December 23, 2018-4th Sunday of Advent ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH Teutopolis, IL
St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 2 From the Pastor I know this is the 4 th Sunday of Advent, but this year the 4 th week of Advent is more like only a day or two! The Franciscans and the staff of St. Francis parish extend to all of our parishioners and your loved ones sincere wishes for a blessed Christmas. It seems more counter-cultural each year, and by that I mean we begin our celebration of Christmas on Christmas day, whereas our culture has been celebrating Christmas for almost a couple months. When Christmas comes, the merchants in a sense turn off the Christmas festival. No more Christmas carols on the radio; decorations are removed from the stores; Christmas is in the rearview mirror as of 26 December. We celebrate the Incarnation: Jesus emptying himself of his divinity and taking on our humanity. He could have been born in a large palace with a cast of hundreds to take care of his needs. But he wasn t. He was born of simple and humble people, and that is how he grew up and matured. All the parishioners are grateful to the many people who helped us get ready for the Christmas celebration that continues for a couple weeks, on into the new year. Those in the music ministry, who lifted our hearts and souls in praise to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the choirs who practiced and prepared for our Masses, the readers, acolytes or servers, sacristans, ushers and special thanks to our creative and hard working art and environment team. No matter the liturgical season, our team of artists and workers give their best and do an outstanding job. And I again thank all the people, who participated in our giving tree this year. I was very concerned that there would be a large number of tags left over, but each tag disappeared from the tree, and just as importantly each tag was brought back with a present. Thank you for being so responsible and accountable. You will never know who had a better Christmas this year because of you and your time and sharing your treasure. On behalf of the Franciscans, I thank the many people, who dropped off goodies as a token of their appreciation for what we do. The doorbell rang one Sunday evening, and there was a young family with a plate of cookies, a can of party mix, and other goodies to munch on! God bless your generosity. It was certainly prudent of you to treat the cookies and sweets with the de-calorizer and the de-carbohydizer. With Fr. Frank onboard now, we will continue the prior schedule of weekend liturgies; i.e., the two vigil Masses (4:30 at St. Francis and 5:30 at St. Rose) and the three Masses (6:30, 8:30 and 10:30) at St. Francis with a 9:00 at St. Rose. After looking at a different Mass schedule, where one priest could cover all the weekend Masses in case of an emergency, it is nearly impossible. The schedule seemed to work well in the past, so we won t fix it. Holy Day Mass Schedules Christmas Mass Schedule Christmas Eve, December 24, 4:00, 6:00 and 10:00 pm at St. Francis 5:30 pm at St. Rose Christmas Day, December 25, 9:00 am at St. Francis 10:00 am at St. Rose Solemnity of Mary Mass Schedule Monday, December 31, 4:00 pm at St. Francis 5:30 pm at St. Rose Tuesday, January 1, 8:30 and 10:30 am at St. Francis Ministry Sign-ups There are ministry sign-up sheets for the holy day on New Year s eve and New Year s day in the main entrance of Church. If you are commissioned to be in any of the ministries: usher, lector, or extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, please consider sharing your ministry this holy day. Also, please check in the sacristy the day of the holy day to see where you are needed. Thank you for sharing your time and ministry! Nativity of the Lord [Christmas] Feedbox and Tent. Sixteen Bible passages are given to us at Christmas. A lot of words. Let us focus on two this day. Feedbox (see Luke 2:12): Although we most often hear and sing manger, feedbox is clearer and truer because now, Christ is food for us in Eucharist. Tent (see John 1:14): John s gospel usually reads, he made his dwelling among us. But literally, he pitched his tent. Christ lives with us, is in our midst. He is that close. Because I am fed, who can I feed? Because I am housed, who can I house? Mass Intentions Monday, December 24, 4:00: Dolores Kingery Monday, December 24, 6:00: Rich Goldstein Monday, December 24, 10:00: Pro Populo Tuesday, December 25, 9:00: Joe Buscher Wednesday, December 26, 6:30: Nancy (Buenker) Will Thursday, December 27, 6:30: Mary Buenker Friday, December 28, 7:55: Dale Carlos Saturday, December 29, 4:30: Carolyn Poe Sunday, December 30, 7:00: Joe and Betty Runde Sunday, December 30, 10:30: Pro Populo
December 23, 2018-4th Sunday of Advent page 3 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Liturgy Schedule December 24-30 Christmas Eve, Mass at 4:00, 6:00 & 10:00 pm The Nativity of the Lord Christmas Day, Mass at 9:00 am St. Stephen Mass at 6:30 am St. John Mass at 6:30 am The Holy Innocents Mass at 7:55 am St. Thomas Becket Mass at 4:30 pm The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Mass at 7:00 & 10:30 am Confession Schedule Thursday, December 27-6:15-6:45 pm Saturday, December 29-3:00-4:00 pm Liturgy of the Hours with Friars Monday-Friday -- 11:45 am & 4:45 pm Protecting God s Children Workshop St. Isidore Parish, St. Aloysius Hall Monday, February 4 th at 6:30 pm Call 217-925-5788 to register. Pray for the Sick Please remember in your prayers: Jack Hardiek, Devin Mette, Margaret Pruemer, Will Niccum, Joe Ruholl, Bill and Rosie Myers, Lorraine Deters, Craig Lindvahl, Claude Brumleve, Scott Repking, Andrea Wernsing, Elizabeth Weidner, Paula Spencer, Jody Furlano, Mark Roedl, Linus Willenborg, Norma Weber, Pat Poston, Cheryl Huber, Peyton Esker, Dorothy Gardewine, Michael Habing, Rose Walsh, Connie Wessel, Brian Miller, Lisa (Vahling) Harter, Cole Wellbaum, Kyndal Dasenbrock, Dianne Schabbing, Clarence Miller, Lisa Vahling, Norma Buhler, Bill Dasenbrock. Stewardship of Treasure Sunday Total Fiscal 12/16/2018 Year 241 Adult envelopes $6,654.00 $161,941.95 Online giving $1,422.00 $40,092.00 Other $728.00 $20,676.67 TOTAL $8,804.00 $222,710.62 Assisi to Africa $640.00 $16,182.00 Parish Calendar Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve Mass, 4:00, 6:00, 10:00 pm Parish office closes at noon Tuesday, December 25 Christmas Day Mass, 9:00 am Parish office closed Wednesday, December 26 Parish office closed Thursday, December 27 Confessions, 6:15-6:45 pm Saturday, December 29 Confessions, 3:00-4:00 pm Sunday, December 30 RCIA, 9:00 am, St. Clare Please Note The parish office will close on Monday, December 24th at noon for the Christmas holiday, and reopen on Thursday, December 27, at 9:00 am. Also, the Wednesday night rosary at 8:00 pm has been canceled for December 26 and January 2. It will resume on January 9th. Planning Marriage Chris Etter and Ali Habing Saturday, December 29, 2018 1:00 pm Collection on Christmas Day The Catholic Children s Home continues the legacy of love and care for God s children, begun by the Precious Blood Sisters from Ruma in the 19th century. In the spirit of Christ s special affection for all children, please support the work for the Catholic Children s Home and contribute generously to this collection at all the Masses on Christmas. Thank you for your generosity. Fourth Sunday of Advent God came in human flesh. Mass today tells the story: no one is too small, too insignificant to bear the presence of God. The pre-born John [the one to be the Baptist] acts first in the story of visitation by jumping for joy in the womb. At what? The assurance that God comes and will be God-with-us. How will I let God come to me today? At what can I jump for joy? How will I enjoy the freedom of God s good grace by doing this mercy work:? Homebound Ministry Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound for Sunday, December 30th are Chuck Deters 857-6084 and Lori Mette 857-3523.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 4 Religious Education News Preschool/Kindergarten: The next class will be January 6, 2019. The students will be practicing for the Epiphany play during 10:30 Mass on January 6. The play will be performed that day after 10:30 Mass in church. Grade 1-6: Religion classes resume on Thursday, January 3. Grade 4: Bake Sale for the Missions is scheduled for January 17, in the TGS Cafeteria. Grade 4-6: Catholic Daughters of America, CD of A will once again accept entries for their 2019 National Education Contest. The entries are due on January 24. The students will get the information in religion class. There are two themes to choose from: Here I am Lord. I come to do your will, or Doing my best to do good. Junior High and High School: Enjoy the break. Classes resume January 9th! CHWC News Don t forget to sell Taste of T-Town tickets over the Christmas break. Everyone was sent a worker schedule for the Taste of T-Town. Please add that into your calendars. We will meet January 9th at 7:00 pm (before religion) to turn in tickets and money. January 12th is the big day! The 3 Kings will be making their annual visit on January 4,5, 6. Contact Clint Goeckner at 821-5311 for the young kings or Joe Thoele at 821-4459 for the old kings. Winter Solstice Prayer for the Coming of the Light in a world so often filled with darkness and sin, Jesus, You are the rising Son! When the night of our lives feels longer than we can bear, Jesus, You are the hope of a new dawn! When we are anxious for what the future holds, Jesus, You are the morning star that never sets! In all our confusion and division, Jesus, You are the light of the world! Heavenly Father, in this Advent season, we await Your Son s coming with anticipation. Send Your Spirit to sustain and carry us through these final days of Advent preparation, as we await the dawning of the Light of the World! Amen. Musicians for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses 4:00 pm: Children & Young Adult Choirs 6:00 pm: Guitar Group 10:00 pm: Adult Choir 9:00 am: Schola Taste of T-Town CHWC campers and the Dieterich Bank invite you to The Taste of T-Town on Saturday, January 12, 2019, at the Teutopolis Banquet Hall! Enjoy a variety of foods, entertainment & great company at the community event! Entertainment for the evening will be Lauren Siemer and Christian Deters playing from 6:30-7:30 and Dakota Esker will be playing from 7:30-9:00. Tickets are now available in advance from CHWC campers, parish office or the T-Town branch of Dieterich Bank. Scrip Cards make great Christmas Gifts! CHWC youth are selling scrip cards after weekend Masses, December 22 and 23. They will be in St. Clare hallway. You can also pick up your cards at Niebrugge Financial Thursday and Friday this week and at the parish office on Saturday mornings. Scrip cards are gift cards to places you normally shop already, but they also give a benefit to our youth. Please consider stopping by Niebrugge Financial to pick up your scrip gift cards today! Cardinal Calendars The Catholic Heart Work Campers are fundraising for their next experience in Fremont, Nebraska. Keep selling those Cardinal calendars! We ordered extra! The Nativity of the Lord Our hearts are aglow with the joy of Christmas! Our senses are alive with the season, from the rich smells of evergreen and gingerbread to the feel of crisp air on our skin and the warmth of a loved one s embrace. At some point in the holiday hustle and bustle, take a few moments of quiet. In the silence, reflect on the other senses of the season. Imagine the cool damp of an animal stable, the earthy smell of hay and feed, and the crisp night air blowing in softly. Imagine kneeling beside an exhausted, joyful mother and a relieved, protective father. Imagine an infant wrapped in cloth scraps held out to your open arms. Imagine holding the infant Jesus. As his eyes meet yours, welcome into your heart the greatest gift of Christmas.
December 23, 2018-4th Sunday of Advent page 5 CCW Christmas Party The Officers of the St Francis Council of Catholic Women (CCW) wish to extend an invitation to all the women of our Parish to our annual CCW Christmas Party on Monday, January 7th. The evening will begin at 6:30 pm at TGS Auditorium. Turkey, dressing, rolls, drinks and table service will be provided for the dinner. Please bring a covered dish. A $3.00 gift exchange is optional please put your name on the gift so that the receiver will know who it is from. Please join us for a delicious dinner, fun, and fellowship. Entertainment for the evening will be music of the season by St. Francis Parish talent, Dan Williams and Jeanine Blankenship. ***Donations for Catholic Charities Food Pantry will be accepted and warmly appreciated! ASSISI FOR AFRICA Fr Damien writes, We want to make this Christmas memorable for our 85 kids. Hopefully our 13 boys studying in the village will find the money to pay for their return home (Maison Kwetu) for the festivities. One of our talented boys has begun teaching the others to dance. Others are starting work on building a Christmas crib. Our cooks will certainly create something special. We sure could use a little Christmas help, for there will be a lot of activities. Let us give from our hearts in prayer and donations to the children in the Congo as we approach this Christmas Season! ADORATION Many thanks to those who have signed up so far! We cannot start adoration until slots are filled because Jesus cannot be left alone. The Most Blessed Sacrament will be exposed from noon on Mondays until 6 am on Tuesday mornings. The following times are completely open: 12-1 pm - every week 3-4 pm - 4 th, 5 th weeks 9-10 pm - 4 h, 5 th weeks Many hours have only one person signed up, and we would like to have at least two. Please sign up at the church entrances, or by calling Cindy Vahling at 217-857-3904, or by emailing stfrancisadorers@gmail.com. Please consider asking a friend, relative, or co-worker to commit to an hour every week with you. Then you have an automatic sub if you need one! What a great New Year s resolution it will be if you commit to spending one hour every week (of the 168!) with our Lord in adoration. INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK Life is often unfair. Sadly, life's inequity usually occurs at our hands. The world's systems - economic, political, and environmental - do not always serve the best interests of the people. We create situations that tip the scales by profiting a few and reducing the quality of life for many. We look at all of the injustices in our world, people being hurt and exploited, and wonder why God has abandoned us or why He won't fix what is happening. God did fix it. He sent his Son into the world as our just ruler and the one who will bring peace. The problem is we still turn away and think that we can do better. The Son of Justice has come into the world. We can work for change and be the voice of justice. We can dream and do things differently. Blessed are you who believe that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled. We welcome to our faith family those who recently received the sacrament of Baptism. Maria Gianna Pruemer, Daughter of Jacob and Katherine (Slemer) Pruemer Brinley Elizabeth Runde, Daughter of Jared and Tiffany (Hanratty) Runde Claire Ann Tegeler, Daughter of Jason and Megan (Hoene) Tegeler Presley Rose Wente, Daughter of Brian Wente and Karen Vahling We also welcome those who recently registered as new families with St. Francis parish. Alice Kroeger Michael and Sammy (Kroeger) Flynn and daughter, Alexia Sam and Kelsey (Ericksen) Hutmacher Robert and Jessica (Koeberlein) Uthell Brian Wente and daughter, Presley Calendar Year End Contributions Please note that the 2018 contribution ledger will be closed as of December 31, 2018. If contributions are to be considered in the year of 2018 for tax purposes, they must be received in the parish office by 4:00 pm on December 31st or be postmarked before January 1st. All contributions received or postmarked after December 31, 2018 will be posted to the year of 2019. Thank you. God Bless Those Serving our Country. Anthony Vahling, Jeremy Deters, Cody Bushue, Jared Apke, Andrew Isley
St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 6 Baptism Prep Dates Thursday, January 3, 2019; St. Clare Hall Thursday, February 7, 2019; St Rose Thursday, March 7, 2019 St. Clare Hall Tuesday, April 2, 2019, St. Isidore All classes begin at 7:00 pm. To register for classes at St. Francis call 217-857-6404; at St. Rose call 217-924-4553; and at St. Isidore call 217-821-9178. Thinking of Becoming a Priest? What do you want to be when you grow up? Have people always told you that you would make a great priest? Have you always been intrigued by the idea of priesthood? Is Jesus Christ calling you to be His priest? What: Thinking of Priesthood Day. When: Thursday, December 27, 9:30 am - 7:00 pm. Where: Villa Maria Retreat Center, Springfield, IL. Who: Any man, aged 18-30, interested in learning more about priesthood. How: Sign up at: https://goo.gl/n1zdlc. Fr. Jonathan Fassero, OSB, a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey will be offering this program. Fr. Jonathan currently serves as a spiritual director at both Bishop Simon Brute College Seminary and Saint Meinrad Seminary & School of Theology. Fr. Jonathan has formed men for the priesthood for over 40 years. 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 Facebook:... @stfrancischurchteutopolis Submit written bulletin notices by noon Monday. Diocesan website: www.dio.org Diocesan Child Abuse Reporting and Investigation Number (217) 321-1155 Marriage Requirements If you have your wedding scheduled at St. Francis, you will be required to attend the following for preparation: Pre-Cana workshops offered in the Effingham area. St. Francis Parish, Teutopolis, Sunday, January 27, 2019. Call 217-857-6404 to register. St. Mary of the Assumption, Ste. Marie, Saturday, March 16, 2019. Call 618-455-3155 to register. Additional dates are available on the diocesan website at www.dio.org under vocation services, marriage and family life. FOCCUS: Scheduled dates at St. Francis are as follows: January 5, 2019 April 6, 2019 July 6, 2019 October 5, 2019 All sessions begin at 5:30 pm in St. Clare Hall. To register call 857-6404. Natural Family Planning (NFP) 2019 sessions are scheduled as follows: Saturday, January 26, 2:30-4:00 pm, St. Francis Saturday, March 9, 9:00-10:30 am, St. Isidore Friday, April 26, 6:00-7:30 pm, St. Anthony Saturday, June 1, 2:00-3:30 pm, Sacred Heart Saturday, July 13, 10:00-11:30 am, St. Anthony Friday, August 23, 6:30-8:00 pm, St. Francis Saturday, September 28, 9:30-11:00 am, Sacred Heart Saturday, November 9, 1:30-3:00 pm, at St. Isidore To register call or text Kate Pruemer at 217-821-1840. Teutopolis Park District Fitness programs (December 31 - March 30): Sign-up continues (late fee applies). Our team here at Crisis Nursery of Effingham County would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season! Crisis Nursery of Effingham County s mission is to prevent and protect children from trauma, abuse and neglect through the provision of a free, 24 hour emergency shelter care program for children birth through six years of age. We want to thank you for your continued support as together we are keeping children safe and families strong. For anyone interested in volunteering or making a donation to Crisis Nursery, please call or email Meghan Rewers at 217-342-3000/director@crisisnurseryofeffingham.com. Food Donation Thank You Catholic Charities wishes to thank the parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi for the generous food donation received during this holiday season. Many families will receive food due to your Generosity.