December 6, Second Sunday of Advent St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Teutopolis, Illinois

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1 December 6, Second Sunday of Advent St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois

2 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 2 Dear Parishioners, Recently, I received a report about our participation in the Annual Catholic Service Appeal (ACSA). You might remember I mentioned this year we received a five percent reduction from our total goal. As a result of wise decisions by our parish finance council and a prudent fiscal policy on behalf of the parish, our goal this year is 5,264 dollars less than last year. However, as recently as last month, the number of our contributors is significantly low. I know and understand that times are difficult, but I sincerely believe more parishioners could do their fair share. Even though we are presently without a bishop, the diocese continues to serve the needs of its people. This should not be an excuse not to give. I assure you we will have a bishop. Just how soon, I don t know. It just takes time. Our goal this year is $57,314. At present, the parishioners have contributed $23,647, an average of $127 per donor. This leaves us a shortfall of $33,667. A parish of our size should not have a problem meeting our goal. If all of our parishioners cooperated, there is little doubt that our goal and obligation would easily be met. Have you done your part? It is the season of giving. I promise you, what you give to God will be returned a hundred fold! You don t believe me, try it. You might be surprised. *************** Occasionally, I hear some parishioners have difficulty hearing the homily or the scriptural readings at Mass. I understand; I wear hearing aids also. You might want to purchase a hearing assist aid for your loved ones for Christmas. These aids can be used at St. Anthony s, St. Aloysius and St. Francis. The cost is approximately 100 dollars. We can order one for you, but we need to know how many to purchase. Fr. Ken uses one when he is not celebrating Mass, and he finds them quite useful. You can call the front office and tell the secretary you are interested in purchasing one or more for loved ones. ***************** May this Advent season be a time for all of us to come closer to one another and the Lord. Let us pray for one another in our daily prayers. Peace, Love, Joy, Fr. Austin Bible Study Bible Study for the month of December is cancelled until January. We meet on the third Thursday of the month at 10:00 am in St. Clare Hall. January 21 we will begin the Gospel of John. All are welcome. Thanks! to all who expressed condolences and assurances of prayers upon the death of my brother-in-law, Art Miksch. I, along with my sister, Mildred, and her five children are appreciative of your prayers, condolences and concern. Fr. Vernon Parish Office Phone: (217) Parish stfrancischurch@mchsi.com Parish website: stfrancischurch.com The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you. Luke 1:28 Not long ago, I was asked to edit a book on Mary, so I gathered a group of exemplary priests to share their personal reflections. What emerged was a moving portrait of this favored woman and a striking insight into these fine priests. In this book, we relearn some important things. First, the place of Mary, while subordinate to Jesus of course, is unique and an integral part of our Christian spirituality. It is God s will that we should honor this woman. In doing so, we are honoring her Son and thus God himself. Second, I was edified by the strong and heartfelt devotion these men had for their spiritual mother. In some places these days, Mary is not often mentioned. But it was clear that devotion to her is passionately alive. Today s feast is situated appropriately within Advent. Her role is to bring us to Jesus. As we celebrate this feast and praise this wonderful woman, our hearts are opened a little bit wider for the coming of her divine Son. Msgr. Stephen Rossetti, LIVING FAITH Holy Day Mass Schedule Mass Schedule for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8th, a holy day of obligation is: Monday evening, Dec. 7th Vigil Mass at 7:00 pm Tuesday, Dec. 8th Mass at 6:00 am, 8:05 am and 7:00 pm Children in grades 3-6 will be attending the 8:05 Mass. Holy Day Ministries Needed We are in need of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and Gift Bearers for the 7:00 pm Mass on Monday, Dec. 7th and the 7:00 pm Mass on Tuesday, Dec. 8th. Please come to the sacristy before Mass and see where you are needed. Thank you for your help! Christmas Ministries There are ministry sign-up sheets for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the main entrance of Church. If you are commissioned to be in any of the ministries: Usher, Lector, Gift Bearer or Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, please consider sharing your ministry this Christmas. Thank you for sharing your time and ministry!

3 December 6, 2009 Second Sunday of Advent page 3 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Liturgy Schedule 2nd Week of Advent December 7-13 St. Ambrose Mass at 6:30 am Vigil Mass, 7:00 pm The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mass at 6:00 & 8:05 am, & 7:00 pm St. Juan Diego Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am Mass at 6:30 am St. Damasus I Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass at 5:30 pm 3rd Sunday of Advent Mass at 7:00, 8:45, 10:30 am Confession Schedule Saturday, December 12-3:30-4:30 pm Liturgy of the Hours with Friars Monday-Friday -- 11:45 am & 4:45 pm Question of the Week In what ways does humility make people more open to other people, different ideas and various value systems? Baruch 5:1-9, Phil. 1:4-6, 8-11, Luke 3:1-6 Pray for the Sick Please remember in your prayers those who are sick, especially: Sidney Horn, Kris Gouchenour, Rebekah Volk, Sr. Clara Esker, Marilyn Smith, Jodi Waymoth, Evelyn Krone, Agnes Kremer, Steve Sehy, Cathy Green, Dorothy and Ermand Thoele, Joyce Vahling, Mardell Weis, Nicholas Rhodes Stewardship of Treasure Sunday Total Fiscal 11/30/2009 Year 319 Adult envelopes $10, $157, Other , TOTAL 11, $169, GOAL $9, $204, Parish Calendar Monday, December 7 DeColores Board mtg., 7:00 pm, Museum Meeting Room Tuesday, December 8 Secular Franciscans meet, 6:00 pm, St. Clare Wednesday, December 9 Children s Choir, 3:30-4:30 pm Youth Choir, 6:00-7:00 pm Young Adult Choir, 8:30-9:30 pm Freshmen Reconciliation Jr. High and High School Religion, 7:20 pm Friday, December 11 Madrigal Dinner, 7:00 pm, Gr. Sch. Aud. Saturday, December 12 Gr. 3 Family Reconciliation 9:00-10:00 am and 10:30-11:30 am Confessions, 3:30-4:30 pm Madrigal Dinner, 7:00 pm, Gr. Sch. Aud. Sunday, December 13 Madrigal Dinner, 1:00 pm, Gr. Sch. Aud. Special Collection Retired Religious As expenses continue to increase and economic difficulties tighten our income, we appreciate more and more the help of the Retirement Fund, notes a woman religious. Your tax-deductible donation supports the care of elderly and frail religious and helps to provide such basic necessities as prescription drugs and medical services. Please give generously to next week s special collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious. For more information go to Sing Along St. Francis Singers and Friends, 2nd Wednesday, December 9th, at Evergreen Nursing Center at 10:00 am. 20th Annual National Night of Prayer for Life Come Pray With Us! December 8/9, 2009, 9 pm Tuesday to 1:00 am Wednesday at St. Anthony Memorial Hospital Chapel. Homebound Ministers Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound for Sunday, December 13th are: Leola Zerrusen , Eleanor Gebben , Mary Jane Koester , Mary Runde

4 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 4 Thank You A most gracious Thank You to all parishioners who contributed to the shipping of the Christmas shoeboxes. All boxes were shipped and paid for. Thank you so much!!! St. Francis CCW Christmas Party St. Francis CCW Christmas Party will take place Monday, December 14, All women of the parish are invited to the annual party starting at 6:30 pm at the Grade School Gym. Please bring a covered dish and $3.00 gift exchange (optional). Turkey, home-made noodles, rolls, drinks, and table service will be provided. Come join us for an evening of entertainment, good food, fun and fellowship. Hope to see you there. Donations for Flowers We are accepting donations for flowers for Christmas and special occasions during Please place your donation in an envelope marked FLOWERS and place it in the collection basket next weekend, or drop it off at the parish office. If the donation is being made in memory of a loved one, please note this on the envelope also. COOKIE BAKE SALE Needing Christmas Cookies? The Catholic Heart Work Campers are baking homemade cookies and candies and will be selling them by the dozens on December 19 & 20 following each of the Masses! Don t miss out on the opportunity to buy your treats then! GIVING TREE GIFTS Thanks to all who took tags from the Giving Trees to benefit those who are in nursing homes and group homes in our area! For some, these are the only gifts they will receive this Christmas. Thanks so much for spreading the joy! If you haven t picked your tag yet, please do so this week! Gifts are due back on Sunday, December 13. We will be sorting them and delivering them to the area homes beginning at 8:45 am on Monday, December 14. Anyone who is available to help us, please give the high school religious ed office a call to sign up! Religious Education News Grade School Many thanks to all children, parents, catechists, helpers, all who helped make the Grade 3 Christmas Store a successful mission project. Total amount collected for the local missionaries will be announced next week. God bless all who gave of their time, talent, and treasure to make this Christmas a blessing for many. Grade 3 Family Reconciliation is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12 9:00-10:00 for families whose last names begin with A to M 10:30-11:30 for families whose names begin with N to Z. (Please arrive 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled time, in order to check in and receive your program.) A final reminder will be sent home Friday. PRE/K -classes take place during the 10:30 Mass on Sunday. Both classes have begun practicing for their Epiphany skit for Sunday, January 3, after the 10:30 Mass. Parents, grandparents, friends, parishioners should mark their calendars to attend the Pre-K in St. Clare Hall follow the short presentation in Church. Thanks to the Fall session catechists Jackie Tabbert and Theresa Bushur! Welcome to the Winter session catechists Carrie Copple and Tina Vonderheide. Junior High Youth are presently studying morality and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Sacrament will take place on Wednesday, December 16, for all junior high students, during 20 minutes of their class time. December 16 is the last class of the second quarter. Classes resume Wed., January 6. HS Religious Ed Juniors will be working at the FISH store in Effingham this Wednesday. All students must have a signed permission slip to work at the store. Carpool will be leaving the St. Clare parking lot at 6:45 pm. Students will be back at 8:30. This will take the place of the regular class. Parents, we still need additional drivers. If you are willing, please call Helen Grunloh or Lisa Siemer to sign up! Freshmen, please meet in church for reconciliation this Wednesday. Please check in with your religion teacher at St. Clare Hall and be on time! Youth Activities Jr. High & High School Youth Councils will be Christmas caroling TODAY, Sunday, December 6 meet at 6 pm in the Teen Center to go out and about town to spread Christmas Cheer! We ll head back to the Teen Center after caroling for Hot Chocolate & a youth council meeting. You ll be finished by 8 pm! Bring a friend (your parents and family can come too, if they want!).

5 December 6, 2009 Second Sunday of Advent page 5 Breakfast With Santa Please join us for Breakfast With Santa Claus on Sunday, December 13th, 2009 at the Thelma Keller Convention Center, 8:00 am 12:30 pm. Proceeds benefit our local Catholic Charities. Any questions call Patty Greene at Cub Scouts Cub Scout Pack 137 invites all boys in the first grade or older and their parents to join us for a fun and informational evening on December 15 at 7:00 pm in the Monastery Museum Dining room. Come and be a part of the scouting experience. For more information contact Lorri Kastl, cub master, at Second Hand Rose December Schedule Mon., 12/7 Shoes buy 1, get 1 free Wed., 12/9 Mark down day Sat., 12/12 Christmas items half price Mon., 12/14 Fri., 12/18 Store closed Sat., 12/19 Store open to the public Tues., 12/22 Purses buy 1, get 1 free Thurs., 12/24 Sat., 12/26 Store closed for Christmas Mon., 12/28 Glasses and cups buy 1, get 1 free Wed., 12/30 Coats buy 1, get 1 half price No donations accepted on Thursdays. Christmas Extravaganza T-Town s 1st Annual Christmas Extravaganza will be today, December 6th, 11:00 am 3:00 pm at the Teutopolis American Legion. Free admission. There will be a little of everything for everyone. Enjoy a day out and find great Christmas gifts from local vendors! Cash N Carry, Samples, Door Prizes, Massages, and Much More! Some participating vendors: Tastefully Simple, Celebrating Home, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Walnut Street Weddings, Mary Kay, Cookie Lee Jewelry and many more. Check it out! Holy Humor Three nuns were attending a Cubs baseball game. Three men were sitting directly behind. Because their habits were partially blocking the view, the men decided to badger the nuns hoping that they'd get annoyed enough to move to another area. In a very loud voice, the first guy said, I think I m going to move to Utah, there are only 100 nuns living there. Then the second guy spoke up and said, I want to go to Montana, there are only 50 nuns living there. The third guy said, I want to go to Idaho, there are only 25 nuns living there. One of the nuns turned around, looked at the men, and in a very sweet and calm voice said, Why don t you go to hell, there aren t any nuns there!