ST. PATRICK S NEWS & NOTES JANUARY 7, 2014

Peter Jankowski From: Peter Jankowski <pjankowski@yahoo.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2014 10:07 PM To: Peter Jankowski Subject: St. Patrick's News & Notes - January 7, 2014 (Group #1) Attachments: 000658-011214 (The Baptism of the Lord - Full Color).pdf ST. PATRICK S NEWS & NOTES JANUARY 7, 2014 Dear Friends of the Mailing List: Welcome to one of the few individuals from Florida who was able to get back to Illinois from the bad weather!!! I don t know why my plane was allowed to land while everyone else in Florida was told they would have to wait until Friday to return. Now that I think about it, I think they got the better end of the deal, considering the weather in Illinois As I get back into the groove with weekday Masses and such, I ask you to continue praying for Fr. Mike Pennock, a priest from the diocese who is convalescing from the pneumonia he contracted last Spring and his subsequent open heart surgery. The surgery did not go as well as expected maybe a vein was nicked in the process. Nevertheless, Fr. Mike is getting stronger day by day so keep praying for his continued health. Please also pray for his family they have been wonderful to him and very hospitable to me during my stay in Florida. I had a chance to spend some of my time away with Fr. Mike and I think he would really appreciate your prayers. This Sunday, a special reception is taking place for our council members, our choirs and our RE Catechists/Assistants from 5:00 7:00 in the Columba Room. If you are among these wonderful groups, please feel free to RSVP to the office by Friday so that we may have a number count. I m still trying to recuperate from my trip how do you get sick in 75 degree weather? Oh well I ll be fine. Attached to this note is next week s bulletin. Have a great week! God Bless, Rev. Peter G. Jankowski Gloria Dei Vivens Homo - St. Irenaeus of Lyons 1

snow banners PULPIT ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. Next weekend will be the last time that you can pick up the parish calendars in church. We will have calendars still available in the office for those who desire them. Much thanks to the funeral homes of Fred C. Dames, Blackburn-Giegerich- Sonntag and Carlson-Holmquest-Sales for providing this service to us for 2013. PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK Joe & Joan Bannon, Don Cordano, Jerry Houston, Anthony Leone, Ron Lochner, Pat Magosky, Michael Mahoney, Marge Mantovani, Juana Rios, Bill Shega, Bernie Spieler & Evelyn Vercellotti. PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR BELOVED DECEASED Deacons Tom Richardt & Bill Tansy and Hazel Miller (Aunt of Deacon Darrell Kelsey) Saint Patrick's Religious Education January 2014 Newsletter 2

Mary and Baby Jesus Solemnity of Mary The Holy Mother of God Wednesday, January 1, 2014 Happy New Year to all and a blessed feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God! Eight days after the feast of the birth of Christ, we remember the Blessed Virgin Mary by celebrating her divine motherhood. As the Mother of God, Mary is known as Theotokus, which means the "God- Bearer". It is fitting to honor Mary as Mother of Jesus, following the birth of Christ. When Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, we are not only honoring Mary, who was chosen among all women throughout history to bear God incarnate, but we are also 3

honoring our Lord, who is fully God and fully human. Calling Mary "Mother of God" is the highest honor we can give her. "Mary, the all-holy ever-virgin Mother of God, is the masterwork of the mission of the Son and the Spirit in the fullness of time. For the first time in the plan of salvation and because his Spirit had prepared her, the Father found the dwelling place where his Son and his Spirit could dwell among men. In this sense the Church's Tradition has often read the most beautiful texts on wisdom in relation to Mary. Mary is acclaimed and represented in the liturgy as the "Seat of Wisdom." ~ Catechism of the Catholic Church 721 From - "catholicfire.blogspot.com" 4

First Reconciliation - Thursday, January 16th First Reconciliation will be celebrated on Thursday, January 16th. All students receiving the sacrament should be in the church by 6:45 pm (students sit in the front 4 pews and parents sit in the pews behind them). Our prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm followed by individual Confessions. A reception for all students and family members will follow the ending prayers. The reception will take place in the gym. 5

The Baptism of Our Lord - January 12 Read the account of Jesus' Baptism from the book of Matthew here. Christ's Baptism Foreshadows Our Own: At first glance, the Baptism of the Lord might seem an odd feast. Since the Catholic Church teaches that the Sacrament of Baptism is necessary for the remission of sins, particularly Original Sin, why was Christ baptized? After all, He was born without Original Sin, and He lived His entire life without sinning. Therefore, He had no need of the sacrament, as we do. In submitting Himself humbly to the baptism of St. John the Baptist, however, Christ provided the example for the rest of us. If even He should be baptized, though He had no need of it, how much more should the rest of us be thankful for this sacrament, which frees us from the darkness of sin and incorporates us into the Church, the life 6

of Christ on earth! His Baptism, therefore, was necessary--not for Him, but for us. Many of the Fathers of the Church, as well as the medieval Scholastics, saw Christ's Baptism as the institution of the sacrament. His Flesh blessed the water, and the descent of the Holy Spirit (in the form of a dove) and the voice of God the Father announcing that this was His Son, in Whom He was well pleased, marked the beginning of Christ's public ministry. Quick Facts: Date: The Sunday after January 6. In most countries and dioceses, however, the celebration of Epiphany is transferred to the Sunday between January 2 and January 8, inclusive. When the celebration of Epiphany is transferred to January 7 or January 8, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is transferred to the next day (Monday, January 8 or 9). Type of Feast: Feast. Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7, or Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10, or Psalm 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30; Acts 10:34-38 or Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 Prayers: Collect for the Octave-Day of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ (from the Mass of St. Pius V): "O God, Whose only-begotten Son hath appeared in the substance of our 7

flesh, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may be inwardly made in a new form by Him Whose form we have known to be outwardly like ours. Who with Thee liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen." Other Names for the Feast: The Baptism of Christ, The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ History: The Baptism of the Lord has historically been associated with the celebration of Epiphany. Even today, the Eastern Christian feast of Theophany, celebrated on January 6 as a counterpart to the Western feast of Epiphany, focuses primarily on the Baptism of the Lord as the revelation of God to man. After the Nativity of Christ (Christmas) was separated out from Epiphany, the Church in the West continued the process and dedicated a celebration to each of the major epiphanies (revelations) or theophanies (the revelation of God to man): the Birth of Christ at Christmas, which revealed Christ to Israel; the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles, in the visit of the Wise Men at Epiphany; the Baptism of the Lord, which revealed the Trinity; and the miracle at the wedding at Cana, which revealed Christ's transformation of the world. (For more on the four theophanies, see the article on Christmas.) Thus, the Baptism of the Lord began to be celebrated on the octave (eighth day) of Epiphany, with the miracle at Cana celebrated on the Sunday after that. In the current liturgical calendar, the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the Sunday after January 6, and, a week later, on the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, we hear the Gospel of the Wedding at Cana. from: catholicismabout.com 8

The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord On January 12th the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Baptism of Our Lord. This brings to an end the season of Christmas. The Church recalls Our Lord's second manifestation or epiphany which occurred on the occasion of His baptism in the Jordan. Jesus descended into the River to sanctify its waters and to give them the power to beget sons of God. The event takes on the importance of a second creation in which the entire Trinity intervenes. In the Eastern Church this feast is called Theophany because at the baptism of Christ in the River Jordan God appeared in three persons. The baptism of John was a sort of sacramental preparatory for the Baptism of Christ. It moved men to sentiments of repentance and induced them to confess their sins. Christ did not need the baptism of John. Although He appeared in the "substance of our flesh" and was recognized "outwardly like unto ourselves", He was absolutely sinless and impeccable. He conferred upon the water the power of the true Baptism which would remove all the sins of the world: "Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him Who takes away the sin of the world". Many of the incidents which accompanied Christ's baptism are symbolical of what happened at our Baptism. At Christ's baptism the Holy Spirit descended upon Him; at our Baptism the Trinity took its abode in our soul. At His baptism Christ was proclaimed the "Beloved Son" of the Father; at our Baptism we become the adopted sons of God. At Christ's baptism the heavens were opened; at our Baptism heaven was opened to us. At His baptism Jesus prayed; after our Baptism we must pray to avoid actual sin. - Excerpted from Msgr. Rudolph G. Bandas - from Catholicculture.org The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: 9

The baptism of Jesus is on his part the acceptance and inauguration of his mission as God's suffering Servant. He allows himself to be numbered among sinners; he is already "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world". Already he is anticipating the "baptism" of his bloody death. Already he is coming to "fulfill all righteousness", that is, he is submitting himself entirely to his Father's will: out of love he consents to this baptism of death for the remission of our sins. The Father's voice responds to the Son's acceptance, proclaiming his entire delight in his Son.235 The Spirit whom Jesus possessed in fullness from his conception comes to "rest on him". Jesus will be the source of the Spirit for all mankind. At his baptism "the heavens were opened" - the heavens that Adam's sin had closed - and the waters were sanctified by the descent of Jesus and the Spirit, a prelude to the new creation. Through Baptism the Christian is sacramentally assimilated to Jesus, who in his own baptism anticipates his death and resurrection. The Christian must enter into this mystery of humble self-abasement and repentance, go down into the water with Jesus in order to rise with him, be reborn of water and the Spirit so as to become the Father's beloved son in the Son and "walk in newness of life" : Let us be buried with Christ by Baptism to rise with him; let us go down with him to be raised with him; and let us rise with him to be glorified with him. Everything that happened to Christ lets us know that, after the bath of water, the Holy Spirit swoops down upon us from high heaven and that, adopted by the Father's voice, we become sons of God. 10

Suffer it be so - the baptism of Jesus scene from the movie Jesus of Nazareth Suffer it be so - the baptism of Jesus scene from the movie Jesus of Nazareth *****************************************************'* ADULT FAITH FORMATION OPPORTUNITY 11

Beginning in February on Thursday Evenings 5:30-8:00 PM What do you get if you spell "God" backwards? Man's best friend. Add a Catholic priest, a theologian, eight weeks of dogma and you get Dogmatic Theology, a dynamic eight-part DVD chock-full of humour, insight and theological consideration. Each week Fr. James Mallon probes into a mystery of faith through a studio session which was shot in front of a live audience. This theme is then illuminated by 12

Right-click here to download pictures. To help protect your privacy, Outlook prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. Dogmatic Theology Promotional Video a documentary testimonyand a teaching by Dogmatic Theologian, Dr. David Deane. 13

snow wav e Dogmatic Theology Promotional Video Catholicism 201 in Spanish Catholicism 201 will be offered in Spanish and and will take place on the evenings we hold our Dogmatic Theology presentations in English. Participants in both programs will eat dinner together and then separate into two different locations to view their DVD presentations and engage in small group discussions in their own language. Look for information on both these programs in the bulletin and in the church. Please join us!!!!! It's free!!!! 14

Right-click here to download pictures. To help p ro tect your privacy, Outlook prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. bellchoir Right-click here to download pictures. To help p ro tect your privacy, Outlook prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. sn owflak e bo rd er Right-click here to download pictures. To help protect your privacy, Outlook prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. blue snowflake Right-click here to download pictures. To help p ro tect your privacy, Outlook prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. Right-click here to download pictures. To help p ro tect your privacy, Outlook prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. blue snowflake We would like to once again have a bell choir play before all of our upcoming Religious Education Masses. If your child(ren) would like to participate in the Bell Choir this year, please fill out the permission slip that will go home on January 12th. We will practice in February in the Columba Room. Feast of the Epiphany motio January 6th The solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is considered to be one of the oldest feasts of Christianity. It was celebrated as far back as the second century in the eastern Church. In the East, the feast meant the adoration of the Magi, the baptism of Christ, and the miracle at Cana. At each of these events, there was some manifestation of Christ's divinity. This is what Epiphany means, "to reveal." -From "Saints and Feast Days" by the Sisters of Notre Dame Parent Conferences January 19th and January 26th When we first scheduled our Parent / Catechist Conferences we had only one session. Now that we have two full sessions we will need to schedule one more date for conferences, therefore, we will not have classes on January 26th. Conferences for the 11:30 am session will be scheduled for that day. Conferences for the 8:30 am session will be on the original conference date of January 19th. Thank you!!! 15

Sacrament Information Reconciliation - First Reconciliation will be celebrated on Thursday, January 16th. All students receiving the sacrament should be in the church by 6:45 pm (students sit in the front 4 pews and parents sit in the pews behind them). Our prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm followed by individual Confessions. A reception for all students and family members will follow the ending prayers. First Communion - First Communion Parent Meeting is scheduled for February 20th in the Church at 7:00 pm. Parents will sign up for the Communion Mass of their choice at this meeting. Confirmation - Important Due Dates - Confirmation Retreat Permission Forms are due January by January 26th. Confirmation Sponsor sheets are due on January 12th. 16

snow grow The initial information form is due January 12th. Please be sure to turn this important information in to your catechist on that day. Upcoming Meeting - Our Confirmation Sponsor Meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 4th at 7:00 pm in the Church. Both the Confirmation candidate and the sponsor are required to attend. January Religious Education Masses 17

Mass 2 Our Religious Education Masses will be held on Sunday, January 5th at 10:00 am for the 8:30 am Session and Sunday, January 12th at 10:00 am for the 11:00 am Session. The schedule will be as follows: Jan. 5th - 8:30 AM Session Students - Students report to the classrooms at 8:30 AM. Catechists will walk students over to church at 9:50 AM. Parents may pick students up after Mass has ended. Jan. 12th - 11:00 AM Session Students - 18

Right-click here to download pictures. To help p ro tect your privacy, Outlook prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. Three K ings Report to Church at 9:50 AM & look for your Catechist. Attend Mass until 11:00 AM. After Mass everyone will go back to their classrooms. Dismissal will be at 1:00 PM from the classroom. We hope to see you there!! Epiphany House Blessing This blessing of the home and inscription of the initials of the three Magi above each door can be performed either by a priest or the father of the family. The feast of manifestation, or Epiphany, is traditionally celebrated the 12th day after Christmas, January 6th. In the dioceses of the United States this feast has been moved to the Sunday between January 2 and January 8 and this year lands on January 5th. 19

On entering the home, Leader (Priest, if present, or father of the family) : Peace be to this house. All: And to all who dwell herein. All: From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial. All Pray: The Magnificat. During the Magnificat, the room is sprinkled with holy water and incensed. After this is completed, All: From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial. Leader: Our Father... And lead us not into temptation All: But deliver us from evil. Leader: All they from Saba shall come All: Bringing gold and frankincense. Leader: O Lord, hear my prayer. All: And let my cry come to You. 20

Leader: Let us pray. O God, who by the guidance of a star didst on this day manifest Thine only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we who know Thee by faith may also attain the vision of Thy glorious majesty. Through Christ our Lord. All: Amen. Leader: Be enlightened, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee- Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary. All: And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light and kings in the splendor of thy rising, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee. Leader: Let us pray. Bless, O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfillment of Thy law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell herein. Through Christ our Lord. All: Amen. After the prayers of the blessing are recited, each room of the home is sprinkled with Epiphany water and incensed. The initials of the Magi are inscribed upon the doors with the blessed chalk. (The initials, C, M, B, can also be interpreted as the Latin phrase "Christus mansionem benedicat" which means "Christ bless this house" - example - 20+C+M+B+13) 21

Twelve Days Check out the following site for some great recipes and activities for the 12 Days of Christmas: The 12 Days of Christmas by Catholic Culture books of the Just for Fun!!!! The Twelve Days of Christmas... Many people believe that the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written as a way for early Christians to secretly learn their catechism. According to research there 22

appears to be no conclusive historical evidence to prove this origin of the song. Nevertheless, the traditional association between the gifts mentioned in the song and various spiritual gifts is a fun way to turn a seemingly secular Christmas carol into a valuable catechetical tool. So let's have fun with it! Partridge in a Pear Tree... Jesus Christ, symbolized as a mother partridge who feigns injury to detract a predator from her newborn nestlings. Two turtle doves...old & New Testaments Three French Hens... Faith, hope, charity Four Calling Birds... The Four Gospels Five Golden Rings... The Pentateuch or the first five books of the Bible (Genesis through Deuteronomy) Six Geese a Laying... 6 days of creation Seven Swans a Swimming... 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit Eight Maids a-milking... 8 Beatitudes Nine Ladies Dancing... 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit Ten Lords a-leaping... 10 Commandments Eleven Pipers Piping... 11 faithful disciples Twelve Drummers Drumming... 12 articles of the Apostles Creed Video with Song!!!!!! Calendar Items for January 23

snow wav e January 5 Religious Education Classes 8:30 am and 11:00 am Class Mass for the 8:30 am Session January 12 Religious Education Classes 8:30 am and 11:00 am Class Mass for the 11:00 am Session January 16 First Reconciliation 7:00 PM in the Church January 19 NO CLASSES Parent/Catechist Conferences for the 8:30 am Session January 26 NO CLASSES Parent/Catechist Conferences for the 11:00 am Session February 2 Religious Education Classes 8:30 and 11:00 Class Mass for the 8:30 am Session 24

Right-click here to download pictures. To help protect your priv acy, Outlo ok prevented auto matic downlo ad o f thi s pi ctu re from the In ternet. Right-click he download pic help protect y Outlo ok prev auto matic dow thi s pi ctu re fro In ternet. May God bless you in this new year! Saint Patrick Religious Education Staff Forward email This email was sent to pjankowski@yahoo.com by julie_a_d@yahoo.com Update Profile/Email Address Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe Privacy Policy. St. Patrick's Religious Education 710 W. Marion St. Joliet IL 60436 25