„behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and
TRANSCRIPT
DECEMBER 18, 2016
FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
To S
erve
as H
e Ser
ved,
To
Live
as H
e Liv
ed,
and
To L
ove a
s He L
oved
. 5136 N Nottingham Ave, Chicago, IL 60656 ● (773) - 763—1661 ● WWW.STMONICACHICAGO.COM
„Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”
Mt 11:23
W__k_n^ M[ss S]h_^ul_ Saturday at 4:00 p.m.—English and 6:00 p.m.—Polish Sunday at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:00 Noon, and Polish at 1:30 p.m.
W__k^[y M[ss S]h_^ul_ Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m.
Ros[ry [n^ Divin_ M_r]y Ch[pl_t Prayed weekdays before the 8:30 a.m. Eucharist.
Eu]h[risti] @^or[tion Held every Thursday, beginning at 9:00 a.m. concluding with Benediction at 6:45 p.m., and prayer of the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:00 p.m. (some exceptions due to Holy Days and liturgical celebrations).
SACRAMENTS
@nointing of th_ Si]k The special grace of this Sacrament offers the Lord’s healing strength, peace and courage to anyone who is seriously or chronically ill, hospitalized or about to undergo surgery. Please contact the Parish Office if you wish to have someone anointed.
B[ptism The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated twice a month: the first and third Saturday of the month at 11:00 a.m. (some exceptions due to Holy Days and liturgical celebrations). Please call the Parish Office to register for the program and to set a date for the Baptism.
M[rri[g_ Archdiocese of Chicago guidelines for marriage preparation ask that a minimum of six months be set aside for preparation for marriage. No firm date for a wedding will be set until the conclusion of the couple’s first meeting with the parish minister. At least one of the engaged persons (or their parents) must be a registered and active parishioner of St. Monica. No Sunday weddings are scheduled.
Ministry to th_ Si]k/Hom_\oun^ If you or a family member are in a local hospital or are homebound and would like to have a visit from a priest, please call the Parish Office to make arrangements. Ministers of Care are also available to bring Communion to those who are confined at home and are unable to attend Mass, either temporarily or on a continual basis. Please call the Parish Office to schedule a visit.
R_]on]ili[tion (Conf_ssion) Monday — Friday from 8:00—8:25 a.m., Saturday from 3:00 to 3:50 p.m., and 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. (English and Polish). Individual confessions available by appointment.
Parish Mission Statement
Saint Monica is a welcoming Catholic faith community. Proclaiming the power of the Word of God, we join together in the celebration of the
Eucharist and all Sacraments. We aim to follow Jesus Christ —
To S_rv_ [s H_ S_rv_^, To Liv_ [s H_ Liv_^, [n^ To Lov_ [s H_ Lov_^.
P[rish St[ff Rev. Mariusz (Mario) P. Stefanowski Pastor Rev. Andrew Izyk Associate Pastor Rev. William Holbrook Resident Priest Mr. Ron Gronek Deacon Mr. Ed Podgorski Deacon Mrs. Laurie Becker Director of Religious Education Mrs. Sabina Debski Parish Secretary Mr. Kamil Duda Director of Music Mr. Richard Grabowiecki Maintenance Engineer Mrs. Dorothy Spencer Director of Finance Mrs. Gwenn Suvada Business Office Coordinator
St. Monica Academy 5115 N. Mont Clare, Chicago, Illinois 60656
Telephone: 773-631-7880 Fax: 773-631-3266
www.stmonicachicago.com
@][^_my St[ff Mr. Raymond Coleman Principal Mrs. Darlene Connelly School Secretary
Chur]h Etiqu_tt_ If you are arriving late for Mass, please choose an appropriate time to enter the church, such as when everyone is standing, but not during the readings or prayers. Please know that it is better to be present at Mass, even if you are a little late, than not to be present at all.
Please be respectful and courteous when entering church by turning off ALL cell phones and beepers. Church is a place of worship and should be treated with reverence. Thank You.
Chur]h Foy_r Displ[y @r_[ The tables and bulletin boards in the church foyer are designated for displaying parish and school information only. No outside brochures, newspapers, flyers, prayer cards, devotional material and religious articles are allowed. Non-parish/school items are removed daily. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Bull_tin D_[^lin_ Bulletin article submissions are due ten (10) days prior to publication date. Holidays are subject to earlier deadlines. All requests are considered for print based on priority, available space, and are printed and edited at the discretion of the Pastor and Bulletin Editor. Requests can be sent via e-mail to [email protected].
SAINT MONICA PARISH Church Location: Corner of Foster and Nottingham Avenues
Office Address: 5136 N. Nottingham Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60656 Telephone: 773-763-1661 Fax: 773-763-4917 Parish Website: www.stmonicachicago.com
Parish Office Hours: Monday & Friday—9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday—9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday—10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and SUNDAY—CLOSED
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December 18, 2016 Page 2
Our Prayers
MONDAY, December 19, 2016 8:30 a.m. — Joseph Carpino, Jr. (Birthday) Jennifer George (Birthday) Claro & Virginia Ricana Conrado Cruz TUESDAY, December 20, 2016 8:30 a.m. — For the people of St. Monica Parish Conrado Cruz WEDNESDAY, December 21, 2016 8:30 a.m. — Daniel T. Schiffer Irene & Joseph Wiater and Family Chester Zdunek Conrado Cruz THURSDAY, December 22, 2016 - 8:30 a.m. — For the souls in purgatory Conrado Cruz FRIDAY, December 23, 2016 8:30 a.m. — Leo S. Bartoski Jr. Elizabeth Mrowicz (Anniv.) Frank & Irene Sokol SATURDAY, December 24, 2016 4:00 p.m. — Joseph Carpino & Caroline Carpino John Lyons George Robaczewski, Jr. John O’Flaherty Frank O’Donnell Franciszek Wyszyński SUNDAY, December 25, 2016 12:00 a.m. — Marge O’Donnell Dr Willliam Frett Fredrick Tomzik Ted & Michalina Bialek Barbara Healy 7:30 a.m. — Debra Giannini Ted H. & Frances Drwal Carmen Tortorello Ryszard Świerzbiński 9:00 a.m. — William H. Jacob Melinda Malatesta Giuseppe Randazzo Wayer & Zmuda Families 10:30 a.m.— Richard & Helen Hadary
Madeline Hadary Virginia Blume Walter Egert Louis & Rita Stelmach 12:00 p.m. — Tim Francis John & Margaret Carini Anna Bury Leon, Maria, Jan Olszański
M[ss Int_ntions For th_ W__k
Sp_]i[l Pr[y_rs For Thos_ In N__^
United States Air Force
Michael Brimie Zachary Muldoon
Matt Olken Anthony Villalpando
Laurel Walsh
United States Army
Eric Ambriz James Ambriz
Kurt Beyer Tom Bobek
Daniel Clark Michael G. Dobija Justin Elazegui
Walter Fernandez Robert Gullett
Brandon Jackson Andrew Kupinski Jesus O. Lebron Conner Mahoney Erik Malenock Andrew Perez
United States Army, cont’d
Julio Rios Michael Rivera
Brian Scoles Andrew Thomas
Christopher Walsh Michael Zadlo
United States Army Reserve Jason Adamczyk Roman Gronke Keith Maslon Sean O’Grady
United States Coast Guard
Christine Ambriz
United States Marines
Vincent Bertucci Andrew Cobos Gage Cygnar
United States Marines, cont’d Lukas Czynczyk Dominic Davila
Andrew L. Davison Caitlen Ferrarell Benjamin Juhasz
Mathew Lynn Michael T. Medrys
Steven Meyer Kevin Rasmussen Christopher Ryan
United States Navy
Jeremy Bloom Justin Chovanec Zachary Corrado
Daniel Jarosz Clay Presny Riley Schoen
Steven Stancy Richard Whitman
Nick Whitman
R_m_m\_r Our Milit[ry
Arnott Family, Phyllis Babbs, Carol Batjes, Marilyn Bell,
Sylvia Boulahanis, Pat Brennan, Adam Burek, Jo Buscemi,
Rogelio Castro, Sr., Dolores Nieciecki,
Darlene O’Donnell, Sharon Petrozz,
Cindy Cisek, Grace Cleys, Joan Craig,
Samantha Crump, Carole Edwards,
Roberta Gols, Kerri Horan,
Martin McNeela, Terina Marotta,
David Ostrowski, Stephanie Pasko,
Jose Perez,
Max Piekos, Hanrietta Pinkowski, Deacon Ed Podgorski,
Augie Sansone, Beverly Schiffer, Tim Sheehan, Harriet Skiba, Denise Slaski,
Fr. Fred Tomzik, Ida Traczyk,
Laura Wysocki, Ralph Volgarino
and all the sick and aged of our parish...
CZWARTEK, 22 grudnia 2016
7:00 p.m. — Za dusze w czyścu cierpiące.
SOBOTA, 24 grudnia 2016 - PASTERKA
10:00 p.m. — Maria Janus (30th Anniv.)
NIEDZIELA, 25 grudnia 2016
1:30 p.m. — Edward Wójcik Krzysztof, Wiktoria, Julian Dzik Marianna & Franciszek Zając Józefa & Władysław Sieczka
Int_n]j_ Mszy Sw.
Saint Monica Parish - Advent iv
December 18, 2016 Page 3
SUMMONED BY GOD As Christmas draws near, Advent’s scriptures lure us into a world of dreams, signs, wonders, and the miracle of the virgin birth. Too often we allow the great stories of our faith, the ones that are most familiar, simply to wash over us. Today’s Gospel account of the events leading up to the birth of the Lord reads like a present-day soap opera. Yet Joseph’s courage, even in the midst of what must have been an incredibly confusing time, provides a model for us. Each week, we are summoned by God to embrace the way of goodness and truth through the proclamation of God’s holy word. Like Joseph, we are called to do as the Lord commands us. As we stand at the threshold of Christmas, let us have the courage to be open to whatever it is that the Lord will require of us as we celebrate the miracle of Bethlehem. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.
TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION By now, the first Christmas carols are heard in the home, but usually 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 celebrations. “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 patterns, 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 Catholic 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 midnight Mass in 1818. The people 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.
December 18, 2016 Page 4
Saint Monica Parish - Advent iv
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.” So begins Matthew’s narration of of Mary and Joseph’s first adventure as husband and wife. The early Christians who were his audience must have been eager to hear the story of Jesus’ early years, and wondered if what they had heard about Mary was true. It must have been Mary who handed this story down to the apostles, which subsequently found itself in the scriptural canon. One would imagine that this was a rather private matter between Mary and Joseph, but so important that it needed to be shared later. It’s a tender and lovely story of a young couple in love and faced with a dilemma. JOSEPH WAS A RIGHTEOUS MAN Today’s Gospel is one of only a few stories that mention Joseph. It is clear from these Gospel accounts that Joseph was a man of good character and also a loving man, not willing to harm Mary, even though it appeared that she had betrayed him in the most hurtful way. He could have denounced her publicly and she would have been stoned to death. But he did not want that to happen to her. Did he and Mary have a conversation about the Annunciation events, and could that conversation have made him more open to the dream in which the angel appeared to him? IN A DREAM Do we believe that our dreams hold meaning for our lives? Many psychologists say so, and yet we often dismiss what we have dreamed because our dreams may seem so far-fetched and implausible. If we paid attention to our dreams, and God revealed something important to us, would we believe it? If something scary or evil occurred in a dream, would we just shake it off, or would we say a prayer to God to protect us from evil and know that God would never will bad things for us? The Jews then, as today, looked for the Messiah to come. When the angel told Joseph that this child was conceived through the Holy Spirit, he readily believed that Mary would bear a son who would save people from their sins. They named him Jesus, which in Hebrew is “Yeshua.” It means “God saves.” Joseph was willing to believe that the prophecy from Isaiah, “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, / and they shall name him Emmanuel, / which means ‘God is with us’ ” would be fulfilled in his own life (Matthew 1:23). When he awoke,
he did not shake off the dream, but acted on it in a way that would change his life, and would change the world. In this season of waiting for the Messiah, we can dream of that time of the Reign of God to come, and we can believe that it will be fulfilled. Today’s Readings: Is 7:10–14; Ps 24:1–6; Rom 1:1–7; Mt 1:18–24 Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.
December 18, 2016 Page 5
St. Monica Parish - Christmas Schedule
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
Sacrament of Reconciliation (English-Polish-Italian)
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24,2016
4:00 pm - Family Mass 10:00 pm - Polish Mass
12:00 am - Midnight Mass (Carols begin at 11:30 pm)
Christmas Day Sunday, December 25, 2016
7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm
St. Stephen Monday, December 26, 2016
8:30 am
New Year’s Eve Saturday, December 31, 2016
4:00 pm - Vigil Mass
Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God New Year’s Day
Sunday, January 1, 2017
7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm
THE CHRISTMAS WAFER a tradition at the Christmas Table
Packages of Christmas Wafers, opłatki,
that have been blessed by our pastor are available at the Parish Office
during regular office hours. Each package contains four wafers;
enough for sharing at your Christmas Table while you
exchange Christmas wishes and blessings with your loved ones.
A suggested donation per package is $3.00
The 8th grade Religious Education class
instructed by Mrs. Elizabeth Giglione and Mr. Mike
Hendrickson, visited the retired sister's home at Resurrection on Saturday, December 10th,
to spread some Christmas joy. They sang carols, made ornaments together
and shared a delicious pizza lunch that was donated from Mamma Mia's located at
4638 N. Cumberland in Chicago. This has become an annual visit
that the sisters love and the 8th graders grow spiritually from.
Here are a few pictures from this memorable experience.
-Mrs. Elizabeth Giglione Relilgious Ed Teacher
ST. MONICA RELIGIOUS ED
St. Monica Parish - Reconciliation
December 18, 2016 Page 7
A B RIEF E XAMINATION OF C ONSCIENCE B ASED ON THE T EN C OMMANDMENTS
I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me. Have I treated people, events, or things as more important than God? You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Have my words, actively or passively, put down God, the Church, or people? Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day. Do I go to Mass every Sunday (or Saturday Vigil) and on Holy Days of Obligation (Jan. 1; the Ascension; Aug. 15; Nov. 1; Dec. 8; Dec. 25)? Do I avoid, when possible, work that impedes worship to God, joy for the Lord’s Day, and proper relaxation of mind and body? Do I look for ways to spend time with family or in service on Sunday? Honor your father and your mother. Do I show my parents due respect? Do I seek to maintain good communication with my parents where possible? Do I criticize them for lacking skills I think they should have? You shall not kill. Have I harmed another through physical, verbal, or emotional means, including gossip or manipulation of any kind? You shall not commit adultery. Have I respected the physical and sexual dignity of others and of myself? You shall not steal. Have I taken or wasted time or resources that belonged to another? You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Have I gossiped, told lies, or embellished stories at the expense of another? You shall not covet your neighbor’s spouse. Have I honored my spouse with my full affection and exclusive love? You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods. Am I content with my own means and needs, or do I compare myself to others unnecessarily?
Christ’s Two Commandments How well do we love God and others? Do we love as Christ calls us to? In the Gospel of Matthew, Christ gives us Two Commandments: “He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments’” (Mt 22:37-40). Not sure what love is? St. Paul describes it for us in his Letter to the Corinthians. Is this how you love God and others? “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quicktempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” (1 Cor 13:4-8).
www.usccb.org
Turn to the LORD for mercy, to our GOD, who is generous in forgiving. IS 55:7b
December 18, 2016 Page 8
St. Monica Parish - Reconciliation
GOD’S GIFT OF FORGIVNESS Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: “Peace be with you!” With these words, the Risen Lord greeted his frightened Apostles in the Upper Room on the day of his Resurrection. They were troubled, anxious, and fearful—much like each one of us at some point in our lives. Christ repeated the words, “Peace be with you.” But then he added, “Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them” (Jn 20:19-23). What an extraordinary gift! The Risen Lord was proclaiming that all the suffering he had just endured was in order to make available the gifts of salvation and forgiveness. He wanted the Apostles to receive these gifts. He wanted them to become apostles of this forgiveness to others. In the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, also called confession, we meet the Lord, who wants to grant forgiveness and the grace to live a renewed life in him. In this sacrament, he prepares us to receive him free from serious sin, with a lively faith, earnest hope, and sacri- cial love in the Eucharist. The Church sees confession as so important that she requires that every Catholic go at least once a year.1 The Church also encourages frequent confession in order to grow closer to Christ Jesus and his Body, the Church. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, we seek forgiveness and repentance, let go of patterns of sin, grow in the life of virtue, and witness to a joyful conversion. Since the graces of the sacrament are so similar to the purpose of the New Evangelization, Pope Benedict XVI has said, “The New Evangelization . . . begins in the confessional!”2 We bishops and priests are eager to help you if you experience dif culty, hesitation, or uncertainty about approaching the Lord in this sacrament. If you have not received this healing sacrament in a long time, we are ready to welcome you.
We, whom Christ has ordained to minister this forgiveness in his name, are also approaching this sacrament, as both penitents and ministers, throughout our lives and at this special moment of grace during Lent. We want to offer ourselves to you as forgiven sinners seeking to serve in the Lord’s name. During Lent—in addition to the various penitential services during which individual confession takes place—we bishops and priests will be making ourselves available often for the individual celebration of this sacrament. We pray that through the work of the Holy Spirit, all Catholics—clergy and laity—will respond to the call of the New Evangelization to encounter Christ in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. Come to the Lord and experience the extraordinary grace of his forgiveness! ______________________________________________________ 1 Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1457-1458. 2 Pope Benedict XVI, Address to the Annual Course on the Internal Forum Organized by the Apostolic Penitentiary, www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2012/march/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20120309_ penitenzieria-apostolica_en.html. Source: www.usccb.org
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
(English-Polish-Italian)
Tuesday, December 20, 2016 ST. MONICA CHURCH
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
December 18, 2016 Page 9
St. Monica Parish - News & Schedule
L i t u r g i c a l M i n i s t r y S ch e d u l e
DATE TIME EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS LECTOR ALTAR SERVERS
December 24
4:00 pm T. Lach C. Lyons
M. Paul N. Madaj M. Rozko
TBD Monday Meeting
12:00 am
C. Peterson G. Peterson-Grabinski D. SanBuenaventura
S. Hilger J. Hilger J. Hilger
L. Ciesielski M. Cahill
TBD Monday Meeting
7:30 am J. Ronchi K. Ronchi
S. Bass H. Bass
TBD Monday Meeting
9:00 am J. Campanaro C. Cwynar J. Cwynar
W. Smreczak P. Brenner
TBD Monday Meeting
10:30 am
A. Mazzenga T. Mazzenga
L. Mazzenga J. Taraszkiewicz R. LaVecchia
TBD Monday Meeting
12:00 pm
R. Catalano B. A. Devine
C. Devine M. Volgarino
TBD Monday Meeting
December 26
8:30 am M. Starke R. Wade TBD Monday Meeting
December 25
CAMPAIGN UPDATE Please continue to pray for Fr. Mario, our campaign volunteers and all parish families who will be invited to s u p p o r t T o T e a c h W h o C h r i s t I s . If you are contacted by a volunteer, please accept their phone call to schedule a time to talk about your support of St. Monica.
Parish Goal: $ 800,000.00
Total Pledged: $ 720,000.00
Percent of Goal: 90%
ATTENTION ALTAR SERVERS
There will be a meeting with fr. Mariusz on Monday, December 19th at 6:45 pm in the Church. Your attendance is mandatory!
December 18, 2016 Page 10
St. Monica Parish
CHRISTMAS FLORAL DECORATIONS FOR CHURCH
If you wish to remember your loved ones with a contribution for the flowers for the liturgical décor adorning our church throughout the Christmas season—the period between Christmas Day, December 25, 2016 through The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 9, 2017—we welcome your gift. Please fill in the form below and place it with your offering in an envelope marked “Christmas Flower Memorials.” Donations can be dropped in the weekend collection basket or delivered to the Parish Office. Those received by Wednesday, December 21, will appear in the Christmas Bulletin. Any memorials received after that will appear in the following bulletins.
- PLEASE PRINT -
DONOR: ____________________________________________________AMOUNT:_________________
ADDRESS:___________________________________________________PHONE: _________________
IN MEMORY OF:_______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
OR IN THANKSGIVING FOR: ____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
New Parishioner Registration Parishioner Information Update Form
We warmly welcome you and are very pleased that you have chosen to celebrate Mass with us, here at St. Monica Parish. Your registration is very important, especially when it is time for infant Baptism, school registration, wedding, or funeral.
We are often asked to provide letters as affidavits for Baptismal and Confirmation sponsors. We can only do this if you are a registered and active member in our parish.
Please fill out the attached form to register with the parish or to make any necessary changes for information currently on file. Return this form to the Parish Office or call Sabina Debski, Parish Secretary, at (773) 763-1661. You may also register by visiting our website at www.stmonicachicago.com.
Please check one: New parishioner Change of Name/Status Change of Address/Phone Moving, please remove from parish mailing list.
Mr. & Mrs. Miss Ms. Mr.
Last Name: ___________________________________________ First Name: ________________________________
Current Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________________________ Zip: ______________________________ Phone Number: ___________________________________ Alternate Number: _______________________________
Email Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________
December 18, 2016 Page 11
Parafia pw. Sw. Moniki DWIE WIZJE ŻYCIA
Józef miał swoje życiowe plany. Chciał założyć rodzinę. Czekając na dzień ślubu z radością spoglądał na swoją narzeczoną – Maryję. Jego wizja życia nie odbiegała w niczym od tej, jaką mieli jego koledzy. Mimo głębokiej wiary, jaką posiadał, była ona przykrojona do doczesności. Chciał uczciwie przeżyć swoje lata, wychować dzieci, doczekać się wnuków i w poczuciu dobrze wykonanego obowiązku spocząć razem z przodkami w grobie.
Interwencja Pana Boga zmieniła zupełnie jego plany i otwarła przed nim nową wizję sięgającą w wieczność. Bóg w ręce Józefa oddał swojego Syna i Jego Matkę, czyniąc go odpowiedzialnym za ich los na ziemi. Początkowo cieśla z Nazaretu niewiele rozumiał z tego czego Pan Bóg od niego oczekuje, ale w swej sprawiedliwości nie mógł Bogu powiedzieć: „nie”. Zgodził się na drogę wiodącą ku realizacji tej oszałamiającej wizji sięgającej w wieczność.
Józef wiele słyszał o pięknie i doskonałości Mesjańskiego Królestwa, niejednego też dowiedział się od swojej żony Maryi, głęboko wtajemniczonej przez samego Ducha Świętego w plany zbawienia świata. Jedno długo pozostawało dla niego tajemnicą: dlaczego droga wiodąca do realizacji tej wspaniałej wizji jest tak trudna. Oto z Matką Mesjasza w ostatnich tygodniach ciąży musi wędrować z Nazaretu do Betlejem. Tam spotykają się z nieprzychylnym przyjęciem przez swoich krewnych, którzy dla ubogiego cieśli i jego małżonki nie znajdują nawet kąta na mieszkanie. Mesjasz, Syn Boga, rodzi się ostatecznie w stajni, a więc w warunkach urągających ludzkiej godności.
Nam się wydaje, że do pięknego pałacu musi prowadzić droga równie piękna jak sam pałac – szeroka, równa, wygodna. Nie możemy sobie nawet wyobrazić, by do pałacu trzeba było brnąć po błocie, pokonywać przeszkody czasem przerastające możliwości człowieka. Do pałacu jedzie się pięknym powozem lub luksusowym samochodem. Droga i pałac stanowią jedną całość. Tymczasem Pan Bóg burzy to nasze wyobrażenie. Według Niego droga pierwszej klasy, szeroka i wygodna, wiedzie na krawędzi przepaści do wiecznego nieszczęścia. Natomiast droga ciasna, trudna, niedostępna prowadzi do pałacu wiecznego szczęścia.
Dlaczego tak się dzieje? Bóg potraktował drogę jako narzędzie doskonalenia człowieka. W przeciwnościach, w pokonywaniu trudności dojrzewa serce człowieka do życia w wiecznym szczęściu. Tylko ten, kogo stać na trud, na poświęcenie – zdoła dotrzeć do Domu Ojca.
W świetle objawienia Bożego ludzie dzielą się na dwie części. Jedni wybierają radość samej podróży i dlatego decydują się na wędrówkę drogą wygodną. Ich nie interesuje cel, do którego zmierzają. Przeżycie piękna samej drogi jest tym celem. Drudzy wybierają wizję nowego życia jaką przed nimi roztacza Bóg i decydują się na pokonanie wszystkich trudności stromej drogi, byle dotrzeć do ziemi obiecanej.
Adwentowe spotkanie ze świętym Józefem wzywa do głębszej refleksji nad własną wizją życia. Ku czemu zmierzamy? Czy jest to jedynie wizja wygodnej drogi zamknięta w doczesności, czy też jest to wizja, którą roztacza przed nami Bóg? A jeśli zdecydowaliśmy się na wędrowanie w stronę pałacu wiecznej szczęśliwości, który jest Domem naszego Ojca, czy jesteśmy gotowi na pokonanie przeciwności, które pojawią się na wiodącej do Niego drodze? Nie można inaczej udowodnić autentyczności swej wiary i miłości, jak tylko przez wierne trwanie na stromej i trudnej drodze prowadzącej do nieba. Objawił nam to sam Syn Boży, który powrót do Domu Ojca rozpoczyna w betlejemskiej stajni.
Ks. Edward Staniek - www.mateusz.pl
December 18, 2016 Page 12
St. Monica Parish - Annual Report Parafia pw. Sw. Moniki
OREMUS Przygotowujemy się na święto Narodzenia naszego Pana, Jezusa Chrystusa, prawdziwego człowieka z ludzkim rodowodem, a jednocześnie prawdziwego Boga, który powstając z martwych zwyciężył śmierć i grzech. Jego posłannictwo wyraża imię „Emmanuel” – „Bóg z nami”. Wiara w Boże wcielenie jest więc nie tylko przyjęciem za pewnik określonej prawdy teologicznej, lecz przekonaniem, że wszechmocny Bóg na zawsze opowiedział się po naszej stronie i że także dziś obdarza łaską i pokojem tych wszystkich, którzy Go szczerze szukają.
Mira Majdan, „Oremus” grudzień 2007, s. 86
PORZĄDEK MSZY ŚWIĘTYCH BOŻE NARODZENIE
Zakończenie Roku Sobota, 31 grudnia, 2016
6:00 pm - Msza Św. 10:00 pm - Nabożeństwo
12:00 - Msza Św.
Uroczystość Św. Bożej Rodzicielki Nowy Rok
Niedziela, 1 stycznia, 2017
1:30 pm
Sakrament Spowiedzi (po polsku)
Wtorek, 20 grudnia, 2016
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Pasterka Sobota, 24 grudnia,2016
10:00 pm
Boże Narodzenie Niedziela, 25 grudnia, 2016
1:30 pm
Św. Szczepana Poniedziałek, 26 grudnia, 2016
9:30 am & 7:00 pm
Powyżej wymienione Msze Święte, będą odprawiane w języku polskim. Porządek Mszy Świętych odprawianych w języku angielskim znajduję się na str. 5.
December 18, 2016 Page 13
St. Monica Parish - Stewardship
Your support is greatly appreciated. God Bless You!
D 11, 2016 Mass Time Envelopes Loose 4:00 pm $ 2,320.00 $ 502.00 6:00 pm $ 101.00 $ 195.00 7:30 am $ 899.00 $ 38.00 9:00 am $ 759.00 $ 117.00 10:30 am $ 809.00 $ 159.17 12:00 Noon $ 782.00 $ 252.00 1:30 pm $ 256.00 $ 378.00
Mailed Envelopes $ 486.00 Electronic Giving $ 520.00 Children's Envelopes $ 35.75 Grand Total This Week $ 8.088.92 Weekly Budgeted Goal $ 10,000.00 Facility Maintenance $ 201.00 Weekly Difference $ -1,391.00
Budgeted Goal Year-to-date $ 240,000.00 Contributions Year-to-date $ 229,493.15 Year To Date—Difference $ -10,506.85
DONATION CATEGORY
ENVELOPES RECEIVED
$ 0—1.00 3 $ 3.00 $ 1.01—5.00 64 $ 289.00 $ 5.01—10.00 83 $ 798.00 $ 10.01—20.00 92 $ 1,668.00 $ 20.01—30.00 31 $ 865.00 $ 30.01—40.00 14 $ 528.00 $ 40.01—50.00 9 $ 440.00 $ 50.01—75.00 6 $ 370.00 $ 75.01—100.00 6 $ 571.00 $ 100.01—200.00 6 $ 880.00 $ 200.01—1,000.00 0 $ 0 Envelope Totals 314 $ 6,412.00
Archdiocesan Second Collections - Year-to-date Total Missionary Co-Op $ 5,108.00 Seminaries $ 2,433.75 Latin America $ 3.00 Retirement for Priests $ 127.00 Peters Pence $ 360.00 World Mission Sunday $ 3,398.25 Catholic Charities $ 30.00 Catholic Campaign for Human Develop. $ 3,047.79
WEEKLY ENVELOPE TOTAL
MONTHLY COLLECTIONS
DE
CE
MB
ER
DATE FIRST COLLECTION SECOND COLLECTION
December, 4 Regular Sunday Collection St. Monica - Facility Maintenance Found
December, 8 Immaculate Conception None
December, 11 Regular Sunday Collection Archdiocese - Share in the Care
December, 18 Regular Sunday Collection St. Monica - School Development
December 25 Regular Sunday Collection A Christmas Gift for St. Monica’s Parish
January, 1 Regular Sunday Collection St. Monica - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
January, 8 Regular Sunday Collection St. Monica - School Development
January, 15 Regular Sunday Collection St. Monica - Facility Maintenance Found
January, 22 Regular Sunday Collection None
January, 29 Regular Sunday Collection None
JA
NU
AR
Y
Life Insurance, Annuities & Medicare SupplementPhil Ference, Jr.(773) 469-9293
www.WCULife.org
PATRICK MECHANICAL INC.• HEATING • ICE MACHINES• AIR CONDITIONING • SALES• REFRIGERATION • SERVICECOMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL • EMERGENCY SERVICE
JOHN DUNLEAVY - PARISHIONER (773) 283-6161
JOHN RAGO SONSSince FUNERAL HOMES AMPLE1919 Peter Rago, F.D. - St. Monica Class of 1999 PARKING
Joseph P. Rago, JR., F.D.773-276-6056 721 N. Western Ave., Chicago www.RagoSons.com
Chapel Facilities Throughout Chicago & Suburbs
www.alairinc.com Al Lechowski, Owner 708-453-4531
AL AIR HEATING & AIR CONDITIONINGFamily Owned & Operated Since 1978
*HOT WATER TANKS *GENERATORS *FREE ESTIMATES
7703 W. Lawrence • Norridge, IL
www.alairinc.com Al Lechowski, Owner 708-453-4531Discounts for Seniors & Veterans
Ricoshelle Faulkner, Mgr773-274-3627 6965 N. Western [email protected] Chicago, Illinois 60645
PROVIDENCE HOME CARE SERVICES “There is no place
like home”
PLANNING A HOLIDAY PARTY?Nuccio & Rocco present a new look for Vince’s!
Book your holiday party in one of our newly remodeled party rooms.Gift Cards Available
708-867-7770 4747 N. Harlem Ave.,Harwood Heights, IL • www.vincesonharlem.com
Shop Well Eat Well Live Well
7401 W. Lawrence Ave.
Harwood Heights
708.867.8543
www.MarianosFreshMarket.com
000106 St Monica Church (B)
Call Larry Steiner
800.566.6170
www.jspaluch.com
Grow Your Business, Advertise Here.Support Your Church & Bulletin.
Free professional ad design & my help!
email: [email protected]
www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-566-6170
Saint MargaretSunday MissalAn ideal companionfor personal prayer.
In Stock & Ready to Order Today.
CALL OR ORDER ONLINE. $39.95
800-566-6150 • www.wlpmusic.com
Call Today for ourCURRENT Promotions
7601 W. Montrose Ave.
Norridge, IL 60706
www.mathnasium.com/harwoodheights
872.222.5042Like us on Facebook
CATHERINE J. MINNICK, DPM
Podiatrist-Foot Specialist
7100 W. Higgins (773) 549-0323DIPLOMAT TRAVEL AGENCY
“YOUR AMBASSADOR FOR TRAVEL”
6835 W. HIGGINS AVE., CHICAGO, IL 60656
773-774-2727 www.godiplomat.com
A FULL SERVICE TRAVEL AGENCY Est. 1964
Chinese Restaurant • Open 7 Days a Week• Dine-In • Carry Out • Delivery • CateringBest Chinese Food In Town5050 N. Cumberland Avenue, Norridge, IL 60706708-452-0888 www.linsmandarin.com
$5 OFFPurchase of $25 or more,
not incl. taxTake Out or Delivery ONLY
C & A AUTO BODYQuality Body Work & Painting Since 1952Proudly serving St. Monica Parish
Paintless Dent Repair Specialists773-775-6163
5349 Northwest Hwy. www.candaautobody.com
Residential, Commercial & Industrial
FFFFRRRREEEEEEEE EEEESSSSTTTTIIIIMMMMAAAATTTTEEEESSSS!!!!Over 30 Years experiencePhone: 773-685-0010
IL Lic. No. 104.015243
Parishioner
Patrick & SonsPlumbing & Sewers• Repairs • Remodeling • Rodding
• Hot Water Tanks • Boilers• Basement Flooding
Patrick Broderick 773-699-181910% Sr. Disc.
Family Owned & OperatedYour Community Funeral Home Proudly Serving
St. Monica Parish FamiliesPre-Arrangements Available • Members of the Knights of Columbus
773-774-3232 • 6857 W. HIGGINS AVENUE, CHICAGO
www.kolbusmayfh.com
BUYING OR SELLING A HOME?Let George Cahill represent you.
George P. Cahill, P.C. - parishionerAttorney at Law
6041 W. Montrose Avenue, Chicago, IL 60634
773-777-3313 [email protected]
8300 W. LAWRENCE AVE. • NORRIDGE
WWW.CUMBERLANDCHAPELS.COMTraditional Services, Cremations & Pre-Arrangements Available
ANTHONY J. LUPO, SR. • ANTHONY J. LUPO, JR. • LOUIS A. MARTINO, JR.
FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED SINCE 1985
Dino's Pizza& Italian
Restaurant7004 W. Higgins
Chicago773.763.4077
Winner of St. Monica'sPizza Wars 2014!
Family Owned & Operated Since 1968
Dine In • Carry OutBanquets & Catering
www.dinospizzachicago.com
TUDRON CONSTRUCTIONPHONE 773/775-5560
EMAIL [email protected]
WWW.TUDRONCONSTRUCTION.COM
DAVID A. TUDRON – PARISHIONERFREE ESTIMATE INSURED
DOORS • WINDOWS • KITCHENS • BATHS • TOTAL INTERIOR & EXTERIOR
000106 St Monica Church (A)
Call Today! Toll Free 1.877.801.8608
www.jspaluch.com For Ads: J.S. Paluch Co., Inc. 1-800-566-6170
Nelson Garage DoorsService • Sales • Installation
20% off Service Call w/adSenior & Veteran Discounts
(708) 867-9299
McMullen Real Estate, Inc.DOUBLE CENTURION® Office Since 1999
Cell (773) [email protected]
PARISHIONER
Mary Pat CollinsBroker
• Income Tax Preparation• Individual & Business Return• Public Accounting • Business Registrations
773-631-27007003 1/2 W. Higgins Ave-Chicago
4757 N. Ronald St.(across from post office parking lot)
Harwood Heights, IL 60706224.532.6452
$1000 OFF Any ServiceOver $100Bill Donoulis
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Patios • Driveways • Sidewalks • StepsStamped Concrete • Garage Floors
Call Today 773-589-9893 SSENIORENIOR DDISCOUNTISCOUNT
FREEESTIMATES
NUZZO SEWER & PLUMBING INC.708-456-7300 Power Rodding 773-625-6280
All Sewer & Plumbing Repairs & InstallationSpecializing in Flood Control • Correcting Low Water PressureVideo Sewer & Locating Service www.nuzzoplumbing.com
Lic. # 14636 Lic. # 055-024301Professional Neighborhood Handyman
HOME REPAIRS• Electrical • Plumbing • And More!
Ask for Roy
773-792-0275 773-386-5313
Brian or Sally, coordinators
860.399.1785www.CatholicCruisesAndTours.com
an Official TravelAgency of
Apostleship ofthe Sea-USACST 2117990-70
FREE Haircutfor New Clients • Valid ID Required
or $5 OFF MVP Experiencefor Returning Clients
Norridge Commons7050 W. Forest Preserve Ave708-695-9551Between K-Mart & StaplesExpires 12/31/16 • FREE (V:2500; JV: 2501) $5 OFF (2502)
Reg. Varsity HC: $18; Reg. JV (10 & Under)HC: $14. Not valid with any other offer.
Valid only at Norridge Location.Please present coupon.
Thank you for advertising inour church bulletin.
I am patronizing your businessbecause of it!
Please Cut Out This “Thank You Ad”and Present It The Next Time YouPatronize One of Our Advertisers
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