1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

S t . T h o m a s o f V i l l a n o va
A C a t h o l i c P a r i s h Fa m i l y
1201 East Anderson Drive . Palatine, IL . 60074
Phone 847-358-6999 . Fax 847-934-4919 . Email stovparish@stov.org
www.stov.org
Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 21, 2014
Christmas Eve—Wednesday, December 24
Time
Language
Celebrant
3:00pm
English
Fr. Tom Rzepiela
5:00pm
English
Fr. Ray Yadron
10:00pm
English
Fr. Martin Luboyera
12:00am
(Midnight)
Polish
Fr. Wojciech Oleksy
Deacon
Homilist
Music
Fr. Tom Rzepiela
Cantors & Brass
Ensemble
Len Marturano
Fr. Ray Yadron
Choir & Brass
Ensemble
John Breit
Fr. Martin Luboyera
Cantors & Brass
Ensemble
Fr. Wojciech Oleksy
Christmas Day—Thursday, December 25
Time
Language
Celebrant
Deacon
Homilist
Music
9:30am
English
Fr. Tom Rzepiela
Rich Willer
Fr. Tom Rzepiela
Liturgical
Musicians
11:30am
English
Fr. James Presta
Tom Dunne
Fr. James Presta
Choir & Brass
Ensemble
1:30pm
Polish
Fr. Wojciech Oleksy
Fr. Wojciech Oleksy
S t . T h o m a s o f V i l l a n o va
Carols
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ST. THOMAS OF VILLANOVA
PARISH INFORMATION
HERE TO SERVE YOU
847-358-6999
1201 E. Anderson Drive, Palatine, IL 60074
Phone: 847-358-6999 Fax: 847-934-4919
Priests
Rev. Tom Rzepiela, Pastor
Rev. Wojciech Oleksy, Associate Pastor
Rev. Ray Yadron, Pastor Emeritus
Rev. James Presta, Weekend Associate
Rev. Martin Luboyera, Weekend Associate
Deacon Dan Morris, Seminary Deacon
Permanent Deacons
Deacon John Breit
Deacon Tom Dunne
Deacon Len Marturano
Deacon Rich Willer
Director of Bereavement
Connie West
Director of Ministry of Care
Deacon Thomas Dunne
Music Minister
Marcy Weckler Barr
.
Parish Manager
Ron Schaefer
Parish Office Staff
Joseph Spano, Admin. Assistant
Meaghan Spano, Admin. Assistant
Suzie Walczynski, Bulletin Editor
Carol Wilson, Financial Secretary
MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday
Sunday
Weekday
5:00pm
7:30am, 9:30am, 11:15am
1:30pm (Polish)
6:30am (Communion Service)
8:00am
RECONCILIATION
Saturdays 8:30am—9:30am
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Thursday
Friday
Saturday
9am—8pm
9am—5pm
9am—1pm
BAPTISM: Parents are required to attend a Baptism Preparation class preferable before the
baby is born to avoid babysitting concerns. Baptisms are celebrated on most Sundays following
the 11:15am Mass. Call the Parish Office for more information.
Upcoming Baptism Prep Classes: January 7—Kevin & Kate O’Connell 847-776-7352;
February 2—Kevin & Kate O’Connell 847-776-7352; February 18—John & Donna Breit
847-359-2870
MARRIAGE: Arrangements for the celebration of marriage should be made at least six (6)
months prior to your planned wedding date. Call Deacon Tom Dunne for more information.
NEW PARISHIONERS: All are welcome! Call the Parish Office to set up an appointment to register and learn more about our Parish.
BECOMING A CATHOLIC: Adults who were never baptized in any faith, who were
baptized in another Christian faith and who wish to become Catholic, and baptized Catholics
who have never received the Sacraments of Confirmation and/or Eucharist. Contact Randy at
847-530-6573 / reschappert@yahoo.com Brochures are in the Gathering Area.
COMMUNION FOR HOMEBOUND: Ministers of Care are available to bring
Communion to the homebound. Contact Deacon Tom Dunne for more information.
PRAYERS FOR THE SICK: Call the Parish Office to add your name to our sick list.
Due to patient privacy (HIPAA Law), only the ailing person or, in case of their incapacitation, the
person delegated for their medical care, can add their name to the sick list.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Religious Education: 847-358-2386
Email: stvrec@yahoo.com
Mary Strybel, Coordinator
Lisa Lechowicz, Admin. Assistant
____________________________________________________________________________________
Youth Minister: 847-358-6485
PRAYERS FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL: If you know someone serving in the
military, please contact the Parish Office so our faith community may pray for them.
BULLETIN DEADLINE: Articles for the bulletin are due by Friday—9 days before
publication date and can be emailed to: suzie@stov.org
Our church is a sacred place. Out of respect, please turn off cell
phones and properly dispose of gum.
Jeff Walczynski
____________________________________________________________________________________
School Information: 847-358-2110
Lisa Ryan, Principal
Mary Brinkman, Assistant Principal
1141 E Anderson Dr, Palatine, IL 60074
FAX 1-847-776-1435
email: stvoffice@stvschool.org
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Our Websites
Parish: www.stov.org
Religious Education: www.stvrec.org
School: www.stvschool.org
SPRED: www.stvspred.weebly.com
Youth Group: www.stvoices.org
Friends of STV School: www.fostov.org
2
Second Homily
Dear Parish Family of St. Thomas,
Happy Fourth Sunday of Advent! By now, you are probably seeing purple as you continue to
run around and do everything that you want to do before Christmas. However, Advent
reminds us that we don't need to do all those things. What we do need is to be sure that we,
ourselves, are ready spiritually for the coming of the Lord in four more days—Christmas
morning. We must practice patience and prayerful preparing until then.
As our last minute and final preparations come to a close these days, let us remember that we must always
“Keep Christ in Christmas” and in ourselves. Soon it will be Christmas time and will you be ready—ready to
celebrate the birth of Jesus and all that the gift of the Lord means in ourselves and our world? I hope to see
you at the “Inn” of our Church on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning as we pray the Eucharist and
celebrate and adore the Newborn Infant Jesus.
On behalf of Father Ray, Father Wojciech, Father Presta, Father Martin and on behalf of our Deacons,
Pastoral Staff, and all of our employees, and speaking for myself, I wish you the peace and quiet and joy of a
beautiful and wonderful Christmas morning of the birth of Our Lord Jesus.
Wishing you the love of Christmas—
Your Pastor,
Rev. Thomas R. Rzepiela
________________________________________________________________
Drodzy Parafianie,
Życzę Wam miłej 4. Niedzieli Adwentu! Prawdopodobnie do tej pory zauważyliście kolor purpurowy pomimo
zabiegania i robienia wszystkiego co potrzeba przed Świętami Bożego Narodzenia. Adwent jednakże
przypomina nam, że nie musimy tego wszystkiego robić. To co powinniśmy zrobić to upewnić się, że
jesteśmy duchowo przygotowani na przyjście Pana w bożonarodzeniowy poranek, który już za cztery dni.
Do tego czasu musimy przygotować się ćwicząc się w cierpliwości i modlitwie.
Kończąc nasze ostatnie przygotowania musimy pamiętać o Chrystusie obecnym w czasie tych świąt jak
również w nas samych. Już wkrótce nadejdzie czas Bożego Narodzenia. Czy będziecie gotowi - gotowi do
świętowania narodzenia Jezusa i wszystkiego czym dar Jego narodzin jest dla Was i dla świata? Mam
nadzieję, że zobaczymy się w „gospodzie” naszego kościoła w Wigilię oraz w Dzień Bożego Narodzenia gdzie
podczas Eucharystii będziemy się modlić, świętować i adorować nowo-narodzone Dzieciątko Jezus.
W imieniu ks. Ray’a, ks. Wojciecha, ks. Presta, ks. Martin’a, naszych diakonów i pracowników naszej parafii,
jak również w moim własnym imieniu, życzę Wam pokoju, ciszy i radości pięknego i cudownego
bożonarodzeniowego poranka.
Życząc Wam bożonarodzeniowej miłości Wasz Proboszcz,
Ks. Thomas R. Rzepiela
3
Parish Events
PARISH CALENDAR
Sunday, December 21
9:40am
10:00am
3:00pm
7:00pm
Children’s Liturgy of the Word MRD
RCIA
STV School Athletics
Polish Adult Volleyball
MRA
RAC
RAC
OPLATKI Available in the Narthex & Gathering Area—Package of 2 wafers for $3.
Monday, December 22
NO ACTIVITIES
Tuesday, December 23
12:30pm Christmas Setup
Church
Wednesday, December 24
NO ACTIVITIES—Office Closed
Thursday, December 25
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Office Closed
Friday, December 26
NO ACTIVITIES—Office Closed
CHILI’S DINE-N-SHARE The entire month of December
GOLDEN VILLANOVANS Annual Pizza Meeting. Wednesday, January 14, 2015.
1pm—3pm. Come join and sign up as a new member. We have interesting speakers through
the year. Our meetings are in Meeting Rooms A & B. Questions? Ken Doruff 847-358-3852
PASSION PLAY RESERVATIONS DUE Thursday, January 15.
St. Thomas Scripture Study
Winter Offerings
Saturday, December 27
8:30am
7:00pm
Saturday Bible Study
MRC
VOICES New Year Dance RAC
Sunday, December 28
9:40am
Children’s Liturgy of the Word MRD
Word
__________________________________
Psalms: The School of Prayer
An 11-week study
Saturday mornings beginning January 10th, 2015
from 8:40am-10:40am
$25 per person
AND
James: Pearls for Wise Living
An 11-week study
Monday nights beginning January 12th, 2015
from 7pm-9pm
$25 per person
Contact Nancy Hulsebosch at nhulsebosch@sbcglobal.net
or 847-705-9314 to register
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
12/24/13
12/25/13
12/26/13
12/27/13
9am-1pm
Closed
Closed
9am-1pm
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
12/31/13
1/1/14
1/2/14
1/3/14
9am-1pm
Closed
Closed
9am-1pm
CHRISTMAS / NEW YEAR’S
Pre-New Year’s Eve Formal Dance
Saturday, December 27th
7pm—10pm Cost: $5
As a way to ring in the New Year, VOICES will be hosting their annual
Pre-New Year’s Eve Dance. In keeping with tradition, the theme is
“Black & White,” so you are encouraged to dress with those colors in
mind. The night will include snacks, drinks, dancing and FUN!
4
Parish News
American Passion Play
Bloomington, IL
The Art & Environment Ministry will
be decorating for Christmas.
All are invited.
Just come to the church—
we’ll put you to work!
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Leaving promptly at 9:00am from St. Thomas
parking lot & returns at 7:30pm
$98 per person— Reservations due by January 15, 2015 (No refunds)
Trip includes:
♦
Luxury motor coach with restroom
♦
Stop off at McDonalds on the way
♦
Watch videos on the coach ride
♦
Home style lunch includes: roast beef, chicken, potatoes, gravy,
2 vegetables, salad, rolls, dessert & beverage
♦
3 hour Easter Pilgrimage that bring Christ Life closer to yours
♦
Box lunch w/beverage on the ride home
Make checks payable to: “St. Thomas of Villanova”
Send payment with your name, phone number and an emergency contact
name/number to: Ken Doruff @ 1233 E Plate Drive, Palatine, IL 60074
ATTENTION:
6th ANNUAL STOV BAGS TOURNAMENT!
CHRISTMAS (Rest of Church)
Tuesday, Dec. 23—12:30pm
Blood Drive
Save-the-Date
Our next blood drive will be on
Sunday, February 22, 2015
In the Rowley Activity Center
Please mark your calendar so you
are able to donate on that day!
December Dine-n-Share at
Chili’s ALL month long!!
All
Couples
While you are out and about getting
ready for Christmas, dine out (or
take out) at Chili’s in Arlington
Heights OR Kildeer. Just present this
voucher and Chili’s will give 15%
back to STV School! Enjoy!!
(Married,
Engaged,
Dating)
Are
Invited!
SUMMERTIME IN JANUARY!
Saturday January 24, 2015
6:30 p.m. until ????
In the Rowley Activity Center
$20.00 admission per couple
Includes: Pizza, Non-Alcoholic Liquid Refreshments, BYOB (wine or beer)
Prize Pool included in admission
PLEASE RSVP (by January 21) TO: John or Donna Breit (847) 359-2870
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Parish News
42nd Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
Daily Herald Ad Project
Parish Pastoral Council
News
to the Pews
The Parish Pastoral Council is your
parishioner group which advises our
Pastor. If you have a concern or
suggestion that you would like to have
discussed at the PPC meetings or if
you would like to attend a PPC meeting, please contact one of the PPC
members attending Mass (they will be
wearing a PPC badge) or contact the
Parish Office at 847-358-6999.
On January 22, 2015 we will mourn the
42nd anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade
Supreme Court decision legalizing
abortion through all nine months of
pregnancy. Since that fateful day, the
lives of over 55 million unborn children
have been ended through abortion.
And at least as many women and men
are living with a lifetime of regret.
(See help-line below)
•
A brief update on our November 15
meeting is as follows:
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Our STV Leadership Spiritual
Retreat led by Sister Kristine
Vorenkamp at the Living Word
Center in Arlington Heights, IL
from 8 am to 1 pm on Saturday,
October 4, 2014 was for the STV
Staff, Finance Committee, Parish
Pastoral Council and STV School
Board. The retreat was wonderful! The PPC thanks all of the
organizers, Sister Kristine, and
those who participated in making
it a complete success.
As announced at Masses in
October, our income exceeded
our budgeted expectations for the
past fiscal year! This is terrific,
and we need to continue this
trend in the current year. Thank
you for all your financial support,
especially your Sacrificial Giving
to the Sunday Offertory, Christmas and Easter Collections.
We appreciate the efforts of
FOSTOVS on behalf of our
school and congratulate the organization for the November 16th
very successful Football Extravaganza at Durty Nellies in Palatine.
Deacon Bill Johnson will be giving
a Lenten Evening of Reflection in
late February or possibly early
March 2015. Watch for additional
information in the parish bulletins
as the time approaches.
•
•
God’s greatest gift to humanity, His son Jesus Christ, called us
to boldly proclaim the truth and to respect the dignity of all
human life from conception until natural death.
Catholic Parishes in Vicariate I are once again sponsoring ads
in the Daily Herald to acknowledge these truths and to share
them in our communities.
Please consider contributing $5.00 (minimum) toward the cost of
the ad. Sponsors have the option of listing their names in the ad
or remaining anonymous. The ad will run on Sunday, Jan. 18
and Thursday, Jan. 22 in the Daily Herald, Section 1.
Members of the Respect Life Team will be available to accept your
donations after Mass the weekend of Jan. 3 & 4 or you can complete the form below and drop it off at the table or the Parish Office next
week. You can see a sample of the ad at the tables next weekend.
Questions, please call Mary Ann 847-991-9732
Facing an unintended pregnancy? You are not alone. Call 1-800-712-HELP or
www.OptionLine.org Hurting from abortion? You are loved. Call 1-888-456-HOPE
or www.AbortionRecovery.org
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
DAILY HERALD AD PROJECT
 I/we wish to contribute $__________ to help sponsor the
newspaper ad in the Daily Herald.
 I/we wish my/our name to appear in the Daily Herald as a
supporter.
 I/we DO NOT wish my/our name to appear in the Daily Herald.
Name: __________________________________________________
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Stewardship
PARISH CHRISTMAS GIFT
Along with your Sunday offertory monetary support, our
collections on Christmas, Easter and other Holy Days
provide the income which pays our Parish Family’s
operational expenses.
We definitely need and appreciate your sacrificial offerings in the Christmas
envelope. We suggest that each parish household donate a gift of at least
$175.00. For some, this might be impossible. For others, a larger gift might be
a fitting expression of thanks and of praise to God for all of His blessings,
especially the gift of His Son. If possible, you might increase your Christmas
gift in the name of those parishioners who cannot give as they would like
because of their current financial situations.
THANK YOU for all your generous sharing of Treasure, Time and Talent which
enables our Parish Family to proclaim Jesus in so many ways.
- Your
Finance Committee
SUNDAY SACRIFICIAL GIVING
(SSG)
4th Sunday of Advent
“Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with
you!” – LUKE 1:28
Faith is a gift from God. During this
Christmas season take time in silence
and pray to God. Thank Him for all
the gifts He has given you. Try to set
aside any anger or resentment you
have and really open your heart to
receive the gift of God’s grace.
December 7
December 14
Sunday Budget
YTD Actual
$ 32,048.23
Early Bulletin Deadline
$ 540,500.00
$ 538,432.00
$ ( 2,068.00)
Thank you!
———————————————————
STV50 Anniversary Campaign
(STV50AC)
Gold Envelope UPDATE
The STV50AC three year capital fundraising project
officially began in March 2010, having had an “I Can’t
Wait To Give” introduction in December, 2009. As usual, three year
campaigns run between five and six years due to the starting date of
pledges.
At this five year juncture, we are discontinuing the STV50AC gold
envelope in the weekly/monthly church offertory envelope sets.
Beginning January 1st, all those still faithfully completing their STV50AC
pledges will receive a monthly statement with a return envelope for
their payments. We hope to have all outstanding pledges fulfilled by
June 30, 2015.
We again THANK all who have generously donated or fulfilled
STV50AC pledges over the years as well as those who participated in
the “Pick-A-Pew” Campaign.
Please see next week’s bulletin for an STV50AC STATUS Report.
Thank you,
Ron Schaefer
Parish Manager
7
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
“May it be done to me according to
your word.” (Lk 1:38)
With that simple statement, our Blessed
Mother Mary represents everything that a
good steward must be — someone who
has put total trust in God regardless the
consequences. On this Fourth and final
Sunday of Advent, it is imperative for all
of us to keep that in mind.
Mary’s response is what each of us
needs to strive for. We, too, need to be
prepared to place our lives in God’s
hands, and to react to whatever happens
with a sense of thanksgiving and resolve.
Holy Scripture reminds us these few days
before we celebrate the birth of Christ
that we have been on a journey, an
Advent journey. This journey should have
prepared us for the joy of this week, but it
also should have been marked by our
own ongoing conversion and effort to be
better Catholics and Christians.
Parish News
Parish Family:
Merry Christmas! As we have journeyed
through the season of Advent, we have
prepared our hearts, our minds, and our
homes for this joyful celebration: the
Incarnation of God in the Christ child.
The season is filled with gifts, family
gatherings and delicious food; but may
we always remember that without Christ,
we wouldn’t have this wonderful season
to celebrate! As the angles proclaimed,
“Glory to God in the highest” (Luke
2:14), we too must thank God for the gift
of his Son, but also for the gifts God has
given us this year, and throughout our
lives. We always forget to shop for
someone, and every year we promise to
remember the next. The person I am
thinking of that is always left out is Jesus
Christ. We forget to thank him, forget to
give him gifts of our time, our talent and
our treasures. We forget to spend time
with him in daily prayer, and we forget to
see him in the faces of our family, our
friends, and in those who are marginalized in society. May this Christmas
season remind us that we are all called
to serve and to love God with all our
heart, mind, strength and body (cf Mark
12:30). May we be reminded of the great
love God has for us, for sending his only
son to earth to be with us, to walk in our
shoes and to care for us. May we have
the same love for Christ as the Blessed
Virgin and her chaste spouse, St.
Joseph had for their new born son, as
they placed him the manger. And
always, may we remember that the
wood of the manger is the same as the
wood of the cross and live our lives in
humility and service to one another, so
we too may share in the glorious
resurrection on the last day.
I wish you all a very blessed Christmas
and joyful New Year! I ask for your
prayers as I continue my studies for
priesthood at St. Joseph College
Seminary and be assured of my
prayers for you and those you love.
In Christ,
Andy Matijevic
CONTINUE TO GROW
IN FAITH AND KNOWLEDGE
The Faith Formation’s Multimdedia rack,
located in the Gathering Area on the wall near
the restrooms, has been updated with new
books, pamphlets and CDs. The books are
available for a $4 donation; the pamphlets for
$2; and the CDs are $3. The new titles are:
CD’s
Four Pillars of Marian Spirituality: Mike Sweeney
Jesus the Bridegroom: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told: Dr. Brant Pitre
The Mystery of Christmas: Fr. Larry Richards
Journey Through Advent: Liturgical Cycle B: Fr. Robert Barron
The Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality: Matthew Kelly
Understanding the Crusades: Dr. Thomas Madden
A Voice for the Unborn: Lila Rose
What's So Great About Being Catholic?: Jason Evert
Books
The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth by Dr. Scott Hahn Beautifully
written, in clear direct language, Dr. Scott Hahn's best-selling book will help readers
see the Mass with new eyes, pray the liturgy with a renewed heart, and enter into the
Mass more fully, enthusiastically, intelligently, and powerfully than ever before.
Bible basics for Catholics by Dr. John Bergsma: From biblical scholar, Dr. John
Bergsma, comes this fresh, fun and authentically Catholic introduction to the "big
picture" of salvation history.
Booklets
Pure Love Booklet by Jason Evert In an easy to read question and answer format,
Pure Love is a great introduction to the topic of chastity.
Pure Manhood Booklet by Jason Evert Young men deserve straight answers to
tough questions about women, dating, sexuality, and authentic masculinity.
Pure Womanhood Booklet by Crystalina Evert In today’s world, it is all too easy for
a young woman to fool herself with lies about love. What does she tell herself?
A Way of Life for Young Catholics Booklet by Catholic Truth Society This
booklet contains practical, down-to-earth advice on many aspects of daily life, whether
spiritual, moral, emotional, or vocational. It will be especially helpful for older
confirmation candidates, students and young adults hoping to learn more about their
faith.
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St. Pat / St. Joe’s Dinner, Dance and Auction
St. Thomas of Villanova’s 12th Annual
St. Patrick & St. Joseph’s
Saturday
March 7th, 2015
6:00pm—11:00pm
Here’s What We Are
Offering This Year!
Dinner
Dance
♦Great
Food and Beverages!
Catered Dinner by Inglenook * St. Joseph’s
Sweet Table * Irish Coffee Shoppe *
Two Cash Bars * Coffee, Tea and Soda
♦Great
Entertainment!
Comedian Corey Calvert *
DJ Jeff Walczynski
♦Grand
Auction
Vacation Raffle!
Cash Prizes for 2nd & 3rd place!
♦Everyone
Wins Game
♦Silent & Live Auctions
♦Raffles and Much More!
Do you have talents and skills to share for our Event? We could use help with:
 BARTENDING Can you help serve beverages to our guests?
− Contact Larry Peterson: lepslp@yahoo.com / (847)358-1193.
 EVENT PROGRAM ADVERTISING How would you like to solicit ads for our program booklet?
− Contact Erin Nicholas: emnicholas@comcast.net / (847)705-5528.
 ST. JOSEPH’S SWEET TABLE Please consider baking desserts for our event.
− Contact Sandy Peterson: tidybull@hotmail / (847)358-1193 .
 AUCTION SETUP Help inventory auction items and display them on the Event day.
− Contact Brian O’Shea: boshea14@comcast.net / (847)991 7946 .
 GIFT SOLICITATION Can you help contact local businesses to solicit gifts for our auctions and raffles?
− Contact John Heraty: jthlegion@yahoo.com / (847)508-3638.
Proceeds to Benefit St. Thomas of Villanova Parish Ministries
9
On Black Friday, and Christmas
Since returning to the corporate world in
2004 after caring for my father--and being
therefore low on the corporate seniority
ladder--I have typically worked the day
after Thanksgiving. Now with ten-plus
years behind me, I’ve gotten some of my
lost seniority back. Enough, anyway (with
the cooperation of my senior manager,
who said she’d work on November 28th), to
get this past day-after-Thanksgiving off.
Nice. I slept later than usual and enjoyed a
delicious, mid-morning pumpkin-spiced
latte at a local coffee shop with my wife as
we discussed our Christmas gift list for
family and friends. We observed later,
though, that even as we did this, neither of
us was thinking about the progression of
the day, and before long we found
ourselves at Harlem-Irving Plaza on Black
Friday. Yikes! I tired quickly of the fray and
told Gail I’d wait for her outside Carson’s
entrance into the mall. Then, finding a spot
there near the holiday display, I sat on the
floor and awaited her return.
I passed the time day-dreaming, singing
songs in my head, and people-watching
from a toddler’s height-perspective. I saw
one guy--a young man--who stood out in
the crowd because of the fashion
statement he presented (he wore an
over-sized white baseball cap with the bill
cocked to one side, amber-shaded eyeglasses, a light-colored shirt with a skinny
tie knotted well below his neck, jeans, and
white boots rising well above his ankles)
and because of his unhappy disposition
(he was on his cell phone as he walked by,
and he was not pleased about something).
I also saw two mall workers go by with one
lamenting to the other, “Nobody wants to
see Santa anymore. They just want to get
their stuff and leave…” Understandable.
On Black Friday, anyway. But the overheard conversation I’m playing in my head
at the moment hit my ears from a woman
and I couldn’t see if she was talking to
anyone else or just to herself. Anyway, “I’m
hungry,” she said. “I’m starving. I need
something…”
weeks. We have all
been preparing, not
only in remembrance
of his birth but also in
anticipation of his
coming again.
Accordingly, we will
gather soon at the
manger in praise and
thanksgiving, and
precisely because a
young girl said yes to an angel long ago.
Millenniums later, even with--or perhaps
especially with--so much strife in the world,
we still hunger for this Christ and the Good
News he represents. One of the songs I
was singing in my head waiting for Gail
there near the holiday display--and the
angry young fashion statement and the
un-visited Santa--was something I’d written
a few years back. It begins like this: “The
stars in heaven/ Speak to me tonight/ They
Seems like we were just putting
tell a story that I’ve heard before, and/ One
Thanksgiving away and here we are at the in particular/ That one that shines so bright/
4th Sunday of Advent. I don’t know about
Tells me that Jesus is born.’’ From Black
you, but I’m hungry too. I’m starving, too. I Friday at the HIP, all the way to
Bethlehem… Merry Christmas.
need something, too. And I’m not talking
about burgers or pizzas. We have all been
Copyright 2014 by John B. Reynolds (john@jrwrites.com)
waiting for the Christ these past few
Dec. 27/28
SATURDAY 5:00 PM
SUNDAY 7:30 AM
SUNDAY 9:30 AM
SUNDAY 11:15 AM
SUNDAY 1:30 PM
PRESIDER
Fr. Tom Rzepiela
Fr. Ray Yadron
Fr. Tom Rzepiela
Fr. James Presta
Fr. Wojciech Oleksy
DEACON
Rich Willer
Len Marturano
Tom Dunne
John Breit
HOMILIST
Rich Willer
Len Marturano
Tom Dunne
Fr. James Presta
Fr. Wojciech Oleksy
LECTORS
Ellen Frech
Jean Pope
Tom Greener
Ed Boduch
Jackie Nogle
Gina Angiollo
Dorene Wackerfuss
Sue Cotugno
Bogusia Stępiński
Ania Flanczewski
MINISTERS OF
COMMUNION
Mary Bragiel
John Davis
Marian De Groot
Dan Dunne
Jim Dunne
Jack McCarthy
Jo McCarthy
Helen Janicki
Mike Kanis
Jim Hajost
Bob Hicks
Mary Anne Horan
Ron Jozwiak
Sharron Jozwiak
Peter Kain
Mark Orr
Carole Parsons
Mila Quiaoit
Kate O'Connell
Tom O’Driscoll
Randy Schappert
Kathy Schappert
Beth Stowick
Jane Teutsch
Susan Weres
Beryl Whittemore
Sue Allen
Carol Schaffnit
Earl Schaffnit
Howard Pettinger
Maureen Treanor
Karen Barrett
Mary Carlson
Donna Casey
Pat Cavenagh
Tom Cavenagh
Edyta Kozlowski
Elizabeth McHugh
Maria Borsuk
Teresa Słoniewicz
Robert Stempniewicz
SERVERS
Joey VanMeter
Sara Walczynski
Daniel Walsh
Johnny O'Shea
Kelly O'Shea
Emily Gerdes
Angelina Nahulak
Sophia Nahulak
Luke Hulsebosch
Parker Sanchez
Maura McGarvey
Conor McGarvey
Donna Curda
T & M Greener
Boni & Mila Quiaoit
Sue Fanara
B Dalton & B Murphy
Mary Haig
Earl & Carol Schaffnit
R & S Zapata
Tom & Pat Cavenagh
GREETERS
M Maureen Penkava
G Bill & Helen Scott
N Bob & Lucy Madsen
10
Our Weekly Prayers
Monday, December 22
PRAY FOR OUR SICK
6:30am
8:00am
Please pray for all who are sick especially …
Communion Service
† Frank Ippolito; † Margaret
Pettinger; † Kimberly Pettinger;
† Manuel Dominguez
Tuesday, December 23
6:30am
8:00am
Communion Service
† Helen Siedlecki; † Vince Wojek;
† Lucy Pagani Cerwin
Wednesday, December 24
8:00am
3:00pm
5:00pm
10:00pm
All Living & Deceased Parishioners
Christmas Eve Mass—English
Christmas Eve Mass—English
Christmas Eve Mass—English
12:00am
9:30am
11:30am
1:30am
Christmas Midnight Mass—Polish
Christmas Day Mass—English
Christmas Day Mass—English
Christmas Day Mass—Polish
6:30am
8:00am
Communion Service
† Gilbert Lehman
Thursday, December 25
Friday, December 26
Saturday, December 27
8:00am
5:00pm
All Who Are Sick
† John & Helen Hycnar; 58th
Wedding Anniv.—Barb & Bob Ritt
Sunday, December 28
7:30am All Living & Deceased Parishioners
9:30am † Fay Kadowaki; † Eleanor Krok
11:15am † Thomas Yadron;
† Robert Falardeau, Sr.;
† Carmela Krogstad
1:30pm Mass—Polish
______________________________
Lou Anderson
Arthur Barnes
Christine Bertucci
Paul Bordenkircher
Maxine Bouchonville
Carole Brown
Baby Billy Callahan
Baby Ray Callahan
Ron Chambers
Harry Croft
Aiden Michael Delaney
Bruno Dul
Bill Dvorak
Judi Edelstein
Bob & Marilyn Flynn
Parker & Kirk Forseth
Carmela Gabl
Joseph Gagne
Cardinal George
Bob & Elaine Haren
Gerard Heinrichs
William Hopp
Ann Incavo-Ramos
Dennis & Shirley Jauch
Ron Jozwiak
Marie Kay
Nancy Kett
Ryan Kissane
Mary Alice Kobler
Matthew Kobler
Carole Konieczny
Susan Kordell
Bill Kowal
Molly Kunstbeck
Sue Langowski
Harold Lewis
Carli Maczko
Baby Frank R. Manno
Bob Maruska
Robert Mason
Dorothy Mathisen
Darlene McDonough
Krista Motley
Eileen O’Connell
Amie Parisi
Valentine Pawlak
Lorraine Pichler
John Post
Boni Quiaoit
Betty Rasmussen
Margo Rickert
Elaine Romanchek
Ken Romanchek
Dick Samojla
Dan Schaffer
Sylvia Schaffer
Shirley Serena
Dora Shavikhuu
Eleanor Socha
David Spiller
JoAnn Swanson
Robert Szott
Sharon Tadsen
Rudy Vergin
Melissa Versino
Jozef Waz
Angie White
READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Mon: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd;
Lk 1:46-56
Tue: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10,
14; Lk 1:57-66
Wed: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5,
27, 29; Lk 1:67-79
Thu: 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, 1113; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Day: Is 52:710; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18
[1-5, 9-14]
Fri: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6,
8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt 10:17-22
Sat: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12;
Jn 20:1a, 2-8
Sun: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3;
Ps 128:1-5or Ps 105:1-6, 8-9;
Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or Hb 11:8, 11-12,
17-19; Lk 2:22-40 [22, 39-40]
IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY
We pray for the loved ones serving in our
Armed Forces.
Banville
• MAJ Robert Bland
• MAJ Bernadette
O’Shea Bland
Daily 6:30am Communion Service:
Monday thru Friday in Church
Daily 8:00am Mass: Monday thru
Saturday in Church
Eucharistic Adoration: Every
Wednesday 6:00pm—7:00pm in Church
Prayer Chain: If you or someone you
know needs prayer, call Elaine 847-3582782 to be included in our prayer chain.
** ATTENTION **
•
•
NO 6:30am Communion Service:
December 24, 25 & 26
NO Eucharistic Adoration:
December 24 & 31. It will resume
11
• Major Joey Cross
• Sgt. Thomas
Grygowski
• PFC Jeffrey Daniel
Krantz
• PFC Ryan
• 1st Lt. Thomas
• 1st Lt. Ben Couchey
• SPC Evan P. Crouse
• Sgt. Brian J.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Camis-Sutherland
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Opportunities for Prayer
U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Army
• Specialist William
•
McCarthy
LCPL Sam Miller
LCPL Conor O’Neill
CPL Kevin M. Potter
Sgt. Nicholas Regini
Sgt. Corey A. White
LCPL James N.
Wyant
Dankowski
Captain Joel Hilborn
Lt. Michael Labek
Staff Sgt. Dustin Lyles
SPC Michael Medina
U.S. Navy
Sgt. Kevin Miller
• Lt. Kevin Brandwein
1st Lt. Jesse Turner
• Lt. Cdr. John-Paul
1st Lt. Tina Stowick
Falardeau
Turner
• Captain Jason Haen
• SN Gregory Minott
U.S. Air Force
TSGT Dan Fialek
• Captain Louis J.
Schager, Jr.
Airman Justin
Godsey
U.S. Coast Guard
Msgt. Matthew Grelck • LTJG Kevin O’Brien
CPT Erin Killion
Green Baret
Lt. Sean McGee
•
Joseph Kilcullen III
Staff Sgt. Darrel J.
Moe
Other
SR.A Brian R.
• CPL David Crouse
O’Donnell
• CPT James Ruetshe,
Lt. Colonel Jeffrey D.
Ranger
Stockwell
Matthew Walz
REST IN PEACE
Please remember to pray for those who
have died recently and for their families.
♦
Walter Huppenbauer, Jr.
♦
Victoria Rzepiela
− Aunt of Father Tom
ROSE FOR LIFE
In Loving Memory of
My Daughter
LISA MARIE MOSKALA
From Maureen Penkava
Faith-Filled Families
Marriage Moment
It's almost here - Christmas of course.
It's easy to feel pretty frantic and
busy at this time of year. We want to
get a nice gift for our spouse, the
kids, whoever, decorate, etc. Take
some time out today. It needn't be
long; just a pause. Look at each other
and be thankful.
A Parenting Pointer
The Christmas Vigil uses the genealogy of Jesus as the Gospel (Matthew
1:1-25). Do your children know their
heritage back several generations?
Talk with them about their relatives
dead and alive and their ethnic roots.
Perhaps go to a map and help them
visualize the way they came to the
place you now call home.
© 2014 Susan Vogt
What a wonderful miracle! But how could this happen?
The angel soon explained.
12
Informacje po polsku (Polish Information)
INTENCJE MSZALNE I REJESTRACJA
Intencje mszalne można zamówić po Mszy św.
niedzielnej w pokoju marszałków. Prosimy
o zamawianie Mszy św. z przynajmniej
tygodniowym wyprzedzeniem. Formy rejestracyjne
dostępne są również w pokoju marszałków.
MSZE ŚW.
Parafia Świętego Tomasza z Villanova zaprasza
całą wspólnotę polskojęzyczną do wspólnej modlitwy i nabożeństw.
Msze św. w jęz. polskim—niedziela: 1:30pm;
Pierwszy Piątek miesiąca: spowiedź od 5:30 do
7:15pm, Msza św. o godz. 7:30pm
SAKRAMENT CHRZTU ŚW.
Sakrament Chrztu Św. w jęz. polskim jest udzielany
w pierwszą i trzecią niedzielę miesiąca po Mszy św.
w języku polskim—prosimy
o
wcześniejsze potwierdzenie daty z biurem
parafialnym! Rodzice zobowiązani są do
uczestniczenia w przygotowaniu do Sakramentu
Chrztu Św.
SAKRAMENT MAŁŻEŃSTWA
Pary proszone są o kontakt z biurem parafialnym
przynajmniej 6 miesięcy przed planowanym ślubem
w celu ustalenia daty ślubu i spotkania się z
księdzem.
Obdarowana ponad miarę
Maryja obdarowana przez Boga. Obdarowana ponad miarę – łaski pełna.
Obdarowana Jezusem – Słowem Wcielonym. Takie obdarowanie budzi lęk. Jak
to możliwe? Dlatego Bóg słowami Gabriela zaprasza Ją do ufności: „Nie bój się,
Maryjo, bo Bóg Cię obdarzył łaską”. Maryja przestaje się lękać, bo powierza się
miłości Boga: „Tam, gdzie jest miłość, nie ma lęku, doskonała miłość odrzuca
lęk” (1 J 4, 18). Ona, która doświadcza umiłowania ponad miarę i zostaje
wypełniona Bożą łaską, pokornie zawierza się otrzymanemu darowi: „Jestem
służebnicą Pana; niech mi się stanie według twego słowa”.
Jezu, ja także jestem obdarowany ponad miarę. Ojciec dał mi Ciebie
a wraz z Tobą wszelkie łaski i nieskończoność swojego przebaczenia. Oto ja, Panie, niechaj Twoje słowo spełnia się w moim życiu.
————————————————————————————————————
Dar dla Parafii
Wraz ze zbliżającymi się Świętami Bożego Narodzenia zachęcamy wszystkich
naszych parafian do przemyślenia i przemodlenia ile każda rodzina może złożyć
w ofierze na rzecz naszej parafii w tym szczególnym czasie radości i dzielenia
się z innymi. Jeśli to możliwe prosimy aby każda rodzina złożyła na tace w Boże
Narodzenie $100.00. Pieniądze te pomogą w opłaceniu wszystkich naszych
bieżących wydatków. Bóg zapłać za Wasze ofiary składane na rzecz naszej
parafii w ciągu całego roku!
————————————————————————————————————
SAKRAMENT POKUTY
Niedziela 1:00pm- 1:25pm.
SAKRAMENT NAMASZCZENIA
CHORYCH
Duszpasterstwo dla osób starszych i chorych.
Wizyta w domu chorego z Komunią Św. oraz
wspólna modlitwa. Prosimy o kontakt
z ks. Wojciechem.
RÓŻA RÓŻAŃCOWA
Spotkania w drugą niedzielę miesiąca po Mszy św.
Serdecznie zapraszamy do wspólnej modlitwy
różańcowej w każdą niedzielę przed Mszą św.
o godz. 1:00 pm.
Z okazji zbliżających się Świąt Bożego Narodzenia, życzę
Wam aby Boża Dziecina była obecna każdego dnia
w Waszym życiu. Niech Jej błogosławieństwo spoczywa na
Was i Waszych najbliższych, a pokój, miłość i dobro niech
towarzyszy Wam we wszystkich Waszych przedsięwzięciach
osobistych i zawodowych.
KONTAKT Z KANCELARIĄ
Poniedziałek—Czwartek: 9:00 am—8:00pm
Piątek: 9:00 am—5:00 pm
Sobota: 9:00 am—1:00 pm
Telefon: 847-358-6999
NIEDZIELNA SKŁADKA
7
grudnia
$ 1,889.00
14 grudnia
N/A
W sumie:
$ 1,889.00
Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia!
Dziękujemy!
ks. Wojciech
13