Ascension of Our Lord Church 1 S 314 Summit Avenue, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181 Phone: (630) 629-5810 ~ www.ascensionofourlord.net ~ Fax: (630) 953-8251 CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE CHRISTMAS EVE VIGIL Monday, December 24, 2018 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. (Choir program 9:30 p.m.) CHRISTMAS DAY Tuesday, December 25, 2018 8:00 a.m. ~ 10:00 a.m. ~ 12 noon Parish office will be closed December 24-26, 2018
Ascension of Our Lord PARISH STAFF Pastor: Father Jose Kadukunnel, CMI 630-953-4436 pastor@ascensionofourlord.net Deacon: Deacon Peter Rooney 630-953-4410 deaconpeter@ascensionofourlord.net Director of Parish Ministries, Religious Education & Facilities: Mr. Vince Zaprzal 630-953-4415 vzaprzal@ascensionofourlord.net Business Manager: Mr. Edward Rylko 630-953-4433 erylko@ascensionofourlord.net Parish Receptionist (Wed-Thu-Fri): Mrs. Lynda Klazura 630-953-4430 lynda@ascensionofourlord.net Parish Receptionist (Sun-Mon-Tue): Mrs. Tina Bustamante 630-953-4430 tina@ascensionofourlord.net Communications and Ministries Assistant and Bulletin Editor (Mon-Tue-Wed): Mrs. Jean Palasz 630-953-4432 jean@ascensionofourlord.net Music Minister: Mrs. Darlene Crilly 630-953-4414 dcrilly@ascenionofourlord.net Maintenance: Mr. Dennis Bero dbero@ascensionofourlord.net PARISH ORGANIZATIONS The following are our parish societies and organizations. If you are interested in joining or helping with any of our activities, kindly contact the parish office or number listed below. We welcome and encourage all members. Liturgies for the Week Sunday, December 23, 2018 8:00 AM Intention of the Parish Family 10:00 AM Carole Bartizal - John Bartizal Frank Discipio - Family Intentions of the Bojan Family Intentions of Diana Filippi - Judy McGah Monday, December 24, 2018 (Christmas Eve) 4:00 PM Intention of the Presider 10:00 PM Intention of the Presider Tuesday, December 25, 2018 (Christmas Day) 8:00 AM Intention of the Presider 10:00 AM Intention of the Presider 12:00 PM Intention of the Presider Wednesday, December 26, 2018 12:00 PM Deacon Frank J. Annerino - Deacon Bill and Genie Crane Thursday, December 27, 2018 12:00 PM Sarina Conmey - Loving Sister Friday, December 28, 2018 12:00 PM Living and Deceased Members of the Tumino and Demma Families - K&M Demma Saturday, December 29, 2018 4:00 PM Rose Giandonato - James and Karen Giandonato Intentions of Peggy Claffy - Judy McGah Sunday, December 30, 2018 8:00 AM Intention of the Parish Family 10:00 AM Living and Deceased Members of the Ytem Family - Lilia Yao Denotes Deceased Children s Liturgy of the Word Council of Catholic Women Legion of Mary Pastoral Care Ministers Prayer Group Mr. Joe Ciaccio Mrs. Mary Thon Mrs. Pauline Mitchell Mrs. Pauline Mitchell Ms. Nilda Cinco St. Vincent de Paul Society 630-953-4419
From Our Pastor Dear Parishioners, We are a few hours away from the celebration of Christmas. We can approach Christmas in two ways: Either Christmas as a memorial of a historical event or it is a personal celebration of Christ s birth in our lives. Jesus has already come into our lives at the time of our Baptism. Therefore, it is a time of awakening of His presence in our lives. To help us in our preparations, normally we reflect on the life of the three Advent figures. They are John the Baptist, Joseph and Mary. Among these three, Mary s role definitely comes first. Our gospel reading for the fourth and final Sunday in Advent is the story of Mary. Mary s life tells us two things: How she prepared her life to welcome Jesus and what took place in her life after she said Yes to the Angel. First of all, she made God s plan her plan. She said, Behold, I am the Handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word. This was the hardest decision for Mary to make, considering her religious and societal background. She had to risk her name, risk her marriage and risk her life. She found the courage to say yes to the Lord. Therefore, the first step to prepare our hearts as the dwelling place of God is to acquire the courage of Mary that empowered her to surrender her plan to the plan of God. Secondly, when she received the baby Jesus in her womb, two things happened. She became not only a recipient of the baby Jesus but also a bearer of Jesus serene presence. The presence of Jesus within Mary brought joy to Elizabeth. Her presence became a Joyful presence. Thirdly, she became another centered person. Even without asking for her help, Mary sensed the need of her cousin and went in haste to serve Elizabeth. Her presence became a merciful presence. I wish all of our parishioners a very happy and holy Christmas. I thank you sincerely for your ongoing support and kindness demonstrated to me in so many ways. I value above all your fidelity and commitment to this parish. I hope to see you here at one of the Masses during Christmas. May the Lord bless your homes and families and give you His peace and joy. In Christ, Fr. Jose
Minister Schedule SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29-4:00 PM Presider: Father Jose/Deacon Peter Euch. Min.: Bane, Mitchell Lector: Paula Rooney Parish News SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30-8:00 AM Presider: Father Bob Euch. Min.: DeChristopher, Vacco Lector: Bojan SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30-10:00 AM Presiders: Father Jose Euch. Min.: Cinco, J. Palisoc, G. Palisoc Lector: J. Butkovich This week s calendar Wednesday, December 26: Choir Practice, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Corpus Christi Hall Thursday, December 27: Legion of Mary Prayer Group, 10:30 a.m. in the Founders Foyer Friday, December 28: Good Shepherd Intercessory Prayer and Rosary, 7:00 p.m. in the Church Good Shepherd Prayer Group meeting, 7:30 p.m. in the Teen Zone NOTE: I Thirst Prayer Group will not meet again until Friday, January 4, 2019 REPORTING SEXUAL ABUSE Anyone with reason to believe that a child has been abused or is being abused should report their suspicions to civil authorities. Contact: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services: 1-800- 25ABUSE (1-800-252-2873) or local police. The Diocese of Joliet Victim Assistance Coordinator is available to help victims/survivors of child sexual abuse by a cleric, employee or volunteer of the Catholic Church. The Victim Assistance Coordinator will report to Bishop Conlon and coordinate efforts of pastoral support and outreach to assist in the healing process. The Victim Assistance Coordinator can also assist in making a report to civil authorities. Contact the Diocese of Joliet Victim Assistance Coordinator at 815-263- 6467. Children s Liturgy of the Word Sundays at 10:00 a.m. Children s Liturgy of the Word is meant for all children, and is offered on most Sundays at the 10:00 a.m. Mass thru early June. Please have your children participate so that they can learn about the Gospel using language and terms appropriate to their age. There, they will pray, color, craft, and participate in a way that s meaningful for them! Parents are always welcome to attend as well. Please contact the religious education office at 630.953.4415 if you have any questions. YEAR END CONTRIBUTIONS Please be mindful that for contributions to the church to be counted for 2018, we must receive those no later than (or post marked by) December 31, 2018. Annual statements of your contributions will be sent by the end of January, 2019 to all contributors on record. Thank you! MASS TIMES FOR TRAVEL It can be difficult for Catholics to find a Mass when traveling or when it is not practical to attend their regular parishes. www.masstimes.org provides worship times, church locations, contact information, website links and maps. There are 117,000 churches in 201 countries/territories.
Vince Zaprzal Director of Parish Ministries, Religious Education & Facilities 630-953-4415 vzaprzal@ascensionofourlord.net Dear Parishioners, This is quite the weekend in our busy liturgical year. Our fourth week of Advent this year is just over a day before we celebrate the Nativity of the Lord. Many households have a tradition relating to their own Nativity sets. Some have sets that are visible outdoors while others are indoors perhaps by the Christmas Tree. Wherever yours may be, you will find a wonderful prayer below to use as baby Jesus is placed into the manger. It is never too late to start a tradition! BLESSING OF A CHRISTMAS MANGER OR NATIVITY SCENE In its present form the custom of displaying figures depicting the birth of Jesus Christ owes its origin to St. Francis of Assisi, who made the Christmas crèche or manger for Christmas Eve of 1223. The blessing of the Christmas manger or nativity scene may take place on the Vigil of Christmas or at another suitable time. When the manger is set up in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another family member. Above adapted from http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/sacramentals-blessings/objects/ blessing-of-a-christmas-manger-or-nativity-scene.cfm All make the sign of the cross as the leader says: Our help is in the name of the Lord. R/. Who made heaven and earth. One of those present or the leader reads a text of sacred Scripture, for example, Luke 2:1 (lines 1-8) or Isaiah 7:10 (lines 10-15, the birth of Emmanuel). Reader: The Gospel of the Lord. R/. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. The leader prays with hands joined: God of every nation and people, from the very beginning of creation you have made manifest your love: when our need for a Savior was great you sent your Son to be born of the Virgin Mary. To our lives he brings joy and peace, justice, mercy, and love. Lord, bless all who look upon this manger; may it remind us of the humble birth of Jesus, and raise our thoughts to him, who is God-with-us and Savior of all, and who lives and reigns forever and ever. R/. Amen. From Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers
Around the Diocese and Parish Neighborhood SEASON OF GENEROSITY Our parishioners have always responded most graciously when help is sought whether it is funding or material items most needed by the poor and disadvantaged of our community. Now nearing the end of Advent, the commemoration of the Birth of Christ and the Solemnity of Mary, we are seeking your spiritual response to our call for help. We ask that you keep in your prayers those who have so little and lack the resources for self-sufficient living. We ask you in this season of generosity and giftgiving to say some prayers both for those lacking the material goods of survival and for our Society and parish Conference that we might better serve their needs. We still do not have peace and justice in this world. At the time of Christ s birth into the Holy Family they were classified as stateless refugees. Today in the 21st Century there are over 30 million individuals and families barely surviving as homeless and stateless. Your generosity, while great, cannot hope to provide for all of those in need of the basics of human existence. Yet your prayers for them can help others find suitable housing and living conditions for these families. In this season of generosity and good will for all, let us reflect on Christ s birth and life in our world and realize that we can be united with Him to help others. As we enter the new year, let us consider helping others in any way we are able including the possibility of joining our work with the poor who will always be with and among us. Remember Jesus was homeless and stateless at birth and ultimately the most generous individual that ever walked the earth. Our Members offer our thanks for all you did to help the needy of this world and our area. And we pray for you and your families that you may be able to continue your generosity to others into the future. Navajo Mission to Chinle, Arizona The Joliet Diocese Partnership in Mission is planning its next Navajo Construction Mission to Chinle, Arizona. Two information meetings will be held, one on January 8th, 2018 from 7-9 pm the other on January 16th, 2018 from 7-9 pm at the Bishop Blanchette Catholic Center, 16555 Weber Road, Crest Hill, IL 60403. Interested persons are invited to attend. Further information can be found at http://bit.ly/missionappl or call 815-221-6258, email: missions@dioceseofjoliet.org
Diocesan Mission to Sucre, Bolivia Are you being called? Imagine this scene: Our day starts with Mass at 7:00am at the Sister s chapel. After a short walk back to Hostel Sucre we enjoy breakfast. As breakfast finishes, the hospital team heads out for the day s surgeries, the clinic team loads up the bus to go to a barrio clinic, the construction team gathers their equipment for another day of building and painting, and the Water With Blessings outreach team prepares to teach another group about the importance of clean water. The Hostel becomes quiet once again, until everyone returns at the end of the day. Can you see this image in your mind? Does it stir something in your heart? Is there something in your gut wanting to be part of the scene? The Spirit may be calling you to mission. The medical team needs the following: General, Plastic, ENT, Orthopedic, and Pediatric surgeons. We also need several persons to administer anesthesia (MD s and CRNA s) as well as operating and recovery rooms nurses. There is also a great need for Staff Nurses, especially Spanish speaking. The ability to teach is a super plus. In addition, we are looking for Pediatricians and/or Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Family Practitioners, Internists, ER doctors, and Dentists to work with the clinic team. Most importantly, we need your prayers of support. This mission will leave on March 30 th and return April 13 th, 2019. Further information can be found at http://www.dioceseofjoliet.org/missions/sectioncontent.php?secid=8 or call the Office for Human - Missions at 815 221-6251 or email missions@dioceseofjoliet.org.