THE TOWER. Sacred Heart Church Winnetka - Glencoe. Sunday, December 18, 2010 Fourth Sunday of Advent PRAYER FOR THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT

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1 Sacred Heart Church Winnetka - Glencoe Sunday, December 18, 2010 Fourth Sunday of Advent THE TOWER PRAYER FOR THE FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT Holy Light, searcher of the human heart, guide and beacon of eternal hope, pour your radiance into our souls. Lead us to that light within that we may be light to one another. Amen. THE ADVENT WREATH The idea for the Advent wreath began in the far northern countries of Scandinavia long before Jesus was born. During the dark, cold winter days the pagan people of these lands would long for the sun, the light of the world, to shine on them again. So they would take a great wheel (often a wagon wheel) and put many candles around the rim. When the candles were lighted, they would twirl the wheel. How beautiful it must have looked! This wheel was like a glowing prayer to the god of light: Please turn the world around so we may face your sun again! Today as Christians we still long for the light and the Advent wreath is a visual reminder that Jesus is the light who will help us to see better ways of loving God and each other. He will warm us with his love and help us to grow. He will fill us with joy. The candles on our Advent wreath are like our prayer to God. Please open our eyes. Turn us toward you. Help us to welcome your son, the Light of the World. THE MEANING OF THE WREATH The word ADVENT means the coming or promise. The Wreath The circular form symbolizes that God has no beginning and no end. The Boughs The evergreens from which they come remain always fresh and green, even during the darkest days of winter and remind us that Jesus love lives in us every day and will never end. The Candles The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. The lighted candles represent Christ, the Light of the World. Each week we light one more candle that represents the idea that the coming of Christ is closer. HOW TO USE THE WREATH The Advent wreath has a long tradition as a household observance. It begins with the blessing of the wreath at the evening meal on the Saturday before the First Sunday of Advent. Place the wreath in a significant place in the home such as the dining room table. You may want to add evergreens and ribbons to the base of the wreath. Each evening, maybe at dinner time, light the appropriate candles and recite the prayer for the week. The first week, one purple candle is lit, the second week, two purple candles are lit, the third week, the pink candle is added, and the fourth week all are lit. If dinnertime is not the best time for your household choose whatever time works. Whether you live alone, or if there are many people in our home, it does not matter. The most important tradition is to have the wreath and to pray with it.

2 For nothing will be impossible for God Before you know it, the celebration of the baby Jesus will be here amidst presents, family, food, and friends. Only seven more shopping days! Throughout all our excitement and many pressing commitments, our faith and hope in Christ tries to calm our hearts and helps us focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Mother Mary responds to the angel Gabriel, May it be done to me according to your word. Mary s response is one of grace and acceptance, again reminding us of the joy and focus of Christ s birth displayed on my front lawn. Yes, my front lawn. I am not known for one who preplans or prepares. Yet, some years ago our child was due and I actually put up the Christmas decorations, tree, and a life size nativity scene all by the end of November. Well, our first son had arrived! Due to a caesarian section, we did not come home for a few days. My Mom is known for her ability to always be giving and loves to do the little things that make us smile. So, she had a company place a huge sign on our front lawn. In large letters, it stated, IT S A BOY right in front of the life size nativity scene! Many of my neighbors laughed and some commented that if we had a girl our front yard would be quite confusing. Celebrating one another as the gifts from God we are the spirit of Christmas. We give to one another as a sign of our love and appreciation. Over the years, we all experience joys and sorrows. Christmas is a time that highlights both. Somehow, I like to hold onto the fact that we suffer from Irish Alzheimer s and only remember the good. That is the Christmas spirit I like to keep dear to my heart. No matter the trials and tribulations, we strive to put our best forward and Mary reminds us that it is God who picks us. We are also reminded that, nothing will be impossible for God. You all have so many gifts! Our faith is one of our greatest gifts and Christmas is a time to share our faith and love. The following writing was on Mother Theresa s wall reminding us to continue giving: People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God; it was never between you and them anyway. ~ Merry Christmas, John Fay

3 Finances at a Glance December 11, 2011 WHAT? NO RED CHARTS? Merry Christmas! I confess that I am facing some inner conflict in my role as Business Manager at this wonderful time of year. Yes, it s my job to share accurate and timely financial information to our parishioners and it s a job that I take seriously. My conflict arises from the fact that when I share the current financial news, I feel somewhat like the Grinch. I m not including my usual graph this week because it does NOT look very merry but the facts are this: as of last Sunday, December 11, our Sunday collections are $55K short of budget. There is good news however: The weekly collections in December are trending slightly higher than previous weeks, a phenomenon that occurs every year at this wonderful parish. We thank you! During the past few days, we have started to receive some very generous Christmas donations. We thank you! We know that some parishioners like to give their annual donation to our Parish in one lump sum at year end. We see that happen each and every year and yes, we thank you! We know you will continue to be generous. So here is my message this week no bleak charts, no big red numbers, just a simple plea please continue the generosity that you have always shown Sacred Heart, and take advantage of our new on-line giving capabilities which provide for a more consistent level of donations throughout the year, even when you are traveling. I wish you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas filled with Joy. Peace, Michelle Wasielewski PLEASE DONATE! On-line at On-line bill payments can be arranged directly with your own bank who then sends checks to Sacred Heart Arrange for ACH transactions (call the business office) Regular collection envelopes are always accepted!

4 SCHOOL NEWS! We are on Christmas Holiday Break beginning Wednesday, December 21 st, at 3:10 PM. Classes will resume Thursday January 5 th. We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy and happy New Year! DECEMBER 18 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT In today s Gospel the angel Gabriel said to Mary Do not be afraid Without understanding all that will flow from it, Mary speaks her yes. Are you called to say yes to God? Do not be afraid! Men of college-age and older are invited to an Exploring Priesthood Weekend retreat at Mundelein Seminary to learn about, pray, and reflect on the possibilities of diocesan priesthood in Chicago. The next EPW is January 13-15, To register contact Fr. Brian Welter at or bwelter@archchicago.org. See for more details. ALLERGIC TO HOSTS? We now have gluten free hosts for those with celiac disease or other allergies and who cannot receive the hosts. Anyone interested please call/see Sr. Luanne ( ) for the special hosts and a pyx. Those with the low gluten hosts put their host in a pyx, place the pyx on the plate with the other hosts that will be brought up in the Offertory procession. For communion, make sure you go to the presider of the Mass, who will have the pyx you need. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS Last Sunday's Christmas Pageant was a delight, thanks to the many people who worked with our children in this beautiful production. Singing this year was led by our 4th graders who sounded angelic and helped us all get into the Advent/Christmas spirit, while the 3rd graders did a marvelous production of the First Christmas followed by a fun party in the Parish Center. Our THANKS to ALL involved and a hearty CHRISTMAS WISH TO ALL FAMILIES that the true spirit of this season may seep into you and your loved ones hearts and homes. A special thanks to our talented directors Ed Kuffert and Barbara Anderson. THANKS to all who brought in SCARVES, GLOVES, AND HATS for our Advent Outreach Project for the children at St. Columbanus! You definitely helped warm the hearts, hands and bodies of many children in need. The Religious Ed Office is closed during the Christmas break Dec. 19 through Jan. 1. Messages will be picked up periodically. CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS TO ALL!

5 Come and Behold The Beautiful Hand-Embroidered Tablecloths, Napkins and Placemats Made by The Embroidery Women of St Jean Baptiste, our Twin Parish in Sassier Come and see all the beautiful goods In the Gathering Space and Parish Offices After all the Masses December 17th and 18th For more information about our Twinning Relationship between Sacred Heart and St. Jean Baptiste contact Mike Pace at or or Gerry Keenan at or WARM HEARTS TO WARM HANDS YONION IS IMPORTANT! The Department of Stewardship and Development of the Archdiocese is considering a campaign to address specific education priorities of our Catholic Schools, Religious Education Programs and Mundelein Seminary. We need your input and opinion. Please read the Proposed Case Statement before taking the brief, anonymous survey. A direct link to the survey can be found on the front page of the Archdiocese's website, or go directly to The survey will be available until December 18. As the cold Chicago winter season approaches, the Friends of St. Columbanus Food Pantry would like to use our warm hearts to warm hands... lots of hands! We are conducting a glove drive with a goal of supplying 1,000 pair of gloves to the St. Columbanus Food Pantry. Our goal for the collection of the gloves is December 19th. When food to feed your family is your first priority, small luxuries like warm gloves are simply out of reach. Please help us warm hands! You can help in two ways: 1. Donate a monetary gift to The Friends of St. Columbanus Food Pantry and we will purchase the gloves. 2. The next time you're at the store, grab an extra pair or two of gloves for those less fortunate. There is a box at the back of the church for your donations. We look forward to putting our warm hearts together to warm hands. Checks should be made out to: The Friends of St. Columbanus Food Pantry

6 SACRED HEART PARISH PART-TIME ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT NEEDED Fridays 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. & Sundays 8:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Job sharing with current employee who works Monday Thursday. Reports to Business Manager / Pastor. For more information please visit our web site : or call Michelle Wasielewski at When making year end charitable gifts, please don t forget the Nite Lites Advance Donor Campaign. Your generous support is essential to the success of this year s 34 th Annual Nite Lites Vive la France! We depend on the Advance Donor Campaign to cover many of the start-up costs of this important annual parish benefit, and hope you will consider making a tax-deductible contribution before December 31. You will receive one complimentary admission ticket to Nite Lites for every $100 you donate. Donor envelopes were mailed to all parish families at the end of October. Additional envelopes are available in the back of church. You can also make a donation online at It s quick, easy, and so convenient! Please contact Maria Anderson at with any questions. We greatly appreciate your support to ensure the continued success of this wonderful parish tradition. Guidelines for Gifting Securities For the convenience of those who wish to donate securities to Sacred Heart, the Church maintains an account relationship with Smith Barney CitiGroup (#576-OH DTC0418). If you wish to make a tax-deductible contribution of securities, it is necessary that your securities be transferred to that account to complete the gift. Do not sell the securities while they are still registered in your name, or you will incur the capital gains tax. In order to receive due credit and confirmation for the taxdeductible contribution, it is important to notify Michelle Wasielewski Business Manager at Sacred Heart ( ) or Christopher O Donnell at Smith Barney at ( ) of your intentions prior to issuing instructions to your broker. Throughout the year your generosity helps keep your parish solvent while at the same time, helps the parish staff to provide a place of worship, education and community. We thank you in advance for your thoughtful gift which makes it all possible! EUCHARISTIC ADORATION Please join us on Friday, January 6th, to spend some time in quiet meditation Parish Office Chapel 7:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. and concluding with Benediction at Noon

7 Hey everybody! Be sure to join the Facebook group Sacred Heart Youth Ministry Group and subscribe to updates so you will be in the know on all the great stuff happening with Sparked Hearts! All you need to do is scan the code on the right! You can also follow us on Check out our area of the BULLETIN BOARD at the entrance of church it has a calendar of events and more info about what is happening with Sparked Hearts! Everyone in high school is welcome to our events! SERVICETIME Sunday, Dec. 18 th, at 9:00. Help your parish out with our Christmas SHaring project! We need help loading and unloading trucks full of presents for St. Columbanus hot chocolate provided! CHRISTMAS PARTY Wednesday, Dec. 21st, at 6:00. We are going to meet in the parish center to bake and decorate cookies and watch Christmas movies! Bring your favorite Christmas movie to share! Home from college and looking for something to do? Come and reconnect with old friends! NO MEETINGS Dec. 25th or Jan. 1st Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Sparked Hearts Youth Ministry! Facebook group 2012 TEEN TRIP TO HAITI 2012 Teens! Are you interested in a Mission/Adventure trip that you will remember for the rest of your life? If you are, the Teen Trip to Haiti 2012 is for you. You will have the chance to experience a new culture, make new friends, and work side-by-side with Teens from Sassier to make a real impact. In 2008, 16 Sacred Heart Teens journeyed to Sassier for 10 days and were transformed by their experiences. Several of them are planning an Alumni trip next Summer. Even though their languages weren t the same, all the Teens (American and Haitian) found it easy to communicate through music, sports, dance, prayer and laughter. We will leave Chicago Saturday, July 28 and return Monday or Tuesday, August 6 or 7 (this is after the end of summer school at NT and Loyola). We will stay together in Sassier in the same accommodations as the 2008 trip. Information Sessions for Teens and Parents will be held Sundays, November 20 and December 4 after 10:30 Mass in the Parish Offices Conference Room. Questions? gkeenan@shparish.com Let us know if you, your loved one, neighbor or friend would like to receive communion at home or in the hospital. Please call Fr. Kisaka at , extension 113. Bilingual Volunteers Wanted! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you speak Korean, Polish, Russian or virtually any sub-saharan African language, we can use your help! A Just Harvest distributes thousands of pounds of produce to hungry families on the third Monday of every month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We have plenty of English and Spanish speaking volunteers, but truly need volunteers to communicate with patrons who speak other languages. If you speak one of the languages above and would like to volunteer, please contact David Crawford at extension 29 or david@ajustharvest.org.

8 Sacred Heart Christmas and New Year s Mass Schedule 2011 / 2012 Christmas Eve 8:30 a.m. Daily Mass 3:00 p.m. One Voice 4:45 p.m. Children s & Vigil Choirs 6:15 p.m. Cantor 9:30 p.m. Prelude Music 10:00 p.m. Sacred Heart Choir and Instrumental Ensemble Christmas Day 10:00 a.m. Sacred Heart Choir Note: Only 1 Mass! Saturday, December 31 New Year s Eve 8:30 a.m. Daily Mass 5:00 p.m. Vigil Mass Sunday, January 1 Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God 7:30 Mass 9:00 Cantor 10:30 Sacred Heart Choir Note: No 4:30 p.m. Mass KENWOOD SOUP KITCHEN It has been a tradition here at Sacred Heart to help the Reverend Leroy Sanders provide holiday dinners for folks who might otherwise go hungry, at a time when most of us are enjoying family feasts. If every family here at Sacred Heart could contribute $10, we would have more than enough to cover their needs. To that end, envelopes are available at the entrances and may be deposited in the regular collections. Whatever you can do would certainly help. Thanks so much!. RECONCILIATION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24TH, 9:15-11:00AM IN THE RECONCILIATION ROOM

9 THE WOMEN S CENTER BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR DECEMBER, 2011 Christmas is about love and family and that is what we strive to be for the many women in difficult pregnancies who come to us. This year we saved approximately 1,000 babies from abortion and helped their mothers with our friendship and love. Last year over 1,400 children and adults attended our annual client Christmas parties. Each family at the parties enjoyed a light meal and left with gifts of toys and clothing for the children. This year s Christmas parties will be December 21 and 22. If you would like to make a food donation, please call Jackie at Save the date Saturday, (not Sunday as usual) February 11th, 2012 for our 27 th Annual Life Banquet at The White Eagle in Niles. Registration starts at noon and Lunch at 1 p.m.. We are excited to have as our main speaker, Dr. Charmaine Yoest, President and CEO of Americans United for Life (AUL). AUL is the first national pro-life organization in the nation, whose legal strategists have been involved in every pro-life case before the United States Supreme Court since Roe v. Wade. If you have an item, gift certificate or service to donate for our silent auction, it would be most appreciated. For tickets or to donate phone If you wish to volunteer your time and talents, we need help in our Chicago Family Resource Room on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for 3 to 6 hours between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. To help, call Jackie at We desperately need fixed side baby cribs, 1 double stroller, 3 small chests of drawers, 8 infant/carrier car seats, 3 pack n plays and 3 bassinets. It will be a great help if you can deliver these to us. For our address, or if a pick- up is needed, please call Due to the fire we are unable to accept anything except the items listed. The families who receive these things are grateful for your generosity. Sacred Heart Parish of Winnetka See Fr. Bob s reflections and other parish news. Sacred Heart s Haiti Ministry Committee offers two opportunities for Parishioners and friends of Sassier to visit St Jean Baptiste, our Twin Parish in Sassier, Haiti. We have not been able to visit for several years due to the January 2010 Earthquake. January 14 to a medical team from Holland Hospital in Holland, Michigan will be traveling to Sassier for a week-long medical clinic in two locations in the Parish; medical personnel and just regular folks are welcome to participate. February 9 to 13/14 -- a Sacred Heart team will travel to Sassier to review the progress over the past few years and discuss priorities for future collaboration with the parishioners of St Jean Baptiste. To learn more about how to join one of these trips, contact Gerry Keenan at gkeenan@shparish.com.

10 THIS WEEK AT SACRED HEART Monday, December 19 Finance Council Mtg., 6:30pm/CR Tuesday, December 20 Prayer Meeting, 9:00am/Fireplace Room Everyone is welcome! PTO, 8:30 11:00am/PCSGR Candles & Carols, 7:00pm/Church Wednesday, December 21 Tae Kwon Do, 3:00pm/PCR One Voice Rehearsal Christmas Eve Mass, 7:00pm/Church Thursday, December 22 Nursing Home Angels Lake Cook /Barbara Bailsey Glen Oaks/Marge Kalsch, Grace Medford Choir Rehearsal, 7:30pm/PCLL MASS INTENTIONS Monday, December 19 7:00 AM - William Hartnett 8:30AM - Dorothy A. Zaborniak Tuesday, December 20 7:00 AM - Hodge Family 8:30 AM - Tom Rupp Wednesday, December 21 7:00 AM - Rowland & Rosemary Hoffman 8:30 AM - Don Ryan Thursday, December 22 7:00 AM - Mary Ellen Laughlin 8:30 AM - Angela & Don Ambrose Friday, December 23 7:00 AM - Sue Toland 8:30 AM - John Alexander 8:30 AM - Abby Schager 3:00 PM - All donors to Sacred Heart Secondary School in Tanzania 4:45 PM - Marcia Bushell-Slater 6:15 PM - Henry B. Seul & Gilbert Schmidt 10:00 PM - Joe Fasano MERRY CHRISTMAS! 10:00 AM - Elizabeth & Norman Barry CHOIR 3:00 PM One Voice 4:45 PM Children s & Vigil Choirs 6:15 PM Dan MacDonald, Cantor 10:00 PM Sacred Heart Choir & Instruments 10:00 PM Sacred Heart Choir Rosary Group, 8:00 AM/Chapel Youth Group, 11:30am/PC Teen Room PRESIDERS 3:00 PM Fr. Heidenreich/Deacon John Fay 4:30-4:45 PM Fr. Nyache 6:00-6:15 PM Fr. Gillespie/Deacon Michael McNulty 10:00 PM Fr. Heidenreich/Deacon Gerald Keenan 10:00 AM Fr. Nyache/Deacon Gerald Keenan Preaching LECTORS 3:00 PM Peter Mesrobian 4:45 PM Bill Hague 6:15 PM Chris Hartman 10:00 PM Barbara Anderson 10:00 AM Barbara Joyce ALTAR SERVERS 3:00 PM Maureen Hines, Quinn Janssen, Patrick Ullrich 4:45 PM Joseph Dillon, Sarah Dillon, Claire Russell 6:15 PM Erin Allgaier, Cade Fitzwater, Celia Satter 10:00 PM Will Flocco, Caileigh Kengott, Maggie Lynch 10:00 AM Preston Anderson, Ian Graves, Joe Graves Altar Servers 12/26 12/30/11 Will Madigan, Ward Madigan EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS 3:00 PM Don Devlin, Sheila Devlin, Marge Kalsch, Andrew Kelley, Lydia Kelley, Steve Knaus, Ludy Mariano, Peter Mesrobian, Marion Powers, Bridget Viglione 4:45 PM Mary Jo Bushell, Tim Cawley, Kate Hocter, Nancy Kehoe, Cathy Leonard, John Russell, Phyllis Russell, Ellie Russell, Catherine Russell, Lamarr Tyler 6:15 PM Bernadette Broccolo, Jack Farley, Lisa Franke, Cathy O Brien, Jessie Pace 10:00 PM Frieda Baker, Mickey Casner, Christine Kengott, Mark Kengott, Carleasia Kengott, Nancy Wais, Pete Wais 10:00 PM Maria Anderson, Dan Kubasiak, Deb Kubasiak, Roseanne Madden, John Madden, Jane Mitchel, Kathy Wagner GREETERS 3:00 PM Ludy Mariano Peter Mesrobian, Marion Powers 4:45 PM Dan Hagedorn, Thelma Osborne 6:15 PM Lisa Franke, Cathy O Brien 10:00 PM Frieda Baker, Mickey Casner, Kay Madden 10:00 PM Gerry Bellanca, Kathy Wagner

11 Sacred Heart Parish Contact Information 1077 Tower Road, Winnetka, IL ; fax / Pastor - Rev. Robert J. Heidenreich - Parish Office ext. 138; Rectory ext. 116 / rheidenreich@shparish.com Associate Pastor - Rev. Collins Kisaka Nyache - Rectory, ext. 115 / Office ext. 113 knyache@shparish.com Pastor Emeritus - Rev. Robert E. Ferrigan Pastoral Associate - Marsha Adamczyk - ext. 124/madamczyk@shparish.com Permanent Deacons - John Fay / jfay@shparish.com, Michael J. McNulty / mmcnulty@shparish.com, ext. 120, Gerry Keenan / gkeenan@shparish.com, ext. 106 Director of Music - Todd Gresick - ext. 107/tgresick@shparish.com Children s Choir - Kathy Janega Keenan/kjanega@gmail.com - (847) One Voice Youth Ensemble - Anne Lentino, aklentino@gmail.com Sacristan Coordinator - June Hocter - ext. 136 Business Manager - Michelle Wasielewski / mwasielewski@shparish.com, ext. 131 Accounting/Census/Contributions/Tuition, Cindy Atsaves - ext. 114/ catsaves@shparish.com Bookkeeping, Suzie Danstrom - ext. 141/sdanstrom@shparish.com Building Engineer, Michael King - ext. 119 Secretary & Bulletin Coordinator, Cindy Reid - ext. 101/ creid@shparish.com Youth Minister, Carol Nowatzke - ext. 132/ cnowatzke@shparish.com Elementary School Principal - Sr. Kathleen Donnelly, O.P., / 1095 Gage Street Religious Education Director - Sr. Luanne Wilhelm, SLW, / 1095 Gage Street Sacrament of Reconciliation - Saturdays 9:00 9:30 a.m. Baptism - By Appointment - We celebrate Baptisms on Sundays following the 10:30 Mass. Our Baptism Guidelines and Baptism Information Forms are available on our website by ing the Parish Office (creid@shparish.com) or by phone at For further information, please contact our Baptism Coordinator at Baptism Preparation - 4th Sunday of the month 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the Parish Offices Conference Room Sacrament of Matrimony - Contact priest or deacon 6 months prior to the anticipated date of marriage Sacrament of Anointing - Please call one of the priests ext. 115, ext. 116 PARISH CENTER ADDRESS: 1090 Gage St. (Corner of Gage and Burr) Office Hours: 8:30 AM 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday

12 CHURCH NAME AND NUMBER Sacred Heart Church #862 ADDRESS 1077 Tower Road Winnetka, Illinois PHONE CONTACT PERSON Cindy Reid x 101 SOFTWARE Microsoft Publisher 2007 Adobe Acrobat 8.0 Windows XP Professional PRINTER HP Laserjet 1022 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT = 12 SUNDAY DATE OF BULLETIN December 18th, 2011 THANK YOU!