December 24, 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent PASTORAL TEAM WEEKLY MASS SCHEDULE Rev. George Omwando, Pastor Rev. John J. Carolan, Pastor Emeritus Ms. Gail Rohmann, Music Director Sr. Marion Cypser, RSM, School Co-Principal & Mrs. Sharon Leamy, School Co-Principal Weekday Masses: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday - 8:30am Word Service with Communion, Thursday, 8:30am SUPPORT STAFF Ms. Patricia Pomykalski, Business Manager Mrs. Amanda Pomareda, Office Manager / Adm. Ass t. Mrs. Fannie Cooper, School Secretary Weekend Masses: Saturday Morning - 9:00am Saturday Evening - 5:00pm Sunday Morning - 8:30 & 10:30am CONTACTING THE PARISH Sacrament of Reconciliation Rectory: 38 N. Austin Blvd.; Oak Park, IL 60302 Telephone: 708-386-8077 Email: apomaredascsloffice@comcast.net Web: www.stcatherinestlucy.org Hours: 8:30 AM-8:00 PM Monday, & Thursdays Tuesday, Wednesday, & Fridays: 8:30 AM 4:30 PM Saturday 9:00 AM 4:30 PM; Sunday 8:30 AM 12:00 PM School - 27 Washington Blvd.; Oak Park, IL 60302 Telephone: 708-386-5286 Saturday at 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM; or by appointment. Baptisms Baptism of infants and young children is celebrated on the 2nd and 3rd weekends of the month. Parents are asked to attend a Baptism preparation session/class prior to the ceremony. Please call the rectory to register for the preparation and set a baptismal date.
Page 2 December 24, 2017 Thoughts From Our Pastor Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Today is the Fourth Sunday of Advent which ironically falls on the eve of Christmas. This means that we have to attend our regularly scheduled Sunday Masses and also attend Christmas Masses that are not fulfilled by attending our regular Sunday Mass. Before saying something on this final week of Advent, I wanted to let you know that I am going to Kenya for at least one month of rest. To some it may appear a vacation but I call it a working holiday. While away, the parish will operate with the usual schedule and there will be no changes. There will be two visiting priests while the rest of our daily operations will be carried out by our dedicated staff assisted by our volunteers. The true meaning of Christmas is about love. John 3:16-17 says, For God so loved the word that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son, into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible love. The real Christmas story is the story of God s becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ. Why did God do such thing? Because He loves us so much. Because He is love itself (1 John 4:8). Why do we celebrate Christmas each year? Out of gratitude for what God did for us, we remember His birth by giving each other gifts, worshiping Him, and being especially conscious of the poor and less fortunate members of our society. The true meaning of Christmas is love. God loved His own and provided a way-the only Way--for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Finally during this Christmas, I ask you to remember our parish in your prayers. We depend on your support and other gifts. I want also to ask you to pray for the parishioners that have lost a member in the family or a member that has been taken ill. Jesus gives meaning to Christmas. Jesus who was God in flesh, perfect, pure, holy, and who died on the cross and rose from the dead, is the one who gives the true meaning to Christmas. Christmas is the celebration of the historical event of where God entered into our world so that he might display the perfection and holiness of God, and that through His work of living perfectly and also dying on the cross for our sins, all who trust in Him would be saved from the righteous judgment of God. Have a wonderful Christmas and I will keep you in my prayers while I am in Kenya. May God bless you. Rev. George O. Omwando PARISH MISSION STATEMENT WE THE PARISHIONERS OF ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA-ST. LUCY PARISH, SEEK TO DEEPEN OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH GOD AND TO CELEBRATE GOD S PRESENCE IN WORD AND SACRAMENT. BY ACCEPTING ALL INTO OUR FAMILY WE SEEK UNITY IN CHRIST AND SEEK TO PROCLAIM HIS GOOD NEWS IN THE DISCIPLESHIP OF OUR LIVES. PARISH ORGANIZATIONS: Parish Pastoral Council Madonna Sloan and Joyce Wade, Co-Chairs Parish Finance Council John McGuire Spiritual Life Commission Faith & Fellowship: Connie Rakitan Liturgy Committee: Cantors: Gail Rohmann Celebration Choir: Gail Rohmann Praise Choir: Julius White Greeters & Ushers: Jim Lewis Ministers of the Eucharist: Jeanne Visteen Ministers of the Word: Jeanne Visteen Servers: Kathy Paoli Ministers of Care: Shelby Boblick Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): Fr. George O. Omwando Women s Ministry: Shelby Boblick Human Concerns Commission Peace & Justice Committee: Mary and Martin Senica Transportation Committee: Tom Farwell Education Commission Baptism Com.: Fr. G. Omwando Bible Study: Russ McCaughey Religious Education of Children: Christine Wedekind St. Catherine/St. Lucy School: School Board Chair: Natasha Lee Parish Development & Services Commission Collection Counters: Carol Kallok Facilities Committee: Kevin Kell, Amanda Pomareda Fundraising Committee: Pat Nelson / Cynthia Weaver (cont d from pg. 1) Weddings - Please contact a parish priest to set a wedding date. Allow at least 6 months for preparation. RCIA The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a sacramental process, celebrated in the midst of this Faith Community. This process assists adults, as well as children over the age of 7, in learning about the Catholic Faith. Through its witness, worship, service, and teaching our Faith Community offers the invitation and support necessary for initiation into the Catholic Church. Ministry to the Sick, Hospitalized and Shut Ins Please notify the Parish Office so that we can visit and minister to your confined loved-ones. Newcomers Please fill out a registration form after Mass, or come by the Rectory Office during the week.
Page 3 December 24, 2017 Christmas Memorial Flowers Christmas Memorial Flower envelopes are available at the doors of the church. Please consider making a donation in honor of a loved one. Fill out the envelope and then drop it in the regular collection basket in the next few weeks. 2017 Holiday Schedule St. Catherine St. Lucy Parish Vigil of Christmas (Christmas Eve) Sunday, December 24, 2017 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM 5:00 PM - Family Christmas Mass (Prelude at 4:30 PM) Certificates are $25 each and will be included in every weekly drawing from October 29th, 2017 through October 21st, 2018. The prize each week is $25 except for three weeks when the prize is $500. If we sell all 500 certificates, there will be a 4th drawing for $500. Purchase forms have been mailed to registered members of the parish and are available in the back of church. This is a fun way to support the parish and it is open to everyone, not just members of our parish community. Pass the word. Thank you!!! On behalf of Fr. George, Fr. John and all of the St. Catherine--St. Lucy Staff we wish you that: May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope; The spirit of Christmas which is peace; The heart of Christmas which is love. Ada V. Hendricks Christmas Day Monday, December 25, 2017 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Sunday, December 31, 2017 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM New Year Monday, January 1, 2018 10:00 AM - Only ~ The Fundraising Committee The Rectory will be closed on Monday, December 25th and Tuesday, December 26th for the Christmas Holiday. We will re-open on Wednesday, December 27th. Little Blue Books 500 CLUB WINNER $ 25.00 December 24, 2016 FRANCIS I. BUTLER, # 466 For the Seasons of Advent and Christmas These popular books are available now in the back of the church. You will be ready to begin the readings this season of Advent and Christmas As usual, we are asking a voluntary donation of $1 per Little Blue Book. The child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. Luke 1:35 Wednesday, December 27 8:00-9:00 PM - Celebration Choir - CH Thursday, December 28 4:00-8:00 PM - Voice Lessons - CH 6-8 PM - A.A. - RD
Page 4 December 24, 2017 Tue. December 26 Mary D. Koko By: The Koko Family Wed. December 27 8:30 Richard E. Locher By: Tom Nelson Fri. December 29 8:30 Robin Weaver (Health) By: Tom and Pat Nelson Sat. December 30 9:00 George Lawler & Harold Frank By: Tom and Carol Frank 5:00 Mary Cotter By: Parishioners Sun. December 31 8:30 F P O P 8:30 George Lawler & Harold Frank By: Tom and Carol Frank 10:30 Del Copier By: Evie Stockinger Readings for the Week Monday: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Tuesday: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22 Wednesday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Thursday: 1 Jn 1:5 2:2; Ps 124:2-5, 7cd-8; Mt 2:13-18 Friday: 1 Jn 2:3-11; Ps 96:1-3, 5b-6; Lk 2:22-35 Saturday: 1 Jn 2:12-17; Ps 96:7-10; Lk 2:36-40 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Ps 128: 1-5 or Ps 105:1-6, 8-9; Col 3:12-21 Saints and Special Observances Sunday: Fourth Sunday of Advent Monday: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Tuesday: St. Stephen; Kwanzaa begins Wednesday: St. John Thursday: The Holy Innocents Friday: Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord; St. Thomas Becket Saturday: Sixth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord Our Parish Stewardship St. Catherine-St. Lucy Church December 17, 2017 $ 4,880.00 On-Line GiveCentral $ 1,017.00 Weekly Budget $ 7,308.00 D E F I C I T $ -1,411.00 Online donations can be made to St. Catherine-St. Lucy Parish at www.givecentral.org Thanks for your continued financial support! Today s Readings First Reading I will fix a place for my people. I will plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16). Psalm For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 89). Second Reading To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever and ever (Romans 16:25-27). Gospel Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:26-38). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass. 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. LITURGICAL MINISTERS DECEMBER 31, 2017 5:00 PM 8:30 AM 10:30AM Altar Servers Kathy Paoli Mark Thomas Ministers of the Word TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA Ministers of the Eucharist Chemetha Baker Pat Koko Brenda Fojtik Jack Kernan Elaine Podraza Fannie Copper Annie Rowan Ginny Jones R. Smith-Quinn Gordon Bell Jeanne Visteen Pat Nelson Scarlett Evans Mary Howard Kim McGuire Diana Cameron
Page 5 December 24, 2017 1st & 2nd Readings for the Upcoming Sunday are offered. Their sole purpose is to help us all of us receive and hear the word of God. DECEMBER 31, 2017 THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH First Reading: Genesis 15:1-6; 21: 1-3 In ancient Near Eastern culture, it was thought essential to have a male descendant to carry on the family line and inherit all that his parents had worked for. But the elderly Abraham and Sarah were still childless, which seemed to contradict God s earlier promise to them. Today s passage will tell us how this problem was resolved. Second Reading: Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19 The author of the letter to the Hebrews frequently held up Old Testament heroes as models of faith. He did this because he was writing to a community whose faith was wavering. Today he presents, as examples, Abraham and Sarah whose faith had survived severe testing. Reflexion Fourth Sunday of Advent "John, the son of Zachary," to a world now awaiting its God, pleads for our final pre-christmas "make ready." "Make ready the way of the Lord, make straight His paths" (Gospel). Heroically, in the desert, he warns against the softness of life in the city, pictured in the background. Alive to the danger of a "soft garments" life, he is seen in a rough "garment of camel hair," carrying a baptismal shell, "preaching a baptism of repentance." Excerpted from My Sunday Missal, Confraternity of the Precious Blood Communion & Anointing of the Sick Please call the Rectory at 708-386- 8077 to let us know if you or a member of your family is in need of the sacrament of anointing of the sick or would like to have Holy Communion brought to your house or nursing home or both. Praying for the Sick In Our Parish Coletta Ali, Ernestine Bishop, Shelby Boblick, Jarrie Brown, Rev. John Carolan, Brittany Crayton, Michael Cypser, Lillian Czaplicki, Anita Evenson, Lorri Fisk, Marcus Hall, Phillip Jones, Donna Kanapes, Paul Koko, Kate Kroker, William Medor, Ron Page, Albert Parker, Charles Powell, Jr., Ann Protz, Elias Rojas, Carlton Shanks, Kate Shoevlin, Sue Vanek, and Diane Ward The name of your close relative will remain on this list for four weeks. After that, you will have to call us again to reinstate it into the list. If you wish to include a name of a sick member of your family here, please call Amanda at the rectory during office hours. Thank you. Remember a Loved One We have the 2018 Mass book available. Mass intentions are only $10.00. Please come to the Rectory to request your Masses. Remember your loved ones or any other special occasion. Bequests PLEASE consider remembering our parish in your will or trust. We have been blessed in the past by the generosity of so many parishioners and I am hopeful this will continue into the future. -Father George 27 W. Washington Blvd. Oak Park, IL 60302 708-386-5286 School News Our teachers and students are officially on a well-deserved Christmas break. We will all be back on Monday, January 8. We enjoyed celebrating the Christmas Eve Mass with you. Merry Christmas to our parish family! Thank you for all your love and support throughout the school year. Bible Study - Tuesdays 9:30 AM Please consider in joining us every Tuesday at 9:30 AM only for Bible Study in the Rectory. If you are trying to find answers to your daily life questions, or are willing to have an hour of peace and knowledge about our religion, please come. It is totally free. Update Personal Info We are asking you to please update us with your cell phone number and e-mail address. Many people have cancelled their landlines and have not given us their new number. Please contact Amanda at: 708-386-8077 or apomaredascsloffice@comcast.net Pray For Our Deceased Susan Miniscalco May she rest in peace! Daughter of our dear, kind, faithful, and faith-filled member Betty Goeb May the angels lead Susan into Paradise!
Page 6 December 24, 2017 God s Promise The lengthy passage from Samuel is a wonderful exposition of God s promise to the house of David: that his throne would forever be gloriously occupied by his descendants. Hidden in the mystery of the prophecy is the promise of the Savior, the Messiah, Son of God and Son of David. The prophet Nathan, speaking in God s name, poetically turns around David s plan to build a house for God, and announces God s plan to build a house, that is, a dynasty for David. From this house of David will come the Messiah, the Christ, not in kingly splendor as David ruled, but as a humble man, destined to rule forever and over all. When God gives a gift, it s amazing what we are given so different from what we ever could have imagined. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity JANUARY 18-25, 2018 Early in each new year, the Church enters into the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This year s observance, January 18-25, is meaningful on account of the October 31 reaffirmation of the covenant between the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Archdiocese of Chicago. It included a commitment to work together to diminish the violence that afflicts our communities. In this effort, praying together is essential. Resources for Catholic parishes and Christian congregations to pray for unity together can be found at www.geii.org/ week_of_prayer_for_christian_unity. To learn more about prayer services for unity taking place in and around Chicago during this week, visit www.archchicago.org/eia. Treasures From Our Tradition Children of the parish are somewhat focused on Santa Claus these days, who is keeping an eye on who s naughty and who s nice. Santa Claus, with his heavenly patron Saint Nicholas, has been more or less in charge of gift-giving to American children for a hundred years or so. In other places, perhaps more attentive to our Christian tradition, there are different giftbearers. In Greece, Saint Basil delivers the presents on his feast day, December 31, and makes sure everyone is sprinkled with holy water. The Baby Jesus is in charge elsewhere, called the Christkind in Austria and Belgium, El Niño Jesús in Peru, and Le Petit Jesus in France, where he shares his duties with Père Noël. In the Czech Republic almost everyone is atheist, but Ježíšek, the infant Jesus, brings gifts to one and all. In Poland the Star Man is said to bring the gifts, although often he turns out to be the village priest in disguise. Saint Nicholas, not his Americanized cousin, is the giver in Holland, where he wears a bishop s miter, and in Russia, where he wears a bishop s crown. Soviet Russia tried to dethrone Saint Nicholas and promote Grandfather Frost, but no one was much fooled by this attempt to squeeze religion out of Christ s birth. One country has a saintly woman in charge of the gifts, Saint Lucy, honored in Sweden on December 13, when children serve their parents breakfast in bed, and others awake to news that they have been nominated for a Nobel Prize. Some children have a second round of gifts on Epiphany, when the magi assume the gift-giving duties. In general, the gifts of Christmas are simple pleasures, not great heaps of treasures. Once upon a time, a new pair of socks or an orange was enough for us. No matter what gifts we receive, all of them are to point us to the true gift, and the true giver. Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Parish Calendars The new Parish 2018 Calendars have finally arrived! They will be available in the gathering area after all Masses this weekend-on. March for Life Mass & Rally January 14, 2018 Marching in peace through the streets of Chicago during an annual public event composed of people from diverse ethnic, social and religious backgrounds dedicated to defending and protecting all human life. Our goal is to serve as a visual and vocal reminder that the people of Chicago and the Midwest stand for LIFE. Rally The Rally will start from The Frances Xavier Warde Catholic School (Auditorium) on 751 North State Street Chicago, IL 60654 Doors open at 8 a.m. door and the rally will end at Holy Name Cathedral around 11 a.m., when Mass will be celebrated. Cost: $10 per ticket (lunch option is separate) Mass Cardinal Cupich will preside Mass starts at 11 a.m. at Holy Name Chicago Please visit www.marchforlifechicago.org/marchinfo/ for more information.
Page 7 December 24, 2017 Christmas 2017 Cardinal's le er to the Faithful Archdiocese of Chicago Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, In 1223, just two years before his death, Saint Francis of Assisi set up a living crèche, a replica of the manger in Bethlehem at the birth of Jesus. He preached and prayed before the scene. His biographer, Thomas of Celano, says that in that moment Francis was overwhelmed with love and filled with wonderful happiness. His contemplation of Jesus, the Word made flesh, drew him to experience the depth of God s love. We live in a troubled world beset by wars, violence, injustice, broken relationships, and illness. Beyond that, we do believe and are convinced that God loves us and walks with us in Jesus, his Son. As we know, God will heal us and our broken world and bring us into the fullness of life. It is my hope that when you pray before the mystery of the Incarnate Word, as Saint Francis prayed, you will be renewed in hope and confidence and be overwhelmed with love and filled with wonderful happiness. May God bless you with a renewal of faith, hope, and love as we celebrate the birth of the Lord. Sincerely yours in Christ, Cardinal Blase Cupich Archbishop of Chicago