They opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh -Matthew 2:11 The Epiphany of the Lord January 8, 2017

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1 Pastoral Staff Pastor Rev. Denis Condon Associate Pastor Rev. Henry Kricek Pastor Emeritus Rev. John Hergenrother Deacon Mr. Dave Brencic, School Principal & Faith Formation Coordinator & Ms. AnnMarie Mahay Youth Minister Mrs. Karyn Miller Business Manager Ms. Lynn Waterloo Music Director Mr. Jim Harrold, 201/ Secretary/Bulletin Editor Ms. Maureen Johnson, Spiritual Companion Mrs. Jane Kucera, Parish Council Chair Mr. John Derus,, Rectory 1144 Harrison Ave., 708/ FAX 708/ School 1125 Harrison, LaGrange Park, 708/ Faith Formation Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday Evening: 5:00 p.m.; Sunday: 7:30, 9:30, 11:00am Weekday Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. Sacraments and Ministries Reconciliation/Confessions Saturdays 4:00-4:30 p.m. or on request. Baptisms Second Sunday of the month: 12:30 p.m. A Baptismal class is necessary prior to scheduling a Baptism Marriage Contact the rectory six months prior to wedding. They opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh -Matthew 2:11 The Epiphany of the Lord January 8, 2017 Home Communion Visits Contact the rectory, Parish Nurses, Hours as posted in church. New Parishioners Register at the rectory or on line Website parishoffice@slmparish.org Bulletin Deadline Monday at 10:00 a.m. Traveling? Call or

2 We three kings of Orient are or not. Traditionally we have known the visitors to the Holy Family as the three kings but Scripture speaks only of magi coming from the East. Magi means wise men, in other words, learned men or scholars. Scripture scholars tell us from the East means from the area of Iraq or Iran, at that time the Persian empire where wise men who studied the stars were probably Zoroastrians, not Jews, not members of God s People. What s the point of this deconstruction? It questions the point of this story. Why is this story in the Gospel? What s Luke trying to say? Beyond St. Luke s purpose, what s this story trying to say to us today? To answer these questions we need to take a closer look at the story. The Magi were pagans, non-believers in the God of Israel, and astrologers who studied the stars because it was thought that the stars play an important role in human life. Even today we have people who believe that. Some Hindus will have their star charts made because the stars can tell them what to expect in life. And every day in the papers we find the horoscope which tells us what the stars are indicating. What grabs the attention of the Magi is a new star. Somehow they determined this star was connected with the birth of a new king in Israel. The fact that this boy rates a new star speaks loudly to the Magi that he is someone very special, a fact so enticing they had to see this king for themselves. If we think about the journey these Magi make, we quickly realize this is no easy trip. Remember they had to ride camels or walk all the way from Bagdad or Teheran to Jerusalem through deserts where robbers might be encountered. And they re carrying gold! This was a tough and dangerous journey which demanded a lot from these men who were probably up in age, given that they were scholars. What s going on here? First, God is speaking to the Gentiles in a language they can understand to announce that someone of great importance even to them has been born. This announcement sets the magi on a journey to find out who this is and how he will effect their lives. The question for us is, have we seen the star? Have we heard God speaking us non-jews in a language we can understand in the 21st century? Have we found Jesus enticing enough to make the journey to find Jesus in our lives, a journey that may be long and demanding? Are we willing to take the time (years) that this journey will take and make the sacrifices necessary to complete it? I think the Holy Spirit, speaking through Luke, is trying to motivate us to make the journey to find Jesus. The star grabbed the magi s interest so much they had to find Jesus, they had to see him face to face. What would it take to grab our attention and make us want to find the Lord? Intentional disciple means someone who comes to know Jesus and then makes the commitment to follow him. This is not about what religion my parents may have practiced, nor is it about my being baptized into the Church. This is about my having face time with the Lord, hearing his call to follow him and then making the conscious decision to do it. The God who invited the Magi through a star is the same God inviting us to become intentional disciples in the 21st century. The question is, do we hear his call and, if we do, will we follow? **************************************** Thanks to all who have made this season of Advent/Christmas as wonderful as it has been: to Tom Kraus and his crew who have set up all the decorations, which is a ton of work to Jane Huber who brought us the Yule Log prepared by her family in Wisconsin to Rose & Maryanne Voss for all the sacristy work and Larry Voss for refurbishing the Advent candles to Jim Harrold and the men and women of the Adult and Bell Choirs to Karyn Miller and the kids of the Teen and Children s Choirs to all who have tidied up our house and greeted our guests and parishioners. Thanks for a job well done! May God bless us all during this New Year Father Denis Page 2

3 Monday, January 9 6:30pm Boy Scouts-C 6:30pm Play Pract.-PC/M Tuesday, January 10 5:00pm 7:00pm FSA-M 7:00pm Bible Study-R 7:00pm Liturgical Com.-R Wednesday, January 11 2:15pm Child. Choir-CH 5:00pm 5:30pm Faith Formation 7:00pm Adoration Thursday, January 12 4:30pm SPRED-M/T 5:00pm 6:00pm Vincent de Paul-M 6:30pm Cub Scouts-C Friday, January 13 2:45 & 7:30pm Teen Clubs-PC/C 2:45pm Girl Scouts-M 6:00pm Card Party-C Saturday, January 14 9:00am-10pm Sunday, January 15 10:45am Faith Formation 12:00pm 4:00pm Play Pract.-PC/M 6:00pm BEDS-C 8:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous-R TRUE HAPPINESS Abandon yourself utterly for the love of God, and in this way you will become truly happy. Blessed Henry Suso Archdiocese of Chicago Office of the Archbishop Christmas 2016 Dear Sister and Brothers, Peace be with you and with all people of good will in this holy season. After observing the Jubilee Year of Mercy and as we begin a journey of renewal in the Archdiocese of Chicago, we have come to know fresh hope in our hearts. We do not find the source of our hope in our own strength. With the Blessed Virgin Mary we recognize that our hope comes from God. As her son took flesh within her womb, she proclaimed, God has remembered his promise of mercy. The birth of her son Jesus is also the birth of our true and lasting hope. In this moment, we find ourselves challenged in so many ways. Together, we face the plague of war, violence, and a lack of respect for life and for the dignity of all people. On a personal level, we all struggle in different ways, whether with family issues or work or illness in trying to do the right thing. Still we hope, because God has visited his people. Pray with me that our celebration of the birth of Jesus may truly renew our hope in God, for the only hope that can sustain us on the journey. Sincerely yours in Christ, Cardinal Blasé J. Cupich Archbishop of Chicago RISE UP IN SPLENDOR This great feast of the Epiphany of the Lord opens with these words: Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you (Isaiah 60:1). That reading goes on to describe a world covered with darkness. Even in that world, the prophet announces that the glory of the Lord will shine on Jerusalem. Many would agree that our world is covered with darkness the darkness that war, terrorism, and famine bring. Today we announce that even in today s world, the Lord can scatter that darkness, if only we would welcome Epiphany s light. As we remember the visit of the magi to the manger, let us pray that one day our weary world will rise up in splendor the splendor of peace and justice. Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co. Page 3

4 St. John Vianney Catholic Church Baton Rouge, Louisiana St. Louise de Marillac Parish, On behalf of the parish community of St. John Vianney, please accept our heartfelt appreciation for your generous donation to our Social Responsibility Ministry. We are assisting families daily with unmet needs due to the recent flooding. Your donation enables us to reach out in the spirit of Christ s love, blessing others with kindness and generosity. You are a blessing! Father Tom Ranzino 2016 CHURCH STATEMENTS Parishioners who have donated $200 and over in 2016 will automatically receive a statement of contribution from St. Louise. It is NOT necessary to call and request one. Other parishioners who still would like to receive a statement, should call the rectory with your envelope number. Donations received after January 1, 2017, will not be included in the 2016 donations. Statements will be mailed out after January 10. *BINGO* - 2:00 pm Sunday, January 22, 2017 Colonnade Room Need New Year s Cash? St. Louise is giving away $2100 in prize money. split-the-pot, raffles, pull tabs, and refreshments! Join us for Bingo in 2017! Father Henry s Review Dear Parishioners, As you may know, I have been participating in an annual review from the Archdiocese: 360 Catholic Leadership review. Part of the review, the Parish-wide survey, has not yet received enough responses to obtain a valid score. So I ask again, if you have not taken the survey, please participate now. The survey is easily accessed by going to the Archdiocese s web page, (Archchicago.org) and clicking on Departments on the upper left of the page, then scrolling to Ministerial Evaluation to access our web page. There, in the middle of the page, find 360 Catholic Leadership review for priests and click on your appropriate language. Finally, follow the instructions for anonymous participation. You may also access the Parish wide survey by smart phone. Thank you. Father Henry Prayer Shawl Ministry The ladies of our Prayer Shawl Ministry prayerfully, and with much care, knit or crochet shawls to be given to those who are ill, homebound, grieving, or in a crisis, to name a few. If you knit or crochet, we would love to have you join us. If you wish to learn, we will teach you. We meet in back of church on the second Wednesday of each month from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Join us Wednesday, January 11. More info: Call Jane, or Shirley, TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION This year, in the United States the celebration of the Epiphany falls on January 8, but the traditional date for the Epiphany is January 6. The date we know as January 6 was established as the solstice in Egypt in 1996 BC, but the Egyptian calendar lost a full day every 128 years. Twenty centuries later the actual solstice had migrated to December 25. People still kept January 6 for the solstice celebration, but December 25, matching nicely with the Roman pagan feast of the Unconquered Sun, launched an extended solstice holiday. By the time of the early church, the whole period of twelve days was celebrated just about everywhere. Christians began to celebrate Christ as the true light of the world in four themes: the Nativity, the manifestation to the Gentiles, the baptism of the Lord, and the wedding feast at Cana. That was entirely too much for one day to handle. A twelve-day season was ready to be adapted, so Christians borrowed from the pagan calendar for their own season of light. Thus early Christian celebrations of the Christmas season extended from one date for the solstice, December 25, to the older date, January 6. The darkest time in the Northern Hemisphere could now be filled with the Christian observance of the arrival of the Light of the World. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Page 4

5 High School Teen Club: There will be Teen Club from 7:30-10p.m. on Friday, Jan. 20 and 27. Open gym begins at 8:00. Must have current high school ID and a contact form signed by a parent. Contact info available online at slmteenclub.weebly. Com. Grade School Teen Club: There is Teen Club for seventh and eighth graders from St. Louise School or Faith Formation on Friday afternoons, Jan. 13, 20, & 27 from 2:45-4:45pm. Drop off and pick up at Colonnade parking lot doors. Youth Ministry Board: Will meet at 6:00 on Friday, January 13 in the Teen Room. Agenda: FoodFast, Wolves game, off-site event for March. Chicago Wolves: Chicago Wolves Faith and Fellowship Night, Saturday, February 5. This event open to middle school and high school students and their parents/guardians. We leave St. Louise by car poor at 5:45pm and return at about 11:00pm. Permission forms available at Teen Club, the rectory, and in the youth ministry bulletin rack at the southwest door of church. Money and forms due by January Hour Famine:795 million people around the world do not have enough food to be healthy. That s 1 in 9 people, or more than two times the population of the United States. This year, SLM Youth Ministry will again participate in a fast to raise awareness and funds for those who go hungry every day. The program we will use this year is the Catholic Relief Services Food Fast. There will be a kick-off meeting in Room 209 at 6:00pm on Friday, January 27 for youth who are interested and their parents/guardians. The event takes place February Open to grades If you cannot attend the kick-off meeting, contact Karyn Miller for information and pledge forms. Page 5

6 January 9-15 Monday, BAPTISM OF THE LORD 8:30 - Otto & Mae Weiler Tuesday 8:30 - Walter & Esther Bednarz Wednesday 8:30 - Felix Frances Thursday 8:30 - Don Bartelson Friday, St. Hilary, Bishop 8:30 - Leslie Russ, Sr. Saturday, BVM 5:00 - Andino Cipolletta, Frank Materazzo, Josephine Palunas Sunday 7:30 - Joann Slouka 9:30 - Frank Saran II, John Brom 11:00 - John Gerberi Altar Servers Mon. - Wed., Jan. 9, 11, 13 8:30 - M. Hopkins, K. Keen Tues, Fri., Jan. 10, 12 8:30 - J. Camarena, M. Flynn Sat., Jan. 14 5:00 - J. Hopkins, M. Hopkins, J. Steger Sun., Jan. 15 7:30 - A Gonzalez, Z. Mazurkiewicz, M. Flynn 9:30 - N. Spielman, L. Keen, M. Adams 11:00 - A. Sylvie, I. Rios, A. Porras Presiders January 14 January 15 Confessions - Fr. Denis 7:30 - Fr. Denis 5:00 - Fr. Denis 9:30 - Fr. Henry 11:00 - Fr. Henry Readers January 14 January 15 5:00 - K. Bell 7:30-M. Koutek 9:30-J. Derus 11:00-Mi. Miller/P. Cuevas Eucharistic Ministers January 14 5:00 - M. Gyorke, J.&W. Lisiecki, P. Hammerschmitt, T. Nedvar, S. Czarnik, T. Popernik January 15 7:30 - R. Voss, M. Voss, P. Szymczak, E. Szymczak, E. Siuda 9:30 - L. Korenchan, B.&M. Garvey, G. Witkowski, K. Krajniak, D. Parcel, M. Powderly 11:00 - R.&L. Valdez, K. Valdez, P. Cavaliere, A. Janacek, C. Lemkau Our Sympathy to the Families of Kathleen Perry & Virginia Hall WEEKLY OFFERTORY 12/25/ /18/2016 Sunday Collection This Week $7,100 $ 8,100 Last Year $8,900 $10,800 Sunday Collection, Year-to-Date: This Year $234,800 $227,600 Last Year $240,500 $231,600 Year-to-Date Collection Budget $243, ,700 Envelopes Returned This Week Last Year Page 6

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