Fourth Sunday of Advent December 19, 2010

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1 6725 W. Devon Ave. Chicago, IL Fourth Sunday of Advent December 19, 2010 Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Mass in Polish) Monday through Saturday: 8:30 a.m. Holy Days: Please see the bulletin for that week Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy Monday - Saturday following 8:30 a.m. Mass Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction: Every Wednesday: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Benediction starting at 6:30 p.m. Rite of Reconciliation (Confessions): 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Saturday or by appointment St. Thecla Staff: Pastor: Rev. Gene Dyer Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Gerald E. Rogala Associate Pastor: Rev. Paweł Komperda Deacons: Mr. John X. Rottman, Mr. Robert F. Cnota, Mr. Steven Wagner Director of Music: Mr. Robert Shack Business Manager/Minister of Care: Mrs. Joan Czerlanis School Principal: Mrs. Carol Styka Religious Education Director: Mrs. M. Louise Hanley Parish Admin. Asst./Bulletin Editor: Mrs. Anna Piech School Secretary: Mrs. Bea Sansone Office Hours and Addresses: Parish Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Parish Office: 6333 N. Newcastle (773) School: 6323 N. Newcastle (773) St. Thecla Parish Mission Statement - St. Thecla is a multi-cultural parish located on the northwest side of Chicago. The parish welcomes, respects, and embraces all members of the community. Our mission is to promote spiritual growth to all generations through the celebration of the sacraments, Christian education, spiritual, and social events. St. Thecla encourages all parishioners and members of the community to be disciples of the Gospel message through prayer and good deeds. Our Lord s message is to love one another. We spread His message by giving thanks to God for the gifts we have received and sharing our time and talent with the parish and with others. (Adopted by the PPC on April 8, 2002)

2 Weekly Parish Information Mon. Dec. 20th, 8:30 a.m. Tue. Dec. 21st, 8:30 a.m. Wed. Dec. 22nd, 8:30 a.m. Thur. Dec. 23rd, 8:30 a.m. Sacrificial Giving A Call To Stewardship December 12, 2010 Mass Intentions Weekly Contributions: Due to an earlier bulletin deadline, we will print the totals in next week s bulletin. Thank you for your understanding. Thank you for your generosity to help meet our weekly financial goals. Please remember St. Thecla in your Will. Sign up for Automated Giving by visiting or by calling parish-1. Parish Pay +Loretta Szymd +Robert Swenie +John C. Barrett Automated Giving Is Here Have You Signed Up Yet? SI - Fred & Jackie Smith Fri. Dec. 24th, 8:30 a.m. (Collective intentions) +George R. Hill, +John Podgorny Sr., +Joan Surdey, +J. Riley Family, +Raymond Kapela The Christmas Mass Schedule is on page 3 The intention at all the Masses on Christmas is for all St. Thecla Parishioners Sun. Dec. 26th, 8:00 a.m. For the Parishioners 9:30 a.m. +Anna Mae Wieckowski 11:00 a.m. (Collective intentions) +Chester & Jeanette Stalica, +Deacon Eugene Bates, +Robert Musker, +John & Helen Pierzchala, +Elizabeth Hanley Bayer, +Edwin A. Wojcik, +Catherine & Gregory Daly, +Mary Reynolds +-denotes deceased, SI - denotes special intention It benefits you and our parish! Enrollment is friendly and trouble-free. Managing your account through ParishPay is easy. It s easy to sign up. Simply call the parish office, fill out the enrollment form and drop in the collection basket, or enroll at the program s website, or call customer service at TODAY S READINGS First Reading - You will be given this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel (Isaiah 7:10-14). Psalm - Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory (Psalm 24). Second Reading - God has called us to belong to Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1-7). Gospel - The son born of Mary shall be called Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. He shall be Emmanuel, God is with us (Matthew 1:18-24). READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 7:10-14; Lk 1:26-38 Tuesday: Sg 2:8-14 or Zeph 3:14-18a; Lk 1:39-45 Wednesday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; Lk 1:46-56 Thursday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-24; Lk 1:57-66 Friday: 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Lk 1:67-79 Saturday: Vigil: Is 62:1-5; Ps 89; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Mt 1:1-25 [18-25] Midnight: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Sunday: Sir 3:2-7, 12-14; Ps 128; Col 3:12-21 [12-17]; Mt 2:13-15, Retirement Fund for Religious Religious give thanks. Women and men religious throughout the country offer heartfelt thanks for your donation to the Retirement Fund for Religious. Your gift makes a tangible difference in the lives of thousands of senior Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests. 2

3 Weekly Parish Information Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Wednesdays in Church, 1 p.m. - 7 p.m. with Benediction at 6:30 p.m. "In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host. Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful. It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering." - Pope Benedict XVI, February 22, 2007, Sacramentum Caritatis, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Please cut this out and keep for reference Season of Advent at St. Thecla Parish Year of Grace 2011 Mass every day at 8:30 a.m. Confessions every Saturday at 4 p.m. Sunday vespers at 4 p.m. Penance service with individual confession Monday, Dec. 20th at 7 p.m. (in English and Polish) Eucharistic Adoration every Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., Advent devotions with Benediction: Dec. 22nd: St. John of the Cross and the Life of Jesus Music Ministry News TODAY AT 11:00 AM MASS The Paulist Alumni Choir will be singing at our 11:00 a.m. Mass. St. Thecla parish has hosted the Alumni Choir during Advent, Lent and after Easter Sunday, the past 8 years. The all male voices of the choir offer a variety of choral selections. Some Latin, some English texts are all sung a cappella. TRANSFIGURATION CHURCH 2609 West Carmen Ave. Chicago, IL November 30, 2010 Rev. Gene Dyer Pastor, St. Thecla Parish 6725 W. Devon Ave. Chicago, IL Dear Father Gene and Parishioners of St. Thecla, Thank you very much for your recent check of $1,491 to Transfiguration Parish for the sharing months of September and October of this year. Thank you for all your donations in the past as well. Transfiguration is looking forward to celebrating its 100th anniversary with Cardinal George on August 7, The new members of our finance committees are strongly involved in fundraising to help pay our bills and the interest on our loans. We constantly look for ways to economize and have fundraising projects in process. Friday, Dec. 24th - Christmas Eve 4:00 p.m. Family Mass with Children s Choir 9:30 p.m. Christmas Carols St. Thecla Adult Choir 10:00 p.m. Christmas Solemn Mass 11:30 p.m. Christmas Carols in Polish 12:00 a.m. Pasterka Saturday, Dec. 25th - Christmas Day 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. in Polish Note: No Saturday evening Mass on Dec. 25th We deeply appreciate your help as we can use all the help that we can get. Thank you also for the food which you delivered to our food pantry. We have already begun giving it to the poor and needy. May God bless you, especially during this coming Christmas and New Year. Sincerely yours in Christ, Rev. John J. Rudnik Parochial Vicar 3

4 Announcements DECEMBER 19 4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Mary, our Blessed Mother, is the greatest example of someone who placed all her trust in the Lord, despite not comprehending God s plan for her. Will you place your trust in God, and consider a vocation to the priesthood or religious life? For more information about the priesthood contact Fr. Brian Welter at or at For more information about the religious life contact Sr. Elyse Ramirez, OP at or at IS GOD CALLING YOU TO BE A PRIEST? Exploring Priesthood Weekend is a retreat experience designed to help men discover if God may be calling them to the priesthood. College-age and older men are invited to join us the weekend of January 7-9, For more information and to register, please contact: Fr. Brian Welter at or at Go to for more details. NIEDZIELA, 19 GRUDNIA 4 NIEDZIELA ADWENTU Maryja, nasza Najświętsza Matka jest najlepszym przykładem do złożenia całej ufności w Bogu, pomimo niezrozumienia Jego Planu względem Niej. Czy jesteś gotów zaufać Bogu do końca i rozważyć drogę powołania kapłańskiego lub zakonnego? Więcej informacji na temat kapłaństwa, uzyskać można kontaktując się z ks. Brianem Welterem, pod numerem telefonu lub pisząc na adres Aby uzyskać informacje na temat powołania do Życia zakonnego, prosimy o kontakt z s. Elyse Ramirez pod adresem lub kontakt telefoniczny CZY MYŚLAŁEŚ KIEDYŚ ABY ZOSTAĆ KAPŁANEM? Studenci collegów oraz starsi chłopcy i mężczyźni są zaproszeni na rekolekcje Exploring Priesthood Weekend w celu zapoznania się, rozeznania, i przedyskutowania z klerykami i księżmi możliwość zostania księdzem diecezjalnym w Chicago. Następne EPW odbędzie się od 7 do 9 stycznia 2011 roku. W celu rejestracji prosimy o kontakt z ks. Brianem Welter em pod numerem telefonu: lub drogą mailową na: Więcej informacji na stronie internetowej: 4

5 Catholics Come Home HAVE YOU SEEN THOSE ADS ON TV? During Advent and Christmas the Archdiocese of Chicago has partnered with the Dioceses of Joliet and Rockford on an evangelization initiative called Catholics Come Home. This effort will use TV commercials that will air through January 2011 on most networks in English, Spanish and Polish. We encourage our parishioners to pray for those who have left the Church and invite them to join us at St. Thecla. Parishioners can pick up a brochure to be used as an invitation for those who have drifted from the practice of the faith. If you are at St. Thecla for the first time, we lovingly welcome you home. We have been praying for you. Please contact Deacon John Rottman at (773) if you need to find healing, answers or support. CZY WIDZIAŁEŚ NASZE REKLAMY W TELEWIZJI? W okresie Adwentu i Świąt Bożego Narodzenia Archidiecezja Chicago współpracować z diecezjami w Joliet i Rockford nad nową ewangelizacją pod nazwą Catholics Come Home. Owocem tego projektu będą krótkie filmy zachęcające katolików do powrotu do kościoła. Filmy w językach angielskim, hiszpańskim i polskim wyświetlane będą do stycznia 2011 roku na większości kanałów telewizyjnych. Zachęcamy wszystkich parafian do modlitwy za tych, którzy odeszli od kościoła, oraz zapraszania ich do powrotu do parafi Św. Tekli. W parafi będą dostępne broszury i ulotki, które mogą posłużyć jako pomoc dla tych, którzy przestali praktykować wiarę. Jeżeli pierwszy raz pojawiłeś się w parafi Św. Tekli chcielibyśmy powitać cię w domu. Modliliśmy się o twój powrót! Proszę skontaktuj się z ks. Pawlem Komperda pod numerem (773) jeżeli potrzebujesz porady duchowej, spowiedzi lub pomocy! 5

6 Announcements ACCW OFFERS COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP The Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (ACCW) has established a $1000 four year renewable scholarship for a young woman graduating from high school and continuing her education at a college or university who belongs to a parish in the Archdioceses of Chicago. This scholarship is available for female high school seniors who meet the following criteria: - Has maintained a C average in high school - Has been involved in extracurricular activities in her Church, School, and Community - Submits her latest transcript - Submits a 300 word or less essay (in standard English) entitled What It Means to Be a Catholic Woman in the World Today typed and double spaced on 8½ x 11 paper. - Submits 2 letters of recommendation, one each from either her Dean of Students, Counselor, Pastor, Youth Minister, or non-family member The $1000 Scholarship will be paid by the semester, $500 each in September and January, upon receipt of the previous semester's transcript. The scholarship will be terminated if the winner leaves the college or university before the completion of four years. The application, essay, transcript, and two letters of recommendation must be received no later than February 20, For more information and to pick up an application, St. Thecla applicants may contact Bernie by phone at (773) or by at All eligible female high school seniors are encouraged to fill out an application and take advantage of this generous offer. St. Thecla Women s Council News ENTERTAINMENT 2011 BOOKS Looking for the perfect gift for your family, friends, teachers, co-workers or yourself? Entertainment Books offer savings on: fine restaurants, fast food, carry outs, entertainment, sports, travel, services, etc. Just use a few coupons and the book has paid for itself. Hundreds of $ $ $ coupons that keep giving all year long. Just $25.00 each. Call to get yours. SAVE THE DATE Saturday, May 21 st Golf Balls from Heaven Grand Raffle Extravaganza Tickets are $50.00 a piece and remember each ticket will correspond to a golf ball. The Golf Balls from Heaven event takes place Saturday, May 21 st from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m at TAM Golf Course in Niles, IL. For more information contact Kerri Caldwell at or GIVING TREE Once again our Advent Giving Tree is set up in the front of Church. As in the past, each card on the tree represents a resident of the Regency Nursing Center. This year, we have been asked by Lori, the activity director at Regency, to try something a little different with our gifts. Instead of wrapping each gift we are asked to put them in a plastic bag and add a gift bag so that the presents may be matched with a resident who can really get full use of them. After the presents are delivered to the home, activity directors will sort them, place them in the gift bags and tag them with the name of a resident who could really use it. Then, on Monday Dec. 20th at 9:45 a.m., we can truly enjoy the happiness of those who receive our gifts. Here are some ideas that will make the gift you give most enjoyable to the recipient: Slippers are easier to get on in sizes 9 and larger. While beauty products are wonderful they have to be put out of reach of residents who might not know what they are used for. A nice snow globe, personal note cards or teddy bears would be a better choice. Clothes in larger sizes make it easier for residents to get in and out of them. So we are asked to choose clothes in size Lg., XL, or XXL. Sweat pants, shirts and knit hats, scarves and gloves would also be welcome, especially by the male residents. If you need any more information, or if you would like to help distributing the gifts on Monday December 20th at 9:45 a.m. please feel free to give me a call. If there is no answer, leave me a message and I will be sure to get back to you. Wishing you Christmas Blessings, Karen Glab

7 Keeping in mind Prayer List, US Military United States Air Force: A1C Heather Bosh, Airman Shane Garrison, Staff Sgt. Adam Krey, Tech Sgt. Richard L. Larsen, 2nd Lt. Andrew May, 2nd Lt. Peter A. Schroeder, SRA James E. Stay United States Army: Maj. Terence W. Bacon, Sgt. Sean Doherty, A/Sgt. Rachel Hall, Capt. Michael J. Kaye, Capt. Jared Lampe, WO. Steven Larmay, PFC. Thomas J. Lyons III, Capt. Gina Marie Mroszczak, PFC. Raymond Rau, Michael Spiwak United States Marines: LCPL. Philip E. Blais, 2nd Lt. Kevin Bowler, PFC Michael T. Brennan, Pvt. James Dinela, LCPL. Kyle Elmer, LCPL. Nathaniel J. Juncer, Capt. Michael C. Mroszczak, Capt. Craig V. Platt, LCPL. Jose Rivera, Master Sgt. Richard L. Sroka, Sgt. James E. Stonehouse United States Navy: Capt. Steven Stancy Herod massacred the Holy Innocents because he feared that one of those weak, helpless, innocent children might be the Christ. His was the fear of a tyrant totally consumed with ambition and evil. We have our own modern day Herod: abortion on demand. And we now have countless numbers of Holy Innocents! We would like to keep those who are serving in the military in our prayers. Please print the name of your loved one & drop in the collection basket or return to the Parish Office. Their names will remain on the list until you notify us of their return. Remember Our Sick - Please pray for all those in nursing homes, homebound or who require extended care and those who care for them: Marion Barbas, Joseph Bednarz, Herlinda Castellanos, Frank Donatello, Dorothy Hennessy, Adeline Hickok, Joseph Kaye, Margaret Kelliher, Theresa Kennedy, Mary Kozlowski, Mildred Lewan, Julie Muza, Margaret Nowicki, Kathleen Numec, Kenneth Olsofka, John Orloff, Joanna Poniatowska, Eward Saranic, Janis Taylor, Florence Trynkiewicz The Secular Franciscan Order Is God calling you to walk in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assissi? The Secular Franciscan Order is a religious order within the Catholic Church open to diocesan clergy and to married and single members of the laity. Secular Franciscans work together in local fraternities to deepen their own spirituality and to strive to conform their lives more fully to the Gospel of Christ. If this appeals to you, please call Mary Hobbs at or Dale Blum at for more information. St. Juliana Fraternity, SFO. See for complete fraternity listing. Project Rachel There are people who understand and can help. Are you hurting emotionally and spiritually after an abortion? There is hope for your future! If you're suffering because of an abortion, you may feel alone. But you are not. Call HOPE. One-on-one lay counseling, referrals to trained priests and understanding professional counselors and day-long retreats provided. Neither do I Condemn You. John 8:11 Relevant Radio 950/930AM: Talk Radio for Catholic Life in the Archdiocese of Chicago! Take your faith beyond Sunday and into the rest of the week with Relevant Radio! True to our mission of Bridging the Gap Between Faith and Everyday Life, Relevant Radio is committed to bringing you programming that will feed your soul. This isn t radio that is a part of the culture this is radio that is changing the culture. Tune in to Relevant Radio 950/930AM. Listen online at 7

8 Strona Duszpasterstwa Polskojêzycznego w parafii ªw. Tekli Informacje Ogólne Adres: 6725 W. Devon Ave. Chicago, IL Adres Biura Parafialnego: 6333 N. Newcastle Ave. Telefon: (773) Sekretarka: Anna Piech Godziny Kancelari Parafialnej: Od pon. do piàtku, od godz. 9:15 rano do godz. 16:00. Adres Szko³y: 6323 N. Newcastle Ave. Telefon: (773) Adres strony internetowej (po Polsku): Msze ªwiête Msza ªw. w tygodniu, o godz. 8:30 rano, w jêz. Angielskim. Msza ªw. w jêz. Polskim w kaýdà niedzielê, o godz. 12:30 Msze ªw. w ªwiêta Obowiàzkowe - proºimy sprawdziæ w biuletynie na dane ªwiêto. Szczegó³owe informacje bedà podawane w biuletynie tydzieñ wczeºniej. Intencje Mszalne Duszpasterstwo Ýycia Wewnêtrznego Adoracja Najºwiêtszego Sakramentu w kaýdà ºrodê od godziny 13:00 do godziny 18:30. O godz. 18:30, dwujêzyczne Naboýeñstwo z B³ogos³awieñstwem Najºwiêtszym Sakramentem. Wspólnota ªw. Micha³a Archanio³a Koordynator - ks. Pawe³ Komperda Spotyka siê zazwyczaj w 3-cià sobotê miesiàca o godz. 19:30 w Koºciele. Grupa M³odzieýowa Arka Noego Koordynator - ks. Pawe³ Komperda Prowadzona w jêz. Angielskim, dla m³odych, poczynajàc od klasy 7 mej. Wspólnota spotyka siê zazwyczaj w 3 ci piàtek miesiàca o godz. 19:00, w budynku Kancelari Parafialnej. Niedziela, 26 grudzieñ, 12:30 p.m., +Chester Grela, +Józef Kad³ub, +John i Aniela Mateja Informacje o Sakramentach Sakrament Chrztu - W każdą drugą i czwartą niedzielê miesiąca o godzinie 14:30. Spotkanie Przygotowujące dla rodziców - Data i czas spotkania zostaną ustalone przez Księdza. Prosimy kontaktować się z Biurem Parafialnym aby zgłosić dziecko do Chrztu. Sakrament Ma³ýeñstwa - Pary przygotowujàce siê do zawarcia Sakramentu Ma³ýeñstwa powinny zg³osic siê do Biura Parafialnego przed ustaleniem innych szczegó³ów, przynajmniej na 4 miesiàce przed planowanà datà ºlubu. Równieý prosimy kontaktowaæ siê z Kancelarià Parafialnà w celu ustalenia spotkania z ksiêdzem. Spowiedþ ªw. - w kaýdà sobotê, od godz. 16:00 do 16:45. Moýna równieý umówiæ siê indywidualnie z ksiêdzem. Spowiedþ, Komunia ªw., Namaszczenie Chorych - Naleýy dzwoniæ do Kancelari Parafialnej aby umówiæ wizytê ksiêdza. Prosimy aby w potrzebie pos³ugi kap³ana osobom chorym nie zwlekaæ. Pogrzeby - Naleýy dzwoniæ do Kancelari Parafialnej aby uzyskaæ szczególowe informacje, potrzebne do przygotowania uroczystoºci pogrzebowej. Og³oszenia Entertainment Books na rok 2011 Moýna kupiæ jako prezent dla innych, lub dla siebie. Ksiàýki z kuponami, tak zwane Entertainment books, w cenie $25.00, oferujà oszczêdnoºci na: restauracjach, rozrywkach i sportach, podróýowaniu oraz us³ugach. Wykorzystujàc tylko kilka kuponów zwracajà siê koszty ksiàýki. Moýna dzwoniæ do p. Bernie tylko w jêz. angielskim (773) Moýna równieý kontaktowaæ siê z sekretarkà parafialnà, p. Annà, w jêz. polskim, pod numerem (773) Mamy kilka takich ksiàýek do sprzedania w biurze pariafialnym, jeºli ktoº by³by zainteresowany. Pomóýmy Andrzejowi Jak zapewne niektórzy z Was wiedzà, Andrzej Daszek to 24 letni m³odzieniec, który przez siedem lat zmaga³ siê z rakiem koºci. W wyniku postêpujàcej choroby nowotworowej, lekarze usuneli mu prawà rekê wraz z ³opatkà. Fundacja podaruj mi ýycie pomaga Andrzejowi zgromadziæ fundusze na zakup biomechanicznej protezy. Pragniemy poinformowac ýe w niedzielê, 16-go stycznia, Andrzej bedzie w parafii ªw. Konstancji, na Mszach ªw. w jêz. polskim, czyli o godz. 9:00, 1:30 i 7:00 wieczorem. Bêdzie moýna spotkaæ Andrzeja przy g³ownym wejºciu koºcio³a po kaýdej Mszy ªw., tam teý bêdzie moýna z³oýyæ ofiarê na ten cel. Jesli ktos chcialby porozmawiac z Andrzejem osobiscie, mozna do niego zadzwonic na nr. (773)

9 Keeping in mind SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Fourth Sunday of Advent Tuesday: St. Peter Canisius; Winter Solstice Thursday: St. John of Kanty Friday: The Vigil of Christmas Saturday: The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Blood Pressure Screening This Weekend - Volunteers from Compass will be in the back of Church to check blood pressures this weekend. They will be available after the 5:00 p.m., 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Masses. It is a quick measure you can take to monitor your health. Plan to stop by. TRUST IN GOD On this final Sunday of Advent our scriptures focus on the historical birth of Jesus, who is son of David and Son of God, child and king, Jesus and Emmanuel. Isaiah the prophet begs Ahaz to ask for a sign, to allow God to offer him reassurance of the survival of the Davidic dynasty. The king hypocritically refuses to tempt the LORD in that way (Isaiah 7:12), but the prophet foretells the birth of a son, an heir to the throne, who will prove the Lord s enduring protection of God s chosen lineage on the throne of David. The child will be called Emmanuel. Matthew s reference to this history in his description of the birth of Jesus highlights the contrast between the faithless refusal of trust shown by Ahaz, and the complete trust in God shown by Mary and Joseph in bringing about the birth of Jesus Christ. Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co. FEAST OF FAITH - Gathering When Pope Benedict XVI visited the United States in 2008, tens of thousands gathered in Yankee Stadium to celebrate the Eucharist with him. What made them different from all the other excited crowds who have assembled there through the years? When they began to sing together, to listen together, to pray together, they ceased to be a crowd, and became a liturgical assembly. It was not where they were but what they did that set them apart. The Gospels speak of many instances when Jesus prayed alone to his Father. But Jesus also put a special value on communal prayer. Where two or three are gathered together in my name, he told his disciples, there am I in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20). Jesus gave his own mission to his followers, sending them forth to do everything he did: to heal, to teach, to proclaim the kingdom. Jesus wants us to meet God in and through each other. So the Christian community continues to gather, Sunday after Sunday. When we get up on Sunday morning and come to Mass, we respond to Jesus invitation, and we express our trust in his promise that whenever we come together, he comes, too. Corinna Laughlin, Copyright, J. S. Paluch Co. Parish Calendar for the week of December 20th - 26th Tuesday - 7 p.m. Tiger Den mtg., St. Joseph the Worker 7:30 p.m. K of C mtg., Parish Office Wednesday - 4:30 p.m. 1st Grade Daisies mtg., St. Joseph the Worker 5 p.m. Bitty Ball practice, Church basement Thursday - 9:30 a.m. Al-Anon mtg., St. Joseph the Worker Friday - 2:30 p.m. Girl Scouts mtg., Queen of Peace 5 p.m. Bitty Ball practice, Church basement Parish Office Hours The Parish Office will be closed Fri. Dec., 24th, Sat. Dec. 25th, and Mon. Dec. 27th. We will reopen on Tue. Dec. 28th. The Parish Office will also be closed Fri. Dec. 31st, Sat. Jan 1st, and Mon. Jan. 3rd. We will reopen on Tue. Jan. 4th. Question on Midnight Mass Why was Midnight Mass changed to 10PM? The adult choir and our music director requested this change more as a convenience for the older members of our parish. Coming at midnight has become too late. The Liturgy preparation committee also agreed that this would be a good idea as the attendance at this Mass has decreased over the last couple of years. This decision will be revisited again next year as parishioners suggested why couldn t we have one bilingual Mass in English and Polish. 9

10 Sacramental Information, R.C.I.A., Homebound/ Communion Visitations and Bulletin Baptisms: 2:30 p.m. on the First and Third Sunday of the Month. Baptismal Prep Class: Will be confirmed at time of Registration of the Baptism. Please contact the Parish Office to arrange a Baptism. Marriages: The Pastoral Guidelines for Marriage Preparation for the Archdiocese of Chicago ask that a minimum of 4 months be set aside for personal preparation for marriage. Couples should refrain from setting a firm date or making any other arrangements until after they have met with a parish priest or deacon to discuss marriage plans. How to Become a Catholic: Adults or teenagers interested in receiving the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, or Eucharist) or those who are interested in the Catholic Faith should call the Parish Office for more information about the R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults). Homebound/Communion Visitations: St. Thecla Church has several ministers of care who can regularly take communion to those in need. Please call the Parish Office to arrange for communion for yourself or a homebound loved one. THANK YOU, BULLETIN ADVERTISERS This bulletin is subsidized completely by those companies whose advertisements appear on the last two pages. If you have the opportunity, you may thank them in the name of our parish by using their products or services. Should you desire to participate as a sponsor of our bulletin, you may contact J.S. Paluch Company at Want to Register as a Parishioner? Call the Parish Office for more information at

11 St. Thecla School News Twenty-six third graders continued a St. Thecla tradition - Christmas Candy Houses. Students adorned their houses with assorted Christmas candies. While the houses are not edible, the provided a "sweet" scene. Mrs. Bull and Mrs. Herrmann