St. Francis of Assisi Parish

Transcription

1 January 3, Epiphany of the Lord St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois Parish Office 203 E. Main St., P.O. Box 730, Teutopolis, IL Office Hours: Mon. -Fri. 9:00 am -4:30 pm Phone... (217) Fax... (217) Parish ... stfrancischurch@mchsi.com Parish website: stfrancischurch.com Submit written bulletin notices by noon Monday. Epiphany of the Lord January 3, 2016 Diocesan website: Diocesan Child Abuse Reporting and Investigation Number.. (217) Sacramental Celebrations Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday: 3:00-4:00 pm Thursday before First Friday: 3:30-4:30 pm Anytime by appointment Sacrament of Matrimony: Arrangements must be made a minimum of 6 months in advance with the Pastor. Sacrament of Baptism: Baptism Prep. class is required before baptism. Please call office to pre-register. Parish Pastoral Team Fr. Joe Carlos, OFM, Temporary Administrator Fr. Ed Shea, OFM, Parochial Vicar Fr. Ken Rosswog, OFM, Associate Pastor Fr. Thinh Tran, OFM, Associate Pastor Kim Deters, Director of Music Ministry Theresa Draper, Coordinator of Music Ministry Anita Broom, Bookkeeper Bernice Matteson, Part-time Secretary Jane Miller, Part-time Secretary Ron Ruholl, Maintenance Religious Education: Sr. A. Pierre Wilken, OSF, Director of Faith Formation: Sr. Ann Siemer, SSND, Gr. Sch./Jr. Hi. DRE: /3015 Lisa Siemer, Youth Director & Sr. High CRE: Carlene Rauch, Part-time Rel. Ed. Secretary: Parish Council: Dan Beckman Mick Deters Sandy Gillespie Bernie Hartke Steve Kroeger Lois Meinhart Tony Pals Mike Tipton Sharon Waldhoff MASS SCHEDULE Weekday Liturgy: See inside schedule Weekend Liturgy: Saturday 4:30 pm; Sunday 6:30, 8:30, & 10:30 am Holy Days Liturgy: Eve 7:00 pm; Day 6:00 am, 12:10 pm & 5:30 pm

2 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 2!!ATTENTION YOUNG ADULTS!! FRIDAY, JANUARY 8th 7:00 to 8:30 pm in ST. CLARE HALL Do you like pizza?? This is the place to be next Friday!! Father Ed would love to invite all of our Young Adults ( roughly" year-olds) to a gathering for some faith and fellowship on Friday night; we d like to start a monthly gathering, so please come on over and let s get this ball rolling. And please spread the word too!!all are welcome in this place! Year of Mercy. Today is Manifestation Day. It is a day for sharing. It is another day for gifts. It is the twelfth day of Christmas. The gift, clearly, is Christ Jesus the Lord. The gift is given not just to me, not just to us, but also to them. How can I be like God today and manifest some goodness and grace to both us and them? It is also the day when we bless the thresholds and doorways of our homes. See the insert for a blessing and invite all who visit your home this year to enter a house of mercy and love. Epiphany of the Lord "We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." These Magi did not know the person they were seeking to honor. They had not met Jesus, but had embarked upon a long and arduous journey in order to come into his presence. Although they were not from among the Jewish people who had received the ancient promises of a Messiah, they were nonetheless anticipating his arrival. And when they found him, "they were overjoyed." Their quest had come to its moment of fulfillment when "they saw the child with Mary his mother." For those of us who have been raised Christian since our infancy, it's important to reflect on the joy of the Magi. They found Christ as a result of great effort and expense. The very trials of their journey, and the hope that was fulfilled when it was successful, made them appreciate their encounter with Jesus in a profound way as "they prostrated themselves... and offered him gifts." Converts to the faith may have a kind of advantage in comprehending the experience of the Magi. But cradle Catholics may need to exert a bit more effort to share in the wonder. Even when Jesus has always been a part of someone's life, it is still important to stand in awe of him. On the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, we meditate on what it means to "find" Jesus. For some of us, this means remembering a conversion experience, but for others it means imagining what life would be like without him, and then rejoicing in the fact that he is truly with us. No matter how we found the Lord, we too should fall down on our knees in adoration and offer him the precious treasures of our lives: our fervent devotion and our will to serve him. Prayer for Epiphany Dear Jesus, though a newborn, the wise men knew your greatness. On a hint from the heavens, they traveled far from their places of comfort so that they could honor you. From their belief in your divinity, they gave amazing gifts, offerings that symbolized your life, power, and even your death. And because of a dream in the night, they altered their well-laid plans to return home in order to protect you. May we be so willing to honor, sacrifice, and obey, all for love of you, as we meditate on the meaning of this day. Amen. Monday, January 4, 6:30: Bernie Deters Monday, January 4, 12:10: Vincent Huelsing Tuesday, January 5, 6:30: Carol Lawson Tuesday, January 5, 8:05: St. Francis Catechists Wednesday, January 6, 6:30: AID Wednesday, January 6, 8:05: Mass Supervisors & Helpers Friday, January 8, 6:30: Gertrude Pruemer Saturday, January 9, 8:00: Gertrude Pruemer Saturday, January 9, 4:30: Vincent Huelsing Sunday, January 10, 6:30: Pro Populo Sunday, January 10, 8:30: Sr. Ann s Family Sunday, January 10, 10:30: Joe Deters

3 January 3, 2016 Epiphany of the Lord page 3 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Liturgy Schedule January 4 10 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Mass at 6:30 am & 12:10 pm St. John Neumann Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am St. Andre Bessette Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am St. Raymond of Penyafort Mass at 6:30 am & 12:10 pm Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am Mass at 8:00 am & 4:30 pm The Baptism of the Lord Mass at 6:30, 8:30, 10:30 am Confession Schedule Saturday, January 9-3:00-4:00 pm Liturgy of the Hours with Friars Monday-Friday Mid-morning at 12:45 pm & Evening at 4:45 pm Pray for the Sick Please remember in your prayers: Cheryl Ann Huber, Jack Hardiek, Paula Spencer, Lucille Worman, Agnes Kremer, Pauline Gobczynski, Devin Mette, Harold Hardiek, Margaret Pruemer, Will Niccum, Joe Ruholl, Bill and Rosie Myers, Anne Nelson, Emily (Heuerman) McCabe, Lorraine Deters, Martha Pruemer, Dolores Kingery, Claude and Geraldine Brumleve, Ruth Walk, Craig Lindvahl, Scott Repking. Stewardship of Treasure Sunday Total Fiscal 12/27/2015 Year 290 Adult envelopes $11, $228, Other $1, $18, TOTAL $12, $246, Assisi for Africa $ $26, Christmas Day $18, Catholic Children s Home $5, Parish Calendar Tuesday, January 5 Secular Franciscans meet, 6:00 pm, St. Clare Wednesday, January 6 Jr. High Religion, 7:20 pm Rosary, 8:00 pm, Chapel Thursday, January 7 Baptism Prep, 7:00 pm, St. Clare Friday, January 8 Young Adults (age 20-35) meet, 7:00-8:30 pm, St. Clare Hall Saturday, January 9 Confessions, 3:00-4:00 pm FOCCUS, 5:30 pm, St. Clare Sunday, January 10 Kdgn/Pre Class Secular Franciscans meet, 2:00 pm, Church and St. Clare Planning Marriage Mitch Althoff and Sara Zerrusen Saturday, January 9, :00 pm Special Collection Catholic Times Please renew your subscription to Catholic Times next weekend, January 10th. At $15.00 for 48 issues, Catholic Times remains a bargain and a valuable way to keep informed on the vital issues that affect us and our faith. Please use the envelope in your set. Men s Holy Name will meet on Monday, January 11th, 7:30 pm, in the Museum Meeting Room. All men of the parish are welcome. RCIA resumes on January 10 th with the topic: Christian Unity; East-West Catholics. If you or anyone you know is interested in discovering the treasures of the Catholic faith, please join us in the Museum Meeting Room following the 8:30 Mass (at 9:30). All are welcome. Homebound Ministry Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound for Sunday, January 10th are Rita Pals , Donna Spannagel , Brenda Henry

4 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 4 Parish Council Nominations. It is time again to accept nominations of parishioners to serve a three year term on the Parish Council. Mick Deters, Bernie Hartke and Mike Tipton have served the parish for three years and now their terms have expired. All parishioners 18 years or older are invited to nominate parishioners who they feel are most qualified to share in the pastoral care and leadership of our parish. You may nominate yourself! You can nominate people by dropping their names off at the parish office or placing them in the collection basket. Simply write the name/s on a slip of paper along with their spouse s name or their phone number. (Sometimes there are two people with the same name nominated.) Deadline to turn in nominations is January 31st. Election will be held the third weekend in February. God Bless Those Serving our Country. Anthony Vahling, Jeremy Deters, Caleb Hoene, Kevin Wernsing, Cody Bushue, Leighton Blankenship Mark Your Calendar. The Effingham County Right to Life will sponsor their annual Whole Hog Sausage and Egg Breakfast on Sunday, January 17, Serving 7:00 am to 12:30 pm in the Teutopolis Grade School Auditorium. Home-baked breads will be featured and carry-outs will be available. A free will offering all you can eat. Volunteers are needed to set-up on Saturday (beginning at 8:30 am) or anytime on Sunday, including clean up. Please call Mrs. Jack Koester at Donations of home baked breads and sweet rolls would be greatly appreciated. Please join us in our crusade to save all lives the unborn, the elderly and the disabled. All proceeds are used for educational purposes. Scrip Cards are on sale at the parish office on Saturday mornings or through the week at Niebrugge Financial! Thanks for supporting our area youth! Holy Humor. A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, Boys and girls, what do we know about God? A hand shot up in the air. He is an artist! said the kindergarten boy. Really? How do you know? the teacher asked. You know Our Father, who does art in Heaven Religious Education News Grade School. Classes resume on Tuesday, January 5. Grade 2 children will be receiving an envelope of information regarding home preparation for First Reconciliation on Tuesday, January 12. Parents, please check your child s folder for this envelope. First Reconciliation date is Saturday, February 20th, 9:00-10:00 and 10:30-11:30. Grade 4 January Mission Bake Sale is scheduled for January 14. Grade 4 students will be receiving a note this week, asking for 8 donations of decorated cakes and other items for the mission raffle. Please respond by Monday, January 11. Many thanks for any help you can give to this mission endeavor, which helps the Notre Dame Mission in Honduras and the Assisi to Africa Mission. God bless and thank you for your mission support! Kdgn/Pre-School. Children meet in the Museum Dining Room for Epiphany practice along with all STUDENT AIDES and Catechists at 10:30. Children will come into Church after Communion and stand in front of the altar for the closing song. All parents, friends, parishioners, visitors will be asked to move to the front pews for the Epiphany program. Following the program, all are invited to St. Clare Hall for refreshments. Junior High. Classes and refreshments will take place on Wednesday, January 6, to begin the New Year. Grade 7 will be studying The Bible Timeline; Grade 8 will be studying the Middle School Theology of the Body. All will be praying a Mercy prayer and be reviewing the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy during this Year of Mercy. HS Religious Ed. High School Religion classes start back on January 13! See you there! Youth Notes: Youth Councils meet TODAY, Sunday, January 3 in the Teen Center! Junior High meets at 6:30 & High school meets at 7:30! We ve got lots to plan for! Let s get winter planning going! CHWC Meeting will be held on Monday, January 11. Your Taste of T-Town tickets are due back that night! If you can t be at the meeting, please be sure to turn your ticket sheets and money in to the parish office! We can t wait to see you all! Mark the Date! Taste of T-Town is set for Saturday, January 23 at the T-Town KC Hall! Enjoy a variety of foods and great music! Tickets are available from any CHWC participant or the parish office.

5 January 3, 2016 Epiphany of the Lord page 5 Benefit Dinner Dance Catholic Charities Presents A Night in Venice Date: Saturday, January 30, 2016 Place: Teutopolis Knights of Columbus Order of the Evening: 6:00pm Cocktail Social 7:00pm Dinner 8:00pm Program, Vineyard Award Presentation, Raffle 9:00-11:30pm Dance Single Ticket Price: $40.00 Contributors Levels: Saint Mark s Basilica $ tickets & Reserved Table Doge s Palace $ tickets St. Mark s Square $500 4 tickets Grand Canal $200 2 tickets Contact advisory board members Anita Deters or David Habing. Call Catholic Charities for tickets Credit card donations accepted. Go to for more information. Upcoming Dates: Call to register for: FOCCUS Saturday, January 9, St. Clare Hall PRE-CANA Sunday, January, 31, here at St. Francis. Choose Jesus We saw his star...and have come to do him homage. Matthew 2:2 King Herod s response to the newborn king is terribly disturbing. He was greatly troubled and eventually ordered the slaughter of children, attempting to protect his throne. On the other hand, the same news of Jesus birth was received with joy by the Magi, the shepherds and the host of angels. Throughout his life, Jesus was a polarizing figure. Some followed him; others tried to discredit him. Many eventually died for him; others plotted his death. This is the choice of every life. We choose life, goodness, and thus we choose the person of Jesus. Or we choose evil, death, and thus we reject him. Today, we might take inventory of our lives. In what ways are we followers of Jesus? And in what ways do we mirror the frightened Herod? Lord Jesus, may we receive the news of your coming with joy. Root out any fear that separates us from you. Help us to be your followers...completely. Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti Living Faith Prayer Vigil. In 2015, abortion clinics closed at a rate of more than one per week with 53 abortion clinics shutting down or halting all abortion services. When abortion clinics close, babies are saved. If you have a few minutes, please join us in prayer at the Effingham Planned Parenthood every Tuesday anytime between 12:00 4:00 pm. BAPTISM PREP Thursday, January 7, 7 pm, St. Clare Hall. Covenant Network. Listen to Catholic radio, 91.3 FM WGMR. Tune in to daily Holy Mass, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Rosary. Participate in live call-in shows on the faith, such as Catholic Answers Live, Open Line, Called to Communion, and more. For a program schedule and a free CD call or toll free at AH Day of Quiet and Reflection: Consider a day of quiet to explore the deep rest in God s boundless love this winter season at the Chiara Center. Reflections offered by Sr. Rosie in the morning session. Reflection material available; lunch and snacks included. Massage is available with an appointment for an additional fee. Monday, January 25, 9:00-3:00pm. Call for reservations. Cost: $20. Have you seen Father Thinh s green thumb? Boy, does he have one! He is pictured here with his African violets and Christmas cactus, all blooming profusely! His care tips for the plants a little bit of love and holy water.

6 St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 6 ASSISI FOR AFRICA Father Damien writes to us: The Saddest News of the Year : It is impossible to forget the death of a child and we have lost to tetanus one of our 8 year old boys, Serge Now all of our children, old and new, have been vaccinated against tetanus and we pray to God our Father to protect them all. God bless water : All of us of Maison Kwetu (Our Home) have welcomed the torrential rains because we have placed gutters on our house and now the barrels are always full of water. This means that the kids no longer have to go down to the lake to fill buckets and carry them back home on their heads. The photo shows the soccer team of some of the boys Clothes and Christmas goodies : Everyone is our house is invited by our Indian Catholic community to eat with them after the Mass of Christmas Day Since we just received five new children, we have been obliged to buy them clothes for they came in tatters. We buy used clothing that comes from the USA. What kills us is the price of (used) shoes! Ten to fifteen dollars a pair. We can buy some good clothes for $5 (pants), $2-3 dollars for shirts, underwear one to two dollars. This probably sounds cheap to you but if you have 6 children on a salary of $200 a month, it is not so cheap. We are blessed being able to buy what we need. Our First Handicapped Boy : On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, I accompanied the agents of the state and one of our boys to visit an adolescent who has been abused by his family. He cannot walk, presumable because of polio, but our first encounter with him convinced me that he would be a welcome addition to our house. In fact, he knows how to repair shoes and wants to learn how to sew with a sewing machine to earn his living. He is only 15 years old but his suffering has given him an early maturity. There is practically nothing we can do without the aid you have already given us. I hope you can see in what we do that which you want to be done. We are always open to suggestions. A recent suggestion is leading us to build another building for raising chickens. All of our kids must know how to do that besides knowing how to build a house, how to weld, how to cultivate the land and how to live in peace and love with other people. Blessings on you all. No Thanksgiving Day here in the Congo, but we thank God and you each day. Have a blessed Christmas and may God give you peace and health to your families. Fr Damien Isabell ofm Congo Kinshasa Worldwide Marriage Encounter. This weekend we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. We read about the magi bringing gifts to the Christ child. Give the gift of time and yourselves to your spouse. Sign up today to attend the upcoming Marriage Encounter Weekend on February 5 7. To register or for more information call or go online to Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, January 5th, 1:30-6:30 pm at the Teutopolis K C Hall. Make your New Year s Resolution and say yes to a DeColores Weekend!. It is a gift from the Holy Spirit. The Men s Weekend, March 31st April 3rd, Lay Leader is Joe Sudkamp, ; jksudkamp@frontier.com The Women s Weekend, April 7th 10th, Lay Leader is Bitsy Trummer, ; bitsytrummer@hotmail.com. Spiritual Director is Fr. Ron Hilt. For more information about the spiritual, fun-filled weekends, please call Mary Sur at