Third Sunday of Advent. December 17th, ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC PARISH AND CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Transcription

1 ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC PARISH AND CATHOLIC SCHOOL 18 N Woodlawn Joliet, Il Parish Office: Parish Fax School: Religious Education Youth Ministry: RCIA (Roberta Lemke) Parish parishsec@stpauljoliet.com Saturday: Sunday: Weekday mass: Wednesdays Holy Days: MASS SCHEDULE 4:30 PM 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM 7:30 AM Monday through Friday except 8:15 AM when school is in session Varies by Holy Day of Obligation The Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly states that On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass (#2180) and goes on to state that Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave [mortal] sin. (#2181) Saturday: SACRAMENT OF PENANCE 8:30 am or by appointment BAPTISMS Baptisms are scheduled on the Second Sunday of the month at 11:30 AM based on parental requests. Participation in a Parent Preparation Program is mandatory before the baptism of the child. Our preparation Program is held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM. Attendance at Sunday Mass on the day of the Baptism is Mandatory. Please call the Parish office to schedule a baptism. WEDDINGS All weddings are scheduled by the Pastor of the Parish. Office staff cannot schedule a wedding and a wedding is not considered to be officially scheduled until the couple receives written confirmation from the Pastor of the Parish. Couples desiring to be married need to speak directly with the Pastor BEFORE reserving a hall. Only the Bride or Groom may request a date for their wedding. Diocesan policy requires that a 6 month (minimum) preparation process be completed prior to the celebration of all weddings. Weddings are not scheduled on Sundays. R.C.I.A. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is an ongoing formation process for adults who are interested in becoming a Catholic and adult Catholics who would like to receive the sacraments of Confirmation and/or First Eucharist. Please call the Parish Office for additional information. ANOINTING OF THE SICK Parishioners who are seriously or critically ill, or have surgery scheduled should receive the Sacrament of Anointing and Healing. Please call the parish office to request this sacrament. Regular visits are also made by our Pastoral Staff and Ministers of Care to bring Holy Communion to hospitalized or homebound parishioners. Anyone desiring such a visit should call the Parish Office. PARISH REGISTRATION New parishioners are always welcome! You may register in person or by calling the Parish Office. Rev. John Klein, Pastor, Ext. 243, frjohn@stpauljoliet.com Rev. John Belmonte, S.J., Resident, Ext. 230 Rev. James Lennon, Weekend Celebrant Deacon John Freund, jfreund@dioceseofjoliet.org Michele Kmety, Parish Secretary, Ext. 200 parishsec@stpauljoliet.com Joe Stengele, Business Manager, Ext. 203 jstengele@stpauljoliet.com Al Kramerich, Facilities Manager, Ext. 407 akramerich@thestpaulschool.org Corie Alimento, Principal, Ext. 401 calimento@thestpaulschool.org Jennifer Jones D.R.E., Ext. 301 jjones@stpauljoliet.com Jeremy Hylka, Dir. Of Liturgy & Youth Min. Ext. 320 jhylka@stpauljoliet.com Lydia Saldanha Director of Music, Ext. 202 lsaldanha@stpauljoliet.com Third Sunday of Advent December 17th, stpauljoliet

2 FROM FATHER JOHN: The Word who found a dwelling in Mary s womb comes to knock on the heart of every person with singular intensity this Christmas. St. Pope John Paul II, Angelus Message, December 19, Pope Benedict XVI wrote in Seek That Which is Above that Advent is concerned with that very connection between memory and hope which is so necessary to man. Advent s intention is to awaken the most profound and basic emotional memory within us, namely, the memory of the God who became a child. This is a healing memory; it brings hope. It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope. On Christmas, we celebrate the Incarnation of the Lord. We celebrate the fact that the Word has become flesh; that God the Father has given us his only Son and that our God loves us so much that he became one of us to save us from our sins. We celebrate that, in our Lord Jesus Christ, God Himself is with us, that God came into the world because he loves us and that as we receive the Son of God into our hearts and into our souls and into our lives, God the Father gives us all good things. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father s only Son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1 4, 14) I want to continue my Advent series of articles from the thoughts and prayers of the saints. Today s entry is an excerpt from St. Augustine, Priest, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. He speaks to us about how John the Baptist prepared the way of our Lord by focusing everything on the beloved Son of God. John is the voice, but the Lord is the Word who was in the beginning. John is the voice that lasts for a time; from the beginning Christ is the Word who lives forever. Take away the word, the meaning, and what is the voice? Where there is no understanding, there is only a meaningless sound. The voice without the word strikes the ear but does not build up the heart. However, let us observe what happens when we first seek to build up our hearts. When I think about what I am going to say, the word or message is already in my heart. When I want to speak to you, I look for a way to share with your heart what is already in mine. In my search for a way to let this message reach you, so that the word already in my heart may find a place also in yours, I use my voice to speak to you. The sound of my voice brings the meaning of the word to you and then passes away. The word which the sound has brought to you is now in your heart, and yet it is still also in mine. When the word has been conveyed to you, does not the sound seem to say: The word ought to grow, and I should diminish? The sound of the voice has made itself heard in the service of the word, and has gone away, as though it were saying: My joy is complete. Let us hold on to the word; we must not lose the word conceived inwardly in our hearts. Do you need proof that the voice passes away but the divine Word remains? Where is John s baptism today? It served its purpose, and it went away. Now it is Christ s baptism that we celebrate. It is in Christ that we all believe; we hope for salvation in him. This is the message the voice cried out. Because it is hard to distinguish word from voice, even John himself was thought to be the Christ. The voice was thought to be the word. But the voice acknowledged what is was, anxious not to give offense to the word. I am not the Christ, he said, nor Elijah, nor the prophet. And the question came: Who are you, then? He replied: I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord. The voice of one crying in the wilderness is the voice of one breaking the silence. Prepare the way for the Lord, he says, as though he were saying: I speak out in order to lead him into your hearts, but he does not choose to come where I lead him unless you prepare the way for him. To prepare the way means to pray well; it means thinking humbly of oneself. We should take our lesson from John the Baptist. He is thought to be the Christ; he declares he is not what they think. He does not take advantage of their mistake to further his own glory. If he had said, I am the Christ, you can imagine how readily he would have been believed, since they believed he was the Christ even before he spoke. But he did not say it; he acknowledged what he was. He pointed out clearly who he was; he humbled himself. He saw where his salvation lay. He understood that he was a lamp, and his fear was that it might be blown out by the wind of pride. We celebrate Christmas because we have received the greatest gift in the history of the human race, in the history of the entire universe. In the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus, in the Incarnation of the Word, in the birth of the baby Jesus, we receive the gift of sharing in the Divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our Humanity. We receive the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus. And this gift is what makes Christmas so very, very special. I hope and pray that you and your family have a most Blessed and Merry Christmas. I wish you an abundance of peace and joy as we celebrate the coming of our Lord Jesus.

3 Third Sunday of Advent The Parish Office will be closed December 22nd through January 1st. We will reopen at 8:00 am on January 2nd. There will not be Eucharistic Adoration during this time. For more information please visit the Sunday, December 17th 9:00 am Mass Church 10:30 am Mass Church Monday, December 18th 8:00 am Eucharistic Adoration Church 6:00 pm REP Advent Liturgy & Pageant Church Tuesday, December 19th 8:00 am Eucharistic Adoration Church 1:00 pm FOLLOW Youth Ministry Convent 6:30 pm School Christmas Program Church Wednesday, December 20th 8:15 am Mass Church Thursday, December 21st 8:00 am Eucharistic Adoration Church 7:00 pm Adult Choir Practice Church Friday, December 22nd Parish Office Closed Saturday, December 23rd 4:30 pm Vigil Mass Church Sunday, December 24th 8:30 am Mass Church 10:30 am Mass Church 3:00 pm Christmas Eve Mass Church 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Mass Church 9:30 pm A Festival of 9 Lessons & Carols Church 10:30 pm Christmas Eve Mass Church Sunday Offering In Pew Offering-Sunday, December 10, 2017.$ 7, On Line Giving-Sunday, December 10, $ 3, In Pew Offering Weekly Budget..$ 12, Weekly Shortage December 10, $ 1, Monthly Total Budget..$ 72, Thank you for your generous support of our parish. God bless you and your family! 4th Sunday of Advent-December 23rd & 24th Sat. 4:30 PM Sun. 8:30 AM Sun. 10:30 AM Christmas Eve - Sunday, December 24th 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 10:30 PM 9:30 PM A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Christmas Day Monday, December 25 8:30 AM 10:30 AM The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Sunday, December 31st 7:30 AM 9:00 AM 10:30 AM The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God Monday, January 1st 9:00 AM Sacrament of Reconciliation Friday, December 22nd 9:00 AM-9:00 PM Cathedral of St. Raymond Confessions will not be heard on Dec. 23rd LITURGICAL SCHEDULE week of December 17th MONDAY 12/18 Advent Weekday 7:30 AM Tim Fitzgerald & Susan Baer TUESDAY 12/19 Advent Weekday 7:30 AM Dalton Family WEDNESDAY 12/20 Advent Weekday 8:15 AM Clare Ann Nelson THURSDAY 12/21 Advent Weekday 7:30 AM Klika & Ellis Families FRIDAY 12/22 Advent Weekday 7:30 AM Agnes & Cyril Stubler SATURDAY 12/23 Vigil Fourth Sunday of Advent 4:30 PM The People of St. Paul the Apostle SUNDAY 12/24 Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:30 AM Intention of the Celebrant 10:30AM Intention of the Celebrant Sunday 12/24 Christmas Eve 3:00 PM Intention of the Celebrant 5:00 PM Intention of the Celebrant 10:30 PM Intention of the Celebrant

4 ONE IN FAITH ONE IN SERVICE ONE IN CHRIST Memorare to Our Lady, Mother of Catholic Schools Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary, that you have been given to us by your Son to be our mother. Through your maternal intercession support and aid our Catholic Schools. We commend to you our students and teachers; enlighten them. We commit to your protection our families; guard them. Never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, assist those who come to you for guidance as they decide to send their children to a Catholic school; grant them clarity of vision. Full of confidence in your power before God, we place our Catholic schools in your providential care. Amen. Please continue to pray for all the blessings we have at Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic School! Faculty Profile Name: Shannon Bobbe Job at St. Paul's: Kindergarten teacher Hometown: Joliet Family: Husband Joe, Daughter Addyson (6), Son Joseph (4) Years at St. Paul s: 13 First Job: worked at a floral shop Hobbies: Reading, scrapbooking Favorite Grade School Memory: Visiting Chicago with my class for our end of the year field trip. State of Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Receive up to 100% of Catholic School Tuition On August 31 st SB 1947 (The Invest in Kids Act) was signed into law in the State of Illinois. This new legislation allows for school choice in the State of Illinois. The Invest in Kids Act has the potential to cover up to 100 percent of tuition and fees, beginning next school year, for families that apply and qualify. Details are still being finalized by the State of Illinois, but we do know that applications are limited to a first come, first serve basis. As a result, we want our families ready as soon as the application process becomes operational. Our school finance committee will be presenting this information on Tuesday, December 12 th at 6:30pm in A4. We encourage all parents to attend. The State of Illinois has created a new way to fund scholarships for children who choose to attend Catholic schools through the Invest in Kids Act. Scholarships offered through this program have the potential to cover up to 100 percent of tuition and eligible charges for next school year. The Empower Illinois Scholarship Granting Organization will be operational and will have application information around December 15, 2017 and anticipates accepting applications January 2, These dates are subject to change. Visit for up-to-date details and in-depth information for applicants and donors. Interested families will be eligible based on their household size and income level.

5 This Week Tuesday, December 19th Address: FOLLOW Youth Ministry Center 120 Woodlawn, Joliet, St. Paul Convent Phone: Web: followym.com Facebook: facebook.com/followym Twi er: followyouthmin Instagram: followym Snapchat: followyouth Social Hang Out & Games 1:00-2:30pm Upcoming Important Dates: January MARCH FOR LIFE IN DC February FOLLOW RETREAT April 8 - WORSHIP NIGHT CONCERT WITH CHRIS TOMLIN-MATT MAHER June CATHOLIC HEART MISSION TO MILWAUKEE Welcome to FOLLOW Welcome to FOLLOW Youth Ministry. We are proud to offer a comprehensive Catholic Youth Ministry Program under the direction of Youth Minister Jeremy Hylka. We strive to incorporate the teachings students learn in school and from their parents and expand on it. We make believe faith is not only studied but shared and actively practiced. Who we are FOLLOW is comprised mostly of high school youth from both St. Paul the Apostle Church as well as the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet, Il but are welcoming to anyone who wishes to share their faith with us. We have regularly scheduled weekly events as well as larger annual events as well as larger annual events that comprise other youth ministry program across the diocese, nation and world Why Join us? Jesus calls each of us to be disciples. Talking about it is not enough, we must live it. We welcome our youth to the Christian way of life, educate them about others needs and provide an environment where teens can share their thoughts and feelings with God and each other. Religious Education On Monday, December 18, our REP students here at St. Paul's will celebrate the end of the first semester of the year with an Advent liturgy and Christmas pageant. Father John will make presentations to those students who qualify for the St. Paul the Apostle Honor Society. Students will also be bringing in gifts for Birthright. Please make plans to join us - it's a great way to kick of "Christmas Week!" There are no REP classes on Monday, December 25 and Monday, January 1. REP classes will resume on Monday, January 8. The Religious Education Program faculty and staff wish all of our parishioners a holy, happy Christmas and a healthy, peaceful New Year. Confirmation 2018 news... Confirmation 2018 has been set for Tuesday, May 8 at 6:30 pm with Fr. John presiding. Confirmation practice will be held on Tuesday, May 1 at 6 pm in the Church. At Birthright, we understand the challenges related to unplanned pregnancies. We know that it can be an overwhelming and often scary situation. However, we also know that there is hope for the mother and her child. Birthright believes that It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth, and the right of every child to be born. Birthright is here to be the friend that a pregnant woman needs as she navigates an unplanned pregnancy. Birthright is available to women for as long as they need us. We offer love, friendship, and support to women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant. Birthright services are always free, non-judgmental and confidential. We can also provide information, referrals, and resources to help the woman help herself. Birthright is unique, and available 24/7 through our toll-free helpline. Birthright is not involved in any religious movements, political activities, or lobbying. Birthright s focus is on loving the mother, reminding her that there is hope and ensuring she is not alone. Chapter Information Address: 310 N. Hammes Ave., Suite LL7 Joliet, Illinois 60435

6 The Advent Wreath is not only for celebrating Our Lord s birth, but to make our hearts truly ready to receive Him. The wreath s symbolism of the advent (coming) of Light into the world is clear. The Gradual lighting of the four candles, one on each Sunday of the Advent season, combined with Liturgical colors of the candles help to symbolize not only our expectation and hope in Our Savior s First coming into the world, but also in His Second Coming as Judge at the end of the world. The Wreath itself is also symbolic. The circle of evergreen in which the candles are placed represents Everlasting life. The seedpods, nuts and pinecones used to decorate the wreath are symbolic of Resurrection and fruits represent the nourishing fruitfulness of the Christian life. All families are encouraged and invited to take part in the beautiful tradition of lighting our Advent Wreath at the start of each Mass. Please sign up in the Church Narthex and arrive to Mass at least minutes early and check in with the Mass Coordinator and the priest as you will be processing in at the start of Mass. Please contact Connie c.m.hinkleman@sbcglobal.net if you have any questions. Third Sunday of Advent December 2017 How will I answer? Questions are put to John the Baptist today. Who are you? What do you have to say for yourself? Worthy questions for each of us. What truth, what goodness will I voice this week? What will I do to back up these words? How can I lead this person,, to Jesus, the Light of the World? "I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, 'make straight the way of the Lord,'" The Giving Tree is in the Narthex, please take a tag off the tree to help those in need during the holidays. Lightbulb tags Various sizes of sweatshirts for men and women at Symphony of Joliet. Christmas Ornaments.. An assortment of gifts and gift cards for our St. Paul the Apostle families that are in need of assistance during the holidays. Please return all gifts to the church this weekend Please be sure to attach the tags to the gifts as well as a gift receipt if possible. Gift cards may be placed in the collection basket, please be sure to mark them Giving Tree

7 Because we are human, we get sick. Sometimes, it s just sniffles or the flu. Many times it s an illness that causes us or one of our loved ones to find that getting to Church is difficult or is not possible. Our Ministers of Pastoral Care are a special group of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who visit our homebound parishioners with Holy Communion. If you or someone you know is unable to attend church to receive The Eucharist please contact Anne Prock at or contact Michele in the parish office at St. Paul the Apostle Rosary Group invites you to join them every Friday morning after the 7:30 am Mass in the cry room. Everyone is welcome! The Rosary is the weapon against the evils of today. St. Padre Pio GOD S HOUSE OUR HOME Thank you to all parishioners who have completed and submitted their Commitment Card to the church. For those parishioners who have not yet had the opportunity to submit their card, a letter will be mailed to you with a personalized Commitment Card. It is important that all parishioners complete a Commitment Card as we will be mailing out a Summary Report of the program and need all commitments accounted for in this report. If you have any questions, please contact the parish business office. We also encourage all parishioners to consider our electronic giving method and to setup your reoccurring offertory gifts electronically. Visit our parish websitewww.stpauljoliet.com and click on the online giving link. Please remember the following people in your prayers who are seriously ill or who are suffering from long-term illnesses: Marjorie Aschenbrenner Erin Bartel Patrick Bernard Mason Briese Doug Brusatte Vonna Cantu Eka Cox Laura Criel Judy Damyen Arlene Donohue Harn Family Dorothy Fonza Susan Gentile Matt Gross Judy Hadala Sami Henderson James Hickey Jr. Ann Juhlmann Mary Kaplan Ed Kasheimer Tanja Kempes Rosalee Kinman Mary Lou Kozar Carol Lamirand Brunch Lehman Helen Locher John Matejcak Mike McGowan Sheila Mellor Terry Meyer Maria Moroz John Mowbray Jeanie Nunuue Kurt Palmer Norman Pieper Amy Remallard Lorraine Rutkoski Bruce Rutkoski Sr. Lisa Savero Richard Schreiner Kaden Siegel Lorenzo Siletti Tony Simone Paityn Sims Jennifer Stephen JoAnn Sulaica The Sullivan Family Louis Toka Salvatore Ventura Norma Weibel William Wheeler December 23rd and 24th TIME LECTORS EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS ALTAR SERVERS 4:30 pm Jim Roolf Cathy Wilda, Peter Wilda, Linda Jenco, Spencer Jasper, Abigail Weiss, Ann Kokosz, Kim Roolf Lauren Weiss 8:30 am Mark Hornung Margaret Hornung, Leon Briick, Catherine Fox Mario Serrano, Garrett Sigler Mary Ann Schwerha, Chirstine Burla 10:30 am Nancy Louck Tarra Jordan, Larry Laux, Liz Freund, Abbie Ardaugh, Kyle Simon Sandra Graham. Sunny Hobbs Andrew Ardaugh Please be sure to sign up for our Christmas Masses, sign up sheets can be found in the Narthex

8 CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS St. Paul the Apostle Church # Woodlawn Avenue Joliet, IL TELEPHONE # 203 CONTACT PERSON Michele Kmety SOFTWARE MSPublisher 2010 Adobe Acrobat X Windows 7 PRINTER Brother MFC 8480 TRANSMISSION TIME Tuesday, April 25 SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION April 30, 2017 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 8 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS