Blessed Sacrament Parish welcomes new residents and visitors. It is wonderful to celebrate the Eucharist

with you. If you are new to the parish, please call the office to register.

Parish of the Blessed Sacrament Fourth Sunday of Advent December 22, 2019

PASTOR: Father Jeffery Grant Parochial Vicar Father Ron Lorilla Deacon David Erdmann Deacon Tom Burns

PARISH OFFICE: Phone: (217) 528-7521 Fax: (217) 528-3137 Website: www.bsps.org

SCHOOL OFFICE: 748 West Laurel Phone: (217) 522-7534 Fax: (217) 522-7542 ww.bssbruins.org

Office Manager: Margaret Antenan

School Finance Manager: Laura Horton

Parish Finance Manager: Lisa Sarnowski

Principal: Dawn Klinner

School Administrative Asst: Nancy Evans

School Secretary: Michele Hinds-Greenwood

Music Director: Jane Hartman Irwin

Parish School of Religion: Call the Parish Office to register

Development Director: Kim Hoffmann

Maintenance Manager: Ed VonDeBur

Bulletin Submissions: Margaret Antenan Email: mantenan@bsps.org

Dear Parishioners, Simbang Gabi. The Catholic Church has a long tradition of special prayers called novenas. A novena is a period of nine days just prior to a feast day where the faithful prepare themselves spiritually through sacraments and prayers. Simbang Gabi is a novena prior to Christmas celebrated by the Filipino people since its inception in 1669. It literally means “night Mass” and was said on the nine consecutive evenings prior to the holyday. However, since this fell during harvest season, Pope Sixtus V ordered that the Mass be held before sunrise. This allowed the farmers to be in the fields before the heat of the day. However, today, the time of the Mass depends on the community. Food is also a part of the celebration. Bibingka, puto, and other rice cakes are traditional. So are latik, yema, and other sweets. As the Filipino community spread throughout the world, so did Simbang Gabi. Today it is celebrated in many places around the world including the United States. Blessed Sacrament in Springfield is one such place. During the past week, we have hosted the Mass and a potluck each evening as part of the preparation for Christmas. It will continue until this Monday evening when Bishop Paprocki will be here for the closing Mass. In Rome, Pope Francis addressed the Filipino community commending them on their devotion. He also reminded them that they have a special mission. “Your faith”, he said, “is leaven in the parish communities to which you belong today. I encourage you to increase opportunities for meeting to share your cultural and spiritual wealth, while at the same time, allowing yourselves to be enriched by the experiences of others…Together we are called to proclaim the Gospel, the Good News of salvation, in all languages so as to reach as many people as possible.” This week we celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ, our savior. Simbang Gabi is just one of many ways the faithful prepare for the coming of the Lord. As we focus on this wondrous gift, may we too be inspired to share it with others. May we take it to “as many people as possible”; for we are called not just to believe but to share the Good News. It is your voice, your hands and your heart that are the tools Jesus chose to accomplish this. May you have a blessed Christmas. Fr. Jeff

Fourth Sunday of Advent

CELEBRATING THE DAYS

Monday, January 25 Confessions before Mass 8:00 AM Roberta & John Beall

Tuesday, January 26

Confessions before Mass

8:20 AM Poor Souls’ Shrine

Wednesday, January 27

Confessions before Mass

8:00 AM Intention of the Belz Family

5:30PM Prayer Service

Thursday, January 28

Confessions before Mass

8:00AM Patrick Elchleep

Friday, January 29

Confessions before Mass

8:20AM Marita Child

Saturday, January 30 8:00AM Michael & Nora Dovonan (Latin Mass) 3:00-4:00PM - Confessions 4:30 PM Jack & Kenneth Leahy

Sunday, January 31– Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

7:00 AM Arlene & Pat Stapleton

8:30 AM Intentions of our Parishioners

10:30 AM George & Marguarite Hughes

CELEBRATING THE DAYS

Monday, December 23 Confessions before Mass

8:00AM David & George Ann Martin George & Teresa Egizii

Tuesday, December 24

Christmas Eve

4:30PM Barb Lehman 8:00PM Kory Jordan

Wednesday, December 25

Christmas Day

Midnight Richard Jaquish

8:30AM Heather Gonet

10:30AM People of the Parish

Thursday, December 26

Confessions before Mass

8:00AM James Meredith, Jr.

Marilyn Huckaby

Friday, December 27

Confessions before Mass

8:20AM Al Milner

Mark Skube

Saturday, December 28

Confessions before Mass

8:00AM Carol Castor

3:00-4:00pm Confessions

4:30PM Deceased Members of Sullivan &

O’Connor Families

Sunday, Dec. 29-Feast of the Holy Family

7:00AM Anna Eleydiath

8:30AM Carolyn Daniels

10:30AM Intentions of our Parishioners

Rosary beginning at 10:05am is prayed before 10:30am Mass Sundays and includes intentions from the Blessed Sacrament Prayer Line. Please join us in praying for our parish family. Hope to see you there!

SCHOOL NEWS! Monday, Jan, 6-Classes resume

Christmas Mass Schedule Christmas Eve

4:30PM (no incense) 8:00PM Christmas Day

Midnight 8:30am 10:30am

Each Mass will be preceded by 30 minutes of Christmas music sung by the various choirs and

instrumentalists here at Blessed Sacrament

There is no 8:20am Mass on Tuesday, December 24 –Christmas Eve Morning.

Year-End Giving—We are so grateful for the generosity of our parishioners throughout the entire year. During December, many people review their giving and determine that a year end charitable gift will benefit their tax status for the calendar year. If you wish to make a donation to Blessed Sacrament by making a general parish contribution to the church, or a gift to the School’s Annual Fund, you may drop it into the collection basket during Mass or mail it to the school or parish office. All charitable contributions must be postmarked and/or received by December 31, 2019 to be included in the year-end statement for tax year 2019.

The End is Coming! New this year - parishioners can choose to receive their end-of-the-year contribution tax statement via email. Please go to our parish website and complete the simple form at www.bsps.org/parish-giving and you'll receive your statement in mid-January 2020. This process saves time and money for the parish and if you misplace your statement, you can simply reprint it from your email. Please contact Lisa Sarnowski at Lsarnowski@bsps.org if you have any questions.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!! For your very generous response to the Catholic Charities Angel Tree. Many families in the Springfield Area will have a Merry Christmas due to your generosity

Scrip Gift Cards It's not too late to purchase gift cards from the Blessed Sacrament Scrip program. Gift cards are available in the parish office until December 23rd. Sometimes, Santa needs some help stuffing stockings!

Would you like to welcome those arriving for Christmas Mass with a smile and an open door? Five greeters are needed for each Mass on Christmas Eve 4:30pm & 8:00pm, Midnight Mass, and Christmas Day 8:30am & 10:30am. This would be a great activity for the family to do together! Volunteer with a call, text, or email to Julie Bertagnolli. Thank you for your help! 217-529-7920 julie@webaroonie.net

Men Are You Prepared ? We can help. This is your invitation!! Come join the men of the parish on February 15 and 16 at the Villa Marie on Lake Springfield where you will see if you are prepared for the challenges of Renewal. Are you prepared for the Challenge of Living a New Life in Christ? Just go to the parish website: www.bsps.org . Click on Faith Formation. Then click on Men's CRHP etreat and SIGN UP. The rewards will be great . For questions call David Senger 741-4759 or Deacon Tom 416-9713.

Mother Teresa: Seeing the Face of Jesus Whatever you do unto the least of these, you do unto me. Mother Teresa always remembered these words of Jesus. She said that she saw the face of Jesus in the face of each sick and dying person she helped. She asked the whole world to look for Jesus' face there, too. This movie presents the life and work of Mother Teresa with words and pictures that even the youngest child will enjoy. Children will happily learn that Mother Teresa was a person whose strong faith and trust in God helped her to make incredible changes in our world. This, and many other audio talks, videos, e-books, and live discussions are available at no charge to you via our parish subscription to Formed. If you aren’t already signed up for your free access to Formed go to www.bsps.formed.org. If you need assistance please call Bob Vincent at 678-570-7118.

SHG PLACEMENT TEST- The SHG Placement Test will be offered on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. Sr. Katherine O'Connor, President, will be available to answer parents' questions at 8:30 a.m. in the Choral Room. Students will need to bring #2 pencils and the $10 testing fee. No calculators will be allowed. Pre-registration online is required by Friday, January 10. Use the following link to register: http://bit.ly/SHGPlacement2020. Please contact Amanda Mandeville at 217-787-9732 ext. 155 or mandeville@shg.org if you are unable to take the test.

Sunday, December 22 Page 3

OUR PARISH

MINISTRY SCHEDULE

DECEMBER 23,26, & 27

8:00am-8:20am Malik Greco –one volunteer

Saturday, December 28,4:30PM Lector: Paul Wheeler Servers: Joseph Bertaina, Emmy

Doll, William Pittman Eucharistic Ministers: Erica

Beeman, Lisa Belz, Richard Campbell, Noreen Luhr, Trish Marriott, Judy Rockford, Colleen VonDeBur

Sunday, December 29, 7:00AM Lector: Daniel Heffernan Servers: Jonah Parkes Eucharistic Ministers: Christy

Geving, Kathy Grubb, Michele Hinds Greenwood, James Morphew, Patrick Sheehan

Sunday, December 29, 8:30 AM Lector: Michael O’Brien Servers: Ellen O’Brien, Miriam

O’Brien, Jude O’Brien Eucharistic Ministers: Michael

Delvo, Bradley Frost, Michelle Lucas, Carrie O’Brien, Maggie O’Brien, Gregg Sams, Mark Ushman

Sunday,December 29, 10:30AM Lector: Donna Moore Servers: Ava DeSalle, Will

DeSalle, Sam DeSalle Eucharistic Ministers: Lori

Criscione, Lynn Frasco, Jack Lamar, Cynthia Lamar, Eric Madiar, Windie McKay, Mary Tuttle

ADORATION HOURS: “Nowhere on earth are you more welcomed, Nowhere on earth are you more loved, than by Jesus, living and truly present in the Most Blessed Sacrament. The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time that you will spend on earth. Each moment that you spend with Jesus will deepen your union with Him and make your soul everlastingly more glorious and beautiful in heaven, and will bring about an everlasting peace on earth.” (St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta) For further information please email Karen Senger at senger@bssbruins.org.

Sunday 12am Monday 6pm Friday 7am Sunday 1am Monday 7pm Friday 10am Sunday 2am Tuesday 1am Saturday 1am Sunday 3am Tuesday 2am Saturday 2am Sunday 1pm Tuesday 3am Saturday 7am Monday 1am Tuesday 4am Saturday 10am Monday 2am Wednesday 4pm Monday 3am Friday 1am Monday 9am Friday 2am Monday 2pm

Are you a visitor to Blessed Sacrament? If you're visiting us today we’re glad you're here. If you are considering Blessed Sacrament as your new spiritual home, or if you just want to know more about us, we have a packet of information we would like you to take home with you. Just ask any usher for a visitor’s packet. You don’t have to give us any information about yourself. Just ask an usher. No strings attached. Thank you for vis-iting Blessed Sacrament. The Pregnancy Care Center of Springfield, Inc. and Trivia Workshop

invites you to attend Trivia Night on January 11, 2020 at the Prairie Heart

Dove Conference Center from 7:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:00

p.m. Tickets are $20 per person, or $160 for a table of 8. Bring your own

snacks. There will be soda, water, beer and wine available for purchase.

Registration for the event can be done by calling the Center at 525-5630.

Springfield Right to Life will be collecting signatures for the annual Re-spect Life Signature Ad after all Masses on the weekends of January 4th & 5th and January 11th & 12th.

Page 4 Fourth Sunday o f Advent

Blessed Sacrament Prayer Line

Call the Parish Office 528-7521 Please pray for the intention of :

Lucy Wallner, Jimmie Hill, Robert Farris, Amber, Dorothy Tracy, Vernon Spiedger, Terri Burwitz, Rita, Ron, Owen Doak, Kayte, Denise S, Christopher Morgan, Dave, Betty, Ed Pauley, Steve, Hannah Clark, Peter Schofield, Ginny Schofield, Amy Gatewood family, Monica Larch, Austin Fields, Larry Theise, Gwen Bramlet, Richard Judd, John M, Louie Rago, Gwinn, John, Claire, Mary, Ray Roland, Josette, Danielle Loftus, Kitty, Susan, Cindy, Barbara Schuh, Ruth Pohlman, Charles Klaphake, Annie, Barb, Tony, Kurt C, Eric, Lois & Jim Burton, Tom VonBerg, Donna Fitts, Ellen White, Barbara, Rose, Archer Senft, Suzie Culters, Tom J., Judy, Anna Gietl, Doug, Beth, Camden Spinner, Cindi, Andy Kates, Dave, Sandy H, Jim C., Jason Baird, Jen, Family of Gretchen Hornickle Harrison, Joyln Jensen, Jack Rhinehart, Dorothy Willenborg, Tom, Barry McCollom Tyra Redpath, Steve Kinsella, Destiny Renfro James, Clarita DeLargy, Steve, Karen, Steve, Miles Fifer, Maureen, Charlie Adams, Julie, Bill, Mary Coffey, Craig DeLargy, Brian Meredith, Destiny Jane, Katie Bronken, Cheryl, Fonda, Kristen, Tia, Jeff K., Laura M, Sue, Dave, Leo, Betty, Elizabeth Handrich, Melissa, Mary Jane Harshbarger, Troy, Sharon S, Laura Black James G., Anna Chougry, March, Charlotte, Don Egan, Shandi Chrysler, Andy, Donald Cole, Dave, Leo, Emily Amy, Gloria, Susan McCain, Ray Shaw, Jeanette, Kevin Henry, Gary, Laurie, Mary Alice Owens, Gary Bartels, Don John, Dale, Peggy Cadigan, Sarah & Everett O’Connor, Mary, Rocky Tom Acker, Caleb Cross, Callie, Marlene Keldermans, Jeannie Marie Gorman, Dcn. Ben Hoefler, Colleen, Edna Kienzler, Denny McDaniels, Terry Jordan, Janet Ketchum, Michael Mauch, Steve Bartels, Mary Kulavic, Bette Atteberry, William Burkey, Barb Hansen, Helen Rhinehart, Edward, Diana Schumacher, Melissa Brown, Mary, Beverly Rago, Sharon O’Brien. Jim & Cynthia Novello, Becky Wood, Denise Cindy Ramirez, Tod Pierce, Bertha S, Daniel, Janet Nelch, Kim, Bobby ————————————————————————-

Project Rachel can help women and men heal from the pain of abortion. For assistance call 698-4456 Diocesan Child Abuse Reporting & Investigation 321-1155

Parish Collection Target Amount $23,500.00 Sunday, December 8 $23,721.40

STEWARDSHIP (Time / Talent /Treasure)

In the Spirit of Giving

Sunday, December 22, 2019 Page 5