January, February 2018 Volume 12 #13

Transcription

1 January, February 2018 Volume 12 #13 Dear St. Gall Family, In trying to express the mission of our wonderful parish I came up with the following motto: GLORIFY God. GROW in holiness. GIVE Jesus to others. As pastor, these are the things that I want to be the focus of our parish. We seek to glorify God by the way that we worship God the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit every Sunday at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. We do not go to Mass in order to be entertained. The Mass is our way of reverently worshipping God because it is right and just to give praise to the source of all our blessings. While the Mass is more about what we give to God rather than what we get out of it, we do hope that the Mass at St. Gall also nourishes, inspires, and strengthens us. We also give glory to God by the way that we serve our neighbor in love. We seek to grow in holiness through prayer, reception of the sacraments, and ongoing faith formation. This is all part of being disciples of Jesus Christ within our wonderful Catholic tradition. We have many opportunities to do this at St. Gall whether it is through our daily confession schedule, weekly day of Eucharistic adoration, Saturday morning men s group, weekly Bible studies, or faith formation programs. We are all imperfect sinners. However, with the help of God s grace and the support of the community, we are trying to all become the saints that God has called us to be through baptism. That is the key to happiness! Finally, we strive to give Jesus to others. Once we are transformed through a deepening in our own relationship with Christ we need to share Christ with others. This is the simple method of evangelization (spreading the Good News): deepen your personal knowledge of Jesus, introduce him to others, and invite them to experience him in the life of the local Catholic community. Pope Francis explained the motivation behind evangelization beautifully: The primary reason for evangelizing is the love of Jesus which we have received, the experience of salvation which urges us to ever greater love of him. What kind of love would not feel the need to speak of the beloved, to point him out, to make him known? If we do not feel an intense desire to share this love, we need to pray insistently that he will once more touch our hearts (Evangelii Gaudium, 264). With this goal of evangelization in mind we are posing two challenge questions to the parishioners of St. Gall in Who do you say that Jesus is? (see Mark 8:29.) How does St. Gall Parish help you to answer that question? Beginning in January we will be encouraging you to reflect on your answer to these questions, write them down, and possibly be willing to video record your answers. We will use some of the written answers and video recordings on our parish website and social media sites as a way to evangelize. May the Lord bless you abundantly in 2018! Fr. DiTomo, Pastor

2 2017 St. Gall Conference of St. Vincent de Paul Annual Report Who We Are In the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually through person-to-person service to those in need and suffering. Your St. Gall Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is one of 4,400 conferences in the U.S. and 44,600 conferences in 150 countries worldwide. What We Do The members of our local conference donate their time and talent in fund raising events like Donut Sundays, St. Nicholas Breakfast and a Walk for the Poor. Then they visit individuals or families in need in the greater Elburn area to help determine their needs and how we can best assist them. Once per month, members also assist at the Elburn Countryside Food Pantry by picking up food at Jewel and delivering it to the pantry. Your food donations left at our church are also taken to the pantry. In 2017, Vincentians also raked leaves and helped load a UHaul to help a family move at no cost. What We Accomplished This Past Year During the fiscal year ending September 30th, 2017, the 21 men and women that make up the St. Gall Conference made 12 home visits to the needy, helping a total of 34 people; helped them by paying Com Ed, Nicor and Village of Elburn utility bills, and rent payments. None of this would be possible without the generous financial support of our St Gall parishioners. Thanks to you! Here is a summary of the 2017 Annual Report for SVdP: Fiscal Year 2017 Profit & Loss Statement Receipts Expenses Donations from Members $ 446 Assistance to Needy $ 7,994 Donations from Parish Collections $ 6,663 Dues $ 130 Donut Sundays $ 1,729 Operating Expenses $ 323 Friends of the Poor Walk $ 450 St Nicholas Breakfast $ 171 Other Income $ 3,105 TOTAL INCOME $12,564 TOTAL EXPENSES $ 8,447 Cash Flow Cash on Hand at Beginning of Fiscal Year $ 8,629 Receipts $12,564 Expenses ($ 8,447) Cash on Hand at End of Fiscal Year $ 12,746 How You Can Help You can help those in need in the local Elburn area by joining the St. Vincent de Paul Society and providing financial, physical and spiritual assistance to those in need, contributing financially to SVdP through your Sunday collection envelope, attending a Donut Sunday event and making a contribution for your donut, coffee, juice and fruit or contributing to any of our local walkers during the Friends of the Poor Walk each autumn. If you know someone in need of help, please have them call the parish office at during normal office hours or leave a message on our parish web site at stgall.com/svdp and select Request Assistance Electronically. We will get back with them ASAP and schedule a home visit to determine how we can help. All communication with the SVdP society is strictly confidential.

3 Time to Make a New Year s Resolution! What better resolution could you make than to grow in your faith by learning more about it, putting it into action and getting to know Jesus better? Here are some suggestions: Learn Tuesday Morning Bible Study Tuesday Evening Bible study with Fr. DiTomo That Man is You! men s group Sat. mornings Read the Bible regularly Listen to the CDs and read the Books from the Augustine Institute Kiosk in the gathering area of the Church Pray Attend Daily Mass Stop in for Adoration on Thursdays Go to Confession Pray the Scriptures regularly (Lectio Divina) Pray every morning with your spouse Action Become a Faith Formation Catechist or Aide Become a Liturgical Minister Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Altar Server, Usher, Cantor, Choir Member Join the Evangelization Team Join the Respect Life Team Instructions Commit to something either on the list or to something of your own choosing that will help you grow in your faith Do it! When you have started or completed your commitment then bring this card into Church and place it in the basket in the gathering area as a sign of your growth. You are welcome to just show up for any of the suggested items under the Learn and Pray headings. If you are interested in joining one of the following groups of have questions about them then contact the person listed. You can also find information about these groups on the St. Gall Web site or if you have any questions you can call the parish office at Catechist / Aide Faith Formation Donna Doherty donna@stgall.com Liturgical Minister Greg Farrell greg@stgall.com Evangelization Team Greg Farrell greg@stgall.com Respect Life Team Darlene Biggs darlene@stgall.com

4 January-respect life month During January, the Church sets aside the entire month for Respect Life. From the time of conception until natural death we recognize we are all made in the image and likeness of God and all life is sacred. We, as Catholics, have the responsibility to show respect for life not only through prayer but also through our actions. St. Gall Respect Life Team has much going on during January and we cordially invite you to attend/participate in any (or all) of the events listed: 1) The first Saturday of every month we will be attending the Planned Parenthood Facility in Aurora to pray quietly and peacefully for those entering the facility seeking an abortion, and for the medical staff to have a conscience change of heart. For those wishing to carpool, we will leave St. Gall parking lot at 9:15 AM. The prayer vigil is from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM. 2) MARCH FOR LIFE in Chicago on Sunday, January 14th from 2:00-4:00 PM. We will take the commuter train at 12:25 PM at the Elburn Station and catch the returning train at 4:25 PM. If you haven t attended this annual event, you are missing an astounding experience. Especially seeing all the young people attending; the guest speakers and walking down the streets of Chicago to the Federal Building. We encourage our teens from St. Gall s to join us as well. 3) 9 Days for Life begins Jan This is a digital pilgrimage of prayer and action focused on cherishing the gift of every person s life. Go to: for daily reflections, suggested actions and multi-faceted novena. PRAYER, PENANCE, PILGRIMAGE! 4) Baby Bottle Campaign and Tiny Soles Display will be set up the weekend of Jan 20/21. We encourage you to take a baby bottle and fill it with loose change, cash, or write a check to TLC Pregnancy Center. We ask that ALL bottles be returned the weekend of Feb. 3/4 (FILLED OR EMPTY) as they travel to other parishes to help fund other Life Centers in our area. The Tiny Soles baby booties display represents the tiny feet of an aborted child that will never have the chance to walk, talk, laugh or live to be the special Child that God created because of the Roe vs. Wade decision to legalize abortion in If you like to knit or croquet we need more booties for our display. Drop them off in the parish office before January 18th. Thank you! 5) Attend the Monday evening Mass on January 22, at 7:30 PM (anniversary date of Rowe vs. Wade) as Fr. DiTomo celebrates Give Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life. Lonely and frightened at just 16, not knowing what to do. Afraid to tell just anyone, now Lord what should she do? This old world can seem cold and dark, when friends turn away She needs someone to hold her hand, someplace where she can stay So let me be that one someone dear Lord, and let her hear me say, I m here, I care, hold on my dear. Oh Lord, it s time to pray... For in order to save the baby Lord, the mother we cannot fail

5 VENTURIng Crew 413 Ski Trip Date: Where: Cost: February 17, 2018-Open to all family members The Mountain Top Ski Resort at Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva, WI Meeting at the ski lodge at 12:30 PM sharp. We check in as a group (skiing starts at 2:00 PM) Lift only $26.00 Lift and Ski Rental $41.00 Lift and snowboard rental $41.00 Lesson $ 5.00 Helmet rental $5.00 (BSA requires a helmet) Children MUST be at least 7 yrs. of age to be in group lesson. Snowboards have a $ deposit when checking in. (refundable if you return snowboard) **************************************************************************** RETURN BOTTOM OF FORM TO LINDA POTVIN BY JANUARY 10, 2017 Name: Phone # Total # Skiing Total # Snowboarding GRAND TOTAL ENCLOSED $ payable to CREW413 No outside food may be brought into lodge. There is food for purchase Questions? Linda Potvin, Crew 413 Advisor Cell Come Ski with Us! St. Gall Students are Cordially Invited and their Families!

6 Coming in Early 2018 EWTN LIVE TRUTH-LIVE CATHOLIC RELEVANT RADIO TALK RADIO FOR CATHOLIC LIFE Ask Yourself: What am I watching and listening to? What are my children watching and listening to St. Gall will be introducing a listing of Catholic media programs to help you grow spiritually and keep you energized to defend your Faith. This information, via Catholic Radio, Television and Internet, will be right at your fingertips. Available, will be Mass and the Rosary three times a day, world news, talk shows, interviews, support for life, church history, theologians explaining dogma, spiritual direction, Vatican updates, children s TV and much more. For the Youth, there will be a solid listing of Catholic apps they can download on their cell phones. Mr. Tom Gallagher, who has done work for Ava Maria radio and Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) will address the St. Gall congregation just before Lent. On those Saturday/Sunday Masses a more comprehensive list of TV, Radio and Catholic Apps will be handed out with your Sunday bulletin. You will be ready to experience a rich preparation for Easter. Catholic Media Spiritual Food for Heart and Soul Catholic Cable TV-EWTN Cable Provider Channel # Mediacom 94 Dish 261 Direct TV 370 Comcast 119 ATT/UVERSE 562 EWTN APP yes Catholic Radio Channel Questions/Comments APP Relevant Radio AM 930/950 Yes EWTN N/A YES Ave Maria Radio N/A YES Sirius XM 130 Merita phone (815) Tom phone/text (317)

7 JANUARY Scheduled Events Jan 1 Holy Mother of God (not a holy day of obligation this year) 8:30:00 AM, 12:10 PM, 7:30 PM Jan. 2 7:00 PM Tues. Evening CrossWord Bible Study Jan. 2-3 Offices Closed Jan. 4 Luigi s Laser Tag Jan. 6 6:00 AM That Man is You! 9:00 AM Art & Environment 5:30 PM Widows Support Group Jan.7 8:30 AM Joyful Sunday (Pre-School-7th Grade) 5:00 PM Confirmation (Grades 8-9) Jan. 9 9:00 AM Tuesday Morning Bible Study 7:00 PM Crossword Bible Study (Rms. 1-4) 8:00 PM AA (Rms. 5 & 6) Jan. 10 4:30 PM & 6:00 PM Faith Formation Jan. 11 7:00 PM Youth Group (Rms. 1-4) 7:00 PM St. Vincent de Paul (Room 7) 7:30 PM Venturing Crew (Rms. 5-6) Jan. 12 5:00 PM FF YM Bingo Nite-Grade 3-12 Jan. 13 6:00 AM That Man is You! 9:00 AM Art & Environment Jan :45 AM Warren Twins Baptism 12:15 PM Elburn Train Station for March for Life in Chicago Jan. 15 Martin Luther King Holiday Jan. 16 9:00 AM Tuesday Morning Bible Study 7:00 PM Crossword Bible Study (Rms. 1-4) 8:00 PM AA (Rms. 5-6) Jan. 17 4:30 PM & 6:00 PM Faith Formation Youth Nite with Adoration 7:00 PM Respect Life Meeting (Break Room) Jan. 18 6:00 PM Youth Group (Rms. 1-4) 7:00 PM PMLT 7:30 PM Venturing Crew (Rms. 5-6) 9 Days for Life Begins Jan. 20 6:00 AM That Man is You 9:00 AM Art & Environment 10:00 AM Pastoral Council Mini-Day of Recollection/St. Katherine Drexel Tiny Soles / Baby Bottle Campaign REVERSE FOOD COLLECTION Jan. 1 Holy Mother of God (not a holy day of obligation this year) 8:30 AM, 12:10 PM, 7:30 PM Jan. 12 FF Bingo Nite-Grades 3-12 Jan. 14 March for Life in Chicago-Everyone welcome! Jan. 15 Martin Luther King Holiday Jan Days for Life Begins Jan. 21 8:30 AM Joyful Sunday (Pre-School thru 7th) 5:00 PM Confirmation (Grades 8-9) REVERSE FOOD COLLECTION Jan. 22 7:30 PM Give Thanks to God for The Gift of Human Life (anniversary of Roe vs. Wade) Jan. 23 7:00 PM CrossWord Bible Study (Rm. 1-4) 8:00 PM AA Meeting (Rms. 5-6) Jan. 24 5:30 PM PRE-REQUISITE Catechist In-Service No FF Classes Jan. 25 7:30 PM Venturing Crew (Rm. 5-6) Jan. 26 5:00 PM JUMPSTART Grades 4-5 7:00 PM Middle School Retreat Jan. 27 MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT 6:00 AM That Man is You! 9:00 AM Art & Environment FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION Jan. 28 9:30-12:00 St. Vincent de Paul DONUT SUNDAY 11:30 AM First Communion Parent Meeting Jan. 30 9:00 AM Tuesday Morning Bible Study 7:00 PM CrossWord Bible Study (Rms. 1-4) 8:00 PM AA Meeting (Rms. 5-6) Jan. 31 4:30 PM & 6:00 PM Faith Formation January 2018 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Jan. 19 Tiny Soles/Baby Bottle Campaign Begins Jan. 22 Give Thanks to God for the Gift of Human Life Mass at 7:30 PM (anniversary of Roe vs. Wade) Jan. 24 Pre-Requisite Catechist In-Service Jan. 26 JUMP START for Grades 4-5 Middle School Retreat Jan. 28 DONUT SUNDAY First Communion Parent Meeting

8 FEBRUARY Scheduled Events Feb. 1 6:00 PM Youth Group Feb. 3 6:00 AM That Man is You 9:15 AM Planned Parenthood Vigil 5:30 PM Widows Support Group Baby Bottles Returned Feb. 4 8:30 AM Joyful Sunday (Pre-School-7th) 5:00 PM Confirmation (Gr. 8-9) Baby Bottles Returned Feb. 6 9:00 AM Tuesday Morning Bible Study 8:00 PM AA Group (Rms. 5-6) Feb. 7 4:30 PM & 6:00 PM Faith Formation 7:30 PM Finance Council (Work Break Rm) Feb. 8 7:00 PM Youth Group 7:00 PM St. Vincent de Paul (Rm. 7) 7:30 PM Venturing Crew (Rms. 5-6) Feb. 9 5:00 PM JUMPSTART YM Grades 4-5 6:00PM YM Event Feb. 10 6:00 AM That Man is You! 9:00 AM Art & Environment 4:30 PM First Communion Rite Feb. 11 8:30 AM Joyful Sunday (Pre-School-7th) 8:30 AM First Communion Rite 2:00 PM Confirmation Retreat 5:00 PM Grade 8 Confirmation Feb. 12 5:30 PM Confirmation Mass Feb. 13 9:00 AM Tuesday Morning Bible Study 4:30 PM & 6:00 PM Faith Formation 7:00 PM Crossword Bible Study (Rms. 1-4) 8:00 PM AA Group (Rms. 5-6) Feb. 14 ASH WEDNESDAY Mass 7:00 AM; 12:10 PM; 7:30 PM 4:30 PM & 6:00 PM Faith Formation Ashes Distributed during class time St. Valentine s Day Feb. 15 7:00 PM Youth Group (Rms. 1-4) 7:00 PM Pastoral Council (Break Room) 7:30 PM Venturing Crew (Rms. 5-6) Feb. 17 6:00 AM That Man is You! 9:00 AM Art & Environment REVERSE FOOD COLLECTION Feb. 3 9:15 AM Planned Parenthood Vigil Feb. 3/4 Baby Bottles Returned Feb. 9 JUMPSTART YM Grades 4-5 Feb. 10/11 First Communion Rite Feb. 11 Confirmation Retreat Feb. 12 Confirmation Mass Feb. 14 Ash Wednesday 7:00 AM; 12:10 PM; 7:30 PM Masses Feb. 18 NO LOWC REVERSE FOOD COLLECTION Feb. 19 President s Day Offices Closed Feb. 20 9:00 AM Tuesday Morning Bible Study 7:00 PM School of Prayer/Tim Glemkowski in place of CrossWord Bible Study 8:00 PM AA Meeting (Rms. 5-6) Feb. 21 No FF Classes 5:30 PM Catechist In-Service Feb. 22 7:00 PM Youth Group 7:30 PM Venturing Crew (Rms. 5-6) Feb. 23 Feb. 24 Feb. 25 Feb. 27 Feb. 28 4:00 AM Diocesan Priest Monthly Meeting 6:00 AM That Man is You! 9:00 AM Art & Environment FOOD PANTRY COLLECTION 8:30 AM LOWC DONUT SUNDAY 7:00 PM School of Prayer 4:30 PM & 6:00 PM Faith Formation February 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Ground Hog Day, Feb. 2nd Feb. 18 Reverse Food Collection Feb. 19 President's Day-Offices Closed Feb. 20 School of Prayer Feb. 21 Catechist In Service Feb, 23 Diocesan Priest Monthly Meeting on Site Feb. 24 Food Pantry Collection Feb. 25 DONUT SUNDAY

9 Students will prepare for the Sacrament of Eucharist over the next few months. Be sure to watch their folders and your for more information about upcoming events. Families who attend Mass weekly with their students should help prepare them. Practice genuflecting when you come in to Church use the right knee, memorize the prayers use the right hand for the Sign of the Cross. Talk about the readings for the Sunday Mass before you go to Church. Ask them to watch for a prayer or phrase from the readings. Focus on the Consecration and practice how to receive the Body of Christ. They can go up with you and receive a blessing, too! We will be practicing all of these things during class also. First Communion Parent Meeting January 28 from 10:30am Mass-2:00pm Notify the office if you will bring your student or siblings so that we have supervision and activities. First Communion Rite February 10 4:30pm Mass February 11 8:30am Mass Sign up for the Mass you will attend! Want to know more about our faith? CATECHIST CORNER NEW CATECHIST CLASS! In-Service No 4:30 or 6:00pm classes All Catechists are required to attend January 24 from 5:30-7:30pm CATHOLIC CULTURE February 21 from 5:30-7:30pm CATECHIST CLASS TBD Need your Level 2 certification? Classes will be held at the Newman Center in DeKalb on January 20 and February 3 CONFIRMATION FAITH PROJECT Due February 1! How do you express your faith? Be sure to notify Donna Doherty about any technology needs. Presentations for parents, family and friends will be April 8 and 17 after the 5pm Mass. You will be notified which days your student s project will be presented to the class so everyone can attend! CONFIRMATION RETREAT WITH SPONSORS February :30PM Includes the 5pm Mass, Reconciliation and dinner! Rehearsal for the Confirmation 6:30-7:30pm Did you know that there are Children s Bulletins in the Library every Sunday for your children to pick up before Mass? CONGRATULATIONS! AND THE WINNER IS... Ages 3-6 Bulletins Beginners Bible Winners: James Forgy Gr. 2 and Chance Anderson Gr. 4 Bulletins Ages 7-12 Action Bible Winners: Avery Nackovic Gr. 4 and Zachary McNamara Gr. 5 Students and teens completed Children s Bulletins and entered them in our Bible contest! Thank you to the Marmion Team and Deacon Bill Johnson! They were back to host our Youth Nite on November 17. Grades 6-7 learned how to become missionary disciples, about Eucharistic Adoration and had time for quiet reflection! Thank you, Marmion! What an amazing witness to our faith! JANUARY 4 Laser tag Road Trip 7 LOWC, JOYFUL SUNDAYS Confirmation Sundays 10 Gr. 1-7 Classes 11 Youth Group 12 FF/YM Bingo Night 17 Gr. 1-7 Classes Adoration 18 Youth Group 21 LOWC, JOYFUL SUNDAYS Confirmation Sundays 24 Catechist In-Service 25 Youth Group 26/27 MS Retreat 28 LOWC, First Communion Parent Meeting/Service Op 31 Gr. 1-7 Classes February 1 Youth Group 4 LOWC, JOYFUL SUNDAYS Confirmation Sundays 7 Gr. 1-7 Classes 9 JumpStart YM & YM Event 10/11 First Communion Rite of Enrollment 11 LOWC, JOYFUL SUNDAYS, Gr. 8 and Gr. 9 Confirmation Retreat And Rehearsal 12 Confirmation Mass 14 Gr. 1-7 Classes Ash Wednesday Services 15 Youth Group 21 Catechist In-Service 22 Youth Group 25 LOWC 28 Gr. 1-7 Classes Adoration Questions? Need more info? Contact Donna Doherty by donna@stgall.com Faith Formation Office To register for events, FaithFormation@stgall.com

10 Snow is coming! Did you sign up for texts? to ST. GALL FAITH FORMATION and YOUTH MINISTRY NEW! JumpStart YM For Grades 4-5 Grades 4-5 get the Youth Ministry experience with fun games and snacks, all with a Catholic theme based on the older YM event! Monthly on Fridays from 5-6pm, before the YM events for Grades 6-12! RSVP to FaithFormation@stgall.com. January 26 from 5-6pm February 9 from 5 6pm No March date Join us for the Living Stations! FF/YM Bingo Night! For Grades 3-12 January pm RSVP and bring a friend! Bring $5 for pizza! Service Opportunities For teens and adults Middle School Retreat 1/26-27 JumpStart YM Dates above PMLT See our ad! Joyful Sundays Breakfast setup/cleanup Office Help Catechist Aide Youth Nites Eucharistic Adoration For Gr. 6-7 students and parishioners! 7:00-7:30pm Students attend Adoration at the end of the 6:00 p.m. class for 30 minutes. Parents and families are welcome! January 17 February 28 Twitter for YM Facebook or Twitter! See the bulletin board or web site for more information on all of these activities or events! Watch your ! MIDDLE SCHOOL St. Gall Overnight retreat January 26/27 for 6th-8th grade students and friends. Middle School Day Retreat - Friday, March 2 No school for Kaneland! Don t miss this fun, large group, day retreat for Grades 6-8. Registration is easy. Just fill out the forms! See FFYM bulletin board for more information! $20 includes lunch and a t-shirt! Register for Camp WOW! June dare to dream Open to current 6-8 Grade teens and their friends! Space is limited register now! Registrations are available on the bulletin board and website under Youth Ministry. 8th Grade and HIGH SCHOOL Youth Group January 11, 18, 25 and February 1, 15 and 22. Thursdays from 6-7pm. Bible study, activities and discussion of current events. Bring a friend for smoothies and snacks or hot chocolate! PMLT PEER MINISTRY LEADERSHIP TEAM Next meeting January 18 from 7-8pm! Help plan and lead our MS retreat on January 26/27. We provide pizza! Watch for YM pop-up events! To Sign up - to ARMED FORCES CHRISTMAS CARD SERVICE PROJECT 500 CARDS! Thank you to everyone who donated hundreds of cards and the students and Youth Ministry teens who wrote notes and drew pictures! What s going on Faith Formation or Youth Ministry? Calendar: Faith Formation or Youth Ministry. FF/ YM calendar with up-to-date events and class schedules are at the bottom of our web pages! Like the St. Gall Faith Formation and Youth Ministry Facebook pages!

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12 ASH WEDNESDAY Wed., February 14, 2018 Mass will be as follows: 7:00 AM 12:10 PM 7 :30 PM Ashes will also be distributed during Faith Formation Classes at 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM ABSTINENCE AND FASTING Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence. For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards. STATIONS OF THE CROSS The Stations of the Cross began as the practice of pious pilgrims to Jerusalem who would retrace the final journey of Jesus Christ to Calvary. Later, for the many who wanted to pass along the same route, but could not make the trip to Jerusalem, a practice developed that eventually took the form of the fourteen stations currently found in almost every church. Similarly, the 150 Hail Marys that were recited for the rosary were an adaptation of the medieval monastic practice of reciting the 150 psalms in the Psalter Lenten Prayers Our Father... MARY, Mother of Jesus, you were Jesus' gift for us from the Cross. He gave you to us as our mother. Intercede for all our needs. Hail Mary... Glory Be... Come Gracious Spirit, Heavenly Dove, With light and comfort from above. Be Thou our Guardian, Thou our Guide, Stay close by every child's side. Amen! Lord, I know how much you love me. It s hard for me to feel it sometimes, but I know your love is always with me. Help me to use your love as a way to persevere in my Lenten intentions. I am weak, but I know with your help, I can use these small sacrifices in my life to draw closer to you. LENT A TIME FOR PRAYER, FASTING Please join us every Friday during Lent for the Stations of the Cross at 6:00 PM. & ALMSGIVING

13 134th St. Gall Annual Turkey Dinner Mark your calendars NOW for our annual Turkey Dinner. It will be held here at St. Gall s on Sunday, March 11, We need much help! Contact Bruce Aderman at with any questions and look in upcoming bulletins for more details. UPCOMING: National Appeal Weekend On January 20-21, 2018 the Diocese of Rockford will have their annual National Appeal which includes: Retirement Fund for Religious Catholic Campaign for Human Development Catholic Communication Campaign Catholic University of America Rockford Diocesan Priest s Pension (see more information below) Catholic Elementary School Support for the Diocese of Rockford Our priests devote their lives to bringing people closer to Christ, and in retirement, our priests continue to serve as spiritual leaders, counselors, minister to the sick and much more. With gratitude for their years of faithful ministry, the Diocese has a Priests Pension to support our 57 currently retired priests and those that will retire in the future. Last year, the faithful of our Diocese contributed $172,982. To make your donation on-line, please visit: Pick up an envelope on the information table in the narthex. Thank you for your support!

14 SAVE THE DATE! Learn to pray and be transformed! First four Tuesdays of Lent at St. Gall Prayer leads to reduction in stress; Draws us closer to God; Inspires us and help us discern God s will for ourselves and our family (plus much more)! We hope you can join us for these dynamic sessions!

15 Giggles and Smiles to you all! The Secret Burden A much loved-minister of God once carried a secret burden of long- past sin deep in his heart. He had committed the sin many years before, during his Bible school training. No one knew what he had done, but they did know he had repented. Even so, he had suffered years of remorse over the incident without any sense of God's forgiveness. A woman in his church deeply loved God and claimed to have visions in which Jesus spoke to her. The minister, skeptical of her claims, asked her, "The next time you speak to the Lord, would you please ask Him what sin your minister committed while he was in Bible school." The woman kindly agreed. When she came to the church a few days later the minister asked, "Did He visit you?" She said, "Yes." "And did you ask Him what sin I committed?" "Yes, I asked Him," she replied "Well, what did He say?" "He said, 'I don't remember. Ah, come on and smile! What Do Snowmen Call Their Offspring? Chill-dren What Do You Call An Old Snowman? Water. What s it called when a snowman has a temper tantrum? A meltdown. How do you scare a snowman? Pull out a hairdryer. How was the snow globe feeling after the scary story? A little shaken. How does a penguin build a house? Igloos it together

16 ST. GALL Catholic Church 43W885 Hughes Rd., Elburn, IL Food for thought: Resolution #1 I will live for God Resolution #2 Even if no one else does, I still will