December 25, 2016 - The Nativity of the Lord ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH TEUTOPOLIS, ILLINOIS
St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 2 From the Pastor All the Franciscans and the staff of St. Francis Parish extend to you, our parishioners, are sincere wishes for a blessed and grace-filled Christmas and season. Jesus emptied himself to take on our humanity. Let us work on being humble so we can be better disciples of Jesus. It is always with a sense of risk that I begin thanking people because I know someone will get overlooked. At the same time, people who decorated the church did a wonderful job the greetings at the entrances were original and creative and beautiful. Imagine the list if we thanked all the people making our liturgies so inspiring all the people in the choirs and musicians; the lectors, acolytes, sacristans, ushers everyone s effort helped each of us to celebrate the Incarnation. And the friars are grateful to you who pledged your prayers for us, have shared your bakery items and other presents like cash and gift cards. It s a long list of being grateful. There is a new ritual for weddings, and it does not include a fire alarm going off in the middle of the nuptial Mass like we had last Saturday! It s the unusual stuff that happens, which we remember about a certain wedding. We had a good turn-out for confessions last Sunday evening despite the extremely cold weather. Coming to the sacrament of penance is a wonderful gift to give oneself. A final note of gratitude: many of you have purchased scrip cards, and that is a win-win deal. You are going to be spending the money anyway, and now you get to help the parish, especially the Catholic Heart Work Camp. People volunteer to sell the cards every Saturday morning (0800 to noon) in the front entrance of the friary. That s great. And I see that more people are making their contributions to ACSA instead of the parish. We need to increase this. Thank you. Ministry Sign-ups There are ministry sign-up sheets for New Year s Eve and New Year s Day in the main entrance of Church. If you are commissioned to be in any of the ministries: Usher, Reader, Gift Bearer, or Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, please consider sharing your ministry this Christmas. Thank you! Christmas Day: Mercy still persists in Christmas. When God took on our humanity in the birth of Jesus, he appeared in our flesh out of divine kindness, generous love, and covenantal mercy. He literally pitched his tent in our midst, lives where we live, likes and loves what we like and love plus those we do not. Since we are saved through the bath of rebirth, that is, Christian Baptism, we are forever changed. Our behavior must always be like Christ, robustly alive in the gifted grace that comes from God alone. Even at Christmas, how will I be merciful? How will I manifest God s free gift of grace to me by giving? Who will I like and love this Christmas season? Mass Intentions New Year s Mass Schedule Feast of Mary, Mother of God December 31-4:00 & 5:30 pm January 1-8:30 & 10:30 am Monday, December 26, 6:30: Paul Niebrugge family Monday, December 26, 12:10: Nancy (Buenker) Will (death anniv.) Tuesday, December 27, 6:30: Vincent Huelsing Tuesday, December 27, 7:55: Mary Buenker Wednesday, December 28, 6:30: Joseph & Elizabeth Buscher & family Wednesday, December 28, 7:55: Cau Binh An (for peace) Thursday, December 29 6:30: Bernard & Betty Koeberlein Thursday, December 29, 12:10: Herman F. Runde (death anniv.) Friday, December 30, 6:30: Betty Koeberlein-Schottman Friday, December 30, 7:55: Grace J. Runde Saturday, December 31, 4:00: Jerry Hotze Saturday, December 31, 5:30: Joe Deters Sunday, January 1, 8:30: Lawrence Ruholl Sunday, January 1, 10:30: Pro Populo
December 25, 2016 The Nativity of the Lord page 3 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Liturgy Schedule The Octave of Christmas December 26 - January 1 St. Stephen Mass at 6:30 am & 12:10 pm St. John Mass at 6:30 & 7:55 am The Holy Innocents Mass at 6:30 & 7:55 am St. Thomas Mass at 6:30 am & 12:10 pm The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Mass at 6:30 & 7:55 am St. Sylvester I New Years Eve Mass at 8:00 am & 4:00 & 5:30 pm Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God Mass at 8:30 & 10:30 am Confession Schedule Saturday, - 3:00-4:00 pm Liturgy of the Hours with Friars Monday-Friday -- 11:45 am & 4:45 pm Pray for the Sick Please remember in your prayers: Jack Hardiek, Lucille Worman, Agnes Kremer, Devin Mette, Harold Hardiek, Margaret Pruemer, Will Niccum, Joe Ruholl, Bill and Rosie Myers, Emily (Heuerman) McCabe, Lorraine Deters, Dolores Kingery, Claude and Geraldine Brumleve, Craig Lindvahl, Scott Repking, Andrea Wernsing, Elizabeth Weidner, Paula Spencer, Martha Wente, Ray Willenborg, Betty Borries, Jody Furlano, Mark Roedl, JoAnn Deters, Elizabeth Waldhoff, Linus Willenborg, Dorothy Gardewine, Cheryl Woodard, Norma Weber, James Jake Niemeyer, Pat Poston, Kathryn Wesselman, Betty Runde. Stewardship of Treasure Sunday Total Fiscal 12/19/2016 Year 262 Adult envelopes $14,243.00 $211,482.00 Other $774.00 $19,390.02 TOTAL $15,017.00 $230,872.02 Assisi for Africa $440.00 $15,429.00 Parish Calendar Monday, December 26 Parish Office closed Photo sessions 2:00-9:00pm, Museum Dining Tuesday, December 27 Photo sessions 2:00-9:00pm, Museum Dining Wednesday, December 28 Photo sessions 2:00-9:00pm, Museum Dining Thursday, December 29 Photo sessions 2:00-9:00pm, Museum Dining Secular Franciscans meet, 6:00-10:00 pm, St. Clare Hall Please Note The Wednesday evening Rosary has been canceled for this Wednesday, December 28th. Planning Marriage Brent Anderson & Rachel Geving Saturday, December 31, 2016 1:00 pm Homebound Ministry Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound for Sunday, January 1st are Rita Pals, 8857-3569 and Brenda Henry 857-3964. God Bless Those Serving our Country. Anthony Vahling, Jeremy Deters, Caleb Hoene, Cody Bushue, Leighton Blankenship, Jared Apke Parish Office 203 E. Main St., P.O. Box 730, Teutopolis, IL 62467-0730 Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:00 am-4:30 pm Phone (217) 857-6404 Fax 217) 857-1031 Parish E-mail: stfrancischurch@mchsi.com Parish website: stfrancischurch.com Submit written bulletin notices by noon Monday. Diocesan website: www.dio.org Diocesan Child Abuse Reporting and Investigation Number (217) 321-1155
St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 4 Religious Education News and Youth Notes GRADE SCHOOL Religious Education Staff, Catechists, Mass Supervisors, and all helpers wish parishioners, parents, and children a blessed Christmas and New Year! School and religion classes resume on Wednesday, January 4. PRE-KDGN. Sunday morning classes resume on January 8 with the Epiphany program. JUNIOR HIGH Classes resume on Wednesday, January 11. Protecting God s Children will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2017 at 6:30 pm at St. Aloysius, Bishop, and on Monday, March 27, 2017 at 6:30 pm at St. Francis, Teutopolis. Please call 857-6404 to register for one. Taste of T-Town Tickets are ON SALE NOW!! Taste of T-Town will be held on January 14 and all CHWC campers have tickets for sale! You can also purchase them at the parish office, Niebrugge Financial or after Masses on weekends this month! We have a great line up & we can't wait for this awesome event! Thank You A huge thank you goes out to all the wonderful people who worked the cookie/candy sale and who baked all the goodies. We couldn t have done it without all of you! You can make a difference! ASSISI FOR AFRICA The photo shows the addition that has started for the boy s home. Fr. Damien writes, I just received the news that one of our boys had returned to his village on his own steam The exact number of children? I calculate almost 50! Let us pray during this Holy Christmas season that these and all abandoned children receive the love and care that they need. May God s blessings be upon our generous donors! Christmas Greetings may be sent to Fr. Damien and the children at: lawrence.isabell@yahoo.com Attention All Parishioners Campbell Soup Company has discontinued their label program - but are giving us until July, 1, 2017 to turn in late labels for credit. With this credit, we purchase items for our Mission bake sales. RCIA is taking a holiday break. We will continue with Opening of the Word. Our Monday night sessions will resume on January 9. If you know of anyone interested in more information on the Catholic Church, please call Sr. Pierre at 857-6404. Attention Parishioners! Do you ever see people in church and wonder what their names are? Are you a new member and wish you had something to help you put names with faces? Help is on the way! We are producing a new pictorial directory. You will be able to sign up for your portrait session by visiting our website stfrancischurch.com, click on What s Happening at St. Francis where you will click on a link and follow the instructions. Or you can call the parish office to schedule your portrait. Photography dates open currently, for scheduling are during the weeks of 12/28-12/30, 01/17-01/21, and 01/31-02/04. Additional weeks in February and March will be open for scheduling at a later date. IMPORTANT!! Please remember, only current parishioner portraits will be in the directory. These portraits will be marked for the directory. Other portraits may also be taken; you may have a generational picture taken (no more than 15 people), children separately, children with grandparents, etc., but only St. Francis Parish parishioners in the directory. We are needing volunteers to help with this project. If you are interested in serving as a host/hostess during the photography sessions, contact Lois Meinhart via email, meinhartl@ttown.k12.il.us or call 821-6368. The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph: Another dream. Read Mt. 2:13-15, 19-23. Deep in the night, Joseph dreams again. His concern is protecting the child from a murderous king. He sleeps. He ponders. He hears. On waking, he flees to safety. In this hubbub of the Christmas season, when will I steal away to be still, to rest, to dream? Who is the someone, what is the something from which I must step away even for a short time? How will I cherish my family?
December 25, 2016 The Nativity of the Lord page 5 Coming Soon--Annual Pro Life Breakfast January 15, 2017, 7:00 am to 12:30 pm at the Teutopolis Grade School Auditorium. Featuring all you can eat whole hog sausage, eggs, homemade breads and rolls and drinks. Donation of breads and rolls appreciated; bring to auditorium Saturday, January 14th from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm or morning of breakfast. Volunteers welcome to set up on Saturday, January 14th at 8:00 am. Workers for the breakfast needed - 2 hour shifts starting at 7:00 am. Call Liz Kremer 217-273-9677 or email liz.kremer1957@hotmail.com Basket raffle this year. If you would like to donate items (remember the kiddos, grandpa and grandma s love to buy chances for their grandchildren). Contact Marisa Schabbing 217-343-2286 or Bernice Schabbing 217-821-2694 with any donations for the raffle. Thanks to everyone for your continued support. CCW News CCW neighborhood donation envelopes have been distributed to a designated collector in your neighborhood. Remember if you are a registered parishioner at St. Francis you are automatically a member of CCW. We get our membership list directly from the church office, so if you are no longer a member of St. Francis Church, you must speak with someone at the church office about this, not the lady collecting your donation. We ask that you please make sure your phone number is correct; we had several numbers typed incorrectly. Thank you in advance. CCW Officers Pro-life - As we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, the Son of God who came into the world to bring His joy, peace, love, mercy, and forgiveness, let us pray for all who have had an abortion or who participated in this practice. We pray that they will seek our Lord s forgiveness and mercy and truly have peace and joy this Christmas. For help dealing with abortion, contact Project Rachel at 1-877- RACHEL-5 (1-877-722-4355), (217) 698-4456, or projectrachel@dio.org King s House Retreat and Renewal Center is nestled in 47 quiet, wooded acres in Belleville, IL. They are sponsored by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. People of all faith traditions are welcomed with warm hospitality and opportunity for spiritual and personal growth. They have released their 2017 retreat schedule and invite you to take time away from your busy life to pray, rest, and reflect on your relationship with God. Retreats include inspirational conferences, prayer, and the opportunity to talk with their qualified staff. For more information, call 618-397-0584 or 800-779-7909 or online at www.kingsretreatcenter.org. Area Events New Year s Eve Cash Bash at the Four Parish Center/ Gym, St. Michael s, Sigel, on December 31st. Tickets are $100 per couple which includes dinner, drinks, and a chance to win a $2,000 grand prize! You must be 21 years to attend. Doors open at 6:30 pm with dinner beginning at 7:00 pm followed by gambling and dancing. It is sure to be a good time! You can get tickets at St. Michael School Office, Sigel Community Bank, or finding us on Facebook. Blood Drive on Tuesday, January 3, 1:30-6:30 pm at the Teutopolis K C Hall. The 3 Kings will be making their annual visit on January 6, 7, 8. Contact Clint Goeckner at 821-5311 for the young kings or Joe Thoele at 821-4459 for the old kings. Trivia/Live Auction St. Michael s Church and School is hosting a Trivia and Live Auction on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at the Four Parish Center in Sigel. The doors open at 6:00 pm and trivia will start at 6:30 pm. Items will be auctioned off throughout the night. To see auction items please go to our Facebook page Sigel St. Michael s Trivia Night and Live Auction. There will also be a 50/50 drawing and heads and tails games throughout the night. Food and drink will be available for purchase. All participants must be 21 years old to attend. The cost per team is $160.00 and can have up to 8 team members. To sign up your team call Betty Zumbahlen at 821-7653. Proceeds of the night go to help cover cost of the church and school sesquicentennial coming in the fall of 2017. HSHS St. Anthony s Foundation is hosting a Glow- Inga on Saturday, January 14, at the Keller Convention Center. Pre-sale tickets are $25 per person. Tickets are limited, so please contact 217-994-3158 or glow-inga2017@hshs.org to get your tickets now. Happy January Birthdays 1/1 Barbara Worman (82) 1/3 Dolores Will (97) 1/4 Donald Meyer (81) 1/5 John Meyer (81) 1/7 Barbara Pals (82) 1/10 Doris Niemeyer (88) 1/11 Norma Ruholl (84) 1/12 Stella Esker (85) 1/13 Richard Hoene (90) 1/15 Roger Borries (88) 1/15 Norma Buhler (81) 1/18 Rita Pals (80) 1/24 James Weis (80) 1/24 Joseph Weis (80) 1/29 Marilyn Meyer (84) 1/29 Martha Stevens (81) Holy Humor Sign seen in a department store: Make This a Christmas Your Spouse Won t Forget. Charge Everything. Blooper in a church Christmas bulletin: The choir will sing I Heard the Bills on Christmas Day. What s the best thing to give your parents for Christmas? A list of everything you want!
St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 6 Minutes from the Parish Council Meeting on December 15, 2016 Present: Fr. Joe, Dan Beckman, Sandy Gillespie, Tony Pals, Steve Kroeger, Sharon Waldhoff, Cory Wermert, Rich Niebrugge The meeting opened with prayer. The following committee reports were then given: Finance: Dan Beckman Finances for the parish are good. Offertory for July November were down A suggestion was made to see if parishioners would like to do deductions from their checks for their offertory. This will be considered. Building and Grounds Tony Pals Looking at different approach for ramps and steps in front of church, also possibly have the ramps and steps heated. Liturgy Lois Meinhart Fall decorations in church were beautiful. Very many nice compliments. Thank you to the decorating committee. There is a shortage of accompanists for the weekend services. Should one of the weekend masses be a low mass? December 8 Feast of Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation), mass times Wed. at 7:30pm, Thurs at 6:00am, 7:55am, and 12:10pm). Dec. 14 Set up Christmas decorations at 4:00pm. Dec. 18 Parish Reconciliation 7:00PM. Dec. 24 no morning mass. Christmas Eve masses at 4:00pm (Children s choir), 6:00pm (Kim Deters and Greg Oseland), 10:30pm (Adult choir). Dec. 25 - Christmas Day mass at 9:00 am (Kim Deters). Dec. 31 New Year s Eve masses 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM. Jan. 1 New Year s Day masses 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM. Jan. 8 Epiphany Sunday. Jan. 9 Baptism of the Lord end of Christmas season. Religious Ed Sandy Gillespie Grade School Christmas store for the Missions was Dec. 6, Dec. 7 and Dec. 9. Pre-Kindergarten Epiphany Sunday, January 8 program skit and Christmas songs to follow the 10:30 AM mass with a reception for family and parishioners in St. Clare Hall. Junior High Jr. High Students to attend Holy Day vigil mass with families. Classes resume Wed. Dec. 14 with preparation for Sacrament of Reconciliation. Dec. 21 Jr. High Sacrament of Reconciliation. Adult Education Adult education session Mary: a Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother has 30 adults participating. January 12 th will begin the 12 keys to spiritual vitality. RCIA sessions continue. Lisa Foster entered the Catholic Church Sunday, Dec. 4. We pray she continues to deepen her commitment and feels welcomed at St. Francis. Parishioners and especially the ones that are ministers in the church are encouraged to attend Protecting God s Children. Social Concerns Karen Runde March for Life Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage dates are set for 1/25/17 1/29/17. Right to Life Breakfast has been set for January 15, 2017 at Grade School Auditorium. Possibly a different Lenten project for the parish. This is being pursued. New Business Should 6:30 AM mass on Sundays continue with music, because parish does not have enough accompanists. The councils feels that music helps to make the Sunday service special. This will be discussed further. The new religious education committee is working to see how the new religion schedule is working in all areas. Next Parish Council meeting January 26, 7:00PM. Submitted by Sandy Gillespie