March 20, 2016 - Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

St. Francis of Assisi Parish Teutopolis, Illinois

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

From Fr. Joe

Mass Intentions

Holy Week Schedule Holy Thursday—7:00 pm

Good Friday Service—1:00 pm

Good Friday Vespers—7:00 pm

Holy Saturday—8:00 pm

Year of Mercy & Care of Our Common

Home (Laudato Si) Processions define this Holy

Week. We bless palms and we

process into church after hearing

the same chorus sung by angels

over the manger: ”Peace on earth

and glory in the highest.” On Ho-

ly Thursday, we process to the Meal of the Lord and then

later to the place of repose to ponder and give thanks. On

Good Friday, we process to the Cross to behold, to genu-

flect, to embrace. In the holy night of Easter, we follow in

procession the Light, our dead and risen Christ. Like our

ancestors of Exodus, we process to our promised home be-

having as if we are there.

To whom will I go?

Monday, March 21, 6:15: Joe Buscher

Monday, March 21, 12:10: Rose Waldhoff

Tuesday, March 22, 6:15: Kimber Sturm

Tuesday, March 22, 8:05: Gertrude Burford

Saturday, March 26, 8:00: Easter Vigil

Sunday, March 27, 6:30: Pro Populo

Sunday, March 27, 8:30: Fred A. Waldhoff

Sunday, March 27, 10:30: Joe Deters

Easter Sunday Schedule Mass— 6:30, 8:30, 10:30 am

As we begin Holy Week, and we meditate on the

passion of our Lord this Palm Sunday, one word that comes

to my mind is the word: fickle. You might think: where is

that coming from? Note how joyful the people are to sing

the praises of Jesus as he goes through the town of Jerusa-

lem. Hosanna! He’s the greatest! Not one week later, on

Good Friday, probably most of the same people are shout-

ing out “Crucify him! Crucify him!” The mob or herd men-

tality is something we all must be mindful of. Peer pressure

or just going along is another way of looking at it. People

can be very fickle. Believing in the Father, Son and Holy

Spirit is a matter of conviction. Faith does not depend on

whether people like it or not. Faith is what we are willing to

die for. Plan on coming to our liturgies for the Sacred Trid-

uum and celebrating our faith.

Not Suffering Alone Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me;

still, not my will but yours be done. Luke 22:42

The “Agony in the Garden” has always moved me

deeply. Up to this moment, even at the Last Supper, Jesus

has appeared to be strong and in control. Now, however,

he is weak, vulnerable and very much alone.

Jesus is in a state of profound fear over his upcom-

ing passion and death. Along with the fear is a terrible

loneliness; Jesus can find no human support. Like any of

us, he would hope that at least one of his disciples would

notice his pain and come to his side. But they are sound

asleep.

Perhaps this is why Luke includes the note that “an

angel from heaven appeared to him” to strengthen him, as if

the angel were saying, “Be assured: countless souls will be

willing to suffer their own agony and death for love of you

and your teachings.”

As our own Lenten journey nears its conclusion

this Holy Week, may we find the spiritual strength we need

to bear our cross in union with Jesus and support our broth-

ers and sisters in their times of suffering.

Fr. Martin Pable, O.F.M. Cap.

Living Faith

From Father Ed

THANKS so much for your participation in our Lenten se-

ries and in Bible Study. For those who don't know, the

Talks are also being taped and can be accessed through our

Parish Website. And thanks again for your tremendous gen-

erosity for all of the “extra” collections that we have been

having lately. As my Dad used to say, you people are awe-

some!

Let’s have a great Holy Week! I’ll see you in Church!

Paz y Bien,

FrEd

Liturgy Schedule Holy Week

March 21—27

Monday, Mass at 6:15 am & 12:10 pm

Tuesday, Mass at 6:15 & 8:05 am

Wednesday, Mass at 6:15 & 8:05 am

Thursday, Holy Thursday Mass at 7:00 pm

Friday, Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord

Service at 1:00 pm; Vespers at 7:00 pm

Saturday, Holy Saturday Vigil at 8:00 pm

Sunday, Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord Mass at 6:30, 8:30, 10:30 am

Confession Schedule

No Confessions on Holy Saturday

Liturgy of the Hours with Friars

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

Stewardship of Treasure

Sunday Total Fiscal

3/13/2016 Year

297 Adult envelopes $7,466.25 $321,709.50

Other $912.60 $28,277.59

TOTAL $8,378.85 $349,987.09

Assisi for Africa $790.00 $33,807.70

March 20, 2016 ♦ Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion page 3

Pray for the Sick

Monday, March 21

Adult Choir, 7:00-8:30 pm

DeColores mtg., 7:00 pm, Museum Meeting Rm.

Social Concerns mtg., 7:00 pm, St. Clare

Wednesday, March 23

Youth Choir, 3:30-4:30 pm

Rosary, 7:00 pm

Parish Reflection with Reconciliation, 7:20 pm,

Church

Friday, March 25

No 9:30 am Rosary

Parish office closes at noon

Saturday, March 26

CCW Easter Bake Sale, 8:00 am—noon, Weber

Bros. Hardware

Easter Day of Fun, 8:30-10:30 am, Gr. Sch. Aud.

Parish Calendar

Please remember in your prayers: Cheryl Ann Huber, Jack

Hardiek, Lucille Worman, Agnes Kremer, Devin Mette, Harold

Hardiek, Margaret Pruemer, Will Niccum, Joe Ruholl, Bill and

Rosie Myers, Anne Nelson, Emily (Heuerman) McCabe, Lorraine

Deters, Dolores Kingery, Claude and Geraldine Brumleve, Craig

Lindvahl, Scott Repking, Andrea Wernsing, Elizabeth Weidner,

Paula Spencer, Sr. Jane Marie Hotze, SSND.

Homebound Ministry Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

to the Homebound for Sunday, March 27th

are Theresa Funneman 821-4867 and Mary

Jane Koester 857-3697.

Special Collections On Holy Thursday, the collection taken will go to our local

Catholic Charities (either money or non perishable food,

e.g. canned fruits, pancake mix and syrup).

On Good Friday, a collection will be taken to help the

work of the Church in the Holy Land.

At the Easter Vigil and the Easter Sunday Masses, the

special collection will help our diocese to educate and form

future priests.

Please use the envelopes included with your set; there will

only be one collection at these celebrations. Thank you.

Holy Week Ministry Sign-Ups If you are in-

volved in a liturgical ministry (Extraordinary Ministers of

Holy Communion, Readers, and Ushers) and would like to

volunteer your services at any of the Holy Week liturgies

listed below, please sign up at the church’s main entrance:

Holy Thursday, March 24th at 7:00 pm

Good Friday, March 25th at 1:00 pm

Easter Vigil, March 26th at 8:00 pm

Thank you so much for out time and consideration. Your

service makes our liturgies special and complete!!!

Please remember that if you are on the March schedule for

either 6:30, 8:30 or 10:30 am Masses, then you are “on” for

Easter Sunday at those times. If you can’t make it, please

find a substitute.

Please Note The parish office will close on Good Fri-

day, March 25th at noon and also will be closed all day on

Monday, March 28th.

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

Religious Education News

God Bless Those Serving our Country. Anthony Vahling, Jeremy Deters, Caleb

Hoene, Kevin Wernsing, Cody Bushue,

Leighton Blankenship

GRADE SCHOOL Monday, children in grades 3 and 4

will be praying the Stations of the Cross in church at 8:05.

Family, friends, parishioners are invited to participate.

Tuesday, children in grade 6 will participate in a Seder

Meal, a prayer and memorial gathering re-enacting the Jew-

ish celebration of the Passover, in the grade school cafeteria

at 8:05. All are invited to be present to share this special

prayer service with the students.

Grades 1 and 2 will be participating in a Seder Meal on

Monday in the east open area of the Grade School.

Children in grades 1 and 2 are asked to bring in their Lenten

Mission boxes to be carried up at the Offertory of the Mass

on Wednesday, March 23. If they cannot locate their Len-

ten boxes, they may place their donations in a plastic bag.

Lenten box donations received from all the grades during

this Lenten time will be forwarded to Catholic Relief

Services.

Father Ed will conduct the Grades 5 and 6 Prayer Service,

focusing on the Triduum, on Thursday, March 24.

Report sheets for children in grades 3 through 6 will be sent

home with the children on Thursday, March 24. Please

review the grading and notes on the report sheet, encourage

your child in any area in which they need to improve, sign

and return the sheets. Many thanks for supporting the ef-

forts of the catechists and all helpers in the religion pro-

gram, who offer their best to help our children grow in be-

ing faithful and loving Christians.

No classes on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Junior High There are NO CLASSES on the Wednes-

day of Holy Week. All young people are invited to

participate in the Holy Week services with their families.

High School No Religion classes this Wednesday, March

23rd. Classes resume March 30th. Enjoy the Easter season

with your family.

A BLESSED AND JOY-FILLED EASTER TO ALL

PARENTS, CATECHISTS, HELPERS, AND ALL

PARISHIONERS FROM THE CHILDREN AND THE

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE.

Easter Choir Schedule The following is a schedule for our choirs during Holy Week:

Holy Thursday 7pm - Adult Choir

Good Friday 1pm - Adult Choir & Kim Deters

Easter Vigil 8pm - Adult Choir & Kim Deters

Easter Sunday 6:30am - Kim Deters

Easter Sunday 8:30am - Denise Walk & Guitar Group

Easter Sunday 10:30am - Youth/Children’s Choir & Kim Deters

Sing Along St. Francis Singers and Friends will be

singing at Lakeland Nursing Center on Thursday, March

24th at 10:00 am.

Easter Day of Fun is Saturday,

March 26, from 8:30 am to 10:30 am!

We will have a craft, snack, games, and

an Easter egg hunt to occupy your

kiddoes while you finish up last minute

Easter preparations! The Easter Day of

Fun is open to 4 year olds – 6th graders!

Junior High & High school students are

asked to please come help with this fun event! Call high

school rel. office to sign up to help. All participants are

asked to pre-register by calling the high school religious ed

office at 857-1500 and to fill out a permission slip to be

brought the day of the event! Also, don’t forget the CCW

will have their famous bake sale going on at Weber’s that

day too! It’s going to be a fun day!

During Holy Week listen to Catholic radio on 91.3

FM WGMR. Hear programs, such as Holy Week Retreat

series with Fr. Pablo Straub and the Stations of the Cross.

Plus the daily Holy Mass, the Holy Rosary, and the Divine

Mercy Chaplet. For a program schedule and a free CD,

please call toll-free (314) 752-7000 or (877) 305-1234.

Protecting God’s Children session at St. Francis

on April 14 at 6:30 pm in St. Clare Hall (857-6404). We

highly encourage all those in any parish ministry, who have

not already done so, to attend one of these sessions. Please

call ahead to be sure enough materials are available. A re-

minder to all those receiving background check up-dates to

please return them.

RCIA We prepare for our celebration of the Triduum

this week with deeper prayer and greater gratitude steeped

in mercy. We come having rediscovered what it means to

be disciple, to be Christian overflowing with mercy.

March 20, 2016 ♦ Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion page 5

Parish Picnic is July 10, 2016 Our St. Francis

Parish Picnic plans have already started!! The officers of

CCW and Holy Name are in the process of updating the

picnic workers list. If you currently do not have a job,

need a job change or adjustment, please contact Chris

Mette 857-3929 or Tim Hemmen 844-2426. We want to

complete these changes as soon as possible before the pic-

nic list goes to print. Thank you!

CCW Annual Easter Bake Sale Saturday, March 26, 2016

St. Francis CCW will be hosting their annual bake sale on

Saturday March 26, 2016 at Weber Bros. Hardware in Teu-

topolis from 8am -noon. All ladies of the parish are asked

to donate baked goods, colored eggs, candy, canned items

(jellies, jams, fruits, salsa,) and or raffle items. These items

may be dropped off at St. Clare Hall on Friday, March 25,

between 3:00 and 5:00, or on Saturday morning at Weber

Bros Hardware. Thank you in advance for your donations.

Workers List:

7:45-10:00--Angela Probst, Maureen Willenborg, Kelly

Heuerman

10:00-noon—Ann Kitten, Wanda Ruholl

If you are unable to work, please find a sub if possible, or

call Cheryl Heuerman 821-7134.

Thank you ladies!!!

The Friars of the Franciscan Province of the

Sacred Heart have served in this area since 1858, es-

tablishing their first headquarters in Teutopolis. Now the

Franciscans invite you to join them in a project to celebrate

the Year of Mercy. Remembering that one of the Corporal

Works of Mercy is "to give drink to the thirsty," the friars

are trying to raise $50K to dig fresh water wells in South

Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Your partic-

ipation in this project could make a significant difference in

the lives of people who have little access to clean wa-

ter. Please send your contributions to:

Year of Mercy Project

Franciscan Charities

3140 Meramec Street

St. Louis, MO 63118-4399

If you wish to donate on line, please go to franciscanchari-

ties.org and click on the "Donate" button. If you have any

questions, please contact Fr. John Eaton, OFM, at 314-655-

0551 or at pshdev@thefriars.org.

The Prayer Vigil for Life will be held Monday,

March 21st at Sacred Heart, Lillyville. Rosary is at 6:00

pm; Mass begins at 6:30 pm. Everyone is welcome.

Teutopolis Catholic Daughters of America

Court 1711 will host their monthly meeting on Monday,

March 28th at 7:00 pm at the Teutopolis K of C meeting

room. The theme for the evening will be “Lenten Reflec-

tion”. All Catholic ladies, please consider joining this or-

ganization in our journey to support organizations and indi-

viduals who are “helping hands where there is pain, pov-

erty, sorrow or sickness”.

40 Days for Life As we conclude our 40 Days of prayer and sacrifice for the end of abortion, let us re-flect on the Cross of Jesus. At the end of His life on earth, by dying on the cross, Jesus opened the door to eternal life for those who heed his words and follow in his footsteps. Following Jesus and taking up our cross means we continue speaking and standing for what is right even when opposition comes. When people ridi-cule us, we might get a guilty feeling or be tempted to think we did something wrong. We did not. We can fol-low Jesus and carry our own cross by standing up for the truth in spite of persecution. Prayer: Lord, thank you for the grace of being pro-life, and of standing strong when others may ridicule or op-pose us. During this 40 Day campaign, may your peace fill our souls to endure opposition or discouragement, and may we become more like your crucified and risen Son as we await in hope the final triumph of life. Amen. (40daysforlife.com)

Fr. Ed’s last Lenten Reflec-

tion and Reconciliation Reflection will begin 7:20 pm on

Wednesday, March 23rd, followed

by communal reconciliation.

Please Note No Confessions on Holy Saturday, March 26.

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

Diocesan Child Abuse Reporting and Investigation Number…..

(217) 321-1155

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

Community News

KC Fish Fry every Friday evening during Lent, 5:30-8 pm

Annual Lion’s Club Easter Egg Hunt

The Teutopolis Lion’s Club will be host-

ing the 77th Annual Easter Egg Hunt to

be held on Easter Sunday, March 27th at

1:00 pm at the Teutopolis Junior High

Park. Children ages pre-school through 4th grade will be able

to hunt. Prizes for varied age groups will be awarded.

Benefit Card Party for Meals on

Wheels will be held at the Dieterich Civ-

ic Center on Sunday, April 3rd beginning

at 6:00 pm. Pinochle, solo and pitch will

be played and chicken track Dominoes.

The cost is $6.00 and also includes lunch.

Come and enjoy the evening and you

may win a prize.

“Circle of Friends” Vendor Open House will be Sunday,

April 24, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, in the Sacred Heart Parish Cen-

ter. Many local home-based businesses will be displaying

their products of jewelry, candles, wood crafts, cleaning prod-

ucts, and much more. Many items will be cash and carry!

Proceeds benefit the Family Life Center to assist new moms

with baby beds. If you would like to set up a booth, please

contact Judy Luchtefeld at 821-4060.

As he rode along, the people were spreading their cloaks

on the road; the whole multitude of his disciples began to

praise God aloud with joy for all the mighty deeds they

had seen. - Lk 19:36, 37b

Excerpts from the Lectionary for Mass ©2001, 1998, 1970 CCD.

Sympathy We extend our sympathy to the families and

friends of Judith Spalding and Mary Baker. May they be

enjoying eternal peace and happiness in heaven.

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion

"Pilate addressed them a third time, 'What evil has this

man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime.'" The

Palm Sunday Gospel readings present a sad picture of

grown-ups who succumb to peer pressure. Three times,

Pilate proclaimed that Jesus was not guilty. But yet, he

gave in to the mounting pressure from the crowd, whose

"voices prevailed... and he handed Jesus over to them."

Also, during the opening Gospel at the procession of

palms, we see the adoring crowds hailing Jesus as "the

king who comes in the name of the Lord," but only too

soon the chorus changes as the voice of the crowd cries

out, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" What happened to Jesus'

loyal supporters? How did the mob mentality overtake

them all? Then too, we have Peter, who in comfortable

company with Jesus and his friends promised eternal faith-

fulness. But when others began asking uncomfortable

questions, he caved: "Woman, I do not know him."

These three scenarios give us a chance to reflect on our

own faithfulness as we journey into Holy Week. Like Pi-

late, do we know the truth but abandon it when it becomes

unpopular? Public opinion these days declares much

Church teaching to have fallen out of favor--will we renege

like Pilate or stand fast to the faith? The fickle crowds

demonstrate another kind of weakness, where instead of

thinking for themselves, people just followed those around

them. Are we guilty of this kind of passive intellectual lazi-

ness? How about Peter's problem: do we change our story

based on current company, or do we live as consistent

Christian witnesses in the world? This week, may we have

the courage to accompany Jesus all the way to the cross, no

matter what anyone else may do.

Mid-life Singles (mid-30s to 50s) Register today

for a life-changing REFLECT weekend retreat at King’s

House Retreat Center, Belleville, IL (20 min from down-

town St. Louis, MO), on April 15-17, 2016. Cost is $195

for materials, meals and a single room. Take a chance and

get involved... you won't regret it! Call (312) 532-8286, e-

mail reflect.stlouis@gmail.com, or visit

www.ReflectRetreat.com for details.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Are we also

like Peter and deny Christ over and over? Christ calls us to

be all we can in our Marriage Sacrament. The next World-

wide Marriage Encounter Weekend is April 22nd to 24th.

To register or for more information call 314-649-7317 or

go online to www.stl-wwme.org.

Holy Humor One Palm Sunday, little Joey was sick and stayed home

from Mass. When his brothers and sisters came home

carrying palm branches, Joey asked where the palms came

from.

His father replied, “When Jesus walked by, people held

palm branches over his head.”

“Just my luck!” Joey said. “The one time I don’t go to

Mass, Jesus shows up.”