May 1, 2016-6th Sunday of Easter St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois Gavin Addis Lyla Apke Mitch Bergfeld Brileigh Bloemer Cole Breer Gavin Buening Landyn Buening Ayden Buenker Halle Bushue Adam Doedtman Shealynn Flora Aiden Ghalambor Ryan Ghalambor Chloe Green Molly Habing Addison Hewing Kaitlyn Horn Olivia Kemme Carly Kingery Jason Kreke Sophia Martin Eva Mette Madison Miller Connor Niemerg Kelsey Niemerg Anna Probst Joseph Probst Bailey Repking Allie Ruholl Ava Ruholl Derek Schmidt Lily Smith Lily Stortzum Addison Thoele Landyn Thoele Brady Webb Olivia Wermert Logan Westendorf Allie Wilhelms Natalie Willenborg May 1, 2016
St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 2 From Fr. Joe Congratulations to all of the children in the parish who are making their first Communion this Sunday morning at the 10:30 Mass! Not only do the children celebrate, but their parents and siblings and grandparents and godparents all the family celebrates this occasion. We are grateful to their catechists and teachers, who have shared their faith with our little ones, preparing them to receive the sacrament of reconciliation for the first time as well as their first Communion. They have worked hard helping the children learn their prayers, not just memorizing them but learning the meaning of the words and how to pray. Catechists can only supplement what the parents are teaching in the home. Sharing their faith, and training their children in the faith, is the responsibility parents assume when they bring their child to the church for baptism. Our religious education program, with its dedicated teachers, is assisting the parents with this significant duty. Speaking of Religious Education, this week we are working on the surveys you submitted. Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey and for adding additional comments. We need to act quickly in resolving the issue, but we want to work with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Please continue praying that the Holy Spirit will guide our community as we discern which option will best meet the needs of our children. From Father Ed Thanks so much for all of your well-wishes for my trip to Spain it was a blast! And I am so happy that I was able to baptize my little namesake Luis Eduardo; remind me to show you the picture of the Three Eddies. And thanks too for the invitations to visit farms I have really enjoyed this other world in a new way. I even shot a gun for crying out loud! Attention Young Adults!! YES, we are meeting today, Sunday, May 1st, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Please bring a little food to share, and we ll have a little spiritual conversation as well. Even if you ve never been here before, if you re between 20 and 40-ish, you are welcome! Hope to see you this afternoon. Paz y Bien, FrEd (773)-892-4134 Year of Mercy & Care of Our Common Home (Laudato Si) No greater burden! You just have to love the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (15: 1-2,22-29 or read the whole chapter). It describes the dissention and debate in Antioch, the knockdown drag-out fight among good people. Who should do what? How should you behave? What should you believe? Sound familiar? Not un-similar to our own day, isn t it? A delegation goes to Jerusalem: Paul and Peter have it out, they talk, debate, ponder. Then the whole Church, all of them decide what is right. Unity in the dead and risen Lord is uppermost. Place no greater burden to unity at the Lord s table. Here are fundamentals for debate: Believe in the Trinity and the power of Christ to save. Behave as lovers. Do the works of mercy placing no undue burden First Communion Prayer Dear Jesus, through bread and wine at the Last Supper, and by your holy word, you gave the Eucharist to your church. You transformed common food and drink into your Body and Blood, and offered us a share in your life in ways we still cannot fully understand. Grant now that these young people will always treasure the gift they have in you. Give them the grace to be faithful to you and to remain in communion with your church. As they receive their first Communion, the Bread of Life and Cup of Salvation, make them always aware of the hope they have for eternal life in you. Amen. 2007 Liturgical Publications Inc. RCIA is taking off for the month of May. There will be no scheduled sessions. If someone you know is interested in the Catholic faith, encourage them, take them to church with you, share your faith and what it means to you. We will gather again in June. Watch the bulletin.
May 1, 2016 6th Sunday of Easter page 3 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Liturgy Schedule 6th Week of Easter May 2 8 St. Athanasius Mass at 6:30 am & 12:10 pm St. Philip and St. James Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am Mass at 6:30 am & 12:10 pm Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am Mass at 8:00 am & 4:30 pm Ascension of the Lord 7th Sunday of Easter Mass at 6:30, 8:30, 10:30 am Confession Schedule Thursday, May 5-3:00-4:00 pm Saturday, May 7-3:00-4:00 pm Liturgy of the Hours with Friars Monday-Friday -- 11:45 am & 4:45 pm Pray for the Sick Please remember in your prayers: Cheryl Ann Huber, Jack Hardiek, Lucille Worman, Agnes Kremer, Devin Mette, Harold Hardiek, Margaret Pruemer, Will Niccum, Joe Ruholl, Bill and Rosie Myers, Anne Nelson, Emily (Heuerman) McCabe, Lorraine Deters, Dolores Kingery, Claude and Geraldine Brumleve, Craig Lindvahl, Scott Repking, Andrea Wernsing, Elizabeth Weidner, Paula Spencer, Sr. Jane Marie Hotze, SSND, Martha Wente, Ray Willenborg Stewardship of Treasure Sunday Total Fiscal 4/24/2016 Year 296 Adult envelopes $7,439.00 $376,776.25 Other $766.30 $34,427.25 TOTAL $8,205.30 $411,203.50 Assisi for Africa $145.00 $36,665.70 Catholic Home Missions $1,623.00 Parish Calendar Monday, May 2 First Communion reception8:20-8:40 am, TGS cafeteria Tuesday, May 3 Secular Franciscans meet, 6:00 pm, St. Clare Wednesday, May 4 Youth Choir, 3:30-4:30 pm Rosary, 8:00 pm, Chapel Thursday, May 5 Confessions,, 3:00-4:00 pm Parish Council mtg., 7:30 pm, St. Clare Saturday, May 7 Confessions, 3:00-4:00 pm Baptisms We welcome those who have recently received the sacrament of baptism to our faith family: Mackynzie Jo Dixon, Daughter of Jeremy and Karla (Hewing) Dixon Ashton Thomas Fearday, Son of Jeffrey and Jennifer (Jaquez) Fearday Andrew Dennis Koester, Son of Kevin Koester and Jill Funneman Charles Robert Martin, Son of William and Maranda (Heuerman) Martin Crosby Paul and Owen James Runde, Sons of Douglas and Carissa (Johnson) Runde Baptism Prep The next Baptism Prep class will be held on Thursday, May 12, 7:00 pm, in St. Clare Hall. Please call 857-6404 to register. A baptism class is required every five years. Holy Name meeting will be held Monday, May 9th, 7:30 pm in the museum meeting room. Attention Homebound Holy Communion will be brought to you on First Friday, May 6th. No Communion to you on Sunday, May 8th.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 4 Humanity is part of a vast evolving universe. Earth, our home, is alive with a unique community of life. We are not aware of all that s living on our planet and what we know exists is surrounded by mystery. Our faith reassures us that God has ordered all that is and so it is reverenced. There is a misconception that humans are most important on this earth and that all else exists for our benefit. To live out this belief is not only an injustice; it s sinful. Creation spirituality goes beyond being environmentally conscious. It uses a justice lens to examine assumptions about our planet. It confirms us as only part of a vast evolving universe. It quiets our minds and prepares our hearts to ask, how might I tend the holy in my midst? Identify for yourself one new learning you ve had within the last year related to planet Earth. Consider if this new learning has resulted in any changed/new behaviors for you. Sherri Coleman, FSM We welcome Bob and Rita (Niemerg) Feldhake, children, Oliver, Eloise, and Gilbert, who have recently joined St. Francis Parish. God Bless Those Serving our Country. Anthony Vahling, Jeremy Deters, Caleb Hoene, Kevin Wernsing, Cody Bushue, Leighton Blankenship HS Religious Ed Congratulations Graduates! High School Graduation Mass will be held at the 8:30 am Mass on May 15 with a brunch following. You will be receiving a brunch RSVP in the mail. Please let us know how many will be attending from your family! Youth Notes Junior High Teen Center is open on May 6 from 7 pm 10 pm. Chaperons are Brad and Angie Koester (please pick up a key from the parish office), Pete and Theresa Bushur, and Toby and Christy McMahon. This is the last Teen Center until June 24! High School trip to St. John s Breadline, a homeless food shelter, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 25. We will leave at 7:45 am and will return by 4:30 pm. Volunteer spots are limited and will be given on a first come, first serve basis. Please turn in a permission slip to hold your spot! Forms are available online under What s Happening! Religious Education News GRADE SCHOOL Congratulations to the forty children who have made their First Holy Communion this weekend. Thanks to all who attended and whose prayers and participation made this event memorable. Keeping the spirit of the occasion, a grade school reception will take place in the cafeteria on Monday morning, May 2, from 8:20-8:40. Parents, relatives, friends are invited to join the children at their gathering. Priests will be blessing religious articles, which the children may have received as gifts. Breakable items may be taken home by the family members attending. Thanks to the Ladies CCW for providing refreshments for this special occasion. Grade 2 children will be attending Mass and may receive Holy Communion on the Tuesdays and Wednesdays of May until the close of school. Thursday, they will receive a letter inviting their participation in the Corpus Christi Mass and procession which will be at the 8:30 Mass on the Feast of Corpus Christi, May 29. Responses are needed by Monday, May 9, and practices will take place on Tuesday, May l0, and Wednesday, May 11, after lunch. Grades 5 and 6 will participate in saying a group rosary in church at 8:05, on the feast of the Ascension, May 5. All are invited to join with the 5 th and 6 th graders for this prayer service for peace, healing, and the religious education program. Grade 3 and 4 will participate in saying the group rosary in church on Monday, May 16. Looking ahead! Closing Mass for the morning religion classes, grades 3 through 6, and recognition of students will take place on Wednesday morning, May 18, during the 8:05 Mass. Parish appreciation for catechists and Mass supervisors will take place on Tuesday, May 17, in St. Clare Hall at 8:00 to 8:45 (catechists) and 8:45 to 9:30 ( Mass supervisors). Mark your calendars. JUNIOR HIGH- Parish recognition of Grade 8 graduates will take place on Sunday, May 15, during the l0:30 Mass. Graduates will be wearing their gowns (no caps) and will be occupying the front pews, 1-4 on both sides. The graduates thank the catechists and the parish for all their support during these junior high years.
May 1, 2016 6th Sunday of Easter page 5 Mass Intentions Monday, May 2, 6:30: Zola Klingler Monday, May 2, 12:10: Betty Koeberlein-Schottman Tuesday, May 3, 8:05: Richard and Esther Hardiek Wednesday, May 4, 6:30: Virginia Probst Thursday, May 5, 6:30: Joe Buscher (Birthday) Thursday, May 5, 12:10: Richard Thoele Friday, May 6, 8:05: Gertrude Burford Saturday, May 7, 4:30: Scott Westendorf Sunday, May 8, 6:30: Pro Populo Sunday, May 8, 8:30: Mert McMahon Sunday, May 8, 10:30: Joe Buscher Adult Confirmation at Pentecost Bishop Thomas John Paprocki invites Catholics who are catechized but not confirmed (i.e., who have received catechetical formation and the sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist) to complete the sacraments of initiation by celebrating Confirmation at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. Confirmation of catechized Catholics will be celebrated on Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2016. The registration form along with an original baptismal certificate should be returned to the Office for Catechesis by May 1, 2016. If you have any questions, please contact Cynthia Gallo Callan, secretary, Office for Catechesis, at 217-698- 8500, x137 or ccallan@dio.org. Information can be also found on our website at www.dio.org/catechesis/adultconfirmation.html. Natural Family Planning Class May 14th, 1:00-2:30 pm at St. Isidore, Bishop Creek July 23rd, 11:00 am-12:30 pm, St. Anthony, Effingham August 13th, 10:00-11:30 am, St. Isidore, Bishop Creek October 22nd, 10:00-11:30 am, St. Anthony, Effingham November 12th, 1:00-2:30pm, St. Isidore, Bishop Creek Protecting God s Children Workshop Monday, May 16th, 6:00 pm. Call 347-7129 to register. Thank you for your gift of $4,953.00 to the Franciscan Missionary Union. This will be used to aid the missionary ministry Worldwide Marriage Encounter Jesus tells us not to let our hearts be troubled because he has given us His peace; the peace that passes all understanding. We also have the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us and our marriage. Sign up today to attend the upcoming Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend on August 5th to 7th. To register or for more information call 314-649-7317, or go online to www.stl-wwme.org. The Baby Bottle Project, a fundraiser for the Family Life Center in Effingham, will begin on Mother s Day. Simply take a bottle provided to you at church and fill it with change or other donation, and return it to church on Father s Day. Your donations will help the Family Life Center offer pro-life services of free pregnancy tests, free limited ultrasound, and educational resources on pregnancy, abstinence, adoption, abortion procedures and risks, parenting, and relationships. Clients are also able to participate in these programs: Parents-To-Be, Post-Birth, Teen Mother Connection, Parenting Workshops, DADZ Program, and Post Abortion Support Services. Please support our local pro-life efforts. YOUR CHANGE CAN CHANGE A LIFE! Tours of the Teutopolis Monastery Museum will be available today, May 1st, 2016. The Museum, located behind St. Francis Church in Teutopolis, is housed on the second floor in the former Franciscan Novitiate building. A chair lift is available for visitors who have difficulty with stairs. A collection of articles used by the early pioneers of the area and the Franciscan Friars can be viewed. Admission fee is $5.00 for adults and $1.00 for children. The Museum is open on the first Sunday of the months April thru November from 12:30 to 4:00 pm. For more information go to the parish website: www.stfrancischurch.com or to the town website at www.teutopolis.com and click on Tourism or the pair of wooden shoes; or contact Joyce and Ray Vahling (217)857-3586, Teutopolis, IL 62467. Community Charitable Cookout Teutopolis State Bank and Sigel Community Banks are having a Community Charitable Cookout with all donations to Effingham Area Alzheimer s Awareness on Friday, May 13th, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm at both bank parking lots. It is a notfor-profit organization founded to provide education and support to all families, caregivers, and persons with Alzheimer s disease and related dementia in Effingham County and the surrounding area. They will be grilling hamburgers, hot dogs, and pork burgers. There will also be chips, cookies and drinks available. The price will be by donation. Calling all Gardeners! The Catholic Charities Food Pantry would appreciate donations of home-grown produce. Please consider planting a few extra plants in your garden this spring for the Food Pantry, or donate any extra produce your garden yields this season. They will gladly accept any type of vegetables or fruit. Food Pantry donations can be dropped off at the Food Pantry door on the east side of the building Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, 8:30-11:30 am and 12:30-4:00 pm. This would be a great way to perform the corporal work of mercy, of feeding the hungry in our area during this Year of Mercy!
St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 6 Fish Fry Grove Township Community Center will be having an All You Can Eat Country Rhodes Fish Fry with Pulled Pork on Saturday, May 7th, from 4:30 7:00 pm. Menu includes Fried Walleye, Chicken Strips, Popcorn Shrimp, Pulled Pork, Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Steak Fries, Cole Slaw, Applesauce, Donated Desserts and Drinks. The Jasper County Farm Bureau will also be serving soft serve ice cream! Adults 13 and older and carryout for all ages is $11.00. Kid s price (4 to 12) is $6.00. Kids 3 and under eat free. Community Support Systems Annual Art Auction will be held on Friday, May 13th, 6:30 pm, north side of the Courthouse Museum in Effingham. Items available for viewing 2 hours prior to auction. CSS Art Class Consumers and Effingham Area Artists, will auction off their artwork to the highest bidder. The 17th annual Austin Luckett Memorial Golf Scramble will be held Friday, May 13th. If you are interested in playing, sponsoring a hole, contributing a prize, or making a financial contribution, please contact the Catholic Charities office at 217-857-1458. Cost: $75 player, includes Green Fees, Cart Rental, Food & Beverages, 4 person teams. Place: Cardinal Golf Course Hole Sponsorship: $100 Top Raffle Prize: $500 cash Holy Humor Weddings How did the wedding go? asked the minister s wife. Fine, my dear, until I asked the bride if she would obey and she said, Do you think I m crazy? And the bridegroom, who was in sort of a daze, mumbled, I do then things began to happen! An elderly preacher advised his young preacher friend that if he ever forgot the marriage ceremony to start quoting Scriptures until he remembered. The second wedding, sure enough, the young preacher forgot, and the only Scripture he could remember was, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do! 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 Reflection 6th Sunday of Easter "Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid." Can we hear Jesus saying these words to us? It's often easier for us to imagine the apostles hearing this consoling command and following it, than to think of it really applying to us. After all, Jesus was standing right there with them. Can he really expect US, two thousand years later, not to be troubled by the cares of life? But the fact is that the gift Jesus was giving to his disciples, he has also given to us: "The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name." Jesus told them that peace would be theirs, and it can also be ours. Peace is, in fact, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, along with love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity. These fruits don't come from us. They aren't just for people with certain cheery personalities. These fruits come from God straight into our souls through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Through our baptism and confirmation, Jesus gives us the gift of his Spirit. And then his peace, and so many other gifts can truly become ours if we open our hearts to them. This is a reality that we can contemplate whenever worry or anxiety strike. Whatever may be disturbing our inner peace- -whether it be a family feud, some kind of physical suffering, or a difficult decision to make at work or school--we can take comfort in knowing that we can find peace even in the midst of the problem. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you," Jesus says. But he continues, "Not as the world gives do I give it to you." In other words, God doesn't promise to take away the struggle in an instant. But he does promise to give us his peace even in the midst of life's trials and tribulations.