VISITATION CATHOLIC CHURCH ELMHURST, IL JANUARY 13, 2019
Page Two January 13, 2019 Visitation CCW presents The Annual Friday, February 1 7:00-9:00 pm Valentino Center (VIS Gym) No walk-ins due to gym capacity It s that special time of year! The Daddy-Daughter Dance! Visitation Catholic Church $13 p/p Your favorite girl(s) will enjoy spending time with Dad, as well as PIZZA, DRINKS, DESSERT, a DJ playing ALL THEIR FAVORITE SONGS, and a PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER to capture all these precious moments! REGISTER ONLINE: VISITATIONPARISH.ORG/EVENT-CALENDAR Please register no later than January 28. Questions? Contact Erin Carillo at erincarillo@att.net DATE DAY CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS LOCATION TIME 14 Jan MON Prayer for Priests Church 7:00 PM 16 Jan WED Bible Study Parish Center 12:30 PM 16 Jan WED Prayer Quilt Ministry Parish Center 1:00 PM 16 Jan WED Daisies Meeting Parish Center 3:00 PM 16 Jan WED Children s Choir Rehearsal Church 3:00 PM 16 Jan WED MANNA Parish Center 7:30 PM 17 Jan THUR Prayer for Priests Church 8:45 AM 17 Jan THUR Catholic Reading Club Parish Center 9:30 AM 17 Jan THUR Rosary Makers Parish Center 12 NOON 17 Jan THUR Arts Alive Podesta Hall 3:00 PM 17 Jan THUR CRHP Wine and Cheese Information Event Parish Center 7:00 PM 17 Jan THUR ENDOW Parish Center 7:00 PM 18 Jan FRI MANNA Parish Center 2:30 PM 19 Jan SAT Biblical Institute Parish Center 9:00 AM 19 Jan SAT Wedding Information Meeting Parish Center 9:30 AM 19 Jan SAT RE PADS Parish Center 5:00 PM 20 Jan SUN RCIA Parish Center 10:00 AM 20 Jan SUN Children s Liturgy of the Word Parish Center 10:00 AM
The Baptism of the Lord 2018 Catholic Ministries ANNUAL APPEAL Goal: $136,900.00 Amount Pledged: $175,319.00 Amount Paid: $173,074.00 Donor Count: 427 Thank you to all who have responded to the Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal. We are most grateful for your generosity and will keep you in our prayers. SIGNS OF HOPE Prayerfully consider your support of the 2019 Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal The Diocese of Joliet is mailing information about the 2019 Catholic Ministries Annual Appeal (CMAA) to all registered parishioners this month. As you know, the CMAA supports 30 ministries that benefit every parish in the diocese, including ours, and are Signs of Hope to our brothers and sisters most in need. Our parish s goal for the 2019 CMAA is: $138,100. Please remember that 70% of any amount we raise over goal is returned to us for our use. This is a great opportunity for our parish! Please review the materials you receive and prayerfully reflect on your gift to this year s Annual Appeal. If you have not received a CMAA Diocesan mailing, please contact our parish office. OUR PARISH STEWARDSHIP December 30, 2018 Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 7:00 AM 8:15 AM 10:00 AM 11:30 AM 6:00 PM TOTAL COLLECTION PREVIOUS WEEK E-GIVE WEEKLY TOTAL $ 4,277.21 $ 2,078.00 $ 5,001.25 $ 15,210.05 $ 3,388.00 $ 4,444.81 $ 34,399.32 $ 5,816.00 $ 40,215.32 NEW YEAR S DAY $ 6,221.08 SUNDAY WEEKLY BUDGET $ 30,317.00 SUNDAY YTD BUDGET $ 848,876.00 SUNDAY YTD TOTAL $ 898,128.53 E-GIVING IS AVAILABLE Have you considered signing up for E-Giving instead of writing checks for your weekly offering? Visit http://giving.ncsservices.org/visitationegiving to see how easy and convenient it is to register. Thank you for your support. I January 13, 2019 Page Three NEWS FROM THE P.I.T. PRIEST IN TRAINING By Father Michael Kearney I remember coming to celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord while I was in college and left with one simple question: Why? knew of the theological explanation for the Sacrament of Baptism is that we receive the forgiveness of original sin and all other sins, but if Jesus Christ is God-man and is without sin, why did he need to be baptized? Believing that I had a question that could stump any priest, I instead received a simple and profound truth about our faith! Jesus Christ didn t receive baptism for himself but received it for us. It is important to realize the Lord joins us to himself and the Sacrament of Baptism is the instrument in which he does it. s we are linked to God s divinity through A the Sacrament of Baptism by becoming part of the Body; so it is in Christ s baptism where he joins his divinity to our humanity. In a way, his action in the Jordan purifies all waters for which all Baptism s will flow. he crazy thing I later discovered when I T visited the Holy Land was another important fact about the Baptism of the Lord: the water that Christ was baptized was not your crystal clear, purified water, but one would call it mucky and dirty. The Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized, was down river from the Sea of Galilee, run off from local farms and land would prevent anyone from jumping in unless they wanted to shower shortly afterwards. Yet Jesus did not hesitate to enter into the muck and dirt and chose to receive Baptism from John the Baptist (who felt unworthy for the task yet still answered the call). This weekend, let us remember that it is through the beautiful Sacrament of Baptism when our Lord joins us to himself. lthough our lives might not be the way we A would like them, with brokenness, faults, and weakness, know that the Lord is willing to use all things even the mucky and dirty water of the Jordan River. If he can do such a great thing in time and history with mere water, just imagine what he can continue to do through us by uniting himself to us!
Page Four January 13, 2019 Visitation Catholic Church Scripture Reflections for THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD LIVING the WORD January 13, 2019 THIS WEEK S FOCUS: CLOTHED IN A NEW CREATION The baptismal garment is an outward symbol of the brightness and glory of Christ, in which we are wrapped even swaddled on our baptismal day and every day of discipleship. FIRST READING Isaiah speaks of the Servant whom the Lord upholds; he shall bring forth justice to the nations (Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7). The people had suffered terribly during the war that led to the fall of Jerusalem and during their exile from their homeland. They wondered whether God would be angry at them forever. Second Isaiah (an anonymous prophet whose writings were attached to those of the Prophet Isaiah) spoke of the consolation that the LORD was about to offer. God would restore the good fortune of the people. God would bring the people of Israel back to their homeland. There would be no barrier that would prevent the people from going home. This would be a second exodus, but one which was even greater than the first. This good news was to be proclaimed on the mountain tops. During the exile, the people had to be circumspect about how they gave witness to their faith (for they were living in exile), but now they could shout it out. It was God himself who would intervene for God loved the people of Israel. He treats them with the same compassion one would expect from a faithful shepherd. SECOND READING Jesus was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit; he went out healing and doing good (Acts 10:34-38). We hear about the bath of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit that we have received. This rebirth was not due to anything that we had done to deserve it. It was a gift of a merciful and gracious God. His Spirit dwells in our hearts. Baptism is an expression of our faith. Faith is a gift from God. We cannot do anything to earn that gift. Yet, once we have received that gift from God, we must respond to it by being baptized and living as children of God. This reading reminds us that receiving the Sacrament of Baptism is not enough. It is not a magical act that fulfills our responsibility to live as God s children. We must also live what Baptism signifies. We must reject those things which are opposed to the truth ( our godless ways ) and live Spirit-filled lives of virtue. GOSPEL READING A voice comes from heaven proclaiming Jesus as the beloved Son (Luke 3:15-16, 21-22). When John the Baptist began his ministry of preaching conversion, many wondered whether he might be the Messiah of God. John himself gave witness that he was not the Messiah, that another would come along who was much greater than he. He only baptized with water, but the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. (The role of the Holy Spirit is central in the writings of Luke). While John s Baptism only gave us the possibility of turning from our sins, Jesus Baptism made us into children of God. It invites us into the life of the Trinity (which is why we hear the voice of the Father and see the Holy Spirit in the form of the dove). REFLECTION When an infant is clothed with the white baptismal garment, the priest or deacon prays, You have become a new creation, and have clothed yourself in Christ. See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring that dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven. (Rite of Baptism for Children, 99). At Jesus baptism a voice came from heaven: You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased. (Luke 3:16). He did not become a new creation, as we do. However, people had a new awareness of who he was. God s beloved Son. When we are baptized, we become God s adopted children. Baptism clothes us with Christ. We are to bring the Christian dignity of that garment unstained, into everlasting life. We are to live with self-control, growing in right relationship with God and one another. We are to be people of prayer and holiness, to which every baptized person is called, no matter our state in life or lifestyle. By being holy, we fill the world with comfort, tenderness, and care. READINGS FOR THE WEEK [January 7-13] Monday Heb 1:1-6 Mk 1:14-20 Tuesday Heb 2:5-12 Mk 1:21-28 Wednesday Heb 2:14-18 Mk 1:29-39 Thursday Heb 3:7-14 Mk 1:40-45 Friday Heb 4:1-5, 11 Mk 2:1-12 Saturday Heb 4:12-16 Mk 2:13-17 Sunday Is 62:1-5 1 Cor 12:4-11 Jn 2:1-11
The Baptism of the Lord MASS INTENTIONS PLEASE NOTE: 2019 MASS INTENTION OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE MONDAY, JANUARY 14 Intentions of Father Greg Skowron Lilian and Ray Surdell TUESDAY, JANUARY 15 Rose Miuccio Michael Essling Eleanor Senato WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16 Intentions of Father Michael Kearney Harry and Lawrence Schroeder THURSDAY, JANUARY 17 Russell Gusloff Intentions of Father Benjamin Chinnapan FRIDAY, JANUARY 18 Ellen Thallemer Ada Baker Henryk Kulikowski SATURDAY, JANUARY 19 Kevin D Agostino 5:00 PM Henryk Kulikowski Giuseppe Laudando SUNDAY, JANUARY 20 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 7:00 AM Intentions of the Celebrant Anita DiNello Gregory Gammond 10:00 AM People of the Parish George and Marion Raeth 11:30 AM Robert German 6:00 PM Mike Thuman To take the gifts up at Mass, please see an Usher. January 13, 2019 Page Five PRAYERS FOR OUR FAMILY For the Sick Please pray for all the sick and their families: Elizabeth Gory Susan Reetz Pauline Palgen John Rossi Tina Fosnacht Due to privacy issues we only honor prayer list requests 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 two additional weeks. WEDDING BANNS III Samantha Ostling and Brendan VonderHeide I Marissa Glosney and Jeffrey Mellone CHURCH VIGIL CANDLE INTENTIONS Vigil candles burn for requested intentions before our church statues of Our Lady and St. Joseph, To have a candle lit, please call the Parish Office at 630-834-6700. For Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. CRYPTS OF THE SAINTS The Crypt of the Saints, located below the Adoration Chapel in the Visitation Parish Convent [799 S. York Rd.] is open every Sunday from 9:00 am-1:30 pm. Over 700 statues, icons and relics are awaiting your prayers, devotion and veneration. Over 700 books about Saints are available there for your research or reading enjoyment. Visit Jesus in the Adoration Chapel and His Saints in the Crypt every Sunday before/after Mass. OUR NEWLY BAPTIZED The Sacrament of Baptism was celebrated on December 30, 2018: MILES FRANCES Son of Eric and Erin (Fagan) Frye MILES REED Son of Kristopher and Paige (Jarvie) Brettingen ELISE SLOANE Daughter of Kristopher and Paige (Jarvie) Brettingen
Page Six January 13, 2019 BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP A Bereavement Support Group for anyone mourning the loss of a loved one is being offered beginning on Monday, Jan. 21, and continuing for six weeks at Immaculate Conception Parish, 134 Arthur St., Elmhurst. If you would like some help to understand the process of grief, please plan to attend. To RSVP or to request additional information please contact Pam at 630-530-3497. DIOCESE OF JOLIET OFFICE OF FAMILY MINISTRY ANNULMENT SUPPORT DAY Saturday, Jan. 26, 9 am-4 pm. (Check-in at 8:30 am) Blanchette Catholic Center, 16555 Weber Rd., Crest Hill This day is designed for divorced persons who have petitioned the Diocesan Tribunal to begin their annulment process, and need support to complete the long questionnaire. $25 fee includes morning coffee/lunch/materials. Pre-registration required by 1-20-19. Register by calling 815-838-5334 or online: https://conta.cc/2jquyb. Join With Us To Pray The Rosary! The Rosary is prayed every day of the week Monday through Saturday, after 8:15 am Mass And 30 minutes before the start of all weekend Masses. We Will Pray For Priests On... Mondays at 7 pm and Thursdays at 8:45 am in the church. ARMED FORCES PRAYER LIST We remember in prayer our military as they serve in our Armed Forces and pray for God s protection. U.S. Air Force MSGT Kevin James (Ramstein AFB, Germany) AMN Natalee Arbino (Wright Paterson, OH) AMN E2 Jacob Neimanas (Travis AFB, CA) AMN Eric E. James (DYESS AFB, Abilene, TX) SSGT Christopher Lenz (Tinker AFB, OK) U.S. Army CPT Joseph Doyle (ID) MAJ Patrick Leen (IL) 1LT Timothy Drahokoupil (Ft. Campbell, KY) LT Joseph D. Frost (Kandahar, Afghanistan) CPT Nicholas Keller (Ft. Knox, KY 2 LT Thomas J. Diwisch (Fort Bragg, NC) PVT Stephen J. Taylor (Ft. Eustis, VA) U.S. Coast Guard CPO Patrick Kirby (TX) U.S. Marine Corps PVT Nicholas Acevedo (CA) 1 LT Kurt P. James (Darwin, Australia) SGT David Byrne (Japan) CPL Conor Croci (MCAS Miramar, CA) LCPL Eric E. Gibas (Camp Pendleton, CA) United States Navy LCDR Robert Aranha (United States) To add a name to this list, please call 630-834-6700. CRHP News Visitation Catholic Church I participated in the CRHP Weekend last year, not really knowing what it was all about. I came out of that weekend meeting people along the same journey. I have experienced great friendships, a renewed relationship with God, and most important, hope for my future. My experience was invaluable, and has opened my eyes to the deep love that God has for us! We are never alone with Him in our midst! Please take the time to come to the CRHP Weekend on January 26 and 27, 2019. Visitation Women s Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) January 26-27, 2019 Wine and Cheese Information Event Thursday, Jan. 17, 7-9 p.m. 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 Mary McCann 630-605-8817 do not be afraid. John 14:27
The Baptism of the Lord January 13, 2019 Page Seven
Page Eight January 13, 2019 Visitation Catholic Church Cash prizes for the top teams! Ninth Annual Bags for Wags Bean Bag Tournament Saturday, Feb. 2, 6 pm Visitation Valentino Center 851 S. York Rd. (Sign-in/Registration from 4:45-5:45 pm) $100 Team (two players, 16-up) cash/check only Prize amounts announced on day of the tournament. Spectator General Admission: 16-older: $10; Under 16: $5 (covers cost of food/drink for whole evening): For rules/registration visit: www.brianewagnerfund.org Jr. High/High School Student Volunteers Needed For Tournament Please contact traceydegnan@hotmail.com with your name, phone and available hours for Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019. Complimentary refreshments for all registered teams: Mama Maria s Pizza and soft drinks. The BEWSF is a 501 c3 non-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 annually to recipients each spring. BEWSF * PO Box 1036 * Elmhurst, IL. * 60126 FUNDRAISER Saturday, Feb. 23 VISITATION GYM Matt and Karen Toole are Elmhurst residents and have two children at York High School, Regan (Junior) and Paddy (Sophmore). Matt has been heroically battling ALS Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig s Disease) for over nine years. Matt is actually beating the odds. Lou Gehrig made his Luckiest Man Alive Speech on July 4, 1939, and today there is still no treatment or cure for ALS. It s typically fatal in two-five years. Matt s been amazing through it all. He has the most positive attitude, amazing faith, and will not give up. Prayers and the love and support from the Elmhurst community keep him strong, taking things day by day, looking at each day as a gift. The goal is to raise funds to support Matt and Karen. They face this disease with courage, grace and an amazing attitude. Through their example, they have inspired all who know and love them. All funds raised will be used to defray the expenses the Toole s have incurred and will continue to incur, for out-of-pocket medical and prescription costs, necessary medical equipment costs and for a full-time caregiver to perform everyday activities of daily living for Matt. In order to accomplish this goal, we are requesting donations for the Silent Auction and raffle that will be held during the fundraising event on February 23, 2019, in the Visitation Gym. Please consider making a donation! Contacts: Amy Torres, 847-922-4054, cuttingedg@aol.com; Mike Regan, 708-372-0721, michaelregan5@icloud.com; Karyn Parille, 630-247-5273, krparille@comcast.net. Thank you for your support! Wills and Trusts: Which is better for you? Tuesday, Jan. 29, 6:30pm, Hospitality Room Anyone interested in protecting their family from the confusion, complications and legal fees of an incomplete estate plan should attend the educational program, Wills and Trusts Which is better for you? on Tuesday, Jan. 29, guest speaker, Ted Kuczek, of the Law Firm of Kuczek and Associates.
MONDAY Daniela Ayala Nick Zanoni DAILY 8:15 AM MASS ALTAR SERVER ASSIGNMENT (JAN 14-JAN 19) TUESDAY Nick Zaragoza Scott Zaragoza Welcome to Visitation Catholic Church 779 S. York Street Elmhurst, IL 60126 www.visitationparish.org 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: 7:00 am, 8:15 am, 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 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. PARISH AND PASTORAL STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION PARISH OFFICE HOURS: [MON-THUR] 8:30 am-4:30 pm [FRI] 8:30 am-12 Noon Phone: 630-834-6700 Fax: 630-834-6711 Email: welcome@visitationcc.org Parish Website: WWW.VISITATIONPARISH.ORG Deanery Website: easterndupagedeanery.org PASTORAL STAFF Rev. Greg Skowron, Pastor, 815-791-6073 Frgreg@visitationcc.org Rev. Michael Kearney, Parochial Vicar, 630-834-6700 Frmike@visitationcc.org Deacon Anthony Spatafore, Pastoral Associate, 630-834-6700 aspatafore1@comcast.net Deacon Jay Janousek, 630-834-2863 Deacon James Eaker, 630-530-7596 Deacon Mike Iozzo, 630-567-4700, mike.iozzo@outlook.com Deacon Michael O Ryan, 630-530-2954 VisDeaconMikeO@gmail.com Marek Latocha, Business Manager, 630-834-6700, x202 marek@visitationcc.org PARISH FAITH FORMATION/RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Matthew Pozen, 630-279-7058, x502 WEDNESDAY AJ Torres Emily Carling Love and Service to Others YOUTH MINISTRY Jake Barkley, Youth Minister, youthministry@visitationcc.org VISITATION PARISH LITURGICAL MINISTRY SCHEDULE JAN 19/20 5:00 PM 7:00 AM 8:15 AM 10:00 AM 11:30 AM 6:00 PM LECTORS Jane Klenck Gerry Weaver Bill Milano Paul Klenck Margaret Foot James Kosowski EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS ALTAR SERVERS MUSIC Mary K. Pakos Linda Swieton Bing Zamar Myrna Zamar Nick Zanoni Brady Lavin Clara Lawrence Jim Brown Lesley Sharkey CHILDREN S CHOIR Marianne Stanke Daniel Fogarty, Sr. Bob Kaminski NOT FILLED 1 Brendan Bassing Patrick Berigan NOT FILLED 1 Lesley Sharkey Catherine Shea Mary McCann Stephen L. Ruff Sabrina Ruff Colin Harrington Finn Harrington Brendan Carillo Lesley Sharkey Regina Gibbons Rosalie Pullia Patti Riggs Rosalie Ward Terrence Walden Al Potaczek Ellie Tardiff Luke Tardiff Ryan Felice ADULT CHOIR THURSDAY Michael Wilson Mikey Curtin Wallace Foot Pam Hauser James L. Hauser Tracy Carey Vincent Gilboy Patrick Gilboy Jenny Fromelt Jim Brown Jack Miuccio Krystyna Miuccio FRIDAY Jack Beckman Luke Beckman Susan Haibeck Paul Morris NOT FILLED 2 Jack Carroll Brendan Carroll Ashley Zwolinski SATURDAY William Czech David Manchester MUSIC Barbara Masters, Parish Music Director, 630-834-8190 b.masters@visitationparish.org OFFICE STAFF Suzanne Noonan, Secretary, 630-834-6700 Teodora Kulikowska, Admin. Asst. 630-834-6700, x206 VISTATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Website: www.visitationelmhurst.org Phone: 630-834-4931/Fax: 630-834-4936 Carrie Mijal, School Principal, cmijal@visitationelmhurst.org Katie McVey, School Assistant Principal kmcvey@visitationelmhurst.org BISHOP OF JOLIET Most Rev. R. Daniel Conlon, J.C.D. WWW.DIOCESEOFJOLIET.ORG