SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH 4th Sunday of Advent December 22, On Our Journey of Grace: Together We Can Make a Difference

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH 4th Sunday of Advent December 22, 2013 On Our Journey of Grace: Together We Can Make a Difference

MASS INTENTIONS FOR THE WEEK Monday, December 23 Saint John of Kanty, Priest 7:45 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Betty Grayhack Marie Kozlowski Pat McGrath Mike & Lynn Benz Joe & Barb De La Van Marge McGrath Tuesday, December 24 Christmas Eve 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Midnight Parishioners of St. Francis Xavier Mass at the Motherhouse Chapel Mass at the Motherhouse Chapel Mass in the Church Mass in the Church Wednesday, December 25 Christmas Day 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 Noon Mass in the Church Mass in the Church Mass in the Church Mass in the Church Thursday, December 26 Saint Stephen, The First Martyr 7:45 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Bill Lazzari Jacob Silver Liz Wilson Jim & Joan Potsch The Kisla Family Lillian Cunningham Friday, December 27 Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist 7:45 a.m. 9:00 a.m. Elaine Mance Julie Kraessig Tom & Jackie Morsch 59th Wedding Anniversary Mary Ann The Benz Family Robert & Jennifer Driscoll The Brogan Family Saturday, December 28 The Holy Innocents, Martyrs 9:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 4:15 4:45 p.m. Elaine Mahoney Joan Neff Phillipp Butler Sacrament of Reconciliation Sacrament of Reconciliation The Mahoney Family Dr. David & Nancy Hayden and Family The Byrnes Family Fr. Bacchi Fr. Hoffman Michael Briody Cathy Cunningham Judy Diekmann Blake Donegan Pat Eaton William Elliott Ellen Frantzen Cardinal Francis George Kathleen Gleason Claudia Gregory Lilli Gregory Wilson Gregory Genny Hanna Jane Jacobson Mike Kelly Benny Kilman Brian Konrad PLEASE PRAY FOR Rita McCambridge Moonyeen Meehan Tommy Meehan Joey Mercer Patrick Morgan Beth Mooney Ryker Mullinax Mark Ogan Sarah Schaefer Jodie Seffner Rosemary Sherman Michael Sullivan Anne Titzer Jean Troy Robbie Windleman Ed Wisnewski Prayers are requested for our relatives and friends who are sick. To add a name to the prayer list, call the rectory at 708 352 0168. Names of the sick are listed for two months in the bulletin. If there is a recurrence of illness, names can be listed again. Know that our parish prays daily for the sick and the dying. BORN INTO ETERNAL LIFE Please remember in your prayers, those who have died, as well as their families: Robert Cutter Father of Karen Maloney John Walsh, Sr. Father of John Walsh, Jr. WEDDINGS Julie Katsis & Mike Hacholski CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY The Rectory Office will close at 12:00 Noon on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24 and will be closed on Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25. We will reopen on Thursday, December 26 at 9:00 a.m.

PASTOR S NOTES I hope the season of Advent has given you a moment to ponder the depth of God s love, manifest in the Incarnation, Christ coming among us as one of us. If it hasn t yet, we still have a couple of days! Where ever you will be gathered and praying on Christmas, Blessed Christmas to all of you, to all of us. Thanks again for your stretching to help, to join in some way those who suffer from want. May we all keep trying to live the Gospel more fully in our lives, and make this world a better place to live. It isn t an option, but a necessary thing. Welcome home to those of you away at school and those of you coming home for Christmas. We gather as God s people, family and friends, parishioners, fellow journeymen. Always in God s presence. Merry Christmas! SCRIPTURE REFLECTION Advent is a time of preparation and waiting. As we prepare our homes to welcome extended family and friends, hopefully we are also preparing our hearts to receive the Gospel message of the Incarnation. When we are confused, insecure, and unsure, we often look for signs. Sometimes we re disappointed, sometimes not. Sometimes we try to reinterpret signs that are given to us, to affirm what we wanted. Joseph was sure of the righteous path, but was sent a sign to change course. Joseph, trusting the angel, trusting a dream, then did something that, although he was called to do it, wasn t easy. I often neglect signs that give me the righteous path because I risk persecution and humiliation. If we are to receive the grace of apostleship, as Paul references, we must trust God to guide us. This time of Advent reminds us of this trust. God s love for us is so deep that we have to trust the signs given to us that lead us on our path to deeper faith and joy. Have you ever experienced a gut feeling and later it was affirmed? Have you ever had a dream like Joseph that made you change your mind about something? When we trust and act on small signs, it becomes easier to trust and act on the bigger signs. As Christians, we celebrate the Incarnation on Christmas. Trusting in this and the Gospel, we are called to action. These past few months, I have been inspired by witnessing the Gospel in action at St. Francis Xavier Parish. As a parish, you respond in ways similar to Time s Person of the Year, our very own, Pope Francis. It has been said that Pope Francis is teaching us what it means to be Christian. It s easy to observe this in a public figure and to idealize their message. Your actions, reaching out in love and service to your neighbors, are not unnoticed. Yes, Pope Francis is very inspiring. Just as inspiring, is this community responding to the Incarnation, both during Advent and all year long. I am learning each day through your witness to the Gospel, what it means to be truly Christian.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE 2013 Christmas Eve 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. in Church are Masses for which tickets have been distributed Christmas Eve 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse Chapel Christmas Eve in Church 7:00 p.m. Midnight Mass in Church preceded by Christmas Carols at 11:30 p.m. Christmas Day in Church 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 Noon LEAVE A LEGACY We are grateful for the generous support that you give to St. Francis through your weekly contributions. Have you considered providing for the continuation of that support by including the parish in your Will? Bequests given to the parish through Wills are for the sole use of St. Francis Xavier Parish. To include the parish in your Will, the correct language is: I give (a percentage or amount) to the Catholic Bishop of Chicago A Corporation Sole, for the sole benefit of St. Francis Xavier Parish, LaGrange. Thanks for giving consideration to leaving a legacy! FOOD COLLECTION FOR MARILLAC HOUSE On Sunday, December 29, non perishable food donations will be collected for Marillac House. Donations can be left at the side trancepts in church. THE CHRISTMAS WAFER The Christmas Wafer (also known as Oplatki ) will be available in the Rectory during office hours Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Sunday between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. If you would like to make a free will offering it would be appreciated. The word Bethlehem means the house of bread. The breaking of the bread is a sign of charity, unity and friendship. Religious family customs bring the truths of faith into the home. One of these beautiful Christmas Eve customs is the Christmas Wafer. The thin wafer bearing the Christmas characters is broken by the head of the family and distributed to each member. With a simple prayer for God s grace and the welfare of all members of the family, those present as well as those who are absent, the head of the house breaks the wafer and distributes it, one piece to each person at the table. While doing so, each member of the family is kissed and wished a joyful feast. Members then greet one another in the same way. The spiritual lesson in this age old custom is that the unity of the family is grounded in God s love for us. May you experience unity and love through this simple celebration.

ABOUT DOMESTIC ABUSE AND THE HOLIDAYS From the St. Francis Xavier Parish Domestic Violence Ministry St. Francis Xavier is committed to serving the needs of the abused in our parish and beyond. For more information on our efforts, please call: 708 352 0168. The holidays can mean festivities and family gatherings. But for families already dealing with domestic abuse, the holidays and periods of economic stress may trigger abuse. Domestic abuse is often linked to power and control. During the holidays, a partner might want to spend more time with their family or be around other people, and that can be very threatening for the partner who is the abuser who feels threatened or powerless in a relationship. During the holiday season, people are motivated to keep the status quo. People don't want to leave their families or break up their families in the middle of the holidays. It's actually after the holidays end in January and February that there is a greater increase in the reports of abuse. Let us pray for those in abusive relationships and offer a prayer of hope: A Prayer for Hope God, we are frightened and to you alone we cry out for mercy mercy and grace amazing grace, grace that is able to supply all our needs. We stand humbly at the door of your mercy and knock. You have promised to be always close to our heart s door and we open it wide to you now. Please come in, transform the darkness with your light fill the void with your presence offer us a refuge, a safe place to hide take our mustard seed faith and make it bloom so that all may know that you are God. Call 911 if you feel you are in immediate danger. If you or someone you know needs help, call a 24 hour hotline: Pillars: 708 485 5254 Family Shelter Services: 630 469 5650 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800 799 7233 (SAFE) Your Parish Finances Thank you for your ongoing and generous support. Due to publication deadlines we will not be reporting collection results until the New Year. We wish you and your family a happy and holy Christmas! May all the joys of the season be yours! TAX-ADVANTAGED WAY TO SUPPORT THE PARISH Have you considered making a donation of appreciated common stock? Gifts of appreciated securities provide an immediate income tax deduction in the amount of the value of the stock and are not subject to capital gains tax. For more details, please call Clara Jurivich at the rectory office 708 352 0168. This article is not intended to provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your professional advisors before taking action. 2013 ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL UPDATE DOUBLE CREDIT FOR COMPLETING PLEDGES IS NOW AVAILABLE Thanks to your generosity, we have exceeded our goal for the 2013 Annual Catholic Appeal. The Parish s goal for the 2013 Campaign was $100,819. Through November 19 th $146,226 had been paid; $9,407 in pledges were still outstanding. Please complete any outstanding pledge payments in the next month or so. As you know, the Parish receives a 100% rebate of any amount over goal actually paid into the Appeal. As we are over goal, there will be double credit for these pledge completions. That is, SFX will get credit for exceeding its goal on the 2013 Appeal but 100% of remaining pledges fulfilled will come to the Parish. As we take steps toward our 125 th Anniversary Capital Campaign which you have been hearing about, please know that the Parish will not be expected to participate in the 2014 Annual Catholic Appeal. Thanks for your generosity and consideration!

St. Francis Xavier School 2013 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence DECEMBER FAMILY MINISTRY EVENT On Tuesday, December 31, 2013, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is the place to come to finish up a great year in service! We have reserved 50 spots from 12:00 2:00pm at FMSC in Aurora and need to fill them all! At FMSC the two hour session begins with an orientation. From there meals are packed by hand for the world s hungriest children, and some moments of prayer and reflection end the session. Children ages 5 and above are welcome with their parents. For more info please visit the website at www.fmsc.org. To register, please contact Rachel Peterson with questions at petersonrtw@sbcglobal.net School Scoop Christmas Break No School Monday, December 23 Friday, January 3 rd Classes resume Monday, January 6, 2014 We wish you a most wonderful Christmas and New Year! May the newborn Christ fill your hearts and homes with light, hope and peace. Join friends, neighbors and alumni for an evening of spirited live and silent auction bidding, exciting raffles, great refreshments and live music. SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, April 5, 2014 This is a special evening for all and a terrific way to support our school. Tickets will be available in February. Let the good times roll! Pledge Forms for item/service donations, sponsorships and advertising are available in the rectory. Please contact Becca Merchant at 708.354.7725 with any questions. Thank you for your support!

SUNDAYS SCHOOL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION WEDNESDAYS December 22 December 29 January 5 January 12 January 19 January 26 No Class No Class At Home Lesson Class Class At Home Lesson December 25 January 1 January 8 January 15 January 22 January 29 No Class No Class At Home Lesson Class Class At Home Lesson * * * * CHILDREN S LITURGY OF THE WORD The Word of the Lord has a message for children as well as adults. Children s Liturgy of the Word offers the children an experience to hear the scripture in words that they can understand. Here at St. Francis we are fortunate and proud to have adult volunteers and Presiders of Liturgy who journey with our children so that they can experience the Word of the Lord with a message that is relevant and fitting for them. Our Saturday evening 5:00 p.m. Mass offers the opportunity for children in Grades Kindergarten Fourth to experience hearing and reflecting on the Word of the Lord in a way that is an empowering experience. Children in these grades are invited to follow their Reflectors of the Word to a prayer space away from the gathered assembly to hear the Scriptures in words they can understand. Children s Liturgy of the Word takes place in church whenever the children s choirs lead us in song/prayer. The Scriptures we hear will then be taken from the Children s Lectionary and the homily will be given in a way that children are able to relate to a little more readily. The children in Grades K 4 will go to their prayer space on the Saturdays that the choirs are not singing. Here is the tentative schedule: January 4 Cherub Choir and January 11 SF Choristers February 1 Cherub Choir and February 8 SF Choristers March 15 SF Choristers and March 22 Cherub Choir April 12 SF Choristers (Palm Sunday Weekend regular readings) April 26 SF Choristers Children in Grades K 4 will be invited to join their Reflectors in a prayer space away from the adults and to hear The Word of The Lord in words they can better understand on the following Saturdays (subject to change): January 18, 25; February 15, 22; March 1, 8 and April 5 You can call 708 352 0168 and direct your questions to: Terri Simeoni, RE Coordinator or Allen Sterwalt, Director of Music

QUEST SKI TRIP Save the date! St. Francis Xavier teens are invited to join the Archdiocese of Chicago on the annual ski trip. This is an overnight event from Friday evening, January 31, 2014 through Saturday morning, February 1, 2014. Registration information will be available starting Tuesday, December 17 at the rectory and online. KAIROS Save the date! Current juniors and seniors are eligible to attend Kairos on March 14 17, 2014. Current sophomores, juniors and seniors are eligible to attend Kairos on July 31 August 3, 2014. Mark your calendars! Stay tuned for registration information! St. Francis Xavier Parish has had a number of teens participate in the Peacebuilders Initiative at Catholic Theological Union. The Peacebuilders Initiative is looking for high school students with vision and enthusiasm, who also believe in peace building and reconciliation to participate in this program next summer. Sophomores and juniors interested in faith development, prayer life, and reflection are encouraged to learn more about the components of the Peacebuilders Initiative by contacting Nellie Pearson at 708 352 3567 or emailing nmpearson@ameritech.net. Also, please visit the Peacebuilders website at www.peacebuilders.org. NOW IS THE TIME TO CHOOSE YOUR PATH. TEST WITH US! NAZARETH ACADEMY 2014 ENTRANCE EXAM Saturday: January 11, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. Please bring two No. 2 pencils $25 Exam Fee No calculators No pre registration required Exam concludes at 11:30 a.m. Optional Parent Gathering, 8:15 9:15 a.m. Q & A Session with refreshments Nazareth Academy, a Catholic, coeducational, college preparatory high school serving families from 55 communities and over 100 grade schools in Chicago and the western suburbs, established in 1900 and sponsored by the Congregation of St. Joseph, values scholarship, service, spirit, and unity. Nazareth is located at 1209 West Ogden Avenue in La Grange Park. For further information please visit us at www.nazarethacademy.com or call Kristen Stojetz at 708 387 8505. NEED A NEW YEAR S RESOLUTION? CONSIDER GETTING INVOLVED & SHARING SOME TIME AND TALENT There are many ways to get involved at St. Francis Xavier Parish. Just jump onto the parish website, sfx lg.org, and click on parish ministries. You will find lots of opportunities to get connected and meet new people. St. Francis Xavier Parish could not be the vibrant community it is without the time and talent of many wonderful volunteers. If you are already serving in some way, thank you! If not, please consider it. The parish website, under parish ministries and getting involved contains information about where volunteers are needed and time commitments. Consider sharing your gifts in any of the following areas: Worship Mass Greeters, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers, Liturgy Planners, Altar Committee, etc. Parish Life support any organization of the parish Music Cantors, the Celebration Ensemble, the Gallery Choir, the Men s Schola, the Resurrection Choir, the Spirit Choir, the Cherub Choir (Grades 1 3), the SF Choristers (Grades 4 8), Instrumentalists Human Concerns the Food Pantry, Peace & Justice Initiatives, Ministry of Care, Bereavement Ministry, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, etc. Education Support the Work of the SFX School Board, the Family and School Association, the Religious Education Program, become a Catechist, assist with SPRED the Special Religious Education Program, support Quest Youth Ministry, support Young Adult Ministry (20s & 30s) Service to the Parish Edythe Gardening, the Mary Garden, the VOICE Newsletter, Rectory Office Helpers, the Parish Website For any questions about getting connected or volunteering, please contact the coordinator listed on the website, or Maryanne Kelly at mkelly@sfxlg.org or 708-366-0545. MIGHT YOUR GIFTS INCLUDE NEWSLETTER LAYOUT? The VOICE, the SFX Parish Newsletter which is published three time a year, is in need of someone to help with its layout and design. If that is your gift and you might be able to help, please contact Kate DeVries, director of Pastoral Ministries, at kdevries@sfxlg.org or 708 352 0168.

SAVE THE DATE! Come join us for an evening of sacred choral Christmas music on Saturday, January 4 th at 7:00 p.m. Music will be performed by both SFX Children s Choirs, the Celebration Choir, and Gallery Choir, with the sounds of harp, percussion, organ and piano. This special evening will also include congregational carols and will end with a beautiful candlelight service, sending you home with hearts filled of peace and joy. An opportunity for a free will offering will be made available at all of the exits of the church. Your generous offering will go towards the SFX Music Ministry, which helps us to continue providing wonderful music for your spiritual prayer needs within worship on Sundays as well as special musical events such as this one. We hope to see all of you there for a wonderful evening of music featuring your own SFX Music Ministry!

CATHOLIC WOMEN S CLUB NEWS All women of the parish are members of the Catholic Women s Club. If you would like to get involved or if you would like to receive monthly newsletters about our upcoming events via email, please contact Jana Fix at fixlupo@yahoo.com. SAVE THE DATE ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC WOMEN S CLUB PRE-LENTEN LUNCHEON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2014 THE WESTIN LOMBARD YORKTOWN CENTER If you are interested in supporting the Luncheon with a raffle item donation, please contact the raffle committee at: Tricia Demuth, 708 828 4908, Jill Holtz, 708 579 0217, and Nancy Owen, 773 263 2950. Suggestions include sporting event tickets, theater tickets, spa certificates, jewelry, purses, cooking gadgets, etc. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY The St. Vincent de Paul Society s next meeting will take place on Monday, January 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Rectory Courtyard Room. The St. Francis Xavier Peace and Justice Committee will meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the rectory. For more information, please contact Sr. Dorothy Lynch at 708 387 7234. ST. FRANCIS XAVIER SCRIPTURE STUDY Reflecting on the Art of the St. John s Collegeville Bible Thursday Mornings 9:45 11:15 East Rectory Meeting Room January 23 April 24 All are welcome! Topics Wisdom of Solomon Elijah the Prophet The Prophetess Huldah Chronicles Nehemiah Esther Maccabbes TO REGISTER: Contact Sr. Marianne Race, CSJ mrace@csjoseph.org 708 387 1352 Free Will Offering Cost for Study Text: $15.00 Please bring your personal copy of the Bible

Please Pray For...all those serving in the military including: David Tapia, U.S. Army husband of Marie Tapia Major Ryan Boyle brother of Mark Boyle Sgt. David Phillips brother of Rebecca Casiple U.S. Army Captain Eric L. Tharp husband of Elizabeth Tharp Lance Cpl. Matthew Yonkman son of Brian & Cindy Yonkman, friend of the Tvrdik family Commander Robert O Donnell son of Robert & Agnes O Donnell Staff Sgt. Bryan Pickens, U.S. Army Airborne Ranger 1-75th Ranger Battalion RGR REGT son of Rob & Bernadette Pickens, brother of Robert & Gabriel Sgt. Connor Murray, USAF friend of the Lawless and McCormick families Lt. Christopher Ocasio, U.S. Army friend of the Berger Family U.S. Navy David Michael DiSanto grandnephew of Sr. Mary Ricardo DiSanto, CSJ Staff Sgt. Rhonda Russell, USAF daughter of Deidre & John Russell and granddaughter of Mary F. Russell Sgt. Steven Sanders, USMC grandnephew of Marie & Genevieve Franciscus U.S. Navy James Lynch & Christopher Cugier, Air Force cousin and nephew of Sr. Helen Sullivan Ensign Jonathan Devitt Brown nephew to the Devitt Family LCPL Gregory Allen, USMC nephew of Barbara Triggs & Anthony Anscombe Petty Officer 3rd Class ISP, Alex Anderson, U.S. Navy niece of Dan & Erin Cooke Kevin Peterson, U.S. Army Infantry, Major Marcos Melendez, USMC and Major Michelle Melendez, USMC son, nephew and niece of Jon Peterson Capt. Ed O Connell, USMC nephew of Tim & Nancy O Connell Lance Cpl. Nolan Kemna, USMC nephew of John & Linda Hill Lt. Col. William Kelly brother of Jim Kelly Capt. Maura Hoffman & Capt. Christopher Hoffman niece and nephew of Margie & Steve Hull and cousins of Kate, Janie & Caroline Hull Sgt. Keith Brogdon dear friend of Mary Ellen Fitzhugh Phil Lukanich, U.S. Navy husband of Joanna, son of Mark & Martie Lukanich PFC Phillip G. Carr friend of Laurel & Ken Karlo 1st Lt. Greg Pavich, USMC cousin of Jessica Miller Master Sgt. Andrew Lang son of Marge & Ray Lang Col. Joe Barker, U.S. Army husband of Rita and Father of Brian, Maureen, Martha & Keara Airman Ryan A. Ehlers, USAF, Okinawa, Japan Nephew of Dawn Zimmermann Scott Conway, U.S. Navy nephew of Robert Dunne & Mark Conway Please inform us of others serving in the military...and let us know when friends and loved ones return from deployment overseas. Email the bulletineditor@sfxlg.org

LITURGICAL MINISTERS SCHEDULE DECEMBER 28-29, 2013 Mass Time Presider Lectors/ Commentators Ministers of Communion Altar Servers Cantors Greeters 5:00 PM Fr. Killeen TBA K. Heit C. Anderson B. Medlock K. Medlock D. Mulvenna 7:30 AM Fr. Bacchi TBA G. Rutkowski S. Szulc J. Van Gorp 9:00 AM Fr. Killeen TBA M. Lukanich J. McLaughlin B. McMahon D. Carlson J. Cogelja P. Ferrano C. Froemel E. Froemel N. Kalkowski L. Krepps C. Zadeik 10:30 AM Fr. Hoffman TBA O. Lastres C. LeBar S. Martin J. Nowak L. Ovnik K. Parisi K. A. Pucci M. Ritchie A. Saladino P. Saladino L. Weyrauch 12:00 PM Fr. Killeen TBA L. Donegan B. Edelmann K. Johnson M. Jordan N. Kampe A. Sullivan S. Skrypek C. Weismantel L. Bock M. Lenti M. Kelly C. Paliakas D. Titzer I. Havenaar B. Miller J. Walls M. Merchant W. Duffy E. Murphy S. Veome K. Kelly S. Devitt K. DeVries J. Anderson B. Foley J. Burson P. McCaffray M. Joscelyn C. Aronson J. Svehla 6:00 PM Fr. Hoffman Quest Teen Quest Teens Spirit Choir READINGS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 22, 2013 Sunday: Is 7:10 14/Rom 1:1 7 Monday: Mal 3:1 4, 23 24/Lk 1:57 66 Tuesday: 2 Sm 7:1 5, 8b 12, 14a, 16/Lk 1:67 79 Wednesday: Is 52:7 10/Heb 1:1 6/Jn 1:1 18 or 1:1 5, 9 14 Thursday: Acts 6:8 10; 7:54 59/Mt 10:17 22 Friday: 1 Jn 1:1 4/Jn 20:1a, 2 8 Saturday: 1 Jn 1:5 2:2/Mt 2:13 18 Next Sunday: Sir 3:2 6, 12 14/Col 3:12 21 or 3:12 17/Mt 2:13 15, 19 23

Pastoral Ministry Pastor Rev. John R. Hoffman Associate Pastors Rev. Robert Bacchi Rev. William Killeen Deacon Mr. Andrew Allison Director of Pastoral Ministries Dr. Kate DeVries Weekend Sacramental Ministers Rev. James O Connor Rev. Keith Muccino, S.J. Lay Ministers Mrs. Margaret Branecki Mr. Robert O Malley Education Ministry Day School Principal Ms. Debra Rodde Assistant Principal Mrs. Donielle Jarzen Day School Secretaries Mrs. Peggy Evans (Main Campus) Mrs. Mary Hoffman (Main Campus) Mrs. Kathie Kinahan (East Campus) Tuition Accounts Mrs. Clara Jurivich Rel Ed Coordinator/Sacrament Prep Ms. Terri Simeoni Religious Education Office Staff Mrs. Cindy Johnson Mrs. Lucile Nichol Youth Ministry Director Ms. Emily Brabham Music Ministry Directors Mr. Allen Sterwalt Mr. Jeremy Michor (Spirit Choir) Mrs. Micki Doherty (Spirit Choir) Associate Musicians Mrs. Ann Maney Mr. Bob Voves Parish Office Staff Business Manager Mrs. Clara Jurivich Parish Accountant Mrs. Jane Bandyk Pastor s Secretary Mrs. Maureen Pipal Parish Secretary Mrs. Melissa Westerhoff Staff Secretary Ms. Debra Soulje Food Pantry Coordinator Mrs. Mary Freeman CONTACT INFORMATION Parish Office 124 N. Spring...708 352 0168 St. Francis Xavier Day School...708 352 2175 School of Religious Education...708 352 4555 S.P.R.E.D. (Special Religious Education)...708 352 0168 Fax Number...708 352 4904 e Mail...sfxinlg@sfxlg.org Parish Web Site...www.sfx lg.org LITURGY SCHEDULE Monday through Friday...7:45 and 9:00 a.m. Saturday...9:00 a.m. Sabbath Liturgy Saturday 5:00 p.m. Sunday 7:30, 9:00, 10:30 a.m.,12:00 Noon and 6:00 p.m. Holy Days of Obligation as scheduled in bulletin. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday morning....after 9:00 a.m. Mass Saturday afternoon..... 4:15 4:45 p.m. The Reconciliation room is located off the walkway behind the tabernacle prayer area. INFANT BAPTISMS Please call the Parish Office for scheduled 1:30 p.m. Sunday Baptismal dates. Baptism Preparation Classes: 4th Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. We encourage participation in this program before the baby s birth or adoption. MARRIAGE Please call the rectory office at the time of your engagement to schedule your wedding. We ask that you are a registered parishioner for 6 months before requesting your wedding date. Saturday wedding times are 1:00, 3:00 and 6:30 p.m. Rehearsals are usually scheduled on Friday evening. Some Fridays and Sundays are also available, but these days and times are limited. We do not schedule weddings during Lent. We are glad to review possible dates with the bride or groom. Please schedule the church before you sign a contract with a banquet facility. FOOD PANTRY The St. Francis Food Pantry is open every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. The pantry serves clients who live in the 60525 and 60526 zip codes. Contact Mary Freeman at 708 352 0168 or mfreeman@sfxlg.org if you would like more information. HOME OR HOSPITAL VISITATION & COMMUNION CALLS If you would like a priest or Minister of Care to visit, please contact the Parish Office directly. In the case of hospitalization, specifically request that the hospital contact the parish. Hospitals do not routinely inform churches of admissions due to Privacy Laws. PARISH COUNSELOR All counseling services are confidential, respectful, understanding, and take place in a safe environment. Counseling and psychotherapy services are available for individuals, couples, and families experiencing difficulty with anxiety, depression, grief, relationship conflicts, work stress or job loss problems, or feelings of being overwhelmed. For further information or to make an appointment, call our parish counselor, Karen Held, 773 643 6259, ext. 31 at the Claret Center. BULLETIN DEADLINE The deadline for submitting all bulletin articles is 9:00 a.m. on the Monday preceding the Sunday of publication. If a holiday falls on a Monday, articles are due by 12:00 Noon on the previous Thursday. All articles must be emailed to bulletineditor@sfxlg.org.

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