St. Laurence Parish Jewett at Standish Streets, Elgin, Illinois 60123 EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION Saturday - 4:00 PM Sundays - 7:15, 8:45, 10:15 AM Daily Mass - Tues.—Wed.—Fri. - 8:00 AM Thurs. 7:00 AM SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Saturday from 3:00 - 3:45 PM Special times upon request SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Marriage Preparation Program required 6 months notice necessary

PASTORAL STAFF REV. KENNETH WASILEWSKI PASTOR PARISH HOME - 226 Orchard St. AFTER HOURS CONTACT: 224 535-8815

PARISH OFFICE HOURS 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday—Friday REGISTRATION All new parishioners are requested to register through the parish office

PARISH OFFICE - 565 Standish St. 847- 468-6900 Fax 847- 468-6904

Web Site: stlaurencechurchelgin.com e-mail [email protected] CONNIE SAJTAR, SECRETARY LINDA HOLLENSTEIN, BOOKKEEPER RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COORDINATORS SUE TURAS JO TRISILLA DEB KOCH, SECRETARY 847- 468-6900 DEACON, ROBERT PLAZEWSKI PARISH COUNCIL PAMELA KLEIN, CHAIRWOMAN FINANCE COUNCIL JOHN SIMKUS, CHAIRMAN SCHOOL PHYLLIS JENSEN, PRINCIPAL KATHY LAUDONT, SECRETARY 847-468-6100 Fax 847-468-6104 Web Site: stlaurenceschool.com

First Sunday of Advent November 27, 2011 The Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time August 29, 2009

WEEKDAYS November 29 - December 2, 2011 Tues. 8:00 am Carol Horback by Hroback Family Wed. 8:00 am Bill Dohm, Jr. Thurs. 7:00 am Vesta Schofield by Charlotte & John Miller Fri. 8:00 am Federico Guttierrez by Family WEEKEND MASSES December 3 / 4, 2011 Sat. Sun

4:00 pm Harold Wasinger by Family 7:15 am Jim & Ed Woleben by Family & Parish Family 8:45 am Milan Obradovic by Wife & Daughter 10:15 am Brian Swider by Family

BAPTISM—The Sacrament of Baptism will be celebrated the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. Parents are required to attend a pre-baptism class. These classes will be held during the months of January, April, July and October. If you are expecting a baby, please consider attending a class prior to the delivery of your baby. Our next class will be in January. Please call the parish office to register. EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Sherman Hospital—December 9, 2011 Dianna Giardino, Chris Stine

PRAYER OF THE WEEK November 27, 2011, First Sunday of Advent Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Collect text from the English translation of The Roman Missal, © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Company, Inc.

New to Our Parish— New Parishioners are always welcome! To register please stop by the parish office during normal business hours or give us a call at 847 468-6900.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 2:1-5; Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10; Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Rom 10:9-18; Mt 4:18-22 Thursday: Is 26:1-6; Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday: Is 29:17-24; Mt 9:27-31 Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26; Mt 9:35 - 10:1, 5a, 6-8 Sunday: Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps 85; 2 Pt 3:8-14; Mk 1:1-8

PRAYER LIST For the strengthening in faith of all who are afflicted in body, mind or spirit please pray for: Marvin Alexander, Marilyn Balsamo, Walter Beahan, Ray Becerra, Eleanor Bell, Gertrude & Ray Bohne, Bob Campenni, Connie Cave, Terrance Clausen, Lisa Lee Colfer, Eileen Cook, Scott Corrus, Rosemarie Forest, Mark Gilles, Mary Gilles, Brenda Gilmore, Irene Herdzina, Judy Johnson, Don Johnston, Clarence & Florence Jungels, Frank Jureske, Ted Kulak, John Lyon, Marilyn Malsi, Alyssa Mandarino, Jack Marquez, Lavera & Dennis Peacock, Bonnie Penera, Luanne Pfaller, James Phelps, Anna Pyrich, Margarita Ruiz, Donald E. Seyller, Gina Thorson, Wendy Toufexis, Fred Walschot, Kay Wilhelmi. All materials that are submitted for the bulletin must be in the parish office by Noon on Monday morning. St. Vincent DePaul Yearly Report Highlights Fiscal year October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011 As you know we have a joint group with St. Thomas More Church. Disbursements Cash: $56,477 In-kind (inc. food) 11,268 TOTAL $67,745 Total # of Visits / Contacts Total People Helped Total Hours of Service Estimated miles in Service

1493 3281 3408 10479

Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday our bulletin had to be sent early, therefore we are not able to list the Sunday collection for November 20th this week.

WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE PRAYERS AT MASS?—At Masses today, Catholic parishes in the Mark your Calendars—St. Laurence students would like to invite everyone to their annual Christmas programs on December 14th and December 15th. The Kindergarten and Pre-School class will be getting everyone into the Christmas spirit on Wednesday, December 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the church. Students in grades 1st through 5th will perform “Christmas Hang-up” on Thursday, December 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Box Tops for Education—Please continue to save your Box Tops for Education especially as the Holidays are approaching and you are doing a little more baking. Just look for the little “Box Top” logo, cut it out and place them in the Box Top box in back of church. They are on lots of items, not just food. Thanks for your help!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Your donations of money and food for our Thanksgiving Food collection is greatly appreciated. With your generosity we were able to prepare 50 Food Baskets for families attending the Two Rivers Head Start Program as well as 10 parish families. A BIG thanks to all who volunteered to help with the food deliveries, the members of our Social Action Committee for coordinating this program and the students of St. Laurence for packing the food baskets. Our parish is truly blessed with many willing helpers!

Start or continue a family tradition at Marmion Abbey! They have FRESH precut Christmas trees, cut your own trees, and handcrafted wreaths. Your purchase helps to support the Monks of Marmion Abbey. Free sleds for families to use. Free hot chocolate and warming fires on the weekends. Open November 19December 23, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Marmion Abbey Farms, 850 Butterfield Road, Aurora, IL 60502. For information call 630-936-0034 or www.abbeyfarms.org

Knights of Columbus Council #654 will be selling Christmas cards before and after all Masses on December 3 / 4. The cards come in a variety of styles that are designed to “To Keep the Christ in Christmas.”

United States are for the first time in about forty years using a new English translation of all the prayers. These prayers are found in The Roman Missal, the large book that we are accustomed to seeing the priest use at our Eucharistic liturgies. In the early part of this century, the late Blessed Pope John Paul II called for the original Latin Missal (the official prayer book for Mass for the entire Catholic Church worldwide) to be re-translated into the various languages prayed throughout the world. In particular, he and other Church leaders felt that the English translation could be improved. He called for new translations that would be much more like the Latin texts upon which they are based, so that all Catholics throughout the world would become more closely united by praying translations that were closer to the original. The words that we pray at Mass express our beliefs; it is important that the translations capture and express these beliefs clearly. The translation process has come to a culmination now, and today we begin using this new translation at Mass. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. You will notice that we have a new Missalette/ Songbook which will be used for the whole year. All Readings and music can be found in the new book. Please make sure to take one when you enter the church. Our Giving Tree is up and the tags have been taken. Thank you to all who were so quick to take one. The gifts should be returned to church no later than the weekend of December 10 / 11, 2011. If you have any questions please call Deb at the prish office at 847 468-6900.

OPLATKI—Among people of Slavic ancestry and still today among many Poles in the United States, the father of the family solemnly breaks a wafer made of wheat flour; Oplatki (Polish, “thin wafer”) on Christmas Eve. He distributes them to those present as a symbol of love and peace. These pieces are then shared with wishes for luck, health and happiness. Pieces are also shared with friends and neighbors as a symbol of unity in the human family. Oplatki will be on sale for $1.00 each beginning after Masses December 3 / 4. CHRISTMAS YOUTH CHOIR Rehearsals will begin SOON for the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass. All students in grades two through high school and college are invited to join us. Keep an eye on the bulletin for rehearsal dates and times.

We Pray for Our Military AIR FORCE: Staff Sgt. Eric Charckon, Major Victoria Cramer, Major Andrew Sedivy, MD ARMY: PFC Daniel J. Duffy, 1st. Sgt. Eric Case, 2nd Lt. Thomas Martin, Pvt. Thomas W. Uzitas, MARINES: Cpl. Jared Bultinck, Maj. Michael Volmer, NAVY: Seaman Apprentice Terrance M. Alexander, Seaman Recruit Timothy M. Alexander, Corpsman Nick Toufexis. May God protect them and return them safely to their families

FIRST SATURDAYS Respect Life Eucharistic Holy Hour of Adoration will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Dundee, 5:30 p.m.6:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 3rd. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Recitation of the Holy Rosary, Recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Silent Adoration and Benediction. Please join us.

The St. Paula Chapter of NAIM Elgin Deanery, Christmas dinner will be held on Friday, December 9th. Please decide on your entrée and make your reservation Please call Virginia at 847 622-1910 for details on the Christmas dinner. NAIM is for all widowed men and women. For more information please phone Jean at 847 742-8597.

In the Diocese of Rockford, Catholics come together monthly for a time of prayer and the celebration of the Holy Mass offered for the protection of all life and for the end to abortion. Please join us on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, 201 Buckbee St., Rockford, IL. Rosary will be recited at 6:40 p.m. with the celebration of Mass at 7:00 p.m. For information call 815 399-4300 #381. Prayer does make a difference.

CAN YOU HELP THE MISSIONS?

St. Vincent dePaul Society—We have a joint group

Please save the canceled postage stamps from your greeting card envelopes and letters. These will be sent to the Missions. They earn $20 per pound on the stamps and this is then used to support 3 Missions in Brazil. There is a white mailbox in the foyer of Church where they can be deposited.

TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Long ago in northern Europe, the growing dark and winter weather in Advent forced people to remove the wheels from their carts and replace them with snow runners. The wheels were hung high in the rafters of the house, fitted out with lanterns, and wound tightly with evergreen boughs. The first wreaths were windows into heaven, a source of light, a comforting sign of the victory of the light of Christ over our world’s dark wildernesses, its mountainous obstacles, its valleys of need. The Advent wreath started in the home, and only later appeared in church. Its four candles represent the four Sundays of our journey: typically three purple, one rose. Why not set a wreath in your own home as a place for Advent prayer? Don’t let a shortage of purple candles discourage you: some use a deep blue, others have white candles and weave blue and purple flowers, seashells, and pine cones into the green. When the sun sets tonight, light a single candle, sing a verse of a well-loved Advent hymn, and name a mountain to be leveled, a valley to be filled. —James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

with members of St. Thomas More Church in Elgin. Our next meeting will be here at St. Laurence on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. For information contact SVdP Society at 847 628-5170.

“Tree of Memories”—For people who have lost a loved one, the holiday’s can be an especially difficult time. That is why each year for the past 21 years “The Tree of Memories” and the Tree Lighting Ceremony have been a part of the holiday season. The concept is nondenominational based so that it includes all faiths. The way to remember a loved one is simple. You can choose an ornament you would like to see on the “Tree” that commemorates your loved one. Your ornament can be homemade, purchased or an ornament that is part of your family heirloom collection. Each ornament is registered, numbered, and hung lovingly on the “Tree.” It remains on the “Tree” throughout the holidays then is gently removed, carefully stored and returned to the “Tree” for holiday seasons to come. The memory of your loved one will be celebrated each year. We hope you will remember our “Tree of Memories” during the coming months and invite you to add an ornament to the “Tree” in December. Ornaments may be registered December 1st through December 30th. Please join us for our Christmas program followed by light refreshments. Ceremony will be held on Sunday, December 4, 2011 @ 2:00 p.m. at the Elgin Chapel of the Wait Ross Allanson Chapel, 51 Center St., Elgin, IL 60123, 847 742-2100 and on Saturday, December 3rd @ 2:00 p.m. at the Algonquin Chapel of Wait Ross Allanson, 201 S. Main St., Algonquin, IL 60102, 847 658-6232.

The class schedule is as follows: K-8th Grade— Wednesday, November 30, 2011 from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. Our December date is the 7th.

FELLOWSHIP SUNDAY Second Sunday of the Month

Religious Education

Preschool—On Sunday, December 4, 2011 during the 8:45 a.m. Mass. Parents please bring your children to the Kindergarten classroom before Mass begins.

Make new friends, but keep the old! Fellowship Sunday is back again! On Sunday, December 11th after the 7:15, 8:45 and 10:15 a.m. Masses in the cafeteria. Donuts, bagels, fruit, coffee, tea, juice and friendship. All are welcome

Confirmation—On Sunday, December 4, 2011. Students are to attend the 8:45 a.m. Mass and sit together as a group. Class will immediately follow and will be dismissed at 11:00 a.m.

FIRST RECONCILIATION PARENT MEETING We will be having a parent’s meeting for all children who will be receiving First Reconciliation this class year. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. At least one parent must attend the meeting.

Hope for the Holidays For those who have recently lost a loved one, the approaching holiday season can trigger powerful emotions. Participants will gain coping skills to help them get through the holiday season and ideas for incorporating the memory of the loved one into holiday traditions. The evening will close with a short candlelight remembrance service. Program will be held at Fox Valley Volunteer Hospice, 200 Whitfield Drive, Geneva. The program is offered free of charge, but registration is required. Thursday, December 8th, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (registration required by December 1). To register please call (630) 232-2233 or email at [email protected].

Let us all be thankful for the gift of our vocation. Learn how to enrich your vocation of Marriage or Holy Orders by attending an enrichment made just for you. The next Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekends are Dec. 2-4 in Brookfield, WI; Jan. 27-29 in Brookfield, WI and Feb. 17-19 in Crystal Lake, IL. For more information call (888) 574-5653 or visit our website at: alifetimeoflove.org.

Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. Mark 13:33

We encourage our parishioners to support the businesses using our bulletin. Let them know that you saw their ad in our bulletin. This week we highlight: Judy LoBianco Nelson

Re / Max Horizon 847 741-JUDY (5839)

Altar Ministry for the Weekend of December 3 / 4 Mass Time

Lector

Altar Server

Eucharistic Minister

4:00 p.m.

Elaine Young

Anthony Balboa, Amanda Saunders

Sandy Litts, Barb Miller, Vickie Muno, Greg Soohov

7:15 a.m.

Loretta Revesz

Claudia & Evan Sajtar

Vicky Giuliano, Chris Stine, Seena Woleben

8:45 a.m.

Joyanne Fabsits

Ben Salzmann, Hannah Schutzkus

Judy Gordon, William Hejnosz, Natalie Koessl, Bob Plazewski

10:15 a.m.

Sr. Janice Rosinke

Caroline & Madelyn Spagnola

Gail Essary, Leana Kane, Jim Kararo, Melanie Marcordes