Notes from Fr. John

St. Kieran Catholic Church

Second Sunday of Advent December 10, 2017

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.

— Mark 1:3

T oday we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent. Today the prophet Isaiah tells us that a voice will cry out in the wilderness. He will give comfort and direction to his people. We often associate that figure with John the Baptist who

comes on the scene in this morning’s Gospel. Initially he may be the voice, but the real voice is Jesus Christ. He will be the one we hear in the darkness. And as the Advent wreath reminds us he is the light that will end the darkness. So, we listen, wait and prepare for the light to take hold of our lives. Today we will have a collection for the Retired Religious Fund. For many years the religious men and women in this country served with little or no pay. They felt they had given their lives to the Church and were willing to do that. They always believed that other men and women would come after them to take care of them in their golden years. Well guess what? That hasn’t happened and many of our religious communities find themselves in financial difficulty as they try and take care of their elderly. That is why the bishops created this collection. It is a way for us to give back to them for their service. I support this collection wholeheartedly and ask you to do the same. Say thank you with your support. Today, St. Kieran and the Knights of Columbus invite everyone to breakfast with Santa. Who needs the Walnut Room when you have Crawford Hall at St. Kieran. Bill Barker will once again delight the

palate with tasty breakfast treats. And Santa will be palate with tasty breakfast treats. And Santa will be on hand to get those last-minute requests from our children and grandchildren. Cost is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children. All money raised will be used by the Knights of Columbus to fund scholarships for seminarians studying at our seminaries in the Chicago Archdiocese. Head over and begin your Christmas celebration early. Thanks to all the volunteers and Santa’s helpers. This coming Friday, December 15th St. Agnes will be hosting their Living Nativity and Posada. The animals will be on display from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and we will have a children’s Posada at 6:30 PM and the high school students will present the Christmas story at 7:15 PM. We are also going to raise some money

this year and will have tamales and pizza for sale in Isaiah Hall. It will be a wonderful evening that young and old will remember for years to come. Please join us for this annual event. This Thursday, December 14th we will be having our Advent Reconciliation Service at St. Kieran. We now have one service for the two parishes of St. Agnes and St. Kieran. This service begins at 7:00PM. The Lenten Reconciliation ser-vice will be held at St. Agnes. Join us for reconciliation.

Also on Thursday, December 14th Mr. Lungaro the St. Agnes principal will be hosting a meeting at St. Agnes to talk about tax credit scholarships that the state of Illinois will be awarding for next school year. He will go over who is eligible, how much, and how to apply. Please call the parish for more info.

TODAY’S READINGS

First Reading — The rugged land shall be made a plain; the rough country, a broad valley (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11). Psalm — Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation (Psalm 85). Second Reading — Conduct yourselves in holiness, has-tening the coming of the day of God (2 Peter 3:8-14). Gospel — I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:1-8). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9ab, 10-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 3:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the Common of The Blessed Virgin Mary, nos. 707-712 Wednesday: Is 40:25-31; Ps 103:1-4, 8, 10; Mt 11:28-30 Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk 1:46-50, 53-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

Second Sunday of Advent Page 3

Parish News & Events

Renovation Update from Sandy Vasek, Business Manager

By now, I’m sure that everyone knows that our last Masses before renovation of the Church begins will be held the weekend of January 06/07, which is the Feast of the Epiphany. The following week and the weekend of January 13/14, we will be celebrating our liturgies in Crawford Hall, where we first began. In an effort to make this transition go as smooth as possible, a meeting was held on November 29 with all of the Liturgical Ministers that included shared information about the changes that will take place with the move to Crawford Hall. In the next few weeks, I will be writing these special articles to make the parishioners aware of these changes in an effort to help in the transition. The above diagram, for instance, shows the traffic patterns that will be used during the renovation. Please note that the driveway between the church building and the school AND the driveway area leading to the east side doors of the school building are FIRE LANES. These areas may be used for drop-off and pick-up, ONLY. NO ONE MAY PARK IN THESE AREAS. This parking ban includes not only daily and weekend Masses, but for meetings and gatherings held in the school as well. In an effort to help in determining the traffic patterns, the City of Chicago Heights will graciously loan us some traffic signs (one way, yield, do not enter) for the duration of the construction. If you have any questions regarding the traffic patterns during construction, please feel free to talk to any Staff Member or call/visit the Rectory Office during normal business hours.

Page 4 December 10, 2017

Parish News & Events

Eucharistic Ministers Blessing

Next weekend December 16 & 17

at all Masses we will have a blessing for all Ministers of Holy Communion.

Please add them to your prayers.

HOLIDAYS FOOD DRIVE

December 09/10

CATHOLIC CHARITIES FOOD PANTRY AT ST IRENAEUS CHURCH

FOOD ITEMS REQUESTED

Can/Jar Items

Soup Tomato Sauce & Paste

Spam Tuna

Chicken Ham

Salmon Jelly

Corned Beef Hash Ravioli, Beef-a-Roni

Beef Stew Chili with Beans

Tamales Pork & Beans

Vegetables Whole Fruit/Vegetable Juices

Vegetable Oil

Box/Bag Items Cereal Rice

Mashed Potatoes Macaroni & Cheese Hamburger Helper

Crackers Oatmeal

Pancake Mix Grits

Dry Pasta Bisquik

Condiments/Other

Mustard Ketchup

Mayo/Miracle Whip Powdered Creamer

Thank you for your continued generosity!

THE ST. KIERAN

GIVING TREE IS HERE!

Beginning November 25/26, ornaments will be available on our Annual Giving Tree!

1.) Visit our tree in the Day Chapel 2.) Choose a gift tag. 3.) Purchase your gift. 4.) Place unwrapped gift in a bag, gift bag if you can. 5.) Tape the tree tag on the bag. 6.) Return your gift to the boxes provided in the Church vestibule.

GIFTS MUST BE RETURNED BY THE END OF THE 10 AM MASS ON

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17.

God bless you for caring and sharing!

Advent Reconciliation

Service

St. Kieran & St. Agnes Churches will celebrate an Advent Reconciliation Service this Thursday,

December 14th, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Agnes Church.

Join us for reconciliation.

St. Kieran Catholic Church

Advent/Christmas/New Year Schedule 2017

Advent Evening Prayer

Thursday, December 21, at 7 PM

Advent Penance Service

Thursday, December 14, at 7 PM

Fourth Sunday of Advent Saturday/Sunday, December 23/24,

regular weekend Mass schedule

Christmas Eve Schedule

Sunday, December 24 Christmas Eve Masses at 4 PM and 10 PM

Christmas Day Schedule

Monday, December 25 Christmas Day Mass at 9 AM

NO DAILY MASS ON DECEMBER 26

Feast of the Holy Family

Saturday/Sunday, December 30/31 regular weekend Mass schedule

Solemnity of Mary

Monday, January 1 Holy Day Masses at 9 AM

NO DAILY MASS ON JANUARY 02

Feast of Epiphany

Saturday/Sunday, January 06/07 regular weekend Mass schedule

Baptism of the Lord Monday, January 08

NO DAILY MASS ON FEAST DAY MOVING LITURGICAL SPACE

TO CRAWFORD HALL

Second Sunday of Advent Page 5

Parish News & Events

2017

ST. KIERAN

CHRISTMAS DECORATION

OFFERINGS

The St. Kieran Arts & Environment Committee has once again organized a means for the parish to be involved in decorating our church for Christmas. We are asking for monetary gifts to cover costs for poinsettias, pine trees, fabric, ribbon, and other items used to enhance our celebration of this joyous season. These donations may be made to honor a loved one, to celebrate a special occasion (such as birthdays, anniversaries, birth of a child, etc.), or for a special intention, during the Christmas season. A list of honorees will appear in the bulletin. If you would like to participate, please fill out the form below and return it to the church or rectory, along with payment, by Friday, December 15. I would like to make a donation to the St. Kieran Arts & Environment Committee for Christmas decorations in honor of the following person(s): Honoree_________________________________ Honoree_________________________________ Honoree_________________________________ Honoree_________________________________ Suggested donation is $10.00 per honoree. Total donation enclosed ____________________ Requested by_____________________________

New Catholic School Scholarship Opportunity for 2018/19 School Year

Through the “Invest in Kids Act,” the state of Illinois has created a new way to fund scholar-ships for children from low-income households who want to attend private schools. This program provides an opportunity for more students to receive a quality Catholic education. The tax credit scholarships offered through this program could cover up to 100 percent of tuition and fees for eligible, low-income students. Not all families will be eligible for the new scholarships, but we want to make sure all families are aware of the program. Program details are still being finalized, but you can find information on the scholarships, the application process and the “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) on the Archdiocese of Chicago’s website, archchicago.org/tcs. If you have any questions about tax credit scholarships, please contact the Archdiocese at InvestInKids@archchicago.org or 312.534.5321.

Page 6 December 10, 2017

Second Sunday of Advent Page 7

Parish News & Events

Page 8 December 10, 2017

Other News & Events

St. Agnes invites you

to celebrate THE NATIVITY STORY

Friday, December 15th

6:30 p.m. Children’s Posada 7:00 p.m. The Christmas Story by high school students

Come be a part of this most wonderful story

and also visit the camels, sheep, cows, donkeys, goats and more!

This year we will be selling tamales, pizza, and

hot chocolate from 5:30-8:00 PM as a fund raiser.

Join us for our Living Nativity and dinner!

Michelle Acadia Kim Alexander

Jenna Bova Cory Blair

Noreen Bussey Philip Cameli Michael Case

Victoria Cavallaro Jerome Chmielewski

Janel Compton Ken Connor

JoAnne Corrigan Richard Czarnecki

Stewart Dill Shar Drozdowski Sorita Durham

Christine Dymek Jim Dymek

Gary Eichberger Ava Emroll

Laurie Emroll Teresa Eppel

Norman Falcioni Tom Fleisher

Marlene Gaughan Lynn Ginsberg Tom Haggerty

Dominick Hamilton Florence Hand Heather Henry

William Hand, Sr. Mathew Heinberg

Our Troops

Second Sunday of Advent Page 9

Air Force

AB Conor Fitzgerald

Army

PFC Roman Ambriz E5 Patrick Atwater

Sgt. Brenden Flanagan Sgt. James R. Hibbs

PFC Lee James Roché CWO Thomas J. Seehausen

Coast Guard

Luke Stocker

Marine Corps

SSgt. John Henry LCpl. Joseph Johnson

Sgt. Patrick Russell SSgt. Nathan Taylor

National Guard

SSgt. Paul LaBellle

Navy

Troy DaVault Raymond J. Martinez

Joseph Swanson

5:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.

Dave Dutko Gene Labelle Emil Vasek

Dona Amadio Tom Narcisi

Joan Cliff Briana Narcissi Sue Habegger

Joshua Shlosberg

Connie Bultema Maura Flanigan

Natalee Cuti Carla Lofrano

Kevin Deenihan Judy Longo

Susan Alessandrini Mary La Belle Keith Betton

Barbara Stallings Amanda Klopp James Wood

Cheta Emechebe Zachary Murphy

** Served by adult parishioners

Gretchen Schmidt

Finn Schmidt

Ida Green Barbara Dutko

Karlene Henshaw Robert Lagger

Teri Klopp Barbara Cianchetti

Terry Mazzocca Barbara Fonfara Debbie Wlodarski

There are dates available throughout 2018

to purchase flowers dedicated to a loved one

for the Holy Family Shrine in the Church.

Sarah Hergenrother Pamela Jacks

Officer Timothy Jones Rose Klauck

Dennis Kurowski Joyce Lentzi Ken Mannie Terri Masiur

Kathleen Masterson Tom Maxwell Erin McCann

Marilyn Monteleone Joe Napoleon

Rosemarie Pagliero Dolores Plucienik

Elena Presutti Katie Quinn Radomski Marjorie V. Ringwald

Tom Roberts Ramón Santiago

Rosa Maria Santos Ron Sinclair

Audrey Strasser Fran Somer Pat Sullivan Gayle Tama

Sr. Joy Weideman Linda Wickizek Dana Wittman

Marjorie Woltman All First Responders

Ministry Schedule for December 16 & 17, 2017

Monday, December 11 8:00 a.m. Communion Service (C) 5:00 p.m. St. Agnes Athletics (FF/H) to 9 PM Tuesday, December 12 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass (C) 5:00 p.m. St. Agnes Athletics (FF/H) to 9 PM 6:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus Meeting (KOCR) 7:00 p.m. Book Club (L) Wednesday, December 13 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass (C) 5:00 p.m. St. Agnes Athletics (FF/H) to 9 PM Thursday, December 14 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass (C) 12:30 p.m. Bible Study (L) 7:00 p.m. Our Lady of Sorrows Novena (Day Chapel) 7:00 p.m. Glenwood Adult Basketball League (H) to 9:30 PM 7:00 p.m. Advent Reconciliation followed by Choir Practice (C) Friday, December 15 8:00 a.m. Daily Mass (C) 5:00 p.m. St. Agnes Athletics (H/FF) to 9 PM Saturday, December 16 9:00 a.m. Communion Service (C) 9:00 a.m. St. Agnes Athletics (FF/H) to 1 PM 2:00 p.m. Glenwood Adult Basketball League (H) to 4:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Confessions (Cry Room) to 4:30 PM 5:00 p.m. Anticipated Mass (C) Giving Tree Gifts/Toy Drive Donations at all weekend Masses Sunday, December 17 8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass (C) 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass (C) 11:30 a.m. Baptisms (Day Chapel) Giving Tree Gifts/Toy Drive Donations at all weekend Masses

Monday, December 11 – St. Damasus I

8:00 a.m. • Communion Service

Tuesday, December 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe; Hanukkah begins at sunset 8:00 a.m. • Rev. William T. O’Connor, req. by St. Kieran Church

Wednesday, December 13 – St. Lucy 8:00 a.m. • Edward and Shirley Monser

Thursday, December 14 – St. John of the Cross 8:00 a.m. • Continued welfare of Mary Bailey, req. by Frances Wilhelm 7:00 p.m. • Advent Penance Service with individual confessions

Friday, December 15 – Weekday 8:00 a.m. • Angelo, Teresa & Nancy Popolla, req. by the Virginio Popolla Family • Pasquale Iacovacci, req. by the Virginio Popolla Family

Saturday, December 16 – Las Posadas begins 9:00 a.m. • Communion Service 5:00 p.m. • Helen & Joseph Valek, req. by Donn & Dorothy Pries • Deceased of the Curbis Family, req. by Mr. & Mrs. John Verna • Mary & Bruce Cutean, req. by the Louise Narcisi Family

Sunday, December 17– Third Sunday of Advent

8:00 a.m. • Antonio Porrino, req. by Giacomo & Maria Mancini & family • Michelina Mancini, req. by Giacomo & Maria Mancini & family • Shelly Purcell-Mays, req. by Mindy & Terry Purcell • Jacquelyn Barker, req. by the Barker Family 10:00 a.m. • Mary & Fred Boam, req. by Doug & Mary Helen • Salvatore Medica, req. by his wife, Margherita Medica • Continued welfare of Jean Geraci, req. by Frances & Frank Wilhelm • John Geraci, req. by his wife, Jean, and family

Page 10 December 10, 2017

St. Kieran Catholic Church 724 West 195 Street, Chicago Heights IL 60411

Visit our Website at www.stkieranchurch.org

Parish Mission Statement:

St. Kieran Parish is a Catholic community within the Archdiocese of Chicago. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, nourished by Scripture and Sacrament, we are called by Christ to become disciples and stewards. Through worship, fellowship, catechesis, and service to all God’s children, we embrace our Lord’s challenge to live as family and be his witnesses, beginning here in Chicago Heights.

Parish Staff: Rev. John Siemianowski, Pastor Deacon Eugene Labelle, Senior Deacon Rev. Thomas Kasputis, Associate Pastor Deacon David Dutko Rev. William O’Mara, Resident Associate Deacon Emil Vasek

Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturdays at 5 PM; Sundays at 8 AM and 10 AM Weekday Masses are celebrated Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 a.m.

Communion Services are celebrated on Mondays at 8:00 a.m. and on Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated on Saturdays at 4:00 p.m.

Rectory Office, 708/755-0074: Hours of Operation: 9 AM to 3 PM (Monday—Thursday)

Sandy Vasek, Office Manager, stk-business@comcast.net Sheila Porrata, Bulletin Editor, stk-bulletineditor@comcast.net

Emily Hernandez, Parish Secretary, stk-parishsecretary@comcast.net

Religious Education Office, located at St. Agnes, 708/754-0713 Teri Klopp, Coordinator, stk-reoffice@comcast.net

Director of Music: Mrs. Joanne Rossbach, 708/755-0074

.

Parish Ministries: Knights of Columbus: David Nozar, 708/267-8253 Visit our website: www.knights997.org

SACRAMENTAL/IMPORTANT INFORMATION

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: Contact the Rectory Office to make arrangements. Regular Baptismal Sundays are the first and third Sundays of the month at 11:30 a.m. SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY: Contact the Rectory Office at least six month prior to date of marriage. SACRAMENT OF EUCHARIST TO THE HOMEBOUND: Please contact the Rectory Office to set-up visits. ORDER OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION: For adults who wish to know more about the Roman Catholic faith, please contact the Rectory Office and the Director of Religious Education will contact you. NEW PARISHIONERS: To become a member, please contact the Rectory Office for a registration form. BULLETIN/PARISH CALENDAR: Bulletin information should be submitted by email to the Bulletin Editor. Contact the Office Manager for arrangements to use parish facilities.

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