THE TOWER. January 1, Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

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1 THE TOWER January 1, 2017 SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

2 HEART TO HEART pastor to parish This is a foundational response, the prime resolution of any disciple: to first reflect upon the movement of God in one s life, to savor divine grace and contemplate it before acting upon it. The disciple cultivates God s grace interiorly, in the heart. And then, from the heart (from the soul of the disciple) action is taken in the world to reap the benefit of that grace. A New Year We have this custom, don t we, of making resolutions at the start of the New Year? Since we are entering another year, we aim to start off on the right foot. We resolve to do or to be better. May this New Year be filled with God s manifold blessings for you and for your loved ones. May we all cultivate those divine graces, reflecting upon them in our hearts, and then, hearts full of love, may we share God s goodness with all those around us. Every year I resolve to eat less and work out more. It has not come to pass these last few years. That doesn t mean that I won t try again this year to make that resolution a reality in my life. But I m a bit more fatalistic and resigned to the simple fact that I probably won t follow through on this resolution. Mary s Example The Blessed Virgin Mary said yes to the angel Gabriel s announcement and history took a different course, the way of salvation in Christ due to the Incarnation of Jesus. She stayed true to that initial yes throughout her life and that is why the church considers Mary the first disciple (before the Twelve were called by Jesus). Today s gospel episode has the shepherds visiting Mary, Joseph and the baby in Bethlehem. They tell everyone that they were directed to the baby Jesus by an angel of the Lord. Notice Mary s reaction? She kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart (Luke 2:19).

3 Hearts Alive in Worship My only desire is to unite myself to God (St. Paul of the Cross) THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD The following includes excerpts from Bustedhalo.com. What is the Solemnity of Mary? The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God is a liturgical celebration observed on January 1 st. It is a holy day of obligation for Catholics, meaning that Mass attendance is required (though the Mass obligation is sometimes waived by the bishop for various reasons.) Other holy days of obligation include Easter, Pentecost and the Immaculate Conception. in the life of Jesus, and emphasizes that he is both human and divine. Though New Year s Day may seem more like a day for football and foodfests than for Mary, there s a beautiful spiritual significance in celebrating her during the heart of the Christmas season. Pope Paul VI, in his apostolic exhortation Marialis Cultus (1974), or Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary in English, called the Solemnity of Mary a fitting occasion for renewing adoration of the newborn Prince of Peace, for listening once more to the glad THANK YOU SACRED HEART MINISTERS As we finish one year and begin another, just a note of thanks to the many, many parishioners who serve and minister in the name of Sacred Heart to so many people within and beyond our parish: Sacristans, A Just Harvest cooks and servers, Eucharistic Ministers, St. Columbanus Tutors, Choir members, collection counters, teachers and catechists, Lectors, prayer group members, Ministers of Care, Altar Servers, Food Pantry volunteers, Greeters, Council and Board members, Haiti supporters, flowers and garden volunteers, Nite Lites volunteers, the St. Patrick s Day Party team and volunteers, Desserts for Diapers teens, Men s Club, the RCIA team, Cantors, Christmas Sharing volunteers, musicians, ushers, the Advent by Candlelight team, Oktoberfest Chairs and volunteers, the Elizabeth Ministry, the Men of Sacred Heart, the Children s Liturgy of the Word catechists, the Adult Formation Team & anyone we neglected to mention. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO! The use of the word Solemnity is not a statement about Mary s personality. It is a designation used for certain days within the liturgical (church-based) calendar of the Church. Solemnities are the highest rank of liturgical celebration, higher than feast days or memorials. By celebrating a solemnity dedicated to Mary s motherhood, the Church highlights the significance of her part tidings of the angels (see Luke 2:14), and for imploring from God, through the Queen of Peace, the supreme gift of peace. RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY WEEKLY PRAYER FOR LIFE That the prayers of the Mother of God may strengthen all mothers to follow her example of welcoming new life despite fear, doubt, and uncertainty; We pray to the Lord! Our Lady of Czestochowa, the Black Madonna SATURDAY MORNING ROSARY Parishioners gather together every Saturday morning before the 8:30am Mass to say the Rosary in Church. Join us at approximately 8:00 a.m. All are welcome!

4 Hearts Alive in Worship My only desire is to unite myself to God (St. Paul of the Cross) WORLD DAY OF PEACE We also commemorate the World Day of Peace today, January 1st. VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Calling for a new style of politics built on peace and nonviolence, Pope Francis also called for disarmament, the eradication of nuclear weapons and an end to domestic violence and abuse against women and children. "Violence is not the cure for our broken world," he said in his annual message for the World Day of Peace Jan. 1. "It is a challenge to build up society, communities and businesses by acting as peacemakers. It is to show mercy by refusing to discard people, harm the environment or seek to win at any cost," he added. The message, released by the Vatican Dec. 12, said building a world of peace requires a "willingness to face conflict head on, to resolve it" and to make it part of a new process of choosing solidarity and building friendships. "Active nonviolence is a way of showing that unity is truly more powerful and more fruitful than conflict," the pope said. While differences will sometimes lead to difficulties, "let us face them constructively and non-violently," so that tension and opposition can turn into "diversified and life-giving unity," preserving "what is valid and useful on both sides." His message, which the Vatican sends to heads of state around the world, invited everyone "to banish violence from our hearts, words and deeds, and to becoming nonviolent people and to build nonviolent communities that care for our common home." Building a new politics of nonviolence starts in the human heart and the home, he said. It is in the family that people can learn how to communicate, be generous and caring, and resolve conflicts "not by force but by dialogue, respect, concern for the good of the other, mercy and forgiveness." From within the family, "the joy of love spills out into the world and radiates to the whole of society," he said. This "ethics of fraternity and peaceful coexistence" can never be "based on the logic of fear, violence and closedmindedness, but on responsibility, respect and sincere dialogue." "Hence, I plead for disarmament and for the prohibition and abolition of nuclear weapons: nuclear deterrence and the threat of mutually assured destruction are incapable of grounding such an ethics," he said. "I plead with equal urgency for an end to domestic violence and to the abuse of women and children." The church contributes by seeking to limit the use of force by applying moral norms, and many Christians contribute by drafting legislation. "To be true followers of Jesus today also includes embracing his teaching about nonviolence," he said, and follow his practice of tackling evil with love and truth. In fact, an important "manual" for peacemaking, he said, is Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where he presented the Beatitudes. Applying the Beatitudes, which outlines how to be blessed, good and authentic, "is also a program and a challenge for political and religious leaders, the heads of international institutions, and business and media executives," the pope said. The "politics of nonviolence," he said, also begins with each individual, who will never miss an opportunity to offer a kind word, smile or simple gesture that "sows peace and friendship." "I ask God to help all of us to cultivate nonviolence in our most personal thoughts and values. May charity and nonviolence govern how we treat each other as individuals, within society and in international life." When victims of violence resist the temptation to retaliate, "they become the most credible promoters of nonviolent peacemaking" in the tradition of those who struggled actively and nonviolently for change such as St. Teresa of Calcutta, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and the thousands of women in Liberia who helped end their nation's civil war, Pope Francis wrote. Many religious traditions contribute by promoting compassion and nonviolence and protecting victims of injustice, he

5 Hearts Alive in Worship My only desire is to unite myself to God (St. Paul of the Cross) WORLD DAY OF PEACE continued said. For that reason, "I emphatically reaffirm that 'no religion is terrorist'" and the name of God can never be "used to justify violence. Peace alone is holy. Peace alone is holy, not war!" "In the most local and ordinary situations and in the international order," he wrote, "may nonviolence become the hallmark of our decisions, our relationships and our actions, and indeed of political life in all its forms." Speaking with reporters at the Vatican, Cardinal Peter Turkson said the pope's message is meant to remind people that active nonviolence is not "a utopian idea" but is a truly "feasible path." Diplomacy and the hope for peace negotiations must never be neglected because "the diplomatic channel always gives us the possibility for dialogue" where all sides can speak face-to-face, said the cardinal, who is president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. He will serve as prefect of the new Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, which will consolidate the work of four pontifical councils. He said the new dicastery will be conducting a deeper reflection on the appropriateness of how the traditional Catholic just-war theory is being used today. While there are no plans for a papal encyclical on the subject, he said the dicastery will organize a number of seminars and events to bring in experts to discuss various "points of view" on the theory that some wars can be justified in order to "analyze" the findings and publish the conclusions. A deeper reflection is needed, he told reporters, because just-war criteria are not always used for their original intent of preventing or discouraging war. "Now it is used for other different reasons," he said. The cardinal also said while the new dicastery was set to begin Jan. 1, 2017, he said he asked Pope Francis if they could extend that date to "around Easter" given the amount of work in reorganizing and building a new approach with the help of an outside consultant. Some of the councils' former offices will continue their work in research and study and a new department will be established to apply or put into practice different projects. He said he hoped the new dicastery would have a better communications strategy with a specialized office dedicated to sharing information and reaching out to media. (Catholic News Service 12/12/16) Note: One of our very own Sacred Heart parishioners, Terry Rynne, founder of Marquette University s Center for Peacemaking, has been a vital member of The Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, a project of Pax Christi International, which reaffirms the centrality of active nonviolence to the vision and message of Jesus, to the life of the Catholic Church, and to the long-term vocation of healing and reconciling both people and the planet. For more information on this initiative, visit THE FILM SILENCE The new movie Silence, based on the 1966 novel by Shusaku Endo with screenplay written by Martin Scorsese and Jay Cocks, is a historical fiction film about with the 17th century persecution of Christians in Japan. It follows two Jesuit missionaries as they travel to Japan in search for their mentor, who has reportedly renounced his faith. Silence resonates with audiences as it addresses topics such as doubt, human suffering and persecution. This may be a unique opportunity to engage in discussion, especially concerning persecution in our world today. Silence will be showing at the Music Box Theater (3733 N Southport Avenue, Chicago) beginning on Friday, January 6. For your information, on Sunday, January 8, following the 3:30pm showing, a talkback event led by Jesuit seminarians will be held to enter into dialogue and address topics covered in the movie. Silence Trailer Link: v=a0kuwzfugg4&t=1s To buy tickets in advance: musicboxtheatre.com/films/silence

6 Hearts Nurtured by Faith If God can work through me, he can work through anyone (St. Francis of Assisi) THANK YOU TO ALL THE ST. COLUMBANUS FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS Many thanks to all the Sacred Heart parishioners who came out in the cold to volunteer at the St. Columbanus Food Pantry December 21st. We, and St. Columbanus, are grateful for your service! May God bless you and your families for your generosity. AMERICAN SAINTS WE CELEBRATE THIS WEEK January 4th is the feast day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and January 5th is the feast day of St. John Neumann. The following is a short biography of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. She was the first native born American to be canonized by the Catholic Church. Born two years before the American Revolution, Elizabeth grew up in the upper class of New York society. She was a prolific reader, and read everything from the Bible to contemporary novels. In spite of her high society background, Elizabeth's early life was quiet, simple, and often lonely. As she grew a little older, the Bible was to become her continual instruction, support and comfort -and she would continue to love the Scriptures for the rest of her life. In 1794, Elizabeth married the wealthy young William Seton, with whom she was deeply in love. The first years of their marriage were happy and prosperous. This time of Elizabeth's life was to be a brief moment of earthly happiness before the many deaths and partings she was to suffer.. Both William's business and health failed. He filed a petition of bankruptcy and, in a final attempt to save William's health, the Setons sailed for Italy. Unfortunately, William died of tuberculosis while in Italy. The many enforced separations from dear ones by death and distance served to draw Elizabeth's heart to God and eternity. Elizabeth's deep concern for the spiritual welfare of her family and friends eventually led her into the Catholic Church. She officially joined the Catholic Church in At the suggestion of the president of St. Mary's College in Baltimore, Maryland, Elizabeth started a school in that city upon her return to the United States. The school had originally been secular but once news of her entrance to Catholicism spread, several girls were removed from her school. It was then Seton, and two other young women who helped her in her work, began plans for a Sisterhood. They established the first free Catholic school in America. When the young community adopted their rule, they made provisions for Elizabeth to continue raising her children. On March 25, 1809, Elizabeth Seton pronounced her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, binding for one year. From that time she was called Mother Seton. Although Mother Seton became afflicted with tuberculosis, she continued to guide her children. The Rule of the Sisterhood was formally ratified in It was based upon the Rule St. Vincent de Paul had written for his Daughters of Charity in France. By 1818, in addition to their first school, the sisters had established two orphanages and another school. Today, six groups of sisters can trace their origins to Mother Seton's initial foundation. For the last three years of her life, Elizabeth felt that God was getting ready to call her, and this gave her great joy. Mother Seton died in 1821 at the age of 46, only sixteen years after becoming a Catholic. She was beatified by Pope John XXIII on March 17, 1963 and was canonized on September 14, 1975 by Pope Paul VI. WEEKLY SCRIPTURE REFLECTION GROUP Our scripture reflection group meets Monday mornings after the 8:30am Mass in the Fireplace Room. We gather to read and reflect on the coming Sunday readings. No experience in scripture necessary! All are welcome. Join us! Note: The group will not meet on January 2nd, as the Sacred Heart offices will be closed.

7 Hearts Nurtured by Faith If God can work through me, he can work through anyone (St. Francis of Assisi) HAPPY NEW YEAR! WE HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR! Do you have a 2 year old who will miss the cut off for a 3s program next year? Sacred Heart School will be offering a Young 3s Class in the fall for children who will turn 3 between September 2 nd and December 31 st, Please contact the office at (847) , for registration information. The Grand, in order to close out their books for the year, must have ALL 2016 receipts turned in BEFORE we come back from our Christmas break. If you shop at the Grand between 12/21 and 12/31, we need those receipts as well! Turn them into the Parish offices (mark them Grand Receipts or Danstrom, either way). Or leave them in the box in the gathering space by January 4, and our Christmas elves will find a way to turn them in!

8 Hearts Connected for Community Love is the beauty of the soul (St. Augustine) CHRISTMAS SHARING WITH ST. COLUMBANUS THANK YOU SACRED HEART! Many thanks to the 96 Sacred Heart families who made Christmas dreams come true for our St Columbanus families by participating in the Christmas Sharing program, and the 60+ Sacred Heart parishioners who made financial donations to the Jewel Food Gift Card program that helps feed these families at Christmas. We collected 192 moving boxes full of presents last weekend, and all were delivered to St. Columbanus on 71st Street for distribution on Sunday afternoon, December 18th. This project is a huge undertaking and could not be completed without the help of so many people. Thanks to those who unloaded packages from cars, and moved them to various storage rooms and ultimately the Church; those who managed the collection spreadsheet; packed moving boxes; and wrapped gifts. Special thanks to the many parishioners who stayed after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on December 18th to help carry boxes out to the truck to be packed for transport IN SINGLE DIGIT temperatures. You are blessed in the eyes of God!!! We are grateful to all of you!!! THANK YOU! DELIVERY AT ST. COLUMBANUS...

9 Hearts Connected for Community Love is the beauty of the soul (St. Augustine) THIS WEEK AT SACRED HEART STEWARDSHIP GIVING Tuesday, January 3 Prayer Group 9:00 A.M./POFR Saturday, January 7 Men of Sacred Heart (MOSH) 7:30 A.M./ POFR Sunday, January 8 Religious Education Sessions Resume 9:00 A.M. 10:15 School, Gym, Parish Center Family Faith Together 5:30 P.M. 7:30 P.M./PCR Please note: The Parish Office will be closed on January 2. Sacred Heart School classes will resume on Monday, January 9. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Please come for Eucharistic Adoration after the 8:30 a.m. Mass this Friday, January 6th, followed by Benediction at 9:30 a.m. Finances At A Glance Week of 12/25/2016 Due to the printer s deadline, this bulletin was printed prior to Sunday December 25, therefore there is no financial data this week. Keep Sacred Heart Church Beautiful this Christmas Season Help with Watering Trees and Plants Our beautiful live decorations will need watering and TLC until the liturgical end of the Christmas season next weekend. If you d like to help, please sign the volunteer signup sheet that s in the Gathering Space. Donations Welcome If you would like to make a donation, either to cover the costs of the Christmas decorations, or for continuing decorations after the Christmas season, you can contribute via Give Central or drop your donation in with your weekly collection. For more information on how to help, please contact Liturgy Coordinator Kathy Janega Keenan at kjanega@shparish.com, or at , Ext Guidelines for Gifting Securities For the convenience of those who wish to donate securities to Sacred Heart, the Church maintains an account relationship with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, DTC #0015 Account If you wish to make a taxdeductible contribution of securities, it is necessary that your securities be transferred to that account to complete the gift. Do not sell the securities while they are still registered in your name, or you will incur the capital gains tax. In order to receive due credit and confirmation for the tax-deductible contribution, it is important to notify Michelle Wasielewski, Business Manager at Sacred Heart ( ), or Jennifer Huns at Smith Barney at ( ) of your intentions prior to issuing instructions to your broker. We also have resources available through the Archdiocese of Chicago to assist with estate planning, wills and bequests, as well as planned giving. Throughout the year, your generosity helps keep your parish solvent while at the same time, helps the parish staff to provide a place of worship, education and community. We thank you in advance for your thoughtful gift which makes it all possible!

10 SCHEDULE Monday, January 2 Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church 7:00am 8:30am Residents of Glen Oaks Nursing Home Tuesday, January 3 7:00am 8:30am Christopher McQuillen Wednesday, January 4 USA: Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious 7:00am 8:30am Parishioners of St. Columbanus Thursday, January 5 USA: Saint John Neumann, Bishop 7:00am Parishioners of St. Jean Baptiste in Haiti 8:30am Special Intention Friday, January 6 7:00am 8:30am Ludy Mariano Saturday, January 7 8:30am 5:00pm Denis A. Dunne Sunday, January 8 Mass Intentions THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD 7:30am Parishioners of Sacred Heart 9:00am Dr. R. Charles Oldfield 10:30am Charlotte Nash 4:30pm David W. Trott MINISTERS OF CARE Thursday, January 5 Lake Cook/Michael Romano Glen Oaks/Cathy Nowacki/Jose Vargas LITURGICAL MINISTERS January 7-8 5:00pm Saturday, January 7 Presider Fr. Semmer Greeter(s) Ludy Mariano, Dan O Rourke Servers Andrew Southwell, Caroline Southwell Lector(s) Julie Hartvigsen Eucharistic Ministers Dee Hanlon, Dan Kubasiak, Cathy Leonard, Claudia Mann, Claire Russell Cantor Saturday Choir 7:30am Sunday, January 8 Presider Fr. Semmer Greeter(s) Rae Fritz Servers Matthew Bradley, Joe Drehkoff Lector(s) Trip Lane Eucharistic Ministers Bernadette Broccolo, Mary Jo Bushell, Nancy Kehoe Cantor Tim Stadler 9:00am Presider Fr. Lanza Greeter(s) Judy Pyke, Patty Sanfilippo Servers Ryan Kelly, Elle Pagliaro Lector(s) Barbara Joyce Eucharistic Ministers Frieda Baker, Ann Marie Kiener, Robert Maganuco Patty Sanfilippo, (1) Volunteer Needed Cantor Renee Haring 10:30am Presider Fr. Lanza Greeter(s) Edward Kuffert, Kay Madden Servers Andrew Burden, Wesley Urbanowski Lector(s) Barbara Anderson Eucharistic Ministers Julie Conte, Robert Conte, Steve Knaus A.J. Leonard, Pat Rupp Cantor Sacred Heart Choir Children s Liturgy of the Word Holiday Weekend No CLOW 4:30pm Presider Fr. Cassidy Greeter(s) Lynn Finneke Servers Lily Bowman, Charlotte O Bryan Lector(s) Chris Hartman Eucharistic Ministers James Collins, Lynn Finneke, Dan Hagedorn Cantor Dianne Fox

11 SACRED HEART PARISH CONTACT INFORMATION Pastoral Staff Rev. Steven M. Lanza, Pastor Associate Pastor-Rev. Dean Resident-Rev. Dan Pastor Emeritus Rev. Robert J. Heidenreich Pastoral Associate Judy Pyke Permanent Deacons Michael J. McNulty Gerry Keenan Director of Music Todd Gresick Liturgy Coordinator/Children s Choir Kathy Janega Keenan kjanega@shparish.com Business Manager/Assistant to the Pastor Michelle Wasielewski mwasielewski@shparish.com Sacristan Coordinator June Hocter jkhocter@comcast.net Stewardship Coordinator (Parish) Marketing & Communications Coordinator (School)-Mindi Craddockmcraddock@shparish.com Principal Kristen Fink 1095 Gage Street kfink@shwschool.org Director of Religious Education Sue Lehocky 1077 Tower Road slehocky@shparish.com Support Staff Accounting/Census/Contributions/Tuition Cindy Atsaves catsaves@shparish.com Accounting/Census/Contributions/Tuition Suzie Danstrom sdanstrom@shparish.com Administrative Assistant & Bulletin Editor Irene Riggilo iriggilo@shparish.com Religious Education Administrative Assistant Jeanne Morette jmorette@shparish.com Religious Education Administrative Assistant Debbie Perkins dperkins@shparish.com Parish Office /Fax / Monday Friday 8:30am 4:30pm School Office : Visit our website Religious Education Office: Find us on Facebook & Follow us on

12 CHURCH NAME AND NUMBER Sacred Heart Church #862 ADDRESS 1077 Tower Road Winnetka, Illinois PHONE CONTACT PERSON Irene Riggilo SOFTWARE Microsoft Publisher 2010 Adobe Acrobat DC Windows 7 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT = 12 SUNDAY DATE OF BULLETIN January 1, 2017 THANK YOU!