January 1, 2017 - Mary, The Holy Mother of God ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CATHOLIC CHURCH 203 EAST MAIN ST., PO BOX 730, TEUTOPOLIS, IL 62467
St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 2 From the Pastor The parishioners of St. Francis extend our sympathies to the families of Dolores Kingery and Verena Quatman. Both ladies were buried from St. Francis this past Friday. Sister Death embraced Dolores on the day before Christmas, and she embraced Verena on the day after Christmas. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. Our Catholic Church has 6 holy days of obligation during the year, and one of them is today, 1 January. We celebrate it not because it is New Year s, but we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. On next Sunday, 8 January, we will celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, and on Monday, the 9 th, the church will celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. This will mark the official end of the Christmas season. Ordinary time continues on Tuesday, 10 January. It has been quite a celebration of Christmas! Can you imagine if our parish were growing, and all of our Sunday Masses were like the 4 o clock Mass Christmas Eve?! Imagine that you would have to get to Mass early each Sunday if you wanted to get a seat! Coming home for Christmas and being with family and friends again is all part of the season. As far as I know, everyone had safe travels. Much to be grateful for. I am leaving this Wednesday for a retreat with Navy chaplains and several days vacation. I ll visit Navy families in different Florida cities. Will be good to renew some friendships. Please keep me in your prayers for safe travel. Thank you. MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD "And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart." Supernatural communication was nothing new for Mary. The angel Gabriel had already appeared and spoken to her when she agreed to bear God's Son. Her husband Joseph also had a kind of divine intervention in the dream where the angel told him to go ahead and marry her. When she was first pregnant, her cousin Elizabeth had been led by the Holy Spirit to know the secret that Mary was "the mother of my Lord" (Lk 1:43). Now, Jesus has just been born and a crew of earthy shepherds appears at her door with a message from heaven: that the Savior has been born. And Mary believed them. She did not doubt their sincerity or the authenticity of their message. She took the words to heart, and meditated upon the meaning of it all. What might strike us as peculiar in all of this is that God chose to speak to Mary in a variety of ways. This holy and immaculate woman, this Mother of God, did not always receive direct communication from on high. Sometimes, God chose to speak to her through other people. Sometimes, he revealed himself to them in order to reveal himself to her. And God does the same with us. It's easy to daydream about having our own personal revelation from God, to hear his voice loud and clear, directing, encouraging, and supporting us in our times of need and confusion. But this isn't the standard pattern of God's operation. Mary was tuned in enough to hear God's voice all around her instead of expecting it to always sound the same. We can imitate this same kind of openness by seeking to discover how God may be speaking to us through the voices of others. Solemnity of Mary: Rules for the journey. As the people of the Hebrews moved from Egypt in their desert passage to the Promised Land, they understood and believed that God alone is the source of blessing. Blessing becomes effective when (1) it is spoken and (2) it is followed by some action confirming the blessing. As we journey in Christian living, as we travel to heaven, our real home, let us be amazed at what we see and hear - just like the Mother of God and the hastening shepherds. Let us sing the refrain of Psalm 67: May God bless us in his mercy. Then, let us act to confirm it. What acts will I resolve to continue in this new year? What Christian behavior will I start anew? How can I be merciful on this common journey to heaven s home? January 23 Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn - in remembrance of the Roe v. Wade abortion decision, we are asked to observe a day of penitential prayer and fasting. In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion. (GIRM, no. 373) St. Francis Church will have a special pro-life Mass at 6:30 PM on Mon, Jan. 23 rd. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Mass Intentions Monday, January 2, 6:30: Betty Koeberlein-Schottman Monday, January 2, 12:10: IAD Tuesday, January 3, 6:30: Henry Hoene Tuesday, January 3, 7:55: Cac Dang Linh Hon Wednesday, January 4, 6:30: Bernard and Betty Koeberlein Wednesday, January 4, 7:55: IAD Thursday, January 5, 6:30: Joseph Buscher Thursday, January 5, 12:10: Betty Koeberlein-Schottman Friday, January 6, 6:30: Vincent Huelsing Friday, January 6, 7:55: IAD Saturday, January 7, 8:00: Madonna Lustig Saturday, January 7, 4:30: Raymond and Virginia Probst Sunday, January 8, 6:30: Pauline Hardiek Sunday, January 8, 8:30: Pro Populo Sunday, January 8, 10:30: Living and Deceased C D of A Members
January 1 2017 - Mary, The Holy Mother of God page 3 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Liturgy Schedule Octave of Christmas January 2-8 St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen Mass at 6:30 am & 12:10 pm The Most Holy Name of Jesus Mass at 6:30 & 7:55 am St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Mass at 6:30 & 7:55 am St. John Neumann Mass at 6:30 am & 12:10 pm St. Andre Bessette Mass at 6:30 & 7:55 am St. Raymond of Penyafort Mass at 8:00 am & 4:30 pm The Epiphany of the Lord Mass at 6:30, 8:30, 10:30 am Parish Calendar Monday, January 2 Parish office closed Tuesday, January 3 Secular Franciscans meet, 6:00pm, St. Clare Wednesday, January 4 Rosary, 8:00pm, Chapel Thursday, January 5 Confessions, 3:00-4:00pm Baptism Prep, 7:00pm, St. Clare Saturday, January 7 Confessions, 3:00-4:00pm FOCCUS, 5:30pm, St. Clare Sunday, January 8 Epiphany program after 10:30 Mass - Social following in St. Clare Secular Franciscans meet, 2:00pm, Church and St. Clare Confession Schedule Thursday, January 5-3:00-4:00 pm Saturday, January 7-3:00-4:00 pm Liturgy of the Hours with Friars Monday-Friday -- 11:45 am & 4:45 pm Special Collection Next weekend, we will take up a collection for Catholic Times, our local diocesan newspaper. Please use the envelope in your set. Pray for the Sick Please remember in your prayers: Jack Hardiek, Lucille Worman, Agnes Kremer, Devin Mette, Harold Hardiek, Margaret Pruemer, Will Niccum, Joe Ruholl, Bill and Rosie Myers, Emily (Heuerman) McCabe, Lorraine Deters, Claude and Geraldine Brumleve, Craig Lindvahl, Scott Repking, Andrea Wernsing, Elizabeth Weidner, Paula Spencer, Martha Wente, Betty Borries, Jody Furlano, Mark Roedl, JoAnn Deters, Elizabeth Waldhoff, Linus Willenborg, Dorothy Gardewine, Cheryl Woodard, Norma Weber, James Jake Niemeyer, Pat Poston, Kathryn Wesselman, Betty Runde. Stewardship of Treasure Contribution amounts will be printed in next week s bulletin. ASSISI FOR AFRICA Pictured is Tshitshi Tshibangu, one of the newest boys. His mother died and his father left him in the market place. He wants to return to Lubumbashi where he has a cousin. Good news from Fr. Damien: These months have been lived in soul searching and even anguish because of being so far from the Congo. Many people have helped me in many ways and I am profoundly grateful. This morning my visa arrived and I will plan my return to the Congo as soon as possible. Praise the Lord with me. Damien Baptism Prep Our next Baptism Prep is scheduled for Thursday, January 5, 7:00 pm, St. Clare Hall. Please call the parish office to register, 857-6404. Marriage Preparation Foccus is scheduled for Saturday, January 7, 5:30 pm, St. Clare Hall. Call 857-6404 to register. Pre-Cana is scheduled for Sunday, January 29. Please call 857-6404 to register. Attention Homebound Holy Communion will be brought to you on First Friday, January 6th. No Communion to you on Sunday, January 8th.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 4 GRADE SCHOOL Religious Education Staff, Catechists, Mass Supervisors, and all helpers wish parishioners, parents, and children a blessed New Year! School and religion classes resume on Wednesday, January 4. Religious Education News and Youth Notes HIGH SCHOOL We will be resuming high school religious ed classes on January 11! All students are welcome to attend regardless of whether they attended first semester. See you then! PRE-KDGN. Sunday morning classes resume on January 8 with the Epiphany program. JUNIOR HIGH Classes resume on Wednesday, January 11. Attention All Parishioners Campbell Soup Company has discontinued their label program - but are giving us until July, 1, 2017 to turn in late labels for credit. With this credit, we purchase items for our Mission bake sales. YOUTH NOTES CHWC Meeting is scheduled for January 5 at 7 m. Please bring your Taste of T-Town Tickets and your Patio Swing Raffle Tickets to this meeting. RCIA Monday night sessions resume on January 9, 2017. Our topic will be: The Early Church. If you, or someone you know, is interested in receiving more information on the Catholic Church and what it teaches, please contact Sr. Pierre, 857-6404. Taste of T-Town Tickets are ON SALE NOW!! Taste of T-Town will be held on January 14 and all CHWC campers have tickets for sale! You can also purchase them at the parish office, Niebrugge Financial or after Masses on weekends this month! We have a great line up & we can't wait for this awesome event! Scrip Business of the Month is Designs Unlimited! Check out their T-Town apparel and their customized possibilities! Designs Unlimited is owned by Scott & Tina Brumleve. Thanks for being part of the Scrip Program! God Bless Those Serving our Country. Anthony Vahling, Jeremy Deters, Caleb Hoene, Cody Bushue, Leighton Blankenship, Jared Apke You Can Help Your Marriage 25% of surveyed couples say they are Happily Married. For everyone else there is Retrouvaille. Are you frustrated, hurt or angry with each other? Are you constantly fighting? Or do you simply shut down? Have you thought about separation or divorce? Does talking only make it worse? For information on the Retrouvaille Program, visit the website www.helpourmarriage.com or call 1-800-470-2230. The next program begins the weekend of February 3, 2017. Worldwide Marriage Encounter And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us! Give your children the best gift of all - the growing love of their parents. Explore more by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend on February 3-5, 2017. To register or for more information call 314-649-7317 or go online to www.stl-wwme.org. New Registered Families We welcome those who recently registered with St. Francis Parish. Derek and Angela (Fuesting) Brumleve and daughter, Olivia Gina (Kreke) and Christopher Copenbarger Timothy and Kelsey (Bierman) Runde and son, Noah Blake and Hannah (Dust) Schumacher and son, Carter Darren and Brooke (Mendenhall) Zerrusen Baptisms We welcome those recently baptized into our Catholic faith. Adeline Rose Esker, daughter of Nicholas and Susan (Kistner) Esker Mack Mathew Ruholl, son of Shane Ruholl and Samantha Richardson
January 1, 2017 - Mary, The Holy Mother of God page 5 Ministry Schedule for January Servers: Please pick up your schedule from a church entrance. *Toby McMahon Karen Pruemer Tess Probst Janet Dhom 8:30 am Sunday *Lisa Starwalt Margie Meyer Chad Hewing Mary Flach 1/1 No Liturgy 1/8 No Liturgy Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Kent Probst Mary Jane Renschen Denise Weichman Lynn Semple Donna Niemerg Carol Schumacher Jane Ruholl Emily Kreke 6:30 am Sunday *Reta Swingler Sharon Wente Tammy Willenborg 10:30 am Sunday *Chuck Deters Rick Schumacher Margie Heuerman Lauren Jansen Children s Liturgy of the Word 10:30 am Sunday Marita Weber Jason Breer Sharon Brummer Sarah Hewing Darlene Buehnerkemper Karen Ruholl Liz Kremer Rich Walk 1/15 Maureen Habing 1/22 Monica Feldhake 1/29 Rachael Chamberlain Kdgn/PreSchool Aides for January8, 15, 22, 29 Alexis Ordner, Leah Stone, Bailey Niccum, Macie Weichman 1/7 Charles Semple 1/14 Andy Habing 1/21 Kyle Jansen 1/28 Tim Hemmen 8:30 am Sun. 1/8 Ryan Jansen 1/15 David J. Zerrusen 1/22 Dave Meyer 1/29 Cory Wermert *Tony Runde Brian Drees Mike Gaddis Bill Runde, Jr. Charles Semple Glen Waldhoff Denise Will Jim Quatman 6:30 am Sun. *Mark Willenborg Martin Hutmacher Don Tegeler Pat Wente Dave Westendorf Don Zerrusen Gift Bearer Families Ushers Readers 6:30 am Sun. Herman Brummer 6:30 am Sun. 1/8 Mark Willenborg 1/15 Martin Hutmacher 1/22 Pat Wente 1/19 Herman Brummer 10:30 am Sun. 1/8 Doug Schabbing 1/15 Dan Beckman 1/22 Bruce Buhnerkempe 1/29 Tom Neihls 8:30 am Sun. *David J. Zerrusen John Flach Jake Hotze Ryan Jansen Steve Blievernicht Dave Meyer 8:30 am Sun. Carol Heuerman Angie Esker Clean Linens - Tess Probst 10:30 am Sun. *Bruce Buhnerkempe Addison Brumleve Brock Brumleve Roy Brumleve Dick Runde Brad Koester 10:30 am Sun. Carrie Copple Lauren Siemer Coming Soon--Annual Pro Life Breakfast January 15, 2017, 7:00 am to 12:30 pm at the Teutopolis Grade School Auditorium. Featuring all you can eat whole hog sausage, eggs, homemade breads and rolls and drinks. Donation of breads and rolls appreciated; bring to auditorium Saturday, January 14th from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm or morning of breakfast. Volunteers welcome to set up on Saturday, January 14th at 8:00 am. Workers for the breakfast needed - 2 hour shifts starting at 7:00 am. Call Liz Kremer 217-273-9677 or email liz.kremer1957@hotmail.com Basket raffle this year. If you would like to donate items (remember the kiddos, grandpa and grandma s love to buy chances for their grandchildren). Contact Marisa Schabbing 217-343-2286 or Bernice Schabbing 217-821-2694 with any donations for the raffle. Thanks to everyone for your continued support. Teutopolis Park District Fitness Programs (January 2 - April 1): Sign-up continues (late fee applies) 3rd and 4th Grade Basketball: Sign-up continues (late fee applies) 3rd and 4th Grade Girls Basketball Clinics: Sign-up continues Area Events Drive on Tuesday, January 3, 1:30-6:30 pm at the Teutopolis K C Hall. The 3 Kings will be making their annual visit on January 6, 7, 8. Contact Clint Goeckner at 821-5311 for the young kings or Joe Thoele at 821-4459 for the old kings. Trivia/Live Auction St. Michael s Church and School is hosting a Trivia and Live Auction on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at the Four Parish Center in Sigel. The doors open at 6:00 pm and trivia will start at 6:30 pm. Items will be auctioned off throughout the night. To see auction items please go to our Facebook page Sigel St. Michael s Trivia Night and Live Auction. There will also be a 50/50 drawing and heads and tails games throughout the night. Food and drink will be available for purchase. All participants must be 21 years old to attend. The cost per team is $160.00 and can have up to 8 team members. To sign up your team call Betty Zumbahlen at 821-7653. Proceeds of the night go to help cover cost of the church and school sesquicentennial coming in the fall of 2017. HSHS St. Anthony s Foundation is hosting a Glow- Inga on Saturday, January 14, at the Keller Convention Center. Pre-sale tickets are $25 per person. Tickets are limited, so please contact 217-994-3158 or glow-inga2017@hshs.org to get your tickets now. Holy Humor Little five-year-old Johnny was in the bathtub, and his mother was washing his hair. She said to him, Wow, your hair is growing so fast! You need a haircut again. Little Johnny replied, Maybe you should stop watering it so much.
St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois page 6 January 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Solemnity of Mary, Masses at 8:30, 10:30 2 Parish Office closed 3 Secular Franciscans meet, 6pm 4 Rosary, 8pm 5 Confessions, Baptism Prep, 7pm CHWC mtg. 6 7 Confessions, Foccus, 5:30pm 8 Secular Franciscans meet, 2pm Pre/K Epiphany Program after 10:30 Mass 9 RCIA, 7pm Holy Name mtg., 7:30pm 10 Social Concerns mtg., 7pm 11 Jr. High & HS Religion, 7:20pm Rosary, 8pm 12 Adult Choir7-8:30pm 13 14 Confessions, Taste of T- Town 15 Right to Life Breakfast 16 Parish Office closed CCW mtg., 7pm 17 Photography 18 Photography Jr. High & HS Religion, 7:20pm Rosary, 8pm 19 Photography Monastery Museum mtg., 1:30pm Adult Choir, 7-8:30pm 20 Photography Rosary, 9:30am Wedding Rehearsal, 6pm 21 Photography 9am- 4pm Confessions, 3-4pm Wedding, 1pm 22 23 Day of Prayer for Legal Protection of the Unborn, Closing Mass at 6:30pm DeColores mtg., 7pm 24 25 Jr. High & HS Religion, 7:20pm Rosary, 8pm 26 Adult Choir, 7-8:30pm Parish Pastoral Council mtg., 7pm 27 28 Confessions, 29 Pre-Cana, all day 30 Liturgy mtg., 7pm 31 Photography