Father Mike Ahlstrom Administrator, Divine Infant Jesus

Transcription

1 THE CROWN

2 WHAT GIFTS DO YOU BRING? Today is the Feast of the Epiphany. We remember the Magi bringing their gifts to the Christ child. The gifts are gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These are highly symbolic. What gifts do you bring Jesus this day? What does your gift symbolize? Does your gift represent a sacrifice on your part? More about this in a moment, but let us look at the feast itself, and the gifts in particular. The word epiphany means revelation or manifestation. Jesus was born not just for the Israelites, but for all people. Because the wise men were from the east, they represented the Gentile world. Jesus came for them as well. The Bible does not call the magi kings. This was the work of much later imagination. Rather the magi are astrologers or those who studied the stars. Nor does the Bible tell us how many magi there were. There could have been two or a dozen. Artists settled on three because of the three gifts they could have been a group gift. In the ancient East (Asia) Epiphany is a more important feast than our Christmas. It was when the Eastern Christians celebrated the birth of Christ and his manifestation to all the world. In the Bible, only Matthew tells the story of the magi. He has no inn, manger, shepherds or angels. They are only found in Luke. But then Luke has no magi, flight into Egypt, slaughter of the Holy Innocents, or the Holy Family relocating from Bethlehem to Nazareth. Unlike Matthew, Luke presumes Nazareth as their original home only going to Bethlehem because of a census. Our Christmas pageants usually mix and match the very different accounts of Matthew and Luke. Mark and John have no nativity stories. We should not expect the Bible to give us a precise history. That is a modern preoccupation. Rather they tell story of religious truth about who Jesus was. As for the symbolism of the gifts, gold is fit for a king. For Matthew Jesus is the newborn King of the Jews. We honor him as king of the universe. Frankincense was used by a priest in the temple. Jesus was to be a priest-king. His death and resurrection were his supreme priestly sacrifice. Myrrh is a symbol of Jesus' death. Myrrh was used as part of the burial ritual. It absorbed the odor of a decaying body. It also had medicinal value as did the death of Jesus. Back to our gifts. Rather than gold could we make some sacrifice on our part to help the poor. Our sacrifice comes from our gold or treasury. Rather than frankincense, could we come to church or pray more often. We are priestly people who exercise our participation in the priesthood of Christ by our worship. How often would Jesus like me to pray? Can I resolve to set aside a little more time for prayer? And instead of myrrh, could I let something die inside me. Perhaps anger, or an unwillingness to forgive another, or even myself. I will be writing about this in future bulletins. Pray about your gift to Jesus, the Divine Infant, on this feast of the Epiphany. Father Mike Ahlstrom Administrator, Divine Infant Jesus

3 ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO November 22, 2017 Dear Friend in Christ, On behalf of the Archdiocese of Chicago and our brothers and sisters who have been severely affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, I want to sincerely thank you for the tremendous outpouring of support you have shown them during this challenging time. Banding together to answer the cry of those in need and bringing financial, physical, and spiritual aid to those who have lost so much is a reflection of how God s love lives in all of us. As a donor to the Hurricane Relief Appeal, your tremendous generosity has gone towards Catholic Charities USA s emergency relief and support efforts to those affected by these devastating natural disasters. You helped us raise over $800,000 during this appeal, a true testament to the compassion of the people of the Archdiocese of Chicago. May God bless you and your family during this holiday season! My Sincerest thanks, Fr. Peter Wojcik Director, Parish Vitality and Mission WRONG Oops! Wrong ! In the December 10 issue of The Crown, you were invited to write or the Priest Placement Board of the Archdiocese about the process for selecting a new pastor. However, we misspelled Father Knotek s name. Consequently, the s would not have been received. The correct is given below. In case you have not written, it is not too late to do so now. Here are three questions you could address in your letter: Name the top three strong points of our parish. Name the top three areas of greatest need for our parish. What qualities would you like to see in the pastor? HOLY HOUR FOR JANUARY The Holy Hour for January will be held at 7:30pm on Friday, January 19. We have moved the date in order to save a time when we can pray for the mothers and fathers who have been victims of the abortion industry since it was legalized in January 22, We will also pray that abortion will soon be abolished in our country and in the world. Please mark the date and time and join us on January 19. MESSAGE FROM MINISTRY OF CONSOLATION Because of a change of circumstances at the workplace and on the home front, I will no longer be able to coordinate the Ministry of Consolation. I will be stepping down as Coordinator, effective January 28. If anyone would like to work in this volunteer ministry, please contact me at (708) , ext. 304 or Toni Podock, ext. 201, during the month of January. If you have a loving heart and concern for those who have lost a loved one, bereavement ministry can offer many rewards in return for the kindness and prayer you will offer Divine Infant parishioners. I will be willing to help get you started and have all materials you would need, organized at the rectory. Toni, our rectory secretary, will also help you. Please consider helping the bereaved of our parish. I am grateful I have been able to make the loss of a loved one less painful for grieving family and friends. It has truly been a labor of love for me to work in the Ministry of Consolation. Many blessings to you all and I will keep you in my prayers. Dr. Claudia Maria Dado, M.A.L. Coordinator, Ministry of Consolation Correct for Fr. Knotek mknotek@archchicago.org

4 SCHOOL RESUMES, MONDAY, JANUARY 8TH A, E, I, O, U! As a part of their Superkids reading program, Kindergarten practiced their middle vowel sounds by matching picture cards to the correct vowel cards.

5 DI PARISH 70TH ANNIVERSARY PHOTO ALBUM Our album will have four tabs: Our Pastoral Staff Our People Our Primary Lay Leadership Our Educators We will be opening up the following additional photo dates: Wednesday Jan 10 Monday Jan 22 Saturday Jan 27 ALL ARE WELCOME! If you are a current or former parishioner, current or former student of Divine Infant, current or former student of our Religious Education program, or if you have raised your children Catholicwe invite you to have your picture taken for our 70 th Anniversary Picture Album. Photo shoots will take place during the first week of December. If you know someone who doesn t always make it Mass, invite them. What a great excuse to invite out-of-town family members! Sign up for your time at the back of church today, on-line or at the rectory. When signing up, please include your name, the number being photographed, your phone # and your address. Photographs will be held in the north end of Langan Hall. Please use the Hull school parking lot and enter via the northwest door (#10) of Langan Hall. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time. You can still sign up by calling the rectory or on-line: How to sign up on-line for our 70th Anniversary Photo Album Go to website: y7zg8zme/ Select number in group Select Day (January 10, 22 or 27 th ) you want. Book time you want. First time through: Select new user Enter First Name Last Name Phone Understand that none of your contact information will be included in the album. WHY SIGN UP FOR THE 70 th ANNIVERSARY PHOTO ALBUM To get a free, professional 8x10 photo To get a free parish album with faces identified by names. To potentially get a free parish album every year. To potentially get a free Neighborhood album (including DP, St. Barbara s and St. Louise) every year. To make money for the parish. Though no one is obligated to buy anything, some families will want to buy pictures. Out of the photographer s gross revenue, 5% is coming back to DI. RESOURCE CENTER Parishioner looking for someone to shovel snow this winter. Please call Richard Caretaker needed, 5 days per week (Mon-Fri), 3 hours per day from 3:30-6:30 pm. Cooking and kitchen cleaning required. $12.00 per hour. Please call

6 The Divine Infant Knights of Columbus Council will be handing out Families Fully Alive Program Booklets after each Mass on Epiphany weekend, January 6 th and 7 th. To cultivate life as a domestic church, a family must deliberately welcome God into its home. The Knights of Columbus Family Fully Alive Program has been created to help each family do this. The Family Fully Alive program provides monthly themes, reflections, meditations, family projects and Scripture verses designed to help each family place God and the Catholic faith at the center of its life. Through prayer and reflection each family has the opportunity to grow in holiness together. Launching Families Fully Alive Program The Family Fully Alive program can be used as a devotional for all families throughout the liturgical year and all of the programs resources are available at overview/family-fully-alive-getting-started.html or contact Divine Infant Knights of Columbus Council Grand Knight, Jeff LaPorte via jefelaporte25@hotmail.com or cell # Adapting This Program to Your Family The family fully alive program is designed to be flexible to meet the continuously changing needs of your family. This program can be started during any month of the year, completing projects and saying prayers at the times and places most suitable for your family. Some suitable times would be after family dinner or shortly before bedtime, making it easier to deal with the challenge of bringing the entire family together. However you decide to incorporate the family fully alive program into your family s busy schedule, one thing is certain it will change your life. The monthly cycle of themes, prayers, reflections, meditations and family projects will help your family focus on the important things in the world. They will help build your domestic church as a place of faith, hope and charity, where each member will grow with grace toward his or her full potential in God. PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE Looking to make a positive impact in the life of a fellow parishioner? Consider a donation to the Go- FundMe page for Marc Shuflit, battling MS, who has undergone stem cell replacement therapy to halt the progression of this debilitating disease. Marc, Meg and their families genuinely appreciate your support. For more information please visit the GoFundMe website at In the search engine type in Marc Shuflit. Click on MRS battling MS. Should you choose, your donation can be made anonymously. INTERFAITH CAREER NETWORK Transferable Skills! Join us on Thursday, January 18, 7-9 pm for this highly engaging and focused skill building session specifically designed to help you identify the transferable skills that can help create more opportunity in your job search. Transferable skills are your key to making the match, widening your search and expanding your "qualifications" for a new industry, field or role that "fits". Are you stuck on a "one track" job search with limited opportunities? Are your past experiences defining your future opportunities? Are you not exactly qualified but you know you can do the job? Come get the information and inspiration you need to expand your thinking and take your search to the next level. Our speaker is Jody Eriksen, a Certified Professional Career Coach providing customized support and training for individuals who want to expand their vision, take action and achieve results in their careers. She will empower and inspire you to reach for the next level of success. Join us at St. John of the Cross Parish Center, 5005 S. Wolf Road in Western Springs. There is no cost to attend and everyone is welcome. Interfaith Career Network offers job support through various programs throughout the month. For further information, please visit our website at

7 JOURNEY to HEALING Grief & Bereavement Support Groups Winter-Spring 2018 Learn how to take steps to cope Share your own unique journey Find new understanding & renewed strength Begin to heal - not to forget Understand the journey of grief Grow through listening & working with others Family Grief Group For anyone grieving a spouse/partner, parent, sister/brother, or any loved one. 6 consecutive weeks on Mondays Mondays: Jan 8 th Feb 12 th 7-8:30 PM Family Grief Group For anyone grieving a spouse/partner, parent, sister/brother, or any loved one. 6 consecutive weeks on Mondays Mondays: April 30 th June 4 th 7-8:30 PM Family Grief Group For anyone grieving a spouse/partner, parent, sister/brother, or any loved one. 6 consecutive weeks on Mondays Mondays: March 5 th April 9 th 7-8:30 PM Drop In Grief Group For anyone grieving a spouse/partner, parent, sister/brother, or any loved one. Third Thursday of each month Starting Jan. 18th 7-8:30 PM Location: Cantata Adult Life Services, Wye Valley Building # McCormick Blvd, Brookfield, IL Advance registration for all Family Groups is necessary. Cost: There are no fees, but donations are graciously accepted. To register or if you have questions, contact our Bereavement Coordinator Chaplain Dave Melzer at damelzer@lumc.edu Loyola Medicine Hospice 2301 West 22nd Street, Suite 107, Oak Brook, IL

8 LITURGY FOR THE WEEK SATURDAY, January 6 5:00 pm Holy souls in purgatory; Maurice Ragusin; Lou & Josephine Galella; Mary Fox SUNDAY, January 7 7:30 Thomas Smith 9:30 Lou, Val & Joe Greco; Fr. Fred Tomzik; Ed Mullins 11:30 People of the Parish MONDAY, January 8 8:00 Ceasar Vivo TUESDAY, January 9 8:00 All the faithful departed WEDNESDAY, January 10 8:00 Walter & Mary Wanick; Josephine & Agata Mikos; Virginia VanLanen THURSDAY, January 11 8:00 Sally Jacobi FRIDAY, January 12 8:00 All the faithful departed SATURDAY, January 13 8:00 All the faithful departed 5:00 pm Concetta Perno; David Kaiser SUNDAY, January 14 7:30 Thomas Smith; Rick Yurkovich 9:30 Jeannette Simek; Carmella Troczynski; John Zaura; Barbara Biller; Fr. Fred Tomzik 11:30 Roger Pona; People of the Parish WEEKDAY SERVERS MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY 8:00 Lauren Salata THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY 8:00 Jacob Chi PRAY FOR THE SICK OF THE PARISH Charles Anderson Dorothy Asher Ed Backer Jerry Benesh Arlene Buszkiewicz Carl Celestino, Sr. Donald Doucet Joseph Gurzejk Marie Gurzejk Ron Huefner Arlene Kalisiak Jean Lidzbienski Rena Lizzadro John Lytle Gordon Macpherson Johnny Mulligan Janine Nywood Frank Pedota, Sr. Dave Peloza Lisa Peloza Kathy Reed Thomas Sloan Paul Sodayko Edward Valle Jacob Vincent Bridget Walsh John Williams Loving God, give strength to all who struggle with illness. Grant them courage when they are afraid and comfort when they are in pain. Because of government regulations, hospitals and nursing homes are no longer allowed to notify us if you are admitted to either facility. If you or a family member would like to be visited in the hospital or nursing home, please call the rectory at If you or a family member are sick or homebound and would like to be added to our prayer list, visited, receive Holy Communion or be anointed, please call the rectory at MAY THEY REST IN PEACE Richard Novak (father of Amy Chenski) NEXT WEEKEND S MINISTERS CELEBRANT COMMUNION MINISTERS LECTORS SERVERS SAT. 5:00 Fr. Beath S. Kill S. Johnston P. Cullum R. Klemp C. Saflover J. Calabrese SUN. 7:30 Fr. Beath S. Smith M. Lamothe M. McGee D. Smith M. Giannelli P. Lopez SUN. 9:30 Fr. Tom A. Di Fiore Teens J. Stiso P. Farmer G. Grimes SUN. 11:30 Fr. Joyce R. Eisenhart L. Ibarra A. Groppe A. Garbacz N. Brejcha D. Bermudez

9 SUNDAY, JANUARY 7 CH 12:45 pm Baptismal Prep MONDAY, JANUARY 8 School Resumes RE Classes LH 6:30 pm Athletic Board CR 7:00 pm Liturgy Meeting TUESDAY, JANUARY 9 CH 3:00 pm Chimes PR 7:00 pm School Board WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10 CH 4:00 pm Music Dept. LH 2:00 pm Parish Photo Album Pictures THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 CR 7:00 pm St. Vincent de Paul SATURDAY, JANUARY 13 LH 4:00 pm Confirmation Retreat MONDAY, JANUARY 15 NO RE Classes TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 CH 3:00 pm Chimes THURSDAY, JANUARY 18 LH 7:00 pm Dispa PROTECTING CHILDREN At Divine Infant Jesus Parish and School, the protection of our children is of utmost importance, and we comply fully with the policies of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. To learn more, go to our website dnn.archchicago.org/divine infant and click on the tab Protecting Children at D.I. or visit archchicago.org and click on the button Protecting Children. If you do not have internet access and would like to learn more, please contact the rectory or call the Office for Protection of Children and Youth at SUNDAY OFFERING December 31, This week s collection $8,288 When you are away for a weekend, we hope you will remember your offering to Divine Infant. Thank you. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 55:1-11 or Acts 10:34-38 or 1 Jn 5:1-9; Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10 or Is 12:2-3, 4bcd-6; Mk 1:7-11 Tuesday: 1 Sm 1:9-20 or 1 Sm 1:1-8 and 1 Sm 1:9-20; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Mk 1:21-28 or Mk 1:14-20 and Mk 1:21-28 Wednesday: 1 Sm 3:1-10, 19-20; Ps 40:2, 5, 7-10; Mk 1:29 39 Thursday: 1 Sm 4:1-11; Ps 44:10-11, 14-15, 24-25; Mk 1:40 45 Friday: 1 Sm 8:4-7, 10-22a; Ps 89:16-19; Mk 2:1 12 Saturday: 1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1a; Ps 21:2-7; Mk 2:13 17 Sunday: 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42 PLEASE USE GiveCentral.org FOR ALL YOUR DONATIONS Divine Infant Jesus Parish depends on your generosity in order to carry out its ministry of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and teaching and healing in his name. We do not charge for anything. We rely solely on your Sunday and Holy Day donations. To make it easier for you to give your gifts to Divine Infant, we work with GiveCentral.org. When you sign up with GiveCentral.org, you can make all your Sunday, Holy Day, second collection, and every other donation that you make to the parish. Then you never have to use a parish envelope or put anything in the collection basket ever again! Please visit GiveCentral.org to create your personal and secure donations account. Thank you for your generosity! WELCOME... We are happy you have chosen to be with us. We hope your experience is warm and welcoming whether you are here to celebrate the Eucharist or spend time in quiet prayer. If you wish to learn more about Divine Infant and/or become a new member of our parish please take an envelope in the back of the Church. The envelope contains information about our parish. If you have any questions, call (708) Welcome to Divine Infant. We look forward to seeing you again!

10 OVER 50 CLUB Hope you had happy holidays. We are now into 2018 and we have new officers. We will not be having a meeting in January as the school is on vacation. Our next meeting will be held on February 7 th, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. Weather permitting. Doors will open at 1:00 p.m. Membership is now open. If you have not renewed please do so. Membership is now $15.00 and as always on an annual basis. New members are welcome. You must be a registered parishioner at either Divine Providence or Divine Infant. If you are interested please give Marilyn our Membership Chair a call at for an application. If you have any questions, please call MEN S MORNING OF REFLECTION Men of the parish are invited to a Morning of Reflection from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, February 3, at St. Louise de Marillac, 1125 Harrison Ave., in LaGrange Park. The theme of our gathering is Busy Lives. Restless Hearts. The guest speaker will be Father Bobby Krueger, pastor of St. Leonard Parish in Berwyn. We ll gather in the Colonnade Room of St. Louise School. The morning will include prayer, a keynote talk, discussion and Eucharistic Adoration. The gathering will be followed by lunch. The Men s Club of St. Louise is extending this invitation to men in our Renew My Church grouping of St. Barbara, Divine Providence and Divine Infant parishes. Come and join us and bring a friend. To register, call Deacon Dave Brencic at (708) or Dale Schwer at (708)

11 DIVINE INFANT PARISH NEWCASTLE AND CANTERBURY AVENUES WESTCHESTER, ILLINOIS Like us on Facebook REV. MICHAEL AHLSTROM, Administrator (ext. 203) REV. GERALD JOYCE, Pastor Emeritus (ext. 206) REV. THOMAS WINIKATES, Associate (ext. 204) DEACON JAMES SPONDER (ext. 306) MR. LEONARD GRAMAROSSA, School Principal SR. SUSAN MAJCEN, O.P., Director of Religious Education Website: divineinfant.archchicago.org Rectory: 1601 Newcastle Avenue, Fax number: School: 1640 Newcastle Avenue, & Office of Religious Education: Parish Nurse, Ms. Jeannette Barczak, BSN, HTP, Bereavement Ministry: Dr. Claudia Dado, MAL (ext. 304) Catechumenate: Dr. Claudia Dado, MAL (ext. 304) Music Director: Mrs. Janet Reif, (ext. 302) Assc. Mus. Dir: Mrs. Judy Schindler, or (ext 302) Business Manager: Mr. Jerry Priore, (ext. 209) Rectory Secretary: Mrs. Toni Podock, (ext. 201) SUNDAY MASSES: 7:30, 9:30 & SATURDAY EVENING: 5:00 pm WEEKDAY MASSES: 8:00 am SATURDAY MORNING: 8:00 am HOLY DAY MASSES: 6:30, 8:00, and 7:00 pm SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: (Confession) Saturday: In the Reconciliation Room 4:00 to 4:45 pm or by appointment. BAPTISMS: Baptisms are celebrated on the 2nd & 3rd Sundays of the month at 12:45 pm. By Archdiocesan regulation and parish policy, parents are required to attend a Baptismal Preparation session before the Baptism of their child. These sessions will usually be held on the first Sunday afternoon of the month. Call the secretary at the rectory ( ) to register for the session and schedule the Baptism. D.I.V.M. SERVICES: Communion to the sick, food shopping, necessary transportation, emergency meals, transportation to Mass. Resource information also available. If you need help from any of these services, please let us know as much in advance as possible so the chairpersons can make arrangements and the volunteers arrange their schedules. If you are able to volunteer to help provide these services to our parishioners, we can always use more help. Please call the rectory at WEDDINGS: Couples should contact the rectory and speak to a priest shortly after the engagement, but no less than four months before the desired wedding day. No date should be set (especially in reserving a hall) for your wedding until you have spoken to a priest. In this way, you will not be disappointed if the church has been previously reserved for another ceremony. Please keep in mind the times that are available for weddings at Divine Infant: SATURDAYS 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm WEEKDAYS Any reasonable hour

12 CHURCH NAME & NUMBER Divine Infant #9216 ADDRESS 1601 Newcastle, Westchester, Il PHONE CONTACT PERSON SOFTWARE Microsoft Publisher 2003 Windows XP Professional Adobe Acrobat 6.0 PRINTER HP Laserjet 5P NUMBER OF PAGES SENT Cover through 12 SUNDAY DATE OF BULLETIN January 7, 2018 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS