assured me that I just had to get used to them. After three days of misery, I returned the glasses, and after a bit of investigating, it was discovered that the doctor had failed to update her notes. I couldn t see because the glasses were based on an old prescription. Sometimes we know in our hearts that something just isn t right. Perhaps we have begun to recognize that something is unjust, but go along with the status quo even though it makes us uncomfortable. Today we are reminded that God sent three visions to Peter before he understood what God was trying to communicate. For us as well, cooperating with the indwelling spirit is a continual challenge that requires the willingness to see things differently. LIVING FAITH Terri Mifek Religious Education News Grade 2 Parents. First Reconciliation will be held on Saturday, February 15th; First Holy Communion will be on Sunday, May 4th, at the 10:30 Mass. GRADE SCHOOL-- Religious education classes will continue on Monday, January 13. We thank all the parents, catechists, teachers, Mass walkers, substitutes, helpers, prayer sponsors for your cooperation, prayers, and help throughout the year. May you continue to bless us with your service, dedication, and commitment! PRE-K classes will resume on Sunday, January 12. Please bring the children to the Museum Dining Room where they will meet until 11:15. At that time they will bring all their belongings to St. Clare Hall where they will gather following the Epiphany program which begins in church at 11:30. All are invited to join the children and their families in St. Clare Hall for the reception following the short Epiphany program. Epiphany means revelation. This presentation recalls the Biblical account of Jesus, the Saviour, being revealed to the three wise men, who represent the three kings, who represent all the nations of the Gentile world, including us. Any questions or concerns, please call JUNIOR HIGH - Classes resume on Wednesday, January 15, in the junior high building. Grade 8 students will receive their new room assignment as they begin their study of the Christian understanding of human sexuality. Grade 7 begins the study of the Bible timeline. High School. High School Religion classes resume on Wednesday, January 22nd.

5 January 12, 2014 The Baptism of the Lord page 5 Donations for Christmas flowers and for flowers for special feasts in 2014 have been made in memory of the following: Edward and Julia Jansen Andrew and Dolores Grunloh Joe and Margaret Gier Ted Gier Dr. Joseph Runde Doug Lundquist Clete Deters Laura Henry Leo Schmidt Willy Kramer Martha and Ray Hauser Cindy Zimay Tom Hardiek Laverne Buhnerkempe Karen Buhnerkempe Roger Worman John Worman Harold Sudkamp Clarence and Dorothy Mae Probst Bernard Koeberlein Arthur Schottman Joe and Mary Bussman Family William and Catherine Coen Family Jamie Leigh Hardiek Catherine Bussman Joe and Catherine Deters Family August and Frances Deters Family Louis and Opal Bussman Family Elizabeth (Betty) Deters Frank and Clara Pals Family Eugene Gebben Louise Deters Mary Lou Vahling Steve Jahn Ferd and Anna Vahling Richard and Leona Brumleve Quintin and Marie Siemer Jerry and Luella Griffin Vera and Agnes Helmink Louis Buscher Rich Goldstein Robert and Gertrude Pruemer Clarence Rieman Ferd and Amelia Weis Herman J. and Mary B. Runde Rosemary Krone Herman F. Runde, Jr. Richard, Esther and Mark Hardiek Geneva Hardiek Joe Griesbaum John and Fran Schultz Melvin Uthell Kenneth Hoelscher Joe Hoedebecke Larry and Mert McMahon Leroy Niebrugge Bertha (Tudie) Deters Bernardine and William Krone Clara Einhorn Krone Kathy Hartke Henry Hoene Louis and Clara Kroeger Virgil Lueken Dennis Lueken Robert and Wilma Funneman Gary Funneman Edward and Josephine Hatke Henry and Anna Funneman Doug Hinkle Alfred and Josephine Weber Lucas Schuette Albert and Christine Habing William Bill Sheehan Otto Dilger CCW News Installation of New Officers The January CCW meeting will be held Monday, January 20th at St. Clare Hall at 7:00 pm. We will be having installation of officers. Vicki Brumleve: Vice-President Joan Brumleve: Secretary Mary Deters: Assistant Secretary Our guest speaker for the January meeting will be Brooke Zerrusen. She will be talking about her new boutique, Ten Brooke LeAnne, which features women s clothing, handbags, jewelry and accessories. Come join us for fellowship and friendship. Men s Holy Name will meet on Monday, January 13th, 7:30 pm, in the Museum Meeting Room. All men of the parish are welcome. Holy Humor...How long have you been driving without a taillight? asked the policeman after pulling over a motorist. The driver ran to the rear of his car, gave a long, painful groan, and put his face in his hands. He was so upset that the officer was moved to ease up on him. Come on now, he said, don t take it so hard. It isn t that serious. Yes, it is, the driver exclaimed, unless you know what happened to my boat and trailer!

6 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 6 Please Join Us as we pray the rosary at Effingham s Planned Parenthood (across from St. Anthony s Hospital) on Thursday, January 16th at 1:00 pm. According to a report by Douglas Scott, Jr., President of Life Decisions International, in Planned Parenthood slaughtered a record 33,964 preborn children. In , PP received million in taxpayer dollars (45.2% of their total annual budget. Their excess revenue (profit) for that period was $87.4 million. Please pray with us as we ask God to close the Effingham PP facility. If you have questions, call Peg Mihlbachler ( ). Effingham Animal Rescue Sanctuary seeks volunteers to help place unwanted or left-behind kitty cats. Senior citizens who are looking for a new friend could help with our Senior Paws Program. If interested in helping an animal find a new home, call Alice at Chicken and Toast, fries and coleslaw will begin on January 3rd, 5:30-7:30 pm at the Teutopolis Knights of Columbus and continue every Friday night in January. Join the Life Runners who pray the rosary at noon every first Wednesday of each month. Also, if you like to walk or run and want to do what you like for a cause, join us at liferunners.org local Chapter #40. For questions, call Robert Feldhake or Kathy Willenborg 217- Bolivia Mission Trip March 5 13, 2014 Carol Toney and her Mission group are asking for your help in this season of giving. They will be taking lots of medicine, including vitamins, children's vitamins, antibiotics, Tylenol, ibuprofen and medical equipment 7 trunks of supplies on their trip to Bolivia. Would you help with a monetary tax-deductible donation so that we can buy these items and insure that we have the finances to buy materials that we need for repairs while we are working down there? You can make Jesus smile with your donation. Thank you and God WILL bless you. Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to: Sacred Heart Mission Team, Attn: Carol Toney PO Box 870 Effingham, IL MEDICARE Question: I didn't enroll in Medicare Part B back when my Part A started a few years ago. Can I enroll now? Answer: Yes--but if you want to do it this year, you'll have to act soon. The general enrollment period for Medicare Part B, medical insurance, began January 1 and runs through March 31. Keep in mind that although there is no monthly premium for Medicare Part A, there will be a premium for your Medicare Part B. And in most cases, that premium goes up each 12-month period you were eligible for it and elected not to enroll. To find out more about Medicare, visit or and select the "Medicare" link. Cash Bingo will be held on Sunday, January 19th at Holy Cross Parish Center, Wendelin. Doors open at 11:00 am, games begin at 12:00 pm and continue until 3:00 pm. 4 games for $1.00. The parish CYM will have sandwiches/desserts and other refreshments available. Public is welcome to attend. Being sponsored by Family Life Committee. Question Why must godparents get a certificate from their parish to be godparents but a best man or maid of honor do not? Don't they have the same sacramental obligations? Answer. The short answer is no. Both are important participants in the sacrament, but they serve different purposes and functions. In baptism, godparents or sponsors are those who present someone to the church for baptism. Their role is to help the person being baptized to develop his or her understanding and practice of the faith. They do so by their own example of faith, as well as by answering questions and helping the newly baptized become an active member of the community of the church. In the case of an infant, they assist the parents in whatever way possible to raise the child in faith. Most importantly, godparents and sponsors should pray for the newly baptized often, supporting them by their prayers. Therefore at least one godparent or sponsor must be Catholic. The other godparent can be a baptized non-catholic and is called a Christian witness. Witnesses to marriage do not have a spiritual obligation. Their purpose is more of a legal function. They, like the priest or deacon, are witnesses to the vows exchanged. Therefore there are no requirements concerning religion. This obviously does not prohibit the best man and maid of honor from spiritually supporting a newly married couple, but the church does not require anything more than meeting the eligibility requirements of age Liturgical Publications Inc