First Sunday of Advent December 02, 2012

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1 6725 W. Devon Ave. Chicago, IL First Sunday of Advent December 02, 2012 Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m. (Mass in Polish) Monday through Saturday: 8:30 a.m. Holy Days: Please see the bulletin Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy: Tue. - Sat. following 8:30 a.m. Mass Confessions: 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Sat. or by appointment St. Thecla Staff: Pastor: Rev. Gene Dyer Associate Pastor: Rev. Artur Marat Pastor Emeritus: Rev. Gerald Rogala Deacons: John X. Rottman, Robert Cnota, Steven Wagner and Michael McManus Choir Director: Mrs. Ewa Kowcz-Fair Business Manager/Minister of Care: Mrs. Joan Czerlanis School Principal: Mr. Dan Gargano Religious Education Coordinator: Mr. Ron Mazzoni Parish Admin. Asst./Bulletin Editor: Miss Kathy Dusza School Secretary: Mrs. Bea Sansone Office Hours and Addresses: Parish Office: 6333 N. Newcastle Ave. Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (773) , parish@saintthecla.org School: 6323 N. Newcastle, (773) A VISION FOR ST. THECLA Be it known to all who enter here that Christ is the reason for this parish. He is the unseen but ever-present teacher as well as the source of our inspiration.

2 Weekly Parish Information Mon. Dec. 3rd, 8:30 a.m. Tue. Dec. 4thth, 8:30 a.m. Wed. Dec. 5th, 28th, 8:30 a.m. Thu. Dec. 6th, 8:30 a.m. Fri. Dec. 7th, 8:30 a.m. Sat. Dec. 8th, 8:30 a.m. Sun. Dec. 9th, 8:00 a.m. Mass Intentions +Mary Murphy +Deb & Jean Kwidd +Richard Soens +Sonia Hanley +Maria Bernacchi 5:00 p.m. Vigil Mass (in English) For the Parishioners 10:00 a.m. Mass in Polish 12:00 noon Mass in English 5:00 p.m. For the Parishioners +Eugenia Bukowski 10 a.m. collective intentions +Ronald Podgorny, +Eleanor Kobus, +Lorraine Wawrzaszek, +Marion Barabas, +Bruno J. Depa, +Linda Schaefer, +Franciszka & Boleslaw Makowski, +Deb & Jean Kwidd, +Ruth Kissane 11:30 a.m. Mass in Polish + - denotes deceased, SI - denotes special intention Welcome to our Faith Our newly Baptized Jolaina Juliette Gonzalez daughter of Joe Gonzalez and Rhonda Naldo Klara Curylo daughter of Miroslaw and Urszula (Wasilewska) Curylo Today s Readings First Reading The days are coming when the LORD will fulfill the promise made to Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 33:14-16). Psalm To you, O Lord, I lift my soul (Psalm 25). Second Reading Abound in love for one another and for all (1 Thessalonians 3:12 4:2). Gospel Stand erect and raise your heads; your redemption is at hand (Luke 21:25-28, 34-36). Readings for the Week Monday: Is 2:1-5; Ps 122:1-9; Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Is 25:6-10a; Ps 23:1-6; Mt 15:29-37 Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Ps 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a; Mt 7:21, Friday: Is 29:17-24; Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14; Mt 9:27-31 Saturday: Gn 3:9-15, 20; Ps 98:1-4; Eph 1:3-6, 11-12; Lk 1:26-38 Sunday: Bar 5:1-9; Ps 126:1-6; Phil 1:4-6, 8-11; Lk 3:1-6 Parish Calendar for this week Monday - 1:15 p.m. Practice for Christmas Pageant - Church 3:10pm 3:55pm Children's choir practice - Church 7:00 p.m. Adult Religious Education - Church Adult Religious Education - church -7pm 8pm Tuesday - 1:45 p.m. - Practice for Christmas Pageant - Church 7:00 p.m. Bears Den mtg. - Queen of Peace 7:15 p.m. Women s Council Board mtg. - Parish Office Dining Room Wednesday - Eucharistic Adoration 1:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m., Benediction 6:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. - church. 2:30 p.m. 4th Grade Girl Scouts mtg. - St. Joseph the Worker/ Queen of Peace 6:00 p.m. Scouts mtg. - Queen of Peace Thursday - 9:30 a.m. Al-Anon mtg., St. Joseph the Worker 1:00 p.m. Practice for Christmas Pageant - Church 7:00 p.m. Adult Choir - church 7:00 p.m. Committee mtg. St. Joseph the Worker Friday - 10:00 am St. Thecla band - Queen of Peace 1:00 p.m. Practice for Christmas Pageant - Church Saturday - 9:00am 12:30pm. General Anders Polish Language School - all facilities Sunday Quick Picks will be sold after 8 & 10 a.m. Masses Weekly Contributions: November 18, 2012 Quick Picks will be available in the back of the Church after 8 & 10 a.m. Masses next Sunday, December 9th Total Collection $6, Maintenance Fund..$00 School Fund...$45.00 Children s Envelopes.$16.00 Parking Lot Fund...$17.00 Sharing Parish $54.00 Campaign for Human Development..$ Parish Pay mid-month Fund..$ Weekly Contributions: November 25, 2012 Total Collection $7, Maintenance Fund...$5.00 School Fund...$20.00 Children s Envelopes.$21.56 Parking Lot Fund.$ Thanksgiving Day..$ 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. 2

3 December 2, 2012 There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand. Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man. LK 21:25-28, The Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is urgently NOW! What one thing have I put off doing which would help make me whole with others and the Son of Man? Grudzień 2, 2012 Będą znaki na słońcu, księżycu i gwiazdach, a na ziemi trwoga narodów bezradnych wobec szumu morza i jego nawałnicy. Ludzie mdleć będą ze strachu, w oczekiwaniu wydarzeń zagrażających ziemi. Albowiem moce niebios zostaną wstrząśnięte. Wtedy ujrzą Syna Człowieczego, nadchodzącego w obłoku z wielką mocą i chwałą. A gdy się to dziać zacznie, nabierzcie ducha i podnieście głowy, ponieważ zbliża się wasze odkupienie. Uważajcie na siebie, aby wasze serca nie były ociężałe wskutek obżarstwa, pijaństwa i trosk doczesnych, żeby ten dzień nie przypadł na was znienacka, jak potrzask. Przyjdzie on bowiem na wszystkich, którzy mieszkają na całej ziemi.czuwajcie więc i módlcie się w każdym czasie, abyście mogli uniknąć tego wszystkiego, co ma nastąpić, i stanąć przed Synem Człowieczym. LK 21:25-28, Obecność Jezusa w Eucharystii dokonuje się niezwłocznie Teraz! Jaką jedną rzecz odłożyłem na pózniej aby zjednoczyć się z innymi i z Synem Człowieczym? We don t usually connect praying with eating. But that is exactly what we do, as we pray at Mass and eat the bread of life in Holy Communion. Prayer in all its different forms moves us towards God. Eating the bread of life in Holy Communion moves the Lord towards us, actually, bringing his presence within us. This praying and eating at Mass seems, at first, simply to be very personal. It is an intimate action that touches us in the core of our being. Indeed, it is. At the same time, notice something else. At Mass, we pray and eat together. So, when we eat the bread of life, we are in deep communion with our saving Lord. And in him, we are also in deep communion with each other. Zwykle nie łączymy modlitwy z jedzeniem. A przecież Msza św. wskazuje nam, że jest to możliwe. To podczas Eucharystii, jesteśmy ciągle świadkami połączenia modlitwy wraz ze spożywaniem Chleba Pańskiego w Komunii Świętej. Dzięki modlitwie i jej różnorodnym formom, przybliżamy się do Boga. A dzięki spożywaniu Ciała Chrystusa w Komunii Świętej, Nasz Pan przybliża się do nas- jest z nami zgromadzonymi wokół Ołtarza.Modlitwa i spożywanie Chleba podczas Mszy św. jest przede wszystkim bardzo osobistym przeżyciem. Jest to intymny gest, dotykający głębi naszego jestestwa. Jednocześnie zauważamy jeszcze coś innego, godnego zastanowienia. Podczas Mszy św. wspólnie z innymi modlimy się i spożywamy Chrystusa. Przyjmując pokarm, jakim jest Chleb Życia, trwamy w komunii z naszym Odkupicielem, a przez Niego i w Nim, 3

4 Our Faith Today begins the Season of Advent the time of preparations. Preparations in the holiday sense might mean Christmas gift buying and getting the food and beverages ready for holiday celebrating. From the point of view that our souls take this season has a profound impact on what is really important. Our souls hold the Truth that we know we come from God and one day Christ will come again; on the day of our death or at the end of the world which ever comes first; are we preparing to lives worthy to enter into eternal happiness? From a logical view eternity is a long time; a difficult concept for the mind to comprehend. Yet for the believer it holds a promise filled with joy and time will not include counting the days, weeks and hours. Yet while we are alive we can spend quiet time during the shortened days on these thoughts: Eternity is hidden within time The eternal life that God has waiting for the faithful is hidden and waiting for each of us in Christ. Consider as a clue the mathematical concept of averages. Take the average of the numbers 1 and 2 and we have 1.5. Take the average of 1 and 1.5 and we have 1.25 and this continues into infinity. In the Collect (the opening prayer) at Mass today we ask God to give us the resolve to run forth to meet Christ at his coming with righteous deeds. We don t often think of Mass in terms of justice, but the prayers and the scripture readings during Advent are filled with God asking for an accounting of our lives. Study these excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (the numbers are the articles within the catechism) 522: The coming of God s Son to earth is an event of such immensity that God willed to prepare for it over centuries. He makes everything converge on Christ: all the rituals and sacrifices, figures and symbols of the First Covenant. He announces him through the mouths of the prophets who succeeded one another in Israel. Moreover, he awakens in the hearts of the pagans a dim expectation of this coming. 523: St. John the Baptist is the Lord s immediate precursor or forerunner, sent to prepare his way. Prophet of the Most High, John surpasses all the prophets, of whom he is the last. He inaugurates the Gospel, already from his mother s womb welcomes the coming of Christ, and rejoices in being the friend of the bridegroom, whom he points out as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Going before Jesus in the spirit and power of Elijah, John bears witness to Christ in his preaching, by his Baptism of conversion, and through his martyrdom. 524: When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor s birth and martyrdom, (i.e., John the Baptist) the Church unites herself to his desire: He must increase, but I must decrease. In summary Advent helps us to prepare for celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, and to reflect on the way our ancestors prepared for the birth of the Messiah. We apply the wisdom and lessons in our preparation for Christ s coming again. For reflection: At the end of life will all my history reveal that I decreased and Christ increased? Advent Sunday Vespers: Join us for Evening Prayer and Benediction during the Sundays in Advent. 4PM in church. Religious Education for Adults This Monday night, December 3 rd 7 to 8pm in church cry room. Topic: The Immaculate Conception. The session begins with the lesson, q & a discussion, a devotional novena and reflective prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. All are welcome enter the church through the parking lot doors nearest to the sanctuary. The Immaculate Conception: This coming Saturday, December 8 th, is a holy day of obligation. The anticipated Vigil Mass is Friday, Dec. 7 th at 5pm (Those going on the downtown trolley ride can go to Mass first.) Masses on Saturday morning are: 8:30 (English), 10:00 (Polish) and 12noon (English). The Paulist Alumni Choir visits St. Thecla next Sunday morning at the 10am Mass, and will lead the singing. We welcome them! Please mark your calendars for: Our Volunteer Appreciation Reception...Epiphany Sunday, January 6, :00-4:00 PM in Moriarty Hall. To show our appreciation to all those who volunteer here at St. Thecla please come this an open house reception. On behalf of the staff we kindly ask that you r.s.v.p. to the parish office by Thursday, December 20th as we will be ordering all the hors d oeuvres. If you have any treats from the holidays that you would like to share they would be appreciated. Have a blessed Advent season in preparing for the feast of Christmas, Fr. Gene 4 The Parishes of St. Cornelius, St Juliana, St. Mary of the Woods, St. Tarcissus, and St Thecla Invite everyone to an ongoing series: Learning about the Catholic Faith, Life and Teachings Believing in Jesus Christ and Following him as a Disciple Newcomers to the faith and longtime parishioners are welcome and encouraged to attend. When: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month beginning December 4 th 7:00 to 8:30 PM at the locations as follows: December 4th St. Mary of the Woods December 18- St Thecla (meet in Moriarty Hall) Information on locations and future dates to follow. Contact Deacon Steve Wagner through the parish office.

5 Prayer List, US Military United States Air Force: AB Michael J. Archam, A1C Heather Bosh, A1C Shane Garrison, SSgt. Adam Krey, TSgt. Richard L. Larsen, Lt. Andrew May, 2ndLt. Peter A. Schroeder, SSgt. James E. Stay United States Army: MAJ. Terence W. Bacon, SGT. Sean Doherty, SGT. Rachel Hall, CPT. Gina Marie Healy, CPT. Michael J. Kaye, SGT. Robert Lach, CPT. Jared Lampe, WO. Steven Larmay, PFC. Thomas J. Lyons III, PFC. Raymond Rau, SPC Thomas Rohl, 1LT. Michael Spiwak United States Marines: LCpl. Philip E. Blais, 2ndLt. Kevin Bowler, PFC Michael T. Brennan, Pvt. James Dinela, LCpl. Kyle Elmer, SSgt. Benjamin Juhasz, LCpl. Nathaniel J. Juncer, Capt. Michael C. Mroszczak, PFC Brian Pasterczyk, Capt. Craig V. Platt, LCpl. Jose Rivera, MSgt. Richard L. Sroka, SSgt. James E. Stonehouse United States Navy: CAPT. Steven Stancy We keep those who are serving in the military in our prayers. Please print the name of your loved one and drop it in the collection basket or return it to the Parish Office. Their names will remain on the list until you notify us of their return. Many people have funeral services for their pets; they bury them with care and dignity and much sorrow. But of no concern is the fact that human babies are being disposed of in dumpsters and sewers every day because of abortion. Pray for an end to abortion. Keeping in mind... Sick List - We pray for all those in nursing homes, homebound or who require extended care and those who care for them: Help us with the responsibility of keeping the sick list up to date and accurate. Please call the office when the status of someone s health changes. Joseph Augustin, Charlotte Bartkowicz, Geraldine Barnum, Joseph Bednarz, Gino Belcaster, Rosemary Besyk, David Bergthal, Stella Bieniek, Robert Blachowiak, Franciszek Bosak, Kristen Formanski, Marian Brown, Ken & Bernie Buck,, Herlinda Castellanos, Eileen Cobb, Susan Christ, John Dooley, Donald Edsey, Kenneth Ellinger, Genevieve Erazmus, William Edwards, Nicolette Garrigan, Leon Gaska, Frank Gibbons, Joan Giuntoli, Ireta Gross, Patrick Hall, Dorothy Hennessey, Adeline Hickok, Regina Horak, Teresa Jozefczak, Joseph Kaye, Theresa Kennedy, Michael Kielbasa, Beverly Kisiel, Rita Koch, Mary Kozlowski, Stephanie Krupa, Norman Kwidd, Sophie Lally, Maria Laskowski, Arlene Lewandowski, Elizabeth Link, Joan Lomasney, Diane Marzano, Martin McCaffrey, Edward McGinniss, Lorraine McMahon, Edward McManis, Dolores Mick, Imleda Mizones, Lillian Morris, Katharina Mueller, Matthias Mueller, Kim Murphy, Julie Muza, Therese Neiman, Theresa Nitka, Kathleen Numec, Danuta Okrzesik, John Orloff, Patricia O Toole, Zofia Pazik, Giselle Piekarski, Estella Plaza, Caroline Plodzien, Thomas Podgorny, Roman Poniatowski, Raymond Prybil, Dolores Ptasnik, Theodore J. Ptasnik, Joe Pulizzano, Mary Ann Pulizzano, Eleanor Purciarello, Eileen F. Redding, Stephania Rosa, Sylwester Rosa, Virginia Rozmarynowski, Stanley Sadej, Nancy Samp, Mary Sarlo, Eugene Sendlak, Peter Schroeder, Janina Sikora, Laura Smith, Janina Sroka, Helena Starzynska, Judith Wolff-Stenzel, Dorothy Struck, Helen Surdey, Dorothy Taylor, Janis Taylor, Cecilia Walega, Mary Wargo, Christine Wasowski, Mary Widelka, Anthony Wiorski, Irene Wlezien, Edward Wnek, Julia Wojtanowski, Paul Wyncott If you know someone who has lost a child or grandchild to abortion, or was in any way responsible for an abortion, and now suffers from remorse or sadness or simply doubts that God can ever forgive them, please let your friend know about the Church s post-abortion ministry, called Project Rachel. The diocesan Project Rachel office makes referrals for confidential counseling by specially-trained priests and lay counselors to help anyone involved in an abortion find forgiveness, peace, and hope once again. More information can be found at or by calling HOPE. Bring the good news of peace, hope, and salvation to someone who is wounded by abortion and see their lives transformed. Contact Us Option Line is a 24/7 Call center for those experiencing needing help finding a Pregnancy Help Center in their area. Phone: HELP (4357) 5

6 Building our Future 6

7 One Brick at a Time 7

8 Parish Life 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 George, 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. 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 more information and/or would like to help distributing the gifts on Wednesday, December 26 th at 9:45 am please give me a call. If there is no answer, leave me a message and I will be sure to get back to you. Let s truly enjoy the happiness of those who receive our gifts. please feel free to give me a call. Wishing you the Advent Blessings as we prepare for Christmas. Karen Glab The Leisure Club meeting scheduled for December 6th is cancelled as we are celebrating our Christmas Party at the White Eagle. Hope you re with us! Take care and Peace! Opłatki (Christmas Wafers) We now have our supply of Opłatki in the Parish Office. The suggested offering for the Opłatki is $1.75. We have a limited supply, so get them early before they run out. St. Thecla Women s Council Christmas Festivities STWC has a special holiday plans for all the women of the parish. On Friday, December 7 th, at 5:45PM, we are taking the Chicago Trolley Christmas Lights Tour. The tour includes about an hour at the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza, then view the lights on Michigan Avenue and then view Lincoln Park s Holiday ZooLights. The cost for this delightful venue is $25 for WC members and $30 for non-members. Three trolleys are reserved and they will transport us to downtown and back to the St. Thecla parking lot. We have 96 trolley tickets available, so call Terri at (773) to make your reservation NOW! Get a group together, and plan for a great holiday tour. Our annual Christmas party is Tuesday, December 11 h at 6:30 PM in Moriarty Hall. Dinner will be catered by Something s Cooking Catering. The menu includes a baby mixed greens salad, sliced sirloin of beef with mushroom glaze, vesuvio style boneless pork chops, oven-roasted herb red potatoes, fresh olive oil and garlic green beans, dessert, and beverage. International singer and keyboard artist, Nicko, provides the entertainment. We will also have a split the pot raffle and fun galore! Tickets are $18 for WC members and $21 for non-members and are available at the November meeting or by calling Bernie at (773) You certainly don t want to miss this terrific holiday treat, so call your friends and make plans to join us. Entertainment 2013 Books ($30) are available through the Women s Council. They make wonderful gifts for that special person on your Christmas or birthday list or even a great money-saving gift for yourself. They are available at the meeting or by calling Bernie at (773) We enjoy serving our St. Thecla community, and we thank everyone for supporting our craft show. A blessed Advent! Dear St Thecla Families, I want to extend my thanks to you for your help with our Parish food drive. Thank you to all who brought in food, and thank you to those folks who helped deliver the food to St Matthias and Transfiguration Parish. Your efforts make a difference in the lives of the many parishioners in their parish. Thank you all for being doers of the Word, not hearers only. We now move from the holiday of Thanksgiving into Advent. May the coming of the Christ child help us to reflect on all the blessings the Lord brings to us. May he continue to foster a spirit within us of loving and serving our neighbors. Peace, Deacon Mike McManus 8

9 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, November 16, 2012 Your parish will soon present the annual collection for the Retirement Fund for Religious, an opportunity to honor and thank retired Catholic sisters, brothers and religious-order priests for their generous service to our Church and our world. Whether we realize it or not, we are all beneficiaries of the tremendous contributions made by women and men religious to the Church and to the world. Through their lives of prayer, good works and complete sacrifice of self, they served the schools that not only taught many of us to read and write but to know and love the Lord. They began the hospitals where many of us were born and where we were treated when we were ill and the nursing homes where our elderly family members were cared for with dignity and respect. They fostered the social programs that fed the hungry and were often a voice for those who could not speak for themselves. I remain grateful for all these and the many other ways in which they have been of service to the people of the Archdiocese of Chicago. I realize there are numerous worthy causes in need of assistance and that many individuals and families continue to struggle financially. I ask you simply to offer what you can for the care of women and men who have made such enormous contributions to our Church. Thank you for your support of this appeal. During the upcoming Advent season, you and those you love will be in my prayers in a special way; please keep me in yours. Sincerely yours in Christ, Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. Archbishop of Chicago Drodzy Bracia i Siostry w Chrystusie, Wkrótce w waszej parafii będzie miała miejsce doroczna Kolekta na Rzecz Funduszu Emerytalnego Osób Konsekrowanych. Będzie to okazja do uhonorowania i wyrażenia naszej wdzięczności wobec emerytowanych katolickich sióstr, braci i księży zakonnych za wierną posługę, jaką nieśli Kościołowi i światu. Bez względu na to, czy jesteśmy tego świadomi czy nie, wszyscy korzystamy z dobrodziejstw codziennej, ogromnej pracy wykonywanej na rzecz Kościoła i całego świata przez osoby konsekrowane. Przez życie wypełnione nieustanną modlitwą i wytężoną pracą byli oni wzorem bezprzykładnego poświęcenia służąc swoją wiedzą w szkołach, w których wielu z nas nauczyło się nie tylko czytać i pisać, ale również poznawało Boga i nauczyło się Go kochać. Założyli szpitale, gdzie wielu z nas przyszło na świat i gdzie byliśmy leczeni, gdy zaszła taka potrzeba. Założyli domy opieki dla starszych członków naszych rodzin, którymi opiekowali się starannie szanując jednocześnie ich godność i okazując należny im szacunek. Prowadzili programy społeczne, dzięki którym głodni mieli zapewnione pożywienie. Byli również często głosem tych, którzy sami nie mogli przemówić w swoim imieniu. Jestem im ogromnie wdzięczny za całą pomoc i wszystkie formy posługi, jakie świadczyli dla mieszkańców archidiecezji Chicago. Jestem świadom tego, że wiele spraw potrzebuje wsparcia finansowego i jest tego wsparcia godnych. Wiem także, że wiele osób indywidualnych i rodzin wciąż boryka się z niezwykle ciężką sytuacją materialną. Dlatego proszę, żebyście w tym trudnym okresie ofiarowali po prostu tyle, na ile was stać dla zapewnienia opieki nad tymi niewiastami i mężczyznami, którzy tak wiele ofiarowali i tak wiele zdziałali dla naszego Kościoła. Dziękuję za wsparcie, jakiego udzielicie na rzecz tej kolekty. Podczas nadchodzącego Adwentu będę pamiętał w modlitwie o Was i Waszych bliskich w szczególny sposób i proszę żebyście i Wy modlili się za mnie. Szczerze oddany w Chrystusie, Francis Kardynał George, O.M.I. Arcybiskup Chicago Budowa naszej przyszlosci przy pomocy cegielek. Prosze rozwazyc kupno cegielek na ulozenie chodnika przed kosciolem. Aplikacja jest na stronie 7. Na cegle moze byc wyryte nazwisko rodziny, ktora zakupi taka cegielke albo nazwisko osoby zmarlej jako pamiatka. Wszyskie fundusze z cegielek beda przeznaczone na potrzeby naszej parafii. Wszystkie pytania odnosnie tego projektu moga byc uzyskane w przedsionku naszego kosciola. Dziekujemy. Intencje Mszalne - niedziela, 9 grudzień, 11:30 a.m. +Feliks Wiszowaty, zmarlych z rodziny Wiszowatych, +Karol Dawidzki 3 rocznica smierci, +Maria Krawczyk w pierwsza rocznice smierci, +Ludwik Krawczyk za dusze w czyscu cierpiace +Mieczyslaw i Lucja Kraszewscy, +Wladyslaw Twarog, +Stanislaw Ligeza 9

10 General information Baptisms: 1:00 p.m. on the First and Third Sunday of the month, (in English), Second and Fourth Sunday of the month (in Polish) 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. Please note that Weddings do not take place during Lent. Bulletin Deadline: All articles must be ed or dropped off at the Parish Office by 10:00 a.m. on Fridays (8 days prior to publication date). Holidays subject to longer lead times. Please articles to parish@saintthecla.org. Note - articles subject to editing. For more information call Anna at (773) website: 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 First Graders Give Thanks As a culminating activity to a cross curricular thematic unit about the first Thanksgiving, the first grade class celebrated at a special feast. With the help of parent volunteers, the children enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving meal which included turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn and rolls. They topped their rolls with homemade butter that they had made in school as part of their studies. Their meal also included pumpkin pie and pumpkin cookies with whip cream! Their studies of the first Thanksgiving included learning about the Pilgrim s journey and the challenges they faced on their journey and during their first year in their new home. The students also learned about the Native Americans who helped the Pilgrims and were present at the original feast. To accomplish these learning goals the children read, wrote, compared and contrasted. They participated in interactive activities on the white board and took virtual field trips to Plymouth Plantation where they saw and heard about the Pilgrims and Native Americans homes and life styles. Along the way the children discovered that they have much to be thankful for! Mark you calendars! On Friday, December 14, St. Thecla is hosting a book fair at the Barnes and Noble in Village Crossing off of Touhy Ave. from 4-9PM. Bring the kids and make the most of this fun evening! There will be a scavenger hunt, special guest readers, hot chocolate, and more! St. Thecla will earn back 15% of all proceeds! It will be great for holiday shopping and a fun filled evening for all! See you there! 12