January 5, 2014 The Epiphany of the Lord

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1 Saint Robert Bellarmine Parish Mission Statement We are a diverse Catholic community of genera ons, experiencing the living God and reflec ng our faith in ac on with one another. January 5, 2014 The Epiphany of the Lord

2 Page 2 January 5, 2014 Mass Intentions MON. January 6, St. Andre Bessette 8:30 am Joseph J. Koziarz, Ann Nowak TUES. January 7, St. Raymond of Penyafort 8:30 am Eugene Panattoni, Adriana Haddad WED. January 8, Christmas Weekday 8:30 am Lucille Fitzpatrick THURS. January 9, Christmas Weekday 8:30 am Louis Cosentino FRI. January 10, Christmas Weekday 8:30 am Michael Briggs SAT. January 11, Christmas Weekday 8:30 am Special Intention 5:00 pm John and Wanda Placek, Patricia Mion SUN. January 12, The Baptism of the Lord 8:00 am The People of St. Robert Bellarmine 10:00 am Diane M. McDowell, Ethel D. Gregory 12:00 pm Ted & Joseph Zalewski, Wiktoria Ignarska, Wladyslawa Miras, Zofia Mackowska Weekly Collections December 22, 2013 Sunday Offertory $ 9,678 Christmas $ 43,817 Flowers $ 432 Sound System $ 1,000 Thank you for your generosity! MATCHING DONOR PROGRAM Many companies have matching donor programs for charitable contributions. Matching gifts are a great way to often double - possibly even triple - gifts to St. Robert Bellarmine. Please contact our Business Manager, Kathy Goetz at to see if your employer is on the list! THANK YOU! A very special thanks to Celeste and Mike Burke and their helpers for such a beautiful job decorating our church. They really added to the wonder of our Christmas celebrations. Thanks also for the beautiful new altar cloth that we are using this Christmas season which was provided through your generosity to the Christmas Flower collection. Sincerely, Grace Pinas, Art & Environment Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord The word "Epiphany" means manifestation or appearance. Today s feast celebrates the appearance of the star that guided the Magi (Wise Men) on their journey and finally came to rest over the manger at Bethlehem. The Magi were the first non-hebrew people to receive the message of salvation, indicating that God s message of salvation is open to all people. The story actually takes place two years after the birth of Christ, about the time it would take for the Magi to make the journey from the East. Based on the Magi s visit, King Herod had all the children two years old or younger murdered (The Feast of the Holy Innocents on December 28). Epiphany is also called the Feast of the Three Kings since the Magi are depicted as royalty, bringing their treasures to the newborn King. The Christmas season traditionally ran for twelve days, from Christmas night to the Vigil of the Epiphany, hence the other name for this Feast, "Twelfth Night". The joy of the Twelve Days of Christmas was celebrated by giving gifts each day, in imitation of the Magi. Epiphany calls us to keep the joy of Christmas alive in our hearts and to share this joy by giving our treasures to others. In the reading from the Book of Isaiah, the prophet tells Jerusalem to rejoice because she will shine in the splendor of God. All nations will walk in her light, bringing their wealth in great caravans, bringing gold and frankincense and singing the praises of the Lord. Isaiah is deliberately reminding his listeners of the Queen of Sheba s visit two hundred years earlier, bringing fabulous wealth, just to hear the wisdom of King Solomon. St. Paul tells the Ephesians that this great mystery of salvation, made known through the prophets, also is open to the Gentiles, whom he calls co-heirs of the promise of Christ. The gospel tells us the story of the first Gentile heirs to the kingdom, the Three Kings coming from distant nations, bringing their gold and frankincense and myrrh to give praise to the newborn King. Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12

3 The Epiphany of the Lord Page 3 From the Pastor s Desk Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany, also called the Feast of the Three Kings. The glory of Christmas is celebrated as the Three Wise Men bring their gifts to the baby Jesus, having been guided to Jerusalem by the light of a star. (Details of this Feast Day can be found on page 2). Epiphany, which translates as "manifestation", simply means that God has come into the world as a human being in the person of the Christ Child. Simple, but truly awesome. Not at all obvious, except to those who have been given the gift to be able to see with the eyes of faith. In the Annunciation, both Mary and Joseph were given special revelations by the Archangel Gabriel. In the Christmas story the shepherds heard the good news, the glad tidings of salvation, through the message of an angel. This message is confirmed to them as the angelic host proclaims the Glory of God. In our story today, it is the star that is the messenger of God s salvation. The Holy Spirit revealed to the Wise Men that the birth of the newborn King of the Jews would be heralded by the rising of a star. What is unsaid in the story is why this should matter to them, or to anyone not of the Chosen People of Israel. But we are told that they followed the star and when they saw it stop over the house where Jesus was, they were overjoyed, they did him homage, laying their gifts at his feet. We see in the star that led the Magi to Christ the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah that all nations will come to Jerusalem to walk in the light of the Lord. Jesus, of course, is the light of God who brings us salvation. We hear the story, over and over again. It never grows old. We hear of the angels revealing the mystery and see the star guiding us to Christ. The great joy of the Epiphany and the entire Christmas season is the revelation of God s love for us. This feeling is captured beautifully in the lyrics of the Christmas carol Joy to the World. We sing joy to the world, the Lord is come! And sing of the wonders, the wonders of his love. The Christmas season is a time to stand silent in the presence of God, wrapped up in the mystery of God s love. We don t need to know why he has chosen to share his life and love with us, we need only to believe it and bask in the light of that love, letting it soak into our souls. As we begin a new year, we put away the decorations and clean up the glorious mess of our celebrations. In the dreariness and cold of winter let us not forget the warmth and joy that Christmas has brought to us. Keep alive the spirit of Christmas and let it guide our relationships with one another, just as the star guided the Magi to see the salvation of God. Special thanks to Eugene and our friends at Lawrence Funeral Home for providing the beautiful 2014 parish calendars. Please take one home if you have not already done so. As a special Christmas gift to you, I have copies of Dorothy Day s short book of reflections before the Blessed Sacrament. Please take one. You may have noticed several improvements in our church during the month of December. We installed a new sound system, replacing all the original equipment, speakers and microphones. For the first time in many years we had the marble in the sanctuary professionally cleaned and polished. The carpets were all steam cleaned and disinfected. Along with the new altar lights installed in November, our church has a bright, new look. The new sound system should enhance the quality of our worship. We can all be very proud of our parish and of all those whose continued support have made these improvements possible. I hope all the children and the teachers had a wonderful Christmas break. School classes resume tomorrow. I ask everyone to please be careful in the parking lots. Religious Education classes resume on Saturday. The Candidates for 1st Communion will have a "Jesus Day" mini retreat this Saturday afternoon, followed by the Rite of Enrollment at the 5 p.m. mass. Please keep all the children and their families in your prayers. Coffee and Donuts will be available after the masses next Sunday and there will be a special Sports Team Blessing at the 10 a.m. Mass. The Christmas Season ends next Sunday with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Ordinary Time begins on Monday and runs until Ash Wednesday (March 5th this year). God s Blessings for a Happy and Healthy New Year. Sincerely, Fr. Neil

4 Page 4 January 5, 2014 Food for Thought I believe the greatest of all human sufferings is to feel alone. Visit someone this week who needs your company. You will bring the light of Christ to that person's life and you will learn more than you think. Please pray for the repose of the souls of: Bernice Dekiel, Helene s mother and George Furphy, MaryAnn s husband and for their family and friends. St. Robert Bellarmine Ministers of Care are dedicated volunteers who serve the hospitalized and homebound of our parish. If you have a family member or neighbor who is homebound and wishes to receive communion from a Minister of Care. Please call the rectory at CALLED SERIES TUESDAY, JANUARY 14 Catholic young adults desiring to listen closely to God's call please join us for a Called Series evening on Tuesday, January 14, 2014, 7:30-8:30 PM, at the Cenacle Retreat Center, 513 W. Fullerton Pkwy., Chicago Topics for discussion and prayer are taken from the book Tuning In to God's Call by Fr. A. C.Wisdom, OP and Sr. C. Kiley, ASCJ. Sponsored by CAVA and the Archdiocese of Chicago Office for Religious. For more information contact Sr. Elyse at cava@archchicago.org (312) GIVECENTRAL MAKES IT EASY, SAFE TO DONATE ONLINE As part of an effort to provide parish and school members with more options, GiveCentral.org was created with input from many parishes in Chicago as a customized online giving program. GiveCentral.org is a secure online system where parishioners and families can create individual giving profiles with payment options ranging from direct debit (ACH) to credit cards. Every transaction you make is securely recorded and saved in your own payment history. It is very heartening to see the number of people switching to GiveCentral. Those individuals who have never signed up for an online giving service will also be pleased with the user-friendliness of GiveCentral. Thank you to all who are now making your donations to St. Robert Bellarmine Parish through our online donation service.

5 The Epiphany of the Lord Page 5 Tri-Parish Contemporary Mass News Our Lady of Victory St. Pascal s St. Robert Bellarmine Potluck Dinner When: Sunday, January 12th directly following the 5:30pm Contemporary Mass Where: Kernaghan Hall (in the church basement) Why: To celebrate the end of the Christmas season as a community! Who: All are invited. Please feel free to bring your friends and family. We hope to see you there! Contemporary Mass Planning Committee Drawn to Mass in a contemporary setting? Looking to share your creativity and your talents with your faith community? Please join us for our irst Contemporary Mass Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday, January 28th from 7-9pm in Kernaghan Hall of St. Robert s. We are looking for those interested in helping with hospitality, art & environment, liturgy planning, outreach, music, etc. No experience necessary. We look forward to having your input! Questions? Please call Beth Farias at (773) or srbteens@gmail.com. CHRISTIAN BAPTISM AS PRACTICED BY DIFFERENT CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS The Roman Catholic Church clearly states that it recognizes as valid all baptisms conferred with water and with a formula which clearly indicates that baptism is done in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (DAPNe n.93, see also Canon 849). All Christians are incorporated into a life in Christ and into his Church through Baptism. Because of this, Baptism creates a bond of unity between all Christians. Discover how family and friends can witness to and support inter-church parents and their newly baptized child. Learn how Christians are related in baptism even when their churches are still separated. Tour Eastern Orthodox and Protestant churches to explore baptismal traditions and celebrate how our common baptism in Christ unites us. Explore these and other questions at this Ecumenical Parish-to-Parish Learning Community Building event. SATURDAY, JANUARY 18TH, 2014 ~ 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM OLD ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1500 S. MICHIGAN AVE. IN CHICAGO, COST FOR THE EVENT: $10.00 To register v isit: eiaparishes.archchicago.org/events.aspx or contact the Office for Ecumenical & Interreligious Affairs at eia@archchicago.org or

6 Page 6 January 5, 2014 Slowly but surely it s moving along...here s the latest update in pictures. If you are interested in participating in the St. Robert Community Spirit Garden, please feel free to stop by at any of the meetings that are held on the last Monday of the month at 7 pm in Kernighan Hall.

7 The Epiphany of the Lord Page 7 St. Robert Bellarmine Sports Association Presents A Night Out With The Chicago Wolves Saturday, February 15 th 7PM Ticket includes: *Transportation to and from Allstate Arena (Pick-up at St. Robert Bellarmine parking lot at 5:30pm and drop-off at 10:30pm) *Section 202 *Only 150 tickets available *First come, first served *Free Wolves hat *Priceless family fun!! Orders Due by Monday, February 3rd to SRB School Office Name: Student: Room: Phone: # of tickets: X $20 = Total Make checks payable to SRBSA For Info Contact: George Bedon or the SRB Sports Association: srbsportsassoc@gmail.com 6036 W. Eastwood Ave. Chicago, Il (773) It's Joe's Pizza Benefit Night! Wednesday, January 8th Dine in or carry out--just say SRB and Joe's will donate 10% of your order to our school. Pizza - pasta, chicken and more Check it out at Open 3:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Joe s Pizza, 5747 W. Higgins Ave.,

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9 The Epiphany of the Lord Page 9 SOMETHING FOR THE LITTLE ONES The second session of the St. Robert Bellarmine Tiny Tots program will run Thursdays Jan. 23-April 10, a.m. (No classes Feb. 13th or Mar. 20th.) Cost is $60. Open to the community at large, this program is designed for the 2-year-old, accompanied by a parent or caregiver, with a focus on social development, motor skills, coordination, basic concepts and group activities. For more information please contact the school at (773) or visit srbschoolchicago.wordpress.com and click on the "About Our School" tab. I LOVE YOU FOREVER! I Love you forever! Whether you are a young mother or a grandmother we will Love our Children Forever - it is unconditional Love. No different than that of the Love Jesus has for us - He will Love us forever! Three simple little words capture the essence of what is means to be a parent. Share this simple little gift with your child or grandchild and say: "I'll love you forever I'll like you for always As long as I'm living My baby you'll be." HELPFUL HINTS The internet provides so much information that it can be difficult to find the sites that are best for you. Check out some of our favorite websites for Catholic Parents. Grace Before Meals with Fr. Leo Patalinghug gracebeforemeals.com Grace Before Meals is all about families nourishing the body, mind, and soul with easy lessons, tasty recipes and reasons to come together and share in the love that only a family or friend can provide. A recent post from Leo's newsletter offers great advice to parents with older children....if you did raise your children in faith, but they are no longer practicing, or starting to question their faith, make sure you remain open to their questions and try to seek answers to their questions or issues of doubt TOGETHER!

10 Page 10 January 5, 2014 PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR MILITARY GySgt Timothy R. Hogan (Marines) CPT Patrick J. Collins (Army) Raymond Weernink (Navy) Sgt Scott Pekar (Marines) CPT Dan Allen (Army) LCpl Kurt Williams (Marines) SGT Joseph Konieczny (Army) Mike Janson (Navy) 1LT Brian G. Lutz (Army) SPC Sean Cheker (Army) Bernard Brennan (Marines) PV2 Michael Rosenthal (Army) Sgt Joseph VonMoser (Marines) Martin Durcan (Navy) PVT Colleen McDonald (Army) Cpl Armando Bolivar (Marines) Luke Bulanda (Navy) Capt Kevin P. O Grady (Air Force) Capt Albert Eiffes (Air Force) Capt Daniel C. Ouper (Air Force) E3 John J. Schmidt III (Navy) SPC Samuel Stanciel (Army) EM3 Abraham Ubi (Navy) PVT Michael Barry (Army) SPC David A. Torres (Army) E2 Anthony V. Tierra (Navy) Daniel Von Moser (Air Force) Sarah Faye Tierra (Navy) Weekly Schedule Monday, January 6 7:30 pm Sports Association Meeting (KH) Tuesday, January 7 3 pm 4 pm Talent Show Try-outs (KH) 6:30 pm Novena (C) 7 pm Liturgy Board Meeting (MR) 7 pm Closed PA Board Meeting (SMR) Wednesday, January 8 3 pm 4:15 pm Children s Choir Practice (MR) 3:30 pm 7:15 pm Profession of Faith Class (SMR) 4 pm 10 pm Joe s Pizza Night 7 pm 10 pm SPRED Preparation (KH) Thursday, January 9 7 pm Adult Choir Practice (MR) Friday, January 10 Saturday, January 11 9:30 am 12 noon Religious Education (S) 3 pm 4:45 pm Jesus Day (KH) 5 pm Mass Rite of Enrollment Sunday, January 12 Coffee and.after all Morning Masses 10 am Mass Sports Blessing 4 pm Contemporary Mass Practice (C) 6:30 pm 8 pm Contemporary Mass Pot Luck (KH) Daily Scripture Readings Monday 1 Jn 3:22 4:6 / Mt 4:12-17, Tuesday 1 Jn 4:7-10 / Mk 6:34-44 Wednesday 1 Jn 4:11-18 / Mk 6:45-52 Thursday 1 Jn 4:19 5:4 / Lk 4:14-22a Friday 1 Jn 5:5-13 / Lk 5:12-16 Saturday 1 Jn 5:14-21 / Jn 3:22-30 Sunday Is 42:1-4, 6-7 / Acts 10:34-38 / Mt 3:13-17 January 11-12, 2014 Mass Presider Servers Lectors Auxiliary Ministers 5:00 PM 8:00 AM 10:00 AM Fr. Scott Donahue Fr. Neil Fackler Fr. Neil Fackler 12:00 PM TBD 5:30 PM Fr. Robert Fedek M. Aggari, M. Benavides, H. Heidkamp C. Bell, C. Brennan, A. Schroeder J. Griggs, D. Walsh, L. Van Haughton N. Springer, C. Walsh, J. Walsh J. Zaker, A. Gibula, R. Sarau-Young K. Caminiti D. Ahearn, B. Frere, E. Stecker G. Ignarski P. Zyburt T. Psioda- Moskal C. Bell, M. Callaghan, M. Furphy, J. Hearrin, N. Hester, J. Jakobsze, T. Kerin P. Eifert, T. Eifert, K. Ernst, P. Gandor, D. Gandor, K. Plaska, L. Wilder M. Blake, C. McManus, S. Spooner J. Persangi J. Conway, M. Calcagno, E. Radcliffe

11 5917 West Irving Park Road A Catholic Home Owned & Operated by the Chicago, Illinois Gibbons Family Phone (773) HENNIG & HENNIG Real Estate - Income Tax 5944 W. Montrose CHAPTER 7 & 13 BANKRUPTCY Since 1935 Isabel Benages, Parishioner Mary Pat Collins Family Law, Injury Cases Leederslaw.com LEEDERS & ASSOCIATES Free Consults - parishioner Debt relief agency HIGGINS STYLING SALON Broker McMullen Real Estate, Inc. DOUBLE CENTURION Office Since W. Higgins, Chicago, IL (773) Cell (773) marypatcollins@aol.com Best Irish Breakfast PATRICK MECHANICAL INC. Fresh Daily Homemade Soups 4454 N. Milwaukee 7779 W. Talcott HEATING SALES ICE MACHINES REFRIGERATION AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL EMERGENCY SERVICE JOHN DUNLEAVY - PARISHIONER (773) Consider Remembering Your Parish in Your Will. Mon-Sat 6am - 9pm Sunday 7am - 7pm Free Parking We Deliver For further information, please call the Parish Office. Come Sail Away on a 7-night Catholic Exotic Cruise. Prices begin at $1175 per couple which includes all port fees and taxes. Daily Mass and Rosary offered. Deposit of only $100 per person will reserve your cabin. Space is limited. Thanks and God Bless, Brian or Sally, coordinators DR. MARY A. STARSIAK GENERAL FAMILY DENTISTRY Office Hours by Appointment Electrical Services FREE Estimates! No Service Charge w/this ad 5754 W. Irving Park Rd. ED THE PLUMBER ED THE CARPENTER Commercial Residential Industrial Service Upgrades Rewiring VOLT (8658) Rehabilitation Services Respite Care Memory Support Services Cardiac Care Program PARISHIONER DISCOUNT 15% Lic# % OFF WITH THIS AD Ship/Drop Off Center Domestic/International Shipping Secure Document Shredding Passport Photos Mailbox Rentals US Postal Products & Services Notary & Fax Service Pete s Automotive Inc. Special/Oil Lube Filter All Services & Repairs Foreign & Domestic Towing and Snow Plowing & CREMATION SERVICES St Robert Bellarmine Church Owner & Director SAMANTHA ROSSI W. Irving Park Road, Suite G Chicago, IL (773) MICHAEL MUZYKA Parishioner Discount Auth. Lic# LICENSED BONDED INSURED We Do All Our Own Work Mowimy Po Polsku F. O NEILL PLUMBING & PIPING Lic# PL16242 Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice N. Cumberland Ave., Norridge, IL Best Work Best Rate N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago - Coming Soon! Satisfaction Guaranteed As Check us out Licensed Bonded Insured 7001 W. Cullom Ave. Norridge, IL ASE Certified 5413 W. Higgins Director Family Owned & Operated Since 1915 CREMATION SERVICES ADVANCED PLANNING W. LAWRENCE AVE. CHICAGO, IL SKYLINE HEATING & AIR Dr. Michele T. Bogacki F R E E E S T I M AT E S Parishioner Discount Commercial & Residential Insured and Bonded - Parishioner Family Owned and Operated Your Community Funeral Home Proudly Serving St. Robert Bellarmine Parish Families Pre-Arrangements Available Members of the Knights of Columbus 4800 N. Austin at Lawrence FAMILY DENTISTRY New Patients Welcome Evening/Saturday Hours Emergency Care All Ages Welcome 4452 N. Central Ave. Chicago BogackiFamilyDentistry.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc

12 Saint Robert Bellarmine Church Parish Office & Rectory 4646 North Austin Avenue Chicago, Illinois Tel Fax Website: Rev. Neil E. Fackler, Pastor Rev. Scott Donahue, Resident Tony Delgado, Deacon Kathy Goetz, Business Manager Virginia Underwood, Adm. Assist/Office Mgr Dr. Christina Zaker, Adult Education Beth Farias, Youth Minister Religious Education Office 6036 West Eastwood Avenue Tel Debi DeMario, Director St. Robert Bellarmine School 6036 West Eastwood Avenue Tel Carrie Mijal, Principal Chris Wilson, Secretary Office of Music Director 6036 West Eastwood Avenue Tel Dennis Costanzo, Music Director Bulletin Deadline: Thursday 12 Noon 10 days in advance Submit articles via in person at the rectory or fax Pulpit Announcement Deadline Friday by 7:30 p.m. in the rectory. Mass Schedule Weekdays - Monday - Friday at 8:30 a.m. Weekends - Saturday Morning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday Evening at 5:00 p.m., Sundays at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Holy Days - 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Rectory Office Hours Monday - Friday - 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Closed from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. for lunch) Saturday - 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday - 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Weddings Arrangements to be made with a priest at least six months in advance. Please contact the rectory for date and time availability before making other arrangements. Baptisms Celebrated the second and fourth Sunday at 1:15 p.m. Parents need to register at the rectory office. Baptismal preparation class for first time Parents and Godparents is offered on the last Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the rectory. Please note: there are no baptisms scheduled during the season of Lent. Confessions/Reconciliations Saturdays 4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. or by appointment. Anointing of the Sick 1st Saturday of the month after the 8:30 a.m. mass. Eucharistic Adoration & Benediction Third Wednesday of every month. Adoration begins after 8:30 a.m. mass. Benediction at 5 p.m. Please sign up at the rectory office. Novena Mother of Perpetual Help Novena is offered on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the church. Recitation of the Rosary Monday through Saturday at 8:00 a.m.