Historic St. James at Sag Bridge Church DECEMBER 4, 2011 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

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1 Historic St. James at Sag Bridge Church S. Archer Avenue Lemont, Illinois (Ph) (Fx) Website: DECEMBER 4, 2011 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Founded in 1833, St. James at Sag Bridge is the sole country parish of the Archdiocese of Chicago serving a growing community of Catholics who come together to worship God through the celebration of the Eucharist and traditional devotional activities within truly unique and beautiful surroundings. Our faith filled community strives to bear witness to Jesus Christ by loving and serving one another to bring about the Kingdom of God. Rev. Edward D. Gleeson, Pastor Mr. John M. Wilkinson, Permanent Deacon, CKM Parish Boundaries The Village of Willow Springs Unincorporated Lemont Township Along Archer Avenue and Bell Road, Village of Burr Ridge (Cook County) Mass Schedule Weekends: Saturdays, 5:30 PM. Sundays, 8:30, 10:00, 11:30 AM Holy Days: 8:15 AM and 7:00 PM Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: 8:15 AM Wednesdays: 7:00 PM Confession Schedule Saturdays: 4:30 to 5:15 PM By appointment. Baptisms First Sundays of every month by appointment. Parents must be registered parishioners. Weddings Minimum eight months in advance. At least one partner must be a registered parishioner. Religious Education Classes 1st through 8th Grade Tuesday evenings, September through May Parents must be registered parishioners. Registration In Rectory Office Hours Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Thursdays: 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Parish Ministerial Staff Father Edward Gleeson, Pastor Deacon John Wilkinson, Minister of Care Brian Tishuk, RE Director Pamela Stafford, Music Coordinator Pamela Mikrut, Organist JoAnn Starha, Altar and Rosary President Rodney Poynter, Holy Name President Barbara Tishuk, Our Lady of the Forest President Rectory Support Staff Jane Mayer, Administrative Assistant/Bulletin Editor Bernice Raj, Housekeeper/Cook

2 Page Two December 4, 2011 FROM THE DESK OF THE PASTOR WHO IS THAT JOLLY OLD ELF? The second Sunday of Advent as well as the third, always features a Gospel about St. John the Baptist. St. Mark quoted Isaiah the Prophet. Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare our way. A voice of one crying out in the desert. Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight his paths. Today we also recognize another famous saint whose feast we will celebrate on Tuesday. St. Nicholas was a fourth century Bishop of Myra in Lycia which was then Russia and is now Turkey. A popular story about him revolves around a poor man who could not provide dowries for his three daughters. As each girl reached marriageable age, Nicholas secretly left a bag of gold for the father so that he could arrange the weddings. Over the centuries Old St. Nick became a symbol of the giftgiving which is part of the tradition of Christmas. The legends about the goodness and giftgiving of St. Nicholas have been symbolized in the Dutch version of his name, Santa Claus. This name represents some of the most delightful experiences of childhood. But even for adults the name suggests jolliness and good natured generosity from a heavyset fellow clothed in a bright red suit instead of the skinny guy dressed in nothing but camel s hair and a loin cloth. But Santa certainly does not bump the Baptist aside during this season of Advent. After all it was St. John who prepared the world for the arrival of the Messiah. One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the throngs of His sandals. I have baptized with water; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. By preaching in the wilderness St. John the Baptist hoped to move his followers away from the basis of sin, which is self-centeredness. Santa Claus symbolizes unselfishness. He represents what the Precusor intended to accomplish. He is the gift-giver who never received a gift. Behind all of the legends of that oversized elf is a yearning for a manifestation in a human person of the unselfish goodness that the Eternal Son of God brought to our world. Even people who have no faith of any kind instinctively long for a sign of the generous love which Jesus the Christ both proclaimed and lived. That is why we all love Santa. Preparing for Christmas means trying to become what St. John the Baptist and St. Nicholas represent, a personification of the Kingdom of God. We are all imbued with the Christmas Spirit when indifference is turned into justice, when hatred is overcome by love, and when violence gives way to peace. Is there really a Santa Claus? Well, of course. We are Santa Claus. He is found in every person who shares in the Son of God s victory over sin. St. Nick Likes Pancakes The men of our St. James Holy Name Society will host a pancake breakfeast in Sag Hall today after all three Masses. There will be bacon, sausage, and juice, plus gingerbread and pecan pancakes! The jolly old elf himself will stop in the hall after the 11:30 A.M. Mass to greet the good boys and girls. The naughty boys and girls can forget it. Needless to say there will be plenty of candy. GOD BLESS OUR PARISH, FR. ED GLEESON, PASTOR

3 Second Sunday of Advent Page Three THE WOMEN'S CENTER 5116 North Cicero Avenue, Chicago, IL (773) The two large altar flower bouquets adorning the main altar were available by the generosity of MARY & JOSEPH SLOWIK as well as in memory of SARA RUTKOWSKI & FLORENCE STACH. The collection for St. James on the weekend of November 20, 2011 was $4, The number of November 20th Offertory Envelopes handed in the weekend of November 19th and November 20th was 132. The amount of money coming out of those envelopes was $3, which averages out to $26.10 per envelope. Our many thanks to the 132 contributing families. The collection for St. James on the weekend of November 27, 2011 was $5, The number of November 27th Offertory Envelopes handed in the weekend of November 26th and November 27th was 162. The amount of money coming out of those envelopes was $4, which averages out to $27.18 per envelope. Our many thanks to the 162 contributing families. BRANCH OFFICES: 9730 S. Western, Ste. 318, Evergreen Park, IL & 2720 S. River Rd., Suite 234, Des Plaines, IL Christmas is about love and family and that is what we strive to be for the many women in difficult pregnancies who come to us. This year we saved approximately 1,000 babies from abortion and helped their mothers with our friendship and love. Last year over 1,400 children and adults attended our annual client Christmas parties. Each family at the parties enjoyed a light meal and left with gifts of toys and clothing for the children. This year s Christmas parties will be December 21 and 22. If you would like to make a food donation, please call Jackie at Save the date Saturday, (not Sunday as usual) February 11th, 2012 for our 27 th Annual Life Banquet at The White Eagle in Niles. Registration starts at noon and Lunch at 1 p.m.. We are excited to have as our main speaker, Dr. Charmaine Yoest, President and CEO of Americans United for Life (AUL). AUL is the first national pro-life organization in the nation, whose legal strategists have been involved in every pro-life case before the United States Supreme Court since Roe v. Wade. If you have an item, gift certificate or service to donate for our silent auction, it would be most appreciated. For tickets or to donate phone If you wish to volunteer your time and talents, we need help in our Chicago Family Resource Room on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for 3 to 6 hours between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. To help, call Jackie at We desperately need fixed side baby cribs, 1 double stroller, 3 small chests of drawers, 8 infant/carrier car seats, 3 pack n plays and 3 bassinets. It will be a great help if you can deliver these to us. For our address, or if a pick- up is needed, please call Due to the fire we are unable to accept anything except the items listed. The families who receive these things are grateful for your generosity.

4 Page Four December 4, 2011 Zacchaeus House Luncheon Saturday, November 19, 2011 with Bishop Joseph Perry

5 Page Five Second Second Sunday Sunday ofof Advent Advent Zacchaeus House Luncheon Saturday, November 19, 2011 with Bishop Joseph Perry Page Five

6 Page Six December 4, 2011 ARE YOU READY? Some storytellers lead you gently into their tale by setting the scene, introducing characters, unfolding the plot, and building up tension toward a climax. Mark does not bother with such methods! In his Gospel there are no descriptions of Jesus noble ancestry or of Mary s pregnancy or the birth in Bethlehem. There are no accounts of shepherds and wise men, wicked Herod or the journey into Egypt. The whole Gospel is summed up in the words of the very first sentence: The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God (Mark 1:1). The word gospel means good news, and Mark brings a particular urgency to the message. The name Jesus is a version of the Hebrew name Joshua the Lord saves and Christ is the Greek version of the Hebrew title Messiah, meaning anointed one. Anointing was a sacred act usually conferred on kings. So here, in just one sentence, we are given good news: God is here to save the people through this anointed one, descendent of kings and a King himself. Jesus arrival is announced by his cousin John, who is the voice... crying out in the desert (Mark 1:3) also mentioned by the prophet Isaiah. Perhaps John the Baptist s own disciples are trying to convince John that he is the promised one, but John knows otherwise. He is not the Messiah; his task is to prepare the way. He is to baptize with water for the forgiveness of sins, but the one who is to come will give his life for the forgiveness of sins and will baptize his followers with the Holy Spirit. As we hear again about this coming Savior, the question we must ask ourselves is, are we ready to receive him? To receive him means being prepared to follow him and do his will. ADVENT: A SEASON OF HOPE Meditations for the Advent Season Day 2 My dear friends, we continue our meditations for the Advent Season Reasons for Hope. Hope is a virtue that is critical for survival in life. We don t last long without it. We die physically, emotionally, and spiritually without it. Living involves hoping. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1817) says: Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life as our happiness.....relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit.....Christian hope takes up and fulfills the hope of the chosen people which has its origin and model in the hope of Abraham, who was blessed abundantly by the promises of God fulfilled in Isaac, and who was purified by the test of the sacrifice. Paul s Letter to the Romans says of Abraham that hoping against hope, he believed, and thus became the father of many nations (Rom 4:18) The people of Israel, then, starting with Abraham, were a people of hope. It is good for us in the Advent season to pick up the great Jewish book of prayer that is the Psalms and meditate on the messages of hope found there. I can assure you, there are many. Take, for example, the words of Psalm 131:2-3: But I have calmed and quieted my soul like a child quieted at its mother s breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul. O Israel, hope in the LORD From this time forth and for evermore. Can you imagine anyone more at peace than an infant in its mother s arms? The psalmist tells us that we should be just as much at peace with the Lord, who is like a caring mother. O Israel, hope in the LORD, both now and forever - because he brings us peace. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION/ACTION/COMMITMENT What meaning do I give to the word hope? LIGHT A CANDLE LET US PRAY. Lord, watch over your people, who come to you in confidence. Strengthen the hearts of those who hope in you. Give courage to those who falter because of their failures. In this holy season of Advent, lead them closer to you in hope, by the power of your Holy Spirit. May they one day proclaim your saving acts of kindness in your eternal kingdom. Amen. Reasons for Hope by Bishop Robert J. Baker Copyright 2010 by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. Living Stewardship Now: Advent is a season of patient waiting. Make an effort to cultivate patience. Pray for patience with family, especially small children, with people who are hard to take, with the petty annoyances of everyday life.

7 Second Sunday of Advent Page Seven VOTIVE CANDLES Votive offering for the week of December 4th St. James Altar & Rosary Sodality Special Int. for the Golom Family In honor of Rita Kremer In honor of Barbara Hames Monday 8:15AM December 5 Advent Weekday Elaine Ryan Tuesday December 6 St. Nicholas 8:15 AM Helen Nakon 1260 Franciscan Dr.., Lemont, IL ADULT DAY SERVICE HOLIDAY HOURS Are you wondering how you are going to get your holiday shopping done? Would you like to attend a special holiday party or function? Would you like to bake cookies with your children or simply just have some personal time to do what you want or need to do? At Franciscan Village, we understand that balancing your care giving responsibilities and enjoying the holiday season can be very difficult. We also understand that you do not want to compromise the quality of care that your loved one is accustomed to receiving. Our adult day program offers seniors a safe environment with a variety of social, recreational, intellectual and spiritual activities. You will have peace of mind knowing your loved one is enjoying life to the fullest, in a safe and enriching environment. Special Holiday Hours Available Beginning December 2 thru January 6, 2011, we are extending the hours of Adult Day Service to include Friday evenings & Saturdays. To schedule a FREE consultation, Call or Wednesday December 7 St. Ambrose 7:00 PM Florence H. Stach Thursday 8:15AM 7:00PM Friday 8:15AM December 8 Immaculate Conception Eugene Litoborski Living & Deceased Parishioners December 9 Advent Weekday William Stone Saturday December 10 VIGIL: THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 5:30PM Stan & Helen Strzempek Sunday December 11 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 8:30AM Betty Eby 10:00AM Altar & Rosary Sodality Mass 11:30AM James Campione Third Sunday of Advent Dec. 10th & 11th 5:30PM 8:30AM 10:00 AM 11:30 AM Celebrant Father Gleeson Father Fahey Father Gleeson Father Gleeson Altar Servers F. Zabilka J. Zabilka P. Peters N. Kurtz O. Kurtz A. Kurtz Lawler Lawler Lawler R. Fugiel A. Fugiel A. Fugiel Lector J. Jagger Dillenburg Lawler M. Fleckenstein LEM Deacon John Father Gleeson Deacon John Deacon John Ushers S. Hillstrom J. Quigley C. Hughes D. Strzempek J. H. Dillenburg M. Hally T. Lang F. Pearman D. Butalla M. Lavery J. Wall J. Pajkos B. Czaja J. Neadly R. Poynter M. Fleckenstein