PASTOR S COLUMN 2. Christmas 2018

Transcription

1 THE CROWN

2 PASTOR S COLUMN 2 Christmas 2018 Dear Parishioners, On that first Christmas, the angels praised God, saying, Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to men of good will. The shepherds came and adored the newborn Savior. St. Luke wrote, And Mary treasured all of these things and reflected on them in her heart. We too need to pause and treasure the gift of Christmas in our hearts. And that gift is simply JESUS, true God who became true man, who came to reveal perfectly God s truth and love to us, who died and rose for our salvation, and who founded a Church where He is truly present today! Moreover, we must not let Christmas just be a passing day. Live in the spirit of Christmas each day. Reflect upon how to better treasure this gift each day by making prayer a critical part of your day, by continuing to read Sacred Scripture and the teachings of our Church, by having a stronger devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Mass, by regularly making a self-examination of conscience and going to Confession, and doing those good works for those entrusted to our care and for those in need. May such reflection of the gift of Christmas, move us by God s grace to an even more intimate relationship with our Lord this year. Lastly as your pastor, I treasure the gift of you and the dedication, sacrifices, and hard work you have shown to make this parish a beacon of Christ s love. In particular, I thank those who serve in the various ministries and organizations. On behalf of Father Tom, Father Jerry, myself, and all of the Staff at Divine Infant Parish, I wish each of you a blessed and joyful Christmas and New Year! Please, be assured of my prayers for your intentions and a remembrance at Holy Mass. May Divine Infant Jesus, patron of our parish, be present in your lives each day of the New Year! Please, remember our parish in your generous Christmas collection! Christmas Eve Masses 4PM & 11PM Christmas Day Masses 7.30AM, 9.30AM & 11.30AM Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 8AM & 10AM God Bless Your Christmas with Faith, Love and Peace, Fr. Marcin Szczypula, Pastor

3 CARDINAL LETTER 3

4 PARISH INFORMATION 4 HELP WANTED We are looking for a volunteer to unlock the church every Sunday morning between 8:00 8:15 am. Please call the rectory if interested. SAVE THE DATE RENEW MY CHURCH MEETING On Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at 7:00 pm there will be a consultation meeting between Divine Infant and Divine Providence in Divine Infant Church. The purpose of this consultation is to begin the process of selecting a new pastor for Divine Infant/ Divine Providence Parish. I encourage you to pray for the success of the process. RECTORY OFFICE CLOSED The rectory office will be closed on Monday, December 24th and Tuesday, December 25th for the Christmas holiday. WEEKDAY SERVERS MONDAY, WEDNESDAY 8:00 Ava Perry CHRISTMAS EVE 4:00 pm Michael Swan; Matthew Swan 11:00 pm Bridget Boyle; Jacob Chi CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30 am Julia Blumhagen; David Patton 9:30 am Amelia Ortiz; Dylan Bermudez 11:30 am Matthew Bamford; Ethan Caday THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY 8:00 Isabella Negrete CHRISTMAS BULLETIN SCHEDULE Articles for January 6th are due by Dec. 26th Articles for January 13th are due by January 7th

5 PARISH INFORMATION 5 THE CANDY CANE The candy cane begins with a stick of white candy. The white symbolizes the purity of Christ. Red Stripes remind us of the blood shed by Christ on the cross for us so that we may have eternal life. The candy cane is formed into a J to represent the precious name of Jesus. It also represents the staff of the Good Shepherd. Its hard consistency represents the Solid Rock, the foundation of the church and the firmness of the promises of Christ. LET US PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SERVE Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Keep them safe in their daily missions. We ask this in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen. Major Matthew Kubik, United States Air Force We give our sincere thanks and appreciation to all veterans who have served their country. We continue to pray for our loved ones who are currently serving in the armed forces whether they are stationed overseas or in the United States. To submit a name of a family member and their military branch to add to a prayer list that is published in our Parish bulletin, please contact the rectory. THE PRINCIPAL, TEACHERS AND STAFF OF DIVINE INFANT SCHOOL WISH ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

6 HARK THE HERALD ANGEL 6 What a fabulous evening of music - both vocal and instrumental! Congratulations to our Divine Infant students on their performance of Hark, the Herald Angel! Our bands and our hand chimes ensemble also performed. Thank you to Mrs. Reif, Mr. Watson, Mrs. Day, Mr. Brownold, Mr. Klepacki, Mrs. Neiheisel and Mr. Verhunce for all their work to make the event so successful!

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8 PARISH INFORMATION 8 MEMORIES AND DREAMS Throughout our lives, we retain the language and habits of our native region and family of origin. Should we return to our home after a long absence, we quickly revert to its familiar speech and practices. Our deep memory is reflected in old stories and words and speech patterns. This familiarity runs like an underground river and accompanies us wherever we go. Not only do we remember, we are incorporated into and made part of a greater memory. In remembering and recollecting, we are in turn gathered up and re-collected. Today we remember Mary, a small figure travelling the country roads to visit Elizabeth. All the great pronouncements and dreams of the prophets point to this time when the Lord s words to Mary would be gathered and fulfilled. The memories of her people are alive in her, and memories of her nourish our own living faith. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION In ancient pagan Rome, these days in mid- December were a time for general slacking off at work and far too much rejoicing. The period of leisure after the harvest and a whole cluster of pagan festivals were a force for the church to reckon with. The Saturnalia, breaking out on December 17, was a time of high living and loose morals. Christians were advised by their bishops to drop out of the mayhem and do some serious fasting. A famous church council at Saragossa in Spain made a season of fasting mandatory from December 17 to December 23, exactly coinciding with the Saturnalia. The bishops at that time were perhaps less concerned with preparing for Christmas than with resisting the kind of loose living going on. Modern times have restored a bit of the Saturnalia spirit to our culture, so that a general period of partying with a vague connection to religion is now upon us. How does a Christian keep balance? The practice of charity by remembering the poor in our gift giving, of hospitality in finding a place at our holiday tables for the poor and lonely, and of daily prayer in the home and at church are great helps. Although Advent is not a penitential season like Lent, it is a time for making room in our lives for w h a t m a t t e r s m o s t. --James Field, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co. CHRISTMAS A young mother, her eyes shining with fatigue, who is arranging her hair; a father who finds himself alone with his pretty wife and baby, straightening the stable to make himself useful in some way; shepherds who bring cheese and perhaps also some curdled milk; sheep who look at their shepherds while bleating; a donkey who is eyeing his manger changed into a cradle; an adorable swaddled baby whom one calls Savior, Christ and Lord: This is the manifestation of the goodness and the tenderness of God. This is the most fantastic birth in the history of humanity, the one which changed the face of the world! This is how far God humbled and compromised himself with us! This is Emmanuel! From God s Word Is Our Joy, Vol. 1 by Lucien Deiss, CSSp, copyright 1998, World Library Publications. p. 73

9 LITURGY FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY, December 22 5:00 pm The Volka Family & C. Earl Blankenship; The Catino Family; Konstantinas Jablonskis; Al & Lucille Fogg; Dolores Assenato; Sister Jeanice Lohman; Peggy Scolaro; Thomas Smith; Bob Breneisen SUNDAY, December 23 9:30 Drew Xenakis; Andrew Xenakis, Sr.; Margaret Kendall; Dan Buckley; John Masterson; Emil & Henrietta Bezouska 11:30 Samuel & Genevieve Gimino; Mary Clinton; Bob Breneisen; People of the Parish MONDAY, December 24-Christmas Eve 8:00 Virginia Wilkin 4:00 Thomas Smith; Austin J. Boyle; Katherine McKenna; Edward & Lorraine Kotula; Marianne Schaefer; Nancy Johnston; James Tonkinson; Frank & Lillian Henkel; Robert Feehan; Ed & Mary Dillon; Bob Breneisen; Ben & Dolores Sniegowski; George & Helen Maczak; Helen & Chuck Hayes; Ruth & Les Quinlan; Concetta (Tina) Sforza; Bob Grimes 11:00 Kyle Mullins; Anne & Henry Zahumensky; Mary & Russ Charney; Greg Jonesku TUESDAY, December 25-Christmas Day 7:30 Thomas Smith;; Jerry J. & Donna Dean Russ; Marianne Schaefer 9:30 William Eckles; Wilda Gordon; Bob Breneisen; Katherine McKenna; Andrea Giannelli 11:30 Jane Ulsafer-VanLanen; Jerry Spahn; The Honorable William Pileggi; John Masterson; Christina Hierco; Gregorio Hierco; Virginia Songco; Cesar Vivo; Benigno Songco WEDNESDAY, December 26 8:00 Walter & Mary Wanick THURSDAY, December 27 8:00 Elmer F. Wujek FRIDAY, December 28 8:00 Paul Pracz SATURDAY, December 29 8:00 All the faithful departed 5:00 pm Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph; Konstantinas Jablonskis; Kale Family; Thomas Smith; People of the Parish SUNDAY, December 30 9:30 Tony Concialdi 11:30 Deceased members of St. Vincent de Paul Society; People of the Parish PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH Irene Bendinelli Anita Contacessi Margaret Cullen Gerry D Andria Donald Doucet Tom Fahey Betty Hornbogen Luke Hyland Todd Johnson Mike Labuda Gordon Macpherson Nick Martino Marie McHugh Janina Nywood Frank Pedota, Sr. Michael Scherer Donald Sloan Paul Sodayko Steven Wiersema Loving God, give strength to all who struggle with illness. Grant them courage when they are afraid and comfort when they are in pain. Because of government regulations, hospitals and nursing homes are no longer allowed to notify us if you are admitted to either facility. If you or a family member would like to be visited in the hospital or nursing home, please call the rectory at If you or a family member are sick or homebound and would like to be added to our prayer list, visited, receive Holy Communion or be anointed, please call the rectory at MAY THEY REST IN PEACE John Paglise NEXT WEEKEND S MINISTERS CELEBRANT COMM. MINISTERS MUSIC LECTORS SERVERS SAT. 5:00 Fr. Joyce S. Stiso L. McCarthy F. Blumhagen B. Chiostri S. Laszkiewicz J. Lindsey SUN. 9:30 Fr. Marcin S. Johnston Adult A. DiFiore A. Ortiz J. Kroushl Choir D. Kozerski S. Urban SUN. 11:30 Fr. Tom R. Eisenhart Teens G. DeFalco A. Garbacz S. Nevers

10 MONDAY, DECEMBER 24 CHRISTMAS EVE Vigil Mass of Christmas 4:00 pm Mass of Christmas Night 11:00 pm TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25 CHRISTMAS DAY Masses are 7:30, 9:30 & 11:30 am THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27 LH 6:00 pm Knights of Columbus MONDAY, DECEMBER 31-NEW YEAR S EVE Mass of Anticipation 5:00 pm TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2019 SOLEMNITY OF MARY (Holy Day of Obligation) Masses are 8:00 & 10:00 am WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2 CH 4:00 pm Music Dept. SUNDAY, JANUARY 6 CH 12:45 pm Baptismal Prep MONDAY, JANUARY 7 RE Classes TUESDAY, JANUARY 8 CH 3:00 pm Chimes PR 6:45 pm School Board PLEASE USE GiveCentral.org FOR ALL YOUR DONATIONS Divine Infant Jesus Parish depends on your generosity in order to carry out its ministry of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and teaching and healing in his name. We do not charge for anything. We rely solely on your Sunday and Holy Day donations. To make it easier for you to give your gifts to Divine Infant, we work with GiveCentral.org. When you sign up with GiveCentral.org, you can make all your Sunday, Holy Day, second collection, and every other donation that you make to the parish. Then you never have to use a parish envelope or put anything in the collection basket ever again! Please visit GiveCentral.org to create your personal and secure donations account. Thank you for your generosity! WELCOME... We are happy you have chosen to be with us. We hope your experience is warm and welcoming whether you are here to celebrate the Eucharist or spend time in quiet prayer. If you wish to learn more about Divine Infant and/or become a new member of our parish please call the rectory (708) Welcome to Divine Infant. We look forward to seeing you again! READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Lk 1:67-79 Tuesday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Wednesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Friday: 1 Jn 1:5 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7b-8; Mt 2:13-18 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, or 1 Sm 1:20-22, 24-28; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 84:2-3, 5-6, 9-10; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or 1 Jn 3:1-2, 21-24; Lk 2:41-52 PROTECTING CHILDREN At Divine Infant Jesus Parish and School, the protection of our children is of utmost importance, and we comply fully with the policies of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. To learn more, go to our website dnn.archchicago.org/divine infant and click on the tab Protecting Children at D.I. or visit archchicago.org and click on the button Protecting Children. If you do not have internet access and would like to learn more, please contact the rectory or call the Office for Protection of Children and Youth at WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE ALL PARISH MAILINGS ELECTRONICALLY If you would like to receive parish mailings Christmas and Easter letters, statement of annual contributions, and yearly report by , please send an to the parish at d.infant@comcast.net. In the subject line write Parish , and then in the body of the write your name, street address and envelope number if you know it. This will help save the parish money in printing and postage. Thank you!

11 DIVINE INFANT PARISH NEWCASTLE AND CANTERBURY AVENUES WESTCHESTER, ILLINOIS Like us on Facebook REV. MARCIN SZCZYPULA, Pastor (ext. 203) REV. GERALD JOYCE, Pastor Emeritus (ext. 206) REV. THOMAS WINIKATES, Associate (ext. 204) REV. THOMAS WINIKATES RESIDENCE DEACON JAMES SPONDER (ext. 306) MS. KRISTINE OWENS, School Principal SR. SUSAN MAJCEN, O.P., Director of Religious Education Website: divineinfant.archchicago.org Rectory: 1601 Newcastle Avenue, Fax number: School: 1640 Newcastle Avenue, & Office of Religious Education: Music Director: Mrs. Janet Reif, Assc. Mus. Dir: Mrs. Judy Schindler, Rectory Secretary: Mrs. Toni Podock, (ext. 201) SUNDAY MASSES: 9:30 & SATURDAY EVENING: 5:00 pm WEEKDAY MASSES: 8:00 am SATURDAY MORNING: 8:00 am HOLY DAY MASSES: 8:00 & 10:00 am, and 7:00 pm SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: (Confession) Saturday: In the Reconciliation Room 4:00 to 4:45 pm or by appointment. BAPTISMS: Baptisms are celebrated on the 2nd & 3rd Sundays of the month at 12:45 pm. By Archdiocesan regulation and parish policy, parents are required to attend a Baptismal Preparation session before the Baptism of their child. These sessions will usually be held on the first Sunday afternoon of the month. Call the secretary at the rectory ( ) to register for the session and schedule the Baptism. D.I.V.M. SERVICES: Communion to the sick, food shopping, necessary transportation, emergency meals, transportation to Mass. Resource information also available. If you need help from any of these services, please let us know as much in advance as possible so the chairpersons can make arrangements and the volunteers arrange their schedules. If you are able to volunteer to help provide these services to our parishioners, we can always use more help. Please call the rectory at WEDDINGS: Couples should contact the rectory and speak to a priest shortly after the engagement, but no less than four months before the desired wedding day. No date should be set (especially in reserving a hall) for your wedding until you have spoken to a priest. In this way, you will not be disappointed if the church has been previously reserved for another ceremony. Please keep in mind the times that are available for weddings at Divine Infant: SATURDAYS 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm WEEKDAYS Any reasonable hour

12 CHURCH NAME & NUMBER Divine Infant #9216 ADDRESS 1601 Newcastle, Westchester, Il PHONE CONTACT PERSON SOFTWARE Microsoft Publisher 2003 Windows XP Professional Adobe Acrobat 6.0 PRINTER HP Laserjet 5P NUMBER OF PAGES SENT Cover through 12 SUNDAY DATE OF BULLETIN December 23, 2018 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS