207 VANADALIA STREET · COLLINSVILLE, IL 62234

Contact Information Parish Office: 207 Vandalia Street Phone 345-4343 Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 AM-4:00 PM Friday 8:30AM-3:30 PM

Parish Center 301 Vandalia

School 210 N. Morrison 344-5450

Parish Prayer Line 344-4108 Staff Rev. John P. Beveridge, Pastor Ext. 100 Deacon Jim Hill Ext. 104 Deacon Jimmy Ghiglione, Director of Faith Formation Ext. 101 Peg Bodinet, Principal Ext. 110 Maggie Brennan, Director of Pastoral Care Ext. 111 Teri Lesicko, Finance & Development Ext. 105 Marvin Jansen, Accounting Manager Ext. 106 Camille Emig-Hill, HR & Communications Ext. 102 Kimberly Zagorski, Ext. 103 Faith Formation Coordinator Nick Robinson, Ext. 107 Music Director

Masses Weekend Saturday 4:30 PM Sunday 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM Weekday Monday Communion Service 8:15 AM Tuesday - Friday 8:15 AM First Friday Masses 8:15 AM Holy Day Masses Eve of Holyday 6:30 PM Holyday 8:15 AM & 6:30 PM

Sacraments Confessions: Saturday 3:00-4:00 PM Thursday before First Friday 4:00 PM until all are heard Marriage: Contact the parish office. Annulments & Counseling: Ariel Martin 618-667-2113 Baptism: Contact the parish office for registration forms and scheduling information.

Visit our Website saintspeter-paul.org

Catholic Church

Ss. Peter & Paul

Liturgy

Collections for 12/03/2017

Envelopes/Loose $15,683

Parish Improvements 196

Angel Fund 107

Annual Fund 1,366

Holy Cross 292

Special Collections 445

TOTAL $18,089

Saturday December 23, 4:30 pm Lector: Kelly & Dave Stelmach Music: Shane, Melissa, Anita, Judy, Diane w/ N Robinson Gifts: The Family of John Charles Shively Servers: Robert Freeman, John Reynolds, Nichole DuVall Communion Ministers: Kerri Castelli, Camille Emig-Hill, Judy & Ter-ry Falline, Jackie Freeman, Jim & Terri Odorizzi, Joy Rick Intention: John Charles Shively

Sunday December 24, 8:00 am Lector: Liz Dalton & Leslie Duff Music: Sarah, Natalia, Savannah, Angie & Dave w/ N Robinson Gifts: The Family of Eleanor Colombara Servers: Joshua Zagorski, Dakota Shaver, TBD Communion Ministers: Maria Clark, Leslie Duff, Mark Kennedy, Kay Miskell, Mary Louise Rauh, Carolyn Weil Intention: Eleanor Colombara

Sunday December 24, 10:30 am Lector: Rebecca Boyce & Augie Lohmann Music: Glory Choir w/ J Butterfield Gifts: The Family of Mary Reyes Servers: William Kennedy, Daniel Wilde, Matthew Wilde Communion Ministers: MaryAnn Allred, Diane Hill, Felicitas Kluck, Augie & Ruth Lohmann, Herman & Madeleine Wenos, Jill Witte Children’s Liturgy of the Word: There will be no Children’s Litur-gy of the Word Nursery: There will be no Nursery Intention: Mary Reyes

Feast of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Sunday December 24, 4:00pm (Christmas Eve Mass) Lectors: Mike & Michael McMahon Music: Glory Choir w/ J Butterfield Gifts: The Family of Bob Fournie Servers: Ryan McMahon, Jack O:Hara, Robert Freeman, Devon Silhavy Communion Ministers: Pat Ellis, Amy Ferguson, Jackie Freeman, Debbie McAllister, Laura & Tom O’Hara, Mike & Sandy Phillips, Bob & Debbie Sanders, Judi & Rich Schutzenhofer, Herman & Madeleine Wenos Intention: Bob Fournie Continued on Page 7

Mass Intentions Monday, December 18 8:15 am Communion Service Tuesday, December 19 8:15 am Mary Barattini All School Mass Wednesday, December 20 8:15 am Rudoph Kanturek Thursday,December 21 8:15 am Diodoro A. Yanuario, Sr. All School Mass Friday, December 22 8:15 am Mary Childress Saturday, December 23 4:30 pm John Charles Shively Sunday, December 24 8:00 am Eleanor Colombara 10:30 am Mary Reyes Christmas Eve Masses 4:00 pm Bob Fournie 7:00 pm Fr. John’s Intentions Feast of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Monday, December 25 8:00 am Mary Virginia Kupinski 10:30 am Leroy ‘Peanuts” Benvenuto

Auditor’s Schedule

Sunday, December 24 Team #4 Marilyn Catalpa, Joyce Fitzgerald, Rita Heimann, Mary Ann White

Server’s Schedule 8:15 am For the week of Tuesday, Dec. 19-21 Lorelai Biegler, Alaric Boley, Chris Marchetti, Ellie Ronzo (s) For Friday December 22 Anna Falbe, Matthew Falbe

From the Desk Of Fr. John

Journey to Bethlehem will be taking place after the 4:30 Mass on Saturday, Dec. 16. The students of SSPP have created an engaging ‘journey’…walk…through the areas of our church, gathering space, fellowship hall…and outside near Morris Hall with live animals. The students are telling the Gospel story of the jour-ney of the Holy Family and the coming of Jesus. It is about a 20-minute journey with refresh-ments at the end. Thanks to the teachers, students and all others who helped plan and carryout this pre-Christmas event. It is another way to put our faith into ac-tion and reach out with the Good News of God’s love for us all. John the Baptist stands out during this Advent Season. He is identified as the ‘voice’ calling all to repentance in preparation to receive the wonder of God’s redeeming love. John was fulfilling the role of the prophet of God with a message not his own. John brought the call of the Lord to prepare for the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God. We might ask how do we prepare for the Lord’s coming? John used the call of the Lord to invite people to repent…a change of heart and life…so that they could be open to this wonderful gift. It was by way of a water bath that signified that they acknowledged their sinfulness and were ready to make a change. Remember scripture reminds us that it was Adam and Eve who made a choice to become like God…independent of their creator and Lord. They were going it alone…free of constraints from the Lord. That is what sin is…a breaking of the relationship with God and going it alone. But, God is trying to form us and mold us in His own image and likeness. By His grace, we can con-tinue to grow to our fullest potential…the best version of ourselves…by making the wise and right choices. Let us ask for the grace to do just that. This Sunday again we hear the witness of John the Baptist. This time he is confronted and basically rejected by the religious elite and leaders. They come not to listen with open

hearts…but to criticize, judge, and condemn John and his God given message. They claim to know best…while in reality they are rejecting the truth and God’s way for them. John is a humble man with a powerful message and mission. John had to stand alone to the harsh reality of the supposed religious leaders. They of all people should have been attuned to this call…but they were the first to reject it. Was it their pride, their self-assurance that they knew better than God? John only reflected in the most humble way…that he was not worthy to untie the sandal strap of ‘the one who is coming after me.’ John’s Gospel from which we read this Sun-day…makes it very clear who John is not. During the days of the writing of John’s Gospel, there were still those who were following the Baptist. This Gospel helps us to hear… ‘I am not the Christ…I am not (‘Elijah’)…I am not the Prophet’! John admits only to be the ‘voice,’ which was crying out in the desert… ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’ Jerusalem was the seat of political power and spiritual corruption and John the Baptist spoke to those issues that all the people needed to hear. The call of the Baptist is to be open to God’s reign in our hearts, lives and world. Things need to change if and when we welcome Christ who has come and will come again in all His glory. The kingdoms of this world…the ones we set up for ourselves of our own wills…will come crash-ing down. But, Christ’s coming gives us hope for redemption and salvation. He continually calls us to embrace His mercy and accept His uncon-ditional love…and share it with the world. Christmas is just around the corner…barely a week away. We celebrate that God has so loved the world that He has sent His only Son…not to condemn…but to save!

Please pray for the fol-lowing men and wom-en who are serving in

our armed forces:

Stewardship: A Way of Life - Prayer & Service

Remember In Your Prayers

Ann Van Dyke Pat Burg Joe Giacoletto Bob Bigham Ed Ruef Brian Holmer Estelle Rangle Kendra Adams Vicky, Lori, & Melissa Dennis Pratt Kaitlyn Fischer Cheryl Grieves Judi Schutzenhofer Jay Heimann The Ferguson Family The Barry & Kelly Shaffer Family Brad Vacca Carol Barrineau Ann Boulch Mike Finley Raymond Tilden Erin McLean Brandon Schwertman Mary Jane Fries Caritas Rose Grace Moore Bruce Kuck Robert Reeves MaKenna Wright Anthony Boron Hattie Lance Randy & Rodney Dominick Deborah Wetherall Liz Sanchez-Setzer Rich Schutzenhofer

Maj Matthew Derfler Army MSgt Glen Davis Air Force Cpl Larry Tyler Marine Corps MSgt Adam Mercer Air Force SSgt Britt M. Sherman Army Capt Michael A. Shah Army Capt Jacob Lewis Marine Corps Lcpl Juan A. Gonzales Marine Corps Pvt Monica Gonzalez Army Fc3 Matthew Wehmeyer Navy Lcpl Michael I. Guide Marine Corps SSgt Daniel Husbands Air Force MSgt Hugh Weise Marine Corps Lt Joshua A. Reeder Navy Pfc Gary Voegtle Army Maj Michael W. Meyer, Jr.

CW04 Jerry Hunter Army SSgt Ben Bohnenstiehl

Air Force

AOM Ed Clark Navy SrA Mark Kimball Air Force 2Lt Adam Fischer Marine Corps SSgt David Bednara Air Force Col Chuck Heimann Army 2Lt Scott Heimann Army AOM Jack Matthews Navy Col Ed Hulten Army CPO Edward Mahoney Navy SrA Kelly Mahoney Air Force Maj Natalie Walker Marine Corps Pvt Sam Asbury Army Sgt Daniel Manning Air Force

David Zagorski Natl Guard

LCpl Dominic Blackburn

Marine Corps

2Lt Nathen Walker Navy

FR Seth C. Popov Navy

FORMED Remember to register at

FORMED.org Parish Code: 6BR7BZ Discover hundreds of

Catholic video programs, movies, audios and ebooks

New Grief Sharing Group

December 19 10 am

St. Anthony Room (church lower level)

Those experiencing any type of grief (death of a loved one, home, job, etc.) are invited

Group meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month

Ss. Peter and Paul School News

Wed, Dec 20 Advent Rosary 1:40 pm

Thu., Dec 21 11:15 a.m. dismissal, end of 2nd quarter, begin Christmas break Dec. 22-Jan. 2 Christmas Break Wed., Jan 3 Classes resume

Knights of Columbus

KNIGHTS KNEWS: Mon. Dec. 18: Regular Meeting Rosary 6:30 pm Meeting 7:30 pm Tues. Dec. 19: Wing Ding 4-7:30 pm; Thurs. Dec. 21: Bingo! Noon Mexican Menu: 99-cent tacos, $2 Margaritas Queen of Hearts: Drawing 8 pm Fri. Dec. 22: Fish Fry Team #3 5200 Winners--Dec. Mike Quain Mary Benker Sara Dunne Jim Hill

Ss. Peter and Paul Cath-olic School is seeking applicants for the posi-tion of Principal for the

2018-19 school year.

Applicants should pos-sess a Master’s Degree in Educational Admin-istration and have a minimum of five years of classroom teaching experience. Administra-tion experience is pre-ferred. For more infor-mation and to apply visit saintspeter-paul.org/ss-peter-paul-school-

principal-opportunity/

Application deadline is

January 31, 2018.

Breakfast to Benefit ABL

The Collinsville Knights of Columbus are sponsoring an All You Can Eat Breakfast for the benefit of A Beacon of Light Pregnan-cy Help Center (ABL) on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018 at the KC hall on Highway 157 from 9 am to 12:30 pm. Adults are $9, 6-16 are $6, and 6 and under are FREE. The Ss. Peter and Paul Pro-life Committee is sponsoring a raffle that day for a beautiful quilt and $100 cash. Tickets are availa-ble from Deacon Dr. Jim Hill 618- 344-7985, Mary Benker 618-344-5537, Colleen Cadagin 618-530-0637 and Judi Schutzenho-fer 618-344-2591.

November Students of the Month Back row, left to right: 6: Will Kennedy; 8: Christine Szymu-la; 5: Mia Dissette; 7: Sophia Kiefner; and 4: Ayden Perez; Front row, left to right: 3: Anna Giovando; 1: Julitza Rojas; K: Gia Giovando; and 2: Kelea Gaither.

Principal Opening

Advent Opportunities

at SSPP

Mass Schedule

Tuesday — Friday—8:15 am Saturdays—4:30 pm

Sundays—8 & 10:30 am

Christmas Eve—Dec. 24—4:00 & 7:00 pm Christmas Day—Dec. 25—8:00 & 10:30 am

New Year’s Eve—Dec. 31– 4:30 pm New Year’s Day 9 am

Junior and Senior High Youth See schedule at door or website www.saintspeter-paul.org

Rosary—Joyful Mysteries

Tuesday, Dec. 20—1:40 pm with School Children

Advent “Little Books” and “Word Among Us”

Reflections and Prayers for Each Day of Advent are available at the Church Doors.

Requested Donation—$2

Advent Resources on the Web

Go to Formed.org (password 6BR7BZ) or www.usccb.org/advent for a variety of Advent resources

Sign up for Dynamic Catholic’s Best Advent Ever with Matthew Kelly at

BestAdventEver.com/Beautiful Hope

Dec .17, 2 pm: St. Boniface, Edwardsville Dec. 20, 6:30 pm: St. Ce-celia, Glen Carbon

Penance Services

Christmas Decorations

Please join us Sunday De-cember 17 after 10:30 Mass to put up the Christmas deco-rations. We appreciate every-one’s help. Please feel free to bring a snack or treat to share for the decorating crew potluck.

Our Capital Campaign is now in the pledge fulfillment stage which continues through February 2020. We are in the process

of defining and seeking bids for the remodel/upgrade to the Church basement and Johnson Street parking. We anticipate

completing these two large projects by summer of 2018.

As of December 5, 2017

Pledged: $2,390,250 Pledges Received: $1,832,201

ZIGGY’S QUESTION: “ How can I get to heaven?” ZIGGY’S INSIGHT: First off, you can’t “get to” heaven! Heaven is ‘forever happiness’ that is offered as a gift to those who love God and respond to his invitation, striving for the companionship of Jesus Christ in their daily lives. We are all called to surround ourselves with his love and purity of heart!

“The Christmas Star From Afar” encourages children to go on a hunt for their Star, similar to that of the Wise Men. Every day the Star is found in a different place and the children participate in the fun game to locate it. You can easily combine the “Star From Afar” with other tradi-tions your family participates in. Consider placing a little surprise or sweet with your Star every day to make this fun game more like an Advent Calendar. The activity set includes: 10 wooden nativity characters 4 piece wooden stable A wooden Star A hard bound book: “The Christmas Star From Afar”

$35 (on sale as long as they are available) $20 for additional stable animals

May be purchased at the Parish Office or School Office.

Make checks payable to Ss. Peter and Paul parish

Christmas Star From Afar

Holiday Nuts Sunday, Dec. 17 last

chance before

Christmas Pecan Halves, Pecan Pieces,

Cashews, Mixed Nuts & Eng-

lish Walnuts, Toasted/

Salted Pecan Halves.

$13 each for 1 pound bag

or 2 for $25

See LouAnne Howard before/

after all Masses or call 618-344-5450

A portion of the net proceeds will

be donated to the Annual Fund

and to the 8th grade Chicago trip.

SOS Soup Kitchen Schedule

Thurs., December 21 Hosted by: Team 3

Cook Team: Carol Aubuchon, Joan Barrett, Mary Boehne, Felix Burgos, Marilyn Catalpa, Jeanne Connors, Liz Dalton, Nora Fraze, Barb Furfaro, Pat Schapp, Mary Ann Silhavy. Kitchen Workers: Dorothy An-son, Carol & Mel Aubuchon, Joan Barrett, Marilyn Catal-pa, Liz Dalton, Joyce Fitzger-ald, Nora & Tom Fraze, Barb & Pat Furfaro, Rita Heimann, Mike & Pat Hensler, Jerry Jes-se, Becky Mathews, Aimee Mills, Kadie Ringering, Emma Payne, Mary Louise Rauh, An-gela Rice, Maya Rice, Jim & Pat Schapp, Julie Schrenk, and Judy Thompson Any questions or conflicts con-tact Dean at deanandkel-li@gmail.com or call 618-334-1177.

Sunday December 24, 7:00pm (Christmas Eve Mass) Lectors: Ted Jackson & Liz Dalton Music: The Auer Family w/ N Robinson Gifts: Darrol and Barb Gasawski Servers: Kai Gaither, Loghan Phetsadasack, Seth Verstraete, Mindy Smith Communion Ministers: Rebecca Boyce, Ted & Nancy Jackson, Rhonda Phetsadasack, Ray Muniz, Sheri Verstraete Intention: Fr. John’s Intentions

Monday December 25, 8:00am (Christmas Mass) Lectors: Kathy Cook & Ed Rakowski Music: Marty, Jean, Roseann, Diane w/J. Butterfield Gifts: The Family of Mary Virginia Kupinski Servers: William Kennedy, Kylie Lee, TBD Communion Ministers: Diane Hill, Mark Kennedy, Kay Miskell, Steven Molitor, Trudy & Joe Strieker Intention: Mary Virginia Kupinski

Monday December 25, 10:30am (Christmas Mass) Lectors: Jean Buchana & Mary Kay Ogle Music: Jamie, Judy, Roseann, Sarah, Natalia, Savannah w/N Robinson Gifts: The Family of Leroy “ Peanuts” Benvenuto Servers: Matthew Wilde, Daniel Wilde, TBD Communion Ministers: Catherine Benvenuto, Betty Eberle, Camille Emig-Hill, Dean Fortner, Barry & Carol Moore Intention: Leroy “ Peanuts” Benvenuto

Liturgical Roles continued

Ss. Peter and Paul Parish will again be giving a Christmas book to each family attending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses. This year’s parish gift is Perfectly Yourself by Matthew Kelly. More about the book…Do you ever get the feeling that you are not enough? Not smart enough, not beautiful enough, not loved enough, not rich enough, not good enough . . . We all have these feelings from time to time, usually because we’re comparing ourselves to others. But God doesn’t compare you to anybody else. He wants to help you become the person he created you to be—perfectly yourself! In this life-changing book, Matthew Kelly ad-dresses the opportunities and obstacles we

encounter when we decide to ask life’s BIG questions: who am I? and why am I here? Newly revised with an emphasis on spir-itual growth and realizing God’s dream for your life, Perfectly Yourself is a book for anyone who has survived the collapse of a relationship, wondered if he or she would ever find a fulfilling ca-reer, or failed at a diet. Kelly teaches us how to find the balance between accept-

ing ourselves and striving to become all God dreams for us to become. This is the guide you need if you long to be at peace with who you are, where you are, and what you are doing, not in some distant tomorrow, but here and now—today!

A Gift for You and Your Family—Perfectly Yourself

For the past several years, we have focused on the various aspects of discipleship and steward-ship, calling them the “seasons” of Prayer, Giving, Serving and Sharing. Last year—although still focused on discipleship and stewardship—we started using different terminology: The Four Pillars of Discipleship—Hospitality, Prayer, Formation and Service. In line with this, we are changing our approach to a once a year “Renewal” effort when we focus on our commitment to being disciples and how we share our time, talent and treasure. This is new for all of us, and it will evolve as we move forward in Being, Growing and Making Disciples. Your pack-et explains this approach. It includes a report on our parish, a Time and Talent Renewal Form and an Offertory Gift Card.

Be...Grow...Make Disciples...

It’s time to renew how we

will share our time, talent

and treasure

After prayerful consideration, please return your Time and Talent Renewal Form and Your Offertory Gift Card in the

baskets in the Gathering Space or to the parish or school office by December 22

Christmas Memorial Flowers

It’s time to get your Christmas Memorial Flowers in honor of or in memory of family and friends. Requests and the donation of your choos-ing can be put in the collection basket or turned in at the Parish Office by December 17.

The parish sponsored its first Breakfast with Santa for those in need in our community on December 9. Fami-lies enjoyed breakfast, a visit with Santa including a photo to take home, a gift of hats and gloves and cookies. Many volunteers made this day bright for the families including the planning team, scenery design-er, photographer, table center piece makers, cooks and servers, those who donated cookies and hats and gloves and the event volunteers who welcomed visitors and showed them our SSPP Hospitality! Special thanks to Santa!

Breakfast with Santa