January 17, 2016 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

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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 17, 2016 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

2 Page 2 January 17, 2016 Mass Intentions MON. January 18, Weekday in Ordinary Time 8:30 am Achu Kuruvilla, Leo Puralewski, Jr. TUES. January 19, Weekday in Ordinary Time 8:30 am Finoy Lukose, Anna May Downing WED. January 20, St. Fabian, St. Sebastian 8:30 am Family and Friends of Eva Sepulveda-Diaz THURS. January 21, St. Agnes 8:30 am Adriana Haddad FRI. January 22, Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children 8:30 am For the Protection of the Innocent SAT. January 23, St. Vincent, St. Marianne Cope 8:30 am For the Safety of our Military 5:00 pm Deceased Members of the Bakalich Family, James Archibald, Kenneth Fisch, Bessie Kubacki SUN. January 24, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:00 am For the Intentions of the Holy Father 10:00 am Robert J. Kunkel 12:00 pm Patrick O Malley, Lorraine Meyer, Janet Lowinski, Daniel James O Reilley, Sr. 5:30 pm The People of St. Robert Bellarmine, St. Pascal and Our Lady of Victory Parishes Weekly Collections January 3, 2016 Sunday Offertory $ 11,353 Solemnity of Mary $ 1,190 Christmas $ 880 Initial Offering $ 531 The amount for the Sunday Offertory includes the electronic donations received for the week. Thank you for your generosity! Please pray for our sick Gina Brettman, Patricia Klenck, Robert Walsh, Dorothy Lieser, Arlene Placek, Deb Gilbert, Helen Weidig, Gabe Medina, David Smolen, Geraldine Kurtti SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME The prophet Isaiah announces the coming of the kingdom. The Lord will vindicate his people and restore the nation. Using imagery of a royal wedding, he proclaims that Jerusalem will be a royal crown, espoused bride of God himself. St. Paul tells the Corinthians that there are many different kinds of spiritual gifts but it is the same God, the one Spirit that bestows them on the people. The gospel reading from St. John tells the story of the wedding feast at Cana. When the wine runs out, Mary asks her son to do something about it. Jesus turns the water into wine, more than enough for everyone. This is the first of Jesus miracles, the signs that reveal his glory. Isaiah 62:1-5 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 John 2:1-11 THE 2016 WEEK OF PRAYER THEME "CALLED TO PROCLAIM THE MIGHTY ACTS OF THE LORD" (CL. 1 PETER 2:9) WAS DEVELOPED BY CHRISTIAN CHURCHES IN LATVIA. THE TEXT FOCUSES ON ST. PETER'S FIRST LETTER TO THE EARLY CHURCH. YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN MILLIONS OF CHRISTIANS WORLDWIDE AS WE GATHER IN PRAYER FOR THE VISIBLE UNITY OF CHRIST'S CHURCH DURING THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY-JANUARY 18-25, PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE OF THE OFFICE FOR ECUMENICAL AND INTERRELIGIOUS AFFAIRS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE 2016 CELEBRATION. THE WEBSITE ALSO HAS A LISTING OF ECUMENICAL EVENTS SCHEDULED IN THE CHICAGO AREA TO COMMEMORATE THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY.

3 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 3 From the Pastor s Desk Today the Church celebrates Ordinary Time when we take the joy, the wonder and the awe of the Christmas season into our daily lives, renewed in faith and strengthened by the spiritual graces we have received. Jesus, too, takes the grace he has received and goes out to share it with the world. Last week we heard the story of Jesus baptism in the Jordan which begins his public ministry. Today we hear the story of the Wedding Feast at Cana when Jesus performs the first of his public miracles, the signs that announce the coming of the Kingdom of God. The first reading from the prophet Isaiah announces the coming of the Kingdom. Using the same wedding imagery, the Lord promises to deliver his people and restore Jerusalem to her former glory. No longer will the land be desolate or forsaken. Rather, God will call his people My Delight and the land Espoused. Though the people had turned away from God, the Lord God himself will restore the Covenant. As a bridegroom rejoices in his bride, so shall your God rejoice in you. In a symbolic, but very real way, God espouses each of us in the sacrament of Baptism. In Baptism we receive the Holy Spirit. St. Paul says that it is this same Spirit which bestows all different gifts and spiritual graces upon his people. While everyone receives different gifts, all the gifts are given to build up the body of Christ and to manifest the kingdom of God on earth. Discerning our gifts and using them wisely becomes possible when we open ourselves to the wisdom of the Spirit and seek to follow God s will in our lives. St. Paul reminds the Corinthians of the virtue of humility. The gifts we have been given are freely bestowed (therefore we are to boast only in the Lord Jesus, not ourselves). And since none of us has all the gifts of the Spirit, we need each other if we are to live in a communion of faith. The gospel story is a wonderful example of the overflowing generosity of God s love. When the host runs out of wine at his wedding feast, Jesus takes six large stone jars filled with water and turns it into wine. The image of 180 gallons of wine for a small town wedding reception is mind-boggling. And not only because of the large quantity (reminiscent of the future miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes), but also because of the quality of the wine. The steward remarks to the groom that usually one serves the best wine first, and an inferior wine later on when the guests have drunk freely. But in this case the best wine has been kept until now. The miracle is not about wine, but about the overflowing abundance of God s grace, giving us more and better than we can ever expect. The scripture stories are reminders of God s continuous reaching out to care for his people. This grace and love is not just a remembrance of the past, but very real and present to us today. The gift of salvation enters the world when God takes on our human nature to show us the living face of God. The wonder of Christmas is not something we should forget about in the dreariness of winter or the drudgery of every-day challenges and disappointments in life. We celebrate the season every year to charge our batteries and help us to reshape our vision. When we connect with the love of God, we are transformed, we get in touch with the grace and power of the Holy Spirit and we are able to see our reality from God s perspective. What happens to us in this life does matter; but what is far more important is how we react. When we recall the fidelity of God, we are able to count our blessings with gratitude and bear our burdens trustingly, in the sure and certain hope of God s mercy. The U.S. Bishops have declared this Friday, January 22nd, as a National Day of Penance, particularly mourning the loss of life of all the children who have died from abortion. We are all asked to atone for the sins of our own lack of respect for the dignity of life and for the sins of those who have participated in the taking of innocent human life. Every year on December 28, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Innocents, the children in Bethlehem murdered by King Herod in a senseless rage to protect his throne. In the larger context, we are reminded of the dignity of all people, made in the image and likeness of God. Today s scriptures remind us that our baptism espouses us to God. In the image of the marriage of humanity with divinity, let us remember to love and care for all the children. Next Sunday, January 24, we begin the celebration of Catholic Schools Week. The School Staff and School Board will be honored at the noon mass, followed by an open House in the gym from 1-3 All are welcome. Have a great week. Sincerely, Fr. Neil

4 Page 4 January 17, 2016 In Sympathy Please pray for the repose of the souls of Joseph Boyle, Casper Fries and Andrej Przyblowicz and for their families and friends. Baptized in Faith Miguel Angel Diaz Child of Michael Pizana and Bertha Teresa Diaz Please join us for Eucharistic Adoration on Wednesday, January 20 and pray for the needs of the people of the world. Adoration starts after the 8:30 am Mass and closes with Benediction at 5:00 pm. DIVORCED, SEPARATED AND WIDOWED SUPPORT GROUP On Tuesday, January 19th at 7pm in Kernaghan Hall, we will hold a monthly support group. The focus of the group is to bring healing to the broken-hearted. Some of the subjects that will be discussed are: stress, loneliness, self-image, trust, bereavement and hope, listening and many more. If you have any questions, please call the Rectory at

5 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 5 Wednesday Evening at 7 pm Each evening is hosed jointly by St. Robert Bellarmine, St. Pascal and Our Lady of Victory parishes. Presenters include local pastors, deacons and parishioners Annual Catholic Appeal -- The Hands of God s Mercy Many of you have responded to the Annual Catholic Appeal mailing from Archbishop Cupich. On behalf of those served by the ministries and services funded by the ACA, we thank you for your gifts. If you received the mailing and have not responded, please do so as soon as possible. In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope Francis asks us to understand God s mercy in our own lives and then to be the hand of mercy for others. The ACA offers a wonderful opportunity to extend God s mercy to many others. In addition to providing for ministries and services throughout the Archdiocese, the Appeal also funds services that are of great help to ministries here in our parish. For example, Appeal funds support: The Annual Parish Leadership Day, which is for every ministry leader, parish pastoral council member, and other parishioners considering a more active role in the life of our parish. The Lenten Educational Materials that are used by our school and religious education students. The volunteer catechists who meet on Wednesday evenings in Kernaghan Hall for the Special Religious Education (SPRED) Program, which is supported by the archdiocesan agency SPRED by means of curriculum and training that reaches out and integrates teens and young adults with special needs into our parish family. As we contemplate God s many gifts to us, we should also reflect on our gratitude for these gifts. Your financial support for the work of our parish, our Archdiocese and the Church throughout the world is, in fact, one way to express this gratitude. Please give generously to the 2016 Annual Catholic Appeal. When our parish reaches its goal of $34,552 in paid pledges, 100% of the additional funds received will be returned to us for use in our parish.

6 Page 6 January 17, 2016 Knights of Columbus Tonti Council is proud to host Basketball Free Throw Contest For Boys and Girls ages Where: St. Robert Bellarmine at Jensen Gymnasium When: Saturday January 30th Competition will start 12:00pm - Please arrive by 11:30am to register Who: Open to Boys & Girls ages Boys and Girls compete separately and by age. Cost: Free! Awards for our 1 st Place Winners! All contestants will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a pair of Chicago Bulls Tickets! For Information Contact: Mark or MMoskal922@aol.com Piano Recital by Dennis Costanzo Featuring Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and Chopin Sunday, January 17, 2016, 3 pm at St. Edward Church, 4350 W. Sunnyside Ave., Chicago, IL 2015 Contributions Statement Tax time will quickly be upon us. If you need a statement of your contributions, please call the rectory at and one will be prepared for you. Honor Flight Chicago's mission is to thank and pay tribute to World War II veterans, by bringing them to Washington, D.C. for a day of honor and remembrance at no cost to them. Do you know someone who is a World War II Veteran? Visit to learn more about how you can refer them for an upcoming flight, volunteer your time or donate to the cause.

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8 Page 8 January 17, 2016 Students in Mrs. McGeever's 2nd Grade class are learning about different States of Matter in Science class. During a recent experiment, students measured and mixed solids (flour and salt) and liquid (water) together to see how states of matter interact with each other. The end result was homemade play doh! On Sunday, January 17th, 2016 members of the Catholic Peace Fellowship staff will be sharing a presentation on Thomas Merton's thoughts on peace in a post-christian era with the Chicago Chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society. The talk and discussion will be held at 2 Sunday, January. 17, at the Rectory Assembly, Immaculate Conception Parish, 7211 W. Talcott, Chicago. Freewill offering ($5 suggested); refreshments will be served. For more information, call Mike at The talk is sponsored by the Chicago Chapter of the International Thomas Merton Society.

9 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Page 9 Simbang Gabi 2015

10 Page 10 January 17, 2016 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) Bernard Brennan (Marines) Sgt. Benjamin Juhasz (Marines) John M. Mancuso (Marines) Sgt Joseph VonMoser (Marines) Luke Bulanda (Navy) Capt Kevin P. O Grady (Air Force) Capt Daniel C. Ouper (Air Force) EM1 John J. Schmidt III (Navy) Capt Albert Eiffes (Air Force) Joseph A. Casey (Navy) EM3 Abraham Ubi (Navy) PVT Michael Barry (Army) SPC David A. Torres (Army) E2 Anthony V. Tierra (Navy) A1C Logan Lopez (Air Force) Sarah Faye Tierra (Navy) Weekly Schedule Monday, January 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day School Closed Parish Office Closed 9 am 1:30 pm Confirmation All-Day Retreat (KH) Teen Club Martin Luther King Day of Service Tuesday, January 19 7 pm Support Group for Divorced, Separated and Widowed (KH) Wednesday, January 20 9 am Eucharistic Adoration followed by 5 pm Benediction (C) 3 pm 4 pm Talent Show Practice (KH) 6 pm 10 pm SPRED TC (KH) 7 pm Conversations on Faith (C) Thursday, January 21 7 pm 9 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal (MR) Friday, January 22 Saturday, January 23 8:30 am 1:30 pm PPC Retreat (KH) Sunday, January Noon Mass Catholic Schools Week 1 pm 3 pm School Open House 6:30 pm - 8 pm Dinner Party Series (KH) Lord, you have put among us those who are strong enough to defend our freedom. Please bless them, protect them, and keep them in your loving hands. Daily Scripture Readings Monday 1 Sm 15: / Mk 2:18-22 Tuesday 1 Sm 16:1-13 / Mk 2: Wednesday 1 Sm 17: 32-33, 37, / Mk 3: 1-6 Thursday 1 Sm 18: 6-9; 19: 1-7 / Mk 3: 7-12 Friday 1 Sm 24: 3-21 / Mk 3: (Unknown Author) Saturday 2 Sm 1: 1-4, 11-12, 19, / Mk 3: Sunday Neh 8: 2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 / 1 Cor 12: / Lk 1: 1-4; 4: January 23-24, 2016 Mass Presider Servers Lectors Clean-up Auxiliary Ministers 5:00 PM Fr. Scott Donahue J. Bendig, R. Bendig H. Williamson E. Stecker J. Ryan K. Bauman, W. Felckowski, J. Ryan, A. Ouper M. Callaghan, K. Caminiti, H. Heidkamp 8:00 AM Fr. Dennis Woerter K. Brosnan, M.White, S. White L. Dohl, J. Galindo, F. Santiago E. Day M. Furphy M. Furphy, M. Kmiec, N. Kriescher 10:00 AM Fr. Neil Fackler M. Plaska K. Plaska K. Ernst, K. Plaska, L. Wilder 12:00 PM Fr. Neil Fackler Fr. Neil Fackler B. Baumann, J. Reyes, J. Stauber N. Soriano, J. Zaker, N. Springer M. Loudon J. Jakobsze M. Blake, J. Gross, P. Zyburt, P. Gross, D. Czech, J. Jakobsze, L. Loudon 5:30 PM L. Baylian B. Pfeiffer K. Hayes, J. Oloroso, B. Pfeiffer

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