December 20, 2015 Fourth Sunday of Advent. 36 North Ellsworth Street Naperville, Illinois

Transcription

1 Thus says the LORD: You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for meone who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, and the rest of his kindred shall return to the children of Israel. He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD, his God; and they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace. - Micah 5: North Ellsworth Street Naperville, Illinois Facebook: SS Peter and Paul New Evangelization Visit Ss. Peter and Paul s New Website

2 Page 2 Parish Staff Directory SAINTS PETER AND PAUL CHURCH 36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville, IL (PHONE) (FAX) Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 7:30 AM-5 PM; Fri 7:30 AM-1 PM Website: Facebook: SS Peter and Paul New Evangelization PRIESTS Father Thomas Milota, Pastor Father Raj Kocherla, Parochial Vicar Father Sebastian Gargol, Parochial Vicar PERMANENT DEACONS Deacon Ron Brown Deacon Michael Crowell Deacon Will Marrero Deacon Kevin Neis Deacon Roger Novak Deacon Thomas Rehak Deacon Joe Verdico PARISH OFFICE Pastor s Administrative Asst: Jessica Payne Office Manager: Gloria Villaseñor Bulletin Editor: Elizabeth Simeo BUSINESS OFFICE Finance Manager: Tom Boler Accountant: Christine LaMourie Accounting Assistant: Rhonda Mucerino Facilities Manager: Frank Partipilo SCHOOL OFFICE... (PHONE) Principal: Karen Meskill.(FAX) NEW EVANGELIZATION Director: Sr. Sandra Zorko, OSF Administrative Asst/Webmaster: Denise Stephen RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE (FAX) ATTENDANCE Director of Religious Education & Children s Ministry: Theresa Pratt Associate director of Religious Education & Youth Ministry: Jared Rutnicki Office Manager: Peggy Partipilo RE Administrative Assistant: Debbie Mulay SACRED WORSHIP Director of Sacred Music: Matthew S. Sprinkle Liturgical Ministries Coordinator: Deacon Michael Crowell SERVICE MINISTRY Director: Deacon Joe Verdico PARISH NURSE / PASTORAL MINISTRY Paulette Shea SENIOR SERVICES Deacon Joe Verdico, Communion Call Coordinator Paulette Shea, Parish Nurse Sr. Sandra Zorko, OSF, Young at Heart Director NURSERY COORDINATOR Donna Widmann WEDDING COORDINATOR Pam Adamski PERPETUAL ADORATION VOIC ext 2442 WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE Church: Saturdays; 5:00 & 6:30 PM Sundays; 6:30, 8:00, 9:30, 11:00AM, 12:30, 5:30 (Tridentine) & 8:00 PM Holy Family Chapel Masses Sundays; 9:30 & 11:00 AM (Childcare offered during 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM Masses. Call for info.) WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE Mondays Saturdays; 6:45 & 8:00 AM Mondays Thursdays; 5:15 PM First Friday 12:00 NOON in the Adoration Chapel HOLY DAY MASS SCHEDULE: Consult the parish bulletin or website or call the parish office at RECITATION OF THE ROSARY: Tuesdays at 7:30 PM MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP NOVENA: Wednesdays at 7:45 AM RESPECT LIFE ROSARY: Wednesdays following 8:00 AM Mass VESPERS & BENEDICTION: Thursdays at 6:00 PM (Adoration Chapel) Christmas Masses Confessions Sunday, Dec 20-7:00pm Tuesday, Dec 22-7:00pm Wednesday, Dec 23-7:00pm Thursday, Dec 24 - NO CONFESSIONS Saturday, Dec 26-3:30pm in the Holy Family Chapel (10:30am Opus Dei Confessions CANCELLED) Sunday, December 27-7:00pm Tuesday, December 29-7:00pm (11am Opus Dei Confessions CANCELLED) Thursday, December 31-7:15am, 4:00pm, 7:00pm Masses Christmas Eve 4:00pm (Church & Ministry Center), 6:00pm, 12:00 Midnight. (Choir and music begins at 11pm) Christmas Day 6:30am, 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm & 5:30pm (Latin) New Year s Eve (Vigil Mass for Mary, Mother of God) 5:15pm New Year s Day (Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God) 6:30am, 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm & 5:30pm (Latin)

3 A Message from our Pastor Page 3 Dear Parishioners, Advent is still plugging along and our spiritual preparation should not be allowed to lag. There is still time to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Sacrament will be offered with extra priests hearing confessions on Sunday at 7pm, Tuesday at 7pm and Wednesday at 7pm. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be offered the Saturday after Christmas at 3:30 pm in the Holy Family Chapel. Please do not forget to seek the Plenary Indulgence of the Year of Mercy by entering our church, praying for the Holy Father (Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be), receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Receiving the Eucharist, and detaching yourself from all mortal and venial sin. You may receive the indulgence once per day. Thank you! Thank you to Sr. Sandra for a wonderful Christmas party for our seniors this last week and to Mr. Sprinkle and our school children's choir! Our children's choir sang Adeste Fideles in Latin and Silent Night in German. Wow! They did a great job and our seniors loved seeing the little ones. Christmas Decorating We will be decorating the church and Holy Family Chapel for Christmas on Wednesday, December 23rd beginning at 9am and continuing until we are finished. All are welcome to join us for the fun and festive parish event. Merry Christmas Please note our Mass schedule for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in our bulletin. We will have three Masses at 4 pm including Mass in the Social Hall (lower level) of the Ministry Center. Please note that this Mass often begins a little early to avoid some of the congestion with Mass being offered in the Holy Family Chapel. May Almighty God bless you and keep you. In Christ, Fr. Thomas A. Milota RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS: There will be NO CLASSES on December 22 nd and 23 rd and December 29 th and 30 th as we celebrate Christmas. CLASSES WILL RESUME ON JANUARY 5 TH AND 6 TH. Look for information coming home about the change in Parent Meetings for the second half of the year! The Religious Education Office wishes everybody a blessed Merry Christmas and happy and holy New Year. Volunteers Needed to Decorate the Church for Christmas Please arrive on Wednesday, Dec 23 at 9am if you are able to volunteer. No need to RSVP. Free Online Catholic Resources from SSPP Saints Peter and Paul has gifted you with unlimited access to the best ebooks, talks, and videos in the Church today! You ll find informative and inspiring teaching from renowned speaker Scott Hahn, Edward Sri, Bishop Robert Barron, Tim Gray, and many more. Saints Peter and Paul parish is making FORMED.org available at no cost to you! Register at FORMED.org to access the truth, beauty and meaning of the Catholic Faith anytime, anywhere. Use it on your computer, tablet or smart phone. Parishioners: To access all the informative and inspiring content, go to FORMED.org, scroll down to the middle of the page and enter parish code: 4DJBWZ More information coming soon!

4 Mass Intentions Saturday, December 19 6:45 AM Richard Kluzak (B) 8:00 AM Richard Kluzak (B) Vigil Masses for 5:00 PM Saints Peter and Paul Parishioners 6:30 PM Adolph & Mary Rombalski Sunday, December 20-6:30 AM Eleanor Yesnik 8:00 AM Patrick J. & Evelyn M. Egan; Deceased Members of the Egan & McMahon Families 9:30 AM Caroline Dolan 11:00 AM Joseph Wallace 12:30 PM Alma Haidu (B) 5:30 PM Warren Dixon Jr. (LATIN MASS) 8:00 PM Intentions of Jack Proctor Holy Family Chapel 9:30 AM Intentions of James & Dorothy Caracciolo 11:00 AM Warren Dixon Jr. (A) Monday, December 21 Saint Peter Canisius 6:45 AM Barbara Fitzgerald (A) 8:00 AM Brian Kill 5:15 PM Leo Kuefler (A) Tuesday, December 22 6:45 AM Purgatorial Society 8:00 AM Leo Kuefler 5:15 PM Kenneth Ruszkowski Wednesday, December 23 Saint John of Kanty 6:45 AM Fr. Joseph Thomas 8:00 AM John Keenan 5:15 PM Elizabeth Polick Thursday, December 24 6:45 AM Kenneth Ruszkowski 8:00 AM William Herrmann Vigil Masses for the Nativity of Our Lord 4:00 PM Saints Peter and Paul Parishioners 6:00 PM Mark Curtis 12:00 AM Saints Peter and Paul Parishioners Friday, December 25 The Nativity of Our Lord 6:30 AM Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Kucharczyk 8:00 AM Margared & Richard Rechenmacher 9:30 AM Gene Patton 11:00 AM Eleanor Putz 12:30 PM Elsie Mrozek (B) 5:30 PM June DeVellis (LATIN MASS) Saturday, December 26 6:45 AM David Hartman 8:00 AM Charles Santangelo, Jr. Vigil Masses for Holy Family 5:00 PM Deceased Members of the Koretke, Senft, Krass & Rohmer Families 6:30 PM Saints Peter and Paul Parishioners Sunday, December 27 -Holy Family 6:30 AM Richard Kennedy 8:00 AM Bob Koller, Sr. 9:30 AM Grace & Al Ruppert 11:00 AM Robert C. Esser (A) 12:30 PM Sheila McCone 5:30 PM Diane G. Kelly (LATIN MASS) 8:00 PM Intentions of Jack Proctor Holy Family Chapel 9:30 AM Helen Dolan 11:00 AM Giuseppe Monti Please Note Page 4 Please note our Christmas/New Year s Mass & Confession schedule on the inside cover. There are a limited number of Oplatki (Christmas wafers) available at the Parish Office for $3 per packet. Regular Parish Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30am-5:00pm. The Parish Office will be closed beginning Thurs., Dec. 24th, and will re-open Mon., Jan. 4th. We will be mailing year end contribution statements to our parishioners by the end of January. If you have changed your address, please call the parish office at to update us of any changes so that you can receive your tax deductable statement. PARISH SACRIFICIAL GIVING We sincerely thank everyone for their generosity. For the new fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015 the weekly Sunday collection goal is $46,035 (including online and mail-in offerings) Fiscal Year-To-Date Information as of Fiscal Year-To-Date Goal: $1,104,840 Actual Year-To-Date Collections $1,086,995 Amount Below Goal: $ (17,845) Weekly Sunday Goal (Based on 51 Sundays) $ 46,035 December 13, 2015 Regular Collection $ 34,692 Dec Credit Card (monthly budget $30,000) $ 15,000 Dec ACH (monthly budget $10,000) $ 5,000 December 13, 2015 Capital Reserve Gifts $ 91 Year-To-Date Capital Reserve Gifts $ 12,673 Note: The parish will receive donations, usually by mail, with the request for the donation to be applied to Sunday offerings. Also, from time to time the parish will receive stock donations also designated to Sunday offerings. These donations would not be included in a specific Sunday offering collection total but are included in total year-to-date collections.

5 Luke s Gospel Corner Page 5 Today as we celebrate the, the first reading hints at the humble earthly beginnings of the Messiah, the Savior of the World, while the Gospel recounts Mary s visitation to Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. The first reading from the prophet Micah reminded the Israelites, who had been exiled and taken into captivity, that just as Yahweh had rescued His people from their enemies in the past by raising up King David, a shepherd boy from Bethlehem, God would raise up for Himself from Bethlehem one who is to be ruler in Israel. Until that time, Israel would not experience freedom from oppression or lasting peace, but with David s heir, his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace. The responsorial hymn taken from Psalm 80 is a cry to God, the Shepherd of Israel, to rescue His own, the vine His has planted, the people He has formed to be His own. In this frantic moment, the psalmist assures God that if He rescues him from this crisis, he will never sin again. How often have we prayed this prayer or made this plea ourselves, only to falter again. Our need for God s mercy is constant. Without Him we cannot be saved. In the Gospel from Luke 1:39-45, Mary rose up in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth, having been told by an angel that her relative, old and barren, was in her sixth month. Mary s obedience to God underscores her every choice and action. She does not respond to God hesitantly or begrudgingly, but with haste and joy. The angel told Zechariah that John the Baptist would be a prophet of the Lord Most High. Even in the womb John announces the coming of the Lord as he leaps for joy. John s entire life points others to Christ. Elizabeth s exclamation, Blest are you among women, mirrors the angel Gabriel s words at the Annunciation. This blessing is not a wish for some future event, but a recognition of something God has already accomplished. The Greek verb form indicates that Mary s perfection in grace is complete and continuous. It is the Scriptural basis for the Church s teaching that Mary was immaculately conceived and was free from all sin. Elizabeth announces that Mary has already conceived and the child she carries is the one promised by the prophets of old: Blessed is the fruit of your womb. Mary is blessed because of her role in God s plan of salvation. She is blessed to be the Christ-bearer. Who am I that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? Even though Elizabeth s conception is miraculous, Mary s conception of Jesus, the Lord, is a miracle almost beyond human comprehension: God has become man. It is only through the promptings of the Holy Spirit that Elizabeth can recognize that God Himself has come to His people to set them free. Elizabeth is the first person in the Gospels to refer to Jesus as Lord, a title reserved for God. It is only through the promptings of the Holy Spirit, that often come in moments or prayer and reflection, that we too can recognize that Jesus is Lord, and proclaim that He is the Savior of the World. Blessed are you who believed that the words spoken to you would be fulfilled. Elizabeth acknowledges that Mary is the model disciple that Jesus will refer to later in the Gospel. In Luke 11:28-29, when a woman in the crowd exclaims, Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you, Jesus replies, More blessed are those who hear the word of God and listen to it. Elizabeth announces that Mary s true blessedness comes from listening to God s will and fulfilling it. In the infancy narrative, Luke portrays Mary as the Ark of the New Covenant, the Tabernacle of the Lord, the place where God dwells. In the Book of Exodus, God instructed the Israelites to build a box from precious materials, overlay it in gold, and keep it free from all impurity. In this Ark, they placed the tablets given to Moses on Mt. Sinai (God s word) and the manna (bread) that God fed them with in the desert. As the Israelites sojourned through the wilderness, God s spirit dwelt above (overshadowed) the ark as a cloud by day and a fire by night. Through Mary s obedience to God s will, the Holy Spirit overshadowed her and she became the Ark of the New Covenant, where the Word of God and the Bread of Life dwelt, in a more perfect way. As the celebration of Christ s birth approaches, we are called, like John the Baptist, to point the way to Christ for others. We are called to be Christ-bearers, who like Mary, bring God s presence into the world in haste and joy. We are to recognize that like Mary, our blessedness comes from listening to God s Word and fulfilling it in our daily lives. This is our calling, our role in God s salvific plan. For more information about Luke s Gospel Corner Robert.J.Schuhriemen@gmail.com.

6 Page 6 Please note, there will be no Following Hannah group meeting in January. School News Christmas Caroling Members of the Junior High and Elementary School choirs are pictured entertaining at the annual Young at Heart Christmas luncheon. Director of Sacred Music, Mr. Matthew Sprinkle lead the students as they sang a variety of Christmas Carols to the group. NEW 8-WEEK STUDY STARTING in FEBRUARY Monday evenings, 7-9 pm OR Tuesday mornings, 9-11am Registration begins January 2016 Contact Denise to register or dstephen@sspeterandpaul.net Emmanuel...God with us I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold, God s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them. Rev 21:3 visit St. Francis Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration Chapel Open 24 hours a day, seven days. Located just east of the church on the Benton St. driveway Christmas break will begin after school on Friday, December 18 th. Classes resume on Tuesday, January 5 th. The faculty, staff and students, wish all of the parishioners a very Blessed Christmas and Peaceful New Year. If you are interested in a Catholic education for your child at Saints Peter and Paul School, please contact Meg Olsen, Marketing and Enrollment Director, at to learn more about our programs and to schedule a personal tour of our school. Join the Eucharistic Adoration Ministry...you are needed. YES I will spend ONE HOUR each week with Jesus Name (print) Phone address: I prefer: (circle one) Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat I prefer: (circle one) Evenings Afternoons Mornings *** drop off at the adoration chapel box or go to under Divine Worship tab Info: Helen Kolar mhkolar@yahoo.com or Barb Landiak or blandiak@gmail.com

7 Page 7 Liturgically Speaking: The Universal Prayers and the Offertory After professing the Creed, we then offer the Universal Prayers, sometimes referred to as the Prayers of the Faithful or the petitions. We pray for the Church and her leaders, the world, the sick and suffering, local needs, and we pray for the dead. As we offer these prayers together for our needs, we are exercising our baptismal priesthood. These prayers conclude the Liturgy of the Word, and we move into the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Back to Basics The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the preparation of the altar and presentation of the gifts. The corporal, missal, purificator, and chalice are brought to the altar. In the second century, St. Justin Martyr told us simply that bread, water, and wine are brought. Early on, there was no particular ritual for bringing up such gifts. It was important for early Christians to distinguish themselves from pagan religions, and they did not want the emphasis placed on the pre-consecrated bread as if that were the victim of the sacrifice. Later, however, the Church had to defend the goodness of material creation against Gnostic heretics who held matter to be evil. So there arose the practice of bringing forward the bread, wine, and other foods, flowers, and gifts for the poor. The deacons would separate out what was used for the Mass. This practice of bringing up various food items ceased in the middle ages, though this is still the customary time to take a collection for the poor or the parish s needs. Whereas the faithful used to bring bread for the Mass from home, this participation in the offering is still symbolized when members of the congregation bring forward the bread and wine. We can participate further in this Offertory by offering ourselves our lives - interiorly along with the gifts being brought up. We might pray in words such as these: Father I offer to you all the work I have done, all the evils I have endured, in union with this sacrifice of the Mass, offered upon the altar of the cross, in atonement for my sins and those of the whole world. The priest offers a blessing to God for the bread: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation These words have deep roots in the Jewish liturgies as well as echoing the words of King Melchisedech when he offered bread and wine: Blessed be Abram by God most High, creator of Heaven and Earth, and blessed be God most High for handing over your enemies to you (Gen 14:18-20). Ordinary bread was used until about the ninth century when unleavened bread became customary in the Western Church to reflect the use of unleavened bread at the Last Supper. After this, the priest places a few drops of water in the wine and prays: By the mystery of this water and wine, may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled Himself to share in our humanity. These words echo St. Peter s Second Letter: Through these, he has bestowed on us the precious and very great promises, so that through them you may come to share in the divine nature, after escaping from the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire (2 Pet 1:4-5). They also recall the words of Paul to the Philippians: Christ, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness (Phil 2:6-7). This is the marvelous exchange for which Christ came, and that is carried out in the liturgy: God became man so that man might share in the divine life of God. A blessing is said also over the wine, to which we respond Blessed be God forever. A prayer taken from the three young men thrown in the fiery furnace in Daniel 3:39-40 is prayed quietly by the priest: With humble spirit and contrite heart may we be accepted by you, O Lord, and may our sacrifice in your sight this day be pleasing to you, Lord God. Here the gifts and the altar may be incensed. The act of the priest washing his hands arose out of practical necessity. He was dirty and was about to handle the bread that was to become the body of Christ. Now known as the Lavabo, it symbolizes an interior purification from sin and guilt. He prays: Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Have a question about the Liturgy? mikebrummond@gmail.com

8 Dear Parishioners, Youth Group Last week, we finished our study on the book of Judith and watched It s a Wonderful Life in the Teen Zone! Tis the season to be grateful! New faces are always welcome to join us and bring friends. Here s what s coming up: Mon, Dec 21 st 10am-2pm: Barnes and Noble Fundraiser Need to do some last minute shopping? The Youth Group will be wrapping presents purchased at Barnes and Noble this Monday from 10am-2pm. All donations will benefit Youth Ministry! Wed, Dec 23 rd : Christmas in Chicago! The Youth Group is taking a day trip to Chicago as we anticipate Christ s coming. Pray for us as we travel to the Christkindl Market, St Peter s, and Lincoln Park Zoo! *There will be no Bible Study Monday Night In Christ, Jared Rutnicki - jrutnicki@sspeterandpaul.net News from the Knights Knights of Columbus Council No E. Ogden Ave., Naperville, IL Tuesday Business Meeting 7:30 PM Saturday Pro-Life Rosary at Planned Parenthood 9:00 AM (John Zabinski) PRAYERS NEEDED Sunday Free Throw Contest 7:00 to 9:00 SSPP Gymnasium (John Moran) Wednesday Officers and Directors Planning Meeting 7:00 PM (Larry Pociask) The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic Men s Fraternal Service Organization founded by Father McGivney. All of the good works we do are informed by our four core principles: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism. The Knights also have an insurance program that has a top notch rating. For more information, please contact our Membership Director, Nick Thompson at The KC Hall is available for parties and meetings. Contact Al Knoeck at for more information. MOMs Group Pray with us Page 8 The MOMs (Meeting Other Mothers) Group brings together Catholic mothers committed to family and community service. We meet monthly for support, friendship and affirmation of our role as Catholic mothers. Our fellowship opportunities include playgroups, meals for moms, rosaries, service activities, moms night out and children s activities. Please ssppmoms@gmail.com for more information on group events. MOMs Group is always excited to welcome new members! It is a holy and wholesome thing to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins. - 2 Maccabees 12:46 Remember to pray for those who have died, to remember them in your prayers. Research different saints who have spoken to Jesus about the Holy Souls or have been visited by Holy Souls requesting prayers. Pray this beautiful prayer for the Faithful Departed from Novena for the Relief of the Poor Souls in Purgatory, by a missionary of the Sacred Heart. Picture Our Lord reaching his strong right hand in to Purgatory and lifting souls into Heaven: O most compassionate Jesus, have mercy on the souls detained in Purgatory for whose redemption Thou didst take upon Thee our nature and endure a bitter death. Mercifully hear their sighs, look with pity on the tears which they now shed before Thee and, by virtue of Thy Passion, release them from the pains due unto their sins. O most merciful Jesus, let They Precious Blood reach down into Purgatory and refresh and revive the captive souls which suffer there. Stretch forth unto them Thy strong right hand and bring them forth into the place of refreshment, light and peace. Amen. Let us pray a great deal for them and they will pray for us. -Venerable Cure d Ars

9 Pray with us Page 9 READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18; Ps 33:2-21; Lk 1:39-45 Tuesday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-56 Wednesday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Ps 25:4-14; Lk 1:57-66 Thursday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-16; Ps 89:2-29; Lk 1:67-79 Friday: 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 96:1-13; 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] Saturday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 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 ROSARY Come pray with us each Tuesday evening in the Church beginning at 7:30 PM. With our Rosaries, we will ask Our Lady to intercede for our Holy Father s special intention of the month, as well as for our own intentions and for world peace without the threat of terrorism. If there is a special intention that you would like to have remembered during the weekly Rosary, please sspprosary@gmail.com or come to the Tuesday Rosary to add your intention. Hands in Prayer Ministry St. Augustine declared, Certainly, if there are good sheep there are also good shepherds; good sheep give rise to good shepherds. We are urged by Pope Francis to pray for priests who are, as the English martyr St. John Fisher prayed, strong and mighty pillars that may suffer and endure great labors for the Church. During Advent we are recruiting parishioners to make a yearlong commitment to spend an hour in prayer each week for the priests of our parish. This time of prayer should be offered exclusively for our parish priests on the same day of the week each week, ideally before the Blessed Sacrament, if possible. In strengthening the priest you strengthen the whole Church... Strengthen the priest and you strengthen the whole foundation, you strengthen everything in the Church. ~ Fr. Gerald Fitzgerald. S.P. To sign up for a weekly commitment or if you have questions, please contact Deacon Joe Verdico at or jverdico@sspeterandpaul.net. St. Francis Chapel of Eucharistic Adoration Flame of Faith Candles Six candles burn perpetually around the Blessed Sacrament in our St. Francis Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. The burning candles serve as a constant prayer before the Lord, present in the Blessed Sacrament. Envelopes for you to have your intention remembered with one of these candles and prayed for ONE WEEK (Sunday to Sunday) are available in the Adoration Chapel. The intentions will be published in the bulletin. Flame of Faith intentions for the week of December 20: The seven-day Devotional Candles, at the altar of our Lord, in the Saint Francis Adoration Chapel, are being offered for the following intentions: 1. For the Souls in Purgatory 2. For my deceased father Joseph Szczepanski. 3. For cure of a sister from BMS and anxiety. 4. For the intentions of Carlos Family. 5. Thank you Jesus for all graces received. 6. For Kohls intentions. Please consider spending an hour with our Lord. Adorers are needed for the following hours: Sunday 1pm Sunday 3pm Sunday 4pm Monday 1am Monday 10am Monday 6pm Please consider visiting with our Lord at this time. Call Barb at or blandiak@gmail.com PRAYER NETWORK Tuesday 2am Thursday 1pm Thursday 4pm Friday 11am Saturday 2am Saturday noon If prayers are needed, please call Jay Albarran at or Connie Wanberg at

10 Page 10 PRAY FOR THE SICK Prayer Intentions PRAYING FOR THE SICK AND DECEASED Please remember in your prayers, the following people who are seriously ill and others who are suffering with long-term or terminal illnesses: Kelsey Allen, Don Anderson, Richard Arglan, Juana Arias, Alli Bayer, Eleanor Bermes, Steven Bermes, Drew Birdsall, Matt Bloodgood, Sandra Boland, Donna Booth, Rose Briceno, Reynaldo and Teresita Brooks, Evelyn Brown, Charles Bruce, Mary Bruce, Chris Bruni, Rachel Bryan, Don Cassa, Colette Cerulla, Mary Beth Cesare, Babies Franco and Santino Colasante, Tracy Condon, Fortunato Cruz, Victoria Cruz, Edward Cussick, Scott Dawson, Diane Dobbs, Mary Dorn, Karen Eggen, Bob Fabbrini, Luigina Fanelli, Charles Farrell, Thomas Farrell, Betsy Feliciano, George Franicevic, Mary Ann Freitag, Jerald Gallagher, Edward Goerling, Joe Gorman, Emmerence Greenberg, Rose Grimes, Nikki Gudall, Don Haas, Mary Beth Harmon, Eileen Hawell, Kelli and Baby Jackson Heeley, Sami Henderson, Constance Hennessy, Alice Hernandez-Gaona, Jacqualyne Hill, Penny Holtz, Bishop Joseph Imesch, Jan Janczak, Mark Jenkins, Michael Joyce, Marion Kenny, Nancy Knudsen, Kevin Konvalinka, Mary Kouri, Maddie Kowalski, Nancy Kratville, Kathleen Krutak, Ben Kujawa, Arnie Kumorek, Edmund Kurzawa, Jeanine LaBelle, Cathy LaBruzzy, Richard Lange, Ken Lietz, Michael Lietz, M and K Lisina, Vi Livernash, Rhyan Loos, Maria Macedo, Monica Macedo, Rosalia and Serafin Magana, Joan Marchaterre, Rose Marks, Geraldine Marra, Michael Marren, Gordon Marsh, Tom Mathern, Patricia McEttrick, Carrie McHugh, Pasquale Merola, Maureen Milott, Barb Moceri, Roy Mohler, Diane Mrizek, Eric Munn, Cesar Naguit, Zeny Naguit, Maria Suong Nguyen, Frank Nitti, Eugene and Mercedes Niziolek, Ann Nowak, Fr. James Nowak, Tommy O Grady, Matthew Ousterout, Daniel Parker, Ben Parrilli, Toya Perry, John Pfeuffer, Patty Piekarczyk, Carol Potucek, Carson Pytell, Lisa Rakowski, Patrick Rockowitz, Katie Rommel, Sharon Ruff, Peter Ruocco, Harrison Ruzicka, Maria San Juan, Catherine Sawner, Charles Schenk, Lisa Schlueter, Rita Schmidt, Roger Schmith, Betty Scholp, David Schwalm, Ysabelle Simbol, Irene Slowik, Edward Slowik, John Stewart, Tom Stone, Jim Sullivan, Mary Switt, Mark Szachnitowski, Rose Tamborello, Frances Tavernaro, Jeannie and John Thorpe, Bernice Tokarski, Rebecca Tomsik, Akiko Toyohara, Sharon Tworek, Gabriella Varley, Diane Varner, Carmen Vasquez, Charles Villaseñor, Judy Vissepo, Stephanie Watts, David Wayne, Marie Williams, Douglas Wilson, Janice Wilson, Audrey Witnik, Sylvia Wolfe, Beverly Wyatt, Dorothy Zaba, Deacon Kevin Zeeb, Jayne Zenker, Mary Elizabeth Zink. Newly added this week: David Schwalm, Sue Hall May they and their families be comforted by our prayers and Our Lord s compassion. We wish to offer our sympathy and a promise of our prayers to family and friends on the death of Carol Potucek and Elizabeth Litwitz. Please note that if you wish to have a family member or friend s name included with the petition for the sick which is read at weekend Masses, you must call the parish office by 9 AM on Friday. Your loved one s name will automatically be added into the sick list in the bulletin the following weekend. If you add a loved one s name to the petition when you come to Mass, please follow up with a phone call to the parish office on Monday so the name may be included with the sick list in the bulletin. In the interest of keeping our sick list current, the first weekend in January we will remove names put on prior to December 1st, unless we hear from you or a family member that you wish a name to remain on the list. Call the Office, , to add, remove or keep a name on the sick list. Any names received after 9 AM on Friday will be included in the following weekend s prayers. Deceased loved ones who are buried from Saints Peter and Paul Parish are automatically named in the bulletin and in the petition read at weekend Masses. Other recently deceased loved ones may be added to the petitions by calling the parish office by 9 AM on Friday. U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Joseph Burns Daniel Caddigan Lt. Nick DuPre Major Frank Girdwain Sgt. Mike McDonnell Sr. Airman Steve McDonnell Sgt. Zachary McKenty Captain Scott Paeth Major Tamara Prasse Sr. Airman Daniel Shea Senior Airman Amanda Shea Sgt. Dan Steenstra Sgt. Nicole Finnigan Underwood U.S. Army Captain Michael Caddigan Captain John J. Case Major Mary Cassidy Lt. Col. Richard Collage Captain Tom Crane Major Thomas E. Goerling Sgt. Anthony Gorup Spc. Jon Gurnik Lt. Col. Sean Hermick Sgt. Kellen Jones 1 Lt. Josh Laz Captain Stephen Laz Captain Aimee Laz Park PFC Steven Powell Major Michael Predny Captain Andrew J. Prunty Captain Daniel Rickert 1st Lt. David Rickert Harrison Ruzicka, SPEC. 4 Sgt. 1st Class Pamela Schmecht Sgt. Jeremy See Please Remember in Prayer our Men and Women Serving in the Military U.S. Army (cont d) Captain Stephen Stoll SPC Robert Surran Sgt. Craig Vladika Captain Eileen White U.S. Navy LCDR Thomas Bock Captain Anthony Giglio Lt. Tom Kuhrt Commander Chris Kurgan Ensign Patrick Marsh Lt. Kaleb Moore Captain Debra Scheel Lt. Kasey Scheel Lt. Matthew Scheel Ensign Michael Schmitz U.S. Marine Corps Captain Kevin Bowler Captain Donald J. Carlsen CWO2 John Crites Sgt. Richard DiBiaso PFC Jonathon Dragovan Sgt. Luke Focer LCPL Daniel P. Hodgman 2nd Lt. Eric Hovey Sgt. Ivan Karamysev Major Pete Keough Gy Sgt. Conor Mahoney Sgt. Steven Oleksy II LCPL Matthew Prasse Corporal Joseph Taylor Staff Sgt. Marcin Tutaj U.S. Coast Guard P.D. John McNellis If you would like to have a serviceman or woman included in the military remembrance list in the bulletin, please call the parish office at To arrange a welcome home for your soldier or marine, contact Donna Morsovillo of Operation Welcome You Home at or donna@welcomeyouhome.org.

11 Page 11 Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness The Saints Peter and Paul Peace and Social Justice Committee invites you to explore the relationships between food and social justice As often as they fail, and as clichéd as they have become, it is striking that New Year s resolutions never seem to go out of style, particularly those that go something like, I m going to eat less sugar, or salt, or frosting directly out of the can with my bare fingers (not that anyone does that last one). If you have such a New Year s resolution, we wish you God s blessing for success, but we understand how terribly tempting certain foods can be. Lack of will power is often the reason we make unhealthy food choices, but millions of Americans are constrained to unhealthy food choices by factors beyond their control. These individuals may be able to obtain enough food to meet their daily caloric requirements, but due to one or more, often interrelated factors, such as location, financial constraints, disability, limited transportation, and/or limited information and exposure, they cannot choose and/or obtain the food that truly nourishes them. We have become very good at creating and promoting low-cost food products that contain a lot of empty calories and have extensive shelf-lives, but we have yet to figure out how to provide and promote healthy, nutritious food to all. As a result of this imbalance, the health and thus the livelihood, quality, and length of life of our most vulnerable neighbors is compromised. In 2013, The Food Trust and PolicyLink reviewed and assessed over 300 studies related to healthy food access published between 1990 and From this mass of data, they came to three over-arching conclusions: 1) Accessing healthy food is challenging for many families, especially those living in low-income neighborhoods, communities of color, and rural areas; 2) Living closer to healthy food retail is associated with better eating habits and decreased risk for obesity and diet-related diseases; and 3) Healthy food retail stimulates economic activity. More specifically, and quite close to home, The Mari Gallagher Research & Consulting Group (MG) has studied the relationships between health and food deserts in Chicago. A working group comprised of members from the United States Departments of Agriculture (USDA), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury has defined a food desert as a lowincome census tract where either a substantial number or share of residents has low access to a supermarket or large grocery store. The USDA estimates that 23.5 million people live in food deserts, 13.5 million of whom are low-income. Organizations vary in their definitions of a food desert and in the specific measures they use to identify one. Working with a highly nuanced and informed definition, and examining communities at the smallest possible levels (the census tract or city block) MG found that communities that are out of balance regarding healthy food options i.e. communities with no or distant grocery stores but nearby fringe food (such as liquor stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and fast food restaurants) will likely have increased premature death and chronic health conditions, holding other influences constant. However, other influences like income, education and race are still important factors. In other communities, they may have a greater impact on healthy food access than location and built environment, and even in Chicago they matter. Indeed, MG also reported that African Americans are the most disadvantaged when it comes to balanced food choices, that Chicago s food deserts, for the most part, are exclusively African American, and that mothers, children, the disabled and the elderly are the most vulnerable residents of the food desert. In October 2011, following MG s 2006 study, the Illinois Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights presented the issue of food deserts in Chicago as not simply a public health issue, but an urgent civil rights issue. That same month, MG reported that in the five years since their initial study, the population of Chicago s food deserts had been reduced by nearly 40% (from 632,974 to 383,954), but that the problem remained significant. As the prevalence and consequences of diet-related diseases become more apparent, healthy food access (or lack thereof) is gaining more attention. Governmental and nongovernmental organizations, as well as concerned citizens are working together to achieve balanced access to a balance of options. In 2010, The Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) brought together the USDA, HHS, and the Treasury to make financial and technical assistance available to community-based institutions, empowering them to develop and deliver local solutions to local problems. This is blessedly in line with the Catholic social teaching on subsidiarity, which holds that those closest to a problem are the ones best equipped to solve that problem. Today, the HFFI has helped create and/or sustain and/or expand healthy food access projects all over the country, including in Illinois and the surrounding states. These projects employ a wide range of interventions, from retail development to nutrition education it all depends on what those in the community have determined will be most effective. The benefits extend beyond improving diets to stimulating economies, creating jobs, and revitalizing communities. In addition, the USDA, Treasury, and HHS each have provided assistance to healthy food access projects outside of the HFFI. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring just, equitable access to healthy food. Those of us who do not live or work in a

12 Page 12 community that lacks healthy food access will probably not be in a position to work directly on a community-based project, especially given the teaching on subsidiarity. However, we can do two very important things: The first involves a conversion of heart. We must root out any tendencies within ourselves, our families, and our communities to stigmatize those who suffer from conditions associated with lack of access to healthy food, especially diet-related diseases like obesity. Often, when we assign blame and shame, we do so unconsciously. We must therefore make a conscious effort to appreciate that there are cumulative differences in exposure, opportunity, and access that disadvantage some in ways that may not be easily understood by others. The second flows naturally from the first, and calls us to bring about a conversion of public policy. We can help usher in God s kingdom by being informed about and advocating for policies that promote healthy food access for all. The Peace and Social Justice Committee hopes to provide you with more information regarding the policies that govern our food system in future bulletin articles. In the meantime, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (povertyusa.org) is among the many organizations that devote portions of their websites to informing the public about these and other policies, and making it easier for us to communicate with our government leaders about them. There are also many other organizations working to promote healthy food access in a variety of ways that do not explicitly identify with the Church. While we are not in a position to favor any one of these with a specific mention, we encourage you to explore the internet with an informed conscience. Heaven is often depicted as a wedding banquet, and food is essential to who we are as Catholics. It only makes sense that our theology would impel us to seek social justice through the things that nourish us. Healthy food access is simply one of the many, interrelated areas in which food intersects with social justice. Over the next several months, the Peace and Social Justice Committee looks forward to providing you with information about other food-related social justice issues, including ways you can get a foretaste of the heavenly kingdom by bringing the Gospel home for dinner and your faith out into the world. How about that for a New Year s resolution? Light the Way 2015 We Would Like To Thank the Following Sponsors For Their Generous Gifts: Dennis and Kathy Abboud April Building Services, Inc. Robert Ballantyne Bandwidth Management, Inc. Michael and Margaret Brennan Jim and Lynn Cannon Michael and Middy Dill Jerome and Carol Doll Mark and Janet Erlenbron Esser-Hayes Insurance Group Brian and Michelle Fagan Joe Feldman Dr. Frank Folk Brent and Jane Fonner Dave and Kathee Fox Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home Thomas and Elaine Gavin Bob and Paula Henry Paul and Laurie Hruskoci Innovative Orthodontic Centers Ray and Marilyn Jones Jeffrey and Stephanie Kastelic John and Liz Kuhn Richard and Mary Kuhn Frank and Shirley Lesters James and Mary Manwaring Naperville Dental Specialists Loretta Quam Jeanne Rechenmacher, Coldwell Banker Patricia Riggs Saints Peter and Paul Home and School Association Stanislaw Skaluba and Marta Saj Mike and Margie Sznajder Thank You to all those who supported the dinner by your attendance and donations. Also, Thank You to Ray Jones and his entire team from the parish and St. Patrick s Residence in organizing and executing the Light the Way Dinner.

13 Christian Service Happenings Page 13 Transitional Housing Ministry: This holiday season, four previously homeless families have housing and hope, thanks to the financial donations of our parishioners. The offerings in the pink envelopes not only provide funds for rent, but also empower families to become self-sufficient. What a gift that is! Thank you for your generosity and Merry Christmas! For more information on the Transitional Housing Ministry, call Jack Flowers at Legion of Mary Our Lady of Sorrows Praesidium We welcome you to join us in praying the rosary and devotional prayers in the spirit of faith and in union with our Blessed Virgin Mother, as we fulfill the spiritual needs of our parish community. The Legion of Mary is the largest worldwide apostolic association of lay people in the Catholic Church who are devoted to our most Blessed Virgin Mother. Meetings are held every Monday evening from 6:30-8:00pm in the Ministry Center, Room 227, upper level. Contact Paulette Shea at if you have any questions. Elizabeth Ministry As Mary went in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was with a child to help and comfort her, so does our Elizabeth Ministry for all those who are in need. If you have experienced infertility, loss of a pregnancy, an infant or child death, you are not alone, many of our parish families have experienced the same and the Elizabeth Ministry would like to help you through it. On the other hand, if you are expecting for the first time, or you are new parents who just had a baby or adopted a child, the Elizabeth Ministry would like to celebrate with you and offer our services to you. Through prayers, adoration hours, and sharing personal experiences, our ministers will try to bring you some peace and comfort no matter what your situation is. Contact Sarah at: or her at: elizabeth_ministry@sbcglobal.net. Saint Vincent de Paul Society Jesus was born during the night of the year when darkness is the longest. The Savior of the world comes for the people in dark places. The real, lasting, and deep joy is that the Light shines there. Through your gift to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Light has shown, bringing real, lasting and deep joy to the hearts of the poor who live in dark places in our streets and neighborhood. Please continue to help us by placing a donation in a green envelope found at the side and rear entrances of the church and chapel. We may be contacted by calling Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and its patron, Saint Vincent de Paul. SS Peter and Paul Troop IL0908 American Heritage Girls Troop IL0908 at SS Peter and Paul Parish meets the second and fourth Mondays of the month from 4:30-6:00PM. We have some exciting camping trips coming up as well as a Lenten Retreat, a night at the Museum and some great service projects helping St. Patrick s Residence, The Knights of Columbus, Feed My Starving Children and Pads. American Heritage Girls is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country. The organization offers badge programs, service projects, girl leadership opportunities and outdoor experiences to its members. Home school, Public school and SS Peter and Paul students are welcome to join as well as girls from surrounding parishes. Our troop meets every second and fourth Monday of the month from 4:30-6:00PM from September May. New members are always welcome. For more information, please contact Mary Beth Zabinski marybeth@zhitech.com or Lisa Walton lisawaltondpt@gmail.com for more details.

14 Thirty-Second Fourth Sunday of in Advent Ordinary Time November December 20, 10, Page 14 Information Meeting for Navajo Mission to Chinle, Arizona The Joliet Diocese Partnership in Mission is planning its next Navajo Construction Mission to Chinle, Arizona. Two information meetings will be held one on January 12 th, 2016 from 7-9 pm the other on January 20 th, 2016 from 7-9 pm at the Bishop Blanchette Catholic Center Weber Rd. Crest Hill, IL Interested persons are invited to attend. Further information can be found at paxjoliet.org/missions or call , PREGNANT? NEED HELP? Waterleaf Women's Center National Birthright LOVE National Pregnancy Hotline National Adoption Hotline Rachel s Vineyard GIVE Natural Family Planning The Nurturing Network TNN-4MOM Crisis Pregnancy BABY NO-ABORT Woman s Choice Services Project Gabriel The Choice Wine: 7 Steps to a Superabundant Marriage is a pathway to authentic marital happiness. Couples will learn how to virtually divorce-proof their marriages, experience the superabundant love and mercy of God and realize a foretaste of Paradise in their marriages and families through a DVD series, prayer, and small group discussion. The 9-week program will meet at All Saints Catholic Academy in Naperville, Friday evenings from 6:50-8:30, and begins January 8th. For more information, contact Wayne Klein at or wklein@kleinconstruction.net. You can also visit thechoicewine.org.