VISITATION CATHOLIC CHURCH ELMHURST, IL

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1 VISITATION CATHOLIC CHURCH ELMHURST, IL JANUARY 7, 2018

2 Page Two January 7, 2018 Visitation Catholic Church Visitation Women s Christ Renew His Parish (CHRP) January 27-28, 2018 Wine and Cheese Information Event Thursday, Jan pm Parish Center Fireside Room WHAT IS CHRIST RENEWS HIS PARISH? In the words of our Savior, we too invite you, Come and you will see John 1:39 For more information please contact either Cathy, or Kathy at do not be afraid John 14:27 DATE DAY CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS LOCATION TIME 8 Jan MON S.P.R.E.D. Podesta Hall 6:30 PM 8 Jan MON Prayer for Priests Church 7:00 PM 8 Jan MON C.H.R.P. Parish Center 7:00 PM 9 Jan TUES Play Practice Parish Center 3:00 PM 9 Jan TUES Women s Evening of Recollection Church 7:30 PM 10 Jan WED Prayer for Priests Church 8:45 AM 10 Jan WED Bible Study Parish Center 12:30 PM 10 Jan WED MANNA Parish Center 7:30 PM 11 Jan THUR Rosary Makers Parish Center 11:30 AM 11 Jan THUR Play Practice Podesta Hall 3:00 PM 11 Jan THUR School Board Meeting Parish Center 7:00 PM 11 Jan THUR CRHP Wine and Cheese Event Parish Center Fireside Room 7:00 PM 13 Jan SAT Biblical Institute Parish Center 9:00 AM 13 Jan SAT Marriage Information Meeting Parish Center 9:30 AM 13 Jan SAT Arts Alive Podesta Hall 10:00 AM 13 Jan SAT Prayer Quilt Parish Center 2:00 PM 13 Jan SAT MANNA Parish Center 2:30 PM 14 Jan SUN RCIA Podesta Hall 10:00 AM 14 Jan SUN Arts. Alive Podesta Hall 1:00 PM 14 Jan SUN Boy Scout Troop 14 Meeting Podesta Hall 5:00 PM

3 The Epiphany of the Lord January 7, 2018 Page Three NEWS FROM THE P.I.T. PRIEST IN TRAINING The 2018 Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal is underway! The Diocese of Joliet is mailing information about the 2018 Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal (CMAA) this month to all CMAA donors at PARISH NAME. The CMAA supports thirty ministries that benefit every parish in the Diocese, including ours, as well as our friends and neighbors most in need. 70% of the amount paid over our designated goal will be returned to us for use. This is a great benefit for our parish! Please review the information you receive and prayerfully reflect on your gift to this year s CMAA. If you do not receive a mailing from the Diocese about the CMAA, please contact the parish office. OUR PARISH STEWARDSHIP December 24, 2017 Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 8:00 AM 10:00 AM TOTAL COLLECTION PREVIOUS WEEK E-GIVE WEEKLY TOTAL SUNDAY WEEKLY BUDGET SUNDAY YTD BUDGET SUNDAY YTD TOTAL December 31, 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 New Year s Day/12 Noon Mass $ 7, $ 4, $ 11, $ 23, $ 6, $ 30, $$ 29, $ 774, $ 781, $ 8, $ 3, $ 9, $ 7, $ 2, $ 31, $ 6, $ 37, $$ 29, $ 803, $ 819, $ 3, 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 support. By Father Michael Kearney For some reason, this past Christmas was difficult for me when it came to purchasing gifts for family members... ven with Amazon Prime and all the web E browsing out there, I had difficulty finding the perfect gifts for my parents, sisters, brother-in-law, niece and nephews. My goal was to have meaning behind each gift that the other would truly enjoy. I can say that I had some successes, but I also missed the mark with some gifts this year. The question could be asked, as it is still the Christmas season, what kind of gifts should I give to the Lord? or it is his birthday that we celebrate! F Luckily for us, we have the Scripture story of the Magi, three kings, or also known three wise men. They bring to the Lord gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts reveal (which is the meaning of the word epiphany ) two things for us: First, it reveals the gifts the Lord has given to us. Gold reveals his kingship; frankincense his priesthood; and myrrh, his upcoming death on the cross. Second, the gifts from the Magi reveal the gifts we should give to Christ ourselves. Gold represents our talents and gifts, frankincense represents our prayers, and finally, myrrh represents our sacrifices. We don t have to struggle to figure out what gifts we should give to the Lord, let us look to the Magi, and bring the Lord our talents, our prayers, and our sacrifices! In Her Own Words Kelly O Ryan, daughter of Deacon Michael and Mrs. Patricia O Ryan, is a Postulant of the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Kelly will be speaking very briefly about vocations and her own calling to consecrated life next Sunday, Jan. 14, at the 8:00, 10:00 am and 12 Noon Masses. Kelly will also be available after those Masses to answer questions about her Order and seeking an ever-deepening relationship with Jesus through Mary.

4 Page Four January 7, 2018 Scripture Reflections for THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD LIVING the WORD Sunday, January 7, 2018 THIS WEEK S FOCUS: SEARCHING AND STRETCHING Whether it was Isaiah s listeners wondering where God s light was, or the Magi following a star to an unexpected place, or us trying to broaden our understanding of God s mysteries, we know that God illumines the way. FIRST READING Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! (Is 60:1-6). When the Jews arrived home from being in exile, they only found devastation. In this part of Isaiah, we hear that God would fulfill His promises. In this part of Isaiah, we hear that God would still fulfill the promises. The glory of God would be upon Israel to such an extent that even when the Gentile peoples would come in pilgrimage to Jerusalem to pay homage to the Lord. No longer would the pagans carry the Israelites off into exile. Now the pagans would bring their riches and submit themselves to the God of Israel. This promise would be fulfilled with the arrival of the Magi. SECOND READING The Gentiles are coheirs in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6). In the Old Covenant, only the Jewish people received the promise. They were the chosen people and heirs of the promises that God had made to the patriarchs and the prophets of Israel. In the New Covenant all peoples will participate in the grace of the Lord. There will be no distinction between Jew and Greek, slave or free, male or female. They are all chosen by the Lord. All will participate in the promise of the Gospel. They are all part of the body of Christ, which is the Church. This is the mystery of salvation: the bounty of God s love for all people. Visitation Catholic Church GOSPEL Magi arrived, looking for the newborn king (Mt 2:1-12). Magi were astrologers possibly from Persia or Babylon and it is possible that the star that they saw was the elision (syzgy) of the three planets, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, occurring around 7 BC. The Magi would naturally have gone to Jerusalem to inquire about the birth of a Jewish king. Herod intends to use them to murder what he considers to be a rival to his throne. Herod was a murderous paranoid when it came to his throne. He murdered a wife, three sons, and a brother-in-law (the high priest). Jewish scholars use a passage taken from Micah to determine that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. The Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were easy to carry and valuable. Later symbolic meaning was found in the gifts. They spoke of gold as a gift one would give a king, frankincense as an incense one would burn to honor a god, and myrrh as an ointment used in burials, foretelling how Jesus would save us. REFLECTION Why do you seek information in general, or seek a sign or an answer in prayer? To confirm what you already believe? For self-protection? To learn and live in new ways? The contrast between why Herod sought to know where the Christ was to be born and why the Magi sought that information is noteworthy. Herod was greatly troubled. Another king was competition. The Magi wanted to reverence the newborn king. Herod wanted to protect himself by destroying a perceived threat. The Magi were open to newness: in the heavens, on earth, and within themselves. They even returned home by another way. Celebrating the Epiphany stretches us to include people, ways of thinking, and ways of being beyond our current beliefs or perceptions. That is the way of a God whose light shines on all peoples coming from all lands. Israelite hearts will be stretched. Paul makes clear that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Ephesians 3:6). These words challenged and stretched the hearts of Jewish Christians. The light of Christ challenges us to more inclusive ways of thinking and being. Celebrating the Epiphany invites us to expand our understanding of the Other (God), of other people, and of ourselves, beyond the boundaries that narrowness tries to limit. St. Jane de Chantal taught that if we understand that the light of God dwells in all of us, we should honor and mutual respect to all people, in word, deed, and attitude. The words we sing in our responsorial psalm call us to learn and live in new ways: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday, Jan. 8 Is 42:1-4, 6-7 Mk 1:7-11 Tuesday, Jan. 9 1 Sm 1:9-20 Mk 1:21-28 Wednesday, Jan Sm 3:1-10, Mk 1:29-39 Thursday, Jan Sm 4:1-11 Mk 1:40-45 Friday, Jan Sm 8:4-7, 10-22a Mk 2:1-12

5 The Epiphany of the Lord MASS INTENTIONS MONDAY, JANUARY 8 6:15 AM James Murphy Intentions of Charmaine Murphy TUESDAY, JANUARY 9 6:15 AM Deceased members of Piccin Family Rosa Sorrentino Intentions of Alice Essling WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10 6:15 AM Pat Anthony D Orio Jeanne Kevil Janet Fassbender THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 6:15 AM Robert Hanson Bill Johnston Bette J Stack FRIDAY, JANUARY 12 6:15AM Lillian Hanson 8:15AM John Lupo Ernest Hauser SATURDAY, JANUARY 13 Marie Schiefer 5:00 PM Dorothy Visk Claudia Sabatino SUNDAY, JANUARY 14 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 8:00 AM Lillian and Ray Surdell Jessica Leen 10:00 AM Violet Janousek Wes Van Hook 12 NOON Jim Tully 6:00 PM Kelly Holmes Brian Schaefer Wendy Bosco-Bowman WEDDING BANNS Please pray for the following couples as they prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony: (II) Anthony William Dona Van Castile and Nora Quinn O Ryan January 7, 2018 Page Five PRAYERS FOR OUR FAMILY For the Deceased Jerome Conway Barbara Martino "Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. For the Sick Please pray for all the sick and their families: Brent Whelan Marynell Greer 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. 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 For Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life 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: Great Graces and safety for Guy Murphy and his pilgrimage to India. For my sister, Erica. Great blessings for my mother, Martha. Merry Christmas and healthy, peaceful New Year! For forgiveness. In memory of Marcella Rudzinski. ARMED FORCES PRAYER LIST We remember in prayer our military as they continue to serve in our Armed Forces. We wish all a Merry Christmas and pray God protects and brings 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

6 Page Six January 7, 2018 BLOOD DRIVE THIS SUNDAY JAN. 7 7:30 am-1:30 pm Visitation Hospitality Center Walk-Ins Welcome To thank you for donating, all participating donors will be entered into a raffle to win a pair of Chicago Blackhawk tickets. Donors will also receive a voucher from Papa John s for 30% off an online order. CELEBRATION OF LIFE MASS All are welcome to the Celebration of Life Mass with Bishop R. Daniel Conlon, on Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, 604 N. Raynor, Joliet. Rosary with Pro-Life intentions at 10:30am. Reception in the Commons. THE LIGHT OF MY LIFE The light of Christ remains. Christmas is not over... During Advent, we meditated on Mary s fiat to God to bear the Christ Child, her obedience to the Holy Spirit s inspiration to help Elizabeth with the birth of John the Baptist, and Joseph s decision to obey the directive of the Holy Spirit to take Mary as his wife. Each one took a leap of Faith. Sometimes it takes a leap of faith to go where God wants one to go, but history is filled with stories, not just the Christmas narrative, which is the pinnacle, but it s filled with stories about individuals who allowed God to lead, trusting that He would attend to all the necessary details along the way. God has a path in mind for each one of us, an appointed goal achievable through His grace, which is sufficient. Faith, more than anything else, is a decisive choice. This year, ask Our Lord to help you make the choice to visit him in the Adoration Chapel. If you feel half empty or only half full, it doesn t matter. What matters is that you are refillable. In fact, make a fiat, resolve to become a registered adorer. Sign on and make the promise to honor Christmas in your heart all year, and become a light for others in the process. An adorer is needed for the Saturday 7-8 pm hour. To sign up or to inquire in any way, please call Mary Lewis at or Joan Taylor at Food Pantry Outreach for the Holidays Visitation Catholic Church We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping to make Thanksgiving memorable for approximately 115 families from our community. We rely on the generosity of Visitation Parish each year to fulfill the large numbers of families who need food. Due to your overwhelming generosity, we were able to provide food and grocery gift cards, as well as a turkey, to those in need. We receive our names from our own foodpantry, Greencastle Senior Housing, Transitional Housing and Catholic Charities. We have had difficulty obtaining what we need through the Northern Illinois Food Bank due to their decrease in food donations and with your help, we were also able to restock our food pantry. We would not be able to accomplish this outreach without your continued support. Our parish family will pray for you during this holy season of Christmas. May the Christ Child bless you and may the generosity that you show to others be returned to you one hundred fold. Pam Stefik Director of Christian Ministry Immaculate Conception Casserole Ministry Receives Thanks Fenton High School wants to thank you for the beautiful meals you gave us for our Fenton families. Providing nourishment of body and soul through your Casserole Ministry reflects the Father s love and we give thanks for you. Sixty one percent of our student body qualifies for free and/or reduced lunch and is in the red zone to poverty. Our community has been very grateful for your generous manifestations of your faith through your ministry supplying food for the poor. You have blessed us with your acts of kindness. Please extend our sincere appreciation to your parishioners who gave from their hearts to bless others through this ministry. James Ongtengco Associate Superintendent Fenton Community High School District 100

7 The Epiphany of the Lord January 7, 2018 Page Seven IC CATHOLIC PREP NEWS Visitation CCW presents It's NOT TOO LATE to Become a Knight! Friday, January 12 If you missed our exam date, make-up test dates are available. If you are considering ICCP as your high school choice for next year, but didn't test with us, please contact the Admissions Office to schedule a shadow day or find out how you can become a Knight! Students who test at ICCP will be given first priority in the acceptance process. Academic scholarships and financial assistance opportunities are available. Class of 2022 registration will be held on Feb. 22, To schedule a make-up exam, tour or shadow day. please contact Mrs. Nikki A. Kanzia, Assistant Principal, Director of Admissions and Student Life at or nkanzia@icatholicprep.org. Shadow Day opportunities for 7th grade students will begin in February, For more information please visit the website: Eighth Annual Bags for Wags Bean Bag Tournament Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 COST: $100 per team (two-player team) Cash/checks only LOCATION: Visitation Church Valentino Center TIME: 6:00 pm (4:45-5:45 on site registration) PARTICIPANT AGE: 16 and up WINNERS: Cash prizes for the top teams (Prize amounts announced on the day of the tournament) RULES AND REGULATIONS: Complimentary refreshments for all registered teams from Mama Maria s Pizza and Soft Drinks SPECTATOR GENERAL ADMISSION: (Food/Drink for whole evening): 16-over ($10.00) 16-under ($5.00) VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED: Junior High and High School students are encouraged to volunteer. Please contact traceydegnan@hotmail.com and provide your name, phone, and hours of availability for Saturday, Feb. 3, The BEWSF is 501 c3 not-for-profit organization registered with the State of Il. All proceeds from this event including but not limited to admission fees, registration costs, raffle prizes and monetary donations benefit the multiple scholarships which are awarded annual to recipients each spring. BEWSF PO BOX 1036 Elmhurst, IL TRIVIA NIGHT Send your team name for this challenging and fun night to Courtney@braafhart.net. Money due by this TUESDAY, JAN. 9. Money can be dropped off at the Graafhart home, 410 Hawthorne. Or if you have a child at school send to Brandy Frost via Peter Frost, Rm. #124. Contact Courtney or Brandy for more information.

8 Page Eight January 7, 2018 STATE OF ILLINOIS TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP INVEST IN KIDS ACT PARISH DIRECTORY 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 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. For up-to-date details visit: 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 Vis 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 JAN 13/JAN 14 5:00 pm 8:00 am 10:00 am 12:00 NOON 6:00 PM LECTORS June E. Haptas Ian Kwit Donna Rozycka John Kimec Kevin Fowler Elaine Ryba Linda Smith Theresa Koenigsberger Pam Hauser Susan Haibeck EXTRAORDINARY MaryAnn Santucci Daniel Fogarty, Jr. Mary Lewis James L. Hauser Elizabeth Maloney EUCHARISTIC Cathy Sholtis Clarita Iozzo Al Potaczek Rose Krajewski Janet Fatheree MINISTERS David Stevenson Marianne Stanke Jessica Felice Mary Ohm Rita McGreal ALTAR SERVERS Michael Wilson Nick Zanoni Scott Zaragoza Luke Hemmersmeier Sam Hemmersmeier Charlie Liebieno Maggie Berigon John DePodesta Ryan Felice Jack Kavanaugh Matthew Kavanaugh Camryn McGreal Ashley Zwolinski Marty Fitzgerald Sean Fitzgerald MUSIC MONDAY Patrick Wisniewski Beth Frolik Jim Brown Jack Miuccio Krystyna Miuccio Barb Masters ADULT CHOIR Jim Brown Regina Gibbons Rosalie Pullia DAILY 8:15 AM MASS ALTAR SERVER ASSIGNMENT (JAN. 8-JAN. 13) TUESDAY Alysa Lawton Clare Lopatka WEDNESDAY Brian Carling Emily Carling THURSDAY David Ciccarone Nick Zaragoza FRIDAY Joe Pagni Jack Beckman SATURDAY William Czech Edwin Espinosa, Jr. 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 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.