DECEMBER 10, 2017 SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT St. Luke Parish Rev. Danilo Soriano Pastor Religious Education Tel: 630/665-2322 stlrfp@aol.com Parish Office Tel: 630/668-1325 Parish Office E-Mail: stloff@aol.com Website: www.stlukecarolstream.org NEWS OF COMFORT In a time of preparation, much of it having to do with material things, it is good to hear the words of Isaiah, Comfort, give comfort to my people, / says your God (Isaiah 40:1). In a time of such stress and rush, when our usual burdens are augmented by piles of Christmas preparations, we can choose to slow down, take some time to heal, and appreciate the enormous gift we are about to receive. Christ, the Son of God, has become one of us, and knows our human limitations. Yet God, even now, is freeing us from the burdens that our inattentiveness to our God and to our deepest inner longings have heaped upon us. The Lord comes, not as a king with mighty armies, but as a shepherd leading the flocks with care and tenderness. Isaiah prophesies good news: our oppression is over, our sins forgiven. The savior we have awaited is coming, not the first time, but in the end times, as our salvation. Mary Major in Rome has housed what is said to be relics of the cradle of Jesus since the seventh century. In time, every year during the Christmas season the reliquary (container for relics) was surrounded by an increasingly grand three-dimensional scene of the place of Jesus birth. Rocks and trees, houses, streams, figurines of villagers going about their daily tasks were all included. It was a very dramatic presentation. If you ve ever seen an elaborate model train installation, you get the idea. The proper term for this depiction is presepio, from the Latin word for surround or hedge. Over the centuries, the custom spread first to churches, and then to aristocratic homes. In Italy, whole chapels are often set aside for the presepio, and it is not unusual to have hundreds of figures. It can sometimes be a challenge to locate the Holy Family amid the crowd, almost like a Where s Waldo? children s book. The oldest surviving presepio is in St. Mary Major and dates from the thirteenth century, although many pieces have been broken or lost. Saint Francis of Assisi took a decidedly creative step in 1233 in the village of Greccio, when he directed his followers to fill a manger with hay and tether an ox and ass nearby. He then invited the villagers to attend Mass outdoors near the crib, the worshipers themselves becoming a living presepio. By the seventeenth century, the tradition was well-established, particularly in Naples, and had a firm hold in Portugal, Spain, and in the Provence region of France. Today, it is not unusual to find presepios with five hundred figures, a vivid reminder of Emmanuel, God-with-us! Rev. James Field, Copyright J. S. Paluch Co. Copyright J. S. Paluch Co., Inc. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Many people think that Saint Francis originated the Christmas crèche, but its origins go far back. The Basilica of St.
MASSES CELEBRATED DURING THE WEEK ARE HELD IN THE CHURCH SATURDAY DECEMBER 9 4:15 4:45pm Confessions 5:00 Gary Wleklinski req. by Betty Wleklinski SUNDAY DECEMBER 10 8:30am The People of St. Luke Parish 11:00 St. Luke Parish Memorial Society Please pray for the sick in our parish especially, Pat Angelo, Marge Austin, Yecenia Bosley, Disabled Vets, Angel Faulkner, Neal Hunter, Terri Miceli, Audrey Race, John Rossi, and Chris Rubino. Please remember our beloved dead and the men and women who have given their lives for our country. MONDAY DECEMBER 11 Mass will not be celebrated today TUESDAY DECEMBER 12 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 13 THURSDAY DECEMBER 14 FRIDAY DECEMBER 15 SATURDAY DECEMBER 16 2:00pm Baptisms 4:15 4:45 Confessions 5:00 Rita Lewek req. by her family SUNDAY DECEMBER 17 8:30am The People of St. Luke Parish 11:00 Stan Solkowski req. by Ann Solkowski and for Samantha Salazar req. by Elsa Salazar December 3, 2017 REG. CHURCH SUPPORT 136 SUN. ENVELOPE CONTRIBUTIONS =$3,960.00 LOOSE CONTRIBUTIONS =$ 163.50 TOTAL COLLECTION =$4,123.50 AVERAGE CONTRIBUTION =$ 30.31 FAITH COMMITMENT =$ 600.00 FINANCIAL FREEDOM =$ 540.69 CHRISTMAS FLOWERS =$ 20.00 Thank you so much for your on-going generous financial support of St. Luke Parish! Every amount contributed helps, so we respectfully ask that you continue to regularly use your church support envelopes. It is your generosity that allows us to do what we do. Please give as your financial needs allow.
TODAY S READINGS First Reading The rugged land shall be made a plain; the rough country, a broad valley (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11). Second Reading Conduct yourselves in holiness, hastening the coming of the day of God (2 Peter 3:8-14). Gospel I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:1-8). 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. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the Common of The Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk 1:46-50, 53-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES Since Christmas Eve is on a Sunday we have CHANGED the Sunday weekend schedule. Please keep this handy so you know when to attend Mass. If you are a minister or past minister and can help with the holiday Masses call the office at 630/668-1325 or email us at stloff@aol.com. Thank you for your help. CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE 2017 CHRISTMAS WEEKEND MASSES Saturday, December 23 Mass.5:00pm Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24 NO MORNING MASSES Masses...4:00 and 6:00pm Christmas Day, Monday, December 25 Masses...8:30 & 11:00am NEW YEAR S MASSES Saturday, December 30 Mass...5:00pm Sunday, December 31 Masses.8:30 & 11:00am New Year s Eve, Sunday, December 31 Mass.. 5:00pm SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Until Christ returns. Who shall we be and what shall we do while awaiting this Second Coming? Surely not standing around being idle. No at work! The Bible readings early in Advent urge us to be at these works: giving comfort, straightening out pathways (both figurative and real), repenting, living without spot or blemish. Saint Paul asks, What sort of person ought I be? How does my life point to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? What one act of mercy will I do this week? HO HO HO New Year s Day, Monday, January 1 Mass... 11:00am Christmas Eve and Day schedule for music at the Masses will be: 4:00pm Christmas Eve Hand Bell choir 6:00pm Christmas Eve RE Children s classes 8:00am Christmas Day St. Luke Choir 11:00am Christmas Day Filipino Choir Christmas Carols will be sung 20 minutes before all Mass. Don t forget to bring your bells on Christmas Day!
CCW CORNER SIMBANG GABI Save the date of Tuesday, January 23rd to join CCW for dinner and a great speaker. Kick off the new year with some thoughts on growing our spirits. The Director of Wheaton s Tau Center, Glenna Czachor, OSF will be our presenter. Look for more details soon about this free event. Simbang Gabi literally means evening or night Mass. It refers to the Philippine Catholic tradition of the novena, a series of nine dawn Masses usually celebrated during Advent from December 16th-24th, in preparation for Christmas Day. In the U.S., the practice of the Simbang Gabi has been adapted to local conditions, with the Mass being moved to the evening hours for practical reasons from December 15th-23rd. LUMINARIA PROJECT The Luminaria tradition is anything but local. It dates at least to early 17th century Spain. In one version, people burned cedar boughs along town paths, symbolically lighting the way to Bethlehem for Mary and Joseph. A slightly different version suggests that luminaria were intended to brighten the way for the Magi. The tradition is a feature of Christmas festivals in the American Southwest. On the weekend of December 16th and 17th, CCW will be selling Luminaria Kits after all masses. Each kit will contain 10 luminaries for a price of $5.00. We can celebrate the birth of Jesus by the light shining outside our homes and Church. CHILI COOK-OFF This tradition was introduced by the Spanish Friars in the Philippines in the 17th century, to allow the farmers before going to the fields and the fishermen as they come back from the sea; to attend mass. After Mass, families and friends enjoyed the native delicacies spread out on the grounds around the church, strengthening social and spiritual ties within the community. Please join the Filipino-American Association of Carol Stream as we celebrate this tradition at St. Luke Church on Saturday, December 16th at 7:00pm. There will be a reception in Jericho after the Mass. SNOW ANGELS ARE NEEDED We are looking for people who can help clear our walk ways when it snows. The more Angels we have, the less work for each of you. We have shovels and snow blowers, we just need the people. If you can help out, please call the office at 630/668-1325 and let us know or e-mail at stloff@aol.com and put snow angel in the subject line. Thank you!! The Boosters chili cook-off is coming back by popular demand! It will be on Sunday, January 28th at noon. So start thinking of a recipe if you would like to be a contestant. More info will follow at a later date, just wanted to make sure you had it on your calendar. Ask anyone who came last year, it was a lot of fun and lots of different chili s.
ABBEY FARMS Bring your family out for a fun day at our farm. We have expanded our farm this year in hopes of creating a better experience for families. Choose & Cut trees are $45 (standard) & $60 (premium) each, Fresh Precut Fir Christmas Trees at $9.00per foot. With each tree purchase receive 1 farm fresh made donut per guest and free hot chocolate. Your tree purchase also includes tree bailing and shaking. Seasonal store is open daily and full of unique and locally made gifts and crafts and Farm-made donuts. Our BRAND NEW Pine Tree Café will be open all weekends 10:00-6:00 offering delicious authentic, old-world food! Visit Santa from 11:00-2:00 on select weekends (check website for dates www.abbeyfarms.org). Abbey Farms is located at 2855 Hart Rd. in Aurora, 60502. They are open every day thru December 23 from 10:00am 7:00pm. If you would like more information please call 630/966-7775 or visit their website at www.abbeyfarms.org. A NEW START DANCE A New Year s Eve Dinner Dance will be held on Sunday, December 31st from 7:00pm to 12:30am at: St. Peter s Church 202 E. Schaumburg Road Schaumburg, IL Ring in the 2018 New Year and enjoy an evening of dining and dancing. Music by D.J. LTD Lou. A catered Buffet Dinner will be served including: wine, soft drinks, water, coffee, sweet table and champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $40 and need to be purchased in advance, so the caterer can have an idea of how much food to bring. Invite your friends! For tickets call: Joan Neville at: 847/397-9643 or Email: nevillejoan1@aol.com Make checks out to: A New Start and then mail to: A New Start C/O Joan Neville 212 Still Water Ct. Palatine, IL 60067 WELCOME VETERANS Carol Stream VFW Post 10396 now meets at St. Luke Parish on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm. Eligible Veterans please join us and help us help Vets in the local areas. THE GIVER Many Christian families struggle with what role if any Santa Claus should play in their Christmas celebrations. No matter what you decide, it s fascinating to know the history of the real-life St. Nicholas. Born about 270 A.D., Nicholas was a bishop in Myra, or modern-day Turkey. In the year 325, he was part of the Council of Nicaea, which produced the Nicene Creed. Nicholas, known for his generosity, often gave away his money anonymously. According to tradition, he secretly provided dowries for the three daughters of a bankrupt merchant. Nicholas threw two bags of gold through open windows and placed the third in a stocking hanging by the fireplace to dry. Thus began the Christmas tradition of placing gifts in stockings. St. Nicholas is quoted as saying, The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God s giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves. Copyright 2017 by Communication Resources. All rights reserved The Newsletter Newsletter (ISSN 0885-6966) is published monthly by Communication Resources, Inc. PO Box 36269, Canton OH 44735, Phone: 1-800-992-2144. E-mail: service@newsletternewsletter.com. Web site: www.newsletternewsletter.com.
A HOLINESS INVASION OUR GREATEST NEED If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. Advent means coming, of course, and the promise of Advent is that what is coming is an unimaginable invasion. The mythology of our age has to do with flying saucers and invasions from outer space, and that is unimaginable enough. But what is upon us now is even more so a close encounter not of the third kind but of a different kind altogether. An invasion of holiness. That is what Advent is about. Frederick Buechner, The Clown in the Belfry But our greatest need was forgiveness and acceptance, so God sent us a Savior. Author unknown Both articles on this page from Copyright 2017 by Communication Resources. All rights reserved The Newsletter Newsletter (ISSN 0885-6966) is published monthly by Communication Resources, Inc. PO Box 36269, Canton OH 44735, Phone: 1-800-992-2144. E-mail: service@newsletternewsletter.com. Web site: www.newsletternewsletter.com.