DECEMBER 18, 2016 ● 4TH SUNDAY ADVENT

His Name Will Be Emmanuel God speaks to Joseph during a dream. Joseph was unsure of how to respond to the news that Mary was with child. He was considering how to react, for he did not want to have her disgraced publicly. And so he slept on it. Imag-ine the anguish of falling asleep with that on your mind!

It is apparent that Joseph was faithful to God, in love with Mary, and quietly obedient. When an angel ap-pears to him in a dream, he does not waver in his faith, for he is reminded of the ancient prophecies. When he is told to name the child Jesus, he carries that into his waking world as Mary treasures prophecies in her heart. To-gether, they bring the messages of the prophets into the world with their son.

The challenge today is to discover the same kind of clarity of heart as did Joseph. His quiet understanding of God’s plan came through a dream. As we near the end of the Advent season, can we say our hearts are ready? Have we stripped away the unnecessary distractions of our lives so that God can enter? Are we prepared to act ac-cording to God’s plan? With Joseph, let us not judge too quickly, but turn our hearts and minds to God, so that we may have a quiet understanding of God coming to us. His name will be Emmanuel; that is, God with us.

© 2016 Liturgy Training Publications. Written by Anne C.

McGuire. Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago on March 1, 2016.

Fill Our Darkness with Your Light Ever-living God, source of all life and all goodness, you who dwell within all creation, who draw us closer: fill the darkness of lives with the light of your presence. As we await your coming, inspire us in our waking and our sleeping, and quiet our anxious minds so that we will be ready for you, God-with-us. May we realize your promise fulfilled in our hearts, our homes, and our lives. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

© 2016 Liturgy Training Publications. 1-800-933-1800. Written by Anne C. McGuire.

Permission to publish granted by the Archdiocese of Chicago on March 1, 2016

Weekend Mass Times

Sat. 5:00pm Sun. 7:30, 9:30,11:30am

www.stmaryfc.org

Mass Intentions Monday, December 19 8:00AM †Charlie & †Josephine Pasciak, Sr. The Pasciak Family †Dorothy Hatton req. Her Husband Harry & Family Tuesday, December 20 8:00AM †Joan Jacob req. The Jacob Family †Walter & †Rose Schmidt req. Duane & Fran Schmidt Wednesday, December 21 8:00AM †Albert Hakala req. His Wife Sophie & Family †Rita A. Schmidt req. Ed & Dolores Leuthner †Wendi Roberts req. Brother Tom & Pamela Ladewig Thursday, December 22 8:00AM Living Mike & Sherry Schmidt req. Gene Schmidt Family †Joseph & †Mary Frankowski, Sr. req. Sophie Pasciak †William Baum req. Ken & Judy Behm Friday, December 23 8:00AM Living Gene Schmidt Family req. Krystal Pieniazkiewicz Family †Edelle Baranoski req. The Knuth Family †Gene Pascaik, Sr. req. Pasciak Family †Marlene Haertle req. Family & Friends Saturday, December 24 3:00PM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation 5:00PM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation 10:30PM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation Sunday, December 25 8:00AM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation 11:00AM For the Parishioners of St. Mary of the Annunciation

Week Ahead Sunday, December 18 9:30AM Childcare 9:30AM Liturgy of the Word for Children 10:30AM High School Confirmation Session 12:30PM Simbang Gabi Meeting Monday, December 19 8:00AM Mass 8:30AM Pray the Rosary Tuesday, December 20 8:00AM Mass 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 9:00AM Mary’s Circle 7:30PM Lectio Divina Bible Study Wednesday, December 21 8:00AM Mass 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 6:00PM PADS 7:00PM Parish Choir Rehearsal Thursday, December 22 8:00AM Mass 8:30AM Pray the Rosary 9:00AM Lecio Divina Bible Study Friday, December 23—Simbang Gabi 8:00AM Mass 8:30AM Divine Mercy Chaplet 7:00PM Simbang Gabi Saturday, December 24—Christmas Eve 3:00PM Mass 5:00PM Mass 10:30PM Mass Sunday, December 25 8:00AM Mass 11:00AM Mass

Liturgical Ministers December 24 & 25, 2016

Mass Times

12/24/16 3:00PM

12/24/16 5:00PM

12/24/2016 10:30PM

12/25/2016 8:00AM

12/25/2016 11:00AM

Presiders Fr. Jacob Fr. Alexander Fr. Jacob Fr. Alexander

Fr. Jacob Fr. Alexander

Deacons Deacon Bob Deacon Gary Deacon Bob Deacon Gary Deacon Mike

Lectors M. Hendricks

R. Melnick M. Arata

K. Lenzen M. Meskel

MA Buntenbach P. Coughlin

B. Slack J. Koch

Eucharistic Minister

Deacon C. Cline T. Gawne K. Decaire-Aden S. Harmon, D. Harmon M. Schofied, A. Schofield T. Schofield, G. Schofield D. Suhling L. Kuderna, C. Kuderna C. Fisher D. Slater C. Perrelle, A. Perrelle

Deacon E. Bujan A. Bujan K. Arata E. Arata B. Arata

Deacon S. Gunther K. Job M. Job K. Job H. Stumpf L. Kandefer

Deacon M. Manning M. Manning E. Tauscher

Deacon P. Koch A. Capulong S. Matousek J. Pepping N. Martin E. Martin E. Leuthner D. Leuthner J. Ferrigan D. Ceglarek

Ministers are needed at every Mass. Please check in the sacristy to sign in.

Living God’s Word We ask God to continue to save us in our own day from all that would lead us away from God. We ask God to continue to help us to know Jesus as Emmanuel, God with us, so that our faith may be rooted in the wisdom and power of God.

Copyright © 2013, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

Christmas Mass Schedule

Saturday, December 24th, Christmas Eve Christmas Mass at 3:00 PM (preceded by caroling at 2:30) Contemporary Choir and instruments Incense-free Christmas Mass at 5:00 PM Christmas Mass at 10:30 PM (preceded by caroling at 10:00) Parish Choir

Sunday, December 25th, Christmas Day Early Morning Christmas Mass at 8:00 AM Incense-free Festive Masses at 11:30 AM brass quintet

Reflecting on God’s Word The Bible offers us a rich variety of men and women who qualify as heroes, warriors, prophets, and wise men and women. And every so often it places before us a dreamer. Jacob had the first big dream, with that ladder connecting heaven and earth, bearing ascending and descending an-gels. His son Joseph started off with dreams that put himself at the center, much to his brothers’ chagrin, but later he saved himself by interpreting the dreams of oth-ers, including Pharaoh. However, the most important dreamer of all was Joseph, spouse of Mary and foster fa-ther to Jesus. Joseph was asked to live out his dream. “Do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her,” he was told in a dream (Matthew 1:20). And not only that, he was to name the child Jesus, which means “God saves.” What all this cost him we don’t know. All we hear is that when he awoke from the dream, he did what had been asked and took Mary into his home. That wasn’t the end of the dreams. “Joseph, take the mother and child into Egypt—Herod is trying to kill him.” “Joseph, take the mother and child out of Egypt—Herod is dead.” And Joseph did. Maybe once you begin to live God’s dream it gets easier. God’s dream is that we live in the world as God’s adopted and saved children, working to bring God’s peace and justice, mercy and forgiveness into our world wherever they are needed.

—James A. Wallace, C.Ss.R. Copyright © 2013, World Library Publications. All rights reserved.

Pray the Daily Rosary Please join other parishioners in the Eucharistic Chapel following the 8:00 AM Mass Monday through Thursday.

Pray the Divine Mercy Novena & Chaplet The Divine Mercy Novena & Chaplet is prayed in the Eucharistic Chapel on Fridays immediately following the 8:00 AM Mass .and 3:00 PM during Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

The Family Rosary Join us for Family Rosary Saturday Devotion, requested by Our Lady of Fatima, every First Saturday of the month at 4:30 PM.

Annual Contribution Statements

If you would like a statement of your regular church contributions for the calendar year 2016 please call the office. We will be happy to send you a statement.

Featured CD for December

Prepare the Way of the King by

Dr. Scott Hahn

Dr. Scott Hahn—one of the most eminent Catholic theologians in our country today—reveals what scholars now know about the shepherds, the mysterious Magi, and King Herod. Your Advent journey will take on new meaning as you prepare your heart for the birth of our Lord. This illuminating presentation is sure to help you grow in appreciation of the greatest gift ever given to mankind - Jesus Christ.

Feature CDs can be found at the wooden kiosk in the narthex. Please remember a $3 donation per CD is suggested to allow the

parish to continue the program and offer new material.

Pray for all who suffer illness, pain and grief:

and for the repose of all who have recently died:

Carlton Buerger

Year-End Financial Planning As we approach the end of the calendar year, many of us make a number of gifts to charitable organizations. While many worthwhile causes are appealing for your support, we ask that you consider St. Mary of the Annunciation in your year-end financial planning as well. In addition to placing an envelope in the collection basket or mailing a gift to the Parish Office, our online giving page (accessed from the Stewardship tab of our parish web site, www.stmaryfc.org) also has an option for year-end gifts. In order to reap the potential tax benefits for the current year, now is the best time to follow through with important contribu-tions you have been considering as gifts must be made before the end of the year if they are to be eligible for 2016 tax deductions. Thank you again for your thoughtfulness and generosity to St. Mary of the Annunciation! Your support enables us to build the Kingdom of God and manifest the Good News of Jesus Christ to so many and in so many ways!!

Adult Confirmation If you are…

• A practicing Catholic • Between the ages of 17 & 99 • Who has received First Communion • But has not yet received Confirmation

We are offering a series of formation sessions that will allow you to be Confirmed this spring. Meetings will be held roughly every two weeks on Sunday evenings, 7:00–8:30 PM, in St. Francis de Sales school beginning January 15. The Confirmation Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 16, 7:00 PM at St. Frances de Sales Church. For more information and to register, please call Kathy Brady-Murfin at 847-726-4850 or email her at KBradyMurfin@stfracisiz.org

Readings for the Week Monday: Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a; Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17; Lk 1:5-25 Tuesday: Is 7:10-14; Ps 24:1-4ab, 5-6; Lk 1:26-38 Wednesday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zep 3:14-18a; Ps 33:2-3, 11-12, 20-21; Lk 1:39-45 Thursday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-56 Friday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lk 1:57-66 Saturday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Lk 1:67-79 Sunday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89:4-5, 16-17, 27 29; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14]

Sharing Parish Christmas Gifts Many thanks to the St. Mary parishioners who once again helped to ensure a Merry Christmas for many families from Most Blessed Trinity by providing Christmas gifts, gift cards and mone-tary donations to 100 of their families. Thank

you to the St. Mary Confirmation Candidates and their parents who delivered the gifts last Sunday, snow and all.

Simbang Gabi Mass Friday, December 23, 7:00 pm One of the novena Masses celebrated in preparation for Christmas. Organized by the Filipino community of Lake County. Reception follows after Mass. Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God

Saturday, December 31 New Year’s Eve 5:00 PM Vigil Mass

Sunday, January 1 Mary, the Mother of God 8:00 AM Holy Day Mass 11:00 AM Holy Day Mass The Rosary will be recited after the morning Mass.

So that the volunteers may spend the holiday with their families, the Childcare Room will be closed on the following dates:

Christmas Eve and Day, 12/24 & 12/25 and New Years Eve and Day, 12/31 & 1/1

A Prayer for Christmas O sweet Child of Bethlehem,

grant that we may share with all our hearts

in this profound mystery of Christmas. Put into the hearts of men and women

this peace for which they sometimes seek so desperately

and which you alone can give to them. Help them to know one another better,

and to live as brothers and sisters, children of the same Father.

Reveal to them also your beauty, holiness and purity.

Awaken in their hearts love and gratitude for your infinite goodness.

Join them all together in your love. And give us your heavenly peace.

Amen. Saint John XXIII

GETTING EVEN The only ones you should try to get even with

are those who have helped you. —Anonymous

To Teach Who Christ Is We have reached our goal!!

Thank You! The main pledge thrust of the To Teach Who Christ Is capital cam-paign has now come to a close and we have exceeded our $2.35 million goal!! While results are still being tabulated, as of 12/9 our pledges now total $2.431 million! As these very generous gifts are received over the next few years, St. Mary will be able to retire our debt and address several significant needs of our parish. We are grateful beyond words to all those who have been so gen-erous. We are truly humbled by your response to our campaign. Your sacrifices will enable us to address our obligations from the past and move boldly into the future. We cannot say thank you enough. We would also like to extend a profound thank you to the dozens of parishioners whose many hours of hard work and dedication as members of the Executive Committee were critical to the success of this campaign. We greatly appreciate your efforts. And truly could not have reached our goal without you! If you have not yet made a pledge, you may still do so. While we have reached our original goal, every campaign gift is important since every donation received will help us to implement the pro-jects envisioned by the campaign. For once the payments needed to retire our construction debt have been received (which the Arch-diocese will match on an extraordinary 3-to-1 basis), the campaign proceeds will be used to repave our crumbling parking lots and renovate the kitchen and basement of the little church for use by PADS and other parish meetings and functions. If you have not yet made a pledge, we invite you to obtain and return a pledge card in the Parish Office. We will update you on a regular basis here in the Bulletin as we receive pledge payments and advance on achieving our campaign goals. We will surely have a “burn the mortgage” celebration when our construction debt is finally retired! Thank you again for your tremendous stewardship response to the To Teach Who Christ Is campaign.

SIMBANG GABI 2016

Simbang Gabi is a unique Fillipino tradition of cele-brating nine-day novena of Marian masses to heighten our preparation for the celebration of the

birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Through Simbang Gabi, the participating parishes of Vicariate I, dean-

eries A, B and C offer the faithful a deepening of spiritual experience that leads to a more meaningful Christmas season. The Mass at St. Mary of the Annunciation is December 23, 7:00 PM. Each of the parishes listed below will host one of the evening masses

DATE TIME PARISH PARISH PHONE PASTOR

Sat. Dec. 17 7:00PM St. Anastasia 624 Douglas Avenue, Waukegan 847-623-2875 Rev. Dennis Zalecki

Sat. Dec. 17 7:00PM St. Gilbert 301 East Belevidere, Grayslake 847-223-4731 Rev. John Chrzan

Sun. Dec. 18 3:00PM Our Lady of Humility 10655 Wadsworth Road, Zion 847-872-8778 Rev. Paul Stemn

Sun. Dec. 18 5:00PM St. Patrick 15000 Wadsworth Road, Wadsworth 847-244-4161 Rev. Jim Merold

Mon. Dec. 19 7:00PM Prince of Peace 135 South Milwaukee, Lake Villa 847-356-7915 Rev. Gerald Walsh

Tues. Dec. 20 7:00PM St. Mary of Vernon 236 US Hwy 45, Indian Creek 847-362-1005 Rev. Joe Curtis

Wed. Dec. 21 7:00PM St. Joseph 114 North Lincoln Ave. Round Lake 847-546-3610 Rev. Michael Zoufal

Thurs. Dec. 22 7:00PM MBT– Holy Family 450 Keeler Avenue, Waukegan 847-623-2655 Rev. Jacque Beltran

Fri. Dec. 23 7:00PM St. Mary of the Annunciation

22333 West Erhart Road, Mundelein 847-223-0010 Rev. Jerome Jacob

Maligayang Pasko Sa Inyong Lahat (Merry Christmas to Everyone)

Prepare for Simbang Gabi The mission of the Filipino-American community of St. Mary of the Annunciation is to evangelize God’s love to all and to share the rich heritage of our culture. We encourage active partici-pation of fellow Filipino parishioners to celebrate our Catholic faith in liturgy, word, and deed. We are committed to the support of our entire community, our parish, and its ministries. We invite you to the Simbang Gabi meetings held after the 11:30 AM Mass in meeting room 1. We have family-friendly activities planned. For more information or to participate in the activities, please contat Evelyn Martin at 224-619-6084, Onnie Trinidad at 847-414-3194, or Lani DeLaCruz at 847-927-3218. One more meeting: December 18.

Treasures from Our Tradition By now, the first Christmas carols are heard in the home, but usual-ly not yet in church. What is a “carol” anyway? Originally, a carol was any kind of communal song sung at a festival such as a harvest. By the thirteenth century or so, carols were associated with household celebra-tions. “Carol” comes from the Old French carula, meaning a circular dance. Carols weren’t for church, since the language of liturgy was Latin and the carols were in the common language. Their characteristic sound comes from medieval chord pat-terns, and they often have strong refrains for everyone to sing. Even in the churches of the Reformation, carols didn’t make it into church services until the 1870s or so, since there was a preference for psalms. Anglicans resisted popular carols; most of our beloved carols came via the Methodists, an offshoot of the Church of England. The Catholic Church generally didn’t admit carols to liturgy either, but we didn’t make laws against them.

We are told that the beloved carol “Silent Night” comes from Catho-lic Austria and a harried parish music director. Joseph Mohr, the priest of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf, had written the words in 1816, but offered them to his music director, Franz Gruber, when the church’s organ broke. Mohr asked him to write a melody that could be played on guitar as a prelude to Mass. Gruber finished the tune just hours before mid-

night Mass in 1818. The peo-ple were shocked to hear a guitar in church, but were charmed by the sweet lullaby. The church was swept away by a flood in the 1990s and the village later relocated, but the townspeople have set up the “Silent Night Memorial Chapel” at the site. Today the

carol is in print in some three hundred languages. How wonderful that the pipe organ broke on that night!

—Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

F isch–ing Lines by Deacon Howard Fischer

On this final Sunday of Advent, the Gospel reading describes the circumstances of Jesus’ birth. Oh, how we love this sto-

ry…but perhaps that’s because we know how it turns out and we have sanitized it quite a bit in our recollections. In so doing, we deprive this narrative of its true power. Joseph has a problem – a BIG problem. The girl (most scholars

believe Mary was around 14-17 years old at the time) about to become his wife was pregnant – and he wasn’t the father. Not only did he have to wrestle with the severe personal injury this caused, but also with a spiritual crisis. As a man of faith, Joseph knew that the Law required that he have Mary stoned to death for this offense. Yet Mary didn’t seem like the cheatin’ kind. So he was left with the dilemma of decid-ing whether to follow the rule book or to show compassion and divorce her quietly. Of course, in the midst of his dilemma Joseph gets moral advice from an angel in a dream – great counsel if you can get it! – and makes the right choice, keeping Mary as his wife. What seems so charming from a distance is really quite confusing and dangerous when viewed up close from the perspective of those who were enduring the turmoil at the time. (Can you imagine those first conversations between Joseph and Mary? “Oh sure you didn’t sleep with another guy! God made you pregnant? Sure…”) Joseph and Mary did not know how the story would turn out. The signals and directions weren’t quite as unambiguous as they seem to us in hindsight centu-ries later. When we truly grasp their lived experience, the examples of Joseph’s and Mary’s faith and trust in God are truly awe-inspiring, far more moving than a “Precious Moments” approach to the story. So what does this have to do with us? First, how great is our trust in God, particularly when He doesn’t conform to what we have been told are the “rules of the road”? Yet, we have the awesome mystery of God becoming human as an illegitimate child! What a wonderful and ab-surd idea!! The miracle of God becoming human could not have happened if Mary and Joseph had not cooperated and freely accepted God’s invitation. How cooperative are we with the will of God, even when we don’t face the risk of stoning? How trusting and cooperative are we when the signals aren’t clear and the end of the story is unknown? When con-fronted with a conflict between the rule book and compassion, which side wins out? Protestant theologian William Barclay once observed that the world's most popular prayer is: “Thy will be changed.” But the world's greatest prayer is: “Thy will be done.” Mary prayed the latter. May it become our prayer too. As we prepare amidst the turmoil and messiness of our daily lives to celebrate the birth of our Savior (born poor and homeless in a stable and later a refugee fleeing to a foreign land to escape violence), may we learn to trust God as Joseph and Mary did, “for nothing will be im-possible for God.” (Luke 1:37) May we live as Mary prayed: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) May our souls magnify the Lord so that those around us encounter the presence of God in our midst, not only during this special season but throughout each and every day. If you wish to contact me, just leave a note in the Parish Office or send an email to deaconhwf99@yahoo.com.

Christmas “Oplatek” Wafers Authentic, Traditional, Blessed Christmas wa-fers, “Oplatki,” are available at the parish office. Each wafer has embossed Nativity scenes. Polish, Slovak and Lithuanian families observe this Christmas tradition. Family mem-

bers and friends break off a piece of Oplatki and give it to one another to eat, expressing the best wishes and blessing upon them and ask-ing for forgiveness. Have your family participate in this tender, touch-ing family celebration of love and forgiveness.

Pacific Garden Mission Opportunity You are invited to come with us to the Pacific Garden mission from 12:30 to 3:30pm on Sunday January 1st . Pacific Garden Mission of-fers weary people food, shelter, clothing, medical and dental care. Guests are offered the best answer to life’s struggles: faith in Jesus Christ. Our group assembles at the Mission on the first Sunday of each month from November through April. Carpool with us or drive yourself to the mission. Our volunteer group name, Saint Mary of the Annunciation, is given at check-in. We sort bedding, serve lunch, clean up and help in a variety of other ways. A tour of the Mission is always available to first time visitors. Pacific Garden Mission is located in Chicago at 1458 S. Canal Street, Chicago, IL. Come as a family or bring a friend if you like. Carpoolers meet in our Narthex and leave for Chicago by 11:15 am. Contact in advance: Jim Robinson or Bill Pohl Jw_robinson@sbcglobal.net (847) 970-9213 bpohl@dspins.com (847) 404-7431

For Widowed Men & Women Being widowed is a special loss, and this program is designed espe-cially to help the widowed find hope & joy again. There will be a retreat/workshop Jan. 21 & 22, 2017, at Our Lady of the Angels House of Prayer (located in Lemont on Alvernia Manor’s campus). Includes. overnight and meals. Joyful Again Widowed Ministry: 708-354-7211 You can also see our video on our website:www.joyfulagain.org or email us at joyfulagain7211@gmail.com.

Christmas Masses Parking It happens every year… the first rows of parking spaces fill, and then cars are parked along the drive, and then along the street, and then in front of the little church, and then in the school lot. Yet, spaces on the south end of the big church lot are empty. When you come for Mass on Christmas, remember to check the back of the lot: there may be space there. And also, please don’t park along the driveway. Should there be an emergency, the fire truck and ambulance may have difficulty accessing the fire lane.

What is the decorated evergreen tree—the light and sight and smell of which means “Christmas”? It is the tree in the center of the garden, lost to us by our first parents’ folly, restored to us by Christ’s saving deed. It is the tree that claps its hands uproariously before the Lord, who comes. It is the tree—once drafted into death’s service—that now blooms forth and shines in splendor: He who died In its arms has defeated death and lives forever. This is the tree of life straddling the river of life in the new Jerusalem. Bearing twelve kinds of fruit, it is laden with enough joy for all the tribes. It marks the spot where heaven intersects with earth. And look! That spot is here—in the house of the church. That spot is here—in your own house. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord! Paradise is so very close to home. Copyright © 1997, Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Her-mitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60622-1101; 1-800-933-1800. Text by David Philippart. Art by Steve Erspamer, SM.

The Paradise Tree

St. Mary of the Annunciation Military Ministry

Lord God, Almighty Father, creator of mankind and author of peace, as we are ever mindful of the cost paid for the liberty we possess, we ask you to bless the current members of our armed forces and all veterans. Give them courage, hope and strength. May they ever experience your firm support, gentle love and compassionate healing. Be their power and protector, leading them from darkness to light. To you be all glory, honor and praise, now and forever. Amen.

A new ministry has begun here at St. Mary and we warmly welcome any additional interested members to join us. Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 24 at 7:00pm. If you would like more information about the St. Mary’s Military Ministry please contact Diane Mulroe in the parish office.

Bible Study

Coming Soon

A Biblical Walk Through the Mass

by Dr. Edward Sri

Do you understand the meaning behind the parts of the Mass? In his video based study A Biblical Walk Through the Mass, Dr. Edward Sri explores the roots of the words and gestures we experience at Mass, and explains their profound significance. In this study you will come to know and understand the Mass like never before, leading you to a richer more meaningful worship. This study is a wonderful opportunity to find a renewed excitement for our Catholic liturgy as we head into Lent and the Easter season! Watch for more information soon. Sessions begin February 2017.

Office of Human Dignity & Solidarity Immigration Ministry

“I entrust all child migrants, their families, their com-munities, and you who are close to them, to the protection of the Holy Family of Nazareth; may they watch over and accompany each one

on their journey” ~Pope Francis, for the 103rd World Day of Migrants and Refugees

(10/08/2016) ACTION: This Advent and Christmas let us remember to pray for all migrants, refugees and especially the unaccompanied children in our

country. Visit: www.CatholicsAndImmigrants.org. esegura@archchicago.org

New Parish Website Our Saint Mary’s website, stmaryfc.org, has a new look! As you look around our new website, please note that some areas of the website may still be ‘under construction’. If you cannot find a particular piece of information, please do not hesitate to contact our parish office at 847-223-0010 and we can share that information with you.

Sacrament of Penance Saturdays 4:00—4:40 PM, and by appointment

Baptisms Ordinarily during the Mass on the 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month and after the Mass on the other Sundays, outside of Lent. Parents are required to participate in a Baptismal Preparation class before scheduling a Baptism.

Adult Initiation Adults who wish to become Roman Catholics are enrolled in a formation process that includes prayer, dialogue, instruction, and introduction to the Church’s life and values, rituals and tradition. Call the parish office for more information.

Marriage St. Mary Parish rejoices with parishioners who are preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony. The Church requires at least four months’ time before the marriage for adequate preparation. A parish wedding information packet is available at the parish office.

Ministry of Care Ministers of Care visit the homes of the sick, homebound, or hospitalized and bring Holy Communion to them. Call the parish office when a pastoral visit is desired. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is administered by the parish priest upon request.

New parishioners We welcome new members who wish to worship with us and support the parish’s work and mission. Please call the parish office to schedule a time to register. A complete listing of parish services and organizations is available at the parish office.

Mass

Saturday 5:00 PM

Sunday 7:30 AM 9:30 AM 11:30 AM

Weekday Monday—Friday

8:00 AM

PARISH NUMBER 847-223-0010

Parish Emergency

224-358-3210

22333 W. Erhart Road •Mundelein, Illinois 60060 •WWW.STMARYFC.ORG Email: parish@stmota.org Parish Fax number 847-223-5960 Pre K–5 School: 847-223-4021 Frassati Catholic Academy (Grades 6–8) 847-487-5600

Religious Education Program (REP) Emergency Number 847-239-2725 Parish Office Hours Monday–Friday 8:30AM–4:00PM

Parish Staff Rev. Jerome Jacob Ext. 213

Pastor FrJerry@stmota.org

Rev. Matthew Alexander Ext. 212 Associate Pastor FrMatt@stmota.org

Deacons Mike O’Malley, Gary Kupsak, Robert Poletto, Mike Alandy

Mr. Fred Vipond Ext. 234 Director of Music & Liturgy FVipond@stmota.org

Ms. Sue Matousek Ext. 218 Director of Religious Education SMatous@stmota.org

Ms. Diane Mulroe Ext. 216 Director of Human Concerns DMulroe@stmota.org

Mr. Benjamin Valle Ext. 230 Coordinator of Youth Ministry BValle@stmota.org

Dcn. Howard Fischer Ext. 215 Director of Parish Operations HFischer@stmota.org

Ms. Tammy Kleckner Ext. 310 Principal, CCLC cclcprincipal@gmail.com Ms. Penny Elwood Ext. 217 Bookkeeper/Accountant Bookkeeper@stmota.org Ms. Victoria Hansen Ext. 200 Administrative Assistant parish@stmota.org

Mr. Richard Plage Ext. 304 Site Manager rplage@stmota.org Mr. James Shaffer Mr. William Tangney Maintenance

Pastoral Council

Jon Matousek Mary Lou Loomis Joaquin Valdes Cassandra Dye Kathy Lenzen Pete Coughlin Gina Debord

Jill Stowe Roni Hertel Dan Prezell

Sheila Dalton Carey Marciniak Marivie Alandy

Will Roberts Danielle LoMastro

Bob Lyman Sara Gunther