Fourth Sunday of Advent December 21st, 2014 Pastor: Fr. Gene Dyer Weekend Associate: Fr. Luke Kleczka, SDS Pastor Emeritus: Fr. Gerald Rogala Deacons: John X. Rottman, Robert Cnota, Steven Wagner and Michael McManus Business Manager Mr. Joe Wojtowicz School Principal: Mr. Dan Gargano Music Director: Mr. Aaron Dixon Religious Education Coordinator: Mr. Ron Mazzoni 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 Adoration: Will not take place this week due to Christmas Eve Confessions: Saturday 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. Spowiedþ: po polsku –Niedziela 11:00-11:25a.m. Office Hours and Addresses: Church: 6725 W. Devon Ave. Chicago, IL 60631 Parish Office: 6333 N. Newcastle Ave. Hours: See page 2 for Christmas week hours (773) 792-3077, FAX: (773) 792-3820 e-mail: [email protected] School: 6323 N. Newcastle Ave., (773) 763-3380 Visit us on the web at: www.saintthecla.org

Weekly Parish Information Mass Intentions Mon. Dec. 22nd,

8:30am +Wally Schreiman

Tue. Dec. 23rd,

8:30am +George Hill

Wed. Dec. 24th,

8:30am +Marry Jane Wynne

Thur. Dec. 25th,

see schedule on page 3

Fri. Dec. 26th,

8:30am +Jack &Elizabeth Bayer Hanley

Sat.

8:30am +Therese K. Kennedy

Dec. 27th,

5:00pm +Joan Tebelmann +Lewandowski Family +Boleslaw & Frances Siemianowski +Jeanne & Norman Kwidd +Samuel J. Demkuski +Joseph Feczko +Carl & Marie Kandlbinder +Darks & Motto +Wally Schreiman +Linda Yarnell +Victoria Kaszubowski Sun. Dec. 28th,

8:00am

Sunday Dec.21st  Confessions 11:30am until 3pm  Christmas Eve Children’s Choir practice 4pm in church Monday Dec.22nd– Office: 9:30am to 5pm  Sport Practices –6:30am-8:30am - gym  Girl Scouts –6-7:30pm-St.Joseph The Worker Tuesday

Dec.23rd– Office: 9:30am to 5pm

Wednesday Dec.24th -Office: 9:30am to 12noon Thursday

Dec.25th-Facilities CLOSED

Friday

Dec.26th-Facilities CLOSED

Saturday Dec.27th- Office: 9:30am to 12noon  Blood Pressure Screening after 5pm Mass- Church Library Sunday Dec.28th Blood Pressure Screening after 8 & 10am Masses- Church Library

+Therese K.Kennedy

10:00am +Robert & Joan Musker +John & Helen Pierzchala +John & Emma Wisniewski +Hank Karas +William & Genevieve Siemianowski SI: Damian Mac (birthday) 11:30 a.m. Mass in Polish +Jozef Grela +Eugeniusz Mietek +Jolanta Tekien +Cecylia i Edward Mazur +Edmund Jedrzejczyk Volunteers will be checking blood pressures next weekend after the 5 p.m., 8 a.m. and 10 a.m Masses. High blood pressure is known as a “Silent Killer” since very often the individual experiences no symptoms. Getting your blood pressure checked is a short and simple health screening that you should do regularly. Plan to stop in the back of Church next weekend. Remember, it is a quick way to monitor your health!

TODAY’S READINGS First Reading— I will fix a place for my people. (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16). Psalm — For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 89). Second Reading :— To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever and ever (Romans 16:25-27). Gospel:— Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word (Luke 1:26-38). 2

Parish Calendar for this week Note the times for office hours

A Blessed Christmas to all our Parishioners from Fr. Gene, The Salvatorian Fathers, Deacons and Staff Zyczenia Blogoslawionych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia dla wszystkich naszych Parafian i ich Rodzin sklada ks.Proboszcz-Fr.Gene, Ojcowie Salwatorianie , Diakoni i pracownicy bira parafialnego.

Ever wonder who the Knights of Columbus are? Ever consider becoming a member? To find out who these men are and for more information about joining contact Tony Mangiaracina, Field Agent at (773) 202-0234. READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: 1 Sm 1:24-28; 1 Sm 2:1, 4-8abcd; Lk 1:46-56 Tuesday: Mal 3:1-4, 23-34; Ps 25:4-5ab, 8-10, 14; Lk 1:5766 Wed. 2 Sm 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps 89:2-5, 27, 29; Lk 1:67-79 Thur. Night: Is 9:1-6; Ps 96:1-3, 11-13; Ti 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Dawn: Is 62:11-12; Ps 97:1, 6, 11-12; Ti 3:4-7; Lk 2:15-20 Day: Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 [1-5, 9-14] Friday Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59; Ps 31:3cd-4, 6, 8ab, 16bc, 17; Mt10:17-22 Saturday: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a, 2-8 Sunday: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 or Gn 15:1-6; 21:1-3; Ps 128:1-5 or Ps 105:1-6, 8-9; Col 3:12-21 [12-17] or Hb 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Lk 2:22-40 [22, 39-40]

This bulletin was transmitted on Dec. 12th—publisher had an early deadline before Christmas. Christmas Schedule Confession before Christmas  Sunday Dec. 21st 11:30 - 3:00pm Spowiedz:  W niedziele 21 grudnia, spowiedz po polsku od 11:30 3:00pm Christmas Eve Family Mass at 4:00pm  Christmas caroling starts at 3:45pm Christmas Solemn Night Mass at10:00pm (in English)  Christmas caroling starts at 9:40pm Koledowanie at 11:45pm & Pasterka 12:00am Christmas Morning Masses in English 8:00 & 10:00am Msza Swieta o 11:30am (Po polsku)

A Christmas Reflection The following story is related from memory - I don’t know the author’s name. Once upon a time there was a man who looked at Christmas as just another day. Unlike Mr. Scrooge he was a good husband, father, neighbor and generous to all. He didn’t believe all the incarnation talk Christians espoused about God becoming man in Jesus and he was too honest of an individual to pretend that he did. Christmas Eve would arrive and his wife and children who attended church every Sunday extended an invitation to join them for the 4PM family service; “Just come this one time,” they pleaded. “I’d feel like a hypocrite he replied. “You go, I will stay and prepare dinner and it will be ready by the time you get back.” Mom and the children got into the car and drove to church. As he started preparing the meal he noticed the winter snow storm picked up some velocity with high winds and a lot of snow. He thought, “at least it will be a white Christmas.” Fifteen minutes into the dinner preparation he was startled by loud thud noises on the living room window. Assuming it was the sound of snowballs his investigation revealed the thud came from a flock of small birds who were caught in the storm. They were desperately trying to seek shelter and did not realize the window blocked them from their goal. He thought. “I can’t let those poor creatures freeze to death. Maybe I can get them to fly into the garage.” Putting on a winter coat he goes outside, opens the garage door and turns on the light, but the birds didn’t go in. “Food will bring them in,” he thought. Back in the house he prepares bread crumbs, goes back outside and creates a trail of crumbs toward the garage. The birds, however, ignored the crumbs and continued to fly aimlessly around the window. Waving his arms he tried shooing them into the garage but the birds scattered in every direction except toward the garage. In frustration he exclaimed aloud, “I wish I could be a bird myself for a few minutes, perhaps I could help them!” Right at that moment the church bell pealed the start of the Christmas Eve service and he found himself sinking to a kneeling position in the snow. “Now I understand,” he whispered. “Now I understand why you became man.” The personal and global challenges we face every day can make us look at Christmas as just another day with the addition of gift giving and an invitation to dinner. Yet God invites us to know that Christmas expresses his desire for us; and for us to desire him. We hear of this desire in the Book of Isaiah, and in the Gospel passages that describe the preaching of St. John the Baptist. These readings are proclaimed during Advent and their message encourages people of all time to realize our need for God that we must put Him first in our lives and prepare for His coming. They lead us to know how the birth of Jesus took place; and how his life has forever changed the darkness of hopelessness into the light of new life. The man in the story had a family who wanted him to know this truth. Without knowing it the man was preparing himself to understand Christmas in his failing efforts to help some helpless birds. In helplessness and failure God’s providential grace changes all doubt into a sustained joyful discovery that He does exist and that we are the delight of His love. Together let us believe this and fall to our knees because Christmas is living in the Presence of God through His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. A blessed Christmas to you and your loved ones. Fr. Gene 3

Pro Life 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. More information can be found at www.hopeafterabortion.com or by calling 1-888-456-HOPE.

Contact Us… Option Line is a 24/7 Call center for those experiencing needing help finding a Pregnancy Help Center in their area. Phone: 800-712-HELP (4357)

Projekt Rachel– telefon: 773-656-7703 [email protected] www.hopeafterabortionb.com Dom Samotnej Matki-telefon: 773-574-1082

Year of the Sacraments / Rok Sakramentow

Polski Dystrykt AA-tel 312-458-0625 www.polskieaachicago.com .Leczenie uzaleznien: Zrzeszenie Polsko-Amerykanskie-773282-8206- Ola-wewnetrzny 346, Piotr –wewnetrzny 347. Schronisko dla bezdomnych-tel 773-282-8206 , wewnetrzny 326 lub 319. Stop przemocy– tel.773-282-8206 wewnetrzny 333 lub 331 (ofiary przemocy) . 357 lub 344– sprawcy przemocy Haymarket Center-leczenie uzaleznien (po polsku) Daniel-312-208-6309, Andrzej-312-217-5208, Grzegorz-312-208-0341 Anawim-schronisko dla bezdomnych –773-486-8342 www.trojcowo.com lub 1125 N.Cleaver St. Chicago Dzienna Pomoc Bezdomnym-Kosciol Sw.Jacka 773-342-3636 www.bazylikaswietegojacka.com Rainbow Hospice –Centrum Wsparcia w zalobie-847-292-2342 www.rainbowhospice.org/polish 4

Keep in mind. . . Prayer List, US Military United States Air Force: SrA Michael J. Archam, A1C Heather Bosh, SrA Nicole Coreil A1C Scott Frisco A1C Shane Garrison, SSgt. Adam Krey, Lt. Andrew May, 2ndLt. Peter A. Schroeder, SSgt. James E. Stay SSgt. Sentara Stay SSgt. Matt Tredwell AIG. Keith Daniel Garrison

United States Army: MAJ. Terence W. Bacon, SGT. Sean Doherty, SGT. Rachel Hall, CPT. Gina Marie Healy, SGT. Robert Lach, CPT. Jared Lampe, WO. Steven Larmay, SPC. Thomas J. Lyons III, PFC. Raymond Rau, SPC Thomas Rohl, 1LT. Michael Spiwak United States Marines: 2ndLt. Philip E. Blais, 2ndLt. Kevin Bowler, PFC Michael T. Brennan,

Pvt. James Dinela, LCpl. Kyle Elmer, SSgt. Benjamin Juhasz, LCpl. Nathaniel J. Juncer, Maj. Michael C. Mroszczak, Cpl. Brian Pasterczyk, Capt. Craig V. Platt, LCpl. Jose Rivera, MSgt. Richard L. Sroka, SSgt. James E. Stonehouse United States Navy: SN E-3 Joseph J. Daly 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 or if their rank changes. 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 list up to date and accurate. Please call the office when the status of someone’s health changes. Joseph Augustin Frank Bednarczyk Frank Bednarz Gino Belcaster John Belcaster Christina Bennett Rosemary Besyk David Bergthal Stella Bieniek Frank Bieniek Robert Blachowiak Franciszek Bosak Marian Brown Laurence Brueck Daniel Burke Krzysztof Bylica Herlinda Castellanos Irena Chmielowski Susan Christ Therese Ciborowski Eileen Cobb Kevin Connolly Dorothy Taylor Elizabeth Link Joan Lonasney

Eileen Conway Mike Curtin John Dooley Sophie Dembek Jackie Dubiel Donald Edsey Kenneth Ellinger Genevieve Erazmus Kristen Formanski Nicolette Garrigan Frank Gibbons Joan Giuntoli Loretta Golubski Ann Gosciniak Ireta Gross Patrick Hall Gerald Halvey Dorothy Hennessey Frank Herbig Gerald Halvey Teresa Jozefczak Tommy Kernan Wladyslawa Kielar Jodi Chmiel John Tentele

Beverly Kisiel Rita Koch Mary Kozlowski Stephanie Krupa Sophie Lally Anita Lapiszko Mary Lavalle Arlene Lewandowski Elizabeth Link Dorothy Lyjak Martin McCaffrey Eileen McGovern Edward McManis Imleda Mizones Lillian Morris Gerrick Mueller Katharina Mueller James Mullins Kim Murphy Julie Muza George Marcin

Catherine Neumann Kathleen Numec Danuta Okrzesik John Orloff Patricia O’Toole Bob Paige Susan Peterson Kevin Peterson Giselle Piekarski Estella Plaza Caroline Plodzien Thomas Podgorny Roman Poniatowski Raymond Prybil Joe Pulizzano Virginia Romarynowski Stanley Sadej Anthony Sansone Mary Sarlo Peter Schroeder Eugenia Siemianowski Janina Sikora Susan Carroll Barbra Ammemdola

Laura Smith Janina Sroka Helena Starzynska Judith Wolff-Stenzel Dorothy Struck Helen Surdey Janis Taylor Patricia Timm Cecilia Walega Christine Wasowski Mary Widelka Anthony Wiorski Irene Wlezien Edward Wnek Julia Wojtanowski Paul Wyncott Julia Zeler Rose Zemba Burke Daniel Wanda Marshall Therese Neiman Walter Malinowski Louis Kuszynski

5

General information How to Become a Catholic:

Baptisms: Please contact the Parish Office to arrange a Baptism. Baptismal Prep Class: Will be confirmed at time of Registration of the 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 e-mailed 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 e-mail articles to [email protected]. Note - articles subject to editing. For more information call the office at (773) 792-3077. website: www.saintthecla.org

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 1-800-566-6170.

To register as a parishioner; call the Parish Office for more information at 773-792-3077.

We thank you for your continued support that gives us a great Catholic education. Your generosity means a lot to us! Pray with us at Mass this Christmas as we celebrate the true meaning of this season. Merry Christmas from the students of St. Thecla School Class of 2024 and

Class of 2022 and

Class of 2021

Class of 2019 and 2020

Class of 2017 and 2018

Class of 2015 and 2016

2025

2023