This Bread

that we share

is the

Body of Christ,

this cup of

blessing His

Blood.

Congratulations to Our FIRST HOLY COMMUNION Class

May 1, 2011

Kylie Hoelscher Benjamin Kitten

Jenna Koester Kenna Koester Kolten Koester Ethan Kremer Jenna Kremer

Megan McMahon Alex Meyer

David Meyer Kelsey Neihls

Andrew Niebrugge Molly Niemerg Alexis Ordner

Dylan Overbeck Drew Pals

Jackson Poelker

Evan Addis Caroline Beckman Ashley Bressendorf Anna Buhnerkempe

Averie Bushue Robin Cooper Jeffrey Deters

Joel Deters Matthew Deters

Megan Doedtman Miles Drees

Madison Griffy Carley Habing Lauren Habing Jordan Hardiek Justin Hardiek Emma Hewing

Olivia Pruemer Taylor Richardson

Hayden Ruholl Jessica Runde

Grace Schumacher Shelby Siemer Lexi Starwalt

Shelby Starwalt Mallory Stone Morgan Thies Sydney Thoele

Jonathan Verdeyen Brock Vogt

Ethan Weidner Presley Wendt Evan Wermert

This Bread

that we share

is the

Body of Christ,

this cup of

blessing His

Blood.

Congratulations to Our FIRST HOLY COMMUNION Class

May 1, 2011

St. Francis of Assisi Parish – Teutopolis, Illinois page 2

Parish Office 203 E. Main St., P.O. Box 730, Teutopolis, IL 62467-0730 Office Hours: Mon. -Fri. – 9:00 am -4:30 pm Phone ....................................................(217) 857-6404 Fax ........................................................(217) 857-1031 Parish E-mail ................... stfrancischurch@mchsi.com Parish website: stfrancischurch.com Submit written bulletin notices by noon Monday. Diocesan website: www.dio.org

Family Corner Today our parish family celebrates First Communion. First Communion is not only the introduction of a child into fuller community participation; it is also a reminder to adults of their own faith commitment. When someone in the family is preparing to receive Eucharist for the first time, it should be a family affair. Eucharist is the heart of Christian life and it should become the heart of the Christian family. Sharing family meals together help children understand many concepts that are important to understanding Eucha-rist. Children grasp concepts like unity and belonging from experiences of sharing, listening, eating, conversing, thanking and celebrating. This is done at special holiday dinners, birthdays and everyday family meals. Doing something together is an opportunity for a child to bond with his/her family. Since bonding feels so good, the child will naturally look for ways and opportunities to repeat the experience. Family rituals and traditions give a child a feeling of safety and control as he/she masters the predictable. Christian families have many traditions which can be helpful to the process of becoming family. Catholic fami-lies worshiping together at Sunday Mass, celebrating the liturgical seasons and feasts, and sharing stories of Jesus and his life are all examples of ways to build family ritu-als and traditions. These are the best ways to instill and reinforce spiritual values. This week, as you sit together around the table as a fam-ily, share stories of what you remember from your First Communion. Talk about what all the Communions you have received since then have meant to you. Discuss how blessed we are to be able to worship together and receive the Body and Blood of Christ and how that calls us to be the best version of ourselves. Congratulations to all those young ladies and gentlemen on today, their First Communion of many. Let’s use our mealtime to draw closer together as a family and to our God.

From The Pastor

Dear Parishioners, Congratulations to our second graders on the occasion of them making their First Communion. Boys and girls, today Jesus comes to you for the first time. Jesus does this for you because He loves you. Jesus loves you very much just like your mothers and fathers. Every time you come to Mass with your family, you may re-ceive Holy Communion with them. Always remember, you want to be the best boy or girl you can be to have a holy home for Jesus to visit with you. Remember, you are very special to Jesus and He is your friend. Visit Jesus often, talk with Him, and tell Him about your life, whether you are sad or not. If you need Jesus’ help, don’t be afraid, Jesus always answers our prayers. Be sure and thank Him each time for all the wonderful things He gives you, including Himself in Holy Communion. Don’t for-get to pray for priests, brothers and sisters. Maybe some day Jesus will call you. Please pray for your parents that they will continue to be good examples for you. Again, congratulations! May the Lord bless you and your fam-ily. Peace, Love, Joy Fr. Austin

Feast of Mercy—Prayer Service Sunday, May 1, 2011 It is Our Lord’s explicit desire that the Feast of Mercy be celebrated on the First Sunday after Easter. Bishop Thomas John Paprocki will preside over a Feast of Mercy Prayer Service on Sunday, May 1, 2011, 2:00 pm, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 524 E. Lawrence Ave., Springfield, IL. The service will include: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament; Scriptural Read-ings; Veneration of the Image; Recitation of the Chaplet; and Reconciliation. This service is not a Mass. Be sure to attend regularly scheduled Sunday Mass. “I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners . . . On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.” (The words of Our Lord as recorded in the Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, entry 699.) All are welcome.

Use a rosary to pray the Chaplet: First say one Our Father, Hail Mary and the Creed. On the large beads say the following: Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Di-vinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. On the smaller beads say: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world. In conclusion say these words three times: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Liturgy Schedule Second Week of Easter

May 2—May 8 Monday, St. Athanasius Mass at 6:30 am Tuesday, St. Philip and St. James Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am Wednesday, Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am Thursday, National Day of Prayer Mass at 6:30 am Friday, Mass at 6:30 & 8:05 am Saturday, Mass at 5:30 pm Sunday, 3rd Sunday of Easter Mass at 7:00, 8:45, 10:30 am

Confession Schedule Thursday, May 5 - 3:30-4:30 pm Saturday, May 7 - 3:30-4:30 pm

Liturgy of the Hours with Friars

Monday-Friday -- 11:45 am & 4:45 pm

Stewardship of Treasure Sunday Total Fiscal 4/24/2011 Year 391 Adult envelopes $11,308.50 $346,591.50 Other 1,443.01 26,121.46 TOTAL $12,751.51 $372,712.96 GOAL $9,900.00 $425,700.00 Holy Land/Good Friday April 22, 2011 121 Adult envelopes $1,596.51 Other (loose) 563.00 TOTAL $2,159.51 Seminarians April 24, 2011 175 Adult envelopes $2,506.00

May 1, 2011 ♦ Second Sunday of Easter page 3

Pray for the Sick

Tuesday, May 3 • Secular Franciscans meet, 6:00 pm, St. Clare Thursday, May 5 • Confessions, 3:30-4:30 pm • Baptism Prep, 7:00 pm, St. Clare • Finance Council meets, 6:00 pm, MMR • Parish Council meets, 7:00 pm, MMR Saturday, May 7 • Confessions, 3:30-4:30 pm

Parish Calendar

Please remember in your prayers those who are sick, especially: Sr. Clara Esker, Evelyn Krone, Cathy Green, Nicholas Rhodes, Renae Roepke, Geri Grunloh, Bruce Wargolet, Leroy Krone, Eddie Siemer

Attention Homebound

Question of the Week What does “new life” mean to you? What signs of new life do you recognize in yourself? Acts 2:42-47 I Peter 1:309 John 20:19-31

Holy Communion will be brought to you on First Friday, May 6th. No Communion to you on Sunday, May 8th.

Planning Marriage Michael Buscher and Kelly Johnson

Saturday, May 7, 2011 1:00 pm

Congratulations! Bobby Brummer and Marie Belmonte

were married here at St. Francis on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 4:00 pm

The Next Baptism Prep will be held Thursday, May 5th in St. Clare Hall. Please call the parish office to register.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish – Teutopolis, Illinois page 4

Religious Education News GRADE SCHOOL—Congratulations to the children making their First Holy Communion this morning! Reception will take place in the Grade School cafeteria on Monday, 5/2/11, from 8:20 to 8:40. Parents, friends, parishioners are invited to join the children for this celebration. Please enter by the West ramp door. Thanks to the CCW for providing the treats for this occasion. Children will be attending Mass on the Tuesdays and Wednesdays of May. Lenten mission boxes—The total amount the children have saved to donate to the children of the Mission countries as a part of their Lenten practice of almsgiving is $1,063.00. Thanks to them and their spirit of sacrifice and to you parents for supporting and encouraging their missionary efforts in this regard. CD of A Contest Winners--- The following children have won in the various categories of the CD of A Con-test using one of the following themes— “The Lord is my Light”… “The Light Others Give to Me.” Art—Division I—lst place- Stephanie Huston 5O, 2nd place-Macy Vogt 4K, 3rd place-Madison Magee 5O; Division II—lst place Theresa Esker –home schooled, 2nd place-Hanna Niemerg 6So, 3rd place-Maria Vonderheide 6So; Essay—Division I—1st place-Wayde Siebert 5B, 2nd place—Logan Blankenship 4S; Division II—1st place-Carol Schumacher 6C, 2nd place-Megan Koester 6Sc, 3rd place-Joseph Esker 6C; Computer Art—Division I—lst place-Jacob Schmidt 5O, 2nd place-Lauren Wessel 5B; Photography—Division II—lst place-Kyle McMahon 6So, 2nd place-Elizabeth Huston 7H, 3rd place-Garrett Hartke 6Sc; Poetry—Division I—1st place-Kyele Mossman 4S, 2nd place-Callie McMahon 4S, 3rd place Jake Wente 5B; Division II—Lexi Heuerman 6Sc, 2nd place-Allison Deters 6C, Christa Schwinke 6Sc. We’re very proud of the list of winners, their parents, and catechists, who have supported their efforts in all these artistic categories. We thank the CD of A members for sponsoring the contest and rewarding the local winners with monetary prizes.

BIBLE STUDY for the summer will resume on Thurs-day, June 23 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Clare Hall. Everyone is welcome. Please come join us as we look at the history of our Church beginning in Acts of the Apostles.

RCIA A new group will be forming soon. If you or anyone you know has expressed an interest in checking out what the Catholic Church teaches, please contact Sr. Pierre for more information. 857-6404

Adult Confirmation by Bishop Paprocki will be held on Pentecost Sunday, June 12th, this year in Spring-field. Registration and catechesis for the sacrament must come from your home parish. Any baptized Catholic, 18 years and older, who has not been confirmed and desires to receive that sacrament, please contact Sr. Pierre for additional information. 857-6404 ext. 227.

Congratulations to Felicia Mary Weemer who joined the Catholic Church at St. Rose Par-ish last week. We pray her enthusiasm and desire to be part of the Catholic Church family inspire us all.

Thank you to the women of the CCW who hosted the reception following the Holy Saturday Vigil Mass. Your generosity is appreciated.

Looking for gift ideas for Mother’s Day or Graduation? You might want to consider purchasing SCRIP/GIFT CARDS from our CHWC youth group. The youth group has many different SCRIP/GIFT CARDS in inventory for sale and also, can special order the scrip cards for a vari-ety of retailers. Scrip/Gift Cards (Scrip Cards) are on sale after all Masses for the next several weekends and avail-able at Niebrugge Financial throughout the week during business hours or at the parish office on Saturdays from 8—12!. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR SUPPORT-ING OUR PARISH CATHOLIC HEART WORK CAMP YOUTH GROUP!

May 1, 2011 ♦ Second Sunday of Easter page 5

Easter Bake Sale Thank you The Officers of the CCW would like to issue a huge thank you to all who supported our annual Easter Bake Sale. Thanks to Tom Weber and Weber Bros Hardware for the use of their building. Thanks too, to all of the ladies who volunteered their time to help work: Ellen Runde, JoEllen Zerrusen, Mabel Harris, Ann Weis, Jennifer and Olivia Pruemer, Mary Ellen Kremer, Bernice Schabbing, Rita Pals and Diane Buening. A big thank you to all the ladies of the parish who do-nated so many items—our Church community spirit is so much appreciated! Following is the list of raffle winners: Door Prize Monica Reini Floral Swag Tess Probst Beaded Bracelet Lynn Breer Beaded Bracelet Janice Koester Beaded Bracelet Janice Koester Beaded Bracelet Marita Weber Bunny Candy Basket Isaiah Westendorf Easter Cookie Jar Anita McKerrow Floral Arrangement Dan Smith Easter Table Runner Jeannie Deters Easter Table Runner JoAnn Niemeyer Children’s Basket Tom Weber Children’s Basket Jane Ruholl Hanging Basket Jen Weber Bunny Cake Alice Pruemer Wine Cork Tray Robert Gallaher Cork Coaster Set Marty Breer Cork Coaster Set Kaitlin Hinkle Mr and Mrs Bunny Gretta Beckman Angel Floral Arrangement Fr. Sylvano Easter Tree Connie Hille Easter Wreath Ruth Dasenbrock Kid’s Gift Pack Tom Weber Pillows and Egg Plate Laura Kidd Stuffed Lamb Debbie Niebrugge Our Bake Sale was a great success because of the efforts of our whole community. Thanks again!!

Youth Notes Rock Climbing Change of Date Still doing the “Day of the Rock,” just a different day and time. We’re on for Sunday, May 15th. Jr. High & High School – We’re going to St. Louis for Rock Climbing, Mass @ the ROCK church, and Hard Rock Café on May 15! We’ll be leaving at 9:00 am and will be back at 7:00 pm. Cost of the rock climbing is $15 and lunch at the Hard Rock is on their own. Forms (church permission and waiver form) are available online or at the front en-trance of church! Come check out the fun! It’s All About the ROCK.

Spaghetti Supper CHWCer’s are sponsoring a spaghetti supper catered by Joe’s Pizza and Pasta on Wed, May 11th from 4:30-7:30 @ the T-Town Grade School. Come enjoy deli-cious pasta & dessert with your family and friends. Tickets are available from any CHWC participant or at the parish office.

Men’s Holy Name Meeting Monday, May 9, 7:30 pm, Museum Meeting Room All men of the parish are invited to attend.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish - Teutopolis, Illinois page 6

Call for Recycling Volunteers Recycling has been an important part of our community for five years, providing a valuable service to keep re-sources out of landfills. Fr. Vernon has been providing the labor and will continue in his endeavors and assist in training the volunteers. We need your help to continue to make sure the site is maintained. The time commitment is minimal (approximately 20-30 minutes a day) and the duties include: Keep the site clean of trash, remove unrecyclable items—#3 and higher num-bered plastic, bags and lids of items within reach from the bins, break down cardboard boxes. Currently, we have nine parties who are volunteering and would like to have at least 30 people so the time commitment would be once a month. Please let Shelise Parsley (shelise.parsley@gmail.com or 857-1884 or Fr. Vernon in person or at 857-6404, if you are interested. Thank you.

Golden Circle Nutrition (Meals on Wheels) wants you. If you have a spare hour once a month to help deliver meals and visit with the eld-erly, please call Nancy Hoene 857-3848 and she will put you on the driver’s list. Volunteer and cheer up an eld-erly person.

New Feature at Catholic Charities Second Hand Rose SHR Coupon Club Looking for a way to save on everyday items in the retail and grocery stores? Beginning in May, SHR will be a new resource for the coupon lover. We would like to en-courage you to share the coupons you don’t use from your newspapers and magazines and send them our way. Swapping coupons with our fellow shoppers can help everyone and reduce waste of perfectly good savings! *Please cut the coupons before bringing them and we will do the rest.

Need an Idea for Mother’s Day? The 1704 Newton Ladies Auxiliary have been hard at work preparing a fantastic 3-ring cookbook. This cook-book contains 800 recipes from parishioners at St. Eliza-beth (Robinson), St. Mary’s (Ste Marie), and Holy Cross (Wendelin), St. Isidore (Island Grove & Bishop), & St. Thomas (Newton. The books are being sold for $18. Email the auxiliary at 1704newtonladiesauxil-iary@gmail.com to order your book(s).

Baby Bottle Project The annual Baby Bottle Project sponsored by the Effingham Family Life Pregnancy Center will begin on Mother’s Day and end on Father’s Day. As in the past we are asking you to take home a baby bot-tle and toss in your loose change and return the baby bot-tle on Father’s Day. Among the services offered to the clients are pregnancy tests, limited ultrasound and educational resources on pre-natal development and care, adoption, post-birth, and par-enting. The Center has a Teen Moms Program, Absti-nence Education and Post Abortion Counseling. Two years ago a Men’s Ministry Advisory Board was estab-lished. Your change can help save lives and you would be sur-prised what a difference just ONE bottle will make. Thank you for caring.

Community Charitable Cookout The Teutopolis State Bank and the Sigel Community Bank are having a Community Charitable Cookout with all the donations going to CATHOLIC CHARITIES. The date is Friday, May 13th, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm at both parking lots. The price will be by donations. We will be grilling ham-burgers, pork burgers and hot dogs. We will also have chips, cookies and drinks for you. So plan on stopping by the Teutopolis State Bank and the Sigel Community Bank to see our Board of Directors, of-ficers and employees grilling for a great community cause.

Teutopolis Park District Umpire Clinics Interested in umpiring for the Teutopolis Park District this summer? These 30 minute clinics are scheduled for May 10th and May 11th from 8:00-8:30 pm in the Teutopolis Grade School Gym. Discussion items will include: league rules, attire, general pointers, and time sheets. To umpire for the TPD this summer, attendance at one of these clin-ics is expected. There is no advance registration for these clinics. Attendees should be at least entering 8th grade in the fall and all should bring a pen. Questions can be di-rected to the TPD Administrator at 994-4332.

Holy Humor… Q. What is greater than God and more evil than Satan?

Rich people need it, poor people have it, and if you eat it you will die.

A. Nothing