Rev. Artur Sowa, Pastor

The St. Francis of Assisi Community is a welcoming Christian family.

We believe in Jesus Christ and are guided by the Holy Spirit and the example of St. Francis.

We gather to celebrate, to grow in the knowledge of our faith rooted in the Catholic tradition, and to recognize our responsibility to reach out to the world.

January 3, 2021

MORSELS & TIDBITS FROM OUR PASTOR

Happy New Year My prayer and desire for our family of St. Francis of Assisi Parish for the year 2021 is that God would bless us with joy, strength, hope and health. We can only stand in awe of our profound gratitude and humble reality looking back. As we say goodbye to 2020, we realize the losses we have grieved and the victories we have won. What a year it was. We will proba-bly never forget this one. However, in all the world’s confusion, we have never lost faith, shrunk back, or remained stagnant. Throughout the year we have persevered with all diligence and steadfastness. We have never given up hope!

As we look towards the future, beyond this pandemic, let this year be filled with the things that are truly good—with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others. As we make our reso-lutions for the year ahead, let us go forward with great hope that all things can be possible with God’s help and guidance. Happy New Year!!!

Notes on the Scripture Throughout the short Christmas season, we actually celebrate several feasts and solemnities in addition to the solemnity of Christmas: the Holy Family; Mary, the Holy Mother of God; and the Epiphany of the Lord, which we celebrate today.

Epiphany, the showing forth of Jesus on earth, is a kind of second Christ-mas, a celebration that God became a human being, just like us. The manifestation of God-with- us is a blessing on our world, and on our hu-manity, which raises our life in the flesh to something profoundly holy. Traditionally, it’s a time to bless our homes, to remind ourselves that our earthly homes are sacred places.

House Blessings Every year on the Feast of the Epiphany we bless our homes. We invite you to adopt this custom in your family. A traditional way of doing this is to use chalk to write above the home’s entrance, 20 + C + M + B + 21. The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also ab-breviate the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross and 2021 is the year. “Chalking the door” is a way to celebrate and literally mark the occasion of the Epiphany and God’s blessing of our lives and home. With time the chalk will fade. As it does we let the meaning of the symbols written sink into the depths of our heart and be manifest in our words and actions the Latin words, Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.”

God Bless,

LITURGY COMMISSION

EDUCATION AND FORMATION COMMISSION

Congratulations to

Benjamin Ratkovich

who received 1st Eucharist on

December 12, 2020

With joy, we announce the marriage of

Mark Hendrickson & Laurel Szmuksta

December 19, 2020

May your lives be blessed with God’s love!

Youth Ministry 2021 Preview and Planning Night January 3, 2021 @ 7:00 PM

On Zoom check e-mail for link. Be Creative with your ideas

Young Adult Social January 7, 2021 @ 7:00 PM on

Zoom Email Matthew for a link

sfyg@sfaorand.org

Pope Francis has decreed a Year of St. Joseph De-cember 8, 2020 to Decem-ber 8, 2021. During this year Catholics have the opportuni-ty to obtain a special plenary indulgence. There are many new ways that Catholics can receive an indulgence, in-cluding entrusting their daily work to the protection of St. Joseph the Worker or reciting the rosary with their families. These acts must be accom-panied by sacramental con-fession, Eucharistic Com-munion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions (usually one Our Father, One Hail Mary and One Glory Be, which are the usual condi-tions to obtain any plenary indulgence. For more info:

www.sfaorland.org

HUMAN CONCERNS COMMISSION

A heartfelt thank you to all who turned out for the December 12 blood drive at St. Francis. Nearly 70 donors showed up, more than twice our normal number, and 60 pints of blood were collected. Blood is sorely needed during the COVID-19 pan-demic, and all dona-tions go to local hospi-tals such as Silver Cross and Palos. A special thanks to helpers Steve Alessi, Alice Rzeszutko, and Knight of Columbus members Jim Cal-cagno, Mike Crisanti, John Franklin, Jack Horsch and his wife Kathy. The next blood drive is Saturday, March 6 from 7:30 - 11:30 a.m., where free COVID-19 antibody testing will most likely take place again. You can also visit versiit.org for oth-er dates and locations. Joyce Franklin Helping Hands Blood Drive Chairperson

SICK RELATIVES & FRIENDS Names of sick relatives and friends normally appear in the bulletin for

six weeks. After six weeks, the names are written into our parish book of prayers for continued remembrance. At the request of the

family, names will appear in the bulletin for a longer period.

Brian Christensen Carol Colby Joan Eckel Alex Fisher Joan Fox

Ernie & Ann Koch Lorraine Kowalkowski

Cami Letsos Mary McCarthy

Alyssa Menchaca Sidney Mitera Debra Molinari

Virginia O’Farrell Mary Oleszkiewicz

Theresa Oleszkiewicz Vince Picciola

Giovanna Picciolini Michael Skrandzius

Albert Sparks Florence Sanchez

Rich & Martha Schmitz Scott Schmitz Louis Tassone Bob Winiarski

WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS Please keep those listed below in your daily prayers

Saturday, January 2 4:00PM Edward & Dorothy Chanda, rq. by children, George Buckner, rq. by Margaret Rega, Marianne Vancina, rq. by St. Francis children’s choir, Alice McCormick, rq. by Jeff & Paula Belski 6:00PM People of St. Francis Sunday, January 3 8:00AM Jean, Marguerite & Robert Abt, Valentine & Adele Bay, Laura Desimpel & Frances Umporowicz, rq. by Emil Skorup 10:00AM Renette Olewin, rq. by Prayer Shawl Ministry, Marian Ward, rq. by Fred & Virginia Pesek, Giovanna Scardina, rq. by Salvatore Scardina, Joan Eckel (Good Health) rq. by John Eckel, 12:00PM Alice McCormick, rq. by Bill & Ann Carroll, Louis Lira, rq. by Jim, Carmen & Anna Walsh Monday, January 4 8:30AM Denzel Full, rq. by Trisha Goldberg, Stephen Fischer, rq. by Delores Fischer Tuesday, January 5 8:30AM Edward & Dorothy Chanda, rq. Children

Wednesday, January 6 8:30AM Joyce March, rq. by Joseph March

Thursday, January 7 8:30AM John Joseph McDonald, rq. by Leanne & James Hahn Friday, January 8 8:30AM Janina Duda, rq. by St Francis of Assisi Cantors, Gio-vanna Scardina, rq. by Salvatore Scardina Saturday, January 9 4:00PM Edward & Dorothy Chanda, rq. by children, Marianne Vancina, rq. by St Francis of Assisi Music Ministry, Bernard “Bernie” McErlean, rq. by John & Virginia Zbos, Edward Stepien, rq. by Family, Frank & Frieda Goetz, rq. by Fran & Howard Stang 6:00PM Schweiger & Norris Families, rq. by Family, Rose Koetzle, rq. by Children & Grandchildren, Marian Ward, rq. by Patricia Grasso, Zygmunt Murawski, rq., by Family, Sunday, January 10 8:00AM Marie-Jeanne Skorup, rq. by Emil Skorup, Kenneth Kulik, rq. by Mike & Gay Gorman, Mecys Silkaitis, rq. by Jonas & Marianne Astrauskas 8:00AM Jean, Marguerite & Robert Abt, Valentine & Adele Bay, Laura Desimpel & Frances Umporowicz, rq. by Emil Skorup 10:00AM People of St. Francis 12:00PM Marianne Vancina, rq. by Leanne Stoterau Hahn, Joseph Schulok, rq. by Terry & Cindy Wentworth

We joyfully welcomed the following children into our Christian Community of December 20, 2020

Cadence Ardra Casterline Daughter of Trevor Casterline & Jennifer Reusz

John James Lucio Son of Robert & Kelly (Lynch) Lucio

Casey James Nicholas Son of Micky & Jenna (Lucio) Nicholas

Paul Isherwood Carmel Perino

William Reiland Margaret Stevens Ronald Zielinski

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St. Francis of Assisi Parish Community 15050 South Wolf Road, Orland Park, Illinois 60467-3028 Website: http://www.sfaorland.org Parish office e-mail: parishoffice@sfaorland.org Parish phone: 708-460-0042

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday - 4:00 & 6:00 PM; Sunday - 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, also special Liturgies with Eucharist will be held on Sundays at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM in Upton Hall

WEEKDAY MASS SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday at 8:30 AM

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL MASSES - CALL 460-0042 OR REGISTER ONLINE

The Parish offices are located in the lower level of the church. En-trance is via the walkway at the west side of the church building. Hours 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday thru Friday. Masks are required in the building. Evenings and weekends are by appointment. The Chapel is located at the northeast corner of the Church. ADMINISTRATION Phone: 460-0042, Fax: 460-0136 Office Manager: Paula Belski (pbelski@sfaorland.org) Director of Facilities & Operations: Jim Hahn (jhahn@...) Parish Accountant: Kathleen Biederman (kbiederman@...) Receptionists: Ann Carroll (acarroll@...), Teri Sankey (tsankey…) Comm. Coordinator: Allison Domenick (adomenick@...) Liturgy Coordinator: Gina Vitucci (gvitucci@...) Facilities Maintenance: Monika Czajczyk, Al Becker MUSIC MINISTRY Phone: 708-460-9831 Director: Leanne Stoterau (music@sfaorland.org) YOUTH MINISTRY Phone: 708-460-0042 Youth Minister: Matt Toohill (sfyg@sfaorland.org)

The Religious Ed Offices are located in the St. Francis Center, up the hill, west of the church. Religious Ed office hours ar Monday thru Thursday, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM. The Religious Ed offices are closed on Fridays. Masks are required in the building. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 15010 Wolf Rd., Orland Park, IL 60467 Phone: 708-460-0155; FAX: 708-460-5086 Dir: Mary Kay Burberry, ext. 240 (mkburberry@sfaorland.org) Coordinator: Jackie O’Malley, ext. 242 (jomalley@...) Office Manager: Maureen Krzyminski, ext. 244 (mkrzyminski@...) CARDINAL JOSEPH BERNARDIN (CJB) SCHOOL 9250 W.167th St., Orland Hills, IL 60487 Phone: 708-403-6525 Principal: Kelly Bourrell Web page: www.cjbschool.org

REV. EDWARD F. UPTON, Pastor Emeritus (edfupton@aol.com)

SR. GAEL GENSLER, OSF, Pastoral Associate (ggensler@sfaorland.org)

DEACON DANIEL CARROLL, Permanent Deacon (dcarroll@sfaorland.org)

DEACON JOHN DONAHUE, Permanent Deacon (jdonahue@sfaorland.org)

DEACON MICHAEL KILEY, Permanent Deacon (mkiley@sfaorland.org)

DEACON TIM McCORMICK, Permanent Deacon (tmccormick@sfaorland.org)

REV. ARTUR SOWA, Pastor (asowa@sfaorland.org)

REV. JAY SUERO, Associate Pastor (jsuero@sfaorland.org)

DEACON MICHAEL PINDELSKI, Permanent Deacon (mpindelski@sfaorland.org)

REV. RICH YOUNG, OSA, Weekend Presider

REGISTRATION Become a registered member of the parish by completing a registration form which is found in Church. BECOME A CATHOLIC - R.C.I.A. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. Anyone interested in becoming a Catholic, please contact the parish office at 708-460-0042 SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Baptisms can be arranged by appointment. A baptismal conference will be set up with the parents. CARDINAL JOSEPH BERNARDIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Our elementary Catholic regional school is located on the campus of St. Elizabeth Seton parish at 167th & 94th Ave. For registration information, contact the school at 708-403-6525. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Sessions are held on alternating Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 4:30pm- 5:30pm for all grade levels 1-8. Saturday class is from 8:30am-9:30am. Remote classes for all grades 1-8 are available for those who are unable to attend in person. Please call the Religious Education office at (708)460-0155 or email religioused@sfaorland.org to register or to obtain more infor-mation. . SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Communal celebration of the Sacrament will be held during Advent and Lent. Individual confessions are heard on Saturdays at 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM. Individual Confessions will be heard at 9:00—9:30 AM to allow time for sanitizing the church before Funerals and Weddings. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Weddings need to be scheduled at least 4-6 months in advance upon approval of a priest. Couples are remind-ed to secure the church date before the reception hall. Please check our website for more details. SACRAMENT OF ANOINTING OF THE SICK Those of advanced age or suffering from a chronic or serious illness are invited to be anointed. A priest is available to offer the Sacrament whether the ill person is at home or in the hospital. Please call 708-460-0042.