Living Stewardship Now Pray with thanksgiving for the greatest gift of all at Christmas-- Jesus, the Savior of the world.

December 23, 2012 4th Sunday in Advent JOY TO THE WORLD When the vast prairies of this country were opened up to settlers in the nineteenth century, many of the families who went out West and staked a claim on the land lived very hard and isolated lives, often long miles away from their nearest neighbors. The husbands did backbreaking work to start their farms and raise crops to support their families. The families lived in sod huts or log cabins and the wives struggled with a daily round of child-rearing, cleaning, and cooking in primitive conditions that we can hardly imagine today. They, perhaps far more than their husbands, felt the extreme loneliness of this kind of life. When two families met, the women would as often as not fall about each other s necks, embracing in tears simply at the joy of being together. This is just an echo of what we hear about in today s Gospel. Luke tells of two women, Mary and Elizabeth, united after some time apart. Each is pregnant, each will bear a child who will one day change the world. What is expressed between them is an amazing, overflowing, unconcealed joy. Elizabeth is a woman who has awaited pregnancy for many years, and Mary has learned that she is the chosen one to bear the Messiah. The waiting, the risks, the soul searching, the opinions of neighbors count for nothing as they sense the future unfolding before them, brought about by the hand of God. On this last Sunday of Advent, the story of Mary and Elizabeth reminds us that Christmas is not simply about the birth of a child in a small village in an obscure corner of the world. It is about recognizing light the light of Christ, the Anointed One, breaking into the world s darkness and coming to rest in our hearts. Copyright 2009, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. Living Stewardship Now Pray with thanksgiving for the greatest gift of all at Christmas-- Jesus, the Savior of the world. Copyright (c) 2009, World Library Publications. All rights reserved. www.stmota.org

Liturgical Ministers December 29, 30 & 31 2012 January 1, 2013 Mass Times 12/29/12 5:00PM 12/30/12 7:30AM 12/30/12 9:30 AM 12/30/12 11:30AM 12/31/12 5:00PM 01//01/2013 9:00AM Lectors L. Hermann C. Hendricks P. Tekampe S. Bosshart M. Arata K. Lenzen J. Matousek M. Alandy M. Alandy K. Lenzen P. Coughlin K. Crotty Eucharistic Ministers E. Bujan B. DeQuaker D. DeQuaker D. Suhling B. Steiner B. Besore J. Murphy C. Fisher F. Cizewski Rafferty III S. Ratajczak L. Bosshart C. King K. Samp R. Peterson D. Prezell C. Lutzow J. Philbin C. Orlowski M. Orlowski J. Lyman B. Lyman T. Mayer M. Mayer B. Declaire-Aden K. Declaire-Aden J. Ferrigan C. Lenzen J. Weiler D. Weiler M. Alandy M. Alandy S. Scesniak K. Crotty J. Sinkovec L. Ippolito D. Suhling T. Kennedy B. Steiner B. DeQuaker D. DeQuaker C. Fisher F. Cizewski J. Rohman E. McPherson J. Philbin K. Samp F. Arndt L. Bosshart T. Mayer M. Mayer Mass Intentions Monday, December 24 Christmast Eve 8:00AM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation 4:30PM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation 10:30PM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation Tuesday, December 25 Christmas 7:30AM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation 9:30AM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation 11:30AM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation Wednesday, December 26, Saint Stephen, The First Martyr 8:00AM Edward Billick req. Genevieve Billick Martia J. Quinlan req. R. Timothy Mahaney Robert Dooley req. Loretta Kander & Ellen Boyd Niezes, Augusto & Marie Lauman req. The Family David MacAdams req. Genevieve Piontkowski Michael J. Buckley req. Victoria Hansen Thursday, December 27, Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist 8:00AM Mike & Sherry Schmidt req. Gene Schmidt Family Friday, December 28, The Holy Innocents, Martyrs 8:00AM Don Schweinberg req. The Don Schweinberg Family Saturday, December 29 5:00PM Anniversary of Tom & Connie Schofield Lois MacAdams req. Genevieve Piontkowski Bill Lacey req. Bill & Ann Steffenhagen Eleanore Kieronski req. Matthew & Marlene Mele Henry J. Smith & Family req. Ron & Pat Smith Clara Petzborn req. Vinnie & Helene Dederich Sunday, December 30 7:30AM Steve Rice req. Lou & Sheila Bosshart Bernard Deinlen req. Bernie & Mercedes Lenzen 9:30AM Robert Dooley req. Edelle Baronski Sophia Kirn req. The Kirn Family Joe Plucinski req. Nola, His Wife Jacqueline Crowcroft req. Roger & Jackie Fisher Patricia Jeske req. The Heinzinger Family 11:30AM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation Week Ahead Sunday, December 23 9:30 AM Childcare 9:30 AM Liturgy of the Word for Children Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve 4:00 PM Mass 10:30 PM Mass Tuesday, December 25 Christmas Day 7:30 AM Mass 9:30 AM Mass 11:30 AM Mass Wednesday, December 26 6:00PM P.A.D.S. Thursday, December 27 8:30 AM Pray the Rosary Friday, December 28 Saturday, December 29 7:00AM Men s Cursillo Meeting 5:00PM Liturgy of the Word for Children Sunday, December 30 9:30AM Liturgy of the Word for Children 9:30AM Childcare cütç yéüa AA and for those who have recently died:. Michael J. Buckley All who suffer illness, especially those whose names are written in the parish Book of Prayers, those recently added to the list of the sick,

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO OFFICE OF THE ARCHBISHOP Dear Friends in Christ, Filled with awe and wonder at the mystery of the Incarnation, how do we welcome God Incarnate? Filled with awe and wonder at the mystery of the Eucharist, how do we approach its celebration? During this Year of Sunday Mass, it is fitting to point out that the world is different because Mass is celebrated and we participate in that celebration. Not just we individually, not just the Church, but the world as a whole would be a very different place were the Holy Eucharist not celebrated. Since the first Christians in Jerusalem discovered their identity around the altar of the Lord on his day, Catholics have known that without the Mass they cannot live fully in Christ. By inviting us to a new life and shaping our attitudes toward this life, the Eucharist does not merely express who we are and what we believe; it helps us discover who we are and what we can become in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Full and active participation in the liturgy leads us to embrace the truth, to take up the cross, and to follow in the footsteps of Jesus throughout every dimension of our lives in praying for life eternal. Through the Eucharist, the power of the Holy Spirit transforms us into the living Body of Christ, set to transform the world. Moreover, it moves us to express in action what it is that unites us to God and therefore to one another. When we are faithful to the image of God stamped upon us through baptism so that we are like Jesus Christ and when, in the celebration of the liturgy, our actions are witnesses to God s own transcendence, our lives are holy. When we live in the world with Christ s love, spreading his peace and justice, we are God s instruments. This in its entirety is the spirit of the liturgy. Liturgy is not about us except to the extent that we are in Christ. As Mary eloquently expresses in the Magnificat: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior, may you go forth from Mass glorifying the Lord by your life. You will be remembered in my Christmas Masses and prayers. A blessed and Merry Christmas to all! Sincerely yours in Christ, Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. Archbishop of Chicago God s Love & Our Ingratitude: The Gift of Mercy Undeserved. Lecture/Discussion. Dr. Terry Nelson Johnson. Dean of Faith Formation, Old St. Pat s Church, Chicago. Feeling unworthy? God doesn t need a reason to love you. Getting to the root of our chronic discontent. Examen prayer & gratitude. Sun. Jan.13, 2013. Noon-1:30pm. St. Catherine Laboure 3535 Thornwood, Glenview. No charge. Refreshments. 847-998-4704 Many Thanks to Mrs. Sonza-Novera Please join the St. Mary School faculty in congratulating Donna Sonza -Novera for over 25 years of dedicated service to our school. We will celebrate at the 9:30 Mass on January 27, 2013. A reception will follow in the meeting rooms and narthex. Mrs. Sonza-Novera has been a part of St Mary School for more than 30 years as a teacher and volunteer. Her contributions have been invaluable as a parent, coach, athletic director, technology teacher and coordinator, health teacher and physical education teacher. This list doesn t truly describe Mrs. Sonza-Novera s impact upon our school. She has touched the lives of many students, parents and friends of St. Mary. A Memory Book is being compiled. If you have a story, an anecdote, or sincere words for Mrs. Sonza-Novera, please go to the link shown below to complete an online form, or contact the school office, 847-223-4021. www.tinyurl.com/smacelebration

Welcome to Saint Mary of the Annunciation Fr. Ron Lewinski Pastor Dean, Vicariate I-A FrRon@stmota.org We are happy that you ve come to worship with us today! In celebrating Christ s birth we celebrate our common bond of faith as sisters and brothers in Christ. Fr. Nate Payne Associate Pastor npayne@stmota.org St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish is a community of more than 1600 households. We strive to share our faith and gifts with others through more than 60 ministries of the parish. We offer learning opportunities for all ages. Bible study, adult education, opportunities for spiritual renewal, community service and outreach are important to us. We strive to support one another in our daily challenges and to celebrate the joys of life in a variety of social opportunities. The heart of our parish community is Jesus Christ, our Savior. Our Sunday gathering at the Lord s Table is the source and the summit of our faith. We simply do what Jesus asked us to do when we offer our lives together with Him to the Father in the sacrifice of the Mass. The Eucharist is the source of our unity and our mandate for living a life of charity, justice and peace. If you are new to St. Mary, we warmly welcome you! If you have been away from the Catholic Church for some time, we just want to say that we are glad you are here today! If you have questions about Catholic faith and practice or would like some help in rediscovering your Catholic roots, we hope you ll give us a call or stop by our welcome table in the narthex where you ll find a friendly welcome and some helpful information. During the week you are welcome to call the parish office or stop by in person. You may also access our parish website 24 hours a day. Merry Christmas! www.stmaryfc.org BP Fr. James Presta Weekend Associate Fr. James Presta Weekend Associate Gary Kupsak Permanent gkupsak@archchicago.org Mike O Malley Permanent Bob Poletto Permanent

Victoria Hansen Office Manager x200 vhansen@stmota.org Fred Vipond Director of Music and Liturgy x216 fvipond@stmota.org Rosemarie Marsh Office Assistant x201 rmarsh@stmota.org Ryan Rehkamp Youth Minister x230 rrehkamp@stmota.org Sue Matousek Director of Religious Education x218 smatous@stmota.org Howard Fischer Director of Parish Operations x215 hfischer@stmota.org Kara Barina Religious Ed. Assistant kbarina@stmota.org Penny Elwood Bookkeeper x217 PElwood@stmota.org Pat Strang Principal St. Mary Parish School 847-223-4021 x310 pstrang@stmota.org Rich Plage Facilities Manager x210 rplage@stmota.org Jennifer Pepping Adult Formation Bill Zerwer Operations Assistant

Stay informed with the great things happening at St. Mary by joining the parish email lists. To add your email to the list, or update your email preferences: Go to the parish website at www.stmaryfc.org and click on the icon listed above which will take you to the email registration page Enter your email address and click continue After confirming your email address, enter your first and last name in the indicated boxes then select the parish lists you would like to join: General interest to receive special announcements and information on larger parish events. Adult Formation to receive the Adult Formation newsletter with information about learning opportunities at the parish. Youth Ministry to receive information and updates from Journey, our parish youth ministry REP for families with children in our Religious education program Click join It s that easy! You can easily update your preferences or unsubscribe at any time. Call the parish office with any questions or if you need assistance. (847) 223-0010. Annual Contribution Statements If you would like a statement of your regular church contributions for the calendar year 2012 please call the office. We will be happy to send you a statement. St. Mary CERTIFICATE PROGRAM We sell GIFT CARDS from restaurants, stores, gas stations and more. No minimum purchase, no minimum order. You pay the face value of the card. All profits go to St. Mary School. The cards below can be purchased in 3 places: the Narthex after Sat/Sun masses, at school during the week (9am 2pm), or at Market Day pick up every month. Cash, check or credit card accepted. Go to www.stmaryfc.org/school. Click on Fundraisers/Support for more stores and restaurants. If you don t see the card you want we will order it on Monday; you get it Wednesday! We order every week! Contact Person: Erin Gardner erinmgardner2011@hotmail.com Applebee s $10 Barnes & Noble $10 Dominick s $25, $100 Bath & Body Works $10 Jewel/Osco $25, $100 Culver s $10 Wendy s $10 Target $25, $100 Panera $10 Walgreen s $25 Shell Gas $25, $100 Philly G s $25 Home Depot $25 Walmart $25, $100 Starbucks $10 Kohl s $25 Land s End $25 Children's Liturgy of the Word Children's Liturgy of the Word is for children 4 years of age and older. It takes place at the 5pm Mass on Saturday evening and the 9:30am Mass on Sunday morning. The children do not need to sign up. When the priest calls the children forward, they just come up to be dismissed with the group. There are two rooms (age 4 - grade 1 and grades 2-5) and parents need to be sure their children can sit and listen to the message, in the age appropriate room, if they come out. Parents are always welcome to come to see if they can handle it. We would also love to have YOU sign up as a leader. We can use everyone's help. If you are a parent whose children enjoy coming, a senior that wants to share their faith, a young adult looking for a fun way to get involved in the parish, or a teen looking for service hours and a leadership experience that looks great on college applications, YOU are invited to join us and see what we do. Just follow the kids out at Mass. If you have any questions or would like to sign up, you can contact me at 847-566-6305 or debbiechin13@yahoo.com. You can also return the form below in the offertory basket, or come out during Mass and let the catechist for that day know that you are interested in becoming a catechist. We would love to have your help. Children s Liturgy of the Word-Catechist Name Address City State Zip Code Phone Email Preference 5pm Saturday 9:30am Sunday Return to Debbie Chin Thanks A Respect Life Holy Hour Service will be held on Tuesday, January 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the little church. This is the anniversary date of Roe v Wade which legalized abortion in the United States.. All parishioners are invited. During the adoration of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, prayers for renewed strength to respect all life and the recitation of our Lord s rosary will be offered. Come pray with us on this most important issue.

one. Registration Weekend January 12 & 13, 2013 Do you need to register as a member of St. Mary Parish? Come to the parish office at the far end of the narthex after mass and we ll help make you an official member of Saint Mary of the Annunciation! Christmas Oplatek Wafers Authentic, Traditional, Blessed Christmas Wafers Oplatki will be available at the parish office. Each wafer has embossed Nativity Scenes. Continue this wonderful Christmas tradition or begin a new Polish, Slovak and Lithuanian background families observe this Christmas tradition. Family members and friends break off a piece of Oplatki and give it to one another to eat, expressing the best wishes and blessing upon them and asking for forgiveness. Have your family participate in this tender, touching family celebration of love and forgiveness. CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Monday, December 24th, Christmas Eve Christmas Mass at 4:00 PM (preceded by caroling at 3:30) Christmas Mass at 10:30 PM (preceded by caroling at 10:00) with choir and instruments. Tuesday, December 25th Early Morning Christmas Mass at 7:30 AM Festive Masses at 9:30 & 11:30 AM with brass quintet MASS SCHEDULE Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God New Year s Eve: 5:00 PM New Year s Day: 9:00 AM Senior Club The members of St. Mary s Senior Club thank you for supporting our annual bake sale. We would like to extend a special Thank-You to our parishioners who were speakers or entertainers at a club meeting. We wish you a Blessed Christmas and 2013. Ministers of Care Homebound Ministers of Care visit the homebound sick and elderly in their homes. The ministers share the Word of God in scripture and bring the Holy Eucharist to the homebound. Our ministers represent the parish community by relating to the Sunday homily and bringing the current bulletin. In addition, when notified we can visit parishioners in rehabilitation or long term facilities in the area. Ministers assist at Sunday Mass held in the spring and fall for the communal celebration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Ministers also bring ashes to the homebound on Ash Wednesday. A Eucharistic Minister is not a Minister of Care. Becoming a Minister of Care involves two (2) training sessions required by the Archdiocese and a formal mandate by the Archdiocese. If you are interested in participating in this ministry, please contact Dolores Leuthner at 847-949-4534.

F isch ing Lines by Howard Fischer A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. When the Viet Nam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son. About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, Sir, you don t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day. He often talked about you and your love for art. The young man held out his package. I know this isn t much and I m not a great artist, but I think your son would want you to have this. The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured his son s personality and his eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It s a gift. The man died a few months later and his art collection was to be auctioned. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great masterpieces and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture? There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one. But the auctioneer persisted. Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200? Another voice shouted angrily. We didn t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids! But still the auctioneer continued, The son! Who ll take the son? Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. I ll give $10 for the painting. Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. We have $10, who will bid $20? Give it to him for $10. Let s see the masters. $10 is the bid, won t someone bid $20? The crowd was becoming angry. They didn t want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. Going once, twice, SOLD for $10! A man sitting on the second row shouted. Now let s get on with the collection! The auctioneer laid down his gavel. I m sorry, the auction is over. What about the paintings? I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will that I was not allowed to reveal until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything! God gave us His Son 2,000 years ago. We are asked, Who ll take the son? And whoever takes the Son gets everything! Fr. James Smith writes: When God became human, every single aspect of life was drawn closer to God. Each sorrow, each joy, each success and failure, every exciting event and dull day is more than human experience it now has a divine ambience. God-in-the-flesh opens the endless vista of our human hope if we take the Son into our lives. May you and your family welcome the Son and have a most blessed Christmas. If you wish to contact me, just leave a note in the Parish Office or send an email to deaconhwf99@yahoo.com. At Peek Preschool Wed., January 16, 2013 9-10 am ST. MARY OF THE ANNUNCIATION SCHOOL You and your child are invited to come for fun preschool activities, meet our faculty, learn about the curriculum, see our school and have your questions about preschool answered. Siblings welcome. Families exploring preschool for 2013, 2014 and beyond are invited. Please register online at www.stmaryfc.org/school by Jan. 11. For more information call 847-223-4021.

Mass Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 7:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:30 AM Weekday Monday Friday 8:00 AM PARISH EMERGENCEY 847-813-7324 Parish Staff Rev. Ronald J. Lewinski Ext. 213 Pastor Dean, Vicariate I-A Rev. Nate Payne Ext. 212 Associate Pastor Mike O Malley Gary Kupsak Robert Poletto Mr. Fred Vipond Ext. 216 Director of Music & Liturgy Ms. Patricia Strang Ext. 310 School Principal Ms. Sue Matousek Ext. 218 Director of Religious Education Mr. Ryan Rehkamp Ext. 230 Coordinator of Youth Ministry Mr. Howard Fischer Ext. 215 Director of Parish Operations Ms. Penny Elwood Ext. 217 Bookkeeper/Accountant Ms. Victoria Hansen Ext. 200 Administrative Assistant Mr. Richard Plage Ext. 210 Mr. William Zerwer Maintenance Dustin Zubert Pastoral Council President Marcelo Corpuz School Board President Rev. Patrick O Malley Rev. James Presta Weekend Associates 22333 W. ERHART ROAD MUNDELEIN, ILLINOIS 60060 PARISH NUMBER WWW.STMARYFC.ORG EMAIL: PARISH@STMOTA.ORG PARISH FAX NUMBER: 847-223-5960 School: 847-223-4021 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM EMERGENCY NUMBER 847-239-2725 Sacrament of Penance Baptisms Adult Initiation Marriage Ministry of Care New parishioners Saturdays 4:00 4:40 PM, and by appointment Ordinarily during the Mass on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month and after the Mass on the other Sundays, outside of Lent Adults who wish to become Roman Catholics are enrolled in a formation process that includes prayer, dialogue, instruction, and introduction to the Church s life and values, rituals and tradition. Call the parish office for more information. St. Mary Parish rejoices with parishioners who are preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony. The Church requires at least four months time before the marriage for adequate preparation. A parish wedding information packet is available at the parish office. Ministers of Care visit the homes of the sick, homebound, or hospitalized and bring Holy Communion to them. Call the parish office when a pastoral visit is desired. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered by the parish priest upon request. We welcome new members who wish to worship with us and support the parish s work and mission. Please call the parish office to schedule a time to register. A complete listing of parish services and organizations is available at the parish office.