SAINT ISAAC JOGUES PARISH 8149 Golf Road, Niles, IL 60714 ¨ 847.967.1060 ¨ Fax: 847.967.1070 ¨ Website: http://sijhttp://sij-parish.com
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 14, 2014
Page 2
Third Sunday of Advent
HOW THE HUMAN HEART REJOICES Joy is always something of a surprise. Unlike pleasure, it is not a matter of stimulus and response. It cannot be scripted or staged. It is most often found in the childlike. An unlikely candidate for joy was Thomas Traherne. He lived in the 17th century. He was the Anglican chaplain to the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal from 1667 - 1674. That should have made him a “high and dry” churchman, but he was a metaphysical poet with a childlike enthusiasm and love for God. Consider his insight into beauty: The world is a mirror of infinite beauty . . . it is a temple of majesty . . . it is a region of light and peace . . . it is more to man since he has fallen than it was before. It is the place of angels and the gate of heaven. This passage came to mind on November 29th as I drove to church for the 5 o’clock Mass. The sky, at sunset, was a dazzling rose color. The west windows of the neighboring condominium mirrored, even magnified, the dusky radiant glow. It was almost “Homeric” in its splendor. I would describe it as a perfect “Advent” sky - a touch of deep purple and rose. This weekend we celebrate Gaudete Sunday with its option of rose-colored vestments and anticipated Christmas Joy. St. John the Baptist is still “center stage.” But no one seems certain of who he is except John himself. He is “the voice crying out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord.” He is a prophet like Isaiah, whom he quotes. He points to the future - - to the true Messiah. In a certain sense, we are like John the Baptist. In the desert of our secular world, people do not know who or what we are. We are here to “prepare a way for the Lord” . . . to mirror the “light” of Christ and set people on the path that leads to him. But how can we show people the Way? It has been said:
December 14, 2014
“Joy is the unmistakable sign of the presence of God.” At times, we confuse real joy with counterfeit contentment and the “F.I.Fs” - - “Funny Interior Feelings.” People of deep spiritual experience know the difference and can show the difference. I have always been fond of people like Caryll Houselander, Catherine DeHueck Doherty and Bl. Teresa of Calcutta. Yes, they are all women of spiritual depth, but they have done more than write or be interviewed. They bear witness to Faith, Hope, Love and Joy! New among them, for me, is a writer for Magnificat magazine, Heather King. In the preface to her book, Holy Days and Gospel Reflections, she describes the genesis of her writings and her faith: They are the fruit of having lost twenty years of my life to alcoholism, of having come to and finding myself with a law degree, as working as a lawyer in Beverly Hills, of realizing I was not born for this. In spite of all my wrong turns, I had not lost my child-like heart. That is the surest sign of the resurrection I know, and when I met the Christ of the Gospels, and quit my job to begin writing, I staked my life to it. Heather King has been sober twenty-six years. A Catholic for seventeen years, she is a modern contemplative. I was especially impressed by her commentary for this Sunday: Why doesn’t he (Christ) help us - - in the way we want to be helped? Why doesn’t he make us wealthier, better looking, more successful? Because the human heart doesn’t rejoice at feeling superior. The human heart rejoices at serving. The human heart rejoices at the truth - - which is that we are all leprous, all poor, all dead. The human heart rejoices at love. On this Gaudete Sunday, may the childlike and powerful witness of Heather King and other prophetic believers strengthen our own resolve to “Prepare the Way of the Lord!” -Fr. Luczak
Page 3
Third Sunday of Advent
Actual
December 14, 2014
FY 2015 Financial Recap Last Sunday of November 2014 Budget Difference Actual
Last Yr.
Difference
Sunday Collection
$10,000
$9,000
$1,000
$10,000
$8,840
$1,160
Month to Date
$50,503
$52,500
($1,997)
$50,503
$51,063
($560)
Year to Date
$217,883
$228,950
($11,067)
$217,883
$222,917
($5,034)
As we prepare for cold winter weather, heating bills and snow removal, we need everyone’s help to keep the Parish campus warm and safe. Please do what you can to help with the upcoming expenses!
ATTENTION COOKIE LOVERS!!! CHRISTMAS COOKIE SALE and RAFFLE DECEMBER 13- 14 After all Masses this weekend HOLY FAMILY ROOM COME BUY YOU CHRISTMAS COOKIES AND TAKE A CHANCE AT OUR RAFFLE BASKETS! All profits designated for parish heating and snow removal expenses!
GOAL: $825,000 DONORS: 345 PLEDGED: $580,171 TOTAL FUNDS RECEIVED THRU 11/15/14: $152,199 ST. ISAAC JOGUES FUNDS THRU 11/30/14: $91,320
Pledges are coming in and new donors are stepping up to make their commitment to “To Teach Who Christ Is.” If you haven’t made your pledge yet, there’s still time to help us “Raise the Roof” and accomplish the other projects that are important to everyone including new church flooring. No pledge is too small. We all have a responsibility to support St. Isaac Jogues! Pledge materials are available in the Holy Family Room.
Page 4
Third Sunday of Advent
•Gr. 6-Confirmation Yr. II Classes will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation Monday at 6:50 p.m. Family Members are welcome.
CHRISTMAS EVE STORYTELLERS We invite children of the parish, age 5 & older, to participate in the telling of the Christmas Story at the 4 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve. Children need to be comfortable in front of a large group of people, able to follow directions with a little help if needed, come to practice in the church on Monday, December 22nd, at 6:30 p.m. accompanied by a parent or guardian, and be present at the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass. There are no lines for them to learn, just movement and gestures. Please call the RE office, 847/966-1180, or email
[email protected] by December 19 to sign your child(ren) up. We will be able to continue this longstanding tradition only if we have enough children to participate!
ATTENTION TEENS AND COLLEGE STUDENTS… The Teen Group invites you to a Holiday Celebration on Tuesday, December 30th, 5:30-9:30 p.m. in the Holy Family Room. The evening includes dinner, games, holiday movie, music, dancing, meeting with friends, and having a good time! To help us plan and prepare you need to contact the Religious Education Office, 847/966-1180 or
[email protected], by Tuesday, December 23rd, and let us know you are coming to the party! Hope you can come!
December 14, 2014
•Permission slips for the Confirmation Year I retreat in January are due Monday night. •Confirmation Yr. II Candidates who did not turn in their Gifts of the Spirit Journal Part I last week need to do so this Monday night. •Kindergarten RE will not meet on Sunday, December 21 or 28. Have a blessed holiday!
We congratulate the children who celebrated God’s mercy and love in the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on December 6: Samuel Abraham Matthew Angeles Camille Bajamundi Rorey Catalan Natalie Cihelka Amber Damian
Luis Antonio Diaz Alexandra Fortaleza Dominik Grzeszczak Penelope Gumila Noah Olmos Nathan Romero Saira Leela Thomas
HUMAN CONCERNS COMMISSION The Human Concerns Commission will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. in the RE Office.
CHRISTMAS FLOWER COLLECTION Next week’s second collection is for our Christmas flowers. Your generosity will be appreciated!
Page 5
Third Sunday of Advent
READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday:
Nm 24:2-7, 15-17a; Ps 25:4-5ab, 6, 7bc9; Mt 21:23-27 Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Ps 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19, 23; Mt 21:28-32 Gn 49:2, 8-10; Ps 72:1-4ab, 7-8, 17; Mt 1:1-17 Jer 23:5-8; Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Mt 1:18-25 Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-4ab, 5-6; Lk 1:26-38 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Rom 16:25-27; Lk 1:26-38
ADVENT CORNER (Light three candles on Advent Wreath or just a single candle if no wreath) Scripture Readings For the Week: Monday – Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a & Matthew 21:23-27; Tuesday – Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13 & Matthew 21:28-32; Wednesday – Genesis 49:2, 8-10 & Matthew 1:1-17; Thursday – Jeremiah 23:5-8 & Matthew 1:18-25; Friday – Judges 13:2-7 & Luke 1:5-25; Saturday – Isaiah 7:1014 & Luke 1:26-38 Reflection: Who do I acknowledge as a prophetic voice in my life? What did they help me realize about Jesus and His relationship with me. How do I share my testimony of God’s mercy and love with others? Prayer: God, our loving Father, we thank you for sending St. john the Baptist to do the vital work of preparing people to hear the words of your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to heed John’s message, to see where we need to repent in our lives and so produce good fruit. Give us an urgent desire to live out of our Baptism and to listen attentively to the Good News. Move us to follow the Baptist’s example, to lead people to your Son and then step out of the way, listening with them to his teaching. We ask these things ever confident of your work in our lives. We ask them in humility and gratitude. We ask them through Christ our Lord. Amen. Action: Plan to attend the Simbang Gabi Mass, part of the Filipino tradition of nine day Masses novena in preparation for Christmas. Share one of your special traditions for this holy season with others. Visit a friend or family member in a nursing home or send a homemade card.
December 14, 2014
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION The tradition of anointing the sick with blessed oil is very old, but developed slowly and unevenly in the first eight centuries of the church’s life. St. Augustine, who wrote volumes of homilies from his thriving church in North Africa, plus pastoral directives, letters, and memoirs, never mentions it at all. We know from ancient prayers that it did happen in Rome, Milan, Gaul, and the British Isles. In Rome the bishop blessed the oil of the sick, but it could be applied by a priest, deacon, or a layperson. It seems that sick persons could even anoint themselves. St. Genevieve of Paris was known for anointing the sick in her care. Perhaps inevitably, complaints of abuses, and even trickery by sorcerers, brought an end to this consoling practice. In a dangerous world with a dispersed population, clerics may have preferred that this hands-on care was a lay privilege. The purpose of anointing, however, was not simply healing, but forgiveness of sin and an experience of saving power of Christ. By the year 800, dioceses everywhere were organizing rituals for priestly anointing. Although anointing of the sick is reserved to priests today, perhaps this treasured memory will enrich the future of the sacrament. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.
TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — As a garden makes its growth spring up, so will God make justice spring up before all the nations (Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11). Psalm — My soul rejoices in my God (Luke 1:46-50, 53-54). Second Reading — Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophetic utterances. Test everything; retain what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24). Gospel — I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord (John 1:6-8, 19-28). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from the Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.
SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Tuesday:
Third Sunday of Advent Las Posadas begins; Hanukkah begins at sunset
Page 6
Third Sunday of Advent
December 14, 2014
THE NEW MASS SCHEDULE and MASS INTENTIONS REMINDER - New Mass times are 8:00 am, 10:00 am and 12:00 pm Mass Intentions for the remainder of 2014 and intentions already taken for 2015 will be adjusted as follows: •
7:30 am Mass Intentions will be listed in the bulletin and read at the 8:00 am Mass • 9:00 am and 10:30 am Mass Intentions will be combined, listed in the bulletin and read at the 10:00 am Mass
II Sajan Kuriakose & Mary Maliakal December 27, 2014
5 PM Saturday and Sunday Noon Mass Intentions remain unchanged. We are hoping for a smooth and beneficial transition. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or send your comments in writing to the rectory. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
BAPTISMS Aiden Christian Huffine -Son of Taylor & Maryanne (Jose) Huffine Nathaniel August Meirin -Son of Alex & Autumn (General) Meirin Jenna Michelle Lambert -Daughter of Steven & Gina (Faso) Lambert
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL MINISTRY WISH LIST Thank you for all the food donations you have made to feed the hungry. You inspire us with your generosity. Here is our wish list for the next month: Peanut Butter & Jelly Coffee & Tea Hot Chocolate Pasta Sauce Please place your donations in the St. Vincent de Paul Ministry Food Donation Basket, located at the entrance to the Holy Family Room. If you are interested in joining us in our mission to help the needy, please call the rectory. A member of our group will contact you. -Your St. Vincent de Paul Ministry
Page 7
Third Sunday of Advent
St. Isaac Jogues Men’s Club The St. Isaac Jogues Men’s Club will hold their annual Christmas meeting on Wednesday, December 17th at 6:30 p.m. in the church hall. The host will be Ed Mikeska. All men of the parish are invited to come and have an enjoyable time. The cost for non members will be $10.00. Santa Claus will visit the religious education classes on Monday evening, December 15th. Elves are needed!
December 14, 2014
Fr. Mario and Santa at our Santa Sunday event THANK YOU… For your continued support of The Women’s Center. We sent them a check for $3,110.27 from the Baby Bottle Project and at the Christmas Wreath Sale at the end of November we sold about $1400 worth of wreaths, baskets and trees. Your support assists mothers to give their children life! Thank you!
LET US PRAY… Lord, hold our troops and first responders in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. We ask this in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior. Amen. We especially pray for these family members and friends… United States Air Force United States Army United States Marines United States Navy Illinois National Guard
Mason Janzen, Breanna Dexter Brian Caplin, Gale Renner Aisha Fernando, Lance Renner, Gian Patrick Reyes William B. Dexter, Timothy Kelly Christopher Dexter, Nathaniel Janzen
To add a name of a family member or friend who is in the military or is a police officer, firefighter or paramedic, please contact the RE Office, 847/966-1180 or
[email protected].
Page 8
Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 14 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
John Kremer Helen & Jon Dendor Sheila Corrigan For The Living & Deceased Members of SIJ Fransisca & Silvario Amatonci, Jr. Liurence Terracas
Monday, December 15 8:00 a.m.
Purgatorial Society Stephen Grant
December 14, 2014
Liturgy Next Weekend December 20-21 Confession 11:00 a.m.
Frs. Luczak & Janas
5:00 p.m.
Fr. Luczak/Deacon Paul
8:00 a.m.
Fr. Pereira/Deacon Paul
10:00 a.m.
Fr. Pereira/Deacon Paul
12:00 p.m.
Fr. Kennedy/Deacon Paul
Tuesday, December 16 8:00 a.m.
Sr. Mary Ellen Luczak, BVM
Wednesday, December 17 8:00 a.m.
Joseph and Mary Jagiello
December 20-21
Thursday, December 18 8:00 a.m.
Helen Dendor Special Intention-for St. Isaac Jogues Church
Friday, December 19 8:00 a.m.
Jane Escarez Lawrence Escarez Khayla Santiago
8:00 a.m.
Thomas Striblen Alena Joseph Eugene Villarino
10:00 a.m.
Jeffery Kurian Julia Jaroslawski Lawson Mathew
12:00 p.m.
Jonathan Magboo, Jr. Lynelle Napata Rene Dumayas
John Burke
Saturday, December 20 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
Communion Service-No Intentions For The Living & Deceased Members of SIJ Fr. Roman Zbieranski
Sunday, December 21 8:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
Eduardo Rodriguez, Augustina Bauit, Gabriel & Ljubica Greblo Camille Allegretti Julia & Pascual Pimentel Kurian & Mary Esthappan
Special IntentionChristian Brian Zulawinski & Benedicto G. Cobarde
Page 9
Third Sunday of Advent
PASTOR: Rev. Andrew Luczak ASSOCIATE: Rev. Mario Pereira, S.F.X. PASTORAL STAFF: Lori Herbert, Business Manager Dolores Stanton, Director of Religious Education Lisa Hall, Music Director DEACON COMMUNITY: Deacon & Mrs. Robert C. O’Keefe Deacon & Mrs. Paul M. Stanton WEEKEND LITURGY PRESIDER: Rev. Bernard Kennedy, O.F.M. Eucharistic Celebrations: Sunday: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30, & 12:00 Noon Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM Saturday: 8:00 AM & 5:00 PM Sacrament of Reconciliation: Saturday, 11:00 - 12:00 Noon or anytime by request.
December 14, 2014
Sacrament of Matrimony: Must be registered for six months prior to setting the wedding date with an additional six months for necessary preparation. Note: The following wedding times can be scheduled: Friday at 5:00 p.m.; Saturday at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.; Sunday at 3:00 p.m. (Ceremony only) Sacrament of Baptism: Second and fourth Sunday of each month at 1:30 PM. Baptism Preparation Session must be completed before Baptism. Contact the Parish Office as soon as possible for details. Parish Office Website: http://sij-parish.com E-mail:
[email protected] 8149 Golf Road, Niles, IL. 60714. . . . . . . 967-1060 Janet Piovosi (Parish Secretary) Marlene Garber (A/R, Calendar Coordinator) Jennifer Lande (A/P, Bulletin Editor) Religious Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 966-1180 Renata Jaroslawski (Staff Secretary) Ministry Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 965-6911 Parish School: St. John Brebeuf School. . . . . . . . .
In Memoriam
Pray for…
966-3266
JIMMY RANCICH BERNARD KENNEDY, SR.
Camille Allegretti
ALEXIS BARGA
Virginia Malabanan
DELAINE KENNEDY MARY ANN CASTAGNA MICHAEL DIORIO ATANACIA MALLARI ALBERT JULLIARD MARY LOU ROMANO JACQUELINE LEKSANDER
CHURCH NAME AND ADDRESS ST. ISAAC JOGUES #512032 8149 Golf Road Niles, IL 60714 TELEPHONE 847 967-1060 CONTACT PERSON Jennifer/Janet SOFTWARE MS Publisher 2003 Adobe Acrobat 8.0 Windows XP Professional PRINTER Canon IR 3035 NUMBER OF PAGES SENT 1 through 10 SUNDAY DATE OF PUBLICATION December 14, 2014 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
THANK YOU!
