Today we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. For many in the Eastern Rite Catholic Church, or the Orthodox Christian Churches this is Christmas. The Feast of the Three Kings is a celebration of the universal nature of

Jesus’ salvation. Since the Light came into the world on Christmas day, it has continued to expand first angels, shepherds, and now kings. Two thousand years later that light is still expanding. If we truly open ourselves to the Good News we keep that light growing. The world right now can seem rather dark. Politics, economics, and security cause us to close in and forget that we are a part of a greater world. This feast reminds us that we are a universal church that knows no boundaries. We pray for ourselves and our country for an openness to a global community where the common good of all is established. Throughout the Christmas holiday we have been flooded with news cycles that speak of the priest sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church. Acknowledging it doesn’t seem to be enough, but I also don’t have any answers for you. Like you, just when I feel we are moving in a good direction, something happens and causes me to question. I don’t have an answer.

(Continued on page 3)

Fr. John’s Column

Throughout the Christmas season, we celebrate the Incarnation. God is made present in the person of Jesus, the baby born among the animals, whose birth was heralded by angels singing hymns of glory. In today’s Gospel, we find the juxtaposition of the great and the small again. It is no surprise that in searching for the “newborn king of the Jews” the Magi from the east would first travel to the most important city in Israel and then to the very dwelling of the king. Within the court of King Herod, which was known for its decadence, the Magi likely found all of the trappings of wealth and power one would expect from royalty,

but they did not find the king they sought. The chief priests and scribes sent the Magi to Bethlehem where the star which had guided them along their journey “stopped over the place where the child was.” In a simple house in a small village, they come face-to-face with Emmanuel — God-with-us. Immediately, the Magi bowed down in worship before presenting their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. In the figures of the Magi, the revelation of Jesus, the light of the world, is brought to the people outside of the land of Israel. Their way of coming to this moment has been different from their Jewish counterparts. While angels proclaim Jesus’ birth to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds in the fields, creation itself proclaims the good news to the Magi in the form of the star that they follow. Later in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus will turn to his closest disciples and ask them, “Who do you say that I am?” (16:15). In today’s readings, we find many answers to this question. Jesus is the light by which nations shall walk, as prophesied by Isaiah. He is Lord of both the Jews and the Gentiles as Paul writes to the community in Ephesus. And he is the humble child in a home in Bethlehem who will soon have to flee all he has ever known to seek shelter and safety in a foreign country. As Christians, we are called to proclaim the life of Christ, not only in our words

(Continued on page 3)

O Star of Wonder, Star of Night…

Guide Us to Thy Perfect Light

On the Inside...

Bring His Light to Place of Darkness Katy Beedle Rice

Sunday, January 6, 2019—The Epiphany of the Lord

Calendar .................... Page 2 Contribution Letters . Page 3 Thank You ................. Page 4 Liturgy ……………...Page 5 School …………..…...Page 6 Women’s Retreat ...... Page 7

This Week at St. Agnes Masses for the Week

Saint Agnes Parish and Catholic School Mission...to welcome, nurture, and serve the people and children of God— generation to generation, guiding souls and growing minds.

St. Agnes Parish Information

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10 8:15 AM Betty Reed by Faculty & Students of St. Agnes Catholic School SATURDAY, JANUARY 12 5:00 PM George Gonzalez, Jr. by George Gonzalez, Sr. & Family SUNDAY, JANUARY 13 7:30 AM Dave Zerante by Martin Kudra 9:00 AM Louis & Felecia Hrovat & Claudia Hrovat Barber by Family 9:00 AM Manuel Martinez by Family 11:00 AM Leora Iaconi by Danny Corradetti

MONDAY, JANUARY 7 School is in Session! TUESDAY, JANUARY 8 3:00-3:45 PM Kid’s Choir 6:30-8:00 PM Religious Ed, 1-8 7:00 PM Ensemble WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9 6:30 PM School Parent Advisory Board 7:00 PM Baptism Class 7:00 PM RCIA 7:00 PM Religious Ed, High 7:00 PM Chancel Choir THURSDAY, JANUARY 10 Nothing Scheduled FRIDAY, JANUARY 11 Nothing Scheduled SATURDAY, JANUARY 12 Nothing Scheduled SUNDAY, JANUARY 13 12:30 PM Baptisms

BAPTISMS: 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month. Please call the Parish Office at least one month before the date of the Baptism to make arrangements. Must register to attend class which is held the first Wednesday of the month. MARRIAGES: Engaged couples should make arrangements with the pastor at least six months before the wedding date. No arrangements should be made before the desired date has been confirmed after an initial interview has taken place. ADORATION CHAPEL: The Adoration Chapel is opened seven days a week from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Please call Cecelia Leal-Camacho 254-3755 or Juan Rangel (Spanish) 362-4161 to sign up or for info.

PARISH: 1501Chicago Road Chicago Heights, IL 60411 Rev. John Siemianowski, Pastor Rev. Tom Kasputis, Associate Pastor Rev. William T. O’Mara, Resident Assistant PARISH OFFICE: Kay Ashby ……………...708-709-2694 Web Site……...www.saintagnes.us Email………….parish@saintagnes.us DEACON: Dave & Carol Brothers….708-755-7252 DIRECTOR OF MUSIC & LITURGY: Carl R. Opat……………..708-709-2696 DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT: Karen Zerante…………... 708-709-2092

RCIA/MARRIAGE PREP: Carol Brothers ..................... 708-709-2699 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Teri Klopp…………………708-754-0713 MINISTRY OF CARE COORDINATOR: Call Parish Office ................ 708-709-2694 SCHOOL OFFICE: Matthew Lungaro, Principal Karen Hamilton ................... 708-756-2333 SCHEDULE OF MASSES: Sundays:………...7:30, 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Saturdays ...................................5:00 p.m. Holy Days………As scheduled CONFESSIONS: Saturday ............................ 4:00-4:30 p.m.

Page 2 The Epiphany of the Lord January 6, 2019

Fr. John’s Column Continued Continued

This month the Bishops of the United States will be gathering in Mundelein Seminary for a week of retreat, prayer, fasting and reflection. It is a preliminary gathering before the Pope’s meeting in February with worldwide leaders of the Church. It is my belief, and just my belief, that the meeting in February with Pope Francis will be a time to set up guidelines for the Universal Church concerning priest and other sexual abuse by church employees. Dealing with the crisis piecemeal has not worked, my hope is that a universal law and standards will be enacted at the February meeting. I ask everyone to pray for the victims of abuse and to pray for guidance in these difficult times. Tomorrow St. Agnes School will once again be back in session. On Tuesday evening, Religious Education classes will begin for the St. Agnes/St. Kieran RE Program. It has been a great break, but it is time to move on in the new year. I look forward to seeing everyone this week. With the new year comes a few projects at both St. Agnes and St. Kieran. At. St. Agnes by mid January we should be in the midst of painting the church and working on some other updates. At. St. Kieran the sign on Halsted should be gone and in the process of being replaced with a new LED sign. Both projects are able to be undertaken because of your support of the parishes. Thank you for that continued support. As always I am letting both of my parishes know what is going on. I am proud of how we work together. That is not always the case at other churches I have heard, so thank you everyone! Once again, thank you to choirs, musicians, greeters, ushers, servers, readers, Eucharistic Ministers, decorators, parishioners, Fr. Tom, Fr. O’Mara, Deacon Dave and Deacon Emil for all of their participation and support at St. Agnes.

(Continued from page 1)

but also in our actions. In studying the Gospels, we find that Jesus’ 33 years on Earth contain many paradoxes. The Son of God lives most of his life in the backwater town of Nazareth where he is known as “the carpenter’s son” (13:55). Proclaimed as Messiah and Lord by the angels at his birth, the only crown Jesus ever wears is the crown of thorns given to him by his tormentors before his execution. In order to proclaim Christ truly, we must be comfortable with both his perfect humility and his supreme glory. The word epiphany in common parlance means a sudden revelation or stroke of insight that usually catches one unaware. In today’s Gospel, we could deduce many different epiphanies. Herod comes to the sudden (and troubling) realization that he is not the sole, or even the most important king in Israel. The Magi discover the light of the world at home with his mother in Bethlehem. Mary most likely received another affirmation of her marvelous child’s identity. Each Christmas season we are introduced to this child anew, the God of creation in the vulnerable guise of a newborn child, the one who is Emmanuel. In the year to come, how will we proclaim this child to all we meet? Perhaps we will have the opportunity to bring his light to places of darkness. Perhaps we will recognize him in the faces of the ones our society has cast aside. Perhaps in our ventures into the great outdoors, creation itself will bring us new insight into our Creator God. If we are attentive, we will find that every moment of our lives our God is longing to reveal Godself to us.

Stewardship of Treasure

January 6, 2019 The Epiphany of the Lord Page 3

Discipleship Fr. Tom’s Thoughts

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. — Isaiah 60:1

...hmmmm

Fr. Tom thought it might be important for us to be aware of our Bishop’s and sometimes, other’s statements regarding some of our nation’s current issues. Look to this space in upcoming bulletins.

As Catholics we are called to take concrete measures to overcome the misunderstanding, ignorance, competition, and fear that stand in the way of genuinely welcoming the stranger in our midst and enjoying the communion that is our destiny as Children of God. Welcoming the Stranger Among Us: Unity in Diversity, A Statement of the U.S. Catholic Bishops

Week of

Budget: $10,000.00 Actual: We’re still working on a holiday deadline! Collections will be published in a future bulletin.

2018 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS Dear Parishioners, If you are in need of a statement of your contributions to St.

Agnes for 2018, kindly call and make your request. I will be happy to mail it out to you!

Thanks and happy new year, Kay 709-2694

Page 4 The Epiphany of the Lord January 6, 2019

Readings for the Week

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! The Lord shines upon you (Isaiah 60:1-6). Psalm — Lord, every nation on earth will adore you (Psalm 72). Second Reading — The Gentiles are coheirs, copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6). Gospel — Magi from the east arrived, looking for the newborn king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-12). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, Interna-tional Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 1 Jn 3:22 — 4:6; Ps 2:7bc-8, 10-12a; Mt 4:12-17, 23-25 Tuesday: 1 Jn 4:7-10; Ps 72:1-4, 7-8; Mk 6:34-44 Wednesday: 1 Jn 4:11-18; Ps 72: 1-2, 10, 12-13; Mk 6:45-52 Thursday: 1 Jn 4:19 — 5:4; Ps 72:1-2, 14, 15bc, 17; Lk 4:14-22a Friday: 1 Jn 5:5-13; Ps 147:12-15, 19-20; Lk 5:12-16 Saturday: 1 Jn 5:14-21; Ps 149:1-6a, 9b; Jn 3:22-30 Sunday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10 or Ps 104:1b-4, 24-25, 27-30; Acts 10:34-38 or Ti 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Lk 3:15-16, 21-22

With thanks for the little acts of kindness that make the days fly by… to families who have been helping with translations and such with the Empower Scholarship Program… to all who donated gifts to the giving tree and food for our food drives...to all who welcome old and new friends to St. Agnes...and the list continues...

With Kind Thoughts

Are you homebound because of illness, disability, or age? Are you residing in a nursing home? We would like to keep you connected to the parish family by visiting you and bringing you the Eucharist. We are the Ministers of Care of St. Agnes parish, prepared and commis-sioned through an Archdiocesan program to serve you in these situations, be they temporary or long-term. But we cannot re-spond to your need unless you make us aware of it. Hospitals and nursing homes do not notify us about your admission or discharge. Privacy laws restrict them from doing so. So please let us know of your need, or the need of a family member, by calling the parish office.

Sick or Homebound?

Choir Notices

Thank You

We are calling all high school or college students who love to sing, to join our group who lead our congregation in song, on the second Saturday of the month at the 5 o’clock mass. We’ll be set for January 12, to meet at 3:30 for a brief re-hearsal and then on to 5 o’clock mass. Father John is always looking for our scholarship students! St. Agnes Kid’s Choir...please note that you’ll be singing at the 5 o’clock mass on Saturday, January 26 to kick-off Catholic Schools Week. Let’s all mark our calendars to celebrate St. Agnes Catholic School.

Dear St. Agnes Parish, Thank you so much for your generous donation of hats and gloves. Our children will surely benefit from them during these cold winter months. Lincoln-Gavin School Chicago Heights

ST. AGNES SCHOOL 100 YEARS & GOING STRONG!

REUNION Saturday, February 9, 2019

This informal, ‘pop-up’, but very

important reunion will begin with a Mass of Thanksgiving at 5 o’clock.

Then we will get together at Chuck’s Tavern on

Main St. in Crete to visit & reminisce. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Liturgy Corner & More

January 6, 2019 The Epiphany of the Lord Page 5

FINDING GOD The splendid magi, all sparkle and dash and so-lemnity, march right up off the pages of Matthew’s Gospel and into our churches today. Matthew alone tells us this grand and seductive story so that we might see the light and know that the child these magi visited is the fulfillment of prophecy, the king of the world that stretches to the magi’s home country and beyond, right down the ages to us. We too see and understand anew. Like the magi, our patron saints for this day, we see in the newborn child the king of the universe and light of the world. Like the magi, we find in ourselves a new faith and a new life. Like them, we return to our home by a new route. We are asked to come away from this festive sea-son ourselves renewed and awake to the presence of God among us. We are asked to find God where God is to be found, to be attentive and surprised and ready to bow down in adoration and to offer our gifts. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Monday of this week is Christmas Day in Russia and in much of the Orthodox world. This curious differ-ence in schedule has a lot to do with how calendars have been developed and changed over the years. In the year 45 B.C. Julius Ceasar gave the empire his Julian Calendar, with the winter solstice on January 6. This put an end to a system in which officials called “pontiffs” were able to tweak the calendar by adding extra days in as needed. He invented two new months at that time, December and January; and in order to cor-rect the mess the pontiffs had made, forced a year of 445 days on the empire in what he named “The Last Year of Confusion.” The new months varied in number of days according to a complex schedule, but the calen-dar was still off by nearly twelve minutes a year, and lost a full day every 130 years. Pope Gregory XIII reformed the calendar in 1583, but not everyone appreciated his efforts. England held out for two hundred years. The year 1700 was a leap year in England, but not in France; they were eleven days apart! George Washington was really born on Feb-ruary 11; when the Gregorian calendar was finally adopted in the English colonies shortly before the Rev-olution, he had to move his birthday to February 22. Now the calendars are thirteen days apart, which ac-counts for Russia’s Julian calendar Christmas. And Caesar thought he had brought confusion to an end! —James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

ROOTEDNESS The flower does not bear the root.

The root bears the flower. The rose is merely evidence of the vitality of the root.

—Woodrow Wilson

THE WAY TO HEAVEN

Love of heaven is the only way to heaven.

—John Henry Newman

Page 6 The Epiphany of the Lord January 6, 2019

Saint Agnes Catholic School News:

Tax Credit Scholarships: They’re for real and can change your life! Our school families took this opportunity seriously and earned over a

half a million dollars in scholarship dollars! Check out our website at www.saintagnes.us or call the school for more information at

(708) 756-2333.

100 Year Class Reunion: If graduated from Saint Agnes any time be-tween 1910 and 2010, you’re probably over 21 years old and can join us at Chuck’s Tavern on February 9, 2019. All graduates are

invited to attend our Alumni Mass at 5:00 P.M. that day.

Catholic Schools Week: will take place the last week of January, 2019. If you are a prospective parent, we will hold our second annual Pot Luck Heritage Night Open House on Wednesday, January 30 from 6:30-8:00 P.M. It will be a delicious night to share food and our Saint Agnes spirit! If you have any questions or are interested in

learning more about the school, please call (708) 756-2333. Thank you!

January 6, 2019 The Epiphany of the Lord Page 7

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