est. 1867dec 09, 2018 · every child knows christmas carols such as rudolph the rednose reindeer,...

Second Sunday of Advent 1 December 9, 2018

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church 210 E. Logan, Lemont

Parish Office Center 630-257-2414 Fax 630-257-2476 Religious Ed. Office 630-257-2371 School Office 630-783-2220 20W145 Davey Road Website: www.st-als.org E-mail: [email protected]

Business Hours: Monday through Thursday: 8 am - 4 pm

Friday: 8 am - 2 pm

Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday: 4:00 pm Vigil Mass

Sunday: 7:30 am, 9:00 am and 11:00 am Sunday evening Tri-Parish: 5:00 pm

(at Ss. Cyril & Methodius)

Weekday Mass Schedule November 2 – December 31

Monday – Friday 7:30 am Parish Chapel

Holy Days to be announced

Eucharistic Adoration

Tuesdays 8:00 am - 8:00 pm, Chapel

Sacramental Life Reconciliation

Saturdays 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm or by appointment

Baptism

Baptisms are usually celebrated the second and third Sunday of every month.

No Baptisms during Lent

Marriage Prospective bride and groom must be

registered parishioners for at least 6 months before a wedding date may be scheduled

Sick and Homebound

Contact the office, 257-2414, to receive a visit from a Minister of Care

ST. ALPHONSUS C A T H O L I C

C O M M U N I T Y Est. 1867


From Father Brian’s Desk

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church

Parish Registration

Everyone 18 years and older should register for the parish.

To register, please call the Office Center at 257-2414 or

you can register online at www.st-als.org

Parish Staff Pastor

Fr. Brian Ardagh Associate Pastor Fr. Tom Hoffman

Resident Fr. Robert Rohrich Weekend Celebrant

Fr. Lou Zake Diaconal Ministry

Deacon Terry McGuire Deacon Dan Rittenhouse

Deacon Bill Lubben Director of Religious Education

Kevin Cody Admin. Assistant for Religious Ed.

Lynn Houser School Principal

Robert Priest Pastoral Associate Linda O’Connor

Office Coordinators Barbara Betley

Melanie Terrazas Accountant Carol Levas

Music Director Joseph Martorano

SPRED: Carol Levas

Parish Pastoral Council Members

Mike Bruno Bill Doherty Diane Kaye

Deborah Kornacker Sharon Kostes

Roy Tam Terese Turner

James Zuccarelli

Bambinelli Sunday Next week we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent. It is called “Gaudete Sunday” or “Rejoice Sunday”. Each year on the Third Sunday of Advent, Christian families gather in St. Peter's Square in Rome for "Bambinelli Sunday". They bring with them figures of the Christ Child -- the "Bambinelli" -- from their family’s Nativity scene. During the noontime Angelus prayer, Pope Francis blesses the families and the figurines they have brought. It is a reminder that our faith that we celebrate at home is connected with the universal church. Next weekend (Dec. 15th & 16th) please bring your “Baby Jesus” figurines from your Nativity Scenes with you to Mass and the priests will offer a special blessing over them. It is a wonderful opportunity to prepare for the celebration of Christmas and rejoice in our faith in Jesus Christ! St. Als/St. Pats School “Pancakes with Santa” One of the favorite Christmas traditions that St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School has sponsored for a number of years is the annual “Pancake Breakfast with Santa Claus”. This year, the Breakfast with Santa is this weekend, Sunday, Dec. 9th from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the St. Alphonsus Church Hall. Children (and adults) will have the opportunity to have a photo taken with Santa Claus. Tickets are only $7 for adults and $6 for senior citizens and children 4-12 years old. Children under 3 years old are free. Come join us for a delicious breakfast and a fun-filled morning. Songs for the Season I would like to remind everyone that our St. Alphonsus Music Ministry will present their annual “Songs for the Season” service this afternoon, Sunday, Dec. 9th at 3:30 p.m. in the church. It is a beautiful service that combines Advent readings with Christmas songs that will truly inspire us to celebrate the seasons of Advent and Christmas in the right way. Tri-Parish Advent Confessions The Sacrament of Reconciliation gives us a great opportunity to think about the mistakes we have made this year and how we can be spiritually cleansed as we enter the joyous season of Christmas. Our Lemont Tri-Parish Confessions will take place on Monday, Dec. 18th at 5:00 – 6:00 pm. and 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Ss. Cyril & Methodius Church. There will be a number of priests who will be present to hear confessions in English and Polish. Here is a list of Parish Reconciliation Services in our area for the next few weeks:

Sunday, Dec. 9th, 6:00 p.m. at St. Damian Church in Oak Forest (English) Monday, Dec. 10th, 7:00 p.m. at St. Julie Billiart Church in Tinley Park (English) Tuesday, Dec. 11th, 7:00 p.m. at St. Alexander Church in Palos Heights (English)

Tuesday, Dec. 11th, 7:30 p.m. at St. Stephen Church in Tinley Park (English/Polish)

Saturday, Dec. 15th, after 5:30 p.m. Mass at St. Christopher Church in Midlothian (English/Polish)

Monday, Dec. 17th, 7:30 p.m. at Incarnation Church in Palos Heights (English/Polish)

Monday, Dec. 17th, 5-6:00 p.m. & 7-8:00 p.m. at Ss. Cyril & Methodius Church (English/Polish)

Monday, Dec. 17th, 7:30 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Orland Park (English/Polish)

Tuesday, Dec. 18th, 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of the Woods Church in Orland Park (English/Polish)


Welcome Guests and Visitors. . . We’re so glad that you’re here and invite you to join us in thanksgiving for God’s action in our lives. Our goal is to provide a spiritual home where all are welcome, where the healing, reconciling, liberating love of God flows through us to all people. In this way, we believe that the Church is the sacrament of God’s saving presence in the world.

“Please come to Mass early enough not to disrupt. Leave late enough not to insult (the Mass does not end until the final blessing).

Worship reverently enough not to distract. Dress proudly enough not to offend.”

ST. ALPHONSUS PARISH SCHEDULE OF SERVICES ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SEASON, 2018

***************************************************

“SONGS FOR THE SEASON” A service of Christmas songs and reflections presented by

the St. Alphonsus Parish Choir S , D 9 3:30

S . A C

THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Lemont Tri-Parish Communal Reconciliation Service M , D 17

5:00 to 6:00 & 7:00 to 8:00 S . C M C

************************************************************************

CHRISTMAS EVE ~ MONDAY, D 24

3:30 — Christmas Mass in Church 3:30 — Christmas Mass in Church Hall

5:30 — Christmas Mass 10:30 — Christmas Evening Mass

CHRISTMAS DAY~ TUESDAY, D 25

Masses are at 7:30 A , 9:00 A , 11:00 A *********************************************************************

NEW YEAR’S DAY MASS SCHEDULE

NEW YEAR’S EVE ~ M , D 31 M 4:00 S . A C

NEW YEAR’S DAY ~ T , J 1 Mass at 9:00 A S . P C


Religious Education Update

Kevin Cody, DRE, 630-257-2371, [email protected], www.st-als.org/rel-edu

LEARNING ABOUT ADVENT Mrs. Bourdage & Mrs. Batchelor using symbols and coloring to help their 1st Graders learn about and get into the season…

RELIGIOUS CAROLS ASSIGNED Every child knows Christmas carols such as Rudolph The Rednose Reindeer, Frosty The Snowman, Jingle Bells, etc. However, it doesn’t seem as many are familiar with our religious carols such as Silent Night, Joy To The World, O Holy Night, etc. These carols bring home the true meaning of Christmas… there are lessons to be learned. Accordingly, each grade has been assigned a carol to learn. They will learn the songs as well as the history and meaning behind the carols. We will video each class recital of their carol and share them on our Facebook page

MID-TERM ASSESSMENTS Assessments for most of our classes will be given the last session before the break. The assessments are a tool to provide feedback to the catechists, parents, and kids themselves on how well they retained the key concepts this first half of the program year. Grades are not retained, and there is no pass/fail criteria. Parents want their children to understand the Catholic faith… assessments can communicate young people’s growth in knowledge about the Catholic faith. They can also provide an opportunity for them to communicate how they are integrating faith knowledge into their lives. This tool can help catechists and families to assist young people on their faith journey in more effective ways. We ask that parents assist their children over the next couple of weeks in synthesizing and integrating what they have learned thus far.

BAPTISM POSTERS LINING OUR WALLS Our 2nd Graders have been creating and bringing in posters depicting and recalling their Baptism when they first received their call to holiness. They will be reminded of their call to holiness when they will have special encounters in the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist for the first time. The posters are nicely done, and a good keepsake for the children.

MY HOPE FOR YOU THIS ADVENT I have a hope for you this Advent. Ma hew Kelly, author of the book our parish is offering at Masses for free, has said that too o en this me of year is simply a race from one errand to the next. Buy that gi , wrap this present, decorate that place, go to this party, visit that person, put up these lights . . . There is so much to do! When was the last me you didn’t do? When was the last me you took me to just be? This Advent, I invite you to put aside the tasks piling up—the tasks that feel urgent and that are begging for your me and a en on—and take a moment to just be. Time to be with Jesus, who seeks you in a special way this me of year. I hope that you pause. I hope that you breathe. I hope that you rest. I hope that you are fed and nourished by Kelly’s book, by the Walking in Holiness or Season of Holiness medita on booklets you received at the family sessions, and by me alone with the one who came to save you.


Let’s Fill the Shelves… Food Pantry Update

Thank you for your continued support of our local food pantry. As part of a service project, the St. Alphonsus Women’s Club will be featuring a “product of the month”. For the month of December, we will collect baking supplies and mixes including flour, sugar, oil, brownies and cake mixes, frosting, etc…. Any items that you are able to give are gratefully accepted. The other staples you provide are also necessary. Your kindness and generosity are very much appreciated.

Weekly Offering

December 1 & 2, 2018 Week’s Need $ 12,869.00 Sunday Collection $ 11,321.27 EFT Surplus (Deficit) $ (1,547.73) Fiscal Year to Date Surplus (Deficit) $(48,908.61) Last Year’s Weekly Collection $ 10,089.00

Thank you for your support of our parish

JOIN US!

OUR NEXT

MEETINGS ARE:

TONIGHT SUNDAY

December 9th at

Ss. Cyril & Methodius

in the Sivore Hall

AND

SUNDAY January 13, 2019

At St. James Parish in the Church Hall.

SPRED NEWS In this Advent season, we give of ourselves and find great joy. We know we make a difference in someone’s life. This gift of ourselves is a priceless gift. We ask you to please consider one way of giving to others. It is by volunteering in the SPRED program which benefits people with developmental and intellectual challenges such as, down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, cerebral palsy with a developmental delay or learning disabilities. SPRED is a faith development program involving relationships. When we give of our time, we rethink our priorities because we see through the eyes of the people we welcome and know from them and their families that what we do is worthwhile. We are looking for men and women who wish to help us form a small faith community to welcome these friends so we can grow in our faith. NO experience with people with special needs is required. Training will help you be comfortable. Come and learn what it is. We would like to meet families and interested people. Join us for a SPRED Informational Gathering on Monday, December 17, at 6:30pm in the Religious Education Building at St. Patrick Parish. You are not making a commitment… but simply receiving information.


Electronic Fund Transfer

Electronic Fund Transfer, (EFT), is the process of automatically having your contribution offering transferred from your checking or saving account to St. Al’s account.

What will EFT do for you? • No more check writing • No more remembering your envelope • No more looking for the correct currency • Automated record keeping

What will EFT do for St. Al’s?

• Your offering arrives even when you are not able to attend mass

• You help us simplify our record keeping • We are better able to plan and budget

If your financial situation changes, you may change or stop your payment at any time by calling the

parish office. To sign up for Electronic Fund Transfer, complete

the request for an EFT form. Return the completed request form by mail or place in the collection basket marked Attn: Parish Office.

You will be sent an EFT form with more information about the EFT process.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the

parish office, 630-257-2414.

Electronic Funds Transfer Request Form

Name:___________________________________ Address:_________________________________ City/Zip:_________________________________ Phone :__________________________________ Envelope Number:_________________________

YET TO DO One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done. --Marie Curie


CHILDREN'S CHOIR FOR CHRISTMAS

All children in third grade and older are invited to participate in the special children’s choir at the 3:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass. Rehearsals will be on Thursday, December 13th from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the Religious Education Building. On Thursday December 20th, rehearsal will be in the Church from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Please contact Mr. Martorano at 708-828-5095 as soon as possible if you are interested in participating.

Children’s Choir Reminder The Children’s Choir will be singing at the 11:00 a.m. Mass Sunday, December 16th. Rehearsal will take place at 10:10 a.m. in the church choir loft prior to the Mass. If you have any questions, please call Mr. Martorano at 708-828-5095.

ST. ALPHONSUS MUSIC MINISTRY PRESENTS

“SONGS FOR THE SEASON”

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9TH AT 3:30 pm

IN THE CHURCH

This program will include song, scripture readings, and reflections that celebrate the

Advent and Christmas Season.

This service will put you into the spirit of the holidays!


“TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON AND A TIME FOR EVERY PURPOSE UNDER HEAVEN.”

“A Time to be Born through Baptism” — “A Time to Love in Holy Matrimony” — “A Time to Heal” —Names will remain on the prayer list for two months. Please contact the office if you need to change, add, or extend a prayer request.

“A Time of War” —

“A Time to Die” —

The military and innocent civilians who have died in the war. Please keep all these listed, and their families, in your prayers.

Larry White Jordan Skrobot Gerry Malak Tony Goode Louise Pellegrini Charlene Counter

Fran Urban Theresa Vagena John Garrison Joe Catino Roy Christ Gertrude Smith

Greg Hoger Jack Counter Brayden Edward Lorraine Repchak Dan Nimtz Dennis Cerniuk

Rob Pociask Dave Goreham Eva Levas Thomas Manzella Jennifer Gozder-Grimm

Tim Jaeger, USA, Iraq Scott Bosco, USA, Kuwait Christopher Durkovic, USA, Korea Jake Hoffman, USA, Afghanistan Joshua Plucinski, US Air Force, Germany Jacob Christine, US Navy Andrew J. Bosko, Jr., USN, Little Creek, VA And all who serve our country

St. Al’s/St. Pats Daily Mass

November 5 - December 31 Monday - Friday at 7:30am

St. Alphonsus Chapel

ADVENT WREATH One tradition that has been inspiring for those gathered at the weekend Masses is when parishioners light the candles of the Advent Wreath. If you or your family would like to light one of the candles during the weeks of Advent, please contact the Parish Office at (630) 257-2414 to reserve a Mass time or inform one of the Ushers at Mass.


The Women’s Center 5116 North Cicero Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630 (773)794-1313

BRANCH OFFICES: 9730 S. Western, Ste. 318, Evergreen Park, IL and 2720 S. River Rd., Suite 234, Des Plaines, IL 60018

Christmas is about love and family and that is what we strive to be for the women in difficult pregnancies who come to us for help.

After their babies are born, they thank us for all of our help, love and concern for them.

PART TIME JOB OPENINGS: Seeking RDMS Certified Sonographers to conduct limited OB ultrasounds. Multiple shifts are available in our Cicero Avenue (north side) office and Evergreen Park office. Contact Meghan at 773-794-4771 or email [email protected]. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: This is a great opportunity to work with friends or meet new friends and help a good cause. Flexible hours are available -to sort donated items and assist clients in our Family Room and help with mailings and baby bottle projects. The following opportunity is at our Evergreen Park office - receptionist for occasional Saturdays. For more info on any of these volunteer roles, call us at 708-320-4066. SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019 for the 34th Annual Life Banquet benefitting The Women’s Center at the Avalon Banquets on Higgins Rd. Keynote Speaker is Dr. Ron Archer, Best Selling Author, Business Executive, NFL Consultant, Military Leadership Consultant, Corporate Leadership Trainer and life-changing speaker. You won’t want to miss this one! Visit www.GoTWC.org for details. Overwhelmed with gifts and/or Christmas gifts you can’t use? Please consider donating them to The Women’s Center for our Silent Auction. We need NEW items: gifts for her-him-or children; gift certificates to restaurants- theaters-sporting events; sports equipment; housewares; jewelry; electronic or technology items, etc. You may not be able to use it, but we can! Please contact Dolores at 773-794-1313. SEEKING DONATIONS FOR OUR FAMILY ROOM: We are in immediate need of 6 infant car seat/carriers, 5 large car seats for 20 to 40 lb. (by law all car seats must be less than 7 years old), toddler beds, baby swings, exersaucers, baby carriers – (front and back). We need baby food (in date) and Enfamil formula, baby shampoo, baby lotion, baby wipes, diapers in size 5 and 6 only, pull-up diapers in all sizes and women’s hygiene products. We also need winter boys and girls clothing in all sizes. These items can only be picked up when accompanied by baby furniture. For our address where you can deliver them to us or if a pick-up by a volunteer is needed, please call 773-794-1313.

If you are expecting a baby, family and friends have showered you with gifts and you have, no doubt, furnished and decorated a nursery. In the same way your Catholic community, through the sacrament of Baptism, welcomes and offers spiritual strength and encouragement as your child begins a life-long journey of faith. Our Baptismal Preparation program, Journey of Faith: Birth, Baptism, Belonging, is a seminar that will help you better understand the sacrament of Baptism. The seminar can be taken while awaiting the birth of your child or shortly after the baby is born. The seminar will meet on a Saturday of alternate months from 9:00 am to Noon in the Religious Education Building. The dates for 2019 are: January 12th, March 16th, May 11th, July 13th, September 7th, and November 9th. If you have not attended a baptismal preparation class at St. Alphonsus in the last three years, you must participate in a Baptism seminar. Call the Parish Office at 630-257-2414 to schedule the baptism seminar along with your baptismal date.

Journey of Faith: Birth, Baptism, Belonging

"Celebrating

Everyday Spirituality"

Women's Monthly Morning of Reflection

Wednesday, December 12th 10:00-1:30 Each month's Morning of Reflection includes prayer, meditation, and time for sharing. Continental Breakfast and Lunch will be served. $30 Donation requested. The event takes place on the Mount Assisi Campus. Depending on the number of attendees, the Morning will be held in the Our Lady of the Angels House of Prayer or the Mount Assisi building. Please RSVP by December 10th to Carrie Peters 630-257-7844 ext. 223 or [email protected]


Gather Hymnal

Glendalough Mass

Kyrie #260 Gospel Accl. #262 Holy, Holy #263 Memorial Acclamation #265 Great Amen #267 Lamb of God #269

Liturgical Ministers Schedule Date Time Lector Ministers Servers Music

Dec 15 4:00 pm A. Lichtenwalter T. McGuire J. McCarthy M. McCarthy G. August

Popper Family P. Madden (training)

Parish Choir

Dec 16 7:30 am Ma. Doherty C. Kuhlman B. Rogers M. Main

Bozue Family

9:00 am M. Doherty A. Padalik M. Bruno L. Kerfin M. Roenitz

L. Tam S. Kerfin A. Matthews (training)

Cantor Ensemble & Keyboard

11:00 am K. Cody B. Lubben D. Kornacker L. Ryan B. Rogers

F. Kula E. Todner

Parish Choir

5:00 pm Lemont Tri-Parish Mass at Ss. Cyril

St. Alphonsus Bulletin is a weekly publication of St. Alphonsus Catholic Community of Lemont, Illinois. All rights reserved. Printing by J. S. Paluch Co., Inc., Schiller Park, Illinois.

Mass Intentions Saturday, December 8 9:00 am Parishioners of St. Alphonsus 4:00 pm Parishioners of St. Alphonsus Sunday, December 9 7:30 am Eugene Budzinski - Donna & Jim Berent Peter Schneider Family - James Schneider Family Mary C. Maloney - Pat & Jim Browne 9:00 am Parishioners of St. Alphonsus Healing for Jordan Skrobot – Beck Family 11:00 am Thomas Halleran - Chris & Marty Halleran George Freehauf - Bonnie & Ralph Shroyer Rosaline Reed and Mildred & Orville Tessem - Linn Eldred Monday, December 10 7:30 am Lydia Drifus - Family Fran Berst - Senior Kindred Spirits Tuesday, December 11 7:30 am Fran Berst - Keenan Family Wednesday, December 12 7:30 am Healing for Thomas Manzella - Thomas Manzella, Jr. Thursday, December 13 7:30 am Fran Berst - Barb & Don Betley Friday, December 14 7:30 am Randy Nowak - Family Fran Berst - Arlene Bergman

Saturday, December 15 4:00 pm Jack McCarthy - Family Dawn Candela - Family Bernard Kucharski - Wife Rose Belline - Piekosz Family Sunday, December 16 7:30 am Keith Michalek - Glau Family Audrey Keenan - Family David Nenn - Family 9:00 am Therese Wieder - Gisela & Dan Rittenhouse Leonard Materna - RCIA Group David Nenn - Gloria Palla 11:00 am Helen & Casey Galasinski - Family Dolores “Sara” Ruppert - John E. Ruppert Parishioners of St. Alphonsus

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday: 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 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: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-6; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18

est. 1867dec 09, 2018 · every child knows christmas carols such as rudolph the rednose reindeer,...

Documents