VISITATION CATHOLIC CHURCH ELMHURST, IL

Transcription

1 VISITATION CATHOLIC CHURCH ELMHURST, IL DECEMBER 10, 2017

2 Page Two December 10, 2017 Visitation Catholic Church CHRISTMAS VIGIL MASSES SUNDAY, DEC. 24 3:30 pm Family Mass in Church Children s Choir, Barb A. Masters, Director 4:00 pm Family Mass in Valentino Center Jack and Krystyna Miuccio and Susan Salgado, Cantors; Harp and Brass; James Brown, Pianist 5:30 pm Mass in Church Elaine Latz, Cantor; St. Gabriel Brass RECONCILIATION Confessions offered at all Mass times, Dec. 16/Dec. 17 CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE CHRISTMAS MASS AT MIDNIGHT 11:30 pm Prelude begins Visitation Adult Choir Guitar Ensemble and Festival Orchestra CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES MONDAY, DEC. 25 8:00 am Mass in Church Barb A. Masters, Organist; Dylan Rehm, Cantor 10:00 am Mass in Church Visitation Adult Choir and Festival Orchestra 12 Noon Mass in Church Jack and Krystyna Miuccio, Cantors; Festival Brass and Timpani ***No 6:00 pm Mass DATE DAY CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS LOCATION TIME 11 Dec MON SPRED Podesta Hall 6:30 PM 11 Dec MON Prayer for Priests Church 7:00 PM 12 Dec TUES Daisy Meeting Parish Center 3:00 PM 13 Dec WED Bible Study Parish Center 12:30 PM 13 Dec WED Tiger Scout Meeting Podesta Hall 3:30 PM 13 Dec WED Children s Choir Church 3:30 PM 13 Dec WED Women s Evening of Recollection Church 7:30 PM 13 Dec WED MANNA Parish Center 7:30 PM 14 Dec THUR Prayer for Priests Church 8:45 AM 14 Dec THUR ENDOW Parish Center 9:00 AM 14 Dec THUR ENDOW Parish Center 7:00 PM 14 Dec THUR Visitation School Board Meeting Parish Center 7:00 PM 15 Dec FRI MANNA Parish Center 2:00 PM 15 Dec FRI Youth Ministry Christmas Gathering Parish Center 7:00 PM 16 Dec SAT Biblical Institute Parish Center 9:00 AM CONFESSION AT ALL MASS TIMES SAT, DEC 16-5:00 PM SUN, DEC. 17-8:15 AM THRU 12 NOON 17 Dec SUN RCIA Parish Center 10:00 AM 17 Dec SUN Troop 14 Christmas Party Podesta Hall ***Due to LPI Holiday plant closures, we have early print deadlines. We thank you for your cooperation to send articles by: For Sunday, Dec. 24 Send by Wednesday, Dec. 13 For Sunday, Dec. 31 Send by Monday, Dec. 18

3 Second Sunday of Advent December 10, 2017 Page Three NEWS FROM THE P.I.T. PRIEST IN TRAINING SECOND COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND Saturday, Dec. 9/Sunday, Dec. 10 Elderly religious need your help. The religious picture here represents more than 32,000 senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests living in the United States. Through prayer, love, and sacrifice, they established Catholic schools, hospitals, and more. Yet years of serving for little or no pay have left a shortage in retirement funding. Your gift helps their religious communities furnish necessities such as medications and nursing care and helps insure younger members can continue the good works of their elders. OUR PARISH STEWARDSHIP December 3, 2017 Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 8:00 AM 10:00 AM 12 NOON 6:00 PM TOTAL COLLECTION PREVIOUS WEEK E-GIVE WEEKLY TOTAL SUNDAY WEEKLY BUDGET SUNDAY YTD BUDGET SUNDAY YTD TOTAL $ 5, $ 4, $ 6, $ 8, $ 1, $ 27, $ 4, $ 31, $ 29, $ 684, $ 687, E-GIVING IS AVAILABLE Have you considered signing up for E-Giving instead of writing checks for your weekly offering? If you are interested in registering for E-Giving, please visit to see how easy and convenient it is and sign up today or contact the parish office for assistance. Thank you for your contributions to Visitation Parish. By Father Michael Kearney Have you ever noticed that the words communion and communication are closely related? It s no coincidence that you cannot have communion (relationship) without communication. ll friendships begin with conversations; just as A all friendships seem to end when conversations stop! In my life I have had the opportunity to enter into many friendships, all of which began with plenty of communication! On the other hand, I have seen many broken relationships, in both my family and ministry, where myself and others struggle to communicate with one another. If we are all made for communion with God and neighbor (as shared in previous P.I.T. articles), how are we to repair these broken relationships? I believe St. John the Baptist reveals that answer to us in this weekend s Gospel. He tells us to repent! In other words, to seek forgiveness! We might not like to admit this, but asking for forgiveness is a necessity for any relationship, including our relationship with God! This is because of our brokenness and sinfulness. It is only after asking for and receiving forgiveness, we are able to enter into communication and communion once again. uring the Advent season, Visitation offers extra D times for the Sacrament of Reconciliation an opportunity to seek and receive forgiveness! This past Saturday, we offered confessions from 9 am-4 pm. Next weekend, Dec. 16/17, during all Mass times, we will offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). Like St. John the Baptist, we encourage all to seek forgiveness from God this Advent season this way our communication and communion with God can continue to grow!

4 Page Four December 10, 2017 Scripture Reflections for SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT LIVING the WORD Sunday, December 10, 2017 THIS WEEK S FOCUS: COMFORT AND PRAYER Sometimes God s timeline seems inscrutable, or at least beyond our human patience. While waiting for the Lord, we lift our hearts and voices in prayer, knowing the solace of Divine presence. FIRST READING The rugged land shall be made a plain; the rough country, a broad valley (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11). Jerusalem had been destroyed and the elite of Israel had been carried off into exile. They began to wonder whether God was less powerful than the gods of Babylon. They even wondered whether God was so angry at them that he would never forgive them. The very first words of this prophecy respond to these concerns. Israel will be consoled and comforted. She had more than paid the debt for her sins. God only wanted to heal her and restore her to the promised land. He would treat her with great gentleness, like a shepherd treats his sheep. SECOND READING Conduct yourselves in holiness, hastening the coming of the day of God (2 Peter 3:8-14). In the early Church, Christians believed that Jesus would return in glory within a very short time. Saint Paul even recommended that the Corinthians not get married so that they could dedicate themselves to the ways of the Lord Jesus in the few days that remained before the return of the Lord. As time went by and Jesus did not arrive, some Christians began to ask whether Jesus ever would return. In this Letter we hear that the Lord will return at the end of time, and that his delay is not due Visitation Catholic Church to his forgetting his promises. Rather, God is giving us extra time for conversion. Jesus wants to give us all the opportunity to turn our lives around and dedicate ourselves to the ways of the Lord. He wants our salvation and not our destruction. GOSPEL I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:1-8). John the Baptist practiced a baptism of conversion that cleansed the people of their sins. This might have been a practice that John learned in Qumran, a community of celibate monks near the Dead Sea that was awaiting the Day of the Lord. They performed ceremonial ablutions to purify themselves from their sins. Yet, while John practiced this type of baptism, he also pointed to another type of Baptism, one that not only washed us free of our sins, but also gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who makes us children of God, heirs to the Kingdom of God, and brothers and sisters of Jesus. This is the meaning of Christian baptism. REFLECTION Second Peter describes what sort of persons ought you to be, conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God (2 Peter 3:11b-12a). It is good to ask, What sort of person am I to be? I am to be a person of prayer and witness. How? I grow in holiness and devotion by taking time to pray. I make room for Jesus Christ by listening for his voice, crying out in my need, giving thanks for God s gifts, or simply consciously spending time with God. In prayer I hear God speak tenderly at times and challenge me at others. In prayer God empowers me to be a witness, through whom God lowers mountains of pride, fills in valleys of spiritual and emotional poverty, and brings life to desert regions of hardness of heart and fear. Prayer helps me see where Christ is present in our midst, how I already live Jesus in my body, and what I need to change to live Jesus more clearly. John s words are addressed to us: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Before receiving Communion, we say with John, Lord, I am not worthy. We add, Speak but the word and my soul will be healed. God has spoken the word, Jesus Christ. Jesus life, death, and resurrection have made us worthy to imprint the Gospels in our bodies and point the way to him. Pray to reorient your life and witness Jesus in our midst. What sort of persons ought we be? People of prayer and witness, who manifest the glory of the Lord by how we have been imprinted with the Gospel, the Good news, of Jesus Christ. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday, Dec. 11 Is 35:1-10 Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday, Dec. 12 Zec 2:14-17 Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday, Dec. 13 Is 40:25-31 Mt 11:28-30 Thursday, Dec. 14 Is 41:13-20 Mt 11:11-15 Friday, Dec. 15 Is 48:17-19 Mt 11:16-19

5 Second Sunday of Advent MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 6:15 AM Larry Luporini Rosemary Donovan TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12 6:15 AM Virginia D Orio Frank Genualdi WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13 6:15 AM Jim and Lois O Connell Ryan Hanrahan Margaret Lombardi Allen Ryan THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14 6:15 AM Edward Haptas Emilia Bautista FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15 6:15AM Geraldine Lebert 8:15AM Mark Walden Thomas McNulty SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 Christine Campbell Richard Wyrwa 5:00 PM Deceased members of Trzeciakowski and Carter Families Albert Rogalski SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 8:00 AM Michael Van Mere 10:00 AM Harry and Lawrence Schroeder People of the Parish Ed and Jon Grebin 12 NOON James and Frances O Connor 6:00 PM Rose Miller MASS INTENTIONS December 10, 2017 Page Five PRAYERS FOR OUR FAMILY For the Deceased Edward Reilly "Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. For the Sick Please pray for all the sick and their families: Brent Whelan Tom Pezza Bill Uher Due to privacy issues we only honor requests to be put on the prayer list by you or a family member. Names remain on list for two weeks. Please call the office to add a name or to have the name continued for an additional two weeks. FLAMES OF FAITH INTENTIONS Candles will burn perpetually this week before the Blessed Sacrament in the Adoration Chapel of Our Lady, Mother of the Eucharist, for the following intentions: That the institutions that I am working with will soften their hearts. For the intentions of Isabelle Rodriguez. For the repose of the soul of Rosenda Cadayova Malon. CHURCH VIGIL CANDLE INTENTIONS Before the statues of Our Lady and St. Joseph in our church, vigil candles burn for requested intentions. To have a candle lit, please call the Parish Office at This week candles will burn for: For Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Lfe WEDDING BANNS Please pray for the following couples as they prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony: (I) Elizabeth Madden and Daniel Kunesh (I) Mallory Purdom and Cooper Forbes OUR NEWLY BAPTIZED The Sacrament of Baptism was celebrated on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017 ISOBEL VIRGINIA Daughter of Jason and Mary (Armstrong) Noble NOLAN JUDSON Son of Judd and Anne (Mantey) O Neal JILLIAN TAYLOR Daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Theilen) Ryan

6 Page Six December 10, 2017 Visitation Catholic Church SAVE THE DATE Visitation Women s Christ Renew His Parish (CRHP) A Life Changing Experience Jan , 2018 I am a born and raised Catholic I thought I knew how to pray. I thought I knew what Christianity was all about. I thought I understood what it meant to be Catholic. I thought I was pretty close to God. After CRHP, I learned what it meant to truly PRAY and LISTEN to the word of God. I learned how to FEEL God s presence, and FEEL him surround me. I learned what being PART of a friendship circle and community really meant. Before CRHP, I was kind of just going through life on auto-pilot. The weekend allowed me to totally FOCUS on what was really important, GOD and his works. And I made new friends who share with me the love of life and our Lord. The experience is priceless and my life has been changed forever. Marcia Please consider joining us for a CRHP Renewal weekend here at Visitation on January Registration forms coming soon. If you have questions please contact: Michele at Mary at Cathy at FREE ROSARY REPAIR AND SALE Saturday, Dec. 16/Sunday, Dec. 17 Visitation Rosary Makers will repair rosaries free of charge and also have rosaries, rosary pouches and other religious items for sale. This is the last opportunity before Christmas. Broken rosaries can be brought to any meeting for repair. The next Rosary Maker meeting is Dec. 19 th from 12 Noon-3 pm in the Hospitality Room. SERRA CLUB ROSARY, MASS AND DINNER The SERRA CLUB, a national organization supporting vocations to the priesthood and religious life, invites all to join them on Monday, Dec. 18, at St. Michael Church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton. Rosary at 6 pm, Mass, dinner to follow. Guest speaker: Fr. Burke Masters, Diocese of Joliet Director of Vocations (and Chaplain for the Chicago Cubs. RSVP to: carrgeojo@gmail.com or ARMED FORCES PRAYER LIST Please remember in prayer as long as they continue to serve in our Armed Forces. We pray that God will watch over them and bring them home safely. United States Air Force MSGT Kevin M. James (Ramstein AFB, Germany) AMN Natalee Arbino (Wright Paterson, OH) AMN E2 Jacob Neimanan (Ft. Sam Houston, TX) AB Eric E. James (Keesler AFB, MS) United States Army CPT Joseph Doyle (Ft. Bliss, TX) MAJ Patrick Leen (IL) 1LT Timothy Drahokoupil (Ft. Campbell, KY) 2 LT Thomas J Diwisch (Kandahar, Afghanistan) United States Coast Guard CPO Patrick Kirby (TX) United States Marine Corps 2LT Kurt P. James (Camp Pendleton, CA) CPL David Byrne (Sicily) PVT Nicholas Acevedo (CA) LCPL Conor Croci (MCAS Miramar, CA) PFC Eric E Gibas (Camp Pendleton, CA) United States Navy LCDR Robert Aranha (United States) To add a name to this list, please call

7 Second Sunday of Advent December 10, 2017 Page Seven VISITATION ADOPT-A- FAMILY SERVICE PROJECT State of Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship Invest in Kids Act Receive up to 100% of Catholic School Tuition 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 the 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, Dates subject to change. Under the Tax Credit Scholarship Program individuals and corporations will make donations to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGO) that will distribute scholarships to qualified students. Tax credits will be available on a first come, first serve basis beginning January 2, Benefit to Donors Individual or corporate donors will receive a 75% tax credit, up to $1 million, for donations made to a SGO on their 2018 State of Illinois tax return. Example: a scholarship donation of $1,000 will provide a $750 tax credit to a corporate or individual Illinois taxpayer. Individual (non-corporate) donors may designate their parish school or all Joliet diocesan schools to receive their scholarship donation. Visit for up to date details. or the past several years, Visitation has F taken part in an Adopt-a-Family service project organized by Judy O Sullivan, one of the Kindergarten aides. Visitation adopts four families from St. Alexis Parish in Bensenville. Grade levels pair up with their faith partners and each student brings in a donation to be put towards purchasing gifts for their family. Our Preschool and Kindergarten classes collect donations to help provide Jewel gift cards for the families as well. The faith partners get together once gifts have been bought and work together to wrap them and to make joyous Christmas cards for the family. The Visitation students look forward to this project every year and love working with their faith partners to bring joy to another family less fortunate. Students are able to see how donating not only money can make a difference but also donating their time and making something as simple as a card can have such a positive impact on someone else. 3RD FOR VISITATION AT MATH CONTEST ICCP hosted their Annual Math Contest on Saturday, Nov. 18. Sixteen schools were represented as students in grades 6-8 crunched numbers and answered multiple choice and short answer questions on topics chosen from pre-algebra, algebra and geometry. The contest consisted of three rounds with an additional tie breaker round. Congratulations to ICGS for earning Third Place in scoring overall to go along with the Top Participation Award as a school! In 6th grade: Patrick Berrigan scored in the top 20% and Sam Hemmersmeier scored in the top 10%. In 7 th grade, Ryan Felice scored in the top 10%. In 8th Grade, Joe Marzano and Colin Doherty scored in the top 20%. Congratulations to all participants and winners! IC CATHOLIC PREP NEWS ICCP FOOTBALL WINS STATE AGAIN! On Friday, Nov. 24, the ICCP Football team returned to the IHSA Class 3A State Championship game at Northern Illinois University's Huskie Stadium where they defeated Pleasant Plains by a score of Earning the first back-to-back State Title in ICCP history, the game also featured a record-breaking performance by Senior Lazerick Eatman who ran for 237 yards and four touchdowns. Senior CJ West also got in on the scoring with a 19-yard keeper early in the second half. The Knights were led by captain and Visitation alumnus CJ West. West was an Honorable Mention, All-State selection and was the MSC Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

8 Page Eight December 10, 2017 Adoration Chapel Mary Lewis Joan Taylor Altar Servers Rev. Michael Kearney Bereavement Ministers Patti Riggs Casserole Ministry Kathy Best Council of Catholic Women Kim MacGregor CRHP Kathy Fowler Crypt of the Saints Richard Montalbano Elizabeth Ministry Clarita Iozzo Fathers Club Craig Heiss Finance Committee Chairperson Rob Bennett Knights of Columbus Kevin O Reilly Don Lamonica John Kwit Ladies Bowling Sharon Bresnahan Ladies and Couples Bridge Peg Majewski Ladies Golf League Lynn DeFilippis MANNA Tuition Assistance David James Men s Bowling Sev Delabar Visitation Catholic Church A Workshop for Family Caregivers: Caring for Others & Caring for Yourself Presented by the Visitation Council of Catholic Women (CCW) Saturday, January 6 10 AM 12 Noon Visitation Parish Center Hospitality Room I m so overwhelmed, getting more and more involved in caring for my parents. There are so many decisions to make, I could really use some help. How can I be more prepared? If these thoughts have crossed your mind, you are not alone. Virtually every one of us will care for a loved one at some time in our life. This workshop is for anyone juggling the challenges of everyday life while caring for an aging parent, spouse or grandparent or a child with a disability. The workshop will explore the roles and impact of the family caregiver and ways to maintain your wellbeing. Practical tools and emotional supports will enable you to thrive while caring for another. All with a Christ-centered view. ABOUT THE PRESENTERS: Debra Kelsey-Davis is a registered nurse, lay minister, certified in gerontology. Kelly Johnson is a caregiver and a member of National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers through her position in Adult Faith Formation at St. Mary of Gostyn in Downers Grove. Together they co-founded Nourish for Caregivers to provide emotional, spiritual and practical support to other caregivers. To learn more, visit Please RSVP to: cccvisitation@gmail.com OR call: PARISH DIRECTORY Men s Small Groups Jim Herrmann PADS Kathy Sacksteder Jksack@att.net Parish Pastoral Council Anne Montgomery Prayer Group Blue Army Mary Parpan Prayer Quilt Ministry Karen Verner RCIA School Board President Lea Smirniotis lea636@gmail.com Scouting Melanie Schneider Dave Stevenson Social Service Outreach Deacon Tony Spatafore aspatafore1@comcast.net SPRED Melanie Schneider Ushers George Klein gpkcdc@juno.com Valentino Activity Center Linda Roberts Viz Seniors Mary Ann Kramer Vocation Committee Pam Gaudio Joan Taylor Women s Volleyball Tracy Nelson mtnelson95@yahoo.com BULLETIN DEADLINE Thursday at 12 NOON (unless otherwise noted) Suzanne Noonan

9 VISITATION PARISH LITURGICAL MINISTRY SCHEDULE Dec 16/DEC 17 5:00 pm 8:00 am 10:00 am 12 Noon 6:00 pm LECTORS Gerry Weaver Bill Milano Laura Kern Joe Falcone Gerry Arcaro David Stevenson Mary McCann Rufo Lacsamana Helen Krajewski Janet Fatheree EXTRAORDINARY Linda Swieton Catherine Shea Al Potaczek Rose Krajewski Susan Haibeck EUCHARISTIC Bing Zamar Marianne Stanke Erin Radcliff Susan Maloney Mary Ann Hartnett MINISTERS Myrna Zamar Paul Morris Patti Riggs Kelley Mical Tom Lawless ALTAR SERVERS Conal Doyle Emmet Doyle Connor Lawrence Luke Hemmersmeier Sam Hemmersmeier Charles Walsh Nick Zaragoza Melissa Mueller Daniel O Shaughnessy Ryan Falcone Jack Kavanaugh Matthew Kavanaugh Beth Frolik Alysa Lawton Joe Pagni MUSIC Barb Masters GUITAR ENSEMBLE Megan Drahos Jim Brown Bob Ross ADULT CHOIR Jim Brown Jack Miuccio Krystyna Miuccio MONDAY Jack Carroll Molly Lucas DAILY 8:15 AM MASS ALTAR SERVER ASSIGNMENT (DEC. 11-DEC. 16) TUESDAY Luke Tardiff Patrick Wisniewski WEDNESDAY Tommy Doyle Ryan Felice THURSDAY Luke Hemmersmeier Sam Hemmersmeier FRIDAY Mark Schneider Eric Spencer SATURDAY Aniela Gaudio Giovanna Gaudio Welcome to Visitation Catholic Church 779 S. York Street Elmhurst, IL Daily Mass: Monday-Friday, 6:15 am, 8:15 am Saturday Reconciliation: 4:00-4:45 pm Saturday Mass Hours: 8:15 am, 5:00 pm Sunday Mass Hours: 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12 NOON, 6:00 pm VISITATION PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Visitation Parish, a Roman Catholic Community in the Diocese of Joliet-in-Illinois, seeks to draw all to Jesus Christ, revelation of the Father and font of the Holy Spirit, by celebrating the Sacraments, educating people of all ages in the Truths of the Catholic Faith, and reaching out to those who are physically, emotionally, or spiritually in need. PASTORAL STAFF Rev. Greg Skowron, Pastor, Frgreg@visitationcc.org Rev. Michael Kearney, Parochial Vicar, Frmike@visitationcc.org Deacon Anthony Spatafore, Pastoral Associate, aspatafore1@comcast.net Deacon Jay Janousek, Deacon James Eaker, Deacon Mike Iozzo, , mike.iozzo@outlook.com Deacon Michael O Ryan, VisDeaconMikeO@gmail.com Marek Latocha, Business Manager, , x202 PARISH FAITH FORMATION/RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Matthew Pozen, , x502 Love and Service to Others MUSIC Barbara Masters, Parish Music Director, b.masters@visitationparish.org PARISH AND PASTORAL STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION OFFICE HOURS: [M-F] 8:30 am-4:30 pm Phone: Fax: welcome@visitationcc.org Parish Website: Deanery Website: easterndupagedeanery.org YOUTH MINISTRY Thomas Logue, Youth Minister, FILIOCatholic@gmail.com OFFICE STAFF Helen Pachay, Administrative Assistant, Suzanne Noonan, Secretary, VISTATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Website: Phone: /Fax: Dr. Christopher Dransoff, School Principal cdransoff@visitationelmhurst.org Katie McVey, School Assistant Principal kmcvey@visitationelmhurst.org BISHOP OF JOLIET Most Rev. R. Daniel Conlon, J.C.D.